Primordial Era: Cultivation level equals the sum of the Jie Sect's total; the Three Pure Ones a

Hongjun gazed at Tongtian, his eyes calm.

"Since you know that, I won't beat around the bush."

He raised his hand.

A golden light quietly appeared in the palm of his hand.

The light was initially very faint, but in just a moment it became as intense as the blazing sun.

Amidst the radiance, a list slowly appeared.

The list was golden in color, its length and width unknown.

On the list, three thousand Dao patterns flowed endlessly, each Dao pattern representing a name.

The names were densely packed, like countless stars.

But that name is empty.

No name filled in yet.

Conferred God list.

The most precious treasure of heaven.

Those whose names are on the list will die and their spirits will be recorded.

From now on, there will be no more freedom, no more transcendence, and no more Great Way.

They could only be confined to the Heavenly Court and driven by the Jade Emperor.

A billion-dollar party, yet no escape.

Tongtian gazed at the Investiture of the Gods.

His gaze was calm as still water.

"Dao Ancestor, do you require your disciple to sign?"

Hongjun nodded.

"The three religions signed their seals, and the Investiture of the Gods was issued."

"This is predetermined and cannot be changed."

"Your Jie Sect needs to send someone to be listed."

Tongtian looked at him, his gaze slightly narrowed.

"How much?"

Hongjun said, "Three hundred and sixty-five righteous gods, two thousand deputy gods, and eighty-four thousand heavenly soldiers and generals."

"The three schools of thought—the Jie School, the Chan School, and the Ren School—are divided among themselves."

Tongtian remained silent.

There are 365 principal gods, 2,000 secondary gods, and 84,000 heavenly soldiers and generals.

The three schools of thought—Jiejiao, Chanjiao, and Renjiao—shared their responsibilities.

How many of the ten thousand immortals of the Jie Sect should be produced?

He raised his eyes and looked at Hongjun.

How should the costs be shared?

Hongjun looked at him and slowly spoke:

"The Chan Sect produced thirty principal gods, two hundred assistant gods, and eight thousand heavenly soldiers and generals."

"Humanity has produced ten principal gods, fifty secondary gods, and two thousand heavenly soldiers and generals."

"The rest all originated from the Jie Sect."

As soon as the voice fell, the Purple Cloud Palace fell silent.

The chaotic energy suddenly stagnated.

Tongtian's gaze suddenly turned cold.

The Chan sect produced thirty righteous gods, while the Ren sect produced ten.

The rest all originated from the Jie Sect?

Of the 365 righteous gods, the Jie Sect produced 325.

Two thousand secondary gods, of whom the Jie Sect produced one thousand seven hundred and fifty?

Of the 84,000 heavenly soldiers and generals, 74,000 were sent out by the Jie Sect.

Is this Hongjun's share of the burden?

Is this the predetermined fate of Heaven?

Is this the scheme he orchestrated with hundreds of millions of dollars?

Tongtian sneered.

That smile was cold, like ancient ice.

He gazed at Hongjun, at that ancient yet serene face.

One word at a time:

"Dao Ancestor, may I ask a question?"

"The Chan Sect and the Ren Sect combined have no more than a few dozen disciples."

"Even if everyone came out, they still couldn't gather the number set by the Dao Ancestor."

"The Dao Ancestor ordered them to produce thirty or ten righteous gods."

"Can they get out?"

Lao Tzu remained silent.

The Primordial One remained silent.

Jieyin lowered her eyebrows, and Zhunti looked down.

Nuwa lowered her head, not daring to look at him.

Hongjun gazed at Tongtian, his eyes calm.

"If they can't get out, then the third or fourth generation disciples will take their place."

"If you still can't get out, then you'll be promoted to a nominal disciple."

"There will always be one that can be produced."

Upon hearing this, Tongtian's cold smile deepened.

"The Dao Ancestor has indeed thought things through thoroughly."

"But this disciple of the Jie Sect has attracted ten thousand immortals to pay homage."

"So, the Dao Ancestor intends to send all the disciples of the Jie Sect onto the Investiture of the Gods?"

Hongjun looked at him and remained silent for a moment.

Then, he slowly began to speak:

"The Intercepting Sect's fortune is too great."

"Ten thousand immortals came to pay homage, and sages emerged in great numbers."

"If it is not weakened, the balance of the universe will be disrupted."

"The calamity of the Investiture of the Gods was set up specifically for the Jie Sect."

"Tongtian, you should understand."

Tongtian looked at him, at those indifferent yet resolute eyes.

A chill ran through me.

It was established for the Jie Sect.

Hongjun himself admitted it.

The Investiture of the Gods was set up specifically for the Jie Sect.

The goal was to suppress the Jie Sect.

The goal is to weaken the Jie Sect.

The purpose was to ensure that all the immortals of the Jie Sect were listed on the list and could never escape their fate.

He slowly closed his eyes.

When he opened his eyes again, sword light surged like a tide in his eyes.

"The Dao Ancestor".

He spoke, his voice calm.

"Disciple of the Jie Sect, I wish to send someone to be listed on the honor roll."

"But I do not accept the number set by the Dao Ancestor."

Hongjun's gaze narrowed slightly.

"You don't admit it?"

Tongtian nodded.

"I don't acknowledge it."

"The ten thousand immortals of the Jie Sect cultivate for billions of yuan."

"Even if it is a calamity, it should be preordained."

"With a single word from the Dao Ancestor, the Jie Sect was ordered to produce 325 True Gods."

"Then the sect will produce 1,750 deputy gods."

"Then we must send out 74,000 heavenly soldiers and generals from the sect."

"On what grounds do you wish to ask?"

The five words fell like a thunderclap.

Inside the Purple Cloud Palace, chaotic energy surged like a tide.

Laozi's expression changed slightly.

Yuan Shi frowned deeply.

Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged a glance, both seeing the solemnity in each other's eyes.

Nuwa looked up at the figure in green.

Looking at that thin yet stubborn face.

An indescribable emotion welled up inside me.

Tongtian has changed.

He was no longer the leader of the Jie Sect who obeyed only the Dao Ancestor's orders.

He was no longer the Tongtian who was besieged by the Four Saints and could only rely on the Zhuxian Sword Formation to protect himself.

He was no longer the master who could only watch helplessly as his disciple was bullied.

He possesses the Mysterious Capital.

There is the Jie Sect.

There are more than a dozen Saint-level warriors.

There is humanity, there is authenticity.

He felt confident.

They now had the confidence to challenge the Dao Ancestor.

Hongjun gazed at Tongtian in silence.

a long time.

He spoke slowly:

"Tongtian, what are you going to do?"

Tongtian did not rush to answer upon hearing Hongjun's words.

He slowly turned his head.

His gaze swept over Laozi, over Yuanshi, over Jieyin and Zhunti, and over Nuwa.

His gaze was as calm as still water.

But beneath that calm lay a chilling feeling that sent shivers down the spines of the Five Saints.

"Gentlemen."

The heavens spoke, the voice not loud, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears:

"Throughout the ages, each will rely on their own abilities."

Even sages are no exception.

"On the Investiture of the Gods, the three religions signed their names."

"The Jie Sect produced people who made the list, the Chan Sect produced people who made the list, and the Ren Sect produced people who made the list."

"And what about the saints?"

"Does that mean they don't need to be on the list?"

As soon as the voice fell, the Purple Cloud Palace fell silent.

The chaotic energy seemed to freeze for a moment.

Lao Tzu's pupils suddenly contracted.

Yuanshi's expression changed drastically.

The chanting of the Buddha's name by the guide abruptly stopped.

Zhunti suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Nuwa shuddered, and all the color drained from her beautiful face.

What did Tongtian say?

Even saints are on the list?

Even these sages of the Heavenly Dao had to sign their names on the Investiture of the Gods?

Has Tongtian gone mad?

Laozi spoke, his voice hoarse: "Junior Brother Tongtian, what are you saying?"

Yuanshi said coldly, "Tongtian, do you know what you're saying?"

With his hands clasped together, Jieyin's voice trembled slightly: "Amitabha... Benefactor Tongtian, you are mistaken."

Zhunti gritted his teeth: "Sages are the embodiment of the Heavenly Dao; how can they be listed and conferred gods like mortals?"

Nuwa remained silent.

He just stared intently at Tongtian.

In those eyes, there was astonishment, anger, and even a hint of barely concealed fear.

Tongtian looked at them, a slow smile creeping onto his lips.

That smile was cold, like ancient ice.

"Fellow disciples, why are you so agitated?"

"The Investiture of the Gods is a supreme treasure of Heaven. Those whose names are on the list will have their bodies destroyed and their true spirits enshrined on the list."

"From now on, I will serve the Heavenly Court, and I will never be free from the burden of billions of dollars."

"This is predetermined and cannot be changed."

"If it's a predetermined fate, then it should be fair."

"Why are only the disciples allowed to be on the list?"

"So, you sages, you can rest easy now?"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the five saints:

"The ten thousand immortals of the Jie Sect cultivate for billions of yuan."

"Even the Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect cultivate for hundreds of millions of yuan."

"Although the Human Sect only has one disciple, he is still at the peak of the Quasi-Saint level."

"There are countless followers of Western religions."

"Since we're all going to face this calamity anyway, let's face it together."

"Since we're going to be on the list anyway, let's all be on it together."

"Gentlemen, don't you agree?"

After the sound faded, Zixiao Palace fell into a deathly silence.