A discarded disciple of the Chan Sect? I'll seize the destiny and prove myself to be a Primordi

Jiang Huanchu's expression changed drastically. E Chongyu and Chong Houhu exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes. They were not shocked by Ji Chang's overstepping of his authority, but by Fei Zhong and You Hun actually bringing these three matters to the forefront.

If building a spirit altar is considered usurpation, then which of the four great vassal states doesn't have several palaces that exceed its bounds? If adjudicating lawsuits and accepting allies is considered treason, then which of the two hundred vassal states present hasn't expanded its territory?

Even Yun Zhongzi, standing outside the hall, couldn't help but nod slightly.

He was indeed a treacherous minister. Treacherous ministers have their own methods. Of these three charges, the first two were mere sophistry, but the third hit the nail on the head.

Ji Chang's vision of "controlling two-thirds of the world" had already been established before the Investiture of the Gods. When his father Ji Li was alive, Xiqi had already begun to make plans, attacking the Xiluo Gui Rong, the Yu Wu Rong, the Shi Hu Rong, and the Yi Tu Rong; it took several generations of effort to achieve the current situation.

Ji Li was eventually killed by Wen Ding, the grandfather of Emperor Xin, but the foundation of Xiqi was never shaken. After Ji Chang succeeded to the throne, he further developed this foundation, which shows that his ambition to rebel was not new, but had existed for a long time.

really.

Ji Chang's expression changed drastically.

The three men, Jiang Huanchu, E Chongyu, and Chong Houhu, looked at Fei Zhongyouhun with undisguised killing intent.

This is not impeaching Ji Chang; it is digging up the roots of the four great vassal states. Today Ji Chang is convicted for these three reasons, and tomorrow the three of them will suffer the same fate.

"His Majesty!"

Jiang Huanchu knelt down again: "This is a frame-up! The Marquis of Xibo has guarded the western frontier of the Great Shang for decades, his loyalty is unwavering, and Heaven and Earth can bear witness! I am willing to stake my life on the Marquis of Xibo!"

"We are willing to pledge our lives and property as collateral!" E Chongyu and Chong Houhu echoed in unison.

Of the two hundred feudal lords in the hall, more than half knelt down.

As Di Xin looked at the kneeling lords in the hall, his brows furrowed deeper and deeper.

Not right.

Although young, he was not incompetent; Ji Chang's popularity was simply too good. It was understandable that the four major vassal states were united, but two hundred regional vassal states pleading for his life? With such momentum and unity, could he still hold onto his throne as emperor?

That's enough.

Di Xin raised his hand, and the entire hall fell silent.

"Ji Chang, the Marquis of Xibo, shall be detained for the time being, pending further investigation to determine the truth."

The armored soldiers on the left and right stepped forward and took Ji Chang away.

Ji Chang showed no sign of alarm, his expression calm and composed.

Before leaving the palace, he glanced back at the kneeling lords and said with a carefree air.

Before his departure, he had already consulted a divination, which predicted that he would return safely to Xiqi seven years later.

Yun Zhongzi, hidden outside the palace, watched Ji Chang's composed departure, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.

seven years?

Just stay put.

He knew that if Ji Chang did not return to Xiqi, the great calamity of the Investiture of the Gods would not truly begin.

The meeting is over.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Yun Zhongzi left the Nine Rooms Palace and in a flash, he was out of Chaoge City; Guang Chengzi's magical aura receded like the tide, and his fish-tail crown and purple robe with the Eight Trigrams disappeared without a trace, returning to his golden and white Taoist robe.

He sensed the presence of the Lion Camel King in the direction of Xuanyuan Tomb.

Xuanyuan Tomb.

The tomb remains desolate, and the place has become even more bleak since the three demons left.

The Lion Camel King was already waiting in front of the tomb. When he saw Yun Zhongzi arrive on a cloud, he quickly bowed and greeted him: "Master."

Yun Zhongzi's gaze, however, first fell on the large flag beside him.

The flag is five-colored, embroidered with cloud patterns, and faintly exudes spiritual energy. The flagpole is entirely black, engraved with intricate runes, and is the formation flag of the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation.

This item was of average value, but its crafting process was quite complicated, so Yunxiao entrusted it to the Lion Camel King to bring back.

Yun Zhongzi reached out, and the array flag transformed into a beam of mysterious light, disappearing into his sleeve.

Where are the flower baskets?

He scanned the Lion Camel King with his divine sense and found that he was completely empty-handed; there was no flower basket left.

Yun Zhongzi remained silent for a moment. Sure enough, women should not be provoked easily.

Just then, there was a ripple in my sleeve.

Within the sleeve's inner universe, the spirit pearl was restless, an invisible force surging from its body, crashing against the spatial barrier of the sleeve's inner universe.

Yun Zhongzi raised an eyebrow slightly, flicked his sleeve, and the spirit pearl flew out.

A fist-sized spiritual pearl, suspended in mid-air, absorbed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, its five-colored rays illuminating a barren area in front of Xuanyuan's tomb.

When the Lion Camel King was struck by that light, he shuddered and instinctively took two steps back. He was still shaken by the bruises and swelling from being hit by the spirit pearl in his sleeve.

The spirit pearl hovered in mid-air for a moment, then slowly drifted southeast at a moderate speed, just enough for people to keep up.

Yun Zhongzi understood that there were no hidden dangers in Chaoge at present, with Wen Zhong in charge, Ji Chang imprisoned, Empress Jiang safe and sound, Yin Jiao and Yin Hong had not escaped, and the pine wood sword on the Fen Gong Tower remained unmoved.

Daji did not enter the palace, so the Western Religion's plan had no opportunity to succeed for the time being. They could only wait seven years before making their move.

"Keep up."

The Lion Camel King revealed his true form, with Yun Zhongzi straddling its back. Auspicious clouds rose up, carrying Yun Zhongzi as they chased after Lingzhuzi.

After an incense stick has burned.

The spirit pearl flew into a coastal city—Chentang Pass.

Looking up, the city was built along the sea, with towering walls and imposing crenellations. The sea breeze, carrying a salty smell, rushed towards me, and in the distance, the sound of the tide and the crashing waves echoed.

Banners fluttered atop the city wall, bearing the three large characters "Chen Tang Pass." A troop of armored soldiers patrolled back and forth beneath them, their armor gleaming and their military bearing impeccable.

Yun Zhongzi understood. The time had come; the day Lingzhuzi would be reincarnated was today.

The moment it entered the city, the spirit pearl suddenly disappeared. Its body transformed into a barely perceptible stream of light, concealing all its aura, and flew into the city, vanishing without a trace in the blink of an eye.

"Junior brother!"

Yun Zhongzi turned his head.

A pink flying pig was slowly pacing in the air, and sitting on its back was a round-faced, slightly chubby Taoist priest. His moon-white Taoist robe was stretched taut by his belly, and a small yellow flower was tucked into his temple. It was none other than the Taiyi Zhenren.

At this moment, Master Taiyi was extremely anxious, sweat beading on his forehead. He patted the pig's head, looked around, and muttered something under his breath. The pig, annoyed by his patting, grunted and shook its ears.

At this point, Yun Zhongzi was unable to leave even if he wanted to.

When Taiyi Zhenren looked up, he saw Yun Zhongzi riding a green lion in mid-air. His eyes lit up, and he waved frantically.

Yun Zhongzi pressed down on the lion's head and landed beside Taiyi Zhenren.

"Junior brother, what are you doing here?"

Taiyi Zhenren wiped the sweat from his forehead, his round face full of surprise.

Yun Zhongzi looked "dejected" and sighed:

"My cultivation is not progressing at all, and I feel frustrated. I'm going out for a walk to contemplate the profound truths of the universe."

His aura was suppressed to the level of an early-stage Golden Immortal. Although this self-deceptive act was useless in front of those above the level of a Great Luo Golden Immortal, Taiyi Zhenren's cultivation was comparable to his, so he could deceive him for as long as possible.

Although he didn't know what the point of keeping it a secret was.

Upon hearing this, Taiyi Zhenren indeed showed a look of sympathy, patted Yun Zhongzi on the shoulder, and said seriously:

"Junior brother, do not be impatient. Cultivation should be done naturally. The Dao follows nature and governs through non-action. The way of heaven and earth is like the tides of the ocean, rising and falling, coming and going. The more anxious you are, the less you will get what you want. You might as well open your heart, embrace heaven and earth, let the power of heaven and earth cleanse your Dao heart, and let your Dao heart resonate with heaven and earth..."

He became more and more enthusiastic as he spoke, his words flowing like a torrent. He spouted one profound truth after another, like the endless flow of the Yangtze River: "When the mind is clear, all laws will be understood," "When the mind is still, cultivation will naturally increase," and "You can't rush it, the more you rush, the worse it gets."

Yun Zhongzi was completely bewildered.

Taiyi Zhenren talks too much. Once he starts talking, he can go on and on, from heaven to earth, from the creation of the world by Pangu to the current investiture of gods. If you don't interrupt him, he could stand here until dark.

"Senior brother."

Yun Zhongzi spoke, interrupting Taiyi Zhenren's long speech:

"What brings you here, Senior Brother?"

Taiyi Zhenren was taken aback, then remembered the important matter. He slapped his forehead, and an anxious look returned to his face:

"Oh dear! I almost forgot about it if my junior brother hadn't mentioned it!"

He lowered his voice and leaned closer to Yun Zhongzi:

"My master sent me to Chen Tang Pass, saying that this place holds the opportunity for me to overcome my tribulation. But I've searched for a long time and still can't find it! Junior brother, what should I do?"

Yun Zhongzi understood immediately; so that's how it is.

As expected, Yuanshi Tianzun knew that today was the day Lingzhuzi would be reincarnated. However, he did not know that Lingzhuzi had been taken away from the Jade Void Palace by the Goddess Nuwa, nor did he know that Lingzhuzi was currently in Yun Zhongzi's sleeve universe.

He probably only knew that Lingzhu was about to be reincarnated, Nezha was about to be born, and that Taiyi Zhenren's calamity needed Nezha to block it.

Everything proceeded according to the original plot.

Yun Zhongzi's mind raced, and a thoughtful expression appeared on his face. After a moment, he spoke:

"Senior brother, there is a general in this city named Li Jing. As far as I know, he is a disciple of the True Man of Du'e of our Chan Sect. Because he could not achieve immortality, he was sent down the mountain to seek worldly wealth and honor. Now he is the general of Chentang Pass."

He paused:

"This person has a past connection with our Chan Sect. Could it be that my senior brother's destiny lies with Li Jing?"