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

Su Yunbai walked towards the Gate of Mind and Nature.

Inside the door was nothingness, and within that nothingness floated countless illusions—

He saw himself return to Earth, his parents had grown old, his friends had scattered, but he himself remained unchanged, alone for a hundred years.

He saw Daji weeping: "My husband, why have you abandoned us?"

He witnessed Jiang Xiaowu die on the battlefield, Bixiao be captured and humiliated, Yunxiao break the strings of her zither, and Qiongxiao be frozen for a thousand years...

He saw the fall of Chaoge, the people wailing, and King Zhou committing suicide at the Star-Picking Tower.

Each scene reflects the deepest fear in my heart.

"This is all fake." Su Yunbai closed his eyes. "My heart is like a mirror, reflecting the truth."

He opened his eyes, and silver light shimmered within them, shattering all illusions like reflections in a mirror or the moon in the water.

The gate of mind and nature has been opened.

Inside the Battle Power Gate lies an ancient battlefield.

In the center of the battlefield stood three figures.

One held a sword, one held a knife, and one held a gun.

Each of them possessed an aura comparable to the mid-stage of the Primordial Chaos realm!

"The Three Talents Battle Formation can be broken and we can pass through," the swordsman said coldly.

Su Yunbai gripped the Sword of All Beings' Emotions tightly.

He knew this was going to be a tough battle.

One against three, and the enemy is in formation, which doubles their combat power.

But he was not afraid.

The Great Dao of Emotion was fully activated, and the Seven Emotions Sword Lights were unleashed simultaneously.

A sword that brings joy is like a spring breeze, a sword that brings anger is like thunder, a sword that brings sorrow is like autumn rain, a sword that brings fear is like ice, a sword that brings love is like the warm sun, a sword that brings hatred is like a poisonous thorn, and a sword that brings desire is like a phantom.

The seven swords merged into one, transforming into a seven-colored sword river that surged towards the Three Talents Battle Formation.

boom--!!!

Sword energy clashed with the battle formation, causing space to collapse.

Su Yunbai staggered back three steps, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

But the three figures also retreated simultaneously, and cracks appeared in the battle formation.

"Again!"

Su Yunbai struck again with his sword.

This sword strike embodies all his emotions towards all living beings.

Where the sword light passed, the Three Talents Battle Formation was completely shattered!

The three figures vanished.

Combat strength gate, passed.

Inside the Gate of Merit is a vast ocean of merit.

Countless lights and shadows appeared on the sea, representing Su Yunbai's actions since his transmigration—

Save Daji and slay the nine-tailed fox.

Ping Beihai, and captured Xiao Wu.

Save Bixiao, fight Taiyi.

Calm the sea of ​​blood, and reclaim the heavens.

To assist King Zhou and awaken the people to the truth.

Fight against Yuanshi, protect Chaoge.

Every scene is an act of merit.

But a voice rose from the sea:

"Su Yunbai, everything you've done has been driven by selfish motives. You saved Daji because she was your childhood sweetheart, took Xiaowu in to control the Iron Blood Army, saved Bixiao because of her Jie Sect background, stabilized the Blood Sea to win over the demon race, and helped King Zhou because of our shared hometown... Can these really be considered acts of merit?"

Su Yunbai remained silent.

Indeed, he did all this with selfish motives at first.

but……

"Self-interest is not a sin," he said slowly. "I am not a saint, and I cannot be selfless. But I dare say that I have done my best in everything, and I have a clear conscience."

"I did save Daji out of love. But if I didn't, she would die."

"Taking Xiao Wu in is indeed for the sake of military power. But if we don't take her in, she will continue to wander."

"Saving Bixiao shows that they value the Jie Sect. But if they don't save her, she will perish."

"Every action may begin with selfish motives, but... it ultimately ends in justice."

He looked toward the Sea of ​​Merit.

"If merit must be purely selfless, then there would be no merit in this world."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Sea of ​​Merit surged, transformed into a golden light, and entered his body.

The Merit Gate has been opened.

Su Yunbai emerged from the three gates, his aura becoming even more solid.

Mid-stage Hunyuan realm, stable!

"Approved. You are free to choose," Hongjun said.

"I choose not to be on the list."

"Can."

Next, the three immortals entered together.

With a steadfast mind, Yunxiao's music broke through illusions, easily passing the test of his will.

In the battle strength test, she played the "Nine Melodies of Heaven" on the Nine Heavens Jade Zither, the sound waves transforming into blades that shattered the Three Realms Battle Formation, thus passing the test.

She passed the Merit Gate because she helped people and protected Chaoge, and her merits were profound.

Bixiao is lively and cheerful, and is not easily disturbed by illusions; she passes.

The battle strength level is reached by using the Golden Dragon Scissors to shred the battle formation. Passed.

She passed the merit test because, despite her mischievous nature, she was kind-hearted and had helped countless people.

Qiongxiao is cold-hearted and impervious to illusions; she passes.

The combat strength level was cleared by using the Frostflower Sword in conjunction with the power of destruction to break through the formation with a single strike.

Although she rarely appeared in the world, she always intervened to protect the path and thus passed through the Merit Gate.

All three of the Three Immortals chose not to be on the list.

Generals such as Wen Zhong and Huang Feihu passed through one after another.

Jiang Xiaowu, Ao Ling, and Yang Chan also succeeded.

But when it was Daji's turn, something unexpected happened.

She witnessed Su Yunbai's death in battle, her daughter's premature death, and the destruction of Chaoge, causing her Dao heart to collapse, and she failed to pass the test.

"No—" Su Yunbai said urgently.

But Hongjun was ruthless: "Those with insufficient character are forced onto the list. The title of deity is 'Taiyin Xingjun'."

A golden light captured Daji's soul, causing her body to go limp, where she was caught by Su Yunbai.

"Daji..." Su Yunbai's eyes reddened.

Daji smiled weakly: "Husband, don't cry... This is my own choice. I'm not good at fighting, so being on the list is fine, at least... I can watch over you all forever."

Her soul left her body and flew into the Investiture of the Gods.

On the Investiture of the Gods, the four characters "Taiyin Xingjun" lit up.

Then, several more generals from Chaoge, lacking the necessary resolve, were forced to be included on the list.

With each person listed on the list, Su Yunbai felt a pang of pain in his heart.

These were his comrades-in-arms, his compatriots.

But he was powerless to do anything about it.

In the end, from Chaoge's side, 27 people made the list, while 43 people did not.

This result is already quite good.

Hongjun looked at those who were not on the list.

"You have passed the trial and are now free from the shackles of the Investiture of the Gods. But the great calamity is not over yet. Three years later, the Heavenly Dao will re-establish order, and at that time... you will still need to choose sides."

After saying this, the Conferred God Platform disappeared.

Chaoge was filled with a mixture of sorrow and joy.

The good news is that most people are free, but the bad news is that Daji and others were listed and were bound by the Heavenly Court, losing their freedom.

Su Yunbai held Daji's physical body in his arms, remaining silent.

Although Daji did not die, she was forever separated from the mortal realm—gods on the Investiture of the Gods were forbidden from descending to the mortal world without permission and from marrying mortals.

"Husband..." Jiang Xiaowu grasped his hand.

"I'm fine," Su Yunbai shook his head, "It's just... I feel a little resentful."

King Zhou walked over and patted him on the shoulder.

"Yun Bai, this is the price. We won, but... we also lost."

Yes, you win freedom, but lose your family.

That night, Su Yunbai climbed the Star-Picking Tower and looked up at the starry sky.

The moon was exceptionally bright; that was Daji's residence.

"Daji, wait for me," he whispered. "One day, I will take you home."

The trials of the Investiture of the Gods have ended, and the格局 (geju, a concept encompassing the overall structure and political landscape) of the Three Realms is changing once again.

Those who make the list enter the Heavenly Court and receive divine positions.

Those who were not on the list returned to their respective places.

But everyone knows that the real end will come three years later when order is restored.

Western sacred mountain.

Jieyin and Zhunti sat facing each other.

"So many people from Chaoge have passed the trial..." Zhunti frowned.

"As expected," Jieyin said calmly. "They have the blessing of humanity, and their temperament, combat strength, and merits are all quite strong. However... the key will be three years from now."

"What does Senior Brother mean?"

"Three years from now, the Heavenly Order will be restored, and we will need to choose sides." A glint flashed in Jieyin's eyes. "Will we continue to assist the Heavenly Order, or... switch our allegiance to the Human Path?"

Zhunti was shocked: "Senior brother, are you going to betray the Heavenly Dao?"

"It's not betrayal, it's a choice," Jieyin said slowly. "If Heaven prevails, our Buddhist sect will remain subservient. If humanity prevails... our Buddhist sect may become the state religion of humanity, enjoying eternal incense offerings."

"But the risk is too great..."

"Risks and opportunities coexist." He then began, "These three years, we need to observe carefully and...prepare well."

Biyou Palace.

Tongtian laughed loudly: "Good! Not a single one of my disciples made the list! That's satisfying!"

Daoist Duobao laughed and asked, "Master, which side will we be on three years from now?"

"Of course, we stand on the side of humanity." Tongtian said without hesitation, "I have long since broken with Yuanshi Tianzun, and I am also at odds with the Heavenly Dao. The path of humanity is the future of the Jie Sect."

"But what if humanity fails..."

"Then I shall lose." Tongtian said nonchalantly, "A cultivator only seeks to have a clear conscience. I have helped humanity and the human race, and I have no regrets."

Eight Views Palace.

Lao Tzu sighed.

"The Three Realms are about to descend into chaos... What choice should this humble Taoist make?"

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

"Never mind... let nature take its course."

Chaoge, General's Mansion.

Su Yunbai gathered everyone together.

"We have three things to do in three years."

"First, consolidate the humanitarian order and make humanitarianism completely stable."

"Second, enhance our strength to prepare for the great battle three years from now."

"Third..." he looked westward, "to win over all forces that can be won over."

"Western Buddhism, the Jie Sect, Nuwa Palace, and even... rogue cultivators from the Earthly Immortal Realm."

"We want to make the final battle three years from now... a direct confrontation between humanity and the will of Heaven!"

"yes!"

Everyone responded in unison.

From this day forward, Chaoge entered its final preparations.

Su Yunbai traveled through the Three Realms, visiting various forces.

He first went to Biyou Palace and had a three-day secret talk with Tongtian, where they reached an alliance.

Upon arriving at Nuwa Palace, Nuwa expressed her full support.

I have arrived at the realm of celestial beings again to visit the Great Immortal Zhenyuan.

After hearing the purpose of the visit, Zhen Yuanzi pondered for a long time.

"Fellow Daoist Su, the Earthly Immortal Realm has always been neutral and does not participate in the struggle between Heaven and Earth."

"But this time is different," Su Yunbai said. "If humanity prevails, the Earthly Immortal Realm can enjoy the offerings of the mortal world and co-govern with the human race. If the Heavenly Way prevails, the Earthly Immortal Realm will still be suppressed."

Zhen Yuanzi was moved.

Finally, he nodded: "The Immortal Realm stands on the Human Path."

Finally, Su Yunbai arrived at the Western Spirit Mountain.

The monks Jieyin and Zhunti personally greeted them.

"Fellow Daoist Su, your presence is an honor; I have failed to greet you properly."

"You two sages are too kind," Su Yunbai said bluntly. "I have come here to form an alliance."

The guide raised an eyebrow: "Oh? How to form an alliance?"

"If humanity prevails, Buddhism can become the state religion and enjoy the incense offerings of the East. However, it must abide by the order of humanity, must not force faith, and must not interfere in politics."

Zhunti asked, "What if humanity fails?"

"Then even if I die and my teachings are lost, Buddhism can still spread its doctrines in the West without being affected," Su Yunbai said frankly. "For Buddhism, this is a sure-fire way to make money."

Jieyin and Zhunti gaze at each other.

After a long while, the guide nodded.

"Very well, Buddhism... will ally with humanity."

Thus, the humanitarian camp began to take shape.

The Jie Sect, Nuwa Palace, the Immortal Realm, and Buddhism all stand on the path of humanity.

The Heavenly Dao faction is now only left with the remnants of the Chan Sect and... those unwilling ancient demon gods.