Zhang Kui Asks the Way in Investiture of the Gods

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Faced with Wen Zhong's question, Zhang Kui was speechless for a moment and did not know how to reply.

Looking up at the towering reed-covered hut in the direction of Xiqi, he pondered for a long time before slowly saying with a bitter tone, "Grand Tutor, it is unwise to do what is known to be impossible. But at present... it seems that we can only do our best."

"You mean, the people from the Chan Sect who came this time are indeed as you predicted?" Wen Zhong's pupils contracted slightly, and his hands gripping the male and female whips tightened unconsciously.

Although he was a Grand Tutor, his cultivation level was only that of a Golden Immortal.

"So..." Wen Zhong's voice was somewhat hoarse, "our chances of survival are slim?"

Zhang Kui was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed, a laugh full of sharpness.

"Grand Tutor, we are both caught in this calamity, with no way to escape or avoid it." He spoke slowly, his voice low and calm. "Since that's the case, let's think about how to fight our way out of this dead end."

Wen Zhong was taken aback, then asked seriously, "What good plan do you have, fellow Daoist?"

Zhang Kui did not answer immediately, but turned to look at the ten soaring, murderous auras in the distance. The Ten Deadly Formations stood majestically, radiating a chilling pressure.

"Grand Tutor," Zhang Kui spoke slowly, "what do you think of these Ten Deadly Formations?"

Wen Zhong said, "It is extremely profound. Each formation has its own unique features and secretly conforms to the mysteries of heaven and earth. If we talk about the way of formations, our Jie Sect is indeed superior to the Chan Sect."

Zhang Kui nodded and then asked, "What does the Grand Tutor think of the Ten Heavenly Kings?"

Wen Zhong pondered for a moment and said, "Qin Wan is steady, Zhao Jiang is cautious, Dong Quan is quick-witted, and Yuan Jiao is fierce... Each has his own strengths and they are all promising talents."

Zhang Kui smiled slightly and asked, "Then, Grand Tutor, how many days do you think this Ten Deadly Formations could last if all twelve Golden Immortals arrived and used force to break the formation?"

Wen Zhong was stunned.

He opened his mouth, but found that he couldn't say a word.

Yes, the arrival of all twelve Golden Immortals—what does that even mean?

No matter how mysterious the Ten Deadly Formations are, they cannot withstand the power to overcome skill.

Before Wen Zhong could answer, Zhang Kui no longer concealed his intentions and asked directly, "Grand Tutor, don't you think twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect... are too many?"

Wen Zhong was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter, his voice echoing in all directions. Even Ji Li and Yu Qing, who were originally standing outside the tent, came in to see what was going on.

"Master, what's going on...?" Ji Li looked at Wen Zhong with a blank expression, then at Zhang Kui, completely unaware of what had happened.

Yu Qing, also looking puzzled, asked, "Master, what's wrong? Why are you suddenly laughing so heartily?"

Ignoring the bewildered Ji Li and Yu Qing, Wen Zhong frankly told Zhang Kui, "Fellow Daoist, what you say is very true. I have suddenly understood. This matter has great potential!"

After saying that, Wen Zhong left the tent without looking back, leaving behind only a series of hearty laughs.

Ji Li wanted to go forward and ask more questions, but Yu Qing pulled him back. The two of them looked at Zhang Kui with questioning eyes.

Zhang Kui smiled slightly, offering no explanation, but simply said, "Fellow Daoists, it cannot be said, it cannot be said."

After saying that, he turned and left the tent, leaving Jili and Yuqing looking at each other in bewilderment.

"What kind of riddle are Master and Fellow Daoist Zhang Kui playing?" Ji Li asked, scratching his head.

Yu Qing rolled his eyes: "If I knew, would I be standing here?"

……

Outside Xiqi City, the reed sheds have already been erected.

This reed hut covers an area of ​​several dozen acres and is about three zhang high. It is constructed entirely of green bamboo, covered with green thatch, and laid with brocade felt underneath.

Inside the tent were more than ten cushions, with a table in the center upon which were placed an incense burner, fresh flowers, and fruits. Outside the tent hung thousands of colorful lanterns and tens of thousands of bolts of brocade. When a gentle breeze blew, the lanterns swayed and the brocade fluttered, creating an atmosphere of solemn elegance and extraordinary grandeur.

Jiang Ziya stood before the tent, gazing at the horizon, when suddenly he felt something.

He turned to the people of Xiqi behind him and said, "Please follow me out of the city to welcome them. All the immortals have already arrived."

Looking around but not seeing Chi, Jiang Ziya asked Yang Jian, who was standing nearby, "Nephew, have you seen your uncle?"

Yang Jian cupped his hands and said, "Uncle-Master Ziya, Uncle-Master has already left the city ahead of us."

Jiang Ziya nodded slightly and asked no further questions. He straightened his clothes and led the civil and military officials of Xiqi out of the city in single file to welcome them.

Ji Fa stood at the very front of the line, followed by important officials of Xiqi such as San Yisheng and Nangong Shi. Behind them were Yang Jian, Nezha, Jinzha, Muzha, Lei Zhenzi, and other third-generation disciples of the Chan Sect. Of course, Huang Feihu and his son Huang Tianhua were also prominently present, gazing into the distance.

Before long, a burst of rosy clouds suddenly appeared on the horizon.

The rosy glow first appeared as a faint wisp, then in an instant it spread across the sky, a dazzling display of red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple. Within the glow, one could vaguely see cranes gracefully dancing and phoenixes singing in harmony, while melodies of celestial music drifted from the clouds, a sound that soothed and delighted the soul.

Immediately afterwards, figures emerged from the glow of the sunset.

There are four people in the middle.

The leader was eight feet tall, with a face like jade, three long wisps of beard, wearing a black Taoist robe, holding a whisk, and exuding an aura as deep as an abyss. This man was none other than Guang Chengzi of Taoyuan Cave on Mount Jiuxian, the leader of the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect, the teacher of the ancient Yellow Emperor, and his cultivation was unfathomable.

To Guang Chengzi's left was the Chi who had previously probed the formation twice. His expression was calm, but if one looked closely, one could detect a fleeting shadow in the depths of his eyes.

To Guang Chengzi's right was a Taoist with black hair and a long beard, surrounded by a faint aura of flames. He was none other than Taiyi Zhenren of Jinguang Cave on Qianyuan Mountain, Nezha's mentor.

Another person, with a thin face and slightly closed eyes, appeared detached from worldly affairs. He was Qingxu Daode Zhenjun of Ziyang Cave on Qingfeng Mountain, and Huang Tianhua's master.

The five people are on the left.

Julusun, Manjushri, Samantabhadra, Cihang, and Daoxing stood in a row. All five had smiles on their faces and exuded a peaceful aura, creating a subtle contrast with the four people in the center.

The three on the right are Huanglong Zhenren, Lingbao Dafashi, and Yuding Zhenren. Among the three, Yuding Zhenren has a slender face and clear eyes, with a faint sword intent flowing around him; he is Yang Jian's master.

Just by looking at where everyone is standing, one can see that... these Twelve Golden Immortals are not a monolithic entity.

The four in the center, led by Guang Chengzi, are all deeply rooted in the Chan sect and highly accomplished in their practice. The five on the left, led by Ju Liusun, seem to be forming an alliance. The three on the right are relatively detached, interacting with both sides while remaining impartial.

Jiang Ziya pondered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm. Just as he was about to step forward to pay his respects, another strange phenomenon appeared in the sky.

A series of chanting sounds drifted in, ethereal and otherworldly, yet solemn and grand, instantly calming the mind and dispelling all distracting thoughts. Immediately afterwards, a fragrant breeze wafted through the air, and celestial blossoms rained down as auspicious clouds drifted in from the horizon.

Above the auspicious clouds, a sika deer came riding on the clouds. On the deer's back sat a gaunt Taoist priest with a thin face, deep eyes, wearing a gray monk's robe, holding prayer beads, and exuding a peaceful yet unfathomable aura.

The moment this Taoist appeared, the twelve Golden Immortals, who were originally standing in their respective positions, were all moved.

Julusun was the first to recognize the person, his eyes flashing with surprise and delight. He quickly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "We are truly overjoyed to have Master Randeng here!"

Before he finished speaking, Manjushri, Samantabhadra, Cihang, and Daoxing followed closely behind, bowing in unison.

The Taoist Ran Deng smiled slightly, gently turning the prayer beads in his hand, and said in a warm voice, "Fellow Taoists, there's no need for such formalities."

Upon seeing this, the other Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect also stepped forward to pay their respects.

Only Guang Chengzi and Chi's expressions stiffened slightly, but they quickly recovered and followed the others to step forward and pay their respects.

But the observant Yang Jian noticed that his two senior uncles looked grim, their anger barely contained, as if they had some unspeakable secret.

The Taoist Ran Deng seemed to sense something, but he just smiled faintly and didn't point it out.

He dismounted from the deer and slowly walked towards Jiang Ziya. Jiang Ziya quickly bowed and greeted him: "Ziya greets Master Ran Deng."

Ran Deng offered a helping hand and said gently, "Ziya, there's no need for such formalities. I've come here on the orders of the sect leader to temporarily take charge of the military seal and command token in your stead. Are you willing?"

Jiang Ziya was taken aback, then nodded repeatedly: "I couldn't be happier if Master Ran Deng were to personally oversee things!"

He immediately took out the military tally and seal and presented them with both hands.

Ran Deng took the lamp, put it in his sleeve, and turned to face the crowd.

"Fellow Daoists," he began slowly, his voice clear to everyone, "I have come here on behalf of the Sect Leader to accomplish three things. First, to temporarily assume command of the military seal and command the armies on behalf of Ziya; second, to help you all avert disaster and break the Ten Deadly Formations; and third, to deal with the conflict between the Chan and Jie sects. I hope you will all work together."

Everyone bowed in unison: "We will obey the teacher's instructions."

Guang Chengzi and Chi exchanged a glance, a hint of resentment flashing in their eyes, but they could only follow suit and bow.

Ran Deng nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd before finally settling on the ten soaring, malevolent auras in the distance. A glint flashed in his eyes as he murmured, "The Ten Deadly Formations... quite interesting."

……

The Shang army camp.

Standing atop the high point of the camp, Zhang Kui gazed towards Xiqi, his black and white eyes piercing through dozens of miles of void, taking in the entire scene before the reed hut.

"They've arrived as expected," he muttered to himself. "The Twelve Golden Immortals have all come, plus the Daoist Burning Lamp... What a grand spectacle."

Footsteps sounded behind me.

Zhang Kui didn't turn around, but said softly, "Grand Tutor, you saw everything?"

Wen Zhong walked to his side, also looking into the distance with a solemn expression.

"I see it." He said in a deep voice, "Twelve Great Luo auras, and one more... I can't even fathom its depth."

"That's Daoist Ran Deng," Zhang Kui said. "He has a long-standing reputation, and we are truly no match for him."

Wen Zhong remained silent.

After a long silence, he slowly spoke: "Zhang Kui, were you serious about 'severing one of his fingers'?"

Zhang Kui turned his head and looked at Wen Zhong. The Grand Tutor's face was calm at this moment, but his eyes burned with fierce fighting spirit.

"Of course we are serious," Zhang Kui said. "If we can lose a few of the Twelve Golden Immortals, even if we are defeated in the end, we will still be honored."

Wen Zhong nodded and then asked, "How do we determine this?"

Zhang Kui was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Grand Tutor, do you believe me?"

Wen Zhong was taken aback, then burst into laughter: "Zhang Kui, we've known each other since Beihai, when have I ever doubted you?"

Zhang Kui smiled slightly and said, "In that case, Grand Tutor only needs to do two things."

"What is it?"

"First, consult with the ten fellow Daoists of the Jie Sect to ensure that the auras of the Ten Absolute Formations are connected and their baleful energy is mutually transmitted; second, even if the formations are broken later, the Grand Tutor must not act rashly to ensure that the morale of the army is stabilized." Zhang Kui said in a deep voice, "Leave the rest to me."

Wen Zhong frowned slightly: "You're going to act alone? What about the Ten Deadly Formations..."

"Don't worry, Grand Tutor," Zhang Kui interrupted him. "I know what I'm doing."

He turned around and looked at the ten soaring malevolent auras in the distance, his eyes flashing with black and white, as if he were deducing something.

"It's better to cut off one finger than to injure all ten," he murmured. "Since twelve of them have come, then... cut off a few of their fingers."

……

Outside Xiqi City, amidst reeds.

The Taoist Ran Deng sat upright in the center, with the Twelve Golden Immortals standing on his left and right.

Jiang Ziya, Yang Jian, Nezha, and others stood at the lower end, listening respectfully.

"I have long heard of the Ten Deadly Formations," Ran Deng said slowly. "These formations were passed down by the Tongtian Sect Master. Each formation has its own unique features and contains profound mysteries of heaven and earth. If one were to force their way through, even a Great Luo cultivator would inevitably be injured."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and continued, "However, although this formation is strong, it has a fatal weakness."

Guang Chengzi spoke first, asking, "Teacher, please speak."

Ran Deng smiled slightly and said, "Those within the formation must constantly maintain its operation with their minds and cannot slacken in the slightest. If external forces interfere, its operation will inevitably be hindered, and its power will be greatly reduced."

At this moment, what Daoist Ran Deng was thinking was: "Life and death, prosperity and decline, in this calamity, I'm afraid ten fellow Daoists will inevitably die."