Taishang, after finishing his instructions to Tongtian, summoned Bai Yao.
Upon arriving before Taishang, Bai Yao was looked at by his master, who then sighed and said, "Yao'er, Jiang Shang alone may not be able to guard the Investiture of the Gods Platform. Take the Panlong Crutch, my treasure of enlightenment, and descend the mountain to aid your junior brother!"
As Taishang finished speaking, he waved his hand, and the Panlong Crutch flew before Bai Yao.
Bai Yao looked at the Panlong Crutch before him, wondering why his master would give it to him just to guard a small Investiture of the Gods Platform. After taking the crutch into his hand, he looked at Taishang with confusion.
"Master, I can go to the Investiture of the Gods Platform, but this Panlong Crutch..."
Before Bai Yao could finish speaking, Taishang interrupted him.
"Take it if I give it to you! Why so much nonsense! Descend the mountain immediately!"
Bai Yao was startled by Taishang's outburst; his master hadn't been like this in a long time.
Houtu, standing by, also spoke to persuade Bai Yao. "Bai Yao, since fellow Daoist Taishang has given this instruction, he must have his reasons. You should go down the mountain."
Bai Yao nodded, and with the Panlong Crutch in hand, he left Kunlun with a distracted air.
After Bai Yao departed, Houtu looked at Taishang and smiled gently. "It seems your young disciple is quite favored by you, fellow Daoist."
Taishang chuckled. "You jest, fellow Daoist. This scoundrel spends his days playing and is not dedicated to cultivation. Even if he went to the former site of Sumeru, he would be of little help."
Houtu merely smiled and said nothing more.
At the Investiture of the Gods Platform in Xiqi, Jiang Shang hung the Investiture of the Gods List on the platform, waiting for the souls to be enfeoffed. To his surprise, instead of waiting for souls, he first saw a distracted Bai Yao.
Upon seeing Bai Yao's arrival, Jiang Shang quickly went to greet him. When he saw the Panlong Crutch in Bai Yao's hand, Jiang Shang immediately asked Bai Yao with a serious expression who else was to be placed on the Investiture of the Gods List.
Bai Yao was taken aback by Jiang Shang's words. Although he was Taishang's disciple, he paid little attention to other matters. He didn't even understand why Taishang had ordered him to come to the Investiture of the Gods Platform.
Suddenly, Taishang's voice echoed from Kunlun Mountain.
"All Kunlun disciples, depart immediately and proceed to the former site of Mount Sumeru to await orders!"
As soon as Taishang's voice faded, all the Kunlun disciples looked at the direction of the Taiqing Palace on Taiqing Peak with confusion.
Taishang did not offer further explanation. Instead, he turned to Houtu and asked, "Fellow Daoist, have the arrangements for the Underworld been made?"
Houtu nodded gently, and the two transformed into streaks of rainbow light, heading towards the former site of Sumeru.
After Taishang and Houtu departed, the other three Sages from the Three Pure Peaks followed suit.
Seeing all five Sages heading towards the former site of Sumeru, the Kunlun disciples dared not delay. They also left Kunlun Mountain, following behind Taishang and the others.
The speed of the Sages was not excessive, allowing the disciples behind them to keep pace.
Not long after Taishang and the others set off, Tongtian, Nuwa, and Yuanshi also headed towards the former site of Sumeru.
Upon arriving at the former site of Mount Sumeru, Taishang and the others found that the people from the Underworld had already arrived. Their pervasive Netherworld aura condensed into a dark cloud that enveloped the entire Western region.
Taishang murmured softly, "It seems that fellow Daoist Houtu's Underworld has greatly increased its strength during this period."
Houtu smiled faintly. "You jest, fellow Daoist. Since the creation of the Underworld, most of humanity has been burdened by karma, making reincarnation difficult. It is only fitting to have them serve in the Underworld and earn merit to offset their sins."
As they spoke, the two landed in the base camp established by the Underworld.
Nuwa, standing nearby, sighed. "Humanity proliferates endlessly, yet they seem to decline with each generation. I apologize for causing you trouble, fellow Daoist."
Houtu smiled slightly. "Fellow Daoist Nuwa, you are too kind. Compared to other races, humanity is already doing quite well."
Nuwa shook her head. "While your words have merit, fellow Daoist, the number of humans is far beyond that of any other race."
Houtu sighed, for Nuwa's words were indeed true.
Taishang chuckled. "The two of you need not worry. Humanity will naturally have virtuous individuals to guide them. There is no need for concern."
Nuwa and Houtu both looked at Taishang with curiosity.
At that moment, Tongtian and Yuanshi also arrived beside them.
Tongtian and Yuanshi nodded at Taishang. Tongtian immediately said, "Elder Brother, it has been a while since I've stretched my muscles. I'll go first. And that fellow Zhunti must be left to me!"
The Sages were all amused by Tongtian's words. Taishang nodded helplessly. "You!"
As Yuanshi and Tongtian arrived, the Kunlun disciples began to arrive in succession.
Xuandu walked to Taishang's side and asked with some confusion, "Master, where are we...?"
As Xuandu finished speaking, a rolling mass of black clouds appeared in the distance.
"Hahaha, Taishang, we have returned! Today, this Primordial World shall belong to us!"
Taishang's brow furrowed, and he immediately called out, "Luohu, I shall face you!"
With that, Taishang transformed into a beam of pure light and rushed towards the mass of black clouds.
Seeing this, Yuanshi immediately declared, "All Kunlun disciples, receive the order, repel the enemy!"
As Yuanshi's voice fell, an unimaginably colossal hand appeared in the sky and descended towards them.
Yuanshi let out a cold snort. He placed his right hand across his chest, joined his index and middle fingers, and fiercely pointed upwards at the descending hand. Behind Yuanshi, an arm phantom also suddenly appeared.
As the hand and the arm made contact, the phantom hand shattered, and Yuanshi's arm phantom also vanished.
A muffled grunt echoed from the sky. Yuanshi declared, "Hongjun, I shall face you!"
With that, Yuanshi vanished from his original position.
Just as Yuanshi disappeared, golden light suddenly erupted in the sky, and two figures flickered in and out of existence. Tongtian let out a cold snort, waved his hand, and two sword energies shot towards the two figures.
"Jieyin and Zhunti, I shall experience your brotherly skills!"
With that, Tongtian transformed into a sword light and rushed towards the two figures.
Seeing Tongtian rapidly approaching, Zhunti looked at Jieyin. "Elder Brother!"
Jieyin sighed and said softly, "Fellow Daoist Tongtian, I must offend you."
As Jieyin finished speaking, brilliant Buddhist light emanated from both him and Zhunti, their bodies appearing as if cast from pure gold.
Tongtian let out a cold snort, and the Qiankun Yiqi Lock appeared in his hand, immediately moving towards Jieyin and Zhunti.
Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun saw Odin, the Triune Gods, and four others reveal themselves in the sky. The two exchanged a smile and moved towards the four.
Nuwa, Houtu, and Fuxi watched the Creation Triune Gods, Jehovah, and Satan, who had not yet made a move, and subtly guarded against any sudden attacks from them.
Jehovah and Satan, noticing the combat fluctuations, narrowed their eyes and each led twelve angels and twelve demons towards Nuwa and Houtu.
The remaining Creation Triune Gods looked at Taihao, the only Sage who had not yet acted, and their eyes narrowed as they moved towards Taihao.
Taihao sneered upon seeing this, wondering where these three got the audacity to attack him.