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

When Su Yunbai and Qiongxiao returned to Chaoge, it was noon.

At the city gate, Bixiao had been waiting for a long time. When she saw the two of them coming side by side, her eyes lit up and she skipped over to greet them.

"Second Sister! Yunbai! You're finally back!"

Qiongxiao greeted her younger sister with a gentle expression: "Third Sister."

Bixiao took Qiongxiao's arm and said with a grin, "Second sister, how was your time on Three Immortals Island? Did you...?" She winked, her eyes full of meaning.

Qiongxiao gently patted her hand: "Don't talk nonsense."

"I'm not talking nonsense." Bixiao looked at Su Yunbai. "Yunbai, what do you think?"

Su Yunbai coughed lightly: "Let's go into the city first."

The three entered the city and headed straight for the general's mansion.

Inside the mansion, Yunxiao was already waiting in the main hall. Seeing Qiongxiao return safely, a smile appeared in her eyes.

"Second Sister."

"Elder sister," Qiongxiao bowed.

The sisters met, their hearts filled with warmth and affection.

Bixiao chattered away about the interesting things that had happened in Chaoge these past few days, while Qiongxiao listened quietly, nodding occasionally.

Su Yunbai felt at peace as he watched this scene.

But this peace was soon shattered.

Wen Zhong arrived in a hurry.

"General! His Majesty urgently summons you!"

Su Yunbai's expression turned serious: "What is it?"

"There's been some unusual activity in Xiqi." Wen Zhong said in a deep voice, "Jiang Ziya led his army to retreat five hundred li, but scouts reported that a large number of cultivators have gathered in Xiqi, among whom... there is the aura of a Golden Immortal from the Chan Sect."

Qiongxiao frowned: "Is the Chan Sect going all out?"

"Not only that." Wen Zhong looked at Su Yunbai, "There's also the Western Sect. News came from the Dragon Palace of the South Sea that a Bodhisattva from Mount Ling is crossing eastward, and his destination... seems to be Chaoge."

Su Yunbai clenched his fist.

They arrived as expected.

The awakening of humanity has touched upon the fundamental interests of certain entities.

"I'm going to see His Majesty."

The royal palace, the Star-Picking Tower.

King Zhou stood with his hands behind his back on the rooftop, gazing at the western horizon.

There, calamity clouds gathered.

"You saw it?" He didn't turn around.

Su Yunbai walked to his side: "I saw it. The calamity aura has taken shape; at most three months, heavenly punishment will surely arrive."

"Are you afraid?" King Zhou asked.

"I'm afraid," Su Yunbai said honestly, "but even if I'm afraid, I have to fight."

King Zhou laughed.

"Well said." He turned around. "Yunbai, in the past month, I have been studying the Human Emperor's Scripture and have come to understand one thing."

"What?"

"The awakening of humanity is not the end, but the beginning." King Zhou's eyes were burning. "The Way of Heaven wants to suppress the Way of Humanity, but if the Way of Humanity is strong enough, it can... suppress the Way of Heaven in return."

Su Yunbai was startled.

To defy the will of Heaven?

This idea is insane.

But looking into King Zhou's determined eyes, he suddenly felt... that it might really be possible.

"What does Your Majesty need me to do?"

"Two things," King Zhou said, holding up a finger. "First, help me set up the 'Great Humanitarian Array,' using Chaoge as its base to cover the entire Shang Dynasty. Second..."

He paused.

"If I perish in the divine punishment, you will protect the flame of humanity for me."

Su Yunbai remained silent.

After a long silence, he said, "You will not perish."

"Let's hope so." King Zhou patted his shoulder. "Go and prepare. Begin setting up the formation in three days."

"Yes."

Leaving the palace, Su Yunbai was preoccupied with many thoughts.

Qiongxiao waited for him outside the palace.

"how?"

"We will set up the Humanity Array in three days," Su Yunbai said. "At that time, it may trigger the Heavenly Punishment ahead of schedule."

"I'll help you," Qiongxiao said without hesitation.

"Qiongxiao, this matter is dangerous..."

"I know," Qiongxiao interrupted him, "but once the choice is made, there is no turning back."

Su Yunbai looked at her cool yet resolute face and felt a warmth in his heart.

"Thanks."

"No need."

That night, a meeting was held at the General's residence.

Yunxiao, Qiongxiao, Bixiao, Aoling, Jiang Xiaowu, and Yang Chan all gathered together.

Su Yunbai explained the situation.

Bixiao was the first to jump up: "Set up an array? Count me in! I know the Three Talents Array best!"

Yunxiao pondered, "The Humanity Array requires the foundation of the Humanity's fortune, with Your Majesty as the main array eye. However, Your Majesty's cultivation is still shallow, and I fear you may not be able to withstand the array's backlash."

"I can share the burden," Su Yunbai said. "The laws of emotion and the destiny of humanity have something in common, and they may complement each other."

Qiongxiao said, "The Three Immortals Island has the Three Talents Grand Array diagram. I can contribute it to integrate into the Human Dao Grand Array to enhance its defense."

Ao Ling spoke up: "The Dragon Clan can provide the 'Four Seas Wave-Stabilizing Pearl' to stabilize the earth's veins."

Jiang Xiaowu gripped her gun: "The Iron-Blooded Army is willing to protect the law."

Yang Chan whispered, "I...I can use the Lotus Lantern to purify the calamity energy."

The women all expressed their opinions.

Looking at them, Su Yunbai felt a surge of pride.

With them around, what is there to fear from divine punishment?

"Alright." He stood up. "Set up the formation in three days!"

Over the next three days, Chaoge entered a period of intense preparation.

Qiongxiao took out the Three Talents Grand Array diagram and, together with Yunxiao, deduced and improved it, integrating it into the Humanity Grand Array.

Ao Ling brought the Four Seas Stabilizing Pearls from the East Sea and buried them in the four corners of Chaoge.

Jiang Xiaowu reorganized the Iron Blood Army and designated a protection zone.

Yang Chan used the Lotus Lantern to purify the city of calamity day and night.

Su Yunbai assisted King Zhou in familiarizing himself with the operation of the Humanity Array.

Everything is proceeding smoothly.

But everyone knew in their hearts—

The calm before the storm is the most oppressive.

The third day at dusk.

In the center of Chaoge City stands the Altar of Heaven.

King Zhou stood solemnly, wearing the robes of the Emperor, a crown, and holding the sword of the Emperor.

Below the stage stood civil and military officials and countless ordinary people.

Su Yunbai and the women stood on the side of the platform.

"The auspicious time has arrived—" the master of ceremonies announced.

King Zhou raised his sword to the sky.

"I, Emperor Xin, the Great Merchant, in the name of the Human Emperor, hereby establish the Great Humanity Array to protect my human race and ensure its eternal prosperity!"

The Emperor's Sword shone brightly!

In the city of Chaoge, countless points of light rose!

That was the will of the people, the expectations of the farmers, the craftsmanship of the artisans, and the loyalty of the soldiers…

All the points of light converged, transforming into a long golden river that encircled Chaoge.

The river of humanity has flowed once again!

But this time, it is more solid and more vast.

In the long river, the phantom images of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors appeared, all nodding to King Zhou.

"The battle begins—!"

King Zhou pointed his sword at the heavens.

The golden river suddenly expanded, transforming into a golden light shield covering the entire city.

Runes flowed across the light shield, faintly accompanied by the sounds of dragons roaring and phoenixes singing.

Humanitarian Array, complete!

but--

The moment the great formation was completed, thunderclouds suddenly gathered in the sky!

Boom—!

A bolt of purple lightning struck down, slamming heavily into the light barrier!

The light shield vibrated violently, but did not break.

"They're here." Su Yunbai looked up, his eyes serious.

The divine punishment has begun.

The thunderclouds grew thicker and thicker.

These are not ordinary thunderclouds; they are celestial tribulation clouds.

Lightning snakes danced wildly in the clouds, each one containing destructive power.

The second bolt of lightning struck.

Ten times thicker than the first one!

boom--!

The photomask has developed cracks.

King Zhou's face turned pale, but he gritted his teeth and persevered.

"Your Majesty!" Wen Zhong said anxiously.

"No problem!" King Zhou gritted his teeth. "Continue!"

Su Yunbai leaped into the air, his love threads transforming into countless silver strands that coiled around the calamity clouds.

He wanted to share the burden with King Zhou.

But the tribulation clouds were too terrifying; the silver threads were torn apart by lightning the moment they made contact.

"Yunbai, be careful!" Qiongxiao summoned the Frostflower Sword, its light transforming into an ice wall that blocked Su Yunbai's path.

Yunxiao plays the zither, and the sound waves reinforce the light shield.

The golden dragon in the azure sky scissors and shatters the falling thunder.

Ao Ling controls water to form a dragon, which then devours thunder.

Jiang Xiaowu led the Iron Blood Army into battle formation, using their military might to resist the might of Heaven.

Yang Chanbao's lotus lantern shone brightly, purifying the overflowing calamity energy.

Everyone is working desperately.

But the clouds of calamity grew thicker and thicker.

The third, the fourth, the fifth...

Thunder roared down like rain!

The cracks on the photomask are increasing.

Blood trickled from the corner of King Zhou's mouth, and he swayed.

His cultivation level was still shallow, and supporting such a large formation had reached its limit.

"Your Majesty!" Su Yunbai exclaimed urgently, "Let me do it!"

"No!" King Zhou gritted his teeth, "This is my calamity, I will bear it myself!"

He roared to the sky:

"Heaven's will! You wish to suppress humanity, but I will make humanity rise!"

The Emperor's Sword erupted with unprecedented light!

King Zhou burned his life essence to forcefully urge the flow of humanity!

The long river flows upstream, rushing into the clouds of calamity!

Rumble—!

The clouds of calamity were dispersed slightly!

But Heaven was enraged.

Even more terrifying thunder is gathering.

That's... Purple Heaven Divine Lightning!

A terrifying divine punishment that only appears when a saint undergoes tribulation!

"It's over..." Wen Zhong's face turned deathly pale.

Even a Great Luo Immortal would perish under the Purple Heaven Divine Thunder.

King Zhou had only just entered the Great Luo Realm; how could he possibly resist?

But King Zhou laughed.

"Purple Heaven Divine Thunder? Come! Let me see just how powerful the Heavenly Dao truly is!"

He was prepared to fight to the death.

At that very moment—

A beam of blue light came from the east and blocked King Zhou's path.

"Your Majesty, step back."

The Master of Heaven has descended!