Purple Cloud Palace Discusses the Investiture of the Gods

Haotian had always been preoccupied with the idea of asking Dao Ancestor for some personnel to bolster the Heavenly Court's strength.

After all, in this vast Primordial World, five sects stood side by side. The Human Sect had sent a portion of the human race to assist, but the other four sects turned a deaf ear to his requests.

Now, even though he was on the verge of attaining sainthood through enlightenment, Haotian felt that as long as the right opportunity arose, he should bring this matter up again.

Just as he was about to speak, unexpectedly, Dao Ancestor Hongjun spoke first: "Haotian, I am well aware of your thoughts. I will handle this matter properly."

Hearing this, Haotian was momentarily stunned, then a look of barely concealed delight spread across his face. He quickly bowed in thanks: "Thank you, Teacher! In that case, this child will take his leave and return to the Heavenly Court to await your instructions."

With that, Haotian turned and departed, his steps noticeably lighter than when he had arrived.

Haotian returned to the Lingxiao Palace in the Heavenly Court with a joyful expression, his steps light and cheerful, a surge of irrepressible delight churning in his heart.

He knew full well that this opportunity to attain enlightenment meant he was about to embark on a brand-new path of cultivation, with the potential to achieve the supreme saintly position.

Yaochi, who had been keeping an eye on Haotian, keenly sensed his unusual happiness today and asked curiously, "Senior Brother, what exactly has made you so happy?" Her gaze was filled with curiosity and anticipation.

Seeing that the question came from Yaochi, who was on the same side as him, Haotian unhesitatingly told her the truth about Dao Ancestor Hongjun bestowing the Primordial Violet Qi.

When Yaochi heard this news, her heart couldn't help but tremble slightly.

She thought to herself: "Why did the Great Master bestow this precious Primordial Violet Qi on Haotian? Why not keep it for me? This is far too biased!"

But in the next moment, she reconsidered: "After all, Haotian's cultivation is far above mine, and as the Heavenly Emperor of the Primordial World, he rules over all realms. If he can use this opportunity to become a Saint, it will also greatly benefit me. Perhaps the gains will be even greater than if I became a Saint myself."

With this thought, Yaochi quickly composed her scattered emotions and smiled: "Congratulations, Senior Brother, on obtaining this opportunity. I believe you will surely succeed in comprehending the Primordial Violet Qi with your own strength and attain sainthood soon."

Haotian clasped his hands and replied with a smile, "Thank you for your kind words, Junior Sister. However, for the time being, I need to go into seclusion to focus on comprehending this Primordial Violet Qi. I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you to take care of the many affairs of the Heavenly Court." With that, he turned and headed toward his seclusion chamber.

"Alright, Senior Brother, rest assured and go cultivate. The Heavenly Court is in my hands." After Haotian turned and left, Yaochi stood there.

She thought to herself: "Now that Senior Brother Haotian has become a Saint, the Heavenly Court can finally truly establish a firm foothold in this boundless Primordial World."

"Thinking back to the beginning, although the human race sent a large number of cultivators to serve the Heavenly Court, most of them were weak in strength at the time. Even now, the vast majority of them are only at the Heavenly Immortal and True Immortal realms."

"For a force as grand as the Heavenly Court today, these powers are far too insignificant, utterly insufficient to support the Heavenly Court's glory and prosperity."

Meanwhile, on the towering Shouyang Mountain, ever since Empress Nuwa took up residence in the Human Dao Hall, the once bustling Shouyang Palace had gradually grown desolate, leaving only solitude behind.

Only a Golden Phoenix occasionally came to clean, maintaining the palace's basic tidiness.

Inside the Human Dao Hall, Empress Nuwa, in her spare time, would teach the great principles of the Dao to her disciples.

Bei Xuan, Cangjie, Shaoyao, Golden Phoenix, Kong Xuan, Dapeng, and Lingzhuzi all listened intently to Empress Nuwa's teachings, their expressions focused and devout.

However, among these attentive disciples, Su Mu was an exception.

He could never calm his mind to listen to Empress Nuwa's lectures; his heart had already flown beyond the nine heavens, lost in thought about some important matter.

Empress Nuwa quickly noticed Su Mu's distraction, but she chose not to interrupt him immediately, wanting to hear what he was thinking about.

So, Empress Nuwa continued to expound on the Dao with a composed demeanor while secretly observing Su Mu's every move.

[The next tribulation is about to come, and it is none other than the famous Investiture of the Gods Tribulation! The matter of the Investiture is not just the Heavenly Dao targeting the Jie Sect alone; there is a deeper purpose hidden behind it—suppressing the human race.]

At that moment, Empress Nuwa, who had been silent, suddenly felt a stir in her heart. She had once again caught Su Mu's thoughts.

This filled her with immense joy, because every time she heard Su Mu's inner voice, it meant she could learn in advance about some major future events.

[Now that the Human Dao has been established, the situation has become complicated. Logically speaking, Martial King Zhou would find it difficult to continue calling himself a subject of Heaven.]

[However, despite this, the Heavenly Dao's intention remains clear: to find ways to weaken the powerful strength of the Human Dao.]

[If one could ascend the Investiture of the Gods Scroll through Physical Body Ascension rather than True Spirit Ascension, they might avoid the various restrictions of the scroll. After all, True Spirit Ascension is like being trapped in a cage, bound in every way;]

[Physical Body Ascension, on the other hand, is different. It does not deprive one of freedom, nor does it suffer the many constraints of the Investiture of the Gods Scroll.]

"I see." When Nuwa heard Su Mu's thoughts, a look of realization appeared on her beautiful face. She now had a general understanding of this tribulation.

"This Investiture of the Gods Scroll must be an object used to bind cultivators, forcing them to obey commands." Nuwa murmured softly, her beautiful eyes narrowing slightly as if pondering the deeper meaning and implications.

Just then, as Nuwa was lost in thought, a mysterious and majestic voice transmission suddenly rang in her ears: "Nuwa, come to the Purple Cloud Palace at once."

This sudden transmission startled Nuwa. A look of surprise crossed her face as she muttered to herself, "Hmm? Why would Dao Ancestor Hongjun summon me at this moment?" For a moment, her heart was filled with doubt and confusion.

At the same time, Nuwa, who had been eloquently expounding on the great principles of the Dao, suddenly stopped. The entire Training Ground fell into complete silence.

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Everyone present slowly awoke from the intoxicating Dao Sound, looking toward Nuwa with bewildered expressions, wondering why the lecture had come to an abrupt halt.

Although Su Mu could not hear Dao Ancestor Hongjun's transmission, he saw Nuwa's unusual expression and was also full of suspicion.

So, he quickly stepped forward and asked, "Teacher, what's wrong? Has something happened?"

Nuwa turned to look at Su Mu and said slowly, "Dao Ancestor Hongjun has sent me a message, asking me to go to the Purple Cloud Palace." With that, her gaze grew thoughtful as she stared into the distance.

Hearing this, a flash of insight struck Su Mu, and he thought to himself: [Could it be that the Dao Ancestor has summoned Empress Nuwa to have the Saints sign the Investiture of the Gods Scroll together?]

"Sign the Investiture of the Gods Scroll? No matter. Since Su Mu knows about Physical Body Ascension, he must surely understand the method." Nuwa pondered inwardly.

On her exquisite face, her delicate brows furrowed slightly, as if she were contemplating the hidden mysteries behind this.

"All of you, cultivate diligently and do not waste your time. I must make a trip to the Purple Cloud Palace to find out what Dao Ancestor Hongjun intends."

With that, Nuwa lightly tapped her jade foot, and her figure vanished like a wisp of smoke from the Human Dao Hall.

When she reappeared, Nuwa had already arrived before the majestic gates of the Purple Cloud Palace.

Looking up, he saw the Three Pure Ones, Jieyin, and Zhunti—the Five Sages—standing silently in place.

Seeing Empress Nuwa arrive, they all cupped their hands in salute and said in unison, "Greetings, Empress Nuwa!"

Empress Nuwa felt a moment of surprise, thinking to herself, "These five sages are actually here to welcome me today? That's quite unexpected!"

In truth, the Five Sages were deeply reluctant to act this way. But ever since Haotian and Yaochi left the Purple Cloud Palace, there had been no attendant youths to serve within. And now, Nuwa had become the Human Dao Spokesperson, her status vastly different from before. Thus, Dao Ancestor Hongjun had specifically ordered the Five Sages to greet Empress Nuwa at the gates of the Purple Cloud Palace.

"Mhm." Empress Nuwa parted her vermilion lips, letting out a soft response, then moved with graceful steps, her figure elegant as she followed the Five Sages into the mysterious and solemn Purple Cloud Palace.

As soon as they entered the Purple Cloud Palace, the Five Sages hurriedly bowed to Dao Ancestor Hongjun, who sat above, and called out in unison, "Greetings, Teacher!"

Dao Ancestor Hongjun nodded slightly in acknowledgment, then casually waved his sleeve. A flash of light passed, and beside him, a soft, comfortable cushion radiating faint Spiritual Energy appeared instantly.

"Fellow Daoist Nuwa, please sit." Dao Ancestor Hongjun spoke with a gentle smile and a calm tone.

It must be noted that Nuwa had long severed her master-disciple bond with Dao Ancestor Hongjun. Yet now, her cultivation realm had reached parity with his, so even Dao Ancestor Hongjun had to show her sufficient respect and courtesy at this moment.

Though deeply displeased that Nuwa received such treatment, the Five Sages knew this was not the time to show their feelings. They could only suppress their resentment and stand respectfully to the side, not daring to breathe too loudly.

At this point, Taiqing Laozi stepped forward and asked with utmost deference, "Teacher, why have you summoned us today?" His gaze, full of doubt and anticipation, fixed intently on Dao Ancestor Hongjun.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun's expression turned grave as he spoke slowly, "It is because the Heavenly Court lacks powerful figures to hold it steady. Previously, when Guangchengzi and others assisted the Human Sovereign, they carelessly committed a slaughter tribulation, thus triggering this massive calamity."

As his words fell, the atmosphere within the Purple Cloud Palace grew tense, as if a world-shaking storm was about to break.

"What? Another tribulation?" Zhunti, unable to contain his shock, was the first to blurt out.

Taiqing Laozi turned his head slightly, casting a faint, disdainful glance at Zhunti, a trace of barely concealed displeasure in his eyes.

He thought to himself, "Hmph! As a dignified Saint, to be so afraid of a tribulation—what's there to make such a fuss about? Besides, Nuwa has already become the Human Dao Spokesperson, aligning herself with the Human Dao. And as the foremost disciple of the Daoist Religion, if anyone should speak, it should be me first. I haven't even said a word, yet you jump out so eagerly." At this thought, Taiqing Laozi's expression darkened further.

Just then, Hongjun, who had remained silent, spoke slowly, "The Heavenly Dao reveals that the Heavenly Court must have three hundred and sixty-five Orthodox Gods. Hence, the Heavenly Dao has manifested the Investiture of the Gods Scroll. All who are caught in this tribulation will have their true spirits listed on the scroll and be bound by the Investiture of the Gods Scroll and the God-Beating Whip. Thus, this tribulation is called the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation."

As his words ended, everyone present wore solemn expressions, continuing to listen respectfully.

After a brief pause, Hongjun continued, "This tribulation is no small matter; it requires the joint efforts of the Five Sects to resolve. Therefore, the Five Sects must sign the Investiture of the Gods Scroll together."

With that, he lightly waved his sleeve, and a scroll radiating mysterious light appeared before the Five Sages.

Zhunti stared gravely at the Investiture of the Gods Scroll before him, its mysterious glow filling his face with bitterness and helplessness.

He spoke slowly, "Our Western Sect is truly in dire straits! The Western lands are barren, resources scarce, and even the disciples under my seat are pitifully few. Therefore, as for the names on this scroll, let the rest of you sign them."

"My Junior Disciple Brother speaks truly—our Western Sect cannot afford such losses." With that, Jieyin extended both hands and pushed the Investiture of the Gods Scroll forcefully toward Taiqing Laozi.

Taiqing Laozi calmly watched the scroll pushed toward him, his expression still as placid as water.

He knew well that he had only one prized disciple, Xuandu, who bore the heavy responsibility of carrying on the orthodox lineage of the Daoist Religion, so there was no need for concern.

Thus, he gently shook his head and replied firmly, "Our Daoist Religion passes down a single lineage; only Xuandu remains to inherit the Dao. Hence, I cannot sign this scroll."

With that, Taiqing Laozi unhurriedly pushed the Investiture of the Gods Scroll lightly to the side.