Mother and Sons Reunited

Seeing this formidable display, Yang Jiao and Yang Jian were not afraid. They firmly believed that if the two brothers joined forces, they would surely be able to rescue their mother.

The leading heavenly general was a member of the demon race who had survived the ancient war between the witches and demons. His cultivation had already reached the perfected realm of Grand Unity Golden Immortal, a minor realm higher than the two brothers. The moment he unleashed his aura, they immediately felt some pressure.

However, the Yang brothers cultivated the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts. Their physical bodies were incomparably powerful, and they possessed several divine abilities, so they were not afraid. Once the two sides clashed, they were evenly matched. Yet this was the Yang brothers' first real battle, and as they gradually adapted, they instead began to gain the upper hand.

Moreover, Xuan Yi had given them a trace of the Eye of Heavenly Punishment's origin, allowing them to temporarily borrow the power of heavenly punishment.

The instant their Heavenly Eyes opened, they swept through everything before them. For a time, they beat the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals until they could no longer resist.

Seeing this, the leading heavenly general's expression changed, and anxiety began to rise in his heart. The Jade Emperor had assigned them to guard Yao Ji. If they neglected their duty, they would be punished as well.

Gritting his teeth, the leading heavenly general decided to show no more mercy. He immediately shouted, "Form the formation!"

The heavenly soldiers had long been waiting for his command. With a flicker, they each returned to their positions, and a grand formation emerged.

Once the formation took shape, the leading heavenly general formed hand seals. Chains manifested from magical power appeared throughout the void, using the heavenly soldiers within the formation as nodes. They quickly formed an impenetrable net that descended upon Yang Jiao and Yang Jian.

It was also the Yang brothers' first time seeing such a formation. Alarmed, they hurriedly circulated all their magical power to defend themselves.

Only when they truly came into contact with the formation did they realize its terror. The heavenly soldiers, whom they had previously beaten back step by step, now seemed to have fused into one.

Once they were caught beneath this net of heaven and earth, the two of them would likely be captured here.

"Stop!"

At that moment, a woman's voice suddenly came from the void. Golden light flashed, and a woman dressed in splendid robes appeared before everyone.

She was youthful and beautiful, with a hint of mischief in her features. Yet her face also bore some resemblance to the Yang brothers.

The leading heavenly general had been about to seize the two and take them to the Heavenly Court for judgment when someone suddenly stopped him. He was first startled, then turned pale with terror after recognizing the newcomer.

"This subordinate pays respects to Your Highness the Princess!"

The Yang brothers did not know this woman and were both puzzled as to why she was helping them.

"Your Highness, Yang Jiao and Yang Jian trespassed upon Peach Mountain. This subordinate was about to take them to the Heavenly Court to answer for their crimes. Why does Your Highness seek to stop me?"

Even before the princess, the leading general showed no intention of yielding.

Hearing this, the female immortal's expression darkened with displeasure.

"The Yang brothers miss their mother and wish only to go in and see her. Why do you refuse them? Could it be that you hold some grudge against Princess Yao Ji and wish to use public office to settle a private vendetta?"

The leading heavenly general's face changed drastically. Dropping to his knees, he hurriedly explained, "This minor deity merely acts according to the Jade Emperor's orders. I would never dare overstep in the slightest. I beg Your Highness to investigate clearly!"

That string of accusations immediately frightened the heavenly general half to death.

"Then let the two brothers enter!"

The leading heavenly general revealed a troubled expression again.

"Your Highness, it is not that I am unwilling. You know the rules of the Heavenly Court as well. Without an order from the Jade Emperor, if I let them enter, I fear every heavenly soldier present will have to take a trip to the Immortal Execution Platform!"

Hearing this, the female immortal waved her hand, and a dazzling golden Imperial Decree flew into the air.

"By Father Emperor's order! The Yang brothers have already undergone the trial to rescue their mother. No one in the heavenly realm may obstruct them without cause!"

"Now that we have Father Emperor's Imperial Decree, may we enter?"

Seeing that there truly was an Imperial Decree, the leading heavenly general secretly breathed a sigh of relief. After apologizing to the Yang brothers, he led everyone toward the place where Yao Ji was imprisoned.

The Yang brothers were about to see their mother, and both were extremely excited. Yet they also feared seeing her suffering, and not knowing her condition left them deeply uneasy.

As their thoughts settled, the Yang brothers finally remembered the female immortal.

"Thank you, Immortal Lady, for speaking on our behalf. May we ask who you are?"

Seeing them ask, the female immortal quickly replied, "Cousins, you are too polite. I am Long Ji, the Jade Emperor's daughter. You are both older than I am, so may I call you Cousins?"

Upon hearing that she was the Jade Emperor's daughter, the Yang brothers were both stunned. They wanted to speak, yet hesitated. Although Six-Eared Macaque had already told them the true reason, they still felt somewhat uncomfortable toward the Jade Emperor.

Seeing the two fall silent, Princess Long Ji assumed they hated her father. After all, the order to kill Yang Tianyou had indeed been issued by Haotian, and he had turned what was once a happy family of five into people scattered across the world. It was only natural for them to hate Haotian.

"Cousins, I know you wish you could kill my Father Emperor, but he had his own difficulties. Father Emperor did not want things to be this way either."

"Even if you truly hate Father Emperor, that should not have much to do with me, should it? Do you hate me too?"

Seeing that Long Ji had misunderstood, the Yang brothers said, "Cousin, you misunderstand. Our master told us the reason for everything long ago. This matter cannot be blamed on the Jade Emperor, and we understand his difficulties."

"But Haotian did kill our father, so we still feel uncomfortable at times."

Princess Long Ji was delighted to hear this. After sizing up the two brothers, she spoke to them with a proud look.

"Don't worry, Cousins. From now on, your cousin will protect you. Whoever dares to provoke you, I'll give him a good whipping!"

Yang Jiao was slightly stunned and glanced at Yang Jian. Yang Jian's mouth twitched. This cousin of theirs was quite interesting.

As they talked, they arrived at a cave abode. Then a stone platform covered in mysterious runes came into view.

Upon the stone platform stood an immortal maiden, staring blankly toward the entrance.

The Yang brothers could no longer hold back. Tears burst from their eyes as they both shouted, "Mother!"

Yao Ji had been here for several thousand years. Upon suddenly hearing someone call her mother, she froze, then tears streamed down her face as well.

Yao Ji knew nothing of what had happened to her three children. Every moment, she worried about them, afraid that the Heavenly Court would kill all three children as it had killed Yang Tianyou. She also feared that they had been imprisoned by the Heavenly Court.

Now that two of her children had appeared before her, Yao Ji was finally completely reassured.

"Where is your younger sister?"

After coming to her senses, Yao Ji began to worry again.

"Rest assured, Mother. Our younger sister has been accepted as Nuwa's disciple and is currently cultivating on Jade Capital Mountain!"

"That's good! That's good!"

Learning that her daughter was safe as well, Yao Ji breathed a sigh of relief.

Seeing Yao Ji trapped upon that cramped stone platform, Yang Jian was the first to lose patience. He raised the Three-Pointed Double-Edged Sword and slashed at the pillar of light.

"My child, do not!"

Yao Ji was horrified and hurriedly stopped him.

"Erlang, you must not act rashly. Attacking this pillar of light is equivalent to challenging the laws of the Heavenly Court. Once they pursue the matter, it will be a capital crime. At that point, no one will be able to save you."