Chapter 566: Third Transformation, Lord of the Ice Fortress (4K)

The Ninth Level of the Lower Realm of the Central Celestial Realm, the Lord of the Ice Fortress!

Upon hearing Zhang Jian's words, the faces of many immortals and deities inside and outside the hall were filled with surprise.

"The Ninth Level of the Lower Realm, Lord of the Northern Ice Fortress, are you to become the Guardian Heavenly Sovereign of the Eternal Ice Prison?"

The Holy Mother of Yaochi also turned her gaze toward Zhang Jian.

Zhang Jian nodded slightly.

He naturally knew very well what kind of realm the place he was going to was.

The Ice Fortress is actually the Eternal Ice Prison of the Ninth Level of the Lower Realm of the Central Celestial Realm, a place of extreme cold in the Central Celestial Realm, and the Eternal Ice Prison is also a celestial domain, established specifically to punish errant immortals and deities.

It also suppressed a portion of immortals and deities who had fallen into the demonic path.

If one enters this place to serve as a Guardian Heavenly Sovereign, it is actually no different from being imprisoned.

Resources are scarce, there is no starlight from the heavenly cycles, the spiritual energy is extremely cold, and one must also deal with those cunning immortals and demonic fiends.

How bitter it is!

Even the extreme cold there, if endured by someone of Zhang Jian's cultivation level, would be extremely painful.

Zhang Jian felt helpless in his heart; if not for the insistence of Daoist Qingxia, he would not have abandoned his comfortable position as the Carefree Emperor to become the Guardian Heavenly Sovereign of the Eternal Ice Prison.

However, this matter still needs to be seen according to the will of the Queen Mother of Yaochi.

If she does not agree, then the plan of Zhang Jian and Daoist Qingxia cannot possibly succeed.

The Queen Mother of Yaochi pondered slightly, then after a moment she looked toward the Jade Emperor beside her and asked.

"What does the Great Heavenly Venerable think?!"

The Jade Emperor slightly stroked his beard and smiled.

"The Eternal Ice Fortress is no ordinary place, but with the cultivation and status of the Lingyuan Emperor, he is also capable of undertaking it!"

"Moreover, transferring from the Water Official Emperor to the Guardian Heavenly Sovereign of the Eternal Ice Fortress is also considered a lateral move, and no immortals or deities should have objections!"

The Queen Mother of Yaochi nodded slightly, then said.

"Good, this matter is approved by this palace!"

"Thank you, Great Heavenly Venerable, thank you, Mother!"

Zhang Jian slightly bowed with clasped hands.

Finally, the Yin Eclipse Dark Emperor and the God Sovereign of the Divine Thunder, these two great deities, each had their own requests.

The Yin Eclipse Dark Emperor requested a special authority over a netherworld realm, and was bestowed a powerful Dark Emperor Divine Artifact.

What he sought was divine authority.

The God Sovereign of the Divine Thunder requested a hidden treasure within the heavenly treasury, the Divine Banner of the All-Heavens Thunder God, and thereafter was exceptionally promoted by the Holy Mother of Yaochi to a rank, listed as tenth in the sequence, serving as deputy to the Heavenly Venerable of the Thunder Division.

This bestowal was also quite extraordinary.

The Thunder Division of the Heavenly Court is not an ordinary department; even great divine beings rarely have the opportunity to enter such a crucial department.

After dozens of immortals and deities had all been conferred rewards and titles, the immortals filed out of the Hall of Great Brilliance in single file.

After the immortals departed from the Hall of Great Brilliance, the Jade Emperor, Great Heavenly Venerable, rose from his imperial throne, and a calm voice came forth.

"Mother, this time the Three Teachings united with the Nine Luminous Stars, the Three Emperors' Celestial Realm has won; the Western Pure Land will surely not easily relent, we must still prepare for mediation, and cannot allow other celestial domains within the Heavenly Realm's dimensions to profit as the fisherman!"

The Queen Mother of Yaochi slightly nodded and said.

"This palace will dispatch personnel to focus on one or two!"

This Heavenly Emperor slightly nodded, and his form transformed into streaks of invisible golden light, vanishing within the Hall of Great Brilliance.

The Queen Mother of Yaochi gazed calmly at this scene.

She glanced at the bustling Yaochi gradually dispersing, she slowly rose, her noble figure standing proudly upon the vast and boundless hall, exceptionally cold and secluded, as if uniquely enduring through myriad ages.

But soon this air of indifference toward heaven and earth gradually dissipated, replaced by an ancient and unchanging tranquility, composed and at ease.

Within and without the Hall of Great Brilliance, the various Daoist Lords of Yaochi at this time also slowly flowed in, coming to report on the various matters following the grand assembly.

……

Zhang Jian walked out of the Hall of Great Brilliance, yet his eyes held helplessness.

He felt that this time he had truly suffered a great loss.

For the sake of a crooked-necked tree, he had abandoned a vast forest.

Zhang Jian felt it was time to enter the ancestral temple to shear wool.

This time he could not endure it any longer.

Not long after leaving Yaochi, Zhang Jian saw in a celestial pavilion of the Yaochi Celestial Realm the back of Daoist Qingxia standing facing away from him.

For some unknown reason, gazing upon this scene, Zhang Jian felt this figure resembled the 'Wangfu Stone' of the Yaochi Celestial Realm, ancient and enduring...

Zhang Jian hastily shook off the chaotic thoughts in his mind, and at the same time stepped forward.

Upon seeing Zhang Jian approach, Daoist Qingxia smiled and said: "Congratulations, you have finally achieved your wish, able to spread the ancestral qi to the ten directions of the celestial realms!"

Zhang Jian's face slightly nodded; he had to admit, this might be the only thing worth his joy.

At this moment he spoke.

"The Holy Mother has already agreed to my request; upon the return of the Water Official Emperor to the Heavenly Court, I shall transfer to become the Ice Fortress Heavenly Sovereign, concurrently serving as the Ice Fortress Guardian, commanding the thirty thousand immortal soldiers and generals surrounding the Ice Fortress!"

"Daoist, you should also tell me, what exactly am I going there for? Is it truly just to rely on a few demon-suppressing treasures deep within the Ice Fortress to complete the first five steps of cultivation toward the Perfection of Taiyi!"

Zhang Jian directed his gaze toward Daoist Qingxia.

He did not believe that Daoist Qingxia had him take the position of Ice Fortress Heavenly Sovereign merely to rely on a few treasures within the Ice Fortress for cultivation.

Daoist Qingxia glanced at him, then spoke calmly.

"Why do you think that whatever I have you do must necessarily be beneficial in every way?"

Zhang Jian shook his head and said.

"Daoist Qingxia acts, taking one step while seeing seven or eight steps ahead, with far-sighted vision, and has never been aimless; thus, I believe the place I am going must certainly hold a great secret!"

Qingxia Daozun heard the words and smiled faintly, her eyes falling upon Zhang Jian.

"Since I am as good as you say, then this palace also believes in your ability to find the opportunity within yourself!"

She smiled lightly, yet paid no heed to the somewhat dazed Zhang Jian, her form turning into a stream of light as she quietly departed.

At the same time, a voice came.

"This palace will depart the Central Heavenly Realm for the next tens of thousands of years, heading to the unknown dimensions of the Heavenly Realm to participate in the pioneering efforts; from now on, you must rely on yourself!"

Zhang Jian raised his eyebrows, inwardly muttering.

Speaking of his cultivation journey, it seemed he had been living off others' efforts all along, yet in truth, he had relied on himself all the way.

At this moment, his expression stirred slightly.

The Earth Emperor's Primordial Spirit, with its keen 'sense of smell,' had already detected a special fragrance, as if containing the pure scent of all things in heaven and earth, even bearing the aroma of the Great Dao, the scent of spiritual rhythm, the scent of food, and the scent of essence, qi, and spirit.

In the distance, he saw Baihuaxianzi manifest her true form from afar, stepping into the immortal pavilion.

Baihuaxianzi also saw Qingxia Daozun's departing figure.

She then turned her gaze back to Zhang Jian, pondered for a moment, and suddenly said.

"Qingxia elder sister is about to depart; she has entrusted me with the task of guiding the Taiyin Xianzi back!"

Zhang Jian grinned.

After entering the Heavenly Realm, from countless minor dao gossip, he had already understood the many disagreements between Baihuaxianzi, Qingxia Daozun, and the Taiyin Xianjun.

Previously, the Taiyin Xianjun had arranged for Baihuaxianzi to reincarnate several times before she could return; this time, Baihuaxianzi would not let this troublesome opportunity pass.

Zhang Jian did not know how to 'congratulate' Baihuaxianzi in his heart.

Yet he still said.

"Upon hearing Daozun mention the pioneering efforts, it seems this Yaochi gathering was convened in advance for this very purpose!"

Baihuaxianzi nodded slightly and said.

"The Heavenly Court has again discovered a bountiful heavenly realm dimension in the northern region; the Heavenly Court intends to bring it under its governance, hence convening this Yaochi assembly, and also to use this opportunity to divide responsibilities and share benefits among the various Daozun..."

She had also heard some rumors about this matter beforehand.

But in an instant, she said.

"However, this matter has nothing to do with us mid-level immortals and gods for now!"

"I have heard that the Emperor, in the main hall, volunteered to enter the ninth layer of the Eternal Ice Prison in the lower realm, where the cold pierces to the bone; the Emperor should also take care!"

"Is the Eternal Ice Fortress really that cold?"

Zhang Jian felt somewhat strange.

He had only heard that the ninth layer of the Eternal Ice Fortress in the lower realm was a place where the Central Heavenly Realm punished some erring immortals and gods, and suppressed fallen immortals.

He did not know the true conditions inside.

At that time, he was also forced into action, with no more time to learn about this.

Baihuaxianzi was somewhat speechless.

"It seems the Emperor truly does not know the conditions inside the Eternal Ice Fortress; then the Emperor..."

Zhang Jian helplessly shrugged and said.

"You have seen it; this is the Daozun's suggestion, and I have always been good at accepting others' suggestions!"

Baihuaxianzi gave him a white look.

Speaking of which, she was quite familiar with the Eternal Ice Fortress, for after her past encounter with the demon calamity, to suppress the demon poison deep in her primordial spirit, she had voluntarily entered the Eternal Ice Prison, using its power to seal the demon poison; regarding the cold there, she knew it better than anyone.

She then said.

"That is one of the coldest places in the Heavenly Realm dimensions; the cold within can even freeze time and space, seal all things; many powerful ancient immortals unknowingly attained nirvana within the ice prison, or simply dissolved into the Dao!"

"And as the keeper of the Eternal Ice Prison, in charge of it, naturally one must also bear a portion of its suffering!"

She glanced at Zhang Jian and said.

"This time, the Emperor gained great benefits in the depths of Yaochi, devouring many soul origins, and even obtained many Daozun secret arts from discussions among Daozun; Qingxia elder sister likely hopes the Emperor will use the icy stillness of the Eternal Ice Prison to reforge his Dao-heart, purify his cultivation, to avoid leaving any hidden dangers!"

Zhang Jian nodded slightly.

Baihuaxianzi added.

"Besides the bitter cold of the Eternal Ice Fortress, the true danger lies in the erring immortals and gods within, as well as those fallen immortals!"

A hint of complex emotion flickered in her eyes; she had endured suffering there, and knew well what it felt like to struggle on the brink of desperation.

When eroded by heavenly demon toxins, she had not lacked wavering, even having thoughts of directly abandoning resistance and falling into the demon path.

Yet she was ultimately a Yaochi immortal, knowing she still had vitality; though suffering, she had kin and friends, and even the Yaochi Holy Mother as her reliance.

Other immortals and gods might not always hold fast to their principles before desperation.

Once fallen into the demon path, these immortals and gods would become extraordinarily dangerous, they would stop at nothing merely to escape.

After a slight pause, Baihuaxianzi added.

"Furthermore, there is also a portion of external immortals and gods; Emperor, you must also take note!"

"The Central Heavenly Realm has many immortal prisons, not lacking those who, to save kin and friends, disregard heavenly rules and laws; if prisoners escape, as the garrisoning Heavenly King of the Eternal Ice Fortress, the Emperor may also face criticism, affecting your promotion!"

Zhang Jian gave a slight nod.

With Baihuaxianzi's guidance, he now had a preliminary impression of the Eternal Ice Fortress.

……

Central Heavenly Realm, Fifth Layer of the Upper Realm, Lingyuan Emperor's Mansion.

After the Yaochi gathering ended, Zhang Jian returned to the Emperor's mansion and delivered the nine-thousand-year-old purple-patterned flat peaches to Qi Yuhua for consumption.

After consuming this nine-thousand-year-old purple-patterned flat peach, Qi Yuhua smoothly passed the Heavenly Immortal Great Tribulation and directly attained the Heavenly Immortal form.

The Emperor's mansion, up and down, thus became lively.

After reaching the Heavenly Realm thirty to forty thousand years later, Qi Yuhua finally achieved the Heavenly Immortal form, accomplished the Dao of Immortals, and henceforth enjoyed eternal life; as long as he did not actively seek tribulation, he would not easily encounter calamity.

However, the happiest ones were still Zhang Yi, Zhang Zhao, Zhang Xian, and others.

Upon receiving the news, Zhang Yi and Zhang Xian also returned from the Three Sovereigns Heavenly Realm's Tongshan Dao Lineage to the Central Heavenly Realm to celebrate.

However, upon learning that Zhang Jian had decided to resign from his position as Water Official Emperor and transfer to become the master of the Eternal Ice Fortress, the Zhang clan immortals all felt some concern.

The honor and disgrace of the Zhang clan entirely depended on Zhang Jian alone.

At this time, Zhang Jian resigned from the position of Water Official Emperor, a Heavenly Realm real-power Emperor's immortal post, and transferred to become a regional garrison Heavenly Monarch—no matter how one looked at it, it seemed like a demotion.

However, this request was made by Zhang Jian himself; they could only comfort themselves by thinking that Zhang Jian had other plans, possibly merely treating the Eternal Ice Fortress as a temporary transit point.

Zhang Jian also took advantage of the Zhang clan immortals being nearby to rearrange the cultivation of many Zhang clan immortals for the next tens of thousands of years.

After all, he might have to stay in the Eternal Ice Fortress for a considerable period of time, unless he encountered some "high-end position" that could allow him to be exceptionally promoted.

As for Zhang Yi and Zhang Xian, as disciples of the Tongshan Dao Lineage, they could naturally remain in the Tongshan Dao Lineage of the Three Sovereigns Heavenly Realm.

As for Zhang Zhao and his wife, Zhang Jian had made other arrangements.

After the True Person of the Heavenly River returns to his position, Zhang Jian will ask the True Person of the Heavenly River to keep Zhang Zhao in the Three Yuan Spirit Officials Hall, starting from the left official position of the Water Official Emperor—this starting point is also considered quite high.

As for the Ji clan, Zhang Jian prepared to bring them together into the Eternal Ice Fortress.

As for the various ladies, they are to remain in the Emperor's mansion on the fifth layer of the upper realm, cultivating in seclusion, awaiting his renewed return.

……

Nine Luminaries Heavenly Realm, a place where stars shine, endless starlight pours down.

Eastern Heavenly Realm Army, Eastern Green Garrison Mansion.

At this moment, the Lofty Mountain Heavenly Monarch was in the main hall receiving an esteemed guest.

This esteemed guest had starlight flowing around his body, wore a silver-white star-embroidered Dao robe, wore a moonflower crown on his head, and had a temperament warm and smooth like jade.

"So saying, the transfer of the Water Official Emperor to become the master of the Eternal Ice Fortress has already become a settled matter?"

The Lofty Mountain Heavenly Monarch slightly furrowed his brow.

That star god slightly nodded his head; there was something unusual in his eyes.

"This sovereign also did not expect that this god would actually choose the Eternal Ice Fortress, such a bitterly cold place, to temper his Dao heart—he is indeed willing to endure hardship!"

The Lofty Mountain Heavenly Monarch slightly nodded his head.

In the eyes of the immortals, Zhang Jian's entry into the Eternal Ice Fortress was nothing more than using the ice authority mastered by the master of the Eternal Ice Fortress, as well as the power of the ice fortress itself, to temper his Dao heart, preparing to suppress the demon calamity and perfect his Dao fruit.

The Lofty Mountain Heavenly Monarch slightly pondered and said.

"Since one is to enter the Eternal Ice Fortress, this matter can indeed be arranged in advance!"

"Coincidentally, this god also wishes to vent this foul anger!"

The star god's eyes flashed with a chill.

In the Jade Pool, he had been struck by that Spirit Source Emperor, his true body shattered, forcibly expelled from the situation; his heart, already not very broad, had long secretly harbored resentment. Now that he had learned of Zhang Jian's plan, naturally he also wanted to cause some trouble for the other party, to vent his anger.

Furthermore, this Lofty Mountain Heavenly Monarch had lost two Taiyi realm immortal gods at the hands of the other party, making it even more impossible to easily let go; he must ensure the other party falls into the Eternal Ice Fortress.

The Lofty Mountain Heavenly Monarch sat upright on the divine throne, calm and silent, yet there was a sharp glint in his eyes.

For this day, he had waited a long time.

……

Two thousand years later, Zhang Jian smoothly and completely integrated the Earth Emperor's primordial qi into the many heavenly realm dimensions governed by the Heavenly Court.

By means of this, the Dao fruit immortal light within his great perfection Dao fruit had already become completely perfected.

This measure alone reduced his countless eons of refinement and bitter cultivation by hundreds of thousands of years.

Vast and mighty heavenly fortune flowed together from the various dimensions of the Heavenly Realm.

At this very moment, news also came from the Three Sovereigns Heavenly Realm: the Water Official Emperor, True Person of the Heavenly River, ascended to the Heavenly Gate, reincarnated and returned.

Zhang Jian thus prepared, before relinquishing his post, to conduct a sacrificial rite to his ancestors.