Chapter 207

Ten thousand years passed in an instant; with the Grand Formation's support, the Heavenly Realm's barrier had become as thin as a cicada's wing, allowing the gods to behold the dawn of success.

Translation: "Ten thousand years passed in an instant; with the Grand Formation's support, the Heavenly Realm's barrier had become as thin as a cicada's wing, allowing the gods to see the dawn of success."

Ten thousand years passed in an instant; with the Grand Formation's support, the Heavenly Realm's barrier had become as thin as a cicada's wing, allowing the gods to see the dawn of success.

In the Heaven Beyond Heaven, Hongjun could feel the urgency transmitted by the Fortune Jade Butterfly; this urgency even affected his adversary, yet he never found a moment's respite.

Translation: "In Heaven Beyond Heaven, Hongjun could sense the urgency transmitted by the Fortune Jade Butterfly, an urgency that even affected his adversary, yet he never found a moment's respite."

The urgency of Heaven Beyond Heaven, Hongjun, and the Fortune Jade Butterfly affected his adversary, yet he never found a moment's respite.

Luohou gazed at the eager Hongjun, feeling a satisfaction he could not express; knowing the moment was ripe, he deliberately revealed a flaw, feigning insufficient divine power.

Translation: "Luohou watched the anxious Hongjun, feeling a satisfaction he could not express; knowing the moment was ripe, he deliberately revealed a flaw, feigning insufficient divine power."

He felt a satisfaction he could not express, knowing the moment was ripe, he deliberately revealed a flaw, feigning insufficient divine power.

Although Yangmei did not understand why Luohou acted thus, he did not let the opportunity slip; his form flickered as he closed in on Luohou, and the Hollow Willow's reflection appeared in space.

Translation: "Yangmei did not know why Luohou acted thus, but he did not let the opportunity pass; his form flickered as he closed in on Luohou, and the Hollow Willow's reflection appeared in space."

His form flickered as he closed in on Luohou, and the Hollow Willow's reflection appeared in space.

The willow branches swayed and grew unchecked, sending ripples through space; in these minute undulations, Luohou's form was directly shattered.

Translation: "Willow branches swayed, grew unchecked, and ripples of space spread. In these minute undulations, Luohou's form was directly shattered."

Willow branches swayed, grew unchecked, and ripples of space spread; in these minute undulations, Luohou's form was directly shattered.

Meanwhile, countless branches streamed toward the source of Heaven Beyond Heaven; there Luohou's silhouette reappeared, but before it could solidify, the branches shredded it.

Translation: "At the same time, countless branches streamed toward the source of Heaven Beyond Heaven; there Luohou's silhouette reappeared, but before it could solidify, the branches shredded it."

Countless branches streamed toward the source of Heaven Beyond Heaven; there Luohou's silhouette reappeared, but before it could solidify, the branches shredded it.

Hongjun shouted, "Not good!"

Translation: "Hongjun shouted, 'Not good.'"

He instantly realized that the Hollow Willow's move might trigger the collapse of Heaven Beyond Heaven, and Luohou might truly perish thereby.

Translation: "He instantly realized that the Hollow Willow's move might trigger the collapse of Heaven Beyond Heaven, and Luohou might truly perish thereby."

He instantly realized that the Hollow Willow's move might trigger the collapse of Heaven Beyond Heaven, and Luohou might truly perish thereby.

He had never before created a world like Heaven Beyond Heaven in the Primordial Wasteland; he did not know the cost, but from what he saw, Heaven Beyond Heaven's remaining source was scant.

Translation: "He had never before created a world like Heaven Beyond Heaven in the Primordial Wasteland; he did not know the cost, but from what he saw, Heaven Beyond Heaven's remaining source was scant."

He had never before created a world like Heaven Beyond Heaven in the Primordial Wasteland; he did not know the cost, but from what he saw, Heaven Beyond Heaven's remaining source was scant.

United with Heaven Beyond Heaven, Luohou knew that if its source were exhausted, Heaven Beyond Heaven would collapse, and what awaited him might be a solitary strangling by the Hollow Willow.

Translation: "United with Heaven Beyond Heaven, Luohou knew that if its source were exhausted, Heaven Beyond Heaven would collapse, and what awaited him might be a solitary strangling by the Hollow Willow."

United with Heaven Beyond Heaven, Luohou; if its source were exhausted, Heaven Beyond Heaven would collapse, and what awaited him might be a solitary strangling by the Hollow Willow.

Now, even with their combined strength, they were still suppressed by Yangmei; if Luohou truly fell here, he would likely have only retreat left.

Translation: "Now, even with their combined strength, they were still suppressed by Yangmei; if Luohou truly fell here, he would likely have only retreat left."

Now, even with their combined strength, they were still suppressed by Yangmei; if Luohou truly fell here, he would likely have only retreat left.

Hongjun swiftly formed seals with both hands; the Great Dao manifested, and boundless divine light poured from his seals, seeking to stabilize Heaven Beyond Heaven's source.

Translation: "Hongjun swiftly formed seals with both hands; the Great Dao manifested, and boundless divine light poured from his seals, seeking to stabilize Heaven Beyond Heaven's source."

Hongjun swiftly formed seals with both hands; the Great Dao manifested, and boundless divine light poured from his seals, seeking to stabilize Heaven Beyond Heaven's source.

Luohou had long known their moves, yet he already intended to withdraw from this battle; how could he let Hongjun easily achieve his wish?

Translation: "Luohou had long known their moves, yet he already intended to withdraw from this battle; how could he let Hongjun easily achieve his wish?"

Luohou had long known their moves, yet he already intended to withdraw from this battle; how could he let Hongjun easily achieve his wish?

But he took no action; at this point, all that was needed was for him not to resist, to let Yangmei act as she pleased.

Translation: "But he took no action; at this point, all that was needed was for him not to resist, to let Yangmei act as she pleased."

But he took no action; at this point, all that was needed was for him not to resist, to let Yangmei act as she pleased.

Hongjun saw no movement from Luohou, his doubts unexplained; he could only guess that perhaps the Hollow Willow was too strong, leaving Luohou unable to resist.

Translation: "Hongjun saw no movement from Luohou, his doubts unexplained; he could only guess that perhaps the Hollow Willow was too strong, leaving Luohou unable to resist."

Hongjun saw no movement from Luohou, his doubts unexplained; he could only guess that perhaps the Hollow Willow was too strong, leaving Luohou unable to resist.

Bearing this in mind, Hongjun, together with his three corpses, exerted force, slowing the willow branches' spread considerably; yet he still saw no sign of Luohou intending to struggle.

Translation: "Bearing this in mind, Hongjun, together with his three corpses, exerted force, slowing the willow branches' spread considerably, yet he still saw no sign of Luohou intending to struggle."

Bearing this in mind, Hongjun, together with his three corpses, exerted force, slowing the willow branches' spread considerably, yet he still saw no sign of Luohou intending to struggle.

Yangmei was equally perplexed, yet since Luohou sought death, he would surely not miss this chance; after all, Luohou had previously interfered from the sidelines, leaving him truly no opportunity to slay Hongjun.

Translation: "Yangmei was equally perplexed, yet since Luohou sought death, he would surely not miss this chance; after all, Luohou had previously interfered from the sidelines, leaving him truly no opportunity to slay Hongjun."

Yangmei was equally perplexed; yet since Luohou sought death, he would surely not miss this chance, after all, Luohou had previously interfered from the sidelines, leaving him truly no opportunity to slay Hongjun.

Swatting this fly would at least ease the burden; perhaps Luohou's strength now ranks lowest among the three, yet his Demonic Dao is indeed intriguing—at least enough to be annoying.

Translation: "Swatting this fly would at least ease the burden; perhaps Luohou's strength now ranks lowest among the three, yet his Demonic Dao is indeed intriguing—at least enough to be annoying."

Swatting this fly would at least ease the burden; perhaps Luohou's strength now ranks lowest among the three, yet his Demonic Dao is indeed intriguing—at least enough to be annoying.

Hongjun's bearing was somewhat disheveled; he already planned to retreat, but he still needed someone to help him draw Yangmei's attention.

Translation: "Hongjun's bearing was somewhat disheveled; he already planned to retreat, but he still needed someone to help him draw Yangmei's attention."

Hongjun's bearing was somewhat disheveled; he already planned to retreat, but he still needed someone to help him draw Yangmei's attention.

Luohou was undoubtedly the best choice, but alas he had not yet had time to act when something went awry, and the shifting battle proved hard to grasp.

Translation: "Luohou was undoubtedly the best choice, but alas he had not yet had time to act when something went awry, and the shifting battle proved hard to grasp."

Luohou was undoubtedly the best choice; but alas he had not yet had time to act when something went awry, and the shifting battle proved hard to grasp.

The Hollow Willow's branches continued to stretch toward the source of Heaven Beyond Heaven, while Luohou's silhouette faded away.

Translation: "The Hollow Willow's branches continued to stretch toward the source of Heaven Beyond Heaven, while Luohou's silhouette faded away."

The Hollow Willow's branches continued to stretch toward the source of Heaven Beyond Heaven, while Luohou's silhouette faded away.

Hongjun burned with anxiety, knowing full well that once Heaven Beyond Heaven's source was exhausted, Luohou would transmute into the Dao, leaving him alone to face Yangmei thereafter.

Translation: "Hongjun burned with anxiety, knowing full well that once Heaven Beyond Heaven's source was exhausted, Luohou would transmute into the Dao, leaving him alone to face Yangmei thereafter."

Hongjun burned with anxiety, knowing full well that once Heaven Beyond Heaven's source was exhausted, Luohou would transmute into the Dao, leaving him alone to face Yangmei thereafter.

When that time came, no matter the outcome, it would be hard to bring to a close.

Translation: "When that time came, no matter the outcome, it would be hard to bring to a close."

When that time came, no matter the outcome, it would be hard to bring to a close.

Countless strands of Chaos sword qi, straight as the Heaven-Measuring Ruler, shot directly at Yangmei's position, seeking to force her to abandon her slaughter of Luohou.

Translation: "Countless strands of Chaos sword qi, straight as the Heaven-Measuring Ruler, shot directly at Yangmei's position, seeking to force her to abandon her slaughter of Luohou."

Countless strands of Chaos sword qi, straight as the Heaven-Measuring Ruler, shot directly at Yangmei's position, seeking to force her to abandon her slaughter of Luohou.

Yangmei frowned slightly, wanting to evade, yet the chance to avenge Qiankun and others lay right before him, making him inevitably hesitant.

Translation: "Yangmei frowned slightly, wanting to evade, yet the chance to avenge Qiankun and others lay right before him, making him inevitably hesitant."

Yangmei frowned slightly, wanting to evade, yet the chance to avenge Qiankun and others lay right before him, making him inevitably hesitant.

Seeing Yangmei's demeanor, Luohou felt a sudden sense of unease, somewhat troubled; he wished to escape by death, yet fell just short.

Translation: "Seeing Yangmei's demeanor, Luohou felt a sudden sense of unease, somewhat troubled, wishing to escape by death, yet falling just short."

Seeing Yangmei's demeanor, Luohou felt a sudden sense of unease, somewhat troubled, wishing to escape by death, yet falling just short.

Suddenly, Luohou's eyes lit up as he conceived an utterly unimaginable way to break the deadlock.

Translation: "Suddenly, Luohou's eyes lit up as he conceived an utterly unimaginable way to break the deadlock."

Suddenly, Luohou's eyes lit up as he conceived an utterly unimaginable way to break the deadlock.

Luohou, drawing on the scant remnant of Heaven Beyond Heaven's source, intercepted Hongjun's attack and laughed loudly: "Yangmei, I once caused the Five Elements Dao friends to perish; today I still owe them, but the deeds concerning Qiankun and YinYang were indeed Hongjun's doing."

Translation: "Luohou, drawing on the scant remnant of Heaven Beyond Heaven's source, intercepted Hongjun's attack and laughed loudly: 'Yangmei, I once caused the Five Elements Dao friends to perish; today I still owe them, but the deeds concerning Qiankun and YinYang were indeed Hongjun's doing.'"

Luohou, drawing on the scant remnant of Heaven Beyond Heaven's source, intercepted Hongjun's attack and laughed loudly: "Yangmei, I once caused the Five Elements Dao friends to perish; today I still owe them, but the deeds concerning Qiankun and YinYang were indeed Hongjun's doing."

"Today I repay with my life; between us, all karmic debts are cleared."

Translation: "'Today I repay with my life; our karmic debts are now cleared.'"

Yangmei and Hongjun's eyes showed undisguised astonishment, seeming scarcely believable, making it hard to accept Luohou's present conduct.

Translation: "Yangmei and Hongjun's eyes showed undisguised astonishment, seeming scarcely believable, making it hard to accept Luohou's present conduct."

Yangmei and Hongjun's eyes showed undisguised astonishment, seeming scarcely believable, making it hard to accept Luohou's present conduct.

This undoubtedly left them unable to react, as Heaven Beyond Heaven's source was depleted and Hongjun's assault was halted; countless willow branches fell upon Luohou's phantom, instantly annihilating him, leaving only the God-Slaying Spear hovering in midair.

Translation: "This undoubtedly left them unable to react, as Heaven Beyond Heaven's source was depleted, Hongjun's assault was halted, countless willow branches fell upon Luohou's phantom, instantly annihilating him, leaving only the God-Slaying Spear hovering in midair."

This undoubtedly left them unable to react; as Heaven Beyond Heaven's source was depleted, Hongjun's assault was halted, countless willow branches fell upon Luohou's phantom, instantly annihilating him, leaving only the God-Slaying Spear hovering in midair.

For a moment, the two were at a loss, standing blankly on the spot, their eyes filled with shock and bewilderment.

Hongjun was utterly baffled—this opponent who had given him countless aeons of headaches, notorious for his vicious cruelty, had simply dissolved his Dao just like that?

What's more, he even managed to awaken before death! This undoubtedly was the hardest thing for Hongjun to believe, to the point that even Rahu's scheming before his death seemed insignificant.

Yangmei didn't believe an ounce of Rahu's deathbed repentance—he would still scheme against Hongjun even in death; that was his style.

In the blink of an thought, Hongjun felt certain that Rahu must have some hidden trump card, giving him confidence to be reborn in a way no one could detect.

However, Hongjun no longer had the leisure to ponder Rahu's fate, for Yangmei had already turned his attention to him.

All he heard Yangmei say was: 'Rahu spent his life doing evil, yet before death he gained a semblance of conscience; his belated repentance is not in vain of the Three Sovereigns' teachings.'

'He has awakened, Hongjun—when will you learn to follow his earlier example?'

Faced with Yangmei's remarks, Hongjun cursed inwardly:

'You're clueless too—what sort of person is Rahu, how could he possibly have such a self‑annihilating thought? He merely had an escape route and was putting on an act before fleeing.'

'Only you would trust this petty villain; you deserve to be schemed against. With such cultivation, yet you lack brains—you're nothing but a fool!'

No matter how fiercely Hongjun cursed in his heart, his words remained harmonious. Though he was speechless at Yangmei's blind faith in Rahu's death, he still urged: 'Daoist Yangmei, why must it come to this between us? What happened back then was not what I wished; I had no choice.'

'Back then, the two Daoists of Qiankun Yin and Yang were manipulated by Rahu, and you merely stalemated with him. Cultivation is not easy—how could I simply wait for death?'

'Our feud only benefits the petty villain, letting him reap the rewards. Daoist Yangmei, please reconsider.'

Hongjun spoke painstakingly and earnestly, but he also knew hope was slim; he simply did not want to continue this battle.

Since the battle began, the Creation Jade Butterfly has been frantically warning, informing that a great change is occurring in the wilderness, distracting Hongjun's mind and even affecting his fight with Yangmei.

This inevitably made Hongjun more anxious, yet he had no means of escape; now that Rahu has vanished, the primal source of Heaven Beyond Heaven is exhausted, and its collapse is certain.

This undoubtedly robbed Hongjun of any will to contend; at this moment he only wishes to return to the wilderness to see if he can resolve the issue of the Creation Jade Butterfly.

Yet he worries that Yangmei will not let go, pursuing him into the wilderness, so that their struggle will once again drag the wilderness into great disaster.

What Hongjun does not know is that, should he go to the wilderness now and see the gods who have forcibly opened Heaven, he would certainly not intervene.

The Primordial Cloud Dream Stellar Grand Formation, composed of myriad Taiyi Supreme Gods and over a hundred Luo Tianzun Gods, makes the present wilderness invincible. Yangmei naturally will not let Hongjun go; upon entering the wilderness he had already resolved that this trip must achieve his desire.

The atmosphere between them instantly grew tense again; as Heaven Beyond Heaven collapsed, countless willow branches began to weave through space.

The Creation Jade Butterfly in Hongjun's hand ceased to flicker, no longer draining his mental strength, allowing him to exert his full power.

Yet Hongjun knows that the sole reason for this change in the Creation Jade Butterfly is that the situation in the wilderness has been settled and cannot be altered.

Mount Buzhou.

Countless Weak Waters poured through the breach in Heaven into the wilderness, while the gods present paid no heed, only hearing Fuxi shout loudly:

'Everyone, maintain the formation and follow me into Heaven.'

'Received!'

The Heavenly Pillar remains unbroken, Mount Buzhou is intact, Heaven has not tilted, so the scale of the Weak Waters flowing into the wilderness is not great.

The gods, relying on the Primordial Yunmeng Stars Grand Formation, forcefully enter the Weak Water; on the Great Dao left behind by the gods previously, they still have surplus power to fly, able to enter the Heavenly Realm.

Although the forward speed slowed somewhat, they still continually approached where the Heavenly Realm is.

Fuxi constantly waved the command flag in his hand, manipulating the formation's changes, adjusting it from time to time to counter the Weak Water's scouring.

Until the people flew into the Heavenly Realm, the formation spread out, blocking the Weak Water from continuing to flow through the breach into the Wilderness; only then did the people slightly relax.

Fuxi looked around, saw no danger, and then loudly said: "Deploy the formation!"

Instantly, countless formation flags fell in response, firmly planted on the Heavenly Realm's barrier, drawing out the cloud vapor to separate the Weak Water.

Only when the formation was seen to be stable did the people truly relax, with sounds of cheering and leaping joy.

At this moment, the Yuan Assembly was drawing to a close; Di Jun stepped forward and said to everyone: "Friends, we have toiled with painstaking effort and careful planning for who knows how long; today our work is finally complete, and I shall celebrate with you all!"

Instantly, a burst of cheers rose; yes, for the sake of plotting the Heavenly Realm, they had long been practicing the formation in the starry heavens, not knowing how long, and today it finally succeeded!

But while the people were excited, they also heard Di Jun say: "However, now is not the time to relax; although the Heavenly Realm has fallen into our hands, we have not yet seen it fully, and we still need everyone to jointly explore a bit."

"It is both to understand the layout of the Heavenly Realm and to share in receiving the fruits of our victory together!"

"What is obtained shall first be gathered in one place; after the exploration is finished, everyone will then drink and hold a feast, rewarding according to merit!"

"Yes!"

Everyone knows this is an inevitable step, with nothing to complain about; on the contrary, they are eager to see what the world transformed from cloud vapor actually looks like.

The gods turned into streams of light and flew off in all directions, leaving only Di Jun, Qi, Taiyi, Fuxi, and Nüwa behind.

"Now that the Heavenly Realm has been accomplished, the name we have long awaited should also be decided."

Everyone wore smiles, having painstakingly planned for long; now that success has come at once, how could they not be excited? The five exchanged glances and, in unison, said: "the Heavenly Court!"

This was the name most satisfying to the five in their prior discussions; according to their earlier conception, if they occupied the Heavenly Realm, that would be its name.

If they failed, it would likely be renamed the Star Palace, after all, the people's foundation lies upon the myriad star gods; without occupying the Heavenly Realm, there would be no reason to discard it when establishing a name.

However, although the name has been set, there is still much to discuss afterward, such as the titles among the people and how to divide the departments of the Heavenly Court.

Seeing that the matters to be discussed were too many, and the formation site was too crude, they could only first casually seek a palace to go to.

Also, to see what is exceptional about the naturally formed architecture within the Heavenly Realm, and whether it needs later adjustment.

As the gods who went to explore gradually returned, Qi and the others also came to know the general appearance of the Heavenly Realm.

The Heavenly Realm is divided into nine heavens, each different; from top to bottom, according to their characteristics, Qi and the others named them: God Azure Heaven, Azure Heaven, Jade Azure Heaven, Cinnabar Azure Heaven, Auspicious Azure Heaven, Jade Heaven, Beautiful Azure Heaven, Purple Azure Heaven, Great Azure Heaven.

God Azure Heaven is the highest place, likewise the most honored, reserved only for the dwelling of Qi and the five.

And people praised:

"Exalted God Azure, a million feet above the earth. The realm of God Azure, with azure void as its mere attendant. Unknown azure void, where does the true earth dwell? Moreover, this true earth is non-acting and formless; neither having nor not having, it is the gate of myriad transformations."

The populace of the Heavenly Court is divided into eight departments, with an upper and lower division; the upper consists of the Thunder Department, Fire Department, Plague Department, and Battle Department.

The lower consists of the Host of Stars, the Three Mountains and Five Peaks, Walking Rain and Rising Clouds, and the Gods of Good and Evil.

The Thunder Department is under Qi's charge; its duties oversee human wind, rain, clouds, and thunder, monitor the Three Realms, judge good and evil, and impose the Heavenly Thunder Divine Punishment on those who defy the Heavenly Court or commit evil.

The Battle Department is under Taiyi's charge; its duties regulate the operation of the heavenly stars, handle deployment and announcements of dawn, manage day and night, etc.; its core is the Future Heavenly Soldiers under its control, responsible for conquest.

The Fire Department is under Nüwa's charge; it oversees human fireworks and jointly maintains the order of heaven and earth.

The Plague Department is under Fuxi's charge; it oversees human plague symptoms, jointly maintains the order of heaven and earth, and, when necessary, intervenes in the Wilderness's epidemics.

The remaining four departments, except for Walking Rain and Rising Clouds which is under Qi's charge, the Gods of Good and Evil under Fuxi's charge, the Host of Stars under Di Jun's charge, and the Three Mountains and Five Peaks never having been organized.

The Gods of Good and Evil include, among others, the Year Department, the Wealth Department, and the Pox Department; the Year Department oversees the flow of time through the seasons' changes, and is also considered a relatively important authority post in the future Heavenly Court.

Thus, the rough division of authority in the future Heavenly Court is complete; Qi and the others' titles are still under discussion, to be announced to the world later.

In the people's discussion, since this Yuan Assembly is drawing to a close, it was decided to report the matter in a new Yuan Assembly.

During the remaining myriad years of this Yuan Assembly, the people prioritize resolving the impact of the Weak Water, as well as how to settle the many water gods of the Wilderness.

After all, their status is inherently extraordinary; upon joining the Heavenly Court, they naturally ought to reap rewards.

Also, only after Qi and the others had thoroughly established the basic framework of the Heavenly Court did the people feel a surge of fortunate energy supporting them.

(End of chapter)