Chapter 651

Houtu and Yandi exchanged glances, a former ruler-minister pair tacitly coordinating, joining forces to counter the Heavenly Court's scheme.

Rather than letting others seize the moral high ground and start pointing fingers, it's better to act first and arrange for one's own person to take the position!

Purple Star Exalted One!

This is an ancient deity who had already been active since the Dragon-Phoenix Initial Tribulation, having followed Doumu Yuanjun to undertake a great enterprise, an elder of the Star God lineage's Dao transmission, who once preached across the stellar seas—one teacher to two disciples, two disciples to four grandsons… expanding thus, sweeping the starry skies, countless beings dwelling in the Zhou Tian Star Sea revere him, honoring him as "the Sect Master of Myriad Stars, the Grand Master of Myriad Phenomena."

Although in this era the Purple Star Exalted One is not particularly outstanding, that does not mean he is weak.

It's a bit regrettable that, despite this star sovereign's vast divine powers, when confronted with the demon court that has the Dao Ancestor backing it from behind, a comparison makes the strength disparity clear, and his influence wanes… Moreover, unlike Doumu Yuanjun, he cannot decisively abandon his stellar holdings, join the Wu Clan, and become an ancestral witch.

Once Di Jun secures the position of Heavenly Emperor, his cultivation shakes ancient and modern, entering the Taiyi Dao realm, relying on this to command the stars and heavens… the Purple Star Exalted One can no longer contend, and can only half-retire in low profile.

Novices rising to power often do so by treading on the prestige of their elders, thereby achieving themselves.

However…

The sages of humanity declared——they cannot tolerate such bullying of the weak by the strong!

Thus, at this moment, we stir-fry this cold rice of the Purple Star Exalted One, letting him perk up… and, incidentally, have him form a community of interest with the netherworld's yin bureaucracy, to block the underhanded tactics of the Dao Ancestor and the Heavenly Emperor joining forces.

"Fellow Daoists of humanity and the Wu Clan…" In the Purple Star Palace, the Purple Star Exalted One let out a long sigh, shaking his head somewhat helplessly, "This is putting me on the fire to roast!"

Time was hazy and vague, the years twisted and turbulent; a secret history unfolded as a shady behind-the-scenes transaction, stepping outside the ordinary flow of moments, where eternity and the fleeting intertwined.

We place great importance on righteousness.

Standing opposite this ancient star sage was a blurry figure, smiling as they conversed, "Bringing trouble to Fellow Daoist Purple Star, yet also a tremendous profit."

In this Lich Great Tribulation, Fellow Daoist Purple Star, if you stand with us, you are sure to profit!

"I trust the reputation of that lady behind you." The Purple Star Exalted One gave a slight nod, "Nüwa is not like Fuxi; her virtue is universally acknowledged."

However, although that is so… I do have some worries.

The Purple Star Exalted One lightly sighed, "I worry that, jumping about in the demon court's main base like this, I may not survive until the end of the Lich Great Tribulation, and could prematurely take eight arrows to the back and die by suicide."

"Fellow Daoist, be confident—drop the word 'possible'." The negotiating envoy lightly laughed, "I believe that, with the Heavenly Emperor's breadth of mind, scheming, and decisive slaughter, Fellow Daoist Purple Star's fate will be tumultuous… I do not wish to deceive you about the danger of this post."

However, Fellow Daoist Purple Star can rest assured.

Even if Fellow Daoist falls in the great tribulation, as long as humanity prevails, the dues owed will surely be settled for you!

If you fall, we will awaken you.

If you lose your position, we will quietly go through the motions, run through the procedures, rearrange your return to the original post, and even bestow a human Dao imperial edict on your behalf to help you advance further!

Thus, Fellow Daoist, are you satisfied?

"What you say makes my heart stir a little." The Purple Star Exalted One chuckled, "It puts me in quite a bind!"

If I don't join you and remain a low-profile deity, this era won't bring great gains, but neither will it bring great losses; if I board your pirate ship, the ceiling is high, but the floor is also low.

This is a gamble… and gambling is a one-way road.

The Purple Star Exalted One's eyes shone clear, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the table, calmly analyzing and judging.

The envoy was not in a hurry, merely smiling as he pointed out some peripheral details to alert the Purple Star Exalted One.

If you seek stability, Fellow Daoist, you indeed should not act rashly.

But silence and low profile are not omnipotent.

Fellow Daoist, you prove the Dao through the stars, seeking to command all the stars under heaven, to elevate the Purple Star to the highest point in the heavens, making it the most exalted and precious star—how then should the sovereign of the sun conduct himself?

Even if in this era the Heavenly Court's Two Eastern Emperors will not act against you… but once the demon court fully controls Honghuang and the imperial heart becomes despotic, it's hard to say what will happen.

At this moment, Fellow Daoist, if you do not seize the opportunity and strive to resist… by then it may be too late, regrettable beyond remedy.

Not to perish in silence, but to erupt in silence.

Fellow Daoist Purple Star… the path lies beneath your feet; please choose carefully.

The envoy finally said.

The Purple Star Exalted One's expression finally changed.

After a stifling silence, this ancient star god was laughing.

Good!

……

Good!

As the words of Yandi just fell, the proposal to let the Purple Star Exalted One serve as the stellar realm's representative, overseeing and auditing the work of the Great Emperor of Fengdu, still echoed in everyone's ears, the sound fading away.

Then came a soft shout, descending from the ancient starry expanse, solemn and majestic.

Following that sound back to its source, there appeared a towering, ancient deity, clad in robes woven from the Milky Way as threads, walking from the endless ages into the sight of all beings, such divinity and grandeur.

"Recommended by the Human Emperor, with the full impartiality of the human Dao, letting the cycle of reincarnation be overseen by all beings—such a great aspiration, I, Purple Star, deeply admire it and am willing to offer my remaining body to make a modest contribution."

Treading the long river of time, the Purple Star Exalted One seemed to see flickering phantoms of his past life unfold—his former merits and faults reflected in the hearts of all beings, awakening their memories of his past.

During the Dragon-Phoenix Initial Tribulation, he was a holy guardian of the world… In those years, a divine spirit demon king wandered the mortal realm, harming living beings and carrying away countless bloodshed.

The Purple Star Exalted One was among the few top stellar deities of the firmament; he once performed the Great Demonic Black Canon, undertook campaigns, subdued demon hordes, purged evil influences, preached in all directions, rescued the common folk, and his merit was boundless!

——This is not made up!

——There are genuine achievements that can be verified!

——Of course, there inevitably is a bit of embellishment here, but it is not false.

——Dramatic retelling is not nonsense!

Subduing the demon hordes……Indeed, he participated in the suppression of the Rahu Demon Ancestor's rebellion.

Purging evil influences……As the saying goes, the victor is king, the vanquished is bandit, evil does not prevail over righteousness. Back then, the Purple Star Exalted One was indeed a senior general of the Phoenix faction, opposing the Dragon faction.

And the Dragon clan ultimately did not win……What more is there to doubt about the distinction between right and wrong?

The Purple Star Exalted One's account is embellished, but not baseless.

Carrying substantial merit, he has earned recognition from the human Dao; now he possesses great authority and prestige, causing the Heavenly Emperor to feel uneasy, his gaze turning hostile.

Under Di Jun's piercing, bright-eyed stare, the pressure on the Purple Star Exalted One was immense, like a thorn in the back.

However, since he had already stepped out of the Purple Micro Palace, it showed he had prepared himself mentally, able to face all this calmly, merely with a gentle smile on his face, he asked the Clan Leader of all ghosts and gods—the Fengdu Great Emperor, "Fengdu Dao friend, you are the core of all disputes…… I don't know, are you willing to accept such supervision, to walk openly and honestly in the world, presiding over reincarnation, commanding ghosts and gods, utterly just and fair?"

That is exactly what I wish!

Qing Jia heard the string music and understood the refined intent, realizing it was his turn to perform, then let out a hearty laugh, showing his willingness to make such a sacrifice, without the slightest resentment.

I have ascended to Fengdu as the sovereign of all ghosts and gods; standing in this position, what I care about is no longer personal honor or disgrace!

His eyes shone brightly, his stature towering, as if speaking to himself, yet also as if addressing all mankind, "I only wish to accomplish three things!"

Fairness! Fairness! Or fairness!

Of the strong and the weak!

Of the living and the dead!

In this world, there is too much injustice, so we need a fair judgment!

At this moment, at this time, the Fengdu Great Emperor spoke from his heart, "But fairness is not spoken, it is done!"

I oversee and judge the world of the dead, merely to take a small, brave step toward a fair future world…… This is my heart, and this is my action!

For this, I too am willing to lead by example, accepting the supervision of all mankind!

Fengdu gazed at Ziwei, "Ziwei!"

Being able to see you come to bear this responsibility, I am happy.

You can become the leader of the myriad stars, thus the master of all phenomena…… Though I had heard of your name before, I paid it no heed; but upon seeing you today, I find your reputation well-deserved, possessing such responsibility and breadth!

I am also happy…… Ziwei Star Venerable, moved, praised, opening the mode of mutual flattery, "Fengdu, you can have such selfless and supreme magnanimity, upright and honest; for all ghosts and gods to take you as leader is indeed a great fortune for humanity!"

""

Ziwei and Fengdu, at this moment, locked eyes.

This drama, sparked by the Heavenly Emperor Dao Ancestor, fanned by Houtu and Yandi, seems to be coming to an end for them.

However…… the Demon Court is unwilling to lightly accept its defeat!

The Heavenly Emperor, in a low tone, coldly pointed out a stain in the netherworld that humanity could not wash away, a remnant of the once goddess's drumming of governance——

In the reincarnation passage, there is an exclusive green channel for humanity!

"Fengdu!"

As a ghost emperor with human roots, what judgment do you intend to make on this?

I am very curious!

The Heavenly Emperor said.

He successfully pulled the focus of the topic back, exposing it before all beings, unavoidable, the sharpest spear.

Qing Jia could not avoid it.

At the same time, he could not say to dismantle it…… because that channel is of great significance!

It involves the foundation of the Wu Clan!

After all……

The Wu Clan's bodies, though they are of this world.

But their souls are the souls of heroic humans who, in future ages, break through time to arrive!

This is the root of their return home!

This root, cannot be cut!

Therefore.

Qing Jia faced the Heavenly Emperor's questioning; first there was a long silence, and when slander began to arise in the hearts of mankind, he then slowly and firmly spoke.

This matter is a sin.

But the law does not apply retroactively!

Qing Jia's eyes bright yet sorrowful, "Therefore, all blame, placed upon me…… I am willing to bear it all!"

"Can you bear it?" a demon god interjected with a light laugh.

"Houtu Maiden unites with reincarnation, bearing the weight of the netherworld, is supreme virtue." Qing Jia ignored him, merely muttering to himself, "Dao Ancestor Hongjun unites with the Heavenly Dao, balancing the cosmic mysteries, can be supreme merit."

I wish to follow the ancients, staking all I have.

Fengdu opened his mouth to speak; an ordinary ghost god's body suddenly ignited, startling mankind and moving the gods.

My strength is insufficient, not worthy of such conduct…… but I still have this remnant body.

I am willing to burn my body to bear the sins of the world.

When this body burns to ash, there is no return for myriad kalpas!

How?!

At this moment, Qing Jia had the most resolute intention…… burning himself to illuminate the ages!

That demon god still wanted to say something, but his superior—the Heavenly Emperor—made a gesture, letting him shut up.

"No need to say more; saying it would be useless." Di Jun transmitted indifferently.

That demon god initially did not understand, but after looking over the world and listening to the people, he realized…… indeed, in this matter, the tide has turned.

Even if they continue to investigate, what then?

Qing Jia, using his body as a sacrifice, reflected in the hearts of mankind, causing most voices among people to fall silent, willing to remain silent on this matter——at least, until Fengdu's death, it was so!

All of humanity acquiesced.

They jumped up and down, merely displaying the image of narrow-minded, conspiratorial petty people, with little effect.

Thus, the Heavenly Court fell silent.

When the Fengdu Great Emperor, like a point of crimson starlight, fell into reincarnation, in the netherworld he transformed into a red sun, giving the long-deprived light and warmth to ghostly souls…… this dispute thus temporarily came to an end.

Interesting! Interesting! In the Purple Cloud Palace, the Dao Ancestor looked down upon the world, withdrawing his supreme divine might from between heaven and earth, removing his own influence, and spoke a few words with deep meaning: "Fengdu... Dating... yet it ended like this..."

The Emperor of Fengdu, his virtue is flawless, he is a hero. Heavenly Emperor Di Jun did not spare praise, acknowledging Fengdu's conduct: "He is worthy of being the sovereign of ghosts and gods, the Emperor of the Netherworld."

Admirable... but also a pity.

Houtu... lofty! Yandi... unyielding!

This Abundant Capital... heh!

The Heavenly Emperor shook their head, their form gradually fading, departing from the eyes of all beings, and returned to the Heavenly Court.

However, as they were leaving, an indifferent glance swept over the Purple Micro Star Venerable, causing this contemplative star god's hairs to stand on end.

However, the Purple Micro Star Venerable, though startled, was not afraid—after all, they too had come forth from great winds and waves!

"Willing to make such a sacrifice, the Abundant Capital Great Emperor..." He withdrew his awe-inspiring divine visage, stood in the starry sky, and smiled softly, "To face death so willingly, fulfilling both public and private intentions, sacrificing his own life..."

"With such a devotee among humanity, I begin to look forward to humanity's prospects..."

"All I hope is that you truly can succeed!"

"Don't let my risky investment come to nothing..."

The Purple Micro Star Venerable also departed.

Finally, only Houtu and Yandi remained—one dwelling in reincarnation, the other standing in the human world.

"The Heavenly Emperor... indeed is both lofty and unyielding!"

Yandi wore a cold face, somewhat sorrowful, "They actually forced the death of one of our humanity's heroes!"

In her view, Qing Jia is doomed to die!

Having burned up their own self, facing eternal ruin... after great difficulty they had discovered a promising seedling, yet it went thus to death—how could they not resent?

(End of Chapter)