What Is Investiture of the Gods? A Gentle Kiss for Wangshu!

Penglai Immortal Island was shrouded in immortal mist.

Ling Xiao stood atop the World-Destroying Black Lotus, with the Investiture of the Gods List floating before him and radiating dazzling golden light.

Below!

Violent lightning crackled as countless shackles bound Zhao Gongming and the Golden-Winged Great Peng. The former had not accumulated much Karmic Force of Slaughter, but the latter's sins were monstrous, and he now wailed without end.

"Nuwa was willing to damage her own reputation just to save Lu Ya and those Sect of Interception disciples with Demon Clan foundations. She must be plotting something, but I have no idea what mischief she has up her sleeve."

Ling Xiao stared at the Investiture of the Gods List, stroking his chin as he pondered.

During the era of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, the various sects had fought fiercely over the position of Human Emperor's Master. The human race had also erupted into earth-shattering bloody wars, with the fated battle between Xuanyuan and Chiyou being the most intense.

Billions of living beings had perished, their karma and karmic force becoming entangled.

This was the root of the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation, but the true fuse was the Saints' refusal to send their disciples to serve in the Heavenly Court.

Now that Dingguang Immortal had been suppressed within the Investiture of the Gods List, Ling Xiao had no intention of conferring godhood upon him. Long-Eared Dingguang Immortal was no good man, and he did not want the Heavenly Court to become a garbage dump.

Rule over all things in the Three Realms and act on behalf of Heaven!

In Ling Xiao's plans, the Heavenly Court would stand above all Heavenly Dao Saints, making all living beings submit and worship, forcing the Heavenly Dao Saints to lower their heads.

The Heavenly Dao Saints he referred to did not include Dao Ancestor Hongjun, nor Zhen Yuanzi, who had shown Ling Xiao kindness!

Ling Xiao had long since decided on Zhen Yuanzi's path and destiny. He merely needed to find a suitable opportunity to discuss it with Haotian, then report it to the Heavenly Dao and Dao Ancestor Hongjun!

"There are still at least several hundred years before the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation truly begins. During that time, I must acquire treasures such as the Merit Golden Lotus, Karma Fire Red Lotus, Qingping Sword, Taiyi Whisk, and Three Treasures Jade Scepter."

"Only by transforming my foundation into the Thirty-Sixth Grade Pure World White Lotus can I form Three Flowers of the Grand Dao surpassing those of Dao Ancestor Hongjun and the Three Pure Ones when I attain the Golden Immortal of Grand Dao realm, gaining the foundation and insight needed to ascend to the peak of the Great Dao."

"Now it depends on whether Tongtian and the Sect of Interception know what is good for them. Otherwise, Zhao Gongming and the others will have to take a trip to the Heavenly Court's Execution Platform..."

Ling Xiao's eyes were profound as he plotted inwardly.

His current foundation was the Twenty-Fourth Grade Pure World White Lotus, on par with the most exceptional Primordial Gods. Yet even though his cultivation speed and comprehension far surpassed others, time was still running short.

Moreover, Ling Xiao valued tempering his foundation. He was unwilling to force a breakthrough with Heavenly Dao Luck and merit, which slowed the advancement of his realm even further.

Therefore, only after forming the foundation of the Thirty-Sixth Grade Pure World White Lotus would Ling Xiao be willing to break through the shackles of his realm and become a Golden Immortal of Grand Dao.

"Ling Xiao!"

Daoist Duobao rode upon Auspicious Clouds, various spiritual treasures hanging from his body, as he finally arrived at Penglai Immortal Island.

At the sight of Zhao Gongming and the Golden-Winged Great Peng's miserable state, Daoist Duobao's fury boiled over. The Qingping Sword in his hand hummed sharply, and he wished he could hack Ling Xiao into minced meat.

But Tongtian's mission did not permit him to act so rashly!

"By the Saint's command, I have come to settle the karma between us!"

"Release Dingguang Immortal, Zhao Gongming, and the Golden-Winged Great Peng. Return their treasures to their rightful owners as well, then swear a Heavenly Dao oath. Only then will I give you the Qingping Sword!"

"Heavenly Dao Saints do not easily interfere in the affairs and overall trend of the Primordial Wilderness. You may no longer rely on Great Immortal Zhenyuan and Hong Yun to run rampant. Even if you face the danger of death, you must not seek their aid!"

Daoist Duobao spoke in a deep voice, immediately laying out numerous demands.

Zhen Yuanzi could use the Earth Book to communicate with the Primordial Earth Veins and, at the slightest disagreement, threaten to destroy the Primordial Land and drag the Heavenly Dao Saints down with him. No one could bear such karma.

That was why Tongtian and Nuwa had resorted to this measure, and why the former had been willing to part with something so precious!

Hearing this, Ling Xiao chuckled. He understood the situation perfectly.

Tongtian feared Zhen Yuanzi's method of mutual destruction, which was why he was willing to compromise with him. But this could not be done too often, or it would provoke the fury of all the Heavenly Dao Saints.

Now that Wangshu was by his side, Ling Xiao no longer needed to trouble Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun over his affairs. Zhen Yuanzi only needed to accumulate enough foundation before attaining sainthood.

At that time, Tongtian would not dare act against him either!

Thus, Ling Xiao pretended to deliberate before slowly saying, "I accept Dao Friend Duobao's conditions. I am making this transaction with the Sect of Interception only because the Qingping Sword is fated with me."

"If something like this happens again, I will strictly enforce the Heavenly Laws!"

Immediately after!

Ling Xiao swore a Heavenly Dao oath to demonstrate his sincerity.

Although treasures such as the Six Soul Banner, Twelve Fixed Sea Pearls, and Yin Yang Two Qi Bottle were valuable, they carried immense karma. He could not simply claim them for himself.

Tongtian had produced the Qingping Sword in the name of compensating Ling Xiao, making the transaction legitimate. Ling Xiao would not have to bear any karma as a result!

"Release Junior Brother Dingguang and the others!"

With a casual flick of his hand, Daoist Duobao sent the Qingping Sword flying toward Ling Xiao.

"Dao Friend, you are straightforward!"

Ling Xiao's lips curved upward as he stored the Qingping Sword within the system space. Only after ensuring that this Top-Grade Primordial Spiritual Treasure held no hidden abnormalities would he refine it.

He formed a hand seal, and the Investiture of the Gods List flashed with mysterious light.

In the state of a True Spirit primordial soul, Dingguang Immortal was like a drowning man clutching at a lifeline. He flew directly behind Daoist Duobao.

At the same time, the lightning over the boundless sea vanished into thin air. Zhao Gongming and the Golden-Winged Great Peng broke free of their shackles and regained their freedom.

However, the Golden-Winged Great Peng's aura was weak, his meridians and blood qi damaged. He was still dazed, with only his eyes blazing with hatred and murderous intent.

"Return everything to its rightful owner. Settle the karma!"

With a thought from Ling Xiao, spiritual treasures such as the Six Soul Banner, Twelve Fixed Sea Pearls, and Yin Yang Two Qi Bottle fell into the hands of Dingguang Immortal and the others.

The heavenly secrets stirred slightly, and the karma dispersed!

"Without the protection of Great Immortal Zhenyuan and Hong Yun, I would like to see what other cards you have left. With only those spiritual treasures on you and Wangshu, the Lunar Goddess at the middle stage of the Golden Immortal of Hunyuan realm, what waves can you possibly make?"

Daoist Duobao mocked him a few times before leaving with the other three.

"Heh..."

Ling Xiao snorted disdainfully and sneered.

Wangshu controlled the Lunar Dao. It would not take long for her to recover her peak Golden Immortal of Hunyuan cultivation. So long as Tongtian did not personally intervene, who in the Primordial Wilderness could stand against him?

"The Sect of Interception is a mixed bag. Lu Ya, Daoist Duobao, and the rest are not harmless figures. It likely will not be long before they stir up more trouble, but I have my own ways of dealing with them."

"The other four Six Imperial Thrones cannot be touched for now. Only by letting Yuanshi Tianzun and Grand Pure Laozi see the Heavenly Court's potential can I draw in the Sect of Enlightenment and the Human Sect, thereby obtaining the Three Treasures Jade Scepter and Taiyi Whisk."

"As for the Merit Golden Lotus and Karma Fire Red Lotus, I will still need to find an opportunity to get my hands on them..."

Ling Xiao wore a calm smile as he turned toward the Ren Water Flat Peach Tree. Wangshu had already been waiting there for some time, graceful and ethereal.

In the blink of an eye, Ling Xiao was seated in a wicker chair, savoring spiritual wine and primordial spiritual fruits.

Using the Pure Creation Dao and Divine Sense, he examined the Qingping Sword within the system space. Only after finding no abnormalities did Ling Xiao take out this Top-Grade Primordial Spiritual Treasure and place it on the jade table before him.

"You... you actually dared threaten Tongtian and scheme his natal treasure away from him. You truly have a lot of nerve!"

Wangshu held her forehead and smiled helplessly.

Ever since meeting Ling Xiao, she had developed a deep interest in this Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance.

She had originally thought that Ling Xiao was already invincible merely by controlling the Pure Creation Dao. Who could have imagined that he would continue to shock her time and again?

And now, he had even obtained the Qingping Sword without incurring any karma!

Tongtian's dignity and face had practically been tossed into a latrine by Ling Xiao, then ground into the filth again and again!

"Isn't it because I have you to protect me?"

"Great Immortal Zhenyuan and Senior Hong Yun can no longer shield me, but you cannot simply leave me alone. Otherwise, before our Dao companion destiny is fulfilled, I will have already been reduced to ashes..."

Ling Xiao feigned nervousness and grasped Wangshu's jade-like hand.

Her pretty face flushed red, and her breathing quickened.

Wangshu tried to pull her hand away, but Ling Xiao refused to let go, so she could only give up!

"Do not go too far..."

Wangshu's voice became incredibly gentle as she watched Ling Xiao lean closer. Their faces seemed as though they would touch at any moment.

Before Wangshu's astonished eyes.

Her crimson lips felt a scorching warmth...