Chapter 1431: 512: Oh, Junior Brother Zhunti_2
Chapter 1431: Chapter 512: Oh, Junior Brother Zhunti_2
“What, does becoming a Saint mean one can renege on their word?”
“Are the words of two junior brothers, whose intentions are not pure, unspeakable?”
Yuanshi Tianzun slowly spoke: “Impertinent.”
Li Ping’an’s lips twitched slightly, yet he bowed and said: “Forgive me, Master Ancestor, as the Heavenly Emperor, I must speak for the living beings, this is the teaching of Senior Brother Xuanyuan, and I dare not forget.”
Shengmu Nuwa replied kindly, “What Ping’an Heavenly Emperor says is not inappropriate, though we have become Saints, we have not transcended, and the principles of righteousness in the world must be listened to from time to time.”
Tongtian Sect Leader laughed: “Ping’an’s rebuke is quite just, Second Brother.”
Yuanshi Tianzun shook his head and spoke slowly: “Though Ping’an holds the esteemed position of Heavenly Emperor, he should not be too disrespectful before Saints, past matters are bygone, do not bring them up again.”
Taiqing spoke: “Tribulation.”
“Indeed,” Yuanshi Tianzun spoke slowly, “Before the Six Saints return to Heaven and Earth, the Dao Immortal Tribulation must be established, Ping’an, do you have any thoughts on this?”
Li Ping’an replied: “Everything shall be at the discretion of Master Ancestor, Granduncle, Uncle Ancestor, and Holy Mother.”
Yuanshi Tianzun slowly nodded and said:
“The Six Saints have previously combined efforts to extrapolate and have understood the matters here.
“The Dao Immortal Tribulation, also called the Investiture of the Gods Catastrophe, is the tribulation of the disciples of the Taoist Sect, yet it is an opportunity for the Heavenly Court to expand.
“This tribulation should occur in the Southern Continent, where the destiny of the Human Race gathers, to harness the destiny of Heaven and Earth, jointly forging a thriving Heavenly Court, thereby assisting the Heavenly Dao to perfection, to together resist the final end.
“Although the disciples of Taoist Sect will face many tribulations, once this tribulation falls, the disciples of Chan and Jie Sects should each depend on their abilities, and strive against each other for vitality.
“Tongtian Brother, what do you think?”
Tongtian Sect Leader chuckled awkwardly: “I have many disciples in Jie Sect, I also have the responsibility of poor management, since Second Brother is so understanding, why not simply establish a rule of Saints not participating?”
Yuanshi Tianzun slowly nodded: “This is the tribulation of the Taoist Sect disciples, how can you and I intervene in the magical combat?”
“Indeed.”
Taiqing gave a simple affirmation.
Li Ping’an sighed inwardly… If Saints do not partake in battling during the Investiture of the Gods Cataclysm, it looks like Jie Sect will inevitably win.
But it is uncertain, after all, when it comes to scheming and calculating, besides Granduncle Taiqing, it should count on his Master Ancestor.
Yuanshi Tianzun spoke slowly:
“This Investiture of the Gods Cataclysm involves a treasure, it is the supreme treasure of the Heavenly Dao, called the Investiture of the Gods List.
“During our calculation, this treasure was already sent into the heaven and earth by Hongjun Teacher, today we shall summon it… Ping’an, what do you think?”
Li Ping’an sighed inwardly, this means directly taking control of the Investiture of the Gods authority.
He smiled and said: “The Investiture of the Gods List is already in Lingxiao Hall, Master Ancestor, you can summon it directly.”
“Indeed.”
Yuanshi Tianzun slowly raised his hand, a beam of seven-colored rosy light flew from the direction of Vast Wilderness Heaven and Earth, and landed in his palm in an instant.
What else could it be if not the Investiture of the Gods List that fell out from Li Dazhi’s pocket?
Yuanshi Tianzun spoke slowly: “This list should be managed by Senior Brother.”
Taiqing slowly shook his head: “You.”
“Thank you for your trust, Senior Brother,” Yuanshi Tianzun slowly nodded, then gently tossed, and the Investiture of the Gods List slowly opened in front of the Six Saints.
Interestingly, Li Ping’an and Jade Pool could also see the front of the Investiture of the Gods List.
Within the Investiture of the Gods List appeared rows of vertical squares, each square had an empty red frame above, and below was the corresponding divine position, these divine positions were spontaneously generated by the Heavenly Dao, totaling more than three hundred, all official deities of the Heavenly Court.
The foremost were three vacancies among the Four Royals, followed by several great Primordials, marshals of various paths, official deities of various departments in the Heavenly Court, and thirty-six star constellations, etc.
Yuanshi Tianzun said:
“Third Brother, First Senior Brother has only one disciple, whose character is excellent, merit profound, toiling greatly in guarding the profound gates of heaven and earth, should not enter the list.
“You and I should divide some of the slots on this list.”
Tongtian Sect Leader frowned in contemplation.
The Holy Mother actively inquired: “Heavenly Court’s Investiture of the Gods, what explanation is there?”
Yuanshi Tianzun said: “It is most appropriate for Heavenly Emperor to explain.”
“It is like this.”
Li Ping’an said:
“The Investiture of the Gods List is the supreme treasure of the Heavenly Dao, also born of destiny, as long as a name is written on the Investiture of the Gods List, the tribulation will revolve around this Taoist Sect expert, meaning destined to enter the tribulation.
“But this is not entirely without benefits, if listed, no matter how subsequent tribulations develop, if this immortal suffers a calamity, even if the soul is scattered, the Heavenly Dao will leave a trace of remaining soul to enter the list.”
“Dao Immortal Tribulation is originally for the Heavenly Dao to gather the authority of the Great Dao, hence names on the list rarely end well.”
The Holy Mother sighed: “Thus speaking, being on the list brings more misfortune than blessing.”
“Disciples dare to speak boldly,” Li Ping’an said, “this list has some issues.”
Yuanshi Tianzun asked: “What kind of issues?”
“On this roster are vacancies, below are divine positions. Could it be that today determines who shall occupy which divine position?”
Li Ping’an shook his head:
“I find this matter somewhat inappropriate.
“The operation of the Heavenly Court requires not gods who are merely strong, but those who are diligent in their duties and capable of fulfilling the responsibilities of their divine positions.
“When the Saints endorsed this list, did they primarily consider the strength of the Daoist Celestial?”
“Cultivation strength is cultivation strength, personal conduct is personal conduct, and personal capability is a different matter; this has already been exemplified by the Western Sect.”
Yuanshi Tianzun nodded slowly: “Ping’an speaks correctly.”
Taiqing said: “Change.”
With Taiqing’s words, the Heavenly Dao evolved spontaneously.
The divine positions on the Investiture of the Gods quickly vanished, leaving only blank spaces.
Li Ping’an sighed in relief.
At last, he regained some initiative. With divine positions unsettled, he, as Heavenly Emperor, would not be directly supplanted by the Saints.
Tongtian Sect Leader said: “Are the numbers still unchanged? Three hundred people are sufficient to fill the Heavenly Court?”
Yuanshi Tianzun replied: “Do not think, junior brother, that you can simply use three hundred named disciples to muddle through. When the catastrophe strikes, nine out of ten disciples in your Intercepting Sect who cannot make the list will perish!”
“Second senior brother speaks exaggeratively.”
The Tongtian Sect Leader spoke softly:
“The Heavenly Dao will reclaim the authority of the Great Dao and cannot place this duty solely on our Intercepting Sect.
“This Poor Daoist believes that it should be allocated proportionately to the number of disciples. This seems most fair. The number of Chan Sect disciples is only one-twentieth of that of the Intercepting Sect. If our sect provides ninety-five percent and the Chan Sect half a percent, how about that?”
Yuanshi Tianzun sighed: “Junior brother, why do you not yet understand? This catastrophe does not merely demand the lives of three hundred disciples!”
Tongtian Sect Leader remained silent.
Beside him, Daoist Jie Ying spoke softly: “Disciples from our Western Sect could also be included.”
“Impossible.”
Li Ping’an spoke decisively: “To preserve the integrity of the Heavenly Court, only Daoist Celestials will be recruited.”
“Why, Heavenly Emperor, do you say this?”
“The rules are set this way,” Li Ping’an replied sternly, “I set them.”
Daoist Jie Ying remained expressionless, merely nodding slowly: “Since the rules are set by the Heavenly Emperor, the Western Sect will also comply.”
Tongtian Sect Leader suddenly said: “Ping’an, why not directly recruit my Intercepting Sect Immortals to serve in the Heavenly Court?”
“Well,” Li Ping’an chuckled bitterly, “Previously, I tried, but was turned down by various granduncles and uncles. They believe that it should be based on individual merit.”
“Individual merit indeed.”
Yuanshi Tianzun said:
“Ping’an considers carefully for the Taoist Sect, yet Intercepting Sect Immortals are so ignorant of destiny, they deserve this calamity.
“When the third brother accepted disciples, he did not consider their foundation or karma, leading to the Intercepting Sect now being mired in karmic burdens. This also is a cause of the Investiture of the Gods Cataclysm.”
Tongtian Sect Leader said discontentedly: “Second senior brother, are you hoping my Intercepting Sect will disintegrate and all disciples perish, just to please yourself!”
Yuanshi Tianzun sighed: “The turning of catastrophe, the determination of the Heavenly Dao, how could it please me? The Intercepting Sect was destined for this calamity.”
Tongtian angrily said: “Does your Chan Sect not wish to lose a single disciple?”
“My disciples all cultivate fortune.”
“Fortune indeed!”
Tongtian Sect Leader stood up in anger, wanting to say something but forcefully swallowing his words, resolutely said:
“This Investiture of the Gods list will be signed again amidst the catastrophe! This Poor Daoist is leaving!”
His figure flashed and transformed into a beam of azure light, disappearing from sight.
Yuanshi Tianzun also blackened his face, grabbed the Investiture of the Gods list with one hand, and slammed it on the lotus dais beside him.
“Let it be each to their own abilities!”
Li Ping’an and Jade Pool exchanged a glance, Jade Pool’s eyes were filled with inquiry, seemingly wanting to ask whether the Investiture of the Gods list should be retrieved.
Beside them, Zhunti had already spoken first: “This catastrophe concerns Chan and Jie Sects, the Investiture of the Gods list should be kept by a third party, how about…”
“Chan Sect disciples are too few,” Li Ping’an spoke up, “The master is a fair and virtuous immortal and a model among immortals of the heavens and earth, and will certainly not favor personal interests. This list should be held by the master, and the main party of the catastrophe appointed.”
Zhunti looked at Li Ping’an, eyes filled with some irritation.
Li Ping’an, however, smiled and said: “Junior brother Zhunti, it’s best that Saints don’t reveal their emotions. You look just like a villain. If the teacher knows, it’s not good.”
“Hmph!”
Zhunti let out a heavy cold snort, turned, and transformed into multicolored rays of light to leave.
Here, unexpectedly, two Saints departed first.