Chapter 676: The Prototype of the Heavenly Court

The path connecting the Western Lands to the Central Plains has been severed by the Grand Emperor's Heaven, preventing Eternal Peace's rule from reaching the Western Lands. This disruption risks rebellion in the Western Lands, so a passage must be opened through the Grand Emperor's Heaven, either by constructing a tunnel or a teleportation array.

Qin Mu, the Imperial Preceptor, Dao Master Lin Xuan, and other experts skilled in arithmetic and divination gathered to discuss and calculate the impact of the Grand Emperor's Heaven's descent on Eternal Peace. Amidst their lively discussion, Qin Mu remarked, "While building teleportation arrays is simple, their upkeep is very costly, demanding immense quantities of medicinal stones. Creating tunnels would require significant initial investment, but less expenditure in the long run."

Dao Master Lin Xuan noted, "The Grand Emperor's Heaven, running north-south, directly severs the Central Plains from the Western Lands. This will have complex effects on our existing river systems, atmospheric flow, and precipitation patterns. We must recalculate all hydrological and atmospheric dynamics, including rainfall."

Xu Sheng Hua stated, "We need to determine which regions will be significantly impacted and if desertification will occur. To prevent the formation of deserts, Eternal Peace will need Dragon Kings."

Ling Yu Xiu further suggested, "We will also need Wind Lords and Rain Masters to control precipitation and seasonal winds!"

The Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor mused, "Moreover, while the primordial magnetic anomalies of the Grand Emperor's Heaven have been brought under control, both the Grand Emperor's Heaven and Luofu Heaven exert primordial magnetic forces. We need to study their influence on plants and animals. When calculating water cycles, atmospheric conditions, and precipitation, we must also account for the primordial magnetic forces of both worlds and monitor their impact on seismic activity."

The Village Chief proposed, "That means we'll need Earth Gods, and a considerable number of them! The Earth Elementals, descendants of the Earth Gods from the Emperor Kai's Heavenly Court, reside underground in Eternal Peace and heed the Human Emperor's Seal. Mu'er can visit them with the First Ancestor."

Wang Mu Ran remarked, "Since water vapor, clouds, and mist originate from the sea, we will require divine officials there to manage oceanic cloud movements, ensuring fair weather and ample rainfall on land. Beyond managing clouds, they will also need to control strong winds and high waves to protect Eternal Peace's fishing vessels."

"The sheer scope of this undertaking means we'll need someone highly skilled in arithmetic to manage the national treasury. We require a God of Wealth, expert in calculations, to oversee the state finances!"

"For the coordination of all projects and the deployment of our grand vessels, a God of Ships will be essential. Out in the ocean, there are great Kun creatures, the Kun Clan, who can be summoned using the Human Emperor's Seal. The only unknown is the identity of their current patriarch."

"For monumental craftsmanship, such as creating powerful treasures to stabilize the cosmic energies of the Grand Emperor's Heaven and Luofu Heaven, and forging various divine tools to clear paths, we will require a God of Craftsmen!"

"To manage diseases and plagues, we will need a God of Medicine!"

"And to control fires and other natural calamities, a God of Fire will be necessary!"

The group debated animatedly for a long time, meticulously outlining all the tasks required in the aftermath of the Grand Emperor's Heaven's descent. During this process, various official positions, both major and minor, were conceptualized. Dragon Qilin, whose expertise in arithmetic was outstanding, also participated and suddenly remarked, "Cult Master, Imperial Preceptor, aren't we essentially forming a Heavenly Court?"

Qin Mu, the Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor, and the others were startled. They quickly reviewed the positions they had designed, realizing they were indeed the nascent forms of divine offices within a Heavenly Court.

The positions they had conceived were, in essence, the practical offices that would function within a Heavenly Court system.

With these positions, the basic framework of a Heavenly Court would take shape!

The Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor shook his head, stating, "It is too soon to establish a Heavenly Court."

The Village Chief nodded and said, "As the saying goes, 'Amass grain, then slowly proclaim kingship.' For now, we will establish only roles and responsibilities, not divine titles. Keep this matter confidential; an implicit understanding among us is sufficient."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Unbeknownst to them, a magnificent chapter of history was slowly beginning to unfold, precisely from this brief discussion held in the city, in the absence of Emperor Yanfeng.

Perhaps many years later, they would look back on this day with great emotion. But at present, they remained unaware of the events that lay ahead.

The Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor stated, "The sheer volume of calculations is immense, far too much for us alone to complete. We will establish the general strategy, and I will report to the Emperor, who can then summon talented individuals from across the land to work on these tasks collaboratively."

Suddenly, someone asked, "What then of the demon race and the gods and devils from the Grand Emperor's Heaven?"

Everyone collectively frowned, unsure how to proceed.

The Grand Emperor's Heaven and the demon race shared an irreconcilable hatred. True God Pang Yu and others had even been willing to sever their ties with Saint Woodcutter. The deities of the Grand Emperor's Heaven had gone so far as to declare they would not exist under the same sky as the demons, a testament to their hatred, which was deeper than the sea and higher than the heavens.

Qin Mu considered for a moment before suggesting, "Let the people of the Grand Emperor's Heaven live in the Great Ruins. The Great Ruins are not under the same sky as Eternal Peace. As for Bharata and the demon race, they should settle in the northern ice plains, as far from the Great Ruins as possible."

"That seems to be the only viable solution," the Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor nodded.

The descent of the Grand Emperor's Heaven had created an enormous undertaking with countless tasks. Many powerful divine weapons and artifacts would need to be forged to quell earthquakes, eliminate volcanoes, guide clouds, and calm the ocean's storms.

Qin Mu had never encountered such challenges before.

"We still need Saint Woodcutter," someone remarked.

Granny Si affirmed, "He is the only one in this world who possesses such extensive knowledge."

Qin Mu agreed. He found Saint Woodcutter and the First Ancestor Human Emperor and thoroughly explained the group's ideas. Saint Woodcutter smiled, "I was waiting for you to say that. Now, I can go see Emperor Yanfeng."

Upon reaching the capital, Qin Mu produced the Human Emperor's Seal and activated its power. All clans across the land sensed the Seal's summons, and within a dozen days, various groups—including the Earth Elementals, the Five Immortal Demon Clan, the Kun Clan, the Winged Clan, the Sea Clan, and the Black Tortoise Clan—successively arrived in Eternal Peace's capital.

The capital became exceptionally bustling.

The various clans obeyed only the Human Emperor's Seal, acknowledging its authority above any individual. They showed no particular deference even to Emperor Yanfeng, and treated the Village Chief with even less courtesy.

The new patriarch of the Earth Elemental Clan was the wife of the former patriarch, Earth Elemental Peak. She was a short, stocky woman who only reached Qin Mu's knees, with a scraggly beard. Had she been taller, her appearance would have been quite formidable.

Lady Earth Elemental, despite being a woman, possessed a body hardened with muscles and immense strength. She was courteous to Qin Mu but glared furiously at the Village Chief, her beard bristling.

As for Emperor Yanfeng, Lady Earth Elemental repeatedly called him "Bumpkin Emperor," infuriating him so much that his hands and feet trembled, and he shook uncontrollably even when reminding himself to note down the number of times he wanted to order an execution.

Willow Immortal, Yellow Immortal, and White Immortal of the Five Immortal Demon Clan had fallen in the battle against the Heavens at Divine Cleavage Mountain Range. This time, new patriarchs arrived, including Hu Ling'er and the Fox Immortal.

The Black Tortoise patriarch had also died in that battle. The new patriarch who arrived was a tall, imposing yet remarkably slow man named Xuan Wujing; he walked and spoke several beats slower than everyone else.

Emperor Yanfeng found conversing with Xuan Wujing particularly frustrating.

King Wing, King Kun, and the others were old acquaintances. They harbored little affection for the Village Chief, who had previously used the Human Emperor's Seal to rally them for counterattacks against the Heavens.

However, upon meeting the First Ancestor Human Emperor, the patriarchs of the various clans couldn't help but become deferential.

Emperor Yanfeng also invited an envoy from Chishang; Chi Xi came personally. The demon race's envoy was Zhe Huali, as Bharata did not attend in person.

Most residents of the Grand Emperor's Heaven remained in the Great Ruins. True God Pang Yu also did not attend personally, sending his disciple Yu He to represent him.

In the preceding days, Qin Mu, Emperor Yanfeng, Saint Woodcutter, the Imperial Preceptor, and others had already formulated plans. Emperor Yanfeng proceeded to assign official positions, ennobling a large number of individuals, reforming the civil service system by abolishing some posts and adding new ones.

This conference was exceptionally busy, with many intricate details. Promoting officials and evaluating their abilities all required Emperor Yanfeng's personal involvement, and the conference extended for over a month before finally concluding.

In addition to the various clans, Mute, Apothecary, and others were also granted official positions. The Si family of the Heavenly Saint Cult was assigned the responsibility of managing Eternal Peace's finances, which greatly thrilled Si Yunxiang, though Hu Ling'er felt a bit disheartened.

However, Qin Mu promptly used his authority to appoint Hu Ling'er to oversee Si Yunxiang, ensuring she wouldn't embezzle funds and drain the national treasury to enrich the Heavenly Saint Cult's coffers. This promptly dampened Si Yunxiang's initial enthusiasm.

Qin Mu, Woodcutter, and the others were responsible for planning, while all the actual execution fell to Emperor Yanfeng. Emperor Yanfeng was utterly exhausted but finally managed to complete these tasks. Yet, memorials requesting funds from various factions continued to pour in like snowflakes.

Overwhelmed, Emperor Yanfeng summoned Chi Xi and asked for advice on cultivating three heads and six arms, stating, "That would make reviewing memorials much faster."

Chi Xi chuckled, "If Your Majesty wishes to cultivate three heads and six arms, you should consult Human Emperor Qin. The Divine Son says Human Emperor Qin's mastery has already reached the Imperial Seat level."

Startled, Emperor Yanfeng invited Qin Mu to the palace.

"Your Majesty," Qin Mu said, "the two Imperial Seat-level cultivation techniques, the Undying Divine Consciousness and the Flawless Creation Scripture, have already been sent to the Imperial College and the four great academies."

Qin Mu smiled, "Cultivating these two techniques requires profound mastery of creation divine arts. I am currently gathering experts in creation divine arts to meticulously study these two techniques and compile the necessary creation methods, which will make their cultivation much more efficient."

Relieved, Emperor Yanfeng put down the memorials he was reviewing and smiled, "Walk with me for a bit."

Qin Mu joined him outside the imperial study. The night was already deep. Emperor Yanfeng looked up at the sky, remaining silent for a long time.

Qin Mu gazed up at the sky, where the stars sparkled brilliantly. One particular star, however, was exceptionally striking: the unique celestial body of the Chishang remnant tribe.

The unique celestial body appeared to be the size of an orange, with a piece missing, and floated motionless in Eternal Peace's night sky.

"My dear Qin," Emperor Yanfeng suddenly asked, looking to the west, "can the Grand Emperor's Heaven still recover?"

To the west lay the Great Ruins, which had now descended into darkness. However, it wasn't entirely black because of the presence of the Grand Emperor's Heaven and Luofu Heaven. Both these celestial bodies were currently bathed in sunlight, allowing people even in the capital to see the sky above the Great Ruins brightly illuminated.

"It can recover its vitality," Qin Mu replied.

Qin Mu pondered for a moment before replying, "It will simply take some time. The spiritual energy of the Grand Emperor's Heaven has not been entirely depleted. Although Luofu Heaven's spiritual energy is exhausted, its location within the Great Ruins means it can recover quickly. For now, we only need the Sun Herding Divine Race to pilot a few sun boats across these two heavens to ensure they receive sunlight. However, a full recovery of vitality will likely require more than a decade."

Emperor Yanfeng chuckled, "Let's plant trees first. I've heard that the Moon Herding Divine Race is extinct; is it still possible to select a few Moon Herders to control the moon boats?"

Qin Mu hesitated, then said, "Perhaps there are still descendants of Moon Herders in the Great Ruins. Has the Ministry of Revenue conducted a census of the Great Ruins' population?"

"Yes," Emperor Yanfeng confirmed. "Then this matter will be handled by the Ministry of Revenue, to select a few Moon Herders to inherit their ancestral profession."

Emperor Yanfeng withdrew his gaze, looked at Qin Mu, and smiled, "My dear Qin, isn't it time for you to settle down? Is there a young lady you have a fondness for?"

Qin Mu replied, "With the world still unsettled, how can I think of a family?"

Emperor Yanfeng was speechless. He waved his hand weakly and said, "You may leave."

Qin Mu departed.

Emperor Yanfeng watched Ling Yu Xiu rush away with her face covered, then shook his head, lamenting, "Such a brilliant person, yet so utterly naive when it comes to matters of the heart."