Chapter 974

The Heavenly Court.

Jade pavilions and crystal towers, wreathed in immortal light.

After the Journey to the West, the Heavenly Court had remained on guard for a time, fearing that the shifts in celestial destiny would be violent and that its dominion would be swiftly lost.

Yet nothing changed at all.

After centuries of vigilance, the Jade Emperor and Wang Mu relaxed.

The Heavenly Court's overall strength still surpassed Lingshan; as long as he and Wang Mu held court here, and the immortals remained united, what problem could not be resolved?

The shift of destiny is not so easily achieved.

Yang Jian entered the Heavenly Court; along the way, immortals and gods all greeted the stern-faced him warmly.

The Heavenly Court appeared to be in an age of prosperity; no one foresaw that transformation was at hand.

"Indeed, the changes in heavenly destiny are beyond even Jin Xian and Tai Yi to fathom," Yang Jian mused inwardly, quickening his pace.

Arriving at the Jade Pool, he heard the sound of stringed instruments and flutes; a divine general stepped forward: "Greetings, Heavenly Marshal of Enforcement. What brings you here?"

"Just announce me—say it concerns the Journey to the West," Yang Jian said gravely.

The general gasped, his expression changing drastically: "Yes."

He turned and entered the Jade Pool; moments later, the music ceased, and silence fell.

After a while, the general emerged, face grim: "True Lord, please enter."

Yang Jian nodded in acknowledgment and strode inside.

As soon as he entered, he saw Wang Mu and the Jade Emperor seated side by side, gazing at him solemnly.

"Yang Jian, it is said you wish to report on the Journey to the West today—is this true?" Wang Mu said gravely. "This is no matter for jest. If you cannot explain it properly, I shall charge you with deceiving Your Majesty."

The Jade Emperor waved his hand: "Enough. Yang Jian is not one who lacks judgment—he would never do such a thing."

He pointed at Yang Jian and said: "Yang Jian, speak. Have you discovered something unusual?"

The Jade Emperor and Wang Mu naturally took great interest in the aftermath of the Journey to the West.

The Fomen's rise was great, but no one knew where it would take root; though they no longer showed outward vigilance, they could never forget it.

Yang Jian bowed: "This matter is strange indeed. Please, Your Majesty and Lady Wang Mu, listen to my full account without interruption."

The Jade Emperor and Wang Mu exchanged glances, both seeing solemnity in the other's eyes, and nodded slightly.

Yang Jian's expression turned grave: "Just half a day ago, I encountered a celestial wonder from beyond the heavens?"

"A celestial wonder from beyond the heavens?"

The Jade Emperor and Wang Mu were stunned.

They knew well that beyond the heavens lay other heavens.

But even with their power, they could not find other worlds within the chaos.

For Yang Jian to claim such an encounter was too fantastical.

Had he not already warned them, they would have interrupted immediately.

"It was a chat group linking all worlds, containing Sun Wukong, Jin Chan, and even Er Lang Shen…" Yang Jian spoke calmly, recounting his experience. "I, too, possess the same divine powers as that Er Lang Shen—but I could not withstand a single blow from him."

"A single blow defeating two top-tier combat Jin Xian? That power far exceeds even Tai Yi Jin Xian," the Jade Emperor and Wang Mu exchanged glances, their expressions more grave than ever.

Such a terrifying immortal could single-handedly slaughter through the Heavenly Court and Lingshan—capable of annihilating a world without a Da Luo.

"Fortunately, he merely demonstrated his power and took no further action; instead, he was remarkably mild. He seems unlikely to harm our world."

"Afterward, when discussing the affairs of all worlds, the beings of the myriad realms said that every world has stories reflecting others, passed down through the ages. And in our world, the tale passed down is the Legend of the Lotus Lantern."

The Jade Emperor could not help interjecting: "The Legend of the Lotus Lantern? Does this concern Yang Chan? I recall she possesses a primordial divine treasure—the Lotus Lantern."

"Afterward, when speaking of the affairs of the various realms, all beings of the myriad heavens said that every realm in the myriad heavens had stories reflecting other worlds, passed down through the ages. In our world, the story passed down is the Legend of the Lotus Lantern."

Yang Jian sighed: "This matter truly concerns Yang Chan."

He then projected the story he had seen into the void.

From Yang Chan descending to the mortal realm, to altering the heavenly laws.

All of it left the Jade Emperor and Wang Mu breathless.

"Yang Jian, Yang Chan is your sister—what do you propose we do?" Wang Mu said solemnly.

The Jade Emperor nodded slightly.

Though gentle, he could not ignore this matter when it concerned the Heavenly Court.

Yang Jian sneered: "Your Majesty, Lady Wang Mu—have you forgotten why I came here?"

The Jade Emperor and Wang Mu exchanged glances, then spoke in unison: "You mean the Lotus Lantern affair is the result of the Journey to the West's aftermath—the flow of destiny, the Dao's evolution?"

"Precisely," Yang Jian nodded. "Even if Chan were gone, even if the Lotus Lantern were gone, even if Liu Yanchang were gone—other immortals would still fall into the Dao's calculations, diminishing the Heavenly Court's destiny and prestige."

"Moreover, there is another proof: every version of the Lotus Lantern legend bears the shadow of the Battle Saint Buddha. This shows the Fomen has glimpsed the unfolding heavenly destiny and is stoking the flames." Yang Jian's expression turned icy. "Otherwise, I never knew the Battle Saint Buddha had grown so benevolent."

The Jade Emperor closed his eyes and carefully calculated—but found the heavenly destiny utterly chaotic.

"Indeed." Yang Jian nodded. "Even without Chan'er, without the Lotus Lantern, without Liu Yanchang, other immortals and gods would still fall into the Heavenly Dao's calculations, their celestial aura stripped away."

Luck, face."

"Moreover, there is another piece of evidence: every legend of the Lotus Lantern bears the shadow of the Battle Saint Buddha. This shows that the Fomen has already seen the evolution of heavenly fate and has been stirring the waters behind the scenes."

"Yang Jian's expression turned icy. 'Otherwise, I never knew the Battle Saint Buddha had become so generous.'

The Jade Emperor closed his eyes and carefully calculated, yet felt the heavenly fate utterly chaotic.

"Cannot be calculated—the heavenly fate is confused."