The Heavenly Emperor set out on a patrol, ceremoniously paying his respects to the Sages, and the purpose of which was known to all.
First, it was to demonstrate his reverence for the Sages; second, it sought the dispatch of the Sages' disciples to the Heavenly Court to become gods.
However, these were just outward appearances.
His true aim was singular, which was to turn to the Zixiao Palace to lament after the three Sages refused his request.
Only with the help of the Taoist Ancestor could the Heavenly Court truly rise to power!
Thus, the last thing the Emperor of Heaven wished to see on this trip was for the three Sages to agree to send their disciples to the Heavenly Court to become gods.
This was something that only the Heavenly Emperor and Li Changgeng, master and servant, understood all too well.
The success of their journey to Daluo Mountain significantly boosted the confidence of the two.
Yet, they could have never anticipated that shortly after leaving Daluo Mountain, disciples from the Jie Sect would come knocking on their door voluntarily!
This was absurd!
Why didn't you come earlier?
When you were wanted, you didn't come; now that you are not wanted, you're eager to show up!
Li Changgeng didn't know what the Emperor of Heaven might be feeling at the moment, but he himself felt like he had been doused in cold water, his joy from the successful trip to Daluo Mountain extinguished in an instant.
Normally decisive, he found himself in a dilemma at this moment.
If he directly rejected the other party's "good intentions," it would be inconsistent with the open goal of their mission!
Yet, if he accepted, it would be tantamount to accepting the help of the Jie Sect.
Under such circumstances, if the Emperor then went to the Zixiao Palace to complain, his actions would neither be legitimate nor proper!
And it would also offend the Sect Hierarch of the Jie Sect!
Upon clarifying these key factors, Li Changgeng felt even more troubled.
At this moment, the voice of the Heavenly Emperor resounded in his mind.
"Decline gracefully."
Although it was only two words, Li Changgeng could understand the Emperor of Heaven's thoughts.
He must refuse the other party, yet appear natural, concealing their real intentions.
Any other Immortal Gods would surely complain about the difficulty of this task and its unfeasibility, but Li Changgeng was different.
Since his induction into the Heavenly Court, he had specialized in developing strategies for the Emperor of Heaven, solving troublesome and tedious issues, mastering the process with ease.
So when he received the covert imperial edict from the Emperor, his expression did not change at all; with only a slight pause for thought, he then said in a serious tone:
"The kind offer of the Immortal is truly heartwarming, yet even though our Heavenly Court is short-handed, we have our own standards for recruiting Immortal Gods..."
Before he could finish speaking, he was abruptly interrupted by Yu Yuan, "Cut the nonsense, just tell us if you want it or not! If you want him, just take him away; you can appoint him to any divine position.
If you don't, then I'll take him and leave, reporting back to the Sect Hierarch that the Heavenly Court doesn't need the assistance of our Jie Sect."
Hearing that last sentence, a chill ran through Li Changgeng's heart.
Exactly what he feared was happening!
His thoughts raced as he quickly responded, "Immortal, there's no need to be impatient. Our Heavenly Court has just been reinstated, it is indeed a time of seeking talent eagerly; how could we not need the help of the Jie Sect? Hence, His Majesty has personally undertaken this journey, hoping to pay respects to the Sages in order to seek the disciples of the Three Sects to join our Heavenly Court as gods..."
"That works out perfectly then!"
Yu Yuan interrupted him once again, "Haven't I just brought a disciple from our sect to you? Don't look down on him; he's a second-generation disciple of our Jie Sect, the One Qi Immortal Ma Yuan. He should be sufficiently qualified for a divine position in the Heavenly Court, right?"
Li Changgeng glanced at the still unconscious "assassin," highly doubtful whether this unfortunate creature was genuinely a disciple of the Jie Sect.
But since Yu Yuan had claimed so, he could only take it at face value.
"Any Jie Sect disciple is certainly qualified to join our Heavenly Court as a god." Li Changgeng spoke with a hint of respect in his voice, then his tone shifted, and he smiled, "However, for our Heavenly Court to function normally, the Immortal Gods needed are not as simple as one or two..."
Before he could finish, Yu Yuan looked at him in astonishment, "Don't give me those excuses; that is a matter for your Heavenly Court. My job is to deliver him to join the Heavenly Court as a god, showing the heart of our Jie Sect to assist the Heavenly Court.
With all your lengthy and unnecessary talk, it seems like you are reluctant to accept him, so I will take him with me now."
With that, he moved to leave on his cloud, and with a slight gesture, Ma Yuan suspended from the dragon horn transformed into a streak of blue light entering his wide sleeve.
The whole process was as smooth as clouds and flowing water; before Li Changgeng and the rest of the Immortal Gods could react, Yu Yuan had already ridden the white cloud out for over a hundred miles.
"Wait!"
A deep and steady voice sounded, indicating that the Emperor of Heaven could no longer restrain himself and had personally spoken.
However, the Jie Sect Disciple named Yu Yuan acted as if he had not heard, continuing to leave quickly.
The Heavenly Emperor's pupils contracted slightly as his right hand, hidden in his sleeve, swiftly performed calculations.
From the moment Yu Yuan spoke of sending Jie Sect Disciples into the Heavenly Court as divine beings, he sensed something was amiss.
And now, he had finally confirmed it.
He had indeed fallen into a trap.
He had been outwitted!
He had every reason to believe that within three days, the news of "the Heavenly Emperor rejecting the entry of Jie Sect Disciples into the Heavenly Court as gods" would spread far and wide, known to all!
The crucial point was that this was not a figment or fabricated lie.
It was a fact that could withstand scrutiny!
How could he then go to Zixiao Palace and complain to the Taoist Ancestor?
Thinking of this, the Heavenly Emperor could not help but sigh lightly, knowing that his plan was likely to fail.
Even if he now retained the Jie Sect Disciple brought by Yu Yuan, it would be just another mistake.
This was a conspiracy specifically targeting him!
As if someone had seen through his plans and deliberately set this trap!
Regrettably, he was careless for a moment, deceived by the facade of Yu Yuan's Dao Xing, and did not realize this in time.
Now it was too late for regrets.
At this moment, Li Changgeng approached the treasure carriage with a worried expression.
He too sensed that something was amiss.
Yu Yuan's arrival and departure were too timely, too decisive, his purpose too strong, making it difficult not to be suspicious.
"Your vassal need not be so disheartened."
The voice of the Heavenly Emperor sounded.
Li Changgeng looked up and saw the Emperor of Heaven looking intently at him.
"Next, We will still need your counsel and strategy."
"Your Majesty…"
Li Changgeng felt a surge of warmth in his heart, respectfully saying, "Your humble servant wishes to relieve Your Majesty of worries and difficulties!"
The Heavenly Emperor nodded slightly and glanced at the Golden Armored God General standing by.
The latter understood the cue and immediately sang out respectfully: "Raise the carriage!"
The Emperor of Heaven's procession set out once more, heading towards the direction of Kunlun.
Although the true purpose of this journey may now be on the brink of failure, paying homage to the Saint was still essential.
...
As expected, the news of "the Heavenly Emperor tactfully refusing the entry of Jie Sect Disciples into the Heavenly Court as gods" quickly spread, and even faster than the Heavenly Emperor had anticipated.
In just a mere two days, even the Immortal Gods in Xiniu Hezhou had learned of this news.
Clearly, someone was intentionally disseminating this information.
The Heavenly Emperor was now very curious as to who was behind this meticulous planning?
One thing was certain; that person was most likely someone from within the Jie Sect.
Additionally, the person behind the scenes was decidedly not the Sect Hierarch Tongtian Saint.
The Heavenly Emperor knew the nature of his fellow teacher Tongtian very well and knew that his Senior Brother would not care about these minor schemes of his, nor would he specially plot anything just to thwart his plans.
Therefore, the person behind the planning was most likely one of the few disciples under the Sect Hierarch.
Duobao, Wudang, and Golden Spirit were the most likely candidates!
They had all been disciples for many years with profound Dao Xing and deep fortune, indeed capable of sensing his schemes in advance.
No matter who it was, he had lost a round this time.
It must be said that these Saint's Disciples were truly not to be underestimated!