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

That's enough.

A detached voice came from the heavens.

The void cracked open, and a figure in purple robes slowly emerged.

The Dao Ancestor Hongjun has returned!

His gaze swept over Yuan Shi and then over Kong Xuan, his voice devoid of sorrow or joy:

"Yuanshi, you have defied the imperial decree by attacking a person below the sage first, and now you intend to fight Kong Xuan to the death."

"He should be punished."

Yuanshi trembled and immediately bowed:

"Master, your disciple..."

"I am confined to Kunlun Mountain for a period of quiet meditation at the Wanyuan Society."

Hongjun interrupted him, his voice leaving no room for argument:

"The affairs of the Chan Sect during the Investiture of the Gods calamity are entrusted to Laozi for management."

"If you disobey again..."

The Dao Ancestor lowered his gaze slightly:

"Remove him from his holy position."

boom!

These words struck like a thunderbolt.

Yuanshi's face turned ashen, and he staggered backward, his eyes filled with resentment, but he dared not speak again.

"As for you, Kong Xuan."

Hongjun looked at Kong Xuan:

"Although you did not make a move, you watched as the Three Immortals set up an array to weaken the cultivation of the Twelve Golden Immortals, and there is cause and effect to that."

"Then you shall be punished... never to leave Jinji Ridge again."

"If you step out of Golden Rooster Ridge before the end of the Investiture of the Gods calamity, Heaven will not tolerate it."

Kong Xuan frowned slightly, but did not refute, only cupped his hands in greeting:

"Your disciple obeys."

Hongjun nodded slightly and waved his sleeve.

A purple aura descended from the sky, enveloping the battlefield of Chuanyun Pass.

The fallen soldiers and cultivators, their remnants and true spirits, all rose up and disappeared into the purple aura, heading towards the Heavenly Court's Investiture of the Gods List.

"The Great Tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods, continues."

"In mortal warfare, each side relies on its own methods."

"The sage...must not interfere further."

As the words fell, the Dao Ancestor's figure slowly faded away.

The void returned to calm.

All that remained below was a mountain of corpses and a sea of ​​blood, the twelve Golden Immortals whose cultivation had been completely destroyed, and... utter desolation.

Kong Xuan gave Yuanshi a deep look, then turned and took a step, disappearing into the void.

He went back to Jinjiling.

Starting today, the final stage of the Investiture of the Gods tribulation officially begins.

Kong Xuan will be stationed at Jinji Ridge, becoming the final barrier between Xiqi and King Zhou!

Yuanshi stared intently in the direction Kong Xuan had left, his eyes filled with boundless hatred.

After a long while, he slowly turned around, looking at his miserable disciples below and the defeated Xiqi army.

"Jiang Ziya".

The primordial voice was hoarse:

"withdraw troops."

"We will postpone our attack on Chuanyun Pass for now."

"I will consider this further."

Having said that, he rode the Nine Dragons Incense Chariot, transformed into a stream of light, and fled towards Kunlun Mountain.

A 10,000 yuan meeting was held under lockdown.

How should we proceed with the grand plan of expounding the teachings?

Yuanshi didn't know.

But he knew that this grudge... must be avenged!

Kong Xuan, just you wait!

......

Jinji Ridge, General's Residence.

Kong Xuan sat cross-legged in the quiet room, his body surrounded by chaotic energy, and the illusory image of the Five Elements Great Dao River appeared and disappeared.

Although the battle of Chuanyun Pass had ended, the unease in his heart had not dissipated.

The Taoist Ancestor appeared and gave everyone equal punishment, which seemed fair, but actually concealed a hidden meaning.

Yuanshi was confined to his quarters, and Laozi took over the management of the Chan sect.

While the disciples of the Jie Sect were not allowed to leave Jinji Ridge, they were free to move about.

This clearly keeps the Great Calamity under control at the level of "below the level of a sage," while secretly relaxing the restrictions on the Jie Sect.

"What is the Dao Ancestor testing?"

Kong Xuan's eyes were deep, and he lightly tapped the table with his fingertips.

The Chaos Demon God's origins endowed him with a keen sense of the Great Dao, allowing him to vaguely perceive that behind this Investiture of the Gods calamity, there seemed to be a deeper game being played.

It's not just a struggle for destiny among the three schools of Taoism, nor is it just about filling the vacancies in the Heavenly Court.

It's more like... a kind of cleansing, a kind of screening.

"That's enough."

After a moment, Kong Xuan shook his head, putting these distracting thoughts to the back of his mind.

Whatever schemes might be behind it, as long as the Jie Sect and the Shang Dynasty can win, as long as Mother Yuanfeng can escape, and as long as the Phoenix Clan's karma can be resolved, nothing else matters.

A glint flashed in his eyes, and he had already made up his mind.

"Duobao".

Kong Xuan's lips moved slightly, and a telepathic message pierced through the air, reaching the Shang Dynasty's camp at Chuanyun Pass.

The transmitted message carried the authoritative aura of the Vice Leader's decree, leaving no room for doubt.

"Come see me."

......

Chuanyun Pass, the Shang Dynasty's main camp.

Inside the tent, Zhao Gongming sat cross-legged, his face still pale.

Twenty-four Sea-Stabilizing Pearls floated in front of him, their faint blue light dimming, and tiny cracks appeared on the pearls.

Although his cultivation was not completely destroyed like that of the Twelve Golden Immortals after the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation was broken, he still suffered a huge loss and his origin was damaged.

"Brother, take this pill first."

Yunxiao handed over a crimson pill, its aura swirling, with the faint image of a phoenix hovering within.

This is a secret pill from the Phoenix Clan, bestowed upon me by Kong Xuan. It is made from the essence of the immortal volcano's earth fire and has miraculous effects on healing injuries.

Zhao Gongming took the medicine and closed his eyes to regulate his breathing.

Qiongxiao and Bixiao stood to one side, their faces solemn.

"Although we won this battle, it was a fierce one."

Qiongxiao whispered:

"The cultivation of the Twelve Golden Immortals has been completely destroyed, Ran Deng is seriously injured, and Xiqi's vitality has been greatly depleted, leaving it unable to launch another attack in the short term."

"But we also suffered significant losses."

Bixiao gripped the Golden Dragon Scissors tightly, and cracks began to appear on the blades.

"The Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation has been broken, the Primordial Golden Cauldron has been damaged, and my elder brother's very essence has been injured..."

Before the words were finished, footsteps suddenly came from outside the tent.

Daoist Duobao lifted the curtain and entered, his face calm.

"Brother Duobao."

The three immortals rose and paid their respects.

Duobao waved his hand, walked up to Zhao Gongming, scanned him with his divine sense, and frowned slightly.

"The source has been damaged by 30%, and it will take at least a hundred years of quiet recuperation to recover."

He flipped his hand and took out a golden spiritual herb. The lotus seed was crystal clear and had a faint Buddhist light flowing through it.

"This medicinal herb has the effect of nourishing the body's essence."

Zhao Gongming opened his eyes and looked at the spiritual herb, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"Brother Duobao, this item..."

"Take it." Duobao handed over the spiritual herb. "Now that we are in the midst of a great calamity, the disciples of the Jie Sect should work together to overcome this challenge."

Zhao Gongming no longer refused, accepted the lotus seeds and ate them, and his recovery speed immediately accelerated.

"Thank you, senior brother."

Duobao nodded, about to speak, when he suddenly stopped.

A faint light flashed between his brows, and the voice transmission of the Vice Sect Leader's order rang in his mind.

"Duobao, come and see me."

Kong Xuan's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority.

Duobao's pupils constricted slightly.

Why is Kong Xuan sending this message now?

He did not participate in the battle at Chuanyun Pass, because Master Tongtian had given him instructions beforehand.

"Duobao, during this great calamity, there is one person you must be especially wary of."

"Lu Ya Dao Ren, a disciple of Nuwa."

"Although this person is not a saint, he wields the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife and is connected to the fate of the demon race. There may be a scheme by Nuwa behind him."

"If he shows up, you must deal with him personally and never let him interfere in the battle."

For this reason, Duobao remained behind the scenes throughout the battle of Chuanyun Pass and never made a move.

Even when the Twelve Golden Immortals were trapped in the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation, and even when Randeng was severely injured by the combined forces of Zhao Gongming and Jinling Shengmu, he merely watched coldly from the sidelines.

Could it be that Vice Master Kong Xuan... is holding me accountable because I didn't take action?

Duobao's mind raced, but his face remained impassive.

"Junior Brother Gongming, you should rest and recuperate well."

He looked at the Three Immortals of Sanxiao: "Junior sisters, you will temporarily take care of the affairs in the camp. I'm going to Jinji Ridge."

Yunxiao nodded: "Senior brother, please go ahead."

Duobao said no more, his figure flickered and transformed into golden light as he fled from the camp, heading straight for Golden Rooster Ridge.

......

Jinji Ridge, the quiet room of the General's Mansion.

Kong Xuan sat upright on the cloud bed, closing his eyes and concentrating.

Chaotic energy circulated around his body, and the origin of the Five Elements Dao floated and sank in his primordial spirit, constantly refining the newly condensed Primordial Dao Fruit.

Although the Primordial Golden Immortal has attained enlightenment, his realm is not yet completely stable.

He has only grasped one-tenth of the Five Elements Dao, and there is still a long way to go before he can fully master it.

However, even so, his strength far surpasses that of ordinary Heavenly Saints.

"brush."

With a thought, Kong Xuan manifested a chaotic divine light behind him.

Within the divine light, the branches of the Seven Treasures Tree floated and sank, though broken, they still exuded the aura of a saint's magical treasure.

This is loot from the battle of the Immortal Volcano.

Even if Zhunti's natal magic weapon is just a broken branch, it contains the essence of the Buddhist path. If one can refine it, it will greatly benefit one's understanding of Buddhist supernatural powers.

"Unfortunately, the cause and effect are too heavy."

Kong Xuan shook his head, temporarily suppressing the idea of ​​refining it.

Although Zhunti was confined to his quarters, Jieyin remained, and the fortunes of the Western religion had not declined.

Refining the branches of the Seven Treasures Tree at this moment will inevitably trigger karmic consequences within Buddhism, resulting in more harm than good.

Just as I was pondering this, I heard footsteps outside the quiet room.

"Vice Leader, Duobao requests an audience."

Duobao's voice rang out from outside the door.

"Enter."

Kong Xuan concealed his aura, and the chaotic divine light receded inward.

The door opened, and Daoist Duobao entered the meditation room, bowing respectfully.

"Greetings, Vice Leader."

Kong Xuan raised his eyes and his gaze fell on Duobao.

This senior disciple of the Jie Sect has reached the peak of Quasi-Saint, and is only one step away from becoming a Saint.

What's even more remarkable is that he is calm and composed, thorough in his dealings, and deeply trusted by the Tongtian Sect Leader.

"Why didn't you participate in the battle of Chuanyun Pass?"

Kong Xuan got straight to the point, his voice calm.

Duobao was startled; it was indeed about this matter.

He dared not conceal the truth and immediately replied, "Reporting to the Vice Master, my master instructed me to be wary of Lu Ya Daoist, who is under Nuwa's command."

"This person wields the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife and is connected to the fate of the demon race. There may be a scheming plot by the sage Nuwa behind him."

"If I act rashly, Lu Ya may take advantage of the situation and disrupt the battle."

Upon hearing this, Kong Xuan's eyes flickered slightly.

Lu Ya Daoist...

He naturally knew this person.

In his past life memories, Lu Ya appeared in the later stages of the Investiture of the Gods, using the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife to kill several masters of the Jie Sect. He also helped the Chan Sect break the formation in the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation, making him a formidable enemy of the Jie Sect.

However, now that the Investiture of the Gods has changed because of him, it is reasonable that Lu Ya was sent out by Nuwa ahead of time.

"Nuwa..."

Kong Xuan muttered to himself, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

This Holy Mother of Humanity, after becoming a saint herself, lived in seclusion in the Nuwa Palace and rarely interfered in the affairs of the primordial world.

The Investiture of the Gods was originally a period of change for human dynasties, and as a Holy Mother, she should have remained neutral.

But now they've sent Lu Ya down the mountain. What is their intention?

"Where is Lu Ya now?" Kong Xuan asked.

Duobao shook his head: "This disciple does not know. Since the start of the battle at Chuanyun Pass, Lu Ya has not shown himself, but this disciple can sense a faint demonic aura lingering around the perimeter of the battlefield, which is probably him."

Kong Xuan nodded.

Lu Ya cultivates the supernatural powers of the demon race and wields a ferocious treasure like the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife, so his ability to conceal his aura is naturally extraordinary.

It was already quite an achievement that Duobao was able to sense his presence.

"You did a good job."

Kong Xuan slowly said, "Lu Ya is someone we must be wary of. He is not only a pawn of Nuwa, but also connected to the remaining fortune of the demon race, and there may be a deeper scheme behind him."

Duobao breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a weight lifted from his shoulders.

The vice-leader did not blame himself.

"So... what are the Vice Leader's plans next?"

Duobao asked, "Although we have won at Chuanyun Pass, Xiqi's vitality has not been lost, the Chan Sect is still under the care of the sage Laozi, and the Western Sect is also observing. The great calamity is far from over."

Kong Xuan got up, walked to the window, and looked westward.

As the sun sets, its afterglow, like blood, soaks the Jinji Ridge mountains.

"It's simple, just charge up Kunlun Mountain now!"

Upon hearing this, Duobao stood there dumbfounded.

Did he personally storm Mount Kunlun?

The vice-leader thinks too highly of himself.

I am only at the peak of Quasi-Saint, while Kunlun Mountain has Master Yuanshi.

Upon hearing Kong Xuan's next words, Duobao was completely stunned!