Returning the Sword to Xuandu

The giant hand descended, and the Merit Saint Garment automatically protected its master, unleashing an infinite burst of Merit Golden Light.

Facing the terrifying power of merit, the Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda emerged above Xuandu's head.

This was the first time Xuandu had brought out a magic treasure. He was surprised that Shi Ji possessed a Merit Treasure.

During this critical period, Laozi had given the pagoda to Xuandu, so that if he ever encountered Gu Changqing, Xuandu would at least be able to save his life.

As soon as the pagoda appeared, its endless Mysterious Yellow Power suppressed the power of merit from the Merit Saint Garment.

The merciless giant hand continued its descent…

At the Grand Tutor's Mansion.

Gu Changqing frowned slightly.

Why couldn't Shi Ji's unlucky constitution ever change?

Was Shi Ji destined to face this calamity?

She had just left Chaoge less than two days ago, and now she was about to die again!

Sigh, Nüwa's two Five-Colored Divine Stones had both gained sentience, and they both had unlucky constitutions.

This was true for Shi Ji, and it would be true for Sun Wukong in the future.

Gu Changqing rose and followed the sensation, heading towards Chong City.

Traveling thousands of miles in an instant, in just two or three breaths, Gu Changqing arrived at Chong City.

As soon as Gu Changqing left the capital, Xuandu had already sensed an incredibly powerful aura approaching.

It was coming from Chaoge!

Gu Changqing!

Xuandu immediately dissipated his magic power. He hadn't intended to kill Shi Ji, and now he certainly couldn't be ruthless.

It was obvious that Gu Changqing had come to Chong City for Shi Ji.

If anything happened to Shi Ji, he wouldn't need to return to Eight Scenery Palace; he might as well just go straight onto the Investiture of the Gods List.

Gu Changqing was an existence who could contend with Yuanshi; he was not to be provoked!

Although he was only one step away from achieving Dao, that step was as vast as the difference between clouds and mud.

"Changqing greets Senior Brother Xuandu."

Gu Changqing saw that Xuandu had held back at the last moment, so he quietly put away the God Slaying Spear.

If Xuandu had insisted on striking down with his palm, he wouldn't have hesitated to unleash the God Slaying Spear.

"You have achieved Dao, so it's no longer appropriate to call me Senior Brother."

Achieved Dao?

Shi Ji looked bewildered.

Her junior brother had achieved Dao?

Gu Changqing smiled, "When I treat people, I value character, not power. Senior Brother was once Senior Brother, is Senior Brother now, and I hope he will be in the future too."

"Heh heh." Xuandu gave a bitter laugh, "I wish, but destiny is hard to defy."

Xuandu highly recognized Gu Changqing's strength and character. If he could, he would have preferred to drink and chat with Gu Changqing rather than draw swords against him.

Gu Changqing looked at Shi Ji, seeing the aura of tribulation surrounding her, and said, "Senior Sister Shi Ji, the God-Breaking Spear isn't suitable for you. You should return it to me."

The God-Breaking Spear, fused with fragments of the God Slaying Spear, contained a powerful killing intent. Now, with the ongoing killing tribulation, Shi Ji simply couldn't handle it.

"Senior Sister Shi Ji?"

"Ah?" Shi Ji only now snapped out of her surprise and asked, "Junior Brother, what did you say?"

"I said, give me the God-Breaking Spear."

"Alright!"

Gu Changqing retrieved the God-Breaking Spear, then took out the Merit Saint Sword and handed it to Shi Ji, saying, "Senior Sister is more suited to using a sword."

Then, he placed his left hand on Shi Ji's shoulder, recharging the Merit Saint Garment.

Afterward, he used merit to burn away the aura of tribulation surrounding Shi Ji.

This audacious maneuver, though brief, stunned Xuandu, who was standing by.

"Junior Brother Changqing has excellent methods."

Gu Changqing smiled, "Just a little merit."

A hundred billion merit points was just a drop in the bucket.

Gu Changqing continued, "Senior Brother Xuandu was not originally involved in this tribulation, but now that you've mistakenly entered Chong City, you've become tainted with the killing tribulation. Since Senior Brother Xuandu showed mercy today, I will repay this karma and cleanse you of the killing tribulation."

As Gu Changqing spoke, he condensed the Merit Sacred Fire and directed it towards Xuandu. The killing tribulation qi that Xuandu had been infected with burned away upon contact with the fire.

"Thank you, Junior Brother Changqing."

Xuandu bowed slightly towards Gu Changqing.

Gu Changqing continued, "Though establishing Di Xin as the Human Emperor goes against the Heavenly Dao, I have no regrets when it comes to human morality. Legend has it that Senior Brother is the first human in the Primordial World. Does Senior Brother wish for humanity to become mere lambs?"

"I..."

Xuandu sighed deeply, a wry smile on his face. "It's hard to disobey a master's command."

Gu Changqing then asked, "If Senior Brother had to choose between humanity and your master's command, what would you choose?"

"I... I am willing to enter the tribulation!"

Xuandu didn't want to obstruct the Great Dao of the Human Race, nor did he want to defy his master's orders.

The overthrow of Shang by Zhou was a scheme devised by the Saints.

Gu Changqing sighed. "I understand. It's always been hard to balance loyalty and filial piety."

As he spoke, he took out the Purple Azure Treasure Sword and smiled. "This sword isn't of much use to me, but I've always treasured it. It was the first gift I received since I began my cultivation, and the only one. I cherish it immensely. Now that I've met Senior Brother again, it's only right that it returns to its original owner."

Returning it to its original owner implies severing all ties.

Xuandu felt a bitter pang within. In truth, he supported humanity's independence, but his influence was too small.

What the Saints called "demon cultists" was nothing more than an excuse.

The true purpose of the Demon Extermination Alliance was to overthrow Great Shang and break the backbone of the Human Race.

It was to turn humanity into a private preserve for immortals.

This was not what Xuandu wanted to see, which was why he had repeatedly shown leniency towards Shi Ji.

Jiang Ziya had already sought help at the Eight Scenery Palace, so he had no choice but to come out.

Xuandu gave a wry smile, then his magic power surged, unleashing his full peak cultivation.

Outside Chong City, sand and stones flew, and the sky changed color. The experts watching the battle were immediately blown away, Shi Ji included.

Xuandu, at full power, was truly terrifying!

Great Luo Golden Immortal experts didn't even have the qualifications to watch, let alone Jiang Ziya.

In the face of the raging storm of laws, everyone scattered in panic, and the scene became chaotic.

Gu Changqing sighed inwardly: Must it come to blows after all?

"Junior Brother Changqing, if you still consider me your senior brother, please sever the Three Flowers above my head!"

Gu Changqing was about to make his move when he suddenly heard Xuandu's spiritual message.

Sever the Three Flowers above his head?

Wouldn't that demote Xuandu to the Golden Immortal realm?

Xuandu was currently a peak Quasi-Sage, which was why he was the Mysterious Sect's Senior Brother.

If Xuandu became a Golden Immortal, he would be nothing.

"What do you mean?"

"Since Junior Brother Changqing knows that loyalty and filial piety are hard to balance, he naturally understands my meaning."

"Alright! I'll grant your wish!"

Gu Changqing thought for a moment and understood Xuandu's intentions.

If I lose my cultivation, surely you won't force me anymore, right?

As Gu Changqing spoke, he pointed a finger at Xuandu. The restless fluctuations of laws quickly subsided, and Xuandu's aura rapidly plummeted.

Quasi-Sage late stage, middle stage, early stage, Great Luo Golden Immortal... all the way down to Golden Immortal Early Stage.

While severing the Three Flowers above Xuandu's head, Gu Changqing also imprinted the first chapter of the Primordial Creation True Scripture into Xuandu's sea of consciousness.

The first chapter allowed one to cultivate to Mixed Origin Great Luo Golden Immortal, and even that was far more reliable than achieving enlightenment by severing the Three Corpses.

Ever since Hong Jun passed down the method of achieving enlightenment by severing the Three Corpses, no Mixed Origin Great Luo Golden Immortal had appeared in the Primordial World.

"Junior Brother Changqing, you..."

Xuandu, being who he was, could instantly discern the profoundness of the Primordial Creation True Scripture.

Gu Changqing smiled. "Since I severed your Three Flowers, it's only natural that I grant you a new creation."

He raised the Purple Azure Treasure Sword in his hand and added, "Consider this sword Senior Brother's thank-you gift."

After speaking, he departed for Chaoge.

Xuandu watched Gu Changqing leave, a knowing smile on his face: With Gu Changqing, how can the Human Race not flourish?

Gu Changqing, truly a hero!

"Grand Master, are you alright?"

Hearing Jiang Ziya's voice, Xuandu quickly spat out a mouthful of blood and said, "I'm fine, I just had the Three Flowers above my head severed."

"Ah?"

Jiang Ziya was aghast!

Xuandu having the Three Flowers above his head severed was even more serious than Guangchengzi and Taiyi Zhenren facing the tribulation.

Xuandu was the pride of the Mysterious Sect.

Now, the Mysterious Sect's pride was gone!

What could be done?!

He never imagined that dealing with Shi Ji would bring out Gu Changqing.

Perhaps he had considered it, but he hadn't expected Gu Changqing to have already attained the Great Dao, nor had he expected Gu Changqing to so easily sever the Three Flowers above Xuandu's head!

Pfft!

Jiang Ziya also spat out a mouthful of blood.

The Heavenly Dao was assisting Great Shang, not Zhou!

The powerful Gu Changqing filled him with a deep sense of powerlessness.

With Gu Changqing, Great Shang was simply unshakeable.

Xuandu was the most powerful expert he could possibly invite.

However...

He couldn't stand against the other's single, airborne finger.

To overthrow Gu Changqing, the Imperial Preceptor of Great Shang, whom else could he invite?

A Saint?

The only experts more powerful than Xuandu were Saints!

At this moment, Jiang Ziya was utterly despairing.