Chapter 45

The many Quasi-Saints suppressed their emotions and bowed toward Li Er's Yin-Yang Taiji. "Congratulations, Supreme Saint!"

Yuanshi and Tongtian's voices followed. "In the end, we still could not match Eldest Brother."

Though their feelings were complicated, they still offered Li Er their congratulations.

A loss was a loss. There was no need to make excuses.

Moreover, with the Heavenly Scroll Investiture of the Gods List in Li Er's hands, they found it easier to accept.

Li Er calmly accepted their congratulations and returned their goodwill.

Not far away, Haotian and Yaochi sighed softly when they saw that matters had reached this point.

As the Heavenly Emperor and Queen Mother, they graciously congratulated Li Er.

In the end, this struggle over the Heavenly Scroll of Investiture of the Gods concluded with Taishang claiming it alone.

All Saints congratulated Li Er on gaining control of the Heavenly Scroll Investiture of the Gods List.

Li Er's voice came from within the Yin-Yang Taiji, thanking All Saints for their congratulations.

Some Saints expressed their apologies, saying their arrival had not provided Li Er with any substantive help.

However, Li Er did not care about this, because he knew it was only a temporary alliance.

The struggles and cooperation between Saints were all for the sake of interests; they would not care too much about temporary gains and losses.

They understood that there were no eternal enemies or friendships. Only interests mattered most.

Under such circumstances, even if they wished to become Li Er's enemies, they would weigh the pros and cons and choose cooperation.

This Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods was a time of both opportunity and challenge for Li Er.

Not only did he possess the power to control the Heavenly Scroll Investiture of the Gods List, but he had also become someone the other Saints held in awe.

Yet his most important task was to understand and use these opportunities to maintain the existing order.

In this conflict, whether it was the struggle among the Three Sects or the battle among All Saints, an impartial existence was needed to balance the interests of every side.

Thus, Li Er taking charge of the Investiture of the Gods became a necessary role.

After obtaining the Heavenly Scroll Investiture of the Gods List, he intended to summon Zhen Yuanzi and Xuandu to jointly discuss the mysteries of the Earth Scroll and Human Scroll, so that he could better preserve order and balance the conflicts of interest among all sides.

This development, which seemed fraught with twists and turns yet was actually reasonable, foretold that Li Er's path would not be smooth, but it was destined to be brilliant.

Li Er was filled with curiosity about the Heaven, Earth, and Human Books.

As Spiritual Treasures born in response to fate, these three books each represented the fortunes of heaven and earth.

Among the many Innate Spiritual Treasures, only the Kongtong Seal could be mentioned in the same breath as them.

In a sense, these three books came closest to the rules of order. If he could comprehend them, it would greatly benefit Li Er's entry into the Half-step Heavenly Dao Realm.

Therefore, Li Er wished to use this opportunity to comprehend them and deepen his understanding of the Heavenly Dao Realm.

However, before he could summon Zhen Yuanzi and Xuandu, Hongjun's voice rang out within the Eight Sceneries Palace, calling them to the Purple Heaven Palace to discuss matters concerning the Investiture of the Gods.

Feeling the pull of the heavenly momentum, Li Er could only halt his plans and head for the Purple Heaven Palace.

At the same time, the other five Saints were also affected by the heavenly momentum and emerged from their respective sanctuaries.

Upon seeing Dao Ancestor Hongjun, Li Er felt that Hongjun's gaze seemed to have changed.

He guessed that this might be because the Heavenly Dao Will was about to awaken.

Only after sweeping his gaze around did Hongjun speak, explaining that the Heavenly Scroll Investiture of the Gods List was a supreme treasure born for the Heavenly Court. It stood alongside the Human Scroll and Earth Scroll and possessed the authority to appoint the Heavenly Court's offices.

As long as the Investiture of the Gods List existed, the righteous gods of the Heavenly Court could be preserved from destruction and harm. It would also grant them the divine power they required to maintain the Heavenly Court's order.

Of course, those whose names were placed upon the Investiture of the Gods List had to submit to the Heavenly Emperor's control and could not resist.

Did those whose names were entered onto the list surrender their own **?

Would having their primordial spirits ** controlled mean losing their freedom?

Within the Purple Heaven Palace, Li Er leisurely explained the rules of the Investiture of the Gods: those who survived the Great Tribulation would be invested as gods in the flesh, while the primordial spirits of those who died would enter the list.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun nodded in approval, while also reminding them that once their names entered the list, it would be difficult to set foot upon the Immortal Path again. They could only cultivate the Divine Path, relying on incense and offerings.

This caused the expressions of Yuanshi, Tongtian, and the other four Saints to change drastically. Tongtian, who cared most about his disciples, asked how many people needed to be entered onto the Investiture of the Gods List.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun replied that Li Er should answer that question.

Li Er revealed the details of the Investiture of the Gods List. There were Eight Divisions of Righteous Gods, four upper divisions and four lower divisions, for a total of three hundred and sixty-five righteous gods.

He gave those present the chance to sign first and obtain high positions among the righteous gods.

His words carried the meaning of laying the ugly truth out in advance. To prevent future trouble, he made everything clear beforehand.

After speaking, Li Er handed the Investiture of the Gods List to Yuanshi.

When faced with the choice presented by the Investiture of the Gods List, would the various sects have ** entered onto it? As Hongjun's second disciple, Yuanshi treated the matter with great caution upon receiving the list for the first time.

After examining it, he revealed a trace of hesitation and deep thought.

Knowing that the ** under his sect were all immortals of extraordinary fortune, he said, "The Investiture of the Gods List has no suitable candidates for the Chan Sect."

He then handed the Investiture of the Gods List to Tongtian.

After receiving the Investiture of the Gods List, Tongtian remained silent, contemplating for a long time just as Yuanshi had.

In the end, he stated his position. "The teachings of the Interception Sect are meant to preserve a sliver of life for all beings.

As the Saint of the Interception Sect, I will never allow ** to lose this opportunity. Therefore, I am unwilling to sign this Investiture of the Gods List."

Afterward, the Investiture of the Gods List passed into Nuwa's hands, and the other Saints were likewise unwilling to sign it.

They all understood that although this Great Tribulation had begun, they did not wish to deprive anyone of their chance.

Li Er knew full well that this entire process was merely to state the rules in advance. There was no need to spare All Saints' pride.

Seeing Li Er's indifferent attitude, All Saints each had their own thoughts.

Although Zhunti had once been lively in temperament, he fell silent when faced with the fact that Li Er had only one outstanding ** under him: Xuandu.

Xuandu's strength made them unwilling to act rashly.

In the end, Hongjun was not surprised to see that no one was willing to sign the Investiture of the Gods List.

He swept his eyes over All Saints and blandly declared that today's matters were concluded.

Hongjun kept Li Er behind alone, and All Saints were not surprised.

In everyone's understanding, Li Er was the Saint in charge of the Investiture of the Gods List. It was only natural for Hongjun to keep him behind to ask about related matters.

The Saints of the primordial world were divided into the Five Saints of the Heavenly Dao and the Supreme Saint Taishang. Li Er was not on the same level as them.

At this moment, Hongjun kept Li Er behind in order to convey the Heavenly Dao Will.

After All Saints departed, Hongjun candidly told Li Er, "After today's Investiture of the Gods, I will return to the Heavenly Dao Origin.

If we meet again, remember this... I will not be Hongjun, but the Heavenly Dao."

Li Er understood Hongjun's unspoken meaning and realized that the Heavenly Dao Will was about to awaken completely.

Li Er understood in his heart that Hongjun's appearance this time to force All Saints to consume the Saint Extinguishing Pill was actually the result of the Heavenly Dao Will's guidance.

Thinking of this, Li Er could not help but smile and thanked Hongjun for the reminder.

Then Li Er's figure gradually blurred before finally vanishing from within the Purple Heaven Palace.

As he watched the direction in which Li Er had disappeared, a faint smile appeared on Hongjun's face. He seemed to look forward to their next meeting, hoping Li Er would bring a surprise to the Heavenly Dao.

Not long afterward, the Purple Heaven Palace vanished from beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens. Hongjun once more merged into the Heavenly Dao, completing the gradually recovering Heavenly Dao Origin.

After leaving Hongjun's place, Li Er immediately returned to the Eight Sceneries Palace and informed Zhen Yuanzi and Great Emperor Fengdu to come see him.

As the masters who controlled the Earth Scroll and Human Scroll, Zhen Yuanzi and Great Emperor Fengdu belonged to the same Daoist lineage as Li Er. Li Er's current status was sufficient to mobilize them.

He intended to take this opportunity to face the coming changes in the Heavenly Dao together with Zhen Yuanzi and Great Emperor Fengdu.

Comprehending the Heaven, Earth, and Human Books was a unique opportunity to understand the rules and order of heaven and earth.

At this moment, the Taishang Lineage's strength was not merely reflected in Li Er alone. Its foundation had already surpassed every faction in the primordial world.

Li Er had surpassed his former self, Laozi, and grown into a towering tree.

Great Emperor Fengdu and Zhen Yuanzi arrived at the Eight Sceneries Palace, and Li Er asked to borrow the Earth Scroll and Human Scroll from them.

Great Emperor Fengdu had no objections. Zhen Yuanzi hesitated somewhat because the Earth Immortal Mansion had only recently opened, but he still agreed to lend the books for a hundred years.

At this moment, only Li Er and the Heaven, Earth, and Human Books remained inside the Eight Sceneries Palace. An incomparably powerful momentum erupted from the three books, each displaying the rules and order of heaven, earth, and man.

Faced with such a scene, Li Er was immensely excited, because he understood that this opportunity and fortune were simply too heaven-defying. Even his former self, Laozi, had never possessed such a chance.

At this moment, it was as though he held immense opportunity and possibility in his hands.

Their birth was not caused by any person or event, but came into being in accordance with the great Dao of heaven and earth.

Without encountering the right opportunity, they would not reveal themselves to the world!

Throughout the primordial world, no one had ever truly been able to fully interpret the rules and order of the Heaven, Earth, and Human Books, because the conditions required to gather them together were far too harsh.

Looking across the primordial world, who could possibly possess all three books **?

Great Emperor Fengdu and Zhen Yuanzi might perhaps have been qualified for the task.

However, the appearance of the Heavenly Scroll Investiture of the Gods List had already triggered the killing tribulation of Investiture of the Gods. Who would have the energy to comprehend them at such a time?

Yet even under such harsh conditions, Li Er was still not satisfied.

The Heaven, Earth, and Human Books, which coexisted with the rules and order of heaven and earth, had finally been gathered by Li Er today.

His eyes burned as he stared at the three books before him, his heart churning. "With the three books in hand, the rules of order shall reveal themselves."

Afterward, Li Er announced that he would enter seclusion and devote himself wholly to comprehension, allowing no disturbance.

He sat cross-legged atop wind and fire, his aura surging fiercely as though he were a world unto himself, making others dare not look directly at him.

He murmured, "During this seclusion, I swear to comprehend the rules and order of heaven and earth."

His confident and resolute voice echoed through the Eight Sceneries Palace.

It had to be admitted that in the primordial world, once one's cultivation reached Li Er's realm, there was little left that could catch his eye.

But the Heaven, Earth, and Human Books were different. They were supreme treasures of great momentum between heaven and earth, manifesting the rules and order of the primordial world.

Therefore, any one of the books could establish a great momentum.

This was the greatest difference between the Heaven, Earth, and Human Books and the Three Lamps of Heaven, Earth, and Man.

If the illuminating divine effects of the Three Lamps of Heaven, Earth, and Man were compared to renowned teachers and wise sages, then the three books were supreme treasures destined by heaven.

What they created were supreme positions such as the Heavenly Emperor, the Ancestor of Earth Immortals, and Great Emperor Fengdu.

The two were fundamentally different.

Li Er regarded his comprehension of the Heaven, Earth, and Human Books as though he had found a priceless treasure, their value far surpassing the rank of any Spiritual Treasure.

Unlike the other Saints, who pursued the might of Spiritual Treasures, he had begun to comprehend these supreme treasures born in response to fate, attempting to understand the rules and order contained within them.

At this moment, his realm was different from that of others, and the heights his gaze reached were likewise beyond ordinary people.

Li Er slowly closed his eyes. Suddenly, divine light bloomed from his brow, as though an eye of Dao techniques had opened, releasing an unusual ripple.

In an instant, a resplendent Taiji divine soul manifested, black and white sharply divided, impossible to look upon directly.

The divine soul vanished in a flash. When it appeared again, it was already within the formation of the Heaven, Earth, and Human Books, plunging straight into the Heavenly Scroll Investiture of the Gods List.

Within the rules and order of the Heavenly Scroll, a vast, interwoven network of stars spread before Li Er's eyes, radiating an intense aura of order and rules.

What he faced was the great momentum of the Heavenly Court, representing the rules and order of heaven within heaven and earth.

Li Er did not allow himself to be distracted. With a solemn expression, the immense power of his divine soul surged toward the interwoven network.

At this moment, the rules and order that had originally been obscure and difficult to comprehend became unprecedentedly clear in Li Er's consciousness.

Countless flashes of inspiration flickered. His expression did not change as he continued comprehending the interwoven network formed by those rules and order.

As a Half-step Heavenly Dao Realm Saint who had touched upon the rules and order, his attainments were truly heaven-defying.

Facing the resistance of the rules and order, he treated it as though it did not exist, instantly breaking through the obstruction and deepening his comprehension.

The Heavenly Scroll began to tremble.

The interwoven network of rules and order rejected Li Er's comprehension at an incomparable speed.

The Heavenly Dao seemed to have sensed outside interference.

However, Li Er was no ordinary Saint. The power of his divine soul far surpassed that of a Heavenly Dao Saint.