The Immortal Court's Founding, East King Duke's Death

Ever since that day in Purple Sky Palace, when Dao Ancestor Hongjun personally bestowed upon him the title "Head of Male Immortals" and granted him the Dragon Head Staff, East King Duke had felt destiny resting upon his shoulders. High-spirited and full of ambition, he cast aside his former cautiousness in an instant. Upon returning to his East Sea abode—Myriad Immortals Island—he immediately sent out invitations far and wide. In the name of the "Head of Male Immortals," he began aggressively recruiting immortal cultivators, intending to establish a vast organization that would rule over all male immortals in the Primordial Wilderness. He personally named it—the Immortal Court. His ambition was laid bare: he wished to wield authority on behalf of Heaven and govern all living beings.

Though the Immortal Court had only just been established, quite a few rogue immortals and minor cultivators came to join it, whether drawn by its reputation or pressured by the title of "personally appointed by the Dao Ancestor." Yet truly weighty great powers were few and far between. East King Duke was deeply troubled by this. At this time, one of his subordinates, a man skilled in scheming and flattery, offered his counsel. "Immortal Lord, since you are the Head of Male Immortals, why not invite Queen Mother of the West from West Kunlun? She is the Head of Female Immortals personally appointed by the Dao Ancestor. If she joins us, the Immortal Court will become the rightful institution for governing all immortals and deities beneath heaven. Its authority will stand second only to the Dao Ancestor after he Unifies with the Dao! When that time comes, among the myriad immortals of the Primordial Wilderness, who would dare refuse to obey?"

East King Duke was greatly moved upon hearing this and felt that the suggestion perfectly suited his wishes. If he could gain Queen Mother of the West's aid, with Yin and Yang supporting one another, the Immortal Court's fortune would surely blaze as bright as the midday sun. He could practically see the grand spectacle of himself grasping the authority of the Primordial Wilderness while myriad immortals came to pay homage. Thus, he immediately set out with a grand procession of immortal officials, heading for West Kunlun in overwhelming splendor to invite Queen Mother of the West to join in this great undertaking.

Queen Mother of the West had lived in seclusion at West Kunlun for a long time. Granted the Kunlun Mirror by the Dao Ancestor, she could perceive the affairs of the world, and her temperament was far steadier and clearer than East King Duke's. She understood well that "Head of Male Immortals" and "Head of Female Immortals" were titles without substance, merely chess pieces used by the Dao Ancestor to balance the powers of the Primordial Wilderness and set right the order of Yin and Yang. She knew her own measure. The waters of the Primordial Wilderness ran deep, with great powers appearing and vanishing in the shadows. How could a mere title command the world?

When East King Duke's procession arrived outside the Jade Pool Fairyland of West Kunlun, Queen Mother of the West did not open the fairyland to receive him. She merely had a maid deliver her message, her voice cool and resolute. "Fellow Daoist East King Duke, please return. Although the Dao Ancestor bestowed these titles, the Primordial Wilderness has its own rules; Heaven and Earth cannot be settled by a single name. By nature, I am indolent and wish only to guard the peace of this small corner of West Kunlun. I have no intention of joining the disputes beyond it. Since Fellow Daoist has received a revered title, you should remain in your proper place and merely set the affairs of male immortals in order. Do not become so intoxicated with success that you invite disaster for nothing. You must know that the Primordial Wilderness is vast—not everything can be decided by a single word from the Dao Ancestor."

East King Duke's face shifted from green to white. He had never expected to be refused, much less lectured. But at this moment, his mind had already been clouded by his thirst for power. He merely felt that Queen Mother of the West failed to appreciate the honor and was timid and afraid of trouble. He even sneered inwardly. The view of a woman! Beneath the Dao Ancestor, who else but me? So long as those reclusive great powers do not emerge, who would dare lay a hand on me? Li Cha may be strong, but even he must consider the Dao Ancestor's dignity... This Primordial Wilderness is meant to be the stage of my Immortal Court!

After being rebuffed at West Kunlun, East King Duke returned in frustration, harboring considerable resentment toward Queen Mother of the West for her "failure to recognize the times." Yet rather than coming to his senses, he became even more determined to make a grand undertaking of it. Returning to Myriad Immortals Island in the East Sea, he hastened the construction of the Immortal Court. He gathered every rogue immortal and wandering cultivator who came to join him, no matter their quality, beneath his banner and granted them all manner of prestigious-sounding official posts. For a time, immortal light wreathed Myriad Immortals Island, with people constantly coming and going. It truly appeared rather "prosperous."

In East King Duke's eyes, the Immortal Court had already taken shape. It lacked only one final step—obtaining the Heavenly Dao's acknowledgment and announcing itself to the Primordial Wilderness—before it could rightfully exercise its "administrative authority." He planned to establish an altar upon Myriad Immortals Island, bathe and fast, pray to Heaven and Earth, and use the Dragon Head Staff as proof while swearing the oath of the Immortal Court. He would request the Heavenly Dao's recognition and grant the Immortal Court orthodox status.

Before East King Duke could finish preparing this grand "court-founding" ceremony, disaster had already descended.

It turned out that some cultivators of the Immortal Court, relying on their newfound "official status," had grown increasingly arrogant. They began running rampant across the East Sea and even farther regions, forcibly levying "immortal taxes," plundering resources, and constantly clashing with local Demon Race tribes. At first, these were only minor frictions. But as the Immortal Court cultivators became ever more excessive, they even injured several important figures from Demon Race tribes and stole the tributes those tribes had offered to the Sun Star. The conflict swiftly intensified.

When the news reached the Sun Star, Di Jun and Taiyi flew into a towering rage. They had been painstakingly building up the Demon Race's power and gathering its fortune. How could they tolerate this absurd "Immortal Court" breaking ground over the head of the Grand Marshal? Moreover, East King Duke's title of "Head of Male Immortals" had long displeased top-tier great powers such as themselves. Within the Demon Race, the strong were revered. Since when had they needed an "immortal leader" appointed by the Dao Ancestor to govern them?

"Big Brother, this East King Duke does not know his place. He has indulged his subordinates in bullying our Demon Race. This is the perfect chance to make an example of him!" Taiyi's gaze was icy, the Chaos Bell humming at his side as battle intent surged into the heavens.

A cold gleam flickered in Di Jun's Eyes as well. He spread open the River Diagram and Luo Book and calculated for a moment before speaking in a deep voice. "This can be done! East King Duke has no popular support, and the Immortal Court is strong on the outside but weak within. Destroy it in one stroke, raise the prestige of our Demon Race, seize its fortune, and bolster our might! Let the living beings of the Primordial Wilderness know that its order is not decided by one insignificant 'immortal leader'!"

At once, Di Jun and Taiyi assembled their forces. Besides the two Demon Emperors, there were also the Eight Great Demon Immortals, who had displayed exceptional talent and strength—Bai Ze, the divine beast who knew the heavens above, the earth below, and the causes of all things; Ying Zhao, shaped like a horse, with a human face, tiger stripes, and wings upon his back; as well as Ji Meng, Fei Dan, Fei Lian, Jiu Ying, Shang Yang, Qin Yuan, and other Demon Immortals, each possessing their own divine abilities. Several million Demon Race soldiers and generals gathered into rolling demon clouds that blotted out the sky and covered the sun. Banners fluttered, killing intent boiled, and they charged straight toward Myriad Immortals Island in the East Sea!

On the Immortal Court's side, East King Duke was still dreaming of receiving the Heavenly Dao's recognition when a subordinate suddenly arrived in a panic to report.

"Disaster, Immortal Lord! Di Jun and Taiyi have led hundreds of millions of Demon Race members to attack us!" The minor immortal dropped to one knee and reported loudly.

"What did you say?" East King Duke instantly jolted awake and extended his Spiritual Sense beyond the island. Countless Demon Race soldiers had already encircled Myriad Immortals Island completely. Di Jun gave a cold snort, forcing his Spiritual Sense back into his body. East King Duke immediately broke out in a cold sweat and hastily summoned his "immortal officials" to discuss a response.

At this moment, the fools beneath him were still comforting him. "Immortal Lord, there is no need to panic. You are the Head of Male Immortals personally appointed by the Dao Ancestor. Surely Di Jun and Taiyi would not dare do anything to you. Simply invite them to join the Immortal Court and observe the ceremony."

East King Duke actually believed them. He swaggered out with a group of immortal officials to greet Di Jun and Taiyi.

His manner amused Di Jun and Taiyi greatly. They restrained Jiu Ying and the other Demon Immortals, who had been about to attack at once. Di Jun said coldly, "East King Duke, today I will let you die understanding why. Your immortal officials have been collecting immortal taxes from my people. Those who refused were beaten to death or crippled, and tributes that rightfully belonged to me were stolen as well. You have crossed my bottom line. Today, I have led my people here to flatten your Immortal Court."

Only then did East King Duke understand. It was already too late to flee. He hid behind the Immortal Court officials, but this rabble beneath his command saw the overwhelming strength and ferocious momentum of the Demon Race and fled even faster than he did. Before the battle even began, more than half had already run away. As for those who remained to face the Demon Race army, fierce as wolves and tigers? At the first clash, the Immortal Court's forces crumbled instantly like paper mache.

East King Duke gripped the Dragon Head Staff, still intending to make a stubborn last stand using the spirit treasure bestowed by the Dao Ancestor. Although the Dragon Head Staff was a Top-grade Innate Spirit Treasure, its primary functions lay in its symbolic significance and its ability to suppress fortune; its offensive power was comparatively weak. Di Jun's River Diagram and Luo Book, meanwhile, possessed endless mysteries, capable of trapping foes and conducting calculations, while Taiyi's Chaos Bell combined offense and defense as one and suppressed primordial chaos itself. With the brothers joining forces, how could East King Duke possibly be their match?

After only a few exchanges, Taiyi used the Chaos Bell to shatter the immortal light protecting East King Duke's body. Seizing the opportunity, Di Jun used a great formation evolved from the River Diagram and Luo Book to trap him. The Dragon Head Staff gave a mournful cry and flew from his grasp. Despair and unwillingness filled East King Duke's face as he shouted sharply, "I am the Head of Male Immortals personally appointed by the Dao Ancestor! How dare you—"

Before he could finish, Taiyi's gaze turned cold, and the Chaos Bell crashed down!

"Clang—!"

A tremendous sound rang out, as though Heaven and Earth themselves were wailing. East King Duke and his Primordial Spirit were instantly reduced to flying ash beneath the supreme might of the Innate Supreme Treasure, body and soul utterly extinguished! Only the Dragon Head Staff bestowed by the Dao Ancestor fell from the sky with its radiance dimmed, whereupon Di Jun collected it.

With their commander dead, the remnants of the Immortal Court either surrendered or fled, scattering like birds and beasts. The Immortal Court, once bustling with noise and ambition, seeking to rule over the myriad immortals, had not even been formally established before it ended in crushing defeat, becoming a colossal joke in the eyes of all living beings in the Primordial Wilderness.

After this battle, the prestige of Di Jun and Taiyi of the Sun Star reached its peak. Seizing this opportunity, the Demon Race expanded on a massive scale, annexing the Immortal Court's territory and absorbing large numbers of its surviving cultivators. For a time, their momentum was unmatched, already revealing the magnificent trend of sweeping across the Primordial Wilderness, with none daring to refuse obedience. Meanwhile, the title "Head of Male Immortals," along with East King Duke's death, became a cautionary lesson warning the world not to indulge in vain arrogance.