Chapter 165

'Creation God?'

'The Lord of Heaven?'

Both Hanakain Hidemoto and Monk Tenkai understood that as Onmyoji masters and scholars, they were naturally familiar with ancient and legendary books. The 'Lord God of Heaven' was the supreme god who created the world.

But for the great god who created the world in myths and legends, even the three noble deities, let alone 'Lord of Heaven' Izanagi and 'Lord of the Underworld' Izanami, had met the Lord of Heaven at the time of their birth.

Could such a powerful creation god truly seek approval from the 'Emperor King of Rocks'?

The 'Lord Lord' was a god revered by all gods, and the title 'Da Yushen' signified one who ruled the world.

Therefore, only a god who was respected by other gods and ruled the world could be called 'Lord Lord Daimikami'. Previously, the only god with such a title was 'Amaterasu Lord Daimikami'.

Could Gaotian Zhengshen, who was only at the level of the 'Three Noble Deities', truly seek approval from the 'Lord God of Heaven's Royal Palace'?

Hanakain Hidemoto and Monk Tenkai exchanged glances and saw the horror in each other's eyes.

Since the 'Iwa King, Lord Lord, Great God' had already issued an oracle, it meant that this was definitely not a lie. Gods did not deceive 'mortals'.

Hanakain Hidemoto wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. "Asking the 'Heaven's Royal Lord' to grant divine status to the 'Three Eyes and Five Manifestations Immortals'... This is a grand event and a secret that only gods can witness, right?"

Monk Tenkai rubbed the beads in his hands, his expression uneasy. "There are myths and legends of Amaterasu Omikami promoting yōkai to become 'Takaten Shojin', but to witness it with my own eyes now\..."

Hanakain Hidemoto looked at the people preparing the 'ceremony to invite the gods', and it was as if he had stepped into a fairy tale.

The news that Emperor Yanwang, the great royal god, wanted to request the throne of 'Gaotian Zhengshen' from the 'Heavenly Royal Lord' for the 'Three Eyes and Five Manifestations Immortal' spread throughout Liyue with merchants traveling from Jilu City, and even reached further lands.

In order to witness this mythical festival, humans and yōkai who could make it to Jilu City kept arriving, putting tremendous pressure on the 'General Affairs Department'.

The Qixing and Eight Sects were busy maintaining order. After Ningguang's 'registration', the number of yōkai in 'Liyue' exceeded two million, while the human population was over ten million.

Although yōkai possessed powers far beyond those of humans, the conditions for their birth were not simple. What's more, there were no more than a hundred great yōkai in the entire world.

While humans were weaker, the conditions for their birth were far simpler than those of yōkai. As time went by, humans were bound to become the rulers of the world.

If it were not for Takumi's arrival, the power of 'Tianzhi Yuzhong' would have continued to cycle, and in five hundred years, the age of decline for yōkai would have begun as humans advanced in technology.

Currently, the total number of humans and yōkai who had come to Jilu City for the 'God-Inviting Ceremony' exceeded three million. However, because this was a place covered by the divine power of the 'Emperor of the Rock King', all humans and yōkai strictly adhered to national covenants and order.

For a time, the prosperity of Jilu City even surpassed that of Liyue Harbor during the Lantern Rite in the Teyvat World.

---

**General Affairs Department**

Ningguang was so busy that her hairpin had tilted, and she had no time to straighten it. Her red eyes were filled with excitement and deep anticipation.

The achievements of the immortals had reached the criteria for ascending to godhood, and the Emperor was preparing to seek approval from the 'Heavenly Principle' to grant divine status.

Although Yaegomiyaji, who had Inazuma, was the first to eat crabs, Ningguang was now participating in this 'consecration of gods'.

Moreover, the Emperor had promised that once their mission in this world was completed, her own achievements would be enough to ascend to godhood.

This was the path to becoming a god.

Ningguang adjusted a piece of paper and sighed. "Although the ritual of inviting gods is similar to the ritual of inviting immortals, since it is the Emperor presiding over the ceremony, all we can do is help arrange it."

Keqing gently pressed her sore shoulder. "The Emperor is asking for divine status for the immortals. It is a great honor for us to participate. No matter how tired we are, our hearts are full. No matter how many tasks we perform, it won't feel like a burden."

Ningguang gently brushed her long platinum hair behind her ear and looked out the window at the bustling scene. "Yes, when you see the prosperity you've contributed to, there's a sense of satisfaction beyond measure—especially knowing there's an even greater future ahead."

"This time, the Emperor is seeking the title of Supreme Heavenly Law. I wonder if we'll catch a glimpse of its power?"

"Oh... Perhaps I'm overthinking things. After being involved in matters that only gods usually participate in, my mind has started wandering."

Ningguang shook her head mockingly. Even if she were to become a god someday, she was still a mortal at heart.

If she became a god in the future, she might still not witness the Supreme Law of Heaven.

---

**In the The Emperor Temple**

Zhongli was seated on the throne, his golden eyes gazing at the 'Yaksha Immortals' who were kneeling before him.

"When the sun rises tomorrow, I will seek the divine throne for you."

"Although you are my gods in name, in essence, there is only superiority and inferiority between gods, and there is no explicit subordinate relationship. In other words, after you become gods, you will leave my protection."

This was the 'Godly Covenant' that everyone who entered the 'Blueprint of Gods' understood. The 'Godly Covenant' was equivalent to 'Heavenly Rules', the absolute laws set by the heavenly principles.

In the 'Blueprint of Gods', there was only superiority and inferiority between gods, with no situation where gods were directly subordinate to the main god.

'Belonging to God' meant that the 'authority' held by an individual was subordinate to the authority of the main god, hence the term 'belonging to God'.

Xiao raised his head and looked at Zhongli respectfully. "The Emperor has protected me for over two thousand years. Though I am reluctant to leave, the Emperor also looks forward to our growth."

Zhongli spoke calmly, like a gentle old father. "Young eagles will eventually leave their nests, leaving behind the protection of their elders to experience the world. To ascend the throne of godhood means standing on your own as a god and contributing to the world of Teyvat.

For Zhongli, although the contract with the immortals as his subordinates was ending, the contract could not define 'friendship'. The bond formed with his dependents over thousands of years was unending.

Liuyun the Adeptus sighed. "I always knew I would have to leave the Emperor's protection and ascend someday, but I never expected the day to come so soon."

True Lord Cutting Moon and Raising Sun also sighed. "Though becoming a god is a dream for ordinary people, now that this day has come, we still find it difficult to part with our contract with the Emperor. But to refuse would mean disappointing both the Emperor and myself."

In the 'divine covenant', the 'god reserve' had only one chance to ascend. If missed, the chance would never come again.

After all, the honor of becoming a god would not be given to those who rejected it.

The True Lord of Gechenlang City chuckled. "Why are you all sighing? This is a good thing. Becoming a god means we can better assist the Emperor. When we conquer the world in the future, we can contribute even more."

Master Lishui Dieshan nodded. "That's right. Cutting Moon, Raising Sun, and Borrowing the Wind—since when did you become so sentimental?"

Liuyun snorted coldly. "Who are you calling sentimental? If this weren't the wrong time, I'd argue with you."

Ganyu blinked and looked up at the Emperor on the throne. Was she truly about to become a god? Her head still felt a bit dizzy.

She wasn't sure what she'd done to achieve the feat of becoming a god. She had merely managed affairs here, much like she had in Liyue Harbor.

Zhongli's gaze softened as he looked at the serious faces of the immortals, who were still as noisy as ever.

Once the mission was complete, all the yakshas could return, and things would be even livelier then.

"Then, the ceremony will begin when the sun rises tomorrow."