Daoist Randeng was utterly stunned.
He stared blankly at the mysterious Daoist before him, who called himself "Shen Zhaochi," his mind buzzing.
Sending all of the Sect of Explanation's Twelve Golden Immortals onto the Investiture of the Gods!
What did that even mean?
They were Venerable Yuanshi's most treasured direct disciples, the foundation of the Sect of Explanation's future. Sending every one of them onto the list would be like digging up the Sect of Explanation's very roots.
Was this man insane? How could he dare say such a thing?
"You... who exactly are you?" Randeng's voice trembled. He couldn't even spare a thought for how the other man knew about the Investiture of the Gods. He only wanted to know what kind of divine being stood before him, one with such a brazen idea and the nerve to act on it.
"I already told you. I am Daoist Shen Zhaochi, Lord of the Primordial Godhood." Shen Zhaochi's voice was calm and even, as if he were talking about something trivial.
"Primordial Godhood... I've never heard of it." Randeng searched his memories. He knew the three thousand guests of the Purple Cloud Palace and all the famous powers of the Primordial Era, but none of them was called Shen Zhaochi.
It was as if this man had appeared out of thin air.
"It's only natural that you haven't heard of it." Shen Zhaochi smiled. "Before today, my Dao had yet to reveal itself in the Primordial Era."
Randeng's heart sank.
A Dao that had yet to reveal itself was mysterious and unknown. And the unknown often meant great danger.
He forced himself to calm down, his mind racing.
The other man's target was the Twelve Golden Immortals.
Was that bad for him?
No. It was wonderful news!
What was Randeng's position? Vice-leader of the Sect of Explanation! It sounded like a lofty title, but in truth, had Venerable Yuanshi ever truly thought highly of him? He was an outsider, a vice-leader in name only, a mere decoration.
The only ones Venerable Yuanshi truly regarded as confidants and heirs were those twelve disciples. Every one of them was arrogant, relying on their master's favor. They never gave him, the vice-leader, the respect he deserved. Whenever they met, they could barely bring themselves to call him "Teacher."
Why?
Randeng had also been a guest at the Purple Cloud Palace. In terms of seniority, he was on the same level as Venerable Yuanshi. In terms of cultivation, he was a Quasi-Saint, a whole realm above those twelve Grand Unity Golden Immortals.
Yet simply because of his origins, he had to endure such contempt?
The resentment and indignation he had bottled up for countless years seemed to find an outlet at last.
If... if all twelve Golden Immortals really did end up on the Investiture of the Gods, wouldn't he be the only one left capable of holding the Sect of Explanation together? By then, his position in the sect would be transformed completely.
No matter how much Venerable Yuanshi disliked him, he would have to rely on him.
The temptation was overwhelming.
It was enough to make him risk anything.
"Why are you doing this?" Randeng suppressed his excitement and asked gravely. "Do you have a grudge against the Sect of Explanation?"
"I wouldn't call it a grudge." Shen Zhaochi shook his head. "Our paths simply differ. The Sect of Explanation believes in following Heaven's will and acting in accordance with it. I believe that man can overcome Heaven. They want to use the Interception Sect's ten thousand immortals to fill the list. I think that's unfair, so I want to send a different group in their place. That's all."
"A different group? The Twelve Golden Immortals?" Randeng found the explanation far too casual. "This is no small matter. It's tantamount to declaring war on Venerable Yuanshi! What makes you think you can win? Do you truly understand the might of a Saint?"
"Of course I do." A hint of amusement entered Shen Zhaochi's voice. "I've heard 'all beneath the Saint are ants' countless times. But have you ever considered this: what if I can set in motion a force that even the Saints can't fully control?"
Randeng's pupils contracted. "What force?"
"For example... the power of the Calamity itself." Shen Zhaochi spoke slowly. "The Investiture of the Gods is the core of this Calamity. Control it, and you hold the Calamity by the throat. No matter how powerful a Saint is, he must still act beneath Heaven's will. Once the Calamity begins, even a Saint will be caught up in its karma. They aren't omnipotent."
Randeng's heart pounded.
Control the Investiture of the Gods?
How could that be possible? The Investiture of the Gods was a Heavenly Dao treasure bestowed by Dao Ancestor Hongjun, and Venerable Yuanshi held it. Who could take it from him?
And yet this mysterious Shen Zhaochi not only knew about the Investiture of the Gods, but also knew that Randeng's goal was to fill its allotted positions. What's more, the method he'd just used to dispel the poison had been so unfathomable that even Randeng, a Quasi-Saint, had never heard of it.
Could it be... that everything he said was true?
"You... have you taken control of the Investiture of the Gods?" Randeng's voice was dry as he asked the most important question.
"I can't say I have complete control, but at the very least, I can add a few names to it—or erase a few." Shen Zhaochi gave an answer that left things deliberately vague.
He wanted Randeng to guess, to let his imagination run wild.
An utterly unknown and powerful being inspired more awe than an enemy whose strengths and weaknesses were familiar.
Randeng fell silent.
He weighed his options, gambling on what to do.
On one side, he could keep swallowing his anger in the Sect of Explanation, remain a vice-leader in name only, and watch the Twelve Golden Immortals throw their weight around. Then, when the Calamity began, Venerable Yuanshi might even send him out as a sacrificial pawn.
On the other side was an alliance with a mysterious and unfathomable powerhouse, to carry out an earthshaking plan. If they succeeded, he would become the Sect of Explanation's sole pillar, with boundless prospects. If they failed... the consequences might be dire, but that was still better than living in such humiliation.
Besides, someone had just set him up. He had been poisoned and nearly lost his life. He hadn't settled that score yet! He was almost certain Sect Master Tongtian had been behind it, but now that he thought about it, Venerable Yuanshi might have tacitly approved. Perhaps, in Venerable Yuanshi's eyes, Randeng's death in the Calamity would simply have been fate.
At that thought, the last trace of hesitation vanished from Randeng's heart.
"Fine!" A glint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes. "I agree. Tell me, what do you need me to do?"
"It's simple." Shen Zhaochi smiled with satisfaction. "You'll remain the vice-leader of the Sect of Explanation. At a crucial moment, all you need to do is 'casually' point your nephews toward a 'clear path' to the Investiture of the Gods."
"For example, encourage them to leave the mountain and provoke people they can't afford to offend."
Randeng understood at once.
He was to become a spy, stabbing them in the back.
That was something he was good at.
"I understand." Randeng nodded. "But I have one more question. What do you get out of helping me? What is your real goal?"
He didn't believe Shen Zhaochi was doing this just for the sake of "fairness."
"My goal?" Shen Zhaochi smiled. "My goal is to spread my Dao. The divine positions on the Investiture of the Gods are going to be filled regardless. Rather than let those hypocrites from the Sect of Explanation claim them, I'd rather replace them with people who are more 'obedient.' In time, they'll all become part of my Divine Dao and spread my faith."
"As for you," Shen Zhaochi continued, looking at Randeng, "you're a clever man, and an ambitious one. Help me put the Twelve Golden Immortals on the list, and the Sect of Explanation will be weakened. You'll naturally become Venerable Yuanshi's only choice. In the future, perhaps I can help you break away from the Sect of Explanation and establish your own sect. I might even... give you a chance to attain the Dao."
Attain the Dao!
Those words exploded in Randeng's mind like a thunderclap.
How many years had he been stuck at the Quasi-Saint level? He had dreamed of advancing further, of becoming an immortal Saint. But he knew it was almost impossible. The number of Saint positions beneath Heaven's will was fixed, and they had long since been filled.
Yet this man was saying he could give him a chance to attain the Dao?
Was he boasting, or did he truly possess such heaven-defying means?
Randeng didn't dare to imagine it, but the wild hope in his heart had already been kindled.
"How do I contact you?" Randeng drew a deep breath. He had made his decision.
Shen Zhaochi flicked a finger, and a purple-gold talisman flew toward Randeng.
"This is the Primordial Divine Talisman. After you bind it with your blood, you can use it to contact me at any time. If you need my help, activate it. Of course, it will also let me know what you're doing at any time."
That last sentence was both a warning and a reminder to stay in line.
Randeng's heart tightened. He took the talisman and, without hesitation, forced out a drop of his essence blood and let it fall onto it.
The talisman instantly turned into a streak of light and sank into his brow. A vast torrent of information flooded his mind, deepening his awe of the "Primordial God Lord."
"Good." Shen Zhaochi nodded with satisfaction. "The deal is done. Now you can start thinking about which 'nephew' to send on his way first."
"I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave."
With that, Shen Zhaochi's Divine Power Incarnation dispersed like a wisp of smoke, vanishing from the cave without leaving a trace.
Only Randeng remained in the cave.
He felt the unprecedented vitality in his body and the faint pressure of the divine talisman between his brows. His expression shifted as he contemplated what lay ahead.
After a long while, a fierce and excited smile crept across his face.
"The Sect of Explanation... Yuanshi... the Twelve Golden Immortals..."
"Your good days are over!"
He stood, straightened his Daoist robes, and regained the air of an accomplished master. Then he strode out of Yuanjue Cave.
He was going back to Kunlun Mountain.
He had already chosen his first target.
Guangchengzi!
Venerable Yuanshi's most favored disciple, and the most arrogant and overbearing of them all!
You'll be the first. Offer up everything you have for the future of your teacher, Randeng!
Before you continue