In an immortal residence brimming with stern killing intent and sharp, soaring vigor, Star Lord Jinde, wearing a jade crown, sat cross-legged upon a plain white cushion, cultivating in tranquility.
Suddenly, a profound and wondrous aura swept past and vanished abruptly, startling him from his meditation.
"Could this be... someone has attained Heavenly Immortal?! Who is it?"
He was utterly astonished. Throughout the Heavenly Court, there were around a hundred True Immortals, and almost every single one had been stuck before the threshold of Heavenly Immortal for thousands, tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of years!
Now, someone had finally broken through!
"Remarkable! Truly remarkable!" he marveled.
The longer one was stuck, the lower the probability of breaking through, for one's comprehension and innate talent had reached their ceiling. Unless one obtained some tremendous celestial opportunity, languishing for hundreds of thousands of years was entirely normal.
"Let me see who broke through—"
With a turn of thought, he traced the lingering traces of that profound aura and looked up. His gaze pierced through layer upon layer of clouds and mist, landing upon—
"The Southern Residence of the True Lord of Demon-Quelling?!!"
Even with his habitual composure and his belief that nothing could shake him, he could not help but cry out in shock.
"Huang Tian? How could it be him?"
He sprang to his feet with a swoosh. "Impossible! Just several months ago, when he led his troops to subdue the Heavenly Scorpion Divine Lord, I observed his dharmic power. He had refined barely ninety percent and had not yet reached completion. Now, a mere three months have passed, and not only has he accumulated sufficient dharmic power, but he broke through directly?!"
Drawing a soft breath, a thought arose in his mind. "Could it be that he had long comprehended the threshold of Heavenly Immortal and was merely waiting for his dharmic power to reach fullness before breaking through? But... it has only been three or four years!"
Since Huang Tian attained the immortal path and ascended to heaven to serve as an official, only three or four years had passed. How could he have comprehended the bottleneck and bloomed his Dao flower so swiftly?
Other True Immortals could not understand it in ten thousand years, a hundred thousand years, or even millions of years. On what basis was he so fast?
Could this truly be reasonable?!
His mind turning through a thousand thoughts, he stepped out of his immortal residence with complicated emotions and flew toward the True Lord's residence.
No sooner had he arrived than a dozen streaks of light came flying over one after another. With a glance, he saw that they were all Star Lords from various departments and great Heavenly Immortal figures.
"Star Lord Jinde!"
"Divine Lord Jianbing!"
"Star Lord Du'e!"
The dozen or so greeted one another.
"Star Lord Jinde, this True Lord Huang—if I recall correctly, was he recruited to heaven by you several years ago?" Divine Lord Jianbing asked. "It has only been a few years since he became an immortal, hasn't it?"
Star Lord Jinde nodded woodenly. "Indeed, merely three or four years."
Hearing this, the Heavenly Immortals exchanged glances, their eyes filled with curiosity and marvel.
However, they did not press further. After all, they were standing before someone's residence; talking too much might displease the host.
Whoosh~
A figure slowly materialized before everyone. It was none other than Huang Tian, who had just broken through. "Greetings, Star Lord Jinde, fellow Divine Lords."
Everyone courteously returned the greeting, showing no arrogance on account of their higher immortal ranks. Once Huang Tian became a Heavenly Immortal, it would not be long before his rank was elevated to that of a Star Lord or Divine Lord, equal to theirs. And even if his rank remained unchanged, it did not matter; when one's strength reached this level, no one dared look down on them.
Of course, the most crucial factor was that Huang Tian's cultivation progressed far too swiftly!
Today, everyone stood together as Heavenly Immortals. Perhaps in several thousand or tens of thousands of years, this man might become a Golden Immortal—though the probability was exceedingly low, none of them wished to offend him.
"Please enter the residence and take a seat, everyone," Huang Tian said with a smile.
"Lead the way."
Led by Huang Tian, Divine Lord Jianbing and the others entered the residence and took their seats in the main hall. A retinue of immortal maidens served spiritual fruits and spiritual wine.
"Fellow Daoist Huang, congratulations on achieving Heavenly Immortal! May your Dao path be vast and boundless!"
In the hall, Star Lord Du'e raised his cup with a beaming smile to offer congratulations, and the other Star Lords likewise smiled and chatted, offering cheerful words of celebration.
"My thanks to all fellow Daoists." Since they did not address him by official titles, Huang Tian naturally addressed them as fellow Daoists as well.
At the banquet, laughter and conversation flowed freely. None of the Heavenly Immortals probed into the secret behind Huang Tian's astonishing speed of cultivation, not even via subtle hints. Of course, what they truly thought in their hearts remained unknown.
When the feast was about to end and everyone took their leave one by one, Star Lord Jinde, who was just about to depart, suddenly paused. He turned back and transmitted his voice: "Huang Tian, the Sovereign Emperor wishes to see you."
The Sovereign Emperor!
A great Golden Immortal!
The Lord of the Heavenly Court!
One of the three strongest beings in the Earth Immortal Realm!
Hearing this, slight ripples stirred in Huang Tian's heart. He felt no fear toward Sovereign Emperor Xuanqiong, Celestial Pivot of the Purple Zenith and Governor of Myriad Daos, but he was inevitably curious about what the Lord of the Heavenly Court looked like and how immense his power was.
"The Sovereign Emperor has just emerged from seclusion. I shall guide you there," Star Lord Jinde said.
"Understood."
Huang Tian kept a calm expression and followed Star Lord Jinde into the depths of the Heavenly Court. Soon, an immortal palace came into view.
Towering pavilions met the vault of heaven, jade watchtowers and golden gates were bathed in enduring auspicious mists, auspicious light blanketed emerald tiles, purple vapor locked around carved beams, the ground was paved with flawless jade, and great void clouds drifted in all directions.
Before the palace stood many heavenly soldiers and heavenly generals on guard. However, upon seeing Huang Tian and Star Lord Jinde, they granted passage immediately, having clearly received orders beforehand.
Entering the immortal palace, guided by an immortal official, they wound through corridors and eventually reached a grand hall.
Stepping inside, Huang Tian saw a figure seated at the head. The figure wore a crown with beaded tassels and a purple robe, possessing a tranquil countenance and deep, profound eyes.
"Greetings, Sovereign Emperor!" The two bowed in salutation.
"No need for formalities." The voice was serene, devoid of any oppressive weight typical of a Golden Immortal, feeling as natural as a cool breeze brushing against one's sleeve.
The Sovereign Emperor's gaze fell upon Huang Tian, and a smile appeared on his face. "From the beginning of your cultivation to attaining Heavenly Immortal, merely a few years have passed. Very good. An innate talent like yours is truly unprecedented throughout antiquity, and I imagine none will match it in hundreds of millions of years to come."
Hearing this, Huang Tian naturally offered a few modest words.
The Sovereign Emperor waved his hand. Star Lord Jinde understood and withdrew from the hall.
"Cultivating swiftly is a good thing, yet it is also a bad thing." The Sovereign Emperor's gaze grew deep and solemn. "As I see it, there are only two reasons why your progress could be so rapid. First, your comprehension transcends the world, far surpassing everyone in existence. Second, you possess an extraordinary treasure and profound karmic fortune. Which do you believe you are?"
"Naturally the first." Huang Tian was very candid. His rapid cultivation indeed relied on comprehension. As for an extraordinary treasure, he truly had none—a special ability could hardly count as a treasure, could it?
Seeing that Huang Tian showed not the slightest panic, the Sovereign Emperor smiled instead. "I believe your words. However, though I believe you, outsiders might not. In the future, I fear trouble will hound you. Moreover, having made enemies of the Western faction, they will certainly keep a close eye on you from now on. Perhaps those Buddhas will seek an opportunity to make a move against you. They may not necessarily covet a treasure whose existence is uncertain, but rather wish to draw you into the Buddhist sect."
To great Golden Immortals, so-called extraordinary treasures were not worth much attention. On their journey to this realm, which of them had not encountered countless miraculous encounters and countless treasures?
Unless such a treasure touched upon the realm beyond Golden Immortal, they would not fight over it. But such a possibility was vanishingly small, and they rarely considered it.
"With Your Majesty and the two Emperor Sovereigns present, would they dare act?" Huang Tian did not boast of his own strength, but instead probed with a question.
The Sovereign Emperor answered, "You assume the Heavenly Court has three Golden Immortals—that is not so. The Western Polar Emperor has wandered into the chaos and is no longer in the Earth Immortal Realm."
Huang Tian finally understood. No wonder after breaking through to Heavenly Immortal, he had only faintly sensed two deeply solemn auras within the Heavenly Court. It turned out the Western Polar Emperor was not in the Earth Immortal Realm.
"Now that you are a Heavenly Immortal, you would have learned of these matters sooner or later," the Sovereign Emperor said. "Although the Earth Immortal Realm is vast, our lifespans are endless. Remaining here for too long inevitably breeds weariness. What is more, after tens of millions or hundreds of millions of years without making an inch of progress in cultivation or finding the Great Dao, some immortals cannot bear the stagnation. They take the initiative to leave the Earth Immortal Realm, traversing the boundless chaos in search of opportunities to attain the Dao.
"In the chaos, one must be a True Immortal to survive. Yet because the perils are excessive and death can strike at any moment, True Immortals are rarely seen. Heavenly Immortals possess a degree of self-preservation, while for Golden Immortals, the danger is far, far smaller. Therefore, all the Golden Immortals of our Earth Immortal Realm have traveled into the chaos to seek other great worlds and pursue opportunities."
He explained plainly, "Throughout history, our great realm has had a total of eight Golden Immortals: three from the West, two from the Daoist sect, and three from our Heavenly Court.
"Now, the Western Polar Emperor has departed, and the Dao Ancestor of the Daoist sect has departed as well. Both left in their true bodies, leaving behind only Heavenly Immortal incarnations in the world. In other words, our Heavenly Court and the Daoist sect combined currently possess only three Golden Immortals."
"Why haven't the three from the West—"
"Because the Buddhist sect's fortune has arrived," the Sovereign Emperor chuckled. "Heaven, though possessing no explicit will, guides the grand trend. For the next million years, the Buddhist teachings are destined to flourish. To ensure this trend remains undisturbed, the three Buddhas have all remained in this realm."
Huang Tian had, after all, served as a 'Saint' in the late Han world. Pondering such words for a moment, he understood.
The so-called fortune was karmic luck. Those blessed by karmic luck succeeded in all endeavors; even their comprehension received enhancement, making cultivation easier and their perception of the Dao ever clearer.
Furthermore, if one gained the favor of Heaven and possessed the requisite realm and realization, one could even merge with the Dao of Heaven!
If a Golden Immortal successfully merged with the Dao in the Earth Immortal Realm, to what level would their strength soar?
No, the likelihood was far too small. If merging with the Dao were so simple, the Daoist sect and the Heavenly Court would never refrain from obstructing the Western grand trend.
Huang Tian pondered silently. Moreover, what Arhat Yindeng had said to him previously—that the immortal monkey held an opportunity in the future—was likely related to this Western grand trend. Was it a journey to obtain scriptures and propagate the Buddhist dharma?
Ever since arriving in this world, he had felt that this realm was both similar to and different from Journey to the West, and now that feeling grew even stronger.
"The reason I summoned you today is twofold. First, to caution you to be more careful in the future. Although with me here, those three from the West will not act recklessly, being cautious is never a mistake.
"Second, now that you have achieved Heavenly Immortal and accumulated numerous merits, it is time for a promotion. I appoint you as the World-Protecting Zhenwu Demon-Quelling Heavenly Venerable, ranked alongside Star Lords, and bestow upon you various treasures."
"My gratitude to the Sovereign Emperor!"
"You may withdraw."
Leaving the immortal palace and returning to the Residence of the True Lord of Demon-Quelling, it was not long before messengers sent by the Sovereign Emperor delivered an official seal along with many immortal pills and rare fruits.
"Congratulations, Heavenly Venerable!"
When Huang Tian donned the official seal and changed into his immortal robes, Deng Zhangjue and the others in the residence congratulated him loudly. Joy showed on their faces, and even greater delight filled their hearts. None of them had expected that in a mere three or four years, they would go from being the direct subordinates of a True Immortal to the confidants of a Heavenly Immortal!
Their status had soared with the tide!
Huang Tian was not stingy with his subordinates' congratulations; he bestowed spiritual wine and spiritual fruits upon them, prompting another round of cheers.
As for himself, he carried the immortal pills and other gifts back to the rear hall. Sitting cross-legged upon a cushion, he sank into contemplation.
My current strength is by no means inferior to a Golden Immortal. I have absolute confidence to confront the West directly, unless the three Buddhas attack me together... No, even then, I have nothing to fear.
The Great Five Elements Yin-Yang Divine Light possesses peerless offense and suppression; the Sky-Patrolling Calamity-Evading Immortal Robe offers tremendous defense while severing all karmic divination and curses; and Good Fortune from the Great Void is profoundly wondrous. As long as I wish to leave, they cannot stop me at all.
Endowed with the Yuanji Dao Seed and three supreme divine abilities, Huang Tian felt no trepidation whatsoever, but was instead eager to test his mettle.
Since they cannot touch me, it is time to go back and see that immortal monkey!
Back when he had gone to Mount Xuandong to seek immortality, he had promised that once his studies bore fruit, he would return to treat the monkey to fresh fruit and fine wine. Now, he could fulfill that promise.
Just as he made up his mind, his expression suddenly froze, and he let out a scoff. "To think that before I made a move, you lot would come looking for trouble with me first—"
Before him, a voice line traversing the void was faintly blackened. Ever since making enemies with the West, he had kept his consciousness switch open to prevent unexpected incidents.
With his current soul strength, even hundreds of millions of callings would not overwhelm him or pose the slightest burden.
Shifting his gaze, he looked along the voice line. The void shifted, and an image appeared before his eyes:
Within an elaborately adorned cave abode, a monk and two demons sat opposite each other.
"Arhat Zhongyin, that True Lord Huang is no easy mark. He has slain countless demons, and even the renowned Heavenly Scorpion Divine Lord died by his hand. For you to send us to the capital of the State of Jin to capture his family, this..." The leopard demon wore a bitter expression.
The six-tailed fox demon chimed in, "Once he learns that his kin and friends have been seized, he will likely dispatch a massive army to hunt us down immediately. Where could we possibly hide?"
Arhat Zhongyin said in a heavy voice, "What is there to panic about? This poor monk is here for everything. As long as you successfully abduct them, you need not worry about the rest. I shall make all arrangements."
"But..."
"There are no buts! You only need to remember: if this matter is done well, achieving True Immortal in the future is within reach."
The two demons exchanged glances, both somewhat tempted. They did not put much faith in becoming True Immortals, but they knew that doing the job well would guarantee lavish rewards.
"Furthermore, you can flee to Xi Niuhezhou afterward. Once you are there, would you still need to fear any Huang Tian?" Arhat Zhongyin added.
The two demons grew even more tempted. All they had to do was seize a few mortals without having to worry about the aftermath, and they would receive bountiful rewards and the Buddhist sect's protection. It seemed feasible after all...
In the rear hall of the True Lord's residence, Huang Tian's expression remained tranquil. He did not know whether this kidnapping operation had been orchestrated by Arhat Zhongyin to curry favor with Miaoyin Bodhisattva, whether it was Miaoyin Bodhisattva's own idea, or whether it was a tactic by the Western faction to coerce him into their fold. None of that mattered.
In any case, a clash was inevitable sooner or later.
Bringing two fingers together, he made a light slash through the empty air before him. A wisp of supreme, blazing pure yang qi and a stream of supremely gentle, profound pure yin qi flowed out from nothingness, resembling two spiritual fish chasing each other head to tail as they slowly swam around his fingertips.
With a casual pinch, the yin and yang qi settled obediently into his palm, and he lightly closed his fingers.
Hum~
A clear, resonant hum echoed through the hall.
The radiance in his palm retracted, revealing an object: a bracelet that was neither metal nor jade, neither stone nor wood.
The bracelet was perfectly round and archaic, bearing no carvings or embellishments, radiating only the divine light of the two colors of yin and yang.
The yang was warm and gentle like the rising dawn sun; the yin was tranquil and deep like the depths of midnight. Blending together, they circulated without end.
Huang Tian looked up, his gaze piercing through the void to land upon that cave abode. Following the voice line, he casually tossed the bracelet formed of yin and yang qi.
"Have you made up your minds? This is an excellent errand—"
Inside the cave abode, before Arhat Zhongyin could finish his sentence, an intense sense of crisis swept over his entire body. He looked up in terror and saw an archaic bracelet manifesting above the ward-laden cave abode at some unknown moment.
"What is th—"
The two demons also glimpsed the bracelet suspended in midair and started in alarm. Instantly, the bracelet spun smoothly, then gently descended.
The motion was clearly very slow and unhurried, yet they were completely incapable of reacting, able only to watch helplessly as the bracelet descended upon their heads.
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
Three muffled thuds sounded almost simultaneously.
In the next moment, whether it was Arhat Zhongyin with his Diamond Lapis Lazuli Body or the two Great Ascension demons of considerable strength, their eyes filled with horror. Their bodies trembled slightly, and along with their divine souls, they disintegrated into several handfuls of dust, scattering into the air.
"Peace and quiet restored."
Chapter 200