A soft sigh fell.
Very soft.
Yet when it reached the ears of every faction in the Primordial World, it weighed heavier than Thunder.
Because it came from Zixiao Palace.
It was the Dao Ancestor's voice.
Outside Golden Turtle Island, the tension that had just been pushed to its limit was pressed down by that sigh.
The Ten Thousand Immortals fell silent at once.
The Investiture of the Gods List hung above the Nine Heavens.
The fourth page of the Investiture of the Gods Accountability Ledger still hovered before Zhao Xuan.
The benefits of the Investiture of the Gods.
The cost of the Investiture of the Gods.
One on the left, one on the right.
Every word was glaring.
This debt still lay before heaven and earth in the Primordial World.
Within High Heaven Hall.
Haotian's perpetually gloomy gaze finally lit up.
Zixiao Palace had spoken!
The Dao Ancestor had finally seen!
He stepped down from the imperial throne, forcefully suppressing the surging joy in his chest as he cupped his hands toward the heavens beyond.
"Haotian pays respects to the Dao Ancestor and awaits the Dao Ancestor's decree."
The immortals in the hall all bowed their heads.
Taibai Jinxing lowered his head as well.
At that moment, the taut string in Haotian's chest finally loosened by an inch.
If Zhao Xuan kept pressing his questions, Heavenly Court would be nailed before the entire Primordial World by that General Ledger today.
Heavenly Court Gains Divinity.
Does not answer for its cost.
Those eight words were far too ugly.
So ugly that even he, the Heavenly Emperor, could not find a single response to meet them head-on.
Now that Zixiao Palace had spoken.
The situation had come to a halt.
As long as it stopped today, there would still be time.
With time, Heavenly Court could cover this debt back beneath the Heavenly Mandate.
Taibai Jinxing kept his head lowered, but he did not feel so relieved.
He had heard it clearly.
That sigh contained not a single word excusing Heavenly Court.
Within Yuxu Palace.
Yuanshi Tianzun slowly rose.
He gave a slight salute toward Zixiao Palace.
"This disciple awaits Master's decree."
The Twelve Golden Immortals all bowed their heads as well.
Joy had already appeared in some of their eyes.
The hand Guangchengzi had clenched within his sleeve finally relaxed.
As Chijingzi lowered his head, the breath caught in his chest eased as well.
Taiyi Zhenren instinctively glanced at the Investiture of the Gods List.
Since Zixiao Palace had spoken, Zhao Xuan's brush could no longer fall as freely as it pleased.
Chan Sect avoids calamity, does not answer for its cost.
That line was still there.
But since Zixiao Palace had spoken, they would not have to answer it immediately today.
Which of the Twelve Golden Immortals would be willing to go onto the list?
Who would be willing to serve under Heavenly Court's command after death?
Who would be willing to have their immortal path severed?
No one was willing.
Not having to answer that question on the spot was already a chance to catch their breath.
Yuanshi Tianzun returned to his Cloud Bed.
His expression remained indifferent.
Yet the oppressive chill within Yuxu Palace had eased somewhat.
On Mount Sumeru.
Daoist Jieyin and Daoist Zhunti rose at the same time.
The two saluted toward the heavens beyond.
"This disciple awaits the Dao Ancestor's decree."
The waters of the Merit Pool rippled faintly.
The two Sages sat down again.
A faint smile appeared on Daoist Zhunti's face.
"There is room to maneuver."
Daoist Jieyin lowered his eyes.
"The debt remains."
Zhunti's fingertips paused at the edge of the Lotus Throne.
Of course he knew the debt remained.
Western Sect Gains Power, does not answer for its cost.
Those words were still written in the General Ledger.
But if it was not settled today, there would still be a way forward.
The Western Sect was best at waiting.
And even better at taking detours.
As long as there was time, many debts could be given another explanation.
On Golden Turtle Island.
Not a trace of joy appeared among the Ten Thousand Immortals of the Jie Sect.
Holy Mother Guiling stared fixedly into the heavens beyond.
The anger she had suppressed earlier still remained, but unease had entered her eyes.
"Senior Disciple Brother."
"Will the Dao Ancestor suppress us?"
Bi Xiao gritted her teeth and said nothing.
Zhao Gongming's hand on her shoulder tightened slightly at the knuckles.
Daoist Duobao stared at the General Ledger, his brow tightly furrowed.
Holy Mother Wudang remained silent.
Holy Mother Jinling's hand gripping her sword also froze at that moment.
They dared to rage at Heavenly Court.
They dared to rage at the Chan Sect.
They dared to rage at the Western Sect.
But that was Zixiao Palace.
That was the Dao Ancestor.
One soft sigh was enough to make the entire Primordial World bow its head.
Master Tongtian stood before Biyou Palace.
His gaze darkened.
He did not grow angry.
Nor did he speak.
He merely gave a slight salute toward Zixiao Palace.
A Sage observed a Sage's courtesy.
But after that salute fell, hesitation still flashed across Golden Turtle Island.
Tongtian's gaze fell upon Zhao Xuan.
The gazes of every faction in the Primordial World also fell upon the brush in Zhao Xuan's hand.
Because that Investiture of the Gods Accountability Ledger was still open.
The fourth page still hung suspended.
The benefits and costs of the Investiture of the Gods had not been withdrawn.
If Zhao Xuan wrote one more stroke at this moment, no one knew where it would land.
Haotian stared at that brush.
Guangchengzi stared at that brush as well.
Daoist Zhunti's fingertips paused lightly.
They were all waiting.
Waiting for Zhao Xuan to write.
And waiting for Zhao Xuan to commit discourtesy.
They even hoped Zhao Xuan would press one sentence further.
Just half a sentence.
Then this reckoning of debts could become insubordination.
But at that moment.
Zhao Xuan put away his brush.
Then he cupped his hands toward the heavens beyond.
His movement was steady.
His courtesy was impeccable.
Zhao Xuan's voice was not loud.
"Jie Sect disciple Zhao Xuan."
"Pays respects to the Dao Ancestor."
Duobao, Jin Ling, Wudang, Gui Ling, Zhao Gongming, and the Three Xiao Sisters were all startled at once.
The next instant.
They all lowered their heads as well.
On Golden Turtle Island, the Ten Thousand Immortals bowed.
"Pays respects to the Dao Ancestor."
Their voices were orderly.
And not loud.
The Shangqing Disciples rendered their respects to Zixiao Palace.
There was no tearful plea.
No cry of injustice.
Only a salute.
Zhao Xuan still held his hands cupped.
"Today's reckoning."
"Seeks only clarity on the cost of the Investiture of the Gods."
"This disciple does not dare commit insubordination."
As those three sentences fell.
Within High Heaven Hall, the flicker of joy in Haotian's Heavenly Eye paused slightly.
Within Yuxu Palace, Guangchengzi's brow faintly furrowed, and a trace of disappointment flashed through his eyes.
On Mount Sumeru, Daoist Zhunti's fingertips paused as well.
Those words were too steady.
So steady that they could find no edge for their blades.
The debt remained in the General Ledger.
And every courtesy had been properly observed.
Whoever wished to use the words "insubordination" to cut him down could find nowhere to strike.
Master Tongtian watched Zhao Xuan's back, and the darkness in his eyes eased slightly for a moment.
That salute steadied Zhao Xuan.
And it steadied the Ten Thousand Immortals of the Jie Sect.
For a long time.
Deep beyond the heavens.
Within Zixiao Palace, that voice descended once more.
"Know propriety."
"And know the ledger."
Five words.
Softly spoken.
Yet they made every faction of the Primordial World hold its breath at once.
Inside High Heaven Hall.
The delight on Haotian's face froze.
Taibai Jinxing lowered his head even further.
Zixiao Palace had not imposed punishment.
The Investiture of the Gods Accountability Ledger still hung outside Golden Turtle Island.
The path of "Zhao Xuan defied his superiors" had been blocked by those five words.
Within Yuxu Palace.
The breath Guangchengzi had held in his throat was choked back down.
The Dao Ancestor had not rebuked Zhao Xuan.
The ledger entry stating that the Chan Sect avoided the calamity yet did not answer for its cost still remained on that page.
Yuanshi Tianzun's expression was calm.
But the chill in his eyes deepened further.
Zhao Xuan could not continue pressing the ledger.
Nor could the Jie Sect continue standing before the Primordial World beneath the words "not guilty."
Upon Mount Sumeru.
Daoist Zhunti softly repeated the words.
"Know propriety, and know the ledger."
The smile on his face did not fade.
But it was no longer an easy smile.
Daoist Jieyin said, "It seems unwise to make another move today."
Zhunti nodded.
"Not today."
"We will see what comes next."
On Golden Turtle Island.
The taut string in the hearts of the Ten Thousand Immortals finally eased by half.
The Dao Ancestor had not blamed Senior Disciple Brother.
Nor had he blamed the Jie Sect for demanding an accounting.
That alone was enough to let them catch their breath.
Holy Mother Guiling lowered her head. Her eyes were still red, but she did not speak out impulsively again.
Bi Xiao clenched her teeth hard.
Yun Xiao gently pressed down on her hand.
Daoist Duobao looked at Zhao Xuan, as though something were lodged in his throat.
At last, he understood.
From beginning to end, Zhao Xuan had never sought a moment of reckless satisfaction.
He wanted the Jie Sect to stand firm.
And he wanted that General Ledger to stand firm as well.
Zhao Xuan remained bowed.
"This disciple thanks the Dao Ancestor."
He did not say another word.
Nor did he seize the chance to ask another question.
Demanding an accounting was permitted.
Overstepping propriety was not.
If he greedily pressed for one more cutting remark at this moment, the entire Jie Sect would be pushed to stand against Zixiao Palace.
He would not make such a mistake.
Before Biyou Palace.
Master Tongtian looked at him, and a trace of faint satisfaction surfaced in the depths of his eyes.
Very quickly, that satisfaction was suppressed beneath coldness.
Because the voice from Zixiao Palace descended again.
"The Investiture Calamity has not truly begun."
"What was displayed upon the list today was merely a pre-calamity rehearsal."
"The outcomes of the rehearsal shall not be deemed final."
"The three sects shall each return to their respective mountains."
"Set your houses in order."
"When the calamity truly arrives, we shall discuss the Investiture of the Gods again."
When the voice faded.
Purple Aura descended from beyond the heavens.
The aura was not intense, yet it made the ashen-white heavenly laws upon the Investiture of the Gods List contract inch by inch.
The half-unfurled phantom of the list slowly closed and vanished beyond the heavens.
Like a blade already drawn from its sheath, suddenly returned to it for the time being.
The blade was still there.
It simply had not fallen today.
On Golden Turtle Island.
A glimmer of brightness appeared in the eyes of many Jie Sect disciples.
The Investiture of the Gods List had retreated.
The rehearsal did not determine the final outcome.
Did that mean the Jie Sect had already won this round today?
But Zhao Xuan did not smile.
He continued looking at the Investiture of the Gods Accountability Ledger before him.
The Investiture of the Gods List had already vanished.
Yet the fourth page had not closed.
The benefits of the Investiture of the Gods.
The Cost of the Investiture.
Not a single word had disappeared.
Bi Xiao was the first to sense that something was wrong.
"Senior Brother?"
Zhao Xuan reached out and lightly pressed the edge of the fourth page.
That sheet was very thin.
Yet it seemed to bear the weight of the entire Primordial World.
At last, he spoke.
"The list has withdrawn."
"But the ledger has not."
On Golden Turtle Island, the breath that had just eased instantly tightened again.
Zhao Xuan raised his eyes toward the heavens where the Investiture of the Gods List had vanished.
His voice was very soft.
"This blade did not fall today."
"Next time."
"They will make it fall another way."
Before you continue