Chapter 500

In the imperial study, Empress Bai of the Western Palace and Empress Ji stood on either side of the imperial desk, their heads bowed as they examined a stack of special invitation letters of varying materials.

After three thousand years of cultivation, the two women's temperaments had undergone a noticeable change.

One exuded an even more noble aura, like the mother of the world, her phoenix eyes turning with a deep, solemn dignity—not merely the bearing of one elevated by circumstance, but something innate, as if carried in the blood.

The other also possessed a noble bearing, yet her aura was unfathomable, her entire form shrouded in mist, as if perpetually hidden within a hazy fog; to meet her gaze was to feel as though one's thoughts were being drawn away, a terrifying sensation.

Zhang Jian's gaze fell upon the two women, and though his eyes held a faint smile.

Over three thousand years of arduous cultivation, the two women had made considerable progress in recent years.

Empress Ji had advanced the most, having accumulated what even ancient true immortals over tens of thousands of years had failed to complete.

In recent years, her cultivation had surged forward, and just a few years prior, she had just passed the Heavenly Immortal Tribulation.

In a single breakthrough, she attained the Dao Fruit of a Heavenly Immortal.

Empress Bai of the Western Palace had likewise accumulated profound depth; a thousand years ago, she shed her form as a Xuanming Dragon Carp and transformed into the body of a supreme true dragon, the Xuanming Dragon Seed.

As a Xuanming True Dragon, her innate talent far surpassed that of the White Fury Dragon Lord of Gaohu.

Whether inheriting the dragon lineage or assuming the dragon form, her primordial spirit's quality exceeded that of more than one contender.

Though aided by the Xuanming True Dragon body, her accumulation speed was remarkable, yet she still remained some distance from achieving Heavenly Immortal status.

In this regard, she could not match the Noble Consort Ji.

However, given her accumulation, if she were willing to undergo the Immortal Tribulation and achieve a True Immortal form, it would be entirely sufficient.

Yet Empress Bai clearly was unwilling to take such a step-by-step approach; she preferred to continue accumulating, waiting for the moment she could achieve Heavenly Immortal status in a single breakthrough.

Yet the greatest change was still Zhang Jian himself.

After over three thousand years of arduous cultivation, his aura gradually transformed, resembling the embodiment of Heaven's Dao—deep as an abyss, strict as a prison, as if the Great Dao had manifested in the mortal realm, his entire being suffused with a vast, magnificent divine energy.

Empress Bai and Empress Ji flipped through the invitations, sorting and categorizing a portion of them.

Over these years, the Great Xia Dynasty had also been gathering intelligence on numerous extraterritorial heavenly realm powers.

Since ascension to the Heavenly Gate would require a destination, a favorable one could spare the dynasty's youth unnecessary detours.

After a moment, Empress Ji pushed a portion of the 'invitation letters' toward Zhang Jian.

"Your Majesty, over these years we have received an enormous number of invitation letters, including from many powerful extraterritorial heavenly realm forces, as well as some weaker heavenly realms, but whose foundations are not lacking—great orthodox traditions!"

"Among these forces, I have selected a portion of heavenly realms with particularly evident advantages and compiled them into a list!"

Empress Ji pondered, then added.

"The basis comes from the extraterritorial heavenly realm Ji lineage, and the network of relations behind the Tongshan Dao tradition!"

Zhang Jian nodded.

His eyes fell upon the pair of invitation letters before him, signaling Empress Ji to continue.

Empress Ji's beautiful eyes at that moment gleamed with a smile as she spoke.

"Naturally, the most suitable destination for Your Majesty is the Central Heavenly Realm, followed by the Three Sovereigns Heavenly Realm, the Ten Directions Heavenly Realm, and the Nine Luminaries Heavenly Realm!"

"The Central Heavenly Realm—Your Majesty should already know the reason: the core of the Heavenly Court lies largely within the Central Heavenly Realm, and currently, all its departments have sent invitation letters; among them, the highest position offered is..."

After a slight pause, Empress Ji glanced at Zhang Jian and continued.

"The highest is the direct imperial appointment by the Heavenly Emperor of the Lingyuan Emperor, conferred by imperial edict—though this appointment is merely a nominal one, as a court official of the Central Heavenly Court directly attached to the throne, it is only one step away from the actual power-holding Emperor of the Heavenly Realm; though currently without real authority, one can always attend court and at any time enter the Ministry of Personnel's inner bureau, thereby obtaining the edict conferring real authority as a Heavenly Realm Emperor!"

As she spoke, a hint of joy appeared in the depths of Empress Ji's eyes.

"Although attaining real authority as an Emperor of the Mending Heaven Realm is difficult, entering other heavenly realms and securing an edict conferring real authority as a court official Emperor should not be difficult!"

"Hmm!"

Upon the dragon throne, Zhang Jian's expression remained unchanged; he simply picked up a plate of fusang seeds at random, gesturing for Empress Ji to continue.

The Heavenly Court's intention to appoint him as Lingyuan Emperor had long been known to him.

This matter had been inquired about by the direct lineage spirit officials under the Heavenly Emperor, who had questioned his ancestral master, King Yu the Great, and revealed some rumors.

As long as Zhang Jian is willing, upon ascending the Heavenly Gate, he may immediately be appointed as Lingyuan Emperor.

Among the Heavenly Realm Emperors, the Lingyuan Emperor is naturally not considered powerful—at best, comparable to an honorary title such as the Purple-Gold Grand Master of Rites, or the Tutor to the Crown Prince, or the Academician of the Left Spring Bureau, or the Academician of a certain hall.

Yet this honorary title carries a clear advantage: his actual rank has already entered the realm of mid-to-high celestial officials.

With the body of a Sage King, merely taking flight grants him the rank of a mid-to-high celestial official—undoubtedly surpassing many immortals and gods.

Though mid-to-high celestial officials currently hold no real authority, they are pure and noble.

Henceforth, when dispatched to external posts, their starting point will be higher than others'.

They may at any time establish a fief and raise troops, organize their own retinue—unlike ordinary Heavenly Immortals who ascend and likely become mere retainers or subordinates of a mid-to-high celestial official.

Just like the True Emperor Jue Ming, who ascended the Heavenly Gate and obtained the position of a low-to-mid celestial official as the Grand Virtue Spirit Official, yet in truth, still remains somewhat distant from being an attendant of the Spirit Observation Hall.

Empress Ji then spoke again.

"Next is the position of Heavenly Emperor of the Rain Department, who commands the clouds and brings rain—this is a post within a secondary palace!"

"The Spirit Official Hall also has a vacancy for the Three Yuan Spirit Official, responsible for communicating with the Purple Micro Emperor's Palace at the center of the Three Yuan; high in rank and weighty in authority, it too is a post within a secondary palace!"

"Furthermore, the Eastern Peak Emperor's Palace has also offered a quota for a Heavenly Realm Emperor—namely, a Netherworld Emperor of one region."

"The LanTai Palace of the Yaochi Holy Land, and the mansion of the Solar Emperor, have both sent down talismanic letters—both are positions as deputy heads of a palace!"

Upon mentioning this, both women's expressions showed a hint of joy.

After ascension, attaining a deputy palace position would set their starting point far above that of other immortals and gods.

Of course, even more important is the ability to be directly trusted by the Heavenly Court, to be cultivated as a direct lineage of the Heavenly Court.

Among the heavenly realms of the celestial spheres, the Heavenly Court is a vast and colossal entity; entering such a system, cultivation would naturally bring immense advantages, ensuring Zhang Jian's talent would not be buried.

Beside them, Empress Bai of the Western Palace continued.

"Besides the Central Heavenly Realm, next are the choices of the Three Sovereigns Heavenly Realm, the Ten Directions Heavenly Realm, and the Nine Luminaries Heavenly Realm!"

"Other heavenly realms are either too remote, or their development prospects, or the conditions offered, are inferior to those previously mentioned—for now, they are not under consideration!"

"The Three Sovereigns Heavenly Realm primarily comes from the Assembly of the Three Sovereigns and Five Elders!"

Bai Shi's eyes were bright and clear, filled with joy as she said:

"The Three Sovereigns and Five Elders Assembly formally invites Your Majesty to enter the Fire Cloud Cave in the Three Sovereigns Heavenly Realm for secluded cultivation, and they assure that it will not delay Your Majesty's future prospects; after cultivation, you may come and go freely, without restraint!"

On that side, the Ji clan directed their phoenix eyes toward Zhang Jian.

As descendants of the Holy King, the Ji clan naturally understood the value of entering the Fire Cloud Cave for cultivation.

Cultivation in the Fire Cloud Cave—aside from advancing one's Dao, the prestige alone is enough to draw countless ancient immortals flocking to it.

The Three Sovereigns and Five Elders Assembly is composed of heavenly emperors from all realms; although many heavenly emperors have not formed an alliance, this is still a vast network of connections.

One can inherit such a vast network without paying any cost—who among immortals and gods could refuse such a good fortune?

This is the treatment only heavenly emperors of all realms can enjoy.

Through this, the Three Sovereigns and Five Elders Assembly continually accumulates power, making the Three Sovereigns Heavenly Realm hold an exceptionally unique status among the many heavenly realms.

Zhang Jian silently nodded.

Through the ears and eyes of the Tongshan Dao lineage, he naturally also knew the value of this Three Sovereigns and Five Elders Assembly.

After a brief pause, Bai Shi added: "Besides, the Three Sovereigns Heavenly Realm has also invited Your Majesty to become a formal member of the Three Sovereigns and Five Elders Assembly, requiring no payment whatsoever, only asking that You protect all human races when necessary—that is all!"

Zhang Jian's eyes showed something unusual.

He will certainly go to the Fire Cloud Cave; as for becoming a formal member of the Three Sovereigns and Five Elders Assembly, he needs to consider it carefully.

Once he becomes a formal member, he will naturally bear the halo of the faction; when he later enters the Central Heavenly Realm's Heavenly Court, there may be unknown troubles—he must clarify this thoroughly before making a decision.

Bai Shi continued.

"Besides, the Ten Directions Heavenly Realms and the Ten Directions Salvation Heavenly Venerable Mansion have also sent invitations..."

Zhang Jian's eyes flickered strangely.

It seems that his theft of the redemption authority, intercepting the Heavenly Venerable's 'patent fee,' has long been known to this Salvation Heavenly Venerable.

"The Heavenly Venerable invites Your Majesty to visit the Ten Directions Heavenly Realm as a guest, and is also willing to grant the authority of one Yinhui Black Water Emperor, and moreover, an imperial official Emperor!"

Speaking, Bai Liying's pair of bright, lovely eyes glanced at Zhang Jian; even as his Dao companion, she felt astonished.

Most of these invitation letters list the position of Court Official Emperor as the starting point.

Court Official Emperors, being emperors in the court, have extraordinary influence; in the Emperor sequence, they rank just below the Heavenly Realm's actual power Emperors!

"Next is the Nine Luminaries Heavenly Realm; the Nine Luminaries Heavenly Realm is the foundation of the Purple Micro Immortal Sect, which has offered the position of Chief Officer of the Taiwei Palace—though this rank is not high, merely a mid-level immortal official, it is nonetheless one of the attendant deities of the Purple Micro Emperor, constantly accompanying the Emperor and sometimes able to act in his stead, governing the Purple Micro constellations!"

Zhang Jian's pupils flickered; hearing the Purple Micro Immortal Sect, he immediately knew it might be the Dao lineage left behind by the Purple Micro Emperor.

Bai Shi finished speaking and smiled.

"These four heavenly realms are currently relatively peaceful, with few wars, yet prosperous—ideal for cultivation!"

"This is our sisters' comprehensive conclusion drawn from multiple forces!"

Zhang Jian nodded, waving his hand to gather all the employment invitations into his sight.

These positions are diverse and varied, with numerous authorities—so many as to dazzle the eyes.

As for whether they are actually good or not, he does not know for now.

He still needs to consult several second-generation ancestral masters, then comprehensively consider his own Dao path.

In Zhang Jian's eyes, there was a hint of contemplation.

Three thousand years have passed; the momentum of the Great Xia Dynasty has gradually approached its peak.

The Five Provinces have been shaped by him into an iron plate; aside from expanding beyond the borders, there is currently nowhere left to advance.

However, Zhang Jian has no intention of expanding beyond the borders; he intends to leave this matter to the next emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty.

His Holy King Dao Fruit has already reached its peak at this point; there is no need to risk launching an extraterritorial war.

Moreover, the Zhou Shan Realm has not yet reached the level capable of launching an extraterritorial war.

Of course, Zhang Jian still has a choice—he can choose to continue guarding the Zhou Shan Realm.

Like many ancient Holy Kings, ruling for tens of thousands of years, even hundreds of thousands, even hiding in the Zhou Shan Realm for hundreds of thousands of years before finally ascending the Heavenly Pass.

In that case, the obtained imperial purple aura and imperial merit would be relatively less by a portion.

Merely maintaining the form of an ancient Holy King, continuing cultivation in the state of a Holy King, the two balance each other in loss and gain—what exactly is gained or lost still needs to be weighed by himself.

Zhang Jian naturally has his own considerations in mind.

The ideal state, naturally, is to ascend the Heavenly Pass with the body of Taiyi True Number; thus, the power of the Taiyi True Number realm would allow him to handle any Court Official Emperor's immortal official position with ease.

But now he is in the late stage of the Taiyi realm, still a little short of Taiyi True Number.

Therefore, he is indeed preparing to delay for several hundred years.

As for losing some imperial purple aura and imperial merit because of this, he is willing to accept it.

As long as he can attain Taiyi True Number, this cost, he is still willing to bear.

Zhang Jian also prepares to take advantage of this opportunity to prepare something for Ji Shi.

He worries that after his ascension, Zhang Zhao and his wife will be unable to suppress the arrogant soldiers and fierce generals in the court, as well as the numerous Holy King clans and immortal sect Dao lineages.

But just at this moment, Zhang Jian received news from within the Tongshan Dao lineage that the two second-generation ancestral masters of Tongshan are preparing to ascend.

For such a major event, Zhang Jian naturally will not miss it.

Especially since the Dharma-Freeing Ancestor is indeed an ancestral master; he ought to go to see them off.

Tongshan, before the Ancestral Hall.

At this time, only a few people have gathered here, because this time, among the three second-generation ancestral masters, Qingyuan Old Ancestor and Dharma-Freeing Old Ancestor are preparing to ascend secretly, without informing other Dao lineage disciples, to avoid leaking secrets, which would inevitably affect the momentum of the Tongshan Dao lineage.

In the field are the Wandering True Lord and the Slaying Demon True Lord; besides them are the Purple Lightning Old Ancestor and his disciple, the Azure Cloud True Lord.

At this moment, the Wandering True Lord and the Slaying Demon True Lord each have their own primordial immortal light flowing and circulating around their bodies.

Three thousand years have passed; these two powerful True Lords of the Tongshan Dao lineage, aided by the surging heavenly fortune, have each broken through the heavenly tribulation and attained the body of heavenly immortals.

This is also the reason why these two second-generation ancestral masters of the Tongshan Dao lineage feel at ease ascending.

This is also the reason why the two second-generation patriarchs of the Tongshan Dao lineage could ascend with peace of mind.

Zhang Jian stepped through the void and entered, and upon seeing his figure, the immortals all instantly broke into smiles.

"Ayu, we've been waiting for you!"

Upon seeing Zhang Jian, Chu Fazu's lips curled into a faint smile, his expression unable to conceal his joy.

"Disciple respectfully congratulates Qingyuan Grand Uncle Ancestor, congratulates the Ancestor on the perfect harmony of the Great Dao and ascension to the Heavenly Throne!"

Qingyuan Laozu swept his gaze over Zhang Jian and smiled as he spoke.

"Ayu, we should be able to meet again soon, though by then you might still be our superior; I and Chufu, these two old fellows, will have to rely on you even more then!"

Zhang Jian's expression turned solemn, and he slightly clasped his hands as he said:

"Disciple dares not!"

"Grand Uncle Ancestor and Ancestor are elders, and they have always shown great care toward the disciple; the disciple is endlessly grateful!"

Qingyuan Laozu and Chufu Laozu exchanged a glance, and deep in their eyes, both held some smiles.

With disciples like this, one can rest easy in life!

After Zhang Jian arrived, the two old ancestors again swept their gazes over the assembled crowd.

The matters that needed to be entrusted have already been entrusted and completed.

Especially Chufu Laozu, who has already resigned his title as Resident Immortal Official and recommended Zhenjun Slay Demon to take his place in guarding Zhou Shan Realm; it is expected that the Heavenly Court's formal decree will soon be bestowed, and at present, a great weight has been lifted from his heart.

Chufu Laozu's gaze finally lingered once more on Slay Demon Zhenjun beside him as he spoke.

"Slay Demon, the Tongshan Dao lineage now rests upon you!"

At this moment, Slay Demon Zhenjun's beautiful jade-like countenance bore a solemn expression as she spoke in a deep voice.

"Master, rest assured; the disciple will surely fulfill his duties loyally, protect the Tongshan Dao lineage, just as you, Master, once protected the disciple!"

Chufu Laozu's eyes held a hint of recollection.

Back then, King Yu of the Xia dynasty was no different in his instructions to him and Zidian Laozu.

And now, his task has been perfectly completed.

The two second-generation old ancestors exchanged a glance, free of all reservations.

Immediately, each activated the heavenly talisman edict within their bodies in an instant.

Only two streams of nine-colored divine light shot straight toward the Dipper Palace in an instant.

Above the firmament, nine-colored divine light suffused the immortal realm.

Heavenly sounds drifted, immortal tones echoed faintly, and above the firmament, a strand of nine-colored immortal light descended, instantly manifesting as a heavenly gate.

Deep within the heavenly gate, it seemed several figures had already appeared inside to welcome them.

Faintly, one could discern the silhouettes of the Patriarch Hall's several second-generation patriarch ancestors.

Beneath the nine-colored divine light of the heavenly gate, the two second-generation old ancestors' forms slowly rose into the air; finally, they cast one last glance upon the mortal world, their eyes holding both reluctance and boundless heroic spirit, they exchanged a smile in an instant, and simultaneously flew deep into the heavenly gate.

"Disciples respectfully escort the two ancestors!"

The crowd below all performed their rites in unison.