As they spoke...
Hongjun waved his right hand, and the shattered Investiture of the Gods List flew out of Yuanshi's hands. Countless laws of the Heavenly Dao surged forth, restoring it completely in moments. It gleamed gold, radiating endless divine light.
Then the Investiture of the Gods List and the God-Beating Whip fell into Tongtian's hands of their own accord.
Only then did Hongjun speak. "Tongtian, do you accept this?"
"Thank you, Master. Your disciple obeys." Tongtian accepted the Investiture of the Gods List and the God-Beating Whip, bowing slightly as he nodded.
He knew perfectly well that completely avoiding the great tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods was all but impossible.
He was already entirely satisfied that he had concealed his cultivation of the primordial Dao from Hongjun.
Now that the Investiture of the Gods List was in his hands, along with ten exemptions from investiture, he had gained an unexpected blessing.
At the very least, he could largely ensure the safety of his Four Direct Disciples and Seven Attendants.
Besides, with the Investiture of the Gods List in his hands, he had plenty of room to maneuver.
Especially with positions such as the Four Emperors, the Five Directional Jiedi, the Six Sovereigns, and the Heavenly Stars...
Even if his disciples died, he could invest them with important positions like these.
The benefits to be gained were enormous.
Although they would be subject to the Jade Emperor Haotian's authority in the future, and he would have to hand over the Investiture of the Gods List and the God-Beating Whip.
Even if those disciples went to the Heavenly Court, they would still be disciples of the Interception Sect.
Under those circumstances, how could Tongtian not be satisfied?
With everything settled, Tongtian cheerfully exchanged greetings with everyone present before flying toward Golden Ao Island.
The western sages, Jieyin and Zhunti, naturally smiled and returned his greeting.
Taishang Laozi was still relatively cordial toward Tongtian. Only Yuanshi said nothing, leaving immediately with a cold snort.
Tongtian could see the undisguised murderous intent in Yuanshi's eyes.
But he did not care.
As long as Hongjun did not act, Tongtian feared no one.
Following their discussion in Zixiao Palace, even if further complications arose during this great tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods, most would center on the disciples of the two sects. The chances of him and Yuanshi coming to blows were slim.
Besides, Taishang Laozi had declared that anyone who attacked Tongtian would be making an enemy of him.
Yuanshi was no fool. Naturally, he would not come looking for trouble.
As for a contest solely between disciples, the Interception Sect truly had no fear of the Chan Sect, provided no tribulation aura entered their bodies.
After all, how many disciples did the Chan Sect have? The Interception Sect boasted ten thousand immortals paying court.
Tongtian could also take advantage of the obscured heavenly secrets during the great tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods to cultivate diligently, striving to reach a level where he no longer feared Hongjun.
Otherwise, he really would not dare run wild.
Hadn't even the Demon Lord Luohu only dared show himself occasionally during great tribulations, never daring to appear in the Primordial World at ordinary times?
The Primordial World was now governed by the Heavenly Dao, and Hongjun was its representative.
With the great tribulation upon them and the heavenly secrets obscured, Hongjun could not detect anything amiss with Tongtian.
Once the great tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods ended, if Tongtian still had not grown strong enough to stand alongside Hongjun, he could only leave the Primordial World and enter the endless chaos.
After all, under the Primordial World's Heavenly Dao, there was no room for cultivators of the primordial Dao.
Time was desperately short!
Upon returning to Golden Ao Island, Tongtian did not go to Biyou Palace. Instead, he went to the cave abode where he cultivated in seclusion, then transmitted his voice directly to Duobao. "Duobao, come see me at once."
A short while later.
Duobao arrived at the cave abode and spoke respectfully. "Greetings, Master."
"I spent roughly half a day in Zixiao Palace. Presumably, half a year has already passed down here."
Tongtian's expression was calm as he asked evenly, "How many of our Interception Sect disciples have yet to return to Golden Ao Island?"
"The distances are too great. Only a third have returned so far, but most have already begun making their way back," Duobao answered respectfully.
Tongtian nodded before continuing, "Remember, from this moment until the great tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods ends, my Golden Ao Island permits entry but forbids departure. Seal the entire island completely. Anyone wishing to leave must obtain my approval."
"If anyone insists on leaving the island without my permission, expel them from the Interception Sect."
Duobao fell silent.
After a moment, he could not help saying, "Doing this will cause resentment among many disciples."
"Master, must we do this?"
Tongtian frowned at his words, then said coldly, "If they are dissatisfied, they may leave the Interception Sect."
Hiss!
Duobao sucked in a breath of cold air.
He clearly had not expected his master, Tongtian, to be so ruthless this time.
This was an absolute order!
They had to obey, or leave the Interception Sect.
There was not the slightest room for negotiation.
"I shall obey your command, Master," Duobao said solemnly.
Tongtian considered for a moment, then waved his right hand. The Qingping Sword appeared in his grasp, and he handed it straight to Duobao.
"This is the magical treasure born alongside me. These days, however, it holds more sentimental value than practical use. I now bestow this sword upon you."
"I will be entering seclusion to cultivate. While you conduct affairs outside, seeing this sword shall be as seeing me. Everyone else must obey you."
"But you must not abuse it. Remember that well!"
At the sight of the Qingping Sword, Duobao's breathing had already quickened.
He clearly had not expected Tongtian to bestow this sword upon him.
"Thank you, Master. Your disciple will keep that firmly in mind," Duobao said hastily.
Tongtian did not dwell on the matter, instead continuing, "Also, the Investiture of the Gods List and the God-Beating Whip are now in my hands. Our Interception Sect has been entrusted with presiding over this investiture."
"Send word to Wen Zhong in Chaoge immediately. Tell him to return as quickly as possible."
"I intend to put him in charge of this investiture!"
Duobao considered it for a while and agreed that, among the third-generation disciples, Wen Zhong truly was the most suitable.
With that thought, Duobao asked, "Master, have you already chosen Great Shang?"
Tongtian nodded.
"We have no other choice."
"Only by relinquishing my sage Dao fruit did I barely win a slender thread of hope for our Interception Sect."
"Your eldest martial uncle will stand with our Interception Sect from now on. Remember to warn our disciples to be especially wary of the Chan Sect and the Western Teachings."
"I am entering seclusion now. Go carry out these tasks, but remember my instructions: within ten years, every Interception Sect disciple must return to Golden Ao Island, except those serving as officials in Chaoge."
"When Wen Zhong returns, have him come see me."
After saying all this, Tongtian spoke no further. He closed his eyes and began cultivating in seclusion.
There was nothing else he could do.
The system was unreliable. Only when he faced a life-or-death crisis would it reveal itself and offer him choices.
At ordinary times like this, it was practically a dead dog.
Even when he had faced Hongjun just now, the system had not appeared.
This made Tongtian realize that the system might only appear when something involved the great tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods, or when the Interception Sect faced a life-or-death crisis.
He probably could not rely on it at ordinary times.
But thinking about it, that was only natural. If it appeared for every little thing, he would probably be able to thrash Hongjun before the Investiture of the Gods even ended.
Looks like I still have to rely on my own cultivation!
At that thought, Tongtian wasted no more words and immersed himself in cultivation.
The Nine Revolutions Heavenly Art was his greatest source of confidence.
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