"The Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods is approaching. All races across the Myriad Realms may enter the Investiture of the Gods and ascend to divine status."
"Any of my Interception Sect disciples who are interested may give it a try."
On Golden Ao Island, inside Jade Purity Palace.
Sect Master Tongtian was personally giving a lecture.
The topic was related to the Investiture of the Gods.
Beneath the high platform, tens of thousands of immortals had gathered.
Every face was solemn, as though they feared missing even the slightest bit of information.
However,
one person always looked utterly bored.
He sat cross-legged on a Cattail Hassock, hunched over with his chin in his hand.
In just this short while, he had yawned seventeen or eighteen times.
He looked ready to fall asleep at any moment.
"A thousand years have passed, and the Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods is still coming!"
"My good days are over!"
Lin Chuan sighed, no longer paying the slightest attention to the lecture.
As a transmigrator, Lin Chuan was like most others who had crossed over.
He'd gotten a system along with his transmigration.
It was just that his system was rather simple.
He could earn generous rewards just by taking it easy.
Even simpler than a login bonus.
He spent every day living a carefree life.
Growing flowers and plants, roaming the mountains and rivers.
His cultivation still climbed by leaps and bounds.
Magic treasures, elixirs—
he'd never lacked any of them.
It was just that, as an Outer Sect Disciple of the Interception Sect, he had to worry constantly about the coming Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods.
Whenever he thought of the Interception Sect's tens of thousands of immortals dying, fleeing, or scattering during the tribulation,
Lin Chuan felt even less like cultivating.
If he was doomed either way, he might as well lie low and forget about it!
[Ding! The host slacks off while Sect Master Tongtian gives a lecture.] [Reward obtained: Ginseng Fruit ×10]
As the system's reward notification rang in his mind,
Lin Chuan remained unmoved.
He was an expert at slacking off.
Besides, Sect Master Tongtian was talking about nothing but the Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods.
There wasn't a bit of useful information in it.
After all, across the entire Primordial World, no one understood the Investiture of the Gods better than Lin Chuan.
"The Investiture of the Gods is approaching."
"Duobao, as the chief disciple, you must cultivate diligently and regularly keep the disciples in line."
"Don't bring shame upon me."
Sect Master Tongtian reprimanded him sternly.
"Understood!"
A kind-looking, middle-aged man in a long robe cupped his hands in reply.
He was Daoist Duobao.
The Interception Sect's chief disciple.
Sect Master Tongtian's beloved pupil.
[*Sigh. Tongtian trusts you so much, and you'll still betray the Interception Sect one day.]
[*Sure, Laozi forced you into it, and the Interception Sect was already little more than a name by then.]
[But betrayal is betrayal. It still doesn't look good!]
Lin Chuan shook his head slightly and muttered to himself.
Hm?!
Tongtian, who had been speaking, suddenly froze!
Who was that?!
Who had spoken?!
From the high platform, Sect Master Tongtian's sharp eyes swept across the gathered immortals.
He had clearly heard someone speaking.
And the voice had actually reached his ears directly, bold as brass.
Outrageous!
Unfortunately, even after searching all around, he couldn't find the slightest trace of the speaker.
Tongtian couldn't help wondering whether something was wrong with his ears.
No, that couldn't be right!
The voice had clearly said Daoist Duobao would betray the Interception Sect in the future.
And that the Interception Sect would be reduced to little more than a name.
Could one of the Interception Sect's disciples really be able to foretell the future?!
But peering into the Heavenly Secrets was a Saint's ability.
Even he, Sect Master Tongtian, couldn't see things in such detail.
How had that person managed it?
"Master?"
"Has something happened?"
Daoist Duobao looked at Sect Master Tongtian with concern.
Just now,
after Sect Master Tongtian had finished reprimanding him, his expression had suddenly changed.
It had given Daoist Duobao quite a fright.
It was the first time he'd ever seen his master lose his composure like that.
Something momentous must have happened!
"It's nothing."
Sect Master Tongtian waved a hand.
How could Duobao understand something even he couldn't figure out?
And the voice hadn't appeared again.
Perhaps there really was something wrong with his ears.
"One more thing."
"Today, Immortal Chang'er Dingguang has advanced to Grand Unity Golden Immortal. This is the fruit of his diligent cultivation."
"Therefore, I'll entrust him with the Six Souls Banner as encouragement!"
"Let him be an example to all of you. Cultivate diligently, and don't slack off!"
Sect Master Tongtian cheerfully summoned the Six Souls Banner and presented it to Immortal Chang'er Dingguang before everyone.
At the sight of this, the gathered immortals erupted in an uproar.
Countless envious, jealous, and resentful gazes turned toward him.
Immortal Chang'er Dingguang grinned from ear to ear, trembling with excitement.
[*What a fool! It was precisely because Immortal Chang'er Dingguang controlled the Six Souls Banner that the Myriad Immortals Array failed.]
[This traitor still gets entrusted with important responsibilities. Can't a Saint even tell good from bad? He should get his eyes checked!]
The hand Sect Master Tongtian had extended suddenly froze.
"Enough!"
"Who on earth is speaking?!"
Tongtian's cold eyes swept angrily over the gathered immortals as he wondered in shock.
It was clear that he was truly angry.
Someone dared to spout nonsense right in front of him. What unbelievable gall!
If he caught the culprit, he would make sure they were reduced to ashes!
Sect Master Tongtian's blazing eyes swept across the gathered immortals.
The sight made them all shudder.
Immortal Chang'er Dingguang, who had been about to accept the Six Souls Banner, trembled.
He hadn't done anything!
Why was his master angry?
Maybe he should just refuse the Six Souls Banner. Would that be all right?
"M-Master, I don't know what I did to anger you."
"Please calm down, Master!"
Immortal Chang'er Dingguang dropped to his knees with a thud and kowtowed three times to show his respect.
"This has nothing to do with you!"
Sect Master Tongtian impatiently waved him away.
But when he looked at Immortal Chang'er Dingguang, the voice he'd just heard rang through his mind again.
Immortal Chang'er Dingguang would betray the Interception Sect too?
And cause the Myriad Immortals Array to fail?
If that were true, wouldn't giving Immortal Chang'er Dingguang the Six Souls Banner be sowing the seeds of disaster?
The Interception Sect's very survival was at stake.
Better to believe the warning than dismiss it!
"I've thought it over. The Six Souls Banner is one of the three great innate treasures of misfortune."
"Your cultivation is still shallow. You might suffer its backlash, and it won't benefit your cultivation anyway."
"Another day, I'll find you a better magic treasure and give it to you!"
Sect Master Tongtian casually made an excuse, then took back the Six Souls Banner.
He'd lost quite a bit of face, but this concerned the Interception Sect. He couldn't afford to be careless.
Immortal Chang'er Dingguang wouldn't dare say a word against it.
The way Sect Master Tongtian had looked when he got angry was still fresh in his mind.
He was lucky to keep his life. How could he still hope for a reward?
"Master is absolutely right. I'll obey!"
Immortal Chang'er Dingguang cupped his hands and hurriedly withdrew.
Though the matter had been brushed aside,
Sect Master Tongtian could no longer focus on his lecture.
He no longer doubted that there was something wrong with his ears.
On the contrary, he was certain of it.
Among the gathered immortals, there was someone who could communicate with him through their thoughts.
And that disciple definitely didn't know Tongtian had heard his thoughts.
That made finding the person much easier.
"Since you think the Interception Sect is doomed sooner or later, you must be eager to leave."
"Then I'll keep you here and see what you choose!"
Sect Master Tongtian sneered to himself.
Then he cleared his throat and announced loudly:
"Today, I've decided to choose an Outer Sect Disciple for promotion to the Inner Sect."
"Anyone interested, step forward. I'll decide based on your circumstances!"
His words caused an uproar among the gathered immortals.
There were countless Outer Sect Disciples. Who wouldn't want to enter the Inner Sect?
Not to mention powerful Outer Sect Disciples like Zhao Gongming and Sanxiao,
even the likes of the Ten Ultimate Array Masters and the Fire Dragon Island Master were eager to join the Inner Sect.
At that moment,
all the Inner Sect Disciples rose from their Cattail Hassocks and followed Sect Master Tongtian's command.
They took a big step forward.
Only one person stayed hidden in the crowd.
He sat lazily on his Cattail Hassock.
[*Join the Inner Sect? I'd have to be out of my mind.]
[*The Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods is here. The Interception Sect is finished. I might as well wait to die!]
[I'd better hurry up and run away!]
Someone's thoughts rang out once more.
You little punk, so it was you!
Tongtian's sharp eyes immediately locked onto Lin Chuan.
Everyone else was standing, and you were the only one sitting.
Did you think I couldn't see you?
Trying to sneak away?
Not a chance.
"Duobao!"
"Drag that punk sitting on the Cattail Hassock over here!"
"I hereby announce that this person is officially joining the Inner Sect as an Inner Sect Disciple!"
Before you continue