Chapter 101: Establishment of the Four Sage Alliance, Old Ancestor Minghe Enters the Heavenly Court to Offer Ginseng

The various Saints in Heaven Beyond Heaven had all sorts of thoughts in their hearts.

However, since Old Ancestor Minghe had attained the Dao and become a Saint, they still descended in person to express their congratulations.

When the three Sage Emperors of the Human Race attained the Dao and became Saints, the Saints in Heaven Beyond Heaven did not appear.

At that time, Dao Ancestor Hongjun had just strictly ordered them to seclude themselves in Heaven Beyond Heaven, and the timing was sensitive.

They dared not test the waters or offend the authority of Dao Ancestor Hongjun.

At this present moment, the appearance of the various Saints was ostensibly to congratulate Old Ancestor Minghe on attaining the Dao and becoming a Saint.

In reality, it contained a form of probing toward Old Ancestor Minghe and toward the Heavenly Court.

At the same time, there was another test: to see if Dao Ancestor Hongjun would appear and strictly order them to return.

If Dao Ancestor Hongjun did not appear, would that not mean they would no longer need to be trapped in the land of Heaven Beyond Heaven?

The land of Heaven Beyond Heaven was too bitter and desolate, and the foundation of the various Saints still lay in the Honghuang Continent.

Although the various Saints could exert influence over the Honghuang Continent through various means.

It was, in the end, not as good as the land of Heaven Beyond Heaven, and ultimately not as satisfying as being in the Honghuang Continent.

The various Saints all appeared and offered congratulations to Old Ancestor Minghe.

"Congratulations to Fellow Daoist Minghe on attaining the Dao and becoming a Saint."

"Congratulations to Fellow Daoist Minghe on becoming a Saint."

The various Saints congratulated Old Ancestor Minghe.

Now that Old Ancestor Minghe had become a new Saint, he was equal to them in status and could be considered their fellow Daoist.

Zhunti Daoren spoke up to probe Old Ancestor Minghe, "Fellow Daoist Minghe, now that you have attained the Dao and become a Saint, I wonder what your plans are?"

Zhunti Daoren prepared to sow discord.

He wanted to see if he could provoke Old Ancestor Minghe into leaving the Heavenly Court, thereby weakening the Heavenly Court's strength.

The current Heavenly Court was coming on so aggressively that it was truly too terrifying.

Moreover, now that Old Ancestor Minghe had attained the Dao and become a Saint, was he really still willing to submit under the Heavenly Emperor?

Old Ancestor Minghe looked at Zhunti Daoren and did not give him a pleasant look.

He snorted coldly and said, "The reason this poor Daoist was able to attain the Dao and become a Saint is because of the help of His Majesty. In the future, this poor Daoist will naturally continue to serve the Heavenly Court to the death, and serve His Majesty to the death."

He continued with a grim tone, "Whoever is an enemy of the Heavenly Court, and an enemy of His Majesty, is an enemy of this poor Daoist."

Old Ancestor Minghe deeply hated Jieyin Daoren and Zhunti Daoren, so he would not accept their provocation.

One must know that the mere Dizang Wang Pusa had dared to constantly convert the Asura Clan in the Sea of Blood and dared to shit on top of his, Old Ancestor Minghe's, head.

It was only because behind him stood Jieyin Daoren and Zhunti Daoren.

In the past, because of the existence of the Western Two Sages, Old Ancestor Minghe had to endure it even though he had great objections.

Who told them to have a Saint behind them?

Old Ancestor Minghe was not afraid of a mere Dizang Wang Pusa, but he was wary of the two Saints behind him.

Now that he, Old Ancestor Minghe, had finally attained the Dao and become a Saint, it was the time to repay grievances with grievances and hatred with hatred.

In the past, he dared not offend the Western Two Sages, but now, did he still need to give these Western Two Sages a pleasant look?

Old Ancestor Minghe looked at Zhunti Daoren and said in a deep voice, "Could it be that Fellow Daoist Zhunti wants this poor Daoist to join your Western Sect?"

"If Fellow Daoist wishes to join Fomen, we would naturally welcome you with open arms."

Zhunti Daoren subconsciously replied.

If he could win over a Saint to form an alliance with Fomen, then the day of Fomen's great prosperity would not be far off.

"Hahahaha!"

Old Ancestor Minghe rebuked angrily, "A fine Zhunti Daoren you are! You are now engaging in sowing discord; do you not have dissatisfaction with the Heavenly Court and dissatisfaction with His Majesty?"

Old Ancestor Minghe truly had not expected Zhunti Daoren to be so shameless.

In the past, he had sent a Dizang Wang Pusa to shit on his head, and he had endured it.

Now he could still say such shameless words.

What made him think that he, Old Ancestor Minghe, was a magnanimous person?

Hearing the words of Old Ancestor Minghe, Jieyin Daoren hurriedly spoke up, "Fellow Daoist, that is not the case. We brothers deeply respect the Heavenly Court and deeply respect the Heavenly Emperor."

If it were the Heavenly Court of the past, the Western Two Sages would naturally not have taken it seriously.

But the current Heavenly Court had five Saints, and a Heavenly Emperor of unfathomable depth.

Jieyin Daoren did not want to offend the current Heavenly Court.

The current Heavenly Court ruled the Honghuang and was the orthodoxy of the Honghuang.

It was already not easy for Fomen to spread its teachings, and if they offended the Heavenly Court on top of that...

A single word from the Heavenly Emperor could make it so their Fomen could not leave the West.

Old Ancestor Minghe snorted coldly and said, "It had better be so. If the two of you have any ill intentions toward our Heavenly Court, you had best dispel them early; I, Minghe, will be the first to disagree."

At this moment, Old Ancestor Minghe actually wanted to take action and beat up Jieyin Daoren and Zhunti Daoren to properly repay the frustration he had suffered in the past.

Unfortunately, there was no reason to.

Moreover, these Western Two Sages had always acted in concert; facing the two of them, he did not know if he could gain any advantage.

Hearing the words of Old Ancestor Minghe, the Western Two Sages only felt extreme helplessness.

Did they dare to have any ill intentions toward the Heavenly Court now?

The current Heavenly Court had five Saints and was in high spirits; even if the Western Two Sages had ill intentions, they would not dare to show even a hint of them.

What the Western Two Sages were worried about now was whether the Heavenly Court would have any ill intentions toward them.

The thought in Jieyin Daoren's heart to form the Four Sage Alliance as soon as possible became even more firm.

Otherwise, facing the current high-spirited Heavenly Court, they would have absolutely no power to resist.

It is laughable, when you think about it, that four Saints would form an alliance merely to protect themselves under the might of the Heavenly Court.

In the past, this was something one would not have dared to imagine.

Taiqing Laozi felt fortunate once again for his own wisdom; this Heavenly Emperor truly has great capabilities.

While Old Ancestor Minghe being able to attain the Dao and become a Saint was certainly related to his own sufficient accumulation, it must also be inseparable from the Heavenly Emperor, right?

Otherwise, why is it that after such a long time, Old Ancestor Minghe had not attained the Dao and become a Saint, yet immediately did so after joining the Heavenly Court?

Taiqing Laozi had another expectation in his heart: this Heavenly Emperor has the ability to help Saints attain the Dao and become Saints.

He wondered if he could also help a Saint break through to a realm above that of a Saint.

If the Heavenly Emperor could help him, Taiqing Laozi, break through to the realm above a Saint.

Then he, Taiqing Laozi, would be willing to be a loyal subject to the Heavenly Emperor, striking wherever the Heavenly Emperor points.

One must know that Taiqing Laozi wanting Taoism to flourish was also for the sake of his own breakthrough to above a Saint.

After the various Saints congratulated Old Ancestor Minghe on attaining the Dao and becoming a Saint, they departed.

Of course, at this time, seeing that Dao Ancestor Hongjun did not appear to warn them.

The various Saints had already developed other thoughts: could it be that Dao Ancestor Hongjun, who has merged with the Dao of Heaven and Earth, cannot act as he pleases either?

If that is the case, then why must they stay in the Heaven Beyond Heaven?

However, this thought had only just emerged; they still needed to test it a few more times.

Furthermore, regarding the Western Two Sages, they had been waiting for Taiqing Laozi to come to them.

Originally, the Western Two Sages' idea was that if Taiqing Laozi came to them on his own initiative, they could occupy an advantageous position within the alliance and ruthlessly manipulate Taiqing Laozi.

Making Taiqing Laozi concede some benefits; perhaps without Taiqing Laozi's obstruction, Buddhism would directly flourish.

But who would have thought that Taiqing Laozi would remain completely indifferent.

Under normal circumstances, when the Heavenly Court had four Saints, Taiqing Laozi should have been unable to sit still.

Now that the Heavenly Court has five Saints, why has Taiqing Laozi still not taken action?

Jieyin Daoren and Zhunti Daoren discussed it for a while, but truly did not reach any result.

In the end, Jieyin Daoren and Zhunti Daoren were helpless and prepared to seek out Taiqing Laozi.

Now that the Heavenly Court's momentum is like a rainbow, they must unite as soon as possible.

Jieyin Daoren and Zhunti Daoren visited Taiqing Laozi, and Taiqing Laozi understood exactly what these Western Two Sages were after in an instant.

However, I am sorry, but this poor Daoist and you are not on the same path.

This poor Daoist is now a person of the Heavenly Court.

The Heavenly Court has given Taiqing Laozi enough benefits, and with the Heavenly Court being so powerful now, why would he be so foolish as to mix with the Western Two Sages and target the Heavenly Court?

Now that the Heavenly Court possesses five Saints, let alone a Four Sage Alliance, even a Five Sage Alliance might be of no use.

Who knows if the Heavenly Court will give birth to a sixth or seventh Saint in the future?

Taiqing Laozi originally wanted to directly refuse the Western Two Sages; there was nothing to discuss with them.

But after thinking carefully, this was another good opportunity.

An opportunity to perform a great service for the Heavenly Court.

Taiqing Laozi immediately met with the Western Two Sages and said with a smile, "I wonder what business the two fellow Daoists have?"

During the Investiture of the Gods Great Calamity, although he joined forces with the Western Two Sages.

They both knew clearly that the grievances between them were very deep.

Especially during the Investiture of the Gods Great Calamity, the Western Two Sages played the role of the fisherman.

And even more so, after the Investiture of the Gods Great Calamity ended, they betrayed the Mysterious Gate to establish Buddhism on their own.

Taiqing Laozi and the Western Two Sages were almost at the point of tearing off their masks.

Jieyin Daoren gave a hollow laugh and asked with a worried expression, "Fellow Daoist Taiqing, the Heavenly Court is now coming aggressively with momentum like a rainbow; I wonder what your opinion is?"

"Indeed, the Heavenly Court now possesses five Saints and is truly incomparably powerful; even we Saints have to avoid its sharp edge."

Zhunti Daoren also took over the conversation, carrying unprecedented worry.

They did not directly speak of an alliance, but laid some groundwork, preparing to lead Taiqing Laozi to speak first.

But who knew that Taiqing Laozi seemed not to understand their meaning at all, constantly talking about other things.

Helpless, Jieyin Daoren had to express it directly.

"Taiqing Daoren, the Heavenly Court is now powerful and coming aggressively; only by uniting can we have a glimmer of hope to resist."

Jieyin Daoren said worriedly, "Otherwise, I fear that in the future, this Honghuang will be the Heavenly Court's one-man show."

The Heavenly Court is now incomparably powerful; even Saints have no room to breathe.

Taiqing Laozi thought to himself, if I were not a person of the Heavenly Court, I would certainly condemn the Heavenly Court with you.

But now, I am sorry, I am a person of the Heavenly Court.

The Heavenly Court is powerful; even if one were to unite with the Western Two Sages, it would be of no use.

Taiqing Laozi knew this point well.

He is already a person of the Heavenly Court and can now completely lie in wait.

Waiting for the day when, by any chance, the Western Two Sages want to act against the Heavenly Court or the Heavenly Emperor.

He, Taiqing Laozi, will stand up directly to report them and sell them out.

During the Investiture of the Gods Great Calamity, the Western Two Sages schemed against him once.

Now it is time to pay it back.

Taiqing Laozi acted as if he had just thought of this point and immediately said with worry, "Indeed, the Heavenly Court now has five Saints; it is truly unstoppable."

"Fellow Daoist Taiqing, the only plan now is to form a Saint Alliance to resist the Heavenly Court."

Zhunti Daoren spoke up to bring up this topic again.

Taiqing Laozi nodded, then sighed and said, "Even so, with me and you two, that is only three Saints; how can we be a match for that Heavenly Court?"

Upon hearing these words from Taiqing Laozi, the Western Two Sages felt nothing but speechlessness.

What on earth is wrong with this Taiqing Laozi today?

Is he truly unable to understand their words, or is he pretending not to understand them?

What "three Saints"?

Who doesn't know that Yuanshi Tianzun is just a sycophant of you, Taiqing Laozi?

Whatever you, Taiqing Laozi, do, Yuanshi Tianzun does as well.

It is understandable that Taiqing Laozi favored Yuanshi Tianzun during the Great Calamity of the Investiture of the Gods.

After all, who else but Yuanshi Tianzun has always followed closely in his footsteps?

And as for Tongtian Jiaozhu, isn't he completely a thorn in the side?

Jieyin Daoren had no choice but to remind him, "Fellow Daoist Taiqing, we can unite with Yuanshi Tianzun, and then see if we can win over other Saints."

"Other Saints?"

Taiqing Laozi sneered and said, "Win over whom? Tongtian Jiaozhu or Fellow Daoist Nuwa?"

There is no need to say much about Tongtian Jiaozhu; the four of them have basically offended Tongtian Jiaozhu to the death.

As for Goddess Nuwa, I fear that is also very difficult.

Taiqing Laozi did not say anything more; he immediately summoned Yuanshi Tianzun.

Taiqing Laozi, Yuanshi Tianzun, Jieyin Daoren, and Zhunti Daoren immediately signed the Four Saints Alliance, agreeing that the four Saints would unite to jointly resist the powerful Heavenly Court.

However, because the four Saints were wary of one another, this alliance was not announced to the world.

In other words, this alliance actually had no mandatory binding force.

The Western Two Sages were wary of Taiqing Laozi, and Taiqing Laozi was likewise wary of the Western Two Sages, while also preparing to avenge the grudge of the Great Calamity of the Investiture of the Gods, which resulted in the current situation.

On the other side, after Old Ancestor Minghe attained the Dao and became a Saint, the first thing he did was to pay respects to the Heavenly Emperor and thank him.

In his view, the fact that he could attain the Dao and become a Saint now was entirely due to the Heavenly Emperor.

If it were not for joining the Heavenly Court, he did not know how much longer it would have taken him to grasp the opportunity to attain the Dao and become a Saint.

Old Ancestor Minghe immediately expressed his loyalty, stating he would continue to serve the Heavenly Court unto death.

After finishing all this, Old Ancestor Minghe immediately contacted Great Immortal Zhenyuan.

"Fellow Practitioner Zhenyuan, I, Minghe, am a Saint."

These few short words from Old Ancestor Minghe almost caused Zhenyuanzi to lose his composure.

What the hell is this supposed to mean?

It would be one thing for Old Ancestor Minghe to attain the Dao and become a Saint, but to come and show off to him—isn't this just twisting the knife in his heart?

Zhenyuanzi performed a deep bow to Old Ancestor Minghe and said, "Zhenyuanzi greets Saint Minghe."

"Hahahaha."

Old Ancestor Minghe laughed loudly and said, "Fellow Practitioner Zhenyuan, you are being too formal."

"Hmph!"

Zhenyuanzi snorted coldly and said, "I am not worthy of being called a fellow daoist by Saint Minghe."

Old Ancestor Minghe, however, said indifferently, "Does Fellow Practitioner Zhenyuan have nothing to say?"

"What does Saint Minghe want to hear? Is it not enough to congratulate Saint Minghe on becoming a Saint? Or perhaps, should I kowtow to the Saint?"

Zhenyuanzi's words were filled with bitterness.

As fellow Great Divine Abilities who had both been trapped at the Quasi-Sage realm, he had originally had a companion.

But now Old Ancestor Minghe had already attained the Dao and become a Saint, while only he remained trapped in the Quasi-Sage realm.

"That is not necessary."

A look of seriousness appeared on Old Ancestor Minghe's face, and he asked, "Fellow Practitioner Zhenyuan, will you still not join our Heavenly Court?"

That is correct; Old Ancestor Minghe's main purpose in coming today was to win over Zhenyuanzi to join the Heavenly Court and strengthen its power.

Hearing Old Ancestor Minghe's words, Zhenyuanzi could not help but fall silent.

To be honest, when Old Ancestor Minghe first joined the Heavenly Court, Zhenyuanzi had not been optimistic about it.

For that almost invisible glimmer of opportunity, he had directly abandoned his freedom and ease to join the Heavenly Court.

But who would have thought that Old Ancestor Minghe had actually seized that glimmer of opportunity and attained the Dao to become a Saint.

Without a doubt, Old Ancestor Minghe had made the right decision back then.

At this moment, Zhenyuanzi was indeed tempted, pondering the possibility of joining the Heavenly Court.

Zhenyuanzi said hesitantly, "Let me think about it some more."

"What is there to think about?"

Old Ancestor Minghe said with a tone of exasperation, "Fellow Practitioner Zhenyuan, to speak bluntly, a Quasi-Sage today can still occupy a favorable position in the Heavenly Court, but in the future, that may not be the case."

Old Ancestor Minghe did not say anything more and left directly.

He had said all he could; if Zhenyuanzi still could not figure it out, then there was nothing more to say.

He had only come to offer a reminder out of his past friendship with Zhenyuanzi.

After Old Ancestor Minghe left, Zhenyuanzi thought about it there, and it was indeed so.

The Heavenly Court is currently surging with momentum and possesses five Saints.

Perhaps in the future, it will possess even more Saints.

While Quasi-Sages might still be considered the backbone of the Heavenly Court now, once there are more and more Saints in the Heavenly Court...

... then Quasi-Sages will become less and less important, and less and less valuable.

By the time that happens, if he joins the Heavenly Court, will he still be valued?

If one wishes to join the Heavenly Court, it is better to do so sooner rather than later.

Zhenyuanzi looked toward the Thirty-Three Heavens, shook his head with a bitter smile, and said, "Fellow Daoist Styx, I am not as insightful as you."

Since the thought of joining the Heavenly Court has already arisen, one should no longer hesitate or look back.

Thinking of this, Zhenyuanzi did not hesitate; he took the mother tree of the Ginseng Fruit and walked directly to the Nantianmen.

"I, Zhenyuanzi, wish to enter the Heavenly Court; I ask for Your Majesty the Heavenly Emperor's gracious approval."

Zhenyuanzi likewise proclaimed to the heavens and earth that he was joining the Heavenly Court.

"Granted."

【Ding-dong! Zhenyuanzi has joined the Heavenly Court; congratulations to the host for obtaining 700 million in Qi Luck.】

Zhenyuanzi then brought the Ginseng Fruit mother tree to pay his respects to the Heavenly Emperor.

Now that he was joining the Heavenly Court at this time, it was already somewhat late.

Therefore, Zhenyuanzi prepared to offer this Ginseng Fruit mother tree to the Heavenly Emperor to add a bit of standing for himself within the Heavenly Court.

Although the Ginseng Fruit is one of the ten great innate spiritual roots, it was essentially of no further use to Zhenyuanzi.

It would be better to use it to win the favor of the Heavenly Emperor.

"I, Zhenyuanzi, pay my respects to Your Majesty."

Zhenyuanzi bowed respectfully and then presented the Ginseng Fruit tree.

"Your Majesty, I possess the innate spiritual root, the Ginseng Fruit, and wish to offer it to Your Majesty."

Qin Hao glanced at Zhenyuanzi in surprise, nodded in agreement, and then let Zhenyuanzi withdraw.

However, Qin Hao noted this favor from Zhenyuanzi; for a great power like the Heavenly Court, the Ginseng Fruit still had great utility, especially in cultivating those below the Quasi-Sage level but above the level of ordinary immortals.

(End of this chapter)