Zhang Kui Asks the Way in Investiture of the Gods

Within the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation, the golden light of the Hunyuan Golden Cauldron was still flashing, but it was already at its last gasp.

Yuanshi Tianzun stood before the formation, his body radiating countless rays of light and auspicious energy. Holding the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi, he merely touched it lightly, and the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation, which had once rendered the Eleven Golden Immortals helpless, collapsed layer by layer like a sandcastle encountering a tide.

The nine streaks of light shattered inch by inch, and pieces of chaotic void peeled away, revealing the hazy sky outside the formation.

Zhang Kui, riding on the back of the Bixie, watched this scene from afar, his heart and soul shaken.

"This is a sage..." he murmured to himself, his voice so low that only he could hear it, "This is a Primordial Golden Immortal..."

What kind of power is this?

No matter how mysterious the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation is, it is based on the laws of heaven and earth and uses the transformation of yin and yang and the five elements. And the sage himself is the embodiment of the laws of heaven and earth.

In the presence of a sage, all of this becomes meaningless.

Looking at the white-haired, youthful-faced figure, Zhang Kui felt no fear, only awe for such extraordinary abilities, and even a hint of longing—a longing he himself was unaware of, though he could not attain it.

"Below the sage, all are but ants..."

This sentence has now been given a concrete form.

Zhang Kui subconsciously gripped the Dragon Sparrow Sword tightly; the warm touch of the hilt calmed him slightly.

Looking at Yuanshi Tianzun, and at that power that could shatter the heavens and split the earth with a mere flick of his wrist, only one thought occupied his mind:

"One day..."

"General Zhang."

Wen Zhong's voice suddenly rang in my ears, deep and solemn, "Conceal your breath and don't attract attention."

Zhang Kui's expression hardened slightly, and he immediately circulated his Nine Breaths Qi to suppress the fluctuations of his magical power to the minimum. He turned his head and saw that Wen Zhong's face was ashen, and the light in his third eye between his brows was flickering, clearly indicating that he was also doing his best to resist the oppressive force.

Behind Wen Zhong, Ji Li and Yu Qing were deathly pale, their foreheads drenched in cold sweat. Further back, tens of thousands of Shang soldiers were struck dumb, most of them lying on the ground, unable to even grip their weapons.

The majesty of a sage is truly astounding.

On the front lines, Yunxiao's expression was extremely solemn.

As she gazed at the collapsed Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation, at the eleven Golden Immortals whose three flowers and five qi had been stripped away and who had fallen to the dust, and at that arrogant figure, the last shred of hope in her heart vanished.

"Master Uncle, I have failed to greet you properly." Yunxiao bowed respectfully, his voice clear and melodious, neither humble nor arrogant.

The Primordial Celestial Venerable swept his gaze over and said calmly, "Yunxiao, you used the Nine Turns Yellow River Formation to trap my Chan Sect disciples, severing the three flowers on their heads and extinguishing the five vital energies in their chests. Do you know your crime?"

Yunxiao straightened up and looked directly at Yuanshi Tianzun: "This disciple does not know, please enlighten me, Master Uncle."

"Oh?"

Yuanshi Tianzun raised an eyebrow slightly.

After adjusting his breathing, Yunxiao spoke in a clear voice: "My elder brother, Zhao Gongming, died in the Seven Arrows of Nailhead. In the Ten Deadly Formations, my disciples from the Jie Sect have fallen one after another. My master's disciples are bullying the weak and the powerful. If I do not intervene, how can I face my brother? How can I face my fallen fellow Daoists?"

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the eleven figures that had fallen to the ground, her voice growing colder: "Besides, this disciple only diminished their cultivation, not taken their lives. If Master Uncle wishes to punish them, shouldn't you first ask how the carnage within the Seven Arrows of Nailhead Book and the Ten Deadly Formations should be settled?"

Upon hearing this, a deathly silence fell over the battlefield.

Zhang Kui listened from afar, secretly praising the performance.

Yunxiao's words were reasonable and measured, neither humble nor arrogant. They not only demonstrated the magnanimity of the Jie Sect, but also placed the Chan Sect in a position of being in the wrong.

clever!

But in the presence of a sage, reason is sometimes... not important.

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, however, persisted, saying, "Moreover, Daoist Ran Deng used the Dao of Nirvana to ambush my Jie Sect disciples. How does my master explain this?"

The questions were forceful and resounding, lingering for a long time.

Yunxiao's courage and sense of responsibility at this moment are truly admirable.

The Celestial Venerable of Primordial Beginning remained expressionless, but a complex look flashed in his eyes. He remained silent for a long time before slowly saying, "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.

She secretly transmitted her voice to Qiongxiao and Bixiao: "Master Uncle has arrived. This matter can no longer be resolved peacefully. I will find a chance to stall Master Uncle in a moment. You two do not hesitate, leave immediately and head to Jin'ao Island."

Qiongxiao's expression changed drastically, but she feigned composure and replied telepathically, "Elder sister, there's no need for this. He's not our master, so why be afraid?"

Bixiao also transmitted her voice, saying, "Yes! Eldest sister, now that things have come to this, talking about etiquette would only make us look like we're in the wrong."

Upon hearing this, Yunxiao and Qiongxiao both shouted in unison to stop them.

"Little sister, be careful what you say..."

"Bixiao, if you don't speak, no one will think you're mute!"

Not far away, Zhang Kui, who was standing next to Wen Zhong, had excellent hearing and vaguely heard the content of the transmission. He was speechless.

"Uh...isn't this just asking for trouble?" he muttered to himself.

Wen Zhong turned his head and glared at him, signaling him to be quiet.

Although Bixiao's voice was soft, her defiant expression was clearly written on her face.

Yuanshi Tianzun was a figure of great stature; how could he not see through it?

"snort!"

The Primordial Celestial Venerable focused his gaze, his aura overwhelming, and let out a cold snort.

When a sage is angry, the heavens and earth change color.

In an instant, the wind and clouds changed drastically, and lightning appeared and disappeared. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth within a radius of a hundred miles surged wildly, as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand.

Everyone present immediately felt their magical power stagnate, as if they were frozen. The feeling was like a drowning person being entangled in seaweed, the more they struggled, the tighter it became, making it difficult to even breathe.

Zhang Kui's heart skipped a beat, and the circulation of his golden core slowed down by a third. He hurriedly activated the Five Elements Dao Fruit, and five-colored light flowed within his body, barely stabilizing his magical power. At the same time, the Qiankun Diagram automatically protected its master, and a warm and gentle power surged from the diagram, protecting his mind from being lost.

Otherwise, he would certainly be mentally and physically traumatized right now.

The three immortals of Sanxiao, Hanzhixian, and Caiyunxianzi, who were the first to be affected, were even more unable to withstand the attack.

The five figures trembled simultaneously, their faces turning deathly pale. The weakest among them, Fairy Caiyun, even had blood trickling from the corner of her mouth, her body swaying precariously.

Despite her discomfort, she gritted her teeth and unleashed her magic weapon, the Eye-Slaying Pearl, shooting it at the Primordial Heavenly Venerable.

The Eye-Slaying Pearl was jet black, containing the power to slay gods and destroy eyes. It transformed into a beam of black light and went straight for the eyes of the Primordial Heavenly Venerable.

The Primordial Celestial Venerable didn't even look at it, he simply pointed a finger into the void.

The Eye-Piercing Pearl froze on the spot, still three zhang away from him, but could not move forward an inch further.

"presumptuous!"

The Primordial Celestial Venerable uttered two words indifferently.

The moment the words left his mouth, the Eye-Piercing Pearl shattered into dust.

The fairy Caiyun, whose mind was connected to this treasure, was severely injured, spitting out a mouthful of blood and her breath becoming extremely weak.

"Caiyun!" Han Zhixian exclaimed in surprise and quickly helped her up.

Seeing this, Qiongxiao was terrified, but her anger only intensified. She let out a fierce shout and immediately summoned the Golden Dragon Scissors.

The Golden Dragon Scissors soared into the sky, transforming into two golden dragons that swirled and intertwined in the air, slicing towards the Primordial Celestial Venerable. These Golden Dragon Scissors were forged by the Tongtian Sect Master using the divine souls of two ancient dragons; wherever the blades passed, even space itself was ripped open with cracks.

Yuanshi Tianzun remained completely calm.

He slapped the Nine Dragons Incense Chariot, and nine phantom dragons flew out from the chariot, their roars echoing through the sky.

The ancient dragon's spirit within the golden dragon scissors sensed the aura of a true dragon and was immediately startled, its power greatly diminished. The two illusory dragon figures trembled in the air, and the scissor blades veered off course.

Immediately afterwards, Yuanshi Tianzun waved his sleeve.

The cuffs seemed to transform into a bottomless abyss, and the golden dragon scissors were absorbed into it like swallows nestling in its embrace, disappearing without a trace.

"You..." Qiongxiao was both shocked and angry.

Before she could react, the White Crane Boy, who served Yuanshi Tianzun, suddenly made his move.

The White Crane Boy was originally a pageboy before the Primordial Celestial Venerable. Although his cultivation was not as high as that of a Golden Immortal, he had received guidance from a sage for many years. He summoned the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi, which transformed into a beam of white light, swift as lightning, and struck...

Qiongxiao died on the spot.

Before she could even scream, her body froze on the spot, then shattered like glass, turning into specks of spiritual light and dissipating. A wisp of true spirit drifted and flew towards the Investiture of the Gods.

"Second Sister!"

"Second Sister!"

Seeing this, Yunxiao and Bixiao were filled with grief and indignation, and tears streamed down their faces.

"Yuanshi, prepare to die!"

Overwhelmed with grief and rage, Bixiao drew her sword and slashed at Yuanshi Tianzun. Her magical power burned fiercely, and the sword light shone like a rainbow, carrying with it a resolute determination to perish together with him.

Yuanshi Tianzun remained expressionless and took out a treasure box, the Primordial Spiritual Treasure Void Treasure Box.

The treasure box was entirely black. When the lid was opened, a mysterious and unfathomable power surged out. Before Bixiao could even resist, she was sucked into the box.

Close the lid.

A moment later, a muffled thud came from inside the box.

When it was opened again, Bixiao had turned into blood and water, her body and soul gone.

Another true spirit flew towards the Investiture of the Gods.

"Third Sister!" Yunxiao cried out in pain, staggering.

Seeing this, Fairy Hanzhi and Fairy Caiyun naturally knew that they too would not escape death.

The two exchanged a glance, seemingly reaching a tacit understanding, and rushed towards Yuanshi Tianzun like moths to a flame.

"Disciples of the Jie Sect would rather die than suffer dishonor!" Han Zhixian shouted fiercely.

"Disciples of the Jie Sect, though we die, we have no regrets!" Fairy Caiyun also shouted.

Under Zhang Kui's shocked gaze, the two burned their true essence and self-destructed their immortal bodies.

Boom! Boom!

Two deafening explosions followed, and two blazing flames burst forth before the Primordial Celestial Venerable. The flames contained the entire cultivation of a Golden Immortal, shattering even the space itself.

Unfortunately, it was like a firefly vying for brilliance with the bright moon.

Their desperate struggle was so intense that even the protective celestial light of the Primordial Celestial Venerable could not break through it. The celestial light merely flickered slightly before completely blocking the aftershocks of the explosion.

"Foolish child, you overestimate yourself." Yuanshi Tianzun shook his head and sighed softly.

With a wave of his sleeve, he sent the two true spirits into the Investiture of the Gods.

Of the five fairy maidens, four have perished, leaving only Yunxiao.

"You..." Yunxiao looked at the deaths of her four sisters, heartbroken, but could no longer speak.

The Primordial Celestial Venerable glanced at her and said calmly, "Yunxiao, although you have made mistakes, I will spare your life out of consideration for your arduous cultivation."

He raised his hand, and a golden light shot out, sealing away all of Yunxiao's cultivation and taking away the Hunyuan Golden Cauldron as well.

He raised his hand, and a golden light shot out, sealing away all of Yunxiao's cultivation and taking away the Hunyuan Golden Cauldron as well.

At that moment, Yunxiao's body went limp, and he could barely stand.

"Randeng, this treasure is now in your possession." Yuanshi Tianzun then bestowed the Hunyuan Golden Cauldron upon Daoist Randeng.

Overjoyed, Ran Deng exclaimed, "Thank you, Heavenly Venerable! This disciple bows in gratitude!"

Misfortune comes with blessings, and blessings come with misfortunes.

Seeing the Daoist Ran Deng lost in joy, Yuanshi Tianzun smiled meaningfully and then asked, "Where is the White Crane?"

"Disciple is here." The White Crane Boy stepped forward immediately.

"You shall immediately escort Yunxiao back to Kunlun and imprison him at the foot of Qilin Cliff. No one is permitted to visit him without my decree."

"Yes, I will obey the decree!"

After receiving the order, the White Crane Boy dared not delay for a moment. He revealed his true form as a white crane, spread his wings, and soared into the sky, flying towards Kunlun Mountain.

Yunxiao, carried in the crane's beak, glanced back at the direction of the Shang army camp. His gaze held sorrow, resentment, and a hint of...relief.

As Zhang Kui watched the White Crane Boy's departing figure from afar, a thought suddenly arose in his mind.

A bold, even insane, idea...