Houtu proposed, the Primordial Lord compromised

Seeing the figure standing side by side with the Nuwa, Haotian and Yaochi's eyes flashed with joy!

The two bowed deeply before the Dharma Body of Houtu.

"Homage to the Houtu, the Earthly Sovereign who Emulates Heaven and follows the Empress Houtu!"

They deliberately placed the title of Houtu (Empress of the Houtu) at the very beginning, the meaning of which is self-evident.

Empress Houtu is one of the Six Imperial Jade Masters of my Heavenly Court. She stands on my Heavenly Court and is my Heavenly Court's backer.

Upon seeing this, the celestial beings and gods of Heavenly Court also followed Haotian in bowing.

We pay our respects to the Empress Houtu!

May the Saint be well!

Nuwa nodded slightly to Empress Houtu, a faint smile appearing on her face.

"Fellow Daoist Houtu, how have you been?"

Empress Houtu returned the greeting with a gentle voice.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Nuwa."

Then Houtu looked at Yuanshi Tianzun.

"Fellow Daoist Primordial Lord."

Yuanshi Tianzun frowned slightly and bowed to Houtu.

"Fellow Daoist Houtu."

He knew in his heart that Houtu's appearance was not accidental.

Haotian's reaction this time says it all.

From the very beginning, Haotian had made preparations.

He readily agreed to let Taibai Jinxing capture Yaoji and her son, his purpose being to lure him here.

This led to a direct confrontation between him and Nuwa. Now, they've also invited Houtu to join them.

Haotian's cunning is undeniable.

Yuanshi Tianzun snorted coldly in his heart and looked at Houtu.

"Fellow Daoist Houtu, have you also come regarding Yaoji's matter?"

Houtu did not deny it.

"Indeed. I have also come for Yaoji and her child."

Upon hearing this, Yuanshi Tianzun remained silent for a moment before finally speaking up to ask.

"What is your opinion on this matter, Fellow Daoist Houtu?"

Houtu's gaze swept over Yaoji and her son in the palace, then looked at Nuwa, and finally turned to Yuanshi Tianzun, her voice gentle and steady.

"I heard what you two fellow Daoists said just now."

"Fellow Daoist Nuwa said is not without reason."

"Although Yaoji was at fault to begin with, she has, after all, been suppressed for tens of thousands of years."

"Now that she has been rescued by her children, this matter should be closed, and they should be reunited."

"Yang Jiao, Yang Jian, and Yang Chan are commendable for their filial piety. Their actions in trying to save their mother are understandable, and they should be treated leniently."

Upon hearing this, a smile appeared on Nuwa's face.

Haotian and Yaochi felt even more reassured!

However, before Yuanshi Tianzun could react, Houtu changed the subject.

"However, what Fellow Daoist Primordial Lord said is not without merit."

"The Heavenly Rules are strict and should not be easily trampled upon."

"If the matter of Yaoji is left unresolved, it will damage the dignity of the Heavenly Court."

The expression of the Yuanshi Tianzun Venerable softened slightly; he had not expected Houtu to express such a stance.

This affirmed Nuwa's position while also acknowledging the rationality of his own statements.

What is Houtu trying to do? Try to smooth things over?

Empress Houtu's gaze swept over everyone in the hall, finally landing on Yaoji and her three children.

"In this matter, it would be better to find a compromise."

"Yaoji violated the Heavenly Rules first and should be punished."

"But she has been suppressed on Peach Mountain for tens of thousands of years, which can be considered a price she has paid."

"In my opinion, there is no need to suppress it any further."

"Punish Yaoji by confining her to the Heavenly Court, forbidding her from descending to the mortal realm at will."

"As for her crimes..." Houtu's gaze turned to Yang Jiao and his two siblings.

"Then her three children accumulated Merit for her to atone for her sins."

"When her Merit are fulfilled and her sins are atoned, Yaoji will regain her freedom."

"Fellow Daoist Primordial Lord Fellow Daoist Nuwa, what do you think of this method?"

The Nuwa immediately clapped her hands in agreement.

"Fellow Daoist Houtu, this method is excellent!"

"It upholds the dignity of the Heavenly Rules while also giving the mother and child a chance to reunite—a win-win situation!"

Haotian was overjoyed and quickly echoed his sentiment.

"Your Empress Houtu is merciful! This method is extremely fair, and I am completely convinced!"

"Your Ladyship is wise!"

In an instant, all the pressure fell on Yuanshi Tianzun.

Yuanshi Tianzun remained silent, quickly weighing the pros and cons in his mind.

This approach was not unacceptable to him.

More importantly, to oppose it would be to disrespect both Nuwa and Houtu, the two Saint.

It's not worth offending two beings of equal rank for the sake of a mere Yaoji!

Moreover, his main purpose was to give Haotian a warning.

The goal of demonstrating the authority of the Clarify Sect has already been achieved.

Continuing to argue further would be a bad idea.

Thinking of this, Yuanshi Tianzun finally nodded slowly, which was considered a sign of relenting.

"That's enough."

"Let's do as you suggest, fellow Daoist."

Haotian and Yaochi felt relieved to hear that Yuanshi Tianzun had agreed.

Haotian looked at Yaoji and her son kneeling below the steps.

"Yaoji, Yang Jiao, Yang Jian, Yang Chan, heed my decree!"

Haotian ascended the imperial steps again, sat back on his throne, and surveyed the entire hall with a majestic gaze before making a loud announcement.

"Yaoji, considering that you have been imprisoned for tens of thousands of years, I hereby grant you a special pardon for your suffering!"

"However, his guilt has not been absolved; he is hereby confined to the Heavenly Court and forbidden from leaving at will!"

"His sons Yang Jiao, Yang Jian, and Yang Chan, were so eager to save their mother and their filial piety was so touching that they did not pursue the crime of splitting the mountain."

"However, one must atone for one's mother's sins and accumulate Merit."

"Only when her Merit are fulfilled will Yaoji regain her freedom!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Thank you, Nuwa! Thank you, Empress Houtu!"

Yaoji was already in tears. She held her three children and knelt down deeply in the direction of Nuwa and Houtu.

This result far exceeded her expectations.

Being able to reunite with the children, even if it's just being confined to the Heavenly Court, is a million times better than being under the dark and sunless Peach Mountain.

Yang Jiao and his two siblings were also very excited and knelt down together to express their gratitude.

"Thank you for Your Ladyship mercy, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Ladyship!"

Houtu smiled slightly, and her Dharma Body transformed into specks of light, slowly dissipating into the air.

Seeing that the matter was settled, Yuanshi Tianzun did not linger any longer.

With a flick of his sleeve, he led Guangchengzi and the Immortal Weng of the South Pole, tearing through the void and disappearing from the main hall.

After Yuanshi Tianzun left, Nuwa's gaze once again fell on Yang Jiao and his two siblings.

Her gaze finally settled on Yang Chan.

Yang Jiao and the other two were all outstanding Human Clan and were cultivating in the Huoyun Cave.

Although her assistance earned her a debt of gratitude from the Human Clan, she felt that this connection was far from sufficient.

Strengthening the connection with the Huoyun Cave would be of immense benefit to her, the Holy Mother of the Human Race.

Her red lips parted slightly, and her voice was as clear and melodious as jade beads.

"Yang Chan, you are naturally intelligent, and we are destined to be together."

Nuwa waved her right hand lightly, and a stream of light flashed.

A treasure radiating a seven-colored glow slowly flew to Yang Chan's side.

The treasure was crystal clear, resembling neither a lamp nor jade.

A gentle yet powerful force emanated from it.

"This is the Precious Lotus Lantern, which I bestow upon you today."

"I hope you will make good use of this treasure to protect yourself."

Yang Chan stared in astonishment at the Precious Lotus Lantern before her.

"Your Ladyship! This... this is far too precious! This disciple cannot accept it!"

Nuwa simply smiled and said nothing more.

Her actions were twofold: firstly, to cultivate a good relationship with her teacher, Ziyi Shi, through Yang Chan.

Secondly, it is also to further deepen the connection with the entire Human Race Holy Land, Huoyun Cave.

Exchanging a Innate Spiritual Treasure for the goodwill of the Human Race Holy Land —this deal is a sure win.

After leaving the Precious Lotus Lantern behind, her figure slowly dissipated like wisps of smoke.

Only a single, lingering sound remained, echoing in the main hall.

"What I have bestowed cannot be taken back."

Before she finished speaking, her figure faded away like the Houtu itself, disappearing without a trace.

Only the Precious Lotus Lantern remained, silently floating in front of Yang Chan.

"..."

Yang Chan was completely bewildered and looked to her mother and Elder Brother for help.

Yaoji, Yang Jiao Yang Jian looked at each other, unsure of what to do.

How can one refuse a treasure bestowed by Saint?

But this treasure is far too valuable.

At that moment, Haotian, who was on the throne, spoke.

"Since it's a token of the Nuwa's goodwill, you should accept it."

"Continue to cultivate diligently and do not disappoint Her Your Ladyship's high expectations."

Yaoji nodded to Yang Chan after hearing Haotian's words.

"Chan'er, since this is a gift from the Saint, please accept it."

Yang Chan then carefully put the Precious Lotus Lantern away.

Haotian looked at the four people, including the mother and her children, whose expressions varied, and remained silent for a moment before speaking.

"Yaoji, you should take the children and stay in the Heavenly Court for now."

"You and your child have been separated for tens of thousands of years; it's time for you to have a proper reunion."

Yaoji was moved upon hearing this.

She looked at her Elder Brother, her eyes reddening.

"Elder Brother... thank Elder Brother everything you've done for Yaoji."

Haotian didn't say much, he just waved his hand gently.

"Go ahead, let you and your child have a proper talk."

Yaoji held Yang Chan's hand, with Yang Jiao and Yang Jian following behind.

They slowly walked out of the Lingxiao Treasure Hall and headed towards Yaoji's palace.