The Crocodilian Ancestor Emerges, the God Temple is Established!

Daoist Randeng was completely stunned.

He stared blankly at the mysterious Daoist who called himself "Shen Zhaochi," his mind buzzing.

To send all twelve Golden Immortals of the Heavenly Origin Sect onto the Investiture of the Gods!

What kind of concept was that?

Those were Venerable Yuanshi's twelve most treasured personal disciples, the future foundation of the Heavenly Origin Sect. Sending them all onto the list was equivalent to directly severing the Heavenly Origin Sect's lifeline.

Was this person insane? How dare he say such a thing?

"You... who exactly are you?" Daoist Randeng's voice trembled slightly. He didn't even bother to consider how the other party knew about the Investiture of the Gods. He just wanted to know who this guy in front of him was, to possess such a crazy idea and the audacity to match.

"I already said, this humble Daoist is Shen Zhaochi, the Lord of Primordial Godhood." Shen Zhaochi's voice was calm and even, as if discussing a trivial matter.

"Primordial Godhood... this humble Daoist has never heard of it." Daoist Randeng tried to search his memory. He knew all the prominent figures among the three thousand guests of Purple Heaven Palace and those famous in the Primordial Era, but there was definitely no one named Shen Zhaochi.

It was as if this person had appeared out of thin air.

"It's normal that you haven't heard of it," Shen Zhaochi chuckled. "Because before today, my Dao had not yet revealed itself in the Primordial Era."

Daoist Randeng's heart sank.

Not revealed meant mystery, meant the unknown. And the unknown often represented immense danger.

He forced himself to calm down, his mind racing.

The other party's goal was the Twelve Golden Immortals.

Was this a bad thing for him?

No, this was a tremendous stroke of good fortune!

What was his status? The Deputy Sect Master of the Heavenly Origin Sect! It sounded high-ranking and powerful, but in reality? Had Venerable Yuanshi ever truly valued him? He, the Deputy Sect Master, was merely an outsider, a mere decoration.

The ones truly considered confidants and inheritors by Venerable Yuanshi were those twelve disciples. Each of them was arrogant, relying on their Master's favor, and had never put him, the Deputy Sect Master, in their eyes. When they met, they would reluctantly utter "Master."

Why?

He, Daoist Randeng, was also a guest of Purple Heaven Palace. In terms of seniority, he was in the same generation as Venerable Yuanshi. In terms of cultivation, he was a Quasi-Saint, a whole major realm higher than those twelve Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals.

But just because of his background, he was treated with such disdain?

The resentment and unwillingness that had been accumulating in his heart for countless years seemed to have found an outlet at this moment.

If... if the Twelve Golden Immortals truly all ended up on the Investiture of the Gods, wouldn't he, Daoist Randeng, be the only one left to hold things together in the Heavenly Origin Sect? At that time, Daoist Randeng's position in the Heavenly Origin Sect would undergo a seismic shift.

No matter how much Venerable Yuanshi disliked him, he would have to rely on him.

This temptation was too great.

So great that he was willing to take any risk.

"Why are you doing this?" Daoist Randeng suppressed his excitement and asked in a deep voice, "Do you have a grudge against the Heavenly Origin Sect?"

"It's not hatred," Shen Zhaochi shook his head. "It's just different paths. The Heavenly Origin Sect emphasizes following heaven and appeasing people, while I emphasize man conquering heaven. They wanted to fill the list with the ten thousand immortals of the Intercepting Sect, and I felt it was unfair. I want to replace them with a different group, that's all."

"Replace them? With the Twelve Golden Immortals?" Daoist Randeng felt the reason was too understated. "This is no small matter; it's equivalent 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 understand," Shen Zhaochi's tone carried a hint of amusement. "Below Saints, all are ants; I've heard this phrase countless times. But Fellow Daoist, have you ever considered what if I can leverage a power that even Saints cannot fully control?"

Daoist Randeng's pupils contracted: "What power?"

"For example... the power of the Calamity itself," Shen Zhaochi said slowly. "The Investiture of the Gods is the core of this Calamity. Whoever can control it effectively controls the throat of the Calamity. No matter how strong a Saint is, they must act under the Heavenly Dao. Once the Calamity begins, even Saints will become entangled in karma and are not omnipotent."

Daoist Randeng's heart pounded wildly.

Control the Investiture of the Gods?

How was that possible! The Investiture of the Gods was a Heavenly Dao treasure bestowed by Dao Ancestor Hongjun, held by Venerable Yuanshi. Who could snatch it from his hands?

However, this mysterious Shen Zhaochi not only knew about the Investiture of the Gods but also knew his goal was to fill the list. Moreover, the method he used to detoxify him just now was incredibly divine and mysterious, something even a Quasi-Saint like himself had never heard of.

Could it be... that everything he said was true?

"You... you control the Investiture of the Gods?" Daoist Randeng's voice was dry as he asked the most crucial question.

"I can't say I completely control it, but at least, I have the ability to add a few names to it, or erase a few names," Shen Zhaochi spoke ambiguously.

He wanted Daoist Randeng to guess, to fill in the blanks himself.

An utterly unknown and powerful being was more awe-inspiring than a known enemy.

Daoist Randeng fell silent.

He was weighing, gambling.

On one side, he could continue to swallow his pride in the Heavenly Origin Sect, serving as a nominal Deputy Sect Master, watching the Twelve Golden Immortals flaunt their power before him. Perhaps when the Calamity began, he would even be pushed out as cannon fodder by Venerable Yuanshi.

On the other side, he could cooperate with a mysterious and powerful individual to accomplish something earth-shattering. If successful, he would become the sole pillar of the Heavenly Origin Sect, with boundless prospects. If he failed... the consequences might be dire, but it would still be better than living in such repressed circumstances.

What's more, he had just been schemed against, poisoned, and nearly died. He hadn't settled that score yet! He was almost certain it was Sect Master Tongtian who did it, but thinking about it now, it was not impossible that Venerable Yuanshi had tacitly agreed. Perhaps in Venerable Yuanshi's eyes, it would be fitting if his Deputy Sect Master died during the Calamity.

With this thought, Daoist Randeng's last shred of hesitation vanished.

"Good!" A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes. "I agree! Tell me, what do you need me to do?"

"It's very simple," Shen Zhaochi said with a satisfied smile. "You are still the Vice Sect Master of the Heavenly Origin Sect. All you need to do is 'inadvertently' guide your junior nephews towards the Investiture of the Gods at a crucial moment."

"For example, instigate them to go down the mountain and provoke people they can't afford to offend."

Randeng immediately understood.

This was asking him to be a traitor and stab them in the back.

He was good at this.

"I understand," Randeng nodded. "However, I have one more question. What's in it for you to help me? What is your true objective?"

He didn't believe Shen Zhaochi was truly just after "fairness."

"My objective?" Shen Zhaochi laughed. "My objective is to spread my 'Dao.' The divine positions on the Investiture of the Gods are empty anyway. Rather than letting those hypocrites from the Heavenly Origin Sect take them, it's better to have people who are more 'obedient.' In the future, they will all become part of my Godhood, spreading faith for me."

"As for you," Shen Zhaochi looked at Randeng, "you are a smart person, and you are ambitious. If you help me send the Twelve Golden Immortals onto the list, the Heavenly Origin Sect will weaken, and you will naturally become Venerable Yuanshi's only choice. In the future, perhaps I can help you break away from the Heavenly Origin Sect, establish your own sect, or even... give you a chance to attain Dao."

Attain Dao!

These two words exploded in Randeng's mind like a thunderclap.

How many years had he been stuck at the Quasi-Saint realm? He dreamed of taking another step forward and becoming that immortal and indestructible Saint. But he knew it was almost impossible. Under the Heavenly Dao, the number of Saint positions was fixed, and they were already full.

But this person before him actually said he could give him a chance to attain Dao?

Was he bragging, or did he truly possess such incredible means?

Randeng dared not think about it, but the fire in his heart had been thoroughly ignited.

"How should I contact you?" Randeng took a deep breath, having made his decision.

Shen Zhaochi flicked his finger, and a purple-gold talisman flew before Randeng.

"This is the Primordial Divine Talisman. After you drip your blood to acknowledge it as your master, you can use it to communicate with me anytime. If you need my help, just activate it. Of course, it will also allow me to know what you are doing at all times."

The last sentence was both a warning and a reminder.

Randeng's heart tightened. He took the talisman and, without hesitation, forced out a drop of his vital blood and dripped it onto it.

The talisman instantly turned into a stream of light and merged into his brow. A vast and powerful stream of information flooded his mind, deepening his reverence for this "Primordial God Lord."

"Very good," Shen Zhaochi nodded with satisfaction. "The deal is made. Now, you can start considering which 'junior nephew' to send on their way first."

"I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now."

With that, Shen Zhaochi's Divine Power Incarnation dissipated into thin air like wisps of smoke in the cave dwelling, leaving no trace behind.

Only Randeng remained in the cave dwelling.

He felt an unprecedented vitality within him, as well as the subtle pressure emanating from the divine talisman on his brow, his eyes shifting uncertainly.

After a long while, a ferocious yet excited smile appeared on his face.

"Heavenly Origin Sect... Yuanshi... Twelve Golden Immortals..."

"Your good days are over!"

He stood up, tidied his Daoist robe, and resumed his usual appearance of a wise and accomplished cultivator. He strode out of the Yuanjue Cave.

He was returning to Kunlun Mountain.

He had already decided on his first target.

Guangchengzi!

That eldest disciple, most favored by Venerable Yuanshi, and also the most arrogant and overbearing!

It will start with you, offering your all for your teacher Randeng's future!