The Investiture of the Gods

Arrogant! Duobao inwardly rejoiced and seized the opportunity to speak, "Master, please look. Tai Cang is so arrogant, completely disregarding the reputation of the Intercepting Sect. He must be severely punished!" His followers immediately chimed in, "Please, Master, mete out punishment!"

Tongtian's brow furrowed. Although displeased with Tai Cang, he remembered his previous promise and could only wave his hand, saying, "Let this matter drop. Those who do not participate may leave. Next, I will preach to the participants."

Returning to the back mountains of Kunlun, Tai Cang gazed at his ruined dwelling, his expression shifting before he ascended on the clouds and departed. Since everything was destroyed, he had no reason to linger here.

This place was too close to the Upper Clarity Palace, and he feared many from the Intercepting Sect would come to disturb him in the future, inevitably affecting his cultivation.

Today's events made Tai Cang realize that only he himself was trustworthy in this world, and the so-called camaraderie among fellow disciples was not always harmonious.

Tai Cang rode the wind, searching for a new dwelling within the Kunlun Mountains.

"Junior Brother Tai Cang!"

A shout from below interrupted his thoughts.

Looking down, he saw True Person Yuding waving at him from a mountain valley.

"Senior Brother Yuding!"

Tai Cang then realized he had entered the territory of the Primordial Clarity Palace.

His mind immediately began to work. Since he couldn't find peace near the Upper Clarity Palace, why not settle here?

After the Three Pure Ones attained enlightenment, Kunlun Mountain was divided into three parts: Laozi resided in the east, Yuan Shi in the center, and Tongtian in the south. Western Kunlun belonged to the Jade Pond, and none of the Three Sects were allowed to enter.

If he could settle within the Primordial Clarity Palace's domain, perhaps he could avoid many troubles...

"Greetings, Senior Brother Yuding!"

Tai Cang landed and bowed, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

When he first joined the Intercepting Sect, he harbored considerable hostility towards the Heavenly Origin Sect's Twelve Golden Immortals. After all, the Battle of the Investiture of the Gods was triggered by the Twelve Golden Immortals seeking to avoid tribulation, which led to the Intercepting Sect suffering a great calamity.

But after this incident, Tai Cang suddenly felt a sense of envy towards the Twelve Golden Immortals.

Although Heavenly Lord of Primordial Beginning was also biased, he treated everyone equally. Even though he disliked Huanglong's demon race origin, he still planned a way for him to escape tribulation. In contrast, Sect Master Tongtian only showed special care to a few personal disciples.

It was no wonder the Intercepting Sect was utterly defeated—countless outer disciples perished in the early stages of the Investiture of the Gods, yet Tongtian remained indifferent until Zhao Gongming and San Xiao were in peril. The saying "teach without discrimination" could not escape the reality of favoritism.

"Junior Brother, you've been well!" Yuding said with a hearty laugh. "I heard you fought the Ten Golden Crows alone, defeating nine Grand Unity Golden Immortals consecutively. Truly admirable."

If Heavenly Lord of Primordial Beginning hadn't personally confirmed this, anyone would have dismissed it as a joke. How could a Golden Immortal contend with a Grand Unity Immortal?

Yuding suddenly lowered his voice, "Junior Brother, have you practiced the Nine Revolutions Cang Skill? Otherwise, how could you, at the Golden Immortal realm, contend against a Grand Unity Immortal?"

"The Nine Revolutions Cang Skill!"

Tai Cang's eyes flickered. Yuding had actually inherited this technique?

Upon closer inspection, the other party's aura was profound. Although only at the early stage of Grand Unity, his mana was comparable to a cultivator in the middle or late stages.

"Senior Brother exaggerates,"

Tai Cang said with a shallow smile, cupping his hands. "I am merely an inner disciple. How dare I covet the Nine Revolutions Cang Skill, the foundational technique of the Three Sects?"

"Rather, Senior Brother's cultivation is profound. You must have cultivated the Nine Revolutions Cang Skill to the sixth turn, making you unrivaled among your peers."

These words were not mere pleasantries.

The Nine Revolutions Cang Skill was created by the Three Pure Ones after comprehending Pangu's legacy.

The first turn is Heavenly Immortal, the second is Cang Immortal, the third is True Immortal, the fourth is True Immortal of Grand Unity, the fifth is Golden Immortal, the sixth is Grand Unity Golden Immortal, the seventh is Grand Unity Golden Immortal, the eighth is Quasi-Saint, and the ninth turn can rival the power of a Sage.

"Junior Brother flatters me!"

Yuding shook his head with a wry smile. "My aptitude is dull. Although I was fortunate enough to enter the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, I am still stuck at the fifth turn of the Cang Skill."

Changing the subject, Yuding asked, "Junior Brother, why have you come here?"

"I saw you cloud-riding earlier, lost in thought. Have you encountered any difficulties?"

This indeed piqued his curiosity.

Having lived alone in this place for hundreds of years, Tai Cang was his first visitor. With his cultivation and temperament, he shouldn't have been so distraught.

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother."

Tai Cang smiled without answering, unwilling to mention those troublesome matters.

Since they were not fellow disciples, there was no need to confide in him.

After a moment of thought, he said, "My previous residence was destroyed, and I was looking for a new place to live."

"Residence destroyed?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Yuding's eyes.

Although he didn't say it explicitly, he had already guessed some of the circumstances.

After a moment of contemplation, Yuding suddenly suggested, "Junior Brother Tai Cang, if you don't mind, why don't you stay here with me?"

"This valley is rich in spiritual energy, and the area is vast. I live alone and it feels too empty. It just so happens that I have some cultivation doubts I'd like to ask Junior Brother for advice."

These words came from the bottom of his heart.

Heavenly Lord of Primordial Beginning had praised Tai Cang repeatedly, and as his personal disciples, they were all familiar with it. Although they were unconvinced, they dared not underestimate him. This was a good opportunity to test his true abilities.

"Fine."

Tai Cang nodded in agreement, "Then I'll be troubling you, Senior Brother."

He saw through it but didn't say anything. Compared to the scheming within the Intercepting Sect, Yuding's straightforwardness made him feel more at ease.

At this moment, he finally understood why Laozi had only ever accepted Cang Du as a disciple. Perhaps that Senior Uncle had seen through everything and avoided conflict from the very root.

"Junior Brother Tai Cang, you're being too formal!"

Yuding's face lit up with joy, and he immediately led Tai Cang into the valley.

"It just so happens that Senior Brother Guangchengzi and the others are coming over these days. We'll have a good celebration then."

Guangchengzi and the others were coming?

Tai Cang's eyebrows twitched slightly, but he didn't ask further. He followed Yuding to choose their lodging and began setting up a simple dwelling.

Not long after, bursts of laughter echoed from outside the valley:

"Congratulations, Junior Brother Yuding, on your breakthrough!"

"We must drink three hundred cups today!"

"I hunted a fierce beast, Senior Brother will have a treat!"

Guangchengzi and the other Heavenly Origin Sect Golden Immortals arrived, chatting and laughing, their faces filled with genuine smiles.

A breakthrough!

Congratulations!

So that's how it is!

Tai Cang suddenly understood. He glanced at Yuding beside him, realizing the other had likely just broken through, which explained why he could see through his cultivation level earlier.

"Huh? Tai Cang!"

"Why are you here?"

As Guangchengzi and the others approached, they intended to speak with Yuding but unexpectedly spotted Tai Cang. Surprise flashed in their eyes. After all, the Intercepting Sect and the Heavenly Origin Sect belonged to different factions. Although they were all disciples of the Three Pure Ones, they had never interacted. Tai Cang's presence was truly unexpected, leading them to even speculate that Yuding had specifically invited him.

"Greetings, all Senior Brothers!"

Tai Cang cupped his hands in greeting, "I was passing by this area today and coincidentally met Senior Brother Yuding, who kindly invited me. I didn't expect all of you Senior Brothers to be here as well."

"So that's how it is!"

"Just as we thought!"

Guangchengzi and the others exchanged glances and smiled, looking enlightened. They returned the greetings, "Greetings, Junior Brother Tai Cang!"

"Greetings, Junior Brother Tai Cang."

In the Primordial World, the strong reigned supreme. Tai Cang's feat of defeating the Ten Golden Crows Prince had already spread throughout the Three Sects. Furthermore, Heavenly Lord of Primordial Beginning had mentioned him multiple times in front of them, earning Guangchengzi and the others' considerable approval. If it were any other Intercepting Sect disciple, they likely wouldn't have been this enthusiastic.

Phew--

Seeing that everyone was getting along harmoniously, Yuding secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had initially worried that there might be unpleasantness between the two sides, but now he was finally at ease. He stepped forward and said, "Thank you all, Senior and Junior Brothers, for coming to celebrate. I happen to have obtained some fine wine from the monkey troop in the back mountains of Kunlun. Let's all have a taste."

With a wave of his sleeve, several jars of monkey wine appeared before them. The rich aroma of wine wafted out, attracting not only Guangchengzi and the others but even Tai Cang couldn't help but glance over. This monkey wine was truly rare, even more precious than what Cang Du had stored back then.

"Junior Brother Yuding, then I won't stand on ceremony!"

Guangchengzi let out a strange cry and was the first to pounce towards the wine jars.

"Senior Brother is cheating!"

"Senior Brother, you're going too far!"

The other Golden Immortals chided verbally, but their hands moved just as quickly, snatching the wine jars and drinking heartily. The scene became incredibly lively, filled with laughter. This sight made Tai Cang feel a sense of emotion. Compared to the internal strife within the Intercepting Sect, the camaraderie among the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Heavenly Origin Sect seemed more precious.

"Junior Brother Tai Cang!"

Yuding walked over with a smile, taking out a jar of monkey wine. "I knew they would be like this, so I specifically saved one for you. Otherwise, you would have missed out on this fine wine."

"Thank you, Senior Brother!"

Tai Cang took the wine jar. Yuding took out another jar and said, "What are you thanking me for? Come on, let's go drink! Let's cast all our worries aside and have a good time today!"

Saying that, he pulled Tai Cang along and joined the crowd.

"Come, Junior Brother Tai Cang, cheers!"

"Junior Brother Tai Cang, let's have a drink!"

"Junior Brother Tai Cang, drink it all!"

"Come on, Junior Brother Tai Cang, you're not being friendly enough, there's still so much wine left."

Gradually, Tai Cang blended into the atmosphere.

He cast aside the unpleasantness from the Upper Clarity Palace and drank heartily with the Twelve Golden Immortals.

It wasn't until late at night that the banquet finally came to an end.

Tai Cang and the Twelve Golden Immortals lay side-by-side on the ground, gazing up at the starry sky. Guangchengzi suddenly spoke, "Junior Brother Tai Cang, will you be participating in the Three Sects?"

As soon as these words were spoken, all the Golden Immortals turned their gaze to Tai Cang.

After their previous interactions, they had all genuinely accepted Tai Cang, including Cihang, who had previously had a conflict with him.

If Tai Cang participated, they would inevitably become opponents.

Although many Golden Immortals had already reached the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, judging by Tai Cang's record of defeating the Ten Golden Crows, there was still a gap between them.

"No, I haven't registered, and I won't participate," Tai Cang shook his head, then took a swig of wine. "However, I can help all of you Senior Brothers win."

As he spoke, a cold glint flashed in Tai Cang's eyes.

Fueled by the alcohol, his dissatisfaction with Tongtian completely erupted.

"Don't you want the Intercepting Sect to achieve good results? What if your personal disciples all lose?"

"What's going on?"

Guangchengzi and the others were momentarily stunned.

"Tai Cang isn't participating in the Three Sects' competition? This is a grand event organized by the three Sages, where powerful beings from the Primordial World will gather. The winner will even receive treasures bestowed by the Sages."

"Junior Brother, how can you give up?" Yuding blurted out. "The Three Sects' competition concerns the ownership of innate spiritual treasures. Don't you want them?"

Innate spiritual treasures!

Treasures bestowed by the Three Sects!

Tai Cang felt as if struck by lightning, instantly understanding why Duobao and the Intercepting Sect's personal disciples had targeted him.

Innate spiritual treasures!

No one could resist this. Tai Cang's existence was an obstacle; only if he didn't participate would the Intercepting Sect's personal disciples have a greater chance of obtaining better treasures.

Most crucially, Tongtian had tacitly approved of this behavior, which precisely exposed his selfishness!

"No need," Tai Cang took a deep breath. "Although spiritual treasures are good, a cultivator's foundation lies within themselves."

"Besides, innate spiritual treasures contain innate restrictions. To fully unleash their power, one needs at least Grand Unity Golden Immortal cultivation. Before that, their value is limited."

"When I fought the Great Golden Crow on the Sun Star, although he wielded a high-grade innate spiritual treasure, his mid-stage Grand Unity Golden Immortal cultivation couldn't refine many restrictions, and its power was only slightly stronger than a top-grade acquired spiritual treasure."

"Rather than relying on spiritual treasures, it's better to focus on one's own cultivation. Only by becoming powerful oneself can one wield stronger treasures."

Guangchengzi and the others fell into deep thought.

Tai Cang's words made them suddenly enlightened, and their desire for innate spiritual treasures also faded.

Just as Tai Cang said, a cultivator's foundation lies within themselves, not in external objects.

"Thank you for your guidance, Junior Brother Tai Cang," Guangchengzi raised his goblet in a toast. "We were indeed a bit too obsessed."

"Although innate spiritual treasures are good, with our current cultivation, it's difficult to control them. We should focus on our cultivation instead."

"Senior Brothers are too kind," Tai Cang smiled faintly and drank heartily.

Although innate spiritual treasures had limited use for beings at their level, it didn't mean he would refuse them.

However, things had come to this point, and he couldn't change anything.

Duobao!

Tongtian!

A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and Tai Cang suddenly stood up from the ground, his gaze fixed on Guangchengzi and the others. "Esteemed Senior Brothers, are you willing to fight me?"

"Let's fight!"