Chapter 573

"Since that is the case," Di Jun took a deep breath, retrieved that bottle of Three Light Divine Water, held it high, his voice like thunder, "Today, We shall bestow this item upon the heroes of the world in a different way!"

A different way?

Everyone pricked up their ears.

One saw Di Jun raise his hand and wave; that bottle of Three Light Divine Water, together with the jade bottle, instantly exploded in midair, transforming into a dense, utterly rich life-giving sweet rain, evenly sprinkling over every corner at the foot of Mount Buzhou.

Every drop of sweet rain contained the pure, refined Primordial Origin of the three lights of sun, moon, and stars.

Those great powers who had come to observe the ceremony, as long as they were touched by the sweet rain, all felt the old injuries and hidden ailments on their bodies healed in an instant.

Some cultivators who had been stuck at a bottleneck for many years even felt their cultivation show a slight loosening.

"Heavens! It really is Three Light Divine Water!"

"I... I feel my Dao foundation has become even more stable!"

"Your Majesty's benevolent virtue! Heavenly Emperor Your Majesty's benevolent virtue!"

For a time, the mood below instantly shifted from the previous dissatisfaction and mockery into wild joy and gratitude.

Countless cultivators, facing Di Jun on the high platform, bowed down in worship, shouting "Heavenly Emperor's benevolent virtue."

Those who previously said Di Jun was monkeying around now only felt a burning, stinging pain on their faces.

The Heavenly Emperor fundamentally was not unwilling to part with it.

Rather, he changed to a more magnanimous, more universally beneficial way, distributing this fortuitous opportunity to everyone present!

This breadth of mind, this grandeur of spirit, is worthy of the title "Heavenly Emperor"!

In the Wu Clan camp, the faces of the Twelve Ancestral Witches all turned somewhat ugly.

They also had not expected Di Jun would actually pull a move like this.

With this, the Yao Clan Heavenly Court's prestige not only did not fall but rose, even leaving an impression of "benevolent virtue" in the hearts of many scattered cultivator great powers.

This is far more brilliant than simple martial suppression.

"Good scheme."

Di Jiang looked at the high platform above, at that pair of brothers with tacit understanding, and slowly spat out three words.

These methods made even him feel a trace of heart-palpitating dread.

On the high platform.

Xi He watched this scene, her clear cold eyes flashing with brilliant colors.

She had originally thought Di Jun was merely a brute with hegemonic boldness to spare but insufficient wisdom.

But looking now, she was completely wrong.

Able to bend and stretch, knowing when to advance and retreat, understanding trade-offs.

This is the true art of emperorship.

She looked again at that Donghuang Taiyi with a face of breezy indifference; the curiosity in her heart had already reached its peak.

"Elder Brother, now, it is time to proceed to the next item."

Gu Yuan's voice rang out beside Di Jun's ear.

Di Jun nodded.

He cleared his throat, waited for the cheers below to subside slightly, then spoke aloud once more.

"Fellow Daoists!"

"Today's discourse on the Dao is merely an appetizer."

"We have here another matter concerning the future of the Great Wasteland, which We wish to discuss with all of you."

A matter concerning the future of the Great Wasteland?

Everyone's hearts were lifted once again.

One saw Di Jun wave his wide sleeve; a golden book appeared in his hand.

"This is the 'Heavenly Star Gods Name Register'."

"Our Yao Clan Heavenly Court, following Heaven and responding to humans, executing the Dao on Heaven's behalf, ought to establish three hundred sixty-five Celestial Stars Orthodox Gods and one thousand two hundred ninety-six Auxiliary Gods, to correspond to the Celestial Stars, comb the laws of Heaven and Earth, and maintain the stability of the Great Wasteland."

"Today, We shall hereby confer titles of Star Gods!"

Boom!

The moment these words came out, they were a hundred times more explosive than the distribution of Three Light Divine Water just now.

Conferring godhood!

This Yao Clan Heavenly Emperor actually intends to, right here, emulate the Ancestor of the Dao dividing Saint Positions, and confer Divine Positions!

This... this is to incorporate all the scattered cultivator great powers of the entire Great Wasteland into his Heavenly Court's system!

Everyone's breathing became heavy.

Saint Positions, they dared not even dream of.

But these Divine Positions... seem like they can be contended for?

Once one becomes a Heavenly Court Orthodox God, one can gain the blessing of Celestial Stars Qi Luck, receive Heavenly Court protection; this benefit is far greater than a bottle of Three Light Divine Water!

"Heavenly Emperor Your Majesty, may I ask how these Divine Positions are to be conferred?"

In the crowd, a white-haired, aged old Daoist could not help but speak up and ask.

He was a scattered cultivator of the Eastern Sea, named Dong Wanggong, his cultivation also at the peak of Great Luo Golden Immortal; among scattered cultivators he held considerable prestige.

Di Jun glanced at him and said blandly: "Very simple."

"All who are willing to enter Our Heavenly Court and serve as Celestial Stars Gods may step forward."

"We shall personally enfeoff according to each of your cultivation, Dao conduct, and merit and virtue toward the Great Wasteland."

Having spoken, he unfurled that 'Heavenly Star Gods Name Register'.

The golden book expanded in the wind, transforming into an enormous list that blotted out the sky, suspended above Mount Buzhou.

Upon the list, divine positions flashing with golden light were clearly visible, one by one.

At the very top were the "Purple Tenuity Emperor Lord," "Curved Array Great Emperor," "Chang Sheng Da Di," and "Hou Tu Huang Di Zhi" — the Four Great Charioteers.

Below them were the "Southern Dipper Six Offices Star Lords," "Northern Dipper Seven Primordial Star Lords," "Nine Luminaries Star Officials," "Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions," and so on.

Each divine position corresponded to an Ancient Star, emanating vast stellar power.

Among the crowd below, the various mighty figures who had previously harbored discontent now had their thoughts completely changed.

The Three Light Divine Water, though a Supreme Treasure, was ultimately an external object.

But these Zhou Tian Star God positions represented Qi fortune, represented one's foundation, represented the qualification to lean against the Heavenly Court, this towering great tree!

A Saint Position they dared not even dream of, but if they could leave their names on this list, become a Star God, would their future cultivation path not be a smooth ascent to the blue clouds?

For an Ongoing Period, countless burning gazes were cast toward that Heavenly Star God Name Register suspended in midair.

"Emperor, I wonder how these divine positions are to be conferred?"

Dong Wanggong spoke again, and this time, his tone carried obvious reverence and urgency.

Di Jun had not yet spoken when Gu Yuan beside him coughed twice more, his voice not loud, yet it drew everyone's attention.

"Elder Brother, conferring godhood is a matter of great importance, not child's play," Gu Yuan said leisurely. "These divine positions are both honor and responsibility. They must be occupied by the worthy and capable, the virtuous, and those with merit."

Di Jun understood perfectly and immediately chimed in: "What Younger Brother says is correct."

He scanned the entire assembly, his voice majestic as he announced: "All who wish to enter my Heavenly Court and become Zhou Tian Star Gods must satisfy three points."

"First, cultivation must be at least at the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm."

"Second, they must swear a Heavenly Dao oath to eternally guard their corresponding star, comb stellar power, maintain the Heavenly Dao's operation, without the slightest error."

"Third, and most important." Di Jun's voice paused, his gaze sweeping toward the Wu Clan's direction, "They must choose between Our Heavenly Court and the Wu Clan."

These words fell, and the entire venue erupted in an uproar.

This was forcing everyone to pick a side!

Either ascend to the Heavenly Court, become a god.

Or remain on the Great Earth, ally with the Wu Clan.

There was no longer any possibility of playing both sides.