‘Ah, the flowers in the courtyard have bloomed again.’

This thought floated through Quan Tong’s mind, his eyes carrying a hint of weariness.

Three years…

Did anyone know how he had spent these three years?

This mortal world was shrouded in mist, human hearts were treacherous, wandering souls were clear to see—the world’s impurity and humanity’s unworthiness seemed to remind him, the Jade Emperor, that the road ahead was long and difficult!

Fortunately, the Heavenly Court didn’t require much of his attention—small matters went to Lord Mu, big matters to Chang Geng, and until now, the Heavenly Court’s major events had been concentrated in the recent millennium.

Previously, due to his low presence and having Sage’s avatar presiding, he, as the Jade Emperor, could keep an irregular memorial by his side for thousands of years.

Back then, he only managed the South Jambudvipa Continent’s natural weather, disasters, and plagues, unlike now…

Below the Nine Heavens, none dared disrespect the Heavenly Court’s commands;

Within the Three Realms, even the Sages’ great teachings had to give way.

Those great thousand worlds gradually came under the Heavenly Court’s control, and each of his heavenly edicts, if slightly inappropriate, would cause immeasurable consequences.

This was truly befitting of an Emperor of Heaven.

Similarly, it also carried the burden of being the Emperor of Heaven.

Quan Tong actually felt quite pressured, after all, he had previously been just a child attendant before the Dao Ancestor, and had received no systematic training for his first time as Emperor of Heaven.

Fortunately, he had a stress-relief method approved by Lord Dao Ancestor and agreed upon by Elder Brother Tai Qing!

[Find Chang Geng].

Chang Geng was truly a wonderful person.

Thinking of this, Quan Tong’s spirits immediately improved greatly.

Within his sight, the mortal great city at sunset held a unique charm.

Mortal merchants carrying poles started their journey home, wealthy households closed their mansion gates, and children played and frolicked in the streets and alleys.

These were, in fact, only partial scenes.

Quan Tong suddenly understood why Beloved Official Chang Geng repeatedly mentioned the word “character” when discussing many details of the Investiture of the Gods tribulation with him.

Just speaking of this Jiang family mansion alone, those of good character gave the Jade Emperor a rather comfortable feeling; those of poor character made the Jade Emperor constantly resist the urge to strike them down with his palm.

But he was, after all, the ruler of the Three Realms—how could he lower himself to squabble with petty mortals?

When the Heavenly Court appointed civil and military officials,正神 and wandering immortals in the future, the character should be the primary consideration, followed by intelligence and appearance, and only then supernatural powers and abilities.

What use were great magical powers and vast supernatural abilities when they were still mere dust before the Heavenly Dao?

A good appearance, at least, could increase some personal charm.

Therefore, Quan Tong’s time here wasn’t entirely without gain. Although he hadn’t waited for Li Changshou to arrive, he had gained a deeper understanding of his role as Emperor of Heaven.

It’s just…

“Could it be that Chang Geng truly doesn’t want to come see this Jiang Shang?”

The Jade Emperor’s avatar pondered briefly and decided to wait another half year. If Li Changshou didn’t come, he would take the initiative to go to Tai Bai Palace.

To deliver warmth to Chang Geng’s head!

Just thinking about Beloved Official Chang Geng showing his true feelings before him…

“Hmm?”

Quan Tong’s eyes opened a crack, flashing with bright light as he looked toward the left.

There, a cloud of mist slowly condensed, blocking mortal vision.

A vortex appeared in space, from which slowly emerged a slightly chubby Daoist wearing loose robes and sporting a flowing hairstyle. Upon appearing, he immediately made a Daoist salute to Quan Tong.

“Greetings to Uncle Master Jade Emperor.”

“Oh?” Quan Tong raised an eyebrow, opening his eyes completely. “I wondered who would disturb the subtle movements of space and time, unexpectedly it’s Nephew Duo Bao.

What brings Nephew to this place?”

Duo Bao Daoist revealed a somewhat simple and honest smile, hands tucked in his sleeves and raised before him, saying:

“Uncle Master Jade Emperor, this nephew comes bearing joyous news.”

“What joy might that be?”

Duo Bao Daoist said gently:

“This family’s child Jiang Shang is intelligent and blessed with destiny. I wish to recommend him to my Master as a disciple, to teach him the wonderful methods of immortality and assist his cultivation of the Dao.

That is the joyous matter.”

“Oh,” Quan Tong nodded, then gave a light laugh, understanding Duo Bao’s intention.

The Severing Sect had targeted Chang Geng’s Master’s reincarnated form, wanting to bring his Master’s reincarnated form into the Severing Sect to deeply bind with Chang Geng.

Hmph!

They truly didn’t take him, the Jade Emperor, seriously. The matter of Immortal Yun Xiao and Chang Geng’s mutual affection could be set aside for now.

But taking in Jiang Shang—wasn’t this just wanting Chang Geng to favor the Severing Sect when presiding over the Investiture of the Gods tribulation?

The Jade Emperor avatar’s expression immediately turned cold.

He didn’t need to be diplomatically evasive with anyone, nor did he need to consider anyone’s feelings. Even when facing Lord Dao’s Ancestor, he could speak righteously and express his true thoughts directly. Even now, facing the Severing Sect’s spokesperson, he didn’t need to give him any face.

This was what it meant to be Emperor of Heaven.

Quan Tong said slowly: “I observe this Jiang Shang—though his destiny is acceptable, his aptitude is merely ordinary, and his comprehension isn’t particularly heaven-blessed. How did he catch Elder Brother Tong Tian’s eye?”

Duo Bao Daoist seemed to have anticipated this, smiling nearby: “Uncle Master, you misunderstand. This disciple will take Jiang Shang to Bi You Palace to request the Master to accept him as a disciple.”

Quan Tong’s expression grew somewhat stern.

“You mean to say whether Elder Brother Tong Tian accepts him as a disciple is still unknown?

Perhaps Jiang Shang would go to your Severing Sect only to become a third-generation disciple?”

Duo Bao already understood that Quan Tong now viewed Jiang Shang as the Heavenly Court’s “own person” and was annoyed at the Severing Sect’s apparent lack of respect for Jiang Shang.

Duo Bao hurriedly said: “Uncle Master, I speak this way only because I haven’t yet reported to Master.

If this disciple brings Jiang Shang back to Bi You Palace, the Master will certainly accept Jiang Shang as a disciple. Everyone in our Severing Sect, from top to bottom, will surely cherish and carefully guide him to swiftly achieve immortality…”

“Heh, beautifully said.”

Quan Tong’s mouth twitched slightly, but his gaze turned to another side of the Jiang mansion as he said calmly:

“All of you, come out. Why hide?

I’ve been sitting here idly for three years—did you think I didn’t know you were here?”

As Quan Tong’s words fell, the Emperor of Heaven’s pressure, perceptible only to experts, spread from his body.

The Jiang mansion was first quiet for a moment, then immortal light swept through, causing all mortals in the mansion to fall asleep, and then immortal light…

Shone from every corner in all directions.

Two flying insects emerged from the wing room’s roof, transforming into two dragon-headed elders;

Three streams of light shot out from the reception hall’s flower pots, revealing three old Daoists wearing patched clothes.

The watchdog in the back courtyard shuddered several times, transforming into immortal energy—it was an elderly demon woman emanating precious merit light.

A maid who had been pretending to be asleep gave an embarrassed smile, stood up, looked around, and took out a jade tablet from the Holy Mother’s Palace…

Two ghost generals from the Netherworld floated out from the corners, now looking around wide-eyed and tongue-tied.

This wasn’t all.

From the forest outside the city, a middle-aged Daoist stood up and with one step arrived above the Jiang mansion. He made a Daoist salute to Quan Tong—it was Guang Cheng Zi, the head of the Enlightenment Sect’s Twelve Golden Immortals.

Quan Tong: …

So many?

He hadn’t paid attention to look before… ahem, that wasn’t important.

Quan Tong snorted coldly, divine light flashing in his eyes.

The two ghost generals hurriedly knelt and kowtowed, their forms dissipating into smoke;

The Holy Mother’s Palace immortal maiden bowed slightly, but rose into the air, taking position behind Duo Bao Daoist.

The three old Daoists from the Western Religion made a wordless Daoist salute and tried to withdraw. Seeing this, Duo Bao Daoist immediately moved to step forward.

How could he let such freely given tribulation ash escape?

But Guang Cheng Zi revealed a slight smile and said: “Junior Brother Duo Bao, you’ve come one step too late.”

He subtly blocked Duo Bao Daoist.

The three old Daoists kept their heads down as they hurried away, disappearing in the blink of an eye hundreds of miles away.

Duo Bao Daoist showed no anger, smiling: “What a coincidence that Elder Brother Guang Cheng Zi is also here?”

“It’s no coincidence,” Guang Cheng Zi said gently. “This poor Daoist has been waiting here long by Master’s command, secretly protecting the Enlightenment Sect’s Thirteenth Golden Immortal.”

A flash of sharp light appeared in Duo Bao Daoist’s eyes.

To the side, Quan Tong couldn’t help but reveal a faint smile.

Though His Majesty the Jade Emperor had little experience in handling Heavenly Court affairs, he had lived through the ancient and primordial times, serving before the Dao Ancestor for long, and had seen much of such implicit mockery and private competition.

Whether Guang Cheng Zi truly had the Sage’s decree, the Jade Emperor didn’t know for certain.

But in this round, Guang Cheng Zi’s offered price steadily surpassed Duo Bao Daoist’s. Duo Bao Daoist had lost due to his impatience and eagerness to act, failing to notice Guang Cheng Zi hiding outside the city.

In this exchange, the Enlightenment Sect had already won.

But looking at Duo Bao Daoist’s expression, he seemed to want to struggle a bit more.

Sure enough, Duo Bao Daoist smiled and said: “Unexpected that Second Uncle Master would also favor such a disciple.”

“By rights, since Second Uncle Master has already taken interest, this poor Daoist shouldn’t say more, but shouldn’t we ask Junior Brother Chang Geng about this matter?

After all, you and I both know Jiang Shang’s identity and his close relationship with Junior Brother Chang Geng.”

But Guang Cheng Zi said: “Jiang Shang’s previous life has already severed karmic ties with Junior Brother Chang Geng. Junior Brother Chang Geng personally promised this to Holy Mother Uncle Master, and coincidentally there’s an immortal maiden from Nüwa Palace here—Brother can ask her directly.”

Duo Bao Daoist looked at that immortal maiden, but she merely smiled slightly with half-closed eyes, neither speaking nor leaving.

Who didn’t have a Sage backing them?

The situation suddenly became rather deadlocked.

Quan Tong, unafraid of making things bigger, raised his hand and directly protected the sleeping child Jiang Shang, while a bold idea suddenly occurred to him.

What if…

Hmm?

A moment later, Guang Cheng Zi broke the silence above the Jiang mansion, smiling:

“Junior Brother Duo Bao seems to have not yet given up the idea?”

“Alas,” Duo Bao cupped his hands and smiled with a sigh, “Actually, I shouldn’t compete with Elder Brother for this Junior Brother, but since Jiang Shang hasn’t yet joined the Enlightenment Sect, this poor Daoist still has some thoughts.”

Guang Cheng Zi’s smile disappeared as he said coolly: “Could it be that Friend Dao deliberately means to make things difficult today, intentionally sabotaging our Enlightenment Sect’s karmic fate?”

“Brother Dao’s words are mistaken,” Duo Bao Daoist responded with a smile, his gaze meeting Guang Cheng Zi’s as if two small lightning bolts clashed in mid-air.

The entire great city suddenly felt like an ice cellar!

At Three Immortal Island, Li Changshou, who was having an awkward chat with the two immortal sisters, frowned deeply and said to Holy Mother Jin Ling and Holy Mother Wu Dang:

“Something has come up in the Heavenly Court, I need to go handle it.”

Then he stepped back outside the immortal pavilion, closed his eyes to concentrate, and his consciousness moved to… South Jambudvipa Continent…

Jiang mansion.

Back courtyard.

The maid responsible for feeding and giving water to the Jiang family’s young master opened her eyes but then closed them again.

The Jiang family’s head chef in the kitchen stretched and stood up, chopped his kitchen knife into the cutting board, and walked out unhurriedly.

During these three years, those repeated words…

[Master has the Heavenly Dao’s protection, I need not interfere.]

[It’s fine, Master, and I no longer have any connection, it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to appear.]

This actually couldn’t be helped.

The Heavenly Dao was ultimately imperfect, impossible to be complete—the Great Dao had fifty, minus one; even the opening of heaven and earth only took forty-nine axe strikes—all this had its reasoning.

The Heavenly Dao’s protection of Jiang Shang could only reach ninety-eight percent.

His trying to fill in that remaining zero point two percent was just a trivial matter, placing a small Golden Immortal Realm Golden Core paper clone (stealth version) nearby to keep watch, just in case, was quite normal, right?

Look, wasn’t it coming in handy right now?

That chef flew into the air, transformed, changing into Li Changshou’s commonly used young Daoist disguise, and gave a slightly embarrassed smile to the currently black-lined Jade Emperor avatar, Duo Bao Daoist, and Guang Cheng Zi.

“Well…”

Whoosh!

Quan Tong’s form flashed, appearing directly behind Li Changshou’s paper clone, his eyes burning with red light, his iron-grip-like hands seizing Li Changshou’s paper clone’s neck, shaking him like seaweed…

“Three years! You’ve been hiding under my nose for three years!”

“Your Majesty… forgive me… your concealment skills were too strong, this small deity didn’t notice you were here until you actively revealed your presence just now… cough cough!”

“Oh?”

Quan Tong immediately calmed down, releasing Li Changshou’s paper clone’s neck, smiling: “Is that so?”

“Yes,” Li Changshou revealed a sincere smile.

Seeing this, Duo Bao lowered his head and pursed his lips, Guang Cheng Zi clasped his hands behind his back and looked to the sky, while the Holy Mother Palace immortal maiden covered her mouth and laughed softly.

His Majesty the Jade Emperor…

Was too easily placated.

…

A moment later, in the Jiang mansion’s back courtyard.

Under the faint starlight and moon’s watery glow, Li Changshou used immortal power to carry each sleeping mortal back to their original dwellings and used immortal power to envelope a small building in the back courtyard.

The child Jiang Shang was sleeping on the second floor of the small building.

Meanwhile, Li Changshou invited the Jade Emperor’s avatar, Guang Cheng Zi, Duo Bao Daoist, and the Holy Mother Palace immortal maiden to be seated downstairs.

Setting out the banquet previously prepared for Jiang Shang’s grandparents, bringing out some common mortal fine wine, Li Changshou smiled and welcomed the two senior brothers to drink and eat.

Li Changshou was calm as if he had never said those words about ‘not interfering here.’

As long as one doesn’t feel embarrassed themselves, the embarrassed ones will be others.

Guang Cheng Zi and Duo Bao Daoist both felt somewhat awkward at this moment.

Especially Duo Bao Daoist, whose face was slightly red now;

In comparison, Guang Cheng Zi was much more composed, but he also dared not meet Li Changshou’s eyes.

These two great senior brothers had both come here without obtaining their Sages’ decrees, wanting to use Jiang Shang to manipulate him, the Star of Golden Star.

And at this moment, Duo Bao Daoist’s embarrassment was a genuine embarrassment.

The embarrassment shown by Guang Cheng Zi was probably meant to smoothly apologize later, avoiding Li Changshou asking about where the Sage’s decree was.

Pure nervousness, nothing more.

At this time, the Jade Emperor’s avatar sat in the main seat, simply sitting there, watching how the two great sects’ great senior brothers would handle the current situation.

Watching their passivity at every turn when facing Beloved Official Chang Geng;

Enjoying the subtle and intriguing expressions of these powerful and greatly supernatural beings who once didn’t take the Heavenly Court seriously but now had to consider the consequences of offending the Heavenly Court;

Very interesting.

After three rounds of drinks, the food’s taste went unnoticed.

That immortal maiden was the first to speak: “Great Star-Lord, may this servant say something off-topic?”

“Immortal Maiden, please speak.”

This immortal maiden’s face was spring-like, her beautiful eyes gleaming, as if about to throw herself forward, but she restrained herself and said softly:

“Have you been cooking these meals all these years?

Immortal Yun Xiao and Immortal Ling E are too blessed!”

Li Changshou smiled and shook his head.

Their happiness was beyond her imagination.

Ahem, back to business.

“Why did Immortal Maiden come here?”

“Just following Mother Goddess’s orders to secretly protect Jiang Shang here, without any schemes,” this immortal maiden finished speaking, then immediately raised her hand, “I can swear to the Heavenly Dao!”

Quan Tong’s finger moved slightly, and rumbling thunder immediately sounded above the small building.

Seeing this immortal maiden’s face instantly turn pale, stuttering “this, this” but unable to speak, almost kneeling before Li Changshou…

That was quite interesting too.

Li Changshou smiled: “Then I’ll trouble Immortal Maiden to continue the protection.”

“Ah, of course, of course, it’s good that you don’t blame this servant.”

Li Changshou nodded, then moved his gaze to Guang Cheng Zi and Duo Bao Daoist, wearing a slight smile, his voice also gentle, or rather, tender.

But the weight of his words made both Guang Cheng Zi and Duo Bao Daoist’s expressions change slightly.

“Two Senior Brothers, you manage the affairs of the Enlightenment and Severing Sects, most trusted by both Uncle Masters. If I hadn’t appeared today, were you planning to have a magical battle here?

Outside the Dao Gate, are there no enemies?

For so many years, I’ve been cutting the Western Religion’s wings step by step, striking away their destiny, compressing their room to move and dodge.

Can my two Senior Brothers truly only see their sects, unwilling to look at the word ‘Dao’ above our heads?

First, there was the Dao Gate, and only then came the Human, Enlightenment, and Severing Three Teachings.

Don’t we all call ourselves disciples of the Dao Gate?”

“Chang Geng, this…”

Duo Bao Daoist hesitated, then sighed softly, “Elder Brother was hasty, made a mistake, and apologizes to you again.”

But Guang Cheng Zi said: “With the Great Tribulation ahead, besides self-preservation, there’s no attention to spare for other matters.”

Li Changshou smiled: “Could Senior Brother’s words be laying the groundwork for the Enlightenment Sect’s alliance with the Western Religion?”

“Junior Brother’s words are too sharp,” Guang Cheng Zi said seriously. “Our Enlightenment Sect disciples have pure origins and deep blessings, all taking pride in being able to join Master’s sect.

Now with the Great Tribulation ahead, the Severing Sect above and below who triggered this Great Tribulation have already gathered momentum like a flood!

Could it be that you truly want our Enlightenment Sect to be attacked en masse by the Severing Sect’s junior brothers and sisters, surrounded and broken, thus fulfilling the Great Tribulation and also fulfilling Junior Brother’s intentions toward the Severing Sect?”

“When has our Severing Sect ever had such thoughts!”

Duo Bao Daoist frowned: “If not for the Enlightenment Sect’s unwillingness to lose a single disciple in Purple Mysteries Palace, causing several Sages to part in discord, we might have already figured out how to deal with the Great Tribulation today.”

Guang Cheng Zi said: “The Great Tribulation originally targeted the karmic obstacles of Heaven and Earth, targeted the karmic obstacles of living beings. Our Enlightenment Sect disciples have cultivated in seclusion until now, rarely committing acts of killing, and have even accomplished the merit of teaching and transforming humanity.

This poor Daoist has a disciple who is a human ancestor from the Fire Cloud Cave.

The sect that owes humanity the most is the Severing Sect, so why drag our Enlightenment Sect into this Great Tribulation to suffer losses together with you?

According to Uncle Master Tong Tian’s meaning that day, the Severing Sect would lose three thousand, the Enlightenment Sect three hundred.

What about after that?

The Severing Sect has tens of thousands of immortals, while our Enlightenment Sect only has several hundred disciples in total! How could Master agree!”

Duo Bao Daoist said firmly: “Are our Severing Sect disciples not disciples of the Dao Gate?

The Enlightenment Sect picks and chooses disciples so carefully, could you blame us? When has our Severing Sect ever prevented the Enlightenment Sect from accepting disciples?”

“Junior Brother’s words are forcing reason.”

“It’s just that Elder Brother’s words are too unpleasant—is it a crime that our Severing Sect has many immortals?!”

Guang Cheng Zi’s brows rose, Duo Bao Daoist’s face flushed red, and though neither revealed any pressure, they gave that immortal maiden tremendous pressure at this moment.

“Two Senior Brothers…”

“You decide, Junior Brother.”

Guang Cheng Zi stepped back half a step and sighed lightly: “Which sect did Jiang Shang join, becoming which Sage’s disciple.”

Li Changshou: …

This?

“Enough, stop arguing!” Quan Tong threw down his wine cup. “As for this disciple Jiang Shang, I…”

Crack!

Rumble!

A purple-red divine thunder suddenly appeared outside the small building, followed by the sound of muffled thunder.

Quan Tong blinked, changed his words mid-sentence, and smoothly said:

“Ahem, I think we needn’t conclude now. Why don’t both sects take a step back and leave it to Heaven’s will to decide?

Surely the two sects wouldn’t go against Heaven’s will?”

Li Changshou truly breathed a sigh of relief, though with some slight regret in his heart.