Zhang Kui Asks the Way in Investiture of the Gods

Xiqi Mountain, Zhang Guifang's Camp

Several streaks of light descended, and Zhang Kui landed first, followed by four Jie Sect cultivators: Wang Mo, Yang Sen, Gao Youqian, and Li Xingba.

The soldiers in the camp were demoralized, their bloodlust mingled with the groans of pain, and the air was thick with the stench of herbs mixed with the stench of blood.

It is clear that Zhang Guifang suffered a great loss.

"Quickly report to General Zhang that Zhang Kui has come to provide support on the orders of the Grand Tutor, bringing with him the immortals of the Jie Sect," Zhang Kui instructed the guards who came to greet him.

The guard recognized Zhang Kui and, upon seeing the four strangely-looking cultivators behind him, immediately bowed and replied, "Yes, General, please wait a moment!"

During this brief respite, Zhang Kui secretly activated his "Great Yin-Yang Hollow Eye," scanning the layout of the military camp. Inside the central command tent, Zhang Guifang's aura appeared somewhat weak.

"Interesting," Zhang Kui thought to himself, "Zhang Guifang, who has the 'Name Calling and Horse Dismounting Technique' by her side, has actually been injured."

Just as he was pondering, Zhang Guifang appeared, her face pale, with obvious damage to her armor on her left shoulder, and faint traces of blood showing through.

Feng Lin followed behind him, his right arm in a sling across his chest, his eyes showing both vigilance and barely concealed fatigue.

Zhang Guifang strode forward, her steps still steady despite her injuries. "I never expected you to come back. I'm truly ashamed!"

Zhang Kui returned the greeting with clasped hands, his gaze lingering for a moment on the wound on Zhang Guifang's shoulder. Fine golden Dao patterns swirled around the edge of the wound, constantly eroding the flesh and life force—this was an injury caused by authentic Xuanmen magic.

"General Zhang is wounded?" Zhang Kui asked.

Zhang Guifang smiled bitterly: "Jiang Ziya somehow managed to get reinforcements. During the raid on the camp the night before last, there was a young general wielding a three-pointed double-edged sword. Not only was his martial arts superb, but he was also able to withstand my summoning technique without falling off his horse. While I was fighting him, I was ambushed by a vicious dog and injured my shoulder..."

"Yang Jian." A name popped into Zhang Kui's mind.

In the original work, Yang Jian was an outstanding disciple of the third generation of the Chan Sect. He mastered the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts, achieved physical sainthood, and possessed extraordinary talent.

It can only be said that Zhang Guifang's defeat was not unjust.

At this moment, Wang Mo stepped forward, saying nothing, but simply pointed a finger into the air. Zhang Guifang's shoulder armor automatically detached, revealing a deep wound with visible bone and golden patterns. Wang Mo frowned slightly, took a green gourd from his waist, poured out two emerald green pills, and crushed them into powder with his magic.

"This is 'Azure Phosphorus Muscle-Regenerating Powder'," Wang Mo said, pointing his finger and spreading the powder evenly on the wound, which made a soft sizzling sound and quickly dissolved.

"Second brother, we still need your help." Wang Mo turned around and said.

Yang Sen nodded, made hand seals, and chanted incantations. A pale blue light emanated from his body, and two streams of clear water flowed from his palms, enveloping Zhang Guifang and Feng Lin's wounds respectively.

The water seemed to have a life of its own; after seeping into flesh and blood, the wounds healed, scabbed over, and fell off at a speed visible to the naked eye, leaving only faint red marks in a short time.

"What exquisite water-based magic!" Zhang Kui exclaimed inwardly. Yang Sen's mastery of the water-based laws had reached a state of perfection. Not only could heal injuries, but he could also subtly cleanse the residual foreign magical power within the two individuals during the healing process, thus stabilizing their foundations.

He looked at the four people in front of him, his mind churning. The Jie Sect's policy of teaching without discrimination and accepting disciples widely had indeed cultivated a group of exceptionally talented "specialists."

Although the four saints of Nine Dragons Island are only at the Xuanxian level, each has their own strengths, and their combined power is probably no less than that of an ordinary Golden Immortal. Considering the "Ten Absolute Formations" set up by the Ten Heavenly Lords of Golden Turtle Island in the future, if the Chan Sect had not sacrificed its disciples to break the formation and borrowed the magic treasures of saints, the outcome would have been uncertain.

"It's a pity," Zhang Kui thought to himself, "most of the disciples of the Jie Sect are straightforward and dislike scheming, often making them easy prey for the Chan Sect's calculations. The fates of these four are truly lamentable..."

Composing himself, he took out a letter from Wen Zhong from his bosom and handed it to Zhang Guifang: "General Zhang, this is the Grand Tutor's own handwriting."

Zhang Guifang took it with both hands and unfolded it to read carefully.

In the letter, Wen Zhong spoke earnestly, repeatedly stating that Zhang Kui was a trustworthy person who could be entrusted with important tasks. He also emphasized that the Four Saints of Kowloon Island were people with great supernatural powers, and asked Zhang Guifang to treat them with courtesy and rely on them.

After reading the letter, Zhang Guifang looked up at Zhang Kui with a complicated expression.

Previously, his suspicions had created a rift between him and Zhang Kui, but now the Grand Tutor had openly declared that this man was trustworthy. Putting the letter away, he solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute: "Brother Zhang Kui, I apologize for my previous offense."

"Military affairs come first; there's no question of offending anyone." Zhang Kui waved his hand, his expression calm. "General Zhang, your injuries have fully healed. What are your plans?"

Before Zhang Guifang could answer, Wang Moxian spoke in a deep voice: "Why bother with further discussion? Now that we've come this far, we should fight a swift and decisive battle! General, please send troops immediately. My four brothers and I have our own methods to defeat the enemy."

Zhang Guifang looked at Zhang Kui, who nodded slightly, and immediately said without hesitation, "Good! Order the army to break camp in one hour and march to the city of Xiqi."

Military orders are absolute, and the camp immediately erupted in excitement.

The wounded soldiers put on their armor again, the supplies and provisions were quickly loaded onto the wagons, and the war drums thundered, boosting the morale that had been low for so long.

Zhang Kui walked to a high point in the camp and looked down at the busy soldiers. He could sense that Zhang Guifang had a unique way of managing troops; with just one sentence from him, the soldiers' fighting spirit was rekindled in their eyes.

……

Xiqi City, Prime Minister's Residence

Jiang Ziya was discussing with Huang Feihu, Nangong Shi, and others a plan to eliminate the remaining forces of Zhang Guifang.

"Report!"

A scout urgently reported: "A large army has appeared outside the city. Judging from the banners, it is Zhang Guifang."

All the generals were astonished.

Huang Feihu frowned and said, "Zhang Guifang was severely injured during the attack on the camp last night, and his deputy, Feng Lin, was also wounded. How could they regroup so quickly?"

Jiang Ziya stroked his beard and pondered, a hint of seriousness flashing in his eyes: "It must be that reinforcements from Chaoge have arrived. Wen Zhong is stationed in Chaoge, and he will certainly not sit idly by and watch the war in Xiqi go against him. Generals, now that the enemy has come, they must have something to rely on. You must be careful in battle."

Before he could finish speaking, another guard rushed in: "Prime Minister! Zhang Guifang's army has reached within five miles of the city and is arrayed in battle formation."

So swift.

Jiang Ziya's heart sank. He remembered the name: Cola Novels. He remembered the domain name: . Good books don't get lost. He immediately stood up: "All generals, follow me out of the city to observe the battle."

Outside the city of Xiqi, the Shang army stood in orderly formation.

Zhang Kui rode a black-maned warhorse, seemingly casually pulling the reins, but in reality, he secretly used earth elemental power to explore the surroundings. At the same time, his divine sense spread out like mercury, taking in every movement and rustle around him.

Wang Mo and his three companions did not stand at the front, but instead remained hidden in the central army as planned.

At this moment, Yang Sen stepped forward and took out several yellow talismans: "Generals, please be sure to keep these talismans safe."

Feng Lin, being impatient, took the talisman and examined it. He saw intricate cloud patterns drawn on it, with faint fluctuations of spiritual energy. He couldn't help but ask, "Reverend Daoists, what does this mean?"

Gao Youqian laughed and said, "Our mounts are ancient and unique species, born with an imposing aura. Once they appear, ordinary warhorses will be terrified, their bones will soften and their muscles will collapse, unable to get up."

"Stop talking," Li Xingba said impatiently. "Take these quickly; this talisman will protect your mounts from harm."

"I see!" Feng Lin suddenly realized and immediately affixed the talisman.

Zhang Guifang did as instructed, but Zhang Kui simply pressed the talisman onto the warhorse's neck, and the talisman seemed to melt and seep into the horse's hide, disappearing without a trace.

"Zhang Kui, you have a skillful method." A hint of surprise flashed in Yang Sen's eyes. He could see that Zhang Kui had used his exquisite magic to directly imprint the power of the talisman into the bloodline of the warhorse, making the effect more lasting and stable.

Zhang Kui laughed and said, "It's just a trivial skill; I'm afraid I'll make a fool of myself in front of you, Immortal Master."

"They're here."

Zhang Kui suddenly looked up at the gate of Xiqi City.

The city gate slowly opened, and Jiang Ziya and his entourage lined up in order.

The atmosphere suddenly became tense as the two armies faced off.

Jiang Ziya spurred his warhorse forward a few steps and said loudly, "Defeated general Zhang Guifang, why don't you surrender immediately? What are you waiting for?"

Zhang Guifang sneered, "Jiang Shang, you don't need to be so verbally aggressive!" With that, she waved her hand dismissively.

The war drums suddenly sounded!

Accompanied by the thunderous sound of drums, four strange lights suddenly surged from the central army formation. Wang Mo rode a Bi'an, Yang Sen rode a Suanni, Gao Youqian rode a spotted leopard, and Li Xingba rode a ferocious beast. The four ancient beasts appeared at the same time, and their oppressive aura swept across the entire battlefield like a tidal wave.

Roar!

Hey!

……

All the warhorses in front of Zhou Jun's army neighed in unison, their forelegs buckling as they collapsed to the ground. The riders, caught off guard, were thrown off balance, their formation instantly thrown into chaos.

Only the five-colored divine ox beneath Huang Feihu remained unmoved, emitting a low moo, its body radiating five-colored light to resist the oppressive force.

Nezha's Wind Fire Wheels are magical weapons and are unaffected.

Yang Jian, along with Jiang Ziya's two disciples, Wu Ji and Long Xu Hu, relied on their cultivation levels to remain standing despite their mounts falling to the ground.

Affected by the oppressive force, Jiang Ziya's warhorse stumbled, throwing him off its back. His Taoist robes were disheveled, his hair ornament askew, and Jiang Ziya fell awkwardly into the dust. He forced himself to calm down, made hand seals, and cast a spell. A layer of pale yellow light spread from the Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner, barely protecting the soldiers within a radius of several dozen feet.

Hahaha!

A deafening roar of laughter erupted from the Shang army ranks.

Wang Mo and the other three laughed so hard they were doubled over, and Zhang Guifang and Feng Lin also laughed heartily.

Even Zhang Kui couldn't help but smile when he saw Jiang Ziya's disheveled appearance. "This primordial beast is indeed extraordinary."

"All troops, charge!"

Seizing the opportunity, Zhang Guifang charged into the enemy ranks with her spear, and the Shang army surged towards the Zhou army's lines like a tidal wave. Feng Lin was at the forefront, wielding his spiked club with ferocious power, leaving a trail of blood and flesh in his wake.

"Hold your ground! Form ranks!" Jiang Ziya shouted.

Although Zhou Jun was in disarray, veteran generals such as Huang Feihu and Nangong Shi remained calm in the face of danger and quickly organized a defensive line.

Nezha, Yang Jian, and other cultivators displayed their supernatural abilities in an attempt to stabilize the situation.

"It's our turn to make a move."

Wang Mo snorted coldly and urged his Bi'an to charge straight at Yang Jian. Yang Sen, Gao Youqian, and Li Xingba also sought out opponents, respectively targeting Nezha, Huang Feihu, and others.

Zhang Kui did not rush to join the battle, but dismounted and hid in the formation, using his divine sense to lock onto the entire battlefield.

Wang Mo and Yang Jian were locked in a fierce battle. Bi'an roared repeatedly, spewing out blue flames from its mouth, while Yang Jian used the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts to withstand the attack, his Three-Pointed Double-Edged Sword creating a sound of wind and thunder with each swing.

Both were at the Xuanxian level, and it was difficult to determine who was superior for the time being.

Seeing that he could not win in the short term, Wang Mo unleashed the Heaven-Opening Pearl and hurled it at Yang Jian. The pearl grew larger in the wind, transforming into a size of over ten feet, and pressed down with the power to split mountains and shatter rocks.

Yang Jian sneered, opened his divine eye between his brows, and a beam of white light shot towards the Heaven-Opening Pearl, causing the pearl to pause in mid-air.

"Watch out, brother!"

Seeing this from a distance, Yang Sen hurriedly forced Huang Feihu back and unleashed the Earth-Splitting Pearl in an attempt to rescue him.

But someone was faster than Yang Sen.

Just as Yang Jian's weapon was about to strike Wang Mo, a burst of five-colored light suddenly bloomed in front of Wang Mo.

The radiant light swirled like a wheel, and when Yang Jian's three-pointed double-edged sword struck it, it was as if a mud ox had entered the sea, its force completely neutralized.

"What?" Yang Jian's pupils shrank, and he hurriedly withdrew his attack and retreated.

As the light faded, Zhang Kui appeared before Wang Mo, his right hand gripping the Dragon Sparrow Blade tightly, his left hand slightly open, with faint five-colored light swirling in his palm.

"Who are you?" Yang Jian stared intently at Zhang Kui, his expression grave.

"My name is Zhang Kui!"

Zhang Kui replied with a smile, "Yang Jian, you are indeed formidable. But you're not good enough to kill someone in front of me."

Before he finished speaking, Zhang Kui's figure suddenly blurred and merged into the void. The next moment, he appeared to Yang Jian's left, the tip of his blade piercing towards Yang Jian's ribs.

The Thirty-Six Divine Powers of the Heavenly Gang - Flying Body and Leaving Traces.

Under the unique blessing of Zhang Kui's "Frost Without Fixed Form," it is like frost and dew, without fixed form or shape.