Primordial Era: Starting by overwhelming the Sages, Hongjun was stunned!

Upon hearing Jieyin's words, Zhunti was taken aback at first, then a sinister smile suddenly appeared in his eyes.

"What you say is absolutely right, Senior Brother!"

His voice was hoarse, filled with the satisfaction of finally avenging a great grudge:

"Yuanshi is the most concerned with appearances, and he regards his twelve Golden Immortals as the future of the Chan Sect."

"Now that Kong Xuan has joined the Jie Sect and is under the protection of Tongtian, he has already lost face."

"If Kong Xuan were to break through to the next level and take charge of Golden Rooster Ridge, how would the Twelve Golden Immortals possibly pass?"

Zhunti felt increasingly pleased with himself, as if he could already see the Heavenly Lord of the Primordial Beginning in a state of utter distress.

The chains of cause and effect rattled loudly, but he paid no heed, only gritting his teeth and laughing:

"The fact that the towering peaks obscure Jin'ao Island must mean that Kong Xuan is breaking through in seclusion."

"If this child truly advances further..."

"At that time, in the Battle of Jinji Ridge, Guang Chengzi and his men will likely be completely wiped out!"

The guide nodded slowly, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

"That's exactly right."

"Yuanshi will never sit idly by."

He looked up towards the east. Although the sage's divine sense was blocked by the Golden Turtle Island sword formation, he could still sense the undercurrent surging.

"It's time for the Xiqi army to move."

......

Kunlun Mountain, Yuxu Palace.

Beneath the radiant glow of the sunset, the Primordial Celestial Venerable sat regally in his Nine-Dragon Incense Chariot, his face as somber as water.

A water mirror floated in front of him, and the scene reflected in the mirror was clearly the area outside Jin'ao Island.

The four swords of Zhuxian stood in four directions, their sword energy intertwining to form a sky-covering array that completely enveloped the entire immortal island.

The sword light flowed, and the Daoist aura soared to the heavens, so powerful that even the thoughts of a sage could not penetrate it.

"Tongtian...do you really intend to protect Kong Xuan to the very end?"

Yuanshi's voice was icy cold, carrying a chilling aura.

Behind him, the White Crane Boy trembled, not daring to even breathe loudly.

Ever since Master withdrew his divine consciousness from the south, the atmosphere in Jade Void Palace has been oppressive and suffocating.

The news of Zhunti's defeat in the battle of the Immortal Volcano and Kong Xuan's entry into the Jie Sect struck Yuanshi like a thunderbolt.

What enraged him even more was that Tongtian directly bestowed upon Kong Xuan the position of Vice Leader!

This is clearly a slap in the face to him!

The Investiture of the Gods was originally an opportunity for the rise of the Chan Sect. The Twelve Golden Immortals descended the mountain to assist Xiqi, breaking through barriers and defeating generals with unstoppable momentum.

But now, Kong Xuan stands in the way of Jinji Ridge.

Kong Xuan, who could harm even a sage!

"Guang Chengzi and the others...can't stop them."

Yuanshi closed his eyes, his mind racing with deductions.

Although the secrets of the Great Tribulation are chaotic, the overall trend remains clear.

Xiqi broke through the Sishui and Jiepai passes in succession, and its military force headed straight for Chuanyun Pass.

Beyond Chuanyun Pass lies Jinji Ridge.

The garrison commander of Jinji Ridge is none other than Kong Xuan!

"If Kong Xuan were to go into seclusion and break through..."

Yuan Shi suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze flashing with a cold light:

"No, absolutely not!"

He raised his hand and waved it, shattering the water mirror.

"white crane."

"Disciple is here!"

The White Crane Boy hurriedly stepped forward.

"Transmit my decree."

The primordial voice was like iron:

"Order Jiang Ziya to accelerate the advance; he must breach Chuanyun Pass within three days!"

The white crane boy trembled all over:

"Master, the generals guarding Chuanyun Pass are the Xu brothers, and they have heretical cultivators assisting them. I'm afraid..."

"Um?"

Yuanshi's gaze swept over.

The White Crane Boy immediately fell silent, drenched in cold sweat.

"Your disciple obeys!"

He dared not say more, bowed and stepped back, transformed into his original form as a white crane, and flapped his wings to head towards the Xiqi camp.

Inside the Jade Void Palace, only Yuanshi remained.

He slowly rose, walked to the palace gate, and looked towards Jin'ao Island.

"Tongtian, do you think you can protect Kong Xuan by concealing heavenly secrets?"

Yuanshi sneered:

"Although the Shang Dynasty was prosperous, Kong Xuan, as the commander-in-chief of Sanshan Pass, had his duties to fulfill."

"With the Xiqi army pressing in, if he does not leave the pass, he will be derelict in his duty."

"At that time, the Shang Dynasty's fortune will backfire, and his seclusion will surely be broken!"

A calculating glint flashed in Yuan Shi's eyes.

Kong Xuan obtained the position of vice leader of the Jie Sect and was protected by the sect's fortune, which was indeed a troublesome situation.

But don't forget, he also had another identity: the general of the Three Mountains Pass of the Yin Shang Dynasty!

This position was conferred by the Shang Dynasty's fortune and was linked to the nation's destiny.

If the Xiqi army attacks Jinji Ridge but Kong Xuan is not inside the pass, it would be considered dereliction of duty.

At that time, the Shang Dynasty's fortune will automatically backfire, causing damage to cultivation at best and the collapse of one's foundation at worst!

......

Xiqi Camp, Central Command Tent.

Jiang Ziya, holding the God-Slaying Whip, was discussing military matters with generals such as Yang Jian and Nezha.

A marching map was laid out on the table, with the red line already crossing Sishui Pass and Jiepai Pass, pointing straight to Chuanyun Pass.

"Uncle-Master, Xu Fang, the garrison commander of Chuanyun Pass, has a brother named Xu Gai who has already surrendered to our Xiqi. Perhaps we can persuade him to surrender as well."

Yang Jian pointed to the map and said in a deep voice.

Nezha shook his head:

"Senior Brother Yang Jian, you may not know this, but Xu Fang has a fiery temper and has always been at odds with your brother."

"If Xu Gai surrenders, he will only hate us more. There's no point in trying to persuade him to surrender."

Lei Zhenzi interjected:

"Why not launch a full-scale attack? Our army has won consecutive victories and is in high spirits. What is there to fear from Chuanyun Pass?"

The generals were abuzz with discussion.

Jiang Ziya, however, frowned deeply, feeling uneasy.

Since the day before yesterday, he has felt an inexplicable sense of oppression, as if something big is about to happen.

Just as he was pondering this, a crane's cry suddenly came from outside the tent.

"The White Crane Boy?"

Jiang Ziya was taken aback and quickly got up to greet him.

Then the White Crane Boy transformed into a Taoist boy, holding the Jade Purity Immortal Talisman, his face solemn.

"Uncle-Master Jiang, this is the decree from the Sect Leader."

The White Crane Boy handed over the magic talisman.

Jiang Ziya accepted it with both hands and scanned it with his divine sense.

The next moment, his expression changed drastically!

"Break through Chuanyun Pass within three days?"

Jiang Ziya lost his voice.

The generals inside the tent were all startled upon hearing this.

Yang Jian frowned:

"Uncle-Master, Chuanyun Pass is a dangerous place, with no less than 100,000 troops guarding it, and even more evil cultivators assisting in the battle."

"Three days...is that too rushed?"

Nezha also said:

"Yes, Uncle-Master. Our soldiers have been fighting for days and desperately need rest. If we launch a strong attack now, we risk heavy casualties."

How could Jiang Ziya not know this?

But the Jade Purity Law is as firm as a mountain; how can it be disobeyed?

He took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and said in a deep voice:

"Since the sect leader has issued a decree, there must be a deeper meaning behind it."

"Order the entire army to rest for half a day, and tonight at midnight, launch a full-scale attack on Chuanyun Pass!"

The generals looked at each other, but dared not object, and could only bow in greeting.

"Yes, sir!"

The military order was issued, and the Xiqi camp immediately erupted in excitement.

The war drums sounded, and the banners fluttered in the wind.

Countless soldiers donned armor and wielded spears, their killing intent soaring to the heavens.

Jiang Ziya stood on the command platform, looking eastward toward Chuanyun Pass, but his heart was filled with coldness.

He vaguely guessed why his master was in such a hurry.

Something must have happened.

......

Side hall on Jin'ao Island.

The chaotic halo of light slowly receded like a tide, disappearing entirely into Kong Xuan's body.

He sat cross-legged, his body radiating Daoist energy, and the Five Elements manifested in his presence.

The five colors of light—blue, yellow, red, black, and white—intertwined and rotated, eventually merging into a state of chaos.

Kong Xuan slowly opened his eyes.

His eyes seemed to hold the birth and death of the Five Elements world, and the illusory image of the Great Dao River flashed by.

"It's done..."

He muttered to himself, his voice calm, yet unable to conceal a hint of joy.

Two sublimations!

For the first time, his understanding of the Five Elements Laws, which was originally 50%, was directly increased to 70%.

The second time, we raised it from 70% to 100% perfection!

The whole process took only a short hour.

Such a speed of cultivation is truly astonishing.

If he hadn't previously elevated his foundation to the level of a top-tier Chaos God or Demon, which greatly increased his affinity for the laws of the Great Dao, he would probably have needed at least a third sublimation to reach perfection.

After all, perfection represents complete control over a law.

In the primordial world, even saints rarely comprehend a law to its fullest extent.

The Heavenly Sage attained sainthood by relying on the Primordial Purple Qi, and his understanding of the laws was more of a "borrowing" than a "controlling" of them.

The ultimate goal of a Primordial Golden Immortal is to completely master the laws of the Great Dao.

Although Kong Xuan is only at the peak of the Hunyuan Golden Immortal realm, his mastery of the Five Elements Laws is perfected. In terms of control over the Five Elements Laws alone, he is no weaker than a sage!