Taiqing and Yuanshi Meet Hongjun, Shen Gongbao Arrives at Nine Dragons Island!

Eight Views Palace.

Yuanshi Tianzun pondered for a moment.

Yuanshi Tianzun said, "Senior Brother, I also think it couldn't have been Yang Mei."

"Could it be that Junior Brother Tongtian learned something and took Jin Zha and Mu Zha away ahead of time?"

The Supreme Purity Sage said, "I think that's possible!"

Yuanshi Tianzun said, "Then shall we go find Junior Brother Tongtian and sound him out?"

The Supreme Purity Sage said, "Junior Brother Yuanshi, the Dao Ancestor explicitly instructed us then that all of us Heavenly Dao Sages were to jointly sign the Investiture of the Gods List."

"Nuwa Sage said that her four disciples—the Guanghan Fairy, the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden, Bai Xi, and the Soaring Serpent—had not committed offenses warranting the killing tribulation!"

"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 scant few disciples."

"Jieyin and Zhunti stated 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. Back then, I argued with Junior Brother Tongtian for quite some time."

"Neither Junior Brother Tongtian nor I wanted our disciples to be listed. In the end, Junior Brother Tongtian's face darkened, and he left directly."

The Supreme Purity Sage nodded and said, "Indeed!"

"Junior Brother Yuanshi, do you think Junior Brother Tongtian would show us a pleasant face if we went to Jade Wanderer Palace?"

Yuanshi Tianzun said, "Senior Brother, then what should we do?"

The Supreme Purity Sage said, "Report this matter to Master and let Master decide!"

Yuanshi Tianzun nodded. "Mm, that is all we can do."

The Supreme Purity Sage rose to his feet. "Junior Brother Yuanshi, let's go. We're heading to Purple Firmament Palace."

Yuanshi Tianzun said, "All right, Senior Brother."

At once, the Supreme Purity Sage and Yuanshi Tianzun vanished through the air.

Outside the Thirty-Third Heaven, Purple Firmament Palace.

The figures of the Supreme Purity Sage and Yuanshi Tianzun appeared outside Purple Firmament Palace.

Then, the Supreme Purity Sage and Yuanshi Tianzun respectfully bowed toward Purple Firmament Palace.

"Master, your disciples have a matter to report to you!"

As soon as they finished speaking, a majestic voice rang beside their ears.

"Supreme Purity, Yuanshi, why have you come to Purple Firmament Palace?"

The Supreme Purity Sage and Yuanshi Tianzun respectfully said, "Master, we have an important matter to report to you!"

As soon as they finished speaking, the gates of Purple Firmament Palace suddenly opened.

Then, the Supreme Purity Sage and Yuanshi Tianzun entered Purple Firmament Palace directly.

Inside a grand hall deep within Purple Firmament Palace.

Hongjun sat cross-legged in the void. Upon arriving, the Supreme Purity Sage and Yuanshi Tianzun respectfully bowed to Hongjun.

Hongjun said, "Supreme Purity, Yuanshi, you have an important matter to report to me?"

The Supreme Purity Sage said, "Master, it would be better to let Junior Brother Yuanshi explain."

Hongjun then looked toward Yuanshi Tianzun.

Hongjun said, "Yuanshi, speak."

Yuanshi Tianzun respectfully said, "Yes, Master!"

Afterward, Yuanshi Tianzun recounted how Manjushri and Samantabhadra had gone to the commandant's residence at Chentang Pass to seek Jin Zha and Mu Zha.

Hongjun said in shock, "Yuanshi, what did you say?"

"Li Jing, the commandant 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 is what Manjushri and Samantabhadra said."

"As for whether it is true, that remains unknown."

After hearing this, Hongjun fell into deep thought.

Hongjun thought to himself, By rights, after Yang Mei was defeated and fled, he should have gone far away from the Primordial World.

Could that old thing Yang Mei have secretly returned to the Primordial World?

Or are there other powerful figures in the Primordial World, lurking in secret and waiting for an opportunity to strike?

For a time, Hongjun considered every powerful figure in the Primordial World.

Seeing Hongjun deep in thought, the Supreme Purity Sage and Yuanshi Tianzun did not speak to disturb him.

A moment later, Hongjun came back to himself and looked at the 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, "Master, the Earl of the West, Ji Chang, has already established the Great Zhou Dynasty!"

"At present, two disciples of our Elucidation Sect, Burning Lamp and Antarctic Immortal, have been sent by me to assist Jiang Ziya in the great campaign 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."

After hearing this, Hongjun nodded.

Hongjun said, "Supreme Purity, Yuanshi, after you return, you must further accelerate the strengthening of the Great Zhou Dynasty."

"When the time is ripe, begin the grand undertaking of raising Zhou and overthrowing Zhou!"

Supreme Purity Sage and Yuanshi Tianzun respectfully said, "Yes, Master!"

Hongjun said, "Supreme Purity, if the Great Zhou Dynasty wishes to grow stronger, resources, pills, magical treasures, and such are indispensable."

"The Great Zhou Dynasty's generals, as well as the experts it has recruited, all use low-grade magical treasures."

"You, Supreme Purity, will refine these low-grade magical treasures, then hand them to Jiang Ziya for distribution."

"As for resources, I have plenty here. Take them and refine them into pills to strengthen the Great Zhou Dynasty."

After saying this, Hongjun casually waved a hand and tossed a storage ring to Supreme Purity Sage.

Supreme Purity Sage received the storage ring and respectfully said, "Master, this disciple understands!"

Hongjun said, "Enough. Supreme Purity, Yuanshi, return."

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 the Purple Firmament Palace.

At the same time.

By the shores of the East Sea stood an enormous island.

Four powerful experts resided on the island, known as the Four Sages of Nine Dragons Island.

They were Wang Mo, Yang Sen, Gao Youqian, and Li Xingba.

These four powerful experts were all outer disciples of the Interception Sect.

Just then, a figure sped toward Nine Dragons Island from afar.

In an instant, the figure landed upon 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 shout came from afar.

"Who dares trespass upon Nine Dragons Island?"

The moment the words fell, four figures rushed over from the depths of Nine Dragons Island.

These four were precisely the Four Sages of Nine Dragons Island—Wang Mo, Yang Sen, Gao Youqian, and Li Xingba!

Wang Mo, one of the Four Sages, coldly said, "Who are you???"

"Why have you trespassed upon our Nine Dragons Island?"

Shen Gongbao cupped his hands in salute. "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..."

Thereupon, Shen Gongbao gave the Four Sages of Nine Dragons Island a rough account of the earlier events, a mix of truth and falsehood.

After hearing him out, the Four Sages of Nine Dragons Island stared at Shen Gongbao with shocked expressions.

Wang Mo said, "Fellow Daoist Shen, Yuanshi Tianzun expelled you from Jade Void Palace. What business brings you to our Nine Dragons Island?"

Shen Gongbao said, "Four Daoist brothers, this humble Daoist and your senior brother Wen Zhong both serve as officials in the Great Shang Dynasty."

"Thus, we may be considered to be of the same camp. This humble Daoist hopes that you can take me to Jade Wanderer Palace!"

The Four Sages of Nine Dragons Island asked in confusion, "Fellow Daoist Shen, what are you going to Jade Wanderer Palace for?"

Shen Gongbao said, "This humble Daoist admires and respects Uncle-Master Tongtian's profound sense of righteousness."

"Therefore, I wish to ask Uncle-Master Tongtian to uphold justice for me!"