Primordial Era: Cultivation level equals the sum of the Jie Sect's total; the Three Pure Ones a

Xuan Du raised his hand, and a chaotic light surged from his palm.

It then transformed into a tiny ripple, piercing through the void and hurtling towards a cave on Jin'ao Island.

"Kong Xuan, come to Lingyun Peak."

The five words fell like the sound of a morning bell and an evening drum.

A moment later.

The void rippled slightly.

A five-colored radiance emerged slowly from the ripples.

Kong Xuan landed in the cave and bowed slightly.

"Master, did you call for your disciple?"

Xuan Du looked at him, his gaze calm.

"The Investiture of the Gods is about to begin, are you aware?"

Kong Xuan nodded.

"This disciple understands."

"Xiqi is about to raise an army, and Chaoge will respond."

"All the immortals of the three religions have entered the calamity."

"The myriad immortals of the Jie Sect are listed to face their tribulations."

As soon as he finished speaking, he looked up and gazed at the figure in green.

Deep within those defiant eyes, now lay unwavering determination.

"Master, rest assured, your disciple is already prepared."

"During the calamity of the Investiture of the Gods, this disciple will do everything in his power to protect the Jie Sect."

"Protect our master."

Xuan Du gently shook his head.

"I'm not asking you to risk your life."

"There's something else I need you to do."

Kong Xuan was taken aback.

"What is it?"

Xuandu looked at him and spoke slowly and deliberately.

"Do you know the story of the Phoenix's Cry in Xiqi?"

Kong Xuan nodded.

"Know."

"Rumors spread in Xiqi that there was a phoenix's cry in Xiqi, a sign that a black bird was about to descend into the world."

"This means that the mandate of heaven has shifted, and the Shang Dynasty's fate has run its course."

"The Western Zhou took over the throne, in accordance with the will of Heaven and the will of the people."

"This is the greater good."

"With righteousness in hand, the world will turn to you."

"When Xiqi raised an army, it was no longer considered a rebellion."

"It is to overthrow King Zhou."

"It is acting on behalf of Heaven."

"It is a plea for justice and punishment of the guilty."

Xuan Du nodded.

"you're right."

"This is the scheme of the Chan Sect."

"This is the plan of the Primordial Celestial Venerable."

"Let Xiqi seize the moral high ground, and let the Shang Dynasty lose the hearts of the people."

"Let the calamity of the conferment of gods proceed slowly under the guise of conforming to the will of Heaven."

He paused, his voice turning deep:

"But what if that phoenix cry was fake?"

"What if that black bird was a forgery by Xiqi?"

"What if that so-called transfer of destiny is nothing more than a play staged by the Chan Sect itself?"

Kong Xuan's pupils constricted slightly.

He gazed at Xuandu, at those calm yet profound eyes.

Thoughts raced through my mind.

suddenly.

He got it.

"Does Master mean for me to expose them?"

"Should I send my disciple to prove that the phoenix's cry is fake?"

"Should I send my disciples to tell the world that Xiqi is lying?"

Xuan Du gently shook his head.

"Expose?"

"What makes you think you can expose me?"

"That phoenix cry was fabricated by the Chan Sect using secret methods."

"That omen of the black bird was a manifestation of the Primordial Beginning's Jade Purity Immortal Light."

Even a Great Immortal would find it difficult to distinguish the real from the fake.

"If you go and say it's fake, will anyone believe you?"

Kong Xuan remained silent.

He knew that his master was right.

With his cultivation level, he couldn't distinguish the real Phoenix Cry from the fake one created by the Chan Sect.

Even if they could distinguish it, they couldn't produce any evidence.

Even if evidence is presented, the world will not believe it.

Because that is the Chan sect.

Because that is the Primordial Celestial Venerable.

Because that is a sage of the Heavenly Dao.

If they say it's true, then it's true.

If they say it's destiny, then it is destiny.

It is both fake and real.

Even if it's a forgery, it's still destiny.

What can Kong Xuan use to expose this?

What can we use to prove it?

What can we use to convince the world?

"Master."

Kong Xuan spoke, his voice low and deep.

"Your disciple is dull-witted."

"Please give me your guidance, Master."

Xuan Du looked at him, a slow smile creeping onto his lips.

The smile was faint, yet it carried a profound understanding that saw through everything.

Instead of exposing it, replace it.

As soon as the six words were uttered, Kong Xuan was taken aback.

replace?

How to replace it?

Xuandu continued:

"If Xiqi desires the phoenix's cry, then you shall cry out first."

"Xiqi wants the Black Bird to descend to earth, so you should first appear in the sky above Chaoge."

"And your phoenix cry is more genuine than that of Xiqi."

"Your black bird is more authentic than that of Xiqi."

"Because you are Yuan Feng's son."

"Because you are the first peacock in the world."

"Because your bloodline is more than ten thousand times more real than that fake phoenix cry."

The sound fell like a thunderclap.

Kong Xuan was startled.

A sudden burst of light shone from the depths of those arrogant eyes.

He got it.

I understand completely now.

Master did not send him to expose Xiqi.

It's not about letting him overpower Xiqi.

It's about letting him strike first.

Before Xiqi could speak, he spoke first.

Before Xiqi appeared, he appeared first.

And his phoenix cry echoed in Chaoge.

In the capital of the Shang Dynasty.

In the birthplace of the Black Bird totem.

If he were to utter a single cry over Chaoge, the heavens and earth would resound in unison.

If he were to appear in the sky above Chaoge, all birds would flock to him.

That is the Phoenix Cry in Chaoge.

That is the return of the black bird to its nest.

That is destiny in business.

The fabricated phoenix cry from Xiqi rang out after him.

That's just imitating someone else.

It's like drawing a tiger but ending up with a dog.

That would be inviting humiliation upon oneself.

Then the whole world will know.

Who is the true descendant of the phoenix?

Who is the true successor of the Black Bird?

Who is truly destined for greatness?

Xiqi?

He's nothing but a clown.

"Master!"

Kong Xuan knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly.

"Disciple understands!"

"This disciple will now proceed to Chaoge!"

"This disciple will cry out before the phoenix of Xiqi does!"

"The phoenix sings at dawn, the black bird returns to its nest!"

"Let the world know that destiny belongs to Shang, not Xiqi!"

"Let Yuan Shi's schemes completely fail!"

The sound shook the cave, and purple clouds surged.

Xuandu looked at him and nodded slightly.

"Go."

"Once we arrive in Chaoge, there's no need to hide."

"Standing upright and honorable in the heavens."

"Let the entire court see, let the people of the world see."

"Who is the true Black Bird?"

"Who is truly destined for greatness?"

Kong Xuan nodded and stood up.

He turned around and strode out of Lingyun Cave.

Those steps were as firm as a mountain.

That figure stood tall and straight like a pine tree.

Five-colored divine light swayed, and the laws of the five elements intertwined.

He transformed into a streak of five-colored light and vanished from the cave in an instant.

Facing Chaoge, facing the capital of the Shang Dynasty.

They sped away.

Xuan Du stood alone on the cloud bed, gazing at the disappearing figure.

A slow smile crept onto his lips.

The smile was faint, yet it carried a profound understanding that saw through everything.

The Phoenix Cries in Xiqi?

Yuanshi, you've certainly got a good plan.

This allowed Xiqi to seize the moral high ground, causing the Shang Dynasty to lose the hearts of the people.

Let the calamity of the conferment of gods proceed slowly under the guise of conforming to the will of Heaven.

But you forgot.

Kong Xuan was the son of Yuan Feng.

It was the first peacock in the world.

His phoenix cry is a thousand times more real than your fake one.

Before you speak, I will speak first.

Before you appear, I will.

The phoenix sings in the morning song, and the black bird returns to its nest.

Then the whole world will know.

The Mandate of Heaven resides in Shang, not in Xiqi.

Your noble cause has become a joke.

Your scheme has failed.

Your deification caused you to lose the initiative.

......

Chaoge City.

As dawn breaks, a thin mist hangs like gauze.

Emperor Xin stood atop the Star-Picking Tower, his imperial robes cascading down, his crown majestic.

He gazed down at the capital city, at the rows of houses, at the crisscrossing streets.

His expression was calm.

But beneath that calm lay an indescribable weariness.

Since assuming the throne, he has worked tirelessly day and night, never daring to slack off.

He repaired palaces, strengthened the military, established laws, and ensured the well-being of the people.

However, discontent still exists within the court.

The feudal lords still harbored rebellious intentions.

The borders are still plagued by foreign invasions.

He is tired.

I'm tired too.

"His Majesty."

A voice came from behind him.

Di Xin did not turn back.

"speak."

The voice said, "Grand Tutor Wen has sent word that a distinguished guest has arrived from the East Sea today and will manifest his divine power over Chaoge."

Di Xin's eyes flickered slightly.

Distinguished guest?

From the East China Sea?

Did it manifest itself in the skies above Chaoge?