Chapter 338

At this moment.

Several million li away.

The True Lord of Pure Void and Morality's figure emerged from the void, his body covered in wounds, his Daoist robe stained with blood and torn.

His hair was disheveled, he was in utter disarray, and he muttered curses.

"Damn it!"

"The Jie Sect's fur‑horned, moisture‑born scum truly deserve death; if I don't repay this grudge, I'll write my name as the True Lord of Pure Void and Morality backwards!"

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

The True Lord of Pure Void and Morality had 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 Numinous Treasure Grand Master, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Senior brothers, you've come."

The Numinous Treasure Grand Master stepped forward and asked: "Junior Brother Pure Void, we rushed over after receiving your message—who wounded you?"

"It was those fur‑horned, morality‑less Jie Sect scum who sneak‑attacked me; that's why I'm asking you two senior brothers for help." The True Lord of Pure Void and Morality's eyes burned with anger and resentment.

Jiuli Sun narrowed his eyes, deep in thought, as if harboring some other idea.

Numinous Treasure Grand Master's face was filled with anger: "Detestable Jie Sect scoundrels, where are they? Pure Void True Lord junior brother, are you still alright? Let's go now and kill those Jie Sect scoundrels!"

Pure Void True Lord's eyes were grim and cold.

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

But the difference in strength was too great.

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

"Two senior brothers, I too would love to slaughter those Jie Sect beasts, but they have already fled; recklessly pursuing them would be dangerous, and besides, I am still wounded."

After seeing Pure Void True Lord's injuries, the Numinous Treasure Grand Master said: "That's right; Pure Void True Lord junior brother, you should go back to heal your wounds, and I and Junior Brother Juli Sun will explain this to the other senior brothers."

"Then it will be troublesome for you." Pure Void True Lord bowed with clasped hands, then said: "However, senior brothers, the master ordered me to go to Xiji to assist Jiang Ziya in defeating the Four Demons of the Magic Family, but I may need to rest for a while, so helping Jiang Ziya may have to trouble you."

Upon hearing this, the Numinous Treasure Grand Master immediately agreed.

"Pure Void True Lord junior brother, rest assured; we will go to Xiji to assist Jiang Ziya. Then we will set a trap in Xiji, lure the Jie Sect disciples into it, and catch them in a jar—help you get revenge."

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

Having made up their minds, Juli Sun and the Numinous Treasure Grand Master headed for Xiji.

……

At this moment.

Xiji.

Thanks to the help of the Old Man of the South Pole, Jiang Ziya has already grasped real power in Xiji.

But an unexpected event arose in the campaign against Chong Hou; while fleeing in haste, Jiang Ziya did not execute the Chong Hou Hu family, presenting their heads to Ji Chang, which frightened Ji Chang and left him haunted by vengeful spirits.

Thus the Old Man of the South Pole had to intervene, causing Ji Chang to contract a malignant illness and remain bedridden.

When Wen Zhong's great army pressed the border, the Sect of the Enlightenment also sent third-generation disciples to assist Jiang Ziya; Xiji had to rely on the Sect's power to repel the enemy, and only then did Jiang Ziya seize the opportunity to grasp real power and control Xiji.

But after Wen Zhong summoned the Four Demons of the Magic Family, the Sect of the Enlightenment's third-generation disciples were utterly unable to cope; they could only hope the Twelve Golden Immortals would come to assist.

The Premier's Residence.

Jiang Ziya was handling affairs in his study, awaiting the Sect of the Enlightenment's dispatch of the Twelve Golden Immortals to assist, when a golden flash suddenly appeared indoors.

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

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

Jiang Ziya's eyes showed doubt.

"Strange, this golden placard has always been in the wrapping; I felt it was peculiar, so I kept it, but how did it suddenly appear here?"

He opened it to look, and new content had appeared on it.

【Jiang Ziya, your memory has been tampered with; the Sect of the Enlightenment is using you; if you preside over the Investiture of the Gods, you will surely come to no good end; think carefully about it, your lost memory.】

"My memory has been tampered with?" Jiang Ziya frowned.

"If I preside over the Investiture of the Gods, I will surely come to no good end?"

After thinking a moment, he shouted angrily.

"This is sheer nonsense, heretical words that delude the masses!"

He immediately placed the golden placard 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.

"Did you notice anything unusual while on guard? Has anyone come here?"

"Replying to the Premier, there was nothing unusual at all, and no one has come here."

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

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

"One Wen Zhong would be fine, but the Four Demons of the Magic Family are highly skilled, work together seamlessly; relying solely on the third-generation disciples cannot deal with them."

……

the Heavenly Court

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

Haotian was also deep in thought.

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

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

His Majesty Haotian sat upon the throne, sunk in deep contemplation.

If I let you go, what face would my Heavenly Court have? My reputation has been utterly ruined by Yao Ji; doing such a disgraceful act, I absolutely cannot let it go lightly, otherwise in the future all the immortals of the Heavenly Court will develop worldly hearts and talk about love, and how could this Heavenly Court still function, how could I set an example and rule the three realms!

Haotian repeatedly weighed it in his mind, falling into indecision.

After repeated 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 easily; to save Yao Ji one must pay a great price, which will properly intimidate the immortals.

Recalling, because of the previous incident with Taiyi Zhenren, it caused an avatar of Yuanshi Tianzun to descend, making him lose face; he went to Zixiao Palace to complain, and the Dao Ancestor told him to go back and wait for news, but to this day there has been no news.

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

But his thoughts just wouldn't get through.

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

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

Gu Xiu, aren't you trying to get me to pick the right side? You promised to send the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect onto the list for the Heavenly Court to command, so I want to see how a third‑generation disciple like you dares to boast that you can get the Twelve Golden Immortals onto the list.

If you can really do it, not only releasing Yao Ji from Tao Shan, but even letting the Heavenly Court accept Yang Jian and Yang Chan would be acceptable.

After a moment's thought, Haotian summoned Tai Bai Jin Xing.

The court audience had ended; suddenly summoned, Tai Bai Jin Xing felt a little doubtful and performed a bow.

Your Majesty, I don't know what business you have summoned me for.

Haotian glanced at Tai Bai Jin Xing and lightly said, '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.'

Tai Bai Jin Xing grew curious and asked, 'Your Majesty, I don't know what the purpose of this is.'

Tai Bai Jin Xing, being his lackey, Haotian did not conceal: 'Earlier I sent Long Ji to the Three Immortals Island to gather information, and Gu Xiu repeatedly said he would send the Twelve Golden Immortals onto the list.'

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

So I intend to issue an edict: if the Twelve Golden Immortals of Jade Void are placed on the list for the Heavenly Court's use, I can not only free Yao Ji but even accept Yang Jian and Yang Chan.

Tai Bai Jin Xing felt a surge of joy.

Yao Ji, as the eldest princess, had always served the Heavenly Court with loyalty and diligence, yet ended up in this predicament.

At first, many immortals and deities pleaded for mercy, but to no avail; Haotian stubbornly decided to proceed with the crackdown.

I never thought he would relent now.

But the thought of having to send all twelve Golden Immortals onto the list made Tai Bai Jin Xing feel it was impossible.

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

Haotian slowly said, 'Tai Bai Jin Xing, this isn't me deliberately making things difficult for you; it was Gu Xiu who said it himself. Besides, what are you pleading for? Get going and deliver the imperial edict!'

Yes, Your Majesty, I'll get going right away.

Seeing Haotian angry, Tai Bai Jin Xing scurried off.