Haotian Golden Palace, Miluo Heavenly Palace, Palace of the Polestar.
Nowadays, only the Heavenly Emperor's abode in the entire Heavenly Court retains a semblance of what the Supreme Sovereign of the Three Realms should embody.
Especially that Palace of the Polestar within the palace, can be described as golden nails on jade doors, colorful phoenixes dancing at the vermilion gates, everywhere exquisite and transparent, with layers of dragons and phoenixes soaring.
The only thing lacking is a few divine generals in golden armor and helmets standing before the gate.
This is an unavoidable situation.
The Heavenly Court only has so few Immortal Gods; how could they find enough to maintain appearances?
In order to recruit Immortal Gods, the Heavenly Emperor has been anxious and frowning all day, and has not returned to his sleeping palace for a long time, angering the Golden Mother so much that she itched to act. Just a few days ago, she had someone send a message that if he didn't return to the sleeping palace, she would start building another heaven palace next to the Miluo Palace.
Hearing this, the Heavenly Emperor almost clapped his hands in congratulations.
If another heaven palace could be added within the Heavenly Court, surely the fortune would be able to rise a bit further?
Perhaps it might even attract some Immortal Gods to come and pledge their loyalty.
Truly, the Empress is worthy of being my wise consort!
That day, the Heavenly Emperor called several Immortal Ministers and Divine Generals to the Palace of the Polestar to discuss strategies together.
"Just recently, I sent Li Changgeng to visit Shouyang Mountain, Kunlun Mountain, and Golden Turtle Island successively, and the results... I presume you all heard..."
As he mentioned this, the Heavenly Emperor could not help but feel a surge of frustration.
When the Taoist Ancestor had appointed him as the Heavenly Emperor, he was thrilled and overjoyed.
Looking back at the past, how powerful was the Demon Clan's Heavenly Court?
How majestic was the Demon Clan's Heavenly Emperor?
Truly, they held sway over the seas and dominated Heaven and Earth!
Even now, with Saints emerging and the overall environment changed compared to before, I may no longer be able to make autocratic decisions like the Demon Clan Heavenly Emperor, but at the very least, I should be able to maintain the dignity of the Sovereign of the Three Realms, shouldn't I?
With such thoughts in mind, he traveled from Zixiao Palace to the Heavenly Court.
But reality proved he had been overly wishful.
Forget about the authority of the Supreme of the Three Realms; within the ruins of the Heavenly Court, he had nowhere to even place his feet.
As the saying goes, even the most skillful housewife can't cook without rice!
Here in the Primordial Heaven and Earth, he lacked a base of support and trusted followers – aside from the backing of Zixiao Palace, he had no more advantageous weapons.
Therefore, all he could do was build the Miluo Heavenly Palace within the mess that was the Heavenly Court, and then recruit Immortal Gods to serve him.
But after much effort, he only managed to attract some Profound Immortals and True Immortals, far from what he had imagined!
Later he came to understand the reality.
The Heavenly Court's Immortal Class was sparse, almost entirely comprising divine positions.
Immortal Gods are beings of eternal life.
However, Immortals and Gods are different.
Gods are bestowed externally, while Immortals achieve it on their own.
Simply put, those who can make accomplishments on the Immortal Path would not switch to cultivating the Divine Dao.
Though the Divine Dao also leads to eternal life and great strength, it comes with corresponding restrictions, such as Heavenly laws and Heavenly Emperor's Decrees, and requires fulfilling one's divine duties.
Immortals, on the other hand, roam freely between Heaven and Earth. Though they face the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations, if they can testify to the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit, they can become truly immortal and unending, achieving eternal life!
Comparing both paths, only those who are aware that they cannot testify to the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit or transcend the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations would switch to cultivating the Divine Dao.
Upon realizing this, the Heavenly Emperor gave up on recruiting Immortal Gods like looking for a needle in the ocean and instead set his sights on the major sects of the Saints.
The Great Master Xuan Du from the Human Sect, the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect, the eight chief disciples and Seven Attendant Immortals of the Jie Sect, the Four Saints of the Nine Dragons Island, and the Ten Heavenly Lords of the Golden Turtle Island and so on – if any of them came to the Heavenly Court to hold court, wouldn't those Witch Demon remnants lurking around the Heavenly Court immediately cease their schemes and live in constant anxiety?
But it seems he overestimated his own prestige.
Li Changgeng, whom he had sent to extend invitations with his personally drafted Talismanic Decrees to Shouyang, Kunlun, and Golden Turtle Island, returned with three pieces of similar news.
Not only did he fail to meet any Saints, but even the disciples of those major sects didn't take him, the Heavenly Emperor, seriously!
"My beloved ministers, you are all one in ten thousand among True Immortals, naturally talented with wisdom. You must have counsel for me!"
"What do you think I should do next in this situation?"
"Please do not hesitate to enlighten me!"
The few Immortal Gods standing in the great hall looked at one another, hastily bowed, and humbly said, "We dare not."
Although they were True Immortals, they were all aware that they had no hope in the Immortal Path, and thus took the opportunity to pledge allegiance as the Heavenly Court was just reestablished, all in order to compete for the limited number of high-ranking Immortal Class and divine positions.
Regarding the Heavenly Emperor's desire to invite someone from the major sects of Saints, they all understood it like a clear mirror in their hearts.
It was simply impossible.
Those were the major sects of Saints, much more attractive than the Heavenly Court!
To expect the disciples of the major sects to come and preside over the Heavenly Court was like asking a royal heir to go to a slave family's home.
This was not an exaggeration at all.
The present Heavenly Court, not to mention being worthless in the eyes of those major sect disciples, even those Independent Immortals with a bit of Dao Xing looked down upon it.
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However, when it comes to matters of the Saint, how dare these lowly True Immortals speak more than necessary?
At this moment, the gathered Immortal Ministers and Divine Generals could only bow respectfully with hands clasped and say in trepidation: "We are but foolish immortals, utterly clueless about this matter, we hope for Your Majesty's forgiveness!"
They saw the situation very clearly.
Offending His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor might at worst result in demotion, never again tasting the Heavenly Court's Immortal Pills or salary, nor enjoying the merit and incense offerings from heaven, but if they spoke nonsense and offended those great Sects' disciples...
Especially involving those quick-to-anger disciples of Jie Sect, one misstep could lead to total annihilation.
Seeing this, the Heavenly Emperor could not hide his disappointment.
He didn't really expect these Immortal Ministers and Divine Generals to come up with any reliable ideas.
Asking them was merely him testing the waters.
To see whether these Immortal Ministers and Divine Generals genuinely wished to serve him, or if they simply came to the Heavenly Court to mix amongst the Immortal Class.
If it were the former, he would certainly cultivate them well.
He wasn't lacking in Flat Peaches, Spirit Fruits, Divine Medicines, or Immortal Pills.
Even a pig could be made into an immortal by him, let alone these Immortal Ministers and Divine Generals who were already True Immortals.
Regrettably, these initially promising Immortal Ministers and Divine Generals did not even try to conceal their reluctance and directly made excuses.
The Heavenly Emperor sighed and said, "Since all of you have no good strategy, you may withdraw for now."
Those Immortal Ministers and Divine Generals, not realizing they had just missed the opportunity they had dreamed of, quickly bowed and retreated from the Palace of the Polestar, secretly relieved.
After they left, the Heavenly Emperor shook his head and said softly, "Changgeng, come out."
A figure emerged from behind the coiling dragon pillar and approached the center of the great hall, respectfully bowing.
The Heavenly Emperor looked at him and said, "Today you have seen the true colors of those Immortal Ministers and Divine Generals, haven't you? Normally, they are all talk of loyalty and swear to serve me, but when I truly need them, they all stammer and don't dare to let out a peep!"
Li Changgeng kept his head down and said nothing.
The Heavenly Emperor had his own judgment regarding those Immortal Ministers and Divine Generals and didn't need further comment from him.
All he needed to be now was a loyal audience.
And preferably the kind of audience that hears from the left ear and lets it out the right.
Sure enough, after the Heavenly Emperor ranted for a while, he calmed down considerably and looked at Li Changgeng, saying, "Looking around the entire Heavenly Court, besides you, there seems to be no one else I can rely on. It's really frustrating to be the Emperor!"
Upon hearing this, Li Changgeng knew it was his turn to speak.
He immediately stood up, looked directly at the Heavenly Emperor with a solemn expression, and said, "Your Majesty is too serious! There are not only humble ministers who wish to devote themselves to Your Majesty among the Heavenly Immortals, but they have just entered the Heavenly Court and are not yet familiar with the environment here, hence their reluctance to speak recklessly.
I believe that after some time, once they witness Your Majesty's authority and benevolence, they will be as convinced as I am by Your Majesty's grace and willing to serve you wholeheartedly!
Furthermore, the predicament of the Heavenly Court is obvious to all. The Taoist Ancestor handed this heavy responsibility to Your Majesty, trusting that in time, Your Majesty will clear the obstacles and smooth the path.
To let the majesty of the Heavenly Court shine upon the Three Realms and make Your Majesty's command resonate throughout Qian Kun!"
The Heavenly Emperor nodded, a smile showing on his face.
"My dear minister, you are truly my strong support. After hearing what you said, I do feel much more at ease. But you're mistaken about one thing; My eagerness to rebuild the Heavenly Court is not for dominating the Three Realms, but to maintain the stability of the Heavenly Dao and the balance of the Three Realms."
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Li Changgeng quickly bowed and said loudly, "This humble minister will spare no effort to alleviate Your Majesty's concerns!"
"Arise, my dear minister."
The Heavenly Emperor said with a smile, "Together, you and I, I believe it will not be long before we revitalize the Heavenly Court!"
"Your Majesty..."
Li Changgeng stood up as told, looking deeply moved.
After a moment of contemplation, he spoke in a low voice, "Just now, this humble minister thought of a strategy that might resolve the predicament of the Heavenly Court... but I am unsure if it is permissible to speak."
The Heavenly Emperor immediately said, "There's only the two of us here in the hall, speak freely!"
Li Changgeng nodded and spoke softly, "This time, this humble minister was ordered to the Three Sects to invite people. However, due to my shallow Dao Xing and low status, I was dismissed without meeting the Saint in person... but if Your Majesty were to go personally..."
Hearing this, the Heavenly Emperor shook his head, disappointment flashing in his eyes, and said lightly, "The Saint is like the Dao, existing alongside Heaven and Earth, invisible when sought, not found when looked for..."
He paused, then looked at Li Changgeng and said, "You might find my words difficult to understand... Put simply, even if I personally went, the three Saints might not wish to see me."
Li Changgeng was an Immortal Minister whom he valued and intended to cultivate with great effort, which is why he explained so much.
The aim was to inform him that Saints were extraordinary beings, beyond ordinary comprehension, and to avoid such problematic ideas in the future.
Yet, to his surprise, after hearing this, Li Changgeng laughed and said, "If the Saints refuse to meet, it is of no concern; Your Majesty can directly turn to Zixiao Palace and seek the assistance of the Taoist Ancestor. With this, the troubles of the Heavenly Court would naturally be resolved."
"Ah... Excellent... Truly excellent!"
The Heavenly Emperor pondered for a moment and immediately brightened up, his face breaking into a cheerful smile, "My dear minister, you truly are my strong support. If this plan succeeds, I will appoint you to the position of Heavenly Master!"
Li Changgeng's eyes twinkled as he quickly bowed, saying, "Assisting Your Majesty and sharing your worries is my duty, I dare not claim credit!"
The Heavenly Emperor glared, "Your words are inappropriate, dear minister. To those who contribute to the Heavenly Court, I must reward them! If this plan succeeds, your contribution would be immense... No, the position of Heavenly Master is too modest; I will name you a Star Lord!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your generous reward!" Li Changgeng quickly bowed again.
The Heavenly Emperor personally descended from the throne to help him up.
In the great hall, the monarch and his minister stood side by side, as if crafting a beautiful tale together.
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