Gu Changqing Comes to the Rescue

Jiang Ziya, though of ordinary talent, was taken in by Yuanshi. Because he stepped into the Jade Void Palace with his left foot first, he was punished to guard the mountain.

One day, he saw auspicious clouds drifting across the sky. He focused his gaze and saw a stunning female immortal, stepping on a piece of embroidered silk.

That piece of embroidered silk contained myriad phenomena, subtly revealing the profound truths of heaven and earth.

The Eight Trigrams Dragon Beard Scarf?

Shi Ji Niangniang!

Shi Ji Niangniang had always had an excellent reputation, but unfortunately, she was from the Intercepting Sect, which had no dealings with the Chan Sect. Why was she ascending Kunlun today?

"Jiang Shang greets Fellow Daoist Shi Ji."

As soon as Shi Ji descended from the clouds, Jiang Ziya immediately stepped forward to greet her.

Among the thirty thousand disciples of the Intercepting Sect, there were only a few that Jiang Ziya had a good impression of, and Shi Ji was one of them.

"Jiang Shang?" Shi Ji frowned slightly and asked, "Do you know Jiang Ziya?"

Jiang Ziya didn't suspect anything and chuckled, "Jiang Shang is Jiang Ziya. May I ask why Fellow Daoist is looking for me?"

"You are Jiang Ziya?" Shi Ji's heart leaped with joy. It truly is a case of searching high and low only to find it right here!

To kill him with a single palm at the foot of this mountain, then flee a thousand li away, completely unnoticed.

Despite her reluctance, a murderous glint still flashed in Shi Ji's eyes. She pointed a finger from the air directly at Jiang Ziya's brow.

Poor Jiang Ziya was still hoping to chat with Shi Ji, unaware that a deadly intent had already arrived.

He was merely a Heavenly Immortal and possessed no formidable treasures. Against Shi Ji's assault, he was utterly defenseless.

My life is over!

Jiang Ziya never imagined that after decades of cultivation, he would meet his end today at the foot of Kunlun Mountain.

Nor did he imagine that the one to kill him would be Shi Ji!

It's fate, it's destiny!

Just as Jiang Ziya closed his eyes, awaiting death, he suddenly heard an angry shout.

"Stop!"

The person who arrived was Taiyi Zhenren.

"Shi Ji, how dare you attack Junior Apprentice Brother Ziya at the foot of Kunlun Mountain!"

"Senior Apprentice Brother Taiyi?"

Upon seeing Taiyi Zhenren, Jiang Ziya suddenly felt a sense of escaping death.

No matter how powerful Shi Ji was, she couldn't possibly be a match for Senior Apprentice Brother Taiyi.

"Junior Apprentice Brother Ziya, you've been startled."

Taiyi Zhenren comforted Jiang Ziya, then said to Shi Ji, "Master had long foreseen that someone would try to harm Junior Apprentice Brother Ziya. I never expected it to be you. Has the Intercepting Sect run out of people?"

Clearly, he looked down on Shi Ji.

Shi Ji said coldly, "The Intercepting Sect has tens of thousands of disciples. To kill you, I alone are enough."

Perhaps before, she wasn't confident in killing Taiyi, but today was different. With the Merit Saint Garment protecting her, why should she fear Taiyi Zhenren?

Although the Merit Treasure wasn't suited for offense, its defense was unrivaled.

Unless the opponent also possessed a Merit Treasure, they wouldn't even have a chance to attack her.

Shi Ji directly summoned the Merit Saint Garment, and instantly, dazzling golden light illuminated the vast world.

A formidable power of Merits surrounded her, making it impossible to look directly at her.

"This..."

A Merit Treasure?

Jiang Ziya's heart trembled. He never imagined Shi Ji possessed such a treasure.

My life is over!

Perhaps she can't do anything to Senior Apprentice Brother Taiyi, but killing me would be incredibly easy.

But why does she want me dead so badly?

Taiyi disdainfully said, "A Merit Treasure? Is that why you're so arrogant?"

With that, he summoned the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi that Yuanshi Tianzun had lent him.

The Three Treasures Jade Ruyi possessed Heaven-Opening Merits, which could maximally offset the Merits of a Merit Treasure.

Streaks of Profound Yellow Energy shot straight into the sky, making Taiyi Zhenren appear incredibly sacred.

"Junior Apprentice Brother Ziya, don't panic. Master had already anticipated this."

Taiyi Zhenren continued, "Shi Ji, what other tricks do you have? Bring them on!"

Jiang Ziya: Did I just fall into a trap?

Seeing how thoroughly prepared her opponent was, Shi Ji realized she had walked into an ambush.

This time, it seems I won't succeed in killing but will instead be buried.

It was then, recalling Gu Changqing's instructions, that she realized he had meant something else entirely.

Don't make trouble for Jiang Ziya!

It's probably not just that he's innocent, but that this whole thing was a setup.

Who was plotting against whom? Who could say for sure?

So Junior Apprentice Brother Changqing had seen through everything all along!

Shi Ji sighed inwardly and charged at Jiang Ziya again.

Even if I die, I'm taking someone down with me.

The Three Treasures Jade Ruyi, besides its power of Merits, was also a formidable weapon for offense.

At this moment, Taiyi Zhenren was not someone she could contend with.

"A mere trick!"

Taiyi Zhenren let out a soft cry, striking Shi Ji's crown with the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi.

Bang!

Shi Ji was hit squarely.

The light of her Merit Saint Garment instantly dimmed.

If not for the protection of the Merit Saint Garment, that strike would likely have scattered her soul.

What a powerful magic treasure!

Despair filled Shi Ji's heart.

If she took another hit like that, she'd probably perish right here.

To die before even achieving success.

Ah well, it's a pity I can't repay Junior Apprentice Brother Changqing for his karmic ties.

When she looked at Jiang Ziya, her eyes were filled with remorse.

This is fine too!

She didn't have to kill him against her conscience, and at this moment, Shi Ji felt a sense of relief.

Jiang Ziya: "What's going on with you?"

Shi Ji's killing intent toward him was real, and her remorse for him was also real.

When a person is about to die, their words are good.

Her eyes couldn't lie.

Jiang Ziya was utterly confused.

"Demoness, prepare to die!"

Taiyi Zhenren conjured the Nine Dragons Divine Fire Cover again; he wanted Shi Ji's soul to be scattered.

"Senior Apprentice Brother, no!"

Jiang Ziya blocked Taiyi Zhenren, then added, "Daoist Shi Ji has a good reputation; why must Senior Apprentice Brother be so ruthless?"

Seeing Jiang Ziya pleading for her, Shi Ji felt even more ashamed.

Taiyi Zhenren angrily said, "Junior Apprentice Brother, move aside! She was going to kill you!"

Jiang Ziya replied, "Perhaps Daoist Shi Ji has her own reasons."

"Her own reasons? I think she has ulterior motives!"

Taiyi Zhenren fumed, "Every disciple of the Intercepting Sect is fierce and cruel. Even if Shi Ji has a reputation, I fear it's merely for show. Junior Apprentice Brother Ziya, don't be so kind-hearted!"

Seeing Taiyi Zhenren's insistence on killing Shi Ji, Jiang Ziya finally stepped back helplessly.

In terms of both strength and status, he was inferior to the Twelve Golden Immortals.

He couldn't sway Taiyi Zhenren's will.

Shi Ji stood up and smiled bitterly, "Thank you, Daoist Ziya. It seems this tribulation is destined for me."

"Not necessarily!"

A cold shout rang out, followed by the sound of something breaking through the air. Gu Changqing appeared in front of Shi Ji.

"Junior Apprentice Brother Changqing, why are you here?"

Gu Changqing smiled wryly, "If I didn't come, Senior Apprentice Sister would have succumbed to her tribulation."

"In the Primordial World, it would be too much of a pity for a fairy as beautiful and kind-hearted as Senior Apprentice Sister to perish in a tribulation."

Shi Ji's pretty face flushed slightly, and her heart swelled with gratitude.

She was indebted to Junior Apprentice Brother Changqing more and more.

Taiyi Zhenren frowned slightly, "Daoist Changqing? Are you also here to kill Junior Apprentice Brother Ziya?"

"No, no," Gu Changqing said with a smile. "I have no ill will towards Senior Apprentice Brother Ziya, so why would I make things difficult for him?"

With that, he exchanged for a High-Grade Acquired Spiritual Treasure, the Universe Heart-Protecting Mirror, and handed it to Jiang Ziya, saying, "Senior Apprentice Brother Ziya's fate has been quite difficult. I'm gifting this Heart-Protecting Mirror to you. I wonder if it can resolve the karmic ties between you and my Senior Apprentice Sister?"

"This…"

Jiang Ziya held the Heart-Protecting Mirror, his heart conflicted.

A High-Grade Acquired Spiritual Treasure was a treasure he could only dream of. However, he couldn't make the decision to let Shi Ji go.

Gu Changqing continued, "When will the cycle of vengeance end? Karmic ties are better resolved than solidified. As long as Junior Apprentice Brother Ziya doesn't resent Senior Apprentice Sister Shi Ji, this karmic entanglement will be settled."

Jiang Ziya gave a wry smile. "Daoist Shi Ji's actions were unintentional. Ziya naturally won't hold a grudge."

"Good!" Gu Changqing said. "I trust Senior Apprentice Brother Ziya."

Then, he turned to Taiyi Zhenren and said, "Senior Apprentice Brother Taiyi, I wonder if you could show some leniency, for Changqing's sake?"

Taiyi Zhenren frowned. "I owe Junior Apprentice Brother Changqing a karmic debt. If this were a private grievance, I would certainly make an exception. However, Shi Ji trespassed on Kunlun and attempted to assassinate Junior Apprentice Brother Ziya. This is no longer a personal matter."

Gu Changqing then said, "I can compensate on behalf of Senior Apprentice Sister Shi Ji."

Taiyi Zhenren replied, "I know Junior Apprentice Brother Changqing is kind-hearted, and I know you are not a petty person. However, a master's command is difficult to defy. I will apologize to Junior Apprentice Brother Changqing another day."

"Junior Apprentice Brother Changqing can leave, but Shi Ji must stay!" Taiyi Zhenren delivered his ultimatum.

Gu Changqing chuckled inwardly. Is this what a Saint not interfering looks like? Is this the orthodox Mysterious Sect?

Gu Changqing looked up at Kunlun Mountain and said, "What if I insist on taking Senior Apprentice Sister Shi Ji with me?"

Taiyi Zhenren gave a wry smile. "Then I'm afraid I'll have to offend you."

"Junior Apprentice Brother, hurry and go!"

Shi Ji saw that Taiyi Zhenren was determined to kill her. She said, "Junior Apprentice Brother, this is my fault alone. I will bear the consequences myself."

Shi Ji was ready to die and didn't want to involve Gu Changqing any further.

Gu Changqing smiled. "If I intended to leave, I wouldn't have come. If anything were to happen to Senior Apprentice Sister, who would look after your two child attendants?"

"I…" Shi Ji looked ashamed and said, "Please, Junior Apprentice Brother, take care of my poor child attendants."

"Heh heh!" Gu Changqing chuckled. "You should take care of them yourself."

As Gu Changqing spoke, he placed a hand on Shi Ji's shoulder and replaced her tattered Merit Saint Garment with a new one.

Then he turned to Taiyi Zhenren and said, "I originally did not wish to be an enemy of the Chan Sect. If Senior Apprentice Brother Taiyi insists on keeping Senior Apprentice Sister Shi Ji, then please forgive my rudeness."

With that, Gu Changqing summoned the Merit Saint Sword.

If he couldn't settle this today, he feared it would be difficult to leave Kunlun.

Another Merit Treasure!

Taiyi Zhenren's heart jolted. He could tell at a glance that the Merit Saint Sword was a Merit Treasure that integrated offense and defense, completely different from Shi Ji's Merit Saint Garment.

And that wasn't even the most terrifying part!

Shi Ji's Merit Saint Garment had been damaged, yet Gu Changqing restored it to its original state with a wave of his hand.

What kind of divine ability is this?!

We all underestimated this last disciple of the Intercepting Sect!

At this moment, Taiyi Zhenren was no longer as confident as before.