Primordial Era: The Great Serpent of Yunmeng

At Golden Rooster Ridge, Kong Xuan unleashed his five-colored divine light, sweeping across the land. Wherever he passed, all things belonging to the five elements, including supernatural treasures, fell into his hands.

Even the treasures held by the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect could not escape Kong Xuan's five-colored divine light.

"I was originally a wild cultivator in the primordial wilderness. Fortunately, I received the boundless grace of Heaven and have cultivated until now. However, due to the karma of the Great Shang Dynasty, you are not allowed to pass through this trial today."

Now, if you turn back, I will not stop you, but passing through Golden Rooster Ridge will be impossible.

Kong Xuan stood calmly atop the city wall, the five-elemental halo behind him dazzling and causing great trouble for the Xiqi troops below.

Jiang Ziya frowned deeply; the invited Golden Immortals were now helpless against him.

Just as everyone was in a dilemma, a Taoist priest arrived late, calling out:

"The Bodhisattva Cundi was born in the Western Paradise, and her moral roots are profound and immeasurable."

Lotus leaves take on color in the wind, lotus flowers stand tall on the bridge even without rain.

Golden bows and silver halberds are not enough to prevent trouble; a precious pestle and fish intestines offer a different solution.

It is said that Kong Xuan could transform himself, and under the swaying tree, he was hailed as the Wise King.

Upon seeing the newcomer, the Twelve Golden Immortals were all startled and immediately bowed respectfully, saying:

"The Twelve Golden Immortals of the Jade Void Palace on Kunlun Mountain pay their respects to the Sage Zhunti."

With a compassionate and joyful expression, Zhunti leisurely looked at the people before him, gently raised his hand to help them to their feet, and then spoke with a smile:

"Please hold your fire, everyone. This beast is vicious, and its five-colored divine light is extremely powerful. You are no match for it. Fortunately, it has a connection with the West, and that is why I have come here today."

Seeing the overjoyed crowd before him, Zhunti began to explain Kong Xuan's background:

"What you may not know is that this person is also of great importance. He is the posthumous son of a phoenix, truly a born nobleman."

Jiang Ziya asked, puzzled:

"Reporting back to the Sage, the phoenix is ​​the king of birds, and now it is rarely seen in the primordial world. Although it is extraordinary, how could it possibly endure to this extent?"

"Furthermore, if he is the son of the phoenix, why would he get involved in this human conflict? And what connection does he have with the Shang Dynasty?"

Zhunti was not offended by Jiang Ziya's question, but he couldn't help feeling that this person was not up to great use. How could a sage and supreme being easily interrupt him?

But considering that the other party was the key person in this great calamity, Zhunti continued speaking:

"I will explain this to you slowly and patiently. Just listen quietly."

"Kong Xuangen was exceptionally talented, being the son of two great gods of the Phoenix Clan in the early primordial era. However, due to a great calamity, he had to be placed in the wilderness."

"Because of his origins and destiny, Kong Xuan was protected and hidden by the Heavenly Dao at the time of his birth, and the phoenix could not find him."

"Kong Xuan was the first peacock in this primordial world. He inherited his father's Five Elements Divine Power and was born to become a spirit, entering the primordial divine path."

"Kong Xuan was also the first person of this kind. As for his connection with the Shang Dynasty, it was actually a matter of chance."

"As everyone knows, the Great Shang Dynasty was born from a black bird that descended from the heavens, and its own fortune is greatly benefited by the phoenix and other similar creatures."

"It was because of this place that Kong Xuan joined the Shang Dynasty and used its national fortune to cultivate himself. Now he is suffering this karmic consequence and is being blocked in Jinji Ridge."

Everyone looked as if they had just realized something, but Zhunti continued, saying:

"I have come here today because I pity the difficulty of his cultivation and wish to guide him into my Western religion. The reason why the sage has compassion is here."

Jiang Ziya was overjoyed upon hearing this and immediately bowed to Zhunti before him, saying:

"Then we beg Your Majesty to act swiftly and subdue this scoundrel."

As Jiang Ziya finished speaking, Zhunti's face lit up with joy, and he couldn't wait to praise him.

Such a remarkable figure from the East, if not for Jiang Ziya, the protagonist of this great calamity, speaking up to affirm him, would likely have led to many sordid events.

But now that he had heard what Zhunti had said, he was naturally eager to act immediately, fearing that things might change if he delayed.

"good."

After saying this, Zhunti immediately got up and headed towards the Jinji Ridge Pass.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Kong Xuan, though unaware of their identity, immediately felt a surge of alarm. Sensing the consequences of his actions, Kong Xuan gritted his teeth and said:

"Who goes there? Get out of here at once, or you will not be spared under this five-colored divine light!"

Seeing that Zhunti did not make a move, Kong Xuan immediately took action, fearing that if he was any later, he would be controlled by others.

Five-colored divine light washed over heaven and earth. Zhunti silently threw out several spiritual treasures to test the power of his divine abilities.

Seeing that Kong Xuan's five-colored divine light only flashed a few times before he had taken all these spiritual treasures into his possession, Zhunti's smile widened even more.

Kong Xuan unleashed five-colored divine light and swept it toward Zhunti. Zhunti then revealed his Dharma body, with eighteen hands, each holding a different magic weapon, and a relic on his head emitting light.

Wielding the Seven Treasures Tree, the seven-colored divine light remained unaffected by the Five Elements, and Kong Xuan was not swayed. Even the precious sword in his hand was casually swept away by Zhunti.

"Damn it!"

Upon seeing this, Kong Xuan knew he was no match for the man and tried to retreat, but the light from the relic pierced his form.

Unable to win, yet unable to leave, Kong Xuan found himself in a dilemma.

Zhunti smiled and softly offered his advice:

"Your roots are outstanding, and your lifelong cultivation has been difficult, finally reaching the realm of Hunyuan Dao. Yet you participated in the great calamity, and once you gained power, you were unforgiving, and your life was overthrown in an instant. This is truly unwise."

"Why not join my Western religion, take the throne of the Bright King, be protected by sages above and supported by followers below, and travel freely throughout the primordial world?"

"There are also eight hundred wonderful methods and wise teachings. If you wish to learn them, there will be absolutely no obstruction or concealment."

"There are also countless gold, silver, precious medicines, and countless followers, which you may use and consume at will without any worries."

"If you wish to establish a family and continue your lineage, you may choose any female believer or virtuous guest within our Western Religion. What do you say?"

Upon hearing this, Kong Xuan immediately frowned and said with considerable disdain:

"A place that harbors filth and evil intentions, how could a phoenix possibly land there?"

"Although I enjoy fine clothes and delicious food, and I am a person who indulges in worldly desires, I once had a fondness for eating people when I was young and ignorant, but that is all in the past."

"If we can change our ways today, how can we repeat the same mistakes? To use this as a pretext is utterly shameful!"

Zhunti shook his head helplessly and said, "You are destined to join my Western Sect. This destiny is ordained by Heaven. You will eventually be accepted into my Western Sect."

"But under normal circumstances, I cannot force you. If you had not been excluded from the great calamity, I would not have been able to have my way."

"But you are so unwise, bound by cause and effect, unable to be free, trapped in a great calamity, and today you truly have no choice."

Kong Xuan was furious upon hearing this and immediately began to curse:

"You wicked Taoist priest! I am a man of the East, how could I possibly enter your Western land? Look at the Western region, a land of barren mountains and treacherous waters, remote villages, how could it be worthy of my noble phoenix status!?"

"You do not cultivate morality, nor do you use pure spring water and bamboo fruits as a guide; instead, you use filthy, foul desires as a pretext. I do not wish for this, yet you still want to force me!"

"Little do you know, though I am no match for you, I am not a kind and easily bullied person, nor am I afraid of your methods. Now, die!"

After saying this, Kong Xuan immediately transformed into a peacock tens of thousands of feet tall, its wings flapping so wide that they blotted out the sky, no less impressive than the Golden Rooster Ridge.

The peacock's eyes were fierce, as if it were about to devour people, and its menacing aura filled the sky, truly terrifying.

Zhunti was also taken aback by the ferocious peacock before him. Even though it had a history of cannibalism, how could it have accumulated such a vicious aura?

In the primordial world, when has there ever been an event that incurred the wrath of heaven and the resentment of man? But if there were no such events, how could such malevolent energy have accumulated?

Zhunti felt his vision blur slightly, and he was immediately shocked. Even a saint like himself could be frightened by this!

The peacock strode forward, flapping its wings, stirring up a fierce wind from the ground. In an instant, the sky darkened, and flying sand and stones blinded people. The earth shook, and both sides were thrown into chaos, with people and horses falling to the ground.

Zhunti saw it clearly; what was flying in the sky was not a raging wind, but clearly wisps of evil spirits!

For a moment, Zhunti was unable to move, but the peacock that was rushing in would not let such an opportunity pass.

The peacock slightly opened its mouth, inhaled sharply, and a vortex rose from its mouth. A surge of swallowing air actually swept Zhunti and a group of Xiqi soldiers into its mouth.

The Twelve Golden Immortals were far away, and seeing that the situation on the other side was not good, they withdrew from the battlefield early, thus avoiding today's calamity.

After the black wind at Golden Rooster Ridge dissipated and the sky cleared, the Twelve Golden Immortals returned to the battlefield.

On the battlefield, a giant peacock was seen pacing on Golden Rooster Ridge, but Zhunti was nowhere to be seen.

The twelve Golden Immortals were immediately startled, but before they could ask any further questions, a voice came from inside the peacock's belly.

"You wicked beast, you have swallowed me today and trapped me in these Five Elements. You will not be able to get out easily, and I'm afraid you will suffer a lot."

The Twelve Golden Immortals recognized the voice as that of the Sage Zhunti. Even such a supreme sage had fallen into Kong Xuan's mouth and been devoured!

Kong Xuan, however, kept his throat tightly shut. Despite the excruciating pain within him, he gritted his teeth and persisted:

"Once you're inside my belly, there's no escaping. Of course, if you can endure it, you can leave through my anus."

"After this incident, I'm afraid your hard-earned reputation and meticulously crafted image will simply vanish."

"Only saints in the world could survive being swallowed by me. I would gladly exchange my life for the fame and glory of a saint."

Zhunti inside his stomach gritted his teeth, but he truly dared not leave through the anus. He was a supreme saint, how could he possibly walk down this foul-smelling path!

If that's the case, then not only will we lose our golden statues, but we won't even be able to keep our saintly appearance!

But this beast was able to endure it, its throat tightly shut, preventing him from escaping at all!

After much hesitation, Zhunti, who had initially intended to kill him outright, finally emerged from his abdomen.

But if that's the case, then I would be born from her body in name only, and I would be committing the act of killing my mother at birth!

If this is the case, one's innate merits are lacking, and let alone a golden body, there will likely be no further progress in future cultivation.

In the end, Zhunti had no choice but to choose the last path, wielding the Seven Treasures Tree and striking the peacock's back.

In an instant, a seven-colored stream of light shot out from the peacock's back, and Kong Xuan screamed and fell to the ground.

After the seven-colored light, Zhunti stepped out of his body and looked at the peacock lying on the ground screaming in pain, filled with resentment!

After waiting a little longer and observing the peacock exhaling more than it inhaled, Zhunti finally intervened to save it.

Looking at the crowd around him, Zhunti said helplessly:

"Peacock, I was born from your body. Although there is no cause and effect, we already have the appearance of mother and child. You should be my mother."

"Now that things have come to this, you shall come with me to the Western Paradise. From this day forward, you shall be the Peacock Buddha Mother, and also the Peacock Great Bright King, the person of the highest status in the Western Paradise."

As soon as he finished speaking, without caring what the people around him thought, Zhunti waved his sleeve and took Kong Xuan into his sleeve.

As they departed, only a voice remained, lingering in the heavens and earth:

"The precious flames and golden light shine brightly in the sun; the most subtle and exquisite Dharma of the West."

A thousand jewels, infinitely wondrous; ten thousand auspicious lights, one after another.

Blessing a sacred pestle is a rare privilege, and entering a seven-jeweled cup is no easy feat.

"Having gathered here together at the Lotus Throne, I now know that the Great Dao has been attained."

A single verse silenced everyone present, and they could only disperse helplessly in the end.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Xiqi also seized Jinji Ridge.

In the chaotic palace of Nuwa, Qingluan seemed to sense something and felt anxious.

After much deliberation, Qingluan finally gritted her teeth and knocked on Nuwa's door. Looking at the puzzled Nuwa above, Qingluan respectfully knelt and then spoke:

"Master, please forgive Qingluan's impetuousness, and I beg you to lend a hand!"

"The Phoenix Clan is, after all, the birthplace of Qingluan. Qingluan cannot bear to see the children of Lord Yuanfeng and Yuanhuang forcibly taken to the West!"

"Please have mercy, Master. Considering the countless years of respectful service the Azure Phoenix has provided and the merits it has made to the world, please lend a helping hand this once."

As Qingluan spoke, she was already sobbing uncontrollably. Lords Yuanfeng and Yuanhuang had already sacrificed enough for the Phoenix Clan, and she simply couldn't bear to see their child being forcibly taken away.

Nuwa was also quite troubled at this moment. If Qi and the others had not taken action earlier, she might have been able to use this as an excuse to forcibly bring the peacock back.

But now they have already made their move, and we have no foothold at all. In the midst of a great calamity, how can we easily manipulate the coming and going of one person, especially since this person is related to a sage?

Just as Nuwa was in a dilemma and turned her gaze to Qi, a knocking sound rang out again outside the Nuwa Palace.

Qi and Nuwa looked up and saw a beautiful figure looking at them with tears in her eyes and a sorrowful gaze.

"Teacher, for some reason, starting just now, I felt a surge of anger and sadness. I didn't want to cry, but I just couldn't stop the tears from flowing."

A soft sob was heard; it was Fengwu who had arrived.

Seeing this, Qi could only sigh deeply before speaking:

"Enough, enough. Pity the unfortunate people of the world. Let this be the end of your karma. As for the matter of the Western Religion and Confucius, I will send someone to persuade them."

Qingluan was overjoyed upon hearing this and kowtowed repeatedly in gratitude. Even after being persuaded to leave by Qi, her joy remained undiminished.

As for Feng Wu, he was taken away by Qing Luan with a blank expression and tears streaming down his face. The person in front of him was not Yuan Huang, but in Qing Luan's heart, he was no different from Yuan Huang.

Qi went out to search for Di Jun and Kunpeng in the Mountain and Sea Realm. It would be better for Kunpeng to handle this matter.

(End of this chapter)