Haotian had long been thinking about asking Dao Ancestor Hongjun for some people to bolster the Heavenly Court's forces.
After all, in the vast Primordial World, the Five Sects stood side by side. The Human Sect had sent some members of the Human Race to help him, but the other four sects had ignored his request.
Now, although he was about to attain sainthood, Haotian felt he should bring the matter up again if a suitable opportunity arose.
Just as he was about to speak, Dao Ancestor Hongjun spoke first. "Haotian, I understand what you have in mind. I'll make the proper arrangements."
Haotian was startled at first. Then, unable to hide his delight, he hurriedly bowed and said, "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 left, overjoyed. His steps were much lighter than when he had arrived.
Haotian returned to Lingxiao Palace in high spirits. His steps were light and cheerful, and his heart brimmed with joy he could barely contain.
He knew full well that this chance to attain sainthood meant he was about to embark on an entirely new path of cultivation, one that might lead him to the supreme position of a Saint.
Yaochi, who had been keeping a close eye on Haotian, keenly noticed his unusually cheerful mood. Curiously, she asked, "Senior Brother, what's made you so happy today?" Her gaze was full of curiosity and anticipation.
Seeing that the one asking was Yaochi, his ally, Haotian told her without hesitation that Dao Ancestor Hongjun had bestowed the Primordial Violet Qi upon him.
When Yaochi heard the news, her heart gave a slight shudder.
Why did the Great Master give that priceless Primordial Violet Qi to Haotian? Why didn't he save it for me? That's far too biased!
But a moment later, she reconsidered. After all, Haotian's cultivation is far superior to mine, and he's the Heavenly Emperor of the Primordial World, ruling over all the heavens and myriad realms. If he can use this opportunity to become a Saint, it will benefit me greatly. Perhaps I'll gain even more than I would if I became a Saint myself.
After thinking it over, Yaochi quickly put her jumbled feelings aside and smiled. "Congratulations, Senior Brother, on receiving such an opportunity. I'm sure you'll be able to comprehend the Primordial Violet Qi through your own efforts and attain sainthood soon."
Haotian clasped his hands together and replied with a smile, "Thank you for your kind words, Junior Sister. I'll need to go into seclusion for a while and 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 for his secluded chamber.
"All right, Senior Brother. Go ahead and focus on your cultivation. I'll take care of the Heavenly Court." After Haotian left, Yaochi remained where she was.
Now that Senior Brother Haotian has become a Saint, the Heavenly Court can finally gain a firm foothold in the boundless Primordial World.
Back then, although the Human Race sent a great many cultivators to serve in the Heavenly Court, most of them were weak. Even now, the vast majority have reached only the Heavenly Immortal or True Immortal realms.
For a force as mighty as the Heavenly Court, these numbers and abilities are far too insignificant to support its glory and prosperity.
Meanwhile, on towering Shouyang Mountain, ever since Empress Nuwa had moved into the Human Dao Hall, Shouyang Palace, once bustling with activity, had gradually fallen quiet, leaving only a sense of desolation.
Only a Golden Phoenix occasionally came to clean the palace and keep it in decent order.
In the Human Dao Hall, Empress Nuwa would teach the principles of the Great Dao to her disciples whenever she had free time.
Bei Xuan, Cangjie, Shaoyao, Golden Phoenix, Kong Xuan, Dapeng, Lingzhuzi, and the others listened intently to Empress Nuwa's teachings, their expressions focused and reverent.
Among these devoted disciples, however, Su Mu was an exception.
He could never quiet his mind enough to listen to Empress Nuwa's lectures. His thoughts had long since wandered far away, and no one could tell what important matter he was pondering.
Empress Nuwa quickly noticed that Su Mu was distracted, but she didn't interrupt him. Instead, she wanted to hear what he was thinking about.
So Empress Nuwa continued explaining the Dao as calmly as before, while secretly watching Su Mu's every move.
[The next Great Tribulation is about to begin, and it's none other than the famous Investiture of the Gods Tribulation! The Investiture isn't simply the Heavenly Dao targeting the Interception Sect. There's a much deeper purpose behind it—to suppress the Human Race.]
Empress Nuwa, who had been silent until then, suddenly felt her heart stir. Once again, she had heard Su Mu's thoughts.
This filled her with delight. Each time she heard Su Mu's inner thoughts, she learned in advance of major events that would take place in the future.
[Now that the Human Dao has been established, the situation has become more complicated. Under normal circumstances, Martial King Zhou would probably no longer submit to Heaven.]
[Even so, the Heavenly Dao's intentions are clear: it wants to find every possible way to weaken the formidable power of the Human Dao.]
[If one could ascend the Investiture of the Gods Scroll with their physical body instead of having their True Spirit listed, perhaps they could avoid the restrictions imposed by the Scroll. After all, once your True Spirit is listed, it's like being locked in a cage, bound at every turn;]
[But ascending with your physical body is different. You don't lose your freedom, nor do you suffer the many constraints of the Investiture of the Gods Scroll.]
"I see." When Empress Nuwa heard Su Mu's thoughts, a look of realization crossed her beautiful face. She now had a general understanding of this Great Tribulation.
"So the Investiture of the Gods Scroll is probably meant to bind cultivators and make them obey orders," Empress Nuwa murmured. Her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly as she considered its implications.
Just as Empress Nuwa was lost in thought, a mysterious and dignified voice suddenly sounded in her ear. "Nuwa, come to the Purple Heaven Palace at once."
The sudden summons made Nuwa's heart jolt. Surprise showed on her face as she murmured, "Hm? Why would Dao Ancestor Hongjun summon me now?" She was filled with confusion.
At the same time, Empress Nuwa abruptly stopped her lecture in the middle of explaining the principles of the Great Dao. The entire Training Ground fell silent.
Everyone slowly awoke from the intoxicating Dao Sound. Looking toward Empress Nuwa, they wore bewildered expressions, unable to understand why the lecture had suddenly ended.
Su Mu couldn't hear Dao Ancestor Hongjun's transmission, but he saw that Nuwa looked troubled and grew suspicious.
He hurried forward and asked, "Teacher, what's wrong? Has something happened?"
Nuwa turned to Su Mu and replied calmly, "Dao Ancestor Hongjun sent me a message, asking me to go to the Purple Heaven Palace." As she spoke, she gazed into the distance, deep in thought.
At her words, inspiration struck Su Mu, and he wondered to himself, Could the Dao Ancestor have summoned Empress Nuwa so that all the Saints can sign the Investiture of the Gods Scroll together?
Sign the Investiture of the Gods Scroll? That's fine. Since Su Mu knows one can ascend it with their physical body, he must know the method.
Nuwa's beautiful brows drew together slightly as she considered the hidden implications.
"Cultivate diligently, and don't waste your time. I need to go to the Purple Heaven Palace and find out what Dao Ancestor Hongjun intends."
With that, Nuwa lightly tapped her jade foot. Her figure vanished from the Human Dao Hall like a wisp of smoke.
When she appeared again, Nuwa had arrived before the imposing gates of the Purple Heaven Palace.
Looking up, she saw the Three Pure Ones, Jieyin, and Zhunti standing there quietly.
When they saw Nuwa arrive, they all clasped their hands in greeting and said in unison, "Greetings, Empress Nuwa!"
Nuwa couldn't help but feel startled. The Five Sages are actually waiting here to welcome me? This is quite unexpected!
In truth, none of the Five Sages wanted to do this. But ever since Haotian and Yaochi had left the Purple Heaven Palace, there had been no attendants to serve in the palace.
Now that Nuwa had become the Human Dao Spokesperson, her status was worlds apart from what it had been before. So Dao Ancestor Hongjun had specifically ordered the Five Sages to welcome her at the gates of the Purple Heaven Palace.
"Mm," Nuwa replied softly. Then she moved gracefully forward and followed the Five Sages into the mysterious and solemn Purple Heaven Palace.
As soon as they entered, the Five Sages hurried to bow to Dao Ancestor Hongjun, who sat above them, and called out in unison, "Greetings, Teacher!"
Dao Ancestor Hongjun gave a slight nod in acknowledgment. Then he casually waved his sleeve, and a soft, comfortable cushion suffused with faint Spiritual Energy appeared not far from him.
"Fellow Daoist Nuwa, please take a seat," Dao Ancestor Hongjun said with a smile, his tone mild.
Nuwa had long since severed her teacher-disciple ties with Dao Ancestor Hongjun. But her cultivation had now reached the same level as his, so even Dao Ancestor Hongjun had to show her the respect and courtesy she deserved.
Although the Five Sages were greatly displeased that Nuwa was being treated this way, they knew it was no time to show their feelings. They could only suppress their resentment and continue standing respectfully to the side, not daring to make a sound.
Just then, Taiqing Laozi stepped forward and asked respectfully, "Teacher, you summoned us today. May I ask what for?" His gaze was full of curiosity and anticipation as he watched Dao Ancestor Hongjun.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun's expression turned solemn. He spoke slowly. "The Heavenly Court lacks powerful figures to protect it. Earlier, Guangchengzi and the others committed a killing tribulation while assisting the Human Sovereign, thus bringing about this massive Great Tribulation."
As he spoke, the atmosphere inside the Purple Heaven Palace suddenly grew tense, as if a storm capable of shaking the heavens and earth were about to break.
"What? Another Great Tribulation?" Zhunti was the first to lose his composure. He hurriedly asked the question.
Taiqing Laozi turned his head slightly and gave Zhunti a cool glance. His gaze held deep disdain and a trace of undisguised displeasure.
Hmph! A dignified Saint, and yet he fears a Great Tribulation so much. What's there to be surprised about? Besides, Nuwa has become the Human Dao Spokesperson and joined the Human Dao's side. As the foremost disciple of the Daoist sect, if anyone should speak first, it should be me. I haven't said a word, and you've already jumped in impatiently. Taiqing Laozi's expression darkened further.
At that moment, Hongjun, who had remained silent, spoke slowly. "The Heavenly Dao has decreed that the Heavenly Court must have three hundred and sixty-five righteous gods. Therefore, the Heavenly Dao has manifested the Investiture of the Gods Scroll. The True Spirits of all those involved in this tribulation will be listed on it and placed under the authority of the Investiture of the Gods Scroll and the God-Beating Whip. That is why this is called the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone present grew solemn and continued listening respectfully.
After a brief pause, Hongjun continued, "This Great Tribulation is no small matter. Only by working together can the Five Sects resolve it. Therefore, all five sects must sign the Investiture of the Gods Scroll."
With that, he gave a light wave of his sleeve, and a scroll gleaming with mysterious light appeared before the Five Sages.
Zhunti gazed at the mysterious, glowing Investiture of the Gods Scroll, his face full of bitterness and helplessness.
He spoke slowly. "Our Western Sect has truly suffered enough! The land of the West is barren and short on resources. I have only a handful of disciples under me, and they're truly pitiful. So let the rest of you sign the Investiture of the Gods Scroll."
"My junior brother is right. Our Western Sect can't afford to lose anyone," Jieyin said. Then he reached out with both hands and firmly pushed the scroll toward Taiqing Laozi.
Taiqing Laozi calmly regarded the Investiture of the Gods Scroll Zhunti had pushed over. His expression remained as placid as water.
He knew he had only one prized disciple, Xuandu, who bore the responsibility of carrying on the orthodox Daoist tradition. There was no need for him to worry.
So he gently shook his head and replied firmly, "My Daoist Religion has only one line of succession. Xuandu alone remains to inherit our tradition, so I cannot sign this scroll."
With that, Taiqing Laozi unhurriedly pushed the Investiture of the Gods Scroll toward the person beside him.
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