What Is the Investiture of the Gods? A Gentle Kiss for Wangshu!

Penglai Immortal Island was shrouded in immortal mist.

Lingxiao stood atop the World-Destroying Black Lotus, the Investiture of the Gods hovering before him and radiating dazzling golden light.

Below!

Violent lightning raged as countless shackles bound Zhao Gongming and the Golden-Winged Great Roc. The former had not incurred much murderous karma, but the latter's sins were monstrous, and he wailed without cease.

"Nuwa would rather damage her own reputation to save Lu Ya and those Interception Sect disciples with Demon Race roots. She must be plotting something, yet I have no idea what vile scheme she is brewing."

Lingxiao stared at the Investiture of the Gods, stroking his chin in thought.

During the era of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, the various sects had fought fiercely for the exalted position of Human Emperor's teacher. The human race had also erupted into earth-shattering bloody wars, especially the fated battle between Xuanyuan and Chiyou.

Billions of living beings had perished, their karmic debts and sinful karma becoming entangled.

This was the root of the Investiture of the Gods Calamity, but the saints' refusal to send their disciples to serve in the Heavenly Court was the true fuse that ignited it.

Now that Fixed-Light Immortal was suppressed within the Investiture of the Gods, Lingxiao had no intention of appointing him as a deity. Long-Eared Fixed-Light Immortal was no good thing; he had no desire to turn the Heavenly Court into a garbage dump.

Rule over all things in the Three Realms, and act in Heaven's stead!

In Lingxiao's plans, the Heavenly Court was to stand above all Heavenly Dao Saints, winning the faith and worship of all living beings and forcing the Heavenly Dao Saints to lower their heads.

The Heavenly Dao Saints he referred to did not include Dao Ancestor Hongjun, nor Zhenyuanzi, to whom Lingxiao owed a debt of gratitude!

Lingxiao had long decided Zhenyuanzi's path and destination. All that remained was to find a suitable opportunity to discuss it with Haotian, then report it to the Heavenly Dao and Dao Ancestor Hongjun!

"Before the Investiture of the Gods Calamity truly begins, there are still at least several hundred years. During that time, I must secure treasures such as the Merit Golden Lotus, Karmic Fire Red Lotus, Green Duckweed Sword, Taiyi Whisk, and Three Treasures Jade Ruyi."

"Only by transforming my innate foundation into the Thirty-Six-Grade Purifying White Lotus will I be able, when I attain the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal, to forge Great Luo Three Flowers of a grade surpassing Dao Ancestor Hongjun and the Three Pure Ones, granting me the foundation and insight to ascend the peak of the Great Dao."

"Now it depends on whether Lord Tongtian and the Interception Sect know what is good for them. Otherwise, Zhao Gongming and the others will have no choice but to take a trip to the Heavenly Court's Immortal-Slaying Platform..."

Lingxiao's eyes were unfathomable as he plotted inwardly.

His innate foundation was now the Twenty-Four-Grade Purifying White Lotus, on par with the foremost innate divine beings. Yet even though his cultivation speed and comprehension far surpassed those of others, time was ultimately running short.

Moreover, Lingxiao focused on tempering his foundation and refused to force a breakthrough through Heavenly Dao fortune and merit. This slowed the advancement of his cultivation realm even further.

Therefore, only after shaping the innate foundation of the Thirty-Six-Grade Purifying White Lotus would Lingxiao be willing to shatter the shackles of his realm and become a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal.

"Lingxiao!"

Daoist Duobao rode upon an auspicious cloud, all manner of spiritual treasures hanging from his body, and finally arrived at Penglai Immortal Island.

The moment he saw Zhao Gongming and the Golden-Winged Great Roc in their miserable state, Daoist Duobao's fury boiled over. The Green Duckweed Sword in his hand rang sharply, and he wished he could hack Lingxiao into mincemeat.

But the task Lord Tongtian had entrusted to him would not permit such recklessness!

"By the saint's command, I have come to settle the karma between us!"

"Release Fixed-Light Immortal, Zhao Gongming, and the Golden-Winged Great Roc. Return their treasures to their rightful owners as well, then swear a Heavenly Dao oath. If you do so, I will give you the Green Duckweed Sword!"

"Heavenly Dao Saints do not lightly interfere in the greater currents and affairs of the Primordial World. You must also stop relying on Immortal Zhenyuan and Daoist Hongyun to run wild. Even if you face the danger of falling, you may not ask them for help!"

Daoist Duobao spoke in a deep voice to Lingxiao.

The moment he arrived, he laid down a whole host of demands!

Zhenyuanzi used the Earth Book to connect with the Primordial World's earth veins. At the slightest disagreement, he would destroy the lands of the Primordial World and perish together with the Heavenly Dao Saints. No one could bear the karma of such a thing.

That was why Lord Tongtian and Nuwa had resorted to this inferior measure, and why the former was willing to painfully part with what he loved!

Hearing this, Lingxiao gave a soft laugh. His heart was as clear as a bright mirror.

Lord Tongtian feared Zhenyuanzi's technique of mutual destruction, which was why he was willing to play along with him. But such a tactic could not be used too often, or it would provoke the fury of all the Heavenly Dao Saints.

Now that Wangshu was at Lingxiao's side, there was no need to trouble Zhenyuanzi and Daoist Hongyun to worry over him. Zhenyuanzi merely needed to accumulate enough foundation before attaining sainthood.

At that time, Lord Tongtian would not dare harm him either!

Thus, Lingxiao feigned contemplation before slowly saying, "I agree to Fellow Daoist Duobao's conditions. I am making this transaction with the Interception Sect only because the Green Duckweed Sword shares an affinity with me."

"If such a matter happens again, I will strictly enforce the heavenly laws!"

Immediately after!

Lingxiao swore a Heavenly Dao oath to demonstrate his sincerity.

The Six Souls Banner, twelve Sea-Calming Pearls, Yin-Yang Two Qi Bottle, and other treasures were indeed excellent, but these spiritual treasures were stained with immense karma. He could not simply claim them for himself.

Lord Tongtian was offering the Green Duckweed Sword in the name of compensating Lingxiao. Only then did it count as a proper procedure, and Lingxiao would not have to bear any karma!

"Release my fellow disciples, including Fixed-Light Immortal!"

With a flick of Daoist Duobao's hand, the Green Duckweed Sword flew toward Lingxiao.

"Fellow Daoist, you are forthright!"

The corners of Lingxiao's lips lifted as he placed the Green Duckweed Sword into the system space. Only after confirming that this top-grade Xiantian Spiritual Treasure bore no irregularities would he refine it.

His hands formed seals, and the Investiture of the Gods flashed with mysterious light.

In the form of his Primordial Spirit's true soul, Fixed-Light Immortal seemed to have seized a lifeline and flew directly behind Daoist Duobao.

At the same time, the lightning filling the vast sea vanished into thin air. Zhao Gongming and the Golden-Winged Great Roc also broke free of their shackles and regained their carefree freedom.

Yet the Golden-Winged Great Roc's aura was feeble, his meridians and vital blood damaged. He was still dazed and muddled, with only his eyes burning with hatred and murderous fury.

"Return things to their rightful owners; settle the karmic accounts!"

With a flicker of thought from Lingxiao, spiritual treasures such as the Six Souls Banner, the twelve Sea-Calming Pearls, and the Yin-Yang Two Qi Bottle descended into the hands of Immortal Dingguang and the others.

The heavenly secrets stirred slightly, and karma scattered away!

"Without the protection of Immortal Zhenyuan and Daoist Hongyun, I'd like to see what other cards you have left! With only those spiritual treasures on you, and Wangshu, the Taiyin goddess at the mid-stage Primordial Golden Immortal realm, you won't be able to stir up much of a storm!"

After Daoist Duobao mocked him a few times, he left with the other three.

"Heh..."

Lingxiao snorted disdainfully and let out a cold laugh.

Wangshu commanded the Taiyin Great Dao. It would not take long for her to recover her peak Primordial Golden Immortal cultivation. So long as Lord Tongtian did not act personally, who in the Primordial World could stand against him?

"The Interception Sect is a mixed bag of fish and dragons. Lu Ya, Daoist Duobao, and the rest are no easy characters. Before long, they will surely cook up some new mischief—but I already have a way to deal with it."

"The other four of the Six Imperial Sovereign positions cannot be touched for now. Only by letting the Primordial Celestial Worthy and Grand Pure One Laozi see the Heavenly Court's potential can I draw in the Clarifying Sect and the Human Sect, and thereby obtain the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi and the Taiyi Whisk."

"As for the Merit Golden Lotus and the Karmic Fire Red Lotus, I'll have to find an opportunity to get my hands on them..."

Wearing a calm smile, Lingxiao turned and headed toward the Renwater Peach Tree. Wangshu had been waiting there for quite some time, her graceful figure and ethereal bearing utterly otherworldly.

In the blink of an eye, Lingxiao was seated in a wicker chair, savoring spiritual wine and Xiantian spiritual fruits.

After inspecting the Green Duckweed Sword within the divine-sense insight system space through the Purification-Creation Dao and finding nothing unusual about it, Lingxiao finally took out this top-grade Xiantian Spiritual Treasure and placed it on the jade table before him.

"You... You actually dared threaten Lord Tongtian, and even schemed his natal supreme treasure away from him. Your nerve truly is enormous!"

Wangshu held her forehead and smiled helplessly.

Ever since meeting Lingxiao, she had developed a strong interest in this Qinghua Emperor of the Eastern Pole.

She had originally thought Lingxiao was already invincible merely by commanding the Purification-Creation Dao. Who could have imagined that he would go on to shock her time and again?

And now, he had even obtained the Green Duckweed Sword without being tainted by karma!

Lord Tongtian's dignity and face had practically been tossed into a latrine by Lingxiao, then ground against it again and again!

"Isn't that because I have you to protect me?"

"Immortal Zhenyuan and Senior Hongyun can no longer shelter me, but you cannot simply leave me to fend for myself either. Otherwise, before our destined bond as Dao companions can be fulfilled, I'll be reduced to ashes..."

Feigning nervousness, Lingxiao seized Wangshu's jade-like hand.

Her pretty face flushed slightly, and her breathing quickened.

Wangshu tried to pull her hand free, but Lingxiao did not let go. She could only give up!

"Don't go too far..."

Wangshu's voice became incomparably gentle as she watched Lingxiao lean closer. Their faces seemed as though they would press together the very next moment.

Under Wangshu's astonished gaze, her red lips felt a searing warmth...