Zhang Kui Asks the Way in Investiture of the Gods

Lu Ya swayed and nearly fell from the clouds.

He looked down at his chest, where there was a fist-sized hole from which golden blood was gushing out.

injured.

How many years has it been? How many years has it been since he was injured?

Lu Ya raised his head and looked at Zhang Kui at the bottom of the pit.

That face gradually overlapped with the figure standing with a bow in my memory.

They have the exact same body shape.

The exact same posture.

The exact same... murderous intent.

"you……"

Lu Ya spoke, his voice so hoarse it sounded as if it weren't his own.

"very good."

He suddenly laughed.

That smile was chilling and piercing.

"Zhang Kui, you're very good."

As soon as he finished speaking, he looked up to the sky and roared.

The roar was like the clang of metal, soaring straight into the sky, shaking the mountains and causing all beasts to prostrate themselves.

Immediately afterwards...

A ball of golden flame erupted from Lu Ya's body.

The flames were so intense that they scorched black cracks into the void itself. Within the flames, Lu Ya's figure began to twist and change.

Its arms transformed into wings, its legs into sharp claws, and golden feathers sprouted all over its body...

In the blink of an eye, a gigantic three-legged golden crow stretched across the night sky.

Its wingspan was tens of feet, its entire body covered in golden feathers, each feather burning with blazing solar fire. Its three sharp claws, forged from refined gold, could tear anything apart. Its pair of golden eyes were icy cold, gazing down at Zhang Kui at the bottom of the pit as if looking at an ant.

The sun's true fire poured down from its body, turning the surrounding area for hundreds of miles into a sea of ​​fire. Mountains and rocks melted, vegetation turned to ash, and even the earth itself was burned into a crystal-like state.

"this……"

Zhang Kui was dumbfounded.

He knew that Lu Ya was a three-legged golden crow, but the moment he saw his true form, he realized what true terror was.

This is far more terrifying than the Winged Immortal who was killed by Nezha in the past.

The Winged Immortal is a Golden-Winged Roc, but compared to this Three-Legged Golden Crow, he is like a firefly compared to the bright moon.

"No way..."

Zhang Kui muttered to himself, his voice tinged with bitterness.

Do we really have to go this far?

The true fire of the sun swept in, overwhelming everything, and Zhang Kui could only desperately circulate the Qiankun Diagram to resist. But the flames were too strong, so strong that the barrier of the Qiankun Diagram was creaking, and so strong that the magical power within his body was flowing out like water from a burst dam.

A quarter of an hour.

Half an hour...

boom!

The barrier of the Qiankun Diagram shattered with a crash.

Zhang Kui was completely engulfed by the sun's true fire.

"Ah!" he screamed as his body began to crack.

Although the bloodline of the Wu clan is strong, it cannot withstand the true fire of the sun for long.

At this critical moment...

A beam of mysterious light flew out from Zhang Kui's arms.

The light was like the rising sun, and the fiery sun that filled the sky melted away instantly, like ice and snow meeting the sun.

An ancient scroll hung above Zhang Kui's head, slowly rotating. The yin-yang symbol on the scroll swam ceaselessly, casting rays of mysterious light that enveloped Zhang Kui. The True Fire of the Sun struck the mysterious light, only causing ripples, but unable to harm him in the slightest.

Lu Ya's gaze sharpened.

How did the Tai Chi diagram end up in Zhang Kui's hands?

Just then...

A soft cough suddenly came from the void.

As the soft cough rang out, the fiery sunlight suddenly froze.

A figure slowly emerged from the void.

The man was dressed in a moon-white Taoist robe, with a gentle and refined face and eyes as bright as stars. He stood with his hands behind his back, surrounded by a faint, clear light that caused the True Fire of the Sun to retreat wherever it reached.

Grand Master Xuandu.

Zhang Kui was overjoyed when he saw the person who had arrived.

"Master!"

Xuan Du nodded slightly, his gaze falling on Zhang Kui. Seeing that he was covered in blood and his Taoist robe was torn, he frowned slightly.

"He was seriously injured."

He raised his hand and waved, and a beam of clear light entered Zhang Kui's body. Zhang Kui felt a warm and gentle power flowing through his body, and his cracked flesh healed at a speed visible to the naked eye. Even his exhausted magic power was rapidly recovering.

"Thank you, Master." Zhang Kui struggled to get up.

Xuandu waved his hand and turned to look at the three-legged golden crow in mid-air.

"Fellow Daoist, you've passed."

His voice was calm as usual, but within that calmness lay an undeniable authority.

Lu Ya's figure flickered, transforming back into human form. He stood in mid-air, staring at Xuan Du, his gaze shifting uncertainly.

"Fellow Daoist Xuandu," he spoke slowly, "what is the meaning of this?"

"You can leave now." Xuandu pointed at Zhang Kui: "He is my disciple."

Lu Ya's expression changed.

"Fellow Daoist Xuandu!" he said in a deep voice, "Your words are far too arrogant. Zhang Kui almost ruined my plans. If you don't give me an explanation, how can I let this go?"

Xuan Du's eyes narrowed slightly.

A terrifying aura erupted from his body, soaring straight into the sky.

The aura was so powerful that even Lu Ya couldn't help but take a step back.

"I am an ancient human who attained enlightenment," Xuandu said, enunciating each word clearly. "You are originally a demon. If it weren't for the goddess Nuwa above, I would surely kill you."

He paused, his gaze sharp as lightning, piercing straight at Lu Ya.

"One last question: are you leaving or not?"

Lu Ya's face turned ashen.

He was originally the prince of the ancient Golden Crow, and now he has become a disciple of the Western sage. How could he have ever suffered such humiliation?

But the person in front of me...

Grand Master Xuandu, the only direct disciple of the Sage Taiqing, attained enlightenment in ancient times and his cultivation is unfathomable.

To go, or not to go?

Lu Ya's eyes flickered, caught in a dilemma.

"Xuan Du..."

He opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something more.

But Xuandu didn't give him a chance.

"Since we're not leaving, let's make a show of it."

Xuandu raised his hand and waved it, and the Taiji diagram appeared out of thin air.

The yin-yang fish in the picture swims endlessly, and the two polarities and four symbols flow continuously, as if containing a complete world.

This treasure can pacify earth, water, fire, and wind, and manifest all phenomena in the heavens. Its power is so great that even sages must be wary of it.

"Lu Ya," Xuan Du said calmly, "if you want to fight, I'll oblige."

With a wave of his other hand, a purple-gold cauldron appeared out of thin air. The cauldron was entirely purple-gold, with flowing Bagua patterns on it, and a faint chaotic aura emanated from its mouth.

The Eight Trigrams Purple Gold Furnace can refine all things, and it can also imprison all things.

Read the full text of Chapter 175, "Paying Homage to Master," for free. Link:

Immediately afterwards, a flag flew out from Xuan Du's sleeve and hung above his head.

The banner was entirely crimson, with flowing fire patterns on it. As the banner fluttered, the fire elements in the sky seemed to cheer and leap, as if they were paying homage to the king.

Flame Banner Leaps Off the Ground!

One of the Five Primordial Banners, it is transformed from the essence of the Southern Fire, capable of controlling all fires and burning all things.

Three supreme treasures hung around Xuandu, their clear light flowing and their power overwhelming heaven and earth.

Lu Ya's face turned ugly. He gritted his teeth and raised his hand to wave.

A red gourd flew out from the sleeve and hovered above the head. The gourd's mouth opened slightly, and a beam of white light shot out. Within that white light, a human-head-shaped object was faintly moving.

Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife.

The hibiscus tree reappeared, its golden light dazzling and its shadow blocking out the sun.

A blue flag flew out from his arms and hung above his head. The flag was entirely blue, with lotus patterns flowing on it, and as it fluttered, a serene and peaceful aura spread out.

The Azure Lotus Banner, bestowed by the Sage of Guidance, is the treasure of the Western Religion.

Lu Ya knew that his chances of winning were slim.

Xuan Du's Taiqing Dao is extremely pure and profound, and his cultivation level far surpasses Xuan Du's. However, Xuan Du himself has not yet eliminated his inner demons and still occasionally succumbs to the monstrous sins committed by the former Golden Crow Prince.

But things have come to this point, and there is no turning back.

Lu Ya took a deep breath, his gaze becoming resolute.

"Xuan Du," he said in a deep voice, "then let's have a match."

Before he could finish speaking, he raised his hand and waved it.

The Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife burst forth with white light, and the human-head-shaped object flew out from the white light, emitting a mournful screech, and rushed straight towards Xuandu.

The Fusang tree trembled violently, and countless golden flames converged into a long river of fire, pouring down towards Xuandu.

The Azure Lotus Banner fluttered in the wind, and azure lotuses flew out from it, each containing a miniature world, covering Xuandu from top to bottom.

Xuan Du's expression remained unchanged.

He pointed with his hand.

The Tai Chi diagram slowly unfolded, with the yin and yang fish swimming endlessly on it, and the two polarities and four symbols flowing continuously. A long golden bridge extended from the diagram, stretching across the void.

Where the Golden Bridge reaches, all things find peace.

The flying sword that was rushing towards Jin Qiao suddenly stopped in front of him, as if it had been frozen in place. The human-head-shaped thing screamed wildly, but it could not break free from the force that held it in place.

The cascading river of flames froze instantly before the golden bridge, transforming into a golden ice sculpture of flames suspended in mid-air.

The overwhelming blue lotuses melted away before the golden bridge, turning into specks of blue light and disappearing without a trace.

The three treasures were brought out together, but they were all neutralized by the Tai Chi diagram.

Lu Ya's expression grew increasingly grim.

"Flame Banner Leaving the Ground!" Xuan Du shouted softly.

A flag fluttered in the wind atop its head, and a crimson beam of light shot out from the flag, striking the Fusang tree directly.

The two supremely yang treasures collided with a deafening roar.

The golden flames of the Fusang tree melted instantly before the Flame Banner, like boiling water poured on snow. The ancient innate spiritual root emitted a mournful cry, its branches trembling violently, as if enduring immense pain.

"Eight Trigrams Purple Gold Furnace," Xuandu called out softly again.

The Purple Gold Furnace rose into the air, its mouth wide open, and a surge of chaotic energy erupted out, directly enveloping the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife.

The human-head-shaped object was shrouded in chaotic energy, struggling frantically but unable to break free. It hissed and struggled, until finally it was slowly drawn into the furnace.

Lu Ya coughed up blood as his mental connection with the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife was severed.

Two of the three treasures have been lost.

Only the Azure Lotus Banner remained, hanging forlornly above his head, emitting a faint azure light.

Xuan Du stood with his hands behind his back, looking at Lu Ya.

"Lu Ya," he said calmly, "don't you understand?"

Lu Ya raised his head, his gaze blank.

"Your path has gone astray," Xuandu said, enunciating each word clearly. "The Lotus Sutra of the Western Sect is a supreme and wondrous method. But your inner demons have not been eradicated; how can you unleash its true power?"

Lu Ya was stunned.

Ten suns appeared simultaneously, causing widespread devastation and death...

He joined the Western religion and practiced the Lotus Sutra in an attempt to cleanse himself of his sins. But only now has he realized that those sins have been deeply etched into his heart, becoming a demon he can never rid himself of.

"The Way of Taiqing is supremely pure and profound," Xuandu said slowly. "The Lotus Sutra is supremely pure and compassionate; there is no inherent superiority or inferiority between the two."

Lu Ya remained silent for a long time.

Finally, he bowed deeply.

"Thank you for your guidance, fellow Daoist."

Xuan Du nodded slightly.

Lu Ya turned around, his figure transforming into a golden light and disappearing into the night sky.

The night sky returned to silence.

Xuan Du stood with his hands behind his back, watching the golden light disappear into the distance.

Zhang Kui struggled forward, bowed deeply, and said, "Thank you, Master, for saving my life."

"You did a great job."

Zhang Kui was taken aback.

Xuan Du slowly said, "To remain calm and decisive in the face of someone like Lu Ya is true wisdom. To fight to the death without losing one's backbone is true courage. And that last arrow was especially remarkable."

He paused, then smiled slightly: "I haven't made a mistake in accepting you as my disciple."

Zhang Kui felt a warmth in his heart and bowed again.

Xuan Du waved his hand, his gaze falling on him.

"Is your injury healed?"

Zhang Kui nodded: "Thank you, Master, for that ray of clear light. I'm all right now."

Xuan Du nodded.

A beam of mysterious light entered Zhang Kui's body.

Zhang Kui felt a flood of information rushing into his mind, all about the method to break the Seven Arrows of Nailhead.

"Master..."

Xuan Du said calmly, "You and Zhao Gongming have a history, so it is only right that you save him."

Zhang Kui nodded solemnly: "This disciple understands."

Xuandu glanced at him and suddenly asked, "Do you know why I took you as my disciple?"

Zhang Kui was taken aback and shook his head.

Xuan Du slowly said, "Because you are a variable."

"variable?"

"The Great Tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods has begun; the Heavenly Dao is set, and all living beings are caught in its midst." Xuan Du's gaze was profound. "But you are different. Every choice you have made along the way has been outside the Heavenly Dao. I want to see where this variable, you, will ultimately end up."

Zhang Kui was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Did Master see it?"

Xuan Du smiled slightly.

"I've seen it, but I haven't seen it yet."

He turned around and stood with his hands behind his back.

"Go ahead, Zhao Gongming is waiting for you to save him."

Zhang Kui bowed deeply: "Thank you, Master."

When he looked up, Xuan Du's figure had already disappeared.

The system has matched you with a Xianxia (fantasy martial arts) novel category. Click to view details.