Chapter 302: Multiple Versions of the Heavenly Court

Petro-Bone felt he was unlucky enough today. He had just been scammed by the late Qin Haoran, accruing a debt of one billion. Since he couldn't repay it, he was struck by lightning. Later, he had recounted the incident involving the Heavenly Court to the Grand Cultivator. Now, he had to tell it again. He might as well write a memoir to avoid repeatedly reliving painful experiences.

The two Deputy Grand Cultivators stared at Petro-Bone with a mix of surprise and uncertainty. The recent lightning strike had been too loud; it was impossible for them to not notice it. "How could someone at the Integration stage still encounter a lightning tribulation? Has old Petro-Bone broken through?"

Petro-Bone, with a dark expression, recounted everything that happened in Guhuai Town, though his focus wasn't on Qin Haoran's reincarnation as Qin Yanyan, but rather on the Heavenly Court Cult.

"'Heavenly Court,' the most powerful organization in ancient times?""'Bean Heavenly Venerable' was the first to achieve immortality?""Stars like soybeans, to be manipulated at will—what a miraculous divine ability!"

The two Deputy Grand Cultivators gasped after hearing this. The person named Lu Yiyang had revealed many ancient secrets in just a few words. The first immortal — what immense significance! This was a great figure who pioneered the path of immortality, practically the ancestor of all immortals. As top-ranking members of the Nine Nether Cult, they knew far more secrets than typical Integration stage cultivators, yet even they hadn't known that Ninefold Immortal had replaced Bean Heavenly Venerable to become the first immortal.

"'Ninefold Immortal usurped Bean Heavenly Venerable's position and became the first immortal?'""'Everyone says that in ancient times, prodigies were like dragons—full of lofty ambition, capable of conquering mountains and rivers, and unparalleled in strength. Who would have thought such corruption lurked behind the scenes!'"

Seeing the two Deputy Grand Cultivators gradually absorb this information, the Grand Cultivator slowly said, "Actually, I know a thing or two about the Heavenly Court."

"'Please elaborate, Grand Cultivator.' The two Deputy Grand Cultivators felt their horizons broadening that day, eager to learn so many ancient secrets."

The Grand Cultivator was pleased by the Deputy Grand Cultivators' eagerness. Without further ado, he began to recount his own insights. "'I once stumbled upon an ancient immortal book, authored by Ninefold Immortal. I had someone translate it, but only got a rough translation with missing words and sentences. Still, it was enough to understand the book's content. The immortal book mentioned the existence of the 'Heavenly Court,' stating that in ancient times, there were many immortals. Achieving immortality by condensing a Dao fruit was merely the first step on the immortal path. Beyond immortals were saints, beyond saints were gods, and beyond gods were supreme gods. The sheer number of realms was astonishing. The Heavenly Court was the organization of the Supreme God Realm, governing all things and principles!'"

This was the first time the two Deputy Grand Cultivators and Petro-Bone had heard these things. They instinctively leaned slightly forward, captivated by the ancient secrets.

"'This is different from what Lu Yiyang said. Is he lying?'" Petro-Bone frowned.

The Grand Cultivator waved his hand. "'Listen, I'll continue. Later, I found another ancient immortal book, authored by Ying Tianxian. That book was titled 'Imprisoning Heaven,' and its main content described the ancient Heavenly Court. It stated that immortals could be divided into Human Immortals, Earth Immortals, Heavenly Immortals, Golden Immortals, Grand Unity Golden Immortals, and Primordial Chaos Immortals. It also said that the Heavenly Court's supreme ruler was called the Celestial Emperor, who resided in the High Heavens Palace, and there were also the Two Sages and Three Pure Ones, who were the true rulers of the Heavenly Court. The book's descriptions were so detailed and immersive that I once believed it was genuinely written by Ying Tianxian. However, upon closer thought, something felt off. What kind of figure was Ying Tianxian? An immortal. How could an immortal have the leisure to write such a book? It didn't make sense.'"

The three Deputy Grand Cultivators nodded in unison, agreeing with the Grand Cultivator's reasoning.

"'After that, I encountered yet another immortal book, also by Ying Tianxian. This one mentioned the Heavenly Court and divided immortals into First-level Immortals, Second-level Immortals, Third-level Immortals, Fourth-level Immortals, and Fifth-level Immortals! The plot in this book was also vastly different from 'Imprisoning Heaven'!'"

"'How could they be so contradictory?'" The three Deputy Grand Cultivators were astonished. "Was Ying Tianxian schizophrenic?"

The Grand Cultivator shook his head. "'Initially, I didn't know the reason either and was utterly perplexed. I consulted old scholars who studied ancient times, but they couldn't provide an answer, only stating that there were many inexplicable contradictions from the ancient era. But just now, when I learned about the Heavenly Court Cult's existence, I felt that everything made sense.'"

"'What do you mean?'"

The Grand Cultivator said seriously, "'There was indeed a Heavenly Court in ancient times, but it wasn't divided into many ranks as Ninefold Immortal and Ying Tianxian described. Instead, as Lu Yiyang said, Bean Heavenly Venerable governed the Heavenly Court, and Ninefold Immortal usurped the throne. Ninefold Immortal and Ying Tianxian deliberately fabricated history to confuse the public and conceal the truth.'"

They quickly envisioned the ancient era: Bean Heavenly Venerable was the first to achieve immortality. He established the Heavenly Court and became the ruler of ancient times. He was benevolent and did not impede later generations from becoming immortals, so Ninefold Immortal, Ying Tianxian, and others successively achieved immortality. For fame and fortune, or other motives, Ninefold Immortal and his cohorts launched a counterattack on the Heavenly Court, defeating Bean Heavenly Venerable. The Heavenly Court fell from its ruling position, and Ninefold Immortal and the others became the rulers of ancient times. Concerned about the legitimacy of their rule, Ninefold Immortal and his group adopted the guise of the Heavenly Court, fabricating a version completely different from the truth, so that future generations would not know which to believe.

"'So that's how it is!'" The four, upon deliberation, felt a subtle excitement, as if they had glimpsed a corner of ancient secrets.

"'Does this mean our Nine Nether Cult's origins can also be traced back to ancient times?'"

The Nine Nether Cult had always claimed to have existed since time immemorial, but lacked proof. Now, with the Heavenly Court Cult's testimony, the Nine Nether Cult could finally hold its head high.

"'Lu Yiyang must have concealed some things from us—nine truths and one falsehood—but most of what he said should be true. We can try to establish contact with them! Moreover, the righteous path's suppression of us is intensifying. The Heavenly Court Cult, as a top ancient power with profound foundations, can perfectly withstand the righteous path's attacks!'"

They felt establishing a connection with the Heavenly Court Cult would be beneficial and harmless. They tacitly avoided discussing Qin Haoran and Qin Yanyan. For the sake of Qin Haoran's legacy, they could not possibly acknowledge Qin Yanyan as Qin Haoran's reincarnation. If they did, wouldn't they have to transfer Qin Haoran's legacy to the Heavenly Court Cult? Although they hadn't yet managed to access Qin Haoran's legacy, they knew just how immense the inheritance left by a half-step Tribulation stage grand powerful being, a figure of the Grand Cultivator level in the demonic sects, must be. They absolutely couldn't give it to the Heavenly Court Cult! Even if they believed Qin Yanyan was Qin Haoran's reincarnation.

"'We should go to Yanjiang Commandery and connect with them, which will also be a good opportunity to test their true strength,'" the Grand Cultivator concluded definitively.

"'But why a barbecue restaurant? Is there any special meaning to it?'"

Petro-Bone seriously analyzed, "'From the history of cooking, the first culinary technique mastered by humans was barbecue. The Heavenly Court Cult might be using this method to imply their ancient origins.'"

"'Makes sense!'""'Old Stone always has such profound insights!'"

The three praised Petro-Bone for his clear thinking, which he found quite gratifying. The pain from being struck by lightning even lessened a bit.