Primordial Era: Taibai, the Poison Master of Yaochi, drives a Sage insane!

At this moment, Jiang Wenhuan was in an extremely difficult and precarious situation.

Bearing a deep-seated hatred, with his father tragically killed, his sister unjustly murdered, and his entire family of loyal martyrs reduced to ruin, he longed to immediately raise an army, personally kill the tyrannical emperor and the wicked concubine, and avenge his family.

However, his foundation was not yet solid. Although he had troops under his command, he lacked top strategists and invincible generals to assist him. His talent pool was dwindling, and his future was uncertain. He had the desire for revenge but no power to turn the tide. He was worried day and night and had no help.

The seven members of Tian Shou are renowned throughout the land, possess exceptional combat prowess, are well-versed in court politics, and have a keen understanding of the primordial world's dynamics. They are the most scarce and sought-after top-tier allies in the present day. Their voluntary surrender is like a godsend, a timely and much-needed boost.

Jiang Wenhuan was overjoyed and, without further hesitation, bowed deeply with utmost sincerity.

"To have the generous assistance of all you celestial beings is truly a blessing for Jiang Wenhuan and for all the people! Thank you all for your support! Please come into the city and visit my residence, so that I may inquire in detail about the state of the world!"

The prevailing social atmosphere is completely different from the ritual system of the Zhou Dynasty that followed the human race.

During the Shang Dynasty, the people were open-minded and the society was inclusive. Women held a high status, and countless women served as generals and ministers in the court and led troops on the battlefield. Women were also common in various places, serving as generals of passes and garrison commanders of prefectures. This was the norm in the world, and no one found it strange.

In contrast, Xiqi had a strict system of etiquette and a clear distinction between superiors and inferiors. Women were mostly confined to the inner quarters, focusing on reproduction and household management. It was difficult for them to get involved in the court, military and political affairs, or to hold great power. Their overall scale and demeanor were already inferior to that of the Shang Dynasty!

The group entered the main hall, where guests and hosts took their seats and maids served tea. The atmosphere inside was solemn, awaiting the discussion of world affairs.

Suppressing his eagerness, Jiang Wenhuan took the initiative to ask for advice, his eyes full of sincerity.

"Gentlemen, you possess great wisdom and vision, and understand the grand scheme of things. Please enlighten Jiang Wenhuan: In today's chaotic world, with its complex and intricate situation, how should I conduct myself and how can I break this deadlock?"

Tian Shou slightly raised his hand, his tone crisp, taking the lead in correcting the titles and establishing his proper status, paving the way for leading troops later.

"My lord, there is no need to address us as fairies. We have now abandoned our immortal duties and left the border to join the struggle for power in this chaotic world, all for the purpose of assisting a wise ruler and pacifying the world. My lord, you may simply call us generals."

"I will follow your advice, General." Jiang Wenhuan immediately changed his form of address and bowed again to ask for guidance, "General Tianshou, please enlighten me on how to break this deadlock."

Tian Shou had already received the complete plan secretly passed down by Li Taibai, and was well aware of the situation in the world, the advantages and disadvantages of the people, and the shortcomings of the feudal lords. At this moment, he slowly and deliberately asked questions, getting straight to the heart of the matter.

"Does your heart, Lord Marquis, dwell on revenge day and night?"

When the topic of family feuds came up, Jiang Wenhuan's eyes instantly blazed with fury. His fists clenched, his hatred overflowing, and his tone was full of grief and indignation.

"My father is dead, my sister is dead, our blood feud is irreconcilable! The wicked concubine wreaks havoc in the palace, the tyrant oppresses the people, he persecutes the loyal and virtuous, he slaughters the feudal lords, if this hatred is not avenged, I will never have peace in this life! If Daji is not punished, if Emperor Xin is not defeated, it will not be enough to quell the anger in my heart and comfort the loyal souls of my entire family!"

Tian Shou nodded slightly and, following the train of thought, slowly unfolded the grand scheme of the Heavenly Dao.

"With such ambition, Lord Marquis, you are destined for great things. Now, Emperor Xin has blasphemed the Goddess Nuwa, offended the Heavenly Way, and sinned against the heavens. The foundation of the Shang Dynasty's fate has long been broken, and its destruction is inevitable. No one can save it."

"This humble Taoist asks Your Excellency, now that the world is in chaos and warlords are rising up everywhere, who do you think can inherit the destiny of the Great Shang Dynasty, rule the world, and become the new rightful heir of the human race?"

Jiang Wenhuan pondered for a moment before answering truthfully.

"Just now, military reports arrived from the front lines: Ji Fa, the Marquis of Xibo, has declared himself King Wu and launched a campaign against Shang. The entire nation has turned against Shang. Looking at the world, perhaps Xiqi can seize the opportunity and take its place?"

Upon hearing this, Tian Shou smiled calmly. Every word he uttered was like a dagger to the heart, tearing away Xiqi's last pretense and exposing its biggest flaw.

"Your Excellency still has faith in Xiqi? Back then, at the Three Mountains Pass, it was Emperor Fuxi who publicly swore an oath to Ji Chang, guaranteeing that Ji Chang would never harbor any rebellious intentions and would never rebel. With Heaven as witness, all the immortals as witnesses, and the world as witnesses, such a supreme promise was made less than a year ago, and Ji Chang died, and Ji Fa immediately broke the oath and raised an army."

"This act is not only deceiving the world and breaking the trust of the people, but also publicly humiliating the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors and putting the ancient sage emperors in an awkward position. Such a faithless and treacherous lineage, stained with defilement and devoid of morality, what right does it have to rule the world and hold the rightful place in the human race?"

His words hit the nail on the head, instantly waking Jiang Wenhuan up.

Jiang Wenhuan lowered his head silently, remaining silent for a long time. His preconceived notions about Xiqi completely collapsed. After a long silence, he solemnly cupped his hands and asked for guidance.

"Jiang Wenhuan is narrow-minded and short-sighted, and almost misjudged the overall situation. I humbly request the general to instruct me carefully: what is the true path to breaking this deadlock?"

Tian Shou's gaze was firm and his reasoning clear. He meticulously reviewed the shortcomings of the various warlords, thoroughly confirming Jiang Wen Huan's legitimacy as the chosen one.

"The four major lords of the human race at present all seem to have the capital to compete for supremacy, but in reality, each has a fatal weakness, and none of them can compare to you, Lord Hou."

"Ji Fa, the Marquis of Xibo, broke his oath and betrayed the faith of the world. The people's hearts and minds were completely broken. He had no morality and his foundation was empty. Even if he took the lead in raising an army, he would hardly become a great man."

"The Marquis of Nanbo has a shallow foundation, weak strength, and is located in a remote area. He is powerless to compete for the rightful rule of the Central Plains and can only live in a corner and drift with the tide."

"The Marquis alone has always been ranked first among the four great marquises. He has a strong foundation and profound prestige. He is also the elder brother of the former empress and a close relative of the royal family. The whole world knows that his family is loyal and brave and has suffered a great injustice throughout the ages. Everyone sympathizes with him and supports him."

"Now that Xiqi has preemptively raised an army, it has gained the upper hand in terms of prestige. At this point, Lord Marquis, there is no need for further forbearance and concealment. You should immediately seize the opportunity, establish yourself as an independent power, raise the banner of rebellion against the Shang, and openly and fairly contend for supremacy over the world, confronting Xiqi squarely and honorably!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wenhuan frowned, still harboring some old-fashioned concerns, and hesitated before speaking.

"But Ji Chang and my late father were always on good terms, and Ji Fa and I are old friends and contemporaries. If I suddenly raise an army and declare myself independent, it would be tantamount to fighting among my own family members to seize the throne. Wouldn't that earn me the reputation of mutual attacks and endless internal strife?"

Seeing this, Tian Shou knew that Jiang Wenhuan was kind-hearted but concerned about his reputation. He immediately pointed out the hidden cause and effect, completely shattering Jiang Wenhuan's obsession.

"How pedantic you are, my lord! Back then, the four great lords were ordered to enter the capital together, but only the Marquis of Xibo, Ji Chang, escaped unharmed, while the other three were either killed, imprisoned, or had their families destroyed. Have you never pondered such a strange matter?"

"Everyone knows that Su Daji's smooth entry into the court and her subsequent chaos in the harem were all facilitated and personally recommended by Ji Chang. The tragic deaths of your father and sister, sir, can all be traced back to Ji Chang!"

Jiang Wenhuan was startled, his pupils contracted sharply, and his body stiffened slightly. No one had ever so bluntly revealed such a hidden danger.

Taking advantage of the momentum, Tian Shou continued to frankly analyze the pros and cons, every word of which was unpleasant to hear but honest advice and the truth of the world.

"If there were no hidden story and Ji Chang was completely innocent, that would be one thing. But if there was a hidden scheme and a premeditated plan, do you think Ji Fa would tolerate you after he seizes the throne?"

"Today, Your Excellency is willing to submit and bow down to others. But when Xiqi establishes its rule over the world, given the Ji family's untrustworthy and treacherous nature, they will surely fear Your Excellency's power and prestige. At that time, it will be the day when the rabbit is killed and the hound is cooked, and the birds are gone and the bow is put away. The foundation of Donglu and the bloodline of the Marquis's mansion will all be doomed!"

"Even the oaths guaranteed by the Heavenly Dao of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors were broken in an instant. How can such a faithless and unrighteous force truly treat its subjects with kindness?"

"Looking at the present situation, if Lord Hou were to seize the opportunity to establish his own army, uphold the righteous cause of revenge, and fight against tyranny for the people, he would not only have the grievances of his family to win the sympathy of the people, but also the righteous path to overthrow the Shang dynasty and gain the right to rule, and would also have the blessing and assistance of the immortals. Talented people and ambitious individuals from all directions would surely come to him and gather in Donglu."

"Even if we are temporarily outmatched in the battle against Xiqi, it is far better to surrender and preserve our foundation than to submit early and be at their mercy!"

"If you hesitate and cling to old ideas, the Great Shang will surely be the first to march east and sweep away Donglu. At that time, you, my lord, will be surrounded by the elite troops of the Great Shang in front of you and the covetous eyes of Xiqi behind you. You will have no way to advance or retreat and will be surrounded by enemies on all sides. In the end, you will only be able to retreat to the East Sea and eke out a living, with no hope of competing for supremacy!"

His words, presented in a progressive manner and clearly distinguishing between advantages and disadvantages, completely shattered all of Jiang Wenhuan's concerns and outdated ideas.

After a moment of deep thought, Jiang Wenhuan suddenly understood, all hesitation vanishing from his eyes, replaced by determination and resolve.

With family feuds and national hatred, the general trend of the world, one's own survival and the continuation of one's foundation, all the reasons are clear, leaving no room for hesitation.

Given the current situation, revolting and establishing independence is the only way out and the only way out.

At that moment, Jiang Wenhuan appointed Tian Shou as prime minister, giving him command of all the troops in the country, and all other officials at all levels were also promoted one rank.

At the same time, immediately after Ji Fa, they raised an army to rebel against the Shang!

In an instant, the world was in an uproar, and Yuanshi Tianzun and the others were all stunned and dumbfounded.

Yuanshi Tianzun and Laozi were furious, while Nuwa was speechless with astonishment.

Tongtian was overjoyed at this moment!

Of course, Tongtian couldn't openly support Jiang Wenhuan, since the Jie Sect was still supporting the Shang Dynasty.

..................

On the prayer mat atop Shouyang Mountain, Laozi and Yuanshi Tianzun quietly surveyed the new changes on the human land, witnessing the entire process of Jiang Wenhuan of Donglu's decision to raise an army and the full support of the Seven Immortals of Heaven. The two sages' expressions changed drastically at the same time, their eyes filled with disbelief and astonishment.

In all previous games, Yaochi merely took advantage of the situation and stirred up the situation of the Investiture of the Gods. She only dared to secretly seize small opportunities and reap scattered merits, and never truly stepped into the core struggle for the destiny of the human race.

However, by supporting Jiang Wenhuan and entering the struggle for supremacy in Donglu, they have already transcended the boundaries of being bystanders. They are openly interfering in the changes of the human race and vying for the destiny of the protagonist of heaven and earth, which has completely touched the core interests of the Chan Sect's plan for eternity.

As the initial shock subsided, a suppressed anger slowly welled up in Laozi's heart. The sage's state of mind rarely fluctuated, but at this moment, he could not hide his melancholy.

"This Jade Pool has completely revealed its ambitions; it actually intends to interfere in the succession of the human race and control the vast fortune of the human emperor!"

Yuanshi Tianzun, standing to the side, took a deep breath, his anger surging within him, his bottom line of years of forbearance finally being crossed.

Originally, Yaochi secretly amassed some minor merits and gained meager opportunities during the Investiture of the Gods calamity. However, Yuanshi Tianzun always chose to be patient and tolerant out of respect for Daozu Hongjun, and never took action to calculate any gains or losses.

In the primordial struggle, everyone relies on their own methods, and the scramble for small gains is a normal occurrence in countless eons. As a great sect of saints, the Chan Sect has no need to be so concerned with trivial gains and losses.

But the situation is completely different now.

Yaochi was no longer content with minor merits and took the initiative to make arrangements, secretly selecting human princes as supporters to stir up the world and compete for the right to the Human Emperor. This was a major taboo that directly seized the foundation of the Chan Sect and shook the Chan Sect's eternal plan.

The destiny of the human race and the legitimacy of the Human Emperor are the core forces that the Chan Sect has painstakingly cultivated and meticulously planned over hundreds of years, which it exclusively controls. No one is allowed to intercept or arbitrarily interfere with them.

The Primordial Celestial Venerable's gaze was icy, and his tone was resolute as he spoke to Laozi in a deep voice.

"Senior brother, Yaochi's actions this time have gone too far and there is no need to tolerate it any longer. I will go to Yaochi Wonderland immediately to teach them a lesson and suppress their arrogant ambitions."

Yuanshi Tianzun understood perfectly that Yaochi's initiative to intervene, support the feudal lords, and stir up trouble among the human race was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but a premeditated plan aimed at the main destiny of the human race. Yaochi sought to shed its puppet status, truly take control of a region, and establish itself in the primordial world's power struggle.

Such thoughts of seizing core fortune are a bottom line that the Primordial Celestial Venerable absolutely cannot tolerate.

Lao Tzu sat quietly on his meditation cushion, pondered for a moment, and did not intervene, tacitly approving of the action.

"It's good to go and test the waters. It's a good opportunity to see where the teacher's bottom line is, to find out the teacher's attitude towards this matter, and then make a further decision."

In Lao Tzu's view, it was still within the tolerable range for Yaochi to collect some minor merits and earn small profits over countless eons.

However, his inflated ambitions, attempts to seize the destiny of the Human Emperor, disruption of the human race's succession, and attempts to divide up the main forces of the prehistoric world have already crossed the red line in the game between the sages.

If this is tolerated, the Heavenly Court's power will grow stronger and its ambitions will become more intense, inevitably disrupting the overall structure of the Investiture of the Gods and shaking the entire plan of the Chan Sect.

At that moment, the two sages reached a consensus and decided to no longer tolerate or back down.

Without further hesitation, the Primordial Celestial Venerable slightly restrained his holy might, took a step out of the Jade Void Palace, his figure shattered the void, instantly crossed the clouds and seas of the heavens, and directly descended to the Jade Pool Immortal Realm beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens.

At this moment, Yaochi had already made thorough preparations.

From the moment she resolved to no longer be a puppet in the primordial game and no longer be manipulated by the sages, Yaochi had already foreseen today's situation. She knew that interfering with the fate of the human race and disrupting the plans of the Chan Sect would inevitably provoke the wrath and accountability of the Primordial Heavenly Venerable.

Before the Primordial Celestial Venerable could descend, Yaochi had already moved to the front of the Dao Ancestor Temple and waited quietly.

The divine sense of a sage pervades all the heavens. As long as he descends to the mortal realm, he can instantly lock onto the location of his target and take up positions beneath the Dao Ancestor's temple in advance. This is currently the safest way to protect himself.

Yes, staying at the Daozu Temple is the right thing to do right now. Yaochi also knows that the current Yuanshi Tianzun has come with anger.

Only here, the Dao Ancestor intimidated the Primordial Heavenly Venerable, while Li Taibai completely avoided the situation, because Li Taibai was truly unable to participate at this moment!