Chapter 591

Before the Heavenly Emperor's Palace, Zhang Jian's gaze swept over the grand immortal palace at the center, and before the palace stood rows of Dao platforms arranged side by side before the main hall, forming a colossal three-dimensional Dao platform on the steps, as if standing within hundreds of Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams grids.

These were the three hundred and sixty positions.

These three hundred and sixty positions required no invitation, nor any other conditions—only passage through the Divine Bridge before the immortal palace, first come, first served.

That Divine Bridge was called the Heavenly Gate Immortal Bridge.

It was said that within it lay a Nine Heavens Reverse Flow Forbidden Law, incomprehensible to those without great wisdom.

Those who passed through first could enter the three hundred and sixty positions.

Zhang Jian had also inquired among the cultivators of the Tongshan Dao Lineage about the profundities of this Nine Heavens Reverse Flow Forbidden Law.

This Reverse Flow Forbidden Law was indeed unique.

Unrelated to cultivation level—indeed, the higher one's cultivation, the greater the suppression endured.

Only wisdom and perseverance could dispel the suppression of the Nine Heavens Reverse Flow Forbidden Law.

Thus, at each Heavenly Emperor's Palace Dao Lecture, it was not necessarily the case that those with great divine powers would secure a seat.

On the contrary, many Dao Lords were unwilling to come lightly.

For if one failed to pass through this Nine Heavens Reverse Flow Forbidden Law, they would end up dusty and disgraced—truly embarrassing.

Yet competition remained fierce.

Still, many ancient Heavenly Court Dao Lords valued this opportunity for exchange and did not fear embarrassment.

Zhang Jian glanced at the Heavenly Gate Divine Bridge and saw nothing particularly marvelous about it, so he chose to return to his base.

He knew this base must certainly contain records concerning this Heavenly Gate Divine Bridge.

As he had anticipated, the Tongshan Dao Lineage immortals at the base, upon learning of his purpose, directly provided him with the information gathered over many years.

The Nine Heavens Reverse Flow Forbidden Law contained millions of complex variations, embodying the profundities of the innate Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams, incorporating nine realms, surging seas and horizontal currents—truly arduous to pass.

However, its power corresponded to the cultivator's level of Dao cultivation upon entry.

After reviewing the materials, Zhang Jian's expression shifted—he had gained some confidence.

During his participation in the Fire Cloud Cavern Heaven trial, he had personally come into contact with the true form of the River Chart and Luo Book spirit treasures, and had personally comprehended the innate Eight Trigrams established by the Fuxi Holy Emperor.

In this regard, he possessed a unique advantage.

Zhang Jian noticed that during this period, many immortals and deities of the Tongshan Dao Lineage did not communicate with him, including the Water Official Emperor.

This Grand Uncle spent most of his time exchanging insights with the Heavenly Official Emperor and the Earthly Official Emperor.

Clearly, he had passed through the Nine Heavens Reverse Flow Forbidden Law more than once.

"It seems this Grand Uncle finally feels pressure from me..."

Zhang Jian sensed this scene, and his heart was not surprised.

He and the Water Official Emperor were now rivals.

Competing for the sole Dao Lord quota obtained by the Tongshan Dao Lineage in this Evolving Epoch.

As for the Water Official Emperor, the Heavenly River True Person, Zhang Jian still felt gratitude in his heart.

When he first entered the Heavenly Court, the Heavenly River True Person had shown him much care—this could not be forgotten.

Zhang Jian pondered, then condensed a Heavenly River Eight Trigrams Divine Diagram using the Earth Emperor Eight Trigrams, and had the Tongshan Dao Lineage disciples deliver it to the Heavenly River True Person.

Though the latter no longer played with him.

Yet Zhang Jian still remembered the past kindness of being sheltered and guided, and regarded this as repaying that favor.

……

Upon arriving at the residence, the Heavenly River True Person had taken off the red-and-blue dragon robe and jade belt of the Water Official Emperor, now wearing a sea-blue water-cloud robe, wide sleeves and silk gown, and was jointly deducing the profundities of the Nine Heavens Reverse Flow Forbidden Law with the Earthly Official Emperor and the Heavenly Official Emperor.

The three working together, exchanging insights, achieved a deeper understanding than any one could alone.

At that moment, hurried footsteps sounded at the door; all three emperors opened their eyes and looked outward, and shortly saw a tall, handsome youth arrive at the threshold.

"Heavenly Cauldron, what matter makes you so urgent?"

The Heavenly River True Person opened his eyes, his expression calm and indifferent.

At the door, Heavenly Cauldron Immortal Lord restrained the strange expression on his face, saw the Heavenly River True Person, and hesitated slightly.

Seeing this, the Heavenly River True Person spoke.

"Heavenly Official, Earthly Official—neither are outsiders; speak plainly!"

Heavenly Cauldron Immortal Lord, witnessing this, silently cursed in his heart.

"Nowhere is not an outsider."

"On the contrary, that person outside is likely one of our own."

"But the Heavenly River True Person is my master—I dare not question him too much."

So he said:

"The Eternal Heavenly Emperor has sent someone with a spiritual source—saying it may aid the master in entering the Heavenly Gate Divine Bridge!"

Upon hearing this, the Heavenly River True Person slightly furrowed his brow; the Heavenly Official Emperor and Earthly Official Emperor showed no change in expression, and Heavenly Cauldron Immortal Lord immediately stepped forward to present the talisman in his hand.

The Heavenly River True Person glanced at it, then spoke calmly.

"He has never entered the Heavenly Emperor's Palace—how could he know the marvels of the Heavenly Gate Divine Bridge, let alone offer help?"

He turned to the other two emperors and said.

"This junior nephew of mine cultivates too smoothly—bound to be overly confident..."

He casually flicked a bit of spiritual power to activate the talisman in his hand, yet saw it instantly transform—forming a yin-yang entwined ring, within which the Eight Trigrams flowed, countless radiant lights forming a three-dimensional yin-yang taiji fish.

It turned slowly, as if the Mother of the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, evolving the boundless marvels of the Heaven and Earth Great Dao.

Moreover, it carried an aura far surpassing eternity and fate.

This was precisely the influence of the innate Eight Trigrams diagram that Zhang Jian had intercepted from his primordial spirit.

Though it could not compare to his direct comprehension of the innate Eight Trigrams' divine rhythm upon the River of Time and Space, it still contained a portion of that divine rhythm.

This is the Innate Eight Trigrams of Emperor Fuxi.

The three sovereigns are all exceptionally discerning; at a glance they were drawn to an extraordinary divine marvel contained within.

This is not an innate eight trigrams written by ordinary people, but the Innate Eight Trigrams condensed when the Holy Emperor Fuxi attained the Dao, possessing within it a mighty power transcending the river of time and space.

The Heavenly Sovereign and Earthly Sovereign gazed upon this scene, and deep in their eyes a trace of intense smile appeared.

The Heavenly Sovereign said: "The Nine Heavens Reverse Flow Forbidden Art of Emperor Fuxi is condensed from the Innate Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams as its foundation; if one can comprehend the supreme secret of the Innate Eight Trigrams, not to mention passing through that Nine Heavens Reverse Flow Forbidden Art, merely obtaining such fortune is no less than an eternal-grade immortal art!"

The Earthly Sovereign also smiled and said.

"This time we have actually gained the favor of Junior Brother Tianhe; such a supreme marvelous art, we normally would have no chance to witness!"

Upon seeing this scene, Tianhe Zhenren felt some ripples in his eyes.

His heart was complex.

He had not expected that Zhang Jian would at this time actually impart his own ultimate art.

He felt somewhat ashamed in his heart.

Speaking of magnanimity, yet he is not as good as a junior disciple.

However, regarding the competition for the Dao Sovereign quota, he cannot remain indifferent.

Soon he composed himself and then said.

"This Innate Eight Trigrams should be what my grandmaster's nephew obtained in the Huoyun Cave Heaven; since he has presented this art, we need not stand on ceremony, better to jointly contemplate it, perhaps we may thereby pass through the Nine Heavens Reverse Flow Forbidden Art!"

The Heavenly Sovereign and Earthly Sovereign exchanged a glance, yet there was some hesitation in their eyes.

Actually, at this time it would be best to summon the Eternal Heavenly Sovereign outside and have everyone contemplate together.

However, the Water Sovereign is unwilling, and they have no recourse, for this is a private matter of the Tongshan Dao lineage.

……

Outside the stronghold, after sending forth the Innate Eight Trigrams talisman seals, Zhang Jian waited several months for the opening of the Heavenly Gate Immortal Bridge.

Six months later, the Heavenly Emperor Palace's numerous reception immortal arches were crowded with people.

In the heavenly void, many powerful immortals and gods arrived.

Some came to test their luck, some purely to watch the spectacle, or to attend as listeners.

Besides the three hundred and sixty seats, the Heavenly Emperor Palace still has three thousand seats available for listeners.

But many of those three thousand seats are looked down upon by exalted immortals and gods.

Not only because they are too far away to directly witness the divine bearing of the great powers as they manifest the Dao, but also because they cannot borrow the fetal Dao to draw close to the profound mystery of the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth.

"Winter!"

Accompanied by a deep, muffled bell toll.

"It has begun!"

Before the divine bridge, an immortal could not help but speak softly.

Only seen, the divine bridge radiated rich seven-colored immortal light, layer upon layer of seven-colored ripples blooming in succession upon the bridge, immortal light flowing and turning, instantly spreading across the entire divine bridge.

At the gate of the divine bridge, a portal of condensed seven-colored light was constructed.

Upon seeing the portal open, the many immortals and gods standing at the gate of the divine bridge were the first to stride in, while other immortals and gods also did not contend, entering in single file.

Zhang Jian stood at the central position of the crowd; before him were many immortals and gods wearing heavenly court ceremonial robes, and also powerful beings from the various heavenly realms, not restricted to demons, deities, immortals, or humans, in the Three Sovereigns Heavenly Realm appearing as if harmoniously coexisting.

Zhang Jian quickly passed through the portal of flowing nine-colored splendor and entered within.

Not far behind him was the Reverent Heavenly Sovereign of the Human King Clan.

He wore black clothes, his countenance handsome; behind him was Kong Ji of the Five Dao Palaces, and the two were secretly competing.

These two are both existences ranked in the top ten on the Myriad Heavens Dao Seeds ranking.

Clearly, in the myriad heavens and worlds, they are the recognized existences most hopeful to step into the Dao Sovereign realm.

However, this ranking has always been merely a reference.

Possessing the foundation to step into the Dao Sovereign realm does not necessarily mean one can actually enter it.

Because the Dao Sovereign's tribulation is affected by too many unknown factors.

Now, Zhang Jian, having defeated the Western Sea War God Ao Mo, has seen his ranking on the Myriad Heavens Dao Seeds list rise somewhat, but Zhang Jian has always paid no heed to such rankings.

Upon stepping into the immortal bridge, Zhang Jian immediately sensed the transformation of time and space before him; countless streams of people were condensed by the sea of clouds into temporal-spatial divisions, and the vast, oceanic cloud torrents surged forward from ahead, transforming into boundless innate divine winds.

The innate divine wind blew, as if the heavens and earth's void, even the sea of clouds, were layered and wrinkled by the blue-black divine wind, even to the point of fissures.

Innate divine wind, and yet it inherently carries eternal-grade power.

Zhang Jian's eyes also grew somewhat solemn, yet he felt no fear; his body projected the Taiji Eight Trigrams, purple-yellow trigrams flowing, dispelling all divine winds, in an instant evolving into eight directions, continually seeking the path forward; after a moment he gained some insight.

Fifth-grade immortal art: Earth Sovereign Eight Trigrams.

The supreme marvelous art he comprehended from the Innate Eight Trigrams.

Zhang Jian used it to evolve the virtue of the earth bearing all things.

He smoothly passed through the howling domain of the innate divine wind; shortly thereafter he entered a vast expanse like an ocean of thunder, that is, a great expanse of violent purple thunder sea.

In the thunder sea, all are leaping various ultimate thunders, innate divine thunder, evolving into serpentine thunder dragons.

……

Within the Heavenly Emperor Palace, the Holy Emperor Fuxi has already appeared; he wears common robes, not dragon robes, and beside him follow several figures, each emitting an aura of abnormal terror.

These figures are sages born from the human race's evolution of chronicles.

Each is a heaven's pride.

And in another direction, several more richly dressed Daoists emerge from within, or wearing the Luo Tian purple robe, attire ancient and simple, or wearing the Huang Ting Dao robe, countenance ancient and clumsy, also several with divine light intense all over, appearing to be of ancient god origin.

One after another, their divine bearing is extraordinary.

Among them, one dressed as a Daoist, holding a whisk in hand, this handsome Daoist glanced at the outside of the Heavenly Emperor Palace, then looked at the Holy Emperor Fuxi, and said with a smile.

"Heavenly Emperor Dao brother, what is the topic of our debate this time?"

Fuxi Sheng Huang smiled and said: "Zhen Yuanzi Dao brother is indeed one who has attained great accomplishment in the Dao of the Earth; for our debate this time, why not take the Earth as the theme?"

The Daoist called Zhen Yuanzi brightened his eyes.

"This humble Daoist naturally agrees, but then wouldn't this become all of you making wedding clothes for this humble Daoist?"

Another deity beside him, his whole body flashing with intense water-marsh divine light, smiled and said.

"Senior Zhen Yuanzi worries too much; since ancient times, Qian and Kun have contained the Two Dao of Heaven and Earth, and all our various immortal arts are closely related to the Two Dao of Heaven and Earth; even if this venerable one achieves the Hunyuan form through the water element and contemplates the profound mysteries of the Earth, one can still gain benefit!"

After a slight pause, he continued.

"It's just a pity that the Water Mother Maiden did not come this time; perhaps her old self would be even happier!"

The other immortals and deities also nodded slightly.

The immortal deity called Zhen Yuanzi stroked his beard slightly, then suddenly spoke again.

"Since we are taking the Earth as the main subject, why not invite the Yellow Emperor Majesty, Your Majesty Fuxi? The Yellow Emperor Majesty is one of the Holy Emperors of the Three Sovereigns Celestial Realm who has attained the deepest comprehension of the Earth and the Earthly Movement!"

"And there is also the Agriculture Emperor Majesty; the Agriculture Emperor Majesty is also a great adept of this Dao! Fire gives birth to Earth, after all!"

Fuxi Sheng Huang smiled slightly.

"Indeed, it should be so!"

He then waved forth a talisman edict that flew out of the void; moments later, two supreme sovereigns emerged from the void.

At this time, the Agriculture Emperor laughed and said.

"Since the theme is the Earth, naturally we two cannot be absent!"

The Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan also wore a smile.

The Three Sovereigns as one, in an instant they took their seats; yet amidst the gazes of many great adepts, on the Tian Que Immortal Bridge, strong figures passed through the Tian Que Divine Bridge one after another at great speed.

The difficulty of the Tian Que Divine Bridge is merely moderate.

Only those who are mere pretenders are blocked.

Most of the immortals and deities who can come here to listen still possess the strength to pass through.

However, the speed of passing is crucial.

If too slow, then clearly there is no place, and one can only listen from the sidelines.

The Three Sovereigns silently gazed upon the square before the Immortal Palace Holy Hall; the three hundred and sixty seats were quickly occupied for the most part, among whom were not lacking Dao Lords from the myriad voids, ancient immortals of the Heavenly Court, great adepts of the extramural deity clans, ancestors, great sages of the demon and god clans, divine beings of the human race, Buddhas of the Western Pure Land, and many proud sons of heaven among the youth.

Most are legends of the human race from the major realms, or Dao seeds from the great super immortal sect lineages.

Zhang Jian, his whole body scorched black, emerged from the Tian Que Divine Bridge, somewhat dusty and grimy; at this moment, seeing that there were still a few seats left on the high platform, he hurriedly flew up to occupy one.

Although it is in the rear rows, it is still somewhat a proper seat.

He noticed that the auras of many immortals and deities in the front rows were extraordinarily vast and magnificent; not a few ancient gods and ancient immortals were among them.

But he noticed that few of these ancient gods and ancient immortals have achieved fame; many of these immortals and deities are unfamiliar faces, whereas the renowned great deities of the Heavenly Court are comparatively few; most have been in seclusion for years, possibly never having broken through as immortals and deities.

Next are the young talents of the younger generation.

Few are renowned elders.

There are also a few familiar faces seen once before in the Yaochi Celestial Realm, such as the Great Immortal of the Hundred Beasts, the Great Immortal of the Hundred Birds, the Chonghua Heavenly Lord, Kong Ji, the Chi Yuan Slaughter God, and so on.

However, no matter what, the fact that he could occupy a seat from the hands of these ancient immortals and ancient gods is also considered fortunate.

Subsequently, a few more immortals and deities emerged from the Tian Que Divine Bridge immortals and deities; seeing that there were still two seats left, two immortals and deities with extreme speed instantly occupied the seats in a flash.

Another immortal and deity was half a step slow, and immediately his face filled with regret.

There was some resentment in his eyes, but he dared not act before the Heavenly Emperor Palace; he could only descend from the Dao platform, and in front of the Dao platform he chose a forward position for listening from the sidelines.