Jiang Ziya descended by decree to preserve peace; Shen Gongbao left the mountain in resentment to throw the world into chaos

Golden Ao Island.

Jade Palace.

Enveloped in ethereal mist, imbued with the Dao Rhyme Daoism.

The Tongtian Sect Master sat high on a cloud bed, his Surrounding Body surrounded by Clear Qi, as if he had become one with the entire hall.

Below, Jiang Ziya stood quietly, dressed in a blue Daoist robe, his hair and beard all white.

"Ziya."

The Tongtian Sect Master spoke, his words were calm, yet they seemed to contain the profound wisdom of the Great Dao.

"Disciple is here." Jiang Ziya bowed deeply.

"Wen Zhong sent word a few months ago that his expedition to the Northern Sea might be protracted, and there was no one in the court to assist the Human Emperor."

"He hopes you will descend the mountain, Chaoge, and assist the Human Emperor."

"I have already agreed to this matter."

"At that time you were in seclusion Enlightenment the Dao, so I did not disturb you."

Now that you have emerged from the pass, it is time for you to make a trip to Chaoge.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ziya remained largely unmoved.

Cultivating Daoism on Golden Ao Island was something he had always dreamed of, but since his master had given the order, he would naturally obey.

Moreover, his three years in Chaoge were not without their gains; the feeling of wielding power and commanding armies had stirred his heart.

It was an honor for him to serve his sect.

"Disciple obeys." Jiang Ziya bowed respectfully.

The Tongtian Sect Master nodded and continued.

"As you probably already know, the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation has begun."

"This Tribulation is no small Karma; it will take advantage of the changing dynasties in the human world to settle the karmic debts accumulated by our Three Teachings over countless Eon."

Jiang Ziya's heart sank.

Tribulation.

He had heard his senior classmates mention it countless times, and each time it was accompanied by heaviness and unease.

For most practitioners, Tribulation means death and demise.

"We, the Interception Sect, support the Great Shang Dynasty."

"And the Clarify Sect will support Xiqi."

At this point, the Tongtian Sect Master's gaze sharpened, fixing firmly on Jiang Ziya.

"In this Tribulation, matters of the mortal world will be under your command."

"From this day forward, all members of my Interception Sect, whether inner or outer disciples, shall be at your command."

"I hope you won't disappoint your teacher."

Boom!

These words were like a thunderbolt exploding in Jiang Ziya's mind.

With him as the main figure?

How could he command all the immortals of the Jie Interception Sect, even a mere mortal?

An unprecedented pressure, like a mountain weighing billions of tons, suddenly pressed down on his heart.

He was merely a mortal who had cultivated for a mere few decades, yet had never truly stepped into the Immortal Path of immortality.

Compared to any outer disciple of the Interception Sect, they were like fireflies compared to the bright moon.

Let him command those senior students who can move mountains and fill seas at the drop of a hat?

How... can this be achieved?

Master... this disciple...

"This disciple's cultivation is shallow, and his talent is dull; what virtue or ability do I possess to shoulder this heavy responsibility?"

Jiang Ziya's voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly.

"I fear I am unfit for this great responsibility, and even more so... I fear I will fail my master's trust!"

This wasn't modesty; it was his truest thought.

This burden was too heavy, so heavy that he couldn't even breathe.

"What I want is not your cultivation level."

The Tongtian Sect Master seemed to see through his thoughts, but his voice remained calm and composed.

"Your senior brothers and sisters are all highly skilled in Magic Power and possess great Supernatural Power."

"But most of them act impulsively, are not good at scheming, and don't understand people's hearts."

"During Tribulation, one is most vulnerable to being plotted against."

"And you, with your meticulous mind, are perfect for making up for their shortcomings."

"Ziya, you don't need to feel too much pressure."

"The final outcome of this Tribulation still depends on us Saint."

"Before that, there's only one thing you need to do."

"Try to minimize the casualties among my Jie Sect Disciple."

"Don't let them unwittingly be placed on the Investiture of the Gods of gods, becoming scapegoats for others."

The Tongtian Sect Master stared intently at him.

"I entrust them to you, and I hope you will not disappoint me."

After hearing these words, the turmoil in Jiang Ziya's heart subsided somewhat.

I see.

His master sent him to make up for the shortcomings of the immortals of the Interception Sect.

Thinking about it this way, the pressure seems to lessen a bit.

"Rest assured, Master."

Jiang Ziya took a deep breath and bowed solemnly.

"Disciple... disciple will do everything in my power to protect my Interception Sect and help Interception Sect... through this Tribulation!"

"Good."

The Tongtian Sect Master nodded.

"You don't need to worry too much; anything can Variables."

"The Human Emperor's side is not one to be trifled with either."

Jiang Ziya's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly asked.

"Master, even the Human Emperor... knows about this?"

"He knows."

"The Human Emperor knows." The Tongtian Sect Master's voice carried a hint of something inexplicable.

"Just go for it, and he won't stop you; he'll fully support you."

Upon receiving this reply, Jiang Ziya's last remaining concerns vanished.

The Human Emperor, the Master... have all reached a consensus.

With that, he would have no more worries about the future.

"Disciple will now descend the mountain." Jiang Ziya bowed again.

He bowed again, then slowly withdrew from the Jade Palace.

Standing outside the palace, looking at the familiar scenery of the immortal island, Jiang Ziya was filled with mixed emotions.

Ultimately, one must return to the mortal world.

This time, however, he wasn't going to study; he was going to... fight.

A war that sweeps across the Three Realms heaven, earth, and humanity.

He didn't linger. After discerning the direction of Chaoge, he transformed into a streak of light and left Golden Ao Island.

at the same time.

Kunlun Mountain, Jade Void Palace.

Yuanshi Tianzun sat high on his cloud bed, his indifferent gaze falling on the figure standing bowing below.

That figure was none other than Shen Gongbao.

Shen Gongbao.

"Disciple is here," Shen Gongbao replied hastily.

But in my heart, there was only a cold, mocking feeling.

Have you finally remembered me, this chess piece?

"Go down the mountain."

"Go to Xiqi and assist Marquis Ji Chang of the West."

"Let him raise Campaign Against Shang as soon as possible, in accordance with the will of Heaven."

"When you go to Xiqi, be sure to mention the name of my Clarify Sect."

"Within Xiqi, there are several people who have become disciples of my Clarify Sect. Ji Chang is aware of this, and he will certainly give you an important position in the future."

The tone of the Yuanshi Tianzun was completely calm, as if he were giving an order for something trivial.

Become a disciple of the Clarify Sect?

Shen Gongbao sneered inwardly.

He naturally knew who those people were.

They were nothing more than so-called "disciples" randomly recruited from outside by his Twelve Ancestral Witches high-ranking senior brothers in order to deal with the impending Killing Tribulation.

To put it bluntly, they were a bunch of scapegoats, a group of people used to fill the blanks on the Investiture of the Gods.

What is the essential difference between him and this "Person destined for the Tribulation"?

They are all pawns that can be sacrificed at any time.

"Yes, Master."

Shen Gongbao responded respectfully, showing no sign of anything amiss.

He raised his head, his face displaying just the right amount of subservience and a hint of doubt.

"This disciple dares to ask the venerable teacher for guidance."

"I wonder... when will my Twelve Ancestral Witches senior brothers descend the mountain to face this calamity and assist me?"

It sounded like a question, or perhaps a probe.

A moment of silence fell over the main hall.

An invisible pressure enveloped Shen Gongbao.

That was the dissatisfaction of Saint.

How dare that mere shrew with fur and horns question the secrets of Heavenly Secrets and speculate on his plans?

"You don't need to concern yourself with this matter."

The voice of the Yuanshi Tianzun was even colder than before.

"When the time is right, they will come down the mountain to assist you."

"What you need to do now is go to Xiqi and get Ji Chang to rebel against the Shang as soon as possible!"

Assist me?

Shen Gongbao keenly caught those words and instantly understood.

It seems that my identity as the "Person destined for the Tribulation" still carries some weight in my master's eyes.

At least on the surface, he was the leader of this Campaign Against Shang, and even the Twelve Golden Immortals had to "assist" him.

Although it's only in name, it's enough.

With this identity, he could legitimately mobilize the power of the Clarify Sect to seek the greatest benefit for himself.

"Disciple understands."

Shen Gongbao immediately knelt down and asked no more questions.

He knew that asking any further questions would only provoke his master's displeasure.

"Disciple will now descend the mountain and will certainly live up to Master's high expectations, helping Xiqi achieve its goal as soon as possible!"

Yuanshi Tianzun waved his hand.

"Go."

"Yes, Master."

Shen Gongbao kowtowed again, then rose and respectfully left Jade Void Palace.

Raising Campaign Against Shang...

hehe...

Shen Gongbao let out a low, ambiguous laugh, then turned and strode down the mountain.