On the Avenue.

Chapter 703 Sweeping Away the Trap
Chen Shi laid out all the shamanic ritual patterns of the Immortal Immortal Technique and explained them one by one to Erlang Zhenjun.

The practice of shamanistic ritual runes reached its zenith during the Shang Dynasty. Merchants liked to imprint their insights into the Dao into their bloodlines, passing them down through generations. Different races possessed different shamanistic ritual runes, and often could only specialize in one type, remaining completely ignorant of the runes of other races.

Erlang Zhenjun was born in the Shang Dynasty and was also proficient in some of the shamanic ritual runes. However, the shamanic ritual runes of the immortal magic were extremely complex, encompassing a portion of the runes of various races. Even he was completely clueless and could not understand them.

Without Chen Shi's explanation, even if he obtained the complete Immortal Technique, it would probably take him tens of thousands of years to decipher its mysteries.

However, Chen Shi explained the mysteries one by one, making it much easier to understand the shamanic ritual patterns of the Immortal Art.

It took Chen Shi two days and two nights to explain the mysteries of the shamanic ritual runes of the Immortal Art.

Erlang Zhenjun closed his eyes and concentrated, carefully recalling Chen Shi's account in his mind. After a long time, he finally grasped the profound meaning within. Then he opened his eyes and said, "The Immortal Art of Immortality contains the ritualistic Dao patterns of different races. The person who created this technique must have been very knowledgeable. But for some reason, he knew very little about immortal arts. Although this technique is named the Immortal Art of Immortality, it has nothing to do with immortal arts and is more like witchcraft."

Chen Shi laughed and said, "The person who created this technique has not seen many immortal techniques. He relied on his own understanding of immortal techniques and wanted to create an immortal technique that the remnants of the Great Shang Dynasty could also cultivate by using the Dao patterns of witchcraft and ritual."

Erlang Shen was moved: "Having never witnessed true immortal techniques, how could you create such a profound art that can lead to becoming a Golden Immortal? No wonder there are some outlandish aspects in the technique. Who is this person?"

“Wuqi. A mentor and protector during the Shang Dynasty in Xiniu Xinzhou.”

Chen Shi said, "He was in charge of the inheritance of the shamanic ritual patterns of various tribes and was the master of the shamanic ritual patterns. Because he felt that the shamanic ritual patterns could not compete with the immortal techniques, he created this immortal technique of immortality."

Erlang Zhenjun was filled with awe: "This person is a great talent. If he could come into contact with more immortal techniques, he would surely be able to perfect the Immortal Technique."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "I think so too. True Lord, will the Immortal Art of Immortality be of any help to you?"

Erlang Shen said solemnly, “It has been a great help. During my cultivation, I discovered that there are many problems with immortal techniques that I cannot solve, such as the Eight-Nine Arcane Technique that I am famous for. During the Great Shang Dynasty, it took me a hundred years to cultivate this technique to the Golden Immortal realm.”

"In another hundred years, I will have cultivated from a Golden Immortal to a Taiyi Golden Immortal. By then, I will have mastered this technique to its peak, and it will be difficult to make any further progress."

"For the next 300,000 years, I exhausted my energy to collect various other immortal techniques and made numerous deletions and additions to the Eight-Nine Arcane Technique, barely managing to elevate this technique to the level of the Great Luo Golden Immortal. However, after reaching the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm, I could only advance two more Dao realms. Beyond that, there was an impenetrable wall between heaven and earth, with no way forward."

"Later I thought that perhaps the reason I could no longer make progress was not because there was no way forward, but because my foundation was flawed. I should go back to the source of the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts. Unfortunately, the Great Shang Dynasty had already been destroyed."

"The shamanic ritual runes I obtained this time, which are the key to advancing my Eight-Nine Arcane Arts, will allow me to reach an even higher realm!"

Chen Shi asked, "Could you please explain the ritual runes of the Immortal Art to me, True Lord?"

Erlang Zhenjun readily agreed, "Why not?"

This time, it was Erlang Shen's turn to explain the Daoist runes of the shamanic rituals, and Chen Shi listened attentively from the side. Although Erlang Shen was talking about the Daoist runes of the immortal shamanic rituals, which seemed to be the same as what Chen Shi was going to talk about, he explained it with his own understanding.

Throughout his life, he devoted himself to studying the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts. When explaining them, he would intentionally or unintentionally incorporate his own understanding of the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts, and the content he presented was many times more extensive than that of the Immortal Technique!
He spoke for more than ten days before he finished.

Chen Shi closed his eyes and concentrated, sitting silently for a long time, memorizing everything he had heard over the past ten days.

Erlang Zhenjun is a Great Golden Immortal. What he said was too profound. Chen Shi could not understand some of the content at the moment, so he could only write it down and slowly comprehend it in the future.

Although Erlang Shen did not teach the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts, Chen Shi benefited greatly from it and gradually gained confidence in perfecting the Undying Arcane Arts.

Erlang Zhenjun stood up and said, "Chen Tianwang, it's time for me to return to Guankou. Farewell."

Chen Shi rose to see him off, and they walked out of the village together. Erlang Zhenjun said, "Wait. I am about to go into seclusion to comprehend the third level of the Great Luo Golden Immortal Dao Realm. I will not be out of seclusion for a while."

Chen Shi stopped and said, "I won't see you off, True Lord."

Erlang Zhenjun summoned Xiaotian Daoren and said, "It's time to learn how to use the mouth-cleansing technique."

Daoist Xiaotian hesitated for a moment, then said, "My lord, I will take the black pot with me and train for a few days before returning."

Erlang Zhenjun nodded in agreement, and was about to leave when he stopped and turned back, saying, "Chen Tianwang, you are an immortal. In this battle between immortals and gods, whose side are you on?"

Chen Shi asked, "Which side do you think I should stand on, True Lord?"

Erlang Zhenjun did not answer directly, but said, "I am both an immortal and a god. I cultivate the great Dao of heaven and earth, and I also absorb the offerings of the mortal world. Both the immortal and god factions want to win me over, but neither can. Therefore, in this great struggle, I can remain neutral."

Chen Shi bowed and said, "Thank you for your guidance, True Lord."

Erlang Zhenjun shook his head and said, "I am just telling you my way of dealing with the world. I can't stand the actions of the Heavenly Court, nor can I stand the style of the immortals in the Earthly Immortal Realm, so I hide in the mortal world and avoid the world. You are not a person who avoids the world, so my way may not be suitable for you."

He strode away, his voice trailing off: "Beware of my uncle. His scheming is too deep; I can't see through him. Serving him is like walking on thin ice."

Chen Shi watched him leave.

Little Duan Fairy watched Erlang Zhenjun's departing figure and said, "He is truly a reclusive person."

Chen Shi said, "I heard from my senior brother Jiao on Jin'ao Island that Erlang Zhenjun was an extremely eccentric, cheerful, and generous person who shone brightly in the war against Shang. Although they were enemies, my senior brother and the others still admired his abilities."

Little Dumpling Fairy asked in confusion, "How did he become like this?"

"Perhaps he witnessed too much evil in the Immortal Realm and the Heavenly Court?"

Chen Shi speculated, "He must be a person with a conscience. Seeing that the new era he had created was full of deceit and injustice, and that he was powerless to change it, he could only become more and more taciturn and eventually chose to return to his hometown and live in obscurity."

Xiao Duan looked at him and took his hand.

"If one day you want to go back to Xiniu New Island, I will go back with you."

Chen Shi held her hand, a hand that exuded tenderness.

Without saying a word to Chen Shi, Black Pot and Howling Heaven Taoist sneaked away. Chen Shi wondered, "What are those two dogs up to?"

Despite the astonishing strength of the Taoist priest, Chen Shi was not worried about the safety of the scapegoat.

The two continued their journey to Hangu Pass. Upon arriving at Hangu Pass, Chen Shi immediately ordered the mobilization of the entire army to rush to the Shandong battlefield and wipe out the demon army.

With the Demon Army's commander eliminated, the remaining Demon Army includes many demonic immortals, but they pose little threat and are suitable for training.

Chen Shi arrived at the battlefield with the heavenly soldiers and generals to oversee the battle. He saw that the heavenly soldiers and generals under his command had set up sword formations of various sizes to besiege the Jianzhou demon army. The formations were well-organized and the formations were ingenious, which defeated the demon army.

In the subsequent battles to eliminate the demonic forces, they either surrounded and annihilated powerful demonic cultivators or engaged in one-on-one duels with demonic immortals, resulting in extremely fierce battles.

The 20,000 troops that Chen Shi brought were all trained by the gods of the Heavenly Court's Jie Sect and had obtained the Jie Sect's Taoist methods. They themselves had many demonic experts and were not afraid of even the demonic immortals of the ancestral court.

Within the ancestral temple, there were several powerful demonic immortals who had cultivated to the True Immortal realm. They too encountered an opponent, and were utterly defeated by the Howling Celestial Daoist, who summoned a large black dog. Not long after, a burly Daoist boy arrived, summoned the Howling Celestial Dog, and beat the demonic immortals to a pulp.

The two Taoist priests appeared and disappeared unpredictably, having a great time on the battlefield.

After observing for more than ten days, Chen Shi smiled and said, "My junior brothers and sisters are capable of handling things on their own." After saying this, he left the army and went to enjoy the scenery of the ancestral temple with Fairy Xiao Duan, showing no concern for the war.

The Ancestral Court was a vast world, hundreds of times larger than the original Xiniu New Continent, and contained numerous sacred sites. Chen Shi and Xiao Duan toured the Ancestral Court, refining the demonic energy and heretics within, and dispelling the lingering chill brought by the Yaohua Immortal Gourd.

They visited various sacred sites and went to the main temple of Houtu Huangdiqi to pay homage to Houtu Niangniang and offer incense to her.

Upon hearing that he had come to quell the demonic rebellion, the Great Shun court immediately dispatched envoys to invite Chen Shi to the capital, Xi'an. Chen Shi and his wife stayed in Xi'an for a period of time before taking their leave.

Before they knew it, more than a year had passed. The heavenly soldiers and generals joined forces with Li Yan's army, launched an attack on Jianzhou, swept away the demon army, uprooted it, and captured millions of heads.

During this year, Chen Shi also thoroughly understood the Immortal Art of Immortality. Erlang Zhenjun did not teach him the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts, but he incorporated the Daoist principles of the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts into his explanation of the Immortal Art of Immortality.

Chen Shi didn't know if the immortal technique he had comprehended had any similarities to the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts.

That day, a thought stirred within him, and he said to Fairy Xiao Duan, "Madam, an old friend has arrived. Come with me to greet him."

The two arrived at Shenzhou Customs and stood at the dock. In the distance, they could see a small boat sailing in from the dark sea. On the boat stood a tall Taoist priest, who looked middle-aged, with a burly back and a bamboo hat hanging on his back.

When Zhang Zhenren arrived by boat, he saw two familiar figures standing on the customs dock in the distance, and his heart skipped a beat: "Why are the Zhenwang couple in China?"

Once the small boat was properly moored, soldiers came to inquire, verify his identity, and invite Master Zhang to enter the pass.

Chen Shi and Xiao Duan came forward, and Zhang Zhenren laughed and said, "True King, how come you two have arrived at the ancestral temple before this old Taoist?"

Chen Shi laughed and recounted how the Jade Emperor had asked him to lead troops to quell the rebellion. He said, "Now that the demon army has been eliminated, the demonic aura has been refined, and the culprit has been captured, it is time for me to withdraw my troops and return to the Heavenly Court. It just so happens that the True Man has arrived, so I am waiting here."

Master Zhang was speechless for a moment before saying, "So many things have happened during the time I was away from Shenzhou! The Ancestral Court almost turned into a demonic realm!"

Chen Shi carefully considered his words and said, "The True Immortal was unwilling to ascend to immortality due to the chaos in the Earthly Immortal Realm, and fled to Xiniu New Continent due to the chaos in the Ancestral Court. This time, he left Xiniu New Continent because it has become the Heavenly Immortal Realm. Now, the Ancestral Court is almost destroyed. If I hadn't led the troops to quell the rebellion, how would the True Immortal have fared? Would he have left the Ancestral Court and gone to another place, or would he have stayed and perished with the Ancestral Court?"

Master Zhang was silent for a moment, then said, "This must be my hometown, and I will live and die with Shenzhou."

Chen Shi said quietly, "So, is there really a carefree land that true immortals dream of in this world? I think not. Even if the ancestral court is hidden in the Dark Sea, it will still be targeted. Even if Erlang Zhenjun is content with his lot, he will still be affected by the struggles. The struggle between immortals and gods is intensifying, and the ancestral court's situation is becoming increasingly dangerous. Master Zhang, do you still want to live in seclusion?"

Master Zhang fell silent again, his heart filled with inner turmoil.

He wanted to avoid trouble, but trouble always seemed to follow him. He wanted to eradicate these injustices, but he knew that once he was caught up in them, it would be difficult to escape and he could never be carefree.

Chen Shi smiled and said, "I have a way to protect our ancestral temple from this battle between immortals and gods. I can tell Master Zhang about this method, but I also have a request."

Master Zhang hesitated for a moment, then said, "Please speak, True King, and I will grant your request."

Upon hearing this, Chen Shi's spirits lifted, and he said, "After I left the Ancestral Court, Master Zhang destroyed Hangu Pass, severing the connection with Hangu Pass in the Earthly Immortal Realm. Since the Earthly Immortal Realm could not find the Ancestral Court, the Ancestral Court was able to safely weather this battle between immortals and gods."

Master Zhang's eyes lit up, and he smiled.

Chen Shi's method is feasible!

"Then, what about the true king's unreasonable request?" he inquired.

Chen Shi pointed to the small boat docked at the pier and said, "After you destroy Hangu Pass, you can board this small boat and return to the Celestial Realm. I am not often in the Celestial Realm, and we still need to trouble you, Master Zhang, to guard it."

Master Zhang laughed heartily: "Since the True King has invited me, how could I, Zhang Sanfeng, dare to refuse?"

Chen Shi was satisfied and took his leave.

Master Zhang escorted them all the way to Hangu Pass.

Inside Hangu Pass, celestial troops and generals from all directions were rushing from Jianzhou. Chen Shi counted his troops; of the 20,000 immortals he had brought, many were wounded, but none had died in battle—a complete victory.

Chen Shi immediately ordered the army to set off and return to the Immortal Realm.

Once all 20,000 troops had disappeared into the star gate within Hangu Pass, Master Zhang suddenly activated the Taiji Dao Field. The entire Hangu Pass slowly sank into the Taiji Dao Field, and the star gate dissolved everything, turning it all into dust, severing the passage between the two realms!

At Hangu Pass in the Earthly Immortal Realm, Chen Shi had just stepped out of the Star Gate when he saw it collapse with a roar, severing his connection with the ancestral court of China!
The immortals and deities within the pass were greatly alarmed and rushed to investigate. Wu Daoren, leading the charge, was both shocked and enraged by the scene. He roared, "You fiends from the Tongtian Sect, how dare you destroy my Star Gate! You have committed a colossal calamity; do not even think of escaping! Guards!"

He roared, and the immortals and gods within the pass, filled with murderous intent, trapped Chen Shi's 20,000 troops, and shouted in unison, "Here!"

Chen Shi's heavenly soldiers and generals also set up their formations and unleashed their divine weapons, and the two sides clashed, ready to erupt at any moment.

Just as Wu Daoren was about to order Chen Shi and the others to be captured, a voice came: "The ancestral Hangu Pass was not destroyed by Chen Tianwang, but by a demon who destroyed the star gate in the ancestral court. You must not act rashly."

Upon hearing this voice, Wu Daoren hurriedly bowed and said, "I will obey your decree."

The voice belonged to the True Man Wenshi, but his true form was still in the starry sky above the city gate and had not yet descended.

Chen Shi bowed and said, "Thank you for speaking up and saving me, Fellow Daoist Wenshi."

The voice of the True Man of the Beginning of the Spring and Autumn Annals rang out: "It's just a misunderstanding. King Chen has returned victorious and still needs to report the battle to the Great Heavenly Venerable. I will not keep the King any longer."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "What you say is true. I will pay you a visit another day after I have removed my armor."

The True Man of the Beginning said, "Be careful on the Heavenly King's journey."

Chen Shi's heart stirred slightly. He looked up at the stars above Hangu Pass and led his troops out of the pass.

His 20,000 soldiers remained well-organized, each wielding their magical artifacts, maintaining their formation without faltering, confronting the celestial army guarding the pass, and slowly retreating from Hangu Pass.

When the two sides were hundreds of miles apart, they put away their magical artifacts but maintained their formation.

"What a formidable army!"

Looking out from afar, Wu Daoren praised, "The operation was well-organized and they managed to bring them out safely. It's a pity, though; I wonder how many of them will be able to return to Heaven alive."

(End of this chapter)