Chapter 976

"Another method is much the same." Yang Jian nodded. "That is to establish a land of merit and virtue, with me as its master. Then, My Lady and Your Majesty can send some divine incarnations to assist, and divert the cosmic fortune into the land of merit and virtue."

"The Fomen is flourishing; we too are part of the Fomen. To share in this cosmic fortune is only natural."

"As long as we can withstand the Fomen's methods, this plan will succeed."

The Jade Emperor and Wang Mu fell into deep thought.

The journey to the West shifted the cosmic fortune of heaven and earth—this fortune was no small thing.

Once Yang Jian is invested as Master of the Land of Merit and Virtue, this fortune alone will lift him from the peak of Jin Xian to the realm of Taiyi Jin Xian.

A Battle-Combat Jin Xian entering the Taiyi Jin Xian realm will surely become the most terrifying existence in the Three Realms.

One capable of threatening the Heavenly Court.

But if we do not cultivate Yang Jian, the Heavenly Court will immediately lose its cosmic fortune to Lingshan.

When that happens, the Heavenly Court will decline just the same, and lose all face.

Cultivating Yang Jian may, in the future, threaten the Heavenly Court.

Favoring Lingshan guarantees the Heavenly Court's ruin.

After only a moment's thought, the Jade Emperor and Wang Mu made their decision.

"This plan is viable," the Jade Emperor nodded. "But where do you intend to locate this Land of Merit and Virtue?"

"At Jiangkou," Yang Jian mused. "Though Jiangkou lies within the Central Plains, it sits to the west of them—perfectly suited."

The Jade Emperor nodded. "Jiangkou is good."

Wang Mu frowned. "But once the Land of Merit and Virtue is established, Jiangkou will become a place of strife, and the common folk will suffer."

Yang Jian bowed. "Therefore, I humbly beg Your Majesty and My Lady to issue an edict ordering the Mountain Gods, Earth Gods, and Water Gods to relocate the people near Jiangkou."

The Jade Emperor tapped his fingers lightly on the table and nodded in agreement. "This is easily done. I shall issue the edict immediately. Also, the investiture of you as Master of the Land of Merit and Virtue will be prepared at once."

"Someone, prepare incense altars for me and My Lady—we shall offer sacrifice to Heaven and Earth."

"Bring someone to prepare an incense altar for me and the Empress; we shall offer sacrifices to Heaven and Earth."

At his command, the Heavenly Court sprang into action.

Immortal maidens and generals prepared the altars, transporting all necessary items to the sacrificial site.

The Jade Emperor and Wang Mu led Yang Jian to the scene.

"My Lady, let us proceed. Whether we succeed or fail, it all hinges on today."

The Jade Emperor led Wang Mu onto the sacrificial ground and lit the incense and candles.

Wang Mu did the same.

Both wore solemn expressions as they inserted the incense and candles into the censers and prayed in silence.

Moments later, their faces broke into smiles.

Moments later, both faces lit up with joy.

"Summon all Immortals—immediate court session!"

"Summon all the Immortals to court immediately."

Moments passed.

All Immortals gathered in the Lingxiao Precious Hall.

"I wonder what the Emperor and My Lady have summoned us for?"

"Indeed, today isn't a court day."

"Could some demon have emerged again?"

"Ridiculous. What demon could require summoning every Immortal? Even Li Tianwang's family alone could sweep the Three Realms."

Li Jing laughed heartily. "Your compliments are too generous, fellow Daoists. It is only due to the Emperor's and My Lady's sagacity that the Three Realms remain peaceful, allowing me to accumulate many merits."

Li Jing laughed heartily: "Your esteemed colleagues flatter me. It is all due to Your Majesty's and the Empress's sagacity—the Three Realms are peaceful and serene, with no mighty demons arising—allowing me to accrue such merit."

"The Emperor and My Lady approach!"

The next instant, the Jade Emperor and Wang Mu entered the hall with majestic dignity, slowly taking their seats upon the thrones of the Three Realms' sovereigns.

"We pay homage to Your Majesty! We pay homage to My Lady!"

The Jade Emperor waved his hand. "Rise."

"Thank Your Majesty."

The Jade Emperor's expression turned grave. "I have summoned you all today to announce a great matter. None of you have forgotten the journey to the West, have you?"

"Your Majesty, the journey to the West was only a few centuries ago—how could we forget?"

"Indeed, it feels as if it happened yesterday."

The Jade Emperor nodded. "I recently received heavenly revelation: the Heavenly Court's cosmic fortune has already begun to drain."

At these words, the Immortals erupted in uproar.

The Heavenly Court was the shared interest of all Immortals—equivalent to an employer.

No, it was infinitely more important than any modern corporation.

A modern employee, even if fired, loses only a little Qian Cai.

But if the Heavenly Court's cosmic fortune declines, Immortals may perish outright from insufficient fortune.

Cosmic fortune is tied to celestial authority; when authority weakens, Immortals lose their foundation and naturally wither.

The shift of cosmic fortune worried ordinary Immortals more than the Jade Emperor.

The Jade Emperor might merely lose face; they faced mortal peril.

The Jade Emperor might lose only a little face, but they face mortal peril.

"How has the fortune begun to drain? I've only been an Immortal for five thousand years! I'm still so young—surely I won't perish now?"

"Why has my aura begun to drain? I've only been an immortal for five thousand years. I'm still so young—could I really be about to perish?"

.............. requesting flowers

"I've only just become an immortal myself, barely promoted to Third-Rank Immortal Official—if qi fortune drains away, won't I suffer too?"

The crowd's expressions turned fearful, murmurs spreading everywhere.

"Your Majesty is wise; you've summoned us because you've already devised a perfect solution, haven't you?" Suddenly, Li Changgeng spoke up.

The Jade Emperor smiled broadly and nodded. "Naturally, I've already found a solution. But this method requires the assistance of all you immortals."

"Your Majesty, speak—we will lay down our lives without hesitation."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

As long as the Heavenly Court remains strong, death can be reversed through the Register of Deified Spirits; it's nothing like total annihilation when the Heavenly Court declines.

When else would you show loyalty if not now?

"This matter is simple: merely decree a land of meritorious purity, to be governed by a Jin Xian, and the qi fortune can be diverted into that Pure Land. Thus, though the Heavenly Court's qi fortune slightly diminishes,

it will equal that of Lingshan and the Pure Land, causing no upheaval in heaven and earth, nor affecting the divine posts of any immortal or deity."

When the Jade Emperor finished speaking, all looked at one another in silence.

To decree a Pure Land requires heaven and earth's consent—and a Jin Xian bold enough to face the Bodhisattvas and Buddhas of Lingshan—who will step forward?