Dao Ancestor's Decree! Investiture of the Gods List, God-Slaying Whip!

Lingxiao Palace.

A thousand streams of auspicious light shone, and endless blessings filled the air.

Haotian rose from his throne, his figure towering and straight. He looked down upon the Heavenly Court Deities below the jade platform, his gaze growing ever more majestic and profound as he took the entire Three Realms into view.

The aura of a peak Quasi-Sage, carrying Heavenly Dao Luck and laws, descended upon the heavens and earth of the Primordial Wilderness in an instant. All living beings trembled in spirit and looked toward the highest reaches of the sky.

Purple Qi came from the East, heavenly flowers rained down, and strange phenomena stretched across the sky.

"What is Haotian trying to do?"

Western World, Mount Sumeru!

Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged a glance, both of them filled with doubt.

This was because!

Ever since the Lich Tribulation ended, Haotian and Yaochi had taken charge of the Heavenly Court. Aside from gathering a number of low-level cultivators, they had caused no further commotion.

Yet now, Haotian was wielding the authority of the Heavenly Dao, seemingly intending to announce something to all beings of the Three Realms.

"The culprit behind the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation is none other than the lord of the Heavenly Court. If he had not complained to the Dao Ancestor, the old man would not have flown into a rage and unleashed the tribulation."

"Senior Brother Tongtian drove Ling Xiao out of the Sect of Interception because he wanted to use the sect's foundation and power to suppress the Human Sect, Sect of Enlightenment, and our Western Sect, becoming the greatest victor of the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation."

"Now even the Heavenly Court is becoming restless. We brothers must find a way out for the Western Sect ahead of time!"

Merit Golden Light of the Buddhist Dao flickered behind Zhunti. His heart was filled with hatred toward Tongtian and Haotian, for among all the sects, the Western Sect had the shallowest foundation.

Fortunately, Zhen Yuanzi had been merciful enough to repair the earth veins of the Western World.

Hearing this, Jieyin nodded. "Senior Brother Tongtian's Sect of Interception is indeed the greatest threat to our Western Sect. One careless move, and the beings of the West may be buried in the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation."

"Once one enters the Investiture of the Gods List, everything will be controlled by Haotian. By then, one can only live on Incense Merit to maintain one's existing cultivation, never again breaking free of one's shackles to attain true freedom."

"Let us see what Haotian intends to do..."

The phenomena caused by Haotian not only alarmed the Two Sages of the West; the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, and Pingxin also turned their attention toward the movements of the Heavenly Court.

Disciples of the various sects also raised their heads toward the clouds.

Lu Ya looked up, his expression far from pleasant.

"The Thirty-three Heavens, Lingxiao Palace, ruler of the Three Realms—these were all supposed to be mine!"

"You have stolen the magpie's nest and brought ruin upon yourself. I will surely drag you, Haotian, down from the Heavenly Emperor's throne..."

Lu Ya clenched his fists, his heart surging with turbulent emotions.

The other disciples wore different expressions, each harboring their own thoughts.

At this moment, within Lingxiao Palace.

Haotian's expression was solemn as a jade slip containing laws appeared in his hand. As the jade slip opened, immortal Dao laws evolved into boundless order, and Ling Xiao rose to his feet of his own accord.

Holding the jade slip, Haotian loudly recited the Heavenly Dao Divine Runes upon it. "Dao Ancestor Hongjun decrees: The Great Dao is vast, and the Dao follows nature. Ling Xiao possesses exceptional talent and holds all living beings in his heart. Having endured countless trials, he has finally attained fruition."

"I hereby confer upon Ling Xiao the title of Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance, commanding all beings of the Three Realms, governing the growth of all things, relieving suffering and hardship, guiding departed souls beyond, and assisting the Jade Emperor in ruling the Three Realms!"

"As the tribulation approaches and the Heavenly Dao remains hidden, I grant Ling Xiao the Investiture of the Gods List and the God-Slaying Whip to preside over the Investiture of the Gods. May you follow Heaven and uphold righteousness, place the living beings of heaven and earth first, protect the Three Realms, and nourish all things."

The resounding Dao Sound was deafening.

The vast Dao might shook all things.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun's decree manifested between heaven and earth. In an instant, the workings of Heaven changed, while two spiritual treasures transformed into streaks of light and arrived from Outside the Chaos, landing in Ling Xiao's hands.

The Heavenly Investiture List could appoint the deities of the Heavenly Court.

The Top-Grade Primordial Spiritual Treasure, the God-Slaying Whip, could lash deities and judge all living beings. Anyone who damaged the majesty of the Heavenly Dao or brought calamity upon the masses could be buried beneath the God-Slaying Whip.

"I respectfully obey the Dao Ancestor's command. I will not disgrace the esteemed position of Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance. I shall assist the Jade Emperor in enlightening the common people, uphold the majesty of the Heavenly Dao, and rectify the laws of heaven and earth!"

Ling Xiao looked toward Outside the Chaos and bowed deeply.

Every word was sincere, testing his Dao Heart.

As his voice fell, boundless Heavenly Dao Luck swept in from all directions, accompanied by an ocean of Heavenly Dao Merit descending upon his head.

Seeing this, Ling Xiao did not refine the Heavenly Dao Merit to raise his cultivation. Instead, he transformed it into a Merit Golden Wheel about ten feet wide, which hovered behind him before gradually withdrawing and vanishing.

As for the Heavenly Dao Luck, it entwined with Ling Xiao, deepening his comprehension of Great Dao laws and the profound principles of the Heavenly Dao.

His original mid-stage Golden Immortal of Grand Dao cultivation showed signs of loosening, but Ling Xiao quickly suppressed it. He wanted to continue tempering his Dao foundation.

With the Primordial Chaos Measuring Ruler, Pure Yang Sword, Investiture of the Gods List, and God-Slaying Whip in hand, even if he could not claim invincibility below the Golden Immortal of Grand Dao realm, he could at least protect himself.

"In the original history of the Primordial Wilderness, Jiang Ziya presided over the Investiture of the Gods. Now, because of my existence, this heavy responsibility has fallen into my hands."

"Disciples of the Sect of Interception, when you meet me, you are in for a world of pain..."

Ling Xiao put away the Investiture of the Gods List and God-Slaying Whip as he calculated inwardly.

Having severed his karma with the Sect of Interception, Ling Xiao had chosen to wash his hands of its affairs, but that did not mean he would ignore the sect entirely.

He who would wear the crown must bear its weight.

The esteemed position of Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance also represented the responsibilities of the Heavenly Dao!

"Within the Heavenly Court, there should be Six Sovereigns!"

"The Jade Emperor of the Central Heaven and the Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance have already been decided. The remaining four Sovereigns shall be discussed jointly by this palace, the Jade Emperor, and Dao Friend Ling Xiao!"

"Before the four Sovereigns take their places, all their Heavenly Dao duties and authority shall be held by the Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance. All of you Heavenly Court Deities must fulfill your duties wholeheartedly and not fail the blessings of the Heavenly Dao!"

Yaochi swept her gaze over everyone in the Great Hall before parting her red lips to speak.

One statement stirred up a thousand waves!

At once, the deities looked at one another and broke into heated discussion.

But soon, everyone either knelt and kowtowed or bowed in salute.

"We pay respects to the Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance and obey the Queen Mother's decree!"

The cries echoed outward, causing the clouds and mist of the Thirty-three Heavens to churn. The heavenly soldiers and generals guarding outside Lingxiao Palace also knelt on one knee and loudly proclaimed Ling Xiao's honored title.

Within the Great Hall, Ling Xiao looked at Haotian and Yaochi, his brows furrowing slightly.

These two wanted to dump the work on him!

Seeing this, Haotian slowly said, "I rule the Three Realms and hold a status equal to the Heavenly Dao Sages. Under normal circumstances, I will not intervene personally. I need only handle government affairs within Lingxiao Palace."

"The reason for placing you in command of the remaining four Sovereigns is so that Dao Friend Ling Xiao may mobilize the full foundation of the Heavenly Court during the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation, helping you coordinate matters concerning the many Sage sects."

"I believe you can handle everything well!"

Haotian refused to admit that he merely wanted to lighten his own workload, instead putting on an expression as though he were thinking entirely of Ling Xiao.

Watching Ling Xiao suffer a setback amused him somewhat.

Who told you to test me?

"Since the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother think so highly of me, I shall respectfully accept!"

"Any matter that the deities can handle will be reported to you for a decision. If something requires my personal intervention, I will deal with it myself!"

"Otherwise, I am afraid I will work myself to death, haha..."

Ling Xiao sighed softly, effectively agreeing to Yaochi and Haotian's arrangement.

The Heavenly Court workhorse was about to clock in!

Still, he bore no resentment. Instead, he felt some anticipation.

"Dao Friend Ling Xiao is truly magnanimous!"

Haotian beamed with delight and sat directly upon his throne.

Ling Xiao also took his seat!

A moment later, Lingxiao Palace returned to its lively atmosphere. The music resumed, the dancing continued, and joy filled the Great Hall.

The many deities and Immortal Officials did not dare look down on Ling Xiao. Instead, they regarded him with reverence.

After all, Ling Xiao was the Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance personally acknowledged and appointed by Dao Ancestor Hongjun through his decree. Even Heavenly Dao Sages could not defy Dao Ancestor Hongjun's command.

In a sense, Ling Xiao's status in the Primordial World stood only half a step below that of the Sages.

From now on, regardless of who they were, disciples of the Human Sect, Sect of Enlightenment, Sect of Interception, and Western Sect would have to bow upon seeing Ling Xiao. Otherwise, they would invite accusations of disrespecting the Heavenly Dao.

Of course, with the Heavenly Court's current foundation, it was still insufficient to intimidate the many sects!

Among those sect disciples, there would likely be very few who truly respected Ling Xiao!

"Now that I hold the esteemed position of Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance, this matter has already become a raging tide sweeping across the entire Primordial World. Those Heavenly Dao Sages and their disciples are probably going mad..."

Ling Xiao drank Jade Nectar, the corners of his lips curving slightly upward.

The good show was about to begin!

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