People in Conferred Gods: Rising from humble beginnings, I am the God of Wealth

Chapter 376 Who plucked the string of fate? I am the master of the underworld!
"Fate... is truly mysterious..."

Yang Xuan suppressed his aura and, reflecting on what he had gained over the years, was filled with emotion.

As he gained new insights into the path of destiny, past events gave him new perspectives.

When he learned that he had been reborn as Shen Gongbao after being reborn from the Three Qi, he felt that this was too much of a coincidence and suspected that it was the work of some powerful being.

It should be noted that the matter of the three spirits being reincarnated can be said to have been orchestrated by Yang Xuan. If Shen Gongbao had caused heavy losses to the Chan Sect and led the Jie Sect to its demise, as later legends have suggested, it would have been a different story.

Therefore, Yang Xuan will most likely be regarded as the mastermind behind this matter by the disciples of Chan Sect and Jie Sect. Even the two saints, Tongtian and Yuanshi, will harbor ill intentions towards him.

Ultimately, the Heavenly Way and the Earthly Way may even become opposed, causing a split in the three paths of Heaven, Earth, and Man in the primordial world, thus triggering an irreversible outcome.

Now that he has mastered 73% of the Great Dao of Destiny, Yang Xuan no longer just doubts, but firmly believes that behind this matter is a scheme by a powerful being who is proficient in the Great Dao of Destiny.

Moreover, this matter did not originate from the time of the Three Qi Rebirths.

Rather, it was when Yang Xuan first encountered the Three Qi of Life in Wuyi Mountain, or even before Yang Xuan encountered the Three Qi of Life, that this powerful being began to plot this matter by manipulating fate.

Like time, fate is full of countless possibilities in the future. Every choice we make now could lead to earth-shattering changes in the future.

If Yang Xuan had turned and left without looking back after hearing the words "Fellow Daoist, please stay,"

Without this, they would not have been able to reach the caves of Youying and Yunyou, and learn of the Black Lotus's plan to destroy the earth veins of the Nine Provinces. The Nine Provinces would have suffered tremendous destruction, and the scene before them would not have been possible.

Even if she were to be born with three qi, it would be impossible for her to know Yang Xuan or be used by him. Her personality after reincarnation would not be influenced by Yang Xuan, and she would remain as steadfast in her original intentions as she is today.

Perhaps Shen Gongbao today would have become a jinx in later legends because of that one near miss with Yang Xuan, bringing irreparable losses to the Chan and Jie sects.

From this perspective, this powerful being's plan seems to be helping Yang Xuan, hoping to use this as a breakthrough to reduce the losses of the Chan and Jie sects and prevent the prehistoric world from ending.

As far as Yang Xuan knew, the important turning point for the emergence of the Dharma-ending Age in the prehistoric world was the Investiture of the Gods.

After the Investiture of the Gods ended, the primordial world evolved into the Three Realms. From then on, the spiritual energy in the human realm gradually thinned out. Gradually, the earth's veins dried up, the innate spiritual energy was completely depleted, and the acquired spiritual energy became like water without roots.

The situation in the celestial realm and the terrestrial realm was not much better. In the end, the primordial spiritual energy was completely cut off, and immortals, demons, and ghosts all became characters in mythology.

There are six Heavenly Dao Saints, one Heavenly Dao Spokesperson, and one Earthly Dao Spokesperson in the Primordial World. Their lands are closely related to the Primordial World. How could they just watch this happen?
Clearly, there was some unknown change behind this, which they did not notice for a while, and someone with ulterior motives took advantage of the situation.

The most likely timeframe is probably the end of the Investiture of the Gods calamity, when the Tongtian Sect Leader sets up the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation to challenge the four saints: Taiqing, Yuqing, Jieyin, and Zhunti.

Even the attention of Hongjun, Houtu, and Nuwa may have been focused on this battle, giving those with ulterior motives an opportunity.

If the losses suffered by the Chan and Jie sects were not as great as later accounts suggest, could this battle have been avoided?
Now that Shen Gongbao's goal is clear, as long as no new changes occur, the losses of the Chan and Jie sects, while painful for Yuanshi Tianzun and Tongtian Jiaozhu, are still within an acceptable range. Does that mean...?

"No, no, this battle is probably still unavoidable."

Yang Xuan shook his head and smiled bitterly. The current Shang-Zhou war in the Nine Provinces is clearly a doctrinal conflict between the Chan Sect and the Jie Sect. Yuanshi Tianzun and Tongtian Jiaozhu will definitely take this opportunity to prove their own Dao.

After the Great Tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods, they probably won't have this opportunity again.

Moreover, according to Houtu, the idea of ​​the sages was to wait until the end of the Great Calamity, and then use the power of the sages to re-refine the earth, wind, water, and fire, so that the primordial world would be destroyed and rebuilt, thus evolving into the Three Realms of the Primordial World.

In this way, it becomes even more impossible to avoid this battle.

After much thought, the only thing Yang Xuan was certain of was that Shen Gongbao was definitely part of some powerful figure's scheme.

As for who plotted this, their aim was to prevent the primordial world from heading towards the end of the Dharma era.

Whether they intended to use this to manipulate the two paths of Heaven and Earth, causing them to become opposed and accelerating the decline of the primordial world into the end of the Dharma era, Yang Xuan had no idea.

"The grand scheme of things is being observed by sages; it's not my place to concern myself with it..."

Yang Xuan chuckled and decided to put the matter aside for the time being.

He has too little information right now, so there's no use in thinking about it. All he can do now is to pay more attention and observe.

There are two best methods to better observe the changes in the prehistoric world.

Firstly, it would improve his cultivation. If Yang Xuan could become a saint on the spot, he could turn the passive situation into an active one, secretly observe the changes in the prehistoric world, and find this person with a heart.

If Yang Xuan could become a saint, with the great Dao he cultivated, he might actually be able to find the person behind the scheme if he had the intention to do so.

But obviously, this is impossible. He is only at the peak of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm and is still preparing to sever his corpse. How could he possibly become a saint on the spot?
Secondly, it enhances the influence of the Underworld and the Heavenly Court, bringing more areas of the prehistoric world under their jurisdiction.

As long as more regions are under the control of the Heavenly Court and the Underworld, Yang Xuan can use this to understand the changes in these places and find some clues through these changes.

Compared to achieving instant enlightenment, this method is obviously more complicated and has a lower chance of finding the person behind the scheme.

But this is at least one method, and it is possible to implement it.

"I wonder how the war between the Shang and Zhou dynasties is going in Kyushu..."

Many years ago, Yang Xuan had already prepared everything. It could be said that everything was ready except for the right opportunity. When the time came, he could start planning to increase the influence of the Underworld in the prehistoric world.

As for the Heavenly Court, he didn't need to worry about it. The Heavenly Court was the biggest beneficiary of the Xuanmen's conferment of gods.

Moreover, the Heavenly Court had already been on the right track several eons ago, with living beings ascending to heaven every moment to enhance its foundation, so he didn't need to worry too much about it.

This is why Yang Xuan has remained in the underworld all these years and has never returned to the Heavenly Court.

The underworld is different; there are still many areas that need improvement. If the Investiture of the Gods calamity is used well, the underworld's influence can greatly increase, allowing it to keep pace with the Heavenly Court.

Subsequently, Yang Xuan summoned the gods and spirits of the underworld to inquire about the changes in the Nine Provinces, and learned that the war between Shang and Zhou had broken out.

Not long ago, the Shang and Zhou dynasties had just ended a great war, in which the human race suffered heavy casualties. Even many immortals from the Chan and Jie sects were listed on the Investiture of the Gods.

"correct."

The ghost patted its head and added:
"The remaining immortals of the Chan and Jie sects had their primordial spirits listed on the Investiture of the Gods, but their souls did not enter the underworld."

"But there is one exception, an old Taoist priest from the Chan Sect. His spirit was not listed after his death. He was captured by the underworld officials and is being tortured in the oil cauldron hell. Does Your Majesty wish to see him?"

"An old Taoist priest from the Chan Sect?"

Yang Xuan was slightly taken aback. With the Investiture of the Gods, in theory, the primordial spirit of any immortal, whether from the Chan Sect or the Jie Sect, would be listed after death and would not return to the underworld, unless the person had a reason not to be listed.

For example, he could continue fighting for the Investiture of the Gods. After all, once his primordial spirit is on the list, the Investiture of the Gods calamity will no longer concern him. If he wants to continue fighting for the Investiture of the Gods, his soul must return to the underworld and then reappear in the mortal realm. "Could it be... that this old Taoist priest from the Chan Sect is Jiang Ziya?"

Yang Xuan's eyes flickered. If there was one person in the Investiture of the Gods who couldn't leave the stage early, Jiang Ziya would definitely be one of them.

If Jiang Ziya's spirit is listed, then who will preside over the conferment of titles upon the gods in the future?
Moreover, Jiang Ziya was destined to die seven times and suffer three calamities. According to later legends, Jiang Ziya died seven times during the Investiture of the Gods.

If nothing unexpected happens, this is one of Jiang Ziya's 'deaths', and the soul of that old Taoist priest from the Chan Sect is none other than Jiang Ziya of the Chan Sect.

What Yang Xuan couldn't understand was that all Jiang Ziya had to do was declare himself a disciple of the Chan Sect, appointed by the Primordial Heavenly Lord, and the one who would preside over the Chan Sect's investiture of the gods.

Out of respect for the Chan Sect and the Primordial Heavenly Venerable, the ghosts and gods of the underworld should have sent him back to the mortal realm. How could he possibly have been imprisoned in the oil cauldron hell to be tortured?

Yang Xuan couldn't figure out the key point for a moment, but he didn't think too much about it and immediately ordered the ghosts and gods of the underworld to bring Jiang Ziya.

Regardless of the circumstances, Jiang Ziya was the main character in the Investiture of the Gods. If his soul were to remain in the oil cauldron hell to suffer torture, how could the Investiture of the Gods continue?

If this drags on any longer, the immortals of the Chan Sect might come to the underworld with the decree of the Primordial Heavenly Lord to demand our release.

By then, things will inevitably become somewhat unpleasant.

If we can release Jiang Ziya before the Yuanshi Tianzun's pardon arrives, we might be able to take the opportunity to fleece him.

Although Yang Xuan doesn't need to worry too much about the Heavenly Court, if certain matters related to the Xuanmen's conferment of gods can be carried out according to Yang Xuan's wishes, it will naturally bring more benefits to the Heavenly Court and also prevent some troublesome things from happening.

For example, such an absurd thing as having Huang Feihu be granted the title of Emperor of the Eastern Peak could perhaps be avoided at the source.

Otherwise, after the Investiture of the Gods, it would take Yang Xuan much more effort to bring him down.

Yes, it's about putting in more effort, not about being unable to do it!
Given Yang Xuan's current status, all the immortals and gods in the Heavenly Court must obey his orders, and even Haotian will unconditionally support Yang Xuan.

No matter how Jiang Ziya bestows titles upon the gods, as long as he is not satisfied, he will eventually be able to bring these immortals and gods down from their positions.

Of course, it would be best if this problem could be solved before the Investiture of the Gods.

Soon, Jiang Ziya arrived at the Ghost Palace of Fengdu under the escort of the underworld officials.

"How dare you, Jiang Ziya! Kneel before His Majesty the Ghost Emperor!"

Without a word, the underworld messenger immediately raised the Soul-Slaying Staff in his hand and slammed it down on the back of Jiang Ziya's head.

Jiang Ziya suddenly felt a blur before his eyes, his soul and body weaken, and he collapsed to his knees with a thud.

After a while, Jiang Ziya finally came to his senses, but he was not angry. Instead, he was excited and recognized Yang Xuan's identity.

He pointed to his mouth with one finger and gestured excitedly with the other, looking at Yang Xuan with hopeful eyes, hoping that Yang Xuan wouldn't be as unreasonable as that judge and would be able to see the seal on his body.

With Yang Xuan's cultivation level, he could naturally see the seal on Jiang Ziya at a glance and understand why Jiang Ziya was imprisoned in the oil cauldron hell to be tortured.

Clearly, Jiang Ziya was being targeted by the ghosts and gods of the underworld, and the reason for this was probably the Jade Purity Immortal Light emanating from his body.

The fact that Ju Liusun wanted to preemptively establish the Di De Money Shop made the people of the underworld have a bad impression of the Chan Sect. It is understandable that Jiang Ziya received some unfair treatment when he arrived in the underworld.

Yang Xuan was naturally quite satisfied with this.

Judging from Jiang Ziya's appearance, he clearly did not have a good time in the underworld. It would not be an exaggeration to say that he was physically and mentally exhausted and suffered greatly.

If some further requests were made at this point, Jiang Ziya would likely be more cooperative.

Yang Xuan remained calm, revealing nothing of his thoughts. With a gentle wave of his sleeve, the seal on Jiang Ziya was released.

Jiang Ziya was slightly taken aback at first, then breathed a sigh of relief, revealing a look of ecstatic joy. He even forgot that he was still kneeling on the ground, and hurriedly bowed to Yang Xuan, saying respectfully:
"I am Jiang Ziya of the Chan Sect. I have met Your Majesty the Ghost Emperor. I hope Your Majesty will understand that my life is not meant to end. I must go to Xiqi to help Xiqi overthrow the Shang and preside over the Chan Sect's investiture of the gods."

"So he's a top disciple of the Chan Sect..."

Yang Xuan's acting was on point; he looked bewildered, as if he had just realized it.

"Since you are a esteemed disciple of the Chan Sect, sent by the Sage to enter the mortal realm to face the tribulations, from my personal perspective, I naturally feel that you should be sent back to the mortal world to preside over the Chan Sect's investiture of gods..."

At this point, Yang Xuan paused slightly, revealing a hint of hesitation and conflict. Upon seeing this, Jiang Ziya's heart skipped a beat, and he had a bad feeling.

This return to the mortal realm is likely to be less than smooth...

But before he could think further, Yang Xuan continued:

"It is only because after a living being dies, its soul must return to the underworld. This is a rule set by the Goddess, a rule governing the operation of the primordial world."

"I am only acting in accordance with the rules of the land. If I were to let you return to the mortal realm, it would likely displease the Empress, and I cannot bear the consequences."

"But there is still a chance. I will give you two choices. Would you like to hear them?"

"Please enlighten me, Your Majesty the Ghost Emperor!"

Jiang Ziya's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, was relieved once again. He bowed to Yang Xuan. As long as there was still hope of returning to the mortal world, he had to try his best no matter what.

Yang Xuan didn't keep him in suspense, and smiled slightly:

"Firstly, you can stay in the underworld for a while and wait for the immortals of the Chan Sect to come here with the Holy Emperor's decree. With the Holy Emperor's decree, I will let you return to the mortal world. Even if the Empress finds out about this, she will not blame you."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ziya's heart sank.

Yang Xuan's words clearly meant that if he wanted to leave the Underworld, he would need the personal order of the Primordial Heavenly Lord; otherwise, even if the immortals of the Chan Sect came to the Underworld, they would not be able to take him away.

Jiang Ziya did not doubt the truth of Yang Xuan's words. He knew very well that Yang Xuan was in complete control of the underworld. He did not know whether Yang Xuan would be punished by Houtu for letting him return to the mortal world.

But he was certain that if Yang Xuan didn't want to let him leave the Underworld, even if the immortals of the Chan Sect forced their way into the Underworld, it would be useless, and they might even lure out the Styx Daoist.

If the immortals of the Chan Sect really dare to force their way into the Underworld, the Styx River would have a legitimate reason to take action, and it wouldn't be considered bullying the weak.

Jiang Ziya remained silent for a moment, then bowed again.

"May I ask, Your Majesty, what is this second option?"

(End of this chapter)