"You two possess steadfast hearts, extraordinary talent, and bear the mandate of heaven."
"Now that you have entered my Interception Sect, you must not be left poorly equipped."
"Yang Jiao, I bestow upon you a Middle-grade Xiantian Spiritual Treasure—the Soul-Losing Nail! This treasure excels at concealment, killing without a trace, and is especially effective at piercing protective divine light!"
"Yang Jian, I bestow upon you a Middle-grade Xiantian Spiritual Treasure—the Sky-Shrouding Cloak! When unfurled, it covers the sky and blots out the sun. It can bind formidable enemies, and can also protect its wielder while fleeing!"
Two streams of light descended, falling into the hands of the two brothers respectively.
"Thank you, Grandmaster!!"
The two were instantly overwhelmed with excitement.
These were Xiantian Spiritual Treasures!
One had to know that many third-generation disciples of the Clarifying Sect did not even possess a complete set of Houtian Spiritual Treasures!
After this round of bestowals, treasure light surged into the heavens throughout Azure Roaming Palace, while countless auspicious vapors filled the air.
The immortals of the Interception Sect watched as Jiang Yun's lineage received Xiantian Spiritual Treasures one after another, and all of them were so envious they practically drooled.
This was the difference!
Lord Tongtian observed his disciples' reactions and nodded slightly. Then his expression turned solemn as he waved his hand. "Enough. The treasures have been bestowed. You must cultivate diligently and not disappoint my painstaking efforts."
"We obey your decree!"
The immortals answered in unison.
Once the treasure bestowal was over, the atmosphere in the hall gradually settled.
Lord Tongtian sat upright upon his cloud bed, the smile on his face slowly fading into solemnity.
A heavy, oppressive aura quietly enveloped the entire Azure Roaming Palace.
"I summoned you here today not only to lecture on the Dao, but also to inform you of a matter of great importance concerning all living beings of the Primordial World."
Lord Tongtian's voice was low, yet it exploded beside the immortals' ears like thunder.
"Recently, the other Saints and I convened at Purple Cloud Palace."
"Dao Ancestor Hongjun issued a decree: the killing calamity of heaven and earth has arrived. Karma has become entangled, and a great reckoning must take place!"
"Therefore, the Investiture of the Gods has been established!"
"The Investiture of the Gods?!"
The disciples looked at one another, all wearing bewildered expressions.
Only Jiang Yun had a trace of gravity flash through the depths of his eyes.
It had finally come!
Lord Tongtian continued, "This list contains three hundred and sixty-five positions for righteous gods, as well as eighty-four thousand positions for lesser gods, heavenly soldiers, and heavenly generals!"
"Those under the three sects, as well as independent cultivators of the Primordial World who bear deep Karma, are all within this tribulation!"
"Each shall rely on their own fortune and methods!"
"Those of superior innate foundations may attain the immortal path and enjoy freedom and longevity!"
"Those of middling innate foundations shall have their physical bodies destroyed, their True Spirits placed upon the list, and become gods. They will serve under the Heavenly Court and enjoy the incense offerings of the divine path, yet from then on, they shall be subject to others and lose their freedom!"
"Those of inferior innate foundations shall perish body and soul beneath the Epochal Tribulation, turning to ash and returning to heaven and earth!!"
Boom—!!!
The moment these words were spoken, Azure Roaming Palace erupted into uproar!
An emotion known as fear spread through the hearts of every disciple.
"An Epochal Tribulation—another Epochal Tribulation?!"
"Back during the Witch-Demon Calamity, heaven collapsed and earth split apart. Even Mount Buzhou was broken, and more than a dozen mighty quasi-Saints fell. Is it our turn this time?"
"Perish body and soul—or be listed and become slaves? This is far too miserable!"
For a time, everyone was filled with dread.
Daoist Duobao frowned deeply and stepped forward to ask, "Master! How should we disciples face this tribulation?"
Lord Tongtian's gaze was profound as he slowly replied, "An Epochal Tribulation is both the Heavenly Dao's reckoning and a trial."
"Within calamity, there is also opportunity!"
As he spoke, Tongtian gave Jiang Yun below a meaningful glance and said lightly, "Those willing to take a gamble may travel abroad and enter the mortal world to answer the tribulation! If you can carve out a bloody path, you may perhaps advance another step!"
"Those unwilling to participate, or those who fear Karma—"
"From this day onward, cultivate behind closed doors. Seal your abodes and quietly recite the Yellow Court. You may perhaps avoid this tribulation!"
"Enough. This matter is concluded. You may all withdraw."
"The direct disciples and Jiang Yun's group shall remain."
"Yes—"
With heavy hearts, the disciples withdrew from Azure Roaming Palace one after another.
A moment later, only Duobao, Jinling, Wudang, Turtle Spirit, the Three Xiao Sisters, the Seven Attendant Immortals, and Jiang Yun's master and disciples remained in the hall.
Because Nine Silence's cultivation and innate foundation were exceptional, she too remained behind.
Once the doors closed and the restrictions activated—
Lord Tongtian's gaze fell directly upon Jiang Yun.
"Jiang Yun."
"The Epochal Tribulation is approaching. What do you think of this matter?"
Jiang Yun did not answer immediately. He pondered for a moment before cupping his hands and saying, "Reporting to Grandmaster, everyone present has experienced the previous Epochal Tribulation and possesses broad knowledge. This disciple has cultivated for only a little over a thousand years and does not dare speak recklessly."
Tongtian waved his hand. "Speak freely. This is your master's Daoist ground. Heavenly secrets are concealed here. What leaves your mouth enters only my ears."
Only then did Jiang Yun raise his head. "Reporting to Grandmaster!"
"This disciple believes that although our Interception Sect currently appears to be flourishing, we are in truth like flowers set atop brocade and oil poured onto blazing flames. We are already in imminent danger!!"
"What?!"
The moment he said this, Duobao and the others were greatly shocked.
Shi Ji hurriedly tugged at Jiang Yun's sleeve. "Disciple, how can you speak such nonsense before Grandmaster?"
Lord Tongtian's expression remained unchanged, though his eyes gained a few traces of scrutiny. "Continue."
Jiang Yun took a deep breath and analyzed the matter clearly. "The Investiture of the Gods Calamity appears on the surface to be caused by the Heavenly Court's lack of personnel, but in truth, it is a struggle for Fortune between the Saintly lineages!"
"Goddess Nuwa has not established a great sect and does not contend for Fortune."
"That leaves the Human Sect, the Clarifying Sect, the Western Sect, and our Interception Sect!"
"Our Interception Sect claims that ten thousand immortals come to pay homage. We have countless disciples and possess the greatest Fortune!"
"But ten thousand immortals are both our success and our downfall!"
"The outer disciples are of uneven quality, and many are burdened with Karma and Karmic Power, damaging the sect's Fortune."
"Most fatal of all, our Interception Sect possesses no supreme treasure capable of suppressing Fortune!!"
"With Fortune draining away, prosperity must inevitably decline!"
"In this Investiture of the Gods, there are three hundred and sixty-five positions for righteous gods. The Clarifying Sect has few disciples, the Human Sect has only a single lineage, and the Western Sect lies far in the extreme west."
"Other than our Interception Sect, who can fill all the positions on this list?!"
"Therefore, our Interception Sect will certainly bear the brunt of it, be regarded as an enemy by the other three sects, and may even be jointly plotted against by them!!"
Silence!
A deathly silence!
Duobao and the others looked utterly grim, yet they had no choice but to admit that every word Jiang Yun spoke was reasonable and struck directly at the heart of the matter!
A trace of approval flashed through Lord Tongtian's eyes as he pressed further, "Then according to you, what should be done?"
Jiang Yun's gaze burned as he said in a grave voice, "That depends on how Grandmaster chooses!"
"If we retreat, Grandmaster can expel those outer disciples burdened by Karmic Power and lacking proper character, leaving them to fend for themselves, or even take the initiative to send them onto the list!"
"In that way, although the Interception Sect's Fortune will decline, its essence can be preserved, and its core foundation will remain intact."
"During this Investiture of the Gods, our Interception Sect can seal its mountain gate and watch the tigers fight from the sidelines!"
Tongtian frowned slightly upon hearing this, clearly dissatisfied with this method of sacrificing the lesser to preserve the greater.
"If we do not retreat, then we must actively answer the tribulation! We must strike first!!"
"Senior Granduncle Taiqing of the Human Sect enjoys the Fortune of the Human Race and stands in an invincible position. He advocates tranquility and non-action, but his lack of desire is only an appearance. So long as the benefits are great enough, he may not be impossible to win over!"
"The one at Nuwa Palace may not have established a lineage, but after the Demon Race declined, she has suffered much grievance at the hands of the Human Sect and the Clarifying Sect. She too bears resentment in her heart and can become an ally!"
"As for the Western Sect—"
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