Chapter 439: Longevity Determines the Western Dao, Jade Emperor Angrily Opens Deification

"Alas..."

When Dongmu Gong bowed before the High Heavens Palace, a startling peal of thunder erupted beside the Jade Emperor's tribulation avatar in the Southern Continent.

In a dark corner, shimmering with faint blue light, a dishevelled young Daoist sat cross-legged, letting out a soft sigh.

Within this darkness, warm, gentle Daoist energy surged, enveloping him, nurturing him, and comforting him.

Behind him, a gently rotating pagoda emitted streams of profound yellow energy, stabilizing this confined space.

Before him lay a long bronze ruler, now radiating ripples that added another layer of spatial isolation.

Beyond this isolation, a golden bucket was fully unleashing its power.

Outside the golden bucket, the Taiji Diagram slowly rotated, sealing its opening.

Before the young Daoist, a precious diagram formed from immortal energy constantly shifted. From time to time, he would pick up a brush to write a word or two, or sketch one or two 'objects and spirits'.

Upon closer inspection, the darkness here concealed numerous flickering words and patterns.

Suddenly, several treasures trembled simultaneously. He stopped his movements, concealing everything.

"Water God," Bai Ze's voice echoed, "His Majesty the Jade Emperor has been awakened by Dongmu Gong. Are we truly to proceed as planned?"

"Yes."

He simply affirmed, with little expression in his eyes.

Bai Ze's voice carried a hint of hesitation: "If you choose to retreat now, with my help, Water God, you could escape from this great tribulation..."

The golden bucket fell silent for a moment. The young Daoist calmly said:

"That would be unstable."

Bai Ze chuckled softly. The golden bucket was sealed, and the various treasures once again revealed their respective powers.

The young Daoist sat there, contemplating, imagining, and searching. The words and patterns hidden in the darkness around him gradually increased.

If one were to peer into his Dao heart, they would see this scene:

Solemn chanting echoed through his azure spiritual platform, and his primordial spirit sat quietly cross-legged. Before the primordial spirit, wisps of black energy coalesced into the figure of an old Daoist.

The old Daoist's face was indiscernible; he merely sat silently opposite him.

Watching him.

In the starry night, the High Heavens Palace first blazed with golden light, illuminating a layer of the heavens, then thunder and lightning flashed, and the Great Dao trembled.

Within the Heavenly Court, the immortals, gods, and Heavenly Soldiers were initially uneasy and somewhat surprised, but upon sensing the Jade Emperor's sudden surge of power...

Their immortal hearts were greatly stirred!

With their backbone's return, the Heavenly Court immortals' previous confusion, emptiness, and helplessness vanished in an instant.

For they knew that they no longer needed to worry; they only needed to obey orders.

Within half an hour, orders to mobilize troops from the Tongming Hall reached the hands of the various Heavenly Soldier commanders. From the lowest three layers of the Nine Heavens to the five great Heavenly Gates, activity gradually surged!

Teams of Heavenly Soldiers and Heavenly Generals converged towards the North, Central, and West Heavenly Gates.

When the cloud paths became congested, they flew in crisscrossing layers.

If there wasn't enough space, they extended their formations outwards from the Heavenly Gates.

The Jade Emperor issued an imperial decree: the Heavenly Court would engage in an all-out battle with the demon race of the Northern Continent!

However, the Jade Emperor himself did not appear. Dongmu Gong and other immortals and gods were busy in the Tongming Hall and elsewhere.

The Jade Emperor went alone to the Tushita Palace.

Since the establishment of the Heavenly Court and the Grand Supreme Elder's permanent residence there, the Jade Emperor had never visited the Tushita Palace.

Although the Grand Supreme Elder was nominally a subject of the Jade Emperor, he was actually a Saint's incarnation. The Jade Emperor was unsure how he should be received if he visited the Tushita Palace, and whether it would embarrass his senior brother, Taiqing.

Yet today, the Jade Emperor had to come here to inquire about Li Changshou's current condition.

Although His Majesty the Jade Emperor already knew in his heart that with senior brother Taiqing present, Li Changshou would certainly not be in mortal danger, yet as Dongmu Gong had said...

Twelve years without any news was indeed unsettling.

The Jade Emperor, clad in golden armor, arrived before the Tushita Palace. The palace gates stood wide open, with clouds and mist swirling within, and the clear sound of a wooden fish drifted on the wind.

The two young attendants, Little Gold and Little Silver, unhurriedly stepped over the palace threshold and knelt before the Jade Emperor, performing a grand bow in unison, saying:

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

The Jade Emperor knew this was his senior brother Taiqing giving face to him, the Heavenly Emperor. He offered a gentle smile and said:

"No need for such formality. Is the Grand Supreme Elder in the palace?"

"Forgive us, Your Majesty, the Grand Supreme Elder went wandering some years ago and has not yet returned," Little Gold reported with his head bowed. "However, before he left, he left a message: if Your Majesty has come concerning senior brother Chang Geng, please rest assured.

Senior brother Chang Geng was severely injured back then, his cultivation almost completely dispersed. He is currently recovering on Three Immortals Island, meticulously cared for by Fairy Yunxiao, and protected by various treasures. There is no longer any mortal danger to his life.

If Your Majesty intends to wage war against the demon race, please consider that the Heavenly Court's current stability was hard-won."

The Jade Emperor visibly relaxed and chuckled: "Chang Geng is well, Chang Geng is well.

Does the Grand Supreme Elder have any other messages?

I cannot simply stand by and watch the Heavenly Court's immortals and gods be bullied without acting. I will also lead the Heavenly Court's army in the vanguard shortly... Never mind.

Following the Grand Supreme Elder's words, I will now summon all immortals to discuss before deploying troops."

With that, the Jade Emperor bowed to the Tushita Palace, then turned and returned to the High Heavens Palace.

After the Jade Emperor left, Little Gold and Little Silver exchanged glances, both letting out a sigh of relief.

They got up, jumped back into the Tushita Palace, and closed the main gate. The profound Daoist energy of Saint Taiqing enveloped the palace.

Little Silver muttered somewhat uneasily: "Did we just cause trouble?"

"What do you mean 'cause trouble'? How did we cause trouble?"

Little Gold retorted: "Before the Grand Supreme Elder went wandering, he said that henceforth, what senior brother Chang Geng says is what the Grand Supreme Elder says. We just need to listen.

Besides, we advised His Majesty the Jade Emperor to calm down. If he were to directly go to war with the demon race, the Heavenly Court doesn't have many experts to support it, and would surely suffer heavy losses. All the assets we painstakingly acquired would be lost!"

"Oh, right, we're doing a good deed," Little Silver blinked, feeling much more at ease.

Now, when His Majesty the Jade Emperor returned to the High Heavens Palace, he immediately summoned all the Heavenly Court immortals and gods.

With civil and military officials arrayed in formation, a solemn and chilling aura filled the High Heavens Palace.

The Jade Emperor, clad in golden armor, sat high on his throne and declared:

"Dongmu Gong, report thoroughly on the matter of the demon race."

Below the high platform, Dongmu Gong bowed respectfully and reported in detail all the events that had transpired since the Jade Emperor descended to the mortal realm:

The demon race issued a declaration against Heaven and announced their disregard for Heavenly Court orders. The Heavenly Court, following the Water God's decision, issued a declaration against the demons to assert celestial might and used a strategy of delay to dismantle demon morale.

The Water God also presided over the great battle in the Northern Continent, where the Heavenly Court, at minimal cost, annihilated many demon elites. This greatly reduced the demon race's threat to the Heavenly Court and further eroded demon morale.

Dongmu Gong said: "The Water God's words indicated that we should wait for Your Majesty's return from tribulation, so that Your Majesty could lead the war to exterminate the demons, but..."

"Dongmu Gong, there's no need to hesitate, I will speak," the Jade Emperor's expression was exceedingly stern. "On that day, Dongmu Gong was besieged by demon experts, and the Water God rescued him in time. For this, the Water God suffered severe injuries and has not yet awakened."

At these words, half of the immortals and gods below revealed expressions of realization, while the other half looked somewhat indignant.

From a position at the rear of the Heavenly General's formation, Ao Yi threw down his helmet, rushed out of the crowd, strode rapidly for a dozen paces, then dropped to one knee, bowing his head and shouting:

"Your Majesty! Please permit this humble general to lead the charge! To avenge my Sect Leader brother!"

"Granted," the Jade Emperor said. "Ao Yi, there's no need to worry. The Water God is no longer in serious danger. Return to your position."

Ao Yi bowed his head in assent, turned, and returned to his position, standing quietly.

The act had to be just right.

The Jade Emperor then asked: "Today, I intend to attack the demons on the Northern Continent's border. Do any of my esteemed ministers have a strategy to offer?"

The immortals and gods below were silent for a moment.

Dongmu Gong used his immortal consciousness to glance at the jade talisman in his sleeve. This was the "Sea God's Art of War" that Ao Yi had presented to him moments earlier when they met.

Dongmu Gong was waiting, waiting for the scenario described in the jade talisman to unfold.

The great hall was silent for two more breaths. The Jade Emperor asked again: "Is there truly no one with a brilliant plan?"

"Your Majesty!"

An old Daoist called out, as if having made a difficult decision. He bowed his head and performed a Daoist salute, declaring: "This humble subject has a strategy!"

"Speak."

The old Daoist loudly proclaimed: "The demon race has plagued all corners of the world, and the living beings of heaven and earth have suffered from them for too long!

Now, the demon race disrespects the Heavenly Court and conspired to harm a vital Heavenly Court minister; their crimes are heinous and absolutely unforgivable!

However, the Heavenly Court is only just beginning. Although we do not lack soldiers and generals, we do not have many masters. The demon race's troubles originated from ancient times, and they conceal many masters. If we campaign against the demon race this time without the aid of masters... I fear it will be difficult to achieve a great victory!"

The Jade Emperor slowly nodded, displeased: "Minister Fuyuan, is your strategy merely to reiterate what is already widely known?"

"Your Majesty!"

Immortal Fuyuan continued to loudly declare: "My strategy is to summon the various masters of the Daoist sects in the name of the Heavenly Court!

I am willing to personally go to the Chan School to request aid!"

The Jade Emperor furrowed his brow, then sat on his throne, pondering slightly.

Below the high platform, Dongmu Gong sighed inwardly.

Everything was indeed as the Water God had predicted. Even the person who stepped forward to offer a strategy, and their words, were remarkably similar to what was speculated in the jade talisman.

Since that was the case...

"Your Majesty," Dongmu Gong immediately stepped forward, bowing and saying, "This old subject is willing to represent Your Majesty and invite powerful individuals from outside to assist the Heavenly Court!"

"Good!"

The Jade Emperor had now made up his mind, his eyes gleaming with divine light, full of high spirits.

"Transmit my order: the army shall immediately set out and surround the Northern Continent's border. Once my two esteemed ministers invite powerful reinforcements, we shall annihilate the demons of the Northern Continent in a single battle, asserting celestial might!"

All the immortals and gods in the hall bowed in unison, accepting the order: "We obey Your Majesty's decree."

The Jade Emperor extended his right hand. The precious pearl at the top of the High Heavens Palace radiated brilliant golden light, and streams of golden radiance converged in the Jade Emperor's palm, forming a sword of unparalleled sharpness.

The Sword of Heavenly Dao Divine Authority!

The Jade Emperor raised the sword, pointing it forward, and let out a low cry:

"Advance the troops!"

Consequently, the various Heavenly Court armies, in groups and clusters, spread across the sky, surging towards the Northern Continent.

Dongmu Gong, leading a detachment of troops, hurried towards Golden Ao Island, his immortal consciousness continuously reading the contents of the jade talisman.

He had already read it dozens of times, still finding it quite shocking.

Although Dongmu Gong's cultivation wasn't exceptional, after so many years in the Heavenly Court, he was no fool. How could he not see the immense impact today's events would have on the Great Desolation?

The jade talisman stated:

'...The immortals and gods who rush to Jade Void Palace for aid will surely adopt an arrogant demeanor and intentionally issue orders to the Saint's disciples, thereby provoking the disciples' dissatisfaction and causing them to refuse the Heavenly Court's summons.

If the immortals and gods who rush to Golden Ao Island for aid also harbor such malicious intentions, the Daoist sects will be in danger.

I cannot appear at this time; I can only humbly request Dongmu Gong to hasten to Golden Ao Island.

Before entering the island, Dongmu Gong will certainly be intercepted by those who claim to be Jie School immortals...'

"Fellow Daoist, where are you headed?"

Suddenly, a shout was heard. Dongmu Gong's immortal consciousness probed ten thousand miles away, only to see several streaks of light flying from the southwest, intercepting him.

What happened next increasingly alarmed Dongmu Gong.

All developments proceeded exactly as indicated by the jade talisman given by the Water God.

Those who intercepted Dongmu Gong claimed to be second-generation Jie School immortals. Learning that Dongmu Gong was going to the Jie School for aid, they specifically came to meet him.

However, they were not there to provide support; instead, they said:

'A great tribulation looms over heaven and earth. The entire Jie School, obeying the command of Senior Brother Duobao, is currently forbidden from venturing out.'

Dongmu Gong frowned deeply, conversed a few more words with the Jie School immortals, then turned and returned to the Heavenly Court.

By now, Dongmu Gong had read the jade talisman so many times that he could almost hear the Water God's consistently calm and composed voice in his mind:

The only way to break the deadlock...

Nearing the East Heavenly Gate, Dongmu Gong gritted his teeth and stomped his foot. The white cloud beneath him shifted, and using the Heavenly Court's cloud path, he headed towards the Western Ox-Hezhou Continent, directly to Mount Spirit.

On Mount Spirit, immortal light blazed brilliantly, and several Saint disciples had already prepared to welcome Dongmu Gong.

But to their surprise, Dongmu Gong merely approached Mount Spirit, then immediately turned and left, shaking his head with a sigh and a helpless expression.

The Mount Spirit cultivators were left bewildered.

Half a day later.

Above the Northern Continent, the Jade Emperor sat high on his imperial dragon carriage, his face extremely grim.

Two hours earlier, Immortal Fuyuan had come to apologize, kneeling before the dragon carriage and loudly proclaiming his incompetence, his failure to invite Saint disciples, and the ridicule he had suffered.

This undoubtedly poured cold water on the highly morale Heavenly Soldiers and Generals, and added several shades of anger to the Jade Emperor's eyes.

Within a ten-thousand-mile radius, dark clouds filled the sky. The various Heavenly Soldier and General divisions awaited their Heavenly Emperor's command.

And the Chan School's humiliation of the Heavenly Court's envoy and refusal to send masters to help was undoubtedly a slap in his face.

Just then, Dongmu Gong arrived from the west with a detachment of Heavenly Soldiers. Before he even reached the carriage, his wails preceded him, as he knelt and recounted his earlier encounters.

When the Jade Emperor heard that Dongmu Gong had gone to Golden Ao Island, only to be told by the Jie School that due to the great tribulation's arrival, they could not send aid to the Heavenly Court;

And subsequently, Dongmu Gong hurried to Mount Spirit in Western Ox-Hezhou, yet couldn't even ascend its mountain gate...

The Jade Emperor took a deep breath, about to erupt in furious curses from his carriage.

At this moment, no masters from the Saint's lineages had come to aid.

Truly...

Truly!

The Human School master guarded Xuandu City beyond the heavens, while the Chan School, Jie School, and Western Sect each refused to send anyone!

His Heavenly Court had mobilized troops to this point, now in an impossible situation. If they retreated, the Heavenly Court would lose immense face, and be subjected to unknown ridicule from the demon race below.

If they didn't retreat, if they didn't retreat...

They would have to sacrifice the lives of Heavenly Soldiers and Generals to fill the bodies of those ancient Great Demons!

The Jade Emperor rose from his carriage, his long hair fluttering, thunder rumbling behind him.

He clenched his fists, then released them, repeating this several times. His sword-like brows and starry eyes held a cold glint, and the Sword of Heavenly Emperor Divine Authority beside him continuously vibrated.

"Retreat the troops."

This single command seemed to drain all of the Jade Emperor's strength, causing Dongmu Gong's heart to clench in sympathy.

The Heavenly Court armies silently receded like a tide, while from below, earth-shattering shouts of the demon race could be heard.

Another half day later, in the High Heavens Palace.

The Jade Emperor swung his sword, cleaving the jade desk before him in half. Turning, he removed his golden armor and helmet, summoned the Imperial Seal, and soared directly into the deepest reaches of the Nine Heavens.

This position as ruler of the Three Realms, he would abandon it!

Three days later, the Great Desolation experienced a celestial change. Black clouds covered the Five Continents for a day and a night.

A piece of news spread rapidly throughout the Great Desolation:

The Jade Emperor, displeased with the disciples of the three sects for disrespecting the Heavenly Court and defying the will of Heaven, sought out the Dao Ancestor in the Zixiao Palace to weep and complain. The Dao Ancestor then decreed a great tribulation, ordering the Saints of the three sects—Yuanshi Tianzun, Tongtian Sect Master, Jieyin, and Zhunti, along with Taiqing Laozi and Saint Nuwa—to gather at the Zixiao Palace in a hundred years to collectively discuss the Investiture of the Gods.

The Great Tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods thus began.

However, the Heavenly Secrets were completely chaotic, and the path of deduction was sealed. In the Great Desolation, no one except the Saints knew why this great tribulation had occurred, or how the Investiture of the Gods would proceed.

"Alas."

Inside the Primordial Golden Bucket, the young Daoist, Li Changshou, sat concealed by layers of treasures, letting out a second sigh.

On his Dao heart spiritual platform, the black figure resembling an old Daoist, which had been 'before him,' had now quietly dissipated.

The chanting grew clearer, and his gaze became increasingly serene.

He had meticulously calculated and planned for the Investiture of the Gods, yet unexpectedly became the catalyst for the Great Tribulation of Investiture and the cause of the Jade Emperor's great fury.

This was the Heavenly Dao, omnipresent and nearly omnipotent, manipulating all living beings within its grasp.

Senior Lang from ancient times, and now himself, had both become pawns of the Heavenly Dao.

However, Li Changshou did not feel that he had lost to the Heavenly Dao in this gamble.

Inside the golden bucket, Li Changshou took out two treasures from his embrace and placed them before him.

The Immortal-Slaying Flying Dagger;

The Demon Emperor's Imperial Seal.

Later, he would present the Demon Emperor's Imperial Seal to the Heavenly Court, delivering a fatal blow to the demon race. The great gourd, a treasure proving quite difficult to tame, had another purpose.

Lu Ya was dead.

Although the whereabouts of the Nail-Head Seven Arrows Book were unknown, and the possibility of Old Zhao being killed in the great tribulation had not yet been eliminated, it at least proved that the Heavenly Dao's script was not unchangeable.

The Heavenly Dao, using his hands, had designated the person for Investiture of the Gods—Jiang Ziya.

It also used this to force him into the tribulation, making him the catalyst for the Jade Emperor's resentment towards the three sects, thereby initiating the Investiture of the Gods.

Simultaneously, Li Changshou had also subtly undermined the Western Sect, directly dragging them into the great tribulation while extricating the Human School.

This matter was not achieved overnight. From his interference with the Dragon Race's entry into Heaven and his gambits against the Western Sect, he had gradually fostered animosity between the Heavenly Court and the West, continuously accumulating 'great fortune' to bring about this change.

Dongmu Gong's trip to Mount Spirit seemed like a casual move by Li Changshou, but in reality, it was an unsolvable dilemma for the Western Saints.

If they had attacked Dongmu Gong, the Western Sect would have directly engaged in war with the Heavenly Court, with unpredictable consequences.

Therefore, Mount Spirit actively welcomed Dongmu Gong and even intended to send masters to help the Heavenly Court annihilate the demon race. However, Dongmu Gong did not enter Mount Spirit at all, turning and leaving immediately, leaving everyone on Mount Spirit exasperated.

This was neither an overt scheme nor a covert plot, but a consequence.

The consequence of Saint Zhunti of the Western Sect having interfered when Li Changshou killed Lu Ya earlier.

At that time, the West had already entered the tribulation, and the Heavenly Dao was pleased to have them enter it.

What the Heavenly Dao sought, always, was merely the stability of heaven and earth.

Everything seemed unchanged, yet everything had changed. The Heavenly Dao was consolidating variables, and he himself had entered the tribulation by destroying Lu Ya.

Inside the Primordial Golden Bucket, Li Changshou let out a third sigh.

This time, he picked up the carving knife formed from immortal energy in his hand, gazing at the precious diagram before him.

This was his Dao: the Balance of All Things.

Divine light surged in his eyes, golden radiance burst from his forehead, and his sleeves and long hair wildly danced!

Inside the golden bucket, the previously dark and confined space suddenly lit up with large, aquamarine characters.

The Taiji Diagram, Primordial Golden Bucket, Xuanhuang Pagoda, and Qiankun Ruler all simultaneously erupted with power. Thunder roared across Three Immortals Island, but no divine lightning struck the Primordial Golden Bucket.

Li Changshou murmured to himself:

"I can be a pawn of the Heavenly Dao, because I myself am a part of the Heavenly Dao, a wisp of dust in heaven and earth.

But the Heavenly Dao is the will of heaven and earth. Under the Heavenly Dao, living beings are nothing, manipulated; though all things can be treated as straw dogs, living beings are ultimately different from inanimate objects.

Pangu opened up heaven and earth, creating a dwelling place for all living beings.

The Dao Ancestor perfected the Heavenly Dao, establishing the order here for all living beings.

This is precisely where living beings and the Heavenly Dao diverge.

Today, I shall incorporate the Heavenly Dao into my own Dao. Between the will of heaven and earth and living beings, there must be balance."

His words paused, and the carving knife descended.

Immortal light surged around Li Changshou, as if he had expended all his strength to inscribe the two characters "Heavenly Dao" onto the precious diagram.

In an instant, Daoist energy surged around Li Changshou, then explosively dispersed, vanishing into nothingness!

"Master... thank you."