Chapter 130: The Heavenly Tome

Time flowed silently. With the succession of one Shang King after another, the date of a monumental event in the history of the Primordial World quietly approached.

The Investiture of the Gods!

However, history had been altered beyond recognition, and whether the Calamity of the Investiture of the Gods would still come to pass remained an unknown.

Li Tian looked down at the newborn Di Xin in the Shang royal palace below, falling into deep contemplation. His knowledge of the Investiture of the Gods was limited; he only knew that it seemed to be a consequence of the Celestial Court being newly established and lacking personnel, prompting Hongjun to bestow the Investiture of the Gods scroll to expand the ranks of the Heavenly Court.

But now, due to his own interference, the original Monster Race Celestial Court had not fallen, and even the original Jade Emperor and Queen Mother were merely two attendants watching over the Zixiao Palace. Moreover, with the Celestial Court teeming with talent, logically, there was no need to expand its workforce.

"What are you looking at?"

Nuwa walked out, wearing a light-colored, thin robe, a heart-warming smile gracing her face. At this moment, Nuwa possessed less of her usual noble majesty and more of a woman's tenderness and gentleness, making one want to pull her into an embrace at a single glance.

Li Tian turned back to look, unable to resist for a moment. Nuwa had been pregnant for several hundred years now, but childbirth still seemed far off. Nuwa’s true form was a Primordial Spirit Snake, and Li Tian’s was a Primordial Golden Crow; both were top-tier divine beasts, and their union was naturally extraordinary. Furthermore, they were both Saints. How could the offspring of two Saints be anything ordinary?

"You are summoned to Zixiao Palace to deliberate."

Just then, an ethereal voice seemed to ring in their ears.

"Is that Teacher?" Nuwa paused slightly, looking up and asking with some hesitation.

"Yes." Li Tian looked up, his gaze piercing through layers of obstacles to clearly see the Zixiao Palace standing in the chaos. As expected, Hongjun had appeared this time likely because of the Investiture of the Gods. He just wondered in what form the Investiture of the Gods would unfold this time.

"There must be an important matter; let us go."

"Hmm." Nuwa nodded. With a thought, she changed into a magnificent, embroidered robe, then took Li Tian’s hand. With a flash, they vanished from where they stood.

By the time they arrived, the Three Pure Ones and Zhunti had already reached Zixiao Palace. Upon meeting, they exchanged glances and proceeded to the center of the grand hall, taking their seats on the six prayer mats in their usual order. Shortly after everyone was settled, the figure of Hongjun slowly appeared on the high platform, looking exactly as he had countless years ago.

However, given the current cultivation level of Li Tian and the others, they could naturally see at a glance that this was merely a projection.

"Greetings, Teacher."

"Hmm." Hongjun nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below. However, when his eyes landed on Zhunti, he frowned slightly. Zhunti felt a tightening in his heart at this sight.

"Do not let greed grow further."

After speaking, Hongjun withdrew his gaze. Accompanied by the descent of a profound, mysterious power, a faint wisp of black energy emerged from Zhunti’s body and gradually dissipated into the void.

"Many thanks, Teacher!" Seeing the black energy on his own body, Zhunti was quite frightened and hurriedly bowed to Hongjun.

"Hmm." Hongjun nodded slightly. Li Tian and Nuwa glanced at Zhunti but paid it no mind; after all, not long ago, the Three Pure Ones had pushed Zhunti to such a miserable state that it was only natural for him to show signs of falling into demonic ways. However, with Hongjun intervening, it was unlikely he would be able to fall into such a state.

"Teacher, the West is barren. If our Western Sect is limited to this, I fear it will be difficult to fulfill the Great Vows made to the Heavenly Dao..." Zhunti looked up at Hongjun, speaking tentatively.

Upon hearing this, Hongjun frowned slightly. Seeing this, Zhunti hurriedly bowed deeply. Watching the prostrate Zhunti, Hongjun pondered for a moment before finally looking at the Three Pure Ones and speaking slowly: "When you preach, use your own methods, but do not obstruct one another!"

"We shall strictly follow Teacher’s decree."

Although the Three Pure Ones were unwilling, they had no choice. They exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.

"Teacher is merciful." Having achieved his desired result, Zhunti was overjoyed. He bowed and stood up, shaking his head in a self-satisfied manner, which made the Three Pure Ones grit their teeth in hatred. However, with Hongjun present, they naturally dared not show it.

Seeing this, Hongjun nodded slightly and looked at Li Tian.

"Supreme Sumeru Marvelous Dharma Celestial Emperor."

"Teacher?" Upon hearing this, Li Tian stood up and bowed.

"You preside over the Celestial Court and maintain order in the Primordial World, a deed of boundless merit. However, if the Celestial Court wishes to truly flourish, it still lacks something."

"I hope Teacher will enlighten me." Li Tian knew that what Hongjun spoke of was likely the Investiture of the Gods, but on the surface, he maintained a look of confusion. In reality, he truly did not know in what form the current Investiture of the Gods would unfold.

"This is the Heavenly Book, one of the three books of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity." With a wave of Hongjun’s hand, a golden scroll appeared before him. "A Saint’s soul resides in the void, making them immortal. Below the level of a Saint, if one’s soul resides in this Heavenly Book, they too can become immortal."

As soon as these words were spoken, the Saints could not help but look at the Heavenly Book in Hongjun’s hand. They were clearly covetous; although the book was useless to them personally, who among them did not have disciples? If the souls of their disciples were entrusted to this book, would they not need to worry about their disciples dying ever again?

However, Hongjun ignored their burning gazes. With a wave of his hand, the Heavenly Book slowly landed in Li Tian’s grasp.

"This Heavenly Book shall be managed by the Celestial Court."

"Many thanks, Teacher." Li Tian was stunned as he received the book, unable to understand Hongjun’s intent. Had the Investiture of the Gods been canceled, and was Hongjun simply gifting him the scroll?

"Within the Heavenly Book, there are 365 primary positions, 3,000 secondary positions, and 84,000 minor positions, all of which are fixed by destiny."

Fixed by destiny?

The Three Pure Ones and the others had been regretting that the book could not be theirs. Upon hearing this, they were all taken aback. It turned out that one could not simply choose who was to be entered into the book?

"Teacher, who may be entered into this Heavenly Book?" Nuwa asked with a slight frown. After all, the greatest function of the book was to grant immortality; if one could not add those close to them, what was the use of this book?

At this question, the others also turned to look at Hongjun.

Hongjun pondered for a moment and said, "Now that the Human Race is flourishing, the Celestial Court should also have members of the Human Race. Thus, the majority of those entered into the Heavenly Book will be humans."

The Human Race? Nuwa was stunned but did not think too much of it. However, the Three Pure Ones and Zhunti were moved, simultaneously harboring the thought of recruiting disciples from the Human Race on a massive scale. If they could take those destined for the list as their own disciples, would their sects not have a foothold in the Celestial Court?

The fate of the Human Race was linked to the Celestial Court. While this did not affect them much at present, it was undoubtedly a thorn in their side. After all, no one wanted to feel out of control. If the officials of the Celestial Court were their own disciples and held a certain amount of power, what would they have to worry about?

"As for the remaining portion, they will mostly be enlightened beings from your various sects," Hongjun added, looking at the Three Pure Ones and Zhunti.