Beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens, a palace floats in the universe, surrounded by purple aura, with star rivers flowing beneath it. From a distance, the entire palace emits a faint purple light. This is Hongjun's Daoist temple, the transcendent Zixiao Palace.
Tongtian arrived at the entrance of Zixiao Palace with a heart full of trepidation. He straightened his clothes slightly. He had great trust and respect for Hongjun, but since his contact with Li Daoyi, the latter had occasionally revealed his dissatisfaction with Hongjun in his words, which made him very embarrassed. He also sensed that Li Daoyi seemed to know some secrets related to Hongjun. He had asked him about it before, but Li Daoyi refused, saying that the time was not right.
Just as he hesitated, another rainbow flashed behind him.
"Senior Brother Tongtian." A gentle female voice rang out, and Nuwa's figure gradually appeared.
Tongtian turned around and smiled; he and Nuwa hadn't seen each other for a long time.
"Junior sister, you also received the teacher's message?" Tongtian said with a smile.
"Yes, I suppose we've all received it." Nuwa nodded, then looked at Tongtian with a meaningful gaze.
Tongtian felt somewhat uncomfortable seeing Nuwa's gaze.
“I have seen that person before,” Nuwa transmitted her voice.
Upon hearing this, Tongtian instantly understood who Nuwa was referring to.
"Yes, I know," Tongtian replied telepathically. He then shook his head slightly at Nuwa, signaling her not to say anything more.
Nuwa naturally understood, smiled, and descended from the sky to the entrance of Zixiao Palace.
"Senior brother, let's go in," Nuwa said.
The two then slowly walked inside.
The hall was very spacious. A huge futon floated quietly in front of it, and there were six smaller futons around it. At this time, four of them were already occupied by people.
"Junior brother, junior sister, you've arrived."
One of the white-haired old men, who looked like a Taoist priest, smiled at Tongtian and the other two.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Taishang, Senior Brother Yuanshi, and the other two Senior Brothers," Nuwa said.
The speaker was none other than the Supreme Sage, and the slightly younger-looking Taoist to his left was none other than the Primordial Heavenly Venerable. On the two futons to his right sat two strangely dressed, bald cultivators who did not appear to be Taoists; they were none other than the Western Paradise's Jieyin and Zhunti.
"Senior Brother." Tongtian bowed to Taishang and Yuanshi Tianzun, but didn't even glance at the two Western Saints beside him.
However, the two seemed to have gotten used to Tongtian's temper, and after a few dry laughs, they closed their eyes to rest.
Nuwa and Tongtian flew up and sat on the two empty prayer mats respectively.
After a short while, none of the six spoke, each seemingly preoccupied with their own thoughts, speculating about the reason for Hongjun's summoning. Although Nuwa and Tongtian had a better understanding after Li Daoyi's reminder, they were still somewhat worried.
"Buzz..."
A flash of light appeared, and a figure emerged from the huge futon above the six people.
The man was dressed in a white Taoist robe, with a full head of silver hair. Although he looked old, his skin was rosy like a baby's, and he had a kind smile on his face. He was none other than Hongjun, who was known as the Taoist Ancestor and had merged with the Tao.
"Disciple greets Master."
The six people bowed in unison.
Hongjun smiled and nodded, then slowly spoke.
"No need for such formalities."
"yes."
"Master, what important matter has summoned us here for?" Taishang asked.
The others also looked at Hongjun.
"Alas, a long time has passed since the last great calamity, and now the primordial world is about to face another great calamity," Hongjun sighed.
Upon hearing that a great calamity was about to befall them, the group remained calm, for they were saints and would never be subject to such a calamity.
"Teacher, what great calamity is this?" Yuanshi Tianzun asked.
"This is a celestial tribulation."
"A Celestial Tribulation?" The group was immediately taken aback.
"The number of the Six Sages is fixed, and the number of Immortals is also fixed. The position of Great Luo in the Primordial World is now saturated. Reaching Great Luo in the future will be extremely difficult. Now, the calamity has arisen, and the great calamity is about to begin. This time, those who will face the calamity will be mainly cultivators," Hongjun said slowly.
Upon hearing this, the group fell silent. Although they were not supposed to be subject to the calamity, they all had many disciples, especially Tongtian and Yuanshi Tianzun, in addition to Taishang and Nuwa.
“This great calamity will primarily affect the East, so you and Zhunti don’t need to worry too much,” Hongjun continued.
"Thank you for your mercy, teacher. My Western region is barren and has very little..." Zhunti then began to complain, which annoyed the others.
"Alright, I have one more important thing to tell you, which is also related to this great calamity." Hongjun interrupted the incessantly talking Zhunti.
Hongjun stretched out his hand, and a golden scroll appeared in his palm.
"Haotian has been complaining to me that the Heavenly Court is short-handed and wants to select some of your disciples to serve in the Heavenly Court. What do you think?" Hongjun asked.
The group exchanged bewildered glances and lowered their heads. Haotian was merely a junior to them; how could they possibly allow their disciples to serve under him?
Seemingly having anticipated their reaction, Hongjun wasn't annoyed and smiled as he spoke.
"This is the Investiture of the Gods. In the great calamity to come, any cultivator who perishes will be listed on the list. Once listed, their primordial spirit can be reborn, which can be considered as preserving a sliver of life for everyone," Hongjun said, pointing to the Investiture of the Gods.
"Teacher, this Investiture of the Gods is so magical, are there any requirements or restrictions?" Tongtian couldn't help but ask.
"Of course there are limitations. Once you're on the list, you'll never have a chance to achieve the Great Dao, but you can still enjoy immortality. However, once you're on the list, you must take up a post in the Heavenly Court. I've initially planned 365 positions for the Righteous Gods," Hongjun explained.
Tongtian's heart tightened. Being denied the Great Dao meant that his cultivation would stagnate forever after being listed on the Investiture of the Gods, and he would be forever bound by the Investiture of the Gods.
“Master, I only have Xuandu among my disciples, so I’m afraid I’m not destined for this list,” Taishang said.
Hongjun nodded. Indeed, that person only had one disciple, so how could he possibly be on the list? Then he looked at Nuwa and the other two.
"Master, I have no disciples, only a few attendants. This list is not for me," Nuwa said softly.
Nuwa did not have any actual disciples, but her two great attendants, the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden and the Nine Netherworld Maiden, were both quasi-saints. In addition, there were divine beasts such as Bai Xi, Teng She, and Zhu Que, who lived in Nuwa's palace under her protection. These were also quasi-saints. Although they did not have the title of master and disciple, they had the reality of being master and disciple.
Hongjun gave Nuwa a meaningful look, then nodded, and finally his gaze fell on Tongtian and Yuanshi Tianzun.
Yuanshi Tianzun fell silent, and couldn't help but look at Tongtian, only to see Tongtian cup his hands and say something.
“Since it is the teacher’s instruction, this disciple is willing to sign this Investiture of the Gods.”
"..."
Tongtian's straightforwardness surprised everyone. Anyone with eyes could see that the Jie Sect was the one who suffered the most, since they had the most disciples.
Yuanshi Tianzun frowned. Although his disciples were not as numerous as Tongtian's, they were still far more numerous than Nuwa and Taishang. After a moment's thought, he also indicated that he was willing to sign.
“Very good, Supreme Lord, you should sign it too. You are the leader of the Human Sect, and this great calamity will befall the Great Shang Dynasty, including mortals. Those people will also have a chance to be listed.” Hongjun continued.
"Mortals, the Great Shang..." Nuwa was startled upon hearing this. This was the truth revealed. All the previous calamities of the immortals were just a prelude. They were indeed after the human race. Li Daoyi was right.
"Yes," Taishang nodded. As long as Xuandu didn't suffer the calamity, he naturally didn't care about the mortals.
Then the Investiture of the Gods slowly opened, and the three sages signed their names on it.
"Yuanshi, you shall keep this list for now. You will know when the great calamity begins."
"Remember, during the great calamity, even sages must not intervene. I hope you will all act accordingly."
After Hongjun finished speaking, his figure slowly disappeared.
"Respectfully seeing off the teacher."
The group then left Zixiao Palace.
“Fellow Daoist Yuanshi, it has been a long time since we last met. May we have a chat?” Jieyin said as soon as he came out.
Yuanshi Tianzun looked at the two Western Saints and saw that their eyes were fixed on the Investiture of the Gods. He smiled and said.
"There is nothing wrong with that."
"Senior brother, I'm leaving now." Yuanshi said goodbye to Taishang and then flew away with the two of them.
Watching the three figures disappear into the distance, Taishang sighed. He could sense the smugness in Yuanshi Tianzun's heart.
"Alas, I can only hope that nothing goes wrong," the Supreme Lord said.
After speaking, he looked at Tongtian with some concern.
"Senior brother, junior sister, farewell. This matter is of great importance, and I need to go back and consider it further." After saying this, Tongtian transformed into a streak of rainbow light and flew away.
Taishang narrowed his eyes. Tongtian seemed a bit off today, which was not his usual behavior. Logically speaking, he would have tried his best to refuse the Investiture of the Gods. Why was he so quick to agree?
"Senior brother, I'll take my leave now." Nuwa smiled and then flew away.
"Sigh..." Taishang shook his head helplessly, and then disappeared from Zixiao Palace.
In the air, very close to Chaoge, Li Daoyi stopped helplessly and looked at the two people behind him.
"Gentlemen, I will be there soon. Shouldn't you be heading back?" Li Daoyi said.
After leaving Biyou Palace, Zhen Yuanzi said he was going the same way and wanted to return together, while Kunpeng also came along, saying he wanted to give him a ride.
"So fast!" Kunpeng looked around and said.
"Ahem, fellow Daoist, may I rest at your place for a while?" Zhen Yuanzi said.
"Hahaha." Li Daoyi suddenly burst into laughter.
"Well, you two, if you want to come to Chaoge with me, just say so. Why make up such a lame excuse? Do you think I, Li Daoyi, am such a petty person?" Li Daoyi laughed.
"Haha, I knew Brother Dao wouldn't be so stingy," Kunpeng said with a sigh of relief.
Zhen Yuanzi nodded awkwardly.
The group then prepared to continue flying towards Chaoge.
Just then, a figure flew in from the horizon; before the person even arrived, their voice could be heard.
"Fellow Daoist, please wait."
"..."
Upon hearing this, a name immediately came to mind for Li Daoyi.
"Shen Gongbao".
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