Zhang Kui Asks the Way in Investiture of the Gods

The atmosphere in the sealed room was as solid as iron.

Lu Ya stood with his hands behind his back, his red robe gleaming eerily in the dim light. A smile played on his lips, but his gaze was chillingly cold, as if he were looking at prey that had fallen into a trap.

"I have been waiting for you for a long time."

A sense of unease suddenly arose in Zhang Kui's heart, but he remained outwardly calm. He slowly turned around, holding the Dragon Sparrow Blade horizontally in front of him, its blade shimmering with five-colored divine light, casting flickering reflections on his face.

"Lu Ya Daoist," Zhang Kui's voice was calm to the point of being indifferent, "you're quite the schemer."

Lu Ya was slightly taken aback, then smiled: "Oh? You know me?"

"The Immortal of Xikunlun, Daoist Lu Ya?" Zhang Kui said, emphasizing each word. "No, I think it would be more appropriate to call you the Crown Prince of the Ancient Demon Clan."

A strange light flashed in Lu Ya's eyes.

Zhang Kui actually knew his own origins?

"Knowing my name, you still dare to sneak into this place?" Lu Ya said with a half-smile. "Zhang Kui, you have quite the nerve."

Zhang Kui sneered: "You're too bold to come here!"

He was saying it, but his mind was racing.

Lu Ya, one of the ten sons of the ancient demon emperor Di Jun and Xi He, is the true form of a three-legged golden crow. In the past, when all ten suns appeared simultaneously, causing widespread devastation, nine were shot down by the great sorcerer Hou Yi, leaving only Lu Ya alive. He later joined the Western Paradise, receiving personal instruction from the Sage of Guidance, and his cultivation became unfathomable.

Such an old monster would be treated with deference even by the Twelve Golden Immortals. As a mere Golden Immortal, I have absolutely no chance of winning in a head-on confrontation.

not to mention……

Zhang Kui glanced at the altar out of the corner of his eye. On the straw effigy, Zhao Gongming's soul and spirit still flickered; two of the three lamps above his head had gone out, and four of the seven lamps at his feet were extinguished. If he were to fight Lu Ya here, and the altar were damaged, Zhao Gongming would surely die.

Let's retreat!

Zhang Kui made a decision instantly.

With a flick of his left hand, a scroll appeared out of thin air.

The scroll was simple and unadorned, with prophecies of the Great Dao surrounding it. The diagram divided Yin and Yang, defined the Four Symbols, incorporated the Five Elements, and encompassed all things in the universe. It was the innate spiritual treasure bestowed by the Grand Master Xuandu—the Qiankun Diagram.

"go!"

With a soft shout, Zhang Kui unfurled the Qiankun Diagram in the wind.

The world in the picture suddenly descended, with yin and yang energies intertwining into a net, and earth, water, fire, and wind surging endlessly, instantly enveloping the entire secret chamber.

Lu Ya's expression changed slightly. He raised his hand and unleashed a torrent of true solar fire, attempting to incinerate the world within the painting. However, the yin and yang energies, like a persistent carbuncle, entwined around him, suppressing the true solar fire.

In that very instant...

Zhang Kui's figure blurred, transforming into a five-colored rainbow that pierced through the roof of the secret chamber and soared straight into the sky.

He leaped and left his mark.

Its form is like frost, adapting to whatever it is, without fixed shape or form.

In the blink of an eye, he had escaped from Xiqi City.

……

Inside the secret room, Lu Ya was stunned for a moment.

He truly hadn't expected that Zhang Kui would flee without a fight.

The dignified Golden Immortal not only did not resist, but also left without uttering a single harsh word, and simply fled.

"interesting."

Lu Ya smiled, but there was a hint of sinister intent in that smile.

With a wave of his hand, the yin and yang energies surrounding him instantly dissipated.

The next moment, Lu Ya's figure flickered, transforming into a golden light, and he chased after it.

The art of transforming rainbows.

The ancient Golden Crow possessed innate supernatural abilities, and its speed of escape was unparalleled in the primordial world.

……

In the night sky, two streaks of light chased each other relentlessly, one after the other.

Zhang Kui fully activated his flying technique, leaving a long trail of five-colored light behind him. He had pushed this supernatural ability to its limit, covering a thousand miles in an instant, incredibly fast.

Even so...

The golden light behind them drew ever closer.

Zhang Kui's heart sank.

The art of transforming rainbows truly lives up to its reputation.

He gritted his teeth, flying away while simultaneously circulating his Nine Breaths Qi, frantically absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to replenish his mana. The golden core spun rapidly within his body, radiating brilliant light, and the power of the five elements surged continuously into his limbs and bones.

Even so, the golden light continued to approach.

Baili.

Fifty li.

Thirty li.

……

"Zhang Kui!"

A long howl came from behind, as loud as thunder, "You can't escape."

Before he could finish speaking, a figure blocked his way.

Lu Ya stood with his hands behind his back, his red robe fluttering in the night wind, surrounded by faint golden flames. The flames were incredibly intense; even from several miles away, Zhang Kui could feel the wave of heat emanating from them.

Zhang Kui paused, stopping in mid-air.

He glanced around and his heart sank slightly.

This place is far from Xiqi, surrounded by mountains, and is deserted.

Lu Ya looked at him, a half-smile playing on his lips: "Zhang Kui, do you still want to escape?"

Zhang Kui took a deep breath and gripped the Dragon Sparrow Blade tightly: "Escape? I was just out for some fresh air."

Lu Ya was taken aback, then burst into laughter.

"Zhang Kui, you certainly have a sharp tongue and a thick skin!" His laughter abruptly stopped, his gaze suddenly turning sharp. "I hope you're not some empty-headed bamboo shoot from the mountains. This humble Taoist advises you to surrender, and perhaps I might spare your life. Otherwise..."

He raised his hand and waved.

A towering tree appeared out of thin air.

The giant tree was entirely golden, its trunk as thick as a mountain, its branches and leaves as lush as clouds, obscuring half the sky. Each leaf shimmered with dazzling golden light, as if cradling a small sun. The entire tree hung in the night sky, its golden light illuminating the surrounding area for miles around as if it were daytime.

An immense and boundless pressure emanated from the trees, causing the mountains to tremble and all beasts to prostrate themselves.

Hibiscus.

An ancient, primordial spiritual root, a sacred object of the Golden Crow clan. Legend has it that the sun was born in Fusang, rising daily from Fusang, traversing the heavens, and setting back to Fusang at sunset. This wood contains the primordial power of the sun, making it the most yang and yang substance in the world.

Zhang Kui's pupils suddenly contracted.

This old monster even brought such a treasure.

"Zhang Kui." Lu Ya's voice came from under the Fusang tree, tinged with mockery, "Although you are a Golden Immortal, what difference is there between you and an ant in front of me? Obey and surrender, and I will show leniency out of consideration for your arduous cultivation."

Zhang Kui was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"Daoist Lu Ya." He raised his head, his gaze fixed on the figure beneath the Fusang tree. "I once heard a saying..."

Lu Ya raised an eyebrow slightly: "Oh?"

"Those who cultivate themselves should fear the cause, not the effect." Zhang Kui said slowly and deliberately, "If I were to give up today out of fear, my resolve to cultivate myself would surely be damaged in the future, and I would never make any progress in this life."

A strange light flashed in Lu Ya's eyes.

"What a fine example of fearing the cause but not the consequence." He nodded. "If that's the case..."

He raised his hand and waved.

The hibiscus tree shone brightly with golden light, and countless golden flames erupted from the tree, turning into a rain of fire that blanketed Zhang Kui.

The sun is blazing!

This fire is extremely yang and powerful, capable of burning everything in its path; even a Great Immortal would not dare to challenge its might.

Zhang Kui's expression was solemn. He raised his hand and waved, and the Qiankun Diagram unfolded once more.

The world in the picture suddenly descended, with yin and yang energies intertwining into a net, and earth, water, fire, and wind surging endlessly, forming layers of barriers around Zhang Kui.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The true fire of the sun struck the barrier, unleashing a deafening roar. The yin and yang energies surged violently, and earth, water, fire, and wind swirled wildly, barely managing to block the boundless golden flames.

But Zhang Kui's face grew paler and paler.

The sun's fire is incredibly strong.

Each strike felt like a sun crashing into him, causing his blood and qi to surge and his golden core to tremble. The Qiankun Diagram was wondrous, but his magical power was limited; he couldn't withstand such attacks for long.

"The Great Escape of the Five Elements!"

With a roar, five-colored light burst forth from Zhang Kui's body.

The five elements—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—flowed around him, transforming into a five-colored light screen that merged with the barrier of the Qiankun Diagram. Within this light screen, the five elements continuously interacted and interacted, endlessly generating new life.

This is his method of combining the Five Elements Great Escape with the Qiankun Diagram—using the power of the Five Elements to nourish the Qiankun Diagram, and using the Qiankun Diagram to bear the power of the Five Elements. The two complement each other, greatly increasing the defensive power.

Sure enough, the true fire of the sun struck the light barrier, and although it still made the barrier tremble, it could no longer be easily penetrated.

Lu Ya's gaze sharpened.

"That's interesting."

He raised his hand and made a pressing motion.

The Fusang tree trembled violently, and countless branches, like serpents, shot out, piercing straight at Zhang Kui. Those branches were entirely golden, each containing terrifying solar fire, scorching the void wherever they passed.

Zhang Kui's expression remained unchanged, but his body suddenly swelled up.

Size as you wish!

In the blink of an eye, he had transformed into a three-zhang-tall giant, his muscles bulging and veins popping. The bloodline of the Wu clan was boiling within him, and the power of the Kuafu bloodline was fully unleashed.

"break!"

With a roar, Zhang Kui unleashed the power of the Dragon Sparrow Blade, which brought down upon him.

This strike combined the divine power of subduing dragons and tigers, the sharpness of the Five Elements Escape Technique, and the fierce power of controlling the Five Thunders. Its overwhelming power even caused Lu Ya to change color slightly.

boom!

The blade clashed violently with the hibiscus branch.

A deafening roar shook the heavens, and shockwaves swept across the surrounding area. Several mountain peaks were leveled, and countless ancient trees were reduced to dust.

The hibiscus branches were cleaved in two and rolled back. Zhang Kui was also thrown backward by the shock, his hand split open and blood flowing freely.

Before he could regain his footing, Lu Ya had already pounced on him.

He raised his hand and struck down with his palm. The true fire of the sun contained in his palm transformed into a huge golden crow phantom, which spread its wings and descended upon Zhang Kui.

Zhang Kui gritted his teeth and swung his knife to block.

boom!

Another loud bang.

Zhang Kui was slammed into the ground, creating a bottomless crater.

"Cough, cough..."

At the bottom of the pit, Zhang Kui struggled to his feet, spitting out mouthfuls of blood. His Taoist robe was torn, revealing his battered body underneath. The attack from the golden crow phantom had nearly shattered his physical form.

If he hadn't possessed the body of a spirit sorcerer and hadn't been physically powerful, he would have already been reduced to dust.

Lu Ya stood at the edge of the pit, looking down at him.

"Zhang Kui," he said calmly, "don't you understand? You have no chance against me."

Zhang Kui raised his head and stared at him.

"Surrender." Lu Ya's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable air of authority. "I will spare your life out of consideration for your arduous cultivation. Join my Western Sect, and your future achievements will be limitless."

Zhang Kui was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

That smile carried a hint of mockery and ridicule.

Do you know why I fled even though I knew I was no match for them?

Lu Ya frowned slightly and said calmly, "But you can't escape."

"Even if we can't escape, we have to." Zhang Kui struggled to his feet, straightening his back. "Once your knees are bent, they're hard to straighten again."

Lu Ya remained silent.

He looked at Zhang Kui, who was covered in blood but still stood upright, and a complex look flashed in his eyes.

After a long silence, he slowly nodded.

"Zhang Kui, you're a man of principle," he said softly, "but it's a pity..."

He raised his hand.

"Courage won't save your life."

The Fusang tree trembled again, and countless golden flames gathered, transforming into a huge vortex of fire that descended upon Zhang Kui.

This attack was enough to completely annihilate a Golden Immortal.

Looking at the swirling vortex of flames that blotted out the sky, Zhang Kui felt a surge of powerlessness.

The gap is too big.

He is indeed a Golden Immortal, but Lu Ya is a Great Luo Golden Immortal, the ancient Golden Crow Prince, an old monster who has cultivated for countless tens of thousands of years.

Between a Golden Immortal and a Great Luo Immortal, there is an insurmountable chasm.

Should we just accept our fate?

No.

no way.

Zhang Kui gritted his teeth, his Wu Clan bloodline surging wildly within him. The Kuafu Dharma Image manifested once more, its three-zhang-tall giant body adorned with profound Wu runes. These runes flickered erratically, as if calling out to something.

With a flick of his left hand, the Qiankun Bow appeared out of thin air.

With a flick of his right hand, three earth-shattering arrows were already nocked.

Sunlight Arrow, Moonlight Arrow, Starlight Arrow.

Three arrows side by side, the bow fully drawn.

Zhang Kui's eyes flashed like lightning as he stared intently at the swirling vortex of flames that was plunging down.

"Lu Ya!"

He roared, his voice echoing across the surrounding area.

"Do you know who wields the Qiankun Bow and the Zhentian Arrow?"

Lu Ya's pupils suddenly contracted.

Qiankun Bow... Zhentian Arrow...

That is……

"Hou Yi!"

Zhang Kui said slowly and deliberately, "The great sorcerer Hou Yi, with this bow and these arrows, shot and killed your nine brothers."

Before he finished speaking, he released the bowstring.

Boom!

The bowstring trembled, and the three arrows transformed into three streaks of light, shooting straight into the sky.

The Sun Arrow shone as brightly as the sun, the Moon Arrow as cool and serene as the moon, and the Star Arrow as dazzling as the stars. The three arrows flew together, weaving a magnificent tapestry across the night sky, and then—

Three arrows combined into one.

A dazzling beam of light, carrying the power to destroy the heavens and the earth, shot straight toward Lu Ya.

Lu Ya stood there, stunned.

Hou Yi...

Nine older brothers...

Those long-forgotten memories surged forth like a tide.

That year, ten suns appeared simultaneously, causing a severe drought and widespread suffering.

That year, a figure holding a giant bow stood atop Kunlun Mountain, drawing his bow and nocking an arrow.

That year, he watched helplessly as his nine brothers were shot down one by one by the arrows, turning into a rain of fire that fell to the earth.

That year...

"No!"

Lu Ya roared furiously, his eyes blazing with boundless hatred.

But the arrow was already upon them.

laugh!

Blood splattered as the arrow pierced through the body, tearing away large chunks of flesh...