Chapter 55: A Blunder, the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals Descend

Nanji Xianweng pondered briefly: "Teacher, the Jie Sect cultivates only magical power, not virtue, and their actions have always been unscrupulous; perhaps they already laid plans in Morning Song, and our momentary oversight let them seize the initiative."

Yuanshi Tianzun snorted coldly: "The Jie Sect, a bunch ignorant of heavenly numbers, unaware of expounding the Heavenly Dao, acting so recklessly, ruining my sect's grand plan, will certainly not be lenient!"

The sage's anger made heaven and earth change color.

Kunlun Mountain's originally clear sky instantly filled with dark clouds, covering the entire heavens in a sky‑covering, earth‑blanketing manner.

Immediately, bolts of lightning danced like silver snakes, tearing apart the dark sky.

Inside the Jade Void Palace, Yuanshi Tianzun's sage power surged throughout his body; the surrounding space seemed unable to withstand his wrath, beginning to warp and crack.

Had it not been for the suppression of the sage's dojo, the surrounding space would have already been annihilated.

The terrifying aura made Nanji Xianweng tremble with fear, and he hastily said: "Teacher, please calm your anger."

Yuanshi Tianzun restrained his aura, fell silent for a moment, then said slowly: "We need to replan, find a way to break the situation. Nanji, immediately send people to thoroughly investigate the Jie Sect's movements in Morning Song, leaving no detail unexamined."

Nanji Xianweng responded: "I will dutifully follow the Teacher's command; I will make the arrangements now." After speaking, Nanji Xianweng bowed and withdrew.

……

The Thirty-Three Heavens.

the Heavenly Court

Mist and clouds drifted, immortal qi permeated the air.

Majestic palaces of immortals stood upon the clouds, resplendent in gold and jade, with rosy light radiating everywhere.

Railings of white jade, flooring of glazed tile—everywhere displayed luxury and dignity.

The Southern Heaven Gate stood towering and majestic, its flanking guards solemn and stern.

Entering, celestial music floated, immortal cranes danced gracefully, jeweled flowers and exotic vied for beauty, and spiritual springs and waterfalls flowed amidst them.

At that moment, Haotian the Supreme Emperor was feeding fish in a tranquil courtyard.

One day in heaven, one year on earth,

When attending court today, Haotian heard the good news that a Chan Sect disciple, Wei Hu, had made the list.

Although he was only a third‑generation disciple, hearing the news made Haotian delighted, and his headache vanished.

The long‑awaited battle of the three teachings was about to begin.

Today he was in good spirits; after handling a day's affairs, Haotian felt no fatigue and still had the leisure to feed the fish.

The Immortal Pond shimmered with rippling light, and various colored koi swam happily in the water.

Haotian wore a nine‑dragon gold robe, a purple‑gold crown upon his head, his demeanor tranquil, holding a refined fish feed, which he gently scattered into the pond.

Watching the fish vie for food, Haotian's lips curled slightly, revealing a faint smile.

He wore a look of complete confidence.

"The way these fish scramble for food is rather like the present three teachings of the Mystic Gate."

"Fight, struggle— the fiercer your conflict, the more intense your battle, the better the quality of subordinates you'll send for me to command."

"Especially the Chan Sect disciples— the more who make the list, the better; ideally all Twelve Golden Immortals of the Jade Void would be listed, to come work for me."

A heavenly official beside him held his breath, standing silently aside, not daring to disturb Haotian's leisure.

After pouring all the fish feed from his hand into the Immortal Pond, Haotian asked: "I've heard that Longji isn't staying properly in the Azure Phoenix Tower to cultivate, but has returned to the Heavenly Court?"

"Your Majesty, Princess Longji indeed returned to the Heavenly Court once, but she soon went back down to the mortal realm," the heavenly official replied, head lowered, speaking carefully.

"What did she come back to do?" Haotian asked, his tone flat yet carrying immense authority.

"Your Majesty, Princess Longji returned to investigate a person," the heavenly official replied, head lowered, speaking carefully.

"Investigate a person?" Haotian's eyes showed doubt: "Who is it she wishes to investigate?"

"It is a person named Hongjin, a third‑generation disciple of the Jie Sect."

"A Jie Sect disciple?" Haotian fell into deep thought: "Could this person have something special about him?"

"Your Majesty, Hongjin is a mortal of average ability, merely an ordinary third‑generation disciple of the Jie Sect, taught by an ordinary true immortal of the Jie Sect, with nothing special about him."

Haotian fell silent for a moment; given such background, Princess Longji could not possibly develop ordinary affection. He waved his hand: "Never mind, continue to watch Longji's movements, let her cultivate properly in the Azure Phoenix Tower, and await orders."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Haotian thought again: "Right, any news about those two troublemakers, Yang Jian and Yang Chan?"

"Your Majesty, we have been monitoring Yang Jian's whereabouts; after he went out for training, he has indeed been continuously training to increase his strength, with no other activity. As for Yang Chan…" the heavenly official said, his voice trailing off, his expression showing hesitation.

Haotian raised his brow and snapped: "What's the situation with Yang Chan? Why are you hesitating?"

The heavenly official hastily lowered his head and said: "Please calm your anger, Your Majesty; as for Yang Chan, we only knew she was in the dojo of the Jie Sect's Three‑Miasma Mother, but we still have not grasped her exact whereabouts."

Haotian snorted coldly: "A bunch of useless trash!"

At that moment, a heavenly soldier came running over.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Haotian glanced sideways, his expression stern: "What is it?"

"Your Majesty, while monitoring Princess Longji's movements, we discovered she had gone out twice to meet a person."

Upon hearing this, Haotian's eyes narrowed and he said in a low voice: "Do you know who it is?"

"This person seems to be a disciple of the Jie Sect."

Thinking of Princess Longji coming to heaven to investigate Hongjin, Haotian's brows knotted and his voice grew darker: "She must be going to see Hongjin— a mere third‑generation Jie Sect disciple daring to harbor designs on Longji; summon the Giant Spirit God."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the heavenly soldier replied, and quickly turned and left.

Not long after, the Giant Spirit God— broad‑shouldered, thick‑waisted, with eyes like bells— strode forward, knelt on one knee, and paid his respects: "Greetings, Your Majesty; I do not know why you have summoned me, what are your orders?"

"Giant Spirit God, I command you to lead 100,000 heavenly soldiers and two great divine generals down to the mortal realm to give Hongjin a lesson, keep him away from Longji, and be careful not to kill him— after all, he is a disciple‑grandson of Master Tongtian's brothers; if you kill him, I'll have trouble explaining it."

The Giant Spirit God clasped his fists and replied: "I will obey your command!"

Having said that, he rose and strode away with swift steps.

……

Clear Ripple Abode.

Gu Xiu still hadn't gone to Three Immortals Island, remaining in Clear Ripple Abode.

Just as he was leisurely admiring the peach blossoms.

Patch after patch of dark, heavy clouds suddenly appeared in the sky.

Doubt filled his eyes.

How come there are so many heavenly soldiers and generals? Could it be that the Heavenly Emperor's daughter has again developed thoughts for the mortal world, been taken by a mortal? This caused Haotian to fly into a thunderous rage, and he again sent the Giant Spirit God to lead the heavenly soldiers and generals down to the lower realm to capture her back?

Gu Xiu didn't pay much attention; in his impression, every daughter of the Heavenly Emperor had been taken by a mortal.

But when he noticed the dark heavenly soldiers and generals pressing down like a black cloud, heading toward Clear Ripple Abode.

Gu Xiu was intrigued, watching this unexpected guest.

Could it be that they've come looking for me?

As he pondered, the heavenly soldiers and generals soon arrived above Clear Ripple Abode.

The two great generals were stalwart and muscular, like an immovable mountain.

The Giant Spirit God stood several zhang tall, with thick eyebrows like brushes, eyes like copper bells, awe-inspiring even without anger; the cold light of his flower‑patterned axe flashed.

Behind them, the heavenly soldiers and generals stood in neat rows, each with a solemn expression; their armor gleamed in the sunlight, exuding a chilling aura.