Enfeoffing the Gods

Even upon hearing that even the Candle Dragon was going to accept the investiture, the Four Dragon Kings were directly silenced.

Seeing this, it really wouldn't do if they didn't show sincerity.

After all, if even the Candle Dragon had conceded, and they refused to do the same, they might end up being given a hard time later on.

After pondering for a moment, Ao Guang was the first to speak: "At this investiture, the East Sea shall offer one lower-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, a hundred chests of spiritual materials, a hundred hu of East Sea Pearls, and ten Clam Maidens.

Thereafter, every ten thousand years, we shall offer ten chests of spiritual materials, ten hu of East Sea Pearls, and ten Clam Maidens."

As his words fell, the other three Dragon Kings spoke in unison: "The same for me!"

However, the Candle Dragon frowned upon hearing this and said: "Is this your sincerity?

At a time like this, you're still stingy with treasures?

Are you not afraid of having the life to hoard them but not the life to use them?

Hmph!

Change it!

At the investiture, add to the tribute: two hundred thousand aquatic tribesmen at the Heavenly Immortal level or above, a thousand chests of spiritual materials, and a thousand hu of East Sea Pearls.

As for the Clam Maidens...

For now, offer a hundred of them first.

Thereafter, every ten thousand years, offer a hundred chests of spiritual materials, a hundred hu of East Sea Pearls, and ten Clam Maidens.

If not like this, how can the Dragon Race's sincerity be shown?

Don't forget about Kunpeng over there—this time, he'll likely drag millions of Demon Race to the Heavenly Court.

If the gap is too great, it won't reflect the Dragon Race's value.

You know the consequences.

There are two ways to get a seat at the table.

One is to be carried onto the table, and the other is to be invited onto the table.

Do you want to be carried onto the table?"

At the Candle Dragon's words, the Four Dragon Kings immediately shook their heads like rattling drums.

Carried onto the table?

That was hardly a good thing.

Then the Four Dragon Kings replied in unison: "We await the Old Ancestor's orders!"

"Good!

Go back and prepare!

Once Kunpeng's side is done, it will be about time for the investiture.

And that time won't be too far off."

"We take our leave!"

Time passed swiftly.

A thousand years flashed by in an instant.

On that day, the weather was fine, with a clear sky and not a single cloud.

At the towering South Heaven Gate, cultivators now stood packed in crowds.

Millions of Demon Race, led by Kunpeng, lined up far into the distance.

On the Dragon Race's side, the Candle Dragon led the Four Dragon Kings, with hundreds of thousands of aquatic tribesmen arriving on time.

Haotian held the Investiture of the Gods in one hand and the God-Beating Whip in the other, standing solemnly and majestically before the South Heaven Gate.

By his side stood Yaochi, while Yaoji and Tai Bai Jin Xing stood behind him.

Looking at the vast, surging crowd of cultivators before him, Haotian's heart surged with emotion.

By the boundless Dao Ancestor!

From today onward, I, Haotian, have finally risen!

The Heavenly Court will no longer be a place with only a name and no substance.

Instead, it will be a real institution capable of controlling the Primordial World.

After surveying the scene for a moment, Haotian declared in a clear voice: "Heavenly Dao above!"

Imperial We, Haotian!

Having received the Dao Ancestor's edict, We are enthroned as the Heavenly Emperor.

Now, at the South Heaven Gate, We enfeoff the gods of the Heavenly Court!

Kunpeng, step forward to receive your title!"

Kunpeng, upon hearing this, came before Haotian.

He bowed and said, "Your subject is here!"

Glancing at Kunpeng, Haotian unfurled the Investiture of the Gods in his hand.

Then he slowly spoke: "Imperial We, Haotian, in the name of the Heavenly Emperor, enfeoff Kunpeng as the Grand Commandant of the Heavenly Court.

Assist Us in commanding all the generals and soldiers of the Heavenly Court, exclusively overseeing matters of conquest and warfare, and drilling the troops of the Heavenly Court."

Hearing Haotian's enfeoffment, Kunpeng bowed and said, "Your subject, Kunpeng, accepts the Imperial Decree!

We thank Your Majesty for the title!"

After giving thanks, Kunpeng withdrew to one side.

Having enfeoffed Kunpeng, Haotian then spoke: "Candle Dragon, step forward to receive your title!"

"Your subject is here!"

"Imperial We, in the name of the Heavenly Emperor, enfeoff Candle Dragon as the Chancellor of the Heavenly Court.

Assist Us in managing all affairs of the Heavenly Court."

"Your subject accepts the Imperial Decree!

We thank Your Majesty for the title!"

Once Candle Dragon had withdrawn, Haotian spoke: "Ying Zhao, step forward to receive your title!"

"Your subject is here!"

"Enfeoff Ying Zhao as the Dou Department True God!

Assist Us in governing the Golden Palace, sit in command of the Dou Mansion, and dwell at the head of the Stars of the Heavens."

"Your subject accepts the Imperial Decree!

We thank Your Majesty for the title!"

"Bi Fang, step forward to receive your title!"

"Your subject is here!"

"Enfeoff you as the Fire Department True God.

Lead the gods of the Fire Department to patrol the good and evil of the Primordial World."

"Your subject accepts the Imperial Decree!

We thank Your Majesty for the title!"

"Lei Zu, step forward to receive your title!"

"Your subject is here!"

"Enfeoff you as the Thunder Department True God.

Oversee and lead the Thunder Department, raise clouds and dispense rain, let all things rely on you for growth and nurturing, and punish traitors and eliminate villains.

Establish the Thunder Tribulation to examine all cultivators of the Primordial World.

Whenever a cultivator of the Primordial World steps onto the Immortal Dao, they shall undergo the trial of the Thunder Tribulation.

Those with deep Merit may avoid the Thunder Tribulation's strike.

Those with neither merit nor fault shall undergo the Three-Nine Thunder Tribulation.

Those with shallow karma shall undergo the Six-Nine Thunder Tribulation.

Those with heavy karma shall undergo the Nine-Nine Thunder Tribulation.

Should any other cultivator interfere with the Thunder Tribulation, the tribulation shall intensify.

At its highest, We Ourselves shall personally act, using the Zixiao Divine Thunder as the tribulation."

"Your subject accepts the Imperial Decree!

We thank Your Majesty for the title!"

"Jiu Ying, step forward to receive your title!"

"Your subject is here!"

"Enfeoff you as the Plague Department True God!"

"Your subject accepts the Imperial Decree!

We thank Your Majesty for the title!"

"Gui Che, step forward to receive your title!"

"Your subject is here!"

"We decree you as the Pox Department True God!"

"Your subject accepts the Imperial Decree!"

Haotian was busily decreeing the gods one after another. With each divine position conferred, the corresponding cultivator would split off a wisp of their Primordial Spirit and cast it into the Investiture of the Gods.

At this moment, however, the Primordial World had erupted into an uproar.

First and foremost, Haotian's high-profile conferment of the gods declared to all beings in the Primordial World that the Heavenly Court was now fully operational.

From now on, their every word and deed would fall under the surveillance of the Heavenly Court.

For other cultivators, even if they were displeased, they could only silently accept it.

But for the Six Sages, Haotian had now grown his wings and was fully fledged.

This meant that all the conditions Haotian had previously fought for would now be put into practice by him.

From this point forward, the Great Sects of the Sages would no longer enjoy the privilege of taking whatever they wanted from the Primordial World.

As long as they dared to overstep, Haotian would surely deal with them.

If it were only this, it would not have been enough to set the Primordial cultivators ablaze.

What truly caused an uproar among the cultivators of the Primordial World was the Thunder Department True God that Haotian had just decreed.

Thunder Tribulation?

Only cultivators with deep Merit were qualified to be exempted from it.

For the rest, when they ascended to immortality, they would at the very least have to endure the Three-Nine Thunder Tribulation.

Everyone in the cultivation circle had juniors in their families.

By doing this, Haotian had placed shackles on all the cultivators of the Primordial World.

A long while passed.

The conferment of the six departments of the Heavenly Court was complete.

Only then did Haotian turn his gaze to the Dragon Race.

"Ao Guang, Ao Qin, Ao Run, Ao Shun, step forward to receive your decrees!"

"Your subjects are here!"

"We decree Ao Guang as the East Sea Dragon King, Ao Qin as the South Sea Dragon King, Ao Run as the West Sea Dragon King, and Ao Shun as the North Sea Dragon King.

You shall lead the Dragon Race of the Primordial World, assist the gods of the Water Department and Thunder Department, and govern the affairs of summoning clouds and dispensing rain."

"Your subjects accept the Imperial Decree!"

Having finished conferring the gods upon all the cultivators, Haotian put away the Investiture of the Gods.

Then he continued, "The conferment of the gods is complete. All gods under your command shall report to the Chancellor on your own.

The Chancellor, Candle Dragon, will submit the reports to Us for approval.

We expect you to work diligently and fulfill your duties wholeheartedly.

Otherwise, We will not show leniency!"

"Your subjects accept the command!"

Then Haotian shifted his tone and continued, "Next, We shall promulgate the Heavenly Rules!

The Heavenly Rules apply not only to the gods of the Heavenly Court but also to all cultivators of the Primordial World, who fall under the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Law.

Heavenly Rule Number One!

The establishment of the Heavenly Rules is to maintain the stable and orderly operation of the Primordial World.

If the Heavenly Rules become outdated or hinder the stability of the Primordial World, they shall be revised as appropriate.

Any cultivator or force that disrupts the Heavenly Rules is undermining the stability and order of the Primordial World.

Such cultivators and forces have already fallen into the demonic path and shall be eradicated with the force of thunder.

Heavenly Rule Number Two.

Immortals and mortals shall not intermarry!

Violators will have their cultivation abolished and be reincarnated to cultivate anew.

The promulgation of the Heavenly Rules is complete. Shortly, We will erect steles bearing the Heavenly Rules at the four Heavenly Gates.

We hope you will conduct yourselves accordingly!

Do not defy them!

Those who defy will surely be caught!"

"We reverently heed Your Majesty's admonition!"

Seeing that everything was settled, Haotian finally spoke, "All matters are concluded!

All departments shall enter the Heavenly Court in an orderly manner and begin to carry out their duties!"