Free Web NovelChapter 453: Chapter 81: The Fishing Drum Sounds, More Than Half the Celestial Court Comes to Pay Homage
The Immortal Mother sat enthroned high above the Central Celestial Court. She gazed down at the vast tide of forces rushing toward the South Pole Celestial Court, a faint smile gracing her lips.
She said,
"I have indeed underestimated Profound Yellow. He made no move for nine thousand years, only to strike now with such a feint, aiming to sow discord and division..."
Beside her, the East Pole Qing Hua Emperor looked up slightly and also chuckled.
"A pity. It’s all for naught... Though, it’s hard to say. He might still have some tricks up his sleeve. He is, after all, from the Direct Lineage of Biyou Palace."
Emperor Ziwei of the North Pole raised his eyes.
"What else could it be? At most, he could summon another Daluo, like that Duobao... But the Daluos are not to interfere. He set that rule himself. What will he use to stop this tide?"
The three Supreme Beings all smiled faintly, confident of their victory.
Today, Profound Yellow had certainly given them a big ’surprise,’ especially with the sudden appearance of Supreme Profound Clarity...
But that was the extent of it.
As long as the Dao Fruit holders didn’t enter the fray, everything was under control. Could Profound Yellow really pull out the Qing Ping Sword and slay the Five Directions Five Elders and the armies of the Dou Division?
If he did that, the Years would shatter, All Realms would march toward their end, and numerous Dao Fruit holders would manifest to stop him!
But if he didn’t wield the Qing Ping, what other way could he possibly break this deadlock?
None... probably!
Setting aside the generals and armies of the Dou Division from the North Pole Celestial Court, just consider the Five Directions Five Elders from the East Pole Celestial Court alone.
These five were no small matter!
Though they were not Daluos, in terms of seniority, they were worthy of being called Fellow Daoists by Daluos and even Dao Fruit holders. They were the first batch of beings born at The Beginning of Ancient Times, true [Innate Divine Demons]!
In the heavens, they were the Five Directions and Five Stars. In the path of gods, the Five Directions and Five Emperors. In the mountains, the Five Mountains and Five Peaks. And in the world, the Five Elements and Five Qi!
The beginning of the Five Elements, the ancestors of the Five Qi!
Just as the three Daluos were smiling, eager to watch Profound Yellow make a fool of himself and see how he would clean up this mess...
「At this very moment, in the South Pole Celestial Court.」
"We are here to execute Wen Zhong!"
The Five Directions Five Elders marched at the forefront of the grand army, each unleashing their supreme might. When their power linked together, their combined aura was nearly comparable to that of the Ancient Daoist and Lishan Old Mother.
In fact, they even surpassed them by a notch!
High above the Celestial Court, the Ancient Daoist channeled a great killing intent to force Lishan Old Mother back. For the first time, a solemn expression appeared on his face.
Meanwhile, the Emperor of Longevity in the South Pole, who was locked in a deadly battle with the Ancestral Dragon, revealed a smile.
His initial shock and anger had vanished, replaced by an air of absolute confidence. He sighed with a grin.
"I didn’t expect these five would be willing to come. It seems the dust is about to settle."
The Ancestral Dragon’s expression also changed. It recognized the Five Directions Five Elders. They were peers, all [Innate Divine Demons], each symbolizing a path, a Dao—the beginning and origin of something!
’This is... troublesome.’
As its thoughts grew heavy, the Ancestral Dragon subconsciously glanced in the direction of the Profound Yellow Emperor.
It saw that the grand ritual was nearing its end, with less than half an incense stick’s time remaining. But that final sliver of time, though seemingly within reach, felt as distant as the edge of the sky.
’What a pity.’
As it felt this sense of regret, the Ancestral Dragon’s gaze swept past the Dharma altar and landed on the Profound Yellow Emperor, where it paused in surprise.
It saw the Emperor calmly straighten his Emperor’s Robe and the Crown on his head, then lift a rustic musical instrument in his hands.
’That instrument... looks a little familiar.’
The next instant.
Lu Xuan glanced sideways.
"Wen Zhong, focus on the ritual. There is no need to be anxious."
Wen Zhong, his expression grim, instinctively turned his head. When he saw the Fishing Drum in Master Profound Yellow’s hands, he froze.
A chill exploded down his spine, which instantly transformed into utter shock and wild ecstasy!
Wen Zhong’s entire being relaxed, and he replied with a smile,
"As you command, Master Profound Yellow."
"Good."
With that, Lu Xuan took a single step into the sky. He stared at the distant Five Directions Five Elders and the Dou Division armies, slowly raised the rustic Fishing Drum, and tapped it lightly with a hand as fair as white jade.
DOK!
A crisp yet deep note from the Fishing Drum suddenly rang out. In that moment, in that very instant, it echoed through the Thirty-Three Celestial Realms, across the boundless Human World, and into the deep, silent Nine Nether!!
The Daluos and near-Daluos fighting in the heavens froze simultaneously, turning to look, utterly dumbfounded;
In the Central Celestial Court, the Immortal Mother and the others, who had been confidently and calmly chatting, abruptly rose to their feet;
With this single sound, strange phenomena appeared throughout the heavens and earth: Qingyun, auspicious omens, Immortal Flowers, and lotus blossoms.
Illusory images of Celestial Immortals offering blessings and Buddhas smiling benignly bloomed everywhere, blossoming again and again!!
The Fire Department True God and the Plague Department True God of the Central Celestial Court; the Four Great Celestial Kings who guarded the Celestial Gate; the Four Saint Marshals who guarded the Lingxiao Palace;
The countless revered gods of the Dou Division from the North Pole Celestial Court; the innumerable Savior Immortal Monarchs of the East Pole Celestial Court; the endless Star Lords of the North Pole Celestial Court!
Even a certain Martial God of Wealth holding a nominal post, three auspicious clouds drifting erratically, ancient beings living in seclusion in the countryside, and the Smiling Buddha atop Spirit Mountain!
All of them looked up, dazed, as if they had misheard.
DOK! DOK! DOK! DOK!!
Then, the beat of the Fishing Drum grew urgent, becoming a continuous rhythm, a song, an anthem, a pressing summons!!
"Is that... the Fishing Drum?"
Countless Immortals spoke these words.
"It is... the Fishing Drum!"
"The Heaven-Reaching Fishing Drum!!"
Countless Immortals were now certain. Their eyes widened, and they were ecstatic!!
Suddenly, in the Central Celestial Court, Cui Yin, who was busy constructing the Profound Yellow Emperor’s Palace, stood dumbfounded. He watched as more than half of the Immortal Gods in the Celestial Court shot into the air with a WHOOSH, all rushing out of the Celestial Court in a single, massive wave!!
"Where... are they going?" Cui Yin mumbled to himself, stunned.
A passing God of Wealth glanced over with a smile.
"When the Fishing Drum sounds, the myriad Immortals gather."
"The myriad Immortals?" Cui Yin asked blankly, looking at this God of Wealth.
"Yes, the myriad Immortals." As his voice fell, to Cui Yin’s terrified gaze, the God of Wealth manifested a grand visage of All Realms rising and falling around him and vanished in an instant. He was an Upper Celestial Venerable of the [Celestial Realms] stage!
And that was not all.
From the East Pole Celestial Court, one after another, the Immortal Gods of the Wen Division and the Difficulty-saving Celestial Venerables flew out. From the North Pole Celestial Court, Star Monarchs who had been standing guard mounted clouds and took to the sky.
From Spirit Mountain, Tathagata Duobao, the new Future Buddha, ascended to the heavens with a smile. He happened upon three floating clouds, and after exchanging courtesies, they proceeded side-by-side!
Even from within the grand army standing stunned before the South Pole Celestial Court, Immortals and Gods began to rise and fly out!
In response to the sound of the Fishing Drum, half the Immortal Gods of the Celestial Realm arrived in a fervent frenzy.
"When the Fishing Drum sounds, the myriad Immortals gather!"
"When the Fishing Drum sounds, the myriad Immortals gather!!"
The great cry rose like a tide from all corners of the world. The Immortals from more than half the Central Celestial Court and countless Gods from the East and North Pole Celestial Courts...had arrived.
A dense, packed mass of Immortal Gods stacked up above the South Pole Celestial Court. They were perfectly arrayed, all laughing heartily as they poured into the court!
In the sky, Lu Xuan held the Fishing Drum and played a final note.
DOK!!!
As this final note faded, the Immortal Gods of nearly half the Celestial Realm stood firm upon the clouds. In perfect, disciplined unison, they bowed deeply at the waist.
"Heeding the call of the Fishing Drum, we have arrived!"
"We pay our respects... to the Sect Leader!"
He who holds the Fishing Drum is the Sect Leader.
The myriad Immortals had come to pay homage.
The entire Great Heaven and Earth fell into a deathly silence. Beads of sweat formed on the forehead of the Emperor of Longevity in the South Pole.
Meanwhile, in the Central Celestial Court, the Immortal Mother’s face had turned slightly pale, the Emperor of the North Pole’s expression was grim, and the Emperor of the East Pole’s eyes flickered.
Then, the three Daluos spoke in hushed, unison voices,
"The Fishing Drum."
"This is trouble... Big trouble!!"
Their expressions had all changed drastically.
「And at this very moment, in the Milo Celestial Palace, within the Lingxiao Palace.」
The Emperor Corpse glanced at the Lingxiao Hall, now more than half empty, and chuckled in amusement.
"They certainly ran off quickly enough."
Below, Li Jing was the first to recover his wits, speaking in alarm,
"Your Majesty, this... should we use The Investiture of the Gods to order that legion of Immortals back?"
"Why?" The Emperor Corpse’s smile widened. "Isn’t this... rather wonderful?"
As he spoke, he let out a hearty laugh.
"The Fishing Drum sounds and the myriad Immortals come to pay homage. How many years has it been since I’ve seen such a sight? I never thought that after several hundred thousand years, I would witness the reunion of the [Jie Sect]..."
"Good, truly good, magnificent!"
The Celestial Emperor offered three praises in a row, not the least bit worried, as if that legion of Immortals rushing from the Celestial Court were not his subjects at all.
.........
「South Pole Celestial Court.」
"We pay our respects to the Sect Leader!!"
The myriad Immortals bowed.
Lu Xuan held the Fishing Drum, his face hidden behind a mask, his expression unreadable. But inside, a tempestuous storm raged in his heart.
’Second Master told me beneath the Stone Stele that if I played the Fishing Drum during these Years of the Qin Dynasty, there might be a surprise...’
’But isn’t this surprise... a little too big???’
This one performance had summoned nearly half of the Thirty-Three Celestial Realms!
He blinked, looking closely. The Fire Department True God, the Plague Department True God, the Dou Division True God...
There were enough beings at the Celestial Realms level to count on two hands, and even one Daluo had come. As for the Immortality realm?
Countless. Simply uncountable!
Not to mention the True Immortals and the Immortal Gods at the Grand Grade Level. A single glance couldn’t even see to the end of their ranks!!
Lu Xuan was lost in deep shock. ’Back then, Third Master... just how many disciples did he have...?’
He was also baffled. ’With so many disciples, how did Third Master lose to Second Master??’
’I don’t get it, I just don’t get it...’
In the midst of the dead silence,
Tathagata Duobao, who stood at the very front and had just become the new Future Buddha among the Buddhist Sect’s Three Historical Buddhas, took a step forward and said with a smile,
"Sect Leader, you have played this drum to reunite the myriad Immortals. Do you have an order for us?"
Lu Xuan snapped back to his senses. He gently stroked the Fishing Drum and suddenly smiled.
"Over there."
He pointed a finger at the Five Directions Five Elders and the Dou Division armies, who stood frozen outside the Southern Celestial Court, and then grinned.
"Beat them up."
The myriad Immortals all turned to look. Sweat dripped down the foreheads of the Five Directions Five Elders, and the millions of Celestial Soldiers trembled in fear.
"Retreat!!" frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
The grand army retreated like a receding tide.
"You’re not getting away from your grandpa!" one of the Lingxiao Palace’s Palace Marshals roared, his eyes wide as he charged forward first.
The grand army was fleeing, and the myriad Immortals were vying to give chase!
The tables had turned.
"And those two." Lu Xuan pointed again, this time at the sweating Emperor of Longevity in the South Pole and Lishan Old Mother in the sky.
"If you can kill them, kill them."
"Mercy, mercy!" Duobao Buddha ascended into the sky. "Fellow Daoist, it’s been a while, has it not?"
Before his words had even finished, a Buddha’s Palm struck down, shaking the very heavens!!
Golden Spirit Saint Mother, Wudang Saint Mother, Zhao Gongming, the Three Xiaos, and the other Upper Celestial Venerables of the Celestial Realms level all glared menacingly as they surrounded Lishan Old Mother.
The old woman’s lips trembled, and she spoke with a dry voice,
"Qing Hua asked me to intervene. This has nothing to do with me."
"By order of the Sect Leader."
Great shears slashed out, a golden dou descended, a spirit pearl bore down upon the world—all manner of Killing Skills came crashing down!!
The old woman, herself one of the first beings, an Innate Divine Demon, fled in a mad panic!
Meanwhile, the Emperor of Longevity in the South Pole, hunted by both Duobao and the Ancestral Dragon, was covered in wounds. He was beaten until he coughed up blood, and his Dao Foundation was shaking!!
At the same time, on the Dharma altar, Wen Zhong opened his third eye.
"Today, I proclaim to all in the heavens above and the world below!"
"The South Pole Celestial Court has lost its Virtue and abandoned the Dao! In the name of the masters of the Thunder Division’s one Prefecture, two Courts, and four Departments!"
"We renounce the South Pole Celestial Court! We renounce the South Pole Immortal Record! The Thunder Division... declares its independence!"
As the ritual concluded, the entire South Pole Celestial Court emitted a violent hum and a deafening ROAR. The sky-covering canopy that stretched over it collapsed with a crash.
And the fortune of this Celestial Court plummeted!
No, it was more than just a plummet!
It nearly hit rock bottom, and even the South Pole Emperor’s aura diminished sharply!
Lu Xuan watched this scene with a broad smile. With a thought, Supreme Profound Clarity, who had been observing from the side, stepped forward on a cloud, his Supreme Robe and Hat fluttering in the wind.
He said with a smile,
"The Emperor of Longevity in the South Pole forbade rain for seventeen years, causing the Human World to suffer for far too long. He must be punished."
Lu Xuan cleared his throat and responded loudly to Supreme Profound Clarity’s words,
"A punishment of nine thousand lashes, how does that sound?"
Supreme Profound Clarity also glanced over and chuckled.
"Acceptable!"
The two of them were in perfect, seamless sync.
