Chapter 64: Tong Tian

Biyou Palace.

Tong Tian sat upright on his throne, his posture straight and tall, yet exuding a sense of ease and detachment.

His gaze was deep and distant, as if it could pierce through the endless reaches of time and space.

For some time now, Tong Tian had been paying some attention to Gu Xiu.

Whenever he was bored, he would probe into what Gu Xiu was doing.

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

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

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

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

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

Tong Tian had not expected to see the World-Extinguishing Black Lotus in Gu Xiu's hands.

"Could it be related to Luohou?"

Tong Tian's brows furrowed slightly as he fell into deep thought.

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

"But my Jie Sect has always lacked a treasure to suppress our fortune. As it happens, all lotus platforms can suppress fortune. I wonder if I could borrow the World-Extinguishing Black Lotus from this grand-disciple to suppress our fortune, and then return it to him? But can I really entrust the Jie Sect's fortune into the hands of a grand-disciple?"

Tong Tian pondered for a moment.

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

Then, he summoned Daoist Duobao.

"Master, do you have instructions for me?"

"Duobao, I recall that Huo Ling'er has been under your tutelage for quite some time now, hasn't she?"

Duobao did not understand why Tong Tian 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 of the third-generation disciples. I believe she will be able to break through to Taiyi Golden Immortal before long."

Tong Tian nodded slightly, his gaze calm: "Huo Ling'er has a good foundation, and I hold 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 foremost among my Jie Sect's third-generation disciples. You can have Huo Ling'er find time to interact with him more; young people easily find common topics, and that 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?" Daoist Duobao's face was full of disbelief: "How is this possible? How could it be so fast?"

Sect Leader Tong Tian smiled and said: "This child has an excellent foundation, innate talent, and has encountered good fortune, so it is not surprising he has achieved this. Have Huo Ling'er interact with him more; it will also be beneficial for her cultivation. Tell Huo Ling'er to return and inform you if she discovers anything unusual."

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 his 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 degree for now, which is probably enough. If I obtain more merit in the future, it should be used elsewhere."

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

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

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

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

Gu Xiu regained his senses 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 an excuse.

"We are fellow disciples, so it is only right that we interact more. My master saw that I was stuck in a bottleneck and unable to break through the Golden Immortal stage, so she told me to come and discuss the Dao with you more; perhaps I will find the opportunity for a breakthrough."

She had originally been cultivating perfectly well on Jin'ao Island.

But then Daoist Duobao sought her out and said that Gu Xiu had already broken through to Taiyi Golden Immortal, making him firmly the number one third-generation disciple of the Jie Sect.

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

A master's orders are hard to disobey, so Holy Mother Huo Ling had to come and find Gu Xiu.

Gu Xiu pondered.

Why was that fat man Duobao not teaching his own disciple, but instead sending Holy Mother Huo Ling to discuss the Dao with him?

He had only discussed some cultivation problems with Yun Xiao, and 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 idle.

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

Gu Xiu led the way.

Hearing this, a joyful smile bloomed on Holy Mother Huo Ling's face. She moved with lotus steps, following closely behind, and the two walked 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 sat down slowly, her movements gentle and her posture dignified.

……

Mount Kunlun.

Immortal mist swirled, and auspicious colors abounded.

In the Jade Void Palace, Yuanshi Tianzun sat high on a cloud bed.

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

He opened his eyes slightly, glanced at the Antarctic Immortal Weng below, and said indifferently.

"Antarctic, how is the investigation into the affairs of Zhaoge going? 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 discovered what their next step is. However, various signs indicate that the Jie Sect has indeed intervened in the affairs of Zhaoge, repeatedly disrupting our Chan Sect's plans."

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

His voice was flat, yet contained endless majesty.

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

Yuanshi Tianzun snorted coldly, his gaze seemingly piercing through endless space to look at Biyou Palace and the Wa Palace.

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

It was fine regarding Tong Tian; the Investiture of the Gods was inherently a contest with the Jie Sect.

But Yuanshi Tianzun held a grudge about failing to scheme against Nuwa and instead having his plans ruined by her. 【70】 "Xiqi, how is it over there?" 【71】 Antarctic Immortal Weng said respectfully: "Teacher, because an anomaly appeared, Di Xin did not kill too many people. Trying to make Ji Chang suffer seven years of imprisonment in Zhaoge and then return to raise an army in rebellion is probably a bit difficult." 【72】 On the cloud bed, Yuanshi Tianzun's gaze was deep as he pondered. 【73】 "Although Ji Chang has ambition, he is too indecisive and has too many thoughts; he is not up to the task. Without him, it is just missing a few things. Our goal is mainly on his second son, Ji Fa. That son is ambitious and has the heart of a wolf; he is the perfect puppet for our Chan Sect to support." 【74】 After a pause, Yuanshi Tianzun spoke again. 【75】 "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 Xibo Hou and become the Lord of Zhou. Find a time to eliminate Bo Yikao." 【76】 Antarctic Immortal Weng said: "Teacher, rest assured, leave this matter to this disciple." ===== CHAPTER 65 =====

"Xiqi, how are things over there?"

Antarctic Immortal respectfully said: "Teacher, because an anomaly appeared, Di Xin did not kill too many people. If you want Ji Chang to be trapped in the Zhaoge prison for seven years and then return to raise an army in rebellion, I am afraid it will be somewhat difficult."

On the cloud bed, Yuanshi Tianzun had a profound look in his eyes, lost in deep thought.

"Although Ji Chang has ambition, he is overly indecisive and has too many ideas; he is hard-pressed to shoulder a great responsibility. 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, with the heart of a wolf; he is the perfect puppet for my 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 Xibo Hou and become the Lord of Zhou. Find a time to wipe out Bo Yikao."

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