"I can't figure out what kind of cultivation technique he's practicing."
"Deng Jiugong has reached Earth Immortal Realm Perfection. He just killed Dragon Beard Tiger—he was hiding his strength!"
Juliusun said.
At this, Jiang Ziya couldn't help but look shocked.
What shocked him wasn't that Deng Jiugong had reached Earth Immortal Realm Perfection. It was that Deng Jiugong had killed Dragon Beard Tiger, who was in the late stage of the Heavenly Immortal Realm, with ease—using only the strength of Earth Immortal Realm Perfection and without revealing any magical power.
He'd faced someone whose cultivation was higher than his own, yet hidden his strength and made it look so effortless.
That was strange!
"Martial Uncle, why not send Yang Jian into battle?"
Just then, Yang Jian spoke up.
Deng Jiugong's increased strength had left both Nezha and Lei Zhenzi wary.
But sending Yang Jian into battle was the safest choice.
Of all the Chan Sect's third-generation disciples fighting alongside Jiang Ziya, Yang Jian was arguably the strongest.
Not only was his cultivation the highest, but the technique he practiced—the Eight-Nine Arcane Art—was considered the strongest body-tempering technique of the Investiture of the Gods era. He also had seventy-three transformations.
"Be careful!"
Jiang Ziya said.
Yang Jian would absolutely crush Deng Jiugong!
Whoosh!
Yang Jian moved in a flash and landed in front of Deng Jiugong.
When Deng Jiugong saw Yang Jian appear, his eyes narrowed.
To be honest, he didn't want to face Yang Jian this soon.
He couldn't even make out his opponent's cultivation. Most likely, he couldn't beat him.
Yang Jian was a half-human, half-god with formidable strength. Before the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation began, he had already split open a mountain to rescue his mother, and had become quite powerful.
Moreover, the true cause of the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation was also connected to Yang Jian.
Yang Jian wanted to save his mother. But how could he possibly stand against the Jade Emperor of the Heavenly Court on his own?
Though he was the Jade Emperor's nephew, the Jade Emperor had been able to imprison his own sister, Yao Ji, beneath Peach Mountain. Naturally, he could have easily subdued Yang Jian as well.
But Yang Jian was a third-generation disciple of the Chan Sect, with the Chan Sect as his powerful backer. The Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect interfered in the affairs of the Three Realms, tying the Jade Emperor's hands as he ruled them.
Thus, Yang Jian's rescue of his mother became the true beginning of the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation.
The Investiture of the Gods Tribulation had been triggered by the Chan Sect's Twelve Golden Immortals interfering with the Jade Emperor's rule over the Three Realms. By Hongjun's decree, the Saints of the various sects were called to discuss the matter, and each was asked to provide some of their disciples for the Jade Emperor to command as he pleased.
But the Saints couldn't reach an agreement. Each felt it would cost them face.
So the Saints had their disciples sign the Investiture of the Gods Scroll, and the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation truly began.
Yet although the tribulation had clearly been triggered by a disciple of the Chan Sect, it became a tribulation in which Primordial Heavenly Venerate targeted the Interception Sect.
The Yang Jian standing before Deng Jiugong now was the spark that had ignited the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation. Deng Jiugong couldn't make out his cultivation at all.
Which meant Deng Jiugong was no match for Yang Jian.
"Jiang Ziya, does Xiqi intend to wear me down by sending one fighter after another?"
Deng Jiugong said coolly.
Though he was no match for Yang Jian, he showed no sign of panic. Instead, he looked entirely confident.
After all, Kong Xuan was right beside him. It wouldn't be so easy to kill him with a Quasi-Saint powerhouse there.
"Ding-dong! The system has detected the host's current predicament. God-Tier Options activated!" "Option one: Fight on your own and receive one million Great Dao Merit!" "Option two: Call for backup directly and receive one Treasure Map!"
Just then, the system's notification sounded.
Deng Jiugong was taken aback.
This was a tough choice.
He wanted both!
"I choose both!"
Deng Jiugong gritted his teeth.
He'd try it!
"Ding-dong! The host has made a choice. The rewards will be granted upon completion!"
When the system finished speaking, Deng Jiugong was stunned.
He hadn't expected it to work again.
Next, he'd have to fight Yang Jian.
Without hesitation, Deng Jiugong swung the Crimson Copper Saber in his hand at Yang Jian.
He had to take the fight seriously.
He activated his cultivation technique, and his aura suddenly erupted as he brought both his body and spirit into play.
Clang!
His Divine Swordsmanship surged with unstoppable force as he slashed straight at Yang Jian.
Yang Jian's Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear carried an even mightier aura than Deng Jiugong's.
The two weapons clashed, releasing an energy so terrifying that everyone in both camps was shaken.
"What a powerful shock wave!"
As the words left his mouth, Deng Jiugong's figure was sent flying.
It was obvious that he was weaker than Yang Jian.
Deng Jiugong was already at a disadvantage after that single exchange, but he hadn't been injured.
"Call for backup!"
Deng Jiugong sent a thought straight into Kong Xuan's mind.
"Hyah!"
Just then, a general rode at a gallop from the Tang Camp.
"Marshal, you've just been through a fierce battle. You shouldn't fight again. Allow your subordinate to take your place!"
Before he even arrived, Kong Xuan's voice had already reached them.
"Kong Xuan, well done!"
Tailuan couldn't help cheering him on.
In truth, only Deng Jiugong and Kong Xuan knew that Deng Jiugong had asked Kong Xuan to enter the battle.
Now that Deng Jiugong had lost the first exchange, Kong Xuan had stepped in to bail him out.
Tailuan knew that Yang Jian had once sent a dog to bite and injure her young lady. Yang Jian's strength could only have grown since then.
And now, after their lord had just fought a fierce battle, Jiang Ziya was trying to wear him down with one fighter after another. Kong Xuan had come out to relieve the marshal—that was praiseworthy.
Whether or not he was deliberately trying to impress the marshal, the fact that he had come to his aid made Tailuan think a little better of him.
But when Deng Jiugong saw Kong Xuan riding toward him in such a grand manner, he was stunned.
People said that when great emperors rode galloping horses into battle, they became a laughingstock.
Kong Xuan was a Quasi-Saint powerhouse, yet to conceal his identity, he had ridden up at a gallop on horseback. That was quite modest of him.
But the Shang-Zhou war was fought mostly by mortal generals, so fighting on horseback was perfectly normal.
Deng Jiugong's daughter, Deng Chanyu, rode a spirited horse herself.
So when Kong Xuan galloped up on horseback, it looked perfectly ordinary to everyone else.
Yet to Deng Jiugong, Kong Xuan's entrance seemed rather strange!
Still, with Kong Xuan in the fight, victory should be assured!
"Who goes there?"
Seeing Kong Xuan gallop up on horseback, Yang Jian called out.
"I am Kong Xuan, a general under Marshal Deng!"
Kong Xuan gave his name in an extremely low-key manner.
At this, everyone on the Zhou camp's side was taken aback.
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