The Investiture of the Gods Has Ended?

Within the Purple Cloud Palace, spiritual energy is abundant, and the laws of Heavenly Dao are omnipresent. If an ordinary cultivator can comprehend the Dao here for even a short while, they can certainly save hundreds of thousands of years of arduous cultivation.

On the high platform, Hongjun sat upright, his figure blurred, surrounded by purple aura, as if he had merged with his surroundings.

His eyes slowly swept over the crowd below the stage, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

Below the stage, the four sages sat on their respective prayer cushions.

The Taishang Being looked serene, holding a flat cane, as if nothing concerned him.

Yuanshi closed his eyes to rest, but held the Jade Ruyi Scepter ruyi tightly in his hand.

The Two Sages of the West, Jieyin and Jieyin, wore expressions of suffering, their eyes Jieyin around, revealing a shrewd and calculating nature.

Haotian and Yaochi, who were standing to the side, held their breath and dared not overstep their bounds in the slightest.

After a moment, Hongjun finally spoke, his voice calm. "This Investiture of the Gods Calamity has come to an end as of today."

Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback.

Yuanshi was the first to react, almost blurting out, "Master, it's over so quickly? What about Tongtian's Jie Sect Disciple...?"

Before he could finish speaking, Hongjun turned his gaze to Yuanshi.

In that instant, Yuanshi felt as if the entire Heavenly Dao was pressing down on him, and even his breath stopped for a moment.

Taishang quickly tugged at Yuanshi's sleeve and shook his head slightly, signaling him to stop talking.

Yuanshi was indignant, but dared not speak further and could only lower his head.

Those wicked members of the Jie Interception Sect should all have been on the list!

Now that the great calamity has ended so hastily, and many plans yet to be implemented, how can we be content?

Zhunti's eyes flickered slightly, and he stepped forward to bow, saying, "Master, although the Great Tribulation has ended, I wonder if there are any arrangements for its aftermath? Although our Western Teachings is located in a remote area, we are willing to share the burdens of the Heavenly Dao."

These words sound grand and dignified, but in reality, they were trying to explore other opportunities.

Jieyin glanced at Hongjun, clasped his hands together, and said, "Amitabha!"

Hongjun glanced at Zhunti and said calmly, "Under the Heavenly Dao, destiny is already set. Those who are Investiture of the Gods on the Investiture of the Gods will henceforth be under the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Court of Haotian, and you will have nothing to do with them anymore."

His gaze swept over the crowd. "Any objections?"

Although the sages each had their own plans, who dared to openly contradict Dao Ancestor Hongjun?

They could only bow in unison. "We will respectfully obey Master's decree."

Haotian was overjoyed, but he forced himself to remain calm on the surface.

Although there were only a dozen or so Daluo Golden Immortal on this Investiture of the Gods, and not a single Quasi-Saint, it was far from the grand spectacle he had initially envisioned.

But to see these usually high and mighty saints suffer a setback is already a great joy.

He glanced at Yaochi beside him and saw her smiling at him, which pleased him greatly.

For tens of thousands of years, the Heavenly Court existed in name only. Although the two of them were the rulers of the Three Realms, they were actually subject to the constraints of the Sages in every way.

Hongjun looked at Yuanshi: "Yuanshi, arrange for someone to choose a day to Investiture of the Gods, and then have them report to the Heavenly Court."

Yuanshi had no choice but to agree, "Your disciple obeys."

In his mind, however, he was quickly calculating: if he were to preside over the conferment of Investiture of the Gods, it would be a perfect opportunity to secure a high position for his own disciple as a god.

Although those who died were not important, they were still his Chan Sect Disciple. If their positions were lower, wouldn't that be jeopardizing his reputation?

As for those horned and furry people from the Interception Sect, they should be assigned to lower-ranking divine positions.

While he was pondering, Jieyin spoke again, "Master, there is another matter I would like to ask. Regarding that Dao Venerable Lin Tian... Master, regarding the two beings from beyond the Chaos that they killed this time, is there truly another world beyond the Chaos?"

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the hall changed abruptly.

Taishang slightly opened his eyes, Yuanshi raised his head, and even Haotian Yaochi held his breath.

Beyond Chaos?

That was territory they had never set foot in before!

Hongjun remained silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head. "This humble Daoist does not know."

Unclear?

Master is the representative of Heavenly Dao, isn't he?

How could I not know?

Hongjun continued, "The Heavenly Dao has not given any instructions on this matter. Alright, the Great Tribulation is over; you may all return to your respective homes."

The group frowned, but their master had already given the order to leave; who dared disobey?

The four bowed respectfully and transformed into streaks of light, departing from the Purple Cloud Palace.

Haotian and Yaochi were about to take their leave when Hongjun said, "Haotian, Yaochi, stay."

The two men tensed up and immediately stopped, standing respectfully.

When only three people remained in the Purple Cloud Palace, Hongjun's gaze fell on Haotian, and he remained silent for a long time.

Haotian felt uneasy, wondering why his master had kept them behind alone.

Yaochi nervously gripped the corner of her sleeve.

"This Investiture of the Gods Calamity was originally carried out according to your wishes," Hongjun finally spoke, his voice calm. "Now, are you satisfied?"

Upon hearing this, Haotian and Yaochi exchanged a glance, then both knelt down. "This disciple dares not speak presumptuously; we will follow Master's arrangements."

He didn't understand what the master meant by that.

Is he angry?

Blame yourself?

Hongjun ignored him and continued, "Get up. Although there were some deviations in the Investiture of the Gods Calamity, if it weren't for Lin..."

When Lin Tian was mentioned, Hongjun paused and did not continue.

Haotian, however, keenly noticed that Dao Ancestor the character "Lin," he must be referring to that Dao Venerable Lin Tian!

However, it was clear that certain matters were being touched upon, and the conversation ended there. Naturally, Haotian dared not ask any further questions.

"The reason I'm letting you stay is to inform you that you must manage the Heavenly Court well in the future. The Heavenly Court is the manifestation of the will of Heavenly Dao and the source of order in the Three Realms."

Hongjun said solemnly, "If you do well, you will be granted a great opportunity."

Opportunity!

Haotian's heart skipped a beat. For him, who had already reached the Quasi-Saint Peak, what could this so-called great opportunity possibly be?

It's nothing more than that opportunity to attain enlightenment and sainthood— the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi!

Yaochi also thought of this, and her breathing became rapid.

Hongjun said no more, and lightly waved his sleeves.

The scene before us has changed drastically.

Upon Yaochi inspection, the two of them found themselves in the Lingxiao Treasure Hall.

"Senior brother... Senior brother... Snap out of it."

Seeing that Haotian was still in a daze, Yaochi gently waved her hand in front of his eyes.

Haotian finally came to his senses, looked around the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, and was filled with mixed feelings.

After a long silence, he sighed, "It's a pity that the master didn't specify what the opportunity was."

Yaochi smiled slightly, "Why bother, Senior Brother? For us Quasi-Saints, what could be a great opportunity other than the means to prove our Dao?"

Haotian was taken aback, then shook his head. "Junior Sister, be careful what you say. How can you speculate about the matter of the Saintly Throne? Master hasn't made it clear, perhaps he has other plans."

Even so, he had already been fantasizing about it.

If one could truly obtain the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi...

If one can truly become a saint... Heavenly Court will no longer be subject to the constraints of saints!

Yaochi's smile faded, and she said seriously, "Senior brother is right, I spoke rashly. However, since the master has spoken, he will not speak without reason. The most urgent matter at hand is to prepare for the Investiture of the Gods."

Upon hearing the Investiture of the Gods, Haotian's spirits lifted. "Junior Sister is right. Since Yuanshi Brother Yuanshi is in charge of the Investiture of the Investiture of the Gods, he will surely seek high positions for his own disciples. Although our Heavenly Court cannot openly interfere, we must still be prepared."

Yaochi nodded. "What are your plans, Senior Brother?"

Haotian gazed at the churning sea of clouds below, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. "The gods on the Investiture of the Gods the Gods may have different origins, but once they enter my Heavenly Court, they become gods of the Heavenly Court. The labels of the Chan Sect, Interception Sect, and even the Western Teachings... these need to be gradually faded away."

"What does Senior Brother mean?"

"Issue my decree: order people to organize the various positions in the Heavenly Court, clearly listing them according to their powers, responsibilities, and ranks. After the Investiture of the Gods is completed, when the gods report on their duties, they shall be assigned according to their abilities, without favoritism."

Haotian turned around, his face regaining its majesty. "Furthermore, I plan to establish Heavenly Rules and Regulations, which all who enter the Heavenly Court, regardless of their past lives, must abide by."

Yaochi's eyes lit up. "Senior Brother's method is brilliant! It demonstrates the fairness of our Heavenly Court and allows us to gradually consolidate power. However... I'm afraid Yuanshi Brother Yuanshi won't agree to it easily."

Haotian sneered, "The Dao Ancestor has decreed that after the Investiture of the Gods, all gods will be under the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Court. Besides, I have the Investiture of the Gods and the God-Beating Whip in my hands, so what am I afraid of?"

Suddenly, Haotian remembered something, "By the way, how is Longji now?"

"Longji?"

When Longji was mentioned, Yaochi sighed softly, feeling a pang of heartache.

"Longji is doing well in the lower realm, but, senior brother, isn't this price too high? She only made a small mistake."

Back in the day, in order to recruit powerful cultivators to join the Heavenly Court, they held the Flat Peach Banquet every thousand years.

Longji was punished by her senior brother to be sent to the mortal realm for making a small mistake at the Flat Peach Banquet.

Upon hearing this, Haotian shook his head. "Actually, I'm protecting our daughter, Yaochi. You don't understand the thoughts of those sages. Only in this way can we prevent Longji from being schemed against."

Then, his eyes hardened, "However, now is the time. Go down to the mortal realm and bring her back."

"Yes, senior brother."

Yaochi was overjoyed. She immediately bowed slightly and then transformed into a streak of light and flew away.

In the Purple Cloud Palace, Hongjun slowly opened his eyes.

"Lin Tian... what secrets are you still hiding? And what lies beyond that Chaos...?"