703: Human Emperor Tribulation

Clang! Clang! Clang!

As Qin Yang's words fell.

The eastern emperor bell immediately vibrated, emitting ancient, distant chimes.

The bell rang nine times, with nine being the ultimate number, symbolizing the highest ritual for the Human Emperor's return.

At the same time, the ten divine weapons revolved rapidly around Qin Yang, stirring up a massive, colorful vortex in the Annihilation Sea.

Five-colored divine light pierced through the Myriad Realms, appearing in the skies of tens of thousands of worlds.

It was like a supernova exploding, visible from every corner of the Myriad Realms.

Even beyond the Myriad Realms was no exception.

Beyond the Myriad Realms, within the Three Realms.

Immortals, Buddhas, Demons, Fiends... countless higher beings opened their eyes at the same moment, revealing different emotions such as fear, astonishment, and excitement.

Although the great change occurred in another heaven and earth, it was about to overturn this universe.

The Human Emperor has returned.

Kunlun Mountain, Jade Void Palace.

The Twelve Golden Immortals simultaneously looked towards the sky outside the mountain.

The five-colored divine light pierced through the Myriad Realms, causing all Chan School Disciples to tremble.

The greatest offensive launched by the Jie School before its destruction had now arrived.

Reshaping wind, earth, water, and fire, forging the Myriad Realms, and nurturing the new Human Emperor.

The Tongtian Cult Master's sacrifice for the Dao had finally borne fruit.

At this moment, the Jade Void Palace was silent.

Even the Golden Immortals, with their vast Divine Abilities and fearlessness of the Divine Court, showed grave expressions.

The Human Emperor's return would undoubtedly overturn the rules of the Three Realms.

And to avenge the past, he would surely target the Chan School first.

"Tianzun, the Human Emperor has returned, are we still not going to act?"

A Golden Immortal asked from before Yuanshi's seat.

Yuanshi, immersed in the ethereal Dao, merely raised his eyes slightly, then slowly closed them again, saying, "He has only returned as the Human Emperor, not become a Saint. There is no need for you all to panic."

After speaking, he raised his head again, looked at the dome of the Jade Void Palace, and suddenly opened his eyes.

"What I am concerned about is that there is one less existence under the control of the investiture of the gods."

"Who is missing?"

"Is it Yang Jian, or Nezha?"

Hearing that someone within the investiture of the gods was out of control, the Golden Immortals were all astonished.

The investiture of the gods was the supreme rule that restrained the Three Realms; it was jointly established by the Human School, Chan School, and Heavenly Court. Without the approval of all three parties, who could break free from it?

Yuanshi Tianzun, Lord of the Beginning was silent for a moment, then slowly uttered two words.

"Heavenly Emperor."

"What!!!"

"The Heavenly Emperor has left the list, what should we do?"

"He has long been dissatisfied with the investiture of the gods; we should have been prepared!"

"It's still Jiang Ziya's unreliability; we let him wield the list to restrict the gods, but he let the existence that should least be out of control, become out of control!"

The Jade Void Palace immediately descended into chaos.

Those Golden Immortals who followed the Dao of Nature and lived at ease were all scared out of their wits upon hearing that the Heavenly Emperor had broken free from the investiture of the gods' restraint.

They whispered to each other, or pondered in silence, or exclaimed loudly. How could they resemble enlightened Immortals?

They were clearly like those Mortals, immediately panicking and making a spectacle of themselves when their fundamental interests were touched.

"Everyone, do not panic."

After a period of commotion, Yuanshi Tianzun, Lord of the Beginning finally spoke to stop them.

Hearing Tianzun speak, the Immortals quieted down.

Tianzun continued:

"The Heavenly Emperor leaving the list will inevitably lead him to want to reshuffle the cards and carve up the interests of the Three Realms."

"But the gods of the Heavenly Court and the Old Monarch of the Human School are still on the list."

"For a while, he cannot overturn the universe, and we still have time to plan."

Yuanshi Tianzun, Lord of the Beginning's words calmed his Disciples.

Indeed, no matter how the Heavenly Emperor left the list, he could not openly overthrow the rules set by the Three Schools.

Otherwise, he would be denying his own authority and the status of the Three Schools.

Of course, the Heavenly Emperor's desire to leave the list was already common knowledge.

His actions of not putting in effort before the Human Emperor's return were clearly seen by everyone.

Was he not clearly intending to indulge, or rather, to establish an enemy for the Chan School?

To be more explicit.

The Heavenly Emperor wants the Human Emperor to tear up the list, to achieve the goal of liberating the Heavenly Court!

That is to say... a Golden Immortal stood up and said to Yuanshi, "Tianzun, the situation is dire; we cannot sit idly by! I implore Tianzun to allow us to go to battle and jointly eradicate the Human Emperor."

As soon as these words were uttered, some Golden Immortals immediately agreed and supported, but there were also many dissenting voices.

"But, a Saint entering the fray is a great taboo; I fear it will attract the Heavenly Emperor to enter the fray..."

"Yes, a battle between Saints might be another Great Tribulation!"

"What are you still hesitating for? The Great Tribulation has already begun. Do you want to wait until the Human Emperor tears up the investiture of the gods, and everyone escapes our control, before it counts as a true Great Tribulation?"

"The Heavenly Emperor has already left the list, proving that the investiture of the gods' fate is being extinguished. Forcibly intervening in the Karma of the Great Dao is the real fuse for the Great Tribulation!"

The Twelve Golden Immortals argued back and forth, unable to reach an agreement.

But overall, they were divided into two factions.

One faction believed that the era of the investiture of the gods would eventually pass, while the other clung to the benefits and wanted to forcibly intervene to deal with Qin Yang.

In fact, this was also Yuanshi Tianzun, Lord of the Beginning's dilemma.

On the one hand, as a Saint, he could not directly intervene to influence the development of the Great Dao.

After all, his last intervention in the investiture of the gods War led to a fierce conflict between the two schools, resulting in the death of a Saint.

But on the other hand, he was unwilling to accept it.

Last time, his Chan School clearly won.

Who would have thought that a move made by Tongtian before his death would become the decisive piece in the Formation Plate game countless years later?

The Saint's heart wavered, causing the entire Kunlun Mountain to tremble.

Seeing this, the Chan School Disciples dared not speak further, only waiting for the Saint's final decision.

After a long while, Yuanshi Tianzun, Lord of the Beginning slowly opened his eyes, with no more conflict or confusion in them.

He slightly raised his hand, forming a hand seal like a lotus flower, and immediately his colossal figure shimmered repeatedly.

Instantly, golden and silver lotus flowers bloomed from the ground within the Jade Void Palace, and a figure drifted out from the endless Dao.

The figure had white hair and no distinct features, resembling Tianzun, yet not Tianzun.

After the figure landed, a voice drifted out from the endless Dao.

"This is my Clone, symbolizing my determination to eradicate the Human Emperor."

"If you are willing to intervene in the Human Emperor's Karma, then follow him to subjugate."

"If this battle is won, the era of the investiture of the gods will continue."

"If it is lost, we shall follow the Great Dao and accept everything."

Hearing Yuanshi Tianzun, Lord of the Beginning's words, the Golden Immortals immediately understood.

Tianzun was unwilling to give up, but also dared not rashly intervene and stir up Karma.

After all, even the Heavenly Emperor could mysteriously leave the list.

It was clear that the investiture of the gods' fate had truly reached its end.

But Tianzun also did not want to give up, so he manifested his inner conflict as a Clone to make a final attempt.

And his Disciples could also follow their own Nature.

Whether to accept or challenge, they were free to choose.

As soon as the Tianzun's Clone appeared, it did not hesitate for a moment.

It stepped on silver lotus flowers, drifted out gracefully, and instantly disappeared from the Jade Void Palace.

Upon seeing this, six Golden Immortals exchanged glances, then bowed to Yuanshi's true body, saying, "Disciple, I shall return shortly."

Tianzun did not speak, merely remaining silent in the endless Dao, letting out a sigh.

He said in his heart, "I only wished to settle grudges with my Clone, yet so many are going to their deaths. So be it, let it be their Great Tribulation."