What to do now?

In the vast Purple Void Palace, except for his master Primordial Lord, all eyes were fixed on what he held in his hands.

Various pressures, both intentional and unintentional, pressed down upon him. Though most canceled each other out, some of the Sage pressure still fell on Li Changshou, making it difficult for him to breathe.

At that moment, a figure flashed before him, standing with hands behind his back; though his expression was calm, his mouth couldn’t hide a trace of a smile. Behind him formed the shadowy image of a Taiji diagram, dissolving all the pressure directed at Li Changshou.

It was Great Master Xuandu who had intervened just in time.

Beside them, the Jade Emperor, who had risen a bit late, quietly adjusted his posture.

Another opportunity to strengthen the bond between ruler and minister was lost.

Li Changshou hurriedly steadied his chaotic Dao heart, continuing to lie on the ground pretending to be severely injured, gripping tightly both the God-Striking Whip and the Investiture of the Gods List. His thoughts raced rapidly as his spiritual power remained at full alert!

Calculate, quickly calculate!

What were the Dao Ancestor’s true intentions with all of this?

“Beating shows caring” was just a child’s saying – he wouldn’t trust that old… ahem, surprisingly, his heart was filled with gratitude.

However, the Dao Ancestor’s ‘special treatment’ in person, from the small lightning whip to the muttering, clearly showed support for the Heavenly Court.

The subtext was clear:

[This poor Dao wants to elevate the Heavenly Court. No matter how you all struggle during this great tribulation, the Heavenly Court positions must be filled.]

Then he tossed down the Investiture List and God-Striking Whip before making a graceful exit.

Li Changshou had imagined countless scenarios of how the Investiture List would appear, previously thought the most likely situation would be the Dao Ancestor speaking some profound words before bestowing it.

But he never expected…

His hand trembled, the list was thrown, and it happened to fall right into his arms!

The Second Sage next door’s face nearly turned green.

He was particularly paralyzed by the Dao Ancestor’s divine punishment, his primordial spirit sealed, completely unable to refuse – that blessed mouth of his was now useless!

If anyone said Honored Teacher Hongwu hadn’t intentionally arranged this, even if they killed Sage Zhunti, Li Changshou wouldn’t believe it!

To help the Jade Emperor or his own master compete for the Investiture List today, Li Changshou had prepared several arguments and over a dozen plans. To crush the Western Religion, he had spared no effort in collecting their ‘crimes’.

In the end…

It was all unnecessary effort.

What the Dao Ancestor gave was even more than he had imagined.

It turned out he only needed to endure a beating and be scolded by the Dao Ancestor, without needing to fight or grab – relying on the Dao Ancestor’s ancient divine ability of ‘hand trembling’, the [Heaven Book] was forcefully stuffed into his hands.

All the schemes, plots, and factions were useless!

Thinking in reverse, if the Dao Ancestor hadn’t taken such measures today, what situation would have emerged?

Li Changshou briefly calculated…

In the original Investiture tribulation, the List was controlled by Original Lord Yuanshi, likely due to Yuanshi’s double-dealing and secret negotiations with the Western Religion.

Now the Investiture tribulation had already seen many variables, and Dao Ancestor Hongwu had previously indicated clearly that he wanted to give control of the Investiture to the Heavenly Court.

Three years ago, Original Lord Yuanshi and Dao Master Jiexing had met and discussed matters.

Very likely, that meeting was to negotiate today’s events – the Western Religion’s two Sages supporting Original Lord Yuanshi’s control of the Investiture List, then directing the future tribulation’s blade toward the Severing Sect disciples.

Understanding these connections, Li Changshou gradually traced out a clear line of logic in his heart.

He had indeed become a key in the Dao Ancestor’s hand.

Although this key itself carried far less weight than the ‘lock’, its position and shape were just right.

Before entering the Purple Void Palace, Goddess Nuwa’s words [If humanity won’t fight for its fate, who can they expect to?] now carried deep meaning when savored.

— Goddess Nuwa stood on humanity’s side, and the Investiture tribulation was, in a sense, the Sacred Sects’ debt to humanity.

In other words, Goddess Nuwa was expressing her stance to the Dao Ancestor at that time, that she stood with Li Changshou.

So today’s Purple Void Palace discussion about the Investiture would likely result in an awkward three-versus-three situation among the six Sages.

The Dao Ancestor was a teacher to all six Sages, and this tribulation was a great tribulation of living beings decreed by Heaven’s Dao, requiring sufficient deaths to fulfill the tribulation’s destiny.

If in this Purple Void Palace, the six Sages divided into two factions around the Enlightenment and Severing Sects, three against three in deadlock, even the Dao Ancestor would find it difficult to conclude;

In that situation, any stance the Dao Ancestor took would hint at the tribulation’s direction, thereby affecting Heaven’s Dao tribulation operations.

The Severing Sect owed humanity too much, deservedly requiring more casualties;

The Western Religion was outside the Dao path, so it wouldn’t make sense for the Dao Ancestor to say he had no opinion of them.

Thus, the Dao Ancestor took advantage of the situation, pulling out Li Changshou, an ordinary authority god of the Heavenly Court, first beating him severely until he lost consciousness, then stuffing him with the Investiture List and God-Striking Whip before making a graceful exit…

He hadn’t clearly expressed support for either the Enlightenment or Severing Sect, had suppressed the Western Religion in passing, and had given the Heavenly Court a boost, selling a favor to Primordial who didn’t want to see his three brothers fall out.

The Dao Ancestor was truly skilled.

As for things like ‘beating you just to feel better, tossing the Investiture List casually’, how could Li Changshou possibly believe that?

This was the strongest being in alignment with Heaven’s Dao in the primordial chaos, the architect of the current Three Realms structure – how could he stoop to the same level as a junior disciple?

It was all calculation!

Of course, he couldn’t rule out the possibility that in the process of calculation, going with the flow meant giving him a beating.

Hmm, better use fewer Heaven’s Dao oaths in the future, the Honored Teacher seemed to have strong opinions about that…

The problem now was that he had been kicked into the mud pit by his own Honored Teacher, who had added two more kicks to push his whole body in.

Li Changshou had originally wanted to remain behind the scenes during the Investiture tribulation, arranging things by borrowing influence, but now he directly held the Investiture List and God-Striking Whip!

Although this seemed to allow direct intervention in the Investiture script, gaining higher authority, he would now have to directly face the conflicts between the great religions, becoming the focal point of contradiction!

Truly unstable.

“Changsheng… Changsheng? Hey, ninety-eight percent?”

After several calls from the Jade Emperor at his side, those final three words made Li Changshou’s whole body shudder. He unconsciously opened his eyes, his chaotic thoughts quickly returning to calm.

The Jade Emperor’s eyes revealed some concern;

Li Changshou lay there and suddenly laughed several times.

Goddess Nuwa asked curiously: “You fellow, could it be your soul was damaged by the teacher’s beating? How can you still laugh?”

Li Changshou quickly jumped up, and shook his Dao robe, dropping a layer of black ash.

“In response to Master-Uncle,” Li Changshou smiled, “This disciple is happy to receive Honored Teacher’s trust, entrusting such an important task!

Honored Teacher even specially explained why he hadn’t bestowed merit before, personally calling this disciple his grand disciple.”

After speaking, Li Changshou looked toward Sage Zhunti with his iron-gray face and smiled:

“Second Patriarch of the Western Religion need not worry, this minor god will certainly work hard at this task, following Honored Teacher’s requirements to do what I can for the Heavenly Court’s prosperity!”

“Ahem!” The Jade Emperor cleared his throat behind him, saying, “Minister Changsheng, we can discuss these matters later.

Why don’t you…

First, go outside the hall to change clothes, this is truly improper.”

Li Changshou was somewhat puzzled, he was about to speak up and hand the Investiture List to the Jade Emperor for safekeeping.

The Jade Emperor flicked his finger sending out a clear breeze, and a certain ordinary authority god of the Heavenly Court, holder of the Investiture List, personally acknowledged the grand-disciple of the Dao Ancestor…

Suddenly felt quite cool around his posterior!

Looking back, Li Changshou’s old face reddened, immortal light swirling around him as he repeatedly bowed in apology to those around.

This was truly embarrassing!

He requested permission from his master Primordial Lord and escaped into the Taiji diagram at the side, quickly changing into a light blue robe.

This damaged Dao robe…

To be treasured!

Later when opening a Primordial Chaos Stability Teaching Museum, this would be the best proof of the Dao Ancestor’s loving care for the Stability Teaching Patriarch!

During this clothes-changing interval, Li Changshou heard the Sages conversing in the hall.

First Sage Zhunti sighed: “Teacher ultimately doesn’t trust us.”

Lord of the Severing Teaching retorted: “How can a teacher trust you given what you’ve done?”

“Friend speaks wrongly,” Dao Master Jiexing said slowly, “Heaven and Earth naturally have ordered, not just the Dao path alone. When the teacher bestowed the Primordial Purple Qi to us two poor brothers back then, saying the West should prosper, this was Heaven’s Dao principle.

However, it seems the Investiture tribulation is not the opportunity for our Western prosperity.”

Original Lord Yuanshi said: “Teacher’s actions seem somewhat childish.”

Lord of the Severing Teaching laughed: “Elder brother, did you not hear just now, that the teacher personally said the [Heaven Book] has a destiny with Changsheng?

Changsheng ranks as the Heavenly Court’s chief minister, is also the eldest brother’s beloved disciple, and cultivates the balanced Dao, having previously accomplished many outstanding deeds for the Heavenly Court’s prosperity.

What’s inappropriate about him holding the [Heaven Book]?”

Original Lord Yuanshi said: “Changsheng entered the path late, though his actions are stable, his experience is ultimately shallow.”

Goddess Nuwa smiled: “Elder brother, I must say a few words about this.

Elder Brother must not forget, that Changsheng is of human origin, and this tribulation is precisely because the Sacred Sects owe humanity, which is why the tribulation’s main body falls on the Sacred Sects.

Having Changsheng of human origin preside over the tribulation most fits Heaven’s destiny.”

The Great Master at the side calmly walked back behind Primordial Sage, working hard to suppress his presence and be like air, avoiding drawing fire and bringing himself trouble beyond sleeping.

After the Sages debated a few more sentences, Li Changshou stepped out from behind the Taiji diagram, not only having changed clothes but also having changed his hairstyle and cleaning the scorching from his body.

‘The Investiture List pit truly cannot be jumped into.’

As he appeared again, the Sages’ gazes gathered once more.

Goddess Nuwa held encouragement mixed with playfulness, Lord of the Severing Teaching’s was pure joy, Original Lord Yuanshi’s gaze was somewhat complex, the Western Religion’s Great Sage’s gaze was full of kindness, the Second Sage’s gaze…

That wasn’t important.

Primordial Sage had been resting with closed eyes all along as if everything was unrelated to him.

But Li Changshou now slowly walked before Primordial Sage, bowing to his master and saying gently:

“Master, this disciple has a matter to report.”

“Speak.”

“Honored Teacher trusts me, bestowing the God-Striking Whip and Investiture List, ordering this disciple to manage the Investiture matter.

This disciple should not decline, but this matter is of great importance. As Second Master-Uncle said, this disciple’s experience is lacking, the Investiture is no small matter, and this disciple fears making mistakes that could brew disaster.”

Li Changshou looked toward the Jade Emperor and said clearly:

“This disciple wishes to request the master’s permission to return the Investiture List to the Heavenly Court, for His Majesty the Jade Emperor to personally manage the Investiture List.

Your Majesty need not personally trouble yourself with Investiture matters, this disciple will use the God-Striking Whip’s authority to carry out the Dao Ancestor’s orders, carefully planning for the Heavenly Court’s prosperity!”

Hearing these words, the Jade Emperor’s mouth couldn’t help showing a faint smile.

Primordial Sage also showed thought before saying: “Acceptable.”

“Thank you master for permission,” Li Changshou made a Dao salute, then holding that Investiture List with both hands, quickly went before the Jade Emperor’s seat and winked at him.

The Jade Emperor said seriously: “What difference is there between Changsheng holding the Investiture List and me holding it?”

Li Changshou also said seriously: “Your Majesty is the Heaven’s Dao recognized leader of the Three Realms, first in divine authority of Heaven and Earth. The Investiture is originally for the Heavenly Court’s prosperity – in this process, Your Majesty holding this Investiture List is most fitting. This minor god will assist with all my strength!”

The Jade Emperor hummed in thought, looking at the scroll before him, and slowly nodded.

“Since it is so, I shall temporarily manage the Investiture List for you, Changsheng, placing this list in the Jade Capital Palace, available for Changsheng’s use at any time.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Li Changshou raised the Investiture List with both hands, and the Jade Emperor stood up, received it with both hands and slowly gripped it in his palms.

In an instant golden light flashed, streams of Heaven’s Dao power surged in all directions, and above the Jade Emperor’s head appeared the shadowy image of a scroll, completely blank.

Seeing this, a great stone in Li Changshou’s heart settled steadily, and the God-Striking Whip he held seemed to lose much of its weight.

Nominally, let His Majesty the Jade Emperor bear it;

In actual micro-operations, he would influence it.

Although the whole process had caught Li Changshou unprepared, left his posterior aching, and was out of his expectations, he had still achieved his perfect expected outcome.

Additionally, he had gained some of the Dao Ancestor’s protection.

At the same time, the two Sages of the Dao Path’s tribulation sects and the Western Religion’s two Sages had a flash of understanding in their hearts.

Original Lord Yuanshi said: “Brother Haotian, how to sign the Investiture List.”

The Jade Emperor answered: “The Investiture List has three hundred and sixty-five vacancies in total, corresponding to the Heavenly Court’s three hundred and sixty-five official god positions, involving the Heavenly Court’s Eight Departments vacancies, Three Mountains and Five Peaks official god vacancies, and so on.

Three hundred and sixty-five beings should enter the ranks of Heavenly Court gods, enjoying the Heavenly Court’s incense offerings.”

Goddess Nuwa smiled: “Though Your Majesty’s words are not wrong, as Heaven’s Dao just showed, if a name is written on the Investiture List and falls in the great tribulation, a strand of primordial spirit enters the Investiture List, being bound by the Investiture List for life.”

Lord of the Severing Teaching frowned in thought.

Li Changshou said from the side: “Master-Uncle, this is both bad and good.

If someone was destined to perish in the great tribulation, gaining the Investiture List’s protection allows them to be reborn through Heaven’s Dao’s power and enter the Heavenly Court to enjoy offerings – for such a person, this may not be a bad thing.”

Sage Zhunti said coldly: “If so, just find three hundred and sixty-five registered disciples to list, and this tribulation can be largely resolved.”

The Jade Emperor snorted, then said:

“This great tribulation, besides selecting immortals and gods for the Heavenly Court, three thousand six hundred and fifty long-life immortals from the three teachings should perish, to balance the power of living beings.

Honored brothers discussing this Investiture List roster should also clearly divide these destined-to-perish quotas.”

The several Sages fell silent simultaneously, their gazes turning toward the Severing Teaching’s Sage Lord of the Severing Teaching.

Lord of the Severing Teaching said calmly: “Distribute evenly among all sects.”

However, Dao Master Jiexing said: “This poor Dao has few disciples, and the Western Religion has few followers. If quotas are distributed evenly, I fear our Western Religion will be exterminated.”

Just as Lord of the Severing Teaching was about to refute, Original Lord Yuanshi also frowned and said: “The Jade Void Palace has only several hundred immortals.”

Sage Zhunti smiled: “The Severing Teaching claims ten thousand immortals come to court, why don’t we compare the numbers of disciples in the three teachings and take corresponding numbers to perish?”

Lord of the Severing Teaching’s expression immediately became quite stern, “What? Is it a crime that my Severing Teaching has many disciples?”

Sage Jiexing said: “If this great tribulation has ten causes, the Severing Teaching accounts for eight.”

“In that case,” Lord of the Severing Teaching retreated half a step, “then for Heavenly Court positions, my Severing Teaching will accept three hundred, and for those to perish, my Severing Teaching will accept one thousand. How is that?”

Li Changshou, who had been silent at the side all along, sighed in his heart upon hearing this.

This matter absolutely could not be conceded – showing weakness would only give the West an opportunity to press their advantage.

Sure enough, Zhunti smiled: “The Severing Teaching has ten thousand immortals coming to court, even accepting three thousand wouldn’t hurt your foundations.”

Original Lord Yuanshi said slowly: “Not enough.”

Not enough?

Lord of the Severing Teaching flew into a rage, stood up, and as his sleeves shook asked firmly:

“Three hundred not enough, one thousand not enough!

Elder brother, do you perhaps want to destroy my Severing Teaching? Kill all my disciples!”

Original Lord Yuanshi sighed lightly and closed his eyes without speaking, and the atmosphere in the Purple Void Palace immediately became somewhat stagnant, the sword intent of the Demon-Slaying Sword Formation diagram behind Lord of the Severing Teaching ringing out!

Suddenly Primordial Lord Laozi said: “Sit down.”

Lord of the Severing Teaching flung his sleeve and sat down with a cold face.

Then, Primordial Sage looked at Li Changshou.

Li Changshou, who had not wanted to say more and had accepted that today’s situation would end in [parting unhappily], now had no choice but to step forward.

He exchanged glances with the Jade Emperor, and the two smiled quite tacitly.

Li Changshou stepped forward half a step and smiled: “Just now Your Majesty’s words were somewhat unclear, everyone don’t rush, allow this minor god to ask Your Majesty one more question.

Your Majesty, the three teachings you mentioned just now seem not to have been explained clearly.”

The Jade Emperor, with the script Li Changshou had given him dozens of years ago flowing in his heart, said calmly:

“What I just said, as shown by the Investiture List, for the Dao path’s three teachings, accurately speaking, the Enlightenment and Severing Teachings, at least three thousand six hundred and fifty long-life immortals will perish.

This includes not just the two teachings’ Sage disciples, but also immortal sects belonging to the two teachings’ Dao inheritance.

As for how many long-life immortals will ultimately perish in this great tribulation…

It’s immeasurable.”

Hearing these words, Lord of the Severing Teaching’s face broke into a smile, Original Lord Yuanshi’s expression remained fairly calm, and the Western Religion’s two Sages’ smiles became somewhat frozen.

Li Changshou said: “Your Majesty, these three hundred and sixty-five official god positions, how do you wish to handle them?”

“Naturally select beings of virtue, strategy, wisdom, and character, excluding the Western Religion.”

The Jade Emperor, following what he had memorized before, spoke word for word:

“The several honored brothers need not see the Investiture List as Heaven’s Dao’s life-taking treasure, it can be viewed as a life-saving item for remnant souls to be reborn.”

Original Lord Yuanshi said: “If a name enters the Investiture List, they will be driven by tribulation destiny, unable to escape death.”

The Jade Emperor hummed several times, unable to refute.

Lord of the Severing Teaching said: “Elder brother, why don’t we first make an agreement, personally transmitted senior disciples don’t enter the Investiture List, how about that?”

“Brother,” Original Lord Yuanshi frowned and said, “this matter is likely difficult to guarantee.”

That Dao Master Jiexing interjected from the side: “From Your Majesty’s meaning, these blessed official god positions have none belonging to our Western Religion?”

“Correct.” The Jade Emperor said calmly.

Sage Jiexing asked: “Is this shown by the Investiture List?”

“No.”

The Jade Emperor said calmly, sitting cross-legged on the cushion, starry eyes containing light, smile gentle, slowly saying: “This is what I decided.”

Jiexing’s brows furrowed as he said firmly: “Your Majesty goes too far in bullying others!”

“Goes too far in bullying?”

The Jade Emperor raised his brows and said calmly: “Changsheng, help me explain to Brother Jiexing. I fear I cannot control my temper and might utter filth in teacher’s treasure place, insulting a Sage.”

“Yes,” Li Changshou answered, stepped forward several steps, and made a Dao salute to the Western Religion’s two Sages, his expression quite troubled.

Li Changshou frowned and said:

“May the two Sage lords not take offense, this minor god is merely stating facts, not intentionally targeting.

Previously when the Heavenly Court was not prosperous, the Western Religion created difficulties everywhere. In the Dragon Clan matter, and the Monster Clan matter, the two Sage lords indulged various Western Religion disciples in wrongdoing, warring with the Heavenly Court, and greatly promoting incense worship religion, their reputation is really…

If this time in the great tribulation, Western Religion disciples entered heaven as Heavenly Court’s official gods, how should the Heavenly Court’s existing official gods think?

How should the Dragon Clan think?

How should the Three Realms’ living beings think?

Your Majesty making this decision is actually for the stability of the Three Realms and Heaven and Earth’s plans, please may the two Sage lords be more understanding.”

Sage Zhunti said coldly: “This poor Dao’s actions were merely for Western prosperity, many matters were allowed by Heaven’s Dao.”

“This minor god dare not correct a Sage’s verbal errors.”

Li Changshou straightened his body, expression stern, divine light surging in his eyes, the God-Striking Whip in his hand flashing golden light.

If he did not speak to offend the Western Religion’s two Sages today, if the Western Religion’s two Sages had a suitable opportunity, they would still act to destroy him.

On matters between the Western Religion and the Dao path, one absolutely cannot think of pleasing both sides!

What he needed to do in the future was to spare no effort to maintain the Dao Path’s integrity, control the internal strife between the Enlightenment and Severing Teachings to the minimum range, protect the Dao Path three teachings’ vitality, and take the opportunity to eliminate some of the Dao path’s chronic ailments.

Toward the Western Religion, reasonable firmness was stability, reasonable collision would make his master and Lord of the Severing Teaching stand more firmly behind him.

So, Li Changshou opened his mouth and said the word “but”.

“If for one’s prosperity, one can destroy other Dao inheritances, can wantonly suppress the Heavenly Court that brings order to the Three Realms and protects the weak;

If for one’s prosperity, one can arbitrarily oppress weak living beings, can treat originally peacefully living mortals as livestock;

If for one’s prosperity, one can arbitrarily alter living beings’ reincarnation matters, stopping at nothing in everything, forcibly increasing one’s foundation…

After achieving prosperity, what can be gained?

You two, times have changed.”

Li Changshou paused in his speech and said calmly: “Next, this place will be presided over by His Majesty to discuss the Dao path’s tribulation investiture matters, do the two of you wish to step aside?

After all, when the great tribulation officially begins in the future, the West and Dao path should be opponents.”

The Western Religion’s Great Sage closed his eyes without speaking, while the Lesser Sage frowned and stared at the Jade Emperor, not even looking at Li Changshou, much less dramatically departing.

“Then, what about me?”

Goddess Nuwa asked with a smile from the side.

Li Changshou immediately revealed a smile, made a Dao salute to Goddess Nuwa, and smiled: “Master-Uncle, you are humanity’s Holy Mother, this great tribulation begins with humanity, and our humanity is moreover the protagonist of Heaven and Earth, naturally Master-Uncle should supervise throughout.

If the Heavenly Court does anything improper, Master-Uncle please remind us promptly, His Majesty also greatly respects you.”

“That is natural,” the Jade Emperor stood up and made a Dao salute to Goddess Nuwa, “Elder Sister if the Heavenly Court has even slightly improper actions in this great tribulation, please Elder Sister point them out promptly.”

Goddess Nuwa couldn’t help but smile with narrowed eyes, sitting steadily in her position.

This ruler and minister’s back-and-forth had stirred the situation of several Sages’ contention into complete chaos.

Lord of the Severing Teaching sighed lightly and said: “This Investiture List, how does Elder Brother wish to sign it?”

Original Lord Yuanshi slowly stood up, looked toward the Lord of the Severing Teaching, and said calmly:

“Each relies on their abilities, each depends on their destiny, this matter we’ll discuss later.”

After speaking he turned and left, Guangcheng Zi following behind with a lowered head, expression calm without the slightest movement.