Zhang Kui Asks the Way in Investiture of the Gods

Not to mention the murderous aura emanating from the Ten Deadly Formations beneath the city of Xiqi, and the tense standoff between the Shang and Zhou armies.

Nezha rode on his Wind Fire Wheels, his body transforming into a crimson streak of light, and sped towards Kunlun Mountain with burning anxiety.

Knowing that Jiang Ziya's life was in imminent danger, he dared not stop and traveled day and night until he finally saw the outline of the Kunlun Mountains.

Kunlun Mountain, the ancestor of all mountains, the ancestral vein of the primordial world.

The mountains rise majestically, piercing the clouds, their peaks perpetually covered in snow, a silver-white world shrouded in mist. Cranes occasionally circle overhead, and deer roam freely. The mountain air is thick with spiritual energy, which transforms into a continuous flow of seven-colored rays.

This is the location of the Chan Sect's Taoist temple, the place of cultivation for the Jade Purity Saint, Yuanshi Tianzun. Ordinary cultivators, without the right opportunity, cannot even find the mountain gate.

Although Nezha had been here several times, he had no interest in admiring the scenery at this moment. He rode his Wind Fire Wheels straight toward the mountain gate, the flames beneath them burning a crimson trail through the clouds and mist along the way.

Just as they reached the mountainside, they saw an old man with white hair, a long beard, and a prominent forehead picking herbs in a medicinal garden, accompanied by a sika deer. The old man was not tall, but he possessed a peaceful and serene aura; he was none other than the Antarctic Immortal.

Hearing the sound of something breaking through the air, the Old Man of the South Pole looked up and saw Nezha charging around recklessly, and his brows immediately furrowed.

With a flick of his sleeve, a soft golden light blocked Nezha's path. His voice, seemingly slow yet stern, said, "Nephew Nezha, why are you in such a panic? This is the Heavenly Venerable's sacred ground. As a disciple of the Chan Sect, you should know proper etiquette. If your swift flight on the clouds disturbs the Heavenly Venerable's presence, how will you conduct yourself?"

"Old man, it's you!"

Nezha stamped his foot in frustration, his Wind-Fire Wheels spinning in the air. "Quickly take me to see my master! My Uncle Ziya is dying! Sigh... Don't pull me, you old geezer..."

Before he could finish speaking, the Old Man of the South Pole's expression changed drastically upon hearing the words "Ziya's life is nearing its end."

His previously peaceful face instantly turned serious. He disregarded all etiquette and grabbed Nezha's wrist, shouting, "What did you say? What happened to Junior Brother Ziya?"

"Hey, let go of me!" Nezha struggled, but the Antarctic Immortal, though seemingly old, had a grip as strong as an iron band. "Uncle-Master Ziya has been in a state of mental disarray these past few days, and is now barely clinging to life. Senior Brother Yang Jian said he's been bewitched by an evil spell and told me to come to Kunlun for help immediately."

Without further hesitation, the Old Man of the South Pole slammed his hoe on the ground and shouted, "Follow me!"

Before he finished speaking, he had already used the Golden Light Leap Technique, transforming into a golden rainbow that carried Nezha straight towards the Jade Void Palace atop Kunlun Mountain.

The golden light was incredibly swift, clearing away clouds and mist wherever it passed, and even the mountain's protective barriers made way for it.

In the blink of an eye, the two had reached the summit.

A majestic palace stood atop a sea of ​​clouds, its spire stretching endlessly, resplendent in gold and jade, its eaves soaring like phoenix wings, its walls etched with profound Daoist patterns. Above the main gate hung three ancient characters, "Jade Void Palace," written with powerful strokes, each seemingly imbued with the ultimate truths of heaven and earth. Before the gate stood two towering ancient pines, their needles like jade, beneath which stood a Daoist boy, whisk in hand, in quiet meditation.

As soon as the Antarctic Immortal landed, and was about to tidy his clothes and enter the palace to report, he saw a middle-aged Taoist priest dressed in a black and white yin-yang robe emerge from the palace and walk straight towards them. This Taoist priest had a handsome face, a long beard, and his eyes flashed with the energy of yin and yang. He was none other than Chi, from the Cloud Cave of Mount Taihua. .

"Senior brother, is it to request an audience with Master regarding Junior Brother Ziya?" Chi asked solemnly.

The Old Man of the South Pole bowed and said, "Junior Brother, you already know? Nezha came from Xiqi and said that Junior Brother Ziya's life is not long. I was just about to report this to Master."

"Master already knows the cause and effect and is waiting for you in the hall." Chi stepped aside to make way, "Senior brother, hurry up and don't delay."

The Antarctic Immortal dared not delay, straightened his clothes, and strode into the main hall of the Jade Void Palace. As the palace gates opened and closed, one could vaguely see clouds swirling within, and a lofty and unfathomable aura appearing and disappearing.

After the Antarctic Immortal entered the hall, Chi turned to Nezha and said gently, "Nephew Nezha, I have some knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine and some research on the way of the soul. Why don't I go with you to Xiqi first to see if we can stabilize Junior Brother Ziya's injuries? After Senior Brother informs Master, there will be other arrangements."

Nezha was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. Upon hearing this, he grasped at a straw and quickly said, "Thank you, Uncle Master. Then let's set off immediately."

Chi nodded, waved his sleeve, and a wisp of Yin and Yang energy transformed into auspicious clouds that lifted the two of them. In the blink of an eye, they left Kunlun Mountain and sped off towards Xiqi.

……

Xiqi City, Prime Minister's Residence

Yang Jian was meditating and regulating his breathing in the courtyard outside Jiang Ziya's bedroom, his third eye slightly open, constantly monitoring the changes in Jiang Ziya's soul.

Suddenly, he sensed two familiar auras descending from the sky. One was as fiery as fire, which was none other than Nezha; the other was harmonious in yin and yang, and unfathomable.

He abruptly stood up and strode out of the mansion to greet them.

Chi and Nezha had already landed in the courtyard, and the auspicious clouds had dispersed.

Yang Jian quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Disciple Yang Jian greets Senior Uncle."

"No need for formalities." Chi waved his hand, his gaze already fixed on the bedroom. "How is Ziya now?"

"Uncle's aura is getting weaker and weaker, and most of his three souls and seven spirits have dissipated. When I use my Heavenly Eye to observe, it seems that black threads are coming from the void, wrapping around Uncle's soul and constantly drawing away his soul power." Yang Jian reported quickly while leading the way. "My cultivation is shallow. Although I can see that it is a curse and evil magic, I am powerless to break it."

The three entered the bedroom and found Jiang Ziya lying on the bed, his face ashen, his eyes closed, and his breathing so weak it was almost imperceptible. King Wu, Ji Fa, sat by the bedside, his eyes red-rimmed. Upon seeing Chi arrive, he hurriedly rose and said, "Immortal Master, please save my father, the Prime Minister."

Chi Chaoji nodded slightly and quickly walked to the bedside. He placed two fingers on Jiang Ziya's wrist pulse, closed his eyes to sense it for a moment, and his expression became increasingly solemn.

Immediately, an ancient bronze mirror flew out from his sleeve and hovered three feet above Jiang Ziya.

This mirror, crimson like the sun on one side and pure white like the moon on the other, its frame engraved with yin-yang and eight trigram patterns, is the treasure of Yunxiao Cave on Mount Taihua—the Yin-Yang Mirror. This mirror has two sides, yin and yang. The yin side is white, representing death; the yang side is red, representing life. It can determine life and death, disrupt yin and yang, and invert the soul. You have received a new chapter update: Chapter 155 Peering into Heavenly Secrets, A Contest, Read the link. Its mysteries are boundless.

With bare hands forming hand seals and chanting incantations, the Yin-Yang Mirror slowly rotated, emitting two beams of light, one red and one white, enveloping Jiang Ziya. The red light nourished his physical life force, while the white light shone on his ancestral aperture between his eyebrows, probing the condition of his soul.

A moment later, Chi withdrew his magic, and the Yin-Yang Mirror flew back into his sleeve. He said in a deep voice, "As expected. Junior Brother Ziya was robbed of two of his souls and six of his spirits by an evil spell. Now he only has one soul and one spirit left, barely maintaining his life. That evil spell is extremely vicious. If all three souls and seven spirits are scattered, even a Great Luo Golden Immortal would find it difficult to save him."

Upon hearing this, Ji Fa turned deathly pale and asked in a trembling voice, "Immortal Master, is there any way to save us?"

"We must find the one who cast the spell, destroy their altar, and retrieve their soul," said Chidao. "I have temporarily used the Yin-Yang Mirror to protect Junior Brother Ziya's remaining soul and spirit for seven days. Within seven days, the evil spell must be broken."

He looked at Yang Jian: "Since you saw the black threads coming from the void, do you know their direction?"

Yang Jian pointed northeast: "Coming from the direction of Qishan, I once used my Heavenly Eye to observe from afar and saw ten soaring evil energies in the merchant camp. One of them was a dark, menacing aura, which originated from the same source as the silk thread aura that was binding my master."

"The Ten Deadly Formations..." A cold glint flashed in Chi's eyes. "The people of the Jie Sect actually used such vicious methods. Very well, I will go and find out what's going on."

"Master Uncle, your disciple is willing to go with you," Yang Jian and Nezha said in unison.

Chi shook his head: "You two stay in Xiqi to guard against a Shang army attack. That Ten Deadly Formations is no small matter. I will go alone, and I can advance and retreat at will."

Having said that, he said no more. With a flicker, he transformed into a stream of yin and yang energy, passed through the wall, and disappeared into the night.

Yang Jian and Nezha exchanged a glance, both seeing the worry in each other's eyes.

……

It was already past midnight.

Tonight, the sky is overcast and the stars and moon are dim, but the overwhelming evil energy stirred up by the Ten Deadly Formations in the direction of Qishan is still clearly visible, like ten giant pillars supporting the sky, exuding a terrifying pressure.

Chi left Xiqi City, straightened his clothes, and summoned a protective aura.

Immediately, two bells, one blue and one red, flew out from his sleeve and hovered in front of him, their red and blue lights flashing alternately. These were his protective magic treasures—the Water-Fire Blade.

He was surrounded by red and white light, and the faint image of three flowers appeared above his head. He took off and flew slowly towards the Ten Deadly Formations.

He quickly locked onto the most sinister black beam of light—it was the "Soul-Sinking Array" set up by Yao Bin.

"This is the place." A cold glint flashed in his red eyes, and he accelerated, flying straight towards the Soul-Slaying Formation.

However, what Aka didn't notice was...

In a dense forest three miles outside the Soul-Slaying Formation, a pair of clear black and white eyes were quietly watching everything.

Zhang Kui sat cross-legged under an ancient pine tree, his aura as restrained as a stubborn rock, and he witnessed the entire process of Chi Cong appearing and flying towards the Soul-Slaying Array.

"A bell-shaped magical artifact... The newcomer should be a member of the Chan Sect." "Zhang Kui thought to himself, "Among the Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect, this person has the deepest understanding of the Dao of the Soul, and the Yin-Yang Mirror is especially effective against such evil arts."

"Heaven and earth have their order, and life and death are inevitable." Zhang Kui frowned slightly. "Yao Bin, in his pursuit of victory, has committed this heinous act, which has deviated from the original intention of cultivation."

The current situation is that the clash between the two schools of thought, Chan and Jie, has become a vortex.

"The Ten Deadly Formations cannot be broken so quickly." Zhang Kui had already made up his mind. "Otherwise, the morale of the Shang army will collapse, and Xiqi will take the opportunity to launch a counterattack, and the situation will become uncontrollable."

He slowly rose, his figure vanishing like smoke, and when he reappeared, he was already at the edge of the Soul-Slaying Formation.

Black energy churned within the formation, and a chilling wind howled.

Yao Bin was burning talismans and practicing swordsmanship in front of the earthen platform, completely unaware of the impending crisis. Two of the three bright lamps on the straw figure's head had gone out, but the seven ghostly lamps at its feet were burning brightly, their flames a blood-red hue.

Chi had arrived at the front of the formation. He stood in mid-air, looking down at the dark and eerie Soul-Sinking Formation below, his face cold and stern.

"The poor Taoist priest is red "I urge you, fellow Daoist," he said in a clear voice that pierced through the array barrier, "that such evil arts that damage one's Dao foundation are against the harmony of Heaven and Earth. Please remove the array."

Within the formation, Yao Bin suddenly looked up, a flash of shock and anger in his eyes. He hadn't expected the Golden Immortal of the Chan Sect to arrive so quickly, and to specifically target him with the intention of breaking his Soul-Slaying Formation.

Chi shook his head and sighed, "Stubborn to the end."

He made a hand seal, and a pair of water and fire bells suddenly enlarged. The ghostly figures kept emitting mournful screams and melted away as quickly as snow meeting the scorching sun.

Yao Bin's expression changed, and he hurriedly activated the formation. The straw figure on the earthen platform trembled violently, and the soul thread connecting Jiang Ziya suddenly became several times thicker, actually drawing away Jiang Ziya's remaining soul power to enhance the formation's power.

"You're asking for death!" Chi roared angrily.

Yao Bin gritted his teeth, bit his tongue until it bled, and spat a mouthful of blood onto the peach wood sword, which immediately burst into black flames.

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