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

Jiang Ziya spoke, his voice calm.

"Junior brother."

"There's no need to dwell on the past."

"We are now both disciples of the Jie Sect, and both under the tutelage of the Vice Master of Xuandu."

"Just do your own thing, that's enough."

Shen Gongbao nodded.

"Senior brother is right."

"Let's not talk about the past."

"You and I just need to do our own thing."

He paused, his gaze deepening slightly.

"Senior brother, what are your plans next?"

Jiang Ziya remained silent.

He looked at Shen Gongbao, at those sparkling eyes.

Thoughts raced through my mind.

A moment later.

He spoke slowly.

"The uprising in Xiqi is inevitable."

"Even without the cry of the phoenix or the mandate of heaven, we must still raise an army."

"Because this is the tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods, a destiny ordained by Heaven."

Even the Jie Sect cannot reverse this.

"Even the Vice Master of Xuandu couldn't stop it."

"We can only go with the flow and fight for that sliver of hope within the constraints of fate."

Shen Gongbao nodded.

"Senior brother is right."

"Go with the flow and fight for a chance to survive."

"And what about me, junior brother? What should I do?"

Jiang Ziya looked at him and spoke slowly and deliberately.

"Go back to Chaoge."

"Continue to serve the Jie Sect by Emperor Xin's side."

"Wait for the Investiture of the Gods to begin, wait for the uprising in Xiqi, wait for the immortals of the three religions to enter the calamity."

"You then maneuver among them, saving as many as you can."

"Let one go if we can."

"This is the significance of your joining the Jie Sect."

Shen Gongbao remained silent.

He looked at Jiang Ziya, at that calm yet resolute face.

a long time.

He nodded slowly.

"it is good."

"I'm going back to Chaoge."

"Senior brother, take care."

Jiang Ziya nodded.

"The same to you."

Shen Gongbao stood up, turned around, and strode out of the quiet room.

Those steps were firm.

That back view was straight.

Jiang Ziya stood alone in the quiet room, watching the disappearing figure.

His eyes were deep and unfathomable.

"Junior brother."

He spoke in a low voice.

"Though we are pawns, this time, we will live for ourselves."

The sound faded, returning to nothingness.

......

Chaoge Post Station

The courtyard is deep and secluded, with ancient trees reaching for the sky.

Kong Xuan stood with his hands behind his back in the courtyard, the five-colored divine light swaying slightly.

He looked up at the sky.

His gaze was calm.

Three days have passed since the phoenix sang in Chaoge.

There was no movement from Xiqi.

There was no phoenix cry, no black bird, and no rumors of a shift in destiny.

It seems that the so-called phoenix's cry in Xiqi was nothing but a figment of imagination.

It was as if the Chan Sect's scheme had never existed.

But Kong Xuan knew.

They will not give up easily.

Yuanshi Tianzun will not admit defeat.

The Chan sect will not bow down.

They are just waiting.

Waiting for a better opportunity, waiting for a more brilliant plan.

Waiting for an opportunity to turn the tide.

"Fellow Daoist Kong Xuan."

A voice came from outside the courtyard.

Kong Xuan turned around.

Emperor Xin stood outside the courtyard gate, his imperial robes hanging down, his crown majestic.

Wen Zhong followed closely behind.

Kong Xuan bowed slightly.

"His Majesty."

Di Xin stepped into the courtyard and walked up to Kong Xuan.

"Fellow Daoist, I have something to discuss with you."

Kong Xuan looked at him, her gaze calm.

"Your Majesty, please speak."

Di Xin took a deep breath and spoke slowly and deliberately.

"Xiqi is preparing to raise an army."

"Jiang Ziya is already in Xiqi, assisting Ji Fa in training troops."

"We will soon advance eastward and attack Chaoge."

"I wish to invite you, fellow Daoist, to lead the expedition for me."

"Lead the Shang Dynasty army to fight against Xiqi."

The sound faded, like the evening drum and the morning bell.

Kong Xuan remained silent.

He looked at Di Xin, at that resolute yet expectant face.

Thoughts raced through my mind.

Expedition?

To confront Xiqi?

Although he was ordered to protect the Shang Dynasty and Emperor Xin.

But his duty was not to charge into battle.

He was stationed in Chaoge to protect the country and its destiny.

He protected the disciples of the Jie Sect during the Investiture of the Gods.

It was during the great calamity that Xiqi's scheme failed.

"His Majesty."

Kong Xuan spoke, his voice calm.

"I have come to Chaoge on the orders of my master, to speak out for Your Majesty and to establish the destiny of the Shang Dynasty."

"It is for the purpose of protecting the country and its destiny, and ensuring the safety of the disciples of the Jie Sect."

"Not for conquering battlefields, not for charging into battle."

"If Your Majesty wishes to launch an expedition, you may send Grand Tutor Wen, or the various feudal lords."

"This humble Taoist priest cannot go."

Upon hearing this, Di Xin's expression changed slightly.

"Fellow Daoist, if you do not go, how can the Shang Dynasty's army possibly stand against Xiqi?"

"Xiqi has the assistance of the Chan Sect and the support of the Twelve Golden Immortals."

"Although Grand Tutor Wen is strong, he is ultimately only a Great Luo Golden Immortal."

"How can one withstand the attacks of the Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect?"

Kong Xuan looked at him, her gaze remaining calm.

"Your Majesty, please rest assured."

"Although I cannot go to war, I will remain in Chaoge to oversee the situation."

"If the Xiqi army comes, I will take action."

"If a Golden Immortal from the Chan Sect arrives, this humble Taoist will gladly face him."

"The Shang Dynasty will not perish."

"Your Majesty, there is no need to worry."

The sound fell, like the clanging of metal and stone.

Di Xin remained silent.

He looked at Kong Xuan, at that cold yet resolute face.

a long time.

He nodded slowly.

"it is good."

"I believe in my friends."

"The Shang Dynasty is now entrusted to you, fellow Daoist."

Kong Xuan nodded.

"Your Majesty, please rest assured."

"As long as I live, the Shang Dynasty will live."

Di Xin turned around and strode out of the courtyard.

Wen Zhong followed closely behind, and when they reached the courtyard gate, he turned back and glanced at Kong Xuan.

The three eyes were filled with complexity.

Kong Xuan looked at him and nodded slightly.

Wen Zhong nodded and turned to leave.

The courtyard returned to silence.

Kong Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the sky.

His eyes were deep and unfathomable.

"When Xiqi raised an army, the Chan sect assisted them."

"The tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods is finally about to begin."

He spoke in a low voice.

"Master, your disciple is in Chaoge, awaiting your instructions."

......

Lingyun Peak, Jin'ao Island

Deep within the cave, purple clouds swirled.

Xuandu sat cross-legged on the cloud bed, his green robes hanging down and his black hair flowing over his shoulders.

He closed his eyes, his mind sinking into the depths of his dantian.

The three bodies each have their own duties.

One body is in Chaoge, one is outside Jin'ao Island, and one is inside the Chaos Pearl.

Business as usual.

suddenly.

He opened his eyes.

A faint glimmer of light flashed deep within those eyes, which were as calm as an ancient well.

I sensed it.

In the direction of Xiqi, fortune is surging.

That was a sign of an impending uprising.

That was a sign that the Investiture of the Gods was about to begin.

That was the beginning of the great calamity.

A slow smile crept onto Xuan Du's lips.

That smile was cold, like ancient ice.

"When Xiqi raised an army, the Chan sect assisted them."

"Yuanshi, you've finally made your move."

He rose and stood with his hands behind his back before the cloud bed.

Her green robe fluttered slightly, and her black hair cascaded over her shoulders.

He raised his eyes and looked outside the cave.

Looking up at the golden light of fortune above Jin'ao Island.

The light was like the sea, vast and boundless.

The Chaos Bell hangs in the center of the pivot, its body shimmering with light.

Business as usual.

But he knew that from this moment on, everything would be different.

The Tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods has officially begun.

The myriad immortals of the Jie Sect are about to face their tribulation.

The Chan Sect, the Ren Sect, and the Western Sect are about to join forces.

Hongjun Daozu is about to make his move.

And he must be prepared.

Xuandu raised his hand.

A chaotic light surged from his palm.

It transformed into four extremely fine ripples, piercing through the void.

Heading towards Chaoge, towards Xiqi, towards the Chaos Pearl, towards Biyou Palace.

They sped away.

"Kong Xuan, stationed in Chaoge, is protecting the Shang dynasty."

"Jiang Ziya, who is in charge of the Investiture of the Gods, will save them if he can."

"Dao Body, protect Jin'ao Island, await my command."

"Master, I have something to discuss with you."

The sound faded, returning to nothingness.

A moment later.

In Biyou Palace.

The void rippled slightly.

Tongtian opened his eyes, his gaze flashing with the light of a sword.

He heard it.

Xuan Du's voice echoed in his mind.

"Master, the Xiqi uprising has begun, and the Investiture of the Gods is about to commence."

"Disciple begs Master to remain on Jin'ao Island and protect the Jie Sect."

"Waiting for the great calamity to descend, waiting for all the immortals to face the tribulation."

"This disciple will take action to settle things with the Chan Sect, the Human Sect, and the Western Sect."

Tongtian remained silent.

He gazed at the chaotic light rushing towards him from the direction of Lingyun Peak.

a long time.

He spoke slowly.

"Go."

"Your master is on Jin'ao Island, waiting for your return."

The sound faded, returning to nothingness.