Chapter 233: Tongtian

Biyou Palace.

Tongtian was sitting upright on the imperial throne, his posture straight and tall, yet exuding a sense of ease and detachment.

His gaze was profound and distant, as if it could pierce through endless time and space.

During this period, Tongtian had been paying some attention to Gu Xiu.

When bored, he would investigate what Gu Xiu was doing.

He discovered that Gu Xiu was not on the Three Immortals Island, and then felt a powerful energy erupt in the East Sea—at least a battle at the Da Luo Golden Immortal level.

Curiosity arose, and his Saint's consciousness followed the source, happening to see Bi Xiao and Gu Xiu beating up Venerable Daoxing.

He had not wanted to interfere in matters between a few disciples, but upon seeing Gu Xiu take out the 12th-Grade World-Destroying Black Lotus, ripples appeared in Tongtian's eyes.

"Where did Yun Xiao's disciple obtain the World-Destroying Black Lotus?"

The World-Destroying Black Lotus originally belonged to the Demon Ancestor Luohou. Following the defeat of Luohou in the battle of the Demon Dao, the God-Slaying Spear and the 12th-Grade World-Destroying Black Lotus had gone missing.

Tongtian had not expected to see the World-Destroying Black Lotus in Gu Xiu's hands.

"Could it be related to Luohou?"

Tongtian's brows furrowed slightly, and he fell into deep thought.

"My Jie Sect is willing to give all living beings a glimmer of survival, a chance to seek the Dao; even if it involves Luohou, there is nothing inherently wrong with that."

"But my Jie Sect has never had a treasure to suppress our fortune. It just so happens that all lotus platforms can suppress fortune. I wonder if I could borrow the World-Destroying Black Lotus from this grand-disciple to suppress our fortune, and then return it to him? However, can I really entrust the Jie Sect's fortune to a grand-disciple?"

Tongtian pondered for a moment.

"Forget it, let me see if Junior Sister Nuwa has invested anything in him."

Then, he summoned Duobao Daoren.

"Master, do you have something to instruct me?"

"Duobao, I remember that Huo Ling'er has been under your tutelage for a long time now, right?"

Duobao did not understand why Tongtian had suddenly brought this up.

"Master, Huo Ling'er has indeed been under this disciple's tutelage for a long time. Her foundation is outstanding; she is already at the late stage of Golden Immortal, ranking among the top few of the third-generation disciples. I believe she will be able to break through to Taiyi Golden Immortal before long."

Tongtian nodded slightly, his gaze calm: "Huo Ling'er has a good foundation, and I have high hopes for her among the third-generation disciples."

"As it happens, the disciple Yun Xiao took in has an extraordinary foundation and his cultivation has been advancing by leaps and bounds recently, reaching Taiyi Golden Immortal. He is already the number one among my Jie Sect's third-generation disciples. You can have Huo Ling'er go find him to exchange pointers when she has time. Young people find it easier to have common topics; it is better than burying oneself in seclusion alone."

"Master, you say the disciple Junior Sister Yun Xiao took in is already a Taiyi Golden Immortal?" Duobao Daoren's face was full of disbelief: "How is this possible? How could it be so fast?"

Sect Leader Tongtian smiled and said: "This child has an excellent foundation, innate talent, and has encountered opportunities and good fortune; it is not surprising he has achieved this. Have Huo Ling'er exchange pointers with him more; it will also be beneficial for her cultivation. Tell Huo Ling'er that if she discovers anything unusual, she should come back and inform you."

Duobao bowed: "Yes, Master, this disciple understands."

Three Immortals Island.

Gu Xiu was in seclusion in his cave dwelling, intending to inject all 50,000 merits of the Great Dao he had obtained into the Golden Wheel of Merit.

As the merit was injected, the golden wheel behind his head rotated slowly, shining with brilliant golden light, and the Great Dao runes on the golden wheel became increasingly clear.

When the light on his body dissipated and the light of merit gradually receded, Gu Xiu slowly opened his eyes.

"The Golden Wheel of Merit is condensed to this extent for now, which is probably enough. If I obtain more merit in the future, I will have to use it elsewhere."

Thinking this, he stood up, opened the cave dwelling, and walked out.

Arriving at the courtyard, he saw a graceful figure standing there, dressed in a fiery red long dress.

Her posture was graceful, and her skirt swayed lightly in the breeze, like a blooming red lotus, charming and moving.

"Junior Brother, you have finished your seclusion?" Seeing Gu Xiu come out, the woman said with a smile, her voice crisp and pleasant.

Gu Xiu regained his composure and walked up quickly: "Senior Sister Huo Ling'er, why are you here?"

Once these words were out, Holy Mother Huo Ling did not know how to answer for a moment, so she had to find a reason.

"We are fellow disciples, so it is only right to visit each other more often. My master saw that I was stuck at the bottleneck of Golden Immortal for a long time, so he told me to come and discuss the Dao with you more often; perhaps I will find the opportunity for a breakthrough."

She had been cultivating perfectly well on Jinao Island.

As a result, Duobao Daoren had sought her out, saying that Gu Xiu had already broken through to Taiyi Golden Immortal, making him the undisputed number one among the Jie Sect's third-generation disciples.

He told her not to seclude herself alone and to go to Three Immortals Island to walk around when she had time, and to discuss cultivation problems with Gu Xiu.

A master's order is hard to disobey, so Holy Mother Huo Ling had to come find Gu Xiu.

Gu Xiu pondered.

Why would that fat man Duobao not teach his own disciples, but instead send Holy Mother Huo Ling to discuss the Dao with him?

He had only discussed some cultivation problems with Yun Xiao; he had never seriously discussed the Dao with anyone else.

Thinking that it would be fine to discuss the Dao with Holy Mother Huo Ling while he was free, he agreed.

"Since Senior Sister has such elegant interest, then Junior Brother will naturally accompany you to discuss the Dao. Let's go sit at the stone table."

Gu Xiu led the way.

Hearing this, Holy Mother Huo Ling's face blossomed with a joyful smile, and she followed closely behind with light steps, the two of them walking toward the stone table in the courtyard.

Arriving at the stone table, Gu Xiu lightly lifted his robes and sat down leisurely.

Holy Mother Huo Ling also slowly sat down, her movements gentle and her posture dignified.

……

Mount Kunlun.

Immortal Qi swirled, with a thousand rays of auspicious light.

Inside the Jade Void Palace, Yuanshi Tianzun sat high upon a cloud bed.

His figure was imposing, his expression solemn and grave, and his entire body radiated endless pressure and the terrifying aura of a Saint.

He opened his eyes slightly, cast a glance at Antarctic Immortal Weng below, and said indifferently.

"Antarctic, how goes the investigation into the affairs of Zhaoge? Have you discovered the Jie Sect's arrangements in Zhaoge?"

Antarctic Immortal Weng bowed respectfully.

"Teacher, regarding the Jie Sect's affairs in Zhaoge, this disciple has not yet discovered what they intend to do next. However, various signs indicate that the Jie Sect has indeed intervened in the affairs of Zhaoge, repeatedly disrupting the plans of our Chan Sect."

Yuanshi Tianzun's expression did not change significantly. After a long while, he spoke slowly: "How goes the matter of inciting the various feudal lords to rebel?"

His voice was flat, yet it contained endless majesty.

Antarctic Immortal Weng hurriedly replied: "Teacher, inciting the various feudal lords has been quite smooth, and the fortune of the Yin-Shang is gradually draining away as the lords rebel."

Yuanshi Tianzun let out a cold snort, his gaze seemingly piercing through the endless space to look toward the Biyou Palace and the Palace of the Empress Wa.

"That is very good. Nuwa, Tongtian, you cannot stop my Chan Sect's plans for the Investiture of the Gods."

As for Tongtian, it was fine; the Investiture of the Gods was inherently a contest with the Jie Sect.

But regarding the failure to scheme against Nuwa, and instead having his plans ruined by her, Yuanshi Tianzun remained deeply resentful.

"Xiqi, how are things over there?"

Antarctic Immortal Weng said respectfully: "Teacher, due to the appearance of an anomaly, Di Xin did not kill many people. It might be somewhat difficult to make Ji Chang suffer seven years of imprisonment in Zhaoge and then return to raise an army in rebellion."

On the cloud bed, Yuanshi Tianzun's gaze was profound as he pondered in silence.

"Although Ji Chang has ambition, he is too indecisive and has too many thoughts; he is unfit for a great task. Without him, it is just a matter of missing a few things. Our target is mainly his second son, Ji Fa. His son is ambitious, a wolf's ambition, and is the perfect puppet for our Chan Sect to support."

After a pause, Yuanshi Tianzun spoke again.

"Ji Chang is still of some use for now and cannot be moved. His eldest son, Bo Yikao, is too benevolent and filial, and has won the hearts of the people; he cannot be kept. As long as he does not die, Ji Fa cannot inherit the position of Western Count and become the Lord of Zhou. Find a time to eliminate Bo Yikao."

Antarctic Immortal Weng said: "Teacher, rest assured, leave this matter to this disciple."