While the Heavenly Court was immersed in harmony, cups clinking and wine flowing, the atmosphere in the Buddhist sect was a stark contrast.
Atop majestic Mount Ling, within an imposing grand hall, the air was exceptionally somber.
A host of Heavenly Immortal Bodhisattvas looked slightly pale. The mere thought that they had nearly suffered the same fate as Miaoyin Bodhisattva—slain on the spot by Huang Tian—left their hearts quailing with lingering dread.
Lotus Tranquility Void-Calming Buddha spoke, offering an explanation. "Regarding Venerable Miaoyin, it was not that the Lord Buddha and I were unwilling to intervene, but rather that there was a cause behind the matter..."
He laid out the truth of how Miaoyin Bodhisattva had ordered Arhat Zhongyin to the capital of the State of Jin to seize Huang Tian's family and friends. Only then did the assembled Bodhisattvas understand.
So there had been such a hidden crux behind it all! No wonder Huang Tian had abruptly struck and slain Miaoyin Bodhisattva while the two Buddhas did not stop him. In the end, their side had been in the wrong from the very start!
Seeing that the Bodhisattvas looked much relieved, World-Illuminating Ever-Abiding Buddha finally spoke. "This time, in order to spare Formless Pure Stream Buddha's life, I promised various treasures to Heavenly Venerable Huang as compensation. Venerable Fuguang, go take stock of the treasures and deliver them to the Heavenly Court."
He tapped a finger, sending a wisp of spiritual light into the brow of Fuguang Bodhisattva seated below, instantly planting an "inventory of compensation" in his mind.
"This is... far too much!" Fuguang Bodhisattva gasped softly upon reviewing the list's contents.
Hearing this, the other Bodhisattvas looked toward Fuguang Bodhisattva, their eyes filled with curiosity and scrutiny.
The Lord Buddha merely said, "It is much, but compared to the life of Formless Pure Stream Buddha, it ultimately amounts to nothing. A Golden Immortal mighty figure cannot be forged merely with some rare treasures and immortal pills. Without extraordinary comprehension, surpassing perseverance, and profound karmic fortune, such an achievement is beyond reach."
Fuguang Bodhisattva nodded. Naturally, he understood this truth. Even so, he could not help but ache at the loss. Heavenly Venerable Huang's asking price was truly exorbitant!
Though the items on the list could not produce a Golden Immortal mighty figure, any small portion of them released to the outside world would be of tremendous value. For instance, the ten seventh-rank immortal treasures: by merely integrating with one, ten individuals could attain the level of True Immortal. While fusing with an immortal treasure carried risks and could fail, it was still vastly easier than seeking to comprehend a Dao Seed!
And those ten seventh-rank immortal treasures were not even the most valuable things on the list...
"Go," the Lord Buddha commanded.
"I obey the decree." Fuguang Bodhisattva sighed inwardly and departed the hall to prepare the treasures recorded on the list.
Once he was gone, a Bodhisattva spoke up. "Lord Buddha, may I ask how we should treat that True Sage Equaling Heaven from now on? Are we to ignore him, or guide him into our sect so that he returns to the predestined great trend?"
As the words fell, every eye turned to the Lord Buddha.
Valuable as those treasures were, their significance paled in comparison to the great trend of the Heavenly Dao.
Now that the True Sage Equaling Heaven, the predestined bearer of the tribulation, had broken free, the ordained destiny had shifted. What they ought to do next was the matter of utmost importance.
If handled well, the Buddhist sect would flourish all the more, and they, as Golden Immortals and Heavenly Immortals, would receive the favor of karmic fortune, making it far easier to comprehend the Dao. If handled poorly, everything would be drastically diminished.
Lotus Tranquility Void-Calming Buddha sighed softly. "With that Heavenly Venerable Huang present, we can likely only ignore the True Sage Equaling Heaven. Otherwise, we would only incur the Heavenly Venerable's displeasure, and by then, the situation would be even harder to resolve."
Unless the Buddhist sect's strength abruptly surged, suddenly gaining two or three more Buddhas capable of suppressing Huang Tian, hostilities were completely out of the question.
The inquiring Bodhisattva understood this reasoning, yet said helplessly, "The Heavenly Dao clearly ordained our teaching's grand rise. How could such a figure suddenly emerge? It defies all reason!"
The crowd nodded in shared sentiment. Huang Tian's journey had been nothing short of a miracle, a myth. Within a few short years, he had risen from a mere mortal to a mighty figure capable of suppressing Golden Immortals. By all normal laws, such a person should never have existed!
"Within the Earth Immortal Realm, the Heavenly Dao guides the great trend, encompassing all living beings, so anomalies can hardly arise. But what of outside the Earth Immortal Realm?" a Bodhisattva suddenly suggested. "Could this Heavenly Venerable Huang be an almighty figure from another realm who seized a body?"
"Almost impossible," Lotus Tranquility Void-Calming Buddha replied, shaking his head. "I considered this long ago and observed him closely with my Dharma Eyes. I found that his body and soul are completely united, his spiritual radiance pristine and clear. He should not have seized another's body. Of course, the myriad grand worlds possess countless wondrous methods, so perhaps he managed to deceive my Dharma Eyes."
World-Illuminating Ever-Abiding Buddha said, "Whether the Heavenly Venerable is an almighty figure from another realm is meaningless."
The assembly fell silent. Indeed, Huang Tian was already capable of suppressing a Golden Immortal, possessing combat strength sufficient to contend against two or three Golden Immortals without defeat. Even if he were a visitor from another realm, what could be done? Could the Buddhist sect actually capture him?
Or perhaps rally factions from every side to confront him together?
What a joke! Huang Tian had committed no evil and had done nothing to destroy the world. Who would be willing to take immense risks merely to 'slay demons and uphold the Dao'?
"As for the True Sage Equaling Heaven, leave him be for now," the Lord Buddha said slowly. "He is the best candidate to bear the tribulation, but not the only one."
A monkey at the Heavenly Immortal realm could not be controlled, but wasn't a monkey at the True Immortal realm entirely at their mercy?
In any case, the True Sage Equaling Heaven was merely the tribulation bearer of highest priority, not the sole choice. Substituting another monkey would serve just as well.
Lotus Tranquility Void-Calming Buddha pondered. "That could work, though the effects of the great trend will inevitably suffer somewhat."
"There is no alternative," the Lord Buddha sighed faintly. "In short, apart from the True Sage Equaling Heaven, proceed with everything according to the original plan."
Lotus Tranquility Void-Calming Buddha nodded. "Then I shall begin searching for a suitable tribulation bearer to replace the True Sage Equaling Heaven."
"Splendid."
With the two Buddhas having concluded their discussion, Fuguang Bodhisattva finished taking inventory of all the treasures. Bearing a pained look, he flew toward the Heavenly Court with them. Only upon arriving did he discover that a grand banquet was underway.
Star Lord Jinde, drinking heartily, caught sight of Fuguang Bodhisattva. His eyes shifted, and he smiled as he pulled him toward the table. "Fuguang Bodhisattva, you arrive right on time! Come, share some fine wine with us!"
"Ah, ha... hehe..."
With a stiff expression, Fuguang Bodhisattva forced a strained smile and took a seat beneath the strange gazes of the immortal officials, subsequently presenting the gifts of apology.
Huang Tian accepted them without offering any mockery, merely continuing to drink alongside the Sovereign Emperor, the Eastern Polar Emperor, and the monkey, occasionally exchanging words on the Dao.
Having delivered the reparation gifts, Fuguang Bodhisattva was dragged by Star Lord Jinde, Star Lord Du'e, and several others to down multiple cups of wine before finally breaking free and hastily taking his leave.
Watching his fleeing back, the immortals exchanged looks and broke into laughter.
The immortal banquet lasted for ten full days. Over those ten days, none could say how much spiritual wine, fine delicacies, and immortal fruits were consumed. In any case, when the banquet dispersed, every immortal official was pleasantly tipsy, departing fully satisfied.
The monkey took his leave as well. At their parting, he said, "I haven't seen my old friends for several hundred years. It's high time I go visit them. When I have leisure another day, I'll ascend to the Heavenly Court to beg a cup of wine from you again."
Huang Tian smiled. "Easily arranged. However, I am about to enter seclusion—perhaps for six or seven years, perhaps over a decade. If you come up to heaven, you'll have to catch me after I emerge."
"A mere decade or so is nothing; I can sleep it away with a quick nap. I'll seek you out when the time comes."
With that, he cupped his hands in a salute. "Old Sun takes his leave!"
He transformed into a stream of light and descended to the lower realm.
Huang Tian, meanwhile, carried the heap of rare treasures toward his new immortal residence. As a Great Heavenly Venerable, he could naturally no longer reside in the True Lord's Estate.
As for his former subordinates, such as Deng Zhangjue, Zhao Zhen, and Tao Xin, they continued to follow his orders, clearing out malevolent demons across Southern Jambudvipa.
Though their cultivation was modest, none dared look down upon them. After all, they were the Great Heavenly Venerable's very first cohort of confidants!
Arriving at his immortal residence, Huang Tian surveyed the many harvested treasures with deep satisfaction. With these immortal pills and rare items, it was more than enough for him to cultivate to the peak of the Heavenly Immortal realm, with plenty to spare!
A quick calculation showed that by constantly consuming pills while cultivating, he would need roughly six years to amass full magic power, after which he could attempt to break through the barrier and step into the Golden Immortal realm!
Six years in the Earth Immortal Realm equaled ninety years in the late Han world. With his comprehension, he should easily discern the threshold of a Golden Immortal.
Barring any unforeseen accidents, the day his magic power reached its fullness would be the day of his breakthrough!
"Time to begin seclusion. I shall not emerge until I attain Golden Immortal!"
Time flew like the waters of a great river, never to return. In the blink of an eye, six years had passed.
State of Jin, the imperial capital.
It was midsummer, the sky bright and clear. The storefronts along the street were all open, colorful shop signs fluttering in the wind. As far as the eye could see, brocades, pearls, and jade were on display, goods and provisions piled high like hills, and the streets bustled with people rubbing shoulders.
Amid this vibrant city life, every single household had an identical yellow silk banner hanging above its lintel.
The yellow silk was three fingers wide, bearing the characters: "High Firmament Central Yellow Most Holy Celestial Pivot Great Heavenly Venerable of Creation."
For today was the day to offer worship to the Great Heavenly Venerable.
In the past, the Great Heavenly Venerable's name had never circulated among the common folk. It was the imperial court and the Court of the Dao that had ordered the populace to offer prayers. Later, traveling merchants from various states spoke of how the Great Heavenly Venerable had dispatched heavenly soldiers and generals to vanquish demons in all quarters and protect mortal peace. The people of every land felt their days grow much more tranquil, hearing far less of malevolent monsters and ghosts, and thus gradually began to venerate the Great Heavenly Venerable.
On this day of worship, an incense altar could be seen before every house or set within every courtyard. A clean cloth of coarse kudzu draped each table, upon which offerings were laid out:
Steamed flatbreads, rice wine, seasonal fruits, a cut of cooked meat, or a steamed fish.
Before the appointed hour arrived, a young child stood before an incense table, staring eagerly at the offerings, drool traitorously dribbling from the corner of his mouth.
"Shoo, get aside! Don't lean on the table and knock it over," the child's father pulled him to one side. "You can eat after we've prayed. You can't touch it right now, understand?"
"Oh~" The child nodded, then asked curiously, "Dad, what does the Great Heavenly Venerable protect?"
"Well, he protects the four seasons, ensuring favorable weather, bountiful harvests, safety, and health."
"Mm... then does he make sure the grand play at Shenlong Quarter the day after tomorrow is good?"
The father patted the child's head, smiling as he scolded, "Stop talking nonsense! When we pray shortly, remember to kowtow a few extra times and ask the Great Heavenly Venerable to bless you with good health and progress in your studies. If you can enter the Court of the Dao in the future, that would be even better."
"Oh~" The child rubbed his head, half-understanding. The father paid him no more heed, walking aside to inspect the incense sticks to be used shortly.
After about a quarter of an hour, someone suddenly shouted from the street, "The hour has come!"
Immediately, men, women, old, and young from every household began their worship. They lit the incense sticks in their hands, their expressions devout as they knelt and prayed.
"May the Great Heavenly Venerable bless our business with prosperity and overflowing wealth!"
"I only pray that my son passes the imperial examination this time."
"May the wind and rain come in season, bringing bumper crops year after year."
"Please bless me to marry a good wife, let my parents stay healthy, and if we could make a fortune too, that would be wonderful..."
"The Great Heavenly Venerable's magic power is boundless. I pray for safe travels along all roads when trading, meeting neither bandits nor robbers, and never running into demons and ghosts."
"My boy is heading to the Court of the Dao in a few days. I beg the Great Heavenly Venerable to bless him to make something of himself, to become a Dao official later, rising above the rest and bringing glory to our ancestors..."
"..."
Amid countless prayers, wisps of blue smoke rose steadily. At first, they gathered into a single plume, then gradually drifted apart as they reached the heights, dissolving into the limpid sky.
Gazing at the azure haze in the sky from within a magnificent manor, Mo Hong, dressed in Daoist robes, stood lost in thought.
"Que'er, what are you thinking about?" An old man in fine brocade approached from behind Mo Hong.
"Dad, stop calling me by my childhood name. I came of age long ago," Mo Hong said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Old Man Mo chuckled. "Habit, habit. Can't change it now."
Mo Hong sighed helplessly. "Fine, call me whatever you like."
Old Man Mo asked again, "I saw you staring up at the sky just now. What were you thinking?"
"Can't you guess? Naturally, it's the Great Heavenly Venerable," Mo Hong said softly. "Whenever I recall the days playing together with him, it feels like a lifetime ago. Thirteen years ago, he left home to seek immortality. Back then, I didn't even know what an immortal was..."
Hearing this, Old Man Mo sighed with emotion. "Now that you mention it, I feel a sense of daze too. Back then, he was only a slip of a youth. When he bade me farewell and set out on that long journey, I worried about the difficult roads and roaming bandits, fearing something might happen to him. Who could have imagined that in just three years, he became an immortal, and then the ruler of our state brought us straight to the capital."
"Three years... Only after entering the Court of the Dao to cultivate did I realize how unbelievable it is to attain immortality in three years!" Mo Hong let out a long breath. "I have cultivated for more than six years now, often guided by the elders of the Court of the Dao and provided with ample resources, yet I have only just barely stepped into the Dao Foundation realm.
"Yet the Great Heavenly Venerable—I heard from the disciples of Xuandong Mountain that he took only three days back then to establish his Dao Foundation!"
Old Man Mo said cheerfully, "What kind of figure is he, and what kind of ordinary folk are we? Don't make comparisons. It's better to keep your feet firmly on the ground."
"How could I ever compare myself to him? I was merely wondering when I might achieve success in my cultivation, ascend to the Heavenly Court, and see him once more," Mo Hong said softly.
His desire to meet again was not born of any wish to climb the social ladder. Even without meeting the Great Heavenly Venerable, no one in the State of Jin, the Court of the Dao, Southern Jambudvipa, or even across the four great continents would dare disrespect him.
Did not even the esteemed Miaoyin Bodhisattva meet her end simply for plotting against Old Man Mo's household?
What lay in his heart was merely regret—regret that since parting thirteen years ago, they had never met again, nor spoken a single word...
Old Man Mo patted his son's shoulder. "In that case, you had better cultivate diligently."
Mo Hong raised his eyes toward the firmament. "I will. I shall cultivate with full devotion, so that when I ascend to the Heavenly Court in the days to come, we may meet again!"
Whoosh—
Just as the living beings of the lower realm were offering their prayers, in an immortal residence within the Heavenly Court, Huang Tian, seated upon a prayer mat, slowly opened his eyes. A brilliant divine light gleamed within them.
A formless yet boundless presence centered upon him, sweeping out in every direction across hundreds of millions of li of open sky. It resonated with the profound Heavenly Dao, immediately sensed by the immortals, sages, and Buddhas across the four great continents.
"Someone has attained Golden Immortal!"
Chapter 204