Chapter 262: Nanji Enraged by Embarrassment, Chooses Phoenix Essence

On the other side.

Chao Ge.

Nanji Xianweng, following Yuanshi Tianzun's decree, arrived at Chao Ge, wanting to see what new trouble had befallen Jiang Ziya.

After learning the whole background, he furrowed his brow.

"Has Jiang Ziya been appointed as a lower-ranked official?"

"That actually aligns well with the original scheme."

"Jiang Ziya has no relatives or ties in the mortal world; the only thing that can be deduced is that he has a sworn brother still among mortals, and upon arriving at Chao Ge he should immediately seek that brother, but there has been a slight deviation—Jiang Ziya came to Chao Ge together with Wen Zhong..."

With matters at this point, Nanji Xianweng could only go to Song Jia Zhuang to inquire of Song Yiren.

Facing Nanji Xianweng, Song Yiren wore a blank, vacant stare; after Nanji Xianweng probed Song Yiren's memories of the recent period.

He furrowed his brow.

"The marriage arrangement prepared for Jiang Ziya fell through, so there is no way to compel Jiang Ziya, through marital affairs, to resolutely head to Xiqi."

Realizing why Yuanshi Tianzun sensed something amiss, Nanji Xianweng's expression grew solemn.

"The marriage must be completed as soon as possible, and it is essential to provoke a clash between Jiang Ziya and the three demons of Xuanyuan Fen; this way the fox demon will inevitably confront Jiang Ziya."

"Jiang Ziya, in order to preserve his life and having endured marital misfortune, becomes disheartened; only then can he go unburdened to preside over the Investiture of the Gods and fulfill our sect's great undertaking of sealing the gods."

……

Xuanyuan Fen.

Gu Xiu had intended to return, when the system suddenly sounded.

"Ding!"

"Detection: Nanji Xianweng has descended upon Chao Ge, triggering a random task. Host, please make a choice."

"Option One: Attack Nanji Xianweng to force his retreat; reward: a Heavenly Dao relic—Time Sandglass!" (It can control the flow of time within a limited area, accelerating, slowing, or even briefly reversing time, a key artifact for turning the tide of battle.)

"Option Two: Undermine Nanji Xianweng's plan to pit Jiang Ziya against the three demons of Xuanyuan Fen and to have Su Daji deal with Jiang Ziya; reward: pure Phoenix Essence!" (The most fundamental core essence of a phoenix; obtaining Phoenix Essence can boost cultivation, break bottlenecks, possibly grant the unique divine abilities and secret techniques of the phoenix clan, and even bestow the power of Nirvana.)

After viewing the system options, Gu Xiu thought briefly: "Nanji Xianweng has arrived at Chao Ge; has the Chan Sect noticed the variables concerning Jiang Ziya?"

Attacking Nanji Xianweng, Gu Xiu dismissed outright; the reward is good but too risky.

Option Two, the pure Phoenix Essence reward, also feels quite appealing.

He silently chose the second option in his mind.

Gu Xiu looked at the Yu Shi Pi Pa Jing and Jiu Tou Zhi Ji Jing beside him.

"You two have been staying at Xuanyuan Fen all this time, awaiting my command. The Chan Sect's Nanji Xianweng has arrived at Chao Ge, intending to lure Jiang Ziya to attack you when you go to Chao Ge. Your cultivation is still shallow; although Jiang Ziya has attained the immortal path, he is not someone you can handle. If you dare to thwart my plans, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Having said that, Gu Xiu deliberately gave them another fright.

The two demons nodded.

"Senior Immortal, rest assured; we will remain at Xuanyuan Fen, diligently cultivating during this period."

Seeing that he had successfully frightened the two demons, Gu Xiu left the place.

……

Nanji Xianweng stayed in Chao Ge for several days, originally intending to wait for Yu Shi Pi Pa Jing to visit Su Daji in Chao Ge, and to arrange a little incident for Jiang Ziya to encounter the Pi Pa Jing.

The spirit, having taken form and just entered the world, is curious about everything and will surely come to tease Jiang Ziya; Jiang Ziya, being single‑minded, will certainly act to eliminate the spirit.

Nanji Xianweng thought so, but after waiting several days, Yu Shi Pi Pa Jing still had not entered the palace to see Su Daji, leaving him puzzled: "Strange, do the three demons of Xuanyuan Fen rarely move?"

"Logically, the three demons have been cultivating together at Xuanyuan Fen for a thousand years, sharing deep bonds, and having been ordered to come to Chao Ge; they should be meeting privately from time to time to discuss strategies. So why, after so many days, have the other two of the three demons not come to Chao Ge to visit the fox demon?"

After a moment of contemplation, Nanji Xianweng decided to go to Xuanyuan Fen to take a look.

He discovered Yu Shi Pi Pa Jing and Jiu Tou Zhi Ji Jing were cultivating at Xuanyuan Fen, and couldn't help but furrow his brow.

"These petty little demons, without orders to wreak havoc on the Yin Shang and destroy its destiny, are nonetheless cultivating here. Do they truly believe that those with fur and horns can ascend the immortal path? It's utterly laughable."

Yuanshi Tianzun commanded them to ruin the destiny of Yin Shang, not to cultivate at Xuanyuan Fen. After a moment's thought, Nanji Xianweng manifested.

"The three demons of Xuanyuan Fen," Nanji Xianweng's voice was low and imposing.

Yu Shi Pi Pa Jing and Jiu Tou Zhi Ji Jing were startled, a little frightened.

"Who are you?"

Nanji Xianweng, exuding an ethereal aura, wore a solemn expression.

"I am Nanji Xianweng."

The two demons were taken aback; just as Gu Xiu had said, a member of the Chan Sect not only appeared but also sought them out.

"We didn't know the Immortal Elder's arrival at Xuanyuan Fen meant trouble. We sisters are peacefully cultivating here and have not gone out to harm anyone," the Yu Shi Pi Pa Jing said in a coquettish voice.

Nanji Xianweng thought.

He was eager for the three demons to go out and wreak mischief, to go to Chao Ge and disrupt the imperial order, but he held back.

"The destiny of Yin Shang has been exhausted. By following the Heavenly Patriarch's decree to go to Chao Ge and disrupt the imperial order, you will achieve a great merit. If you refuse to go to Chao Ge to assist the thousand‑year fox demon and instead remain at Xuanyuan Fen cultivating, what does that mean? Perhaps you do not wish to attain true fruit?"

"Replying to the Immortal Elder, we also wish to, but sister said that for now only she is needed in Chao Ge; perhaps sister fears we would compete for her, yet our sisterly bond is deep, so we will yield to sister," the Yu Shi Pi Pa Jing cooed.

Nanji Xianweng snorted coldly: "A thousand‑year fox demon, merely a small fox spirit, cannot comprehend destiny. The proper path is for you to enter the palace together and aid each other."

Yu Shi Pi Pa Jing lightly parting ruby lips: "Immortal Elder, then we will wait some time before..."

Jiu Tou Zhi Ji Jing, eyes like silk, cooed: "When the time comes, we will stay in the palace to assist sister."

Jiang Ziya's situation has already introduced variables; Nanji Xianweng could not afford to delay further, and spoke: "This is a matter of great merit; how can it be postponed? Do you intend to let this great merit be monopolized by the thousand‑year fox demon? Do you not wish to achieve true fruit, become immortal and verify the Dao?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Shi Pi Pa Jing furrowed her willow‑like brows: "Immortal Elder, the three of us are as close as siblings; our sisterly bond is deep. How can you sow discord between us? Even if sister alone enjoys the credit, we would hold no grievance,"

Jiu Tou Zhi Ji Jing echoed: "I believe that when the time comes, sister will certainly not forget us and will surely give us a helping hand."

Nanji Xianweng, embarrassed and enraged, had not expected the two demons to be so uncooperative; now his scheme seemed impossible to execute.

"Tomorrow you will go to Chao Ge and obtain an opportunity within the city; if you seize it, you can quickly achieve true cultivation and even surpass the thousand‑year fox demon. I hope you make good use of it," Nanji Xianweng deployed a killer move, launching a ploy.

Having said that, he left, intending to tease the two demons.

After departing, I had expected the two demons to take action.

In the end, the two demons exchanged a few words, showing no hint of intending to act.

Nanji Xianweng's face grew grim.

"Scoundrel! A mere fur‑clad, horned beast, and yet so ungrateful."

If the Chan Sect had not intended to let the three demons of Xuanyuan Tomb wreak havoc on the Yin Shang, Nanji Xianweng would have wanted to kill the two demons to vent his fury.

"At present the three demons are utterly uncooperative, showing no concern at all about the plan to devastate the Yin Shang. No wonder my Chan Sect's operations in Chaoge keep being thwarted; this matter must be reported to the teacher."

Thinking of this, Nanji Xianweng returned to Kunlun Mountain.