Golden light poured down from the void of the Nine Heavens. Dao Resonance thundered from the Investiture of the Gods, and the lingering warmth of the Heaven and Earth Origin spread throughout the Three Realms.
The bodies of Zhao Gongming, Bi Xiao, and Qiong Xiao re-formed. Their Dao Foundations broke through, and the terrifying pressure surging around them gradually steadied. The vast Daoist auras of three beings who had transcended the Quasi-Saint realm awed the gods across the heavens.
Before the immortals and gods could recover from the shock of their soaring cultivation, the Ziwei Great Emperor, enthroned at the center of the heavens, fixed his solemn gaze upon them. His imperial voice rolled across the ancient firmament once more, becoming an immutable heavenly decree.
"By the ordinances of the Heavenly Dao's ancestor, and in accordance with the ancient order of the Heavenly Court!
"Since ancient times, the Heavenly Court has maintained the exalted rank of Ancient Venerable God. Its seats stand beyond the grades of all other gods, below the Four Sovereigns yet above the myriad gods. This has always been the Heavenly Court's highest standing rank, occupied by mighty beings throughout the ages.
"Now that the Investiture of the Gods Calamity has ended, the Heavenly Dao shall fill the vacant seats. Zhao Gongming, Bi Xiao, and Qiong Xiao are hereby appointed Ancient Venerable Gods of the heavens!"
The decree fell, and the Three Realms erupted!
The assembled immortals and gods understood at once.
The rank of Ancient Venerable God was no hastily created office. It was a supreme ancient rank passed down since the Heavenly Court's order was first established at Heaven-Opening, surpassed only by the Jade Emperor and the Four Sovereigns.
Its seats were numerous, its legacy ancient. They had always been granted only to mighty beings