At this moment, a line of ice-blue text appeared in front of Shen Gongbao:

[Optional Task 1: Personal Dignity Must Not Be Trampled On]

[Requirement: Argue with Yuanshi Tianzun on reason and prove that your actions injuring Jiang Ziya were justifiable]

[Duration: Three days]

[Difficulty: Three stars]

[Reward: Shen Gongbao's self-esteem]

[Optional Task 2: A wise man doesn't fight a losing battle]

[Requirement: Apologize to Jiang Ziya in public]

[Duration: Three days]

[Difficulty: One star]

[Reward: One Gold-level lottery draw (new player benefits increased by two tiers)]

Shen Gongbao's fingertip hovered in front of the light screen, and he suddenly chuckled. The surrounding ice crystals reflected the mocking curve of his lips. How afraid was the system of him choosing the first option? It even specially raised the level of the reward for him by two tiers.

But don't worry, in this life I will never again compromise myself for the sake of other people's opinions.

In this life, I will prioritize money above all else.

It's just an apology; it won't cost me anything.

Without any hesitation, Shen Gongbao went straight to Task 2.

………………

At the summit of Kunlun Mountain, stands the Jade Void Palace.

Golden light shone in countless rays, and auspicious clouds stretched out in thousands of strands.

A twelve-tiered lotus platform floated in the void, with the Primordial Celestial Venerable sitting high on a cloud bed, shrouded in auspicious clouds, his holy might vast and boundless.

As the Boundless Immortal ascended the steps, he encountered many disciples who had just finished listening to the Primordial Celestial Venerable's sermon, and they greeted him warmly.

The Immortal Elder smiled and responded to each one.

Looking at the venerable Immortal Wuliang, who exuded an air of otherworldly wisdom, the disciples couldn't help but sigh in admiration:

"As expected of our senior brother of the Chan Sect, he truly has the demeanor of an immortal!"

"This is what disciples of the Chan Sect should look like. Unlike Shen Gongbao, who is pale as a bone, with high cheekbones and narrow eyes, only a furry and horned person like him would do something like harming his fellow disciples!"

"That's right, I don't know what the Celestial Venerable was thinking back then. He really let this one bad apple spoil the whole bunch at Jade Void Palace!"

The whispers, like venomous snakes, entered his ears, and the smile on the face of the Boundless Immortal gradually faded, his fingers under his wide sleeves tightening slightly.

He recalled Shen Gongbao's excessively calm eyes in the Frozen Prison.

Junior Brother Shen is not as bad as they say.

Everything he did was simply to prove himself.

Ultimately, however, it was because Junior Brother Shen acted too recklessly that he incurred the displeasure of his fellow disciples.

The Boundless Immortal shook his head.

After this incident, he will re-instruct Junior Brother Shen, helping him to reform and regain the recognition of his fellow disciples.

The most important thing now is to obtain Master's forgiveness.

Lost in thought, the Boundless Immortal Elder had unknowingly arrived at the Jade Void Palace. Looking at the Primordial Heavenly Venerable seated high on his cloud throne, he first bowed, then proclaimed in a clear voice:

"Master, your disciple has a request!"

The Primordial Celestial Venerable's plain white Daoist robe was adorned with three thousand law runes, and golden lotuses bloomed wherever his robe swept across the ground. A purple-gold vertical mark adorned his brow, its opening and closing revealing the creation and destruction of chaos. Looking at the bewildered Boundless Immortal Elder, he spoke coldly:

"What is it?"

The Boundless Immortal gritted his teeth, then lifted his Taoist robe and knelt down on both knees:

“Master, Junior Brother Shen has admitted his mistake. Please withdraw the punishment.”

Upon hearing Wuliang Xianweng's words, Jiang Ziya also stepped forward, knelt beside him, and proclaimed:

“Master, since Senior Brother Shen has admitted his mistake, please forgive him this time. The Frost Prison is bitterly cold, and Senior Brother cannot bear it.”

"The Frozen Prison is bitterly cold? It's a place meant for imprisoning great demons, so why is it unsuitable for Shen Gongbao?"

A harsh voice rang out; it was Ju Liusun, one of the Twelve Golden Immortals, who spoke.

Jiang Ziya pursed his lips and explained:

“But that’s Senior Brother Shen after all, and he’s definitely different from the demons outside.”

Ju Liusun sneered:

"They're all beasts with fur and horns, what's the difference? Junior Brother Jiang, you're too kind. You've been injured so badly by that beast, and you're still speaking up for him!"

Jiang Ziya gave a shy smile:

"Senior Brother Shen was too eager to win, which is why he used such force against me. He definitely wouldn't have done that under normal circumstances."

Ju Liusun scoffed.

“Junior Brother Jiang, you think too highly of people. No, you should say you think too highly of demons. Someone like Shen Gongbao, who has fur and horns, dared to attack you, a fellow disciple, in broad daylight. If he were in another place, who knows what even more outrageous things he might do? In my opinion, he should reflect on his actions in the Frozen Prison, so that he won't bring shame to our Jade Void Palace when he comes out!”

Upon hearing this, many people present nodded in agreement.

Seeing this, the Boundless Immortal became somewhat anxious and quickly looked at the Primordial Heavenly Venerable and said:

“Master, this time Junior Brother Shen truly knows he was wrong. Besides, he is a second-generation disciple of our Jade Void Palace. Being imprisoned in the Frost Prison is really unpleasant. Don’t worry, after he comes out this time, I will definitely teach him properly and never let him make such a mistake again.”

Yuanshi Tianzun pondered for a moment:

"Take my talisman and seal tomorrow to summon the person!"

The Boundless Immortal was delighted:

"Thank you, Master!"

The Celestial Venerable of Primordial Beginning's expression turned solemn:

"Don't be too happy yet. Ju Liusun is right. Shen Gongbao dared to attack his fellow disciple in front of everyone. He obviously hasn't deeply understood the teachings of our Chan Sect. If we just let him go like this, who knows what kind of mistakes he will make next time. Tomorrow, you must make him apologize to Ziya in public. That's the bottom line."

"Master, rest assured, I will make sure that Junior Brother Shen apologizes to Junior Brother Jiang."

The Boundless Immortal had already considered this point beforehand.

Severely injuring a fellow disciple is a mistake that Junior Brother Shen should never have made.

Apologizing to Junior Brother Jiang is only right and proper.

Yuanshi Tianzun waved his hand, signaling everyone to leave.

As Jiang Ziya left the Jade Void Palace, he said with some worry:

"Senior Brother, I know Senior Brother Shen's personality. Making him apologize to me in front of everyone would be worse for him than killing him. He definitely won't accept it. Anyway, I'm not seriously injured. I think we should just let it go and not make Senior Brother Shen apologize."

The Boundless Immortal waved his hand:

“Junior Brother Jiang, you should admit your mistakes. Don’t worry, I will take care of getting Shen Gongbao to apologize.”

"Junior Brother Jiang, you're just too kind. It's just an apology. Who is Shen Gongbao anyway? Why can't you accept it?"

Having said that, Julusun turned to look at the Boundless Immortal:

"Senior Brother, I think an apology is too lenient on Shen Gongbao."

"Although Master has intended for Junior Brother Jiang to take charge of the Investiture of the Gods this time, before the Jade Void Palace martial arts competition, Master clearly stated that the winner of the competition would determine who would take charge of the Investiture of the Gods. How can we, as disciples, put Master in a difficult position?"

"In my opinion, we should make Shen Gongbao voluntarily give up his control of the Investiture of the Gods tomorrow. This way, we can save Master's face and also offset Shen Gongbao's sins. What do you think?"