Chapter 246: Desiring to Build a Dao Nation of the Yellow Heaven, the Queen Mother of the West Descends to the Mortal World

In the hall.

The tripod was cold, the smoke green, the clouds heavy and the jade frigid.

Sandalwood incense wafted out, in wisps and threads, like water, permeating the surroundings.

That Daoist, draped in an ochre-yellow Dharma robe, said, "Go back and prepare well," before his figure faded away and vanished without a trace.

Only a dozen or so immortals and gods were left, staring at each other in dismay.

Yet it did not take long; in just an instant, whether immortal or god, they all reacted.

One after another, they hurriedly dispersed from the hall, returning to their respective homes, heading toward the temporary residences they had opened up near Chang'an City.

They all understood what the Daoist meant when he told them to "go back and prepare well."

Even though their respective schemes were now declared void with the Queen Mother of the West about to arrive in Chang'an, they could not just walk away.

The Heavenly Secrets had been revealed!

At a time like this, if you felt your plans had fallen through and you were unwilling to face a mighty figure like the Queen Mother of the West, thinking it too dangerous, and then turned tail and ran—the Queen Mother of the West would think: "What? As soon as they heard I was coming, they all ran off. What is the meaning of this?"

If you don't offend her, who does?

Precisely because of this—

Even though the lot of them in the Divine Dao camp, one and all, were not good people, but rather vicious gods and evil gods.

And though they were self-aware enough to be terrified that if the Queen Mother of the West saw them, she might simply wipe them out as part of her manifestation in the mortal world.

They still dared not just walk away.

After all, to the Queen Mother of the West, she couldn't care less who was present, but if someone left, that would pique her interest.

In any case, they would rather stay and gamble on a fifty-fifty chance than stand out and leave a deep impression on the big shot.

Under these circumstances, they naturally had to go back and prepare well to welcome the arrival of the mighty Queen Mother of the West.

If nothing else, they had to keep their underlings in check! Certain evil deeds should be put on hold for now.

For instance, that fierce deity who was the first to answer the Daoist, in secret, was keeping an entire Small World of the Human Race in captivity as rations! This had to be handled properly—not to mention these Divine Dao members who were at odds with the Han Court, even some among the Immortal Dao did not have such clean hands.

For example, among the dozen or so people at the meeting, there was a Taiyi Loose Immortal proficient in the art of battle.

He had spent his days plucking and supplementing from countless female cultivators, and feeling that in the eyes of the Queen Mother of the West, the head of all female immortals, he would surely be seen as a heinous sinner, he went to reincarnate shortly after leaving the palace—in short—

With the Heavenly Secrets being so incredibly clear, there was no need for the leaders of these dozen immortals and gods to remind anyone; the various immortals and gods gathered in Chang'an City were each busy in their own way.

Some were overjoyed, some were filled with anticipation, some were terrified and uneasy, some turned and left immediately... their reactions varied, and a thousand people had a thousand different faces.

Returning to Fang Longye.

Originally, Fang Longye was chatting warmly with the Jinghe Dragon King and the Green Bull Divine Venerable.

They were eating side dishes, drinking small cups of wine, and listening to the two Taiyi practitioners discuss the past and present and critique figures one after another.

Jar after jar of wine was emptied, and his own knowledge was greatly enhanced in the process. He learned many secrets he had not known before, and his horizons were greatly broadened.

Just as the wine in the jar was emptied for the fifth time, Fang Longye had just picked up the Two Instruments Divine Gourd containing various Immortal Brews, not yet having pulled out the stopper.

An ominous sign suddenly appeared, the Black Bird came from the west, and the Heavenly Secrets were revealed instantly, catching him off guard so that he nearly failed to hold onto the Two Instruments Divine Gourd in his hand.

At this moment, Fang Longye was looking up toward Weiyang Palace, carefully observing the Black Bird that held the imperial edict in its beak, circling the palace and chirping, never leaving.

His gaze fell upon that edict, sensing the various pieces of information born from its interaction with heaven and earth.

The fist hidden in his sleeve clenched abruptly, and the Aura on his body surged uncontrollably; he was so shocked that he could not even restrain his own Aura.

He was truly exceptionally shocked, because the fact he confirmed was simply mind-boggling to him.

This edict was nothing special; it was merely an ordinary calling card handwritten by the Queen Mother of the West.

Aside from the ink, the material was unremarkable and had nothing worth praising.

Yet the magnificent, grand, and varied phenomena from before were all born because of this calling card!

What kind of transformative, miraculous power was this?

It could only be said that at the level of a Great Divine Ability user like the Queen Mother of the West, every word, every action, and every movement possessed vast and mighty power.

Just then, Fang Longye sensed movement outside Dongfang Shuo's residence. His eyes shifted, and he recalled the specific legends from his past life regarding this, where Han Wudi did not recognize the origin of the Black Bird and had even asked Dongfang Shuo about it.

He couldn't help but look at Dongfang Shuo, who was sitting beside him; he saw that he too had benefited greatly from the discussion between the two Taiyi practitioners.

At this moment, he was closing his eyes, savoring the experience! He couldn't help but smile and say, "Alright, Manqian—time to wake up! Your Emperor has sent someone to find you."

The Jinghe Dragon King and the Green Bull Divine Venerable also glanced outside his residence and laughed in unison, "Little friend Manqian has indeed left an impression of being well-versed in the past and present on the Human King."

"This Black Bird has only just landed in Weiyang Palace, and already they've come to find Manqian to resolve their doubts."

"Dragon Lord and Divine Venerable, you flatter me. In front of you two seniors, what kind of 'well-versed in the past and present' am I? It is merely relying on the fact that there are no other cultivators in the imperial court."

Dongfang Shuo waved his hands repeatedly, looking as if he did not dare to accept the praise.

However, he seemed more at ease in front of these two Taiyi Realm experts than he did in front of Fang Longye. This was because these two had known him for a long time.

After all, not to mention in Nanzhan Buzhou, even in Xiniu Hezhou, which was dominated by the Brahma sect, and Beiju Luzhou, which was ruled by the Demon Clan, the reputation of being a future disciple of Donghua Dijun was quite useful.

Therefore, ever since Dongfang Shuo stole a peach and became an immortal in his youth, over the decades, he had gotten to know a group of people far beyond his own cultivation level.

"Then this junior will take his leave first, you three seniors please continue—" Dongfang Shuo stood up, bowing and gesturing as he backed away.

At the same time, he sneakily swiped half a jar of the Hundred Flower Immortal Brew that Fang Longye had just poured, as if he really thought Fang Longye couldn't see him.

He was speechless for a moment.

Fang Longye thought to himself, it must be said, this guy really was a habitual thief; he had already swiped the Flat Peaches in heaven three times! His gaze sank, falling on Dongfang Shuo's receding figure, with a hint of hesitation, though it lasted only an instant.

He then laughed nonchalantly, turned back to the Jinghe Dragon King and the Green Bull Divine Venerable, and continued to urge them to drink.

It was just that he had just had the thought of following Dongfang Shuo to Weiyang Palace.

Firstly, to see Han Wudi Liu Che up close, and secondly, to smoothly make contact with the Queen Mother of the West, who would soon arrive in the mortal world.

But thinking of the Human King Dragon Qi on Han Wudi Liu Che, which was terrifyingly powerful, he feared that if he arrived at Weiyang Palace, it would be good if even one-tenth of his strength remained; he might truly be stripped of his transcendence and left without the strength to truss a chicken.

He immediately dismissed this thought.

If it cannot be avoided, then so be it; why would one rush to place oneself in a dangerous situation?

……

Outside Chang'an City, in the dark, mysterious void.

This was the temporary resting place for the multitude of Immortal Dao practitioners who had gathered at Chang'an City.

At the summit of an immortal mountain filled with auspicious light and radiant mist, Mingli Xianzi, the junior sister of that yellow-robed Daoist from before, returned after the dozen or so immortal god leaders had left the palace.

Without hesitation, she walked straight into the main hall, passed through the corridors and detours, and found her senior brother in a garden behind the hall.

Curved corridors and winding railings were built around a Lingchi, where lotus flowers were in full bloom.

The rich, fragrant scent was not like the intoxicating aroma of wine, but it could make one's spirit and bones feel clear and refreshed.

Her senior brother was still in his original attire, wearing an Imperial Crown, draped in an ochre-yellow Dharma robe, and holding a Gilded Green Jade Ruyi in his hand.

He sat quietly in the pavilion beside the pool, a light of contemplation in his eyes.

"Senior Brother Mingxiao—"

"Oh? It is Junior Sister Mingli. Why, is there something you need from me?"

The Daoist in the ochre-yellow Dharma robe heard his junior sister's call, immediately snapped out of his thoughts, turned his head, and smiled.

Mingli Xianzi paused for a moment and said, "I was originally worried about you, Senior Brother. But looking at you now, it seems I was overthinking it."

As her senior brother spoke, his brows relaxed and he was all smiles; the listlessness from just a moment ago seemed to have been swept away. In its place was a sense of ancient detachment, spontaneity, and naturalness. His entire Aura was vast and mighty, encompassing heaven and earth.

He appeared completely unaffected by what had happened before.

"I am still somewhat uncomfortable." Mingxiao Daoist waved the Jade Ruyi in his hand; Golden Flowers fell, casting colorful light and illuminating the surroundings.

"Everything was originally under control, and the first step of the plan was about to be realized. It is a pity—"

A moment later, his gaze shifted, and he said in a deep voice: "However, this only shows that our calculations were not deep enough and our strength was not strong enough."

"If our strength were sufficient and our plans truly foolproof, today's problems would not have occurred!"

"Of course—"

"There is one more reason." He stood up and stood under the latticed window; the clouds, water, and sky, the water scenery outside the pavilion, and the clear, crisp breeze blowing in—it seemed separated yet not, ancient and simple as a poem.

"The timing is wrong—"

"The timing is wrong?" Mingli Xianzi asked in confusion.

"That is correct!" Mingxiao's gaze was deep as he looked into the void; in his eyes, the galaxy seemed to be inverted, with the past, present, and future all floating and changing within.

He smiled and said: "I originally thought that since the Human King of this age had suffered a backlash and was entangled by a Curse, the Yellow Heaven World had already arrived! Now it seems I misjudged it—"

"When will that Yellow Heaven World be able to descend?"

Mingli asked again.

Mingxiao Daoist waved the Jade Ruyi in his hand again, driving the surrounding Clear Qi to circulate like clouds and mist, lush and dense on both sides. On the Ruyi, star patterns emerged, swaying and rotating, revealing the obscure Heavenly Secrets.

"In a few hundred years?"

Mingli looked at the blurred Heavenly Secrets that had emerged and said uncertainly.

"Correct!"

Mingxiao Daoist flicked his large sleeves and returned to the center of the pavilion. On the sandalwood table, an antique bronze incense burner was burning steadily.

The smoke and clouds swirled in layers, making it impossible to see clearly.

It was just like this world, always covered by a long veil, forcing the vast majority of people to move forward with their eyes covered.

"A few hundred years from now is the best time node to establish the Immortal Kingdom on earth."

"By then, the entire Nanzhan Buzhou will surely be the same as Dongsheng Shenzhou, ruled by our Profound Gate, and the Yellow Heaven World will finally descend!"

Mingxiao Daoist restrained his fanaticism, calmed down a little, and looked back at his junior sister: "So, what is there to care about regarding a momentary failure?"

"The current failure is naturally not as good as immediate success. But it is not bad either; at the very least, it has pointed out a direction for the future and can be considered a way to fix the gaps—"

"As long as we can succeed in the future—"

"Once Heavenly Luck descends, the Daluo Realm will be within our reach."

His voice carried a hint of chill, like the night wind blowing through the mouth of a pot hanging under the eaves of the water pavilion, and he said: "Only by reaching Daluo can you and I possibly grasp our own destinies in the future Great Calamity of heaven and earth."

……

Chang'an City, inside Weiyang Palace.

Dongfang Shuo tidied his clothes and hat, trailing his sleeves as he moved forward, one step at a time, neither fast nor slow. He ascended the stairs, passed through the palace gate, and then, upon reaching the hall, he saw the current Emperor of Great Han—Liu Che.

He saw this Human King of the age sitting on the wide dragon throne. In front of him was a green jade desk carved with blue-purple patterns, upon which various bamboo slips were placed—some stacked together, some half-opened, some scattered—permeated with the scent of ink.

The man himself was full of energy, his face ruddy, his body held high as he flipped through the many bamboo slips.

The first moment Dongfang Shuo saw Liu Che, he sighed inwardly: His Majesty truly does not have long to live—

Because this Emperor of Great Han, the Human King of the age, had actually reached the point where he needed all sorts of harsh, potent medicines to sustain his radiant appearance.

Especially—

On both sides behind this Majesty stood sandalwood racks, upon which were several Gilded Dragon-Patterned Treasure Burners, all spewing purple-blue smoke from their mouths.

He took a sniff and knew that this was a strange fragrance concocted from various immortal flowers, exotic herbs, immortal fruits, and spiritual medicines.

It was originally a rare treasure for cultivation.

Ordinary people who smelled it would enter the Dao in three days, reach the Jupo Realm Realm Realm in seven, form a Golden Core in a month, achieve a Primordial Spirit in a hundred days, and become an immortal in three years.

It was just that, under the erosion of the Human King Dragon Qi, this rare treasure, whose medicinal effect was comparable to a three-thousand-year Flat Peach, was only left with the function of nourishing the vital energy.

To have to use such a rare treasure to nourish vital energy showed just how serious his true condition was.

"The front of the hall has come—" Liu Che raised his head, interrupting Dongfang Shuo's contemplation.

"Your Majesty—"

"There is no need for many words. Do you know the origin of that black bird in the palace?"

Although Liu Che was not versed in cultivation and belonged to the mortal flesh, he could not see the magnificent vision that had occurred after the Black Bird appeared in the world.

However, as a true Human King who had attained a position of karma, his spiritual perception was extraordinary, and he could still faintly sense—

That the black bird which had landed in Weiyang Palace and lingered there without leaving possessed an extraordinary essence; it was by no means an ordinary immortal bird or spirit creature~

And he had known from beginning to end that Dongfang Shuo was no ordinary person; the two of them had a tacit understanding of this, so he asked directly and got straight to the point.

"Your Majesty, this is the legendary Black Bird. As an envoy of the Queen Mother of the West, it has come to bring you a message; Wangmu is about to arrive to celebrate your birthday~"

"Oh? Is that so?"

"Your Majesty, it is absolutely true."

However, Dongfang Shuo stole a glance and noticed that there was not the slightest joy on Liu Che's face; instead, it was uncertain, filled with shock and suspicion.

It was very simple, but it was because Liu Che had self-awareness.

What kind of mighty figure was the Queen Mother of the West? How could she possibly stoop to lower herself to come and celebrate the birthday of a mere Human King like him? Even if he, this Human King, was a true Human King who had attained a position of karma, he was still not qualified.

He was not versed in cultivation, but that did not mean he did not know about the various matters within cultivation. After all, according to the original plan, he was supposed to walk the Yang World Enlightenment Path.

Because of this, he knew in his heart that there was definitely something fishy going on here.

After all, "if one wishes to take, one must first give." If the Queen Mother of the West had cast aside her own face, it could only mean that she wanted more.

He had the intention to refuse.

Because he simply could not afford the price of the Queen Mother of the West's face. Or rather, that kind of price was one he was unwilling to pay.

Yet he had no way to refuse.

Not to mention that he had no ability to contact the Queen Mother of the West at all. Just the fact that she had already sent a formal notice and even dispatched an envoy meant that even if he truly had the ability to contact the Queen Mother of the West, he would not dare to truly refuse.

Because doing so would inevitably offend her to the death.

Thinking of this, Liu Che was truly consumed by rage; he had finally realized that she had him cornered.

"Cough, cough, cough—"

In his extreme anger, his body, which he had been struggling to maintain, immediately became uncomfortable.

He could not help but cough several times, which sounded exceptionally harsh in the vast, empty palace hall.

And it was at this very moment—

Suddenly, a magnificent and auspicious cry resounded through the heavens and earth.

The entire firmament shone with great light.

This time~ even the most ordinary mortal eyes reflected a multitude of strange omens.

The Queen Mother of the West, this Great Divine Ability holder who was nearly a myth and legend herself, had finally arrived in the mortal world!

(End of this chapter)