Chapter 740

According to her understanding of Zhang Jian, by the time he returns to the Central Heaven Realm, Zhang Jian will certainly not fail to perform ancestral rites.

The Jade Emperor, Supreme Lord of Heaven, glanced at this vast Golden Origin Heaven Realm, then immediately spoke again.

"Qingxia, after this matter, you may go in my stead to the Golden Origin Dao Court; you may recruit the Golden Origin Dao Court in my name, and if you can persuade the Phoenix Clan, I will not be stingy with rewards!"

"Yes, Father Emperor!"

Daoist Qingxia's eyes flickered slightly, the Jade Emperor, Supreme Lord of Heaven, gave a slight nod, and then his form vanished into the void.

Daoist Qingxia gazed in the direction where the Jade Emperor, Supreme Lord of Heaven, had departed, her eyes showing a hint of contemplation.

Having endured such peril, the Phoenix Clan likely has the various Divine Emperors somewhat alerted, aware that turmoil may arise in the heavenly void ahead, and the Phoenix Clan may not be able to remain untouched by the chaos.

Joining the Heavenly Court is certainly not a bad choice.

Daoist Qingxia thought for a moment, then decided to first prepare to go and meet the Divine Emperor of the Heavenly Phoenix.

……

At the Vermilion Sparrow Dao Palace, after the Vermilion Sparrow Divine Emperor returned, he did not show the anger that the gods had imagined.

Upon the golden divine throne, the Vermilion Sparrow Divine Emperor sat upon the divine throne, his eyes slightly rippling.

After a moment's thought, she ordered the attendant deity to make a trip to the Golden Origin Underworld.

Not long after, a stream of light broke through the sky before the Vermilion Sparrow Dao Palace, transforming into a person wearing green robes, a transcendent immortal, his countenance handsome, his sleeves flowing, possessing naturally an air of holiness and compassion.

But shortly after, this aura of holiness gradually withdrew.

"I pay my respects, Dao Brother Qinglian!"

At that moment, in the distance, two Dao Chiefs first greeted Zhang Jian.

They were one man and one woman, both Dao Chiefs.

The Nine Mysteries Dao Chief and the Azure Moon Dao Chief.

The two Dao Chiefs: the Nine Mysteries Dao Chief wore a dark gold ceremonial robe, his back like a tiger's and waist like an ape's, his entire bearing exuding an extraordinary dignity.

The Azure Moon Dao Chief wore a pink-white long robe, resembling a beautiful female immortal stepping out of a painting of court ladies, her posture graceful and elegant, with a teardrop-shaped ornament on her forehead, her gaze carrying a gentle and moving tenderness.

Both Dao Chiefs wore smiles.

They had already heard something about the affairs of the Golden Origin Underworld.

Having the opportunity to intervene in the Golden Origin Underworld, they were also envious beyond measure.

Zhang Jian also returned a smile, exchanged a few brief words, and then inquired about the purpose of the Vermilion Sparrow Divine Emperor summoning him this time.

The Azure Moon Dao Chief shook her head and said.

"I also do not know this matter; Dao Brother, you had best go and ask His Majesty yourself!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian gave a slight nod.

He had another suspicion in his heart.

He knew it should not be related to the Taiyi Clan.

If it were related to the Taiyi Clan, the Vermilion Sparrow Divine Emperor could simply summon all the gods, convene the Dao Palace Council, and announce the result directly.

There would be no need to summon him alone.

Zhang Jian had a faint suspicion in his heart.

After a moment, he stepped forward and entered the depths of the Vermilion Sparrow Dao Palace.

The Dao Palace was magnificent, like the domain of a colossal god.

In the center, there was also a huge golden earth divine throne, as if established upon the ancestral vein, the throne towering high, straight through the dome of the Dao Palace, extraordinarily magnificent and vast.

Even if the Vermilion Sparrow Divine Emperor at this moment had diminished his true divine form and sat upon the golden earth divine throne, he still possessed an extraordinary dignity.

"Your Majesty!"

Upon seeing the Vermilion Sparrow Divine Emperor in this state, Zhang Jian's face showed a hint of a smile.

The Vermilion Sparrow Divine Emperor also gave a slight nod, gesturing for Zhang Jian to approach beside the earth divine throne.

At this moment, to the left front of the earth divine throne, there was another huge azure divine throne, slightly lower.

Its position was only slightly inferior to that of the earth divine throne.

Zhang Jian stepped forward and, accordingly, sat down.

Sitting upon the divine throne, looking down upon the steps below the Dao Palace, it was as if celestial gods on the clouds looked down upon the mortal world, a sense of transcendence arising spontaneously.

Zhang Jian, however, did not feel anything particular about it.

At this moment, the Vermilion Sparrow Divine Emperor opened his mouth and laughed.

"Dao Brother Qinglian, how is this newly established divine seat?"

Zhang Jian sighed.

"Qinglian truly does not deserve such great favor from Your Majesty!"

The Vermilion Sparrow Divine Emperor smiled slightly.

"How does it compare to your divine seat in the Heavenly Court?"

Zhang Jian leaned back against the divine throne and laughed.

"This divine throne is very comfortable, and the view from its position is also excellent!"

The Vermilion Sparrow Divine Emperor glanced at Zhang Jian, saw that he was evasive and did not give her a direct answer, and so she did not prepare to continue beating around the bush, but spoke directly.

"Dao Brother Qinglian, this palace knows that, given your cultivation, your position in the Heavenly Court must certainly be extraordinary; can you tell this palace your true origin?"

Zhang Jian gave a slight smile and said.

"Your Majesty worries too much; I am merely an ordinary immortal god under the command of the Eastern Extreme Azure Splendor Emperor..."

The Vermilion Sparrow Divine Emperor said nothing, merely fixing Zhang Jian with eyes that seemed to speak.

"Dao Brother Qinglian, could it be that you do not regard this palace as a friend?!"

Zhang Jian naturally said.

"Of course I did not treat Your Majesty as a friend!"

He paused slightly, then continued.

"But rather as a very, very good friend!"

The deep eyes of the Danque Divine Emperor Phoenix flickered with a smile, then she straightened her face and said.

"If that is the case, and you still conceal something, then I would not believe that beneath the Dongji Majesty, if there were a Daoist friend of such great talent, would remain unknown and unheard of?"

Zhang Jian glanced at the Danque Divine Emperor.

It seemed the Danque Divine Emperor had already investigated him thoroughly.

It was likely not only the Danque Divine Emperor, but the Golden Origin Dao Court had also been secretly investigating him.

Now that it has come to this, Zhang Jian felt there was no longer any need to continue hiding his identity.

He then smiled and said.

"I truly cannot be considered a divine attendant of the Dongji Majesty, but I have indeed received guidance from the Dongji Majesty and cultivated the Redeeming Heavenly Venerable Dharma Body!"

The Danque Divine Emperor did not speak, merely fixing her gaze upon Zhang Jian, waiting for his reply.

Zhang Jian smiled slightly, then said.

"Truly speaking, I should be considered a divine attendant of the Empress Nüwa!"

"And I have also served as a divine attendant of Hou Tu, one of the Six Emperors!"

Upon hearing this, the Danque Divine Emperor's expression froze slightly, with a tremor in her eyes.

Whether it is Hou Cheng, who followed the example of Hou Tu as the Earth Deity, or the ancient primordial goddess Nüwa, both are earth-shaking existences.

As fellow mothers of the earth, the Danque Divine Emperor only dares to say she looks up to these two.

She dares not say she can rival them.

After thinking, Zhang Jian added.

"However, if we speak of origin and lineage, I also have some connection with the Jade Emperor, the Great Heavenly Venerable of the Heavenly Court..."

"What kind of connection?"

The Danque Divine Emperor could not help but ask.

"He is my ancestor!"

"!"

"!"

Even the Danque Divine Emperor's Dao heart trembled slightly, but seeing the faint smile playing at the corners of Zhang Jian's mouth, she immediately understood.

This Qinglian Dao Master is nothing but nakedly showing off.

Still, one cannot deny that any one of these three titles would not be inferior to the divine beings under the Dongji Qinghua Emperor, and in fact, each is more astonishing than the last.

Smiling faintly, Zhang Jian's expression turned solemn.

"I am now a core elder of the Three Sovereigns Heavenly Realm Human Race, the Supreme Earth Emperor of the Tai Ji Celestial Court, the Sacred Human Zhang Jian!"

"Supreme Earth Emperor?"

The Danque Divine Emperor's expression shifted, her eyes gazing strangely at Zhang Jian.

"Daoist Zhang, you take the title of Earth Emperor, and are also a divine attendant of the two Great Mothers of the Earth—could it be..."

Zhang Jian blinked, then smiled.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

The Danque Divine Emperor pointed at Zhang Jian, then shook her head repeatedly for a moment.

She never imagined Zhang Jian was also a supreme powerhouse who walks the path of the earth.

At this moment, her expression was truly complex.

The Danque Divine Emperor had not expected that she herself would also misjudge.

But there was no ill intent.

Having interacted for dozens of elemental cycles, though they had not shared hardships, they could be said to have 'moistened each other with their breath,' and she believed they would not end as enemies.

Immediately, the Danque Divine Emperor recalled the other identity Zhang Jian had mentioned earlier.

Three Sovereigns Heavenly Realm, core elder of the human race!

This position is by no means ordinary.

A core elder of the human race is not something ordinary immortals or gods can hold; in fact, most core elders are supreme beings of the human race, or Dao Lords of the Other Shore.

Each one possesses immense strength.

Zhang Jian becoming a core elder without being a Dao Lord of the Other Shore shows his methods are extraordinary.

At this moment, the Danque Divine Emperor shook her head and said.

"I may not be considered wise, but Daoist, your methods are extraordinary—even I have been toyed with and applauded by you..."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's expression became solemn, and he said earnestly.

"I have never intended to deceive Your Majesty; in my heart, Your Majesty is not only endowed with heavenly strategies and benevolence beyond compare, but in my heart, there is only admiration and reverence!"

After a brief pause, Zhang Jian added.

"And also 'adoration'!"

Hearing his tone, the Danque Divine Emperor glanced at him, and deep in her eyes, a faint smile silently appeared—clearly, she was quite pleased.

Clearly, whether an ordinary female immortal or a goddess of profound cultivation, praise is always welcome.

Zhang Jian has long been well-versed in dealing with female immortals and goddesses, and at this moment he said.

"Merely intervening in the affairs of the Golden Origin Dao Court as a human elder, I fear I would be schemed against and thus ruin great affairs, so I could only conceal my identity..."

Immediately, he then revealed part of his original intention for entering the Golden Origin Heavenly Realm.

"The Southern Pole Majesty feared that a single word would become a prophecy, so he sent me into the Golden Origin Heavenly Realm to resolve this great calamity. Now it seems the Golden Origin Dao Court has its own great fortune, and has passed through this calamity on its own—while I merely took advantage of the Phoenix Clan's convenience!"

At the end, Zhang Jian's face bore a trace of sigh.

The Danque Divine Emperor's gaze held a hint of contemplation, yet upon hearing the words, he shook his head.

"Qinglian Daoist, you have mistaken, your role in this tribulation is equally important; had you not quelled the Tribulation of the Infinite Earth's Pulse, causing the Taiyi Clan to feel wary, the virtual and real of the Jin Yuan Heavenly Realm would instantly be seen through by the Taiyi Clan, and the Phoenix Clan would have no time to summon reinforcements!"

"Moreover, if the Netherworld Underworld cannot be repaired, this palace's foundation cannot be healed; the elder sister may not choose peace talks, but likely will fight the Taiyi Clan to the death before giving up; your arrival has already changed the great tribulation of the Jin Yuan Heavenly Realm!"

The Danque Divine Emperor clearly understood his own weight in the Yuan Huang's heart.

The feelings among the other six Divine Emperors of the Innate Three Phoenixes are different, for at the dawn of creation only the Innate Three Phoenixes were born first, and also attained the Dao together.

This is even closer than ordinary blood-sister relations.

If her foundation is damaged and attaining the Dao is hopeless, Yuan Huang will surely fight the Taiyi Clan to the bitter end.

Xi He's remnant soul could never be handed over.

It would likely become bait directly under Yuan Huang's fury.

Even if the Taiyi Clan seized Jin Xi and the two great Divine Emperors of Purgatory.

Zhang Jian, upon hearing this, felt a hint of surprise in his eyes.

At this moment, the Danque Divine Emperor's gaze fell upon Zhang Jian, yet his heart secretly sighed.

She originally still wanted to try to retain Zhang Jian, but now she already knew.

With Zhang Jian's status, even if she gave more, she feared she could not keep him.

Within the Dao Palace, at this moment it instead grew quiet.

Outside the Dao Palace, white clouds drifted leisurely; the flowing sea of clouds seemed like the river of time above the azure heavens.

The years passed like a white colt glimpsing a crack.

The two deities had not spoken, yet they could sense the subtlety in the atmosphere. But

The Danque Divine Emperor originally wanted to ask about the disappearance of the Chiling Divine Emperor, but after thinking, the words on his lips became.

"My Jin Yuan Dao Court has now made peace with the Taiyi Clan; I do not know how long Daoist will remain in the Jin Yuan Heavenly Realm?"

Zhang Jian glanced at the Danque Divine Emperor and smiled.

"Your Majesty wishes for me to stay how long?"

The Danque Divine Emperor softly snorted.

"This palace wishes you to stay; can you do it?"

Zhang Jian's eyes flickered, he raised his head, and saw the Danque Divine Emperor's phoenix eyes like autumn waters gazing at him; her poise and bearing, the meaning within, needed no words.

This Majesty has stirred a mortal heart.

In fact, having reached the Danque Divine Emperor's level of cultivation, one could completely suppress the heart's emotional threads and slay them utterly.

Yet she did not do so.

As forgetting emotions in the highest heaven is not necessarily absolute abandonment of love, but rather following one's heart, able to enter or leave the world at any time, gaining emotion and forgetting emotion.

Zhang Jian thought for a moment and then said.

"The Taiyi Clan has emerged into the world; I, as a core elder of the human race, must promptly report this to the Three Sovereigns Heavenly Realm, so that humanity may prepare early!"

"My path of cultivation is also vast and distant; I fear I will fail to live up to Your Majesty's kindness!"

Zhang Jian secretly sighed; he could not possibly remain in the Jin Yuan Heavenly Realm.

His cultivation path has only just begun; not yet a supreme power, he will not linger here too long.

Furthermore, he bears the great secret of sacrifice, which makes it unsuitable to linger in this realm.

He still hopes to obtain from ancestral worship the final innate spiritual treasure that can match his obsession.

Seeing the Danque Divine Emperor's facial expression change, Zhang Jian smiled faintly and said again.

"However, if Your Majesty has leisure, you may go to the Central Heavenly Realm; in the future, I shall certainly fulfill my duty as host!"

The Danque Divine Emperor glanced at Zhang Jian, saw his eyes turn, and immediately his expression recovered as he nodded.

"I too once visited the Central Heavenly Realm several times in my youth, merely passing through hastily, without intent to linger; in the future, I shall naturally go to roam freely, and at that time I will surely trouble Daoist Zhang to guide the way!"

She smiled with eyes full of warmth.

After the discussion ended, Zhang Jian then left the Danque Dao Palace.

He prepared to complete his final mission in this realm.

However, mastering this realm's divine network of creation, the Nine Nether Divine Network, and part of the earth-network divine power, according to the clues given by the Queen Mother of the West, finding an immortal abode is not difficult.

……

After Zhang Jian departed, the Danque Divine Emperor entered the Jin Yuan Dao Court and met with Yuan Huang.

Regarding Zhang Jian's identity, she did not mention it.

She only mentioned Zhang Jian's mission to enter the Jin Yuan Heavenly Realm.

The expressions of the two Divine Emperors both held something subtle, yet they had not thought this matter could also be tied to the Southern Pole Longevity Emperor.

"Extreme Yang reaching heaven, it was nearly let him speak a word that came true!"

On Yuan Huang's jade countenance appeared some anger.

The Southern Pole Longevity Emperor clearly is 'meddling in affairs', and actually cursed the Jin Yuan Heavenly Realm for no reason!

Fortunately, the other party still knows propriety, sending people to come and untie this tribulation.

Yuan Huang felt an itch in her teeth; to her, that Southern Pole Longevity Emperor is purely 'talkative and gossipy', and the noble Phoenix Clan cannot allow people to casually judge.

Yet the Phoenix Clan truly has no way to cause trouble for this 'meddling' Southern Pole Majesty.

They likewise cannot provoke him!

After thinking, she spoke again.

"Danque, this palace will next depart the Jin Yuan Dao Court for a period of years, to go to the Earth Immortal Realm for secluded cultivation; the Jin Yuan Dao Court shall be left to you to take turns, you shall serve as acting Heavenly Emperor!"

Yuan Huang prepared to return to the Phoenix Ancestral Court in the Earth Immortal Realm to cultivate properly for a period of time.

This struggle with the Taiyi Clan was too terrifying, and it also made her feel alarmed.

Upon hearing this, the Danque Divine Emperor's eyes flickered, and then he smiled and said.

"Elder sister, it's still better to leave it to the Golden Phoenix; I also wish to seclude myself for a period of cultivation, otherwise this time I would simply return with elder sister to our Phoenix Clan's ancestral land, where I intend to re-examine some of the Phoenix Clan's secret arts and enhance my abilities!"

Yuan Huang was slightly surprised, but after thinking it over, she did not refuse.