Chapter 249: Reactions and Hidden Agendas from All Sides; Wangmu Waves Her Sleeve to Summon an Audience【6k】

"The Human-God Covenant? The Human Race and the Heavenly Court have actually united for the first time in history!"

"It's not easy, is it? Ever since the Jade Emperor ascended to the heavens, the Human Race lost the Heavenly Court, and the relationship between the two sides has never been good. To think they would actually join hands this time!"

"This trip by the Queen Mother of the West can truly be called a journey of breaking the ice!"

"It's not as if it were unforeseeable; didn't King Mu of Zhou do the same dozens of Yuanhui ago? It's just that both sides failed to reach a consensus."

"That's true, there were signs of it even back then!"

In the dim void, a place difficult for ordinary immortals and gods to reach, was filled with the sounds of various powerful beings sighing and exchanging thoughts.

"The Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother have calculated well; it appears to be aimed only at Nanzhan Buzhou, but in reality, it points directly at the Three Realms."

"The fellow Daoist is right. Look at the contents of this covenant; if he truly succeeds in Nanzhan Buzhou, it would be strange if he didn't push it across the Three Realms."

"Heaven and humanity united—how are we old fellows supposed to live?" one powerful being in the shadows said indignantly.

In the eyes of forces that revere order like the Human Race and the Heavenly Court, which of them—these loose cultivators who do not submit to the Human King and are not restrained by the Heavenly Court—are not seen as practitioners of Witch-Shaman ghost paths, demons, monsters, or evil, heterodox ways?

What? You say you aren't? The Haotian Golden Tower Supreme Ultimate Wonderful Existence Miro True Jade Emperor Great Heavenly Venerable Profound Vault High God, with his golden words, says you are, so even if you aren't, you are.

In his view, this act clearly meant that the brat Haotian had finally finished integrating the power of the Heavenly Court and was officially baring his fangs at the Three Realms.

The Heavenly Court of the past, although its prestige was sufficient, had already reached a point where others hardly dared to shout any slogans against heaven.

But that was merely ruling without governing; despite being high above, it allowed the Three Realms to be governed separately.

Now, however, he has begun to scheme to rule over everything, embarking on the unfinished business of the Heavenly Emperors of past generations.

"Heh, the Human-God Covenant? It's nothing but empty talk!"

There were also powerful beings who were indifferent, not taking the matter to heart, only sneering coldly.

"That's right! With interests at stake, I don't believe they can truly treat each other with sincerity!"

……

Every cultivator within the universe, from the highest powerful beings down to ordinary immortals and gods, upon seeing these Heavenly Secrets, all reacted with clamor.

Some were shocked, some were incredulous, some were ecstatic... their attitudes varied.

However, even those powerful beings who saw the deeper meaning of this covenant, despite their worries or complaints, mostly maintained an attitude of keeping their distance and not letting it concern them.

This was simply because they knew clearly that whether it was the Human Race or the Heavenly Court, wanting to fully implement the contents of the covenant was not a task that could be accomplished in a day or two.

Let alone pushing it across the entire Honghuang.

Facing matters of the distant future, they naturally had the leisure to wait and see, planning slowly.

However, those who resided in Nanzhan Buzhou and were closely affected could by no means view it calmly or remain indifferent.

……

South of the Great Han, deep in the Southern Barbarian Lands.

There stood a grand and ancient temple, surrounded by mountains, lush and heavy, majestic and heaven-opening.

Looking from afar, the gate was half-open, and on both sides of the spacious Divine Dao stood hundreds or thousands of tall statues.

These statues, the shortest of which were a thousand zhang tall, were either white lions, strange snakes with wings, giant elephants, or creatures resembling qilin; each one was lifelike.

The two statues placed at the entrance of the temple were ten thousand zhang tall, both in the form of fierce beasts.

The one on the left was shaped like an ox, red-bodied, human-faced, with horse feet; the one on the right was a nine-headed, snake-bodied monster, its nine heads stretching out to cover the sky and sun.

Both stood firmly there, possessing a vast and ancient aura.

Yet these statues were not true statues, but the corpses of great demons from long ago, whose time had been frozen by supreme secret arts and placed here.

For instance, the two "statues" at the temple gate were Xieyu and Jiuying, which belonged to the spoils of war of the Great Witch Houyi of the past.

And this place was the most important holy land for the Witch-Human lineage in Nanzhan Buzhou.

If an outsider were here, their first impression would be that it was as wild as the primordial age, dim and deep; their second impression would be its scale—whether it was the temple architecture or the various statues, they were all easily a thousand or ten thousand zhang tall, unimaginably large.

At this moment, a giant walked out from the ancient temple, wearing a tiger-skin skirt around his waist, with bronze-colored skin, and a snake-shaped earring with fine cloth patterns hanging from each ear.

This giant was naturally a Great Witch, and a Great Witch capable of rivaling a Great Luo.

This Great Witch originally had other matters to attend to, but the moment the Heavenly Secrets were revealed, he couldn't help but let out an "eh," and brilliant light instantly erupted from his eyes.

Although the Witch Clan, due to Turbid Qi, could not use their primordial spirits to sense Heavenly Secrets, it did not mean they could not calculate them.

One must know that the Turtle Shell divination method once prevalent among the Human Race was actually learned from the Witch Clan!

The Witch Clan had their own path of Witch-sacrifices, which could be used to divine Heavenly Secrets.

And this Great Witch belonged to the lineage of the Time Ancestral Witch, Zhu Jiuyin, so he naturally had some sense of Heavenly Secrets. It was just that compared to the path of immortals and gods, it was very blurry and required some rituals and secret treasures to assist.

He beckoned with his hand, and an ancient stone pillar appeared before him; the pillar was hexagonal, carved with the images of the Twelve Ancestral Witches.

Each Ancestral Witch displayed the momentum of their peak era, looking down upon the world; wind, rain, thunder, lightning, the rotation of the four seasons, the interaction of the Five Elements, the balance of water and fire, the universe of time and space, and so on—numerous rules naturally intertwined, as if they were substantial.

As he activated this stone pillar, different images immediately appeared, some large and some small, like stars orbiting a great sun, rotating around the stone pillar, revealing the Heavenly Secrets at a glance.

"Deceiving people too much!"

The Great Witch was instantly filled with burning rage, his voice cold as he said, "To actually disparage our Witch Gate's Great Dharma as a leftist path, and even equate it with ghost-realm tricks."

"That brat Haotian, in order to lick the boots of the Profound Gate, is truly deceiving people too much!"

This Great Witch, relying on the fact that the temple behind him could conceal Heavenly Secrets, knew that the Jade Emperor could not hear his cursing, so he naturally said whatever was harshest!

As for the person on the surface—the Queen Mother of the West—he intentionally or unintentionally ignored her.

In truth, as a Great Witch of the time lineage, he understood the power of the Queen Mother of the West better than others.

"And the Human Race, despite all the care Houtu Niangniang has shown them!" Thinking of this, the Great Witch felt an additional three parts of hatred.

"To think that after driving us to this wild and desolate land, they still want to suppress the already declining orthodoxy of our Witch Gate!"

"Truly ungrateful!"

His voice was like a bell or drum, shaking the surroundings.

He immediately turned and returned to the temple, summoning his companions to discuss.

……

Mang Mountain.

The Yin aura is heavy, permeating all around. The sky sees no sun; it is deathly silent and dark.

Occasionally, the Yin aura surges, and ghosts emerge, their pale eyes opening—some are hanged ghosts, some have long tongues, some are missing arms, some are missing legs, and so on and so forth, countless in variety, containing slaughter, destruction, and devastation.

This ghost domain born in the Yang world has, since ancient times, been favored by those of the Ghost Dao, and one knows not how many ghosts and gods who refuse to enter the Underworld and instead linger in the Yang world have entrenched themselves here.

As the Heavenly Secrets were revealed, one powerful ghost or god after another appeared, some cursing in anger, others sneering coldly, countless in variety.

These ghosts and gods wantonly flaunted their own Aura, causing the ordinary ghosts and monsters in Mang Mountain, who were originally baring fangs and brandishing claws, to involuntarily bow their bodies, trembling with fear, unable to control themselves.

Whether conscious or unconscious, it was all the same.

Thousands of ghosts and gods appeared together; they rose up within Mang Mountain, wailing, screaming, and acting crazed, revealing ferocious, angry expressions toward Chang'an City.

……

It is not just Mang Mountain; as long as they belong to the category of demons, monsters, ghosts, and ghouls, it is all the same.

There are also some sects that follow the path of demons and evil, and upon understanding the Heavenly Secrets, they also reacted violently one by one.

Even those so-called righteous sects of renown have complaints.

After all, no one wants an Overlord to suddenly appear above their heads, and to have two appear at once at that.

It can be said that with the signing of the Human-God Covenant and its manifestation to the world, all those in Nanzhan Buzhou who are closely related to it have become restless.

However, no matter how they react, it is clear that the will of the two forces, the Human Race and the Heavenly Court, does not shift because of them.

Heavenly Court.

Golden Palace Cloud Palace, Spirit Firmament Hall.

It is exactly where golden lamps hang and shine, the sun and moon have light, and tripods burn three thousand incense.

Clear and bright precious light illuminates the surroundings.

The glazed jade ground is unstained by a single speck of dust.

The Jade Emperor wears his crown with hanging beads, blocking his face; around his body, the Qi of merit swirls, and Purple-Green Qi swirls, layer upon layer, evolving into the image of golden towers, with the sun, moon, and stars residing within them.

Seeing the Heavenly Secrets manifest, he could not help but wave the dragon-tiger Jade Ruyi he was toying with in his hand, a smile appearing on his face.

"Indeed, just as Wangmu said, the Human Race also has the idea of easing relations with the Heavenly Court."

"Your Majesty, the last Calamity of attacking the heavens was merely a struggle between heaven and man, each plotting for their own duties. The Human Race was merely forcibly hoisted up by the Human Dao, and had no choice but to act~"

The one replying was the Jade Emperor Great Heavenly Venerable's first close minister in the Heavenly Court—Taibai Jinxing.

After a pause, this Taibai Jinxing added: "Moreover, even after experiencing all kinds of suppression, the Human Race's reach in the Heavenly Court is still not to be underestimated~"

"Your Majesty and the Empress threw out quite a large bait this time, letting them see the hope of ruling the Heavenly Court again; naturally, they cannot help but be tempted~"

"Indeed! In the end, this Heavenly Court was snatched by me from the hands of the Human Race~" the Jade Emperor sighed, his tone unreadable, "The Human Race has always wanted to return to the position of Master of the Heavenly Court!"

Taibai Jinxing caught a glimpse of the coldness in the Jade Emperor's eyes, but smiled on his face and said loudly: "It is merely a matter of the victor being king and the loser being the bandit!"

"At this Myriad Heavens Era, when the Primordial World is growing to perfection, the great trend does not lie with the Human Dao, but with the Heavenly Dao; today, the Heavenly Mandate lies with Your Majesty!"

Hearing this, the Jade Emperor smiled slightly. He was able to ascend to the position of Heavenly Emperor after the Human Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, and there was no lack of support from the Heavenly Dao behind him.

It is as the saying goes, prosperity leads to decline.

In the era when the Human Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors succeeded the previous Heavenly Emperor, the Human Dao ruling the heavens became a fact. It is precisely because of this that the Primordial World naturally would not allow the Human Dao to dominate alone forever.

It can be said that from the moment he was able to seize the Heavenly Court from the hands of the Human Race, it represented that the Human Dao had already implicitly fallen into a decline.

The war of attacking the heavens launched by the First Emperor Ying Zheng was merely the final flare and desperate struggle of the Human Dao~ just as Taibai Jinxing said, the current great trend does not lie with the Human Dao.

But with the Heavenly Dao—

In this era, there is nothing more important than opening up the myriad heavens, allowing the world to encompass the entire Chaos, and completely perfecting the Primordial World! And as the protagonist of the Human Dao, in an era where the Human Dao is suppressed by the Heavenly Dao, no matter what the Human Race plans, they will achieve half the result with twice the effort and have to spend much more energy than in the past.

Therefore, no matter what thoughts the Human Race has, as long as that Human Race incarnation does not appear, he is not afraid at all. It is just—

His gaze was cold and congealed; when the time comes, the heavens and earth provide strength, but when luck departs, the hero is not free. Taibai Jinxing is right, the Heavenly Mandate is with him. But this is the result of the Heavenly Dao flourishing at present.

What if, after countless eons, the Heavenly Dao also falls into a decline like the Human Dao? This is not without precedent. In this world, the three Daos of Heaven, Earth, and Man have rotated and risen, and it has already been through I know not how many cycles.

That long Witch Dao era before could not have been without the support of the Earthly Dao dominated by Houtu Niangniang. In that era, as strong as the Human Dao was, it had to be suppressed by the Earthly Dao.

The Human Race was also subtly influenced, not admiring Immortal Method, not worshipping the Divine Dao, taking the Witch as supreme, and becoming vassals of the Witch Sect.

So~

"If one wants to avoid falling into a state of dormancy and silence after the Heavenly Mandate shifts, and only watch others show off their skills, one needs to seize every opportunity to seize the resources of creation."

The Jade Emperor's eyes were bright and piercing, looking toward Chang'an City in Nanzhan Buzhou, thinking to himself.

Underworld Youming.

Dim and dark, deep and gloomy.

Since ancient times, it has not seen the sun or moon, only gusts of Yin wind.

And in such an environment, there is a wondrous space, bright as the Yang world, golden and brilliant.

In this space, there is nothing but the splendor of the Heavenly Palace, floating pavilions hanging with precious colors, bright terraces planted with pearl trees, and everywhere there are long corridors and curved railings, with beast-faced water spouts, stretching on and on.

The towering palaces, exquisite towers, elegant pavilions, and clear, beautiful cloud stones set each other off, beautiful and magnificent.

Graceful canopies, rich and imposing.

There are even countless military camps arrayed all around.

Spread out like stars in the sky, forming battle formations.

Countless armored soldiers, each like a god, are either drilling or patrolling, and others are in groups, entering and exiting this space, conquering in all directions.

This space is none other than the location of the Great Han Underworld Dragon Court, the foundation formed by the Yang world dynasty reflecting into the Underworld.

And at this moment, the founding emperor of the Great Han, the former Red Emperor Divine Son—Liu Bang, is sitting in a palace, secretly pondering.

"An eventful autumn!" he sighed, "I don't know if this move is the right one or not."

Feeling the reaction of the entire Primordial World after the Heavenly Secrets were revealed, especially the restlessness of all the immortals, gods, witches, demons, ghosts, and monsters in Nanzhan Buzhou, Liu Bang's heart was filled with a thousand thoughts.

Just as the Jade Emperor said, the Human Race has actually always had the idea of easing relations with the Heavenly Court.

In truth, the manpower and resources they have invested in the Heavenly Court are by no means small. Even after losing the Heavenly Court following the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, they have always been deeply cultivating it in subtle ways, both openly and secretly.

Because as long as one is a person of insight, they understand that as the institution nominally governing the Primordial World, the Heavenly Court has always been the center of the Primordial World.

Especially in an epoch where the Primordial World is about to grow to perfection, such an institution that nominally governs the world as the Heavenly Court has become increasingly important.

"What's more—" Divine light gleamed in Liu Bang's eyes, and his tone was solemn as he said: "How many people still remember that we of the Human Race are the true masters of this Heavenly Court?"

Every word was enunciated clearly, causing the Dragon Qi to roar and imperial edicts to circulate, containing a vast and irresistible power that swept away everything.

"Since the First Emperor's approach did not work, then we can only start from within the Heavenly Court, step by step, subtly and gradually, to take back the Heavenly Court."

……

Chang'an City.

Before Liu Che had signed the alliance.

Originally, Fang Longye, the Jinghe Dragon King, and the Green Bull Divine Venerable were still clinking cups and chatting idly.

The Green Bull Divine Venerable picked up a cup of Hundred Flower Immortal Brew, gulped it down, and then said with drunken, hazy eyes: "You all say, could this Xiwangmu Niangniang really have come to celebrate the Human King's birthday?"

The Jinghe Dragon King sipped some Immortal Brew and teased: "Why don't you go and ask her?"

"Pah!" The Green Bull Divine Venerable was startled and cursed angrily: "You little mud loach who deserves a thousand cuts, do you really think that just because I, the old bull, am drunk, I would go and act like a madman?"

He did not have the guts to run out and ask Xiwangmu about her purpose.

What if he made her unhappy and she wanted to eat beef? He hadn't lived enough yet—he still wanted to sire a few more litters of calves!

Fang Longye, on the side, stroked the Two Instruments Divine Gourd and thought to himself: "I fear Xiwangmu is not here for a birthday celebration, but is actually here to treat Liu Che!"

"If I follow the memories of my past life, Han Wudi Liu Che should still have more than twenty years to live!"

"But according to that state of being strong on the outside but weak on the inside, nearly exhausted, that I witnessed earlier, it cannot be fake."

This was also the reason why, before this, a group of immortals and gods who were either hostile to or covetous of the Han Court had gathered in Chang'an City.

Because they had all vaguely guessed the state of Liu Che, this contemporary Human King.

After weighing it in his heart, Fang Longye considered his guess confirmed.

"It's just that, I remember the relationship between the Human Race and the Heavenly Court doesn't seem to be very good, right?"

"Could it be that some great power of the Human Race, such as the Red Emperor behind the Han Court, paid a price to invite her?"

Just as Fang Longye's thoughts were turning, he heard a dragon's roar, and the Great Han Dragon Qi suddenly erupted; caught off guard, the Heavenly Secrets were clearly revealed.

"The Heavenly Court has actually formed an alliance and agreement with the Human Race, joining forces to restrain the conduct of immortals and gods, suppress the sorcery and ghost paths, expel demons and monsters, and sweep away evil sects and heterodox paths?"

Seeing the Heavenly Secrets, Fang Longye understood, and as the specific contents of the alliance between the Heavenly Court and the Human Race appeared in his mind, he felt quite inexplicably surprised.

"The Heavenly Court didn't gain much of an advantage from this alliance!"

The Green Bull Divine Venerable touched his own horns and said: "Good fellow! It's a good thing I, the old bull, have now converted under the seat of the Manifest Saint True Monarch, otherwise wouldn't I also have become one of the evil gods and licentious sacrifices in the eyes of the Heavenly Court?"

The Jinghe Dragon King, however, smiled without a word, his demeanor composed.

It was not just because he had long been enfeoffed by the Heavenly Court as the 'Grand Superintendent of the Eight Rivers, Great Dragon God of Rain'.

It was also because, as a member of the Dragon Clan, as long as one occupies a river or a lake, establishes a residence and builds a career, and becomes a true Dragon Lord, one naturally has the Heavenly Edict descend upon them, easily becoming a righteous god of a region.

The various contents of this alliance had no impact on him.

Fang Longye glanced at the two who had already come ashore beside him and thought: "You two are calm and composed, but look at the wailing ghosts and gods all around; it really is true that everyone has their own fate!"

Seeing that inside and outside Chang'an City, the crowd of immortals and gods present all had their expressions change drastically after the Heavenly Secrets were revealed.

Especially those evil gods and wicked gods who had achieved their status as demons; their complexions were so ugly that they couldn't even hide it.

Anyway, they had already paid their respects to Xiwangmu, and the due respect had been expressed; they had originally lingered here thinking they might be able to gain some opportunities or good fortune.

Now?

A whole bunch of them left in a rush.

They were all evil gods and wicked gods, either demons who had usurped divine positions, fallen deities, or Xiantian evil gods similar to the state the Green Bull Divine Venerable was in before.

Or rather, it would not be an exaggeration to describe it as fleeing in panic.

They had already been branded as demons, monsters, evil gods, and licentious sacrifices, so why stay here and be a nuisance?

Were they not afraid that Xiwangmu would find them annoying and directly sweep away the evil atmosphere of the human world? Fang Longye withdrew his gaze from surveying the surroundings, his mind sinking down to savor the alliance signed between the Heavenly Court and the Human Race.

Gradually, an idea formed: "Could it be that the future Demon-Subduing and Dao-Protecting Heavenly Venerable, Celestial Master Zhang Daoling, was born in response to this!"

Through his previous conversations with the Jinghe Dragon King and the Green Bull Divine Venerable, he already had a very detailed understanding of the current cultivation world of Nanzhan Buzhou.

In this era—

In Nanzhan Buzhou, it is hard to say regarding the upper echelons, as many great powers are both immortals and gods, or even have Xiantian Shengsheng origins, possessing their own authority.

But in terms of the middle and lower levels, the Immortal Dao really cannot compare to the Divine Dao. The reason—the Immortal Qin, which lasted for over two hundred thousand years, has something to say about that.

And within the Divine Dao, evil gods and licentious sacrifices far outnumber righteous gods. All kinds of demons and monsters claim titles and ranks, absorbing incense and faith, and usurping divine positions.

Coupled with the rampant sorcery and ghost paths, and evil sects and heterodox paths acting with impunity, abandoning the true for the false.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that evil is flourishing.

In short, it is extremely chaotic—as for why the Heavenly Court wants to get involved, it is also easy to understand.

With the previous Immortal Qin, the current Heavenly Court really has no influence in Nanzhan Buzhou.

It even has more reach in Beiju Luzhou than in Nanzhan Buzhou.

Many ordinary mortal beings have not even heard the name of the Heavenly Court.

Just for this point, it is understandable that the Heavenly Court would sign an alliance with the Human Race that it did not gain much advantage from—as for whether there are other reasons, he does not know—……

On Fang Longye's side, after observing the Heavenly Secrets, ripples surged in his heart.

And here in Weiyang Palace, Xiwangmu, seeing that the alliance had been signed, immediately smiled at Liu Che and said: "Your Majesty still has a birthday banquet to prepare, so I will not disturb you further."

"However—" she paused, "since I came to celebrate your birthday, I cannot just come and go as I please."

"To give you, the Human King, some face, I will linger here for one day and return tomorrow—"

Having said this, she waved the Peach Wood Branch in her hand.

"That will do! You may withdraw~"

"Then I shall take my leave!" Liu Che stretched his body, which felt as if it had been reborn, and laughed with a light heart.

However, after taking a few steps back, he could not help but pause, nearly stumbling.

It was only after he had fully awakened that he realized this was his own palace; why did the tone of the conversation make it seem as if it had become the Queen Mother of the West's? But once he remembered this was the Queen Mother of the West, he could only concede and yield this palace to her.

After Liu Che took his leave, the Queen Mother of the West glanced in the direction of Fang Longye, smiled gracefully, and thought to herself: "Next, it is time to meet you, little one~"

Immediately, she moved her slender, jade-like hand and flicked her sleeve, sweeping Fang Longye before her.

Fang Longye had been lost in thought, and unexpectedly, his vision blurred; just as he was about to strike back, he saw that he had already arrived in a palace.

Taking a look around, he immediately understood the situation and could not help but respectfully bow, saying: "This little dragon pays his respects to the Empress, wishing the Empress an early attainment of the Great Dao!"

His etiquette was impeccable, and no one could find any fault with it.

A cloud bed hung high.

Purple and green mist swirled within the Black Dragon Cauldron on the table nearby, the smoke curling upward, dense and unmoving.

The Queen Mother of the West wore a brocade cape and a green feathered skirt, her hair styled in a cloud bun, as she looked with great interest at the little fellow before her, whose origins were so mysterious and elusive.

(End of chapter)