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

Outside the east gate of Chaoge City.

Auspicious clouds descended from the sky, and several figures stood on the clouds.

The leader was a middle-aged Taoist priest wearing an apricot-yellow robe. He had a round face and a friendly smile, but his eyes were sharp and his aura was unfathomable.

He was none other than Duobao Daoren, the eldest disciple of the inner sect of the Jie Sect.

Behind him stood four disciples of the Jie Sect, all of whom were Golden Immortals, standing silently.

Bixiao was already waiting there.

Upon seeing Duobao, she stepped forward and bowed.

"Little sister Bixiao greets Senior Brother Duobao."

Duobao smiled and helped her up.

"Junior Sister Bixiao, there's no need for such formalities. It's been many years since we last met. Your cultivation has improved considerably; it seems you've gained quite a bit in Chaoge."

Bixiao said, "Senior brother, you flatter me. How is Master?"

"Master is well, but he is worried about the great calamity and sent me to Chaoge to check on things." Duobao's gaze swept across the city. "I've heard that Chaoge has produced an extraordinary figure named Su Yunbai?"

"That's right," Bixiao said. "General Su is waiting for my senior brother at the Tian Ce Mansion."

"Then let's go and meet him."

---

Tian Ce Mansion, main hall.

Su Yunbai sat in the main seat, flanked by subordinate officials such as Fei Zhong and You Hun.

Duobao and his entourage entered the hall.

Su Yunbai stood up to greet him.

"Senior Duobao, your presence is an honor; I have failed to greet you properly."

Duobao looked Su Yunbai up and down, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Peak Quasi-Saint!

Moreover, its aura is profound and its foundation is solid, indicating that it was not forcibly improved by external forces.

"General Su truly lives up to his reputation," Duobao said with a smile. "This humble Taoist has come to pay his respects on the orders of my master."

"Please take a seat, senior."

The guests and hosts took their seats.

A maid serves tea.

Duobao got straight to the point.

"Master is very pleased to hear that the general has implemented new policies in Chaoge, improved people's livelihoods, and received great merit."

"You flatter me, Sage Tongtian," Su Yunbai said. "I was merely doing my duty."

"General, you are too modest," Duobao said. "The human race has been weak for a long time. It is truly fortunate that someone like you has risen to prominence."

He paused.

"My master instructed me to tell the general that although the Jie Sect does not interfere in human affairs, they greatly admire what the general has done."

"If the general needs it, the Jie Sect can provide some assistance, provided it does not violate the laws of Heaven."

That's a very clever way of putting it.

Appreciate, but don't explicitly express support.

I can offer assistance, but there are conditions.

As expected of the chief disciple of the Jie Sect, his words are impeccable.

Su Yunbai sneered inwardly.

In the original story, this person betrayed the religion and went to the West in the later stages of the Investiture of the Gods, becoming the master of Many Treasures Tathagata.

He really didn't have a good impression of Duobao.

But they remained polite on the surface.

"Thank you for your kindness, Sage Tongtian. I will certainly trouble you if needed."

Duobao nodded.

"Furthermore, Master asked me to inquire of the General's views on the Investiture of the Gods calamity."

coming.

A real test.

Su Yunbai pondered for a moment.

"The great calamity has begun, and no one can escape it."

"This junior only wants to protect those who should be protected and preserve the clan that should be preserved."

"As for destiny and fortune... I don't believe in fate, I only believe in the sword in my hand."

A glint of light flashed in Duobao's eyes.

"General, you have great spirit. However, fate is hard to defy; beneath the sage, all are but ants. Though you are strong, General, before the sage..."

"Then strive to become a saint," Su Yunbai said calmly.

Duobao was stunned.

Achieving sainthood?

Since the beginning of time, no more than six people have become saints.

This young man has quite the big mouth.

But what he saw in Su Yunbai's eyes was not arrogance, but determination.

"I admire your ambition, General," said Duobao. "However, the path to sainthood is incredibly difficult. Are you confident, General?"

"Even if we're not sure, we have to go," Su Yunbai said. "If we don't even dare to think about it, how can we talk about making a difference?"

Duobao remained silent for a long time.

"General, do you know that Master is very interested in you?"

"It is an honor for this junior."

"Master said that the general has signs of change and may be able to stir up trouble in this great calamity."

Su Yunbai raised an eyebrow.

"You flatter me, Sage Tongtian."

Duobao smiled.

"I have troubled you today, General. I must take my leave now."

"Won't you stay a few more days, senior?"

"No, thank you." Duobao stood up. "The situation in Chaoge is complicated, and I need to take a look around."

He looked at Bixiao.

"Junior sister, are you going back to Jin'ao Island with your senior brother?"

Bixiao shook her head: "I will stay in Chaoge and lend Yunbai a hand."

Duobao's eyes flickered slightly.

"Alright."

He clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"General Su, until we meet again."

"Take care, senior."

Duobao and his party departed.

---

They left the Tian Ce Mansion.

A disciple of the Jie Sect couldn't help but ask, "Senior Brother, what do you think of this Su Yunbai?"

Duobao pondered for a moment and said, "Unfathomable."

"So, Master means..."

"Master said that this boy is worth befriending, but not too closely," Duobao said. "He is too unpredictable, and getting too involved with him might drag us into too much trouble."

"That Junior Sister Bixiao..."

"Let her be," Duobao sighed. "That girl has fallen deeply in love."

He looked towards the direction of Tian Ce Mansion.

"Su Yunbai... I hope you won't let Bixiao down."

---

Inside Tiance Mansion.

Bixiao said worriedly, "Yunbai, Senior Brother Duobao seems to be holding back on you...."

"That's normal," Su Yunbai said. "The Jie Sect's attitude is ambiguous right now. They want to invest in me, but they're also afraid of getting too deeply involved."

"So, do you think the Intercepting Church supports us?"

"Yes, but I won't fully support you," Su Yunbai said. "Unless... I can prove my worth."

"How can you prove it?"

Su Yunbai looked towards Xiqi.

"Win a crucial victory."

---

The Imperial Palace.

King Zhou was cultivating himself.

Suddenly, a system notification sounded:

[Ding! The appearance of Duobao Daoren, an envoy of the Jie Sect, has been detected.]

Threat Assessment: High (Extremely Cunning)

Current attitude: Observation and probing

[Recommendation: Maintain distance and exercise caution when touching.]

King Zhou opened his eyes.

"Duobao... the Jie Sect has finally officially intervened."

He was making plans in his mind.

The Intercepting Sect, the Dragon Clan, and the Human Clan.

Chaoge now has three opposing forces.

But not enough.

"System, what's going on in Xiqi?"

[Scanning in progress...]

[Xiqi has been very active recently:]

[1. Jiang Ziya frequently visited Kunlun Mountain to conspire with the Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect.]

2. Xiqi workshops are accelerating the production and dissemination of new agricultural tools, exceeding expectations.

[3. A messenger from the Western Religion secretly arrived in Xiqi.]

4. The activities of the demon race on the border have intensified.

King Zhou frowned.

Has Western religion gotten involved too?

And there are demons...

"It seems Ji Chang is getting anxious."

He sneered.

"Then let him be even more anxious."

"System, issue mission: Crack down on Xiqi's economy."

[Ding! Side quest issued:]

[Mission Name: Economic Blockade]

[Mission Objective: Within three months, weaken the economic strength of Xiqi through trade, technology, and resources.]

[Task Rewards: 5000 Luck Points, one random magic item.]

[Failure Penalty: Xiqi's economic strength increases by 10%.]

"accept."

A fierce glint flashed in King Zhou's eyes.

The court was purged, the army was reformed, and technology was promoted.

Next, it's time to face the outside world.

Xiqi, just you wait.

---

The backyard of Tian Ce Mansion.

Four women sat around in the garden, chatting idly.

Daji was embroidering flowers, Bixiao was brewing tea, Ao Ling was looking at water conservancy blueprints, and Jiang Xiaowu was wiping her long sword.

"What have you sisters said Yunbai been busy with lately?" Daji asked.

"We are preparing to deal with Xiqi," Bixiao said. "Xiqi is making constant moves, so Yunbai has to make arrangements in advance."

Ao Ling put down the blueprints.

"Dragon spies have reported that Xiqi has been in frequent contact with the Western Religion."

"The Western Religion?" Jiang Xiaowu frowned. "They want to get involved too?"

"With such a great calamity looming, everyone wants a piece of the pie," Bixiao said. "The Western Sect has always wanted to spread its teachings eastward, and this is their chance."

Daji asked worriedly, "Won't Yunbai be in danger?"

"Don't worry," Bixiao said with a smile. "Yun Bai is now at the peak of Quasi-Saint, and with our help, he won't be in trouble so easily."

Ao Ling nodded.

"Moreover, the Dragon Clan has fully supported Yun Bai, and the resources of the East Sea can be supplied continuously."

Jiang Xiaowu gripped the longsword tightly.

"I will also strive to become stronger and help Yunbai share the burden."

The four women exchanged a smile.

Despite their different personalities and backgrounds, their hearts are together at this moment.

It's all for that man.

---

late at night.

Su Yunbai returned to the backyard.

Seeing that the four women were waiting for him, he felt a warmth in his heart.

"Why aren't you asleep yet?"

"I'll be waiting for you," Bixiao said. "Did Brother Duobao give you a hard time today?"

"No," Su Yunbai sat down. "It was just a test."

He looked at the four women.

"With you all here, I'm not afraid of anything."

Daji leaned on his shoulder.

"Yunbai, we will always be with you."

"Um."

Ao Ling said, "My father sent a message to the Dragon Clan, saying that they should just ask if they need any resources."

Jiang Xiaowu also said, "I have completed the reorganization of the Iron Blood Army's thousand elite troops, and they are ready to be put into training at any time."

Su Yunbai nodded.

"it is good."

He looked up at the night sky.

"We still have a lot to do."

"But as long as you are here, I have confidence."

Bixiao grasped his hand.

"We'll be together forever."

"forever."