Chapter 183

Since there were no elixirs to use for raising his cultivation, Gu Xiu's daily routine, aside from sitting in meditation to consolidate his cultivation, was just calculating the time for the Investiture of the Gods.

Calculating the time, since Di Xin offered incense and composed a poem at Nuwa's temple, the Investiture of the Gods has already entered its second year; Su Hu probably has already rebelled against Shang, and Daji will soon enter the palace, right?

Jiang Ziya will go down the mountain to conduct the Investiture of the Gods in the ninth year; suddenly he felt time pressing.

While thinking, he sensed someone, raised his head, and saw it was Yang Jian, somewhat unexpectedly; at this moment he actually was no longer cultivating.

"Master." Yang Jian came over to greet.

"Yang Jian, did you come to see your master for something?"

"My disciple has already reached the stage of Refining the Void and uniting with the Dao, feeling that I will soon be able to transcend the tribulation to become an immortal, so I came to ask my master what preparations are needed."

"Ding!"

"Yang Jian inquired of the host about the preparations for transcending the tribulation to become an immortal, triggering an event option; please have the host make a choice."

"Option One: Let Yang Jian make thorough preparations for transcending the tribulation to become an immortal, reward: one Peach of Immortality!"

"Option Two: Let Yang Jian relax his mindset and calmly face the heavenly tribulation, reward: the complete content of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Guard Methods!"

Gu Xiu was stunned, took a glance at Yang Jian and indeed he had already reached Refining the Void and uniting with the Dao.

Although there was no hundred-day ascension, this speed is already outrageous.

Indeed, he is the future Erlang Manifest Sagacity True Lord.

Facing the system's options, Gu Xiu pondered for a moment.

Although the Peach of Immortality is good, the Thirty-Six Heavenly Guard Methods are more appealing.

It just so happens that he previously obtained the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiend Techniques; now obtaining the Thirty-Six Heavenly Guard Methods makes a pair.

He silently chose the second option in his mind.

He slowly said to Yang Jian.

For ordinary people, transcending the tribulation to become an immortal indeed requires thorough preparation, lest they fail the tribulation and suffer death and disappearance of the Dao.

But my disciple, you cultivate my Jie Sect's supreme art, the Nine Turns Mysterious Skill; naturally you need no special preparation, just relax your mindset, this measly heavenly tribulation cannot overcome you; if you cannot even pass this level, how can you talk about taking revenge on the Heavenly Court? Even storming the Heavenly Court?

Upon hearing this, Yang Jian's heart suddenly became enlightened, no longer confused.

He still wants to take revenge on the Heavenly Court, storm the Heavenly Court, seek justice; if he fears a single tribulation to become an immortal, how can he talk about revenge?

Thank you, Master, for your enlightenment; disciple, what should I do?

Gu Xiu nodded: "Go ahead, as long as you understand."

Yang Jian clasped his hands and took his leave.

"Ding!"

Enlightening Yang Jian's task completed; congratulations, host, you have obtained the complete content of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Guard Methods!

Gu Xiu extracted the content of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Guard Methods, planning to pass it to Yang Jian after he becomes an immortal.

Then he raised his head to look at the sky; the whole Investiture of the Gods just lets the Heavenly Court sit back and reap the benefits like a fisherman, which makes Gu Xiu very displeased.

Although the Twelve Golden Immortals refused to bow and submit to the Heavenly Court, to serve as officials in heaven, Guang Chengzi led people to storm the Heavenly Court, smash the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, and heap insults on Haotian.

Haotian then ran to the Lingxiao Palace to complain, dragging the Jie Sect into trouble, but the Heavenly Court is also not innocent.

Anyway, Yang Jian is destined to storm the Heavenly Court and split the mountain to save his mother.

Rather than that, it would be better to teach Yang Jian to be formidable, to overturn the Heavenly Court completely.

Then negotiate with the Heavenly Court, letting some Jie Sect disciples achieve godhood with their physical bodies, go to the Heavenly Court to hold part-time positions, and occupy posts of real power.

After the Investiture of the Gods, regardless of success or failure, Hongjun will let the human, Chan, and Jie sects retreat into seclusion; afterward comes the strengthening of the Heavenly Court and the rise of the Western Sect.

Only by occupying positions of real power in the Heavenly Court can one have some say in later ages.

……

On the other side.

Yuanshi Tianzun left Kunlun Mountain and headed toward the Biyu Palace.

Tong Tian was in the Biyu Palace, leading the silent recitation of the Huangting Scripture, when he felt a familiar aura approaching.

He felt doubtful in his heart.

Second Brother, why have you come to the Biyu Palace at this time?

Following that, the voice of Yuanshi Tianzun came from outside.

Tong Tian, Second Brother has a matter to request an audience.

Second Brother, during the Great Calamity, my Biyu Palace has ordered the sect to go into closed-door cultivation, refusing to see visitors." Tong Tian's voice echoed outside the Golden Turtle Island.

At the Purple Aurora Palace deliberations, when the lots were cast for the Investiture of the Gods, Tong Tian was unwilling; the calamity provoked by the Chan Sect, why should he let Jie Sect disciples go stir up trouble?

It would have been proper to let the Twelve Golden Immortals sacrifice their lives for the Dao, have their true spirits ascend the list, and eliminate the heavenly and earthly calamity aura; that would be reasonable.

Yuanshi Tianzun, however, said that the Twelve Golden Immortals have excellent foundations and deep blessings, so they should not be listed; the Jie Sect has many people, so let Jie Sect members be listed to fill the Investiture of the Gods, in order to eliminate the Great Calamity.

The calamity provoked by the Chan Sect, yet they let the Jie Sect deal with it.

Nobody would accept this, Tong Tian included; he almost came to blows with Yuanshi Tianzun.

This led to Hongjun stepping in to mediate; the Taiqing, Yuanshi, and the Two Western Saints exerted pressure, forcing Tong Tian to sign the Investiture of the Gods.

Hongjun's orders cannot be defied, but Tong Tian thought that as long as he closes the sect and lets his disciples not go out, that would be fine.

So upon returning, Tong Tian gathered all his disciples, passively dealt with the Investiture of the Gods, hoping to protect his disciples by this method.

Now seeing Yuanshi Tianzun coming to visit, Tong Tian felt that nothing good would come of it and did not want to meet.

At the same time, Tong Tian also learned that recently a third-generation disciple of the Jie Sect had made Master Yuding suffer a setback; such a delightful matter, if Yuanshi Tianzun came to the door to demand an account, he would have to protect this granddisciple no matter what.

Not for him, but also for the sake of the Jie Sect's reputation.

Yuanshi Tianzun gave a cold snort: "You may let me go, but hand over Yang Jian to me."

Tong Tian lowered his head, puzzled; it wasn't because of Master Yuding's affair, but who is Yang Jian?

He seems not to have taken this disciple.

Second Brother, I don't know who you're looking for; please go back—if there's anything, we can talk after the Great Calamity.

Worried that Yuanshi Tianzun had come for the Investiture of the Gods, to demand that Jie Sect disciples go up and fill the list, to eliminate the killing calamity for the Twelve Golden Immortals, he didn't want to meet, fearing that seeing each other would spark another argument.

Outside Golden Ao Island, Yuanshi Tianzun stepped on auspicious clouds, saw that Tongtian had closed the door and refused to meet, and his face showed clear displeasure.

Tongtian, must you really make me angry?

Tongtian didn't think so; his voice came from within the Bi You Palace: "Second Brother, not long ago, Nuwa junior sister single-handedly challenged the Two Sages of the West, leaving me itching for a fight; if you want to practice with me, I'll gladly accompany you at any time."

Saying that, he slapped the Immortal‑Slaying Sword, and instantly the four swords rang together, a boundless terrifying sword intent shooting up from the Bi You Palace.

Yuanshi Tianzun grew angry, feeling that Tongtian showed no respect for his elder brother.

He was certain that the matter of Yang Jian was inseparable from Tongtian.

The Immortal‑Slaying Four Swords cannot be broken except by the Four Saints; if we can't win, we'll lose great face.

Tongtian, this matter—I've noted it; this venerable one will surely settle the score with you!

Not wanting to come to blows with Tongtian, Yuanshi Tianzun left after speaking.

Inside the Bi You Palace, seeing Yuanshi Tianzun's silhouette depart from above Golden Ao Island, Tongtian furrowed his brows slightly, feeling quite displeased.

I've moved my sect from Kunlun Mountain to Golden Ao Island, yet Second Brother still presses me so aggressively—but who is Yang Jian?

The Three Pure Ones originally all lived on Kunlun Mountain.

But because Yuanshi Tianzun dislikes non‑humans, while Tongtian expounds the Great Dao—fifty, the Tianyan forty‑nine, avoiding one, all things have a sliver of life, emphasizing teaching without distinction.

Thus he accepted disciples of all kinds, nearly every race among the myriad spirits, which caused Yuanshi Tianzun to often come looking for trouble when they were on Kunlun Mountain.

The Sect of the Enlightenment's disciples also considered themselves superior, insulting the Jie Sect's disciples, causing long‑standing resentment between the two sects.

Before, Tongtian could endure it alone, but after becoming the leader of the Jie Sect, with many disciples following, he therefore moved his sect, bringing the disciples to Golden Ao Island.

Seeing this, Taishang Laojun also packed up from Kunlun Mountain and went to Mount Shouyang; from then on the Three Pure Ones went their separate ways.

Not knowing who Yang Jian was, Tongtian summoned Duobao.

As soon as Duobao entered the Bi You Palace, Tongtian asked.

Duobao, do you know who Yang Jian is?

Duobao pondered: "Master, our sect seems to have no such person."

Having said that, Duobao recalled the recent uproar on Golden Ao Island: "Right, Master, a few days ago, True Person Yuding stormed the Three Immortals Island, apparently trying to seize the disciple of Junior Sister Yunxiao's disciple; this person seems to be called Yang Jian."

Having learned Yang Jian's information, Tongtian grew curious; after letting Duobao return, he unfolded his holy awareness and directed his gaze toward the Three Immortals Island.

He soon locked onto Yang Jian, and upon seeing him, Tongtian raised his eyebrows slightly.

This child carries too much karma; how could Yunxiao's disciple have taken him in, unafraid of being unable to bear such karma?

Forget it; the Sect of the Enlightenment's disciples share Second Brother's virtue—high‑and‑mighty, looking down on everyone, they've bullied my Jie Sect's disciples for years; now that they've taken him in, they've also offended Second Brother, so let things take their natural course.

It's also time to anger Second Brother; if he wants to save face, I doubt he'd really contend with a mere grand‑disciple.

Then Tongtian noticed Yang Chan.

This little girl seems to carry a lot of karma as well, and she shares some karma with Nuwa junior sister; where did Yunxiao's disciple find these two?