Don't let Yu Ding take on any more disciples.

Chapter 577 Wen Zhong Dies, Zhun Ti's Reputation Is Damaged

Mount Sumeru, a sacred place in the West.

The scenery here is quite different from that of Kunlun in the east. One can see:

Its golden flames shone brightly in the sun, its exotic fragrance and wondrous colors were even more exquisite.

The Seven Treasures Forest offers endless scenery, while auspicious jewels fall by the Eight Virtues Pond.

Inside the central hall atop Mount Sumeru, resplendent in gold and shimmering with auspicious light, two figures sat cross-legged on two lotus platforms, their bodies enveloped in a chaotic aura.

Both men were sixteen feet tall, with yellow skin all over their bodies. They were the two holy leaders of the West, Jieyin and Zhunti.

"Hey……"

Jieyin sighed, "It's chaotic, chaotic, chaotic again!"

Zhunti Daoist, who was holding a tree branch, opened his eyes and said calmly, "Let it be chaotic. Didn't my fellow Daoists cause trouble before?"

"It's been chaotic before, but not this chaotic!"

Jieyin shook his head, his face even more distressed: "The more chaotic this mess is, the more trouble it will be for us to clean it up."

"Let's be grateful that those fellow Daoists didn't overturn the table!"

Zhunti smiled broadly and said, "Oh, right, it's not that they don't want to lift it, it's that they can't."

As they were talking, He seemed to see something, but He had an expression of being unsurprised and shook his head, saying, "This time you're early."

After speaking, He rose from the lotus platform and landed gracefully on a white cloud.

"Junior brother, are you going again?" Jieyin asked.

"Asking questions knowingly!"

Zhunti turned back to look at his senior brother, and the two smiled at each other. Then Zhunti softly chanted and left the main hall.

"I didn't expect my junior brother to still be so motivated after so many times."

Jieyin sighed with some emotion, "I am no match for him!"

I still remember that back then, He and this junior brother, full of enthusiasm and aspirations for the 'great prosperity of the West,' went to the East according to the destiny to break those two peerless killing formations, to seize... cough, to save people.

And that... happened more than ten chaotic years ago.

It wasn't until that great destruction and subsequent rebirth that He realized everything was nothing but a pie in the sky... cough cough, a mere illusion.
As for now, He no longer wants to think about those things; He just wants to pay off the 'debt' He incurred when He first attained enlightenment, since He has been owing it for so long.

……

Xiqi.

"Senior Brother Dingguang, I'll hold them off here for now, you go quickly."

Tianxu pointed a finger, unleashing a burst of golden light that blocked Nezha. He roared, "The Jade Void Sect has killed so many of our fellow disciples! Please quickly report to Senior Brother Duobao and the others, and ask them to take charge!"

This junior brother is such a good person... Tianxu's words made Dingguangxian pause for a moment.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ziya and Cihang's expressions hardened. They exchanged a glance and then acted without hesitation. A jade bottle and a god-slaying whip blazed with divine light, and a thousand layers of auspicious clouds rushed towards Dingguang Xian.

Dingguang Xian's expression changed drastically as he unleashed several sword beams, but they only managed to make the Jade Bottle sway slightly. The God-Slaying Whip had already flown over and landed on his head, sparks flying everywhere.

"Huh? I'm alright?" Ding Guangxian shook his head after being whipped, somewhat surprised.

Not on the list either... Jiang Ziya gritted his teeth. When Dingguang Xian saw that Jinzha, Muzha and the other juniors were all carrying magic weapons and staring at him with unfriendly eyes, he dared not linger. He immediately made a hand seal and used water escape to become a beam of light and rushed away.

Apart from his disciple Yu Ding, he didn't take any of these juniors seriously. However, the Dragon-Binding Stake, the Wu Hook Sword, and other such items were the treasures and guardians of the Twelve Immortals of Jade Void, possessing immense power.

Falling into the hands of these ruthless and decisive young men who don't care about the consequences is extremely dangerous. Didn't you see that even his senior brother Jin Guang was killed just now?

"We must not let him escape!"

Jiang Ziya shouted to the crowd, "We must capture him, or we will never have peace again!"

"Chase!"

Ao Bing shouted and transformed into a white light, taking the lead. Huang Tianhua followed on his jade unicorn, while Jinzha and Muzha used earth escape techniques to transform into two beams of earth-yellow light.

Then, streaks of light streaked across the sky, rushing past overhead and heading into the distance, leaving only Nezha and Tianxu Daoren in the sky.

Tianxu stared intently at Nezha, who had unleashed his Dharma form, his gaze deep and a smile playing on his lips.

Nezha, that kid, has really made something of himself!

"What are you laughing laughing?"

Nezha pointed at the sky and said, "Now that you're here, none of you can escape today."

"is it?"

Tianxu glanced at Wen Zhong lying on the ground, sighed inwardly, and then looked at Nezha and said, "When I encounter a junior like you, I usually come and go as I please."

Before the words had even faded, he transformed into a beam of light and rushed toward the ground. Upon seeing this, Nezha immediately brandished his Fire-Tipped Spear and thrust it toward the sky, only to see it plunge into the ground like a drop of water disappearing into the ocean, vanishing without a trace.

Boom!
Faxiang thrust his spear into the ground, and with a loud bang, a huge crater exploded in the ground, with real fire and rocks flying everywhere. Tianxu had already disappeared without a trace.

"What about people?"

Nezha quickly put away his Dharma form and came to look. Cihang frowned and said, "Earth Escape Technique!"

"Escape from the Earth?"

Nezha, recalling Tianxu's despicable face, couldn't help but grit his teeth and roar, "I'll go after him!"

“If he were on the ground, you could still catch up with your Wind and Fire Wheels, but once he’s on the ground, he’ll be like a fish returning to the sea. How could you possibly find him or catch up with him? Forget it!” Cihang shook his head.

Nezha was unwilling but had no choice but to give up. Suddenly, his expression changed: "By the way, Uncle-Master, how should we deal with and break this earth-遁术 (earth-遁术 is a technique for escaping into the ground)?"

Cihang asked in surprise, "Who taught you to ask that?"

Nezha asked in bewilderment, "No one taught me. What I mean is, if I encounter an adversary who is proficient in this kind of Taoist art in the future, I will have a way to deal with it."

Cihang saw that his expression was sincere and he didn't seem to be lying. Considering the current situation, it made perfect sense.

However, after pondering for a moment, he slowly shook his head and gave Nezha a deep look: "If you want to ask about this technique, you can go to your Uncle Ju Liusun."

"Then let's forget about it. Uncle Ju Liusun is already dark-skinned, and his dark face will only make him look darker all the time."

Nezha pouted and said, "To be honest, I'm actually a little afraid of him. It's better to ask someone else than him."

Cihang was taken aback, then couldn't help but chuckle. To be honest, Nezha's description of that senior brother was quite apt.

Not only Nezha, but the other juniors also seemed to be somewhat afraid of that senior brother.

As soon as Tianxu left, the high-level battle ended immediately, and the fighting between the mortals on both sides was extremely fierce in just this short time, with corpses littering the ground and blood flowing like rivers.

However, when Wen Zhong was dragged down by Lei Zhenzi to "die together," the outcome was already decided. The defeated soldiers were chased away by the Xiqi army and fled in all directions, while those who surrendered were spared death.

Suddenly, Wen Zhong, who was lying on the ground, twitched his fingers, then shook his head, slowly got up from the ground, and looked around.

But the crown on his head was blazing with fire; it was the Nine Clouds Blazing Crown, a magical treasure given to him by his master, and it was this treasure that had saved his life.

Wen Zhong looked around and saw the Mo Qilin not far away, its tongue lolling out, its eyes rolling back, and smoke billowing from its body. He saw the four generals Deng Xin, Zhang Tao, and others dead, as well as the corpses of his apprentices Ji Liyuqing, Zhao Gongming, Chen Jiugong, and Yao Shaosi. He couldn't help but feel a deep sadness when he realized that he was the only one left alive in the vast battlefield.

Thinking of the loss of the four Demon Generals, Deng Xin, Zhang Tao, and so many fellow disciples and the entire Shang army since his westward expedition, he felt an overwhelming sense of grief and helplessness.

"It truly is the will of Heaven; Heaven has forsaken Cheng Tang!"

At this moment, the Xiqi army had already gathered and surrounded Wen Zhong in the center.

But then a phoenix cry was heard, and Ji Fa arrived on a phoenix with Jiang Ziya. Ji Fa laughed and said, "Grand Tutor Wen, today you have suffered a defeat and your lifelong reputation has been ruined. How can you face returning to Chaoge?"

Wen Zhong was furious: "How dare Ji Fa, that traitor, utter such words to deceive me?"

Just as he was about to make his move, a sigh suddenly came, and Yun Zhongzi appeared riding on a cloud.

“Wen Zhong, you are now in a desperate situation with no way out. Why not surrender and you can avoid being killed?” Yun Zhongzi said.

Jiang Ziya looked at Cihang in surprise and asked, "Why is Senior Brother Yun Zhongzi back?"

Although Yun Zhongzi was at a high place, the hearing of a Golden Immortal was astonishing, and he was extremely annoyed when he heard these words.

Because the Holy Mother Jinling had said that Wen Zhong should not surrender, Randeng sent Guangchengzi and Chijingzi to block the road, hoping to force Wen Zhong to Juelong Ridge. If Wen Zhong would rather die than surrender, then it would fulfill the Holy Mother Jinling's words.

He never expected that when he went there, he would find that someone had "stolen" Jue Long Ridge, leaving the place barren and completely out of place with its surroundings.

It must be someone from the Jie Sect... Yun Zhongzi was certain of it at the time, but time was of the essence and he couldn't possibly search the entire world for Jue Long Ridge, so he made a wasted trip and returned.

Wen Zhong looked around at the enemies and laughed three times. He raised his hand, pointed, and shouted, "Yun Zhongzi, don't talk big. I, Wen Zhong, am not a coward who fears death. If you have the ability, then leave me here."

After saying this, he leaped up, riding the light of his escape to soar into the sky, only to see a purple-gold alms bowl radiating divine light descending from the sky. Wen Zhong was unable to dodge in time and crashed into it headfirst. With a loud bang, Wen Zhong fell to the ground.

Wen Zhong, enduring the buzzing in his head, looked up and saw the Taoist Ran Deng standing in the sky, having arrived at some unknown time.

Yun Zhongzi raised his right hand, and a thunderclap resounded in the clear sky, followed by a rumble on the ground, from which eight pillars of divine fire rose to the heavens. The pillars were over three zhang tall and over one zhang long and round, arranged according to the eight trigrams: Qian, Kan, Gen, Zhen, Xun, Li, Kun, and Dui, surrounding Grand Tutor Wen in the center.

Yun Zhongzi looked at Wen Zhong and sighed softly. To be honest, he understood Wen Zhong's loyalty to his master and admired him quite a bit. But at this moment, they were serving different masters, and there were some things he had to do.

"Yun Zhongzi, why aren't you making a move? What are you waiting for?" Randeng urged.

Yun Zhongzi raised his hand and another thunderclap sounded. The pillars began to emit a red light, and forty-nine fire dragons appeared on each pillar, with flames soaring and forming a world of fire in the blink of an eye.

Wen Zhong immediately used the fire-avoiding incantation and activated the Nine Clouds Blazing Crown, remaining unmoved despite the raging flames outside.

“People from the three religions are all the essence of the earth, and everyone knows how to escape. They are all skilled in fire magic. How could they possibly harm me?” Wen Zhong laughed.

Before the laughter subsided, a soft 'crack' sound came from above his head. Wen Zhong's expression changed as a golden line appeared on his Nine Clouds Blazing Flame Crown, revealing a crack.

Immediately following a 'crackling' sound, the crown was covered with spiderweb-like cracks.

"How could this be...when did this happen, could it be..."

Wen Zhong was shocked, recalling Lei Zhenzi's thunderous strike and the collision with the Burning Lamp Purple Gold Bowl.

Soon, the Nine Clouds Blazing Crown collapsed, its fragments flying in all directions. Wen Zhong was also engulfed by the flames and instantly refined into ashes, leaving only a wisp of his soul that went to the Conferred God Platform.

Yun Zhongzi raised his hand again, and the fire dragon flew back into the pillar. Suddenly, he was startled and saw a dark stone floating in the air, with green light shining through its cracks.

He raised his hand and swept it away, revealing a jade-green gemstone.

"Wow, what did they refine from that old man's body?" Nezha asked in surprise.

Jiang Ziya paused for a moment: "Loyalty will never die!"

Just as Yun Zhongzi was about to take the jade, he saw it soar into the sky and disappear into the horizon, vanishing without a trace.

Jiang Ziya immediately withdrew his troops to return and reward those who had rendered meritorious service. Randeng and Cihang took their leave and returned to their respective mountains. Yun Zhongzi used a magic pill to heal the seriously injured Lei Zhenzi before returning to his mountain.

It is said that Wen Zhong died, but his loyal spirit remained undiminished and went to Chaoge to see Emperor Xin.

At this moment, Emperor Xin had just finished court and was sitting in meditation with his eyes closed in the Hall of Mental Cultivation when a gentle breeze stirred in the hall.

Di Xin's eyes snapped open: "What kind of ghost dares to... Grand Tutor?"

A powerful aura burst forth from him, and he was suddenly startled. He saw Wen Zhong's illusory figure appear in front of him, and was pushed back by his aura, almost falling over. His figure also dissipated a bit.

Wen Zhong was not angry but happy. Now that they were separated by life and death, he originally wanted to see him in his dreams. However, he never expected that after so many years, this king could not only see him, but had also grown to such an extent.

It's no exaggeration to say that this king's cultivation level is comparable to that of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors of ancient times.

Looking at Di Xin, who had already shown signs of becoming a king, Wen Zhong's eyes were filled with surprise and relief, but then a deep worry appeared.

After carefully confirming that Wen Zhong was correct, Di Xin quickly withdrew his imposing aura and got up to help him, but he found nothing.

"Grand Tutor, you..."

Di Xin felt a sudden sense of unease.

"Your Majesty, I was ordered to lead a western expedition, but I suffered repeated defeats and wasted my efforts. Now I am about to die in the western lands."

Wen Zhongdao said, "My failure to conquer the west was the will of Heaven. Although it is often said that one cannot defy the will of Heaven, there is always a glimmer of hope in everything. This old minister believes that hope lies in human effort..."

But as a gentle breeze blew by, Wen Zhong and all the words he hadn't finished speaking vanished, leaving only a piece of jade radiating precious light in the air.

Di Xin reached out to try and stop him, but his hand grasped nothing. He caught the jade in his fist and clenched it tightly. His face showed grief and indignation, and a tear rolled down his cheek.

However, his breathing quickly calmed down, and the grief and indignation on his face were buried in his heart. His expression became solemn and he showed a thoughtful look.

The Grand Tutor clearly hadn't finished speaking before time was up, but what was it that he hadn't finished saying?

"In people...in people what?" Di Xin frowned and whispered.

the other side.

After being targeted by Ao Bing, Jinzha, Muzha, and Huang Tianhua, Chang Er Dingguang Xian dared not linger for even a moment, and the chase lasted for tens of thousands of miles.

Ao Bing alone is enough to restrain him, not to mention the two juniors and the magic weapon in their hands watching him covetously. Once he stops, his fate will be exactly the same as Jin Guangxian's.

As the two sides were chasing each other, suddenly, golden light and auspicious clouds appeared in the sky, blocking their way.

But then a voice said:

"He often expounded the Dao by the Eight Virtues Pond, and spoke of the Three Vehicles under the Seven Treasures Forest."

A relic is always hanging on his head, and he can write scriptures without words in his palm.

Refine yourself to the Western Paradise, cultivate immortality and transcend worldly dust.

The lotus blossoms, its form infinitely wondrous; the great immortal leader of the West has arrived.

Then Ao Bing and the others saw a Taoist priest, who was sixteen feet tall, with a sallow complexion and thin body, carrying a tree branch, and wearing a strange Taoist robe, stride over and say with a smile, "Young friends, please stop!"

Seeing that the newcomer was extraordinary, Ao Bing stopped Jinzha, Muzha, and the others, bowed, and asked, "What brings you here, Immortal Master?"

The Taoist priest laughed and said, "I come from the West, and wish to meet a kindred spirit from the Southeast to go to the West and share in the ultimate bliss. This fellow Taoist Dingguang is destined to be with me in the West, and I have come here today to guide him."

After speaking, his gaze swept over the four people, and when he saw Ao Bing, a glint of light flashed in his deep eyes.

"Senior brother, this Taoist doesn't seem like a good person!" Jinzha, with his heightened sense of vigilance, transmitted his voice to Ao Bing.

Zhunti smiled and said, "Young friend, it seems that you and my Western Paradise have quite a connection!"

Jinzha was furious and was about to make a move, but Ao Bing, whose pupils shrank, quickly stopped him.

"Since this immortal has said so, then we'll leave it to you. We have other matters to attend to, so we'll take our leave!" Ao Bing smiled, cupped his hands, and winked at the others.

Over the years, Ao Bing's strength had already earned everyone's recognition. Seeing Ao Bing like this, the group immediately transformed into streaks of light and headed towards Xiqi.

Zhunti's smile froze for a moment: "Oh, I... I haven't finished speaking yet!"

Seeing that everyone had gone far away, Zhunti was somewhat reluctant to leave. No, he remembered that... these juniors weren't so easy to talk to before!
Of course, the one with the worst temper didn't come today; that little dragon's fate was changed—Yang Jian…

Chang Er Dingguang Xian bowed and said, "I am deeply grateful for your kindness in performing the ritual. I thank you in advance. I do not know your Dharma name. I will report to my sect when I return and thank you in person another day."

"Brother Daoist, you're too kind. I wasn't just talking nonsense..."

Zhunti smiled and pointed at Guangxian, saying, "It's because you and my Western Paradise are truly destined to meet!"

Although I've said this many times, I never get tired of it; instead, it brings a unique flavor and feeling.

"No, are you serious, Taoist priest?"

Dingguang Xian exclaimed in shock and anger, "Do you know who my master is?"

Zhunti reached out and grabbed him, laughing meaningfully, "Not only do you know him, you're quite familiar with him!"

far away.

"Senior brother, why are we running so fast?"

Huang Tianhua asked in confusion, "What if that Taoist priest is in cahoots with Dingguang Xian?"

Ao Bing looked back and said, "My master said that you should be careful when you go out so that you don't get kidnapped. The Westerners are the best at kidnapping people. If you encounter someone from the Western Sect and you don't have an elder with you, leave quickly."

Mu Zha said thoughtfully, "No wonder that Taoist priest was staring at Senior Brother Ao just now, and even said that my brother was destined to be with him. Now that you mention it, it does sound like he was trying to abduct someone."

Huang Tianhua and Jinzha nodded in agreement, and the group immediately sped up their journey towards Xiqi.

In the distance, Zhunti was grinning as he suppressed Chang'er Dingguangxian with one hand. Just as he was feeling this familiar feeling, his smile suddenly disappeared, and he looked in the direction of Ao Bing and the others.

How did his reputation get ruined on his first attempt?

Peach Blossom Ridge.

A yellow banner fluttered in the wind on the way up the mountain.

The Taoist standing under the banner was none other than Guang Chengzi. He would occasionally toss a few copper coins, look at them for a while, and shake his head. Then he would toss a few leaves, look at them for a while, and shake his head again. Later, he would be calculating something with his right hand, with the Eight Trigrams flowing between his palms, and his brows would be furrowed into a deep frown.

But very quickly, the Bagua in my hand popped and vanished like a bubble.

Guang Chengzi coughed lightly, hurriedly looked around, and after seeing that no one was around, he casually put his hands behind his back, looked at Xiqi, and a hint of anxiety appeared in his eyes.

"Why hasn't Wen Zhong arrived yet after all this time?"

Guang Chengzi pondered, "This time when we go back, we must not go down the mountain easily. Also, although everyone says to let my disciple go down the mountain to show off his skills, Jiao'er... after all, has a special status. We should not make things difficult for him. Let's just forget about it."

He sighed, sat down cross-legged in the bleak autumn wind, closed his eyes, and waited patiently.

On Yanshan Mountain, a yellow banner also stood, and Chijingzi stood under the banner, waiting expectantly.

"Why aren't you coming?"

Chi Jingzi paced back and forth, a Yin-Yang Mirror tucked into his sleeve. "Are they coming or not? I need to go back to the mountain to cultivate. Sigh, my teacher told me to wait here, but I forgot to ask how long I have to wait."

He waited and waited, growing increasingly impatient, but the person he was waiting for never arrived.