I am submissive in Journey to the West, I strike hard at the gods

Suirenshi nodded, his gaze sweeping over the old willow tree in the distance, as if he had noticed something, but he did not point it out.

Standing on the willow branch, Jiang Wang noticed Suirenshi's gaze and felt a slight chill in his heart, thinking to himself, "This old fellow is indeed sharp."

He did not reveal himself, but continued to hide, waiting for the three emperors to be overwhelmed before making his move.

He pondered in his heart that the gains from the Treasure Hall were already astonishing enough. If he could further disrupt the situation between the Heavenly Court and the Flowing Sand River, this trip would be a great victory.

In the Dragon Palace of the East Sea, Sha Wujing still hesitated by the pool.

The old dragon guard had already gone far away, and the young dragon was playing carefree in the pool, completely unaware that its life was about to end.

Sha Wujing gritted his teeth, finally made up his mind, took out the golden light bestowed by Guanyin, transformed it into a thin blade, and dived into the pool.

The young dragon sensed the disturbance and stared at him with its round eyes, as if asking a question.

Sha Wujing's heart skipped a beat, and he almost dropped the thin blade in his hand.

He closed his eyes, forcing himself not to look into those eyes, and whispered, "I'm sorry..."

Just as he was about to make his move, a surge of black energy suddenly rose from the bottom of the pool, transforming into a human figure that protected the young dragon behind him.

The figure sneered, "Sha Wujing, are you really that ruthless?"

Sha Wujing was startled and looked up, only to see that the figure's face was blurry, but its aura was somewhat similar to Jiang Wang's.

His heart skipped a beat, and he thought to himself, "How could it be him?"

Jiang Wang stood atop the nine layers of clouds in the hidden realm, with surging immortal mist beneath his feet, resembling an inverted Milky Way, and twinkling starlight reflecting on his handsome yet somewhat cold face.

His gaze was profound, as if it could pierce through the clouds and reach the depths of the heavens.

The Hidden Realm is a small world independent of the Three Realms, where the spiritual energy is so rich that it is almost tangible. The sounds of dragons roaring and tigers howling can be faintly heard among the mountains and rivers, and all the plants and trees emit a shimmering, precious light.

At this moment, he stood with his hands behind his back, behind him was a huge Bagua furnace, inside which flames roared, and the reddish-gold firelight made the gold thread patterns on his white robe shine brightly.

Six years ago, he entered the hidden realm and went into seclusion to refine elixirs.

Now, the fire in the furnace has become stable, and a faint fragrance wafts from the Bagua furnace, flowing like a stream and invigorating the mind.

Jiang Wang narrowed his eyes slightly, raised his hand and waved it. The furnace lid slowly rose, and thirteen rays of light shot into the sky from the furnace, transforming into thirteen crystal-clear pills that floated in mid-air.

Each pill was surrounded by a faint purple aura, with a faint dragon-shaped phantom swirling around it, and the pressure emanating from it made the surrounding spiritual energy tremble.

"The Quasi-Saint Divine Pill is complete."

Jiang Wang spoke softly, his voice calm, yet carrying a hint of barely perceptible weariness.

It took six years of tireless work, consuming countless rare and precious materials, and drawing upon ninety percent of the spiritual energy of the hidden realm to refine these thirteen pills.

He stretched out his hand, and thirteen pills obediently fell into his palm. They felt warm and smooth to the touch, and seemed to pulsate slightly as if they were alive.

He put one of the stones into a jade bottle and the remaining twelve into another gilded gourd, his gaze growing increasingly profound.

Humanity, in the end, still lacks sufficient foundation.

Quasi-Saint level experts are scarce; otherwise, the battle at Liusha River would not have been so passive.

He recalled the news that came from the Heavenly Court half a month ago: the Jade Emperor was trapped in the Hunyuan Heluo Formation, and the Zhou Tian Xingdou Formation that he had been hoping for had not yet arrived.

Lao Tzu once said that "one can protect oneself with innate treasures."

They tried to appease the crowd, even suggesting destroying the Flowing Sand Bridge to cut off the demon race's retreat, but half a month passed and the Heavenly Court remained silent.

Jiang Wang sneered inwardly. The Heavenly Court's million-strong army had not gone to the Flowing Sand River, but instead turned to Beiju Luzhou to attack the Demon Clan's Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom.

When the news arrived, the Jade Emperor was furious, claiming that he had never issued such an order.

Jiang Wang immediately sensed something was wrong, and sure enough, Laozi later discovered that it was the Jade Emperor's benevolent corpse who had wielded the God-Slaying Whip and ordered the Northern Expedition without authorization.

The Jade Emperor sent a telepathic message to the benevolent corpse, but it was like a stone sinking into the sea, receiving no response.

Jiang Wang lowered his head and stroked the jade bottle in his hand, the image of the Treasure Hall appearing in his mind.

That palace houses countless treasures of the Heavenly Court. If something truly happened to the benevolent corpse, the Treasure Hall is probably no longer safe.

He shook his head, pulling his thoughts back to the present moment.

A gentle breeze from the hidden realm swept by, carrying the fragrance of grass and trees. Jiang Wang turned around, his gaze falling on the distant mountain peak.

There, a figure sat cross-legged, his aura calm yet carrying a hint of sharpness.

That was Yin Shou, the former King Zhou, who now lives in seclusion, cultivating diligently, writing books, and attempting to summarize the way of the human king.

Jiang Wang flashed and appeared in front of Yin Shou in the next moment.

Yin Shou slowly opened his eyes, his gaze showing some weariness, yet still unable to conceal his imperial aura.

He stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Brother Jiang, is the elixir complete?"

Jiang Wang nodded, took out three Quasi-Saint Divine Pills from the gilded gourd, and handed them over.

Yin Shou accepted the pill, a complex look flashing in his eyes, and said in a low voice, "Thank you."

Without saying much, he swallowed one directly, sat down cross-legged, and his aura suddenly surged. Golden light burst forth from his body, transforming into a dragon-shaped phantom that soared into the sky.

Jiang Wang watched quietly, but his brows furrowed slightly.

With the help of the elixir, Yin Shou's cultivation successfully broke through to the mid-stage of Quasi-Saint, but due to the restrictions of the Heavenly Dao, he failed to reach the expected peak of Quasi-Saint.

He sighed inwardly, thinking how ruthless Heaven was, and how difficult it was for humanity to produce another saint.

Yin Shou opened his eyes, noticed the changes in himself, and said with a wry smile, "The suppression of the Heavenly Dao was ultimately one step too short."

Jiang Wang waved his hand and said calmly, "Mid-stage Quasi-Saint is enough."

Continue writing your book; if you can achieve the Way of the Human King, perhaps you can break free from the shackles of the Heavenly Way.

Yin Shou nodded, his gaze resolute.

The scroll in his hands was not yet finished, but the words already exuded a sense of the noble spirit of humanity.

Jiang Wang said no more, turned and left, but another matter surfaced in his mind—the Tang Dynasty.

Six months ago, he received a message from Li Bai, Guo Ziyi, and Du Fu.

The three men were sent to Chang'an on his orders to assist Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, but they were met with coldness at the Hall of Recruiting Talents.

Li Shimin not only refused to see the three, but also mocked Li Bai's cultivation as a "Great Luo Golden Immortal" as "not worth mentioning."
They were ordered to line up and register their names at the recruitment hall, essentially becoming idle people.

When Jiang Wang learned of this, he was almost unable to contain his anger.

Although he did not have a close relationship with Li Shimin, he had placed high hopes on this man, considering him to be the one who would restore the human race.

But now, Li Shimin is infatuated with Yang Yuhuan's gentle embrace, neglecting state affairs and even skipping the morning court sessions.

What enraged Jiang Wang even more was Yang Yuhuan's background.

Six months ago, Li Shimin took her as his concubine. However, this woman was originally the wife of Li Shimin's great-grandson, Li Chang. Her entry into the palace violated human ethics and was despicable.

Jiang Wang secretly investigated and was shocked to discover that the soul of a nine-tailed fox was residing in Yang Yuhuan's body.

Behind this matter, there is a hint of Nuwa's influence.

Jiang Wang sneered inwardly. Nuwa, a saint, acted so strangely; she was probably plotting against the human race again.

Li Bai once angrily proposed to kill the fox demon and depose Li Shimin, but Jiang Wang stopped him.

Although the Tang emperor had lost his virtue, the foundation of the Tang Dynasty remained. Rashly deposing the emperor would only plunge the world into chaos. He ordered Li Bai and two others to lead nine thousand Taiyi Golden Immortals to the Eastern Continent to secretly establish a dark network covering the human realm and eliminate all forces that hindered the unification of the human race.

Jiang Wang intends to weave this net himself and will not allow anyone to destroy it.

The wind in the hidden realm gradually subsided, and Jiang Wang looked up at the sky, his gaze piercing through the sea of ​​clouds, seemingly able to see the Jade Purity Palace of the Heavenly Court.

At this moment, the six sages are gathered together to discuss the Dao Ancestor's decree.

The Primordial Celestial Venerable summoned everyone, intending to convey the message: "Thirty-two years from now, the human realm will be unsealed, and all the saints will descend to slaughter them."

The decree was met with a curt "Insolent!" from Nuwa.

interrupt.

When Jiang Wang heard about this, his heart stirred.

Why is Nuwa so distraught? What is the purpose of her maid Qingluan descending to the mortal realm with a red embroidered ball? He looked down at the jade bottle in his hand, containing thirteen quasi-saint pills, his trump card prepared for the human race.

The changes in the Heavenly Court, the strange movements of the demon race, and Nuwa's scheming—everything is brewing beneath the surface.

Jiang Wang took a deep breath, waved his sleeve, and disappeared into the hidden realm.

The next moment, he appeared in a valley somewhere in the Eastern Continent.

Li Bai and his two companions were here, directing nine thousand Taiyi Golden Immortals to set up an array, and the Dark Network was beginning to take shape.

"Brother Jiang!"

When Li Bai saw him, a hint of joy flashed in his eyes, but it was tinged with resentment. "That Li Shimin..."

Jiang Wang raised his hand to interrupt him, and said calmly, "No need to say more, I have my own plans for the matter of the Tang King."

How is the dark web situation progressing?

Li Bai suppressed his anger and said in a deep voice, "We have already laid out 30% of the plan, and it is expected to cover the entire Eastern Continent within three years."

Jiang Wang nodded, his gaze sweeping over the busy Golden Immortals in the valley, but his mind was already planning for the more distant future.

The Jade Emperor of Heaven is trapped, the benevolent corpse is out of control, and the Treasure Hall may have become a hidden danger; Emperor Taizong of Tang has lost his virtue, and Nuwa's nine-tailed fox spirit harbors evil intentions; at the gathering of the six saints, Nuwa suddenly leaves, the blue phoenix descends to earth, and the whereabouts of the red embroidered ball remain a mystery.

Jiang Wang gripped the jade bottle tightly in his hand, the weight of the thirteen Quasi-Saint Divine Pills seemingly pressing down on his heart.

The path of humanity is destined to be arduous, but there is no turning back.

The wind in the valley carried a hint of coolness. Jiang Wang looked up and saw a rosy glow slowly rising on the distant horizon, like some kind of omen.

He whispered, "Thirty-two years...time is running out."

In the magnificent and solemn main hall of Yuqing Palace, gilded pillars appear and disappear amidst the clouds and mist, and nine golden dragons coil around the roof, exhaling ethereal mist that illuminates the entire hall with radiant light.

Inside the hall, the saints sat upright on prayer cushions, each exuding an aura as deep and unfathomable as the sea, yet subtly carrying a sense of confrontation.

The Goddess Nuwa, dressed in green, had a hint of anger in her eyes. She gently stroked a jade pendant in her hand, but her gaze was fixed on the Primordial Heavenly Lord opposite her.

Yuanshi Tianzun sat on the Nine Dragon Jade Throne, his face cold and aloof. Behind him, three thousand rays of light could be faintly seen flowing. He exuded a majestic aura, as if everything in the world was under his control.

“Yuanshi, your disciples were negligent, which led to my maid Qingluan stealing the Red Embroidered Ball and sending it to the mortal realm. Now the Red Embroidered Ball is nowhere to be found. Do you know that this treasure is related to the fate of the Three Realms?”

Nuwa's voice was clear and cold, carrying an undeniable question.

The saints in the hall exchanged glances, but none of them spoke.

Lao Tzu sat upright beside the Tai Chi diagram, holding a whisk, his eyes slightly narrowed, as if observing the course of this dispute.

Yuanshi Tianzun remained calm and said indifferently, "Goddess Nuwa, Qingluan is someone by your side. It is your fault for not disciplining her properly when she stole the treasure and descended to the mortal realm. How can you blame me instead? Besides, although the Red Embroidered Ball is lost, I have already ordered my disciples to investigate and will definitely find it."

Although his tone was calm, it carried an undeniable authority, as if the matter were nothing more than a trivial one.

Nuwa sneered upon hearing this, the jade pendant twirling lightly in her hand, producing a crisp sound. "Yuanshi, don't try to shirk your responsibility! If it weren't for your disciples' obstruction, how could Qingluan have descended to the mortal realm so easily? I don't care how you act, the red embroidered ball must be returned, otherwise..."

Before she could finish speaking, a cold glint flashed in her eyes.

Seeing this, Lao Tzu gently waved his whisk and said calmly, "Gentlemen, please do not argue."

Although the Red Embroidered Ball is an innate spiritual treasure, the fortunes of the Three Realms are not currently in chaos, so it can be retrieved.

"Yuanshi, since you have promised, then take on this responsibility. Nuwa, do not pursue the matter too much."

His voice was calm, yet it carried an irresistible power, which eased the tense atmosphere in the hall slightly.

Yuanshi Tianzun nodded slightly in agreement, while Nuwa snorted and said nothing more.

The gazes of all the saints turned in unison to the Tongtian Sect Leader in the center of the hall. He leaned against a blue stone cushion, holding a Qingping sword, casually fiddling with the tassel, his expression languid, as if he had no interest in the dispute inside the hall.

"In that case, let's get down to business."

The Primordial Celestial Venerable swept his gaze across the scene, his voice deep and resonant, “The Dao Ancestor has decreed that in 32 years, humanity will awaken, and the restrictions on sages in the human realm will be lifted.”

At that time, all the saints must descend to the mortal realm, slaughter all the human experts, and sever any chance for humanity to rise again.

As soon as he finished speaking, the hall fell silent, with only the faint sound of the golden dragon breathing echoing through it.

Upon hearing this, the Tongtian Sect Leader raised an eyebrow and lazily said, "Slaughter all of humanity? Tsk, that's too much trouble. I'm too lazy to do it."

His tone was casual, yet carried a hint of disdain, causing the saints to slightly narrow their eyes.

Sage Zhunti smiled slightly and replied, "Tongtian, your lazy nature has never changed."

However, this matter concerns the grand plan of Heaven, and cannot be neglected.

"The grand plan of Heaven?"

The Tongtian Sect Leader chuckled, the sword tassel twirling lightly between his fingers. "Humans are nothing but ants, they can't cause any trouble."

What’s more…”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the saints with a meaningful look, "I have a feeling that something is amiss with the Dao Ancestor's decree."

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly froze.

Yuanshi Tianzun's gaze darkened slightly, Laozi paused with his whisk, and Zhunti and Jieyin exchanged a glance, seemingly trying to figure out Tongtian's intentions.

Nuwa coldly replied, "Tongtian, what do you mean by that? The Dao Ancestor's decree is not to be questioned."

The Tongtian Sect Leader shrugged, too lazy to argue any further, and simply said, "Fine, you can argue however you want, I'll just watch."

His attitude left the saints somewhat puzzled.

Yuanshi Tianzun ignored Tongtian and instead said, "Everyone, we still need to be wary of Jiang Wang's matter."

This person once possessed the Kongtong Seal, which was said to control the fate of the human race. Although it is said that he is dead, the whereabouts of the Kongtong Seal are unknown.

If he is not dead, or has already copied the Kongtong Seal, things may change.

As soon as he finished speaking, the Sage Zhunti interjected, "Whether Jiang Wang is still alive or not is still inconclusive, but if he is still alive, he is definitely a major threat."

The saints in the hall remained silent for a moment, clearly quite wary of the name "Jiang Wang".

Jiang Wang, this name once streaked across the Three Realms like a comet, stirring up the winds and clouds. Although he has now disappeared without a trace, he is like a thorn stuck in the hearts of all the saints.

Finally, Yuanshi Tianzun said in a deep voice: "Let's ignore the battle at Liusha River for now, find the Kongtong Seal, guard against Jiang Wang, and then annihilate the human race in 32 years."

All the sages nodded, except for the Tongtian Sect Leader, who chuckled softly, rose from his seat, and the Qingping Sword in his hand transformed into a streak of green light, disappearing into his sleeve. (End of Chapter)