Zhang Kui Asks the Way in Investiture of the Gods

High in the sky, Wen Zhong rode the black Qilin, speeding through the clouds, the wind howling and the sea of ​​clouds churning.

He glanced back and saw that Zhang Kui was following closely behind at a leisurely pace, his Bixie swift as the wind, showing no signs of strain. His opinion of Zhang Kui rose even higher.

"Fellow Daoist," Wen Zhong suddenly spoke, his voice still clearly audible in the wind, "now that you have already achieved the Golden Immortal realm and transcended the mortal world, why do you still want to get involved in this worldly conflict?"

He had been pondering this question for a long time. A Golden Immortal, transcending the Three Realms and outside the Five Elements, could have lived a carefree life; why then did he have to become entangled in the tribulations of the mortal world?

Zhang Kui remained silent for a moment, then patted the side of Bi'an's neck. The spirit beast, sensing his presence, immediately accelerated and raced alongside the Mo Qilin. The two beasts traveled on clouds, one black and one white, complementing each other perfectly.

"The Shang Dynasty's fate is sealed; this is the will of Heaven, and I, Zhang, can see it clearly." Zhang Kui looked eastward, where dawn was breaking and golden light was gradually staining the clouds. "But my reason for assisting the Grand Tutor is not for the sake of the Shang Dynasty, but for the sake of the human race."

"For the human race?" Wen Zhong frowned. Although he was a minister of the Shang Dynasty, he knew that the change of dynasties was a normal occurrence. However, he did not understand the deeper meaning behind Zhang Kui's words.

"The Great Tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods, seemingly a transition from the Shang to the Zhou dynasty and a struggle between the Chan and Jie schools, actually involved hundreds of millions of lives, whose fates were not in their own hands." Zhang Kui's voice was calm, yet every word was clear. "Actually, we should thank the Marquis of Xibo for this."

"Ji Chang?" Wen Zhong was even more puzzled. Ji Chang was already dead, and Xiqi had rebelled against the Shang. Why would Zhang Kui thank him?

"Yes, back in Youli City, I personally witnessed Ji Chang relinquish his chance to become a Great Luo Golden Immortal, and instead bestowed the Heavenly Merit upon the Book of Changes and the Nine Tripods to ensure the fate of humanity. How noble that was!" Zhang Kui recalled that scene, his heart still pounding. "He once said, 'The path of immortality is the path of immortals, not the path of men.' Although I, Zhang, cannot reach that level, my heart yearns for it."

He paused, then continued, "The great calamity is like a torrent; those who go with it prosper, and those who go against it perish. I, Zhang, am powerless to change the course of events, but I only wish to do what I can to create a reef in this torrent, giving those who should not have died a glimmer of hope."

After listening, Wen Zhong remained silent for a long time.

The black unicorn weaves through the sea of ​​clouds, below which the mountains and rivers are picturesque, and cities appear as small as beans. Farmers are already working in the fields, and wisps of smoke rise from their chimneys, creating a scene of everyday life.

After a long silence, Wen Zhong sighed, "Fellow Daoist, I admire your concern for all living beings. However... in the face of this great calamity, who can remain unscathed? Even I myself do not know if I can escape unscathed."

"The lamp of the heart does not borrow the light of others; it illuminates the universe itself, guiding each step with clarity," Zhang Kui said, his gaze resolute. "As for the outcome... man proposes, God disposes."

Wen Zhong nodded and said nothing more.

The two traveled eastward, traversing countless mountains and rivers amidst churning clouds. Along the way, they passed several famous mountains and rivers, where the caves of cultivators shone with spiritual light, but Wen Zhong did not stop, heading straight for Jin'ao Island in the East Sea.

After flying for a day and a night, at dusk on the second day, a hazy outline of a fairy mountain appeared where the sea and sky met.

The mountain floated above the East China Sea, shrouded in mist and bathed in countless rays of light. Its shape resembled a golden turtle, complete with head and tail, lifelike in its form. Pavilions and terraces appeared and disappeared within the mountain, cranes soared, mythical beasts roamed, and countless beams of light darted through, creating an atmosphere of celestial grandeur, as if ten thousand immortals were paying homage.

We've arrived at Jin'ao Island, the sacred site of the Jie Sect's sages.

Wen Zhong's spirits lifted, and he urged the Ink Kirin to accelerate.

Zhang Kui also stared intently, secretly on guard—this was a sacred place, a gathering place of great powers. Although he had a past with Zhao Gongming, the Three Immortals, Lü Yue, and others, he was ultimately an outsider and needed to be careful with his words and actions, and not to lose his manners.

Just as the two were about to reach a hundred miles outside the island, two figures suddenly emerged from the sea of ​​clouds ahead.

Two young Taoist boys, one dressed in blue and the other in white, stood in the way, riding on auspicious clouds. Their bearing was extraordinary; they had clearly served a sage for many years and were imbued with the Taoist spirit.

"Halt!"

The young Taoist in blue robes shouted, brandishing his whisk, "This is the sacred ground of Golden Turtle Island; unauthorized entry is strictly prohibited!"

Wen Zhong reined in the black Qilin and said loudly, "I am Wen Zhong, a disciple of the Golden Spirit Holy Mother. I have come to pay my respects to my master and fellow disciples."

"Senior Brother Wen Zhong?" The white-robed Daoist boy looked him over carefully, then smiled. "It really is Senior Brother Wen Zhong! Many years have passed, but you remain as dashing as ever. Please make yourself at home!"

As they spoke, the two stepped aside to make way and bowed in greeting.

Wen Zhong returned the greeting, exchanged a glance with Zhang Kui, and continued on his way.

Passing through layers of clouds and over numerous restrictions, the true face of Jin'ao Island gradually came into view.

The sacred mountains are majestic, with spiritual veins crisscrossing like dragons; rare flowers and exotic herbs abound, all of which are rare medicinal herbs that are hard to find in the outside world; precious birds and auspicious beasts are carefree and at ease, and are not frightened when they see strangers, but rather look around with curiosity.

In the center of the island stands a magnificent palace with the three large characters "Biyou Palace" inscribed on its plaque, exuding Taoist charm and a myriad of magnificent sights.

Even from a distance, Zhang Kui could feel the supreme majesty contained within, the abode of a sage, a manifestation of the Way of Heaven.

After dismounting, the two walked to a plaza. The plaza was paved with white jade, and twelve dragon-carved pillars stood around it, each pillar engraved with various Daoist runes.

The plaza was quite deserted at the moment, with only a few cultivators discussing the Dao in the distance. Wen Zhong looked around and saw that all the cave dwellings were tightly closed and protected by restrictions, clearly indicating that their owners were not present.

Just as Wen Zhong was hesitating whether to wait outside Biyou Palace or visit his master, the Golden Spirit Mother, first, a clear female voice suddenly came from behind him: "Is that Fellow Daoist Wen Zhong ahead?"

Wen Zhong turned around and saw a graceful female fairy descending on the clouds. She wore a light purple dress and a hibiscus crown, with a beautiful face and a gentle temperament.

"Fellow Daoist Han Zhixian, I pay my respects!" Upon recognizing the person, Wen Zhong hurriedly returned the greeting. This Han Zhixian was an outer disciple of the Jie Sect. Although not a direct disciple, she was quite popular within the sect.

After accepting the greeting, Han Zhixian turned her gaze to Zhang Kui, a hint of curiosity flashing in her eyes, and continued to ask, "Fellow Daoist, are you going to see Senior Sister Jin Ling?"

Before Wen Zhong could speak, Han Zhixian continued, "Today, the Sage is expounding on the Great Luo Dao Fruit, and many immortals have gone to listen. It will probably take some time before it ends. However, Fellow Daoist, you've come at a very opportune time. Fellow Daoist Qin Wan and the others are practicing formations on White Deer Island. Why don't you go and pay them a visit? I've heard that the Ten Absolute Formations they've set up are extremely profound, and they're looking for someone to test them out."

After a brief pause, Han Zhixian suddenly smiled and asked, "Is the person beside you... Zhang Kui, my junior disciple Lan Ying's Daoist partner?"

This sudden remark surprised both Wen Zhong and Zhang Kui.

Zhang Kui, in particular, was certain he had never met Han Zhixian. Although he was renowned, Jin'ao Island was a gathering place for countless immortals; how could anyone recognize him at a glance?

"Does Fellow Daoist know Zhang Kui?" Wen Zhong asked the question that Zhang Kui also wanted to ask.

"I don't know him!" Han Zhixian said playfully, a sly glint in her eyes, "but I've seen him before..."

Upon hearing this, the two were even more bewildered.

Han Zhixian stopped teasing them and covered her mouth with a soft laugh, saying, "Once before, Lan Ying came to Jin'ao Island to listen to the Dao and stayed in the same courtyard as me. She missed her Daoist partner and once painted a portrait of my friend Zhang Kui with her skillful brush, which she studied day and night. Today, upon seeing him, she recognized him because he looked almost exactly like the real person."

Zhang Kui was both amused and exasperated upon hearing this, feeling a surge of warmth mixed with a touch of embarrassment. It was quite unexpected that Gao Lanying, with her aloof nature, would act so girlishly.

It seems that gossip always finds a market, whether you're a celestial being or a mortal.

Wen Zhong smiled, then said seriously, "Thank you for your guidance, fellow Daoist. In that case, let's go to White Deer Island to pay our respects to Fellow Daoist Qin Wan."

After exchanging pleasantries, Wen Zhong and Zhang Kui bid farewell to Han Zhixian and rode their mounts to Bailu Island, located southeast of Jin'ao Island.

After flying for less than half an incense stick's time, White Deer Island came into view. At this moment, the island was radiant with light, with ten beams of light of different colors piercing the sky, faintly forming a mysterious formation.

Before they even got close, they could hear a booming sound coming from the island, with wind, thunder, water, and fire surging, and a murderous intent lurking everywhere.

"It seems that the Ten Deadly Formations are beginning to take shape." Wen Zhong observed intently, his expression solemn. "Qin Wan and the other ten Heavenly Lords are all masters of formations. It is said that even a Great Luo Golden Immortal would be defeated by this Ten Deadly Formations. Today, we must witness it for ourselves."

Zhang Kui activated his Great Yin-Yang Void-Piercing True Eye and gazed at the ten pillars of light. He saw that each pillar contained a completely different Great Dao Law—some were chillingly cold, some were blazing infernos, some were sharp as gold, and some were soul-corroding red sand…

"Indeed mysterious." Zhang Kui nodded to himself.

Individually, each of these ten formations is not considered top-tier, but when linked together, they respond to each other and are endlessly generated, their power more than doubles.

No wonder in the original story, the Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect were forced to leave the mountain.

The two descended from the clouds and landed on the beach at the edge of the island.

A young Taoist priest stepped forward, clearly recognizing Wen Zhong, and respectfully bowed, saying, "Uncle-Master Wen, our senior uncles are practicing a formation. Please follow me."

Following the young Taoist through a peach grove, we arrived at the training ground in the center of the island. Ten high platforms were arranged in a circle, and on each platform stood a Taoist priest, each manipulating array flags and performing formations.

Upon seeing Wen Zhong arrive, a Taoist priest in a green robe in the center raised his hand to signal a pause. The ten beams of light slowly receded, and the formation temporarily ceased.

"Fellow Daoist Wen, what brings you here?" the green-robed Daoist asked with a smile. He was none other than Qin Wan, the leader of the Ten Heavenly Monarchs. He turned his gaze to Zhang Kui, "And this is…"

"This is Fellow Daoist Zhang Kui," Wen Zhong introduced. "Fellow Daoist Zhang, these ten are the Ten Heavenly Lords of Jin'ao Island, whose mastery of formations is unparalleled in the Jie Sect."

Zhang Kui bowed respectfully and said, "I have long admired the names of all of you fellow Daoists. It is an honor to meet you today."

The ten Heavenly Kings returned the greetings one after another, each with a different expression.

Some stared curiously, some smiled, and others scrutinized.

Qin Wan smiled and said, "You two have come at the perfect time. Our Ten Deadly Formations are newly completed, and we are in need of people to test them. Since you have spoken highly of them, you must be quite accomplished. Could you perhaps offer some guidance?"

Most of the disciples of the Jie Sect are proud and arrogant. Zhang Kui is an outsider and of human origin. Although Wen Zhong recommended him, he still needs to demonstrate his strength to gain their approval.

Before Wen Zhong could speak, Zhang Kui stepped forward and said frankly, "That is indeed my wish, I dare not ask. But I wonder which challenge Fellow Daoist Qin would like me to try?"

A look of approval flashed in Qin Wan's eyes. This young man was neither humble nor arrogant, and his demeanor was calm and composed, which was quite rare.

"Let me begin," Qin Wan said in a deep voice, leaping onto the central platform. "Please enter my 'Heavenly Annihilation Formation,' fellow Daoist!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Wan waved the array banner, and the great array was erected.

Outside the formation, Wen Zhong whispered to Zhang Kui, "Fellow Daoist, be careful, act according to your strength, and do not force yourself."

"I understand." Zhang Kui's eyes were like torches as he looked at the Heavenly Annihilation Formation.