The Tenth Book: The Four Lowly Ones Discuss Their Route; The Six Noble Sages and the Divine Farmer

  And then the four scoundrels were drinking and having a great time, when Huang Shiren said one sentence that left Jin Dabao, Zhu Zhen, and Yang Xiansan speechless.

  "Big brother, with your skills, the three of us aren't made of clay. Let's not mention other things, but traversing Meishan is just a drizzle to you, why would you say such disheartening words?" asked Zhu Ziren.

  "Third brother, you don't know." Huang Shiren sighed and recounted in detail what had happened earlier.

  Zhu Ziren and Yang Xian listened to Huang Shiren's story about how he robbed Wucheng Wang Huang Feihu, and how he escaped with his life from Yun Zhongzi. They were overjoyed and couldn't help but admire him even more when he told them about how he had outsmarted Wu Jin Laozu. However, when Huang Shiren said that he had killed Yun Zhongzi's Biyun Tongzi, the two men's faces turned green, and the wine cups in their hands clattered to the ground.

  "No wonder this guy went to great lengths to lure me up the mountain, it turns out he's trying to get rid of such a huge disaster by finding someone to take the fall! Who is Yun Zhongzi?! If I've offended him, can anything good come of it?!" Zhu Ziren remained silent, but in his heart, he cursed Huang Shiren's ancestors for eight generations, regretting until his intestines turned green. Moreover, not only did he jump into the fire pit himself, but he also brought disaster to his brother Yang Xian.

  But the rice has been cooked, the wine has been drunk, the son has been married, and one's own home has been burned down. Regret is no longer possible, all that can be done is to close one's eyes and walk this path until the end.

  "Three brothers, Yun Zhongzi, I'm not afraid of him. Since I can turn against Wu Jin, I can also turn against him. What I fear is another matter." Huang Shiren smiled slightly.

  Zhu Zi Zhen and Yang Xian did not believe that Huang Shi Ren could surpass Yun Zhong Zi, but Jin Da Sheng nodded repeatedly. This cheap brother may not be able to compare with Yun Zhong Zi in terms of endurance, but with a black heart and those terrifying methods, he might actually be able to outdo Yun Zhong Zi. However, what could be more troublesome than offending Yun Zhong Zi?

  "Hey brothers, have you guys heard of the Investiture of the Gods?" Huang Shiren asked with a smile.

  The three monsters looked at each other and shook their heads simultaneously.

  The Investiture of the Gods was a matter planned by the saints, how did the three of them know about it.

  "This matter, I also heard from Yun Zhongzi when I was robbing down the mountain at the beginning." Huang Shiren made up a story and said: "This matter is all about the Heavenly Emperor's plan. Now the heavenly court lacks helpers, and the Tianxian Sect and the Jue Sect are fighting each other. The Western Sect monks want to secretly rob, so they came up with this stupid plan and established the Seal of the Gods List. All the cultivators in the world, as long as their cultivation is below that of a saint, may be listed on this list. Once listed, they will have nothing to do with the path of immortality from then on and can only become slaves of the heavenly court, how sad and pitiful."

  Huang Shiren told the story of the Sealing God List once again, and the three listeners were shocked beyond measure.

  "Big brother, I don't know how this divine list will be implemented?" Jin Dashi asked.

  "This is still not easy to handle, those bastards holding the treasure all over the world looking for people, killing them and throwing them in, what else can they do?" Zhu Ziren hummed.

  "No, no." Huang Shiren shook his head and said: "This is a great calamity. When it happens, there must be a reason for it. In my opinion, these people will inevitably cause chaos in the world. Once war breaks out, heroes from all sides will join in, and at that time, under the fire of war, many innocent people will die."

  Huang Shiren's words left all three of them in doubt.

  "Big brother, I have something unclear. This divine list was planned by a sage and has nothing to do with us. We occupy the mountain as kings, eating and drinking well, and not getting involved is just that." Zhu Ziren said this, and Jin Dashi and Yang Xian also nodded in agreement.

  "These three good-for-nothings! How can they still not understand my meaning, you three have already made a name for yourselves on the Sealing God List." Huang Shiren cursed in his heart, but said with his mouth: "Third brother's words make some sense, however, heaven's way is unpredictable, who knows if we won't be dragged into it, if that really happens, wouldn't it be suffering?"

  "Big brother is right." The three of them nodded in agreement.

  Huang Shiren's words made the three of them feel depressed and the originally lively atmosphere vanished.

  "Big brother, what's your plan? We'll all listen to you." Jin Daxiang said.

  Yang Xian and Zhu Zizhen also nodded in agreement.

  "Are you planning something?" Huang Shiran spread his hands: "As for long-term plans, there aren't any. As for short-term plans, there are some."

  "Big brother, say something." The three of them perked up.

  "No matter whether it's to avoid being killed by the gods in the future or not being killed by others, there are two key paths. One is to raise one's cultivation as much as possible, and the second is to find a powerful backer." Huang Shiren stretched out two fingers and wiggled them in front of the three people.

  "Big brother, I understand the first one, but what does 'hug people's thick legs' mean?" asked Zhu Ziren.

  "When you come out to mix, you must have a backing, the harder your background is, the more others will give face. The best example is that group of bastards from the Church of Enlightenment, they're so arrogant because they have the saints supporting them from behind." Huang Shiren said.

  "Big brother is right. However, big brother, we mountain demons are looked down upon by others, and you have offended Yun Zhongzi, so it's even more impossible for you to go and fawn on them." Jin Dashi's words earned him a withering look from Huang Shiren.

  "Am I going to hug the thigh of a master now?"

  "What does big brother mean?"

  Huang Shiren looked up at the bright moon in the night sky and said, "Under this vast heaven, the only ones who can recognize our identities and accept us are the Quanzhen Sect."

  "Is Big Brother going to let us go and hug the thigh of the Tongtian Sect Master?" The three people heard this, and their faces revealed a joyful expression.

  The leader of the Zheng Jiao sect, Zhong Tian, is a straightforward and upright person. Compared to Yuan Shi Tian Zun of the Xuan Jiao sect, this saint does not care about the background of his disciples, whether they are human or demon, as long as they have some ability, he accepts them as disciples. Therefore, compared to the Xuan Jiao sect, the Zheng Jiao sect is more prosperous and its influence surpasses that of the Xuan Jiao sect.

  It is precisely for this reason that the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign has always been extremely dissatisfied with the Tianxu Teaching Lord, and even joined forces with his fellow disciples, the Supreme Elder Lord and the Western Two Teaching Lords, to plot against the Tianxu Teaching Lord using the Seal of the Gods' List.

  "Yes and no." Huang Shiran smiled slightly.

  "Big brother, what do you mean by this?"

  Indeed, our current situation is such that if we were to join the Jie Teaching and blend in with their identity, we would be able to protect ourselves for the time being. However, since the Jie Teaching has the most people among the three teachings, there are also the most people on the Shang Feng God List. Joining the Jie Teaching is equivalent to taking on more risks of being on the list. Therefore, blending in with an identity is a matter of self-interest, and the key thing is that later on, we must seize opportunities and adapt to circumstances in order to have a chance to escape disaster.

  Huang Shi Ren's words were met with applause from the three people.

  "No matter what Brother says, I believe in Brother." Jin Daxiang admired Huang Shiren's methods the most. With a red heart following the party, there was no second word. Zhu Zhen and Yang Xian could only do so as well.

  "Haha, this matter can be discussed later, no rush. Come on, let's drink, drink!" Huang Shiren raised his wine cup, and the four of them continued to revel.

  Thirty-three heavens outside. Zi Xiao Palace.

  A single toll of the bell makes this most profound and mysterious place in the world solemn beyond compare.

  Outside the palace gate stood many disciples.

  The disciples of the Expounding Teachings, with Yun Zhongzi and Nanji Xianweng as leaders, stood solemnly. On the side of the Expounding Teachings, there were many people, including Tongtian Teachings Master, Duobao Daoren, Jinling Shengmu, Guiling Shengmu, Wudang Shengmu, Wuyun Xian, Jinyaxian, and Jingguang Xian, forming a vast and majestic scene.

  Two enemies face each other with hostility, the atmosphere is tense and explosive.

  Inside the Zixiao Palace, a row of six meditation mats were neatly arranged.

  Taishang Laojun, Yuanshi Tianzun, Tongtian Jiaozhu, Nüwa, Jièyǐn Dàorén and Zhunti Daoren, six saints sat quietly on the meditation mat, each with a different expression.

  The six of them were all fairy spirits and naturally knew that this time Hong Jun Dao had gathered everyone together for what purpose.

  "Third Master, I didn't expect your subordinates to be so prosperous." Yuanshi, with his white hair and beard, glanced at the Tongtian Sect Master with a strange tone.

  This remark made several other saints perk up their ears.

  "Second Brother, I've heard that your sect is in decline. If you need people, I can send some over to carry on the incense." said Tongtian Sect Master with a smile.

  "I'm not that lucky. Hehe, besides, a group of stray cats and dogs came to my Kunlun, wouldn't it make my sacred mountain reek of evil?" Yuanshi Tianzun sneered coldly.

  "How dare you! You're a real moron! When beating a dog, one must consider its master. If you scold my disciples as good-for-nothings, aren't you also scolding me?"

  "I didn't say you're a good-for-nothing, Third Brother, if you insist on thinking that way, there's nothing I can do."

  "Damn it! Don't push me to lose my temper!"

  "You blow up, I won't!"

  ……

  The two men drew their swords and were on the verge of a fierce fight.

  "Both of you, my junior brothers, have lived for so many years and months, how can your minds still be so restless?" The old master sat upright on the cushion, sighed, and shook his bald head.

  "Yes, yes, yes, harmony brings wealth. You're good, I'm good, everyone's good, isn't it true that when everyone's good, things are really good?" Zhun Ti Dao Ren chuckled and came out to mediate.

  The women on the other side, including Nüwa, also tried to persuade them, and with great difficulty, they managed to calm down the two of them.

  "Let them fight and see if they can even shatter my Zi Xuan Palace." On the top of the Zi Xuan Palace, on the meditation mat, the figure of the Dao Ancestor appeared.

  Wearing a blue Taoist robe, with eyes slightly closed, as soon as these words came out, Yuanshi and Tongtian, who had originally been on high alert like drawn swords, obediently returned to their seats like three-year-old children.

  "Welcome, venerable Master (Daozu)!" The six saints bowed and paid their respects.

  Dao Zu hummed coldly and didn't speak, the six saints dared not breathe loudly.

  These six saints, which one is not a supreme being who can destroy the world with just one move, but in front of the founder of Taoism, they are extremely humble.

  "I called you all here today to discuss the matter of the Seal of the Gods list." The Dao Ancestor slightly opened his eyes, scanning the six saints with a glance before continuing: "I've mentioned this before, but currently no one in Heaven is willing to take orders. The Heavenly Court requires the four teachings of Ren, Huang, Xuan and Xi to obey its commands, but none of you are willing. During the dispute between Ren and Huang, disciples of the Xuan teaching broke the killing taboo, and with the impending catastrophe of heaven and earth, considering all three aspects, I had no choice but to establish the Seal of the Gods list."

  "This chart is out, eight departments of gods, each in charge of a level of stars and constellations, three hundred and sixty-five. I called you here to let you discuss among yourselves."

  "Master, I dare ask who is on the list and who is not, is there a standard?" Yuanshi asked.

  The ancestor didn't even lift his eyelids and said, "A great calamity is approaching. Below the saints, there is a possibility of being on the list. There is no fixed number under various sects, everything depends on fate."

  As soon as this was said, the six saints all let out a sigh of relief.

  Grandma's, under the saint, it means I don't need to go on the list anymore.

  The six saints put down a stone in their hearts and began to calculate quickly, doing their best to take advantage of their own door and knock on others' bamboo sticks.

  "Master, I have only one disciple under me, Xuan Dou, and he cannot be ranked!" Lao Jun spoke out first.

  The Eight Scenic Spots Palace had only one Grand Master, Xuan Dou. Adding to that, Lao Jun was always a deep and cunning strategist with a very deep mind, and he also had good relationships with others, so his words were not met with objections from anyone else.

  "I didn't establish a sect, so naturally my disciples won't be on the list." Nuwa also said.

  Nüwa's merits are outstanding, and she is deeply respected by the world. Therefore, her words were also unobjectionable to everyone.

  "The founder, there are only a few people under the Western Sect, and we have never had much to do with the Eastern side. This ranking, really shouldn't be given to a disciple of the Western Sect." The Guide hadn't even spoken yet when the Accurate Guide suddenly chimed in with a smile.

  He is a Western religion master, compared with Zhunti, he is even more thoughtful and has a ghostly air, but it makes the introducer nod slightly.

  Yuanshi Tianzun and Tongtian Jiaozhu became the focus of everyone's attention.

  "Master! My disciples are all virtuous, they shouldn't be on the list!" After finishing speaking, Yuanshi glanced at Tongtian Sect Master and said with a sarcastic tone: "However, Third Brother's sect has many disciples, but they're just a bunch of stray cats and dogs with fur and horns, their fate is obscure, they should be on the list!"

  "Cough! You're just a dog thing from the beginning!" Upon hearing this, Tongtian's nose was about to get crooked with anger. He was a straightforward person and couldn't bear Yuan Shi's words. He shouted: "The struggle for the Human Emperor is a disaster caused by your sect! The troubles you've stirred up, why should my sect take responsibility?! My sect has all kinds of people, but I ask you, are the lives of demons not lives?! Whether human or demon, I, Tongtian, treat them equally. Not like you, with a pair of selfish eyes, seeking fame and fortune!"

  "Fantastic! You've made it clear, how can I seek fame and fortune now?!"

  "Man proposes, God disposes!"

  The two men were at loggerheads again and about to come to blows.

  "Hmph!" The Daoist Patriarch let out a cold snort, and the two of them immediately shut up.

  "Nüwa didn't establish a sect, and the disciples not being on the list is reasonable. My Eight Scenic Palace and Western Sect have few disciples, so naturally we can't be on the list either. Second Master Brother, Third Master Brother, this Sealing God List's number should be filled by people from your two sects." Lao Jun saw Dao Zu's face was not good, hurriedly came out to smooth things over, first wiping his own butt clean, then pulling in and winning over Zhuan Ti and Nüwa, getting the support of three people after that, began to plot against Yuan Shi and Tong Tian.

  Lao Jun is the most prestigious and has the highest wisdom among the six saints. His words are beyond the temperament of ordinary people.

  "Third Brother, Second Brother's door has some people, but not many. Even if they all pass the exam, there will only be about twenty people. Your door has many disciples and should take on more responsibility. You can't let Master suffer too much." The Great Supreme Elder lectured repeatedly, bringing out the great ancestor's hat, leaving Tong Tian speechless for a moment.

  Grandma's, I knew you had a leg with Yuanshi. You've been wanting to deal with me for a long time. Tongtian Sect Master stared at Laojun and Yuanshi Tianzun, feeling resentful in his heart, but could only swallow the bitter pill silently.

  "Master, the number of the Sealing God List is handled by the two sects of Xuan and Jie. I wonder if it's possible?" Lao Jun asked Dao Zu.

  "I'm saying the same thing, in this great calamity, below the saints, everyone has a chance to be on the list. The rest is up to you to discuss." Daozu made a big repair with a wave of his hand, and a purple list fell into Laojun's hands.

  The ancestor of the Taoist sect glanced at Tongtian with a mixture of intention and unintention, secretly sighed, and his figure disappeared.

  You can only suffer this loss, who let you have many disciples, and your two fellow disciples are also plotting against you. As a master, I can only do my best to make things fair, if you have the ability, let the people under their door also get on the list.

  "Second Brother, take this Divine List for now. We'll discuss the situation later." The Old Lord handed the Divine List to Yuanshi, and they exchanged a knowing smile.

  "Damn it, two cheap people, let's see!" Tianyi Sect Master sneered coldly in his heart.

  In the Purple Mansion, Yuanshi and others set up auspicious clouds and left in a hurry, each returning to their own abode.

  A great calamity of heaven and earth is coming.

  "Third Master Uncle, Old Ancestor has summoned you." Outside the Purple Mist Palace, the leader of the Tongtian Sect was about to return to the Golden Turtle Island when a young boy came over and whispered to him.

  Shi Zun looking for me?! Tong Tian Jiao Zhu was taken aback.

  Looking for me, what's the matter?

  The Tongtian Jiao master has a lot of doubts. The first watch is delivered. These days, typing makes my eyes dizzy. It's bitter. Hehe.