Zhang Kui Asks the Way in Investiture of the Gods

As Zhang Kui finished speaking, the coin suspended in mid-air trembled slightly, then froze in place like a weary bird. A gentle breeze stirred, swirling up a few withered blades of grass from the valley and landing them on the bronze coin.

Yunxiao stared blankly at the coin, tears glistening in her beautiful eyes.

She subconsciously reached out her right hand, wanting to touch that familiar scent, but her fingertips trembled slightly in mid-air. She was afraid, afraid that this was just another illusion.

A beam of azure light rose from the coin, clear and pure as water, yet containing the profound Daoist essence of the Shangqing Immortal Technique of the Jie Sect. As the azure light swayed, a figure materialized from the ethereal and walked out from within the light.

Wearing a green robe and jade belt, with a resolute face, he was none other than Zhao Gongming, the eldest outer disciple of the Jie Sect who should have been annihilated.

At this moment, his figure was ethereal and uncertain, and amidst the flowing light around him, countless fine golden runes could be vaguely seen swimming like fish across his body. These were unique Dao patterns formed by the fusion of the innate divine restriction of the Falling Treasure Coin and his remaining divine soul.

"Little sister, how have you been..."

Zhao Gongming's voice remained gentle, but before he could finish speaking, Yunxiao burst into tears.

This female immortal of the Jie Sect, who had defeated eleven Golden Immortals in the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation and dared to argue with the Primordial Heavenly Venerable, was now choked with sobs, tears streaming down her cheeks and splashing onto the ground, raising fine dust.

"Oh, oh, oh, don't cry!" Zhao Gongming was at a loss, wanting to step forward to comfort him, but his movements were unsteady due to his emotional turmoil. He was so anxious that he was pacing around in circles, completely losing his composure as a Great Immortal. "I'm perfectly fine, even more energetic than before!"

Watching this scene unfold, Zhang Kui was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. He quietly stepped back, leaving space for the brother and sister who had been reunited after their ordeal.

It took a full cup of tea for Yunxiao to stop crying, her eyes filled with the relief of surviving a disaster.

Seeing that the time was right, Zhang Kui stepped forward, cupped his hands, and asked, "Senior Gongming, were you not dead before... or did you come back to life?"

He asked bluntly because the cause and effect involved were too great. If someone had died and been resurrected, it would mean that someone could use heaven-defying means to snatch someone from the Investiture of the Gods, a connection that would shake the entire primordial world; if someone hadn't died, then the Seven Arrows of Nailhead was an ancient curse technique, so how could it have failed?

Upon hearing this, Zhao Gongming clapped his hands and laughed, "Young friend Zhang Kui, this is a long story!"

"That Seven Arrows Book with Nailhead is indeed extremely vicious. It uses heaven and earth as its furnace and creation as its craftsman to curse and kill all tangible things. Seven arrows in seven days, each one taking a life. When the seventh arrow was shot, my soul was indeed shattered, my body disintegrated, and my true spirit scattered into the void. I was doomed."

As Zhao Gongming spoke, his tone still carried a hint of lingering fear.

"But who would have thought that there's always a way out. Years ago, when you visited Luofu Cave on Mount Emei, I was investigating your Treasure-Dropping Coin and inadvertently refined several of its divine restrictions. Although I later severed the connection with your divine sense in time, a trace of my divine soul imprint remained in the core restrictions of the magic weapon."

"This trace of mark was originally insignificant, and I didn't pay it any mind. But when the Seven Arrows of Nailhead destroyed my main body, this wisp of remnant soul was preserved thanks to the 'weighing' principle of the Falling Treasure Coin."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Kui suddenly understood.

The Great Dao is fifty, the Heavenly Evolution is forty-nine, and the one that has vanished is one.

"What's even stranger is that," Zhao Gongming continued, "after the innate spiritual energy in the Falling Treasure Coin merged with this wisp of my remnant soul, a dramatic change occurred. Using the magic weapon's restrictions as the bone and the innate spiritual energy as the flesh, I was able to reassemble this body that combines form and spirit. Although it's not as good as before, its foundation is intact, and given time, it will surely be able to recover to its original state."

Yunxiao was both surprised and delighted, and asked urgently, "Brother, when will you recover?"

Zhao Gongming smiled, reached out and ruffled Yunxiao's hair, saying, "Don't worry, the innate restrictions within the Falling Treasure Coin resonate with my soul, making cultivation twice as effective. However…"

He paused, his gaze deep: "I think it would be better if I were 'dead' right now."

Yunxiao was taken aback, then realized what was happening, and a look of understanding flashed in his eyes.

Zhang Kui secretly gave a thumbs up. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!

The great calamity of the Investiture of the Gods continues. If the news of Zhao Gongming's "resurrection" were to spread, who knows how many variables it would cause. Not to mention that Randeng would definitely try to scheme again, even the Primordial Heavenly Lord would probably not sit idly by.

It would be better to let everyone believe that Zhao Gongming is dead, so that he can hide in the shadows, cultivate in peace, and wait for the right time.

"Elder brother is right." Yunxiao nodded slightly, but then, as if remembering something, her eyes reddened again. "Elder brother, Qiongxiao and Bixiao, they..."

Before she could finish speaking, she was already sobbing uncontrollably.

Zhao Gongming's expression froze, a deep sorrow flashing in his eyes. The images of his two younger sisters, their voices and smiles, seemed still vivid in his mind: Qiongxiao was strong-willed, Bixiao innocent and carefree…

"I know." Zhao Gongming's voice was a little hoarse. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and said, "His name is on the Investiture of the Gods. This is a calamity, but also an opportunity. At least... we will have a chance to meet again in the future."

This was a forced statement, but it was the only consolation available at the moment.

The brother and sister looked at each other in silence, only the mountain wind howled and rustled their clothes.

After a long while, Zhao Gongming composed himself and asked Yunxiao about her plans.

Yunxiao pondered for a moment, then said, "I plan to return to the Three Immortal Islands for seclusion. This time in the Qiankun Diagram, I have touched the threshold of Quasi-Saint. I only need to calmly comprehend it and sever one of my corpses to attain Quasi-Saint status. At that time..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear: she would have more confidence to deal with the Chan Sect at that time.

Zhao Gongming nodded in agreement, then looked at Zhang Kui and said, "Young friend, I would like to stay by your side so that I can look after you."

After a moment's thought, Zhang Kui shook his head and said, "Senior, it would be better if you returned to the Three Immortals Island with Senior Yunxiao. Firstly, the siblings could be reunited and look after each other; secondly, the Three Immortals Island is an important place for the Jie Sect, and the Chan Sect would not dare to trespass on it lightly, so it would be much safer than following me."

He paused, then smiled and said, "As for your temporary residence at the Treasure-Losing Coin, there's no need to worry. Since this treasure is destined for you, I'll give it to you."

Upon hearing this, not only was Zhao Gongming shocked and surprised, but even Yunxiao, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but glance at him sideways.

Seeing the sincerity in Zhang Kui's eyes and his frank expression, Zhao Gongming laughed heartily and said, "Good, good young friend Zhang Kui! In that case, this humble Taoist will accept your offer without further ado."

He then said seriously, "However, before we part, there are a few karmic debts that need to be settled."

After saying that, he turned to look at Yunxiao: "Sister, there is still the divine imprint of Randeng in that Qiankun Ruler. Please help me to completely erase it."

Yunxiao didn't say much. He raised his hand and a flash of green light appeared. The Qiankun Ruler, which was neither gold nor jade, floated in front of the three of them. Without the influence of Randeng's magic power, the Qiankun Ruler revealed its true form.

This piece is about three feet and three inches long. It is entirely blue, and its surface is covered with a faint Taoist aura.

Yunxiao channeled his celestial light, his right index finger drawing a mysterious rune in the void, and he softly uttered, "Disperse!"

The rune fell into the Qiankun Ruler, and with a muffled "hum," the ruler trembled violently. Strands of black smoke emerged from the ruler, twisting and struggling, transforming into the gloomy face of the Burning Lamp. After letting out an unwilling roar, it completely dissipated into the world.

The precious light on the Qiankun Ruler dimmed by three points, but it also became incomparably pure, without any trace of heretical aura.

Zhao Gongming nodded in satisfaction and then took out twenty-four more Sea-Stabilizing Pearls. These pearls floated quietly in his palm, each radiating five-colored light, with images of mountains and seas appearing within them, a truly magnificent sight.

"Young friend, today I, the humble Taoist, bestow upon you both the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl and the Universe Ruler. I hope you will make good use of them."

Zhang Kui was taken aback and quickly declined, "Senior, this Sea-Stabilizing Pearl is your treasure for proving your Dao, how can I accept it?"

Zhao Gongming waved his hand and laughed, "What treasure for proving the Dao? I am currently living in the world of money, so I won't need this Sea-Stabilizing Pearl for the time being. Perfect, I'll lend it to you for protection, and you can return it to me later."

Seeing that Zhang Kui was still trying to refuse, he feigned displeasure and said, "What, do you look down on this small token of my respect? Or are you afraid of incurring karmic consequences?"

Having said that, Zhang Kui could no longer refuse, so he solemnly accepted the gift, bowed deeply, and said, "Thank you for your generous gift, senior! I will certainly make good use of this treasure and live up to your expectations."

Zhao Gongming nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Yunxiao and said, "Sister, let's go."

Yunxiao glanced at Zhang Kui one last time and said softly, "Fellow Daoist Zhang Kui, farewell."

Then, she and Zhao Gongming exchanged a glance, and at the same time, they transformed into streaks of light and flew towards the eastern horizon.

"Until we meet again!" Zhang Kui bowed respectfully to the void.

Only after the two streaks of light completely disappeared into the sky did he turn his gaze away and look down at the two treasures that had appeared in his hand.

Twenty-four Sea-Stabilizing Pearls quietly hovered around, each the size of an infant's fist, its surface as smooth and warm as jade, with five-colored rays flowing endlessly.

The Qiankun Ruler, on the other hand, was much more understated. Its cyan body shimmered with a faint light, and its aura shifted constantly between purity and turbidity.

With everything settled, Zhang Kui put the two innate spiritual treasures into the Qiankun Diagram, and then felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him.

Zhang Kui forced himself to stay awake and decided to find a secluded place to recover his magical power and refine the two newly acquired magical treasures.

Having made up his mind, he cast a spell to transform into a faint wisp of frost and mist, and sped towards the Yin Shang camp.

……

Thousands of miles away, Lingjiu Mountain, Yuanjue Cave.

The Taoist Ran Deng sat cross-legged on the futon, his face as still as water.

He then clearly sensed that the divine imprint he had left within the Qiankun Ruler had been completely erased. That innate spiritual treasure that had accompanied him for countless years was now completely severed from his connection.

"Damn it!" He slammed his hand on the stone table, causing the teacup to bounce and fall, splashing a few drops of tea. "I will not let this matter rest!"

He closed his eyes, took a few deep breaths, and forced himself to calm down.

First, Ju Liusun perished in the Earthly Fiery Formation, and his true spirit was listed on the Investiture of the Gods; then, his plot to obtain the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl failed, and Zhang Kui instead broke the Bodhi Formation with the Falling Treasure Coin, almost causing him to lose the Seven Treasures Tree; then, although the Seven Arrows of Nailhead had already killed Zhao Gongming, for some reason, a trace of Zhao Gongming's remnant soul was still hidden in the Falling Treasure Coin...

Now even the Qiankun Ruler has been lost.

Randeng opened his eyes, his gaze sinister. He had a vague feeling that he had been tricked.

Is it Yuanshi Tianzun? Or Tongtian Jiaozhu? Or perhaps... that one from the West?

He thought for a long time, and finally let out a cold snort.

"Very well," Ran Deng muttered to himself, "Since this path is blocked, let's try another one."

He closed his eyes, and the image of the Daoist Zhunti appeared in his mind. After all, the Western Sect was still lacking a vice leader...