After Haotian finished speaking, he didn't dare look up at Dao Ancestor Hongjun. He could only kneel with his head bowed, feeling uneasy.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun sat above him. After hearing Haotian out, he remained silent for a long while before finally speaking.
"I know why you have come. Go back for now. There is a way to resolve this."
Haotian still couldn't make sense of Dao Ancestor Hongjun's words, but he didn't dare ask anything further. In a daze, he left the palace. After leaving the Chaos, he returned to the Primordial Heavenly Court. With no other option, he could only wait patiently for Dao Ancestor Hongjun's reply.
After Haotian left, East King Duke appeared once more in the Purple Firmament Palace. He hadn't left earlier; he had merely concealed himself nearby, beyond the notice of the Lord of Heavenly Court.
"Fellow Daoist Hongjun, have you reached a decision about Haotian's matter?"
East King Duke naturally knew the Investiture of the Gods was about to begin, but it wasn't appropriate for him to say so outright.
Hongjun replied, "All the beings of the Primordial World—especially the disciples of the various Saintly Sects—are burdened by a killing tribulation. They must pass through it themselves. This is the perfect opportunity to begin the Investiture of the Gods. Please wait a moment, Fellow Daoist, while I summon the Sages to the Purple Firmament Palace."
With that, Hongjun sent a message directly to the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, Jieyin and Zhunti, as well as Empress Pingxin, Lord of the Netherworld, and Saint Mother Tai Zhen.
The Dao Ancestor had summoned all the Sages, and they made their way to the Chaos Purple Firmament Palace.
When the Sages arrived, they saw that East King Duke was already there. Apart from Queen Mother of the