Shen Gongbao Was Tempted; Immortal Elder Nanji Broke Out in a Cold Sweat: Had the Tribulation of Calamity Affected Him?

The words fell.

Shen Gongbao stood like an old pine, motionless.

But his expression flickered and shifted.

Clearly, he was struggling with something!

In the end,

Shen Gongbao asked, "Senior Disciple Brother, Master won't punish me for doing this, will he?"

"When virtue falls short of one's station, that station brings harm instead."

Immortal Elder Nanji said impatiently, "Jiang Ziya can't protect the Investiture List. That proves he lacks the virtue for the task."

"The Investiture List should go to someone with both virtue and strength."

"Master gave Jiang Ziya the Investiture List in private. He never announced it to anyone."

"But many of our fellow disciples know you're meant to oversee a major sect affair. If you bring back the Investiture List, you can oversee the Investiture of the Gods."

"Master wouldn't get angry with you over a mere mortal, would he?"

"Jiang Ziya's virtue falls short of his station. You aren't taking it by force, are you?"

His voice was calm.

Ordinarily, Shen Gongbao could tell right from wrong and would never have entangled himself in this Karma.

But under the Tribulation of Calamity, events followed their inexorable course.

Threads split from the terrifying tangle of Karma and tugged at Shen Gongbao.

A shadow fell over Shen Gongbao's mind, and greed stirred in his heart. "You're right, Senior Disciple Brother. The Investiture List should have been mine to control. Who does Jiang Ziya think he is? What right does he have to steal my Investiture List?"

"When I get the chance, I'll take my Investiture List back!"

"When you get the chance?"

Immortal Elder Nanji scoffed. "Why wait for another day when today will do? If I were you, I wouldn't have a moment's peace until the Investiture List was tucked inside my robe!"

"Thank you for showing