Zhang Kui Asks the Way in Investiture of the Gods

Chapter 194 of the high-energy novel, "Red Sand Breaks, Zhang Kui is Schemed Against," is updated! Read it now!

At this moment, this unparalleled opportunity fell into Zhang Kui's hands.

"In this era of great strife, everyone relies on their own means; the strong become strong, and the weak perish." The dark clouds had dispersed, and the moon and stars were few. Zhang Kui looked up at the night sky and couldn't help but sigh.

Several days of refining treasures seem like a fleeting moment; cultivation knows no time, and this is generally true.

"Although this War of the Gods is a great calamity, it is also full of opportunities." He looked down at the two magical treasures in his hands, unable to hide his excitement.

The path of spiritual practice is so long and winding.

After storing the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl and the Universe Ruler in his Purple Mansion, Zhang Kui stood up, his body brimming with magical power and his spirit soaring. There was also a subtle sense of improvement.

"It's time to go back." Zhang Kui was about to use his escape technique to leave when he suddenly remembered something and stopped.

"Now that this matter is settled, I need to return to the Eight Views Palace," Zhang Kui thought to himself.

My recent actions have stirred up a hornet's nest, so I still need to tell my master. After all, I do have powerful backers. Besides, if you have a backer and don't use it, it's the same as not having one at all, isn't it?

After thinking it over, Zhang Kui transformed into a wisp of frost and flew towards Qishan.

……

Outside Xiqi City, amidst the red sand formation.

A kind-looking, white-haired old man with a childlike face called out loudly, "Fellow Daoist Zhang Shao, please allow us to meet and have a chat!"

This man was none other than the Antarctic Immortal, a disciple of the Primordial Heavenly Venerable of the Chan Sect. He was known for his compassion and detachment from worldly affairs. He had a high forehead, a cane that reached above his head, and a gourd hanging from the top of the cane. He exuded an air of otherworldly wisdom and inspired awe in all who beheld him.

Within the crimson sand array, Zhang Shao sat upright on the altar, surrounded by crimson sand, as red as blood and as rosy as the sunset. At this moment, his expression was solemn as he looked at the Antarctic Immortal outside the array, a complex look in his eyes.

"Old Man of the South Pole, you are a person who finds joy in doing good, so why did you have to get involved in killing?" Zhang Shao asked, his tone tinged with confusion.

The Antarctic Immortal sighed softly, his childlike smile fading slightly: "Fellow Daoist Zhang Shao, I did not wish to be tainted by bloodshed, but fate has decreed it, and I have no choice. Today, I will break the formation, which can be considered... my final farewell."

"Hmph, fellow Daoist, you're too confident, aren't you?" Zhang Shao sneered. "Your Chan Sect keeps talking about following the will of Heaven, but what is the will of Heaven? It's nothing more than the rule of the strong."

The Antarctic Immortal remained silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head: "Fellow Daoist, your obsession runs too deep. The will of Heaven is beyond human control; why must you defy it?"

"No need for further words!" Zhang Shao roared, abruptly rising to his feet and whipping out a cloud of red sand. "If you want to break the formation, then come! Why bother with these hypocritical platitudes!"

In an instant, the red sand formation was turned upside down. Countless blood-red sand grains transformed into towering waves, sweeping towards the Antarctic Immortal. Each grain of sand contained deadly poison and malevolent energy; if an ordinary cultivator were to be touched by even one grain, their physical body would be corroded and their primordial spirit corrupted—truly insidious.

The Antarctic Immortal remained calm and unhurried, and summoned his magical treasure, the Five Fires and Seven Feathers Fan. This fan was crafted from the tail feathers of seven divine birds and contained five kinds of spiritual fire from heaven and earth. With a single wave, raging flames would erupt, capable of burning mountains and boiling seas.

"call……"

With a sudden flap of the Five Fires Seven Feathers Fan, five-colored flames transformed into a gigantic fire phoenix, which spread its wings and swooped down upon the massive waves of red sand. The flames collided with the sand, producing a piercing hissing sound. The malevolent energy within the red sand was burned away by the raging fire, turning into wisps of smoke. But the red sand flowed endlessly, one wave after another, and could not be burned out in a short time.

Zhang Shao continuously channeled his magic power on the altar, causing the sand in the red sand array to increase in quantity and density, gradually enveloping and compressing the fire phoenix. The fire phoenix struggled and fluttered in the sea of ​​sand, its flames gradually dimming until it was finally swallowed by the red sand and disappeared without a trace.

"Hahaha!" Zhang Shao laughed loudly, "Old Man of the Antarctic, you're nothing special after all!"

The Antarctic Immortal remained expressionless, waving his Five Fires and Seven Feathers Fan three times in succession. With the first wave, the fire phoenix was reborn, ten times larger than before; with the second wave, the fire phoenix transformed into nine, attacking the nine array eyes of the Red Sand Array from nine directions; with the third wave, the nine fire phoenixes exploded simultaneously, turning into a rain of fire that enveloped the entire Red Sand Array.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Nine consecutive loud explosions struck the nine key points of the Red Sand Formation simultaneously. Zhang Shao's expression changed drastically as he desperately channeled his magic power to maintain the formation, but it was too late. The key points shattered, the red sand swirled back, and the baleful and poisonous energy within the formation was completely incinerated by the flames.

The Antarctic Immortal seized the opportunity, and with a sudden tap of his cane in the air, a golden light shot out, striking Zhang Shao squarely in the chest.

Zhang Shao screamed and fell from the altar, his physical body shattering into pieces, his true spirit transforming into a stream of light and flying towards the Investiture of the Gods.

The Antarctic Immortal put away his Five Fires and Seven Feathers Fan, watched Zhang Shao's disappearing figure, sighed softly, and turned to leave.

Red sand formation, broken.

……

The Xiqi army pursued their victory, their battle cries shaking the heavens.

Jiang Ziya personally led generals such as Yang Jian, Nezha, and Huang Tianhua, and led the army out of the city gate, heading straight for the Shang army camp.

The morale of the Shang army was already low, and seeing the Red Sand Formation broken only increased their panic. Although Wen Zhong tried his best to organize a resistance, the situation was hopeless, and he could only lead his remaining troops to retreat to Qishan.

In this battle, the Shang army suffered over 10,000 casualties, lost most of its food and supplies, and all ten of the Ten Deadly Formations were broken, with all ten Heavenly Lords listed on the list.

Wen Zhong was left with only his two disciples, Ji Li and Yu Qing, and his four generals, Deng Zhong, Xin Huan, Zhang Jie, and Tao Rong. The once hundreds of thousands of troops were now reduced to less than 50,000 remnants, who were trapped in Qishan and barely surviving.

In the Yin-Shang camp, Wen Zhong sat alone in the central command tent, his face ashen. On the table before him lay a map of Qishan, marked with the troop deployments of both the Shang and Zhou armies. After the Red Sand Formation was broken, the Western Qi army had advanced to the foot of Qishan, surrounding the Shang army. They were just waiting for their supplies to run out before annihilating them in one fell swoop.

"Master, our army's morale is low and our supplies are running out. If we don't get reinforcements, I'm afraid..." Jili cautiously stepped forward to report, but dared not finish his sentence.

Wen Zhong remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking: "Ji Li, tell me your thoughts."

Yu Qing stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "In my opinion, given the current strength of Xiqi, the most urgent task is to request Chaoge to send reinforcements as soon as possible."

Wen Zhong nodded, looked at the map, and said in a deep voice, "Who do you think we should invite?"

Ji Li thought for a moment and said, "I believe that Deng Jiugong of Sanshan Pass is a veteran of many battles and is well-versed in military affairs. He also has fierce generals such as Zhang Shan and Deng Chanyu under his command. He is a capable commander."

Yu Qing shook his head: "Although Deng Jiugong is skilled in warfare, he is still a mortal. Against a Golden Immortal of the Chan Sect, I'm afraid... I think it would be better to ask Hong Jin. He is a disciple of the Jie Sect, proficient in the Five Elements Daoist arts of Qimen Dunjia, and has the divine beast mount, the whale dragon, to assist him. He is quite powerful in battle."

Ji Li retorted, "Although Hong Jin possesses Taoist arts, he is ultimately a rogue cultivator, his cultivation merely at the True Immortal realm. What can he do against the Twelve Golden Immortals? In my opinion, it would be better to invite Kong Xuan from Golden Rooster Ridge. Master, you once said that his cultivation is unfathomable. If we have him, what worries do we have about not being able to defeat Xiqi?"

Wen Zhong listened to his two disciples' argument, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper. Both Ji Li and Yu Qing had valid points, but each also had its advantages and disadvantages.

After hesitating for a long time, he suddenly asked, "I have heard that Zhang Kui's younger brother, Zhang Shan, is under Deng Jiugong's command. Is this true?"

Ji Li was taken aback, then replied, "That is indeed true. Since General Zhang Shan was transferred to Sanshan Pass, he has been highly regarded by Deng Jiugong and has repeatedly made military achievements. I have heard... I have heard that he is in close contact with Deng Jiugong's daughter, Deng Chanyu, and it seems that good things are about to happen."

Yu Qing added with a smile, "That's true. A few days ago, I received a military report from Sanshan Pass, and the messenger mentioned that Zhang Shan and Chanyu are in love."

Upon hearing this news, Wen Zhong smiled slightly, but quickly suppressed it. After a moment's thought, he finally made a decision: "In that case, please ask Chaoge to send Deng Jiugong with troops to provide assistance."

Ji Li and Yu Qing exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes. In terms of strength, Kong Xuan was undoubtedly the strongest; Wen Zhong had personally stated that his cultivation was unfathomable. If not, Hong Jin was also quite good, at least a legitimate disciple of the Jie Sect, proficient in the Five Elements Daoist arts.

These two seem more suitable than Deng Jiugong. After all, although this old general is knowledgeable in military affairs, he is still a mortal. How can he fight against the Golden Immortal of the Chan Sect?

After Deng Zhong, Xin Huan, Zhang Jie, and Tao Rong went out to relay the order, Ji Li and Yu Qing couldn't help but ask, "Master, why was Deng Jiugong chosen?"

Wen Zhong looked troubled, seemingly struggling with his decision. He remained silent for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh: "Fine, I'll tell you then! But after you hear it, forget about it. After all, this was something I schemed against my young friend Zhang Kui."

Ji Li and Yu Qing looked at each other, wondering why Wen Zhong had said such a thing.

Wen Zhong slowly stood up, his back to his two disciples, and said in a low voice, "Do you think that I really don't know that Kong Xuan is stronger? But have you ever thought about it? Kong Xuan is an unruly man, and even I can't see through his strength. If we invite him here, he may not be willing to obey orders, and he might even usurp the command. At that time, it's hard to say whether I will still have command of this army."

Ji Li and Yu Qing remained silent. Wen Zhong was right. Kong Xuan always acted alone and never associated with other generals, not even giving Wen Zhong face. Such a person was indeed difficult to control.

"As for Hong Jin..." Wen Zhong paused, "He is easy to talk to, but his strength is limited, and he won't be of much help even if he comes. Moreover, he is a disciple of the Jie Sect, and now the Chan and Jie Sects have already broken off relations. Sending him here will only make the situation more complicated."

"Then what about Master Deng Jiu..." Ji Li asked cautiously.

Wen Zhong turned around, a bitter smile on his face: "Deng Jiugong is a mortal, but he has two advantages. First, he is skilled in military tactics and can help me stabilize the situation; second, he has Zhang Shan under his command."

Ji Li and Yu Qing seemed to be deep in thought.

Wen Zhong continued, "Zhang Shan is Zhang Kui's younger brother. Zhang Kui has now reached the Golden Immortal realm and wields a Primordial Spiritual Treasure. Even Daoist Ran Deng can't do anything to him. If Zhang Shan comes to Xiqi, do you think Zhang Kui will just sit idly by?"

"What does the Grand Tutor mean...?" Yu Qing's eyes widened.

"That's right." Wen Zhong nodded, a complex look flashing in his eyes. "I intend to use this to completely bind Zhang Kui to the Yin Shang war machine. Once Zhang Shan is involved in the war, Zhang Kui will definitely not stand idly by."

Ji Li and Yu Qing exchanged glances. This plan was undeniably brilliant, but the methods were somewhat...

"But this matter... is ultimately somewhat despicable." Wen Zhong seemed to see through his two disciples' thoughts, and gave a bitter smile. "I know that, but I can't care about that now. For the sake of the Shang dynasty, I can't worry about anything else."

Ji Li and Yu Qing smiled bitterly. To be honest, if they had known this would happen, they would have been better off not asking. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.

"You may leave." Wen Zhong waved his hand, his voice weary. "Send word to Chaoge to request Deng Jiugong to lead troops to their aid."

"Yes." Ji Li and Yu Qing bowed and accepted the order, then turned and left the tent.

Wen Zhong was the only one left in the tent. He sat alone at the table, looking at the markings on the map, and remained silent for a long time.

Wen Zhong closed his eyes and murmured to himself, "Is the Shang dynasty, with its six-hundred-year foundation, truly about to perish?"

No one answered him.

Outside the tent, only the wind howled, as if weeping and lamenting.

……

Qishan, Shangjun Camp

Zhang Kui returned quietly, disguised as frost and mist. Just as he was about to enter the tent, he saw Wu Wenhua patrolling outside the tent with several personal guards.

"My lord!" Wu Wenhua was overjoyed to see Zhang Kui and quickly came to greet him. "You've finally returned! The Grand Tutor has been asking about you several times."

Zhang Kui nodded: "Has anything changed in the camp these past few days?"

Wu Wenhua lowered his voice: "The Red Sand Formation has been broken, and Zhang Shao is dead. In addition, I have received news that the Grand Tutor has requested reinforcements from Chaoge, and I heard that he wants Deng Jiugong of Sanshan Pass to lead troops to help."

Zhang Kui frowned and continued, "This matter is confidential. Is the source of this information reliable?"

"Reliable, my lord! The messenger is a drinking buddy of mine, and I saw the contents of the letter." Wu Wenhua looked as if to say, "You can trust me with my work."

Deng Jiugong... Will his younger brother Zhang Shan also come?

He felt a vague unease, but didn't show it, simply saying, "I understand. Where is the Grand Tutor now?"

"The Grand Tutor is in the central command tent."

Zhang Kui nodded and walked towards the central command tent.