Reunion with Old Friends Inside Biyou Palace

Within the Investiture of the Gods Space.

Shen Zhaochi's figure floated serenely upon a golden Divine Seat.

Before him, a massive Water Mirror clearly displayed everything unfolding outside Xi Qi City.

From Sanxiao's furious arrival, to Qiong Xiao unleashing the Golden Flood Dragon Scissors, then True Man Yuding shielding Xi Qi City with the Apricot Yellow Flag, and finally, Yun Xiao issuing a stern warning and preparing to set up the formation.

The entire process, without the slightest deviation, was all within his sight.

"Good, very good."

A hint of satisfaction appeared on Shen Zhaochi's face.

Everything was proceeding perfectly, exactly according to the script he had written.

Sanxiao's anger, the Heavenly Origin Sect's shock and panic—everyone's reactions were within his calculations.

He was like the most brilliant director, hiding behind the scenes, quietly admiring the grand play he had personally staged. The top powers and Saint disciples of the Primordial Era had all become actors on his stage, reciting lines he had written according to his script.

This feeling of controlling everything and manipulating the fates of all beings gave him an unprecedented sense of fulfillment.

"Randeng, Randeng, you'd better hold onto this blame firmly."

Shen Zhaochi's gaze pierced through the endless void, landing on a certain spot in the Primordial Era where a disheveled figure was frantically fleeing, pursued by a furious Saint.

Randeng was probably regretting everything right now.

He never dreamed that a moment of greed would lead him to provoke the madman Zhunti.

How fast were Saints? Even with his immense abilities, he couldn't possibly escape. Now, he was like a rabbit targeted by a hunter, desperately fleeing through the Primordial Era with no time to even catch his breath.

What he also couldn't imagine was that while he was on the run, a scapegoat that would doom him for eternity had been personally crafted by Shen Zhaochi and firmly placed upon his head by the Sanxiao Fairies.

By the time he finally managed to escape Zhunti and return to the Heavenly Origin Sect, he would discover that he had become the sworn enemy of the entire Intercepting Sect and a disgrace to everyone in the Heavenly Origin Sect.

At that point, he would have no other choice but to betray his sect and defect to the West.

And this, too, was a part of Shen Zhaochi's plan.

"As for Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao…"

Shen Zhaochi's gaze shifted back to the Water Mirror, where the two corpses, already collected by Sanxiao, lay.

These two unfortunate souls, in the original Investiture of the Gods timeline, had used their Treasure Dropping Golden Coins to knock down Zhao Gongming's Sea Calming Divine Beads, only to be struck down by Zhao Gongming's whip in return, ending up on the Investiture of the Gods as relatively unknown rogue cultivators.

And in this world, their fate had not changed.

Except, the one who killed them was no longer Zhao Gongming, but Shen Zhaochi himself.

After Randeng snatched the magic treasure and led Zhunti away, Shen Zhaochi had silently descended upon that sea area.

He saw Zhao Gongming, heavily wounded and on the verge of death, filled with despair, and the two rogue cultivators preparing to kill and steal. He hesitated not at all.

He had waited for Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao to kill Zhao Gongming themselves.

Only in this way would Zhao Gongming's death be sufficiently "frustrating," sufficiently "ironic," and sufficiently ignite the Sanxiao's utmost rage.

A Quasi-Saint power that shook the Primordial Era, ultimately dying at the hands of two unknown nobodies—this was more destructive to one's pride than being killed by a Saint, and it could also ignite the flames of vengeance in his loved ones.

The moment Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao succeeded, Shen Zhaochi made his move.

He did not use his Divine Power, but instead simulated a sword energy and the aura of a Heaven Measuring Ruler, cleanly finishing off these two tools.

Then, he erased all traces of himself, leaving behind only the "evidence" he wanted Sanxiao to see.

Killing with a borrowed knife, hitting four birds with one stone.

The first strike was Zhunti. Using a Saint's hand to cripple Zhao Gongming, creating the conditions for the subsequent assassination.

The second strike was Randeng. Using his greed to lure Zhunti away and preparing a perfect scapegoat for him.

The third strike was Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao. Using their hands to end Zhao Gongming's life, pushing the tragedy's drama to its climax.

The fourth strike was himself. Cleaning up all loose ends and directing all clues in the direction he wanted others to see.

The entire plan was interlinked and seamless.

No one could connect Zhao Gongming's death to him, the master of the Investiture of the Gods.

In everyone's eyes, this was a tragedy composed of greed, betrayal, and coincidence.

"Next, it should be the Nine Bends Yellow River Formation."

Shen Zhaochi's gaze returned to the Water Mirror.

The three Yun Xiao sisters had already begun surveying the terrain on a mountain called "Mount Qi," preparing to set up the formation.

The Nine Bends Yellow River Formation!

This was the most crucial link in his entire plan.

This formation was one of the top-tier formations in the Primordial Era, centered around the Primordial Golden Dou, capable of seizing the creations of Immortals, severing the three flowers atop their heads, and destroying the five energies within their chests.

In the original Investiture of the Gods timeline, Sanxiao set up this formation, capturing all twelve Golden Immortals of the Heavenly Origin Sect, reducing them all to mortals, and forcing two Saints, Venerable Yuanshi and Grand Supreme Elder Laozi, to descend personally, disregarding their dignity.

Ultimately, the Sanxiao sisters met a tragic end at the hands of Saints. Yun Xiao was crushed beneath Kirin Cliff, while Qiong Xiao and Bi Xiao perished and ascended the Investiture of the Gods.

That was the turning point from the Intercepting Sect's rise to its decline, and an eternal pain in the hearts of countless Intercepting Sect disciples.

And this time, Shen Zhaochi's goal was not just to make the Nine Bends Yellow River Formation reappear in the Primordial Era.

He also wanted to change Sanxiao's fate!

He wanted to save them!

These three were his most beloved Masters in his past life. Although their identities had changed in this life, this feeling had never wavered.

He would absolutely not allow them to repeat the same mistakes!