Chapter 117: The Sages Discuss the Investiture of the Gods (Part IV)

The two Western Sages, Jieyin and Zhunti, along with Goddess Nüwa, did not come to the Zixiao Palace this time. It made no difference where they were; any news could be obtained with a mere inquiry. Furthermore, going there might only result in being an unwanted third wheel, so it was far better to watch the spectacle from the sidelines. Based on this, the three sages chose not to come to Zixiao Palace to observe the Sanqing discussing the Investiture of the Gods.

"Senior Brothers, what shall we do about this Investiture of the Gods?" Tongtian, seeing the two beaming with satisfaction, felt a sense of trepidation and launched the first offensive.

Taishang Laojun and Yuanshi Tianzun both frowned. This Tongtian was being so provocative; it seemed he needed to be taught a lesson!

"My thought is this," Taishang Laojun said, skipping the reprimands and cutting straight to the point. "My Human Teachings has few disciples, so I shall send my avatar to guard the heavenly realm. What does Junior Brother Tongtian think of this?"

This took Tongtian by surprise. When had Taishang Laojun ever been so reasonable and sympathetic?

"Excellent! Senior Brother's words are excellent indeed! That is exactly what I was thinking. I have my good incarnation, Yue Lao, who is fit to serve in the Heavenly Court. In this way, the disciples of my Spirit Teachings will not need to be entered into this List of Investiture," Tongtian replied immediately, catching the implication.

Hearing Taishang Laojun’s offer, Tongtian seized the opportunity. If he sent his own good incarnation to guard the Heavenly Court, wouldn't that shut their mouths?

"That will not do! Third Junior Brother, your Spirit Teachings has numerous disciples; you should make some contributions to this great tribulation of the Investiture," Taishang Laojun said, sensing Tongtian's attempt to evade responsibility. How could he allow that?

"Exactly, exactly! Third Junior Brother’s disciples are all nothing but fur-clad, horn-bearing, wet-born, and egg-hatched creatures. They are essentially unrefined beings. Let us take this opportunity to have your disciples entered into the List of Investiture," Yuanshi Tianzun chimed in with a sneer.

Before the Sanqing had separated, Yuanshi Tianzun had maintained some decorum regarding those "fur-clad, horn-bearing" beings, but ever since the battle at Kunlun Mountain, he had harbored deep hostility toward them. The death of the Holy Mother Taiyuan while saving the creatures of the primordial world had driven Yuanshi Tianzun to madness, further fueling his hatred for those beings. This was the source of all his hostility.

"How can you say such things, Second Senior Brother? We are all formed from Father Pangu; how can you call them 'fur-clad, horn-bearing, wet-born, and egg-hatched'?" Tongtian retorted immediately.

Tongtian despised nothing more in life than those who used labels like "you are of this race or that race." People with such discriminatory views were simply not fit to live in this world! Did they think the things they used in their daily lives were all created by their own race? The development of any race requires long-term accumulation of life experience and gradual cultivation. In his past life, Tongtian’s favorite song was "Success Depends on Hard Work," which contained the line: "Thirty percent is destined by heaven, seventy percent depends on hard work." Even with the greatest natural talent, one would accomplish nothing without effort. Because of his past life’s perspective, Tongtian could not stop himself from arguing with Yuanshi Tianzun.

"Hmph, it is a fact that your Spirit Teachings has many disciples, is it not? Besides, haven't your disciples already been verified by the 365 heavenly deities? So, Junior Brother Tongtian, you really ought to put in more effort," Yuanshi Tianzun said, attempting a different approach since he could not win the argument.

"Put in more effort? Are my disciples not living beings as well? Besides, this great tribulation was caused by the twelve golden immortals of the Elucidation Teachings," Tongtian pressed his attack, seeing Yuanshi Tianzun on the defensive.

"That may be, but we cannot let only the Elucidation and Human Teachings bear the burden! This is a matter for all three of our teachings, not just the Elucidation Teachings," Taishang Laojun said, using provocation to stir Tongtian as he saw him becoming agitated.

"Exactly, exactly! Junior Brother Tongtian, why not just take on a bit more?" Yuanshi Tianzun, seeing Taishang Laojun speak, did not remain idle and quickly pressured Tongtian as well.

At this moment, the true colors of Taishang Laojun and Yuanshi Tianzun were finally revealed. They had set a trap, waiting for him to jump in!

"My Spirit Teachings is not a soft persimmon that anyone can squeeze at will!" Tongtian finally realized the true cunning of Taishang Laojun and Yuanshi Tianzun. Without harsh words, one could not intimidate others! From the very beginning, Tongtian had fallen into a strange trap—a conspiracy. When the Dao Ancestor Hongjun distributed treasures, he gave Tongtian the four Immortal Execution Swords, claiming, "They cannot be broken without four sages!" This had intentionally or unintentionally sown discord within the Sanqing! And now, there was no choice but to sign! This was determined by the Heavenly Dao; no one could change it! A conspiracy, a naked conspiracy!

It was only now that Tongtian understood the calculations of the Heavenly Dao! First, make the Sanqing turn against each other, then have the Western Sages join the tribulation to ensure the total annihilation of the Spirit Teachings' disciples! If they wanted to wipe out his Spirit Teachings, then they would have to pay a price!

"Junior Brother Tongtian, what are you doing? How can you succumb to the 'anger' of the heart?" Taishang Laojun asked with a look of concern. In reality, he and Yuanshi Tianzun were bursting with joy but kept it from showing out of a sense of propriety.

"Indeed, Third Junior Brother, what is this for? We are here to discuss, how can you let the 'anger' tribulation take hold?" Yuanshi Tianzun looked at Tongtian with contempt.

"Do you want to know what my situation is? Give it here!" Tongtian finished and demanded the List of Investiture from Taishang Laojun.

With a flourish, Tongtian picked up the brush and wrote several names on the list. Taishang Laojun and Yuanshi Tianzun were both curious; how had Tongtian suddenly changed his temperament to write the names himself? *You want me to write? Very well, I shall write for you to see!*

After Tongtian finished, the two looked at the names on the list.

"This... this is!" Yuanshi Tianzun stammered. The content was not about the disciples of the Spirit Teachings, but when he looked at who was actually written there, he was dumbfounded. How could *he* be on the list? The names listed included some cultivation-related individuals, but also some disciples of the Spirit Teachings.

Tongtian knew from his past life that the main reason for the disastrous defeat of the Interception Teachings was that one person had failed in their duty. Chang'er Dingguangxian—this great traitor was someone Tongtian had been watching for a long time. Anyone he associated with was recorded, and even when he drank or ate, Tongtian had Daoist Duobao monitor him constantly. Gradually, Duobao discovered that Chang'er Dingguangxian was acting strangely. He was constantly changing, using unknown elixirs to gain the interest of those around him, though he had become more low-key after the lessons learned at the Spirit Teachings' grand ceremony.

One night, when Chang'er Dingguangxian couldn't sleep, a faint white light emanated from his room, and he was seen responding respectfully to questions from the light. Daoist Duobao immediately reported this to Tongtian, and the opportunity to deal with him had arrived. Originally, Tongtian wanted to find an excuse to send him out to sea on a mission and have him killed, but before he could, they arrived at Zixiao Palace. Tongtian then shifted his plan to include Chang'er Dingguangxian and his cohorts on the list. Yuanshi Tianzun had never imagined that Tongtian would actually dare to write his name.