Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance! Make All Saints Bow Their Heads!

White robes like snow, transcendent and unworldly.

Ling Xiao bade farewell to Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun. Accompanied by the two Daoist boys, Qingfeng and Mingyue, he walked out through the gates of Five Villages Temple.

"Junior Brothers, you should head back!"

Ling Xiao looked at the two and said with a smile.

Now that his relationship with Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun had grown close, it was only fitting for him to address Qingfeng and Mingyue more intimately. Calling them Junior Brothers was perfectly appropriate.

"Senior Brother, if you suffer any grievances on this trip to the Heavenly Court, do not endure them silently by yourself! Our two masters are highly virtuous and profoundly cultivated. Even the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother must give them some face!"

Mingyue performed a Daoist salute and solemnly spoke to Ling Xiao.

Five Villages Temple was now Ling Xiao's greatest backing. No one could harm him!

"Haha... I understand."

Ling Xiao nodded in reply, warmth welling up in his heart.

Then!

Ling Xiao stepped into the void and flew toward the Nine Heavens Clouds. Before long, however, heavenly soldiers and generals arrived from every direction and respectfully stood before him.

"We pay respects to the Heavenly Emperor!"

Their unified shout was deafening.

The clatter of weapons and armor displayed the formidable might of the heavenly soldiers and generals.

"No need for such formalities!"

Ling Xiao said softly, entirely at ease.

At that moment!

A Daoist clad in flowing robes, with snow-white hair, a long beard, and a kindly face, somehow appeared before the heavenly soldiers and generals.

He held an ancient horsetail whisk shimmering with light, while a glow of wisdom shone between his brows.

"I am Venus Tai Bai. By the Jade Emperor's decree, I have come to welcome the Heavenly Emperor back to the Heavenly Court!"

"Heavenly Emperor, I greet you!"

Venus Tai Bai's aura was calm, as though he were an ordinary mortal. He had concealed all his Dao Resonance, and his every movement carried a benevolent air that made it difficult for others to dislike him.

"Star Lord, you flatter me too much!"

Ling Xiao returned Venus Tai Bai's Daoist salute. He would not underestimate this Heavenly Court Deity.

Venus Tai Bai occupied the western region of the starry sky and commanded endless Geng Metal Laws and powers of slaughter. Though he looked kindly and benevolent, once he acted, few beneath the Quasi-Sage realm could stand against him.

After all!

Venus Tai Bai was a favored confidant of the Jade Emperor. His position was equivalent to that of Demon Master Kunpeng and Demon Saint Bai Ze at Dijun's side during the Lich Tribulation.

His status was lofty and not to be underestimated!

"The Heavenly Emperor possesses a profound Foundation and immeasurable blessings. I cannot compare to you."

"The Heavenly Court has only recently been established and lacks a deep foundation. Now that the Heavenly Emperor has joined us, we will surely suppress the Three Realms, win the faith of all living beings, and spread the might of our Heavenly Court."

"The Jade Emperor has laid out a banquet within Lingxiao Palace. We are only waiting for the Heavenly Emperor's arrival."

Venus Tai Bai spoke slowly, his words full of praise for Ling Xiao.

Soon!

With Venus Tai Bai accompanying him, Ling Xiao rode Auspicious Clouds toward Lingxiao Palace.

After entering the Thirty-Six Heavens, he saw pavilions, towers, palaces, and immortal mountains everywhere. Every level of heaven served a unique purpose within the Heavenly Court.

Lingxiao Palace stood in Great Net Heaven, the highest heaven of the Thirty-Six Heavens.

Great Net Heaven was the central hub of the heavens of the Primordial Wilderness. Here, Jade Emperor Haotian and Queen Mother Yaochi governed the living beings of the Three Realms. In the deepest reaches of Great Net Heaven, there were also several immortal blessed lands.

As for Dao Ancestor Hongjun's Zixiao Palace, it lay Outside the Chaos!

"Heavenly Emperor, the Eastern Heavenly Gate is ahead!"

After entering Great Net Heaven, Venus Tai Bai pointed at a jade-green gate millions of li away. Three ancient Heavenly Dao Divine Runes were engraved above it, while two ranks of heavenly soldiers and generals stood guard before it.

The cultivation of these two ranks of heavenly soldiers and generals had all reached the peak of the True Immortal realm!

"In the Primordial World, the east is honored above all."

"The Jade Emperor sent Venus Tai Bai to bring me through the Eastern Heavenly Gate and into the heart of the Heavenly Court. There must be a deeper meaning behind this..."

Ling Xiao remained calm as clouds drifting in the sky, pondering inwardly.

Under the respectful gazes of the two ranks of heavenly soldiers and generals, Ling Xiao and Venus Tai Bai proceeded deep into the Heavenly Court. Before long, they saw Lingxiao Palace spanning the void and standing atop endless Auspicious Clouds.

Led by Jade Emperor Haotian and Queen Mother Yaochi, the Heavenly Court Deities stood before Lingxiao Palace, eagerly awaiting his arrival. Everything they had done was for Ling Xiao.

Boom!

Dao Sound rumbled as auspicious signs manifested.

Dragons soared, phoenixes danced, qilins cried out, and all manner of sacred phenomena hung in the sky.

"Dao Friend Ling Xiao, you have finally arrived!"

Ignoring the majesty of his status as Jade Emperor, Haotian strode directly toward Ling Xiao. His manner of treating worthy men with humility and thirsting for talent left Ling Xiao somewhat flattered.

Especially that address of Dao Friend—it was enough to reveal Haotian's sincerity.

"I am Ling Xiao. I pay respects to the Jade Emperor!"

"The Jade Emperor sent Star Lord to welcome me to the heavens, then led the Queen Mother and the Immortal Officials of the Heavenly Court to await me before Lingxiao Palace. Such a grand display truly leaves me overwhelmed by your favor!"

Ling Xiao performed a Daoist salute and bowed to Haotian. His words carried respect and apprehension, but the corners of his lips rose faintly as he gained a higher opinion of Haotian.

This ruler of the Heavenly Court possessed unfathomable depth, and he handled worldly affairs with flawless finesse.

Hearing this, Haotian took the initiative to reach out and steady Ling Xiao by the shoulder.

"Dao Friend Ling Xiao, do not belittle yourself. Your Foundation rivals that of the foremost Primordial Gods, and you bear immeasurable destiny and blessings. Even Master cannot see through your depths."

"Now that you have entered the Heavenly Court and become one of the Six Emperors, your status cannot naturally be judged by cultivation. The noble status of Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance is second only to mine. You deserve this reception."

Haotian gently patted Ling Xiao's shoulder, then revealed a thoughtful expression.

Ling Xiao caught the key point in Haotian's words.

Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance!

Also known as the Celestial Worthy Who Relieves Suffering!

He would now enjoy the exalted status of Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance, becoming an existence in the Heavenly Court second only to Jade Emperor Haotian and Queen Mother Yaochi.

Even though he had already suspected as much, Ling Xiao still understood what true surprise felt like.

Even with the system, he still needed time to grow stronger.

But joining the Heavenly Court and becoming the Great Emperor of the Eastern Azure Radiance meant that he had entered the ranks acknowledged by the Heavenly Dao and Dao Ancestor Hongjun. So long as he did not tear open the heavens, no matter what he did, he would remain safe and sound.

A profound sense of security enveloped Ling Xiao.

"How could I possibly be worthy of the noble status of Great Emperor of the Eastern Azure Radiance? But since the Jade Emperor trusts me, I shall certainly not betray your wholehearted sincerity."

"During the Lich Tribulation, Dong Wanggong established the Immortal Court, while Dijun established the Demon Clan's Heavenly Court. Both sought to rule the living beings of the Three Realms, yet both ultimately perished."

"Now, the Heavenly Court is under the Jade Emperor's command. Though its foundation is not yet deep and its might is not yet great, I believe that one day, wherever the sun and moon shine, all living beings will submit!"

"Not merely the disciples of the various sects—even the Heavenly Dao Sages must lower their heads before the Jade Emperor!"

Ling Xiao's expression turned solemn as he spoke to Haotian with absolute conviction.

As his words fell, they struck like thunder crashing into one's head, piercing straight into the depths of the Divine Soul.

Queen Mother Yaochi and the Immortal Court Deities all revealed expressions of utter shock. Only the Jade Emperor appeared as though Ling Xiao had exposed his innermost thoughts, an inscrutable look appearing on his face.

The Heavenly Dao Sages mentioned here did not include Dao Ancestor Hongjun, who had merged himself with the Dao. Naturally, Ling Xiao was not foolish enough to challenge him, nor would the Jade Emperor overturn the natural order.

"Dao Friend Ling Xiao, quickly enter Lingxiao Palace with me. The Queen Mother and I shall hold a welcoming banquet for you!"

"Furthermore, Master's decree must be announced to all living beings of the Primordial Wilderness!"

Haotian did not answer directly. Instead, he nodded at Ling Xiao.

Without leaving a trace, he shifted the subject.

Making all living beings of the heavens submit and forcing the Heavenly Dao Sages to bow their heads—such matters had to be discussed in private and absolutely could not be brought into the open.

"Excellent!"

Ling Xiao saw through Haotian's thoughts, deep light flickering in his eyes.

What he had said just now was both flattery for Haotian and a test.

If Haotian lacked the ambition to make the Three Realms submit, Ling Xiao could naturally follow the general trend of the Heavenly Dao and advance the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation. But now, it seemed that the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation would have to change as well.

Before obtaining the system, Ling Xiao could only be timid and submissive.

Now that he had the system at his side, if he still acted as though walking on thin ice and followed the general trend of the Heavenly Dao, would that not mean the system had come for nothing?

In the Primordial World, Dao Ancestor Hongjun and the Heavenly Dao ranked first!

Haotian and Yaochi ranked second!

He, Ling Xiao, the Great Emperor of the Eastern Azure Radiance, would sit in the third seat of the Primordial World!

At this thought, Ling Xiao exhaled a breath of turbid air, and his Dao Heart became incomparably clear.

A moment later!

Ling Xiao, Haotian, and Yaochi sat high upon the jade platform at the very top of Lingxiao Palace. Below them stood all the Deities of the Heavenly Court, including Mystic Maiden of the Nine Heavens, Venus Tai Bai, and the others.

Besides them, graceful Fairy Maidens moved about the Great Hall, some playing immortal music and others dancing lightly. The atmosphere was exceptionally lively.

"Senior Brother, let us first proclaim Master's decree!"

Yaochi, dignified and noble, spoke softly.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun's decree would announce to all living beings of the Three Realms that Ling Xiao was the Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance!