Primordial Era: I, Tongtian, will slay all enemies!

Inside the Zixiao Palace, the silence was like the calm before a storm, so oppressive it was hard to breathe.

Zhunti frowned, his eyes burning with a rage born of eagerness and resentment, which abruptly shattered the suffocating silence.

"Teacher, what's going on with Tongtian's cultivation level? His improvement is just too outrageous!"

Hongjun's expression was calm as still water, as if nothing in the world could stir a ripple in his heart. He spoke slowly, his voice steady and deep.

"Tongtian must have obtained some kind of fortuitous opportunity, and his cultivation has now reached the realm of Hunyuan Wuji Da Luo Jinxian. Although his cultivation is not as high as mine, the spiritual treasures he possesses are extraordinary and should not be underestimated."

Upon hearing this, Yuanshi frowned deeply, his eyes filled with even more worry.

"Is there really nothing the teacher can do about Tongtian?"

His mind was in turmoil. The Investiture of the Gods was already complex and unpredictable, and Tongtian's greatly increased cultivation was undoubtedly like adding another heavy stick to this muddy water.

Hongjun shook his head slightly, "I have already made a bet with Tongtian..."

Upon hearing this, the three were struck dumb, their faces frozen in shock. No one had expected that Hongjun would wager the Heavenly Court.

Before the three could recover from their shock, Hongjun spoke again, "The Investiture of the Gods is led by Yuanshi Tianzun, with the Western Sect assisting. I am going into seclusion."

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure gradually faded away like wisps of smoke, eventually disappearing completely from their sight, leaving only endless majesty lingering in the air.

Yuanshi looked at Zhunti and Jieyin, "The Mandate of Heaven belongs to Zhou. You two junior brothers should send some disciples to Xiqi to protect the Marquis of Xibo in case of any unforeseen events."

Just as Jieyin was about to nod in agreement, Zhunti stopped him with his hand.

A sly glint flashed in Zhunti's eyes, as cunning as a fox, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

"The Mandate of Heaven belongs to Zhou, but not to Xiqi. Since Senior Brother wishes to support Xiqi, then let Senior Brother support it. My Western Sect will not interfere."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shi was instantly enraged, his face turning bright red, and he roared inwardly.

"These two dare to defy me like this! The great undertaking of bestowing titles upon the gods is already as difficult as ascending to heaven, yet they are making excuses at this crucial moment. It's simply outrageous!"

He was about to reprimand the two when Zhunti hurriedly said, "Senior brother, we'll take our leave." With that, the two quickly left Zixiao Palace.

Yuanshi was so angry that he trembled all over. With a wave of his sleeve, he stirred up a gust of wind and left in a huff.

On their way back, Jieyin looked at Zhunti with a puzzled expression. Just as he was about to ask a question, Zhunti spoke first.

"Senior brother, do you think it's better for us to assist Yuanshi or to establish our own regime?" Zhunti's eyes were filled with excitement, as if he could already see the Western religion flourishing.

Jieyin was taken aback at first, then a glimmer of realization flashed in his eyes, and he instantly understood the implications, his face showing a look of surprise.

"Junior brother, you are truly talented! As long as the regime we support unifies the human race, our Western Religion will become the state religion, and our Western Religion will surely prosper!"

Upon hearing Jieyin's praise, Zhunti's smile grew even brighter, a smile brimming with greed and scheming.

"Senior brother, what are you saying? You're truly amazing. You understood the significance of this matter as soon as you heard it, hahaha!" Zhunti was extremely pleased with himself, proud of his brilliant idea.

"Junior brother, which warlord should we support? The Eastern Warlord? Or the Southern Warlord?"

A resolute glint flashed in Zhunti's eyes, his gaze sharp as a torch. "Let's use a two-pronged approach. Send Maitreya and the Medicine Master to each of the towns with potential; with their strength, it won't be a problem at all!"

After listening, Jieyin suddenly understood, secretly delighted. "Junior brother's plan is brilliant! The rise of our Western Sect is promising, and the great prosperity of the West is within reach! Hahaha!"

In the Kunlun Mountains, Yuanshi's face was as gloomy as dark clouds in a storm.

Suddenly, Yuanshi seemed to have thought of something, and immediately began to calculate with his fingers, then his anger intensified.

"You bastard! What time is it? You're still in Chaoge City with your wife and kids on a warm bed!" He frowned, his eyes filled with anger, cursing Jiang Ziya in his heart for not knowing what was important.

"Shen Gongbao, come to Jade Void Palace immediately!"

Shen Gongbao rushed over and, seeing the gloomy face of Yuanshi Tianzun, his heart skipped a beat.

"Greetings, teacher." Shen Gongbao's voice trembled slightly, unsure whether it was a blessing or a curse.

Yuanshi looked at Shen Gongbao, a complex expression flashing in his eyes, a mixture of using him and disdain.

"You have been a member of the Chan Sect for many years, yet you still lack a suitable spiritual treasure. This is the Xuanqing Blade, a low-grade innate spiritual treasure, which I bestow upon you today. I hope you will carry forward the Chan Sect."

Upon hearing this, Shen Gongbao was overjoyed, his eyes flashing with delight, as if he could see the hope of his own meteoric rise to prominence.

He immediately knelt down and thanked his teacher, saying, "Your disciple thanks you greatly, teacher. I will certainly live up to your expectations!"

"Your senior brother Ziya is currently in Chaoge City. Go to Chaoge, bring your senior brother to Xiqi, and assist the Marquis of Xibo in establishing the Zhou dynasty and destroying the Shang dynasty. This matter cannot be delayed!"

His tone left no room for doubt, and he thought to himself that as long as Jiang Ziya got back on track, the Investiture of the Gods could still proceed smoothly.

Upon hearing this, Shen Gongbao felt a chill in his heart, realizing that his teacher had only bestowed the magical treasure upon him to ensure he would serve diligently; otherwise, he would never have been so kind to him.

He felt a mixture of helplessness and resentment, but what could he do? He could only kneel again and accept the decree: "Disciple obeys."

A moment later, Shen Gongbao descended Kunlun Mountain, grumbling as he went.

"Alas, I am but a creature with fur and horns, born from moisture and eggs. My teacher has never truly valued me; he has only ever used me as a pawn."

When Shen Gongbao arrived in Chaoge City, he looked at the bustling streets but had no heart to appreciate them. He was only asking around about Jiang Ziya's residence, and every step he took was filled with urgency and dissatisfaction.

Soon, Shen Gongbao found Jiang Ziya's residence.

He arrived at the door, and before he could even knock, Jiang Ziya heard the noise and opened the door.

Upon seeing Shen Gongbao, Jiang Ziya was overjoyed. "Junior brother, what brings you here? Please come in quickly."

Shen Gongbao, however, was not grateful. He already harbored resentment towards Yuanshi Tianzun's orders, and now he vented all his anger on Jiang Ziya.

He suddenly shoved Jiang Ziya away, causing Jiang Ziya to stumble and nearly fall.

"Senior brother, the teacher told you to hurry to Xiqi and assist the Marquis of Xibo in destroying the Shang Dynasty." Shen Gongbao's eyes revealed impatience and indifference.

Upon hearing this, a hint of doubt flashed in Jiang Ziya's eyes. He steadied himself and asked in return, "Why destroy the Shang? The Shang now enjoys the hearts of the people, so why drag them into war?"

Shen Gongbao, growing increasingly impatient, retorted, "This is the teacher's order! Are you disobeying your teacher?"

"Junior brother, do you really think our teacher treats us as disciples? When Guang Chengzi tried to kill me with the Heaven-Turning Seal, did he ever care? As a sage, how could he not know? Wake up!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Gongbao felt somewhat flustered. He knew that what Jiang Ziya said was true, but he dared not disobey Yuanshi's order.

He gritted his teeth, immediately took out the Xuanqing Blade, and walked towards Jiang Ziya.

"Senior brother, please don't blame me. I had no choice."

Upon seeing this, Jiang Ziya shook his head, his eyes filled with disappointment and helplessness. "Alas, junior brother, why bother?"

Shen Gongbao ignored Jiang Ziya, and walked heavily toward him, holding the Xuanqing Blade.

However, before he could get close to Jiang Ziya, a dark shadow flashed by, and Shen Gongbao felt a powerful force pressing down on him, pinning him to the ground.

He struggled desperately, but found that he could not break free no matter what he did; the force held him tightly like an iron clamp.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Ziya bowed deeply and said to the dark figure, "I beg Lord Jingyue to spare my junior brother's life."

The Shadow Guard ignored Jiang Ziya and led Shen Gongbao directly to the Human King's Palace.

At this time, Emperor Xin was not in Chaoge, so the Shadow Guard had no choice but to hand Shen Gongbao over to Queen Jiang.