Chapter 169: Everyone Harbors Ulterior Motives, Haotian Issues an Imperial Decree

At this time.

Several million li away.

The figure of Qingxu Daoist True Lord emerged from the void, his body covered in wounds, his Daoist robe stained with blood and ripped.

Hair disheveled, in utter disarray, muttering curses.

"Damn it!"

"Those Jie Sect fur-wearing, horned, wet-born egg-hatched bastards truly deserve death; if I don't avenge this grudge, I'll write my name as Qingxu Daoist True Lord backwards!"

At this moment, two figures appeared: Jiuli Sun and the Lingbao Grand Master, who had rushed over.

Qingxu Daoist True Lord originally thought it was the Jie Sect's people pursuing him.

His just-relaxed expression instantly tightened.

But upon seeing that the arrivals were Jiuli Sun and the Lingbao Grand Master, he let out a sigh of relief.

"Senior brothers, you've come."

The Lingbao Grand Master stepped forward and asked: "Junior Brother Qingxu, we rushed over after receiving your message; who wounded you?"

"It was those Jie Sect fur-wearing, horned scum who lacked martial virtue and ambushed me, prompting me to seek help from you two senior brothers." Qingxu Daoist True Lord's eyes filled with anger and resentment.

Jiuli Sun narrowed his eyes, seeming deep in thought, as if harboring another motive.

The Lingbao Grand Master's face burned with anger: "Damnable Jie Sect thieves, where are they? Junior Brother Qingxu, are you still able? Let's go now and slaughter those Jie Sect scum!"

Qingxu Daoist True Lord's gaze turned cold.

Thinking of what Gu Xiu had done to him made him want to kill the other to vent his hatred.

But the difference in strength was too great.

Having barely escaped, there are now only three of us; he dare not return.

"Senior brothers, I too would love to slay those Jie Sect fur-wearing, horned scum, but they have already fled; recklessly pursuing them would be dangerous, and besides, I am still wounded."

After seeing Qingxu Daoist True Lord's injuries, the Lingbao Grand Master said: "That's right; Junior Brother Qingxu, go back and heal your wounds, while I and Jiuli Sun will explain this to our fellow senior brothers."

"Then it will be trouble." Qingxu Daoist True Lord bowed with clasped hands, then said: "However, senior brothers, my master ordered me to go to Western Qi to assist Jiang Ziya in defeating the Four Demon Generals, but I may need to rest for a period, so helping Jiang Ziya might trouble you."

Hearing this, the Lingbao Grand Master immediately agreed.

"Junior Brother Qingxu, rest assured; we will go to Western Qi to assist Jiang Ziya. Then we will set a trap in Western Qi, lure the Jie Sect disciples in, and catch them in an urn—help you get revenge."

Jiuli Sun narrowed his eyes, gave a slight nod: "Also, by the way, help that waste Huang Long get revenge."

Having made up their minds, Jiuli Sun and the Lingbao Grand Master set off for Western Qi.

……

At this time.

Western Qi.

Thanks to the help of the South Pole Immortal Elder, Jiang Ziya has already grasped real power in Western Qi.

But an unexpected event occurred in the campaign against Chong Hou; while fleeing in haste, Jiang Ziya did not execute the Chong Houhu family, presenting their heads to Ji Chang, which caused Ji Chang to be frightened to the point of collapse, haunted by vengeful spirits.

Thus the South Pole Immortal Elder had to intervene, afflicting Ji Chang with a malignant illness that left him bedridden.

Wen Zhong's great army pressed the border, and the Chan Sect also sent third-generation disciples to assist Jiang Ziya; Western Qi had to rely on the Chan Sect's strength to repel the enemy, allowing Jiang Ziya to seize the opportunity to grasp real power and control Western Qi.

But after Wen Zhong summoned the Four Demon Generals, the Chan Sect's third-generation disciples could not cope; they could only await the arrival of the Twelve Golden Immortals for help.

Prime Minister's Residence.

Jiang Ziya was handling affairs in his study, awaiting the Chan Sect's dispatch of the Twelve Golden Immortals to assist, when a golden light suddenly appeared inside the room.

After the light faded, Jiang Ziya rose to investigate and discovered a golden tablet lying on the floor.

Looking at the cover of the golden tablet, four characters were written: "Great Dao Story Book".

Jiang Ziya's eyes filled with doubt.

"Strange, this golden tablet has always been in its packaging; I always felt it was odd, so I kept it, but how did it suddenly appear here?"

He opened it to see, and found new content inside.

【Jiang Ziya, your memories have been tampered with; the Chan Sect is using you. If you preside over the Investiture of the Gods, you will surely meet a bad end. Think carefully about your lost memories.】

"My memories have been tampered with?" Jiang Ziya furrowed his brows.

"If I preside over the Investiture of the Gods, I will surely not have a good outcome?"

After a moment's thought, he shouted angrily.

"This is sheer nonsense, wicked words to confuse the masses!"

He immediately placed the golden tablet on the brazier to burn it, but it would not burn at all, nor could it be torn.

Jiang Ziya had no choice but to give up, push open the door, and go outside to question the soldiers on guard.

"During your watch, did you notice anything abnormal? Has anyone come here?"

"Replying to the Prime Minister, there was nothing abnormal, and no one has come here."

Jiang Ziya was doubtful but had no choice but to return, sit again at his desk, and glance outside.

"I wonder when my senior brothers will arrive..."

"One Wen Zhong would be fine, but the Four Demon Generals are highly skilled and work in perfect sync; relying solely on the third-generation disciples cannot defeat them."

……

Heavenly Court.

Princess Long Ji returned from the Three Immortals Island to the Heavenly Court, informing them of Gu Xiu's words.

Haotian was meanwhile deep in thought.

"As things stand, the Jie Sect holds the advantage in the Investiture of the Gods; Gu Xiu, though a third-generation disciple, is highly regarded in the Jie Sect and is the first among third-generation disciples to attain the rank of Golden Immortal of the Great Luo, his future growth immeasurable."

"But he is the master of that bastard Yang Jian, and this time he actually dared to ask me to release Yao Ji—should I let her go or not?"

The Haotian Emperor sat upon his throne, sunk in deep contemplation.

If I release you, what face would the Heavenly Court have left? My dignity has been utterly ruined by Yao Ji. Doing such a disgraceful act, I could never easily forgive it; otherwise, later all the immortals of the Heavenly Court would develop worldly thoughts, go talk about love and romance—how could the Heavenly Court still function? How could I set an example and rule the three realms?

Haotian repeatedly weighed his options in his heart, falling into indecision.

After careful consideration, his eyes gradually grew clear, and he finally made a decision.

Yao Ji must not be released so easily; we cannot let Yang Jian and Yang Chan rescue her without difficulty. To save Yao Ji, a great price must be paid—only then can we effectively intimidate the immortals.

Recalling that, because of the incident with Taiyi Zhenren last time, an avatar of Yuanshi Tianzun descended, causing him to lose face; he went to the Purple Cloud Palace to complain, but the Dao Ancestor told him to wait for news, and to this day there has been none.

Knowing the matter of the Three Teachings' Investiture of the Gods, Hongjun Daozu will not readily intervene.

But the thought just wouldn't get through.

After a moment's contemplation, Haotian had a flash of inspiration.

I had intended to pressure the Chan Sect through the Dao Ancestor, but that seems impossible; however, how could I, Haotian, allow myself to be humiliated by the Chan Sect twice for nothing?

Gu Xiu, didn't you tell me to pick the right side? You promised to send the Chan Sect's Twelve Golden Immortals onto the list for the Heavenly Court to command—so I want to see how you, a mere third-generation disciple, dare to boast that you can get the Twelve Golden Immortals onto the list.

If you really can do it, I wouldn't even insist on releasing Yao Ji from Tao Shan; letting the Heavenly Court accept Yang Jian and Yang Chan would also be acceptable.

After thinking it over, Haotian summoned the Venus Golden Star.

The court audience had just ended when he was suddenly summoned; the Venus Golden Star was a little puzzled, and bowed in salute.

Your Majesty, I don't know what matter summons me?

Haotian glanced at the Venus Golden Star and said lightly, 'I have drafted an edict; go down to the Three Immortals Island and deliver it to Gu Xiu, and preferably also let Yang Jian and Yang Chan know.'

Taibai Jinxing grew curious and inquired: "Your Majesty, I don't know what this move intends?"

Taibai Jinxing, as his lackey, Haotian didn't conceal: "Before, I had Long Ji go to Three Immortals Island to gather news, and Gu Xiu repeatedly mentioned that he would send the Twelve Golden Immortals onto the list."

"This time he even mentioned letting me release Yao Ji; coincidentally, the Heavenly Court has repeatedly suffered humiliation at the hands of the Chan Sect, and if the Jie Sect can pull this off, I would actually thank him."

"So I plan to issue an edict: as long as the Twelve Golden Immortals of Jade Void are listed and made to serve the Heavenly Court, I can not only release Yao Ji, but even accept Yang Jian and Yang Chan."

Taibai Jinxing felt delighted in his heart.

Yao Ji, as the eldest princess, had always been loyal and diligent in serving the Heavenly Court, yet ended up in this situation,

Earlier, many immortals and deities pleaded for mercy to no avail; Haotian obstinately went ahead and decided to carry out the suppression.

I never expected that now he would loosen his lips.

But thinking about having to send all twelve Golden Immortals onto the list, Taibai Jinxing always felt it impossible.

"Your Majesty, the Chan Sect's Twelve Golden Immortals are the leaders of the Jade Void Immortals; sending all twelve onto the list—isn't that unrealistic? Perhaps just one or two would suffice."

Haotian slowly said: "Taibai Jinxing, this isn't me deliberately making things difficult for you; it was Gu Xiu who said it himself, and besides, what favor are you seeking? Hurry up and roll off to deliver the imperial edict!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I'll roll away right now."

Seeing Haotian lose his temper, Taibai Jinxing scurried away.