Chapter 126: The Great Battle Begins

King Zhou’s decision to wage war abroad while leaving women and children to govern the state had already shaken the very foundation of the kingdom.

Not to mention, Prince Yin Jiao and others had been drawn into the Ling Sect, while even generals like Huang Feihu had come under the tutelage of Xuandaozi. Within the royal clan itself, there were checks and balances that maintained a delicate equilibrium among the three factions.

Yet, who could have foreseen that a traitor would emerge from among the royal bloodline—none other than Wei Zi Qi.

For five years, Wei Zi Qi had been secretly transmitting information about the Shang homeland to the Western Zhou. Not only that, but he had orchestrated the assassination of both Western Lord Ji Chang and Ji Boyikao while they were imprisoned.

“Lord, a man claiming to be Lord Wei Zi Qi has come to pay respects!” a guard announced as he entered the grand hall, addressing Ji Fa, the Western Lord.

Ji Fa had ruled for four years by this time. When he was first appointed Lord, his position was nearly lost due to his formidable younger brother, Ji Dan, the Duke of Zhou.

However, their mother intervened, urging them to abandon old customs and instead govern their own territories. With the support of the many immortals of the Chan Sect, Ji Fa ultimately secured his victory.

In the grand hall sat an ethereal young man, elegantly poised, fingers idly toying with a teacup as if lost in thought.

Beneath him sat an elderly sage—Jiang Ziya, seventy-two years old, recently emerged from seclusion.

Not only that, but the twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect were also stationed here, their purpose unknown.

“Lord, Lord, I’ve come late,” Wei Zi Qi hurriedly entered, addressing Ji Fa.

“What matter has caused such urgency, Your Highness? Please, speak at your leisure,” Ji Fa replied calmly.

“The campaign of Emperor Xin against the Eastern Yi and Southern Man is nearing its end!” Wei Zi Qi plopped down, gasping for breath.

“Is that so?” Ji Fa rose, tension gripping him.

“Hmm?” Jiang Ziya glanced at Ji Fa, who obediently sat back down.

“Heh, Your Highness, please rise and take my seat,” Jiang Ziya said as he approached Wei Zi Qi, helping him up.

“Master Guoshi, you are too kind. Thank you, thank you,” Wei Zi Qi said, sitting beside Jiang Ziya.

“This is a golden opportunity. With this, Emperor Xin is surely doomed! I implore Master Jiang to lead the troops,” Ji Fa snapped his fingers, addressing Jiang Ziya.

In politics, Ji Fa had some skill, but in military affairs, he acknowledged that Jiang Ziya was far superior.

“Lord, Your Highness, now that you’ve come to Mount Qi, you must not return to that tiger’s den. Stay here,” Jiang Ziya said to Ji Fa and Wei Zi Qi.

“With such hospitality, how could I leave?” Wei Zi Qi was moved to tears.

“Your Highness worries unnecessarily. If all of Western Zhou were to unite against Emperor Xin, other tribes might resent us. Instead, why not gather everyone in one place to discuss this matter together?” Jiang Ziya proposed.

“Very well. Master Jiang, where shall this alliance be held?” Ji Fa asked.

“Right here—Mengjin!” Jiang Ziya pointed to Mengjin on the map.

“Brother, do you know why the Western Lord summoned us?” a tribal chieftain asked.

“No idea. Perhaps it concerns the Shang dynasty,” another guessed.

“If that’s true, then this is good news. We are finally freed,” one chieftain said.

“The purpose of today’s gathering is simple: to discuss each of your thoughts and demands for the future. Speak freely,” Ji Fa stood at the forefront, addressing the chieftains.

“We shall obey the Lord’s orders without question!” the chieftains knelt, swearing allegiance.

“Emperor Xin is tyrannical, using women and children to govern, causing the court to fall into disarray. He conscripts soldiers year after year, waging endless wars, indulging in wine and pleasure, and harming loyal ministers like Ji Chang and Boyikao. Emperor Xin now renames himself King Zhou of Shang, to show our resolve!” Ji Fa declared passionately.

The chieftains were stunned—what was going on?

“Have you still not understood? Then all armies shall march directly to the Shang capital, Chaoge!” Jiang Ziya cut them off, leaving no room for retreat.

With the Chan Sect’s great powers at his side, how could Ji Fa possibly fail? Only a fool would think otherwise!

The Western Zhou army, allied with eight hundred vassal states, advanced to Mùyě.

As the vassal states gathered at Mengjin, Xuandaozi began strategizing for Emperor Xin.

The Ling Sect had intimate ties to the Shang dynasty. The Grand Preceptor Wen Zhong was a disciple of the Golden Spirit Holy Mother, the Shang’s staunchest supporter. To gamble on the Ling Sect’s final stand, Tongtian summoned scattered immortals like the Three Celestial Maidens, Zhao Gongming, and Luo Xuan to the Shang capital.

Tongtian watched closely, curious how the two Daoist sects might challenge the Ling Sect’s dominance.

However, no one anticipated that the Western Sect would also intervene. The Medicine King Buddha, Golden Cicada, and others had rushed from the West to aid in the campaign against King Zhou.

At Western Qi, the Chan Sect’s golden immortals all emerged: Yun Zhongzi, the Southern Pole Immortal Elder, the Burning Lamp Daoist, as well as the Lingdu Taoist Master and the Eight Immortals lent their strength.

Moreover, Lu Ya and Kunpeng of the Nuwa Palace, leading the remnants of the demon clans, also arrived at Mùyě.

The great battle of the five sects had begun.

Seeking a decisive victory, the Three Celestial Maidens deployed the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation. Alongside it, the Ten Heavenly Lords unleashed their Ten Absolute Formations.

Yu Hua, the Four Generals of the Mo family, and the Four Saints of Nine Dragon Island harassed the enemy’s flanks, while Zhao Gongming and Luo Xuan attacked head-on, scattering the Chan Sect and Buddhist immortals.

Except for Yun Zhongzi, the Southern Pole Immortal Elder, and the Burning Lamp Daoist, all others were trapped within the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation.

The Medicine King Buddha and Golden Cicada’s Western Sect forces battled fiercely with the Ten Heavenly Lords, ending in mutual devastation.

Zhao Gongming, Luo Xuan, and Yu Yuan’s stealth attacks severely wounded Yun Zhongzi, the Southern Pole Immortal Elder, and the Burning Lamp Daoist. Were it not for the Ling Sect’s Taoist Master wielding the Tai Chi Diagram rescuing the three sects, the three sects might have fallen here.

The remaining demon lords, led by Lu Ya and Kunpeng, clashed fiercely with Xuandaozi and his human cultivators. Though Kunpeng was an old warrior, his ruthless tactics remained as fierce as ever.

In the end, Xuandaozi managed to wound both Kunpeng and Lu Ya, causing a total rout of the demon clans.

Meanwhile, Yu Hua and others harassed the Zhou army’s camp, targeting supplies, horses, and weapons. How could a war be fought under such conditions?

Just as the Ling Sect prepared to press their advantage, the Chan Sect’s leader, Yuanshi Tianzun, appeared to intervene.

“Yuanshi Daoist, must you bully your juniors so?” Xuandaozi knew his disciples could not stand against Yuanshi Tianzun alone, so he suddenly ‘visited’ to block Yuanshi and secretly inform Tongtian.

“The fate of Shang has been lost; the rise of Zhou is inevitable. Why do you obstruct the heavenly order? If you persist in stubbornness, do not blame me for being ruthless!” Yuanshi Tianzun said coldly.

Xuandaozi did not expect Yuanshi Tianzun to turn so quickly—one moment reasoned, the next ruthless.

Behind Yuanshi Tianzun appeared four figures. Xuandaozi peered forward and gasped.

What a powerful display!

Yuanshi Tianzun had brought forth the Corpses of Good and Evil, as well as those of the Supreme Elder Lord.

Xuandaozi pondered deeply—why did the Supreme Elder Lord not come himself, instead sending the Corpses of Good and Evil?

Could it be—?

Disaster! Golden Turtle Island is in danger!