The Ancestor reappeared, glanced at the Investiture of the Gods, and said expressionlessly, "The number of people on the list is insufficient, yet you all must fill in the gaps. Never mind, we'll discuss it again next time. A hundred years from now, the Purple Cloud Palace will reopen. At that time, you must decide on the list, otherwise the great calamity will not end, and the karmic consequences will be immense." With that, he waved his hand, and the saints were sent out of the Purple Cloud Palace. This move stunned the saints. They had thought that after becoming saints, the gap between them and their teacher should have narrowed, but now it seemed that they were still like ants in front of their teacher.
The saints, somewhat dejected, returned to their respective places.
Not long after Laozi returned to Taichitian, Yuanshi came again. Laozi still pretended not to see him, which infuriated Yuanshi, who returned dejectedly.
A hundred years may seem like a long time, but to a sage it is but a fleeting moment. A hundred years later, the Dao Ancestor summoned all the sages again to discuss the Investiture of the Gods at Zixiao Palace. The Dao Ancestor said, "The matter of the Investiture of the Gods cannot be delayed any longer. This time you must come to a conclusion." After saying this, however, unlike the previous two times, he simply closed his eyes and sat on the futon, waiting for the result of their discussion.
The three sages, seeing that their teacher had spoken, knew that they had to decide on the disciples to be listed on the Investiture of the Gods that day. However, even sages, though holy, are still human and cannot sever the four emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness. Both Yuanshi Tianzun and Tongtian Jiaozhu wanted to preserve their respective sects' vitality, allowing the other's disciples to be listed. They argued endlessly, unable to decide who would be on the list.
Seeing his two junior brothers arguing endlessly and unable to decide, Laozi said, "Since you two junior brothers cannot decide, why don't we leave none of them on the list?" As soon as the Supreme Lord Laozi finished speaking, both the Primordial Heavenly Lord and the Tongtian Sect Master were taken aback. The Tongtian Sect Master couldn't help but say, "Alright! Let's leave none of them on the list. Whether the disciples of the three sects are on the list or not depends entirely on their individual strength and opportunities." The Primordial Heavenly Lord also nodded in agreement.
Seeing that his two junior brothers had also agreed, Laozi turned to Daozu Hongjun and said, "Master, is this acceptable?" Hongjun opened his eyes and said, "As long as 365 people are on the list, and the Investiture of the Gods is not delayed, that's fine. As for who is on the list, it's up to you three brothers to decide. A hundred years later, the person to be Investiture of the Gods will be born. At that time, whichever sect they join, that sect will preside over the Investiture of the Gods, and I, your master, will deliver the Investiture of the Gods list to the leader of that sect." Yuanshi asked again, "Master, how can we identify the person to be Investiture of the Gods?" The other sages were also listening, for whichever sect the person to be Investiture of the Gods fell into would benefit that sect.
Hongjun said, "This person has the appearance of a flying bear." After saying that, he disappeared.
Seeing that the Dao Ancestor had already disappeared, the sages bowed to each other and left Zixiao Palace, heading towards their respective Daoist temples.
After returning to Penglai Island, Xuan Tian had some thoughts. This great calamity was clearly a massacre orchestrated by the Jie Sect of Taoism. Although he did not establish a sect, he was still part of Taoism. Hadn't he heard the outside world talking about the "Three Pure Ones and One Sage of Taoism"? This referred to the Three Pure Ones and Xuan Tian's Holy Father. After this massacre, the Western Sect changed its name to Buddhism and started anew, which Xuan Tian found somewhat distasteful. During this calamity, Zhun Ti had secretly taken away many Taoist disciples, especially Jie Sect disciples. In the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation, he guided three thousand mortals to be taken away, completely destroying the remaining foundation of the vast Jie Sect. The Western Sect used this to establish the foundation of Buddhism, stealing the Jie Sect's fortune to grow itself, which was truly despicable.
However, this matter has not yet occurred, and it is uncertain what will happen in the future. Xuan Tian still needs to make some plans.
After careful consideration, Xuantian summoned his four disciples and said, "A hundred years from now, there will be another calamity of conferring gods. Although this calamity will primarily affect the Daoist sect, it will also involve others. All those in the world who have not severed their three corpses will be caught in the calamity. You must instruct the creatures on the island not to leave without permission, lest they be tainted by the evil energy and fall into the calamity." Huixin was greatly alarmed and asked, "Master, we are already immortals, beyond the Three Realms and outside the Five Elements. How can we still face calamities?" Taishang Laojun replied, "All living beings in the world face calamities. Just like ordinary people, those who cannot transcend life and death will undergo tribulations through reincarnation to resolve their karma. If one cultivates the Dao and reaches the Golden Immortal level, one can resolve life and death and not enter reincarnation. However, one's own karma cannot be resolved. The karma of all living beings in the world must be completed, otherwise..." Accumulated over time, this eventually forms the immeasurable calamity. During the immeasurable calamity, the Heavenly Dao is damaged, and even sages must fight for a sliver of survival. This calamity of the Investiture of the Gods is due to three things. First, the Jade Emperor wants the disciples of the Chan and Jie sects to bow their heads and obey him; second, the disciples of the Chan sect are facing a calamity of slaughter and must survive it before they can continue their cultivation; third, the Heavenly Court is short-handed and unable to control all the cultivators and manage all affairs of the Three Realms. "Xuan Tian paused slightly and then continued, "Therefore, the Dao Ancestor bestowed the Investiture of the Gods List to enfeoff the eight classes of gods to assist the Jade Emperor in managing the Three Realms." Hui Xin, Liao Zhen, and Chang'e were not afraid, as they had already severed their three corpses and were not required to be on the list. However, Liao Zhen still had a disciple named Yang Jian, and Cang Jie had not yet severed his three corpses, so he was somewhat worried.
Xuan Tian saw their worries and smiled, "This tribulation's survival depends entirely on karma, merit, and cultivation. Those with shallow karma, high merit, and deep cultivation can cultivate in peace, and this great tribulation will not harm them in the slightest. Those who possess two of these three can also avoid the great tribulation by keeping their mountain gates closed and quietly reciting the *Huang Ting Jing*. Those who possess only one of these three must enter the mortal world to undergo the tribulation. If they are lucky, they can avoid the tribulation; if they are unlucky, their true spirit will enter the Investiture of the Gods and become a god in the Heavenly Court. Those who possess none of these three must enter the mortal world to undergo the tribulation. If they are lucky, their true spirit will enter the Investiture of the Gods; if they are unlucky, they will be reduced to ashes and will not even be able to reincarnate." He paused, then continued, "You all possess merit. Hui Xin, Liao Zhen, and Chang'e, you three have already severed your corpses and are not subject to the tribulation. Moreover, your merit and cultivation are profound, so you have nothing to worry about. Cang Jie also possesses great merit." "There's no need to worry about being robbed. Although Yang Jian has merit, he still has some karmic debts to settle. However, he has deep blessings, and although he's on the list, it won't be a big problem." Seeing Zhen's doubt, Xuan Tian laughed and said, "Those on the list only have their true spirit left, their physical bodies don't exist. Their cultivation cannot improve, and they can only remain at their original realm. But it was never said that they couldn't achieve godhood with their physical bodies. Yang Jian has deep blessings, so he can achieve godhood with his physical body. After that, he will obey orders but not commands, just like before. There's nothing to worry about." Hui Xin said, "Since that's the case, we should close our mountain gates and stay on the island. We can safely get through this great calamity. What is there to worry about?" Xuan Tian laughed and said, "Although this godhood is a great calamity, it is also an opportunity. I will make arrangements for you at that time. You only need to go back and meditate to cultivate. I will arrange things for you then." The four disciples didn't understand, so they could only go back to meditate and cultivate without further ado.
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