"Cough, cough..."
Hongjun, seated atop the high platform, gave a light cough. It both stopped Qin Hong from continuing and restored calm to the six Saints.
"Since the Primordial World was established, a calamity would occur every countless years to make up for the Heavenly Dao and perfect its laws!"
"The first calamity was the Dragon-Phoenix Beginning Calamity. Back then, the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin Clans fought a great war under Luohu's secret machinations, throwing the Primordial World into turmoil. It ultimately ended with the decline of the Three Clans."
"The second calamity was the Witch-Demon War. After the Dragon-Phoenix era, the Witch and Demon Clans grew ever stronger and wreaked havoc across the Primordial World, drawing the Heavenly Dao's displeasure. In the end, they brought about their own destruction and fell to their present state."
"I have summoned you here to discuss this third calamity. The calamity has arrived, and none of you can remain untouched!"
Hearing Hongjun's words, Qin Hong understood that this third calamity was naturally the Investiture of the Gods Calamity. It would end with the destruction of the Interception Sect, leaving some dead and others imprisoned. It was utterly terrifying.
Just then, Hongjun waved his hand, and a wordless Heavenly Book appeared out of thin air. It floated quietly in the air, continuously radiating golden light as chaotic forces of karma swirled around it.
The moment the Heavenly Book appeared, it drew the gaze of all the Saints and Qin Hong.
If I'm not mistaken, such dense karma is enough to crush all things in the world. This must be the Investiture of the Gods Scroll that the Interception Sect despises to the bone!
As Qin Hong pondered, Hongjun spoke again.
"This is the Investiture of the Gods Scroll. Once the Three Sects have signed it, you may safely pass through it, and the third calamity will be easily resolved by us!"
Bullshit!
Hearing Hongjun's words, Qin Hong rolled his eyes in disdain.
Safely pass through the Investiture of the Gods Calamity? Was he dreaming? If it could be passed through so easily, would it still be called a calamity?
Most likely, everyone except the Interception Sect would safely survive this calamity!
Qin Hong, who knew the Investiture of the Gods well, clearly understood that although the calamity began under the pretext of a dynastic change within the Human Race, with no one saying what exactly should be done, it seemed as though not many people would die in a human war.
Yet once it began, it spiraled out of control. The disciples of the Interception Sect were constantly slaughtered through the schemes of the Sect of Enlightenment. After the junior disciples had been killed off, they began scheming against the core disciples. In the end, they directly targeted Father's direct disciples.
The entire Primordial World descended into chaos, and everyone of note became involved.
With no other choice, Father personally entered the fray. He laid down the Immortal-Slaying Formation and began the Ten Thousand Immortals Battle. Yet he was jointly targeted by four Saints. That was not even the end of it—Hongjun joined in as well. In the end, Father was imprisoned for eternity, his eldest disciple Duobao entered the Western Sect, and the Interception Sect survived in name only.
Thinking of all this about to unfold before his eyes exactly as it had before, Qin Hong's heart darkened immensely.
The root of it all lay in this wordless Heavenly Book before him—the Investiture of the Gods Scroll.
Qin Hong stared at the Investiture of the Gods Scroll as it quietly emitted golden light. He was filled with indignation, yet he could not think of any good way to deal with the situation before him.
The Investiture of the Gods Scroll had appeared, and the Three Sects were to sign it. This had already been discussed beforehand. Hongjun had informed the six Saints, and Father had not objected. Nor did he have any reason to object. Could they really oppose Hongjun and the Heavenly Dao?
"Enough. Daode, Yuanshi, Tongtian, you three may sign the Investiture of the Gods Scroll!"
"Yes, we obey Master's command!" the Three Pure Ones answered together.
With that, the three of them walked toward the Investiture of the Gods Scroll.
Watching Father's steps, Qin Hong grew frantic. Others might not know, but he did. This was personally sending themselves down a dead end!
He swept his gaze around and saw Nuwa observing her nose, her nose observing her heart, as though it had nothing to do with her. In truth, it really did not. Nuwa had not established a sect, and the only ones who could be called her disciples were the maids of Wa Palace, so naturally she did not need to sign.
As for Zhunti and Jieyin, they stared intently at the Investiture of the Gods Scroll, their expressions dark and unreadable. No one knew what underhanded scheme they were contemplating.
Only Father and the other two maintained steady brows and blank faces as they slowly approached the Investiture of the Gods Scroll.
Qin Hong's heart stirred as he looked at Zhunti and Jieyin.
This is my last chance. Hmph, you two plotted against my Interception Sect's disciples and turned them into mounts, even cutting off their human dignity. What a monstrous humiliation! How can I let you two stay untouched now?
With that thought, Qin Hong's eyes darted around, and a crisp childish voice rang out.
"Father, why do only Eldest Uncle, Second Uncle, and you have to sign that shiny golden thing?"
Hearing Qin Hong's words, the Three Pure Ones all stopped. Zhunti, Jieyin, and Nuwa also turned their eyes back toward Qin Hong.
Qin Hong seemed to mutter softly, either intentionally or unintentionally.
"Auntie Nuwa is beautiful and hasn't established a sect, so that makes sense."
"But Uncle Zhunti and Uncle Jieyin clearly established the Western Sect. And I heard that many cultivators from our East joined the Western Sect through the two uncles' unusual methods. Why don't the two uncles have to sign it?"
Fuck!
Little bastard!
You're courting death!
The Saints' expressions changed drastically upon hearing Qin Hong's words.
Zhunti and Jieyin's faces sank at once, and a faint but palpable killing intent enveloped Qin Hong.
"Zhunti, Jieyin, what are you two trying to do? Hong'er is still young. It is perfectly normal for him to ask when he has questions!"
Whoosh!
With a flash of light, the Qingping Sword was already strapped to Sect Master Tongtian's back, seeming ready to leave its sheath as sword cries rang out.
Sect Master Tongtian's shout jolted Zhunti and Jieyin awake. They suppressed their intense killing intent.
They glanced at Heavenly Lord of Morality, Heavenly Lord of Original Beginning, and Nuwa. The three clearly wore expressions of detached indifference. The Investiture of the Gods Scroll was an important matter, and every Saint had their own plans, so naturally none would invite trouble upon themselves.
To put it bluntly, they even hoped to see Sect Master Tongtian and Zhunti and Jieyin fight each other.
"Tongtian, keep your son under control. Stop letting him ask irrelevant questions!"
"Indeed!"
Left with no choice, Zhunti and Jieyin could only suppress their anger and wait for a chance to act later.
"Father, why are the two uncles reacting so strongly? Could it be that they have been taking advantage of us Three Pure Ones, and I exposed them?"
Pfft... pfft.
This child really was too honest, wasn't he?
As soon as those words left his mouth, even Heavenly Lord of Morality and Heavenly Lord of Original Beginning could not help but be moved. The words might have been crude, but the reasoning was sound.
The Investiture of the Gods Calamity concerned the entire Primordial World, yet only the Three Sects of the Three Pure Ones were signing it. The Western Sect was definitely taking advantage, but the Three Pure Ones cared about face and refused to say so, choosing to put on a brave front.
Would that not mean they were being taken advantage of for nothing? But now Qin Hong, a junior of the Three Pure Ones, had said it aloud. First, no one lost face. Second, the matter had been laid openly on the table.
Since it had been said, Heavenly Lord of Morality and Heavenly Lord of Original Beginning could not remain unmoved. They would certainly take action. That was why Zhunti and Jieyin's killing intent had been so intense just now.
However, the two were also shameless and exceedingly cunning. In an instant, they came up with a solution.
Before you continue