At this moment, figures flickered, and the Four Saints also caught up from behind.
Lingbao Tianzun knelt down with a thud, tears streaming down his face, "Master, please be my judge. The disciples of my two senior brothers, under the guise of Investiture of the Gods, have been killing and looting with impunity, and countless of my disciples have been slaughtered without reason. When I sought an explanation from them, they said I did not distinguish between categories and taught indiscriminately. They said they wanted to teach me how to be a person and give me a lesson. I thought it was acceptable for senior brothers to spar, so I set up a formation to spar with them. If my disciples were truly incapable and were killed and encoffined, it would be within reason. But I never expected my two senior brothers to completely disregard their brotherhood and actually find two outsiders to bully me, four against one, Master, they intend to kill me! Ah! I can't live anymore, Master, please grant me a swift end."
To accuse the victim first!
Yu Bao Tianzun and Tai Bao Tianzun were stunned. They never expected him to condemn them from a moral high ground!
But he was clearly in the wrong, so why were they speechless?
Indeed, seeing Lingbao Tianzun crying as if his heart was torn apart, Hongjun softened and pulled Lingbao Tianzun, "Get up and speak first."
Lingbao Tianzun sobbed as he slowly stood up, like a child.
Then, Hongjun turned his sharp gaze towards the Two Saints of the West.
The Two Saints of the West couldn't help but lower their heads.
Tai Bao Tianzun stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Master, Daoist Jieyin and Zhunti were invited by me. It was not for any other reason than that my junior brother set up a malevolent formation on the path of Jiang Xia's eastern expedition, blocking the path of the Jiang Xia army and hindering my Investiture of the Gods plan. I only wanted to quickly resolve the obstacle and bring the Investiture of the Gods matter to an early conclusion. Otherwise, when the heavenly tribulation arrives, various demons will take advantage of the situation, and the Three Realms will fall into great chaos. With just Yu Bao and myself, we had no confidence in breaking his formation, which is why I invited them to help."
These two from the West had always given Hongjun a headache. They had been biding their time, secretly accumulating strength, preparing for a strong rise, while always appearing polite on the surface.
Tai Bao and Yu Bao, however, failed to see this, mistaking them for the strongest allies and constantly showing them friendliness.
These two also maintained a humble attitude, always presenting themselves as inferior, making them seem unassailable.
At this moment, Jieyin bowed to Hongjun, "Teacher, we two were also in a difficult position. After careful consideration, we decided to help Tai Bao Tianzun. At that time, we were indeed only considering the safety of the Three Realms. We did not consider their brotherhood, which was indeed thoughtless."
You were thoughtless? You haven't worn your head down to the bone, have you?
Hongjun chuckled lightly, "If it's for the safety of the Three Realms, I can introduce you to a good place. At the junction of the Western Heavenly Court and the Sacred Heavenly Realm, there is an extraterrestrial force of unknown origin attempting to invade. You go and deal with it."
Just as Zhunti was about to speak, Jieyin bowed and replied, "We will go immediately."
After speaking, he pulled Zhunti and left.
Hongjun then turned his gaze to Lingbao Tianzun, "Do you have anything else to say?"
Lingbao Tianzun said with great grievance, "Those two took two magical treasures and encoffined all my disciples, preparing to use them to strengthen their Western religion."
Hongjun slapped his forehead. He had forgotten such an important matter.
But he had already agreed to let them leave. Should he go back on his word now and chase those two back?
Hongjun looked at Yu Bao Tianzun, "You are responsible for bringing his disciples back."
Yu Bao Tianzun showed a distressed expression, "Why don't my junior brother go and bring them back himself."
Hongjun's expression became solemn, and he said in a deep voice, "Lingbao was ignorant of the greater good and broke the rules this time. I will take him to Zixiao Palace and make him face the wall for five hundred years to reflect on his mistakes. He will not be able to manage other matters."
Lingbao's face turned pale, and he looked dejected, "Master..."
Yu Bao Tianzun also showed a wronged expression, "Master, don't listen to his one-sided story, making it sound as if it were utterly tragic. I am the one who suffered the greatest losses," he pointed at Mo Qi, "He allowed his disciples to empty my treasure vault and scripture hall, dig up the roots of my innate spiritual treasures, chop down my destiny tree, pack away the heavenly pool jade dew, release all our mounts, and seize the Investiture of the Gods list. My sect has suffered unprecedented severe damage!"
Hongjun cast a fierce gaze at Mo Qi.
Lingbao Tianzun immediately said, "As long as Senior Brother Two brings back all my disciples without any missing, we will return all your things."
Mo Qi thought to himself, how could he possibly return them?
Yu Bao Tianzun's lips twitched, "Those two have such strong brainwashing abilities. I'm afraid those people won't want to come back once they go there."
Lingbao Tianzun straightened his back, "Then you won't get your treasures back either."
Hongjun looked at Mo Qi, who had been standing aside silently, "What is your name?"
Just as Mo Qi was about to speak, Lingbao Tianzun replied, "He is my newly accepted inner disciple, named Mo Qi. He has extraordinary talent and is a capable person. His cultivation will surely surpass mine in the future."
Hongjun glared at him, then continued to look at Mo Qi, "I can see that the third brother greatly appreciates you, but don't think that we all don't know what you've done. Why did you snatch the Investiture of the Gods list?"
"It was me who told him to..." Lingbao Tianzun was about to answer again but was glared at by Hongjun, making him tremble in fear.
The air in the entire space instantly condensed, and the weather turned cold!
Everyone fixed their burning gazes on Mo Qi, except for Lingbao Tianzun.
Mo Qi puffed out his chest and said neither subserviently nor domineeringly, "The Investiture of the Gods is a matter for everyone under heaven, so the Investiture of the Gods list should be held by everyone under heaven, not by any single sect, as this is unfair. In the Eastern Continent, those who die are listed on the Investiture of the Gods. Everyone is afraid of dying, as if they don't value it at all. Since they don't value it, it should be given to others who need it for the Investiture of the Gods. In other continents, some people risk their lives to slay demons and uphold righteousness, while others silently protect the common people. They are most deserving of being encoffined but have no opportunity at all."
"Rebellious and arrogant."
"Nonsense, spouting wild talk."
Tai Bao Tianzun and Yu Bao Tianzun cursed from the side.
Lingbao Tianzun also had a line of black sweat on his forehead. I asked you to snatch the Investiture of the Gods list, not to let you speak freely!
Hongjun listened quietly until he finished speaking, then looked at him deeply, "Then what do you think should be done?"
"The spiritual energy of the Investiture of the Gods list should be spread to the Four Great Continents, establishing broader connections with those who slay demons and uphold righteousness, those who silently protect, and those who save the common people, allowing more people to be listed, not just connecting with the Investiture of the Gods war," Mo Qi said.
The air further solidified, and it was so quiet that a needle drop could be heard.
He truly dared to speak!
Yu Bao Tianzun and Tai Bao Tianzun muttered, do you think the old man hadn't considered these issues before? He just chose to turn a blind eye.
But it's all in vain, no matter what you say. Look at how the old man will laugh you to death!
Unexpectedly, after a moment of contemplation, Hongjun slowly said, "Your idea is good, but how to determine the extent of slaying demons and upholding righteousness, and saving the common people? Who will determine it?"
"The Investiture of the Gods list will determine it," Mo Qi said without backing down.
"We humans cannot even distinguish between good and evil, let alone a magical treasure?" Hongjun sighed lightly and said, "Your intentions are good, so I will not blame you. Hand over the Investiture of the Gods list. For this large-scale Investiture of the Gods, the scope we initially selected was the Eastern Continent. However, after the Investiture of the Gods, there will be the Four Merit Officers who will observe the common people, record merits and demerits, and those within the Four Great Continents who are worthy of divine positions will naturally ascend."
Lingbao Tianzun also advised, "Hand it over to them. Holding that thing is of no use to you."
Mo Qi shook his head, "Why wait until after the Investiture of the Gods? The Four Merit Officers can be dispatched now to observe the Four Great Continents. Why divide it into before and after, into primary and secondary?"
Lingbao Tianzun frowned repeatedly upon hearing this. He himself did not dare to confront his master, this child was too rash!
Yu Bao Tianzun and Tai Bao Tianzun, on the other hand, were overjoyed. Yes, just like this, the more intense, the more confrontational.
Hongjun was indeed very angry, but he could not lose his composure in front of a junior. Thus, he suppressed his anger and snorted coldly, "You stand very high. We underestimated you. How about this, I will give you an opportunity to uphold justice, but you must fight for it with strength. You run ten feet away, and I will beckon with my finger. If the Investiture of the Gods list does not return to my hand, then the Investiture of the Gods list is yours to deal with. You can encoffine whomever you wish."
Mo Qi's eyes lit up, "Is that true?"
Hongjun's eyes widened, "Do you think I would go back on my word?"
Yu Bao Tianzun and Tai Bao Tianzun also looked at him with disdain, "Even we, facing the Master, cannot keep anything within ten feet."
Lingbao Tianzun also frowned and said to Mo Qi, "Disciple, don't be stubborn anymore. Why make an unnecessary move?"
Mo Qi chuckled, "In life, isn't it all about happiness? Consider it a game. Playing a game with a saint is a great joy in my life."
Hongjun was a little impatient, "Hurry up and retreat."
Mo Qi retreated about eight feet and stopped, looking back at Hongjun, "I'll stay here."
It seems he gave up after all!
Hongjun's mouth twitched, "Are you really not going to retreat?"
Mo Qi nodded firmly, "I will not retreat."
As he spoke, Mo Qi pointed his hand, and four formation flags flew out one after another, landing in four directions and disappearing into the air.
Then, several talismans flew out one after another and disappeared into the air.
After that, he took out the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree and enlarged it in the air, perfectly enclosed by the formation. The leaves were dense, shining with golden light, forming a thick barrier.
Hongjun was stunned!
Yu Bao Tianzun shouted, "You cheated! You didn't say we could use formations!"
Mo Qi shrugged, "You didn't say we couldn't use formations either!"
A miscalculation, Hongjun's back was sweating.
However, since things had come to this, he had no choice but to try his best.
But if he tried and failed, it would be too embarrassing.
Therefore, he could not try it openly.
He quietly extended his spiritual power.
But Lingbao Tianzun, Yu Bao Tianzun, and Tai Bao Tianzun beside him all felt the fluctuation of spiritual power. They naturally knew that Hongjun had already made his move.