Kunlun Mountain, Jade Void Palace.
Yuanshi Tianzun sat at the head of the table, with a gathering of immortals in the main hall, and his second-generation disciples, led by Randeng, standing at the very front.
Following them were numerous third and fourth generation disciples, all of whom had been summoned back.
Ran Deng looked around and found that several people had not yet arrived: Taiyi Zhenren, Cihang, Puxian, and Jianglong. None of these four had appeared.
Yuanshi clearly noticed this as well, but he didn't seem to care. His gaze swept over everyone, and they all lowered their heads involuntarily.
The Chan Sect currently has only a few hundred disciples, which is a drop in the ocean compared to the Jie Sect. This is why Yuanshi Tianzun has always been wary of Tongtian.
"I have summoned you here today to make arrangements. The great calamity has officially begun. Back then, the three religions jointly signed the Investiture of the Gods, and all living beings within the universe will be subject to this calamity," Yuanshi said calmly.
Upon hearing this, the disciples trembled slightly.
Everyone had already heard about the Investiture of the Gods. They knew that once someone was listed, not only would their cultivation stagnate, but they would also be bound by the Investiture of the Gods and become a god of the Heavenly Court. For them, who were used to being carefree, this was no different from having a deadly sword hanging over their heads. At this moment, apart from the Twelve Golden Immortals, all the other disciples had bitter faces.
"Please have mercy, Master." A tall disciple with a pained expression slowly knelt down.
This person is named Wei Hu. He is a disciple of Dao Xing Tian Zun and one of the best among the third-generation disciples. He is skilled in using the Demon-Subduing Pestle, which is very powerful. In the original work, he is extremely fierce and has profound magical power. He was not listed on the Investiture of the Gods. He is one of the seven disciples who achieved sainthood in the physical body, just like Yang Jian and Nezha.
"Please have mercy, Ancestor." As Wei Hu spoke, the other third and fourth generation disciples also knelt down, none of them wanting to be on the Investiture of the Gods list.
Yuan Shi looked at the crowd, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes. How could all his followers be such cowards who were afraid of death? They were already so cowardly before even participating.
Seeing that Yuanshi's expression was turning bad, Randeng quickly stepped forward.
"Everyone, you all know the whole story of this great calamity. How can we, the disciples of the Chan Sect, be afraid? Do you not even have this much courage?"
“We are behind you, so what are you afraid of? Are you even inferior to those creatures born from wet eggs in the Jie Sect?” Ran Deng continued.
"Wei Hu, what have I taught you? Get up now!" Dao Xing Tian Zun also scolded angrily.
Upon hearing this, the disciples stood up awkwardly.
"Hmph..." Yuanshi snorted coldly.
“This time, everyone must undergo the tribulation, but I am not forcing you to die. I am well aware of the drawbacks of the Investiture of the Gods. As long as you unite, I can guarantee that at most only 10% of you will be able to survive the tribulation.” Then Yuanshi softened his tone and said.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing that only 10% of the disciples would face the tribulation.
"Alright, Randeng, you can arrange the rest yourself."
"Furthermore, sending someone to find Taiyi and the others is outrageous." After Yuanshi finished speaking, his figure gradually disappeared into the hall.
"Yes," Ran Deng replied, bowing.
At this moment, everyone's eyes fell on Ran Deng.
“Next, everyone will head to Xiqi,” Ran Deng said.
Meanwhile, the same scene was unfolding in Biyou Palace, but compared to Yuxu Palace, the people in Biyou Palace seemed even more excited, with everyone eager to try.
"Master, when will it start? We can't wait any longer."
"Yes, we must teach those bastards from the Chan Sect a lesson this time."
"Taiyi is mine, none of you can take it from me."
The entire Biyou Palace was bustling with activity.
"Silence!" Duobao shouted.
"Please give your instructions, Master," Duobao said, bowing.
Tongtian then slightly opened his eyes.
"This calamity is no small matter. Once you die, you will be listed on the Investiture of the Gods. Once listed, your cultivation will not advance an inch, and you will be bound to the Investiture of the Gods for life, obeying the will of the Jade Emperor," Tongtian said.
"What?!" Everyone was shocked. Unlike the people of Jade Void Palace who already knew the effects of the Investiture of the Gods, this was the first time they had heard about its function, and they were momentarily flustered.
"My Jie Sect has many disciples, so there's no doubt that the Chan Sect intends to put you all on the Investiture of the Gods list this time," Tongtian continued.
"Yes, as long as we're on the list, they'll be safe."
"Damn it, so damn it, we can't let them get away with this."
The crowd was buzzing with discussion.
"Master, may the Sage intervene?" Yunxiao stepped forward and asked.
“The Dao Ancestor has decreed that sages are not allowed to interfere,” Tongtian said.
"Really? That's great!"
"There are many of us. If we unite, we naturally won't be afraid of those guys."
“That’s right. You should know that we have more Quasi-Saints than they do.”
"Senior Brother Duobao can take on two Quasi-Saints by himself."
Upon hearing this, the disciples regained their morale.
Tongtian looked at everyone and said nothing more. He wanted to tell them that the Jie Sect was facing not only the Chan Sect, but also the Western Sect. No one could guarantee that those two would not cause trouble. However, he then thought of Li Daoyi and felt relieved.
"Duobao, starting tomorrow, take the disciples to Chaoge in batches," Tongtian said.
"Yes, Master." Duobao nodded.
"Remember, once you arrive at another dynasty, no one is allowed to harm mortals, or I will not forgive them," Tongtian said coldly.
"Yes, sir," everyone replied.
Sishui Pass.
The two sides have been locked in a stalemate for over a month. During this time, there have been numerous small skirmishes but no major battles, and both sides seem to be exercising restraint.
Meanwhile, reinforcements from other vassal states in Xiqi also arrived one after another. In addition to Li Jing, the reinforcements from the Marquis of Dongbo, led by Jiang Wenhuan, also arrived early at Sishui Pass. Both armies were ready to fight at any moment.
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh..."
One after another, streaks of rainbow light slid down from the sky and flew into the Xiqi camp.
In the Xiqi camp, Bo Yikao, dressed in military attire, had already received the news and was waiting respectfully with his generals.
As the rainbow light descended, the members of the Chan Sect revealed themselves.
"Greetings, esteemed immortals," Boyi Kao hurriedly bowed.
"Greetings, esteemed immortals." Behind him, Generals Nangong Shi and others also bowed in greeting.
Looking at Boyi Kao before them, the immortals of the Chan Sect showed a hint of disdain in their eyes, but in the end, it was Guang Chengzi who stepped forward to help him up.
"Very well, please rise quickly," Guang Chengzi said with a smile.
"Thank you, Immortal Master," said Boyi Kao.
"My name is Guang Chengzi," Guang Chengzi introduced himself.
Bo Yikao shuddered and was about to kneel down again when Guang Chengzi stopped him.
"So it's Immortal Master Guangcheng, I've been impolite." Boyi Kao looked at the dignified immortal before him with a somewhat excited tone.
Guang Chengzi can be said to be the most familiar immortal among humans, because in ancient times he was the teacher of the Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan of the human race, and was a true imperial tutor. In the Chan Sect, his status and strength were second only to the Daoist Ran Deng. Therefore, Bo Yikao of the human race called himself his disciple.
"Junior brother, I'll leave this to you for now," said Ran Deng, who was still in mid-air.
"Yes, Senior Brother." Guang Chengzi nodded, knowing that Randeng still needed to find Taiyi Zhenren and Jianglong and the others.
Then, Randeng glanced at Sishui Pass, smiled slightly, and then transformed into a streak of rainbow light and flew away.
"Is that Sishui Pass over there?" Guang Chengzi asked.
“Yes,” Nangong Shi replied quickly.
"Tch, such a small checkpoint, yet it has held you back for so long." A member of the Chan Sect, wielding a halberd and clad in armor, said with a disdainful expression.
“This…” Nangong Shi was immediately embarrassed, and Boyi Kao also looked ashamed.
“Uncle-Master, you are mistaken.” At this moment, a young general in silver armor stepped out from among the people of Xiqi, holding a three-pointed double-edged sword. It was Yang Jian.
"Yang Jian, you mustn't be rude!" Master Yu Ding quickly reprimanded. The person who had just spoken was a second-generation disciple named Deng Hua, whose seniority was higher than Yang Jian's.
Yang Jian walked up to the immortals and first respectfully bowed to those around him.
“Uncle-Master, it’s not that we can’t overcome this pass, but if we were to use brute force, it would inevitably cause a great deal of bloodshed. The Marquis is merciful and cannot bear to see the suffering of the people, which is why he has delayed it. Otherwise, with my abilities, Yang Jian, taking this pass would be a piece of cake,” Yang Jian said.
"You are Yang Jian?"
Guang Chengzi's eyes lit up.
"Greetings, Uncle-Master Guangchengzi." Yang Jian nodded.
"I've long heard that Junior Brother Yu Ding has a disciple who is born with divine eyes and has extraordinary talent. He is the most outstanding among three generations and is proficient in both martial arts and Taoist magic. It is said that he has mastered the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts passed down by our master. Now that I've seen him, I can confirm that his reputation is well-deserved." Guang Chengzi praised Yu Ding Zhenren.
"Uncle-Master, you flatter me," Yang Jian said modestly.
Deng Hua, who was initially angry, calmed down after hearing that it was Yang Jian. He knew that this person was highly valued by Yuanshi Tianzun, who even personally passed on his cultivation techniques to him.
"He was a bit impulsive. Young people need more experience." Yu Ding felt the envious looks from those around him and was very pleased.
"Immortal, when shall we launch our final offensive?" Nangong Shi asked again.
"No rush. There's one thing we haven't found yet. Until we find it, we'll keep this place surrounded but not attack," Guang Chengzi said.
Bo Yikao and the others were somewhat puzzled. Their purpose in waiting for the immortal to arrive was to rely on the immortal's supernatural powers to break through Sishui Pass. However, they exchanged glances and did not ask any further questions.
What Guang Chengzi was referring to was actually Jiang Ziya and the Investiture of the Gods. Yuanshi Tianzun could no longer contact Jiang Ziya, and without the Investiture of the Gods, once a war broke out, the people who died would have died in vain.
"Boom..."
Just then, dark clouds suddenly filled the sky, accompanied by bursts of thunder. A large patch of dark clouds had appeared over Sishui Pass without anyone noticing.
“What is that?” Boyi Kao asked, bewildered.
Guang Chengzi and the others looked solemn and stared at the sky opposite them.
"Boom boom boom..."
Several more claps of thunder sounded, and then, as if rain were falling from the dark clouds, streaks of rainbow light descended from the sky and landed inside Sishui Pass.
The dense array of rainbow lights, numbering nearly ten thousand, were none other than the disciples of the Jie Sect.
Immediately afterwards, a powerful aura emanated from Sishui Pass, forming a shockwave that swept towards Ji Fa's camp.
"Hmph..." Guang Chengzi snorted coldly and flicked the whisk in his hand.
"boom..."
The energy emitted by Guang Chengzi collided instantly with the energy of that shockwave.
"boom..."
After a loud bang, everything returned to calm.
“Duobao,” Guangchengzi said in a deep voice.
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