Haotian: I'm only acting-why are you taking it seriously? Three Saints gather in Lingxiao Palace!
The Lingxiao Treasure Hall.
The atmosphere was solemn and dignified, yet Undercurrent were swirling beneath the surface.
Taibai Jinxing, leading Heavenly Soldiers and Generals, escorted Yaoji and her four children into the palace.
"Your Majesty, I have fortunately fulfilled my mission."
"The wicked immortal Yaoji, along with those three audacious traitors, have been captured and brought to justice!"
"Please Your Majesty, decide!"
Taibai Jinxing bowed and reported back, then stepped aside, his eyes fixed on his nose, his nose reflecting his heart, like a statue.
Guangchengzi and the Immortal Weng of the South Pole stood to one side, a faint smile playing on their lips.
In their view, once the person was brought back, the matter was settled.
Haotian sat upright on the imperial throne, his face expressionless, revealing neither joy nor anger.
His gaze slowly swept over the four people below the steps whose Magic Power were suppressed.
Finally, the light fell on Yaoji, whose face was deathly pale and whose eyes were filled with despair.
"Yaoji."
"You fled Peach Mountain without permission, do you know your crime?"
Yaoji's face was pale, and her body trembled slightly.
She looked up and saw two familiar figures in the hall— Guangchengzi and the Immortal Weng of the South Pole.
The last glimmer of hope in her heart was completely shattered.
With the followers of the Clarify Sect still around, there is absolutely no way things can end well today.
She gave a bitter smile and bowed deeply to Haotian.
"Yaoji... I confess my sins."
"Yaoji is willing to accept any punishment, only begging Your Majesty... not to make things difficult for my three children."
"They are innocent."
Haotian looked at Yaoji, his face still bearing the same imperial majesty and indifference.
"I will make a decision on this matter."
After saying that, he turned his gaze to the three siblings, Yang Jiao, Yang Jian, and Yang Chan.
"Yang Jiao, Yang Jian, Yang Chan."
"You three, by splitting the mountain to break the prisoner's life, have shown utter contempt for the Heavenly Rules. Do you know your crime?"
Yang Jiao glared at Haotian, about to speak.
Yang Jian, however, preemptively met Haotian's gaze with a cold expression.
What crime have we committed?
His voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear and resonant, echoing throughout the entire Lingxiao Treasure Hall.
"As a son, I cannot bear to see my mother suffer eternal oppression, so I must rise up and save her. This is my natural duty!"
"May I ask Your Majesty, is filial piety also a crime?"
These words caused an uproar among all the immortals and gods in the hall.
What an audacious young man! He actually dares to question the Heavenly Emperor in court!
Guangchengzi and the Old Man of the Immortal Weng of the South Pole's expressions instantly darkened.
This kid is indeed an arrogant and ignorant fool!
However, to everyone's surprise, Haotian, sitting on the throne, did not get angry, but instead fell into deep thought.
After a moment, he slowly nodded.
"Um..."
What you said does make some sense.
"As a son, rescuing his mother from danger is indeed... understandable."
Upon hearing this, Guangchengzi and the Immortal Weng of the South Pole's expressions changed instantly!
What?
rational?
What does Haotian mean by this? Does he intend to protect these traitors?
The two exchanged a glance and immediately understood Haotian's plan.
This is an attempt to smooth things over and downplay the seriousness of the matter!
How could they possibly do as Haotian intended?
Guangchengzi immediately stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting to Haotian, and said in a voice that carried an undisguised sense of coercion.
"Your Majesty, you are mistaken!"
"The Heavenly Rules are strict; how can they be easily swayed by a mere 'excusable circumstances'?"
"If we set this precedent today, everyone will follow suit in the future."
"They all use 'filial piety' and 'family affection' as excuses to wantonly trample on the Heavenly Rules."
Where is the majesty of the Heavenly Court? Where is the order of the Three Realms?
The Immortal Weng of the South Pole stroked his beard and echoed his sentiment.
"What Guangchengzi said is absolutely right."
"This matter must be severely punished! As a warning to others!"
After listening, Haotian showed an expression of "deep agreement" on his face.
He nodded emphatically.
"Yes, the two immortals are right."
Guangchengzi and the Immortal Weng of the South Pole were overjoyed, thinking that Haotian had given in.
However, Haotian's next move instantly froze the smiles on their faces.
Haotian ignored them completely and instead turned his gaze to Yang Jiao and his two siblings.
"And what do you say?"
"..."
Guangchengzi and the Immortal Weng of the South Pole's faces instantly turned as black as the bottom of a pot.
What does "What do you say?" mean?
You, the mighty Heavenly Emperor, need to consult the opinions of prisoners when disciplining them?
Are you kidding us?
After going around in circles, did you end up asking again?
This isn't a trial; it's clearly a delaying tactic, a way to toy with them!
"Your Majesty! What do you mean by this?!"
"Haven't we made ourselves clear enough?!"
He was about to have an attack.
Just then!
A vast, gentle, yet supremely majestic aura of Saint descended upon the entire Lingxiao Treasure Hall without warning!
In the center of the main hall, the space rippled slightly, and a graceful and elegant figure quietly appeared.
The one who came was none other than the Holy Mother of the Human Race, Nuwa!
Inside the main hall, all the immortals and gods, including Guangchengzi, whose face was ashen, and the Immortal Weng of the South Pole, were deeply shaken!
They quickly bowed and respectfully greeted the Dao Body.
We pay our respects to the Nuwa!
May the Saint be well!
Guangchengzi and the Immortal Weng of the South Pole exchanged a glance, and at the same time, an ominous premonition welled up in their hearts.
Why would the Nuwa appear at this time?
Haotian also rose from his throne, bowed deeply to Nuwa, and wore a perfectly measured expression of surprise.
"I was unaware of Your Ladyship's arrival. Haotian have failed to greet you properly. I beg Your Ladyship's forgiveness."
"What brings Your Ladyship to the Heavenly Court so suddenly?"
Nuwa's gaze swept lightly across the entire scene, finally settling on the three siblings, Yang Jiao, Yang Jian, and Yang Chan.
She parted her lips slightly, her voice gentle.
"I came for these three children."
Haotian feigned surprise and said "Oh".
What are Your Ladyship's instructions?
Nuwa spoke slowly.
"Yang Jiao, Yang Jian, and Yang Chan split the mountain to rescue their mother, though they violated the Heavenly Rules."
"But his filial piety is commendable, and his feelings are pitiable, so his actions can be considered somewhat understandable."
"I hope that Fellow Daoist Haotian will consider my feelings and punish them leniently."
She paused, then turned her gaze to Yaoji.
"As for Yaoji... since she has been rescued by the children, it proves that her ordeal has passed; this is the will of Heaven."
"In my opinion, it would be better to let this matter rest, pardon her, and allow her and her child to reunite."
Upon hearing this, Haotian immediately looked troubled, but after a moment of contemplation, he nodded decisively.
"Your Ladyship's words are reasonable."
"Very well! Since Your Ladyship has spoken personally, I will grant Your Ladyship this honor!"
"Let this matter be handled according to Your Ladyship's wishes!"
He waved his hand, about to order the release of the people.
But at that very moment!
"Wait!"
A cold, majestic voice, filled with supreme Dao Rhyme, seemed to come from beyond the heavens, resounding directly deep within everyone's soul!
Along with this voice, a Saint aura, even more domineering, sharper, and more imposing than that of the Nuwa, descended with a thunderous roar!
Above the main hall, space Distortion System, and a blurry yet majestic figure slowly materialized.
It is none other than the Yuanshi Tianzun!
Yet another Saint!
All the immortals and deities in the hall bowed down once more.
"Greetings to the Saint Primordial Lord!"
Heavenly Heart.
Primordial Lord, you really couldn't sit still after all.
Yuanshi Tianzun didn't even glance at them; his gaze fell directly on Nuwa.
"Fellow Daoist Nuwa."
"Regarding the matter of Yang Jian and his two siblings, considering their filial piety, they can be dealt with leniently. I have no objection."
He first made concessions, giving Nuwa face.
But then, his tone shifted abruptly, his voice becoming incredibly cold and hard.
"But Yaoji cannot."
"She had an affair with a mortal, violating the Heavenly Rules; now she has escaped without permission, making her crime even more serious."
"If we don't continue to suppress them, where are the Heavenly Rules? Where is the majesty of the Heavenly Court?"
"If everyone follows this example in the future, wouldn't the Three Realms be thrown into great chaos?"
"The Heavenly Rules will be rendered meaningless!"
"Therefore, she must be suppressed again!"
Nuwa's expression also turned cold.
"Fellow Daoist Primordial Lord, everything boils down to reason and logic. Yaoji has been suppressed for tens of thousands of years; that's enough."
Yuanshi Tianzun snorted coldly.
"Heavenly Rules are Heavenly Rules! There's no room for reason or emotion!"
Haotian watched this scene with a cold smile.
The real show is just beginning!
Just as Nuwa and Yuanshi Tianzun were locked in a tense standoff, with neither willing to yield, the atmosphere reached its peak!
A third aura of Saint descended leisurely.
This aura is profound, ancient, benevolent, and deep, as if it carries the power of the entire Primordial Land.
On the other side of the main hall, Dao Body appeared silently beside the Nuwa.
Her face was calm and serene, like a still well, and her Surrounding Body exuded a Daoist Dao Rhyme; she was none other than the Dharma Body of the Empress Houtu!