Yuanshi Tianzun's Choice! Binding Ling Xiao with the Bonds of Dao Companionship!

Kunlun Mountain, Jade Void Palace.

Immortal charm flowed freely, while Dao rhythm stretched vast and boundless.

Yuanshi Tianzun sat high upon the Cloud Terrace, his face solemn and majestic. Auspicious light radiated around him, and his otherworldly bearing as he held the universe in his grasp inspired awe.

The All-Heavens Celebration Clouds hung high above Jade Void Palace. The brilliance of sun and moon dyed the heavens, celestial music echoed throughout the universe, and countless strange phenomena emerged without end, sacred and supreme.

"Dao Ancestor has appointed Ling Xiao as the Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance, assisting the Jade Emperor in governing the Heavenly Court and the Three Realms. With his wisdom and vision, he certainly will not be content with the status quo."

"Moreover, he controls the Investiture of the Gods List and the God-Slaying Whip. When the tribulation descends, he will surely stir up a bloody storm in the Primordial Wilderness."

"May I ask, Master, how should we disciples deal with him?"

Guangchengzi performed a Daoist salute and bowed slightly, asking with a trace of unease in his heart.

Every move Ling Xiao made in the Heavenly Court had long reached the ears of the Sect of Enlightenment disciples. In particular, the words he had said to the Jade Emperor had left them deeply worried.

To make the saints of all heavens lower their heads—Ling Xiao's ambition was far too great!

"Dao Ancestor has allowed the Jade Emperor to govern the Three Realms and become lord of the Heavenly Court. He possesses the Authority of Heavenly Dao to command all living beings of the Primordial Wilderness. Only because we are disciples of saints and hold extraordinary status are we not subject to the Heavenly Court's jurisdiction."

"If Ling Xiao reaches for us, then without Master's protection, even if the Twelve Golden Immortals and Vice Sect Leader Ran Deng joined forces, we likely would be unable to do anything to him."

"After all, Ling Xiao's backing is not merely the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother. His true support lies with Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi and Daoist Hong Yun. Those two are renowned far and wide, with immeasurable divine abilities!"

Cihang Daoist stepped forward and revealed the worries in his heart to everyone.

Even when Ling Xiao had still been a disciple of the Sect of Interception, he had been able to suppress the other sects and help the Sect of Interception secure the positions of teacher to several Human Sovereigns. Now that he had become the Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance, Cihang Daoist truly could not imagine what trouble he might cause.

At that moment!

Yuanshi Tianzun's expression grew slightly more serious. His emotions were unreadable as he slowly said, "Foolish children, do you still remember the teachings of our Sect of Enlightenment?"

The Sect of Enlightenment elucidated the Dao, illuminating it. It followed Heaven and accorded with humanity, expounding the Heavenly Dao.

Compared with his disciples, Yuanshi Tianzun possessed a far broader vision. When Dao Ancestor Hongjun issued his decree appointing Ling Xiao, he had already sensed a change in the heavenly secrets.

To act according to the circumstances and conform to the Heavenly Dao was Yuanshi Tianzun's Dao of elucidation.

Seeing the disciples in the Great Hall wearing bewildered expressions, Yuanshi Tianzun continued, "The greater trend of the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation is for disciples of every sect to enter the Investiture of the Gods List and fill the vacant divine positions in the Heavenly Court."

"Now that Ling Xiao has become the Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance, Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi and Daoist Hong Yun stand behind him. This also means that Ling Xiao can gain the support of countless living beings between Heaven and Earth. If the goal were merely to fill divine positions, he would only need to raise his arm, and innumerable cultivators would willingly ascend to the heavens!"

"But if that were the case, why has the tribulation aura between Heaven and Earth not faded? Why did Dao Ancestor bestow the Investiture of the Gods List and the God-Slaying Whip upon Ling Xiao?"

Mysterious and ever more mysterious, the gateway to all wonders.

Yuanshi Tianzun stroked his beard, testing the disciples below.

After a long while.

Antarctic Immortal raised his head and said calmly, "Looking across the Dragon-Han Initial Tribulation and the Lich Tribulation, all were struggles over luck. Therefore, the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation is no exception."

"The Investiture of the Gods Tribulation is a contest for luck among the Human Sect, Sect of Interception, Western Sect, and our Sect of Enlightenment. No matter the outcome, the Heavenly Court can use the Investiture of the Gods List to gather enough cultivators and fill all the divine positions within the Heavenly Court."

"But now, Ling Xiao's appearance has exposed the ambitions of the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother. He will represent the Heavenly Court in joining the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation, not to contend for the luck of Heaven and Earth, but to fight for true authority as the orthodox power of the Three Realms."

"If the saints of the Heavenly Dao bow to the Jade Emperor, then all sects will submit to the Heavenly Court, and in the end, all luck will belong to the Heavenly Court..."

Just a few words, yet they shook everyone's hearts.

Antarctic Immortal was not one of the Twelve Golden Immortals, but he was Yuanshi Tianzun's attendant disciple. His cultivation was not inferior to the Twelve Golden Immortals in the slightest, and his status ranked only below Guangchengzi. He was truly a figure of great virtue and prestige.

Antarctic Immortal possessed exceptional comprehension and had handed Yuanshi Tianzun his answer.

Yet these words made the already anxious Twelve Golden Immortals even more uneasy.

Rather than be enslaved by the Heavenly Court, they preferred to roam freely between Heaven and Earth, comprehending the profound principles of the Heavenly Dao and the laws of the Great Dao.

"According to Antarctic Immortal and Master's meaning, our Sect of Enlightenment disciples can follow the tide of the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation. At crucial moments, not only must we avoid offending Ling Xiao, we must also forge a good relationship with him."

"The victory or defeat among the various sects is not important. Only whether the saints of the Heavenly Dao are willing to be constrained by the Heavenly Court will determine the course of the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation. If we truly reach a dead end, that good relationship with Ling Xiao may allow our Sect of Enlightenment a better outcome."

"I have to say, the Jade Emperor's move is truly an all-or-nothing gamble. Ling Xiao is a madman too!"

Perfected Immortal Taiyi swallowed hard and spoke in disbelief.

Even with his vast knowledge and experience, he was shocked by the true purpose of the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation.

The Jade Emperor and Ling Xiao were far too ruthless!

Upon the Cloud Terrace!

A smile appeared on Primal Lord of Heaven's face, and his eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

"Since you understand, cultivate diligently and prepare for the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation! Our Sect of Enlightenment must contend for luck as well. Otherwise, would that not mean that I am inferior to the other saints?"

"Conform to the greater trend of the Heavenly Dao, and learn to borrow its momentum. That is the Dao of our Sect of Enlightenment!"

Primal Lord of Heaven waved his hand and spoke earnestly.

Inwardly, he felt somewhat proud.

Primal Lord of Heaven was certain that among all the saints of the Heavenly Dao, he was the first to grasp the true essence of the tribulation. Even Grand Pure Laozi could not compare to him.

"We respectfully see Master off!"

The Twelve Golden Immortals shouted in unison, while Daoist Ran Deng also bowed slightly.

"The Sect of Interception is probably in complete chaos now!"

"While cultivating, junior brothers, do not forget to enjoy the show..."

Guangchengzi teased darkly.

At once, the Sect of Enlightenment disciples could not help laughing, their smiles full of hidden meaning.

Palace of Green Essence.

Daoist Duobao, Zhao Gongming, Kong Xuan, and the other disciples had gathered together. Sect Master Tongtian was deep within the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation, using Great Dao Merit to sort through Karmic Slaughter, and thus did not appear.

"The Heavenly Dao is unfair! Why can that traitor Ling Xiao become the Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance? The position of one of the Six Emperors is lofty beyond compare, yet such a petty man is allowed to enjoy that vast Heavenly Dao Luck and merit. What a waste!"

"And Dao Ancestor even bestowed the Investiture of the Gods List and the God-Slaying Whip upon Ling Xiao. Once the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation begins, if any disciples of the Sect of Interception suffer misfortune and enter the Investiture of the Gods List, they will surely face the oppression of that thief."

"I ask all senior and junior brothers to think of a solution. It would be best if we could make Ling Xiao fall from his pedestal!"

Dingguang Immortal gnashed his teeth and roared toward the heavens.

As Sect Master Tongtian's personal disciple, with late-stage Golden Immortal of Grand Dao cultivation, the pride and ambition in his heart were enough to defy the heavens. Yet now, he had suffered a severe blow.

Dingguang Immortal had never expected Ling Xiao to receive an appointment from Dao Ancestor Hongjun.

And the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother were simply being absurd!

"Hmph!"

"Can Dao Ancestor's decree be altered? Ling Xiao now has the protection of his status as Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance, as well as the support of the Heavenly Court, Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi, and Daoist Hong Yun. There is no need to think about it to know that he will act against our Sect of Interception."

"The only solution is to have him return under Master's tutelage, or bind him with the bonds of Dao companionship and make him serve the Sect of Interception!"

Zhao Gongming blew out his beard and glared, his expression extremely grave.

However, his gaze fell upon Yun Xiao, Qiong Xiao, and Bi Xiao.

When Ling Xiao had been in the Sect of Interception, the people closest to him had been the Three Xiao Sisters. Back then, Yun Xiao and the others had even joked that they would become Dao companions with Ling Xiao together.

But after Ling Xiao became crippled, no one mentioned that joke again.

"If Ling Xiao returns to our Sect of Interception, would not the remaining four positions among the Six Emperors be ours to decide? We had no interest in the Heavenly Court before, but now it seems that the positions of the Six Emperors differ from all other divine positions."

"Of the Six Emperors, five positions would belong to our Sect of Interception. The Jade Emperor and Queen Mother would become laughingstocks, mere clowns..."

Kong Xuan's heart, normally unmoved by favor or disgrace, had been unusually stirred into raging waves upon seeing Ling Xiao appointed Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance by Dao Ancestor Hongjun.

In Kong Xuan's view, once Ling Xiao returned wholeheartedly to the Sect of Interception, one of the remaining four exalted positions would certainly be his. Then he could wash away the Heavenly Dao shackles imposed upon the Phoenix Clan and even lead the Phoenix Clan in restoring the prosperity of ancient times.

At this moment!

Kong Xuan's ambition, like a parasite clinging to bone, gnawed away at him.

As the Sect of Interception disciples discussed the matter, everyone's eyes turned toward Yun Xiao, Qiong Xiao, and Bi Xiao. An invisible storm surrounded the three Female Immortals.

How would they choose?