Primordial Era: I rule the great sect and command all immortals.

Chapter 85 The Intercepting Sect Loosens Its Formation, the Chan Sect Shows No Mercy

Li Yunjing did not mention the future siege by the Four Saints. At this moment, the Tongtian Sect Leader simply did not believe that his own brother would collude with outsiders to gang up on his own brother!

The Tongtian Sect Leader was unaware that the Jie Sect would essentially be destroyed in the future; otherwise, his teacher wouldn't have been able to refuse so quickly.

"Chaos Child, ultimately, the disciples must choose their own paths."

As a sage, one is omniscient and knowledgeable, and understands all things.

The Master of Heaven understood the disciple's meaning, but he did not completely refuse. Instead, he stated that he would not interfere in this matter, and that everyone had their own destiny.

Chaos Child, as the Great Emperor of the Central Heaven Purple Star and the North Pole, one of the Six Emperors of the Heavenly Court, in charge of all the stars in the heavens, after the Investiture of the Gods, many of those who were listed on the list had to be controlled by him, and his Jie Sect was invincible.

At this time, the Tongtian Sect Leader remained optimistic. Even though more than 300 of his disciples were listed during the Investiture of the Gods, his Jie Sect was still the number one sect in the prehistoric world, and its position could not be shaken!

"The Dao Ancestor has summoned me to Zixiao Palace for a while. You should return to the mountain and cultivate in peace. The Investiture of the Gods will not affect you." Tongtian Sect Master said in the end.

"Disciple will humbly obey Master's decree!"

Looking at the empty Shangqing Hall, Li Yunjing sighed, realizing that he ultimately had no power to interfere too much in the matter of the Investiture of the Gods.

However, some disciples of the Jie Sect still need to be preserved. In the next great eon, Buddhism will flourish, so it is necessary to preserve strength and fight against Buddhism, Chan Sect, and Ren Sect again!

"What I'm doing is this calamity of immortality..."

Having figured all this out, Chaos Daoist summoned his loyal followers at the "Chaos Palace" on Jin'ao Island, including Yu Yixian, Zhao Gongming, the Three Immortals of Sanxiao, and Caiyun Fairy.

Chaos Dao Lord recounted what he knew about the Investiture of the Gods to his direct disciples, emphasizing the determination of the Chan and Jie sects to complete the calamity.

After he finished speaking, everyone was stunned. This was completely different from the leader's argument that reciting the Yellow Court Classic in silence and staying at home would help one avoid the great calamity!

"Everyone, the will of Heaven is hard to defy. As the first great saintly sect, our Jie Sect will bear the brunt of the calamity of immortality. This is unavoidable. There are two ways to be conferred the title of god: one is to survive the calamity, make merits, and be conferred the title of god in the physical body; the other is to perish in the calamity, with one's primordial spirit being listed and one's true spirit being conferred the title of god."

"If one's true spirit is listed, their cultivation will have no possibility of further advancement within countless eons; however, if one's physical body is made a god, one can continue to cultivate. My good body is the Great Emperor of the North Pole of the Central Heaven, wielding great power in the Heavenly Court. Even if my disciples of the Jie Sect enter the Heavenly Court, they will not be subject to the orders of the Jade Emperor and can completely obey orders without question! You can consider the pros and cons of this matter yourselves. If you have any close fellow disciples, you can also inform them and leave them a way out."

"Brother Chaos, we understand. We didn't expect this Investiture of the Gods calamity to be so perilous. Those disciples of the Chan Sect naturally have to kill people in order to complete their killing calamity. Who else can they kill if not our Jie Sect!"

Yu Yixian was furious. Now a Grand Luo Golden Immortal, he was burning with rage and wanted to have a good fight with the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect in the Investiture of the Gods.

"Senior brother, although the Chan Sect has malicious intentions, they are no match for our Jie Sect. Not to mention that you, Senior Brother Chaos, are a Quasi-Saint, our sect has many Great Luo Golden Immortals. The Chan Sect is courting death!" Qiongxiao said with disdain, she looked down on the strength of the Chan Sect.

"Qiongxiao is right! We can wipe out the Chan Sect with just a few Great Luo Golden Immortals!" Zhao Gongming nodded. Although he understood his senior brother Chaos's concerns, he did not believe that the Chan Sect had the strength to shake the Jie Sect.

"Alas! Even those close to us are like this, one can imagine what the entire Jie Sect's attitude is towards this tribulation of immortals."

Li Yunjing sighed and finally gave up trying to persuade them. He figured he could save as many as he could.

Just as Chaos Daojun was gathering with his direct disciples to discuss how to overcome the great calamity, at Kunlun Mountain, in Jade Void Palace, Yuanshi Tianzun also had Guangchengzi ring the Gathering Immortal Bell to gather all his disciples together and tell them about the Investiture of the Gods.

"This calamity of immortality was initiated by my disciples who were tainted by it, so you are all caught in it. However, the Antarctic Emperor of Longevity and the Six Emperors of the Heavenly Court are not caught in it; Randeng already possesses the cultivation of a Quasi-Saint, transcending the calamity and is therefore unaffected by it."

When the Old Man of the South Pole and the Daoist Burning Lamp heard the words of the Primordial Heavenly Venerable, they both breathed a sigh of relief.

"Master, I am terrified. It seems that this calamity of death on the path of immortality is unavoidable. May I ask if there is any miraculous way to safely overcome this calamity?"

Guang Chengzi, as the eldest disciple, sought instruction from Yuanshi Tianzun on how to transcend tribulations.

On the cloud bed, Yuanshi Tianzun pondered for a moment, considering how to ensure his disciple's safe passage through the great calamity.

In his mind, there were only a dozen or so disciples of the Chan Sect. How could he bear to send them to the Investiture of the Gods?

"This calamity of immortality is to settle karma and reduce the burden on the primordial world. Once we complete several battles, eliminate our own karma, and allow some cultivators to return to the world, this calamity will naturally weaken and eventually be completely eliminated."

With a heavy heart, I said, "I'm sorry, Third Brother!"

Although the words of the Primordial Celestial Venerable were cryptic, the Twelve Golden Immortals all understood their profound meaning and their minds began to race.

After Yuanshi Tianzun disappeared and the crowd dispersed, Guangchengzi summoned eleven Golden Immortals, including Yuding Zhenren and Taiyi Zhenren, as well as Yunzhongzi, the Golden Immortal of Fortune and Virtue.

"Everyone knows what's going on. Now, we just need to come up with a way to overcome this tribulation," Guang Chengzi, as the senior disciple of the Chan Sect, was the first to speak.

"Everyone understands Master's meaning. If we want to survive this calamity, we must settle our karmic debts. There are only two ways to settle these debts: one is to repay them all, and the other is to be completely annihilated," Chi Jingzi said calmly.

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes flickered.

That being said, if cause and effect were so easily resolved, there would be no killing calamities.

Therefore, there is only one way: to stop killing with killing. In this great calamity, killing those who are about to be afflicted will not only prevent the generation of karma, but will also lessen one's own calamity and help one escape it sooner.

Having figured this out, the only problem left for the Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect was to find enough immortal cultivators, lure them into the mortal world, and then kill them with their own hands. In this way, they could safely transcend their tribulations.

Where can you find enough immortal cultivators? Aren't they your old rival, the Jie Sect?

"Now that we are facing imminent calamity, we have no choice but to do this," Dao Xing Tianzun sighed softly.

Better to die for your fellow Daoist than for this one!

"What kind of fellow disciples are those Jie Sect disciples? They are all creatures with fur and horns, born from eggs and moisture. What virtue or ability do they have to be ranked alongside us, the true immortals of morality?" Seeing that some people were reluctant to part with them, Manjushri Bodhisattva said with a disdainful expression.

"Manjushri is right! We put them on the list and made them gods appointed by the Heavenly Court. Although they lost their freedom, they survived a great calamity. In my opinion, they should thank us properly!" Taiyi Zhenren said in a sinister tone.

"Indeed! However, those disciples of the Jie Sect also possess some magical power and are not benevolent. For our own safety, there is indeed something else we must do!" Dao Xing Tian Zun said with a smile.

"Oh? What are your plans, Junior Brother? Tell me quickly!" Guang Chengzi's eyes lit up as he asked.

"When the calamity is about to erupt, we will take some mortals as disciples and share our karma with them. In this way, those disciples will shield us from the disaster and help us overcome the calamity."

"Hahaha! Excellent! Junior brother is truly talented!"

Upon hearing this, the other Golden Immortals were greatly encouraged. With someone to take their place in the tribulation, their chances of surviving the killing tribulation were much greater!

"Hehe! We can also invite some rogue immortals to help us out, in case they get killed by the Jie Sect."

Although Taiyi Zhenren did not finish speaking, everyone else understood his meaning and smiled repeatedly. Immortals coming to take the place of tribulations are more effective than mortals!

Although the actions of the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect were somewhat ruthless, they were facing imminent disaster and could not care about such things. It was either others who would die or they themselves would perish, and the choice was naturally clear to them.

Although the innate spiritual energy in the primordial world has dissipated, the creatures born today can live for nearly a thousand years even without cultivation, and each one can play a role.

If the twelve Golden Immortals make arrangements a thousand years before the Great Tribulation of the Gods, they can find their substitutes to take the tribulation and thus save their own lives!

Compared to the Jie Sect's complete ignorance, the Chan Sect was much more efficient. They devised a ruthless plan: the Twelve Golden Immortals and Yun Zhongzi separated to befriend various independent cultivators, manifest in the mortal world, and display their supernatural powers in preparation for recruiting disciples in the future. In any case, no one was like the Jie Sect, still laughing and joking, as if they had no idea that a great calamity was about to befall them.

With one side sharpening its swords and the other completely unprepared, it's no wonder that the Jie Sect suffered a crushing defeat and nearly perished.

Meanwhile, in the human world, the Xia Dynasty's hereditary rule officially began. Xia Qi passed the throne to his son Tai Kang, then to Zhong Kang, Xiang, Shao Kang, Yu, Huai, Mang, Xie, Bu Jiang, Bian, Yin Jia, Kong Jia, Gao, and Fa, before finally passing it down to Jie.

From Qi to Jie, there were thirteen generations and sixteen reigns, spanning 47,120 years. After Jie ascended the throne, he did not think of reforms, but instead indulged in extravagance and debauchery, building the Inclined Palace and decorating the Jade Terrace, squandering his wealth without restraint.

He indulged in drinking and merrymaking with his sister day and night, ignoring the suffering of the people. The people cursed Xia Jie, pointing at the sun, and the feudal lords from all directions also rebelled. Xia Jie was trapped in an isolated situation, beset by internal and external troubles.

At that time, there was a small vassal state called "Shang". The leader of "Shang" was named Tang. Seeing that Xia Jie was tyrannical and had lost the support of the people, Tang was determined to destroy Xia.

In the first year of the reign of Emperor Yiwei, Tang ascended the throne, eliminated the tyrannical rule of Jie, established the Shang Dynasty, and pleased the people, who flocked to him from far and near.

Over the years, the Zixiao Palace has discussed the matter of bestowing the titles of gods twice, but due to the huge differences between the Jie Sect and the Chan Sect, they have been unable to reach an agreement.

Today marks the third time we've come to the "Purple Cloud Palace" to discuss matters.

Just as Laozi, Yuanshi Tianzun, and Tongtian Jiaozhu arrived at the Zixiao Palace and took their seats, Hongjun Daozu suddenly appeared and sat upright on a futon.

The three sages quickly rose, bowed, and said, "Disciples greet our teachers."

Hongjun waved his hand and said, "No need for formalities. This is the third time today. Even mortals know that things should not happen more than three times. The three of you must decide who will be on the Investiture of the Gods list." After saying that, he closed his eyes and sat upright on the futon without saying another word.

With the Grandmaster Hongjun having spoken, the three sages knew that they had to decide on the disciples to be included on the Investiture of the Gods list today.

However, even though a sage is a saint, he is still human and cannot sever the four emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness.

Both Yuanshi Tianzun and Tongtian Jiaozhu wanted to preserve the vitality of their respective sects so that the other's disciples could be listed on the list.

The dispute raged on, and they were still unable to decide who would be on the list.

Seeing that his two junior brothers were arguing endlessly and unable to decide who would be on the list, and fearing that it would delay the time for the Investiture of the Gods, Laozi said, "Since the two junior brothers cannot decide on a candidate, why don't we leave it blank?"

As soon as Laozi finished speaking, both Yuanshi Tianzun and Tongtian Jiaozhu were taken aback. Then, Tongtian Jiaozhu said, "Alright! Leave one blank. Whether the disciples of the three sects make the list or not depends entirely on their individual strength and opportunities."

"That's fine too!" Yuanshi Tianzun nodded in agreement.

Seeing that the two had agreed, Laozi turned to Dao Ancestor Hongjun and said, "Master, is this acceptable?"

Hongjun Daojun slowly opened his eyes and said calmly, "As long as 365 people are on the list and the Investiture of the Gods is not delayed, that's fine. As for who is on the list, it's up to you and your two fellow disciples to decide."

"A thousand years from now, the person to be conferred the title of god will be born. At that time, whichever sect he joins will preside over the conferment of the title of god, and the list of gods will be sent to the leader of that sect." After saying this, he disappeared.

Seeing that the Dao Ancestor had already disappeared, the three sages bowed to each other and left Zixiao Palace, heading towards their respective Daoist temples.

After returning to the "Eight Views Palace", Laozi summoned the Grand Master Xuandu and said, "Xuandu, there will be a calamity of the conferment of gods a thousand years from now. Those in the three sects of Xuanmen who have not severed their three corpses are all people destined for this calamity. You should not leave the mountain easily, lest you be tainted by the calamity's aura and fall into it."

Grand Master Xuandu was greatly alarmed and asked, "Master, I am already a Great Luo Golden Immortal, beyond the Three Realms and outside the Five Elements, how can I still face calamities?"

Laozi replied, "This Investiture of the Gods calamity is due to three things. First, Haotian ordered the disciples of the Chan and Jie sects to bow their heads and obey him; second, the disciples of the Chan sect are facing a calamity of slaughter and must overcome it before they can continue their cultivation; third, the Heavenly Court is short-handed and not enough to control all the cultivators and manage all affairs of the Three Realms."

Lao Tzu paused slightly before continuing, "Therefore, the Dao Ancestor bestowed the Investiture of the Gods so that he could enfeoff the eight classes of gods to assist the Jade Emperor in managing the Three Realms."

With that, the matter of bestowing the titles of gods was settled. The three sages each handed over their responsibilities to their disciples, and the rest was left to the disciples of the three religions to display their unique abilities and vie for that sliver of hope.

Throughout the entire Xia Dynasty, which lasted forty-seven thousand one hundred and twenty years, Li Yunjing only ventured out a few times, except for the time when the Tongtian Sect Leader preached. He spent most of his time in seclusion in Wuyi Mountain cultivating.

Over these 40,000 years, although Li Yunjing's understanding of the Dao became clearer and his magical power became more and more unfathomable, he was still unable to sever the evil corpse.

Knowing that his destiny had not yet arrived, Li Yunjing stopped forcing it and opened the gate directly.

A quick calculation revealed that it was already the early years of the Yin Shang Dynasty. Li Yunjing thought that as long as 365 people were on the list, the calamity of the Investiture of the Gods would naturally end, and at least some of the Jie Sect members could be saved.

(End of this chapter)