Chapter 277

Yun Xiao's beautiful brows furrowed slightly, a hint of hesitation in her eyes.

"This is an affair of the Chan Sect and the Heavenly Court; rashly intervening would be inappropriate, and we have no reason to help the Heavenly Court."

"As the eldest of the Three Xiao, there is much to consider, so Gu Xiu had long anticipated that Yun Xiao would hesitate."

He gave a slight smile: "Master, I have asked Haotian for some things; if that fails, we can just go watch a show."

Those words drew curious glances from the Three Xiao.

Yun Xiao's beautiful eyes were full of doubt: "What things?"

Gu Xiu's expression remained calm as he briefly said two words: "Divine position."

"What do you want this for? Do you perhaps intend to take a post in the Heavenly Court?" Yun Xiao furrowed her brows slightly.

Bi Xiao blinked, looking at Gu Xiu: "You wouldn't be so foolish as to seek a post in the Heavenly Court, would you? The Heavenly Court has nothing good—its rules are countless. How could it compare to the freedom of Three Immortals Island, with us and your eldest sister keeping you company?"

Qiong Xiao also chimed in: "Junior apprentice-uncle, your talent is extraordinary; don't act foolishly."

Gu Xiu shook his head: "No, I am merely considering the future of my Jie Sect. The Dao Ancestor established the Investiture of the Gods; regardless of whether our sect wishes it, he will inevitably send people over. Thus I have asked Haotian for some positions with real authority to reserve for my Jie Sect, to be called upon when needed."

Although I don't know what Gu Xiu intends, Yun Xiao believes his actions surely have deep meaning, and a touch of contemplation appears on her exquisite face.

"Very well, let us go to the heavenly realm to have a look; if Haotian refuses, we'll just treat it as a tour of the heavens."

Yun Xiao spoke softly and gently, her voice light and melodious.

Upon hearing they would go to heaven together, Bi Xiao was overjoyed, truly treating it as an outing.

Qiong Xiao rose to her feet, assuming a solemn readiness, her gaze resolute.

"Third sister, no matter what, we must act cautiously; don't treat this as mere play."

Thereupon, the Three Xiao and Gu Xiu set out together for the outskirts of Three Immortals Island.

Tai Bai Jin Xing waited anxiously outside Three Immortals Island, glancing about from time to time; upon seeing the Three Xiao and Gu Xiu approach together, his tightly knotted brows instantly relaxed, and a smile spread across his face.

He silently thought, "This time the danger to the Heavenly Court can be resolved."

He hurried forward to pay his respects: "I, the minor deity, pay my respects to the Three Xiao Ladies."

Yun Xiao nodded slightly, her demeanor dignified, and lightly opened her vermilion lips: "Tai Bai Jin Xing, we have already heard the matter from Gu Xiu; whether it succeeds still requires Haotian's approval, so let us first go to heaven and discuss it there."

Tai Bai Jin Xing, equally eager to return and report, nodded repeatedly: "Lady Yun Xiao speaks truly; we shall now ascend to heaven, and I will surely have the Emperor agree to your request."

Several people no longer delayed, flew up to heaven, their bodies wreathed in immortal light, turning into splendid ribbons of rainbow light, arriving in the heavens.

Because Taiyi Zhenren was causing trouble, all the immortals and Haotian were in the Lingxiao Treasure Hall.

As soon as Tai Bai Xing Jun reached heaven, he immediately went to the Lingxiao Treasure Hall to report.

"Tai Bai Xing Jun, I pay my respects to Your Majesty."

At this moment, in the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, the atmosphere was grave; the immortals' faces were anxious, all worrying that Taiyi Zhenren would come here to cause trouble.

Seeing Tai Bai Xing Jun return, they all looked anxious, eager to know the outcome.

Haotian glanced at Tai Bai Xing Jun, seeing no sign of having been beaten on him, felt puzzled, and asked.

"Tai Bai Xing Jun, did your mission to seek aid at the Bi You Palace yield any results?"

Tai Bai Xing Jun clasped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, this time I did not go to the Bi You Palace."

Upon hearing this, the immortals were startled and began to blame Tai Bai Xing Jun.

"Tai Bai Xing Jun, Your Majesty entrusted you with such an important matter—how could you be so negligent and derelict in your duty?" an immortal official glared, his tone stern.

"Tai Bai Xing Jun, if anything goes wrong in the Heavenly Court, you will be the culprit." another immortal could not help but blame him.

For a while, accusations rose and fell, and the entire Lingxiao Treasure Hall descended into chaos.

Upon hearing this, Haotian couldn't help but feel delighted.

Tai Bai Xing Jun usually serves the Heavenly Court diligently and conscientiously.

Seeing no sign of having been beaten on him, Haotian really worried that Tai Bai Xing Jun had summoned the Jie Sect's people.

Who would have thought that Tai Bai Xing Jun would also have a day of negligence, yet Haotian felt no blame at all.

But seeing the immortals blame Tai Bai Xing Jun, he could not openly praise him.

"Tai Bai Xing Jun, this time it's your fault; although you didn't bring in outside help, I simply don't believe Taiyi Zhenren would really dare to tear down this Heavenly Court."

Facing the immortals' accusations, Tai Bai Xing Jun said calmly: "Your Majesty, I indeed did not go to the Bi You Palace this time, but that does not mean I failed to summon aid."

Upon hearing this, the immortals all slightly startled, and then fell silent for a moment.

"Tai Bai Xing Jun, what do you mean by that?"

"Could it be that you summoned someone outside the Jie Sect?"

"But aside from fellow disciples of the sage, which wandering immortal could defeat Taiyi Zhenren?"

Haotian also cast a curious glance, and in a deep voice said: "Tai Bai Xing Jun, since you did not go to the Bi You Palace, then whom did you summon?"

"Your Majesty, I originally intended to go down to the realm to seek aid at the Bi You Palace, but on the way I was stopped by Princess Longji; her words made me suddenly enlightened, so I went to the Three Immortals Island to visit the Three Xian Ladies."

After hearing this, the immortals whispered among themselves.

Although the Three Xian Ladies devoted themselves to cultivation on the Three Immortals Island, their fame spread far and wide; upon hearing their name, the immortals grew quieter and then showed smiles.

"If we could summon the Three Xian Ladies, Taiyi Zhenren would surely know to retreat."

"Yes, yes."

Upon hearing this, Haotian's face darkened; he had not expected Tai Bai Xing Jun to run to the Three Immortals Island to seek the Three Xian Ladies.

The key proposal was actually put forward by his own daughter, and he was quite displeased.

"Tai Bai Xing Jun, as far as I know, the Three Xian Ladies devote themselves to the Dao and care nothing for worldly affairs; could it be that they have agreed to come aid the Heavenly Court?"

Tai Bai Xing Jun clasped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, the Three Xian Ladies have indeed come, but I did not summon them."

"Not summoned by you? Then who summoned them?" Haotian asked, puzzled.

"Your Majesty, it's like this..." Tai Bai Xing Jun directly said that, having listened to Princess Longji's words, he went to the Three Immortals Island and directly visited Gu Xiu.

Upon hearing that Taiyi Zhenren was causing trouble in the Heavenly Palace, Gu Xiu agreed to come help, and then summoned the Three Xian Ladies to come to heaven to assist.

Upon hearing this, the myriad immortals and deities all began to praise Princess Longji.

"Princess Longji is extraordinarily wise; she actually thought of using the relationship of being Yun Xiao's disciple to bring the Three Xian Ladies here to rescue the Heavenly Court."

While the immortals and deities were rejoicing, Haotian's face darkened, but since things had come to this, he had no choice but to ask.

"Venus Star, since you've brought the Three Xian Ladies here, where are they now?"

"Your Majesty, they are now outside the Southern Heaven Gate, watching as True Person Taiyi wreaks havoc in the Heavenly Palace."

Haotian wondered: "They actually came out; why aren't they taking action, just standing outside watching?"

The Venus Star explained: "Your Majesty, when I went to seek aid, Gu Xiu put forward a condition; only if you agree will they act, otherwise they'd just be sightseeing in the Heavenly Court."

Upon hearing this, Haotian furrowed his brows.

The immortals and deities present could not wait to offer their opinions.

"Your Majesty, the Heavenly Court faces peril; I believe that as long as it's not too excessive, we should agree within what the Heavenly Court can manage."

Faced with the immortals' agreement, Haotian had no choice but to ask: "Venus Star, I don't know what condition Gu Xiu has raised."

"Your Majesty, Gu Xiu says that although the Investiture of the Gods was initiated by the Chan Sect, the Investiture of the Gods list was established by the Dao Ancestor, so the Jie Sect cannot stay out of it; therefore Gu Xiu has previously asked our Heavenly Court for two supreme emperor divine posts and several positions holding real power, and as long as Your Majesty agrees and swears an oath to the Heavenly Dao, the Three Xian Ladies will act to help deal with True Person Taiyi."

After a pause, the Venus Star continued.

"Furthermore, if the Chan Sect dares to attack Heaven again, as long as they seek aid from the Jie Sect, we will come to their assistance."

This condition entails no loss for the Heavenly Court.

The immortals and deities voiced their agreement.

"Your Majesty, this request is not excessive; our Heavenly Court can maintain good relations with the Jie Sect, and if the Heavenly Court has the Jie Sect's backing, we need not fear disciples of the Chan Sect causing trouble."

One immortal said: "I think we might as well give the remaining two supreme emperor positions to the Jie Sect as well; that would show our sincerity."

……

Faced with the request of the immortals and deities, Haotian's expression darkened slightly.

I never expected the Jie Sect to be so easy to talk to.

Although this differs from the original plan, the original purpose was to make the Heavenly Court better and have strong enforcers.

Now the Jie Sect is willing to assist the Heavenly Court, even indicating that in the future, if there are matters, they can come to help; granting them these divine posts is not unacceptable.

He pondered carefully in his heart.

These divine posts are for the three teachings; giving them to anyone is giving, and the Heavenly Court suffers no loss.

At the same time, True Person Taiyi's troublemaking and the Jie Sect's disciples taking action will surely hasten the outbreak of conflict between the two teachings, accelerating the progress of the Investiture of the Gods, so that by then the Heavenly Court will have no shortage of usable personnel.

He gathered his thoughts and slowly spoke.

"Very well, I agree; for the three teachings' Investiture of the Gods, at least reserve two supreme emperor positions for the Jie Sect, along with several important positions holding real power; may the Heavenly Dao bear witness……"

"Your Majesty is sagacious." Seeing Haotian swear an oath to the Heavenly Dao, all the immortals bowed in salute.

The Venus Star beamed: "Your Majesty, I will now go inform Gu Xiu and the Three Xian Ladies of this."

Gu Xiu had been outside the main hall, checking the situation inside.

Seeing Haotian agree to the request, his form vanished from the spot and he arrived outside the Southern Heaven Gate.

The Three Xian Ladies were watching from afar as True Person Taiyi wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace; at this moment, True Person Taiyi had already fought his way to the twenty-second heaven.

Seeing Gu Xiu appear, Bi Xiao quickly went up to inquire: "How is it? Has Haotian agreed to our conditions?"

Gu Xiu nodded: "Haotian has indeed agreed to our conditions."

"That's good; once the Venus Star comes out, we should give True Person Taiyi a taste of his own medicine," Bi Xiao said.

At this moment, True Person Taiyi's eyes turned red with killing intent; his aura grew ever more violent, his eyes revealing endless madness and murderous intent, making him appear increasingly berserk.

He had fought straight from the first heaven to the twenty-second heaven, apparently intending to continue all the way to the thirty-third heaven, to the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, to confront Haotian.

Gu Xiu furrowed his brows slightly, a hint of solemnity and disgust in his eyes.

"True Person Taiyi seems a bit mad; no wonder he would incite Nezha to kill Li Jing—he himself is clearly a lunatic."

In the short span of their conversation, True Person Taiyi again fought from the twenty-second heaven up to the twenty-third heaven, and the heavenly soldiers and generals could not stop him.

Yun Xiao raised her brows slightly; although she had long known, the present Heavenly Court cannot compare to the former boundless splendor of the demon court.

But she never expected it to be this bad; a single True Person Taiyi could turn the Heavenly Court upside down.

Bi Xiao's pretty face was full of contempt and disdain.

"No wonder the Heavenly Court has no dignity in the three realms; a single True Person Taiyi can overturn it, and there's basically no one who can stop him."

At this moment, the Venus Star hurried over, his face showing urgency and respect.

"Esteemed Gu Xiu, Three Xian Ladies, you are here."

"Venus Star, no need for pleasantries—has Haotian agreed to our conditions?" Seeing True Person Taiyi rampaging in the Heavenly Court, Bi Xiao couldn't bear it and wanted to teach him a lesson, so she couldn't help but ask.

The Venus Star replied: "Lady Bi Xiao, Your Majesty has already agreed to your conditions."

"Then let's act now to drive True Person Taiyi away from the Heavenly Court." Yun Xiao's expression turned slightly solemn: "Second sister, third sister, let's go give True Person Taiyi a lesson."

Gu Xiu currently does not want to draw too much attention, so he lets the Three Xian Ladies take action.

True Person Taiyi was in the midst of his berserk slaughter when he saw the Three Xian Ladies standing ahead and came to a halt.

"Are you the Three Xian Ladies of the Jie Sect?"

Back when the Three Pure Ones had not yet split, disciples of the two teachings often clashed, but the Three Xian Ladies did not participate in those disputes, so they had few chances to show themselves; moreover, the split of the Three Pure Ones had already been a long time ago.

True Person Taiyi was unfamiliar with the Three Xian Ladies and asked uncertainly.

Yun Xiao replied calmly, her voice clear and serene: "We are indeed the Three Xian Ladies of the Jie Sect. True Person Taiyi, as a disciple of the Jade Void Gate and one of the Twelve Golden Immortals, yet you are wreaking havoc in the Heavenly Court; it is not too late to cease now."

True Person Taiyi laughed loudly, his laughter wild and unrestrained: "Nonsense, what does my conduct as a Jade Void Gate disciple have to do with you Jie Sect? Or do you Jie Sect intend to interfere in this?"

"You are acting wantonly in the Heavenly Court; the Heavenly Court has come to the Jie Sect for aid, so our intervention is entirely justified." Yun Xiao's expression remained calm, merely her eyes narrowing slightly.

True Person Taiyi sneered, his smile full of scorn: "I, of the Chan Sect, expound the Heavenly Dao; Nezha bears the heavenly mandate and came, yet the Heavenly Court killed him; Haotian, who disregards the heavenly numbers, is unfit to sit in this position."

"I will definitely fight my way up to the thirty-third heaven and smash the Lingxiao Treasure Hall; this is the direction of the heavenly numbers, you Jie Sect who do not understand the heavenly numbers, still want to stop me?"

Taiyi Zhenren raised his voice, with a hint of madness, "Today I must reach the thirty‑threefold heavens and smash the Lingxiao Hall. This is the will of Heaven's decree; you Jie Sect fools who do not understand the decree still dare to stop me?"

In the original Great Battle of the Lich, the Demon Court collapsed during the fighting, and Di Jun and Taiyi fell in battle.

Hongjun immediately summoned the Six Saints to discuss candidates for the new Heavenly Emperor.

The Ren Sect, the Chan Sect, the Jie Sect, and the Western Sect all nominated their senior disciples for the Heavenly Emperor position.

Especially Yuanshi Tianzun argued vigorously that Guang Chengzi should be appointed Heavenly Emperor.

In fact, Hongjun already had a candidate, having pre‑selected Haotian; he summoned the Six Saints merely to go through a formality, to act as witnesses, not to have them discuss the Heavenly Emperor selection.

This displeased the Chan Sect's Twelve Golden Immortals, who knew the whole affair.

That was also one of the reasons they previously attacked the Heavenly Court.

At present, the matter of Nezha has once again sparked Taiyi Zhenren's inner fury.

Gu Xiu intended to retort, but Bi Xiao beat him to it.

"Taiyi Zhenren, your Chan Sect disciples keep babbling about the decree, using it as an excuse. Now the decree shows you will be beaten up by us." Bi Xiao said bluntly.

Taiyi Zhenren snorted coldly: "You Jie Sect lot, lacking any virtue, how could you understand the decree? Today I'll let you see that before the people of my Jade Void Gate, your Jie Sect is utterly powerless."

Taiyi Zhenren waved the dust‑sweeper in his hand, sending a surging celestial force toward Sanxiao.

Yun Xiao lifted her jade hand and waved, dispersing it; her elegant brows knit together.

"Taiyi Zhenren, since you attacked us, you can't blame us."

Having said that, Sanxiao struck together.

Taiyi Zhenren saw it, hurriedly defended, and when the two forces met—

Taiyi Zhenren was blasted outward, spitting blood, and dared not underestimate Sanxiao again.

He invoked the Nine Dragon Divine Fire Veil.

"Since you're courting death, you can't blame me!"

The Nine Dragon Divine Fire Veil blazed with fierce flames; nine mighty fire dragons circled it, baring fangs and claws, spewing scorching fire.

The flames roared, heat waves surged, and the surrounding space was warped and deformed by the terrifying temperature.

Yun Xiao saw this and hurriedly warned, "Second sister, third sister, the Nine Dragon Divine Fire Veil is no trivial matter; we must not underestimate it. We'll invoke the Mixed Primordial Golden Dipper."

Even alone, Yun Xiao could handle Taiyi Zhenren.

But the three sisters were close, and to give Qiongxiao and Bi Xiao a sense of participation,

the three of them cast together, a dazzling golden light surged skyward, and the Mixed Primordial Golden Dipper manifested.

A thousand strands of auspicious qi rose, like a golden sun hanging high in the sky; the Golden Dipper spun rapidly, emitting a powerful suction as if it could devour heaven and earth.

In Taiyi Zhenren's astonished gaze, the Nine Dragon Divine Fire Veil was drawn into the Mixed Primordial Golden Dipper.

Seeing that even the Nine Dragon Divine Fire Veil could not handle Sanxiao, Taiyi Zhenren turned to flee.

But Gu Xiu had already blocked him, and Sanxiao rushed over at the same time,

"Taiyi Zhenren, where do you think you're running to?"