Chapter 705: Eighteen Layers of Auspicious Clouds, Omens Appear, Great Hong Wish (4K)

In the celestial court's palace, upon the Heavenly Emperor's throne, at this moment there stands a vast and magnificent deity governing the universe, the pivot of the Taiji. His Heavenly Emperor's divine form is immense and boundless, and within the surging radiance, a divine figure stands firm between heaven and earth, as if upon the endless azure vault.

This majestic Heavenly Emperor radiates layer upon layer of magnificent divine light from his entire being, faintly undulating as if ripples are spreading outward, affecting the heavenly dao laws of heaven and earth within the boundless spacetime.

Deep within the divine light treasure wheel, moreover, multiple layers of luminous clouds appear: besides the Boundless Great Luminous Cloud, the Celestial Heart Great Luminous Cloud, the Merit Great Luminous Cloud, the Wisdom Great Luminous Cloud, the Infinite Great Luminous Cloud, the Eternal Great Luminous Cloud, the Perfect Enlightenment Great Luminous Cloud, the Dao Heart Great Luminous Cloud, and so on—altogether eighteen great luminous clouds manifest.

Each luminous cloud represents a great adept's profound attainment in one path of cultivation, thus giving rise to the luminous cloud; for example, the Merit Great Luminous Cloud, the Dao Heart Great Luminous Cloud, and the Celestial Heart Great Luminous Cloud respectively signify great achievements in merit, dao-heart, and eternal will upon these three paths, hence the luminous cloud's radiance.

Similarly, the Infinite Great Luminous Cloud, the Eternal Great Luminous Cloud, the Perfect Enlightenment Great Luminous Cloud, and so on are the same.

Successfully condensing eighteen great luminous clouds as an omen, to some extent also shows these years were certainly not spent in vain; the accumulation of dao practice has reached an astonishing degree.

Besides this, upon the Emperor's Auspicious Cloud of the Earth Emperor's Dao Fruit, a golden lamp manifests, emitting boundless luminous power from the Heavenly Emperor's treasure wheel behind his head; this pure luminous force fills the entire celestial court and heavenly realm with a warm, tranquil aura, making heart-demons unable to invade.

At this moment, Zhang Jian opens his eyes; those eyes are as cold as the heavenly dao, but after a moment they gradually gain a hint of warmth.

At this moment, a message appears before his eyes.

It is a message sent from the Central Heavenly Court.

It is the message sent, the first part informing him that his new divine office has been conferred, and likewise the Heavenly Court has appointed him as the Tai Ji Celestial Court Earth Emperor God.

Just like the virtually conferred divine offices of the Three Sacred Courts.

However, this is an actual conferment, meaning it comes with a fief.

The fief includes not only the earthly authority over the Spirit Realm, but also the earthly authority over a conquered heavenly realm.

This stems from several dozen yuanhui ago, when he assisted the Heavenly Court's Combat Division in breaking through the Spirit Realm's defenses, earning this reward.

As for his sequence, it was actually raised long ago, promoted to Sequence Twelve.

Zhang Jian now mutters somewhat, the Heavenly Court's rewards are indeed generous, but the delay is too long.

He currently has no inclination to run off to other heavenly realms to receive his fief.

He can only wait until later to find an opportunity to receive that portion of earthly authority over the heavenly realm.

Besides the benefits, the Heavenly Court additionally sends another message, soliciting his opinion.

During this period, Heavenly Court powerhouses have detected traces of part of the Reverse Qin strong forces, preparing to conscript some strong ones to go suppress them, asking whether he intends to go, and for this they have offered exceedingly favorable conditions.

Besides being able to choose from various heavenly and earthly treasures, there are also some divine offices and so on.

The Heavenly Court's actions have always been generous.

Zhang Jian hesitates slightly.

The actual sovereign of the Three Realms Heavenly Realm and the status of the Three Realms Heavenly Realm's human elders are alike; indeed the benefits are great, and there are many conveniences, but every yuanji still requires the fixed completion of certain tasks; if unable to complete, there will be corresponding punitive measures, or reduction of authority, benefits, or even demotion of divine-path authority, etc.

Furthermore, when welfare-related tasks arise, upon receiving the message there will also be delays, and there will be demotion of privileged access in intelligence matters; overall the problem is not great, but it affects cultivation.

In this case, more will lead to a reduction in sequence.

This is also the Heavenly Court's intention.

Although the Heavenly Court is rich in resources, it will not support strong ones who eat for free.

"Train soldiers for a thousand days, use them for a moment!"

As a human elder, he had already become the elder's task for each yuanji; conversely, the Heavenly Court's tasks have never been completed.

But Zhang Jian does not wish to involve himself in the troublesome affair with the Immortal Qin.

This is a great vortex.

Although he has been drawn into the Spirit Realm war, to some extent it counts as half a foot already stepped into this vortex.

After thinking, Zhang Jian directly uses the dimensional transmission array to first refuse this task.

Zhang Jian also did not think much of it, but ten thousand years later he again receives a transmission from the Heavenly Court, this transmission sent via the Lan Tai Dao Palace channel.

Heavenly Court, Hall of Six Unions.

This is Zhang Jian's sleeping palace; at this moment Zhang Jian speaks, and a strand of magnificent purple-yellow immortal light condenses, ultimately forming a round light mirror in the void, within which appears the boundless holy scene of the Qingxia Immortal Realm.

The round light mirror is not stable, because it crosses countless dimensions.

If not for the Heavenly Court's stable Heavenly Net crossing a portion of spacetime dimensional obstructions, Zhang Jian might not necessarily be able to communicate with Daoist Qingxia.

Within the round light mirror at this moment, a graceful figure appears—indeed the likeness of Daoist Qingxia.

Upon seeing Daoist Qingxia's form, Zhang Jian cannot help but smile.

"Daoist, do you wish to see me?"

There is a hint of smile in his eyes.

Upon seeing this Daoist Qingxia, he always feels a natural sense of closeness.

This may be due to the patron's favor.

For beings who can bestow benefits, he always gives them a measure of respect.

Within the round light mirror, Daoist Qingxia slightly nods her head, then immediately reveals her purpose; she sinks her voice and asks.

"A Yu, did you previously receive the transmission sent from the Heavenly Court?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's eyes flicker, and he nods, saying.

"I received it, but the junior refused!"

Daoist Qingxia nods her head.

"Your refusal was correct; they recently encountered trouble!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's eyebrows jump, somewhat surprised; Daoist Qingxia sighs and says.

"All have vanished; the True Martial Emperor suspects they have fallen into the Reverse Qin forces, or perhaps into the scheming of some demon kings and demon lords of the Six Great Demon Realms!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's expression becomes solemn.

Ten thousand years ago, the squad dispatched by the Heavenly Court was not ordinary; when they invited him, they had previously said, namely that a Heavenly Court Dao Revered One led the team, safety assured……

"Have they all perished?"

Zhang Jian cannot help but ask.

Daoist Qingxia nods her head: "Except for that Dao Revered One's dharma seal remaining intact between heaven and earth, the true spirit imprints of the others have been completely shattered; likely more misfortune than fortune!"

"The Great Heavenly Venerable this time dispatched the Northern Emperor himself to take action—there must be a major battle ahead!"

The Northern Emperor is the one who established the Northern Emperor's Black Laws in the Heavenly Court.

He is also the Northern True Martial Profound Heaven Supreme Deity.

In the top three hierarchies, he ranks fourteenth as a transcendent existence.

Among the Heavenly Court's imperial sovereigns, his rank is only below the Six Emperors of Heaven in sequence fifteen, and he is also one of the decision-makers in the core three sequences.

Zhang Jian's eyes flickered slightly as he nodded; it seems the loss of powerful cultivators this time was too great, and the Heavenly Court has truly been stirred.

Qingxia Daoist then spoke again.

"You should also be more careful these days—last time you refused a mission, you merely got lucky and avoided a disaster. If someone schemes against you again, you might not escape so easily!"

"Someone is scheming against me?"

Zhang Jian frowned slightly, having understood Qingxia Daoist's implication.

Qingxia Daoist nodded.

"Do you really think the Heavenly Court came to you last time for no reason? Someone recommended you within the Heavenly Court, but unfortunately you used seclusion as an excuse and slipped away!"

Qingxia Daoist's expression carried a hint of cold laughter.

Zhang Jian furrowed his brow slightly; he felt no surprise—though he had made few enemies during his cultivation, growth inevitably stirs some interests, and some powerful cultivators are narrow-minded, so it's no wonder they'd trip him up.

Moreover, he still has some rivals in the Heavenly Court, such as the Taiyin Daoist and the powerful figures behind him.

Likewise, there are the rivals Qingxia Daoist has dug up.

He and Qingxia Daoist are now as close as sharing a pair of pants—who knows what 'special' relationship exists between them, and thus they cannot avoid being implicated.

But after thinking, Zhang Jian smiled faintly and said.

"I'm actually curious—having hidden so far away, which great divine-powered being still bears a grudge against me?"

Qingxia Daoist shook his head and said.

"The ripple caused by a minor heavenly official's insignificant remark—I've been investigating who stands behind him recently, and only just found some clues. It should be those behind Taiyin. Hmph, since they can't touch this palace, they've turned their attention to you!"

Zhang Jian furrowed his brow slightly, then immediately said.

"Daoist, have you uncovered those behind Taiyin? What is their cultivation level and their methods? We cannot remain completely unprepared, always taking blows passively!"

Qingxia Daoist glanced at Zhang Jian, shook his head, and said.

"You think too beautifully—nothing in life allows you to foresee everything and prepare accordingly; if it did, such battles would be too easy to win!

But you need not worry too much—we proceed with caution, as if walking on thin ice, and they are no different. As soon as they reveal even a slight flaw, it will be enough to leave them without a burial place!"

A cold smile flickered in her eyes, though no killing intent or murderous aura was visible, yet her words reeked of blood and gore.

Zhang Jian glanced at Qingxia Daoist, thought for a moment, and said.

"Can we find a way to lure them out?"

Qingxia Daoist looked at him and directly rejected the idea.

"This is utterly unrealistic, and moreover, not worth the cost!"

At this moment, her eyes held a smile as she said.

"Now it's not us who are anxious—it's them!"

She looked at Zhang Jian and smiled lightly: "We two are no ordinary third-level divine-powered beings—we have hope of reaching the other shore, and even hope of attacking the supreme realm. But if either of us succeeds, do you think we could let slip that group of deceitful, treacherous villains hiding behind us?"

Her emotions overflowed, her eyes revealing no concealment of the confidence she carried.

Zhang Jian's gaze fluctuated—he noticed the incarnation of 'Qingxia Daoist' before him; her true form is usually serene and wind-like, rarely showing emotion, but this incarnation embodies a childlike heart, unreservedly displaying the dominance, boldness, and lively, mischievous nature belonging to her true self and her feminine nature.

However, what Qingxia Daoist said was not wrong.

The two of us possess exceptional talent, have mountains to rely on, have foundations to stand on—we only need to grow smoothly, and then we can overwhelm them together.

Those powerful cultivators frequently active, trying to scheme against us, are no doubt doing so because they feel the pressure we exert.

Qingxia Daoist then spoke calmly.

"As long as we cultivate diligently and do not easily reveal flaws, the one who ultimately exposes a flaw will surely be them—and they may even jump out willingly to seek death!"

"May it be as you wish!"

Zhang Jian sighed faintly, then immediately said.

"You personally sought me out—was it merely for these reasons?"

Qingxia Daoist shook his head: "Besides, there are also the Heavenly Court's Yanji missions—you had best complete them in advance, not wait until the end of Yanji, for by then your room for choice will be slim, and you'll easily fall into targeted arrangements!"

Zhang Jian pondered briefly; Qingxia Daoist's reminder was timely.

After thinking, he asked Qingxia Daoist for his opinion.

"Daoist, do you have any suggestions?"

A hint of a smile appeared in his eyes; seeing this, Qingxia Daoist smiled faintly, knowing Zhang Jian's sharpness meant he must have guessed her request, so she spoke plainly.

"You are indeed clever—this palace has already found a suitable mission for you, and besides, I happen to have a matter you can conveniently help me complete!"

After a brief pause, she added.

"To be precise, it's not helping this palace, but helping the Queen Mother of the West!"

"The Queen Mother of the West?"

Zhang Jian furrowed his brow slightly—how did this matter involve that lady?

Qingxia Daoist's eyes held a subtle glint as he spoke calmly.

"This palace remembers you once borrowed the Qi Guang Secret Realm of Mount Xikunlun during your sparring match with Yuzhuo Daoist, and at that time, the Queen Mother of the West did not demand compensation!"

She implied as much.

"Is this the meaning of that senior?"

Zhang Jian furrowed his brow slightly.

Qingxia Daoist shook his head: "That senior would not easily speak up—this is this palace leveraging the situation to secure an opportunity for you. Favors from great divine-powered beings are not easily owed; repay early, reap good early—otherwise, future troubles will only grow!"

Zhang Jian glanced at Qingxiao Daoist, knowing that the "great divine ability user" mentioned by Qingxiao Daoist at this moment was not meant literally.

The Queen Mother of the West, one of the ancient sacred beings born in the primordial era, is certainly not as simple as a mere third-level great divine ability user!

Zhang Jian pondered in his heart, feeling that what Qingxiao Daoist said was not without reason.

Previously, the Queen Mother of the West had lent him the Qi Guang Secret Realm—this was a favor.

Although the Queen Mother of the West did not ask him for repayment, he could not remain indifferent.

Zhang Jian glanced at Qingxiao Daoist and then spoke.

"I don't know what the task is, but since it concerns a mythic powerhouse like the Queen Mother of the West, I cannot afford to be troubled by it!"

Qingxiao Daoist laughed.

"This task will not be difficult for you. As for what the Queen Mother of the West seeks, it is merely an opportunity—you only need to create this opportunity, and then the task will be complete!"

"I have already copied this task notice and sent it to you first! If you find it feasible, I will have the task scroll brought to you!"

Qingxiao Daoist's eyes showed a smile.

Zhang Jian nodded slightly, then immediately walked out of the Liuhe Hall and entered the Tiangong Hall deep within the celestial realm of the Immortal Court.

Here there is a dedicated interdimensional transmission formation, capable of transmitting immortals and gods, as well as objects. Shortly afterward, Zhang Jian received the task scroll sent by Qingxiao Daoist.

"It is actually a grand aspiration task!"

At this moment, his gaze fell upon the scroll in his hand, and Zhang Jian felt a hint of surprise in his eyes.

The tasks of the Heavenly Court are myriad and strange—minor ones include artifact forging, pill refining, or demon-subduing missions, as well as averting great calamities in certain realms, or expansion missions such as serving as a scout pioneer, opening up unknown regions of the heavenly realm, or even special worlds.

There are also Dao lineage tasks, assisting a particular Dao lineage within the Heavenly Court in its expansion, or helping the Heavenly Court's Department of Combat, Department of Rain, Department of Fire, and Department of Thunder complete certain tasks.

But tasks like the grand aspiration task before him are comparatively rare.

This is to assist a great divine ability user in fulfilling a great aspiration, thereby perfecting their obsession and overcoming a tribulation.

This is therefore rather special.

Merely glancing at the content on the task scroll, Zhang Jian felt a hint of interest in his eyes; he decided to proactively visit the Heavenly Court once to meet the supreme powerhouse who issued the task.

If he did not know the details of this grand aspiration task, he would not recklessly interfere and entangle himself in it.

However, the immortal god who issued this task in the Heavenly Court is somewhat special.