Chapter 276

"Long Ji, why aren't you cultivating properly in the Azure Phoenix Tower, and why have you come up to heaven?"

Seeing Princess Long Ji appear, Haotian slightly raised his eyes, his expression carrying a hint of majesty.

Long Ji stepped forward, her brows slightly furrowed: "Your Majesty, you ordered Giant Spirit God to lead the heavenly troops to Thus line: Chen Tang Guan Guan; I happened to encounter this and understand the circumstances. Now Taiyi Zhenren is attacking heaven, and our Heavenly Court is weak—we should seek help from the Jie Sect."

As soon as Princess Long Ji spoke, the immortals and deities echoed her.

"Your Majesty, Princess Long Ji is absolutely right; I think we should send someone to ask the Jie Sect for help."

Tai Bai Jin Xing stepped forward, bowed, and said: "Your Majesty, Taiyi Zhenren comes with great force; relying solely on our Heavenly Court's strength, we cannot resist. The Jie Sect has many experts; if we gain their aid, we can surely resolve this crisis."

A deity general stepped forward, clasped his fists, and said: "This subordinate also believes this plan is feasible; please, Your Majesty, make a decision soon."

For a moment, many immortals and deities spoke up, and the sound of discussion in the Hall of Heavenly Clarity never ceased.

Haotian furrowed his brows slightly; finally having a pretext to go to the Purple Azure Palace to complain a bit, if he really invited the Jie Sect's people, it would ruin his own plans.

But now the immortals and deities unanimously demanded to seek help from the Jie Sect, and he could not outright refuse; he took a deep breath and slowly said.

"Red lotus, white rhizome, green lotus leaves— the Three Pure Ones were originally one family; now that Taiyi Zhenren is attacking, if we seek aid from the Jie Sect, it's fine if they're not busy, but if the Jie Sect also attacks the Heavenly Court, then our Heavenly Court will be attacked from front and back."

As soon as he said that, the immortals and deities fell silent, looking at each other, as if there was some truth to it.

"Your Majesty, this concern is unnecessary. The Three Pure Ones only split because they were not harmonious; as I know, Chan Sect disciples have constantly insulted and even ambushed Jie Sect disciples outside, and the two sects have long-held grudges. Only the Supreme Pure One sage does not allow Jie Sect disciples to cause trouble for Chan Sect disciples, so Jie Sect disciples have merely endured. But now, with the three sects' Investiture of the Gods underway, it is a time of hostility, and we can exactly exploit this to resolve our current predicament."

As soon as Princess Long Ji finished speaking, the immortals and deities all showed thoughtful expressions.

Tai Bai Jin Xing stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, I think Princess Long Ji's words are sound. Right now, Taiyi Zhenren is causing trouble outside the Southern Heaven Gate; if we do not quickly find assistance, the Heavenly Court is in danger. I should go to the Azure Wandering Palace to see."

Seeing all the court immortals and deities wanting to seek help from the Jie Sect to resolve the current predicament, Haotian felt a bit troubled.

He silently cursed, 'This bunch of good-for-nothings can't do anything right, but they're quite good at ruining my plans.'

Suddenly, a glint flashed in his eyes; the disciples of the sages are all proud and arrogant. Last time, Tai Bai Jin Xing went to the Jade Void Palace to deliver the imperial edict, ordering the Twelve Golden Immortals to bow and submit, but they ended up beating him.

This trip to the Azure Wandering Palace will surely yield no result; going to the Purple Azure Palace to complain would be more justified, so he spoke up.

"Since all the immortals unanimously agree to go to the Azure Wandering Palace to seek aid, then Tai Bai Jin Xing, please make this trip."

Haotian was calculating in his mind; waiting for Tai Bai Jin Xing to return in disgrace, he could also say that he had sought help from the Jie Sect, but the Jie Sect had ignored him.

"I obey your command."

Having said that, Tai Bai Jin Xing turned and prepared to leave.

"This mission is of great importance; you must speak cautiously and act prudently."

Haotian thought, he had already warned Tai Bai Jin Xing; if he gets beaten at the Azure Wandering Palace, it cannot be blamed on him.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will be meticulous and accomplish this."

In the hall, Princess Long Ji, seeing Tai Bai Jin Xing depart, took her leave.

She also hurried out of the Hall of Heavenly Clarity and quickly chased after Tai Bai Jin Xing.

"'Tai Bai Jin Xing!'"

On the way down to the lower realm, Tai Bai Jin Xing heard the shout, stopped, turned around, and saw Princess Long Ji, looking puzzled: "Your Highness, why have you followed me? Is there something?"

"I don't know whom you intend to see at the Azure Wandering Palace this time."

"Taiyi Zhenren is one of the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Jade Void; at the very least, one needs the Four Close Disciples and the Seven Attendant Immortals to suppress him, so of course we must go find the Jie Sect's Four Close Disciples and Seven Attendant Immortals."

"Tai Bai Jin Xing, the Jie Sect's Four Close Disciples are the beloved disciples of the sages; how could they readily act? The Seven Attendant Immortals must constantly attend the sages at their sides, making it even less likely they have time to aid the Heavenly Court."

Upon hearing Princess Long Ji's words, Tai Bai Jin Xing's face showed thought; indeed, it made sense.

"Thinking about the matter of seeking aid from the Jie Sect, which Princess Long Ji had proposed, he asked: 'Your Highness, could it be that you have someone in mind?'"

"Yes." Princess Long Ji did not deny it at all.

"'Who is the person you have chosen?' Tai Bai Jin Xing asked curiously, eager to know who, besides the Jie Sect's Four Close Disciples and Seven Attendant Immortals, could be a match for Taiyi Zhenren."

Princess Long Ji lightly pursed her lips, her expression solemn: 'I have heard that not long ago, Yu Ding Zhenren and Dao Xing Tianzun both suffered losses at the hands of Jie Sect disciples while in the Eastern Sea; do you know of this, Tai Bai Jin Xing?'

Tai Bai Jin Xing naturally knew this; he had even participated in spreading the news of Yu Ding Zhenren and Dao Xing Tianzun being beaten, and he said uncertainly: 'What do you mean, Your Highness?'

"'This time, instead of going to the Jie Sect for aid, it would be better to go to the Three Immortals Island to find the Three Xias Niang Niang, and also seek aid from that disciple whom Yun Xiao Niang Niang has taken in.'"

During this period, the Heavenly Court spread everywhere the news that Yu Ding Zhenren and Dao Xing Tianzun had been beaten,

Princess Long Ji also learned from the Heavenly Court's intelligence that Gu Xiu's identity was that of a disciple of Yun Xiao Niang Niang.

Tai Bai Jin Xing blinked slightly.

"'Exactly, the Three Xias Niang Niang of the Three Immortals Island and her disciple have repeatedly made Yu Ding Zhenren and Dao Xing Tianzun suffer, showing they are not afraid of the Chan Sect; for a Taiyi Zhenren, it would be easy to capture him. Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness—I will go now.'"

Last time he went to the Three Immortals Island, the outcome was unpleasant, but he wasn't beaten; this time, Tai Bai Jin Xing doesn't mind making another trip to the Three Immortals Island.

Just as he was about to leave, Princess Long Ji called him to stop.

Tai Bai Jin Xing wondered: 'Your Highness, do you have something else?'

Princess Long Ji said slowly: 'The Three Xias Niang Niang does not concern herself with worldly affairs; Tai Bai Jin Xing, you would be better off going first to seek Yun Xiao Niang Niang's disciple Gu Xiu—your chances of success would be higher.'

"'Thank you for the guidance, Your Highness.' Tai Bai Jin Xing clasped his hands, yet his eyes were doubtful,"

Princess Long Ji is not cultivating at the Phoenix Mountain Azure Phoenix Tower; how does she seem to know Gu Xiu so well?

……

Outside the Southern Heaven Gate.

Seeing Tai Bai Jin Xing and Princess Long Ji go down to the lower realm, Gu Xiu emerged from the shadows.

The current course of events is all his own planning,

so after leaving Thus line: Chen Tang Guan Guan, Gu Xiu did not return to the Three Immortals Island but concealed his form, continually keeping a close watch on the Heavenly Court's situation from the shadows.

Seeing Taiyi Zhenren attack heaven, Haotian took no action.

He also had no intention of requesting aid; his attitude was perfunctory.

He pondered in his mind.

"'It seems Haotian also has his own schemes.'"

Then, he watched as Bai Jin Xing went down to the lower realm toward the Eastern Sea.

"At Tai Bai Jin Xing's speed, it would take a long while to reach Three Immortals Island."

"Fortunately, one day in heaven equals one year on earth, so I can return to Three Immortals Island and wait for Tai Bai Jin Xing's arrival."

Thinking, Gu Xiu turned into a streak of light and returned to Three Immortals Island ahead of Tai Bai Jin Xing.

Upon returning to Three Immortals Island, Gu Xiu saw Yang Chan tending the immortal flowers and herbs in the courtyard; upon seeing Gu Xiu return, she set aside her work, smiled, and stepped forward with light lotus steps.

"Immortal Master, you're back."

Gu Xiu nodded, his expression gentle: "I wasn't around; did anything happen while I was away?"

Yang Chan said softly: "It's not a problem, but today the East Sea Dragon Palace sent someone again with some seafood and aquatic products."

Upon learning that Long Ji had sent things again, it was obvious without thinking that Ao Guang had returned to the Dragon Palace and sent people to deliver things as a token of gratitude.

"These are all gifts; since they've been sent, let's accept them, and you can prepare a few more fine dishes."

Yang Chan smiled and nodded.

Thinking about how the Dragon Palace sent so much food, if not preserved it would spoil.

Fortunately, he had a Sumeru Ring; things placed inside have time stopped, so they won't spoil. After telling Yang Chan, he stored most of the seafood sent by the Dragon Palace into the Sumeru Ring.

After they finished their work, noticing that Gu Xiu's mood seemed good since his return, Yang Chan asked: "Immortal Master, since you've returned your mood seems good; is there any happy news?"

Gu Xiu smiled slightly: "With the Investiture of the Gods imminent, the Chan Sect schemes against the Jie Sect; that's why the Jade Void immortals have repeatedly come to the East Sea. This time, Taiyi True Person led his followers to commit atrocities in the East Sea, ultimately reaping what they sowed. Upon learning this, I inexplicably felt a bit happy…"

Gu Xiu told Yang Chan about Nezha's matter.

Yang Chan listened quietly; after hearing, she said: "Indeed, that's truly a cause for joy."

Gu Xiu nodded.

This return is to await Tai Bai Jin Xing's arrival, but Yang Jian and Yang Chan are quite hostile toward the Heavenly Court; Yang Chan is fine, but she worries that Yang Jian might lose his temper and beat up Tai Bai Jin Xing.

Thus he asked: "Yang Chan, where is Yang Jian?"

"Second brother, he's cultivating in the back mountains."

"That's diligent." Gu Xiu said, feeling relieved.

Yang Chan is quite idle now, but before going to Mount Hua to become the Third Holy Mother, she always stayed with Yang Jian, so Gu Xiu didn't ask whether she, as a successor of Nuwa, should go out for training.

He had her brew a tea, and then they sat together at the stone table to chat.

Soon after.

Outside Three Immortals Island, the voice of Tai Bai Jin Xing arrived, indicating he had come directly to visit Gu Xiu.

While chatting with Yang Chan, Gu Xiu's expression remained calm.

"I'll go see what Tai Bai Jin Xing wants by coming here."

Yang Chan nodded, rose to her feet, and watched Gu Xiu fly off toward the outside of Three Immortals Island,

Tai Bai Jin Xing was nervously waiting outside.

He wasn't sure whether Gu Xiu would come to find him.

After a while, seeing Gu Xiu appear, Tai Bai Jin Xing's face lit up with joy, and he performed a salute with clasped fists: "Tai Bai, I pay my respects, Immortal."

Gu Xiu glanced at Tai Bai Jin Xing, feigning depth: "Tai Bai Jin Xing, what brings you here?"

Tai Bai Jin Xing clasped his hands, his expression somewhat anxious: "Immortal, the Chan Sect's Taiyi True Person is causing havoc in the Heavenly Palace; acting on the order of the Great Heavenly Venerable, I have come to seek aid from the Jie Sect, hoping you will lend your assistance."

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiu countered: "If the Chan Sect is wreaking havoc in the Heavenly Palace, why should the Jie Sect lend a hand?"

Knowing why Tai Bai Jin Xing had come to him, Gu Xiu did not ask why he didn't go to someone else.

Tai Bai Jin Xing pondered: "Because of the calamity of the Twelve Golden Immortals of Jade Void, the great calamity of the Investiture of the Gods has been triggered; all disciples of the three teachings must face the calamity and be listed. Immortal, you have repeatedly struck the Jade Ding Daoist and the Daoist Heavenly Venerable, so you likely dislike the Chan Sect's ways."

"Moreover, the ultimate purpose of the three teachings' Investiture of the Gods is to fulfill the Dao Ancestor's Investiture of the Gods list; those who make the list will ultimately fall under the Heavenly Court's control. If the Jie Sect now helps the Heavenly Court overcome this crisis, the Heavenly Court will surely remember the Jie Sect's good deeds."

Hearing this, Gu Xiu secretly sighed; indeed, as a diplomat of the Heavenly Court, he had hit the key point in just a few words.

He wanted to intervene and help, merely to sell a favor to the Heavenly Court in exchange for higher divine positions for the Jie Sect.

"What you say makes sense, but it's not enough; if the Heavenly Emperor agrees to my terms, we Jie Sect will settle the matter of Taiyi True Person for the Heavenly Court."

Tai Bai Jin Xing's eyes showed doubt: "I don't know, I don't know what conditions the Immortal wishes to propose."

Gu Xiu smiled slightly: "Since you also know about the three teachings' Investiture of the Gods, I will ask the Heavenly Emperor for several important positions for my Jie Sect disciples; if the Heavenly Emperor can agree, then whenever the Chan Sect causes trouble, they will come to the Jie Sect, and we will respond immediately."

"This… Immortal, I cannot decide on this." Tai Bai Jin Xing, not expecting Gu Xiu to make such a request, looked embarrassed.

Gu Xiu also didn't expect a single Tai Bai Jin Xing to agree to such a thing.

"No matter, I can first go up to heaven with you; once the Heavenly Emperor agrees to the conditions, I will take action."

Tai Bai Jin Xing had thought he would be making another futile trip.

By the time he returns to the Heavenly Court to report, Taiyi True Person might already have fled.

Upon hearing that Gu Xiu would go back to heaven with him, Tai Bai Jin Xing's face lit up with joy.

Once back in the Heavenly Court, with the assent of the celestial officials, Haotian will surely agree to these conditions.

To the Heavenly Court, giving divine positions to anyone is the same; it incurs no loss.

"Immortal, rest assured; once we return to the Heavenly Court, I will certainly see this through and secure high positions for the Jie Sect disciples."

Gu Xiu gave a slight nod: "Good; in that case I will let my master know, so that she and I can go to the Heavenly Court together."

"Immortal, please go ahead."

Originally worried that Gu Xiu going alone might not be able to subdue Taiyi True Person, but with the Three Xiao present, Tai Bai Jin Xing knew the mission was secure.

……

Three Immortals Island.

Regarding Tai Bai Jin Xing's visit outside the island, the Three Xiao already knew.

Bi Xiao leaned lazily against the pavilion, giving a soft hum: "What is Tai Bai Jin Xing doing here?"

Yun Xiao frowned slightly, pondering: "Let's see; since he's visiting Gu Xiu, it's probably nothing urgent."

Qiong Xiao pursed her lips: "Hmph, whatever; if he harbors ill intent, I'll make Tai Bai Jin Xing look bad."

Following that, the three noticed that Gu Xiu went outside and chatted with the Great White Gold Star for a while, then came over to them.

After a while, Gu Xiu then came to stand before the three.

I pay my respects to Master and both Martial Uncles.

Yun Xiao nodded: "Gu Xiu, what business do you have coming here?"

Gu Xiu did not conceal anything, directly stating the purpose of the Great White Gold Star's visit.

Upon hearing that, Yun Xiao raised her brows slightly and said softly: "Gu Xiu, do you want us to go to the Heavenly Realm and deal with the Great One?"

"Yes, Master, this matter involves the Expounding Sect and the Investiture of the Gods; the key is that I do not want to see the True Person of the Great One so arrogant."

Before Yun Xiao could respond, Bi Xiao spoke up first: "How unreasonable! The disciples of the Expounding Sect are so arrogant; we must give them a lesson to make them learn."

……