Sanqing, Nuwa, and the others were still considering which disciples should serve as the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors when Zhunti suddenly jumped out and declared that he wanted to take them all.
At once, Sanqing and Nuwa flew into a rage and immediately berated Zhunti.
Seeing that he had stirred up a hornet's nest, Jieyin hurriedly pulled Zhunti back.
Although Sanqing had split apart, they still stood united against outsiders. It was not yet time to completely fall out.
Realizing his mistake, Zhunti hastily apologized as well.
"My junior brother was merely joking with you all. Please do not take offense, senior brothers. We will not involve ourselves in the affairs of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. You may decide among yourselves!"
Zhunti might have been shameless, but he knew when to yield. With just a few words, he dispelled the saints' dissatisfaction toward him. Still, Yuanshi Tianzun snorted coldly, making his displeasure clear.
Yuanshi considered himself lofty and proud. In his eyes, Jieyin and Zhunti, who had obtained their saintly positions through shameless begging and groveling, were unworthy of sitting alongside Sanqing and the others.
The imagination was wonderful, but the Dao Ancestor's next words dragged Sanqing and the others back into cold reality.
"The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors concern the human race. When the time comes, they shall appear on their own. You may not interfere; you need only send disciples to serve as their teachers."
"Since Jieyin and Zhunti are unwilling to participate in the affairs of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, let Sanqing, Nuwa, and Xuan Yi decide together!"
Hongjun's words were plainly biased toward the Eastern saints.
Jieyin and Zhunti cursed the Dao Ancestor's unfairness inwardly, but within Zixiao Palace, neither dared show it directly.
Although Sanqing was somewhat disappointed that their disciples had no chance at the positions of the Three Sovereigns, they were still delighted by Hongjun's words.
If their disciples could become Teachers of the Human Emperor and ascend to the position of Human Emperor, they would gain immense merit. Furthermore, with the status of Teacher of the Human Emperor, they could easily avoid the calamity when the great tribulation of heaven and earth descended.
Moreover, becoming Teachers of the Human Emperor would greatly benefit the spread of their teachings. It was truly killing several birds with one stone.
At this thought, Sanqing's eyes gleamed. Each wanted to seize a few more positions for their disciples.
But when they thought of Xuan Yi, they immediately found the matter somewhat troublesome.
Swish, swish, swish!
Three gazes turned toward Xuan Yi in perfect unison.
"Uh!"
"You may discuss it yourselves. I will not get involved!"
Good things could not be monopolized; what should be shared still had to be shared. Xuan Yi's three disciples already possessed the destinies of Great Emperors, so why compete for the position of Teacher of the Human Emperor?
"However, when Fuxi fell, I calculated that he was destined to become the Heavenly Emperor among the Three Sovereigns!"
"It is only because the demon race slaughtered too many humans that, after Fuxi reincarnates, there will no longer be a Demon Emperor Fuxi, only the Human Emperor of the human race."
Sanqing had been delighted to hear that Xuan Yi would not interfere in the affairs of the Three Sovereigns, but his sudden turn of phrase frightened them again. Fortunately, he was not competing with them for the positions of Teacher of the Human Emperor.
The saints began calculating Fuxi's fate. Sure enough, just as Xuan Yi had said, Fuxi was meant to become the Heavenly Emperor of the human race. None of them had any objections.
Seeing that Fuxi's future had been decided, Nuwa did not contend for the position of Teacher of the Human Emperor.
Jieyin and Zhunti regretted their earlier words so deeply that their intestines turned green. Such enormous benefits were right before their eyes, yet the Western Teachings would receive nothing. They could only watch everyone else helplessly.
"Fuxi should indeed become the first Heavenly Emperor of the human race. In that case, let my disciple Xuandu serve as the Heavenly Emperor's teacher. That way, Nuwa, junior sister, will not lose face."
Tongtian Jiaozhu and Yuanshi Tianzun both felt that Taishang's words made perfect sense.
After all, Fuxi was Nuwa's elder brother, and the matter also involved Xuan Yi and the Dao Ancestor.
If disciples of the Elucidation Sect or the Interception Sect were to teach Fuxi, would that not be slapping Nuwa and Xuan Yi in the face?
Xuan Yi, who had been watching the show all along, suddenly spoke.
"You two junior brothers, the remaining two Teachers of the Human Emperor shall be divided between you, one each."
"What do you think?"
Yuanshi Tianzun and Tongtian Jiaozhu both agreed that this was indeed appropriate and answered together.
"We shall follow Senior Brother Xuan Yi's arrangements!"
In the end, after the two discussed it, the Interception Sect would provide the Earthly Emperor's teacher, while the Elucidation Sect would provide the Human Emperor's teacher.
At that moment, Dao Ancestor Hongjun suddenly spoke.
"Since you have all decided, the matter of the Heavenly Emperor is settled."
"However, Fuxi becoming the Heavenly Emperor is destined. You may not interfere with the latter two Sovereigns and Five Emperors!"
Sanqing and the others had still harbored a few schemes, but seeing that Dao Ancestor Hongjun had closed the loophole, they could only sigh helplessly.
The Three Sovereigns had been decided. Next came the Five Emperors.
"My disciple, Moral True Immortal Guangchengzi, possesses deep fortune and formidable cultivation. His fortune is also enduring."
"He is fully capable of teaching the remaining Five Emperors and serving as their Imperial Teacher!"
Yuanshi Tianzun opened his mouth like a lion, intending to claim all the remaining Five Emperors for himself.
Yuanshi Tianzun had always looked down upon the Interception Sect's disciples. Although their cultivation was passable, how could those furred and horned creatures become teachers of the Five Emperors?
In terms of origins, they were utterly unqualified to be compared with the Twelve Golden Immortals of his Elucidation Sect.
Moreover, his Elucidation Sect disciples happened to need this merit to improve their cultivation.
Among Yuanshi Tianzun's disciples, aside from Randeng, the others were not very highly cultivated.
The proud Yuanshi Tianzun believed that Tongtian Jiaozhu should give more consideration to him, his elder brother.
Yuanshi Tianzun believed that one position as the Earthly Emperor's teacher was enough for the Interception Sect.
After all, the Interception Sect's disciples were all extremely powerful and did not need merit to improve their cultivation any further. Meanwhile, twelve direct disciples of the Elucidation Sect were waiting for merit to raise their cultivation.
Yuanshi Tianzun even felt that giving the Interception Sect the position of Earthly Emperor's teacher meant that his Elucidation Sect had suffered a loss.
Yuanshi Tianzun's actions greatly angered Tongtian Jiaozhu. If the Interception Sect did not receive even one position, would that not be slapping Tongtian Jiaozhu and the Interception Sect in the face?
"Your disciples need merit to improve their cultivation, senior brother. Do my disciples not need it as well? Your Elucidation Sect disciples are merely Grand Unity Golden Immortals. How can they become teachers of the Five Emperors?"
"My Interception Sect has ten thousand immortals, and countless disciples with profound cultivation. The Interception Sect must receive at least four positions as Imperial Teachers!"
When words did not align, even half a sentence was too much. Yuanshi Tianzun and Tongtian Jiaozhu immediately began arguing.
Jieyin and Zhunti loved watching the two quarrel. If Sanqing remained united, how could the Western Teachings have any room to develop?
Yuanshi Tianzun and Tongtian Jiaozhu argued and bickered until they finally angered Dao Ancestor Hongjun upon his cloud bed.
"Enough, enough. You two need not argue any longer!"
Once Dao Ancestor Hongjun spoke, Yuanshi and Tongtian were so frightened that they dared not say another word.
"As for the positions of the Five Imperial Teachers, the Elucidation Sect shall take the first two, the Interception Sect the latter two, and the final position shall be held by Xuan Yi's disciple."
After saying that, he waved his hand and expelled everyone from Zixiao Palace.
Outside Zixiao Palace, those driven out by the Dao Ancestor looked at one another awkwardly. After glancing at Haotian and Yaochi, the saints snorted coldly and departed.
Xuan Yi saw the awkwardness of Haotian and Yaochi and decided to lend them a hand.
"Haotian, Yaochi, the Heavenly Court has only just been established and lacks manpower. For now, you shall command the demon race in the far north."
"Thank you, Young Master!"
Although the saints' attitude left Haotian feeling stifled, at least Xuan Yi was willing to help.
After temporarily handing the Monster Summoning Banner to Haotian, Xuan Yi departed. Haotian and Yaochi also headed toward the Heavenly Court.
"Senior Brother Haotian, these saints are too excessive. They do not take the teacher's words seriously at all. Fortunately, Young Master is willing to help us."
Yaochi could no longer hold it in and began complaining to Haotian.
"Junior Sister Yaochi, do not be troubled. They are saints. Relying on others is inferior to relying on oneself; as long as the master and Young Master are willing to help us, that is enough."
As they spoke, the two arrived at the former Southern Heavenly Gate.
Before them lay a scene of ruined cliffs and broken walls.
The once-glorious Demon Court had become a field of rubble.
"Senior Brother! What are we supposed to do now?"
Yaochi was nearly crying from anxiety.
Seeing this sight, Haotian was filled with worry as well.
"Time Reversal!"
A soft shout rang out. From faraway Jade Capital Mountain, Xuan Yi directly used the Law of Time to restore the Heavenly Court to how it had been before its destruction.
"Thank you, Young Master!"
Seeing the resplendent Heavenly Court, Haotian and Yaochi were overjoyed. They rose and cupped their hands toward Jade Capital Mountain.
"Junior Sister Yaochi, let us quickly take up residence in the Heavenly Court. We must not disappoint Young Master's painstaking efforts."
The two rose, and waves of Dao sounds spread throughout the Primordial World.
"I am Haotian. Today, by the Dao Ancestor's decree, I assume the position of Heavenly Emperor. Those who are willing may enter the Heavenly Court and serve!"
As Haotian's words fell, an uproar swept across the Primordial World. The Heavenly Court actually had a Heavenly Emperor once more.
For many independent cultivators, positions in the Heavenly Court remained highly enticing. The Heavenly Court possessed many Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. Though they would face certain restrictions, the Heavenly Court was now short on manpower, and anyone who joined would surely be among its founding members.
Thus, countless independent cultivators began flying toward the Heavenly Court.
But to powerful cultivators and saint disciples, this was far less important. They had sects and magical treasures and simply had no interest in such minor gains.
With the addition of many loose immortals, the Heavenly Court could finally begin operating gradually.
Before you continue