Chapter 991: The Return of the Yin-Shang Dynasty

Su Daji?

After learning about the Golden Tortoise Island Banquet and the Heavenly Messenger, Meng Qi had been speculating about the identity of the island’s master. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, he never expected it to be this Qingqiu fox spirit. She was seated prominently; even if she wasn’t the island’s master, she must at least be the master’s wife.

Judging by the era she belonged to, the title “fox spirit” likely originated from Su Daji herself. Regardless of her cultivation level, she had indeed left behind a legendary tale of “beauty.”

When he was young and naive, Meng Qi once watched a TV series based on the “Investiture of the Gods,” where Su Daji’s bold and revealing portrayal left a deep impression. Now, seeing the real Su Daji, he couldn’t help but steal a few extra glances. Her natural beauty was breathtaking; every smile and frown exuded charm, making one feel weak at the knees. She was infinitely more beautiful than her television portrayal.

In a world without Hongjun, the Investiture War had ended at the Myriad Immortal Formation when Lingbao Heavenly Venerable overturned the chessboard, shattering heaven and earth, halting King Wu’s campaign against King Zhou. Instead, several sects reached a consensus, transferring power from the Shang Dynasty to the Zhou, dividing and ruling the world. Su Daji and others had ample opportunity to retreat to the Golden Tortoise Island in the Eastern Sea. Meng Qi recalled his knowledge of the Investiture World. Her appearance was indeed unexpected yet reasonable.

The only issue was that Su Daji’s cultivation level and strength were not high. Master Yunzhongzi had even disdained to use his demon-revealing sword, instead taking a pine branch to carve a wooden sword and hanging it at the entrance of her palace, nearly reducing Su Daji to ashes. Now, with time passed and Yunzhongzi long deceased in his cave, Su Daji was not only alive and energetic but appeared to be at the peak of her vitality.

Of course, this wasn’t impossible. The past was full of twists and turns; Yunzhongzi might have been involved in some conflict that led to his downfall, while Su Daji, hiding in Golden Tortoise Island, might have encountered some rare fortune, extending her lifespan. Accumulating power over the years, she might have gradually become a Celestial Immortal or even attained legendary status.

Alternatively, this Su Daji might not be the real one—perhaps a descendant of the true Su Daji. After all, just because she claimed to be Su Daji didn’t mean they should believe her outright.

Meng Qi pondered deeply, his gaze devoid of any impure thoughts as he examined Su Daji. She seemed to be enveloped in an invisible mist, hazy and indistinct, making it impossible for him to discern her true nature. He could only roughly estimate that her cultivation level was above that of an Earth Immortal.

Since the Investiture events were absent from real-world records, aside from the sly old Cloud Crane and the ever-smiling Han Guang, whose expressions never revealed their true emotions, the others were largely unaffected by Su Daji’s self-introduction. Master Lu cast a clear glance before politely bowing. Su Wuming remained empty and indifferent, having transcended worldly emotions, viewing beauty and ugliness as one and the same. Gourdo’s eyes burned with obvious admiration and desire; if not for his lack of strength, he might have already rushed forward with an axe to seize her. Gao Lan stood with his hands behind his back, exuding an air of dominance even while standing at the hall’s entrance, his pride and nobility evident, his gaze upon Su Daji like that of a god surveying mortals.

He Qi did look a few times longer, as beautiful things naturally attracted everyone, but he remained wary of the banquet’s dangers and Su Daji’s mystery. His examination was more out of caution than admiration. Dushi Dharma King remained hidden in the void, his transparent form often forgotten by others. Now, his emotions slightly stirred before quickly calming.

The Lawbodies from the Twenty-Eight Realms of the Seven Seas had varying degrees of knowledge about the Investiture events. Upon hearing the name Su Daji, they were all deeply shaken. This was indeed an ancient figure, an immortal fox spirit who had lived for countless years—true myth incarnate.

“The Night Emperor” Huo Lishang murmured, “So it’s Su Daji. No wonder, no wonder… To witness this beauty whose legend spans millennia within my lifetime, I could die without regrets!”

His eyes burned with fervor, as if beholding something rare and precious, something that elevated the very meaning of life itself.

“Miss Su, please don’t move,” Huo Lishang called out enthusiastically, suddenly pulling out paper and brush. He sat cross-legged on the floor, sketching her beauty stroke by stroke, completely forgetting his surroundings and indifferent to others’ gazes.

Meanwhile, “Primordial Fairy” Bi Jingxuan and “Red Emperor” Sun Chuci paid no heed to his antics. Their gazes, deep or flickering, appraised the legendary fox spirit from ancient texts—the famed Su Daji.

Was Golden Tortoise Island truly a descendant of the Shang Dynasty, or did it conceal a blend of demonic clans?

“Su Daji… Could she be a descendant of the ancient Shang royal line?” Cloud Crane, using items provided by Meng Qi, whispered to all the Lawbodies of the Orthodox Sect.

“Shang Dynasty?” Master Lu had never heard of the Shang before.

Cloud Crane briefly explained, “In the ancient mythological era, before the Celestial Court fell, the Shang Dynasty ruled the land. The royal family were descendants of the Xuan bird and human shamans—half divine, half human. Their souls and bodies were naturally strong, allowing them to cultivate Daoist techniques or martial arts far faster than ordinary demonic beings or humans. Often, ten years of their cultivation surpassed centuries or even millennia of others.”

The Shang Dynasty commanded countless mighty warriors, ruling over vast territories where humans, demons, and deities coexisted, all submitting to their authority. Yet their reign was marked by brutality, frequently involving bloody sacrifices. Eventually, rebellions by feudal lords led to the dynasty’s downfall. According to accounts, this involved conflicts between Buddhism, Daoism, the Celestial Court, and the Netherworld, though the specifics remain unclear. This old Taoist has only come across a brief mention of these events in some ancient scrolls left behind by Master Wanxiang.

“Su Daji was the favorite concubine of the last Shang King.”

After Cloud Crane finished speaking, Meng Qi suddenly remarked, “Su Daji is a Qingqiu fox. Her union with King Zhou was probably part of the demon emperor’s scheme…”

“A fox spirit? A demon emperor? Could the Golden Tortoise Banquet be a scheme of the demon clan?” He Qi was startled.

No wonder they hadn’t seen Taoli and other demon clan members?

Before he could finish speaking, another celestial messenger entered, clad in star-embroidered robes, followed by the five-colored-haired Taoli and the demon king Bai Ze, Zhu Wu.

They had invited the Peacock Demon King and the Bai Ze Demon King, but not the great demons of the Investiture World or Master Xiao’s junior, the Six Tyrants… Meng Qi vaguely sensed something amiss. Golden Tortoise Island was situated in the Eastern Sea of the real world, linked to the Investiture World through a sea-eye. Could it be that they were unaware of the Investiture World’s existence? Or perhaps, for some reason, they dared not invite the Dharmakaya beings from the Investiture World?

“The fall of the Shang Dynasty began with the Investiture War. Backed by Lingbao Heavenly Venerable, they opposed Yuanshi Tianzun, Daode Tianzun, Amitabha Buddha, Bodhi Ancient Buddha, and possibly even the Heavenly Emperor, as well as the still-living Buddha of that time. Eventually, the conflict shifted, and the world shattered, interrupting the Investiture process…” Meng Qi seized the moment to briefly recount his knowledge of the Investiture events.

This was an ancient secret rarely known in the real world, involving the struggles of those who had reached the other shore. Masters Lu, Su Wuming, and Tianming Daoist listened intently, while Cloud Crane slightly furrowed his brows, realizing the Shang Dynasty’s story was far more complex than he knew. No wonder Master Wanxiang had left no detailed records—merely knowing such things might invite calamity upon one’s entire sect.

Indeed, Su Meng, as one destined to face calamities, was deeply involved, even knowing such secrets!

After speaking, Meng Qi instinctively glanced at Gao Lan. His “big brother” listened attentively but maintained his cold and indifferent demeanor.

This joker, wielding the Human Emperor’s Sword, might know even more about ancient secrets than I do…

At this moment, Su Daji smiled seductively: “The guests are all here. Please be seated. My hospitality may be lacking, but I hope you will forgive me.”

The Golden Tortoise Banquet officially began!

As Meng Qi sat down, his mind raced, pondering one thing—if Su Daji wasn’t the island’s master but merely the hostess, then who was the true master?

Could it be King Zhou, wise yet willingly fallen?

Although he was half-god, half-human with extraordinary talent, offering hope for self-improvement, he was already old at the time, deeply decadent, with little hope of revival, let alone attaining legendary status and surviving to this day.

Legends were always rare and not easily achieved!

Meng Qi felt no sympathy for King Zhou. No matter how much people blamed Su Daji for ruining the nation, ultimately, it was his own lack of self-control that led to his downfall. If blame were divided into ten parts, he bore seven, while Su Daji was at most an instigator, sharing three parts with Nuwa, who had sent her.

If not King Zhou, then who was the true master of Golden Tortoise Island?

Night Emperor completed his final stroke, Su Daji’s beauty vividly captured on paper, lifelike and enchanting, radiating love for beauty and life.

“Master Li’s brushwork is exquisite, portraying me so beautifully,” Su Daji said, her gaze like water, seemingly heartfelt.

“Your beauty surpasses my depiction a thousandfold,” Huo Lishang sincerely sighed.

Meng Qi secretly chuckled. If Night Emperor had lived in modern Earth, he would surely be someone traveling the world with a professional camera, capturing beauty with his lens, including portraits of women, just like Teacher Chen…

As the Lawbodies took their seats, Su Daji scanned the hall with a charming smile: “On behalf of the island master, I have invited you all here to discuss an important matter.”

Her beauty illuminated the hall. Meng Qi sighed inwardly; the main topic was coming.

“Miss Su, please speak freely,” Night Emperor eagerly responded.

Su Daji smiled demurely, blushing: “With the great calamity approaching, many powerful beings who have barely survived until now will return. Each of you faces imminent danger, possibly dying at any moment.”

“Our Golden Tortoise Island is the true lineage of the Shang Dynasty, once the ruler of the land, treating humans, demons, and gods equally. We have sealed ourselves here, awaiting this calamity. Now, the time has come, and we shall return to the myriad worlds.”

As she spoke, another Heavenly Messenger entered, dressed in star-adorned robes. Excluding Su Daji, there were now four Celestial Immortals present, all exuding an ethereal aura. One was the man who had visited the Ten Perilous Islands, his gaze heavy with the vicissitudes of time. Another was a graceful, proud, and reserved woman. One radiated a demonic aura, towering at two zhang tall. The last seemed to command part of the heavens and earth, like a descending deity.

Four Celestial Immortals… Each invited Lawbody felt a chill in their hearts.

Su Daji continued: “With the revival of the Shang Dynasty, manpower is insufficient. Therefore, we offer you an opportunity—to ride the resurgence of the imperial dynasty across the myriad worlds, becoming Celestial Immortals or even attaining legendary status.”

Indeed, recruitment… Meng Qi muttered inwardly, yet sensing she had more to say?

Before the Lawbodies could respond, Su Daji smiled sweetly: “Of course, since this is our first collaboration and to ensure trust, I have here the ‘Nine-Revolution Li Xuan Pill’ for you all to consume. You may take an antidote annually, gradually eliminating its effects.”

She spoke cheerfully, as if discussing leisure rather than a sinister matter.

The atmosphere immediately tensed. The Lawbodies’ gazes darkened, the air thick with danger, ready to erupt at any moment.

The Leopard Embryo Rebirth Pill? Definitely no good intentions… Meng Qi inwardly cursed, yet his expression remained calm. He sensed the shifting auras of the four Celestial Immortals and Su Daji, waiting for the right moment to strike with the Heaven-Sundering Sword Formation.

If only there were just two Celestial Immortals… Now, the number far exceeded expectations…

More importantly, if they attacked, would the other Lawbodies join against the remaining Celestial Immortals? How many among them had secretly allied with Golden Tortoise Island, like “Yin Ancestor” Xu Bei?

Unfazed by the dangerous gazes, Su Daji continued smiling: “I know some of you are destined calamity-bearers, or have backgrounds involving great powers. Therefore, I won’t be too extreme—I’ve left five spots. Those who refuse the ‘Nine-Revolution Li Xuan Pill’ may leave Golden Tortoise Island freely, competing for these five spots. Naturally, the victors will be those with the strongest fate and backgrounds.”

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere slightly eased, yet became even more unpredictable and filled with hidden currents.

Meng Qi slightly furrowed his brow. If they intended coercion, why not go all out? Why provoke internal strife with such pretense?

Something was indeed strange.