You Are My Friend

With a plan forming in his mind, Qin Hong's gaze returned to Linghe.

"Although the Sect of Enlightenment doesn't have as many disciples as our Sect of Interception, it can't just be these few people, right?"

"Besides Shen Gongbao, is there anyone else?"

Hearing Qin Hong's words, Linghe quickly replied:

"I do have other disciples, but apart from Martial Uncle Shen Gongbao who is barely adequate, most of the second-generation disciples aren't up to par!"

"Ah, right, there's also the new closed-door disciple my master recently took in. He's about the same age as Martial Uncle, named Jiang Ziya, and he's at the Jade Void Palace."

"However, even though he's Heavenly Venerate's closed-door disciple, his cultivation isn't high! It's not even as good as mine!"

When speaking of Jiang Ziya, Linghe's face clearly showed displeasure, more so dissatisfaction.

This Jiang Ziya is just a child. Besides being from the Human Race, his talent is poor, his origins are poor. Even in a sacred cultivation ground like the Jade Void Palace, he hasn't achieved anything. By what right was he taken as a disciple by Heavenly Venerate?

Even he, Linghe, didn't receive such favor!

Hm?

Who?

Jiang Ziya?!

Hearing the name Jiang Ziya, Qin Hong's heart skipped a beat.

Jiang Ziya's role in the Investiture of the Gods was to uphold the will of Heaven and manage the Investiture of the Gods Scroll.

In the original Investiture of the Gods, Jiang Ziya was solely focused on cultivating to immortality, abandoning his wife, and heading to the Jade Void Palace.

At first, he was rejected by the Heavenly Lord of Original Beginning due to insufficient talent.

After all, while the Heavenly Lord of Original Beginning looked down upon those with fur and horns, he also looked down upon those without talent or proper origins!

Later, for some unknown reason, not only did the Heavenly Lord of Original Beginning accept Jiang Ziya as a disciple, but he also entrusted him with the task of overseeing the Investiture of the Gods, and granted him the authority to mobilize all the senior and junior disciples of the Sect of Enlightenment at will to aid in the great task of investiture.

Such a major event as the Investiture of the Gods, not given to the Twelve Golden Immortals, but instead handed to Jiang Ziya, a cultivator who hadn't even achieved immortality.

Did this seem appropriate?

Could it be a coincidence?

No, there's only a thin line between coincidence and destiny.

At this moment, it seemed clear that the Heavenly Lord of Original Beginning's acceptance of Jiang Ziya as a disciple was a premeditated plan.

His lack of talent, origins, and cultivation made him easier for the Heavenly Lord of Original Beginning to control.

After all, the Investiture of the Gods Calamity was all about schemes. Jiang Ziya only needed to follow the Heavenly Lord of Original Beginning's plan step by step.

If Jiang Ziya's cultivation were strong enough and he was entrusted with the great task of investiture, he would become an unpredictable pawn, which was not something the Heavenly Lord of Original Beginning would want to see.

"Heh heh, good Second Uncle, I didn't expect you to have planned for every eventuality!"

A cold laugh echoed in his heart, and Qin Hong immediately made his decision: he would start with Jiang Ziya.

Jiang Ziya, a crucial pawn meticulously cultivated by the Heavenly Lord of Original Beginning.

As long as this Jiang Ziya could be controlled, at least half of the Heavenly Lord of Original Beginning's plan would be disrupted.

"The Investiture of the Gods Calamity, guided by the Heavenly Dao, schemed by the Saints, and a reshuffling of the Primordial Era!"

"You all feared my father and the Sect of Interception's rising power, and conspired against us. Heh heh!"

"To have my Sect of Interception disciples killed and placed on the list, and even to force my father into eternal imprisonment beyond the heavens, what a brilliant scheme!"

"However, you never would have imagined that your painstaking plans would end up benefiting the Western Sect. Haha, the destined prosperity of Buddhism?!"

"My father was schemed against by you, but I, this young master, will not be a fool. Since you are plotting against us, you must be prepared to be plotted against!"

With this thought, the coldness on Qin Hong's face instantly vanished, replaced by a gentle demeanor.

Blinking his large eyes, he took Linghe's arm with his small hand and spoke in a soft, sweet voice:

"Little Martial Nephew Linghe, we are all under the Three Pure Ones, fellow disciples."

"We should love each other. My earlier actions towards you were because my father was insulted!"

"Please don't take it to heart, Little Martial Nephew!"

"From now on, I'll call you Little Hehe!"

"Okay, Little Hehe..."

Qin Hong held Linghe's arm, shaking it continuously. The long, drawn-out syllables lingered in Linghe's ears, his pouting, acting-cute demeanor was incredibly endearing.

"Huh? This..."

Linghe didn't understand why Qin Hong had suddenly changed so much, even calling him Little Hehe. The scene was a bit jarring!

Seeing Linghe remain silent, Qin Hong continued to act cute:

"Little Hehe, you're the first disciple of Second Uncle I've met. You're my good friend!"

"I came here today because my dad was watching me too closely, so I snuck out to play with you guys. Please don't tell Second Uncle, or my dad will definitely punish me!"

Linghe didn't pay much attention to what Qin Hong was saying. His mind was filled with the fact that Qin Hong considered him a friend.

A friend of Saint Tongtian's son?

A friend of the Young Master of the Sect of Interception!

Remember, it wasn't a matter of generational seniority calling him Martial Nephew, but a matter of emotion calling him friend.

This was huge!

Linghe was incredibly happy at this moment; even if he got punished, it would be worth it.

As a friend of a Saint's son and the Young Master of the Sect of Interception, with this status, even the Twelve Golden Immortals would have to treat him with utmost respect, except for his master, Immortal Weng of the South Pole, of course.

This status was like a massive leap forward!

"Hey, Little Crane Crane, are you listening?"

Linghe, who was lost in thought, was pulled back to reality by Qin Hong.

"Mhm, mhm, we're friends now. What's up, Little Martial Uncle Hong'er?"

Seeing Linghe's eagerness to climb up the ladder, Qin Hong smiled with satisfaction. A little bit of small favors could be used to my advantage.

Moreover, it was an intangible benefit. Haha, I'm so clever!

"Little Crane Crane, you just promised me you'd get Shen Gongbao and Jiang Ziya to play with us. I'm so bored on Jin'ao Island!"

Qin Hong's little face turned cold as he complained unhappily.

"But Little Crane Crane, don't let others know. Sneaking out to play while cultivating is not good. If you guys get punished by Second Uncle because of me, I'll feel bad."

At this moment, Linghe was completely in Qin Hong's grasp.

Look, even though he's the son of Saint Tongtian and has a noble status, and he even hit me, he doesn't have a trace of arrogance. He treats me as a friend and even considers my feelings.

"Okay, Little Martial Uncle, you wait. I'll sneak them over right now."

"Mhm, Little Crane Crane, you're the best!" Qin Hong winked at Linghe and said with a clap of his hands.

Linghe was completely immersed in the joy of Qin Hong considering him a friend and didn't think much of it, just assuming they were going to play together.

A short while later, as Linghe's aura approached, two other distinct auras appeared.

"Linghe, why did you mysteriously drag us over here? I still need to cultivate!"

A slightly hoarse voice rang out.

"Martial Uncle Shen, you'll know when you get here. Don't rush!"

"Besides, Martial Uncle Shen, you're already working very hard. You're very likely to achieve Golden Immortal status."

Linghe said, trying to comfort Shen Gongbao.

Everyone in the Jade Void Palace knew that Shen Gongbao's greatest wish was to become a Golden Immortal.