Investiture of the Gods: Childhood Sweetheart Daji, Starting with Quasi-Saint Cultivation

The rooftop of the Star-Picking Building.

King Zhou sat cross-legged, with the scroll of the "Human Emperor Scripture," which he had redeemed from the system, floating before him. The scroll shimmered with a faint golden light, and as the words flowed, the roar of dragons could be faintly heard in harmony.

[Ding! Progress in comprehending the Human Emperor's Scripture: 79% → 80%]

[Humanity's Luck Collection: 3,847,921/5,000,000]

A system notification sounded in my mind.

King Zhou opened his eyes, and a flash of golden light disappeared from them.

For the past month, he has worked almost non-stop. By day, he handles state affairs and implements new laws; by night, he studies the Human Emperor's Scripture and gathers the vital energy of humanity. Within the Great Shang territory, farmers have their land, laborers receive their wages, children are cared for, and the elderly are supported—these improvements in people's livelihoods have all been transformed into vital energy of humanity, flowing in continuously.

He could sense that some long-dormant power was awakening.

"Your Majesty," Wen Zhong's voice rang out from downstairs.

"Come on up."

Wen Zhong ascended the tower and saw that King Zhou's aura was becoming increasingly profound, which secretly alarmed him.

"Your Majesty, urgent report from the western front—Jiang Ziya has retreated three hundred li, seemingly waiting for something."

"Wait for reinforcements," King Zhou said calmly. "Wait for the Western Religion, wait for the Chan Religion, wait for all forces that want to destroy my Great Shang."

"That……"

"It's alright." King Zhou rose and walked to the edge of the terrace. "Grand Tutor Wen, do you believe... that human will can overcome nature?"

Wen Zhong was taken aback.

"This old minister... believes in Your Majesty."

King Zhou laughed.

"Then accompany me and take a gamble."

He raised his hand, and a ball of golden fortune appeared in his palm.

That is the faith of three million people, the will of countless farmers, craftsmen, and soldiers.

"I want to... awaken humanity."

At the same time, in the Kunlun Mountains.

Suddenly, Yuanshi Tianzun felt something and looked towards the direction of Chaoge.

"This aura..."

He calculated with his fingers, and his expression suddenly changed.

"Emperor Xin actually dared to... awaken humanity?!"

Humanity is one of the three paths of Heaven, Earth, and Man.

The Way of Heaven is supreme, the Way of Earth carries all things, and the Way of Humanity... governs all changes.

The Investiture of the Gods was originally intended to suppress the human realm and restore order. If the human realm were to fully awaken, the course of the calamity would spiral completely out of control.

"We can't let him succeed."

Yuanshi Tianzun rose and stepped out of Yuxu Palace.

Above Chaoge.

Golden aura gathered like clouds, growing ever stronger.

The people in the city seemed to sense something and all looked up.

"What is that?"

"It looks...like light?"

"I feel a warm feeling inside..."

Fortune rained down, permeating every citizen of the Great Merchant.

The patient's pain lessened, the elderly walked with a light step, and the child's eyes brightened.

This is a gift of humanity and good fortune.

On the Star-Picking Tower, King Zhou's face was pale, but his eyes were bright.

[Ding! Humanity's Luck Collection: 4,500,000/5,000,000]

almost.

We're still short 500,000.

"Emperor Xin—!"

A furious roar echoed through the sky.

The Primordial Celestial Venerable descended upon Chaoge, his sage-like power as vast as the sea and as oppressive as the prison, pressing down upon the entire city.

The people knelt down in terror.

King Zhou raised his head and looked directly at the sage.

"Yuanshi Tianzun, you are too late."

"Arrogant!" Yuanshi raised his hand, and a golden light slashed towards the Star-Picking Tower.

This strike, imbued with the wrath of a sage, was enough to obliterate King Zhou along with the Star-Picking Tower.

but--

Om-!

In Chaoge City, a faint light simultaneously shone on the bodies of countless people.

The points of light converged, forming a golden barrier that stood before the Star-Picking Tower.

The golden light struck the barrier, causing ripples, but it did not break through!

"This is... the power of human will?" Yuanshi was shocked.

How could the power of a mere mortal's will possibly withstand a blow from a saint?

"It's not just about willpower." King Zhou rose into the air, looking directly at Yuanshi Tianzun. "This is the human heart, the way of humanity, and the unyielding will of hundreds of millions of people over thousands of years."

He opened his arms.

"In the name of the Emperor, I call upon humanity—to awaken!"

boom--!

Chaoge City was shaken!

No, it shook the entire Shang Dynasty!

Mountains and rivers, cities and villages, countless points of light rise up and converge into a long golden river that runs through heaven and earth!

The river of humanity!

In the long river, one can vaguely see the phantoms of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, Shennong tasting hundreds of herbs, the Yellow Emperor battling Chiyou, Yu the Great controlling the floods, and Cheng Tang establishing his kingdom...

The entirety of human history is contained within!

The Heavenly Lord of Primordial Beginning looked grim.

Humanity has truly awakened.

Although not complete, it has already taken shape.

"Di Xin, do you know what you are doing?" he said in a deep voice. "When humanity awakens, Heaven will surely suppress it. When divine punishment descends, the entire human race will be doomed!"

"Then let Heaven decide," King Zhou declared loudly. "Humanity has knelt for too long; it's time to stand up."

"Stubborn to the end!"

Yuanshi strikes again, this time with all his might!

The power of the sage transformed into a colossal hand that blotted out the sky, slamming down upon the long river of humanity!

He wants to sever the very foundation of humanity with a single blow!

but--

The long river surged, and the phantom images of the three emperors opened their eyes simultaneously.

"Yuanshi, retreat."

Three ancient wills descended.

The Three Emperors of Huoyun Cave!

Although it was just a phantom, the humanistic energy it contained caused Yuanshi's palm strike to stop in mid-air.

"Fuxi, Shennong, Xuanyuan..." Yuanshi gritted his teeth, "You want to get involved too?"

"The affairs of the human race shall be decided by the human race itself," the phantom of Fuxi said slowly. "Yuanshi, return to your Jade Void Palace."

"What if I don't reply?"

"Then let us fight." The illusory figure of Xuanyuan drew his sword. "Humans are not afraid of war."

The Primordial One remained silent.

Although the Three Sovereigns are merely phantoms, by borrowing the power of the River of Humanity, they are capable of fighting him.

and……

He looked up at the sky.

Heaven has yet to comment.

"Fine...fine!" Yuanshi sneered. "Di Xin, do you think you can win by awakening humanity? In the Great Calamity, all beings below the level of a sage are but ants. Wait for Heaven's punishment, and see how you end up!"

He turned and left.

The crisis has been temporarily resolved.

King Zhou fell back to the Star-Picking Tower and spat out a mouthful of blood.

Forcibly awakening humanity is too taxing.

Wen Zhong quickly helped him up.

"His Majesty!"

"It's alright..." King Zhou wiped away the blood and looked at the golden river in the sky. "I... did it."

[Ding! Humanity's Luck Collection: 5,000,000/5,000,000]

[Progress in comprehending the Human Emperor's Scripture: 100%]

Humanitarianism has begun to awaken.

[Title Obtained: Human Emperor (Beginner)]

System notifications sounded one after another.

King Zhou felt a surge of immense power within his body.

That's not cultivation, not magic power, but... authority.

The power of the emperor.

Although it is only the initial stage, it is already able to have an equal dialogue with the sage.

"Wen Zhong."

"Your old minister is here."

"By my decree, erect a monument to humanity within the territory of the Great Shang Dynasty. The inscription shall bear my words of today: 'Humanity shall strive for self-improvement and prosper for ten thousand generations.'"

"yes!"

The news quickly spread throughout the world.

Xiqi Camp.

Jiang Ziya's face was gloomy.

"Humanity awakens... This is troublesome."

Yang Jian asked, puzzled, "Uncle-Master, what trouble could there be if the human realm has awakened?"

"You don't understand," Jiang Ziya shook his head. "The Great Calamity was originally meant to restore order to the Heavenly Dao and suppress the Human Dao. Now that the Human Dao has awakened, the variables of the Great Calamity have greatly increased. Moreover..."

He looked in the direction of Chaoge.

"Emperor Xin has gained the recognition of humanity and is now a true human emperor. To attack him is to attack the legitimate line of humanity."

Nezha asked anxiously, "Then what should we do?"

"Wait," Jiang Ziya said, "wait for Heaven to express its opinion, wait for the sage to make a decision."

Biyou Palace.

The Tongtian Sect Leader sensed the awakening of humanity and laughed heartily.

"Excellent! What a fine emperor!"

The Daoist Duobao asked from the side, "Master, is the awakening of humanity beneficial to our Jie Sect?"

"Of course," Tongtian laughed. "Humanity controls variables, and the more variables there are, the greater the chance of survival for our Jie Sect. That old man Yuanshi is probably furious right now."

He paused.

"Pass down the order: all disciples of the Jie Sect are to provide full assistance to the Shang dynasty."

"yes!"

Eight Views Palace.

Lao Tzu opened his eyes and sighed.

"Humanity is awakening, and a great upheaval is about to occur. The Three Realms... are about to descend into chaos."

He calculated with his fingers, but saw that the secrets of heaven were chaotic and the future was unpredictable.

"Oh well... let nature take its course."

Western sacred mountain.

Jieyin and Zhunti sat facing each other.

"Senior brother, humanity is awakening, and this is the opportunity for our Western religion to spread eastward..." Zhunti frowned.

"It may not be a bad thing," Jieyin said slowly. "Humanity seeks change, and Buddhism can offer a new life. Perhaps... this is an opportunity for our sect."

"But what about Yuanshi Tianzun..."

"Yuanshi?" Jieyin shook his head. "He was too hasty. He forced humanity today and has already suffered the backlash. Now, it's our turn."

Chaoge, General's Mansion.

Su Yunbai sensed the River of Humanity and was deeply moved.

He found King Zhou.

"Your Majesty, you..."

"Yunbai, you see?" King Zhou laughed. "The human race has finally stood up."

Su Yunbai looked at his pale yet bright face and felt a pang of sadness in her heart.

Is it worth it?

"It's worth it." King Zhou nodded. "Yunbai, do you know? Back on Earth, I always wondered what people lived for. Now I know—to make more people live better lives."

He looked out the window.

"This might be the most correct thing I've ever done since I traveled through time."

Su Yunbai remained silent.

After a long silence, he said, "Heaven will not stand idly by."

"I know," King Zhou looked at him, "so I need your help."

"How can I help?"

"Teach me cultivation," King Zhou said earnestly. "The Human Emperor's Scripture is powerful, but it lacks practical application. You are a quasi-saint and a transmigrator; you understand me. Help me... become stronger."

Su Yunbai looked at his determined eyes and nodded.

"it is good."

From that day on, Su Yunbai began to guide King Zhou in his cultivation.

The Human Emperor Scripture, when combined with the human way and fortune, leads to rapid progress.

In just ten days, King Zhou ascended from a mortal body to the Great Luo.

Although his foundation is unstable, he is blessed by the River of Humanity, and his combat power is no weaker than that of the veteran Ronaldo.

On this day, the two sparred on the roof of the Star-Picking Tower.

Su Yunbai unleashed a sword strike, his love threads intertwined.

King Zhou met the attack with the Human Emperor Sword, the blade drawing upon the power of the River of Humanity to sever the threads of love.

"Not bad." Su Yunbai sheathed his sword. "Your Majesty has mastered the Samadhi of the Human Emperor's Sword."

King Zhou shook his head: "That's not enough. If we were to face a sage..."

"I will deal with the sage," Su Yunbai said. "Your Majesty only needs to stay in Chaoge and maintain order."

"And what about you?"

"I need to go to the Three Immortal Islands," Su Yunbai said. "I cannot refuse the invitation from Fairy Qiongxiao."

King Zhou's eyes lit up.

"Qiongxiao? That aloof fairy? Yunbai, you're something else!"

Su Yunbai coughed lightly: "Your Majesty, please don't talk nonsense."

"I'm not talking nonsense." King Zhou winked. "But Yun Bai, your harem is getting more and more magnificent. Be careful your inner palace doesn't catch fire."

"Your Majesty should focus on governing the country."

"Alright, alright, I won't say anymore," King Zhou said solemnly. "Go and come back soon. Chaoge... needs you."

"Um."

That night, Su Yunbai told Yunxiao about it.

Yunxiao remained calm.

"It's time to go."

"You... don't mind?"

"Why should I mind?" Yunxiao asked back. "Qiongxiao is my sister. I'm overjoyed that you can get to know her."

Su Yunbai felt a warmth in his heart.

"Thanks."

"No need to thank me," Yunxiao said softly. "I only hope that you... will not let her down."

"Won't."

The following day, Su Yunbai set off for the Three Immortal Islands.

Bixiao wanted to follow, but Yunxiao stopped her.

"Let them be alone."

"Big sister..."

"obedient."

Bixiao pouted, but didn't insist any further.

Su Yunbai traveled alone, riding the clouds eastward.

Three Immortal Islands, deep in the East China Sea.

Fairy Qiongxiao...

He felt a strange sense of anticipation.