In less than half a day, Xuandu had invited all the Saints to the Eight Scenery Palace.
Seeing that all the Saints had arrived, Laozi got straight to the point. "I have invited you all here to discuss an important matter."
Nüwa said directly, "Senior Brother, please give your instructions." She still held considerable respect for Laozi.
Jie Yin asked, "Is this about the Investiture of the Gods?"
"Yes, but not entirely." Laozi replied, "Gu Changqing, a disciple of Junior Brother Tong Tian, has already Proved the Dao of Mixed Origin."
"What?"
Upon first hearing that Gu Changqing had Proved the Dao, the Two Sages of the West were no less shocked than Laozi had been.
If Gu Changqing had Proved the Dao of Mixed Origin, then what was even the point of this Investiture of the Gods?
Forget about profiting from the Intercepting Sect. If Gu Changqing did not storm Mount Sumeru, they would already be burning incense and praying to Buddha.
No, they were greater than Buddha.
Praying to Buddha would not help either!
Seeing Nüwa's calm expression, Yuanshi gave her a meaningful look.
"That is not even the main point." Laozi continued. "The main point is that Gu Changqing possesses the God Slaying Spear and is very likely Luo Hou's successor."
"This..."
The Two Sages of the West sucked in a cold breath.
The God Slaying Spear was far too terrifying!
It was said that the West was barren entirely because of the Dao-Demon War.
The Dao was Dao Ancestor Hongjun, while the Demon was Demon Ancestor Luo Hou.
The reappearance of the God Slaying Spear meant that the demonic path was rising again.
"What do you mean, likely?" Zhun Ti immediately replied. "Gu Changqing is definitely connected to the Demon Ancestor. Otherwise, how could he have Proved the Dao of Mixed Origin in merely a dozen years?"
Zhun Ti directly branded Gu Changqing as a villain. He had a grudge against Gu Changqing and feared retaliation.
Yuanshi nodded. "Junior Brother Zhun Ti is absolutely right. Gu Changqing is either Luo Hou's successor or Luo Hou's incarnation outright. How important was the God Slaying Spear to Luo Hou? Why would Luo Hou give it so easily to another?"
At that moment, Nüwa said, "Is it not too hasty to label Gu Changqing a member of the demonic path solely because of the God Slaying Spear?"
"Do not forget that the Four Swords of Zhuxian were Luo Hou's companion spiritual treasures. Does that mean Senior Brother Tong Tian is also a member of the demonic path?"
Nüwa had also been greatly surprised that Gu Changqing possessed the God Slaying Spear. But if anyone claimed he was part of the demonic path, she would be the first not to believe it.
How could one of the demonic path comprehend such a pure and vast Creation Dao?
Yuanshi frowned. "Pangu's One Qi Transforms into Three Purities, and our teacher passed one Dao to three friends. Junior Brother Tong Tian is naturally not a member of the demonic path. Unfortunately, he was long ago bewitched by the Four Swords of Zhuxian, and now he has fallen deeply into demonic influence."
He could acknowledge Gu Changqing's identity as part of the demonic path, but he absolutely could not say that Tong Tian was as well. The karma between the Three Purities ran far too deep.
Heh heh!
Nüwa inwardly sneered. As a Saint, could Tong Tian really be bewitched by a magic treasure? Was Yuanshi trying to fool a child?
Zhun Ti chimed in, "Senior Brother Yuanshi is right. If Senior Brother Tong Tian had not already fallen into the demonic path, why would he recklessly establish a Human Emperor and defy the heavens?"
Nüwa glanced at the Saints, feeling utterly speechless. These leaders of the orthodox Mystic Sect and Buddhist Sect were no worse than common street scoundrels when it came to twisting black into white.
If the mortal world were led by people like them, it would sooner or later be finished!
There was nothing wrong with the Human Race standing on its own!
"Ahem!" Seeing the topic had gone astray, Laozi hurriedly steered it back. "What we are discussing today is not Junior Brother Tong Tian, but his disciple Gu Changqing."
"Exactly!" Zhun Ti replied. "Gu Changqing is definitely a member of the demonic path and must be suppressed and killed."
Killing Gu Changqing would not only eliminate future trouble, but also sever one of Tong Tian's arms. Why not?
Laozi continued, "To ensure fairness, let us vote by raising our hands."
Yuanshi was the first to raise his hand, and the Two Sages of the West naturally refused to fall behind.
Nüwa bitterly smiled inwardly. What fairness! Senior Brother was clearly stacking the vote.
Then again, Fellow Daoist Changqing's establishment of a Human Emperor had also harmed the Human Sect's interests.
These Saints were Saints in name only!
Nüwa felt strangely out of place sitting in the Eight Scenery Palace.
Seeing that Nüwa remained unmoved, Laozi asked, "Junior Sister Nüwa, what do you think?"
What do I think? Haven't you already decided everything?
Nüwa replied, "Since the Witch Demon Calamity, I have ceased involving myself in the affairs of the Primordial World. I will remain neutral in this matter."
Laozi said again, "Since Junior Sister wishes to remain neutral, then cultivate here in the Eight Scenery Palace until our teacher emerges from seclusion."
Nüwa smiled. "Thank you for your kindness, Senior Brother. Though the Eight Scenery Palace is fine, it cannot compare to the freedom of Wa Palace. I should return to Wa Palace."
How could Nüwa not understand by now? Laozi had called her here not to discuss important matters at all, but to place her under house arrest.
Laozi continued, "The extermination of demons concerns the safety of the Primordial World. To guard against any unforeseen event, I ask Junior Sister for understanding. I have no other choice."
"Fine. I will stay in the Eight Scenery Palace."
Nüwa spoke coldly. Since matters had been stated so plainly, there was no room for compromise. She simply did not possess the strength to force her way out.
"Xuandu." Laozi summoned Xuandu, then said, "Escort your Martial Aunt Nüwa to the Secluded Room to cultivate."
Nüwa rose and gave Laozi a look. She could not even be bothered to call him shameless. At this moment, she no longer held any respect for him.
After Nüwa left, Laozi said, "For the stability of the Primordial World, the Demon Extermination Alliance is established today. Until the demonic path is eradicated, the alliance shall not disband. From this day onward, the Three Sects shall advance and retreat together, sharing hardship and adversity."
"Agreed!"
The Saints readily assented.
Xiqi.
Western Zhou had long raised the banner of rebellion and fought several fierce battles against Great Shang. Both sides had won and lost in turn.
That day, Jiang Ziya offered counsel to King Wu.
"My lord, Phoenix Cries Qishan; Zhou shall replace Shang. Above, it accords with Heaven's will; below, it follows the people's hearts. Yet war rages without end, and countless soldiers and civilians have been killed or wounded, creating boundless karmic slaughter. I fear Heaven's wrath may descend."
King Wu, dressed in full armor, asked, "What good strategy does the Chancellor have?"
Jiang Ziya replied, "Though this is ordained by the Heavenly Dao, Heaven cherishes life. My lord may establish the Investiture of the Gods Platform and enshrine the Investiture of the Gods List. Those who die without guilt shall not enter reincarnation after death, but ascend to the higher realms and receive the offerings of the mortal world. Though this cannot ease the suffering of this life, it can remove the worries of the next."
King Wu replied, "Chancellor, you are benevolent and kind. I shall leave this matter to you."
King Wu knew nothing about the Investiture of the Gods and did not care about it either.
What he cared about was when he could take Di Xin's seat.
Yet how could replacing Shang with Zhou be so easy?
If not for the support of the immortal sects represented by Jiang Ziya and the others, his head would have long been hanging from Chaoge's city walls.
Such a trivial matter as the Investiture of the Gods Platform could be left to them.
After receiving King Wu's approval, Jiang Ziya completed the Investiture of the Gods Platform in just three days.
Once the Investiture of the Gods Platform was established, boundless merit descended from Heaven, and Western Zhou's fortune greatly increased.
Roar—
Before that Profound Yellow Energy could break through the clouds, it was shattered by a dragon's roar.
A phantom golden dragon appeared, opened its mouth, and swallowed the Profound Yellow Energy whole before vanishing without a trace.
The national fortune Jiang Ziya had gathered for Western Zhou through the Investiture of the Gods List became nourishment for Great Shang's Luck Golden Dragon.
How could Great Shang's Luck Golden Dragon allow the fortune of a minor state like Western Zhou to take shape?
To the Evil Flood Dragon, this was nothing less than a provocation.
Within the Grand Tutor's Mansion, Gu Changqing secretly laughed. A Luck Golden Dragon with intelligence truly was different.
It was time to begin!
Holding the list Shi Ji had brought back, Gu Changqing walked out of the Secluded Room.
Before you continue