Defying Heaven and Changing Fate

Tongtian knew what Wen Zhong was thinking, of course.

He himself was quite fond of King Zhou, but Xiqi's destruction of Great Shang was the course ordained by Heaven.

It was already difficult for Tongtian to defy Heaven and change the Interception Sect's fate. If he added Great Shang to the equation, the difficulty would soar at least tenfold.

After all, the Heavenly Dao did not particularly care whether the Interception Sect was destroyed.

At most, this was a contest between the Interception Sect and the Chan Sect. Either side could win.

But Xiqi's destruction of Great Shang was the course decreed by the Heavenly Dao. Changing it meant opposing the Heavenly Dao itself.

Tongtian was still too weak.

He was no match even for Hongjun, let alone the Heavenly Dao.

"Ding."

"The host has been detected facing a dilemma. Two choices are now available."

"Choice one: follow the Heavenly Dao and allow Xiqi to destroy Great Shang. Reward: ten million years of Dao cultivation."

"Choice two: defy Heaven and change fate, helping King Zhou destroy Xiqi. My fate is mine to command, not Heaven's. Reward: one Advancement Gift Pack."

Well, well. The system had popped up again.

And right when he faced such an important choice, too.

Now Tongtian understood completely. This system wanted him to fight the Heavenly Dao.

As for the choice, did he even need to think about it?

Whether he could kill the Heavenly Dao and take complete control of his own life essentially depended on the support of his big-shot system.

Now that he knew the system wanted him to oppose the Heavenly Dao, was there any room left to choose?

"I choose option two."

"My fate is mine to command, not Heaven's. I'm helping King Zhou of Great Shang, and that's final."

Tongtian would have been lying if he said he did not covet those ten million years of Dao cultivation.

After all, he had practiced the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Art for only a few days, yet it had already wrought earth-shaking changes in him.

With another ten million years of cultivation, he might not be able to kill Hongjun, but he could at least reach a point where he no longer feared him.

The problem was that even if he chose option one, he would still be no match for the Heavenly Dao.

Was he supposed to obediently remain a Heavenly Dao Sage from then on?

That was not what Tongtian sought!

He sought the Primordial Dao and would have to clash with the Heavenly Dao sooner or later. If he did not seize the current Investiture of the Gods tribulation to rake in every advantage he could,

would he not be finished once the Investiture Calamity ended?

Naturally, Tongtian would never do anything so foolish.

"Congratulations to the host on making your choice. The Advancement Gift Pack has been issued. Would the host like to open it now?"

Hearing the system's words, Tongtian wasted no time.

"Open it!"

"Congratulations to the host on obtaining one Eastern Emperor Bell, a top-tier Innate Supreme Treasure."

"The Eastern Emperor Bell is one of the Primordial World's three top-tier Innate Supreme Treasures. It can anchor a sect's fortune and offers unparalleled defense. It was formerly Demon Emperor Dijun's

companion treasure."

"Congratulations to the host on obtaining one Nine-Layer Soul-Locking Pagoda."

"A top-tier acquired Merit Supreme Treasure. When placed within the sea of consciousness, it blocks all means of targeting the soul. Even the Heavenly Dao cannot breach it!"

"Congratulations to the host on obtaining ten drops of Pangu's essence blood."

"Pangu's essence blood: refining it can advance cultivation and improve innate foundations."

When the system's voice faded, Tongtian once again saw three rays of primordial violet light within his Purple Mansion.

Clearly, these were the three supreme treasures.

The Eastern Emperor Bell, the Nine-Layer Soul-Locking Pagoda, and Pangu's essence blood.

They were all excellent things!

As Demon Emperor Dijun's companion treasure, the Eastern Emperor Bell had vanished without a trace after Di Jun's death.

He had no idea where the system had managed to find such a fine treasure.

He had been agonizing over how to anchor the Interception Sect's fortune, and now a pillow had arrived just as he was getting sleepy.

As for the Nine-Layer Soul-Locking Pagoda and Pangu's essence blood, both were excellent as well.

At this moment, Tongtian truly felt no urgency anymore.

"Lord Sect Leader?"

While Tongtian was pondering the matter, Wen Zhong could not help speaking up.

He was waiting here for Tongtian's answer, after all. Why did his lord sect leader look as though his mind had gone wandering through the vast void?

I still have a heap of damned business waiting for me in Chaoge, you know!

"Don't rush. Xiqi's destruction of Great Shang was decreed by the Heavenly Dao. How could it be easy to resolve?"

"Although I'm a Sage-well, it seems I'm not anymore-you need to give me some time to think. Understand?"

"We're opposing the Heavenly Dao here. Do you think I can just slap my forehead and come up with a good solution?"

Seeing Wen Zhong in such a hurry, Tongtian could not quite help slipping into the way he had spoken in his previous life.

That left Wen Zhong utterly bewildered.

Are you sure this fellow is our lord sect leader?

Had this not been Golden Ao Island, and had Tongtian not bestowed the Investiture of the Gods List and the God-Beating Whip upon him, Wen Zhong would have been ready to run outside and call for help.

Tongtian had no idea what Wen Zhong was thinking, however. After a brief silence, he said, "You've spent quite some time around King Zhou. Tell me what you think of him."

"Don't exaggerate. Stick to the facts as much as possible."

Without hesitation, Wen Zhong replied, "King Zhou possesses exceptional talent and grand vision. He loves his people as his own children and is humble in his conduct. If not for this Investiture of the Gods tribulation, he would surely be a great sovereign, a mighty ruler of his age!"

Tongtian nodded.

He did not think Wen Zhong would deceive him or lie to him, much less misjudge the king.

"I will now bestow upon you a Nine-Layer Soul-Locking Pagoda. Once you return, place it within King Zhou's primordial spirit in his Purple Mansion. It will ensure that no one can cloud his mind, not even the Heavenly Dao."

"The Investiture of the Gods tribulation begins the moment King Zhou worships at the Nuwa Temple."

"You must give him this treasure before then. Otherwise, even as the Human King, he will fall prey to their schemes!"

Wen Zhong's face filled with horror at those words.

Cold sweat even began to bead on his forehead.

"My lord sect leader, the worship at the Nuwa Temple is today!"

"Please intervene, my lord, and save King Zhou's life."

"Our Interception Sect is Great Shang's state religion!"

Seeing the terrified Wen Zhong, Tongtian froze as well. He clearly had not expected such a coincidence.

Although he had no evidence, Tongtian understood that he had still been schemed against.

"During the Investiture of the Gods tribulation, Sages cannot intervene personally."

"This matter rests on you alone. Of course, I will keep watch. If another Sage intervenes, I will stop him for you."

"I'll send you there now!"

With that said, once Wen Zhong was ready, Tongtian swept his hand.

A surge of power of primordial chaos enveloped Wen Zhong, then transformed him into a streak of light.

By the time Wen Zhong came to his senses again, he found himself in Chaoge, before the Nuwa Temple.

Chaoge was the seat of the Human King.

The entire Imperial City was enveloped in dynastic fortune. Under normal circumstances, even Sages could not use their magical power here.

Previously, Tongtian could not have done so either!

But now that he had switched to cultivating the Primordial Dao, the Heavenly Dao's rules naturally could no longer suppress him.

Still, this action carried some risk.

If anyone discovered it, trouble would follow.

Fortunately, their luck held. Even though all the Sages had their eyes fixed on Chaoge, none had noticed Tongtian.

Wen Zhong, however, had no time to concern himself with any of this.

As the Grand Tutor of Great Shang, he was unaffected by these rules.

Thus, after sensing that King Zhou was still in the Royal Palace, he immediately rushed there.