Yuanshi's expression darkened further.
On a matter concerning the Investiture Calamity, especially with Hongjun present, Tongtian was very unlikely to lie.
Moreover, Tongtian had even set a three-month deadline, which alone was enough to prove that he already had a complete plan in mind.
Yet they still had no idea whatsoever what Tongtian's plan was.
Above all, the spy hidden in Xiqi was something they had to deal with first.
At that thought, Yuanshi could only speak helplessly.
"I will return to the Jade Void Palace first and find a way to deal with matters in Xiqi."
"You two should also consider how we can weaken Yin Shang's fortune as quickly as possible."
"We are already grasshoppers tied to the same rope. I hope you will both spare no effort."
Jieyin and Zhunti naturally nodded in agreement.
Afterward, both sides set about their own tasks.
Leaving aside the Two Sages of the West and their schemes, Yuanshi contacted Jiang Ziya as soon as he returned to the Jade Void Palace and asked him about the matter.
After hearing him out, Jiang Ziya was rather bewildered.
What?
Yin Shang actually had a planted agent in Xiqi?
How could that be?
Although Jiang Ziya was not particularly gifted at cultivation, he possessed unique insights and keen powers of observation when it came to mortal schemes and struggles between dynasties.
After all, he was someone later generations would call the Martial Sage.
Although that title was certainly greatly inflated, it at least proved that Jiang Ziya was no incompetent.
Yet he truly had not sensed any sign of a spy in Xiqi!
Still, since the Primordial Heavenly Venerable had said it, could a Sage possibly be lying?
Impossible!
Thus, despite his disbelief, Jiang Ziya began a covert investigation.
Those who had recently joined them, in particular, became the chief targets of his investigation.
The poor newcomers were irritated beyond measure.
Some had even begun to regret coming.
Xiqi was weak to begin with. They had only joined because they believed following the Primordial Heavenly Venerable offered a promising future.
Yet before they had even complained about Xiqi, Xiqi had started treating them as spies. How could they not be furious?
Many left Xiqi without another word and went straight over to Yin Shang's camp instead. Even those who stayed harbored considerable resentment toward Xiqi and the Chan Sect.
Jiang Ziya knew this was bad, but there was nothing he could do.
Meanwhile.
Golden Ao Island, Biyou Palace.
As soon as Tongtian returned, he summoned Wen Zhong back.
"Wen Zhong, how do matters stand in Yin Shang and Xiqi?"
"I have now received the final notice. The Investiture Calamity must begin within three months at the latest."
"As the one responsible for the Investiture of the Gods, you must not disappoint me this time."
Wen Zhong hurriedly bowed.
Although he was presiding over the Investiture of the Gods, he honestly had not expected things to move so quickly or urgently.
After a brief moment of consideration, he finally spoke. "Reporting to the venerable sect master, Yin Shang only recently finished its campaign against the Marquis of Jizhou. For now, we cannot march directly against Xiqi."
"After all, Xiqi is the strongest of the dozens of feudal domains."
"Although Yin Shang does not fear it, if we attack Xiqi directly, the other lords will likely all submit to Xiqi at once."
"You must understand that these lords have long been dissatisfied with Yin Shang. This fragile balance has only endured because Yin Shang is too powerful and Xiqi does not wish to rebel yet."
"If we force Xiqi into rebellion, then the moment Xiqi acts, all those dozens of lords will rise at once."
"Yin Shang may be strong, but it cannot contend with all those lords simultaneously!"
Tongtian fell silent.
Of course he knew that the Yin Shang King Zhou had inherited was already a wretched mess.
Yin Shang had endured for a very long time. The various lords all commanded strong armies and sturdy warhorses, paying lip service to Yin Shang while defying it behind the scenes.
Even within Yin Shang, countless nobles held sway, monopolizing the upper ranks of the court while life grew increasingly difficult for the common people.
King Zhou could indeed be called a man of great talent and vision.
The problem was that Yin Shang's entire structure was in disarray, with powerful enemies outside and troubles within.
To become strong, it had to reform.
But reform would inevitably mean taking a bite out of the interests of countless lords and nobles.
Even Queen Jiang herself belonged to one of the great noble houses. The Jiang clan descended from Shennong.
Even his sons were all nobles.
Under these circumstances, after King Zhou of Shang took over Yin Shang, he began constantly turning internal conflicts outward, conquering cities and seizing territory.
His aim was to build overwhelming prestige, sweep away the great nobles within his realm, and then settle accounts with those dozens of lords.
The problem was that it was far too difficult.
Even the historical King Zhou had failed, let alone the Yin Shang of the Primordial World.
With the Chan Sect supporting Xiqi, King Zhou alone was no match for it.
Even now, with Tongtian's Interception Sect supporting Yin Shang, and Tongtian using his knowledge of history's various turns to seize every possible advantage, Yin Shang's problems remained severe.
Tongtian naturally understood this, but the Investiture Calamity had to proceed.
No one would allow him to delay any longer, not even though he was a Sage.
Alas!
Tongtian sighed before speaking helplessly.
"How could I not understand Yin Shang's predicament? The problem is that we cannot delay any longer."
"I have already stalled for so long, giving Yin Shang as much time as possible. But now Yuanshi has joined forces with the Two Sages of the West and Nuwa, making four Sages. There is nothing I can do."
"Besides, the Investiture Calamity is the tide of events. The Heavenly Dao has ordained it, and no one can change that."
"However, the Interception Sect will always stand with Yin Shang. Go back and discuss this thoroughly with King Zhou. Make him understand."
"Do not fear the difficulties. The Interception Sect will send people to aid Yin Shang."
"Moreover, the powerful nobles led by Weizi and Bi Gan, along with Xiqi's people, including Bo Yikao and Ji Chang, must no longer be spared."
"They are all the vanguard opposing King Zhou. Keeping them alive will only ruin matters. Find a pretext, such as discovering evidence of Xiqi plotting rebellion, with Weizi, Bi Gan, and the others all implicated, then kill them all."
"Kill them as a sacrifice to the war banners, then raise an army against Xiqi three months from now!"
Wen Zhong froze.
Clearly, he had not expected Tongtian to understand Yin Shang so thoroughly.
But after hearing him out, he too felt that the time had come.
Through more than twenty years of development, Yin Shang had considerably strengthened its foundations.
Although fighting all the lords at once would be difficult, it was now their best option.
Moreover, the Interception Sect had ten thousand immortals paying court. With the Interception Sect backing it, Yin Shang truly had no reason to fear those dozens of lords.
"I respectfully obey the venerable sect master's decree."
"I will begin preparations upon my return and raise an army against Xiqi in exactly three months."
"If the Chan Sect descends from the mountains to aid Xiqi then, I hope our fellow disciples of the Interception Sect can descend as soon as possible."
Before you continue