Zhang Kui Asks the Way in Investiture of the Gods

It's now!

With a swift movement, Zhang Kui used his flying technique to drift into the arena like a frost-covered shadow, blocking the ferocious beast's path.

"Who's there?" The ferocious man was shocked; he hadn't noticed anyone approaching at all.

Without answering, Zhang Kui merely made a grasping motion with his right hand, and the Dragon Sparrow Blade appeared out of thin air. The blade trembled, and a clear, resonant sound echoed across the mountain ridge.

"This knife..." His ferocious pupils contracted; he recognized it. "Zhang Kui, it's you?"

"Oh, so you know me!" Zhang Kui said casually, his gaze sweeping over the heavily injured Bi'an and Suanni. "The owners of these two spirit beasts have a past connection with me. I'll take care of their affairs."

"You've got to manage it?" He laughed menacingly. "Zhang Kui, you're quite capable. But this is Red Reef Island, with underground ley lines and fire caves that resonate with me. How dare you, a mere Xuanxian, spout such arrogant words..."

Before he could finish speaking, the ferocious beast suddenly attacked.

He knew that Zhang Kui was no easy opponent. So he went all out from the start—five tails appeared behind him, transforming into a five-colored net covering a radius of ten zhang, which descended upon Zhang Kui.

This "Five Elements Net" is no ordinary thing; the power of the five elements is mutually reinforcing and amplifying, with each layer of power stacking upon the last. What's even more terrifying is that the net is connected to the earth's veins and fire caves, providing an inexhaustible supply of energy. Once trapped, it will inevitably take considerable effort to escape.

Despite this fierce attack, Zhang Kui remained unfazed.

It's a good time to test out my newly mastered "Mastering the Five Thunders" supernatural power.

He raised his left hand, fingers spread wide. Five-colored lightning suddenly erupted from his palm.

Eastern Azure Qi Wood Thunder, Southern Crimson Qi Fire Thunder, Central Yellow Qi Earth Thunder, Western White Qi Metal Thunder, Northern Black Qi Water Thunder.

"Boom!"

Thunder collided with the giant net, unleashing a deafening roar. A burst of light shot into the sky, and shockwaves swept in all directions, ripping layers of rock from the mountain ridge. The Bixie roared, desperately protecting the Suanni behind it, using its body to shield itself from the flying debris.

As the smoke cleared, the ferocious creature staggered back several steps, its face filled with horror.

"This is impossible!" the ferocious creature cried out. "My Five Elements Net is reinforced by the earth's veins; even a Golden Immortal wouldn't dare to take it head-on."

Zhang Kui did not answer, because he had no intention of giving the ferocious beast a chance to breathe.

His body moved again, and the frost was unpredictable!

His figure transformed into dozens of frosty white afterimages, attacking the ferocious beast from different directions. Each afterimage was indistinguishable from reality, carrying a sharp blade aura.

The ferocious beast was greatly alarmed, its five tails whipping wildly, creating layers of fiery walls around its body. At the same time, it spat out a crimson demon core, which spun rapidly in the air, radiating scorching heat—this was its natal demon core, nurtured for thousands of years, its power comparable to a spiritual treasure.

"A trivial skill."

Amidst the dozens of afterimages, Zhang Kui's calm voice rang out.

The next moment, all the afterimages simultaneously swung their swords.

But instead of striking the ferocious beast, it struck the ground.

The Dragon Sparrow Blade, imbued with earth elemental magic, slashed fiercely into the mountain ridge. The entire ridge trembled violently, the earth's veins were briefly severed, and the supply of earth fire around the ferocious creature suddenly stopped.

In that brief moment of hesitation, Zhang Kui's true form appeared above the ferocious-looking head.

"Subduing Dragons and Tigers!"

With his physical strength fully unleashed and the blood and qi of the Spirit Witch Realm surging, combined with the Dragon Subduing and Tiger Taming Divine Power, the power of this strike was incredibly terrifying.

Before the blade even arrived, its sharp pressure had already suppressed the protective flames surrounding the ferocious creature, making them flicker unpredictably.

"not good!"

It roared ferociously, its demon core held atop its head, and all five tails emerged, attempting to withstand the blow head-on.

But he underestimated the power of that strike.

"clang!"

The demon core clashed with the blade, producing a deafening clang like metal striking metal. Countless cracks instantly appeared on the surface of the demon core, and the ferocious creature, as if struck by a heavy blow, spat out a mouthful of blood and was sent flying backward.

Zhang Kui, seizing the advantage, raised his left hand again.

This time, five-colored lightning condensed into a fist-sized ball of lightning in his palm. The five-colored lightning intertwined and merged, emitting a terrifying aura of destruction.

"Five Elements Divine Thunder!"

The lightning ball slipped from his grasp, chasing after the ferocious creature that was flying backwards.

Fear finally appeared in his ferocious eyes. He sensed the terrifying energy contained within the lightning ball, the five elements within it raging and chaotic; once it erupted, it would be enough to damage his soul.

"Come on!" he roared, grabbing one of his own tails and tearing it off violently.

Blood gushed from the severed tail, and the torn tail burst into flames in the air, transforming into a blood-red talisman.

"Offering our tails as a sacrifice, we beseech the Ancestor to descend!"

The crimson talisman exploded, unleashing an ancient and ferocious aura. Its grotesque body began to swell, scales sprouted from beneath its skin, and its head deformed, gradually transforming into the form of some ancient, ferocious beast…

He was about to unleash a forbidden bloodline technique to summon the bloodline power of an ancient ferocious beast.

Zhang Kui's eyes turned cold.

If we let the ferocious creature complete its transformation, it will take some effort to deal with it.

"You've lost your chance."

With a thought, Zhang Kui activated the Great Yin-Yang Void-Piercing True Eye at full power.

His left eye, the Sun Cave, emitted a blazing divine light, locking onto the ferocious body that was transforming. His right eye, the Yin Candle, emitted an icy divine light, piercing straight into the soul within the ferocious creature's sea of ​​consciousness.

The yin and yang lights arrived simultaneously, abruptly halting the grotesque transformation process. He felt as if half his body was plunged into a furnace and the other half into an ice cave; the torment of both fire and ice caused him to let out a piercing scream.

Even more terrifying, the sea of ​​consciousness was invaded by the Taiyin Divine Light, and the soul felt as if it were being pierced by thousands of needles, causing unbearable pain.

Take advantage of his illness and kill him!

Zhang Kui moved again, his flying form appearing like a ghost beside the ferocious beast. The Dragon Sparrow Blade traced a mysterious path, the Great Five Elements Annihilation Divine Light swirling around its blade.

A flash of light appeared.

The ferocious screams abruptly ceased.

His body froze on the spot, his eyes still filled with terror and confusion. A moment later, beams of five-colored light burst forth from his body, and his entire body began to disintegrate, turning into dust that drifted away in the wind.

It was ferocious, its form and spirit utterly destroyed.

Zhang Kui sheathed his sword and stood there, letting out a long sigh of relief.

"Husband!" Gao Lanying arrived gracefully, her eyes full of admiration. "This battle was clean and decisive. That ferocious beast was at least a peak Xuanxian level demon beast, but it couldn't even last ten moves against you."

Zhang Kui shook his head: "He has the advantage of going first and having his supernatural powers counter. If we really let him complete the transformation, it will take a lot of effort."

He turned to look at Bi'an and Suanni.

Both beasts fell silent. The wariness in Bi'an's eyes lessened considerably, replaced by gratitude. Suanni even struggled to raise its head, letting out a weak, low growl.

Zhang Kui walked up to them and took out the two beast-taming rings.

The Beast Taming Ring seemed to sense its master's presence, and its silver light shone brightly. The Bixie and Suanni exchanged a glance, and simultaneously lowered their heads, resting their foreheads on the Beast Taming Ring.

This is a sign of submission.

"Fellow Daoists Wang Mo and Yang Sen have been included in the Investiture of the Gods," Zhang Kui said softly. "Your Beast Taming Rings are now in my hands. If you wish, you may follow my wife and me in cultivation; if you do not wish to be bound, I can remove the restrictions on the Beast Taming Rings and grant you your freedom."

Bi'an let out a low growl, shook its head, and then rubbed its head against the beast-taming ring.

The Suanni lowered its head and let out a whimper.

Gao Lanying explained from the side, "Husband, they probably mean they want to follow you. Once a spirit beast recognizes a master, it's hard for it to accept anyone else. But the Beast Taming Ring is in your hands, and you saved them, so they're treating you as their new master."

Zhang Kui pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Alright. Lan Ying, we happen to be short of some capable spirit beasts. Let them heal from their injuries first, and once they've recovered, they can each follow you and me."

He took out two bottles of healing pills that Nezha had previously added and fed them to Bi'an and Suanni. He then circulated his qi nine times, drawing on the surrounding spiritual energy and converting it into pure magical power to heal the two beasts.

An hour later, the Bixie's external injuries had mostly healed, and the Suanni's severed limbs had also been reattached. Although it would still take some time to recover, it was no longer a major problem.

"We should head back now." Zhang Kui handed one of the Beast Taming Rings to Gao Lanying to put away. The Bixie and Suanni transformed into two streams of light and disappeared into the rings respectively.

Zhang Kui and Gao Lanying rode the clouds and left Chijiao Island.

……

On the official road outside Mianchi City, a convoy of carriages and horses carrying about a hundred people was slowly approaching.

Among the banners, one large flag stood out, bearing the character "闻" (wen, meaning "to hear").