CHAPTER 1216: CHAPTER 1214: THE SECRET EXPOSED

After Jiang Liu and his group left the Reincarnation Tower, they headed toward the Human Realm.

"Thank you, envoy, for accompanying us all the way!" Jiang Liu, still maintaining his humble and courteous demeanor, expressed his gratitude to the Soul-Hooking Envoy after leaving the Reincarnation Tower.

"Holy Monk, you’re too kind! In truth, it was my utmost fortune to accompany the Holy Monk to the Reincarnation Tower; I feel incredibly blessed!" The Soul-Hooking Envoy, feeling honored by Jiang Liu’s thanks, quickly waved his hand and replied.

"Now that our business in the Netherworld is concluded, please convey my gratitude to King Guang of Qin!" Jiang Liu continued warmly and respectfully.

"Rest assured, Holy Monk, I will certainly deliver your message!" The Soul-Hooking Envoy nodded and responded, then watched as Jiang Liu and his group left the Netherworld and headed toward the Human Realm.

"Master Xuanzang has truly left; after a single journey through the Reincarnation Tower, even Empress Earth was willing to form a bond of goodwill with him and gave him the Witch-Slaying Sword!" Watching the figures of Jiang Liu and his group fade away, the Soul-Hooking Envoy sighed inwardly.

Indeed, it was precisely because of Jiang Liu’s greatness that the Soul-Hooking Envoy admired his humble and courteous manner all the more.

Master Xuanzang possesses the Cultivation Level of a Daluo Golden Immortal; with such a level, which Immortal or Buddha isn’t haughty?

Yet only Master Xuanzang behaves so humbly and courteously toward a mere Ghost Messenger like me.

"The merciful name of Master Xuanzang and his fearsome name are both known throughout the Three Realms and Six Paths. It is hard to imagine such a humble and courteous person also having a fearsome name; perhaps it’s because those Immortals and Buddhas act too bullying?" Shaking his head, the Soul-Hooking Envoy rid his mind of these thoughts.

These matters are only of concern to the mighty figures of the Three Realms; as a mere Soul-Hooking Envoy, I am not qualified to ponder these issues.

"However, being able to make a circuit through the Reincarnation Tower this time is truly a great fortune. If I tell Bullhead, Horsehead, Black and White Impermanence, they’ll surely be envious to death!" With this newfound bragging right, the Soul-Hooking Envoy quickened his pace and hurried back to the Netherworld.

"Master, Empress Earth seems to be a good person!" Sun Wukong, walking beside Jiang Liu as they headed toward the Mortal World, suddenly spoke.

"Monkey Brother, that’s completely stating the obvious. To say who in the Three Realms and Six Paths is universally respected by all beings, it’s not the Jade Emperor or the Tathagata, but Empress Earth!" Hearing Sun Wukong’s words, Zhu Bajie couldn’t help chime in.

"Indeed, the merits of Empress Earth are immeasurable. Someone once said if Empress Earth were to gain a wisp of Hongmeng Purple Qi, she might immediately attain Saintliness!" At this moment, the White Dragon Horse beneath Jiang Liu also interjected.

As Jiang Liu and his group continued toward the Mortal World, their idle conversations were filled with praise for Empress Earth.

"Indeed, this matter has been incredibly smooth! Empress Earth is indeed worthy of admiration!" Jiang Liu nodded in agreement, expressing genuine appreciation.

Though Empress Earth felt the Witch-Slaying Sword shared a destiny with me, and perhaps it was the will of heaven.

Yet, holding a treasure in one’s hands, especially one that restrains the Witch Clan, is something most would be unwilling to give up, right?

However, Empress Earth merely glanced at my Treasure Map and decided to give me the Witch-Slaying Sword. Such a temperament is indeed extraordinary.

Nonetheless, though Empress Earth is admirable and praiseworthy, the most rejoicing thing for Jiang Liu is obtaining the Witch-Slaying Sword this time.

Gaoyang wielding the Green Duckweed Sword is only at the Quasi-Saint Level of Attack Power. But now, with the Witch-Slaying Sword and the Green Lotus Treasured Flag in my possession, both Attack Power and defensive power have reached the Quasi-Saint Level.

For Jiang Liu, this is certainly a substantial enhancement.

"However, now my level is already 88, not far from the Quasi-Saint Level itself!" Thinking of how his overall strength has reached the Quasi-Saint threshold, Jiang Liu also considered his level, revealing a smile on his face.

After returning from the Netherworld to the Mortal World, Jiang Liu and his group continued their westward Journey to the West, leisurely heading toward the Great Thunder Monastery.

"Disciples, we still have some time. How about we tackle a few more dungeons?" Jiang Liu, feeling a bit restless, suggested, seeing the early time.

With the Witch-Slaying Sword in hand, Jiang Liu felt an itch to test its power fully, imagining that dungeon crawling would be much faster now?

Even the final dungeon boss, Tathagata, is only at the Daluo Golden Immortal Cultivation Level, which I can easily dispatch.

"Sounds good!" Hearing Jiang Liu’s words, the eyes of the few, including Sun Wukong, lit up.

With Master holding a more formidable Witch-Slaying Sword, dungeon crawling should be a breeze now, right?

Faster dungeon crawling means everyone’s Cultivation Level would also advance quicker when joining dungeon runs, wouldn’t it?

Just thinking about it made the hearts of Sun Wukong and the others fill with anticipation.

Beep beep beep! Just as Jiang Liu and the others were about to take out the Map of Mountains and Rivers for the dungeon run, suddenly, a message alert sounded in Jiang Liu’s mind.

Hearing this voice, Jiang Liu’s actions paused slightly as he opened his friend list, seeing Jiang Ziya’s avatar flashing.

"Sect Hierarch, I’m sorry, I’ve slipped, the Jade Emperor detected my actions and I’ve been captured..."

This was the message Jiang Ziya sent to him. Seeing this, Jiang Liu furrowed his brows slightly.

This is not good news at all. Has Jiang Ziya’s secret been exposed and he’s been caught by the Jade Emperor?

"Master? What’s wrong?" Sun Wukong was spreading out the Map of Mountains and Rivers, preparing for everyone to enter, but noticed Jiang Liu’s expression wasn’t quite right and asked.

"Wukong, as your master, I have some matters to handle now. Let’s postpone entering the dungeon for today!" Since there’s trouble, there’s obviously no time to enter the dungeon, Jiang Liu said.

Jiang Ziya’s cultivation level is only at the Returning Void Realm, not even reaching the level of a Heavenly Immortal. With such cultivation within the Heavenly Court, it seems reasonable to be discovered.

However, has his secret contact with those Immortal Gods to defy the Jade Emperor been exposed as well?

If so, then the situation could be problematic!

After thinking for a moment, Jiang Liu didn’t rush immediately to the Heavenly Court to rescue him, instead, he opened the chat with Kuimu Wolf to inquire about Jiang Ziya’s current situation in the Heavenly Court.

As one of the Twenty-Eight Star Abodes, Kuimu Wolf holds a decent status in the Heavenly Court. Upon hearing the sound of a message coming through, Kuimu Wolf paused slightly.

With such a message coming, Kuimu Wolf obviously understood that it could only be coming from Master Xuanzang.

After glancing at the dialogue box, Kuimu Wolf displayed a look of surprise.

"What’s going on? Jiang Ziya was just captured by the Jade Emperor, and immediately Master Xuanzang is inquiring about the situation?"

"Holy Monk, indeed Jiang Ziya has been captured and is now being detained. It seems he secretly stirred many from the Investiture of the Gods to defy the Jade Emperor, and right now the Jade Emperor is angry, so it’s likely bad for him!" After pondering briefly, Kuimu Wolf proceeded to succinctly explain Jiang Ziya’s situation in the Heavenly Court to Jiang Liu.

Receiving Kuimu Wolf’s reply, Jiang Liu’s expression became even grimmer.

Indeed, the Heavenly Court right now is like a turbulent undercurrent, and the Jade Emperor needs to assert authority.

Since Jiang Ziya has been captured, using him to establish authority is only natural.

As a core figure in the previous Deification War, Jiang Ziya is close with many Immortal Gods on the Investiture of the Gods and holds high prestige. If he can be executed, it would greatly enhance the Jade Emperor’s prestige.

"Let’s see the specifics; I’ll go to the Heavenly Court to check things out first." Realizing the severity of the situation, Jiang Liu mused briefly and then decided, utilizing the Art of Cloud Soaring, heading straight for the Heavenly Court.

The Jade Emperor is eager to eliminate Jiang Ziya, but likewise, Jiang Liu is determined to save Jiang Ziya.

The situation has become very tricky, but however challenging it is, it must be done.

Upon reaching the Heavenly Court, Jiang Liu passed through the South Heavenly Gate. As usual, the Guardian Generals there feared and did not dare to obstruct Jiang Liu’s path.

However, after entering the South Heavenly Gate, Jiang Liu did not head directly towards the Lingxiao Hall but instead pondered and went towards the Palace of the Heavenly King.

Though he attained Physical Sanctification, both Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing and Nezha joined the Heavenly Court after the Deification War, and they belonged to Jiang Ziya’s camp against King Zhou of Shang.

Jiang Liu naturally wanted to probe their thoughts on the matter.

In the Palace of the Heavenly King, Li Jing and Nezha were arguing with each other.

"Father, Jiang Ziya took care of us greatly in the past. How can we stand by and do nothing in his misfortune?" Nezha’s finely carved little face was filled with seriousness.

"Child, I wish to save him too, but we cannot. What he committed is no ordinary crime; he secretly incited the Immortal Gods to rebel. Such a sin, if we plead for him, not only will it not help, but it might even arouse the Jade Emperor’s suspicion and suspect us of colluding with him..." With a long sigh, Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing earnestly explained to Nezha.

"Does that mean, just because of potential suspicion, we should stand by and do nothing?" Nezha asked seriously, unwilling to back down.

"You..." Li Jing opened his mouth, intending to persuade further.

Just then, a servant rushed in: "Heavenly King, Third Prince, Master Xuanzang has come to visit!"