Zhang Kui Asks the Way in Investiture of the Gods

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The true spirit that floated out from the formation had a clearly recognizable face; it was none other than Ju Liusun. The true spirit seemed confused for a moment, then was drawn by an invisible force and flew straight towards the high platform in Xiqi City where the Investiture of the Gods was located.

"Senior brother!"

Manjushri, the Heavenly Venerable of Vast Dharma, was the first to exclaim in surprise, his voice filled with disbelief.

The expressions of Master Puxian and Master Cihang also changed drastically. They looked at each other and saw deep shock and fear in each other's eyes.

They had always been on good terms, so how could they not be alarmed that Ju Liusun had been killed in the Earthly Fierce Formation?

Guang Chengzi's expression was solemn, and a complex look flashed in his eyes.

Chi was even more dazed; if it weren't for the protection of the Tai Chi diagram, he probably...

The others also had different expressions, some surprised, some doubtful, some worried, and some afraid.

The Twelve Golden Immortals had cultivated together for many years. Although they had some disagreements, they never imagined that one day, one of them would die and disappear.

Jiang Ziya was struck dumb. He opened his mouth, but found his throat dry and unable to make a sound.

The Taoist Ran Deng's face was ashen, and his hand holding the prayer beads trembled slightly.

He has cultivated the Dao for ten thousand years and has gone through countless tribulations since he listened to the Dao in Zixiao Palace. When has he ever lost his composure like this?

Han Dulong clearly possessed a jade talisman he had personally planted, containing the true meaning of annihilation. As long as Han Dulong died, the jade talisman would erupt, transforming into annihilating divine light that would corrode the person in charge of the formation. The Manjushri Heaven-Breaking Formation had previously succeeded using this method.

But now...

But Ju Liusun died!

What exactly happened in the formation?

……

Inside the Earthly Fierce Formation.

Zhao Jiang stood on the high platform, holding the Five Banners in his hand, looking down at Ju Liusun, who had already turned to ashes, and was momentarily dazed.

Did he really kill Julusun just now?

That's a Grand Luo Golden Immortal!

Zhao Jiang looked down at his hands, then at the still-functioning array, and a complex emotion welled up in his heart.

Excitement, fear, bewilderment—even a supreme immortal can die.

He suppressed the turmoil in his mind and glanced at a corner of the formation. There, a figure slowly emerged, his aura restrained, his face calm as still water—it was Zhang Kui.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang Kui," Zhao Jiang bowed respectfully, "I will forever remember your life-saving grace."

Zhang Kui shook his head slightly and said softly, "Fellow Daoist, there's no need for such formalities."

"What should we do with this person?" Zhao Jiang asked.

Looking at the unconscious Han Dulong, Zhang Kui pondered for a moment and slowly said, "Kill him, lest things get complicated."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Jiang raised his hand and unleashed a burst of lightning and fire, pulverizing Han Dulong.

Before long, his true spirit was seen to float out and fly towards the Investiture of the Gods, just like Ju Liusun.

"Fellow Daoist, I'll take my leave first." Zhang Kui looked at Zhao Jiang and said softly, "Please be careful."

Zhao Jiang nodded, straightened his Taoist robe, and turned to walk out of the Earthly Fiery Array.

……

Outside the battle lines, in front of the two armies.

Zhao Jiang rode out slowly on his sika deer, carrying Ju Liusun's relic in his hand—the Taoist robe charred black by lightning. His expression was calm as his gaze swept over the people of Xiqi, finally settling on Randeng.

"Light the lamp," Zhao Jiang said loudly, "Ju Liusun is dead. Do you want to personally enter the formation and give it a try?"

These words immediately caused an uproar in the Xiqi camp.

Manjushri, the Heavenly Venerable of Vast Dharma, his face ashen, took a step forward and said sternly, "Zhao Jiang, you..."

"What about me?" Zhao Jiang interrupted with a sneer. "Manjushri, you killed Fellow Daoist Qin Wan yesterday, and today I kill Ju Liusun. It's just the cycle of cause and effect, and retribution is inevitable."

Manjushri was speechless, his face turning pale and then red. He wanted to speak again, but Dipankara raised his hand to stop him.

Ran Deng gazed intently at Zhao Jiang, then at the still menacing Earthly Fiery Formation. After a moment of silence, he suddenly spoke, "Zhao Jiang, I have a question to ask you."

Zhao Jiang was wary, but his face remained calm: "Speak."

"Are those who entered your formation still alive?" Ran Deng asked.

Zhao Jiang chuckled inwardly, but feigned surprise: "Randeng, that's a strange question. Ju Liusun is dead, you saw it with your own eyes, why ask again?"

Ran Deng shook his head: "I'm not asking about Ju Liusun, I'm asking about Han Dulong."

Zhao Jiang's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained calm: "Han Dulong? With such meager skills, he would naturally die if he entered my formation."

"Is that so?" Ran Deng's gaze was sharp as he looked intently at Zhao Jiang.

Zhao Jiang was inwardly alarmed, but on the surface he sneered, "Randeng, are you questioning my Jie Sect's formations?"

Seeing that he couldn't get a clear answer, Ran Deng disregarded his composure, turned around abruptly, and shouted sternly, "Ziya, immediately check the Investiture of the Gods and see if Han Dulong's true spirit is still there! Immediately!"

Jiang Ziya was taken aback. Although he didn't understand why Ran Deng was in such a hurry, he dared not delay. He quickly made a hand seal and called upon Bai Jian in the Investiture of the Gods: "Bai Jian, quickly check if Han Dulong's true spirit is on the list?"

A moment later, Bai Jian's voice came: "Reporting to the Prime Minister, Han Dulong's true spirit has been included in the list."

Jiang Ziya immediately informed Ran Deng.

"What happened?" Ran Deng staggered and almost fell.

The members of the Chan Sect behind him exchanged bewildered glances. Although they did not know the reason, seeing Randeng, who always paid attention to his demeanor, so out of control, they couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding.

A deep chill ran through Ran Deng's heart.

He had cultivated for millennia, devised countless schemes, and never failed. Yet today, before this small Earthly Fiery Formation, he had miscalculated.

Who saw through his plan?

Ran Deng's gaze passed over Zhao Jiang and landed on the Earthly Fiery Formation, which exuded a murderous aura. He suppressed the turbulent thoughts in his heart and slowly said, "Zhao Jiang, you have won today's battle. Tomorrow... I will arrange for someone else to break the formation."

Having said that, he turned the sika deer around and returned to Xiqi City.

The Xiqi army slowly retreated into the city, their morale extremely low.

……

Inside the central command tent of the Shang army camp.

Wen Zhong sat upright in the main seat, his three eyes shining brightly, his face full of smiles.

"Excellent! Excellent!" Wen Zhong laughed loudly, "Fellow Daoist, your battle today, slaying Ju Liusun and shattering the prestige of the Chan Sect, is truly gratifying!"

Zhao Jiang waved his hands repeatedly and said solemnly, "Fellow Daoist Wen Zhong, you flatter me. Today's victory is entirely due to Fellow Daoist Zhang Kui's planning. If he hadn't informed me of Ran Deng's methods beforehand and used his magic weapon to take away the Immortal Binding Rope, I would have already followed in Qin Wan's footsteps."

Upon hearing this, all the generals in the tent turned to look at Zhang Kui.

Zhang Kui remained calm, cupped his hands, and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhao is too kind. I was merely acting in accordance with the circumstances."

"Zhang Kui," Wen Zhong began slowly, "that Immortal-Binding Rope..."

Zhang Kui understood, raised his hand and waved, a golden light flew out from his sleeve and landed on the table.

It was precisely the Immortal-Binding Rope that Ju Liusun used.

The Immortal-Binding Rope was over ten feet long, its entire body shimmering with golden light, with faint runes flickering on it, radiating a chilling aura. But at this moment, it lay quietly coiled on the table, like a sleeping golden snake.

"Grand Tutor, this treasure is temporarily sealed away," Zhang Kui explained. "For now, I will keep it in safekeeping."

Wen Zhong nodded without asking any further questions.

Everyone in the tent looked at the innate spiritual treasure with envy in their eyes.

Zhao Jiang suddenly spoke up, "Fellow Daoist Zhang Kui, the Chan Sect will surely send more people to break the formation tomorrow. How should we respond?"

Zhang Kui pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "After today's battle, Randeng must already be suspicious. Tomorrow..."

His gaze swept over the nine Heavenly Lords in the tent, and he said softly, "Fellow Daoists, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should."

The Holy Mother of Golden Light said loudly, "Fellow Daoist Zhang Kui, please speak freely."

Zhang Kui nodded and said in a deep voice, "The methods of Daoist Ran Deng of the Chan Sect are truly bizarre; he actually used living beings to sacrifice to the formation."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed.

Zhao Jiang nodded, still shaken: "If it weren't for Fellow Daoist Zhang Kui's help, I'm afraid I would have..."

Zhang Kui waved his hand, glanced at everyone, and slowly said, "There is only one way to break Randeng's current predicament."

"What method?" everyone asked in unison.

Zhang Kui said slowly and deliberately, "A single thread cannot make a line. Can we combine two or even more formations to catch the enemy off guard?"

Upon hearing this, everyone seemed to be deep in thought.

……

As night deepened, the Shang army camp was brightly lit.

Zhang Kui sat alone in the tent, looking at the Immortal Binding Rope floating in front of him.

He raised his hand and gently stroked the Immortal Binding Rope. The magical artifact trembled slightly, revealing a faint sense of resistance.

"No rush," Zhang Kui said softly. "When the time is right, I will subdue you."

With a slight smile, Zhang Kui stored the Immortal Binding Rope into the Qiankun Diagram and then left the camp.

At this moment, the night sky is filled with dazzling stars, and the Milky Way stretches across the sky.

Who will join the battle tomorrow?

……

Xiqi City, inside Lupeng.

Ran Deng sat upright in the center, his face as still as water. Of the Twelve Golden Immortals, only eleven remained; Ju Liusun's futon was empty, a shocking sight.

Manjushri, Samantabhadra, and Cihang sat silently to one side, their faces pale.

Guang Chengzi spoke up: "Teacher Randeng, we will break the formation tomorrow..."

Ran Deng raised his hand to stop him and said slowly, "Tomorrow, I will personally oversee the event."

Everyone was taken aback upon hearing this.

Ran Deng's gaze swept over the crowd, and he said in a deep voice, "You have all witnessed what happened today. Someone broke my Nirvana Divine Light and even took away Ju Liusun's Immortal Binding Rope."

Everyone's expression changed.

Manjushri exclaimed in surprise, "This...how is this possible? That Annihilation Divine Light is Master's unique secret technique; who could possibly break it?"

Ran Deng shook his head: "This humble Taoist priest does not know either."

He paused for a moment, then slowly said, "But I know one thing."

Everyone asked in unison, "What is it?"

With a deep gaze, Ran Deng slowly spoke: "If this person is not eliminated, our attempt to break through the formation will be as difficult as ascending to heaven."