Kunlun Mountain.

Within the Yuxu Palace, vast and boundless, it was like a miniature world.

Auspicious clouds drifted in the sky, rays of auspicious light in their myriad forms, with layers of auspicious energy; the ground was paved with white jade that remained untainted by a speck of dust, pristine and flawless.

Atop the central Eight Diagram Platform, Yuanshi Tianzun sat cross-legged on a cloud bed, his body radiating immeasurable light.

Below him, a dozen figures with the remarkable aura of transcendence, neatly arrayed in two rows, bowed in salutation towards him.

"Disciples pay respects to Master! May Master live eternally!"

"Rise!"

Yuanshi Tianzun on the cloud bed spoke, his voice calm and indifferent.

"Thank you, Master!"

The group of disciples stood up and seated themselves on their respective meditation cushions.

However, two cushions remained empty still.

"Sect Hierarch, I report..."

Randeng Daoist, seated at the foremost position on the left side, recounted the events that transpired in the Eastern Emperor Heaven in detail.

Yun Zhongzi, at the back, grew anxious as he looked at the two empty cushions in front of him.

Those two cushions belonged to Yu Ding Real Person and Dao Xing Venerable.

After they left the Heavenly Emperor's Secret Capital, they were ambushed by several Asura Demon Kings and Demon Generals from the Netherworld Blood Sea.

Fortunately, Yu Ding Real Person's disciple, Yang Jian, had a breakthrough in his Mystical Skill at the critical moment and managed to use the Heavenly Earth Transformation to delay them for a while. Combined with the timely arrival of Randeng Daoist and the others, the two narrowly escaped disaster.

Nevertheless, they both sustained grievous injuries.

Now, without even reaching Kunlun, they each returned to their respective Daoist sanctuaries and were likely to need a period of convalescence before emerging again.

At this moment, Randeng Daoist had just brought up this matter and said with a puzzled tone: "I have inquired Yu Ding and Dao Xing about their ambush by those Asura Demon Kings, who claimed to be avenging 'Indra' and accused Dao Xing of excessive bullying.

However, afterword, I asked Dao Xing, and he had not had any contact with those Asuras.

Therefore, I suspect someone killed the Demon General Indra of the Blood Sea and then framed Dao Xing for it."

Yuanshi Tianzun said indifferently: "This chain of causality has been obscured; even I cannot see the truth."

Hearing this, all the disciples present felt a chill in their hearts.

Causality obscured?

Was it because the great calamity was nearing, and the Heavenly Mechanism became chaotic, or was it because another Saint had obscured it?

Yuanshi Tianzun did not explain, and the disciples dared not speculate.

At this time, Yuanshi Tianzun spoke again: "However, we cannot let this matter rest."

He looked toward Randeng Daoist and extended his hand to throw a ball of spirit light.

"Take this Yellow Flag of mine to the Netherworld Blood Sea and demand an explanation from Ming River."

Randeng Daoist caught the spirit light, bowed respectfully, and said, "I shall heed the divine command!"

"Dao Xing is now beset by a lethal calamity, and with causality entangled around him, it will naturally be difficult for him to proceed... You all, having not severed the Three Corpse Worms and unable to attain the Dao Fruit of Daluo, will face this as well soon enough."

Guang Chengzi, Chi Jingzi, and the other "Twelve Golden Immortals" immediately looked troubled.

The terror of the Three Corpse Worms was evident from Dao Xing.

Now with the Red Dust Tribulation imminent and calamitous energy stirring the Three Corpse Worms, it was like constantly injecting the three poisons of "greed, hatred, and delusion" into their minds.

Even though they were all profound individuals with a deep-rooted Dao, they could not withstand it.

Considering this, Guang Chengzi stood up with a sense of shame, bowed, and said: "I ask Master for guidance; is there any other way for us to overcome this tribulation?"

Not only him but the rest of the "Twelve Golden Immortals" also stood up and bowed in turn, saying: "We seek Master's guidance."

They did not wish to undergo the tribulation of killing.

To kill or be killed,

it was far too perilous.

Yuanshi Tianzun shook his head, "As I have said before, since you cannot attain the Dao Fruit of Daluo, nor find supreme treasures to protect yourselves, you must face the tribulation of killing directly."

Hearing this, disappointment was clear on the faces of Guang Chengzi and the others, appearing utterly dejected.

Yuanshi Tianzun slightly furrowed his brows, as though not bearing to see it.

Finally, he sighed softly, "When the tribulation of killing comes, you too must make early preparations. If well-prepared, you can avert catastrophe and misfortune, and enjoy eternal blessings... Take care of yourselves and go."

"Thank you, Master, for pointing out the path through the maze."

Guang Chengzi and the other Golden Immortals were both shocked and overjoyed, promptly rose to bow, and then respectfully took their leave.

Yun Zhongzi also followed suit in leaving, curiously asking the now apparently more relaxed Guang Chengzi and others, "Have the senior brothers understood the method to transcend tribulation? I still don't quite understand."

Guang Chengzi looked back at him, laughing enviously, "Junior brother, you do not need to undergo the Red Dust Tribulation; you do not need to understand too much."

At this moment, the towering figure of the Yellow Dragon Daoist said with a wry smile, "Senior brothers, I also did not understand, could someone explain it to me?"

Guang Chengzi and the others glanced at him, speechless.

Ultimately, it was Chi Jingzi who replied irritably, "This method can only be comprehended and not conveyed through words. If you wish to know, then go to the Golden Radiance Cave on Yuquan Mountain and look for our junior brother Yu Ding."

"Eh?"

The Yellow Dragon Daoist paused for a moment, "But junior brother Yu Ding has not heard the words of Master, how could he understand?"

"You, you really are..."

"Think about it carefully."

"Once you see Yu Ding junior brother, you'll understand."

"..."

One after another, the Jie Sect's Golden Immortals passed by Daoist Yellow Dragon with remarks, then ascended into the clouds.

After the last True Monarch of Clear Virtue left, he still stared blankly at Yun Zhongzi and said, "The more I listen, the more confused I get. Junior brother, did you understand?"

Yun Zhongzi pondered and said, "It seems I understand, yet I also seem not to."

"What did you understand? Tell your elder brother quickly."

"It sounds like it has something to do with disciples."

"Disciples? What do we need those for?"

Daoist Yellow Dragon was stunned for a moment, "The calamity is upon us soon, who has the energy to teach disciples? And taking disciples requires giving Spiritual Treasures. I myself am so poor that my pockets jingle, where would I get extra treasures to give them?"

...

Haotian Golden Palace, Miluo Heavenly Palace, Palace of the Polestar.

After a period of repair and reconstruction, the Heavenly Court finally began to resemble the sovereign of the Three Realms.

Everywhere was exquisitely transparent, with layers of dragons and phoenixes soaring.

Especially that bright and deep green South Heavenly Gate, spacious and grandiose, with several divine beings in golden armor standing in front.

Their Dao Xing might be low, but they were strong-bodied and powerful; at least they looked the part.

After all, it wasn't expected of them to truly guard the gates, but they could at least put up a decent front.

It's strange to say.

Ever since the time the Heavenly Emperor personally visited the three Saints, there was a sudden increase in Independent Immortals volunteering for the Heavenly Court.

Overjoyed by this unexpected good news, the Heavenly Emperor and Li Changgeng carefully analyzed it and unanimously believed it was most likely because the news of "refusing" the entry of Jie Sect's Heavenly Immortals into the Heavenly Court as gods had spread widely through the Primordial, making many Independent Immortals see the Heavenly Court as a reliable place.

At least, there were no disciples of the great sects of Saints throwing their weight around here!

To a certain extent, these Independent Immortals volunteering for the Heavenly Court solved the urgent shortage of manpower.

At least they could make the Heavenly Court look decent on the surface, not the desolate wreck it once was.

But what next?

Most of the Independent Immortals who came to the Heavenly Court had a low level of Dao Xing. They could be Heavenly Soldiers and Generals, Child Immortals, but what about those three hundred and sixty-five vacant positions of True Gods, Stars and Constellations, Three Mountains and Five Mountains, and others heavenly positions – who should receive them?

And those countless Mountain Gods and Earth Deities of the Four Great Continents, who would conquer them?

And when could the Dragon Clan of the Four Seas and the River and Sea Gods submit to the Heavenly Court?

The Heavenly Emperor was so troubled by this that he sighed day and night, having not returned to his sleeping palace for a long time, causing the Golden Mother to be so infuriated that she directly built another Yaochi Palace and moved out of the Miluo Palace.

Having learned from this lesson, the Heavenly Emperor began to leave work on time, and when there was nothing to do, he would return to his sleeping palace to rest early.

That day, like usual, the Heavenly Emperor and Li Changgeng were discussing state affairs in the Lingxiao Palace, when they heard a Spiritual Official announce outside: "The Golden Mother arrives!"

Following that, a figure of a woman dressed in a white Immortal Dress appeared inside the palace, graceful and elegant, with an extraordinary demeanor.

Li Changgeng quickly stood up and bowed, "This humble official Li Changgeng pays respect to the Noble Lady."

The Heavenly Emperor also stood up and said with some surprise, "What brings the Noble Lady to the Lingxiao Palace today?"

Golden Mother looked at the Heavenly Emperor and said, "I heard that Your Majesty is troubled with the vacancy of heavenly positions, and I have thought of a solution, so I came to alleviate Your Majesty's worries."

The Heavenly Emperor raised an eyebrow, "What solution?"

The Golden Mother glanced at Li Changgeng beside her, who was about to excuse himself from the room, but heard the Heavenly Emperor gesture with his hand, "Changgeng, my loyal minister, is part of me, and no outsider in the Palace of the Polestar could overhear us, please speak freely."

Li Changgeng was naturally moved.

"Since Your Majesty has faith in me, then I shall stay."

The Golden Mother, who was a resolute and decisive character, after retaining Li Changgeng for a while, spoke directly, "The Innate Ren Water Peach that I cultivated is about to ripen, thus I plan to hold a Peach Banquet and invite the Immortal Gods of all realms to taste the peach..."

"Wonderful! Simply wonderful!"

The Heavenly Emperor exclaimed: "The Innate Ren Water Peach is an extremely valuable Innate Spirit Root, and it would certainly attract many high-level Immortal Gods!"

Just as he finished, he hesitated, "But how many Ren Shui Peaches can your one Spirit Root bear? I'm afraid if too many Immortal Gods come, there won't be enough peaches to go around, right?"

"I have also thought of this."

The Golden Mother confidently said: "I have divided that one Innate Ren Water Peach into upper, middle, and lower Grades, totaling three thousand six hundred. Different grades will entertain Immortal Gods of different levels, so we need not worry about insufficient peaches."

"Hahaha... Brilliant, brilliant! The Noble Lady has indeed thought everything through!"

The Heavenly Emperor rejoiced and said: "After the Heavenly Court has been refurbished, we shall organize a grand Peach Banquet! I want all the myriad Immortal Gods to fall into my net!"

Li Changgeng was struck by an idea, looking at the Heavenly Emperor and suggested, "Your Majesty, Noble Lady, if we are to hold the Peach Banquet, we cannot fail to invite the disciples of the great Saints; if at the time Your Majesty takes the opportunity to invite them to join the Heavenly Court during the banquet..."

The Heavenly Emperor immediately understood his meaning and frowned, "Last time, I already offended the various Saints; if it happens again, I'm afraid those elder brothers of mine might not let me off... This is not suitable."

Li Changgeng was somewhat disappointed but dared not say more.

At that moment, the Golden Mother said with interest, "Wasn't Your Majesty lamenting over those Twelve Golden Immortals of Chan Sect? They once assisted the Human Emperor, leading the rise of the Human Race, and enjoyed great repute among all Immortals of the Three Realms.

If we could make them bow their heads and pledge allegiance, it would be of great significance to our Heavenly Court!

Indeed, the Peach Banquet is an opportunity that Your Majesty should not miss."

"This..."

The Heavenly Emperor hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded, "Since the Noble Lady has spoken so, I will try it once more."

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