Free Web NovelChapter 496: Chapter 111: Arrival at the Celestial Court, the Immortal Gods Bow Their Heads
Eastern Han.
The Central Celestial Court—the only Celestial Court that now remained.
"Matchmaker, congratulations! You finally broke through to the Immortal realm before your time was up. From this day forward, you are truly immortal and ageless!"
"The same to you! Hahaha, the same to you!"
The entire Celestial Court was bustling with a rare liveliness. Immortal Gods from all corners had gathered, almost restoring the grand spectacle that existed before the Human Dao Calamity.
This so-called Human Dao Calamity referred to the three assaults on Heaven over several millennia: two by the First Emperor and one by Emperor Wu of Han.
It also included the events from several thousand years ago, when the Profound Yellow Emperor Venerable—the Human Dao Calamity himself—struck the Celestial Court four times, causing the Four Extremes to fall. In the end, the Immortal Slaying Sword Array descended, and the newly enthroned Celestial Emperor was also eliminated...
Before Lingxiao Hall, the Immortal Gods gathered in small groups, chatting and laughing amongst themselves. The atmosphere was harmonious, save for one group that seemed out of place, ostracized from the rest.
The Matchmaker quietly gestured toward the immortals in the corner who were being deliberately ignored and whispered:
"Li Celestial King, those few over there..."
"Pay them no mind." Li Jing shook his head and warned, "Do not get involved with them under any circumstances. They are remnants of a fallen faction, but they are not to be underestimated..."
The Matchmaker shrank back, casting a fearful glance at the Four Seas Dragon Kings, Wen Zhong, and the other Thunder Department Venerable Gods in the corner.
He sighed and said,
"Speaking of which, Celestial King, your son..."
The corner of Li Jing’s eye twitched, and he let out a soft sigh.
"He perished along with Marshal Tianpeng. Yang Jian took away the last remnant of his True Spirit, and I don’t know where he went. Speaking of which..."
His expression grew grave.
"Normally, with a new Celestial Emperor ascending the throne, there should be a general amnesty. Taibai ought to be released from the Celestial Prison..."
The Matchmaker gave an awkward laugh.
"Let’s... change the subject. Talking about them always makes me anxious. It reminds me of those three great calamities, when immortals fell like rain..."
The two Immortal-level gods tacitly changed the subject.
All the Immortal Officials and Divine Officials were doing their best to downplay and forget that calamity. After the final disaster—the fall of the Four Extremes Celestial Court—the unspeakable Emperor Venerable had seemingly departed along with many Dao Fruits. If he hadn’t, the Immortal Gods probably wouldn’t even be able to sleep at night!
Soon, as Celestial Maidens and fairies served ambrosia and fine wines, the grand banquet resumed amidst music, dance, and an air of peace.
Wen Zhong watched everything with a cold gaze, then turned to the side and asked,
"Ao Shun, how are your injuries?"
The North Sea Dragon King’s expression was dim as he replied softly,
"Replying to the Celestial Venerable, they are mostly healed. It’s just... my daughter still hasn’t been found. Ai..."
The few venerable gods fell silent.
After a moment, the East Sea Dragon King spoke with a heavy tone,
"I’ve heard that this new Celestial Emperor was jointly selected by the Five Directions Five Elders and their faction. He himself is merely a man who accumulated great merit over a hundred lifetimes of good deeds."
He paused, then continued,
"What I’m worried about is that the Five Directions Five Elders and Lishan Old Mother will use the Celestial Emperor as a puppet and gradually begin to purge their enemies. We..."
"It matters not."
Wen Zhong said calmly,
"We will face whatever comes our way. They wouldn’t dare push us too far. Senior Ancestral Dragon himself is coiled beneath the East Sea!"
The East Sea Dragon King nodded and said no more, but his face remained etched with worry.
For the past several thousand years, their lives had been difficult. They were regarded as ’remnants’ by the other gods and immortals and had endured endless cold shoulders.
Just as Wen Zhong and the Dragon Kings were talking, an Immortal Official called out from outside:
"His Majesty has arrived!"
The assembled immortals turned to look, and they saw a middle-aged man in an Emperor’s Robe and a Celestial Crown walking toward them. Following behind him were the Five Directions Five Elders, the Three Saints of the North Pole, Lishan Old Mother, and the other figures who now held the real power in the Celestial Court.
Lingxiao Hall gradually fell silent.
Under the gazes of the Immortal Gods, the Celestial Emperor seemed a bit anxious and ill at ease, his steps even slightly flustered.
"Ahem."
Behind the new Emperor, the Celestial Official Emperor—one of the Three Officials Emperor—coughed and then rebuked the crowd,
"Where are your courtesies?"
Only then did the immortals snap back to their senses, each offering their salutations and bowing.
"We greet Your Majesty!"
"Good, good, you are all good..." The Celestial Emperor appeared even more flustered. At a signal from the Celestial Official Emperor beside him, he walked up to the Emperor’s Throne and slowly sat down.
He looked out at the assembled immortals, his hands trembling. After clearing his throat, he finally spoke,
"Beloved ministers, today, I, Zhen, have received the approval of the Nine Venerable Ones—the Five Directions Five Elders, the Three Officials Emperor, and Lishan Old Mother. Ascending to this throne today, I will certainly be diligent and conscientious..."
The Celestial Emperor recited his speech formulaically. The more perceptive Immortal Gods had strange expressions on their faces.
’Received their approval...’
The immortals all understood. This Celestial Emperor was nothing like the ones before.
After finishing his speech, Zhang Bairen glanced at the Nine Venerable Ones by his side and continued,
"Before this, I, Zhen, was merely a mortal, ignorant of the affairs of Heaven and completely clueless about governing the Celestial Court. After deep consideration..."
His expression turned slightly more serious.
"I hereby appoint the Five Directions Five Elders, the Three Officials Emperor, and Lishan Old Mother as the Nine Celestial Venerable Ones, to assist me in ruling the Celestial Court. If any Immortal God submits a memorial, the Nine Venerable Ones shall review it alongside me.
Furthermore, all major affairs of the Celestial Court shall be decided only after joint discussion between the Nine Venerable Ones and myself!"
As soon as these words were spoken, a quiet uproar spread through Lingxiao Hall. Wen Zhong, the Four Seas Dragon Kings, and the others frowned deeply. Things were developing in the worst possible way!
The new Emperor had truly become a puppet of those few immortals.
Although the position of Celestial Emperor could no longer be used to condense a Dao Fruit and was no longer coveted by the many Daluo, it was still a paramount position in heaven and earth.
The one who held the title of Celestial Emperor still possessed the ability to grant and revoke immortal posts and celestial statuses at will...
Sure enough, as the Celestial Emperor finished speaking, the auras of the Nine Venerable Ones standing beside him surged. The fortune above their heads gathered, resembling a magnificent canopy!
A faint smile appeared on the Celestial Official Emperor’s face. He coughed and reminded him,
"Your Majesty, it is time for the next item on the agenda."
"Oh, oh, right."
The Celestial Emperor nodded repeatedly, his voice turning solemn.
"Today, I, Zhen, have ascended the Emperor’s Throne. By rights, there should be a general amnesty to pardon the sins of some Sinful Immortals, but!"
