Confusion of the Immortal

【Beginning】
Even before the War of the Gods’ Investiture, Yuanshi Tuanzun had already deployed Jiang Shang to the mortal realm of man to dispel monstrous creatures. Although Jiang Shang only sought to practice asceticism, he must heed his master’s orders and could only obey.

Celestial Divinity - Yuanshi Tianzun: Ziya, I am sending you down to rid the realm of elves and monsters.

Jiang Shang the Tao Achiever: I understand, master...

Celestial Divinity - Yuanshi Tianzun: Ziya, I would never do anything detrimental to you.

Jiang Shang the Tao Achiever: I am not saying you will, master. It is just that...

Celestial Divinity - Yuanshi Tianzun: Practicing asceticism is good,

Celestial Divinity - Yuanshi Tianzun: but there are also benefits of practical training and defeating monsters.

Jiang Shang the Tao Achiever: Yes, master.

After Jiang Shang journeyed to the realm of man, he sought elves and monsters as he was told. When he encounters them, he would attempt to pacify them with reason; only if that fails would he resort to violence.

【Before Battles】

Bat Elf: My occupation of this land has brought no harm.

Bat Elf: Why do you seek to destroy me?

Jiang Shang the Tao Achiever: Possession is but a mirage. Why do you cling to it?

【Enemy Dialog】

Bat Elf: Darned ascetic, why must you press on?

Jiang Shang the Tao Achiever: Ascetics should empty their hearts of emotions and desires.

Jiang Shang the Tao Achiever: Yet, you are indulged in demonic arts.

Jiang Shang the Tao Achiever: As an ascetic, I must heed my master’s wishes and —

Bat Elf: Who are you to judge me! Die!

【Beginning】
Before returning to the realm of the Xian, Jiang Shang took some time to visit his home. To facilitate convenience, he had disguised his identity; yet, he saw that the villagers had extravagantly prepared for the arrival of someone.

Village Chief: The Xian ascetic is here! Come help!

Villager: I know! I know!

Jiang Shang the Tao Achiever: There is another Xian ascetic who had come to the mortal realm?

Jiang Shang the Tao Achiever: The master never mentioned this.

Jiang Shang mingled in with the crowds and saw a man performing spells on an altar. A fox was trapped in a metal cage on the altar; its petite body shivering drew pity.

Ascetic: Dear villagers, I have caught a fox elf and will now destroy it.

Ascetic: May you all bear witness.

The ascetic drew his sword and began muttering. With a cry, he started a sword-dance in earnest.

Jiang Shang the Tao Achiever: This man is a charlatan pretending to possess otherworldly powers.

Jiang Shang the Tao Achiever: Poor little fox...

Sibuxiang, cloaked in invisibility, nodded in agreement as Jiang Shang approached the altar.

Jiang Shang the Tao Achiever: While the practice of asceticism is neither right nor wrong,

Jiang Shang the Tao Achiever: killing of this sort is still not the act of an ascetic.

Jiang Shang the Tao Achiever: Little fox, perhaps we were fated to meet...

Jiang Shang the Tao Achiever: Stop!

The ascetic who was about to kill the fox halted.

Ascetic: Fellow ascetic, why are you stopping me from killing this elf?

Jiang Shang the Tao Achiever: That little fox is not a fox elf.

Ascetic: This is a fox elf. I have hunted elves for many years. I can tell right away!

Jiang Shang the Tao Achiever: With your unsophiscated Xian power? Unlikely.

Ascetic: You!

The fake ascetic thrust his sword at Jiang Shang in rage...

【End】
The false ascetic laid sprawled on the floor.

Jiang Shang the Tao Achiever: Committing sins would lead to death.

Looking back, the little fox on the altar had long escaped, leaving behind only its paw prints. The villagers discussed the scene with hushed tones as they could not seen what actually happened — what they saw was Jiang Shang suddenly killing the ascetic with a spell. They stared at Jiang Shang with suspicions, and the movements of his horse-tailed whisk scared them.

Jiang Shang the Tao Achiever: The mortals are blind to the truth. Forget it...

Sibuxiang bowed down so Jiang Shang could get on its back; the pair flew away and Jiang Shang did not look back at his old home anymore?.

【Beginning】
Outside the Aries Court, Armstrong the Court of Taurus stood guard outside, as resolute as a mountain.

Court of Taurus - Armstrong: Mr. Jiang, head back!

Jiang Ziya the Celestial General: Honorable Armstrong, please tell Uncle Laojun that Ziya is awaiting his presence in the guest chamber.

Court of Taurus - Armstrong: I will inform him for you.

Since the Court of Aries fell into unconsciousness, Taishang Laojun the Celestial Supremacy had stayed by her side, providing day and night care. Yuanshi Tianzun had sent Jiang Ziya to the Zodiac Court to bring him back to the realm of the Xian upon hearing the news. Yet, despite Jiang Ziya’s many visits, the Celestial Supremacy did not see him. All Jiang Ziya could do was wait in the Zodiac Courts’ guest chamber with Daji, who was in her little fox form.

Aesthetic Vixen Su Daji: Jiang Shang, how much longer do we have to wait?

Jiang Ziya the Celestial General: Uncle Laojun is hiding inside the Court of Aries. We cannot force our way in. Waiting is our only option.

Aesthetic Vixen Su Daji: Why don’t we bring the Court of Aries girl out? Then, wouldn’t we draw out you Uncle Laojun as well?

Jiang Ziya the Celestial General: That is improper! I disagree.

Aesthetic Vixen Su Daji: Alright!

Aesthetic Vixen Su Daji: ‘If you wouldn’t go, I will go myself. I can’t stand here anymore. It's too boring!’

That night, Daji sneaked into the Aries Court. Upon seeing the unconscious Poppy, she smiled deviously and silently carried Poppy out of the Aries Court. Suddenly, someone tapped Daji on the shoulder frightening her.

Jiang Ziya the Celestial General: I just knew you wouldn’t listen!

Aesthetic Vixen Su Daji: What! I just wanted to help...

Before she finished her sentence, a burning pneuma rushed at the pair.

Court of Taurus - Armstrong: Regardless of who you are, drop the Court of Aries!

Jiang Ziya the Celestial General: Wait...

Celestial Supremacy - Taishang Laojun: Hey! Give her back to me!

【Before Battles】

Jiang Ziya the Celestial General: Uncle Laojun, calm down!

Celestial Supremacy - Taishang Laojun: Give her back to me!

【End】
An agitated Taishang Laojun was not a tough match for Jiang Ziya. Jiang Ziya immediately apologized to Armstrong after knocking Taishang Laojun unconscious.

Jiang Ziya the Celestial General: Get some rest, Uncle Laojun!

Jiang Ziya the Celestial General: Honorable Armstrong, we did not intend to offend you. I apologize on behalf of Daji.

Court of Taurus - Armstrong: Mr. Jiang, I understand your position. But I think Taishang Laojun would not return until Poppy awakens.

Jiang Ziya the Celestial General: But I cannot disobey my master. Even if it means Uncle Laojun would loathe me, I must still bring him back.

Court of Taurus - Armstrong: In that case, take care, Mr. Jiang.

Armstrong picked up Poppy and carried her back to Aries Court. With Taishang Laojun draped across Sibuxiang’s back, Jiang Ziya and Daji left alongside the mythological beast.

Jiang Ziya the Celestial General: What is the extent of love’s power? It has agitated Uncle Laojun so!

Aesthetic Vixen Su Daji: Naturally you would not understand...

Jiang Ziya the Celestial General: What are you talking about?

Aesthetic Vixen Su Daji: Nothing! Come on!

The rays of rising sun shone upon the annoyed Daji, bemused Jiang Shang, and the puzzled Sibuxiang.

【Beginning】

Shen Gongbao the Roaring Tenacity: Brother, did you have fun at the Zodiac Courts?

Jiang Ziya the Celestial General: Brother, hasn’t our fight been decided?

Shen Gongbao the Roaring Tenacity: Yes, I am weaker than you. I have long admitted that.

Jiang Ziya the Celestial General: Brother, the opposite is true, no?

Jiang Ziya had always pulled back from Shen Gongbao’s provocations. It was not until the day of the Gods’ Investiture that he fought with his brother; using dozens of seals, he had stopped the strike of thunder and lightning, sapping all of Shen Gongbao’s pneuma. Yet, Jiang Ziya admitted defeat to ensure victory in the war. Shen Gongbao was angered into leaving, and returned alone to the realm of the Xian.

Jiang Ziya the Celestial General: I was defeated because I had been influenced by mortal thoughts.

Jiang Ziya the Celestial General: Aren’t you satisfied?

Shen Gongbao the Roaring Tenacity: Doesn’t that equate to you not trying your best?

Shen Gongbao the Roaring Tenacity: Your personal matters are now resolved. Let us see who will win!

As Shen Gongbao summoned lightning, Jiang Ziya also started his spell defense. After the war, Jiang Ziya had been preoccupied with the aftereffects and did not keep up with his brother’s training. All he could do was face the challenge with caution.

Jiang Ziya the Celestial General: Brother, what is it that you actually want?

Shen Gongbao the Roaring Tenacity: Brother, aren’t you fully aware?

Shen Gongbao the Roaring Tenacity: Did you achieve Xian-hood to suffer? Come on! Live a life of pleasure!

Jiang Ziya the Celestial General: Brother, Xian cultivates themselves in order to have a clear...

Shen Gongbao the Roaring Tenacity: Would a clear mind not let you better understand what you actually want?

Celestial Divinity - Yuanshi Tianzun: ‘Ziya, all is predestined. Escape is impossible.’

Jiang Shang the Tao Achiever: ‘What about the future? Master, will you guide me?’

Celestial Divinity - Yuanshi Tianzun: ‘Confusion is part of your asceticism.’

Celestial Divinity - Yuanshi Tianzun: ‘Cultivating Xian-hood simply gives you more time to go even further.’

The moment’s distraction led to the destruction of Jiang Ziya’s manifested double. The resulting explosion impacted Jiang Ziya himself as well, driving him to avoid the blast behind rocks. Shen Gongbao panted angrily:

Shen Gongbao the Roaring Tenacity: Brother, stop hiding! This time, there are no mortal affairs bothering you!

A pneuma rushed into Ziya’s heart as he thought of the many events that had happened which led to the Investiture of the Gods. Compared with the chaotic world, would conflicts between Xian be deemed a worldly occurrence? Previously, he acted in accordance with his duties as a Xian ascetic, but this actually resulted in his fall into worldly mortal events. Now that all those events have ended, why shouldn’t he have a no-holds barred fight with his brother?
As Ziya struggled with his decision, a Xian crane soared out from the clouds, chirping:

Xian Crane: Grand Master Jiang, our lord wishes your presence.

Shen Gongbao the Roaring Tenacity: The Xian master would not address my brother like so.

Shen Gongbao the Roaring Tenacity: You have given yourself away!

With that, Shen Gongbao struck out a bolt of lightning that Ziya managed to block with a hurried spell. Yet, this led to him exposing his actual body.

Shen Gongbao the Roaring Tenacity: Brother, let’s fight for real!

Jiang Ziya the Celestial General: Daji, back off! Don’t get in the way!

The Xian crane returned to her fox elf appearance and watched the battle of the two Xian from a mountain.

Nine-tailed Vixen: Hmf! I was just trying to help!

Since there was no way to escape, Jiang Ziya steeled himself for a decisive battle. With the matters in his heart finally resolved, he threw his magic artifact into the air — his golden seal materialized in the skies.

【Enemy Dialog】

Jiang Ziya the Celestial General: Brother! This time, it is your turn to ward against my killing strike!

Shen Gongbao the Roaring Tenacity: Come on, brother!