Chapter 115: The Assembly of Saints Discussing the Investiture of the Gods (Part Two)

At this moment, the atmosphere within the Purple Cloud Palace was suffocatingly tense. The overwhelming aura of the Dao Ancestor, harmonizing with the heavenly Dao, suppressed even the bodies of the sages, leaving them unable to summon any thought of resistance. This forced the sages to once again reevaluate the vast gulf between their own realms and that of the Dao Ancestor.

Becoming a sage was not the pinnacle of invincibility; it was merely the beginning.

“At present, the Heavenly Court is in dire need of capable individuals to take office. Let the Three Pure Ones deliberate on the matter of these divine positions,” said the Ancient Grandmaster Hongjun with a satisfied smile, evidently enjoying the imposing aura he projected over the assembly of sages.

“Master, my Ling Sect disciples have already filled many posts within the Heavenly Court. Why must we still send more disciples to serve there?” Hearing this, Tongtian immediately sensed trouble and hurriedly offered his counsel to the Dao Ancestor Hongjun before anyone else could speak.

His Ling Sect disciples had already settled in the Heavenly Court, benefiting from its fortune; to stir them up again would be courting disaster.

Even the Supreme Elder of the Great Clarity, who had been keeping his eyes closed, now opened them sharply, focusing intently on the Dao Ancestor Hongjun.

“Indeed, the disciples of our Third Senior Brother already hold positions in the Heavenly Court. If there is a shortage of personnel, then we can rearrange among his disciples,” said the Primordial Supreme Deity as soon as Tongtian finished speaking, addressing the Ancient Grandmaster Hongjun.

His own disciples were all free Golden Immortals, unbound by any heavenly contracts—this was the core teaching philosophy of the Primordial Sect.

He could only afford to spare the twelve Golden Immortals under his command. If the Heavenly Court poached them, who would support his Primordial Sect?

Moreover, even if his disciples were appointed, wouldn't they clash with Tongtian’s disciples? The latter’s numerical superiority might cause his own disciples to suffer.

After weighing the pros and cons, the Primordial Supreme Deity concluded that it was best for the Heavenly Court to not interfere excessively.

Although Tongtian resented the Primordial Supreme Deity’s words, he knew that with his own large sect, he still needed the Heavenly Court’s fortune.

“You three Pure Ones are to discuss and draft the Investiture of the Gods List. This list is not only for appointments within the Heavenly Court but also because the twelve Golden Immortals of the Primordial Sect have violated the ‘Three Prohibitions,’ causing the primordial creatures to live in fear and rage, which has hastened the arrival of the calamity cycle,” the Dao Ancestor Hongjun calmly explained, not refuting their arguments but revealing the deeper reasons.

“What!” Tongtian was shocked. All his efforts had not altered the course of events—how could this be?

“You should sign the Investiture of the Gods List quickly,” Hongjun said before vanishing, leaving the Three Pure Ones dumbfounded.

The Supreme Elder of the Great Clarity looked at the Investiture List floating above. With a palm, the celestial book flew into his hands.

He slowly opened the Investiture List to examine its contents. It recorded three hundred sixty-five divine appointments, divided into several major sections.

Seeing such a large number of Golden Immortals to be appointed, the Supreme Elder felt grim. How could they possibly fill all these posts?

He no longer held back, laying out the list’s contents, which displayed a myriad of emerging divine titles.

“All our Ling Sect disciples are already serving in the Heavenly Court, and the divine generals there have been fully staffed. It’s time for the Primordial and Jie Sects to share the burden of the Heavenly Court,” Tongtian, having suffered losses, refused to back down further.

“What then? Shall I take up a position in the Heavenly Court?” The Supreme Elder snapped, angered by Tongtian’s words. Was this a mere suggestion, or a foregone conclusion?

Meanwhile, Jiejin Zhunti and Mother Nuwa watched the Three Pure Ones’ “farce” with hidden amusement, smiling to themselves at the candid “settling of accounts among brothers.”

“The disciples of our Third Senior Brother are already familiar with the posts in the Heavenly Court. It would be best if your disciples took their turns on this Investiture List,” the Primordial Supreme Deity pressed Tongtian, who had been suppressing the Supreme Elder.

“That’s impossible! Master entrusted us three Pure Ones to discuss the Investiture matter. Besides, the calamity was caused by the disciples of our Second Senior Brother’s sect. How can my Ling Sect disciples bear the burden alone?” Tongtian retorted vehemently.

The Primordial Supreme Deity was utterly unreasonable—his own disciples had triggered this catastrophe, yet he tried to pin the blame on Tongtian’s disciples. It was a perversion of right and wrong that infuriated Tongtian deeply.

“Master said for us to discuss. If the two Senior Brothers have objections, then let us postpone it by three hundred years,” said the Supreme Elder, noticing Zhunti and Mother Nuwa leisurely watching from the sidelines. This was no ordinary matter, so he proposed delaying the Investiture.

The assembly agreed unanimously.

Although Zhunti was reluctant to give up the spectacle, the decision to reconsider was accepted, and they all returned to their respective abodes.

Clearly, they needed to carefully plan and strategize in order to reap the greatest benefits from the coming calamity.

This was the consensus in the hearts of the sages.

After they departed from the Purple Cloud Palace, the Supreme Emperor Haotian turned to the Holy Mother of the Jade Pool and said, “The great flourishing day of our Heavenly Court is not far off.”

The performance of the Three Pure Ones today filled Haotian with pride; at last, better days were surely ahead.

“Have you not noticed the resentment the Three Pure Ones harbor toward us? I fear they may set traps for us,” the Holy Mother cautioned, keeping her eyes clear and vigilant despite the temporary victory.

“No worries. Once they are on the Investiture List, they will be bound by it. And aren’t we the masters of this list? What is there to fear?” Haotian displayed the demeanor of a sovereign, proudly reassuring her.

“Still, it’s best to remain cautious. By the way—what about the two saints of the Western Paradise?” the Holy Mother suddenly recalled.

“As long as there are benefits, they will cooperate,” Haotian gently patted her shoulder in comfort.

On the Golden Turtle Island, within the Bi You Palace, Tongtian’s anger flared uncontrollably. How could the heavenly Dao treat him so harshly when he had contributed so much to the Heavenly Court?

“Immediately notify Jinling in the heavens. Have her bring all Ling Sect disciples back from the Heavenly Court to Bi You Palace!” Tongtian ordered Duobao Daoist below.

“Master, what has happened to you?” Duobao Daoist saw his teacher’s raging temper and sensed something serious.

“If you won’t go, I’ll have them return on their own!” Tongtian, unable to move Duobao, sent a transmission to Yue Lao in the Heavenly Court, instructing him to bring Jinling and the others back.

“What exactly has happened, Master?” As the vice leader of the Ling Sect, Duobao had decision-making authority and knew recalling disciples from the Heavenly Court would result in loss of fortune.

“From now on, have all disciples remain within Golden Turtle Island. They shall cultivate within the three islands of the Turtle, and no one is to leave without my orders!” Tongtian did not answer Duobao directly but issued a firm command.

Seeing Tongtian’s resolve, Duobao accepted the order.

Soon, Duobao reported, “Master, I have conveyed your decree to the disciples.”

“Sigh… The calamity is arriving ahead of schedule,” Tongtian sighed deeply.

“Then we will meet force with force, water with earth!” Duobao stepped forward and whispered beside Tongtian.

“The tribulation of our Ling Sect has come!” Tongtian’s previously clear gaze flickered momentarily.

“In the primordial world, if the Ling Sect is second, no one dares claim first! What other force could possibly challenge our might?” Duobao chuckled lightly.

As vice leader, Duobao knew the Ling Sect’s strength intimately: over a hundred Taiyi Mysterious Immortals and nearly fifty Quasi-Saint disciples—an unprecedented might in the primordial world.

“Though my disciples are numerous, the entire primordial world is against the Ling Sect?” Tongtian pondered, recalling how, in later Investiture times, the lack of support for the Jie Sect led to their downfall.

“Together with Master, through thick and thin!” Sensing something, Duobao knelt before Tongtian and spoke solemnly.

“You do not fail me, and I will not fail you!” Tongtian gently lifted Duobao, his expression solemn.

Their bond had transcended ordinary master and disciple—they were partners, friends, and, if not for their titles, brothers in spirit.