Chapter 1244: Opening Heaven Conference

According to historical records, at the beginning of the Great Bean Dynasty's establishment, although there were Pillar of the Nation Ministers causing chaos in the court, the dynasty flourished under the wise and valiant leadership of Emperor Dou.

Commoners could freely converse with Emperor Dou and even participate in court discussions, expressing their opinions. This was unprecedented in any previous dynasty.

After persuasion from Immortal Fairy, the Ancient Four Immortals were fortunate enough to join the Great Bean Dynasty.

"Here," Yun Mengmeng said, "Our leader said these are your tokens." Yun Mengmeng handed each of the Ancient Four Immortals a blank card, symbolizing their "plain status," and they affixed them to their chests.

"Here's a small gift for you, welcome to our Great Bean Dynasty!" Yun Mengmeng also gave the four of them a small paper bag.

"Thank you, young friend, that's very thoughtful of you."

As Yun Mengmeng was Yun Zhi's good sister and the third-in-command of the Immortal lineage, calling her "young friend" was entirely appropriate.

The Ancient Four Immortals were a bit surprised. The preparations were so thorough, they wondered if their arrival had been anticipated.

They opened the bags and saw a pack of sunflower seeds and candy.

Not just them, but everyone attending the meeting had a pack of sunflower seeds and candy, chatting while cracking seeds.

After Yun Mengmeng left, Zhu Tian finally found an opportunity to express his loyalty to Lu Yang. His words were earnest, and Lu Yang was moved: "Brother Lu, if you ever need anything from little Zhu in the future, just say the word. Even if you want the stars from the sky, I can pluck them for you!"

"You can pluck stars?" Lu Yang asked, his expression odd. As expected of a Demon Emperor, he certainly talked big.

Zhu Tian detected skepticism in Lu Yang's tone. "How can that be?" he thought. "Of course! I'm not boasting, but for us ancient cultivators, plucking stars and embracing the moon is a common post-dinner activity."

"Brother Lu, don't you believe me? I'll pluck one for you after the meeting ends!"

"No, no, no, I'm not interested in plucking stars," Lu Yang quickly said, holding Zhu Tian back. Even the Tiger Clan wasn't as audacious as Zhu Tian. If Zhu Tian actually went and plucked a star, that would be something else!

"If King Zhu has time, perhaps you could craft a set of wooden tea ware."

"Tea ware?" Various images of tea ware flashed through Zhu Tian's mind. He readily agreed, "No problem."

He decided to start crafting it as soon as he returned.

"Well then, I won't disturb you, Brother Lu. Call me if you need anything." Zhu Tian waved goodbye enthusiastically. His relationship with Lu Yang wasn't that close; while a brief interaction could foster good relations, lingering for too long would be counterproductive.

Soon, Zhu Tian spotted his next target among the attendees.

"King Jiang, long time no see." Zhu Tian approached Emperor Xia.

Zhu Tian didn't actually have anything specific to discuss with Emperor Xia. It was simply that among the attendees, in terms of status and cultivation, if Emperor Xia dared to call himself last, Zhu Tian would dare to call himself second to last. It was an ancient truth that those in the lowest ranks should stick together for mutual support.

"Your Majesty, everyone is here. Whom do you think should organize the meeting?" Yun Zhi walked over and asked.

She had initially prepared to organize the meeting, but then realized that since she was now considered part of the Great Bean Dynasty, she should let Immortal Fairy make the decision.

"Of course, it's Xiao Yangzi," Immortal Fairy said without hesitation.

"Huh? Me?"

Lu Yang hadn't expected such a significant task to fall to him. He was only in the early stage of the Tribulation Crossing period; only Emperor Xia had a lower cultivation level than him. His participation in this meeting was purely due to his connections.

"You're my Pillar of the Nation Minister! You're the highest-ranking official, so of course it's you."

"Indeed, I also agree that Junior Brother should preside over the meeting."

"Your Majesty recognizes talent and appoints based on merit; this is truly the act of a wise ruler," Yun Zhi echoed.

"Of course! Who do you think I am?"

Something decided jointly by Immortal Fairy and the Senior Sister was not something Lu Yang could change. Lu Yang could only brace himself, stand before the ancestral temple, clear his throat, and declare the meeting open.

"Presumably, all of you are already aware of the purpose of this meeting: to break the ancient seal and allow the world to see the true firmament."

"Therefore, I have named this meeting the 'Heaven-Opening Conference'."

"Forty thousand years ago, Yao Sheng, who could manifest his words into reality, used his powers to assassinate Immortal Fairy. The Ancient Four Immortals fought him for countless rounds without a clear victor. Yao Sheng regarded living beings as mere trifles, wielding power over life and death at will. If he were not dealt with, a great catastrophe would surely ensue."

"To prevent this, the Ancient Four Immortals sealed the world, determined to eradicate this fiend."

"Just recently, Yao Sheng was vanquished, and with the menace gone, there is no longer a need to maintain the seal."

"Therefore, I have gathered you all today to discuss the various matters related to unsealing the world."

"Please ensure that the decisions made at this conference are implemented once you return."

Jiang Ping'an raised his hand and asked, "Excuse me, young friend Lu, what is the outside world like?"

"Outside, stars fill the sky, and living beings inhabit these stars. However, the number of stars with active life is extremely small, and most beings are unaware that life exists on other stars."

"Only a very small fraction of beings have developed rapidly, gaining the ability to travel across the cosmos and reach other stars, knowing that they are not the only ones in the universe."

"What about their cultivation levels?"

"There is likely no concept of cultivation in the outside world. As for their highest combat power, it would not exceed the Tribulation Crossing stage."

"Most life forms on other planets don't even have the means to contend with cultivators at the Body Fusion stage."

Jiang Ping'an was startled. "Are they that weak?"

No wonder a meeting was necessary. When he first learned that unsealing the world would require a gradual approach, he thought it was to prevent cultivators and mortals from getting too excited and causing trouble.

Now it seemed that wasn't the case at all.

There were quite a few Body Fusion stage cultivators in the cultivation world. If the seal were lifted, and these Body Fusion stage cultivators flew to inhabited stars, they could easily dominate those planets, bringing catastrophic destruction to their inhabitants with a mere flick of a finger.

In the cultivation world, above the Body Fusion stage were the Tribulation Crossing stage and even Immortals. But it would be different in the outside world. There, it would truly be "the ocean is wide for fish to leap, the sky is high for birds to fly." Body Fusion cultivators could do whatever they pleased without oversight. There would undoubtedly be lawless individuals among them.

Jiang Ping'an had lived through the end of the Great Yu Dynasty and knew what heinous acts unrestrained cultivators could commit. During the late Great Yu, human-caused disasters far surpassed natural ones.

He established Great Xia and enacted laws precisely to ensure everyone acted according to rules, and to prevent cultivators from oppressing mortals.

"I propose that we formulate strict laws and severe punitive measures. If necessary, we should kill a hundred!"

Jiang Ping'an said in a deep voice, his words subtly revealing a hint of killing intent towards the end.

Without bloodshed, those restless cultivators would not be afraid.

"The Buddhist Kingdom agrees with Fellow Daoist Jiang's suggestion."

"The East Sea agrees."

"The Demon Realm agrees."

Lu Yang nodded. Jiang Ping'an's proposal was precisely what he intended to say: "Then I shall trouble you all, seniors, to discuss the formulation of these laws after the meeting."

"As for propaganda, it can be entrusted to our Dao-Seeking Sect. Our sect's living printing technique is inexpensive and highly efficient in production. Even changing 'Cultivation Weekly' to 'Cultivation Daily' would be no trouble at all."