Before Golden Ao Island, Tongtian met the Four Saints' gazes, his face utterly expressionless.
A few breaths later, Tongtian took his first step toward the Investiture of the Gods List ahead.
At that instant, the Four Saints' gazes froze, and astonishment appeared on their faces.
Was Tongtian going to sign the Investiture of the Gods List outright, without putting up a fight?
The Two Sages in particular looked disappointed when they saw him move.
They had hoped Tongtian would clash with Yuanshi, tearing the relationship between the Three Pure Ones apart for good.
Yet they had never expected Tongtian to sign the Investiture of the Gods List outright.
A mighty saint, bowing his head without even resisting, casting aside all dignity?
Wasn't Tongtian being far too weak?
The Two Sages shook their heads, contempt for Tongtian already rising in their hearts.
Still, on reflection, this was good too.
At the very least, Tongtian's actions would allow them to weather the investiture calamity safely.
As for whether this would affect the rise of the West...
The Two Sages were not worried about that at all.
After all, Tongtian was agreeing to the investiture of the gods today under Yuanshi's coercion, not of his own free will.
That being the case, Tongtian would surely harbor resentment.
Once an opportunity arose, Tongtian would undoubtedly strike at Yuanshi to avenge today's humiliation.
When that happened, the two of them could seize the moment to sow discord again, fishing in troubled waters once more to strengthen the West.
While the Two Sages were still turning these schemes over in their minds...
Tongtian had already reached the Investiture of the Gods List.
The Investiture of the Gods List shone with dazzling divine radiance.
Faintly, the will of the Heavenly Dao wreathed it, while the sounds of the Great Dao rumbled.
For ordinary Primordial World Loose Immortals, the pressure radiating from the Investiture of the Gods List alone would have been enough to keep them from raising their heads.
Standing before the Investiture of the Gods List, Tongtian had extended both hands, seemingly preparing to sign it.
At that moment, a cold sneer had already appeared on Yuanshi's lips as he watched Tongtian.
It seemed Tongtian truly feared the pressure from the Four Saints.
They could weather the investiture calamity safely!
Joy filled Yuanshi's heart.
But scarcely had that thought arisen...
Tongtian suddenly curled his lips into a meaningful smile before the Investiture of the Gods List.
Then he reached out with both hands and seized the Investiture of the Gods List before him.
Unleash the Power of Primordial Chaos!
Tongtian silently issued the command.
Within his Purple Palace, the sphere of light enclosing that strand of Power of Primordial Chaos burst apart at his mental command.
An immense force instantly flooded Tongtian's limbs and bones, beginning to amplify all his power.
At that moment, Tongtian felt a hot current surging throughout his body.
Even with a saint's body, he could feel that inexhaustible, unending Power of Primordial Chaos flowing through him.
Was this Great God Pangu's power?
Truly worthy of the one who reached the pinnacle of the Great Dao of Strength and could cleave heaven from earth.
Tongtian's heart trembled.
With the power now filling his body, the Investiture of the Gods List before him was nothing.
Even if several more supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures appeared, he felt he could destroy them through raw physical strength alone!
"You want Jie Sect disciples to enter the Investiture of the Gods List to weather the investiture calamity?"
"Today, I, Tongtian, will tear this Investiture of the Gods List apart! Let's see how you force me to sign it then!"
After that surge of joy, Tongtian no longer concealed anything.
With a furious roar, he channeled all his strength into his hands.
The Investiture of the Gods List seemed to sense the danger with a spiritual awareness of its own.
Streams of chaos energy descended from the heavens, enveloping the Investiture of the Gods List in their protection.
The will of the Heavenly Dao erupted as well, reinforcing the Investiture of the Gods List.
Yet before absolute power, all these efforts seemed utterly laughable.
At that moment, Tongtian's eyes widened as he began pulling his hands apart, gripping the Investiture of the Gods List.
The Investiture of the Gods List stretched rapidly, visibly lengthening.
"Tongtian, what are you doing? Stop at once!"
"Tongtian, don't act recklessly!"
The sight left Yuanshi and the others utterly dumbfounded.
After a brief moment of shock, they hurriedly shouted warnings.
Then they rushed forward to stop Tongtian.
Tongtian merely gave a cold smile at the Four Saints' warnings.
Not only did his hands never pause, he drove that Power of Primordial Chaos even more fiercely, pouring all of it into the Investiture of the Gods List.
Riiip!
As that strange sound rang out...
The Investiture of the Gods List in Tongtian's hands split straight into two pieces.
"This..."
The Four Saints, who had been about to advance and stop Tongtian, were instantly stunned.
The Heavenly Book, the Investiture of the Gods List-a supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure formed in accordance with the will of the Heavenly Dao-had been... torn apart by Tongtian's bare hands?
They watched the Investiture of the Gods List in Tongtian's hands slowly dissolve into motes of light, returning to the Heavenly Dao.
Yuanshi and the others gaped, unable to utter a word.
Only after a long while did Taiqing Taishang Laozi, the head of the Three Pure Ones who had remained silent throughout, step forward, pointing at Tongtian with anger on his face.
"Tongtian, do you realize what you're doing?!"
"The Heavenly Book, the Investiture of the Gods List, was formed from the descending will of the Heavenly Dao."
"You recklessly destroyed the Investiture of the Gods List. Are you trying to oppose the Heavenly Dao?!"
Taishang's words rang like an alarm bell, bringing Yuanshi and the others back to their senses.
Though they did not know how Tongtian had managed to tear apart the Investiture of the Gods List...
His actions had undeniably offended heavenly majesty and shown profound disrespect toward the Heavenly Dao.
That was already enough to pin a charge on Tongtian!
"Tongtian, you recklessly tore apart the Investiture of the Gods List, defying the will of the Heavenly Dao."
"Come with me to Zixiao Palace at once and explain yourself to our teacher, Hongjun."
"Otherwise, we will seize you by force today and drag you to Zixiao Palace to answer for your crime!"
Yuanshi's eyes shifted. Reacting fastest, he immediately spoke in a stern, low voice.
The torn Investiture of the Gods List could be restored through the will of the Heavenly Dao.
But Tongtian's actions just now had already constituted profound disrespect toward the Heavenly Dao.
Once Dao Ancestor Hongjun learned of this, he would undoubtedly be furious.
When the time came, as long as the Dao Ancestor pressured Tongtian...
Tongtian would have no choice but to follow the Dao Ancestor's wishes and proceed with the investiture of the gods.
Beside him, the other three saints instantly understood Yuanshi's intentions upon hearing his words.
Especially the Two Sages of the West.
They had regretted that the clash between Yuanshi and Tongtian had not fully erupted earlier.
They had never expected another opening to appear.
Now was the perfect opportunity to make the conflict between Tongtian and Yuanshi erupt!
Excitement showed on the Two Sages' faces, and they were already prepared to join forces against Tongtian.
But before they could act...
Ahead of them, Tongtian's aura surged violently, his fighting spirit soaring.
With a sweep of his hand, he cast aside the torn Investiture of the Gods List.
Then he actually charged at the Four Saints first.
"Tongtian, do you have a death wish?!"
Yuanshi and the others briefly froze, then a vicious gleam appeared in their eyes.
With the strength of just one saint, he actually dared to take the initiative against all four of them.
At that moment, the Four Saints even wondered whether something had gone wrong with Tongtian's cultivation and he had fallen into cultivation madness.
But now was not the time to dwell on it.
For Tongtian had already charged right up to them!
Before you continue