Chapter 97

Knowing that saying more is useless, Tai Bai Jinxing could only say resentfully: "Tai Bai will now return to the Heavenly Court to report; I understand you are eager to save your mother, but don't act rashly!"

Before leaving, Tai Bai Jinxing still didn't forget to offer words of mediation; not long ago, the Twelve Golden Immortals had stormed the Heavenly Court, already causing it to lose all face.

If Yang Jian were to storm heaven again, the Heavenly Court would truly become a laughingstock among the Three Realms.

"Stop talking; if you don't leave now, you'll never leave again!"

Yang Jian summoned his three-pointed double-edged blade; the blade flickered with a cold gleam, exuding a fierce aura.

The Howling Heavenly Dog stood aside, baring its teeth and growling, barking furiously at Tai Bai Jinxing; with just a gesture from Yang Jian, it would leap forward to tear and bite at any moment.

Seeing this, Tai Bai Jinxing's face instantly turned pallor, and he unconsciously stepped back a few paces.

"Yang Jian, don't act rashly, don't act rashly; little immortal, I'm leaving now, I'm leaving." Having said that, Tai Bai Jinxing dared not linger, transforming into a streak of light and fleeing in panic.

Yang Jian, seeing this, put away his three-pointed double-edged blade and looked toward Yang Chan.

"Third sister, with Second Brother here, the Heavenly Court dare not bully us."

Yang Chan nodded, her eyes full of reliance and trust in Yang Jian.

The Howling Heavenly Dog also calmed down, circling around Yang Jian's feet.

Gu Xiu watched from the side.

This Yang Jian truly lives up to being a person with a protagonist template; his domineering aura overflows.

However, the sibling bond between them is truly strong.

Now that Yang Chan is with him, their fates have undergone some changes.

As long as we don't let Yang Chan stay alone on Mount Hua for too long, there won't be the incident with Liu Yanchang, and the siblings should not turn against each other.

While pondering, Yang Jian and Yang Chan walked over.

"Master, I spoke rashly just now, uttering words that provoked the Heavenly Court's authority; will this bring trouble to you?"

Gu Xiu came to, looked at the pair of siblings, and gave a slight smile: "It's fine; since I have decided to support you, I will not fear any trouble the Heavenly Court may bring."

"Master's great kindness, I will never forget." Yang Jian couldn't help but bow.

Gu Xiu stepped forward and lightly patted Yang Jian's shoulder: "Don't say that; as master and disciple we ought to support each other, but I heard you split Tao Shan?"

"At that time, seeing my mother suffering under the pressure of Tao Shan, I lost my reason for a moment, only wishing to rescue her; please forgive me, Master." A flicker of self-reproach crossed Yang Jian's eyes.

Gu Xiu sighed deeply: "Your urgency to save your mother I can understand, but the timing is wrong; after this heavenly catastrophe passes and your strength increases further, then undertake the task of splitting the mountain."

"Disciple, listen to the Master."

Gu Xiu nodded.

Thereupon, Yang Jian and Yang Chan departed, each going about their own business.

The Heavenly Court.

Clouds and mist swirl, the immortal palaces loom majestic.

Tai Bai Jinxing returned from the Three Immortals Island to heaven, and at once went to report to Haotian.

Upon hearing that the matter had been botched,

Haotian furrowed his brows: "Tai Bai Jinxing, I had high hopes for you, yet you can't even handle this small matter; you have utterly disappointed me."

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger; I have done my utmost to persuade, but they simply won't listen." Tai Bai Jinxing said, bowing low.

Hearing Tai Bai Jinxing make excuses for his incompetence, Haotian was about to flare up when his head began to ache, so he could only rub his temples.

He drew a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his anger, and said in a low voice: "Never mind; the entire court of immortals and gods is nothing but a bunch of useless gluttons. Now we shall see whether the Investiture of the Gods can furnish me with a few talented generals. As for Yang Jian, a mere Yang Jian dares to shout grandly to heaven seeking justice? It's sheer nonsense; if he dares to come, I will ensure he never returns."

"Your Majesty, Yang Jian and Yang Chan are after all the children of Yao Ji; now they are mighty, vastly different from before. At present the Heavenly Court lacks anyone capable; why not pacify them and have them serve the Heavenly Court?" Tai Bai Jinxing offered this advice cautiously, his forehead beaded with fine sweat, fearful of provoking the irate Haotian.

Haotian glanced down at Tai Bai Jinxing and said coldly: "Pacify them? Hmph, Yao Ji is still pressed beneath Tao Shan; even if I wished, would they be willing?"

"Your Majesty, Yao Ji is after all your sister, not to mention…"

Before Tai Bai Jinxing could finish, Haotian cut him off: "Tai Bai Jinxing, do you intend to let me release Yao Ji and show her leniency?"

"Your Majesty, I believe you have already punished Yao Ji sufficiently; offering her leniency in exchange for Yang Jian and Yang Chan serving the Heavenly Court is also not impossible."

"No way!" Haotian firmly rejected this proposal: "Yao Ji, as the goddess who governs the Realm of Desire, yet takes the lead in entertaining mortal thoughts and marrying a mortal to bear children—her crime is unforgivable! If not severely punished, where would the dignity of the Heavenly Court remain? Would the heavenly laws and regulations still be respected by the myriad immortals?"

Haotian was in a foul mood, flicking his sleeves: "Step back; I need to rest properly."

Taibai Jinxing quickly lowered their head, performed a salute, and said, "Your servant will take his leave now."

After coming out.

Taibai Jinxing glanced down at the mortal realm and sighed.

"Yang Jian, Yang Chan, I have already pleaded before His Majesty on your behalf for you and Yao Ji, but His Majesty is unmoved, and I can do nothing."

Time flew by.

In the Heavenly Court, after experiencing this brief moment.

Quite some time has passed in the mortal realm.

Nezha returned from having completed his studies at the Golden Light Cave on Qianyuan Mountain, and came back to Chen Tang Guan.

That day, while Nezha was playing, because the weather was hot, he intended to go into the water to bathe.

At that moment.

On Three Immortals Island.

Gu Xiu sat cross-legged on the reef, and a system task notification sounded in Gu Xiu's mind.

"Ding!"

"It has been detected that Nezha, because of the heat, is about to come to the Eastern Sea to bathe, triggering an event selection. Please, host, make a choice."

"Choice One: Ignore this matter, reward a Peach of Immortality!"

"Choice Two: Prevent Nezha from going to the Eastern Sea to bathe, reward a top-grade innate spiritual treasure, the Starsaber Ancient Sword! (It can resonate with the power of the heavenly stars; under starlight, its power doubles, drawing on the power of the heavenly stars to attack!)"

"Choice Three: When Nezha and Ao Bing clash and attempt to draw out Ao Bing's dragon tendon, intervene to save him, thus forming a good affinity with the Dragon Palace! Reward: a Daluo Dao Fruit!" (Produced by the system, definitely a premium product; direct consumption can lead straight to Daluo Golden Immortality.)

Gu Xiu slightly opened his eyes, his expression calm: 'Has Nezha already returned from Mount Qianyuan to Chen Tang Guan?'

Since Gu Xiu already knew the plot, he felt no surprise at all.

After looking at the three options before him, he pondered briefly.

He directly eliminated the first option; the reward offered was not to Gu Xiu's taste.

The second option offered a top-grade innate spiritual treasure, which was still quite attractive, but Gu Xiu already had three top-grade innate magical treasures in hand that he couldn't even use.

His gaze fell on the third option: 'Before, they gave the Great Luo Dao Fruit several times, but I always gave it up directly; now my magical treasures are sufficient, so I'll choose the Great Luo Dao Fruit.'

'System, I choose three.'

'Ding!'

'Selection successful, mission time limit three days; please complete it as soon as possible, host, or the mission will be void after the deadline!'

Having accepted the mission, Gu Xiu thought about the relevant details of Nezha's disturbance of the sea.

'It seems Nezha first killed the yaksha, then it was Ao Bing's turn.'

'If the yaksha doesn't die, Ao Bing won't appear; it looks like the yaksha is doomed to die,'

Just as he was about to leave Three Immortals Island, Yang Jian suddenly appeared and called out to him.

'Master.'

Gu Xiu stopped: 'Yang Jian, is it you? Do you have something?'

'Nothing much, just strolling nearby; seeing Master approach, I greeted you—are you going out?' Yang Jian strode over.

Gu Xiu smiled slightly: 'Master indeed needs to go out to handle some matters; would you like to come along?'

This was the first time Gu Xiu had let Yang Jian follow him, which surprised Yang Jian a bit.

He blinked slightly, then a delighted smile appeared on his face.

'Disciple naturally wishes to follow Master.'

The two left Three Immortals Island; Gu Xiu led Yang Jian to the coast of the Eastern Sea, where they halted in the sky.

Gu Xiu bore an otherworldly aura, his robes fluttering, his posture upright, his expression calm as he looked down upon the Eastern Sea below—waves layered upon layers, colliding, sending up countless white spray.

Yang Jian beside him was also composed, his plain robes moving with the wind; his gaze followed Gu Xiu as they both gazed at the vast ocean, and he asked doubtfully: 'Master, where are we?'

Gu Xiu stood with hands behind his back on auspicious clouds, speaking in an affectedly profound manner.

'Master has deduced the heavenly secrets: I know that the Sect of the Enlightenment's disciples, Nezha and others, will come to the seaside to bathe; feeling playful, they will use the Heaven-Entwining Sash to churn the Eastern Sea, overturning the Dragon Palace below, even slaying the Dragon Palace's patrol dragon soldiers and yakshas; we will intervene later to rescue them and form a good karmic bond with the Dragon Palace.'

'I will follow Master's orders.' Although Yang Jian was somewhat puzzled, he still heeded Gu Xiu's words and waited silently.

After waiting a short while, a child about seven years old, leading a servant, came to the seaside in an overbearing manner.

Yang Jian looked down at the two: the servant was entirely a mortal, only Nezha was a cultivator.

'Master, this child seems extraordinary; could it be him we are waiting for?'

Gu Xiu nodded slightly, a smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

'Do not look down on him just because he is a child; Nezha is a calamity‑born person accepted by Taiyi Zhenren of the Golden Light Cave on Mount Qianyuan, a reincarnation of the Lingzhu Pearl, and cannot be regarded as an ordinary child.'

'Disciple knows.' Although he didn't fully understand, Yang Jian knew Nezha's origin was not ordinary.

Gu Xiu smiled gently: 'If you know, then let's watch slowly.'

Yang Jian nodded, focusing his attention on the situation below.

Seeing Nezha take off his clothes and enter the sea to bathe.

After a while, finding plain bathing boring, he took out the Heaven-Entwining Sash and played with it in the sea; the sash blazed with red light, continually extending and undulating in the water.

Originally only a few feet long, the sash instantly covered a large expanse of sea, and as Nezha danced, it churned the Eastern Sea coast into turmoil.

The waves roared, raising towering waves tens of zhang high; vast numbers of sea creatures died in the turmoil, surfacing belly‑up.

Some bodies were torn apart into fragments.

Seeing this, Nezha had no intention of stopping; he churned even more violently.

For a moment, corpses floated in the Eastern Sea; the once vibrant coast turned into a silent, bloody hell.

Yang Jian furrowed his brows.

'This Nezha is truly wicked; Master, why not let me go down and give him a lesson?'

Yang Jian was somewhat eager to try, wanting to go over and match strength with Nezha.

Gu Xiu shook his head to stop him: 'After all, the other party is a disciple of the Sect of the Enlightenment; if we act without justification, later the Sect's people could go to the Shangqing Patriarch and accuse us of wrongdoing, leaving us unable to defend ourselves.'

'Master, it was the disciple who was rash in wanting to chastise him.'

With Gu Xiu's hint, Yang Jian could only bear it and watch Nezha cause havoc in the Eastern Sea.

As the Heaven-Entwining Sash churned wildly in the sea, vortices formed one after another in the water.

Below the sea, the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace shook violently from the sudden disturbance; jewels and jade ornaments fell, the crystal palace's pillars shattered, and pearls and gems scattered across the ground.

The shrimp soldiers and crab generals panicked.

Dragon King Ao Guang, in his palace, shouted angrily: 'Who dares to act wantonly above my Dragon Palace!'

He immediately ordered the sea‑patrolling yaksha Li Gen to go and check quickly.

Having received the order, the yaksha hurriedly surfaced.

As soon as he broke the surface, he was shocked by the sight before him, his eyes widening: vast numbers of sea creatures lay dead, belly‑up on the surface, while Nezha waved the Heaven-Entwining Sash, entangling a stretch of sea, stirring the waves into towering, tumultuous surges.

The yaksha shouted angrily: 'Where did this little brat come from, daring to stir up trouble here, disturbing the Dragon Palace! You have slaughtered so many of my Dragon Palace's aquatic beings.'

Seeing the yaksha's burly frame, blue face, fangs, wielding a steel fork, looking fierce and demonic, Nezha halted his actions and shouted loudly: 'I am Nezha, son of Li Jing of Chen Tang Guan; what sort of beast are you, to dare speak to me, and to come disturb this young master—are you seeking death?'

His bearing was arrogantly overbearing.

Hearing this, the yaksha exploded with rage: 'I am the assigned sea‑patrolling yaksha; you are churning the Eastern Sea here, killing countless of my Dragon Palace's aquatic beings, and yet you dare call me a beast—just wait till I teach you a lesson.'

Saying this, the yaksha leapt out of the water, brandishing his steel fork, and thrust fiercely at Nezha.

Nezha snorted coldly, his eyes full of contempt: 'You beasts are courting death!'

He removed the Heaven and Earth Ring, swung it out, and with a bang it smashed onto the sea patrol yaksha's head.

The sea patrol yaksha let out a miserable cry, fresh blood spurted from its head, and it collapsed to the ground.

However, it was still alive.

"You beast, do you know what fate awaits you for provoking this young master?"

Nezha walked over, picked up the trident from the ground, and stabbed the yaksha, ending its life.

After killing the yaksha, Nezha jeered.

"You damn thing, you've dirtied my Heaven and Earth Ring; I need to wash it."

He said, placing the Heaven and Earth Ring in the sea and stirring it to clean.

The Dragon Palace, once again shaken by this agitation, was on the verge of collapsing.

Ao Guang wondered, having clearly sent the sea patrol yaksha to investigate, why it had been quiet for a moment and then started shaking again.

At that moment, a dragon soldier ran over to report, "The sea patrol yaksha has been beaten to death."

Hearing this, Ao Guang exclaimed in shock, "The sea patrol yaksha Li Gen is a deity appointed by the Heavenly Court—who dares to kill him?"

He immediately summoned the dragon soldiers, intending to go see for himself, but the commotion in the sea was too great; Ao Bing came over to inquire, learned of the matter, and immediately requested permission to go.

……

On the cloudtop.

Seeing Nezha beat the sea patrol yaksha to death and still boast shamelessly, Yang Jian frowned slightly; if Gu Xiu hadn't stopped him, he would have gone down to punish Nezha.

Understanding Yang Jian's current thoughts, Gu Xiu said, "Yang Jian, you will inevitably face the Elucidation Sect in the future; as your master, I will tell you some insights on dealing with Elucidation Sect disciples, so you won't suffer losses later."

Master, please speak.

Gu Xiu slowly said, "Elucidation Sect disciples like to launch sneak attacks; before striking, they always provoke the enemy with words, giving themselves a legitimate reason to attack."

So we must repay them with their own methods; when facing Elucidation Sect disciples in the future, do not let their words provoke you.

On the contrary, you should provoke them, let them strike first, then you attack; when reasoning later, we will also have grounds for justification.

Disciple understands," Yang Jian said respectfully.