Do Bao's Discovery

"What is this?" Do Bao squeezed further into the crowd and moved inward.

Among the Jie Sect, any disciple favored by Tongtian was more or less a little lacking in common sense. As the first disciple, Do Bao was especially favored by Tongtian, making him the most lacking in common sense among the Intercept Sect Disciples.

Didn't he stop to consider what kind of person would dare make a move against the Human Emperor after the Three Sects had signed the Investiture of the Gods?

At the very least, it was not something a mere Quasi-Sage like him could meddle in.

But he was not good at scheming, and he also relied on his profound cultivation. In the Primordial World, aside from the few Sages, Quasi-Sages like them stood at the very top.

But what if there was a Sage inside?

The two Sage fellow disciples within had joined forces to conceal the secrets of heaven precisely to carry out this deed. Yet they had never expected that, while the Three Sects were so busy, the Jie Sect's first disciple would still have the leisure to involve himself in mortal affairs.

The Quasi-Sage aura around Do Bao grew stronger the closer he came to the center.

The Sage inside frowned. He sensed a powerful force drawing near. A Sage's divine abilities were naturally unmatched, and his gaze swept across everyone within a thousand meters, yet they were all ordinary people. None possessed such tremendous power.

Do Bao, meanwhile, noticed nothing. The gap between him and a Sage was simply too great.

Yet that Sage felt a chill run down his spine. Who exactly was it?

Someone had actually concealed their power completely?

He had even used a trace of his divine ability, yet he still could not locate that person's power within the crowd.

Do Bao did not know that the Profound Yellow Bell was on him. With an Innate Supreme Treasure upon him, his aura was concealed. So long as he did not release his power, he would not be discovered.

After searching several times without finding anyone, the Sage inside began to feel uneasy. He secretly thought that he should finish the job and leave quickly. Doing such a thing truly damaged his dignity as a Sage, but for the sake of the Western Religion, everything was worth it! What was a little face worth?

At that moment, Zhou Wang looked upon the scene in the main hall. Before the hall stood splendor beyond compare, gold drifting amid five colors, myriad lights coiling around it.

Golden Boys and Jade Maidens stood in pairs, holding banners, canopies, pagodas, chains, lingzhi, and ruyi scepters.

Treasure tents swayed softly as Colorful Phoenixes flew together.

Beside the azure vault bed, dancing cranes and soaring phoenixes filled the view.

The Chen Xiang throne was adorned with coiling dragons and flying phoenixes.

Strange colors drifted in the air, unlike anything ordinary. Auspicious Haze curled from golden censers; purple mist rose with curling blessings, while silver candles shone brilliantly.

Zhou Wang's face was cold. "Hmph, it is even more lavish than My royal bedchamber! Truly..."

Shang Rong hurriedly said, "Great King, please watch your words!"

The Sage inside rolled his eyes and suddenly cast a spell. A fierce gale abruptly rose from level ground, coming from neither east, west, south, nor north, as though it had appeared from nowhere.

The curtains fluttered apart, revealing Nüwa's sacred image.

A young woman sat upon the shrine, her features beautiful and dignified, her beauty peerless and unmatched in the world.

And in Zhou Wang's eyes, she was no longer a carving of wood or stone, but appeared as vividly alive.

Zhou Wang's mind fell into chaos once more. His throat moved slightly as he saw that this Nüwa was truly an immortal maiden descended from a celestial palace, a Chang'e come down from the moon palace.

An ancient saying went, "When a kingdom is about to prosper, auspicious signs will surely appear. When a kingdom is about to perish, demons and monstrosities will surely arise."

Zhou Wang suddenly felt dizzy. His Xing Light surged, evil rose from his heart, and seeing Nüwa's sacred image so beautiful, how could he possibly restrain himself?

His soul drifted as lewd thoughts abruptly emerged. He secretly mused, I am the Human Emperor, with countless beauties in my harem, yet none can compare to Nüwa!

What an endless regret!

The more he looked at Nüwa's image, the more incomparably beautiful she seemed. A woman such as this was truly impossible to find in the mortal world!

"Cough, cough. Um... bring Me brush and ink!"

The servants hastily brought them over and handed them to Zhou Wang. Taking the brush, Zhou Wang composed a poem upon the painted wall of the palace:

The Phoenix Carriage Treasure Tent is a wondrous sight, adorned throughout with skillful gold designs.

Layered distant hills gleam with flying emerald hues; fluttering sleeves dance, reflecting robes like sunset clouds.

Pear blossoms bear raindrops as they vie in delicate beauty; peonies shrouded in mist display their charming adornment.

If only such enchanting grace could stir and move, I would bring her back to Changle to serve the king.

Before Shang Rong could stop him, Zhou Wang had already finished writing. "Fine words, fine words!"

"Great King!! This must not be! Wipe it away at once!"

Zhou Wang said unhappily, "Shang Rong, what do you mean by this? Could it be that you think My handwriting is ugly?"

Shang Rong was momentarily muddled by Zhou Wang's words. He looked carefully and said, "Great King's handwriting is indeed excellent, especially the two words 'enchanting grace,' which are even more... Ah! Great King, you nearly led me astray. Wipe it away quickly! Goddess Nüwa is a Sage. Setting aside her ability to mend the heavens, she has cared for and protected humanity, granting our people favorable winds and rains, peaceful livelihoods, and an end to warfare. Yet today, Great King has written such disrespectful verses, profaning a Sage. This is not the act of a wise ruler. Have it washed away at once!"

Zhou Wang said displeasedly, "I merely saw that Nüwa possessed peerless beauty. What is wrong with composing a poem? I am praising her, nothing more! Shang Rong, as one of My Five Ministers, do not speak further. Besides, I am the Human Emperor, the exalted sovereign of humanity. Would it not be good to leave such splendid words for the people to admire?"

With that, he flicked his sleeve and left.

Shang Rong could only stamp his feet repeatedly and sigh.

Do Bao saw all of this, and he found it deeply perplexing!

Something was wrong with Zhou Wang's behavior. Then he recalled the black aura that had soared to the heavens, filled with Demon Qi...

No, he had to tell Master about this.

With that thought, Do Bao slowly withdrew, then returned to the immortal mountain.

Wang Yuan was sitting at the foot of the mountain, bored out of his mind as he waited.

"That Little Mouse is taking far too long! When he gets back, I'll whip him for sure!"

The moment he said that, Do Bao sneaked in furtively. His true form was a mouse, and even after shedding his mortal state and reaching Quasi-Sage cultivation, he could not change his nature. Wang Yuan's eyes widened at the sight!

"Little Mouse!"

The instant Do Bao entered the immortal mountain, his cultivation was suppressed to the utmost, leaving him no different from an ordinary person. Wang Yuan's shout made him shudder.

"Grandpa..."

"Why are you only back now?? Where have you been fooling around? Just like your useless Master, you actually made me worry too!"

"Look at you master and disciple. One cultivated for ages yet could not even reach the Qi Induction Stage, while the other sneaks around like a thief..."

"And also..."

By the time Wang Yuan finished scolding, his mouth was dry, and he could not think of anything else to say. Only then did he ask, "What exactly happened? Whose family is marrying off a wife? Was it the general??"

Do Bao: ...

Can't you stop obsessing over that?

"Grandpa, that is not what happened. Zhou Wang was offering incense at Nüwa Temple."

Oh?

Wang Yuan's eyes lit up. He knew about this. Did that mean the Investiture of the Gods had already begun?

Zhou Wang's incense offering was precisely the starting point of the Investiture of the Gods. Honestly, Zhou Wang was something else. You opposed Immortals and Gods, yet you still offered incense? Why not just smash Nüwa Temple and have everyone worship their ancestors instead? Humanity was doing perfectly well, yet it had allowed Immortals and Gods to bind it.

Still, Wang Yuan had a favorable impression of Zhou Wang. He had dared to defy the tide of his era, resist Immortals and Gods, and oppose the feudal lords. Though he ultimately failed, he had fought against them, after all!

"Grandpa... I think something is wrong..."

"What is wrong?" Wang Yuan was considering that since the Investiture of the Gods had begun, he might as well have some fun with it. Of course, there was no chance of Wang Yuan leaving the mountain.