The Primordial World

Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao were precisely such candidates.

Therefore, at this critical moment, Li Er was naturally more composed than others.

The Great Shang Dynasty was still developing at this time. Emperor Yi, the thirtieth ruler of Yin Shang, had just ascended the throne, and Jiang Ziya might still have been with his sworn sworn brother.

However, Li Er was secretly contemplating whether he should intervene in this Investiture of the Gods calamity.

Just then, he suddenly felt an inner pull.

He immediately sensed that this was a sign triggered by the Investiture of the Gods List.

He then observed a leopard appear below Mount Daluo in Xuandu Purple Mansion, having mistakenly trespassed into his dojo.

Li Er immediately recognized this as Shen Gongbao's avatar.

He had only been considering the matter of the Visage of the Flying Bear before, and now Shen Gongbao had appeared in person.

This fate was truly rare.

Li Er knew that this meeting was not caused by the master-disciple bond, but by the Investiture of the Gods List's pull towards those who possessed the Visage of the Flying Bear.

The Visage of the Flying Bear represented the qualities of a wise hermit and the power of war and slaughter.

As the key to the Investiture of the Gods calamity, the Investiture of the Gods List would naturally seek out those with this unusual sign to take on its responsibilities.

Therefore, Shen Gongbao, as someone with the Visage of the Flying Bear, was drawn by the Investiture of the Gods List.

This situation was similar to the circumstances of the Heavenly Origin Sect in the original timeline.

Although the Heavenly Origin Sect did not directly control the Investiture of the Gods List like Li Er, they successfully took in Shen Gongbao and Jiang Ziya and were immediately recognized by the Investiture of the Gods List, as its duties were destined to be fulfilled by them.

At this moment, Li Er controlled the Investiture of the Gods List, which naturally attracted Shen Gongbao's response. Although Shen Gongbao was currently only a minor Heavenly Immortal demon, his appearance was an opportunity to enter the sacred land guided by the Investiture of the Gods List.

Li Er, who understood profound principles, had an unassailable sect-protecting formation that even Quasi-Saints could hardly breach.

However, for a mere Heavenly Immortal like Shen Gongbao, it was possible to enter.

This was clearly a foreshadowing of the Visage of the Flying Bear in the Investiture of the Gods calamity.

At the foot of Mount Daluo in Xuandu Purple Mansion, Shen Gongbao knelt down, revering this as a sacred land of the Daoist Sect, the dojo of Saint Taishang.

He felt uneasy in his heart, fearing he might incur the Saint's wrath.

Fortunately, a calm voice came from the void: "Rise. Since you can enter my sect-protecting formation, it can be considered fate. I will grant you an audience."

As this voice faded, Shen Gongbao found himself transported to the mountaintop.

There stood a palace, the ancestral court of the lineage, surrounded by a landscape like a fairyland, with flying cranes and cascading waterfalls adorning the scene.

Shen Gongbao was awestruck by what he saw, knowing it was the work of a Saint.

He looked ahead, noticing that even the cultivation of the immortal cranes surpassed his own, further convincing him that this was a Saint's dojo.

He took a deep breath and bowed to Li Er: "Shen Gongbao greets the Saint."

Li Er looked at the Heavenly Immortal demon who called himself Shen Gongbao. He noticed that although he was in the form of a leopard, he possessed the Visage of the Flying Bear, which he found quite peculiar.

With a gentle touch, Shen Gongbao transformed.

Shen Gongbao knew he had received a great opportunity and thanked Li Er gratefully.

After transforming, Shen Gongbao's Dao Body was amiable, and combined with his immortal bearing, he looked like an enlightened immortal.

This was completely different from Li Er's impression of him as sharp-mouthed, monkey-faced, and sinister.

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Despite being a demon! After transforming, Shen Gongbao had no trace of demonic energy. Instead, he exuded an immortal bearing, as if a celestial being had descended to earth, making him truly unfathomable.

The scene before him also surprised Li Er.

He understood why Shen Gongbao, with just a single sentence, "Fellow Daoist, please stay," could make the disciples of the Intercepting Sect rush to his aid.

It turned out that, in addition to his eloquence, Shen Gongbao's own demeanor and appearance were also key to his success.

Although Li Er had once thought that if Shen Gongbao had appeared sharp-mouthed, monkey-faced, and utterly sinister, he might not have even had the chance to speak.

But now, it seemed his immortal bearing had earned him respect.

Towards such a Shen Gongbao, Li Er felt a pang of emotion: "This fellow is indeed blessed with a handsome appearance!"

Immediately, a thought flashed through Li Er's mind: If Shen Gongbao were sent to the Western Sect, could his star-of-misfortune nature be used to suppress the rise of Buddhism? At this moment, he observed Shen Gongbao again.

Although Shen Gongbao concealed his true thoughts and intentions, Li Er saw through his inner motives at a glance: "You have encountered me today, do you wish to join my lineage?"

Faced with Li Er's insight, Shen Gongbao showed no fear.

He frankly admitted his thoughts: "Indeed, I have such an idea."

Shen Gongbao continued: "I believe anyone who encountered such an opportunity would make the same choice."

However, Li Er smiled and said: "Although you are an honest little demon, my Taishang lineage does not accept disciples."

Hearing this, Shen Gongbao felt the Saint's majesty and an invisible pressure.

Although he still held onto hope, he finally realized that he had no master-disciple connection with this Saint.

My own existence was a naive and self-righteous misjudgment.

Beings like Saints need not listen to my explanations.

Just as I was feeling disappointed in Shen Gongbao, Li Er's words brought a turning point.

He said, "Your arrival at Xuandu Purple Mansion means you are fated to meet me. Therefore, I offer you an opportunity to choose."

After Li Er finished speaking, Shen Gongbao's spirits immediately lifted, and he requested clarification.

He had thought his chance encounter with a Saint would slip through his fingers, never expecting another opportunity to choose.

Faced with such a chance, Shen Gongbao accepted without hesitation.

For him, no matter what he chose, it would be worthwhile.

After all, he was merely a minor Heavenly Immortal Yao, and meeting Li Er was already an immense fortune.

Even a Saint's breath could send him soaring into the heavens.

Facing such an opportunity, what was there to fear?

Li Er smiled faintly, "You bear the Visage of the Flying Bear, possessing the qualifications to become a commander of slaughter.

I can introduce you to the Western Buddhist Sect.

As long as you help me curb the rise of Buddhism, once this calamity passes, I can grant you status and position within the Daoist Sect.

The choice is yours."

Li Er's objective was very clear.

The Investiture of the Gods calamity had already begun, and the heavenly secrets were obscured. No one knew the true identity of the Visage of the Flying Bear.

Shen Gongbao, possessing the same Visage of the Flying Bear as Jiang Ziya, served as an excellent hidden pawn.

When the Saints discovered the true connection between the Investiture of the Gods calamity and these two, they would undoubtedly try to bring both into their respective factions.

And at this moment, Shen Gongbao was like a blank slate, ready for Li Er to write upon.

His Visage of the Flying Bear was enough to deceive all the Saints.

Zhunti's greedy nature also presented an opportunity for him.

A destiny like Shen Gongbao's, a protagonist of the calamity, was undoubtedly fated to have ties with the West.

At that time, Li Er would demand Shen Gongbao repay the achievements he gained in the East, and even more, involving the foundations of Buddhism.

"Western Buddhism?"

Shen Gongbao was stunned upon hearing this.

He had not expected Li Er's choice to be not within the Taishang lineage, but to lead him towards Western Buddhism.

He, though a minor Yao, understood implicitly.

Among the many Saints, Taishang's prestige was unparalleled, shining brighter than any other.

How could Western Buddhism compare to him?

In the blink of an eye, Shen Gongbao's mind flashed, and he saw through the deeper meaning behind this scheme.

Faced with Li Er's inquiry, he displayed a decision made after careful consideration.

Shen Gongbao's words were skillful. Although he had not formally joined the Daoist Sect, he prioritized the interests of the Daoist Sect.

He understood that whether it was the grand trend of the Primordial World or the connection with Saint Nuwa, both were closely linked to the Daoist Sect.

Nuwa, as one of the Saints, also bowed before Dao Ancestor Hongjun and was closely related to the Daoist Sect.

In the current situation where the Daoist Sect was the mainstream, Shen Gongbao understood that the choice was nothing more than a struggle between Saints, a struggle between Daoism and Buddhism.

As a pawn of Taishang, he did not need to think too much; control was not in his hands.

What he needed to consider was the arrival of the calamity and how to choose his faction after it.

As a member of the Demon Race, he was well aware of Taishang's status among the six Saints of the Primordial World.

He knew this was a rare opportunity, and if he didn't cling to this powerful figure, he might miss out.

Most importantly, Shen Gongbao longed to join the Daoist Sect.

Given the situation in the Primordial World, the Daoist Sect lineage held the greatest power.

As a Yao, Shen Gongbao understood the importance of the Daoist Sect lineage, and even more so, he knew it was an absolute existence passed down from the time of the Dao Ancestor.

Therefore, he chose to cling to this powerful figure without hesitation.

Faced with Li Er's inquiry, Shen Gongbao stated that this was his wise choice, and even if it failed, he would have no regrets in this life.

It had to be said that Shen Gongbao not only had an immortal demeanor in appearance but also spoke with great skill, displaying an extraordinary bearing.

After hearing Shen Gongbao's words, Li Er smiled.

He then frankly stated, "The impending calamity concerns the struggle among the Saints.

Though you are a minor Yao, you bear the Visage of the Flying Bear and are one of the important figures in this calamity.

However, due to the lack of Human Race Destiny, you will ultimately be unable to control the overall situation and are destined to be defeated by another person with the Visage of the Flying Bear."

He then informed Shen Gongbao, "My guiding you to Buddhism in the West is both a test and a sliver of hope I'm leaving you."

At this moment, Shen Gongbao finally understood. His encounter with the Saint's opportunity wasn't by chance; it was because of his Visage of the Flying Bear.

He realized from the Saint's words that he wasn't the only one with the Visage of the Flying Bear. The other was clearly a human, destined to be the main protagonist.

A sense of lingering fear surged within Shen Gongbao, but he immediately thought that with the Saint Taishang, Li Er, whom he had chosen, there was no way he would be ** by him. This brought him some peace of mind.

However, a hint of unwillingness still welled up in his heart.

Why was there another person with the Visage of the Flying Bear? Why should he play a supporting role to the other? If that protagonist didn't exist, wouldn't he be able to control the situation? Just as Shen Gongbao was about to ask, Li Er spoke, "This tribulation is a battle between Saints, a battle for the Investiture of the Gods, which inevitably means there will be two factions appointing gods on behalf of heaven.

The Human Race is heaven's destined protagonist; this cannot be changed.

As for you... since the Witch-Demon Calamity, the Demon Race has been weakened.

With your Demon Race's destiny, how could you possibly hold the position of the sole protagonist?"

After hearing the explanation, Shen Gongbao understood that the current grand situation of heaven and earth was no longer the era of the Demon Race.

He nodded slightly and was silent for a moment, then asked, "Does what the Saint Taishang said mean you will spare my life in the future?"

Li Er smiled and replied, "If you choose my protection, I can ensure your safety.

From the other Saints, there is only certain death."

This was also why Li Er felt at ease letting Shen Gongbao stir up trouble in Western Buddhism.

Previously, Laozi, in the guise of a Buddha, was schemed against by Zhunti, causing the Daoist Sect to lose Duobao Daoist and Buddhism to gain Sakyamuni Tathagata Buddha.

The reason behind all this was Li Er's use of emotional strategy.

But Shen Gongbao was not affected by emotional strategies; he chose to follow self-interest.

Li Er knew clearly that Shen Gongbao was cunning and shrewd, capable of weighing pros and cons.

To deepen Shen Gongbao's sense of belonging and loyalty to Buddhism, Li Er decided to give him more benefits **.

In the past, Laozi, out of compassion, attempted to transform into a Buddha, but unexpectedly, Zhunti saw through it and secretly schemed against him.

This transformation caused the Daoist Sect to lose an important figure, Duobao Daoist, while Buddhism gained a new Buddha—Sakyamuni Tathagata Buddha.

Behind all of this was actually a contest of emotions and interests.

When Laozi played the emotional card, Shen Gongbao was not affected in the slightest.

He clearly knew that emotions could not drive people's hearts for long; only tangible benefits could truly move them.