Zhang Kui Asks the Way in Investiture of the Gods

Mianchi, the quiet room in the backyard of Jishan Hall.

Zhang Kui sat cross-legged, holding the Book of Changes, which was neither gold nor jade, yet as heavy as a mountain. The pages turned silently between his fingers, and the hexagrams evolved from the runes of the Great Dao flowed endlessly, radiating a warm and vast light of wisdom.

His gaze was deep, as if piercing through the pages of the book, taking him back to several years ago to that incredibly simple prison cell in Youli City, which was imbued with Taoist charm because of a man and a book.

He vividly remembered the overwhelming shock and excitement he felt when he first touched this sacred artifact of humanity. When he asked Ji Chang in disbelief, "My lord, this...this is a treasure of merit! If one wields this treasure, one can draw upon the protective energy of humanity, wouldn't that be equivalent to being invincible?"

Ji Chang stroked his beard and smiled, saying gently, "Hehe, General Zhang, the saying 'invincible' is a bit of an exaggeration. The ways of Heaven are unpredictable, and cause and effect are cyclical. How can anything guarantee absolute safety? However..." He gently touched the cover of the Book of Changes, his eyes gleaming with confidence, "Based on the immense human virtue contained within, it is not an exaggeration to say that it is 'untainted by all evils and impervious to all laws.' This treasure is even more important in its ability to discern the secrets of Heaven and to seek advantage while avoiding harm."

At that time, Zhang Kui sighed, half with emotion and half with a joke, "If I could carry it with me when I'm fighting with others in the future, it would be a great help!"

It was originally a casual remark, but Ji Chang took it to heart. When Zhang Kui went to Mount Emei to seek the way of "flying and leaving traces," and his future was uncertain, Ji Chang lent him the Book of Changes under a pretext to help him protect his path.

"My lord..." Zhang Kui murmured softly, his fingertips brushing against the cold pages of the book, his heart filled with sorrow, "You still remember this matter, going to great lengths to entrust the Book of Changes to me... How can Zhang Kui ever repay such kindness and grace?"

Suppressing his turbulent emotions, Zhang Kui gradually calmed down and began to consider how to use the "I Ching" as a powerful tool. The Investiture of the Gods calamity had begun, and the future struggle would inevitably be a desperate battleground where immortals and gods perished, and mountains of corpses and seas of blood were raging.

Zhang Kui's cultivation had reached the peak of True Immortal, with the Golden Core at the fifth stage. His physical body was incredibly strong, and he possessed numerous supernatural abilities. Furthermore, he had trump cards such as the Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Blade and the Yin-Yang Void-Piercing True Eye, making him extremely resilient. In contrast, Gao Lanying, although already a Profound Immortal with the immense power of the Sun Golden Needle, still lacked a protective treasure. If she could have a treasure of immense merit like the *I Ching* to protect her, her safety would be greatly enhanced, eliminating any worries and allowing her to act with greater freedom.

"With the protection of the I Ching, I can feel much more at ease," Zhang Kui thought to himself.

After thinking it over, he had a thought and used telepathy to summon Gao Lanying, who was cultivating in another quiet room.

Gao Lanying pushed open the door and entered, her body still shrouded in the aura of the True Fire of the Sun, which had not yet been fully concealed. Seeing that her aura was becoming increasingly refined, Zhang Kui felt gratified. He frankly shared his considerations and decisions with her.

Upon hearing this, Gao Lanying immediately shook her head in refusal, her beautiful eyes filled with concern and determination: "Husband, you mustn't! This treasure was entrusted to you by Ji Chang on his deathbed; it is of great importance and you should carry it with you at all times. I have cultivated on Jin'ao Island for many years and have my own methods of protection; you don't need to worry about me."

Looking into her stubborn eyes, Zhang Kui felt a surge of warmth in his heart, but he knew he couldn't let her have her way. He stood up, took a step in front of Gao Lanying, and without a word, pulled her into his arms, lowering his head to plant a deep kiss on her smooth forehead—a domineering action. Caught off guard, Gao Lanying was held tightly by him, feeling that familiar and reassuring scent. Her cheeks flushed instantly, her body stiffened slightly, and then softened.

"Listen to me, Lan Ying." Zhang Kui's deep, magnetic voice rang in her ear. "Only when you are safe can I focus without distractions. Trust me, the I Ching will be of greater value in your hands."

Gao Lanying looked up at the determination in her husband's eyes. Knowing she couldn't change his decision, she nodded gently, "Okay... I'll listen to you."

Seeing that she agreed,

A smile appeared on Zhang Kui's face. He didn't delay any longer, his hands forming a hand seal, his golden core humming, pure magical power enveloping the Book of Changes. The Book of Changes transformed into a warm golden stream of light, like a weary bird returning to its forest, slowly entering Gao Lanying's brow and sinking into her Purple Mansion Sea of ​​Consciousness.

At the same time, Zhang Kui used his divine sense to transmit the methods of nurturing and communicating with the Book of Changes, which were taught by Ji Chang and which he himself had comprehended, into Gao Lanying's mind without reservation.

Gao Lanying immediately sat down cross-legged, closed her eyes and concentrated, guiding her Xuanxian magic power and divine sense to establish a connection with the Book of Changes in her Purple Mansion. The Book of Changes also sensed its new master's pure primordial spirit and profound Shangqing immortal magic, emitting a soft golden light and actively merging with it.

A moment later, strange phenomena began to occur.

Gao Lanying appeared solemn and dignified, her body enveloped in a faint golden halo. Within the halo, Bagua runes flowed indistinctly, and the aura of righteousness permeated the room, filling it with a peaceful, wise, and solemn atmosphere.

This is precisely the light of merit emanating from the I Ching as a treasure of merit. Although Gao Lanying cannot fully unleash its power yet, this golden light of merit alone protects her, making it difficult for ordinary evil spells, curses, and even the invasion of inner demons to get close.

Zhang Kui, who was protecting the Dharma from the side, felt relieved upon seeing this scene, and a satisfied expression appeared on his face.

Just as Gao Lanying was engrossed in studying the mysteries of the I Ching, Zhang Kui sensed something. He waved his hand and set up a simple barrier to prevent disturbing his wife. Then, he took out the innate spiritual treasure—the Treasure-Dropping Coin—from his storage artifact. It had been dormant for a long time, and he had only occasionally taken it out to study it, but he had never been able to completely refine it.

However, the treasure-dropping coins at this moment are completely different from those of the past.

It was no longer its simple, unadorned, and unremarkable appearance. The copper coin trembled slightly in his palm, radiating a scorching heat, and hummed incessantly, faintly emitting an urgent and clear call.

An incredibly strong will surged through Zhang Kui's mind like a tidal wave—it wanted to take him somewhere.

"Hmm?" Zhang Kui frowned, activating his Great Yin-Yang Void True Eye, carefully examining the mutated Treasure-Dropping Coin in his palm. Under his true eye's vision, the Treasure-Dropping Coin was operating at an unprecedented speed, especially the dark golden Netherworld patterns, which shone brightly, resonating strongly with some distant being.

"This summons... originates from the netherworld?"

Zhang Kui's mind raced, his eyes sharp. "What is it yearning for? The outcome of this journey is uncertain, but perhaps it is an opportunity. My cultivation is currently stuck at the peak of True Immortal, and I need an opportunity to break through to Profound Immortal. Perhaps the guidance of this Treasure-Dropping Coin is a glimmer of hope."

Having made up his mind, Zhang Kui no longer hesitated. He glanced at Gao Lanying, who was still in deep meditation and whose golden light of merit was becoming increasingly solid, and could not bear to interrupt her practice.

After a moment's thought, Zhang Kui took the jade slip and quickly inscribed a message with his divine sense, briefly explaining the unusual movement of the Fallen Treasure Coin and that he needed to go out to investigate. He told her not to worry and to focus on her cultivation, assuring her that he would return as soon as possible.

Placing the jade slip in a conspicuous spot next to Gao Lanying, Zhang Kui took a deep breath and, no longer suppressing his own magical power, poured it into the Falling Treasure Coin in his palm like a floodgate opening.

"Buzz—"

With the full infusion of Zhang Kui's magical power, the Falling Treasure Coin emitted a clear and resounding hum. The ancient patterns on it seemed to come alive, and the golden and black lights intertwined and surged, instantly engulfing Zhang Kui completely.

Zhang Kui felt a sudden tightness around him as an irresistible, immense force enveloped him. The surrounding scenery—the quiet room, the futon, and even Gao Lanying in meditation—became blurry and distorted in an instant, eventually transforming into a dazzling, shimmering expanse of light.

The next moment, the dazzling light suddenly contracted, and Zhang Kui, along with it, vanished from the quiet room in an instant, as if they had never existed.

Only the jade slip containing the message remained, lying quietly beside Gao Lanying...

(Latest update: Investiture of the Gods: Zhang Kui Asks the Way)