The Arrival of the Clarify Sect Immortals
A hundred miles outside Sishui Pass Xiqi Camp.
Inside the command tent, the atmosphere was so oppressive it was hard to breathe.
Ji Fa was restless, glancing out of the tent one moment and then at Shen Gongbao beside him, who was resting with his eyes closed. His anxiety and fear grew wildly like weeds.
Inside the command tent, the atmosphere was so oppressive it was hard to breathe.
Ji Fa paced back and forth inside the tent, his face filled with lingering worry.
After the disastrous defeat at Sishui Pass, he followed Shen Gongbao's advice and withdrew his army several hundred miles.
Far from Sishui Pass, they set up camp here, waiting for reinforcements from Kunlun Mountain to arrive.
As long as reinforcements didn't arrive, his heart couldn't find peace.
The scene from that day haunted his mind like a nightmare.
Those once high and mighty, arrogant immortals of the Clarify Sect were either killed or fled, their forces utterly routed.
How can we fight this battle?
With such powerful immortals from the Interception Sect assisting the Great Shang Dynasty, how could Xiqi possibly win?
"Prime Minister, do you think... the immortals will really come?"
Ji Fa finally stopped and looked at Shen Gongbao was sitting calmly to the side.
Shen Gongbao held his teacup, slowly blew away the foam, and wore his unchanging smile.
"Second Young Master, there's no need to be in such a hurry."
"Our three Martial Nephew have been Investiture of the Gods on the Investiture of the Gods. Such a disgrace is beyond the reach of our sect."
"I dare say that it won't be long before the true main force of my Clarify Sect arrives here in person."
He verbally comforted Ji Fa, but inwardly he sneered.
Coming? Of course I'll come.
Even Saint as proud as Yuanshi Tianzun, having suffered such a great loss, would not be Yuanshi Tianzun if he didn't get his revenge.
Just as Ji Fa was about to say something...
Shen Gongbao suddenly paused, raised his head, and looked through the tent towards the distant horizon.
A subtle change finally appeared on that perpetually unchanging smiling face.
They've arrived.
That familiar, repulsive, condescending aura.
Besides those self-proclaimed Orthodox Daoist Sect, who else could it be?
"Second Young Master, reinforcements from our Clarify Sect have arrived."
Shen Gongbao stood up and bowed to Ji Fa.
"Quickly, come with me to greet them."
Ji Fa jolted awake, his face instantly filled with wild joy. His previous fear and unease vanished, and he quickly followed Shen Gongbao out of the command tent.
Outside the main camp, a dozen or Dao Body slowly descended.
A celestial aura pervades, and the Dao Rhyme is naturally present.
Leading them were the Twelve Golden Immortals, including Guangchengzi, Chijingzi, and True Person Taiyi.
Beside them stood the venerable Immortal Weng of the South Pole and the ethereal Yun Zhongzi.
Even the reclusive Daoist Randeng Ran Deng, the Deputy Sect Master of Chan Sect, personally attended the event.
This kind of display is practically an all-out effort by the Clarify Sect!
Seeing this display, Shen Gongbao's inward sneer deepened, but his face broke into an even more eager smile.
He strode forward and bowed deeply to the crowd.
"Shen Gongbao greets Vice Sect Master Randeng and all fellow disciples."
However, all he received in response was a cold silence.
Guangchengzi, Chijingzi, and even the notoriously hot-tempered True Person Taiyi all merely glanced at him coldly before looking away, without even uttering a humph.
It felt as if even glancing at him would taint my eyes.
The Immortal Weng of the South Pole simply closed his eyes, seemingly oblivious.
Shen Gongbao's bowed body remained frozen in place.
In front of the camp, countless eyes were watching, and the atmosphere was extremely awkward.
As expected, it's still the same.
Even though he now holds the Investiture of the Gods and is the nominal host of the Tribulation, in the eyes of these self-proclaimed upright and righteous people, he is still that lowly, horned and shabby creature who cannot be brought to the table.
How arrogant, how laughable.
Shen Gongbao felt a chill in his heart, but his face still wore that humble smile, as if he felt no humiliation whatsoever.
In the midst of this awkward silence, Yun Zhongzi sighed, stepped forward, and bowed to Shen Gongbao in return.
"Junior Brother Shen, there's no need for such formalities."
The Daoist Randeng opened his half-closed eyes and spoke softly.
"Get up."
Shen Gongbao then straightened up, his face still bearing that humble smile, as if he didn't care at all about being ignored just now.
"Thank you, Vice Leader. Yun Zhongzi."
Although Ji Fa sensed the eerie atmosphere, he dared not be negligent and quickly stepped forward, bowing respectfully to the immortals.
"Ji Fa greets all the immortal masters."
"Esteemed immortals, you have traveled a long way; your journey must have been arduous."
Guangchengzi and the others softened their attitudes slightly when facing Ji Fa.
After all, they still needed to rely on Xiqi to complete the Investiture of the Investiture of the Gods.
"Second Young Master, there's no need for such formalities."
Guangchengzi spoke calmly, his voice devoid of any emotion.
Upon seeing this, Ji Fa quickly stepped aside and made a "please" gesture.
"Esteemed immortals, this is not the place to speak. Please come into the camp for a discussion."
Having said that, he led the way, welcoming the group of the Clarify Sect immortals into the command tent in a grand procession.
Inside the command tent, the members of the Clarify Sect took their seats as guests and hosts.
The Daoist Randeng and the Immortal Weng of the South Pole sat at the head of the guest seats, followed by the Twelve Golden Immortals, including Guangchengzi.
Ji Fa sat in the main seat, appearing somewhat reserved.
Shen Gongbao, on the other hand, stood aside tactfully, as if he were an insignificant person.
Guangchengzi looked around, then fixed his gaze on Ji Fa and spoke directly, his voice icy.
"Second Young Master."
"Pass down the order: tomorrow morning, the entire army will set off for Sishui Pass!"
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an air of unquestionable decisiveness and ruthlessness.
"Our Clarify Sect wants to personally confront those disciples of the Interception Sect!"
"I'd like to see just what they're capable of, daring to kill my Chan Sect Disciple!"
These words immediately filled the tent with murderous intent.
True Person Taiyi was the first to slam his fist on the table and stand up.
"Senior brother is right! Why waste words with them!"
"Tomorrow we'll march there and send those wicked people to the Investiture of the Gods, avenging my Martial Nephew!"
Chijingzi also said coldly.
"Excellent! They must pay for their crimes in blood, and the might of our Clarify Sect be revealed!"
The group of Golden Immortal were filled with righteous indignation and murderous intent. Only blood could wash away the humiliation they had suffered at the Jade Void Palace yesterday.
Shen Gongbao also stepped forward at the opportune moment, his face full of smiles, and bowed to Guangchengzi and the others.
"My fellow disciples are right!"
"Those demons of the Interception Sect, relying on their numbers and power, act arrogantly and have long since stopped taking our Clarify Sect seriously!"
"If we don't teach them a painful lesson, they'll really think our Clarify Sect has no one left!"
"Now that all of you senior brothers have arrived in person, that Interception Sect fiend is nothing but a clay chicken and a clay dog, utterly vulnerable!"
"Tomorrow's battle will surely make them pay Interception Sect their blood debt with their blood!"
Seeing the immortals' united hatred and murderous aura, Ji Fa Fa's last trace of worry vanished.
This is exactly what he imagined a disciple of Saint should be like!
Powerful, confident, and unmatched!
He jumped to his feet and answered excitedly.
"Very well! It's entirely up to you esteemed immortals to decide!"
"I will immediately issue the order: tomorrow morning, we must breach the Sishui Pass!"