Chapter 81

Gu Xiu was strolling around the Three Immortals Island.

He appeared to be strolling leisurely, yet his brows were slightly furrowed as he kept thinking about the matter of the Investiture of the Gods.

Without realizing it, he walked to the seaside and found a massive reef to sit upon.

The sea waves slapped against the reef, splashing up clusters of white foam.

Just at this moment, a massive shadow emerged from within the sea.

It was the sea beast that had previously been taken in by Bi Xiao, swimming over slowly.

Its form was immense, like a mountain range, breaking through the water.

The sea beast approached the reef, slightly lowered its massive head, and respectfully offered its greetings.

"Dashan pays respects to the Immortal."

The sea beast's voice was low and heavy, as if it were an echo from the deep sea.

Gu Xiu snapped out of his deep thoughts, looked at the sea beast, and nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

"I remember your name is Dashan, right? Is there something the matter?"

"It is rare for the Immortal to remember my name. Seeing the Immortal here, Dashan came specifically to pay respects, hoping to offer a meager contribution to the Immortal."

Gu Xiu's expression was calm: "You have a good heart, but I do not need help for the time being. You may withdraw."

"Take care, Immortal. Dashan will take his leave now."

The sea beast slowly raised its massive head, and its enormous body began to move backward.

When it moved to a slightly further distance, its massive form plunged downward abruptly, its mountain-like spine submerging into the sea, stirring up a large patch of white foam and layers of ripples.

Immediately following, its huge head also gradually disappeared beneath the sea surface, leaving only circles of water ripples spreading outward.

Before long, the sea surface returned to calm.

"This sea beast is quite tactful."

Just as Gu Xiu was looking in the direction where the sea beast had disappeared, sighing with emotion.

A clear and bright voice came: "Master!"

The voice traveled from far to near, and Yang Jian was walking over.

Gu Xiu turned slightly to the side, his gaze falling calmly upon Yang Jian, his voice unhurried: "Yang Jian, you came to find me specifically; is there something the matter?"

"Disciple has seen that Master seems to have been troubled these past few days, so I wish to share Master's worries."

"Oh? You have a good heart." A trace of gratification flashed in Gu Xiu's eyes: "Your master is currently contemplating the matter of the Investiture of the Gods."

Yang Jian's expression turned solemn, and he said: "Master, although my cultivation is still shallow, I also wish to contribute my part regarding the Investiture of the Gods."

Gu Xiu smiled indifferently: "You have a good heart, but this is a matter for the Chan Sect. What we must do is not fall into their schemes."

Yang Jian frowned slightly, and after pondering for a moment: "Since the Chan Sect is laying out such schemes, Master, why don't we gather our fellow disciples of the Jie Sect to discuss it together? By pooling our wisdom, perhaps we can find a solution."

Gu Xiu nodded slightly: "I was just planning to talk to your grandmaster about this, but your grandmaster and two junior grand-aunts have always remained aloof from worldly affairs and do not know the dangers of the world. Dealing with the Chan Sect's conspiracies and tricks is not suitable for them. This matter should not be publicized yet, so as to avoid causing unnecessary trouble."

Yang Jian nodded and replied: "Disciple understands. Everything shall be as Master commands."

"Very good. Here is a Five-Turn Golden Core; take it and use it."

As he spoke, Gu Xiu took out a small, exquisite jade box and opened it gently. A Five-Turn Golden Core, emitting a brilliant radiance and a fragrant scent, appeared inside the box.

A trace of surprise flashed in Yang Jian's eyes, and he hurriedly received the jade box with both hands: "Many thanks for Master's reward. Disciple will definitely redouble my efforts in cultivation and not fail Master's high expectations."

Gu Xiu smiled: "This pill has strong medicinal effects. After you consume it, you need to go into seclusion to cultivate and bring its efficacy to the extreme. You must not be overly hasty."

Yang Jian nodded solemnly and replied: "Disciple will keep Master's teachings in mind."

Gu Xiu stepped forward again and gently patted Yang Jian on the shoulder: "Go. Cultivate well. When you emerge from seclusion, I expect your strength will be able to reach a higher level."

Gu Xiu patted Yang Jian on the shoulder and then left, intending to go find the Three Xiao sisters.

Looking at Gu Xiu's departing back and then at the jade box in his hand, Yang Jian was moved.

"Perhaps Master felt my current strength is too weak, which is why he bestowed this immortal pill."

Gu Xiu's figure was like the wind, speeding along the winding path toward the Three Xiao sisters' residence.

Along the way, exotic flowers and rare grasses swayed in the breeze, as if gently greeting him.

Before long, he arrived at the place where the Three Xiao sisters usually discussed the Dao.

An exquisite pavilion stood by the side of a serene body of water.

It was serene and tranquil.

The pavilion was surrounded by faint spiritual mist, adding a sense of mystery.

Not far away was the cave dwelling of the Three Xiao sisters.

Immortal Qi was thick, and auspicious colors were abundant.

"Junior Nephew, you have come; is there something the matter?"

As soon as he arrived, Qiong Xiao's voice suddenly sounded, and she appeared suddenly before Gu Xiu.

"Junior Grand-Aunt, I came to find Master to discuss some matters."

"Eldest Sister and Third Sister have gone to Jinao Island and will return later. If there is anything, you might as well tell me, and I can pass it on, or you can wait until Eldest Sister returns."

Qiong Xiao was as cold and detached as ever.

Gu Xiu thought for a moment and nodded gently.

"That is fine. Telling you, Junior Grand-Aunt, is also acceptable, but this matter is a long story and cannot be explained in a few words. Junior Grand-Aunt, shall we go to the pavilion to sit and talk?"

Qiong Xiao nodded slightly and headed toward the pavilion, with Gu Xiu following closely behind.

The two soon arrived at the pavilion.

Qiong Xiao sat down with graceful movements and looked at Gu Xiu with a calm gaze.

"Junior Nephew, what do you have to say?"

Gu Xiu sat down on the stone stool opposite and spoke indifferently: "Junior Grand-Aunt, how do you view the current Great Calamity of Heaven and Earth?"

Qiong Xiao's moth-like brows furrowed slightly, and a trace of doubt flashed in her eyes. She did not understand why Gu Xiu was suddenly discussing the Great Calamity.

She had no choice but to say.

"This Great Calamity was caused by the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect. It is a matter for their Chan Sect. We can just cultivate in peace on the Three Immortals Island."

"Junior Grand-Aunt, the Dao Ancestor had the Sect Leader and all the Saints sign the Investiture of the Gods, requiring the three sects to enter the calamity. Although the Great Calamity was caused by the Twelve Golden Immortals, it is very difficult for us to stay out of it."

Regarding the matter of the Investiture of the Gods, because Tong Tian did not take it to heart, the disciples of the Jie Sect knew very little about it.

Qiong Xiao also did not know the causal relationship within it. She raised her eyes slightly and looked at Gu Xiu: "Junior Nephew, even so, what can we do with our strength? We can only listen to the Sect Leader's words and close our mountain gates tightly. If we rashly get involved, I fear the loss will outweigh the gain."

Gu Xiu shook his head: "Junior Grand-Aunt, if we do that, we will fall right into the Chan Sect's trap."

Qiong Xiao frowned slightly: "Junior Nephew, what do you mean by that?"

Just as Gu Xiu was about to explain, Bi Xiao's voice suddenly came from the horizon, her voice crisp and ethereal, as pleasant to the ear as immortal music.

"Second Sister, why are you with Junior Nephew? What are you discussing?"

Gu Xiu looked up.

Yun Xiao and Bi Xiao were returning to the Three Immortals Island. They stepped on auspicious clouds and landed lightly in front of the pavilion.

"Eldest Sister, Third Sister, you have finally returned!" Qiong Xiao walked up quickly to meet them.

"Master." Gu Xiu bowed in salute.

Yun Xiao moved with lotus steps and walked up: "Gu Xiu, why are you here?"

"I came to find Master, but since Master was not here, I was discussing some matters with Junior Grand-Aunt Qiong Xiao." Gu Xiu explained unhurriedly.

"Do you have something to say to me?" Doubt appeared in Yun Xiao's eyes.

"Master, the three sects have already signed the Investiture of the Gods together. However, the current situation is that the Chan Sect is constantly plotting outside, and they are fully prepared in every aspect, while we are keeping our mountain gates tightly closed, quietly chanting the Huangting Scripture, and have not done any preparatory work at all. Regarding this situation, how do you view it?"