Eight Views Palace.
Yuanshi Tianzun pondered for a moment.
Yuanshi Tianzun said, "Senior Brother, I also think it could not have been Yang Mei."
"Could Tongtian have learned something and taken Jin Zha and Mu Zha away in advance?"
Supreme Purity Sage said, "I think that is possible!"
Yuanshi Tianzun said, "Then should we go find Junior Brother Tongtian and sound him out?"
Supreme Purity Sage said, "Junior Brother Yuanshi, at the time, the Dao Ancestor clearly instructed us Heavenly Dao Sages to jointly sign the Investiture of the Gods List."
"Nuwa Sage said that her disciples, Guanghan Fairy, Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden, Bai Xi, and Soaring Serpent, had not committed any murderous transgressions!"
"Therefore, the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation had little to do with her, so she left directly!"
"As for Jieyin and Zhunti of the Western Sect, they claimed that the Western Sect was impoverished, and that Mount Sumeru had only a handful of disciples."
"Jieyin and Zhunti said that the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation had nothing to do with the Western Sect, and they too left directly."
Yuanshi Tianzun said, "That's right. At the time, I argued with Junior Brother Tongtian for quite a while."
"Neither Junior Brother Tongtian nor I wanted our disciples to be listed. In the end, his face darkened, and he left directly."
Supreme Purity Sage nodded and said, "That's right!"
"Junior Brother Yuanshi, what do you think? If we go to Jade Wanderer Palace, will Junior Brother Tongtian give us a pleasant reception?"
Yuanshi Tianzun said, "Senior Brother, then what should we do?"
Supreme Purity Sage said, "Let us report this matter to Master and let him decide!"
Yuanshi Tianzun nodded and said, "Mm, that is our only option."
Supreme Purity Sage rose to his feet and said, "Junior Brother Yuanshi, let's go. We will head to Purple Firmament Palace."
Yuanshi Tianzun said, "All right, Senior Brother."
Immediately afterward, Supreme Purity Sage and Yuanshi Tianzun departed through the air.
Purple Firmament Palace, beyond the Thirty-Third Heaven.
The figures of Supreme Purity Sage and Yuanshi Tianzun appeared outside Purple Firmament Palace.
Then, Supreme Purity Sage and Yuanshi Tianzun respectfully bowed toward Purple Firmament Palace and said:
"Master, we have a matter to report to you!"
After Supreme Purity Sage and Yuanshi Tianzun spoke, a majestic voice rang beside their ears.
"Supreme Purity, Yuanshi, why have you come to Purple Firmament Palace?"
Supreme Purity Sage and Yuanshi Tianzun respectfully said, "Master, we have an important matter to report to you!"
After Supreme Purity Sage and Yuanshi Tianzun spoke, the gates of Purple Firmament Palace suddenly opened.
Then, Supreme Purity Sage and Yuanshi Tianzun entered Purple Firmament Palace.
Inside a great hall deep within Purple Firmament Palace.
Hongjun sat cross-legged in the void. After Supreme Purity Sage and Yuanshi Tianzun arrived, they respectfully bowed to Hongjun.
Hongjun said, "Supreme Purity, Yuanshi, you have an important matter to report to me?"
Supreme Purity Sage said, "Master, it would be better for Junior Brother Yuanshi to explain."
Hongjun then looked at Yuanshi Tianzun.
Hongjun said, "Yuanshi, speak."
Yuanshi Tianzun respectfully said, "Yes, Master!"
Yuanshi Tianzun then recounted how Manjushri and Samantabhadra had gone to the commander's residence at Chentang Pass to find Jin Zha and Mu Zha.
Hongjun said in shock, "Yuanshi, what did you say?"
"Li Jing, the commander of Chentang Pass in the Great Shang Dynasty, said that Jin Zha and Mu Zha were taken away by Yang Mei?"
Yuanshi Tianzun said, "Master, that was what Manjushri and Samantabhadra said."
"As for whether it is true, we do not know."
Upon hearing this, Hongjun fell into thought.
Hongjun thought, By all reason, after Yang Mei was defeated and fled, he should have retreated far away from the Primordial World.
Then could that old bastard Yang Mei have secretly returned to the Primordial World?
Or are there other experts in the Primordial World, hiding in secret and waiting for an opportunity to strike?
For a time, Hongjun considered every expert in the Primordial World.
Seeing Hongjun deep in thought, Supreme Purity Sage and Yuanshi Tianzun did not speak to disturb him.
After a moment, Hongjun came back to his senses and looked at Supreme Purity Sage and Yuanshi Tianzun.
Hongjun said, "Supreme Purity, Yuanshi, how are your preparations for the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation coming along?"
Yuanshi Tianzun said, "Reporting to Master, Western Marquis Ji Chang has already established the Great Zhou Dynasty!"
"At present, I have dispatched two disciples of my Elucidation Sect, Burning Lamp and Antarctic Immortal, to assist Jiang Ziya in the grand plan to conquer Shang."
"Western Qi's former strength was truly far too weak compared to the Great Shang Dynasty."
"Therefore, the Great Zhou Dynasty is currently preparing for war."
Hongjun nodded after hearing this.
Hongjun said, "Supreme Purity, Yuanshi, after you return, you must accelerate the strengthening of the Great Zhou Dynasty."
"Once the time is ripe, begin the great undertaking of raising Zhou and overthrowing King Zhou!"
Supreme Purity Sage and Yuanshi Tianzun respectfully said, "Yes, Master!"
Hongjun said, "Supreme Purity, the Great Zhou Dynasty cannot strengthen itself without resources, pills, magical treasures, and the like."
"The generals of the Great Zhou Dynasty, as well as the experts they have recruited, all use low-grade magical treasures."
"You will refine these low-grade magical treasures, Supreme Purity, then hand them to Jiang Ziya for distribution."
"As for resources, I have plenty here. Take them and refine them into pills to increase the Great Zhou Dynasty's strength."
After Hongjun spoke, he casually waved his hand and tossed a storage ring to Supreme Purity Sage.
Supreme Purity Sage accepted the storage ring and respectfully said, "Master, this disciple understands!"
Hongjun said, "All right. Supreme Purity, Yuanshi, return now."
Supreme Purity Sage and Yuanshi Tianzun respectfully bowed to Hongjun.
"Yes, Master. This disciple takes his leave!"
With that, Supreme Purity Sage and Yuanshi Tianzun left Purple Firmament Palace.
At the same time.
On the shore of the Eastern Sea stood a massive island.
Four powerful experts lived on the island, known as the Four Sages of Nine Dragons Island.
They were Wang Mo, Yang Sen, Gao Yougan, and Li Xingba.
All four were outer disciples of the Interception Sect.
Just then, a figure sped toward Nine Dragons Island from afar.
In an instant, the figure landed on Nine Dragons Island.
This figure was none other than Shen Gongbao, who had been expelled from Jade Void Palace by Yuanshi Tianzun.
Before Shen Gongbao could speak, a cold rebuke came from afar.
"Who dares trespass upon Nine Dragons Island?"
As soon as the words fell, four figures rushed over from the depths of Nine Dragons Island.
These four were the Four Sages of Nine Dragons Island: Wang Mo, Yang Sen, Gao Yougan, and Li Xingba!
Wang Mo coldly said, "Who are you???"
"Why have you trespassed upon our Nine Dragons Island?"
Shen Gongbao cupped his hands in salute and said, "Fellow Daoists, I am Shen Gongbao. Greetings!"
When the Four Sages of Nine Dragons Island saw the middle-aged Daoist before them introduce himself as Shen Gongbao,
Wang Mo immediately said, "Fellow Daoist Shen, where do you come from?"
Shen Gongbao said, "Four Daoist brothers, it is a long story."
The Four Sages of Nine Dragons Island said, "Fellow Daoist Shen, what do you mean by that?"
Shen Gongbao said, "This is what happened..."
Shen Gongbao then gave the Four Sages of Nine Dragons Island a rough account of the earlier events, mixing truth and falsehood.
After hearing him, the Four Sages of Nine Dragons Island looked at Shen Gongbao in shock.
Wang Mo said, "Fellow Daoist Shen, Yuanshi Tianzun expelled you from Jade Void Palace. Why have you come to our Nine Dragons Island?"
Shen Gongbao said, "Four Daoist brothers, your senior brother Wen Zhong and I both serve as officials in the Great Shang Dynasty."
"Therefore, we belong to the same camp. I hope you can take me to Jade Wanderer Palace!"
The Four Sages of Nine Dragons Island asked in confusion, "Fellow Daoist Shen, why are you going to Jade Wanderer Palace?"
Shen Gongbao said, "I admire and respect Uncle-Master Tongtian for his righteousness."
"Therefore, I wish to ask Uncle-Master Tongtian to uphold justice for me!"
Before you continue