Chapter 403: A Conspiracy in the Clouds, Reaching a Consensus with the Dragon Clan

At this moment.

By the shores of the East Sea.

Within the residence of the fief of King Pingling,

Yun Zhongzi was in discussion with King Pingling.

Yun Zhongzi had a slender build, and his expression revealed an unquestionable arrogance.

"Wen Zhong's army is on its way. As promised before, as long as you can drag Wen Zhong down in the East Sea and prevent him from returning to Chaoge to provide support, once my Chan Sect completes the Great Calamity of the Investiture of the Gods, I will grant you a celestial position, allowing you to rank among the immortals and exist as long as the world itself."

His tone was steady yet carried a sense of looking down from above.

A burning desire flickered in King Pingling's eyes; there was no mortal who did not wish to become an immortal and attain eternal life, and he said with a fawning manner:

"Rest assured, Exalted Immortal! Even if that Wen Zhong has some ability, once he steps into my East Sea territory, I will ensure he never returns!"

Seeing King Pingling agree so easily, Yun Zhongzi nodded with satisfaction.

He sneered inwardly.

Mortals truly could not resist the temptation of becoming immortals.

Merely by promising a rank among the immortals, he had agreed to rebel against Shang without hesitation.

Suddenly, thinking of the Water Qilin and Fire Qilin he had encountered, Yun Zhongzi spoke up to warn him.

"People from the Jie Sect are very likely to intervene and assist Wen Zhong; you must be extra vigilant in your daily affairs."

King Pingling had long resided in his East Sea fief and naturally knew the great reputation of the Jie Sect, which, like the Chan Sect, was a major sect founded by a Saint.

He could not help but show a worried expression: "Exalted Immortal, I am but a mere mortal; dealing with Wen Zhong is manageable, but if the Jie Sect intervenes to help, I truly cannot handle it."

Having long anticipated that King Pingling would say this, Yun Zhongzi spoke to reassure him: "You may rest assured. If there are any anomalies, I will inform you in time, and if necessary, I will assist you in secret."

Having received this promise, King Pingling breathed a sigh of relief.

He was not directly opposing the Jie Sect; as long as he found a way to drag Wen Zhong down in the East Sea, he could perfectly well avoid offending either side. Once the Chan Sect completed the Investiture of the Gods, his celestial position would be within his grasp.

"Rest assured, Exalted Immortal, I guarantee I will complete the task," King Pingling replied hurriedly.

Yun Zhongzi glanced at him, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

He had long seen through King Pingling's petty schemes. King Pingling wanted to play both sides, but was he not also using King Pingling? Both sides thought they had gained the advantage.

He spoke slowly: "All matters have been settled, so I shall take my leave. If anything arises, I will contact you proactively."

"Safe travels, Exalted Immortal," King Pingling said, bowing and cupping his hands.

Yun Zhongzi said no more, transforming into a streak of light that ascended to the heavens, looking toward the direction of Dou Dao.

"This place is too close to the Jie Sect; it is not suitable to lay out too many plans. I hope King Pingling and the other feudal lords can be of some use and drag down the two hundred thousand troops led by Wen Zhong in the East Sea. If so, the pressure on Ziya's side will be a little less."

Thinking this, Yun Zhongzi's figure disappeared once more, intending to keep an eye on the movements of Wen Zhong's army.

Having learned the lesson from being discovered by the Water Qilin and Fire Qilin last time, this time Yun Zhongzi did not dare to approach rashly, observing only from afar.

Meanwhile, the Water Qilin and Fire Qilin, following Gu Xiu's instructions, returned to monitor the movements of Wen Zhong's army.

During this time, they keenly sensed Yun Zhongzi's tracks.

With Gu Xiu's authorization, the Water Qilin and Fire Qilin exchanged a look.

Their four hooves trod upon the void as they charged toward Yun Zhongzi.

Noticing the arrival of the two Qilins, Yun Zhongzi frowned slightly.

He had been so careful, so how had he encountered these two troublesome Qilins again?

"Two fellow Daoists, I am not hindering you now. I wonder, for what reason have you come this time?"

The two Qilins raised their heads and let out a heaven-shaking roar: "My master is an immortal of the Jie Sect, and you are a disciple of the Chan Sect. Do we need any reason to take action against you?"

Yun Zhongzi's brow furrowed even tighter; it seemed these two Qilins were specifically targeting him.

Realizing in his heart that there was no room for negotiation, he simply stopped pretending to be polite.

"Mere creatures with scales and armor, I have always treated others with courtesy, yet you do not know how to return the favor with gratitude. I do not wish to start a slaughter; considering your cultivation was not easy to attain, if you retreat now, I will let bygones be bygones."

Yun Zhongzi felt that the aura emitted by the two Qilins was similar to his own—both were Taiyi Golden Immortals—and he intended to scare them off with his words.

But the Water Qilin and Fire Qilin had always stayed in the Water-Fire Gourd; they were simple-minded and hated evil, basically doing whatever Gu Xiu told them to do.

Moreover, the Water Qilin and Fire Qilin knew that Yun Zhongzi's cultivation was about the same as theirs, so naturally, they would not be scared by Yun Zhongzi's words.

Raising their heads and roaring in anger, they launched an attack on Yun Zhongzi.

Facing two opponents of the same realm—who were also Qilins born from the Nine Heavens Profound Fire and Nine Nether Profound Water within the Water-Fire Gourd—Yun Zhongzi found it difficult to parry under their pincer attack.

Fortunately, as a Blessed and Virtuous Immortal, Yun Zhongzi had deep fortune and, unlike the Twelve Golden Immortals of Jade Void, did not carry the burden of the killing calamity, so whenever he fell into danger, he could always cleverly turn peril into safety by relying on his profound fortune.

But luck was something too mysterious and hard to describe, and Yun Zhongzi did not dare to gamble.

No longer wanting to continue the entanglement with the two Qilins, he hurriedly cast a spell to escape.

After Yun Zhongzi fled, the Water Qilin and Fire Qilin did not pursue.

Three Immortals Island.

For the past few days, Gu Xiu had been waiting for news from the Dragon Clan.

On the last day of the agreed period, Ao Bing and Prime Minister Turtle came to visit together.

The matter to be discussed this time was relatively important.

Gu Xiu invited them onto Three Immortals Island and into the courtyard.

Sitting before the stone table, he poured a cup of tea for Ao Bing and spoke slowly.

"The matter from a few days ago, tell me the result now. I wonder what the attitude of your Dragon Clan is?"

Ao Bing's expression was respectful as he replied hurriedly: "Exalted Immortal, after careful consideration, my Dragon Clan agrees to your proposal and agrees to assist the Jie Sect in the Investiture of the Gods among the three sects."

Hearing this, a satisfied smile appeared on Gu Xiu's face; he had finally managed to win over the Dragon Clan.

He nodded gently: "That is excellent. From now on, we can be considered to have formed an alliance."

"Exalted Immortal, my Dragon Clan has been in decline for a long time, and our strength is not what it used to be. I fear that in the matter of assisting the Jie Sect, what we can do will be very limited."

Gu Xiu's expression was calm, his tone relaxed: "On this point, your Dragon Clan can rest assured. Dealing with the Chan Sect is something we of the Jie Sect will handle; your Dragon Clan only needs to do what is within your power. It just so happens that there is currently one thing that requires you to do."

Having just formed an alliance and already having tasks assigned, Ao Bing felt as if the Dragon Clan had boarded a pirate ship, and he was puzzled: "I wonder what it is that you need us to do, Exalted Immortal?"

"In the human territory, King Pingling of the East Sea has raised an army in rebellion, and Grand Preceptor Wen Zhong of the Yin Shang is on his way with a large army to suppress it. When Wen Zhong arrives at the East Sea, your Dragon Clan shall assist Wen Zhong in destroying King Pingling."

Learning that it was such a trivial matter, Ao Bing agreed immediately.

"Exalted Immortal, such a small matter, rest assured and leave it to us. Although my Dragon Clan has declined, fortunately, we have countless shrimp soldiers and crab generals in our hands. Although these shrimp soldiers and crab generals have low abilities, dealing with some mortals who have no magic is not a problem."

Gu Xiu laughed: "The Third Prince is indeed straightforward. Wen Zhong is the Grand Preceptor of Yin Shang; if your Dragon Clan assists him in pacifying the chaos of the feudal lords in the East Sea, it will surely be a great merit." ===== CHAPTER 404 =====