Chapter 522: 『Great Secret』Celestial Posts and Authority (4K)

The ancient mythological land came into view.

It was a magnificent divine peak connecting heaven and earth.

It seemed to have existed since ancient times, and at this moment, countless clouds and mists swirled around it.

Beneath the clouds and mists, countless celestial palaces stood in orderly rows, gleaming brightly.

At a glance, the end could be seen.

The many celestial palaces resembled a river of stars, stretching straight up to the ninth heaven.

And in the center stood several massive ancient divine palaces, each as majestic as an ancient star, illuminating half the starry sky.

Most of the celestial palaces were built around them as their core.

Among them were numerous drifting, secluded immortal isles, together forming the ethereal immortal realm of the cloud sea.

Zhang Jian gazed ahead, unable to tell which was the Lingxiao Treasure Hall and which was the Yaochi, for the scattered drifting immortal isles covered too vast an area.

Below, patrols of heavenly soldiers and divine generals could often be seen.

On the earth, the radiant light of many spirit mountains and blessed lands also shone forth.

Zhang Jian noticed that the starlight surrounding the Zhou Shan border was exceptionally brilliant.

The light of the myriad stars shone upon the surroundings, lending the area an added touch of magnificent mythological color.

Each star seemed to appear and disappear faintly on the horizon, its vast outline materializing, guarding the Purple Celestial Palace above the North Pole, extraordinarily magnificent.

At this moment, many Zhang clan immortals and deities gazed upon these splendid buildings, their expressions shifting slightly.

It was not because they were so magnificent, but because they contained divine authority.

It seemed that every floating island, and even every palace hall, condensed the heavenly and earthly divine authority's pressure.

Part of the stars, and even some celestial palaces and halls, contained divine authority so formidable it was terrifying.

Vast divine power swept across heaven and earth; from afar, it was unbearable to gaze upon, impossible to grasp, and prolonged viewing might harm the heart and spirit.

"The orthodoxy of all heavens, the source of myriad gods, the center of the universe—indeed, it inspires awe!"

In the distance, Feng Ling's eyes flickered with slight astonishment.

"If one could possess a personal manor within these celestial halls, even after countless years of cultivation, it would be enough to comfort one in life!"

This seemed like flattery toward Zhang Jian, yet many Zhang clan members present showed expressions of genuine agreement.

To possess a personal manor and retinue in this central heaven would not be in vain for becoming an immortal and deity.

The Kitchen God Lord and Red Flower Lady stood nearby, also nodding slightly.

Zhang Jian merely smiled faintly, then stopped a passing patrol of heavenly soldiers and generals, declared his identity, and upon hearing this, the leading general hastily bowed, then pointed out the direction of the Three Yuan Spirit Official Hall and the Three Yuan Emperor Lord's mansion.

Zhang Jian decided to first visit Tianhe Zhenren, who held the celestial post of Water Official Great Emperor.

After all, his Lingyuan Emperor Lord celestial post was, on the surface, considered a close aide of the Water Official Great Emperor in the Three Yuan Spirit Official Hall.

The Three Yuan Emperor Lord's mansion was located in the upper nine levels near the Lingxiao Hall of the heavenly court's main hall, specifically on the sixth level of the upper tier.

This was closely related to the Three Yuan Emperor Lord's rank.

Among the many Emperor Lords in the central heavenly court, the Three Yuan Emperor Lord ranked relatively high, having entered the feudal lords' rank sequence, positioned at sequence ten.

The authority wielded by the Three Yuan Emperor Lords was immensely heavy.

The Heavenly Official bestows blessings, the Earthly Official pardons sins, the Water Official resolves calamities; the three Emperor Lords respectively oversee human fortune and misfortune, the transfer of heavenly deities, the cycle of life and death, and the yin-yang affairs of the water realm.

In ancient times, their authority was immense—they were divine majesty-level Emperor Lords, even concurrently held by the ancient human sovereign.

But after the ancient ages passed, as many great deities emerged, the authority of the Three Great Emperors was diluted, causing them to fall from the eleventh to the tenth position in the feudal lords' sequence.

Before the heavenly gate, Zhang Jian presented his ennoblement talisman and decree, had the general announce him, and was then permitted to enter the upper sixth level.

From afar, Zhang Jian saw three Emperor Lord mansions standing side by side.

In this area, there were also rows of Emperor Lord mansions.

Among them were the mansions of the Bao Sheng Emperor Lord, Wen Chang Emperor Lord, the Plague-ridden Haotian Great Emperor, the Nine Heavens Responding Yuan Thunder Universal Transformation Heavenly Venerable, the Water Virtue Star Lord, the Fire Virtue Star Lord, and many other Emperor Lords listed in the feudal lords' sequence, or even mansions of great deities.

At a glance, Zhang Jian felt that throwing a random brick might strike a leader of a faction, an immortal deity of extraordinary divine power.

At this moment, in the distance, Zhang Jian saw an immortal emerge from a mansion.

He wore a grand red official robe, dragon robe and jade belt, held a ruyi scepter, had five long flowing whiskers, a kind face, and exuded an air of dignified elegance.

Beside him were three others with unusual features, possessing the immortal wind and dao bones.

These three were not strangers to Zhang Jian—they were the Fu, Lu, and Shou Star Lords.

Though these three Star Lords were merely star beings, their sequence among the stars was extremely high, also ranked at sequence ten; the four immortals appeared as close friends, the red-robed Emperor Lord now seeing them off.

"Heavenly Official, Sir!"

Zhang Jian silently thought, and from afar, following etiquette, he bowed to the four immortals before stepping into the opened main gate of the Water Official Emperor Lord's mansion.

After he departed, the three Star Lords glanced toward his direction; one, clad in purple robes with a gaunt visage, the elderly immortal official smiled and said.

"That should be the Water Official Emperor Lord's recommended Lingyuan Emperor Lord—judging by his countenance, blessed with good fortune, truly extraordinary!"

Beside him, another middle-aged immortal official in green robes stroked his whiskers and said.

"The Lu Star is also evident—official fortune flows smoothly!"

Then there was an old man with white hair and long beard, a large head, prominent forehead, laughing heartily, one hand often holding an immortal peach, the other leaning on a crutch often tied with a treasure gourd.

He was the Southern Pole Immortal Elder, the Star of Longevity; this immortal elder slightly stroked his whiskers and smiled.

"You two just show off your celestial posts—affairs of the central heaven have already spread far and wide; all immortals and deities know this Lingyuan Emperor Lord has deep roots, and his future will certainly be extraordinary!"

The Heavenly Official Emperor Lord's expression was kind and benevolent, he faintly revealed a smile.

"After all, he is the heir of Emperor Yu, favored by Emperor Yu himself—naturally, he is not ordinary!"

This Heavenly Official Emperor Lord did not take it lightly; although the Three Yuan Emperor Lords had been passed down for generations and no longer held the closeness of ancient times, they remained close allies in the heavenly court.

For the Three Yuan Emperor Lord lineage, gaining such a powerful new Emperor Lord in the Three Yuan Spirit Official Hall was also greatly beneficial.

The Three Stars also understood this principle.

The Three Primal Sovereigns and their Three Stars are almost identical.

The ancient Three Primal Sovereigns were held by the ancient sage-kings Yao and Shun, as well as King Yu.

After the three ancient human emperors completed their cultivation, they shed their positions as the Three Officials Sovereigns and instead assumed several more core Primal Sovereign positions; now they have entered the Three Sovereigns Heavenly Realm, establishing themselves as heavenly realm holy emperors, their rank second only to the Six Governing Heavenly Emperors of the Heavenly Court.

Apart from the Water Officials Sovereign, Zhang Jian entered alone.

The other immortals remained on the fifth layer above.

His Spirit Source Sovereign's residence is on the Cloud Road of the fifth layer above.

At the Water Officials Sovereign's residence, Heavenly River True Person was handling affairs; upon learning of Zhang Jian's arrival, he immediately pulled him personally into the main hall, inevitably giving him personal instruction.

Zhang Jian was also serving as an immortal official for the first time, and moreover a mid-to-high level immortal official; Heavenly River True Person also worried that Zhang Jian, unfamiliar with the heavenly rules and regulations of the Central Heavenly Realm, as well as many unwritten 'conventions', would suffer a hidden loss.

With the Water Officials Sovereign, this third grand uncle-ancestor, personally 'explaining' and 'transmitting', Zhang Jian naturally would not suffer a loss.

As a newcomer, he indeed needed such an elder to guide him in order to integrate into this entirely new constitution.

After all, the halo of genius on him was too heavy.

Although genius inspires envy, having a genius right beside oneself requires vigilance.

Nobody wants to be stepped on by others.

Lastly, Heavenly River True Person again mentioned Zhang Jian's immortal position.

"A Yu, if I am not mistaken, is your Divine Path Sovereign authority already approaching the Perfection of Taiyi Great Perfection?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's eyes flickered.

Heavenly River True Person evidently had not seen through his cultivation.

Actually, his Earth Sovereign authority, though only just formed, is sufficient to rival Taiyi Great Perfection.

At this time he also had no intention of hiding his talent, and said.

"Third Grand Master, my Divine Path authority has now stepped into Taiyi Great Perfection!"

Upon hearing this, Heavenly River True Person's expression changed, his emotion somewhat shocked.

"Truly astonishing!"

This indeed exceeded his expectations; he, who has held the position of Water Officials Sovereign since ancient times, has cultivation only to this extent.

This junior disciple Zhang Jian has actually nearly caught up to him.

Although he is a Divine Path Sovereign, it is not necessarily his own cultivation.

But Divine Path authority is also part of strength.

He thought for a moment and then said.

"I originally wanted to say, with your cultivation, advancing to the Nine Prefectures sequence is no problem; now seeing that with your Dao practice you enter the Ten Prefectures sequence, it is not merely fortunate!"

"Only heavenly official transfers are usually proportional to the fortune one brings to the heavenly realm and heavenly court!"

"A Yu, if you wish to continue transferring, you still need to achieve some results, either by executing heavenly duties, or subduing demons and upholding the Dao, or completing the various tasks of the heavenly court; your name must appear on the merit register for promotion and transfer to convince the masses!"

Zhang Jian slightly nodded.

"Please, Third Grand Master, guide your disciple!"

Heavenly River True Person nodded and shook his head, then sighed.

"Heavenly official transfer is not as simple as you imagine; you still need to seize opportunities yourself; if there is fate, I will point the way for you!"

Heavenly River True Person's eyes glowed with divine light.

He did not, however, harbor ill thoughts because Zhang Jian later surpassed him.

Zhang Jian, as an extraterritorial human emperor and core of the Tongshan Dao lineage, conducts himself in a way they have watched him grow up; he is not an ungrateful wretch.

Like the Division Technique, Purple Lightning, and even the Slay Demon True Lord, as well as many third-generation disciples of the Tongshan Dao lineage whose cultivation can be seen, he is equally devoted to emotion and righteousness, with clear gratitude and resentment!

If he can grow, this Third Grand Master of mine will also benefit.

Having received Heavenly River True Person's guidance, Zhang Jian immediately went to the Purple Azure Hall to receive the corresponding divine robes, identity talisman, and court attire, common attire, and then went to the Merit Hall to receive a portion of his stipend.

As a heavenly court sovereign, although not a real-power sovereign, his stipend is not low.

Besides various heavenly and earthly divine objects, magical treasures and implements, even cultivation methods, and spiritual lands for selection, one can also choose immortal crystals as stipend.

Immortal crystals are condensed from the heavenly innate spiritual mechanism essence, can be directly used for cultivation, their value far surpassing that of lower realm spirit crystals, and are also the primary circulating currency of the heavenly realm.

As the eighth-sequence Spirit Source Sovereign, Zhang Jian's stipend is indeed not low.

……

Zhang Jian led the crowd back to the fifth layer above.

The Spirit Source Sovereign's residence is located on an independent immortal island.

This point Zhang Jian is most satisfied with.

This independent immortal island possesses its own heavenly earthly spirit veins, sun and moon essences, and even the heavenly realm's innate pure qi supply; at intervals, a stream of innate pure qi passes through here, containing innate creation.

This is the innate blessing of the sovereigns.

These exceptionally favorable cultivation conditions completely support the cultivation of a Taiyi Great Perfection immortal; simultaneously, Zhang Jian knows that as a eighth-sequence court official sovereign, he possesses the qualification to enter part of the open heavenly realm cultivation secret realms, such as the Stellar Sea amidst the Zhou Tian, or the Heavenly River Blessed Land, or even part of the innate forbidden lands of the Central Heavenly Realm for cultivation, or to contend for the quota of corresponding innate sacred lands.

This is the corresponding treatment.

As for duties, they are simple: that is, to assist the Water Officials Sovereign in harmonizing the heavenly and earthly yin and yang, likewise sharing responsibility for a portion of water element disaster resolution.

If in the lower realm, or wherever the Water Officials Sovereign needs to manifest in person, and the Water Officials Sovereign is too busy, then one can help to stand in.

Or to dispatch heavenly troops and generals, or to preside over the water mansion's demon-subduing affairs.

This is military affairs; next comes civil affairs, such as going out with the Water Officials Sovereign on official business, participating in banquets, or participating in various court assemblies, then helping to manage the many subordinate departments under the Water Officials Sovereign.

In short, it is the Water Officials Sovereign's 'Grand Secretary'!

Sounds quite lucrative.

Real power may temporarily be lacking, but as the Water Officials Sovereign's 'Grand Secretary', and also a confidant, how could one lack even a bit of real power?

Besides, Zhang Jian's subordinates will also have two mid-level immortal officials, six mid-low level immortal officials, twelve low-level immortal officials, and twelve reserve immortal officials quotas.

Two intermediate celestial officials will be one literary and one martial celestial judge, and they will later become his left and right hands.

However, the threshold for intermediate celestial officials must necessarily be celestial beings of the Taiyi realm or higher, and he currently cannot fill these positions with members of the Zhang clan.

Among the six lower-middle celestial officials, one has a strict condition: the minimum standard is celestial immortal, reaching the peak of Shangfeng.

This is not difficult.

Next, the minimum standard for the twelve lower celestial officials is mid-stage true immortal or higher.

The twelve reserve celestial official positions, being reserve forces, have no strict regulations.

As for how to distribute these celestial posts, Zhang Jian already has a plan in mind, but ultimately he still needs to communicate with the Tongshan Dao Tong to finalize it.

He must handle this matter carefully, lest it become an excuse for other celestials to criticize him.

These trivial matters temporarily occupied part of Zhang Jian's energy.

When he had leisure, Zhang Jian began to study another major matter.

Can ancestral worship be performed in the celestial realm?!

If ancestral worship succeeds, will the feedback received undergo any changes?

This is what Zhang Jian is most curious about.

Now he has formally assumed the position of Lingyuan Emperor.

This is the eighth-rank celestial official in the celestial hierarchy.

Although his actual authority is limited, with this status performing ancestral worship, the feedback received should not be weaker than that obtained by ancient holy kings performing ancestral worship in their person.

Zhang Jian decided to give it a try.

However, the celestial laws and regulations in the central celestial realm are strict, and this place is filled with powerful celestials, making it not a good place for ancestral worship.

Zhang Jian decided to choose the location for ancestral worship on the land of the central celestial realm.

On the land of the central celestial realm, there are many celestial cities.

Zhang Jian personally went to investigate them.

Among these celestial cities, there are also ordinary people residing.

However, the number of such ordinary people is small; most are the Tianren clan, as well as many extraordinary races, or even deities, low-level celestials.

Although traces of powerful beings exist, the probability of being directly confronted by them has greatly decreased.