God-Human Pact, a Chance at Transcendence

Zheng Fa has had the miniature Lesser God-Investiture Register in his hands for some time now.

He obtained this treasure when he first took control of the Nine Mountains Realm, but he rarely used it.

The only time it was used was when exploring the Tianhe Secret Realm, where Senior Sister Zhang infused it with her Essence Blood.

The Lesser God-Investiture Register in Zheng Fa's hand has twenty-four Divine Rank, suggesting that the original Heavenly Venerable had appointed twenty-four Attendant Deity.

When the Nine Nether Devil Ancestor invaded this realm and the Heavenly Venerable died, these twenty-four people naturally perished as well.

Now, this Lesser God-Investiture Register of the Gods contains only Senior Sister Zhang's Essence Blood.

"To cultivate the Grotto-Heaven Method, one must be granted godhood. This is why the Grotto-Heaven Method is most suitable for cultivation through the Divine Way. Unfortunately, you lack this fortuitous opportunity."

Although it is not expected that the disciples will learn anything from Zheng Dharma Body.

But Nishang Yuanjun continued explaining to her disciples, after all, Jade Pool was a place where Divine Way were revered.

In this era, Zheng Fa was truly the only cultivator who managed to obtain the treasures of the grotto-heaven.

For the disciples of Jade Pool, this is an excellent case study, and it's good to broaden their horizons.

The female disciple in green exchanged glances with the others, also curious. "Yuanjun, if we ever have the opportunity to be conferred as gods in the future, will it be because of this scroll?"

Nishang Yuanjun nodded and said, "Indeed, this item is called the God-Investiture Register. If one can be listed on it, the benefits will be immeasurable. For a sect, this item is an invaluable treasure."

Upon hearing this, all the disciples of Jade Pool looked at the scroll in Zheng Fa's hand, their eyes filled with longing.

Nishang Yuanjun also knew the reason. In this era, not only were the treasures of the grotto heavens rare, but even the number of positions for Attendant Deity was very limited.

Disciples of Jade Pool, unless they possess extraordinary talent, also need some fortuitous opportunity to be listed on God-Investiture Register Investiture of the Gods.

Thinking of this, she sighed inwardly, "No wonder the Supreme Dao Zheng Fa so much. Putting aside everything else, just based on the God-Investiture Register, if Zheng Fa were given more time, the Nine Mountains Sect would probably produce a multitude of geniuses."

"But with Lu Mo's attainment of Dao imminent, it's uncertain whether the Nine Mountains Sect still has the time."

The Heavenly Emperor Body tossed the God-Investiture Register aside, and the scroll unfurled before him.

On the back of the scroll, the mountains and rivers of the mortal Nine Mountains Realm are depicted.

At the very top of the front, there are two mysterious runes, below which is only Zhang Wuyi's name, and twenty-three empty columns.

The Lesser God-Investiture Register is not unique to Zheng Fa's family, but is a common magical Law Treasure used by cultivators of the Grotto-Heaven Method.

The Nishang Yuanjun also mentioned this matter.

Speaking of which, the Silver Scroll and Gold Scroll that Zheng Fa received when he first entered the Nine Mountains Realm came from this, which is actually similar to Attendant Deity.

In simple terms, the God-Investiture Register of the Xuanwei Divine Way is a system similar to enfeoffment.

The most fundamental contradiction in the Divine Way Method is that cultivators need more Incense Power, which in turn requires a larger population.

The problem is that a larger population leads to greater desires.

The God-Investiture Register was essentially a case of the lords of the caves being unable to withstand the pressure and thus distributing their followers among themselves.

The mechanism is actually quite simple: the Lord of the Cave Heaven cultivates powerful Attendant Deity through the God-Investiture Register and Incense Power offerings.

Attendant Deity are inherently attached to the Lord of the Cave Heaven and are loyal to him, they can naturally contribute their Incense Power offerings.

Attendant Deity, there are also fewer desires. In this way, instead of receiving the power of Incense Power from the mortal world, people will receive the power of Incense Power from the Attendant Deity. Although the amount of Incense Power offerings will be much less, the burden of desires will only be one percent or even one-thousandth of the original amount!

From Attendant Deity, it is like Incense Power filter.

This method can only be used by the master of a grotto-heaven; after all, how can one grant fiefdoms to those who do not fully control their own grotto-heaven?

Therefore, although Zheng Fa obtained the Lesser God-Investiture Register early on, he could only fully control this treasure after the Heavenly Emperor Body merged with the Nine Mountains Realm.

"Huh, there's a name on it?"

Nishang Yuanjun looked at the Lesser God-Investiture Register with surprise, and upon closer inspection, she recognized it as the Zhang Zhenren from the Nine Mountains Sect True Person Zhang.

She immediately understood and smiled, "That True Person Zhang be given a Divine Rank."

The other Jade Pool disciples nodded in agreement. They weren't fools; they could see clearly that within the Nine Mountains Realm, True Person Zhang only to Zheng Fa.

Now that the deification ceremony is being held, True Person Zhang is naturally the one who should step forward.

In the courtyard, Zheng Fa looked at Senior Sister Zhang.

Senior Sister Zhang nodded slightly, seemingly indicating that he didn't need to ask any further questions.

Zheng Fa smiled, pointed his finger at the Heavenly Emperor Body, and suddenly a Great Sun True Fire appeared in the void, enveloping the Lesser God-Investiture Register.

A moment later, the name Zhang Wuyi in the Lesser God-Investiture Register of the Gods faded and eventually disappeared. Instead, a drop of Essence Blood emerged from the front of the scroll, flew into the courtyard, and dripped into Senior Sister Zhang's heart.

No one expected that the first thing Zheng Fa did after conferring the gods was to remove Senior Sister Zhang's name from the Lesser God-Investiture Register!

The disciples of Jade Pool were all stunned, but none of them were as excited as Nishang Yuanjun.

"Disappeared?"

"Zheng Fa... he can actually rewrite the God-Investiture Register?"

She gazed at the Lesser God-Investiture Register from afar, her expression shifting from surprise to doubt, until finally, her eyes were filled with longing, even a touch of fanaticism.

None of the Jade Pool disciples had ever seen her with such an expression before. They couldn't help but exchange bewildered glances. The green-robed female disciple timidly asked, "Yuanjun, is there anything serious about this? Wasn't it that True Person Zhang suffered a loss?"

Nishang Yuanjun shook her head, then looked at Zheng Fa with hope in her eyes, "You don't understand. For you, being on the God-Investiture Register is naturally a great fortuitous opportunity."

"But for us, true liberation lies in escaping the Divine Way."

She remained silent for a long while, then said, "Zheng Fa possesses such abilities; if they could be used on the gods of my Jade Pool..."

Seeing that she remained silent, the female disciple in green asked curiously, "How is it?"

"If I contend with the celestial maiden, I will be invincible, and even the celestial maiden..."

At this point, Nishang Yuanjun looked at the Great Sun True Fire in the void and murmured, "I just wonder if this divine fire is so miraculous that it can give my Jade Pool a chance to escape."

Zheng Fa was unaware of Nishang Yuanjun's thoughts. He had his reasons for erasing Senior Sister Zhang's name from the God-Investiture Register.

His views on Divine Way were quite complex.

He himself was not someone who coveted the position of the Heavenly Emperor, otherwise he would not have done the deed of overthrowing the statues. He also used the Grotto-Heaven Method to cultivate the Yang Spirit.

If we're talking about his true intentions, he'd naturally still prefer to study the mysteries of Immortal Way.

Even for him, this Heavenly Emperor Body, though helpful, wasn't particularly important.

But...

He closed his eyes, sensing the various thoughts emanating from the Heavenly Emperor Body.

Of course, this includes desires, malice, and all the darkest aspects of human nature.

But he could also see many other scenes:

An old man knelt devoutly on the street, bowing to the Heavenly Emperor Body in the sky.

A young child, drooling, placed freshly picked, juicy fruit from the yard in front of the Zheng Fa statue.

A father was holding his newborn daughter, smiling shyly, as if he was showing Zheng Fa her little face.

Although Zheng Fa didn't particularly like the idea of seeking divine intervention, he had to admit that the Divine Way was the only cultivation method in the Xuanwei Realm that cared about mortals.

It seems that the Immortal Sect still only care about cultivation geniuses; ordinary mortals are nothing more than straw dogs in their eyes.

Needless to say, the Demonic Sect has lost countless souls at the hands of the Great Freedom Devil Ancestor.

From the Celestial River Method, we can see that the Tianhe Sect doesn't care much about worldly matters.

Only the Divine Way, due to its inherent mechanism, is actually the most friendly to mortals.

Naturally, the Nishang Yuanjun complained that the Divine Way was a prison.

But for millions of ordinary people, the Divine Way way is actually a protective umbrella.

If Zheng Fa were a mortal without cultivation, he might prefer living under the rule of Divine Way cultivators rather than within the Immortal Sect.

To put it bluntly, cultivators are only responsible for the source of their power.

In the Xuanwei Realm, the weak can only rely on the Divine Way to have the power to fight against those Immortal Sect and Devil Ancestor.

His gaze fell on the Lesser God-Investiture Register Lesser God-Investiture Register, around which the Great Sun True Fire still burned, and the patterns on it constantly changed.

The Heavenly Emperor Body in the void, his voice resounding. "I am the Heavenly Emperor, and I now make a pact with all living beings of the Nine Mountains, to be upheld by Heaven and Earth, and to be sworn to by the mountains and rivers."

One of them is the oath between gods and men.

"Those who receive Incense Power must make three vows:"

"Firstly, reward the good and punish the evil, protect life and stop killing."

Secondly, it harmonizes the four seasons and protects all living beings.

Thirdly, enlighten minds, promote morality, and pass on skills to benefit the people.

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in heaven and on earth could see that three more oaths had been added to the God-Investiture Register.

The Heavenly Emperor Body then said, "Humans who receive divine favor should also make three promises:"

"Do good, respect God, and learn."

Nishang Yuanjun frowned as she looked on, feeling puzzled.

Although both had three promises, Zheng Fa imposed far more restrictions on the gods than on humans.

This is unprecedented in the Xuanwei Realm.

She understood, of course, that Zheng Fa had done this on purpose, but she didn't understand why.

The Heavenly Emperor Body looked at the newly appeared contract text on the God-Investiture Register and knew that this was probably the first step in the Nine Mountains Heavenly Court's system.

The God-Human Pact is, in reality, more about form than substance.

Essentially, it clarifies the source of Divine Way power, placing gods and humans on a relatively equal footing.

In terms of content alone, among Zheng Fa's three promises, the most important were actually enlightening the mind, spreading the Way, and passing on skills to benefit the people.

This also best aligns with his philosophy of pooling collective wisdom.

In the mortal Nine Mountains Realm, anyone who has read a book, or even someone who hasn't, can understand these simple words.

They stared blankly at Zheng Fa's Heavenly Emperor Body, as if they hadn't understood at all.

The Heavenly Emperor Body did not finish speaking:

"The second item is the rule for the selection of deities."

"Firstly, all those who wish to ascend to godhood must accumulate Merit; those who do not accumulate enough Merit will not be able to ascend to godhood."

Secondly, all those who wish to ascend to godhood must pass an examination; those who fail to meet the requirements will not be allowed to ascend.

Thirdly, all those who wish to ascend to godhood must undergo trials and tribulations; those lacking sufficient experience are not permitted to ascend.

After Zheng Fa finished speaking, the disciples of the Nine Mountains were astonished.

"They don't consider cultivation level or Spirit Root?"

Some people immediately realized this, and many disciples became excited in an instant.

"Merit... I wonder what the threshold for Merit is."

"What will the exam test? Will it test how to practice the Divine Way?"

"Experience? Did you really gain experience in the Nine Mountains Realm and the Hundred Immortals Alliance? You must have experience managing mortals, right?"

Many disciples were familiar with Zheng Fa's way of thinking, and they were able to guess the essence of these three rules with great accuracy.

To put it bluntly, this is a civil service exam with a high barrier to entry.

It is also to cultivate disciples who are not so talented in scientific research, but have perseverance, determination, and are willing to work hard.

Zheng Fa also hopes that such disciples can enjoy the nourishment of Incense Power offerings, and even has high hopes for their future development.

The desire for Incense Power in the Divine Way Method can, in another sense, be considered a kind of fortuitous opportunity, which can strengthen one's resolve and is quite beneficial to cultivators.

However, in the eyes of Nishang Yuanjun, Zheng Fa's actions were too unfamiliar, making her increasingly puzzled.

It's important to know that the selection of Attendant Deity in Jade Pool still depends on aptitude and Spirit Root.

Unlike Zheng Fa, who seems to only judge people by their ability to manage ordinary people.

But the Heavenly Emperor Body had not yet finished speaking:

Thirdly, there are regulations governing the appointment, dismissal, rewards, and punishments within the Divine Way.

"Each Divine Rank has a term of fifty years. After fifty years, they can only accumulate Merit again and take the exam."

"A single cultivator can ascend to godhood a maximum of two times."

"Every ten years, there will be a test of Divine Way conduct."

Those who obtain the highest grade will be granted free entry to the Mortal-Shedding Spirit-Washing Pool.

Those who achieve a low ranking in the examination will be removed from their Divine Rank and will never be employed again.

After the Heavenly Emperor Body finished speaking, the Lesser God-Investiture Register was already filled with densely packed small characters.

But he still felt that the masses could not see clearly, so he pointed at the Lesser God-Investiture Register the Gods and projected the words on it into the void, as if to imprint them in the hearts of everyone in heaven and on earth.

"Sect Leader Zheng, you are being far too harsh on cultivators of the Divine Way."

Upon seeing Zheng Fa, Nishang Yuanjun couldn't help but speak, clearly the God-Human Pact had left a deep impression on her.

Zheng Fa smiled but didn't answer. Nishang Yuanjun looked at Senior Sister Zhang and said, "With such great restrictions, is it because of this that True Person Zhang is unwilling to ascend to godhood?"

Senior Sister Zhang shook her head. "Firstly, it's because of the selection rules, which I can't violate, and I even have to avoid suspicion. Secondly, this position of Attendant Deity doesn't really benefit me much; in fact, it interferes with my thoughts."

Upon hearing the first half of the sentence, Nishang Yuanjun was only surprised.

She knew all too well how special this True Person Zhang was in the Nine Mountains Realm, yet now, because of this contract, she actually wanted to avoid suspicion.

It is evident that the Nine Mountains Sect takes this God-Human Pact extremely seriously.

Upon hearing the second half of the sentence, she suddenly realized and said, "That's right, after all, Zheng Fa achieved Corpse Liberation, while you have already reached the Spirit Transformation."

As things stand now, given the size of the Nine Mountains Realm, there are only twenty-four Divine Rank. Furthermore, because Zheng Fa's cultivation level is only at the Corpse Liberation, his highest level from Attendant Deity is only at the Spirit Transformation.

For Senior Sister Zhang, the position of Attendant Deity wouldn't be of much help.

Moreover, she loved deduction and calculation, and didn't want to indulge in desires every day.

"Is the Primordial Lord about to set off?"

Zheng Fa knew that the Nishang Yuanjun wouldn't come looking for him for no reason. He realized that she seemed to have something to say to him, so he took the initiative to strike up a conversation.

"We must set off immediately; Xuanding is also getting anxious." Nishang Yuanjun nodded, then added, "Sect Leader Zheng, I have a question for you."

"Um?"

"What is your view on the Divine Way way? And what is the purpose of the God-Human Pact...?"

She seemed quite nervous when she said this.

Zheng Fa pondered for a moment, as if considering how to say it.

Nishang Yuanjun then said, "Sect Leader Zheng, I hope you will not hesitate to offer your guidance."

"I dare not presume to offer my guidance; in truth, this is also an attempt."

"Try?"

Zheng Fa nodded slightly.

To put it bluntly, the Heavenly Emperor Body was used for experiments.

Experiments on the cultivation of Yang Spirit, including experiments on the Grotto-Heaven Method.

Zheng Fa's foundation still lies in the * Yellow Court Scripture *.

Because the Nine Mountains Realm was so important, he dared not be too bold, but unlike the Nishang Yuanjun, he was not so hesitant. The God-Human Pact was also a kind of experiment.

"In my view, there is a fundamental difference between the Divine Way and the Immortal Way —the way of the Divine Way is all-encompassing, while the Immortal Way values private interests."

Nishang Yuanjun listened attentively, seemingly deep in thought.

"The God-Human Pact naturally favors mortals, because mortals are the foundation of the Divine Way," Zheng Fa stated bluntly. "That's why I established terms of office."

Nishang Yuanjun nodded slightly and exhaled, saying, "Term of office... that's exactly what Jade Pool lacks."

Zheng Fa was also somewhat pleased with himself.

He didn't know if others had the ability to rewrite the Investiture of the God-Investiture Register.

The Great Sun True Fire smells wonderful!

"Forgive my bluntness, but cultivators of the Divine Way Divine Way for their own benefit. Once they become powerful, they naturally see all living beings as a burden."

A hint of embarrassment appeared on Nishang Yuanjun's face.

"That's only human nature," Zheng Fa shook his head. "Nothing to be surprised about."

"The term of office serves two purposes: firstly, it allows cultivators to break free from the constraints of the Divine Way; secondly, it prevents deities from becoming weary and lazy, neglecting sentient beings, or even rejecting believers."

Nishang Yuanjun sighed, "Indeed, it's alright for a short time, but for a thousand, ten thousand, a hundred thousand, or even a million years, no one has that kind of patience. I... am no exception."

Zheng Fa agreed with this statement. To put it bluntly, even if Zheng Fa Zheng Fa were asked to do it, he wouldn't want to, let alone have to endure the temptation of Incense Power offerings.

"I can understand the rest, but why impose such great restrictions on Attendant Deity?"

The Nishang Yuanjun seemed to care about this, and asked again.

"My Lord, to me, Attendant Deity is not important; it's merely another system for cultivating disciples," Zheng Fa shook his head and said. "But what's more important, of course, is the hope that more talented individuals capable of serving me will emerge from the Nine Mountains Realm."

To put it bluntly, he's not afraid of Incense Power offerings or desires; he'd rather suffer a little more Heavenly Emperor Body.

He used his Attendant Deity an accelerator for cultivating some of his disciples.

What he has always cared about is how to cultivate more talent.

Nature cares more about humanity than God.

"I don't even want my Nine Mountains Sect disciples to become obsessed with Divine Rank," Zheng Fa added, "But rather I hope that after cultivating with the help of Incense Power, they can continue to explore the Immortal Way."

Nishang Yuanjun was stunned, and opened her mouth to say, "So that's why you're restricting the Divine Way like this?"

Zheng Fa nodded slightly, then suddenly said, "My Lord, I have some humble opinions."

"Um?"

"The Divine Way should provide order to the weak, while the Immortal Way should grant freedom to the strong."

Nishang Yuanjun paused briefly, then slowly nodded.

"Therefore, the Divine Way is merely a place for my Nine Mountains Sect to cultivate talent; the Immortal Way is the future."

Nishang Yuanjun finally understood Zheng Fa's philosophy. She concluded, "Immortals and gods are separate... I understand what the Sect Leader means."

"So, is the Lord Yuan satisfied with this?"

Nishang Yuanjun smiled wryly, "It seems I can't hide it from the Sect Leader."

Zheng Fa pointed his finger, and the Great Sun True Fire burned in the air.

The eyes of the Nishang Yuanjun were once again filled with longing.

"Whether the Great Sun True Fire can help Yuanjun achieve liberation, I cannot say for sure; at present, I'm afraid it cannot."

Zheng Fa frankly admitted that Nishang Yuanjun was a True Immortal, and he didn't know exactly what form the Jade Pool Divine Way took, so he dared not speak definitively.

However, Nishang Yuanjun was quite philosophical about it. "... A glimmer of hope is enough."

"I already said, Yuanjun is a friend of my Nine Mountains Sect."

Nishang Yuanjun cupped her hands in greeting, saying nothing, but both Zheng Fa and she understood that their positions had been completely reversed in those few words.

When Nishang Yuanjun came to the Nine Mountains Realm before, her attitude was really like that of someone going to the countryside to help alleviate poverty.

Now, due to the benefits of the East-West Continent Trade Route and the wonders of the Great Sun True Fire, Nishang Yuanjun has almost shown a stance that prioritizes Zheng Fa.

Although Zheng Fa did not expect her to follow his every word, he was confident that in the future, his words would probably carry more weight with Nishang Yuanjun than with the Supreme Dao Patriarch Xuanding.

Moreover, he has not yet been able to resolve the issue of Nishang Yuanjun, so the other party has only initially expressed their attitude.

Just now, Nishang Yuanjun was carefully investigating Zheng Fa's attitude towards the Divine Way and Divine Way cultivators, or rather, his attitude towards her...

It's a good thing that the Divine Way is flawed!

(End of this chapter)