Zhang Kui Asks the Way in Investiture of the Gods

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The next day, as the sun rose, golden rays streamed through the window, filling the bridal chamber and dispelling the lingering sweetness of the previous night. Zhang Kui's biological clock was remarkably accurate, and he woke up precisely on time. Feeling the steady breathing and warm body of the woman beside him, a sense of peace settled in his heart. Carefully, he tried to pull his arm, which she was using as a pillow, away so as not to disturb her sweet dreams.

However, Gao Lanying's eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly woke up. Her eyes were still sleepy, carrying the languidness of someone just awakened, and her voice was soft and sweet: "Husband, you're awake?"

"Hmm," Zhang Kui said softly, his movements even gentler. "It's still early, you can rest a little longer. I'm going to do my morning practice. I've gotten used to it over the years; if I don't practice for a day, I feel stiff and my mind becomes clouded."

Gao Lanying shook her head, propped herself up, her black hair cascading down like a waterfall. Though her face was still flushed, her eyes had regained their clarity: "Now that we're up, let's cultivate together. Back on Jin'ao Island, Master often taught us to pay our respects to each other morning and evening, and to gather the purple aura of the rising sun and the essence of the moon, for this is the way to strengthen our foundation and cultivate our vitality." Now that she was a wife, she felt even more strongly that she should be of one mind and one heart with her husband, supporting each other on the path of cultivation.

Seeing her insistence, Zhang Kui's eyes flashed with admiration, and he didn't try to persuade her further. The two tidied their clothes and went together to the specially prepared meditation area in the backyard.

Facing the rising sun in the east, the two sat cross-legged and began to circulate their cultivation techniques. Zhang Kui activated the Golden Core Dao, and with each breath, he seemed to resonate with the rhythm of heaven and earth. He not only absorbed the pure purple energy of the rising sun into his dantian to nourish his fifth-stage Golden Core, but also drew upon the essence of the surrounding plants and the spiritual energy of the earth's veins, converging them into a visible vortex of spiritual mist, which he then devoured.

His golden core slowly rotated, becoming increasingly brilliant. The five divine pathway patterns on it faintly glowed, resonating with the circulation of the five internal organs and the five energies, making his entire aura increasingly unified and unfathomable.

Gao Lanying used the Jiejiao Shangqing Heart Method, her body surrounded by a faint golden glow, with the aura of true solar fire flowing around her and merging with her internal magic power. She was clearly nurturing and refining her forty-nine greatly enhanced solar golden needles.

Her aura was more ethereal and elusive than Zhang Kui's, carrying a hint of the sharpness and mystery unique to the Jie Sect's Taoist methods.

After collecting the morning glow, their practice was complete. The two stood there, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

Taking advantage of this rare moment of tranquility, Zhang Kui naturally took Gao Lanying's hand and strolled around the courtyard, asking her about her experiences over the years.

Gao Lanying smiled gently and began to recount: "Seven years ago, after we parted ways on Kowloon Island, I returned to Jin'ao Island with my master to cultivate in seclusion. The spiritual energy on the island is abundant, ten times that of the outside world. In addition, my master gave me careful guidance and taught me the essentials of the Shangqing Immortal Technique. During this time, I also received many lectures on the Great Dao from my grandmaster, the Sage Tongtian, from which I benefited immensely."

Her tone was filled with gratitude for her sect, "I haven't left the island all these years, focusing solely on cultivation. My master, pitying my limited magical treasures, specially requested my grandmaster to use his supreme power to incorporate a branch of innate Fusang wood and several other rare divine materials with extremely yang attributes to reforge my Solar Needles. Now, these forty-nine needles not only possess even greater yang and strength than before, but also contain a trace of the true essence of solar fire, making their power incomparable to what it once was."

She paused, patted the seemingly plain yellow gourd at her waist, and continued, "As for this 'Pure Yang Treasure Gourd' that nourishes the golden needles, it was made by Uncle-Master Duobao in imitation of the Purple Gold Red Gourd of Grand Uncle-Master. Although it is not as good as the original in that it can capture people and objects, it has a miraculous effect on nourishing magic treasures with pure Yang attributes. It can automatically gather pure Yang energy to nourish the spirituality of the golden needles, and it is also a rare treasure."

"Perhaps it was because I had a solid foundation and some good fortune that my cultivation progressed naturally. I broke through to the Xuanxian realm two years ago." After saying this, Gao Lanying couldn't help but show a bit of pride.

After hearing this, Zhang Kui was very happy for his wife, and couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion. This was the benefit of having a powerful backer! A sage personally refined the treasure and listened to the Great Dao... He himself had been fighting and struggling for years, enduring many dangers, and had only just reached the peak of True Immortal, touching the threshold of Profound Immortal. Meanwhile, his wife, with the support of resources and the guidance of a renowned teacher, had already steadily stepped into the realm of Profound Immortal.

However, Zhang Kui's resolve was firm, and this thought only flashed through his mind. His path was forged through actual combat and strategic planning, and he had his own unique methods.

"My wife is blessed with great fortune, and I am happy for you." Zhang Kui smiled and squeezed her hand, then recounted his experiences over the years. From navigating the various factions of Wen Zhong, Fei Zhong, and Daji in Chaoge City, to guarding Ji Chang in Youli and discussing the Book of Changes with him, to receiving the teachings of "Clouds Without Constant" from Yun Zhongzi and "Wind Without Form" from Zhao Gongming, and finally integrating them to achieve the true meaning of "Frost Without Fixed Form"... Although each of these experiences was not as peaceful as Gao Lanying's time on Jin'ao Island, it was full of opportunities, challenges, and insights gained from life-or-death situations.

Gao Lanying listened with her beautiful eyes sparkling, sometimes tense, sometimes admiring. Although she cultivated in a blessed land, Zhang Kui's experience of navigating the turbid world and facing powerful enemies also captivated her. She knew that her husband's achievements today were due to his exceptional character, perseverance, and wisdom, making him a top choice among his peers.

Just as the two were immersed in this rare moment of conversation, Wang Yunniang's voice came from the front yard, full of concern: "Shitou, Aying, breakfast is ready, come and eat while it's hot!"

The two exchanged a smile, stopped talking, and walked hand in hand into the front hall. The simple, home-cooked breakfast felt especially warm and comforting because of the family reunion.

Wang Yunniang kept serving food to Gao Lanying, her eyes full of affection, while Zhang Shan winked and teased his brother and sister-in-law about their "inseparable" relationship, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

However, this warmth did not last long.

Halfway through the meal, a man dressed in plain clothes, yet exuding competence and efficiency, strode into the hall. He first bowed respectfully to Zhang Kui and Zhang Shan, then handed them a sealed letter encased in wax. This man was one of the leaders of Zhang Kui's secretly organized "Imperial Guard" in Mianchi. Almost simultaneously, a personal guard from the General's residence also delivered an urgent official document.

Zhang Shan first took the document, quickly glanced at it, and his expression suddenly changed. He abruptly stood up and exclaimed, "What? The Prime Minister wants to take action against him..." He shoved the document at Zhang Kui, his voice filled with disbelief and anger, "Brother, something terrible has happened in Chaoge!"

Zhang Kui's heart sank. He took the official document and glanced at it. It clearly stated: "Prime Minister Bi Gan, for speaking frankly and offending the King, has been... disemboweled and his heart removed; he has died a gruesome death." Within Chaoge City, panic gripped the people, and public opinion was in uproar.

"It still happened." Zhang Kui put down the official document, his eyes instantly turning sharp as knives, his heart churning with turmoil. The death of Bi Gan was one of the key turning points in the original story that accelerated the collapse of the Shang Dynasty. "According to the original plot, Grand Tutor Wen should have returned to Chaoge by now… Next, there would be the rebellion of King Pingling of the East Sea, King Wucheng Huang Feihu being forced to turn against the Shang and seek refuge in Xiqi, and then Zhang Guifang leading the western expedition…"

A series of chain reactions are about to erupt, and the prelude to the Investiture of the Gods is slowly unfolding. Mianchi, where he is located, as a ferry crossing on the Yellow River and the gateway to Chaoge, will inevitably be swept into this raging torrent.

After a moment of shock, Zhang Kui quickly calmed down. He took a deep breath; at this moment, any panic would be useless. Only by actively responding and improving his own strength could he gain a foothold in this chaotic world, and even... seize the initiative.

He turned his gaze to his younger brother, Zhang Shan, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable resolve: "Shanzi, Chaoge is undergoing a dramatic upheaval, and the world is about to descend into chaos. Mianchi, as a strategic stronghold, will inevitably become a gathering place for powerful figures. From this moment on, routine military affairs can be handled by Zheng Lun, Chen Qi, and the four colonels. Your main focus must be entirely on your own cultivation."

He stared into Zhang Shan's eyes and emphasized, word by word, "Improve your Blood Refining Technique as soon as possible to solidify your foundation of Qi and Blood. At the same time, you must break through to the Dharma Aspect Realm of a Martial General. Carefully contemplate the diagram I gave you, but don't be bound by its form. You must comprehend its 'true meaning' and condense your own unique Martial Dharma Aspect. Remember, completely integrate your powerful Qi and Blood into your Dharma Aspect. This will be the foundation for your survival on the battlefield in the future."

Sensing the gravity and expectation in his brother's words, Zhang Shan nodded heavily, his previous playful expression completely gone. "I understand, brother. Strength is the only true measure. I will go into seclusion and cultivate diligently, and I will not emerge until I break through to the Dharma Aspect Realm." He then asked, "Regarding the choice of Dharma Aspect, do you have any specific suggestions, brother?"

Zhang Kui pondered for a moment, combining Zhang Shan's Wu clan bloodline characteristics with his own understanding of martial arts, and said, "I suggest you start from the source of our bloodline. The Wu clan fights against heaven and earth, possessing incredibly strong physical bodies. Human race dharma forms are mostly related to prehistoric giants, so you might as well try to sense the call of your bloodline and attempt to condense a 'Great Wu Dharma Form.' For example, if you can visualize the fighting postures of famous great wu like Xing Tian, ​​Kua Fu, and Hou Yi, triggering a bloodline resonance, its power will surely be earth-shattering. Of course, the final form must perfectly match your own will to unleash its maximum power."

"The Great Shaman's Dharma Form..." Zhang Shan murmured thoughtfully, his eyes gleaming with excitement and contemplation. "I understand, brother. I will carefully comprehend my bloodline and find the path that suits me best."

Seeing his younger brother lost in thought, Zhang Kui turned his gaze to the window again, as if he could see the blood-red clouds gathering and lingering over Chaoge City.

A storm is approaching, and he must seize this last moment of calm to make himself and those around him stronger.