Heavenly Dao Divine List, Enthronement of Deities

Ziyi Heavenly Dao was absolutely thrilled this time.

Brother Yi took seventy-six youngsters out for an adventure, not only bringing every single one back safely but also ensuring each of them achieved tremendous growth!

Among them, thirty-one had broken through to the Tribulation Transcendence stage and were hidden by Brother Yi within the Illusory Star Grotto-Heaven to evade the Immortal Ascension Tribulation. The remaining forty-five were also on the verge of breakthroughs—just one more outing with Brother Yi would push them over the edge!

This was simply fantastic!

In one stroke, they had gained thirty-one capable and battle-ready youngsters, with forty-five more poised to follow!

As for whether these youngsters were willing to become Heavenly Dao Immortals and take on daily arduous duties...

No worries—the Heavenly Dao Divine Roll wouldn’t forcibly bind them. Registering would only grant them divine offices, blessings of heavenly laws, synchronization with the cosmos, immunity from the Immortal Ascension Tribulation’s lock-on, and other benefits... They would still retain their freedom and could resign if they ever grew tired of the work.

Truth be told, this was a compromise Ziyi Heavenly Dao had deliberated over for a long time. The only downside was the plight of the first five loose immortal youngsters, who were now permanently bound to it. Not only had they lost their freedom, but the Heavenly Dao’s burdens would also be directly shared with them.

"You... you’re just too kind..."

Chen Yi shook his head, at a loss for words regarding Ziyi Heavenly Dao’s ways.

The most effective method would’ve been direct refinement, yet it insisted on this convoluted new approach.

Wasn’t this just scratching an itch through boots?

Ah, well. This was the Ziyi Heavenly Dao he knew. He was used to it—if it weren’t kind-hearted, it wouldn’t be itself. Might as well let it be.

With that thought, Chen Yi unfurled his sleeves and released the thirty-one newly ascended Tribulation Transcendence cultivators who had been knocked unconscious.

"Awaken!"

With a light command, the thirty-one lying figures abruptly stood up stiffly.

"What happened?"

"I think I got smacked into oblivion?"

"Ugh, for some reason, I have this ominous feeling, like needles pricking my back..."

"Ah, this familiar Heavenly Dao aura... are we home? Huh? What’s this glowing scroll?"

"Oh? The Tribulation Warden is here too—hello, hello..."

The newly ascended Tribulation Transcendence cultivators were still disoriented after waking.

After giving them a moment to collect themselves, Chen Yi spoke calmly, "See that Heavenly Dao Divine Roll? Entrust your primordial soul essence to it now. Doing so will grant you the status of heavenly deities, shielding you from the Immortal Ascension Tribulation’s lock-on."

"Why should I listen to you? Who the hell do you think you are? I’ll—"

A certain white tiger, mistaking this for a nightmare spirit and emboldened by the Heavenly Dao’s presence, immediately lashed out with curses.

But the next instant—

BOOM!

A bolt of lightning struck, instantly charring the audacious Shan Biao from a white tiger into a blackened one.

"Apologize to the Tribulation Warden at once!"

Ziyi Heavenly Dao’s stern voice followed.

Chen Yi couldn’t help but smirk.

I know you’re protective of your youngsters, but this is a bit much, no?

So what if he pretended not to recognize me and cursed me to my face? Did you really think I’d kill him right here?

Now I can’t even retaliate without looking petty.

Meanwhile, Shan Biao’s eyes cleared after taking the lightning strike.

His merciful Heavenly Dao mother had indeed protected him! He’d made it—he’d really made it!

He’d cursed the terrifying Tribulation Warden to his face and survived, only getting a light shock in return! Who else could boast such a feat?!

"My apologies, my apologies! I thought you were a nightmare spirit! I truly didn’t mean to offend the Tribulation Warden! I’ll hand over my primordial soul essence right away!"

Outwardly meek, Shan Biao was inwardly gloating as he promptly submitted his essence to the Divine Roll.

So what if he lost his freedom?

What use was that anyway?

I love work!

With Heavenly Dao Mommy watching my back, what can you do, oh mighty Tribulation Warden? No matter how strong you are, you can’t touch me!

Hehe, cursing Chen Yi himself and walking away unscathed—this is a story I’ll brag about for millennia!

Following Shan Biao’s lead, the other newly ascended Tribulation Transcendence cultivators quickly lined up to register.

After all, losing freedom was better than losing their lives.

Some truths only became clear after reaching the Tribulation Transcendence stage. That prickling sense of dread? That was their survival instincts screaming warnings!

If not for the Tribulation Warden’s domain shielding them from the Immortal Ascension Tribulation’s gaze, they’d have already been marked for annihilation!

And if that was just a glimpse of the tribulation’s power... how terrifying must the Tribulation Warden be, having fought it for over seven centuries?

Was he even still at the Tribulation Transcendence stage?

The thought was too horrifying to dwell on.

Soon, as the last cultivator submitted their essence, Ziyi Heavenly Dao began assigning divine offices.

"Liu Xing, your path lies in divination and calculation. By decree, you shall serve as the Chief Deity of the Celestial Surveillance, tasked with monitoring worldly anomalies and reporting celestial omens. Do you accept?"

Hearing this, Chen Yi’s lips twitched.

Could you be any less assertive?

You’re the one conferring godhood here—aside from the work, it’s all benefits! Why ask if he’s willing?

What’s he gonna do if he refuses?

Laugh wildly and stroll out to face the Immortal Ascension Tribulation?

Or maybe sample the taste of my halberd?

At the same time, Liu Xing—who had been pondering the duties of this divine office—suddenly felt a chill down his neck. Shivering, he hastily bowed.

"The Heavenly Dao’s command is my duty! I accept willingly!"

Ziyi Heavenly Dao sensed his hesitation and kindly added, "Don’t be afraid. If this role doesn’t suit you, we can assign another. There’s no need to force yourself—only passion brings joy. I’d hate to see you grow depressed from work."

"No, no, that’s not it," Liu Xing said timidly, shrinking his neck. "I was just wondering... this Divine Roll seems different from what the five seniors underwent?"

Though the invisible pressure mounted, this concerned his future path, so he steeled himself to clarify.

"I’ve met Senior Xuanxuzi. He can merge with heaven and earth, becoming one with the cosmos. But after registering here, I can only wield authority within my assigned duties. I’m unsure of the difference, hence my hesitation."

After a pause, Ziyi Heavenly Dao explained, "Xuanxuzi and the others are Heavenly Dao loose immortals, permanently bound to the cosmos—their fates intertwined with heaven and earth, with no freedom left. This Divine Roll, however, leaves you free. Should you tire of your duties, you may resign at any time."

Liu Xing understood now and bowed deeply again.

"I, Liu Xing, was born of Ziyi, raised by Ziyi. All my achievements stem from this land’s nourishment—how could I ever forget such grace? How could I chase fleeting freedom and abandon my homeland? Heavenly Dao, bear witness—I vow to dedicate my all to Ziyi’s prosperity!"

Flowery words aside, his message was clear: he wanted to be a direct subordinate like Xuanxuzi!

"Are you truly willing to give up your freedom? The burden of a Heavenly Dao Loose Immortal is immense—it’s no easy path."

The Violet Star Heavenly Dao was puzzled. Weren’t these brats the ones who despised constraints the most? Why would one now willingly shackle themselves?

Without hesitation, Liu Xing declared, "No matter how heavy the pressure, no matter how grueling the duties, nothing can extinguish my will to dedicate myself to Heaven and Earth!"

"What a fine child!"

The Violet Star Heavenly Dao was deeply moved.

But then, Chen Yi voiced his dissent:

"Fine my ass! Let him stay on the Heavenly Dao Divine Roll. If he slacks off, strip his title anytime—plenty of others are eager to take his place!"