Zhang Kui Asks the Way in Investiture of the Gods

Qishan Commercial Camp, Central Military Tent.

The setting sun, like blood, shone brightly on the tattered banner bearing the character "Shang" at the camp gate. Zhang Kui retracted his flying teleportation ability, and then heard a low, mournful bugle call—the sound of the army commemorating the fallen.

Wu Wenhua stepped forward, his face grave: "My lord, the two Heavenly Lords, Bai Li and Wang Bian... are dead."

Zhang Kui paused slightly and sighed softly.

Once, ten spirited figures stood on Jin'ao Island, but now only Zhang Shao remains, guarding the Red Sand Formation alone.

"How is Senior Zhao Gongming?" Zhang Kui asked as he walked.

"It's getting worse."

Wu Wenhua shook his head and said, "Fellow Daoists Chen Jiugong and Yao Shaosi are guarding the tent."

As soon as the tent flap was lifted, a heavy, oppressive atmosphere hit me.

Wen Zhong sat upright by the couch, his face solemn. Chen Jiugong and Yao Shaosi had red eyes, while Zhang Shao sat cross-legged in the corner, silent.

On the couch, Zhao Gongming's eyes were tightly closed, his face as white as gold paper. The aura of a Great Luo Golden Immortal, which was originally perfect and flawless, was now as flickering as a candle in the wind.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang Kui!" Chen Jiugong exclaimed as if seeing a savior upon his return. "My teacher..."

Zhang Kui raised his hand to stop him, then strode forward to examine Zhao Gongming's condition with his divine sense. Upon this examination, his heart sank – most of his three souls and seven spirits had dissipated, and the remaining one soul and two spirits were teetering on the brink of collapse, as if they might leave his body at any moment. If Zhao Gongming hadn't possessed a profound foundation and high level of cultivation, he would likely have already been annihilated.

"I already have a way to save them." As soon as Zhang Kui said this, everyone in the tent perked up.

Wen Zhong suddenly stood up: "Really?"

Zhang Kui nodded and explained in detail the method taught by Xuandu.

It requires the use of an innate spiritual treasure as a foundation. The caster uses their own magical power to nurture and protect the injured person's remnant soul, while simultaneously activating the innate restrictions of the spiritual treasure. Using this as a guide, the divine soul that has been captured by the curse is forcibly gathered together, ultimately restoring the soul to oneness and re-establishing the primordial spirit.

"This method is dangerous," Zhang Kui admitted. "When casting the spell, I must concentrate entirely on Fellow Daoist Zhao's soul and be completely unaware of the outside world. If any external force disturbs me, not only will Fellow Daoist Zhao's soul be destroyed, but I will also be unable to escape the backlash."

Wen Zhong frowned and turned his gaze to Zhang Shao, the only remaining one of the Ten Heavenly Lords in the tent.

Zhang Shao understood immediately, stepped forward, and said resolutely, "Rest assured, fellow Daoists, even at the cost of my life, I will protect you. Although I dare not say that the Red Sand Formation is impregnable, anyone who wants to step into it will have to step over my dead body."

Chen Jiugong and Yao Shaosi both knelt down, saying, "We are also willing to risk our lives to protect the Dharma."

Zhang Kui helped the two up, sighing inwardly.

Chen Jiugong and Yao Shaosi are only at the level of Celestial Immortals. If a Golden Immortal from the Chan Sect were to attack, how could they possibly resist? But their intentions are already rare.

"There's no time to lose." Zhang Kui looked at Zhang Shao. "I need to trouble you, Lord Zhang, to cast a spell within the Red Sand Formation."

Without saying a word, Zhang Shao led the way.

Before leaving, Wen Zhong grasped Zhang Kui's wrist and said in a deep voice, "Zhang Kui, go ahead and do as you please. I'll be right outside the formation. Anyone who wants to break through will have to get past the male and female whips in my hand first."

Zhang Kui felt a warmth in his heart and nodded emphatically.

……

Amidst the red sand dunes, crimson sands fill the sky.

This formation, named "Red Sand," actually conceals a hidden secret—the sand is not real sand, but rather the Blood Fiend Divine Sand refined by Zhang Shao for a hundred years, each grain containing a chilling aura. When the formation is complete, the red sand covers the sky and the earth; anyone who touches it will be annihilated, facing extreme danger.

But at this moment, the crimson sand that filled the sky completely receded, clearing out a pure land within the formation. Zhang Shao personally controlled the formation, manifesting a tranquil Daoist temple with a radius of ten zhang within the domain.

Zhang Kui set up a high altar in the center of the temple and burned incense to pray.

After the prayer was finished, Zhang Kui sat cross-legged on the altar and took out the precious coin.

The copper coin, round on the outside and square on the inside, with its ancient and somber bluish-gold color, lay quietly in his palm, yet felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. Zhang Kui gazed at this treasure, his mind churning with emotions…

He could have chosen the Coffin Lamp, but it is now in the hands of the incarnation of the Fengdu Emperor, and is related to the operation of the Netherworld. The Book of Life and Death, the Reincarnation Brush, and the Coffin Lamp—these three treasures have become the foundation for suppressing the Netherworld's fortune; moving one affects the whole system. If he were to rashly retrieve them, it would disrupt the stability of the Six Paths of Reincarnation, and the karmic consequences would be immense.

He could also choose the Qiankun Diagram, a superior-grade innate spiritual treasure bestowed upon him by his master, Xuandu. It possesses all thirty-six innate restrictions, more than enough to protect Zhao Gongming's soul. However, the Qiankun Diagram is his protective treasure. If it were to be affected by the backlash of a spell during its casting, or if a powerful enemy were to attack, he would be missing a powerful magic weapon.

And the treasure-dropping coin...

Looking at the bluish-gold copper coin in his hand, Zhang Kui suddenly recalled what Zhao Gongming had told him in the Luofu Cave: "This treasure is excellent. When it was refined, it moved as smoothly as an arm, without any hindrance."

It was this "fate" that led Zhang Kui to ultimately choose the Luobao Golden Coin.

Zhao Gongming had refined this treasure before, and although he hadn't completely refined all the restrictions, their auras were already connected. Now, using the Falling Treasure Coin as a base to nurture Zhao Gongming's remnant soul would be twice as effective with half the effort.

"Fellow Daoist, please forgive me," Zhang Kui said softly, placing the Treasure-Locking Coin on Zhao Gongming's brow.

Driven by magical power, the Treasure-Dropping Coin trembled slightly, then emitted a hazy blue light. The blue light was gentle and not dazzling, flowing slowly like spring water, enveloping Zhao Gongming's entire head.

Zhang Kui closed his eyes and sent his consciousness into Zhao Gongming's sea of ​​consciousness, following the blue light.

A state of chaos...

This was Zhang Kui's first impression upon entering Zhao Gongming's sea of ​​consciousness. The sea of ​​consciousness, which should have been vast and boundless, containing the fruits of the Great Luo Dao, was now fragmented, filled with floating fragments of remnant souls. Occasionally, images would flash through those fragments—the clouds and mist of Mount Emei, the pine trees of Luofu Cave, the roar of the black tiger, the five-colored light of the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl… all memories of Zhao Gongming's lifelong cultivation.

Deep within his sea of ​​consciousness, a faint halo trembled precariously, within which a blurry figure could be vaguely seen sitting cross-legged. It was Zhao Gongming's last remaining soul and two spirits, making their final struggle.

Zhang Kui's divine consciousness landed in front of the halo of light and said softly, "Fellow Daoist Zhao, Zhang Kui is late."

The figure in the halo moved slightly, as if it had heard his voice.

Zhang Kui said no more, sat down cross-legged, circulated the Golden Core Dao, and activated his perfect and unobstructed Five Elements Dao Fruit.

The Dao Fruit trembled, and five-colored rays of light emanated from Zhang Kui's body, merging with the azure light of the Falling Treasure Coin to form a five-colored azure rainbow that enveloped Zhao Gongming's remnant soul.

At the same time, Zhang Kui began to activate the innate restrictions of the Falling Treasure Coin.

The Fallen Treasure Coin trembled slightly, as if responding to something. It was the faint but real imprint of Zhao Gongming's aura left deep within the restriction. Zhang Kui used this as a guide to establish a connection between the Fallen Treasure Coin's spirituality and Zhao Gongming's remnant soul.

Countless fine lines, as thin as hair, emerged from the blue light, extending from the treasure-falling coin and piercing into Zhao Gongming's remnant soul. Each line contained a gentle pulling force, like countless hands tightly grasping the soul that was about to dissipate.

The azure light suddenly solidified, transforming into a protective shield that firmly held Zhao Gongming's remnant soul, finally stabilizing it.

Zhang Kui breathed a sigh of relief, but dared not slacken in the slightest. This was only the first step; the real challenge was to use the Falling Treasure Coin as a bridge to forcibly recall the remaining souls of Zhao Gongming that had been captured by the curse.

He began to circulate the Nine Breaths Breathing Technique, using himself as a medium to communicate with heaven and earth, searching for that faint connection.

Time passed slowly.

Within the Red Sand Formation, there was no distinction between day and night; only the endless red sand silently floated in the air. Zhang Shao sat cross-legged at the center of the formation, his divine sense pervading the entire formation, daring not to relax for even a moment.

……

Xiqi, the secret chamber of the Prime Minister's residence.

Jiang Ziya held a mulberry wood bow, with a sixth peach wood arrow nocked on the bowstring. The arrow was carved from peach wood struck by lightning, and was engraved with dense runes, each of which shimmered with an eerie blood-red light.

On the altar, the straw figure bearing the inscription "Zhao Gongming" was pierced with five peach wood arrows—one each in the head, hands, and feet. With the five arrows embedded in its body, a visible layer of black mist swirled around the straw figure, from which faint cries could be heard, as if the howls of evil spirits from the netherworld were emanating.

"The sixth arrow!"

Jiang Ziya gave a deep shout and loosened the string.

The peach wood arrow transformed into a streak of blood, striking the grassman squarely in the chest.

puff……

Jiang Ziya shuddered violently, spitting out a mouthful of blood. He staggered backward, nearly falling to the ground. He steadied himself against the altar, and looking down, he saw that the skin on his hands was visibly drying and wrinkling, as if he had aged decades in an instant.

"How could this be?" Jiang Ziya's voice was hoarse. His long hair, which was originally mixed with black strands, was now completely white and without any luster.

The room was deathly silent.

The Taoist Ran Deng stood with his hands behind his back, shifting his gaze from Jiang Ziya to the composed Lu Ya Daojun beside him. His gaze was icy cold, filled with scrutiny and questioning.

Lu Ya remained composed, seemingly unconcerned about Jiang Ziya's tragic fate. Noticing Randeng's gaze, he calmly spoke, "Zhao Gongming attained enlightenment during the Three Sovereigns era, his cultivation reaching the peak of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm, merely a step away from Quasi-Saint. Do you two fellow Daoists believe that cursing and killing a Great Luo Golden Immortal goes unpunished?"

"you!"

Jiang Ziya was so angry that he wanted to reprimand him, but this aggravated his injuries, and he spat out another mouthful of blood. His vision went black, and he fainted.

Lu Ya glanced at him, a slight smile playing on his lips.

The Taoist Ran Deng ignored the fallen Jiang Ziya and simply watched him quietly, a gaze that made Lu Ya very uncomfortable.

"Fellow Daoist, Ziya is the one destined by Heaven to confer the titles of gods."

Finally, Ran Deng spoke, his voice cold and indifferent, "The name Jiang Ziya represents the face of the Chan Sect and the majesty of the Jade Void Palace. If he were to lose his life because of this, not to mention whether the Primordial Heavenly Lord would be willing to let it go, I think... even to the Sage Zhunti, you wouldn't be able to explain it to him, would you?"

Lu Ya's expression changed slightly.

The words "Lighting the Lamp" may seem like a calm inquiry, but they are actually piercing to the heart.

Leaving aside Yuanshi Tianzun, let's just talk about Sage Zhunti... Since Lu Ya has become a disciple of the Western Sect, he naturally has to obey his master's orders. If Jiang Ziya dies because of him, ruining the grand plan of the West, how will Sage Zhunti treat him?

"Fellow Daoist, please speak frankly," Lu Ya said, his smile fading and his expression turning serious.

"I want to know, who else can replace Ziya in shooting this last arrow?" Daoist Ran Deng spoke slowly, but the coldness in his words sent chills down one's spine.

"I want to know, who else can replace Ziya in shooting this last arrow?" Daoist Ran Deng spoke slowly, but the coldness in his words sent chills down one's spine.

Lu Ya was slightly taken aback, then threw his head back and laughed loudly: "Hahaha! Fellow Daoist Ran Deng, you truly deserve to be the first coffin since the beginning of time! It's truly a case of 'better to die than for me!'"

The laughter was unrestrained, echoing through the secret room, extremely jarring.

The Daoist Ran Deng remained expressionless, neither happy nor sad, simply staring coldly at Lu Ya. His gaze held neither anger nor embarrassment, as if Lu Ya were mocking not him, but a complete stranger.

Lu Ya felt uneasy under his gaze, and his laughter gradually subsided. He touched his nose, pondered for a moment, and said, "As for a replacement... there is one."

"Who?" Ran Deng asked.

"Hime Fa".

Ran Deng was so angry that he almost summoned the Qiankun Ruler and chopped Lu Ya, this feathered crow.

Hime Fa? How did you even come up with that?!