After the newly born Hongyun took charge of the Investiture of the Gods, he was secretly approached by Zhunti.
"Fellow Daoist's return is truly a cause for celebration. When we heard of your demise in the War of the Witches and Demons, my elder brother and I were deeply saddened. Now that you are entrusted with overseeing the Investiture of the Gods of the Gods and filling the void in the Heavenly Court, I, Zhunti, am willing to do everything in my power to help."
Hongyun smiled and said, "Thank you, fellow Daoist."
"Fellow Daoist, your cave dwelling, Huo Yun Cave, is currently the residence of the Three Sovereigns of the Human Clan. How about I help you find a treasure trove?"
The moment Hongyun became a saint, he understood many things. He no longer had any attachment to his former cave Huo Yun Cave. He had severed all his past memories, and he now had a Zhunti's nature.
"There's no need to trouble you, fellow Daoist. I am newly reborn and have many things to do. Farewell."
With a thought, Hongyun's surroundings changed, and he arrived at the territory of Longevity Mountain, his gaze fixed on Five Manors Temple.
"Fellow Daoist, it's been a long time! May I come in for a drink?"
The ethereal sound reached the Five Manors Temple Great Immortal Zhenyuan, who was meditating.
Zhenyuanzi smiled. Upon learning that Hongyun was not dead and had returned as a saint, he was happy and joyful as an old friend, but also a little melancholy. After all, before the outbreak of the War of the Witches and Demons, he had distanced himself from Hongyun because he couldn't stand that twisted, kind-hearted person's character, and also because he didn't want to get caught up in unnecessary disputes.
Ultimately, I still had some selfish motives.
"Fellow Daoist, please enter the temple."
In the living room, Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi were drinking tea and eating Ginseng Fruit, just like they had done at the beginning.
" Hongyun, I'm sorry."
Hongyun reached out and grasped Zhenyuanzi's arm, smiling slightly. "Brother, there's no need to apologize. This long Samsara of reincarnation has made me understand many things. In fact, at the moment of death, I was completely awakened. The Hongyun of the past, under the guise of morality and being a good person, helped some people but offended even more. Now, I also despise my former self."
" Hongyun, that's all in the past."
"Yes, it's all in the past."
"By the way, why are there so few Ginseng Fruit Tree in the courtyard on the way to the temple?" Hongyun asked.
Zhenyuanzi knew that Hongyun used to be extremely greedy for Ginseng Fruit. When asked about the number of Ginseng Fruit, he couldn't help but frown and sigh softly.
" Hongyun, let's not talk about that. In a few days, when I have more Ginseng Fruit, you can come and taste them more often."
Hongyun frowned and said, "Brother, I've made it big now. Did some Sage give you a hard time? Tell me, your problems are my problems, and your grievances are my grievances."
"Oh ho, what grievances are you complaining about? Tell me about them." A voice came from outside the living room.
Zhenyuanzi's face immediately darkened.
"The person in question is here; ask him."
Upon hearing this, Hongyun realized that Xiao Tian had eaten all those Ginseng Fruit! His appetite was simply too enormous!
"Fellow Daoist, you've come for the Ginseng Fruit? But I don't have many here, so perhaps you should come again another time." Hongyun gave Zhen Zhenyuanzi a reassuring look, his face hardening, and an invisible Sage aura bypassed Zhenyuanzi, spreading outwards.
Ignoring Hongyun's Sage aura, Xiao Tian entered the living room and sat down quite naturally.
" Hongyun, do you forget the lessons you learned?"
Hongyun frowned and said, "What do you mean, fellow Daoist? The Hongyun of the past is dead. If you insist on making things difficult for me again, Hongyun am not afraid."
Xiao Tian flashed a gleaming smile, glancing at Zhenyuanzi, and said, "Old Daoist, get me a Ginseng Fruit. I'm here today to hand over the reins to my successor, Brother Hongyun."
Zhenyuanzi smiled and nodded, then gently patted Hongyun's shoulder, signaling her not to act rashly.
Hongyun gazed at Xiao Tian, his brows relaxing as he smiled and said, "The previous person to hold the Investiture of the Gods was you, fellow Daoist. I wonder what insights you have on this matter? I would appreciate your guidance."
"Hehehe, little brother Hongyun, the members on the Investiture of the Gods aren't just random cats and dogs. Only those who are related to the protagonist of the Great Tribulation, the current King Zhou, and whose status is considered, can be listed. And once listed, the size of their divine position depends on their contributions and abilities demonstrated during this Great Tribulation."
Hongyun nodded, "Thank you for your guidance, fellow Daoist."
Zhenyuanzi quickly used his Golden Striker to bring back the Ginseng Fruit. Xiao Tian ate it in small sips while drinking immortal tea, explaining some important points about the Investiture of the Gods to Hongyun.
"Brother Hongyun, let me remind you again. The trend of the Great Tribulation is very clear now. Zhunti of the West, assisting Ji Western Qi's lineage of the Great Zhou Ji Fa in Xiqi, is going to challenge the Great Shang, which is assisted by Yuanshi, and seize its destiny. This may seem like a war for the change of dynasties among mortals, but in the future, many immortals and gods will be drawn into it."
Upon hearing this, Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi felt a chill run down their spines, as they agreed with Xiao Tian's analysis.
"Fellow Daoist, what do you think the future holds, and what will the final outcome be?" Hongyun asked humbly.
"As for the future, it depends on whether the players can hold back, and whether those watching from the sidelines want to get involved." Xiao Tian smiled mysteriously.
"So, fellow Daoist, can you go into the water?" Hongyun asked with a smile.
"Hehehe, little brother, your question is like asking a pointless question. As the first master of the Investiture of the Gods of the Gods, I've already fallen into Great Tribulation. Although the Investiture of the Gods of the Gods has changed hands now, I'm already in the water. But as long as it doesn't harm some of my friends, I'll just watch the show from the sidelines." Xiao Tian waved his hand and casually made up a story.
After all, his primordial spirit incarnation, King Zhou, was the protagonist of the Great Tribulation, and he wouldn't allow his own people, the Great Shang, to be destroyed.
Moreover, the arrangements for the Two Sages of the West had already been finalized! They were just waiting for the right moment to strike!
"Fellow Daoist, Hongyun would like to remind you not to go into the water completely. The power of Sage is earth-shattering and may affect the foundation of the Primordial."
Xiao Tian chuckled inwardly. Affect the foundation of the Primordial? It only affects the number of powerful beings in the Primordial Primordial. With the Deva Path Dao overseeing it, the Primordial World as a whole will not change. What will change is that the original few large prisons may become more prisons, making it easier for the Primordial Heavenly Dao, the prison warden, to manage them.
"As long as that stinking pig Zhunti doesn't mess with Zhunti, I won't get involved. If he's looking for a beating, I don't care about staging a scene in the Chaos."
A scene unfolding amidst Chaos? Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun were puzzled.
After Xiao Tian left, Hongyun communicated with the Deva Path and calculated the secrets of heaven. She learned that Xiao Tian Attaining the Dao through Strength in the Chaos. Her eyes widened and her heart was filled with horror.
"Below the Dao Ancestor, the foremost Sage is none other than Fellow Deva Path!"
Hongyun immediately made a trip to Spirit Mountain to Zhunti.
"Fellow Daoist, what is it?" Zhunti, Hongyun was in charge of the Investiture of the Gods. Now that he was getting closer to the West, the Three Pure Ones would naturally be hostile to Hongyun. The West was already at a disadvantage, so with Hongyun's position tilted, the situation would become more balanced.
"Fellow Daoist, I have come to urge you not to provoke Fellow Daoist Xiao Deva Path or harm his disciples," Hongyun reminded him.
Zhunti sighed, "Fellow Daoist, it's good enough that he doesn't provoke me. How could I dare to provoke him? After all, I can't beat him."
"That's good. This Great Tribulation is very deep, and even Sage would find it difficult to ignore." Hongyun said with a meaningful look in his eyes.
"Naturally, fellow Daoist, you must also be careful."
"Good."
Meanwhile, the Three Pure Ones gathered together again and invited Xiao Tian.
"As the legitimate successors of Pangu, the situation of this Great Tribulation is already clear. In order for the Great Tribulation to pass as soon as possible, we must quickly defeat the arrangements of Zhunti and his Zhunti in the West and make the positions on the Investiture of the Investiture of the Gods complete," said Yuanshi.
"Good." Laozi nodded to Tongtian.
"Fellow Daoist, what do you think?" Yuanshi asked Xiao Tian.
Xiao Tian ate a roasted chicken leg and drank wine, frowning as he said, "I don't think it's that simple. You need to be careful that your disciples aren't turned. Also, I think that guy Hongyun will most likely help the West. If Hongyun makes a move, Zhenyuanzi will also help the West."
Laozi Tzu said, "I hope it won't come to that."
Suddenly, the summons of Dao Ancestor Hongjun resounded in the ears of Xiao Tian, Three Pure Ones, Zhunti, Jieyin, Jieyin Hongyun Nüwa.
Inside the Purple Cloud Palace.
"Teacher, could it be that something has changed Great Tribulation?" Zhunti asked.
Hongjun did not reply directly to Zhunti, but stared intently at Xiao Deva Path, saying, "Fellow Daoist, you must not interfere in this great Great Tribulation."
Fellow Daoist!
The Three Pure Ones Zhunti, Jieyin, Hongyun, and Nüwa were all shaken.
Clearly, Dao Ancestor Hongjun has elevated Xiao Tian to the same level as himself!
Attaining the Dao through Strength really that powerful? Xiao Tian, who only recently became a saint, can already contend with Dao Ancestor Hongjun?
Xiao Tian had anticipated this outcome and said lazily, "No problem, I'll just watch the show. But let me make this clear: if my son's life is in danger, I'll still have to take action."
Dao Ancestor Hongjun's gaze swept over the Three Pure Ones, Zhunti, Jieyin, Nüwa, and Hongyun, especially lingering on Zhunti and Jieyin for some time.
Zhunti Jieyin my scalp tingle.
"Fellow Daoist Xiao Deva Path, I hope you will keep a close eye on your son."
"Don't worry, my son is very well-behaved. His only hobby is sculpting figurines at home and traveling occasionally."
When Zhunti Jieyin heard that Zhunti only had a hobby of sculpting figurines at home, they breathed a sigh of relief, but when they heard that he occasionally traveled, they became nervous again.
The two brothers exchanged a glance and decided that if any of their subordinates encountered that brat Xiao Li in the future, they would have to keep him under control, feed him well, and treat him like royalty, so as not to ruin their plans.
As long as it doesn't cause harm, it's fine.
"This Great Tribulation is of immense importance; all the saints must also be wary of Dugu Baitian of Northern Continent of Kuru."
"Yes, teacher!"
The saints were dismissed, Xiao Tian was left behind in the Purple Cloud Palace.
"Fellow Daoist, your discussion of the Dao and your Attaining the Dao through Strength abilities are truly admirable." Dao Ancestor Hongjun expressed his heartfelt envy.
These Deva Path Sage of the Deva Path Way, who are bound by its own laws, are nowhere near as fortunate as the Carefree and unfettered Sage.
"Fellow Daoist, let's begin."
After becoming a saint, Xiao Tian's understanding of the Dao was extraordinary, like a fool suddenly becoming enlightened, transforming him from the worst student in his class into a global academic superstar.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun succeeded by Severing the Three Corpses, Unifying the Three Corpses, and finally choosing to Merging One's Body with the Dao to prove his Dao. Severing the Three Corpses was not without merit, since each of the Three Corpses requires Innate Spirit Treasure. Once the corpse is successfully severed, it possesses 100% of the Innate Spirit Treasure's power and is connected to the original body's mind, which is equivalent to having another useful helper.
Hongjun's biggest mistake was being led astray by the Deva Path Dao. If he had waited a few more years and hadn't chosen to Merging One's Body with the Dao, becoming Carefree Sage, he wouldn't have been able to roam freely in the Primordial World, but he wouldn't have been restricted either.
What you gain, what you lose, life cannot be relived.
For a thousand years, Hongjun discussed the Dao at the Purple Cloud Palace and gained much. Although these experiences could not help him break free from the Deva Path Cage, they did inspire him in some ways.
The Purple Cloud Palace has existed for a thousand years, while the Primordial has existed for less than a day.
As soon as Xiao Tian left Purple Cloud Palace, Nüwa sent him an invitation.
"Urgent! If you don't come, you'll regret it!"