Chapter 499

Chapter 499: Immortal Court in the Heaven, Divine Empire on the Land, Reincarnation of the Netherworld

Tian Cang Immortal Domain, Divine Capital.

Divine Capital was the center of the immortal court, both magnificent and vast, with an aura of unparalleled grandeur. In the sky, the fragrant mist spread into numerous rainbow bridges, crisscrossing and stretching to every direction.

A golden avenue, condensed from the fragrant mist, led to a suspended Immortal City.

That was the immortal court.

The entire immortal court hung above Divine Capital, dominating the universe and overlooking all directions.

Nuwa steered the golden flying ship as it flew into Divine Capital, and then she put it away. She and Moro walked on the rainbow bridge made of fragrant mist, heading toward the immortal court.

After half an incense stick’s worth of time, the two entered the immortal court.

"Please inform the Emperor, that I and Daoist friend Nuwa request an audience," Moro said.

"You two honored ones, please wait a moment, I will go immediately," a court attendant said. The attendant received the order and departed at once to report.

After a good while, the attendant returned and said, "The Emperor invites you two honorable ones to the Supreme Oneness Hall."

The two entered the immortal court.

Before long, they arrived at a shrine. On the golden steps, a man wearing an imperial crown and imperial robe sat with imposing posture. His brows sharp like swords, his face chiseled, majestic and extraordinary.

The imperial robe the man wore was embroidered with nine nine-clawed divine dragons, formed from Virtue and Fortune, slowly swimming as they gazed at Nuwa and Moro.

"Greetings, Emperor," both bowed and saluted.

"Why are there only the two of you?" The Third Young Master’s gaze was profound, like an abyss, impossible for anyone to fathom his thoughts.

"Reporting to the Emperor, Yi Tianxing was detained," Nuwa said.

"Speak," the Third Young Master said, his tone slightly heavier.

Nuwa spoke with a bitter smile, "When Yi Tianxing was in the lower world, he had a connection with the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. It seemed he had signed a hundred-year contract with him. On this trip to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, the master used the contract as a reason to keep him there."

The Third Young Master suddenly showed a knowing smile.

"Did you not know about this beforehand?"

Nuwa made a bowing gesture and said, "I was fully aware."

"Since you were aware, why didn’t you report it?" the Third Young Master said.

Nuwa said, "I am guilty."

She had long known that Yi Tianxing was being kept at Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, and the Third Young Master would be furious with her.

"I believed the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion was merely a man from the lower world. I never expected him to have such abilities; I underestimated him. Please punish me, Emperor."

"Humph!" Moro’s expression turned icy cold as he said, "Your Majesty, the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion declared he would put you on the Dao Lord ranking, ranking you alongside a group of insects. This act is an insult!"

"An insult to the Emperor, an insult to the immortal court!"

"Dao Lord ranking?"

The Third Young Master wasn’t angered; instead, a flicker of interest rose within him. He chuckled lightly, "It is widely known throughout the world that within the Hongmeng Dao Realm, the Dao Lords worthy of being called geniuses numbered but nine—myself included."

"Excluding the Ninth Young Master who has yet to return, there are only eight."

"I am quite curious, how many can actually make it onto this list?"

Moro was taken aback. Was the Emperor truly not angry?

The Third Young Master spoke lightly, "The Dao Lord ranking is a useful tool. Once this list is published, I will know whom to recruit and bring under my command."

"The Emperor’s broad-mindedness is truly admirable, Your subject is humbled," Moro expressed his respect.

"To accomplish great matters, I alone am insufficient. I shall require your faithful assistance, dear minister," the Third Young Master said with a smile. Then, his gaze turned to Nuwa, the smile vanishing instantly, replaced by an imposing authority that required no anger.

In that instant, he seemed like a completely different person.

"Grand Sacrificial Priest, over these tens of millions of years, your contributions to the immortal court have been immense. For this recent mistake, I shall not punish you," the Third Young Master suddenly revealed a smile once more.

"On the contrary, the two of you have tested the capabilities of the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, so I shall bestow rewards upon you."

"I give the command, both of you."

The Third Young Master stated.

"Your subjects are present."

Both replied reverently.

"Grand Sacrificial Priest Nuwa, I bestow upon you the Nine-Treasure Colored Glass Robe."

"My minister Moro, I confer upon you the title Great Sun Star Lord and bestow the Zhou Tian Star Crown."

A quarter of an hour later, two attendants entered the Taiyi Hall, holding the Nine-Treasure Colored Glass Robe and the Zhou Tian Star Crown.

"Dismissed."

The Third Young Master waved his sleeve.

"Thank you for the Emperor’s profound benevolence."

The two withdrew.

"Emperor, His Majesty the Holy Emperor has arrived."

After their departure, a white-clad elder approached the Third Young Master and reported softly.

"The Sixth Brother is here?"

The Third Young Master smiled. "Take him to the Orchid Fragrance Garden."

"Yes."

After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, within the Orchid Fragrance Garden.

In the courtyard, orchids bloomed, filling the air with their fragrance.

The two young masters sat facing each other, exchanging toasts, wine cups passing back and forth.

"Sixth Brother, it has been tens of thousands of years since we last parted. Today, we shall drink to our hearts’ content," said the Third Young Master. Having removed his imperial crown and robes, he wore simple blue garments, his demeanor refined and scholarly, more resembling a scholar.

Opposite him, the Sixth Young Master possessed a strikingly handsome face. An aura of dauntless heroism gleamed between his brows, radiating a presence as sharp as a sword. He moved like a divine general seasoned by countless battles, every gesture and motion capable of captivating one’s very soul.

Third Brother, I heard you sent someone to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion? the Sixth Young Master said.

The Third Young Master nodded and said, They have just returned.

How did it go?

The Sixth Young Master was very curious.

We did not invite the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, the Third Young Master said. Besides, my actions seem to have angered him, and he vowed to place me on the Dao Lord ranking.

Dao Lord ranking?

The Sixth Young Master was also puzzled. What is this thing?

Is he going to make a ranking for us, to compete for first place?

It seems so, the Third Young Master said.

Hmph!

The Sixth Young Master said disdainfully, If that’s really the case, the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion was too childish. A list like that could fool inexperienced youngsters, but cultivators at the Dao Lord level, each had been through long practice, how could they be swayed by a mere ranking?

It seems he was nothing special after all.

Not necessarily, the Third Young Master said. The master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion could easily suppress many Dao Sovereigns with his own strength. That kind of power should not be underestimated.

Personally, being on the ranking did not matter to me.

But… He paused, his tone growing heavy. If he truly knew everything, as rumors claim, and could calculate our weaknesses, then it was serious.

Hahaha…

The Sixth Young Master laughed wildly. Third Brother, you were confused.

If the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion was really that mighty, why would he be so idle as to do business with others?

In my opinion, this was just a gimmick.

The Third Young Master picked up his wine and drank a cup.

His intuition told him things were not that simple.

Of course, at this moment, he did not place much importance on Ye Xu.

He had more important matters to attend to.

Third Brother, I did not come to the Divine City this time to discuss the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion with you, the Sixth Young Master said solemnly. Counting the time, Ninth Sister should have ascended through the Taihuang Ancient Realm by now.

Almost, the Third Young Master replied, his eyes flashing.

Back then, those scoundrels set a trap, badly injured Ninth Sister, and forced her to descend to the mortal realm. That greatly delayed our plan.

The Sixth Young Master’s eyes were like sharp swords, filled with fierce killing intent.

With Ninth Sister’s return now, it was time to resume our plan.

This matter still needed careful planning, the Third Young Master said.

Third Young Master toyed with his wine cup, his expression grave.

"I’ve received word that Second Young Master is about to move against the Canglan Immortal Domain."

"The Canglan Immortal Domain? A minor place, nothing more."

Sixth Young Master spoke with utter nonchalance.

The major powers of Canglan Immortal Domain couldn’t withstand Second Young Master’s pressure. Even the somewhat significant Canglan Merchant Alliance was being steadily eroded.

Its downfall was inevitable.

Seeing Sixth Young Master’s attitude, Third Young Master’s brow slightly furrowed.

In former times, the Canglan Immortal Domain might not have warranted his attention.

But now, the Canglan Immortal Domain housed Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

Second Young Master’s annexation of the domain might lead him to cross paths with Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, creating an unpredictable variable.

"Third Brother."

Sixth Young Master’s voice deepened.

"Right now, they press upon us harder each day. We must hasten Ninth Sister’s recovery and restart the Three Realms Unification Plan: the immortals’ heavenly court above, the mighty divine empire on land, and the underworld’s wheel of rebirth below!"

"Once the three of us join forces, we can accomplish this."

"When heaven, earth, and underworld form a complete, interlinked cycle, your path of merit and fortune, my Great Dao of Boundless Epochs, and Ninth Sister’s Reincarnation Dao will synergize perfectly, enabling flawless advancement."

"That is when we shall advance to Dao Sovereign."

Third Young Master shook his head.

Sixth Young Master’s thinking was too simplistic.

Reaching that stage was immensely difficult.

Especially now, with Ninth Young Master gravely injured and still recovering—reaching her peak would take time.

Against the encroachment of Second Young Master and his faction, they could only hold their ground defensively.

"All these years, none of us ascended to Dao Sovereign precisely because we await the opportune moment."

Third Young Master’s gaze blazed like fire, utterly rational. "At present, that moment has not yet arrived."

"Sixth Brother, you may return now."

"Soon, the Dao Lord ranking should be released."

"We shall convene again then."

"A mere Dao Lord ranking—why concern ourselves?"

Sixth Young Master remained scornful.

The two parted ways.

Third Young Master summoned the white-haired elder and commanded: "Old Xu."

"Your servant is here."

The elder had white hair and a childlike face, with a vast and profound aura. His cultivation surpassed Third Young Master’s—undeniable proof of a Dao Sovereign expert.

"Some days past, the Taixu Domain appeared."

Xu Taishou responded: "This humble one has heard whispers."

"The individual known as Star Master possesses prodigious talent. Go to him. Should he agree to serve this prince, I will aid him in achieving one hundred and eight Great Dao Worlds."

"As you command."

Xu Taishou accepted the order and departed.

"Heaven’s Secret Pavilion…"

Third Young Master stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing toward the distant Canglan Immortal Domain, his countenance deep and unreadable.

……

"After so many years, this sovereign has finally returned."

In a distant realm.

Ninth Young Master, Lin Qianmo, and their party of nearly twenty emerged from a wondrous world and descended into the Hongmeng Dao Realm.

Under Ninth Young Master’s guidance, Yi Daoist, Yan Immortal Emperor, Qin Emperor, Sword Master, and others had all taken their final step without exception—Ascension to Hongmeng Dao Realm.

"Sovereign, where shall we go now?" inquired Lin Qianmo.

"This sovereign prepared contingencies long ago, precisely for this day."

Ninth Young Master spoke with self-assured composure: "For now, we focus on recuperation. Once this sovereign has fully recovered from these wounds, we shall stir up the waves anew."

"First, to the Deep Sea of Darkness."