Zhang Kui Asks the Way in Investiture of the Gods

The Hunyuan Golden Bucket is golden all over, with a golden glint at the mouth.

This treasure is a primordial spiritual treasure, containing primordial energy, capable of containing all things and confining all heavens. With a gentle toss from the clouds, the Primordial Golden Cauldron transformed into a beam of golden light, heading straight for Manjushri.

Manjushri's expression changed drastically, and the Dragon-Binding Stake hurriedly returned to his aid. But the Hunyuan Golden Cauldron was even faster; with a flash of golden light, it had already enveloped his head.

"Oh no!" Puxian exclaimed.

But it was too late. The Hunyuan Golden Cauldron flashed its golden light again, and Manjushri had already been captured within it.

Immediately afterwards, golden light flashed three times. Puxian, Cihang, and Daoxing also fell into the battle one after another.

All four Golden Immortals were captured.

Outside the formation, the remaining five Golden Immortals were deathly pale.

Master Huanglong stammered, "This...how is this possible?"

Master Taiyi's expression was solemn; the power of this formation was simply inconceivable.

Master Yu Ding said in a deep voice, "We can't wait any longer."

"But..." Master Huanglong hesitated, unable to finish his sentence.

"There are no 'buts'," Qingxu Daode Zhenjun suddenly spoke, a resolute glint in his eyes. "Besides, if we don't go, how will we explain ourselves to the Sect Leader Heavenly Venerable in the future?"

Huanglong Zhenren, Lingbao Dafashi, and Yuding Zhenren exchanged glances and nodded in unison.

"Walk!"

Five beams of immortal light simultaneously rushed into the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation.

Yunxiao had been waiting in the formation for a long time.

She stood deep within the chaotic void, her robes fluttering, her face serene and aloof. Qiongxiao, Bixiao, Hanzhixian, and Caiyunxianzi stood around her, their five beams of immortal light intertwining and merging with the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation.

The moment Taiyi Zhenren and his group of five entered the formation, they sensed an ancient and vast aura emanating from them.

"Five fellow Daoists, please," Yunxiao said calmly.

She raised her hand and summoned the Hunyuan Golden Cauldron into the air. But this time, she did not immediately unleash it. Instead, she used the Hunyuan Golden Cauldron as a conduit to drive the power of the entire Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation.

In an instant, the great formation trembled violently. The nine curved light traces flashed simultaneously, and countless restrictions burst forth at the same time, transforming into a huge net of light.

Taiyi Zhenren's expression changed, and the Nine Dragons Divine Fire Cover flew out of his hand. Nine fire dragons rushed out from the cover, spewing out Samadhi True Fire to meet the net of light. But the net of light seemed to be invisible; the flames passed through it without being harmed in the slightest.

"Not good!" Jade Cauldron Immortal shouted, his Immortal-Slaying Sword flashing horizontally, its light like a rainbow, slashing towards the net of light. Where the sword light passed, the net of light was torn open, but it instantly healed as if nothing had happened.

Huanglong Zhenren and Lingbao Dafashi each activated their magic weapons, but they were unable to break through the light net even slightly.

Yunxiao coldly watched all of this, her delicate hand gently waving.

The Hunyuan Golden Cauldron transformed into a beam of golden light, heading straight for Taiyi Zhenren. Taiyi Zhenren retreated hastily, but the Hunyuan Golden Cauldron was even faster; in a flash of golden light, it had already enveloped Taiyi Zhenren's head.

"Fellow Daoist Taiyi!" Huanglong Zhenren exclaimed in surprise.

But it was too late. Another flash of golden light, and Taiyi Zhenren had already been captured.

Immediately afterwards, golden light flashed four times. Huanglong Zhenren, Lingbao Dafashi, Yuding Zhenren, and Qingxu Daode Zhenjun also fell into the battle one after another.

All eleven Golden Immortals were captured.

Outside the formation, Jiang Ziya was stunned.

"This...how is this possible?" Jiang Ziya muttered to himself, his face pale.

The Taoist Ran Deng stood to one side, his expression shifting between light and shadow. He gazed at the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation, his eyes flashing with a mysterious light, lost in thought.

At the front of the Shang army, Wen Zhong burst into laughter.

"Good, very good!" Wen Zhong stroked his beard and laughed heartily, his third eye shining brightly. "The Lady of Yunxiao is indeed extraordinary! All the Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect have been captured! Hahaha!"

Riding on the back of the Bixie, Zhang Kui gazed at the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation, deeply awestruck.

What incredible power! To wipe out all the Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect in one fell swoop! What domineering power!

The Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation is infamous for its ferocity, but witnessing it in person still leaves one with an overwhelming sense of awe.

Eleven Great Luo Golden Immortals were captured by Yunxiao alone in a single battle.

"Lady Yunxiao, is it really..." Zhang Kui muttered to himself, then suddenly remembered something and turned his gaze toward the formation.

Within the formation, Yunxiao raised his hand and summoned the Hunyuan Golden Cauldron into his palm. Looking at the captured eleven Golden Immortals, a complex expression flashed in his eyes.

"Sister, what should we do next?" Qiongxiao asked.

Yunxiao remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Shave off the three flowers on their heads and dissipate the five qi in their chests."

"What?" Bixiao exclaimed in surprise. "Sister, this..."

"Do as instructed," Yunxiao said calmly.

Bixiao opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing. She and Qiongxiao exchanged a glance and nodded in unison.

The Hunyuan Golden Cauldron trembled slightly, and its golden light shone brightly, enveloping the eleven figures.

The eleven Golden Immortals groaned in unison, feeling the three flowers atop their heads, enveloped in golden light, gradually dimming. The five vital energies within their chests also slowly dissipated in the golden light. Ten thousand years of arduous cultivation, all lost in a single moment.

"Yunxiao! You..." Guangchengzi roared, but he was powerless to struggle.

All eleven Golden Immortals were banished to the mortal realm and transformed into ordinary people.

The Taoist Ran Deng's expression changed drastically, and he immediately ordered, "Ziya, you guard the camp closely, I'll be right back!"

After saying that, he swayed and transformed into a gentle breeze, disappearing westward.

"Teacher Ran Deng!" Jiang Ziya exclaimed.

Watching the direction Ran Deng had gone, Zhang Kui couldn't help but mutter, "That old bastard, he's really fast!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it reached Wen Zhong's ears clearly. Wen Zhong stroked his beard and laughed heartily, "Haha, General Zhang is right. This Ran Deng is quick-witted!"

Yunxiao stood in the center of the formation, sensing the departing aura of Randeng, and frowned slightly. She had originally intended to capture Randeng as well, but she hadn't expected him to escape so quickly.

"Sister, should we go after them?" Bixiao asked.

Yunxiao shook his head: "No need, Randeng has already escaped, it's too late to catch up."

She paused, looked at the eleven captured Golden Immortals, and said calmly, "Imprison them in the formation for now, and deal with them later."

Qiongxiao, Bixiao, Hanzhixian, and Caiyun Fairy all nodded in unison, and the five beams of immortal light disappeared into the formation.

……

Ran Deng fled westward without stopping for a moment, only slowing down when he reached the foot of Kunlun Mountain.

Before Qilin Cliff, the White Crane Boy saw the figure of the Burning Lamp Daoist and quickly bowed, saying, "Greetings, Master Burning Lamp."

Ran Deng waved his hand and asked urgently, "Is the Celestial Master in the palace?"

Just as the White Crane Boy was about to answer, a figure suddenly floated down from the cliff.

It was an old man with white hair and beard, holding a whisk, exuding an air of otherworldly wisdom. He was none other than the Antarctic Immortal.

"Teacher Ran Deng." The Antarctic Immortal bowed respectfully. "My master will be heading to Xiqi shortly and instructed me to wait for you here."

Ran Deng felt a sense of relief and quickly asked, "Did the Heavenly Venerable say anything?"

The Old Man of the South Pole smiled slightly: "Master only said four words, so please be patient."

Ran Deng was taken aback, then nodded with a wry smile: "Thank you for informing me, fellow Daoist."

After a moment of silence, Ran Deng nodded and said, "Thank you for your understanding, Heavenly Venerable."

Then it transformed into a gentle breeze and fled towards Xiqi.

……

On the city wall of Xiqi, Jiang Ziya stood atop the tower, gazing at the distant Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation.

"Uncle-Master Ziya." Nezha's voice came from behind.

Jiang Ziya turned around and saw Nezha and Lei Zhenzi approaching side by side, their expressions solemn.

"Why are you here?" Jiang Ziya asked.

Nezha asked, "Uncle-Master, we sensed that the auras of all our senior uncles... are weakening. What exactly happened?"

Jiang Ziya remained silent for a moment before recounting what had just happened.

Upon hearing this, Nezha's expression changed drastically: "What? Uncle-Master Guangchengzi and the others... have all been captured? Their Three Flowers and Five Qi have been weakened?"

Jiang Ziya nodded, his face pale.

Lei Zhenzi asked blankly, "Then... what should we do?"

Jiang Ziya remained silent.

Just then, a clear and melodious cry of a crane suddenly came from the horizon.

Jiang Ziya looked up and saw a wisp of auspicious cloud slowly drifting in from the western horizon. On the cloud, a nine-dragon sandalwood chariot could be vaguely seen, and a figure sat on it, surrounded by rays of light and auspicious energy.

"That is..." Jiang Ziya was taken aback, then overjoyed, "The Celestial Master!"

He immediately knelt down and loudly proclaimed, "Disciple Jiang Ziya respectfully welcomes the Celestial Master!"

Nezha and Lei Zhenzi exchanged a glance and then quickly knelt down as well.

The Nine-Dragon Incense Chariot slowly descended and landed atop the city wall of Xiqi. Seated atop the chariot was a Daoist, with white hair and a youthful face, holding a Three Treasures Jade Ruyi, his aura vast and unfathomable. This was none other than the leader of the Chan Sect—Yuanshi Tianzun.

The Old Man of the South Pole attended him, gently waving his whisk.

"Rise," said Yuanshi Tianzun, his voice filled with supreme majesty.

Jiang Ziya and the other two stood up, bowed their heads, and dared not say another word.

Yuanshi Tianzun gazed at the distant Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes, and slowly said, "Junior Brother's disciples do possess some skill."

The Old Man of the South Pole asked, "Master, shall I go and deliver a message?"

Yuanshi Tianzun shook his head: "No need. I will go and meet her myself."

He rose, his sleeves fluttering, and his figure transformed into a golden light, flying straight towards the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation.

……

Inside the Shang army camp, Zhang Kui was discussing matters with Wen Zhong.

Suddenly, a vast and boundless aura came from the sky. The aura was so strong, so profound, and so unfathomable that it shook Zhang Kui's mind and even caused his golden core to tremble slightly.

"This is..." Zhang Kui suddenly looked up at the sky.

A golden light shot into the sky from the top of Xiqi City. Within that golden light, a figure could be vaguely seen, surrounded by countless rays of light and auspicious energy, as if he were the master of heaven and earth and the source of all laws.

"A sage!" Wen Zhong's expression changed drastically, and he blurted out.

Zhang Kui was shocked. Had a saint descended?

He stared intently and saw that the golden light had landed in front of the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation. The golden light dissipated, revealing a figure with white hair and a youthful face, holding a jade scepter with three treasures—it was none other than the Primordial Heavenly Venerable.

"The Jade Purity Saint!" Zhang Kui murmured to himself, his heart churning with turbulent emotions.

Within the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation, Yunxiao and the others also sensed that vast and boundless aura.

Five beams of immortal light flew out from the formation and landed in front of it. Yunxiao was the leader, with Qiongxiao, Bixiao, Hanzhixian, and Caiyunxianzi standing on his left and right respectively. All five of their gazes fell on Yuanshi Tianzun.

"Disciple Yunxiao greets Master Uncle Yuanshi." Yunxiao bowed respectfully, his voice clear and melodious, neither humble nor arrogant.

Qiongxiao and the other three quickly followed suit and bowed.

Yuanshi Tianzun gazed at the five people before him, a complex look flashing in his eyes. He remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Yunxiao, do you know your crime?"

Yunxiao looked up and stared directly at Yuanshi Tianzun: "This disciple knows not what crime I have committed."

The Primordial Celestial Venerable said, "You used the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation to trap my disciples of the Chan Sect, cutting off their three flowers on their heads and extinguishing their five vital energies in their chests, causing them to lose all their ten thousand years of arduous cultivation in a single day. Is this not a sin?"

"Master Uncle, please allow me to report."

Yunxiao continued, "This disciple's actions were truly out of desperation. My elder brother, Zhao Gongming, died a violent death. Within the Ten Deadly Formations, my disciples of the Jie Sect have fallen one after another. If I do not intervene, how can I explain this to my brother? How can I explain this to the fallen fellow disciples of the Jie Sect?"

Yuanshi Tianzun remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "I already know about your brother's matter. Lu Ya used the Seven Arrows with Nailheads to curse and kill Zhao Gongming, which was not the original intention of the Chan Sect."

Yunxiao sneered: "Not the Chan Sect's original intention? That seventh arrow was fired by Ji Fa. Who is Ji Fa? How could he dare to fire that arrow without the Chan Sect's tacit approval?"

Yuanshi Tianzun frowned slightly: "Yunxiao, you have gone too far."

Before he finished speaking, an immense and boundless pressure descended from the sky, enveloping an area of ​​hundreds of miles.

The sheer power, depth, and unfathomable pressure caused Yunxiao and the other four to grunt in unison, their expressions changing slightly.

But Yunxiao still stood tall, looking directly at Yuanshi Tianzun, his eyes showing no fear.

Yuanshi Tianzun sighed softly, a complex look flashing in his eyes.

He raised his hand, and the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi trembled slightly.

In an instant, the world changed color, and the wind and clouds rose suddenly. The Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation trembled violently, and the nine bends of light shone brightly, but under that vast and boundless pressure, they dimmed little by little.

Yunxiao's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly activated the Hunyuan Golden Cauldron. But as soon as the Hunyuan Golden Cauldron took off, it was gently tapped by the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi, freezing it in mid-air and rendering it unable to move.

The Three Treasures Jade Ruyi vibrated once again.

The Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation collapsed with a roar, and the nine-bend light traces vanished without a trace.

Eleven figures fell to the ground; they were none other than the Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect whose Three Flowers and Five Qi had been stripped away...