Zhang Kui's Journey to the West in the Investiture of the Gods

Chapter 17: Turbulence Strikes Again on the Front Lines

The return journey was much easier than the journey there.

Perhaps the news of the Xuanlang Demon King's demise had already spread, because along the way, apart from the raging wind and snow, no other demons or rebels came to harass us.

Several days later, the continuous camps and flags in front of them, and the majestic Shang army camp were already in sight.

Zhang Kui ordered his adjutant to lead the laborers and guards back to the rear camp to rest, while he himself, with a few personal guards, went straight to the central command tent to report.

After the announcement, Zhang Kui was led into the command tent.

The atmosphere inside the tent was heavy. Wen Zhong was discussing matters with several powerful Jie Sect cultivators and high-ranking military officers. Upon seeing Zhang Kui enter, Wen Zhong slightly raised his hand, stopping their discussion.

"This humble general, Zhang Kui, has been ordered to escort provisions and military equipment to Zhang Guifang's Left Army. I have come to report back." Zhang Kui stepped forward and presented the document.

A guard took the document and handed it to Wen Zhong. Wen Zhong quickly glanced through it, smiled, and nodded, saying, "Good, thank you for your hard work. Zhang Guifang praised you highly in the document, saying that you not only delivered it on time but also thwarted the ambush of the Xuanlang Demon King, which is a great achievement."

"This humble general dares not claim credit," Zhang Kui said, clasping his hands in a gesture of respect, neither humble nor arrogant.

Wen Zhong put down the document and looked at Zhang Kui. He was about to offer a few more words of encouragement when he suddenly paused. With his Xuanxian realm cultivation and keen perception, he carefully observed Zhang Kui and was surprised to find that Zhang Kui's aura was harmonious and restrained, his blood and qi were as powerful as a dragon and a tiger, and his internal magic power was surging and boundless. He had actually reached the Earth Immortal realm, and at the peak of the Earth Immortal realm.

Wen Zhong couldn't help but gasp in surprise, his eyes gleaming with disbelief. "Zhang Kui, your cultivation... peak Earth Immortal?! This... how is this possible?"

He clearly remembered that several months ago, during the central military council, Zhang Kui had displayed extraordinary physical strength, but his cultivation level was clearly not yet at the Immortal Path. How long had it been since he switched to cultivating the Golden Core Dao? He had already broken through several barriers and reached the peak of the Earth Immortal realm? This speed of cultivation was simply unheard of. Even those disciples of orthodox Xuanmen sects with deep roots and exceptional talent could not achieve such rapid progress.

Wen Zhong's exclamation immediately drew the attention of everyone in the tent. Even the several Jie Sect cultivators turned their scrutinizing gazes towards him, and when they sensed Zhang Kui's undisguised aura of a peak Earth Immortal, they all showed expressions of astonishment.

Zhang Kui knew in his heart that his rapid breakthrough in cultivation would inevitably attract attention, but he had already prepared his explanation and said frankly, "Reporting to Grand Tutor, this humble servant encountered a powerful enemy in Black Wind Gorge during this escort mission. It was a demon king at the Heavenly Immortal Realm. I was fortunate enough to break through at the critical moment of life and death and activated a trace of the power of the Witch Clan bloodline within me, which enabled me to successfully kill the demon king. Afterwards, I felt my mind was clear and my cultivation improved."

Zhang Kui attributed the reason to his insights gained after a life-or-death battle, which is not unprecedented in the cultivation world, but it is rare to find one with such a wide range of insights.

"A life-or-death struggle..." Wen Zhong murmured to himself, his surprise and doubt gradually fading into deep amazement and admiration. "Indeed, he is blessed with great fortune, and it is beyond reason that he can be saved."

A thought even flashed through his mind: Could this child be the reincarnation of some ancient powerful being? Otherwise, it would be truly difficult to explain.

However, just as Wen Zhong was about to inquire in detail about Zhang Kui's battle and cultivation progress, hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the tent. A messenger rushed in without having time to announce his arrival, knelt on one knee, and said anxiously, "Reporting to the Grand Tutor, urgent report from the front. The Northern Dark Ice Soul Cold Light Array has undergone another change, with the cold air expanding by thousands of miles. The situation inside the array is unknown."

"What?" Wen Zhong suddenly stood up, his face instantly becoming extremely solemn, no longer caring about Zhang Kui's cultivation level. The Northern Darkness Ice Soul Cold Light Formation was one of the biggest stumbling blocks in this Northern Expedition. It was personally set up by the Overturning Sea Ancestor, a disciple of the Demon Master Kunpeng, and its power was immense. He had already dispatched several fellow disciples of the Intercepting Sect to break the formation, yet it was still so troublesome?

"What's the specific situation? How are Fellow Daoist Yu Yuan, the One Qi Immortal, and the four fellow Daoists from Nine Dragons Island doing now?" Wen Zhong asked urgently.

"Immortal Master Yu Yuan seems to have been injured by the cold energy within the formation and is struggling to hold on. Even with the combined efforts of Immortal Masters Wang Mo, Yang Sen, Gao Youqian, and Li Xingba, they can only barely withstand the formation's counterattack and cannot make any progress," the messenger quickly reported.

The atmosphere inside the tent instantly plummeted to freezing point. Even a powerful figure like Yu Yuan, the One Qi Immortal, was injured, and the Four Saints of Nine Dragons Island could only barely hold their own. The power of this grand formation was truly terrifying.

Wen Zhong frowned, pondered for a moment, and then decisively ordered: "Please invite the three Daoist friends, Golden Light Holy Mother, Han Zhixian, and Liu Huan, to accompany me to the front line immediately. Ji Li and Yu Qing."

"Disciples are here!" Ji Li and Yu Qing immediately replied.

"You two will remain in the central command to coordinate and handle the handover of military affairs with General Zhang Kui." Wen Zhong then looked at Zhang Kui, "Your meritorious service is recorded in the military merit book. Return to the rear command to rest and await further orders."

"Yes, sir!" Zhang Kui clasped his hands in a fist salute.

Wen Zhong acted swiftly and decisively, immediately leading several Jie Sect cultivators out of the command tent. Moments later, the sounds of wind and thunder could be heard from outside, clearly indicating that they had used exotic beasts or magical treasures to rush to the northern front.

Inside the command tent, the other personnel left one after another, leaving only Ji Li, Yu Qing, and Zhang Kui.

Ji Li and Yu Qing exchanged a glance, already used to Wen Zhong entrusting them with the important task of staying behind.

Ji Li, standing tall and straight, spoke first: "General Zhang is truly a man of great hidden talent. It is astonishing that he was able to advance to the peak of the Earth Immortal realm in such a short time. We have also heard of the Xuanlang Demon King. He is said to be a notorious and fierce member of the North Sea demon race, who has been entrenched for many years. It is truly gratifying that the General has slain him."

Zhang Kui smiled slightly and said modestly, "General Ji, you flatter me. It was really just luck. Compared to the great formation that the immortals on the front lines are dealing with, a mere demon king is nothing to worry about."

Yu Qing, with his refined appearance and even more meticulous mind, took over the conversation: "General Zhang, there is no need to be so modest. The Northern Darkness Ice Soul Cold Light Formation was set up by Ancestor Fu Hai. This formation draws on the Northern Darkness Cold Qi to form a formation that is ever-changing and extremely powerful. Although we tried our best to break the formation, we suffered considerable losses. Now, even Uncle Yu Yuan has been injured."

"The Ancestor of Overturning the Seas... Demon Master Kunpeng..." Zhang Kui's gaze narrowed slightly. He had heard of the title Demon Master in some ancient legends; it referred to a powerful figure who had roamed the world since ancient times.

Ji Li sighed and said in a low voice, "Yes, Master is very worried about this. I heard that he is already considering whether to invite more fellow disciples to come and help. However, the situation within the sect is somewhat complicated now, and not all fellow disciples are willing to be tainted by the bloodshed of war in the mortal world."

Yu Qing nodded and added, "Moreover, Ancestor Fuhai is not alone. He has colluded with rebels such as Yuan Futong of Beihai, commanding countless demon soldiers, and is also aided by other demon kings."

Zhang Kui listened quietly. From Ji Li and Yu Qing's words, he could feel the ferocity and stalemate of the battle on the front lines, and he could also sense the enormous pressure on Wen Zhong's shoulders.

After their conversation, he gained a deeper understanding of the two disciples of Grand Tutor Wen. Ji Li was suspicious and cautious, instinctively investigating anything beyond the realm of reason; while Yu Qing was skilled in strategy and analysis, possessing a clear understanding of the overall situation. However, their respect and protection for Wen Zhong were genuine, making them both truly loyal and courageous individuals.

"Thank you both for your guidance, Generals," Zhang Kui said, cupping his hands in greeting. "We hope that Grand Tutor can find a way to break the formation as soon as possible and pacify the North Sea. Since we are in the army, we will do our utmost."

The subsequent handover of military duties was completed quickly.

After bidding farewell to Ji Li and Yu Qing, Zhang Kui stepped out of the central command tent and took a deep breath of the cold air.

He mounted his horse and turned his gaze toward the rear guard. Next, he should pay his respects to his superior, the "caring" Marquis of the North, Chong Houhu. Ever since learning of Chong Houhu's conspiracy from the captured subordinates of the Black Wolf Demon King, Zhang Kui understood that this game would determine both the victor and the vanquished, and even their lives.

Now, it's time to teach this clueless "tiger" a lesson. A cold glint flashed in Zhang Kui's eyes.

The unicorn snorted, its hooves making a loud thud, and carried its master forward.