Kunlun

Yuxu Palace

In the Main Hall, figures such as Nanji Immortal, Guang Chengzi, Chi Jingzi, and other second-generation disciples were all present.

Even Randeng Taoist, who had not been seen for a long time, appeared.

The disciples were divided into two groups, each seated quietly on meditation cushions on either side, all with solemn expressions and silent, their minds possibly contemplating various things.

The entire hall was enveloped in a heavy and somber atmosphere.

At the head, Yuanshi Tianzun was seated on a cloud bed, his eyes slightly open, gazing down at the gathered disciples.

Upon learning of the decree from Zixiao Palace due to "the Emperor of Heaven's complaint, summoning the disciples of the Three Sects to assume divine positions in the Heavenly Court," the reaction of the disciples was not unexpected to him.

Although no one verbally expressed "rejection," the word was written on everyone's faces.

For some loose cultivators or mortals with inferior Daoist accomplishments, a divine position in the Heavenly Court might seem unreachable.

Not to mention disciples of the Three Sects, even those Independent Immortals with slightly superior Daoist attainments considered the divine positions in the Heavenly Court as nothing noteworthy!

After all, through their painstaking cultivation and enduring Heavenly Tribulations, overcoming Three Calamities and many difficulties to achieve the rare chance of rebirth from fire, they did not do so just to seek a divine position in the Heavenly Court!

But to become a carefree and eternally youthful immortal, living as long as heaven itself!

This is the Immortal Path that beings of the Three Realms fervently aspire to!

This is also why, despite the colorful organization of this Peach Banquet by the Heavenly Court, only a few gods with profound Daoist attainments joined the Heavenly Court.

The disciples of the Three Sects were even less impressed with the divine positions in the Heavenly Court.

With higher pursuits in mind, how could they possibly be content to end their immortal aspirations with a position in the Heavenly Court?!

After a long silence, Guang Chengzi, who was wearing an Eight Diagrams Purple Immortal Robe, couldn't hold back any longer and said indignantly: "The Emperor of Heaven is truly doing everything possible to make us bow our heads in submission!"

Yuanshi Tianzun remained neutral, simply stating, "This sequence of cause and effect is your tribulation within the Red Dust. You inevitably must venture into that earthly realm.

I have already consulted with your grandmasters and granduncles, and after one hundred days, I will lead you to Penglai Biyou Palace. Then, the disciples of the Three Sects will gather together to decide which disciples shall enter the Heavenly Court to become gods."

Guang Chengzi felt a stir in his heart, stood up, respectfully bowed to Yuanshi Tianzun and solemnly asked, "May I ask my teacher, if the divine positions in the Heavenly Court are already filled, do we still need to take up roles as gods?"

Hearing this, Chi Jingzi and several familiar Golden Immortals immediately understood his intent, and all looked expectantly towards Yuanshi Tianzun.

Yuanshi Tianzun calmly responded: "The role of the Heavenly Court isto maintain the normal functioning of Heaven and Earth and to uphold stability for the creatures of the Three Realms and Six Paths. Now, because of the severe shortage of gods, it is unable to fulfill its duties, prompting Zixiao Palace to issue the decree requiring the disciples of the Three Sects to enter the Heavenly Court and become gods.

If the Heavenly Court can operate normally, then naturally there is no need for you to enter."

Guang Chengzi and the Chan Sect disciples exchanged looks, revealing expressions of 'as expected.'

At this moment, they knew how to avoid becoming gods of the Heavenly Court, and were no longer as depressed or pessimistic as before.

At that moment, Yuanshi Tianzun, with an indifferent expression and gaze fixated forward, lightly began, "Currently, the Heavenly Court is short of three hundred and sixty-five True Gods, and two thousand Vice Gods."

"Hiss~"

A sound of sharp intake of breath suddenly echoed in the hall.

Guang Chengzi and the others who had just relaxed were stunned on the spot.

"How could there be such a huge shortage?"

"The Heavenly Court has been re-established for so long, what exactly has the Emperor of Heaven been busy with?"

"Doesn't this mean that all the disciples of the Three Sects need to enter the Heavenly Court?"

...

Hearing the complaints of his junior brothers, Nanji Immortal's heart stirred, and he asked doubtfully, "With so many vacant divine positions, if they all require highly accomplished individuals, perhaps even the combined Three Sects might not be enough, right?

Or does entering the Heavenly Court to become a god actually not require a high level of Daoist attainment?

Please enlighten me, teacher!"

Yuanshi Tianzun gave him an approving look, nodded slightly and said, "Correct, the Divine Dao has its own mysteries. Even a mere mortal can be conferred a divine status, governing aspects of Heaven and Earth, and possessing inconceivable divine powers."

Hearing this, Guang Chengzi furrowed his brows and said, "Disciple has another bold question to ask. If even a mortal can be enshrined as a god, then pourquoi did Zixiao Palace still issue a decree for the disciples of the Three Sects to enter the Heavenly Court and become gods?"

Yuanshi Tianzun shook his head and said plainly, "It's not only the disciples of the Three Sects."

As he spoke, he lightly waved his hand, and a beam of spiritual light appeared in the hall.

Within the light was a scroll, which was not yet unfurled, and the disciples did not know what was inside.

Only to hear Yuanshi Tianzun continue, "This revered item is the Investiture of the Gods, a treasure of Zixiao Palace. Aside from the disciples of Chan, Jie, and Ren Sects, there are also loyal ministers and righteous warriors listed, as well as those who although did not achieve the Dao of Immortality, achieved the Dao of Divinity…

When the time comes, those named on the list will be organized into three hundred and sixty-five True Gods and two thousand Vice Gods, to manage the Three Realms and Six Paths, control thunder, fire, pestilence, and battle, the stars and constellations, the Three Mountains and Five Ranges, rain-making and cloud-generating, good and evil, fortune and misfortune, and so on."

"I understand now!"

Guang Chengzi revealed a hint of a smile and earnestly said, "The Heavenly Court has vacancies, and as disciples of the Saints, we ought to follow the command 瞋of Zixiao Palace and contribute to maintaining the stability of Heaven and Earth!"

Upon hearing this, Chi Jingzi, Jude Liu, and others gave him a sidelong glance.

You didn't say so just moments ago, why the sudden change of heart?

As they looked on puzzled, Yuanshi Tianzun had already put away the Investiture of the Gods and said mildly, "Now that you understand the reasons, go and prepare yourselves.

If you can safely pass through this calamity, you may sever the Three

Not only him, but most of the Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect such as Jiu Li Sun, Manjusri, Samantabhadra and others also showed expressions of realization.

Only that Daoist Yellow Dragon furrowed his brows and wanted to ask, but saw all his senior and junior brothers had already dispersed.

He hastened, yet barely managed to stop Yun Zhongzi.

Yun Zhongzi, with a smile covering his face, asked, "Senior brother, did you stop me for something?"

Daoist Yellow Dragon hastily bowed and said with a smile, "Previously, what Senior Brother Guang Chengzi said, this foolish brother really did not understand. Seeing junior brother smiling joyously, you must have understood the reason, hence this foolish brother stopped you to ask for guidance."

"Ah?"

Yun Zhongzi paused, "What did Senior Brother Guang Chengzi say just now? I am not aware."

"Not aware?"

The smile on Daoist Yellow Dragon's face froze, "You don't know what you were just laughing at?"

Yun Zhongzi naturally said, "I was just thinking about what gifts to bring for Yu Yuan Daoist friend when I go to Penglai in a hundred days... The Star Fruit helped me increase quite a bit of mana. I didn't get a chance to thank him in the Heavenly Court earlier.

This time going to Penglai, it would be quite impolite not to bring some gifts.

By the way, Senior Brother Yellow Dragon, what do you think would be appropriate gifts for my first visit?"

Daoist Yellow Dragon said irritably, "Aren't you worried about the Divine Enthronement at all?"

Yun Zhongzi shook his head, puzzled, "It's you Twelve Golden Immortals that the Emperor of Heaven wants to bow and pay homage to. With all the senior brothers ahead, why should I worry? He can't possibly send all the disciples of the Chan Sect to the Heavenly Court, can he?"

Daoist Yellow Dragon: (ŎдŎ;)

...

Penglai Holy Realm

Tian Yuan Palace

Yu Yuan walked out of a Treasure Hall with the big words "Zoo" written on it, his Daoist robe tattered after surviving bites, scratches, burns, stabs, and other attacks.

However, his robust and balanced physique did not have even a scar.

"It seems the fierce beasts locked in the zoo can no longer harm my physical body… Tomorrow, I should release those that should be released, slaughter those that should be slaughtered; that boy Wen Zhong is still growing, I should prepare some supplements for him."

Yu Yuan, while talking to himself, reached for a grayish-brown grass stick, lit it, and took a deep drag with it between his lips.

[Poisonous gas continues to erode: Qi-Blood +3, Muscle and Bone +23, Mana +2]

[Poisonous gas continues to erode: Qi-Blood +18, Muscle and Bone +925, Mana +5]

…

"Ptooey!"

Yu Yuan spat out the grass stick.

After a thought, he took out more than a thousand sticks from his Qiankun Ruyi Bag, crushed them together, lit them with Samadhi True Fire, and then swallowed them all.

After a while, he exhaled a dense white miniature mushroom cloud with satisfaction.

Now his physical stature and Primordial Spirit had substantially improved compared to before; the previous "sparring" and cultivation methods were no longer effective.

He needed to create a new way of cultivation.

Yu Yuan went to the "gym", where even the magma containing Earthly Evil Fire from beneath could no longer harm him.

However, the Netherworld Ghost Fire emitted from the Skull Beads he got from Ma Yuan was still robust, and could still enhance his Primordial Spirit somewhat.

Of course, this was also because his Primordial Spirit was relatively weak.

Fortunately, he now had ten Profound Black Treasure Arrows constantly "hanging by the ear for cultivation," and also the Nail-Head Seven Arrows Book...

Right, it's about time, they should take turns!

Yu Yuan's Divine Thought probed into the Ruyi Qiankun Bag, swapping the cages for people like Lv Yue and others, which caused several of them to curse inwardly.

People like Li Ping and Lv Yue had begun to suspect if he was doing it on purpose.

But their suspicion was only fleeting.

The reason was simple.

What normal person would intentionally let others curse them to death?

Thus, to escape out of this situation, Lv Yue and Li Ping also started their days of timely Sealing and stepping patterns, burning incense to effigies.

Yu Yuan was very satisfied, returning to his sleeping chamber and then giving Bai Ling some heavenly materials and earthly treasures he got from Eastern Emperor Heaven, as compensation for her Qingqiu clan's relocation.

Seeing the pile of treasures like a small mountain, Bai Ling's eyes shimmered with astonishment.

As a Clan Leader of an Immortal Cultivation Clan, her insight wasn't low, and she could naturally discern the extraordinary value of these treasures.

She immediately shook her head, explaining that it would suffice to just pick a few from them, there was no need for so many treasures.

Yet Yu Yuan didn't mind; all these were things he couldn't use.

"Oh right, I almost forgot this."

While speaking, Yu Yuan took out two Star Fruits and handed them over, "This thing is not for your clan members. Eat them before you leave Penglai, and you should be able to become a Golden Immortal."

"This is... Star Fruit?!"

Bai Ling could hardly believe her own eyes.

She thought she had understood him well enough, yet now it seemed that the man standing before her was still far more mysterious and powerful than she had imagined!

"Thank you, young master."

Bai Ling's eyes glimmered, as she kneeled and moved forward, extending her hands towards Yu Yuan's waist.

The latter slightly raised his eyebrows, smiling, "Thanks alone won't do… well, actually using only words is not really unacceptable…"

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