Wen Zhong remained in the Great Shang, unable to depart.
He could not abandon his master-disciple bond with King Zhou, his camaraderie with the Great Shang officials, nor his patriotic heart for the people of Great Shang.
Wen Zhong stayed in the main camp, watching the sages depart from Xi Qi City. He closed his tired eyes.
Outside the camp, the Twelve Golden Immortals pressed their forces, and the disciples of Chan Teaching roamed invincible, defeating the Shang army.
Wen Zhong led his troops in retreat, and Sishui Pass fell.
Jiang Ziya's army split into three, heading north to attack Jiameng Pass, south to attack Qinglong Pass, and the central army marched towards Jie Pai Pass.
The three armies, north, south, and central, attacked in unison, breaking through like a bamboo. The Mo Family Four Generals of Jiameng Pass perished, and the guardian of Qinglong Pass also died. Only in Jie Pai Pass did Wen Zhong earnestly invite various Taoists to assist, and Shen Gongbao also invited many skilled individuals to barely hold on for some time.
Without the support of the Jie Teaching forces, Great Shang lost one-sixth of its territory within a few months. The hearts of the people of Great Shang were filled with panic, and the destiny of humanity began to fluctuate.
It was at this moment that above Chaoge, Kong Xuan opened his eyes. He looked at the distant battlefield and sighed, "It is time for me to act after all."
Before Jie Pai Pass in Great Shang, the three armies merged and gathered before the pass. Jiang Ziya challenged, "Grand Tutor Wen Zhong, if you remain obstinate, I fear this place before Jie Pai Pass will be where you meet your end!"
Wen Zhong said coldly, "Even if I can delay it for one more day, my life will be well spent. Moreover, the Twelve Golden Immortals of Chan Teaching are no longer what they once were."
Guang Chengzi said sternly, "Presumptuous! A mere third-generation disciple, and you speak to us as elders instead of addressing us as uncles."
Wen Zhong did not flinch, "Although I am a third-generation disciple of Jie Teaching in the immortal path, in the mortal realm, I am the Grand Tutor of Great Shang. You are merely a mountain hermit. How dare you touch me?"
Guang Chengzi sneered, flipped his hand, and released the Heaven-Overturning Seal. "Then let me see how long your Great Shang Grand Tutor can hold on!"
As his words fell, the Heaven-Overturning Seal plummeted down like ten thousand mountains, splitting the sky and shaking the earth, bearing down on Jie Pai Pass.
Grand Tutor Wen snorted, flipped his hand and took out the Grand Tutor's Seal. The golden dragon of human destiny roared eastward, and a golden dragon coiled above Jie Pai Pass, using its body to hold back the seal.
The golden dragon let out a cry, its golden light flashing intensely, but it still held.
Ran Deng's expression slightly tightened. "Stop. Bring out the Divine Fire Pillars of Heaven. Without this treasure, it will be extremely difficult to subdue Wen Zhong, who is supported by human destiny."
True Person Huang Long took out an item and transformed it into a colossal mountain, falling behind Jie Pai Pass and blocking the east and west. It bore three grand Taoist seals, inscribed with: "Jue Long Ridge!"
Upon seeing this item, Wen Zhong's eyelids twitched violently, his heart filled with unease. He murmured, "Jue Long Ridge? Does such a ridge that severs dragons truly exist in this world!"
His disciple, Marquis Yu Qing, stood by his side, worried, "Master, perhaps we should retreat first? You are the pillar of stability for Great Shang. If you fall, Great Shang will be in peril."
Wen Zhong shook his head, "If I leave, who else can face the might of Chan Teaching? The state of Great Shang is of greater importance to me than anything else.
If I retreat, the hearts of Great Shang's army and people will scatter.
If I retreat, who will be able to stop them in Great Shang?
Even if I die today, the hundreds of millions of people in Great Shang will remember that I, Wen Zhong, died at the hands of Chan Teaching, died at the hands of the Western Qi army. My death will awaken the righteous anger of the people of the world. My death will be well spent."
Outside Jie Pai Pass, eight colossal pillars rose, flames raging, red clouds stretching for ten thousand li, encircling Jie Pai Pass, preventing entry from without and escape from within.
Guang Chengzi smiled, "Wen Zhong, today will be the day of your death."
Cihang stepped forward and stood on a pillar, sighing with regret.
Puxian stood with a calm expression on a pillar.
Manjusri shook his head and ascended to the top of a pillar.
Chi Jing, though reluctant, said nothing.
True Venerable Daoxing bowed and walked to the top of a pillar.
Great Master Taiyi snorted and strode onto the top of a pillar.
True Person Yu Ding ascended to the top of a pillar with a blank expression.
True Person Huang Long walked to Jue Long Ridge, and the mournful cries of dragons were heard.
The human destiny of the Nine Cauldrons of Kyushu was isolated by these eight Divine Fire Pillars of Heaven, and Jue Long Ridge severed the destiny of the eastern and western royal capitals, Chaoge, from Jie Pai Pass, turning Jie Pai Pass into a dead zone.
Wen Zhong looked up. The eight great golden immortals stood in the firmament, looking down upon him. Wen Zhong's beard fluttered, yet he was still vigorous. He raised his head to meet the gazes of the eight great golden immortals, like an ant trapped in a giant's snare, all hope extinguished.
No one spoke, there were no grand final words. Divine fires surged into the sky, and eight fires launched simultaneously, rushing towards Wen Zhong.
Wen Zhong cast one last glance at Chaoge, recalling a lifetime of battles and past events, and smiled with resignation.
The divine fires erupted, burning in all directions, severing all life.
A dark purple lotus bloomed in the sea of fire, withstanding the intense scorching of the eight divine fires, yet it did not fade.
Ran Deng said coldly, "Who is interfering?"
Above the firmament, the void collapsed, and a vortex-like wormhole appeared. Four figures slowly descended from outside the sky. "Ran Deng, bullying the weak like this, do you still have any shame?"
From the north, a woman in white with a cool temperament said leisurely.
On the fire pillars, Guang Chengzi said, "Who are you four, that you insist on being enemies with my Chan Teaching?"
From the east, a burly man with a stern gaze said, "A junior dares to interrupt?"
As he spoke, the man reached out and grabbed, tearing open the void. He forcefully pulled out two of the completely sealed Divine Fire Pillars of Heaven.
Guang Chengzi was immediately repelled, and the seven great golden immortals retreated.
Ran Deng was startled and asked, "Your appearances are unfamiliar, fellow Daoists. You are not among those from Zixiao Palace, are you?"
From the west, a handsome man chuckled softly, "In the primordial ages, the Eastern World called us four 'Boundary Protectors', Eastern Wilderness Boundary Protectors."
Ran Deng smiled in understanding, "So you are fellow Daoists from the disciples of the Sage of All Beings. This humble one apologizes.
However, why are you four not cultivating in Bei Ju Luzhou, and instead are here to obstruct my Chan Teaching?"
Bei Xu said indifferently, "We are not here to obstruct you, fellow Daoist. We are merely acting for Chaoge.
If you Daoists remain here for three years, we shall naturally depart."
Ran Deng's face darkened, "The Master of Heaven's Promise has made a three-year pact. You intend to obstruct my Chan Teaching for three years. Do you truly think I, Ran Deng, am easily bullied?"
You flashed, and all eight Divine Fire Pillars of Heaven were in his hands.
Huang Long was startled and quickly tried to retreat.
But You reached out, a dark giant palm slamming towards True Person Huang Long. The immense spatial confinement made him greatly alarmed. He quickly transformed into his original form, the yellow dragon, intending to escape.
But a faint light flashed in You's hand, and the giant dragon was firmly grasped, letting out mournful cries.
Bai Fu said with a smile, "You, be mindful of your limits."
You loosened his grip and threw the giant dragon down from the clouds, where it fell before the Xi Qi army.
Above Chaoge, Kong Xuan raised his eyes, pointed with his hand, and a giant five-colored peacock stood proudly over Jie Pai Pass, looking down at the assembled immortals.
"Ran Deng, if you wish to try, then try."
The immortals of Chan Teaching fell silent. Four great powers, and a supreme being fused with Chaoge. Could they win?
In Biyou Palace, Tong Tian sighed, "It seems Fellow Daoist Qing Ling also wishes for me to fight."