In particular, the Zhou Tian Star Dou still follow their mysterious trajectories, showering down endless starlight.
This is because most of the former star lords and star masters of the demon race are still in their posts, relying on the remaining Great Formation of the Stars to maintain the stability of the stellar order and prevent the Primordial Wilderness from losing the light of the Sun, Moon, and Stars and falling into chaos.
Most of these star gods were once elite members of the demon race, loyal to Di Jun and Tai Yi. After the Witch-Demon War, they remained in their respective star palaces, either because of their duties or because they had nowhere else to go.
The figure of the Heavenly Venerate Qing Huan appeared outside the South Heaven Gate. The star officials guarding the gate were initially startled, but upon recognizing the newcomer, they immediately bowed respectfully, their expressions a mixture of reverence and excitement.
"Greetings, Sage Qing Huan!"
Qing Huan nodded slightly, and without stopping, stepped directly into the Heavenly Court, heading towards the Lingxiao Treasure Hall.
Wherever it passed, star officials and Demon Gods who sensed its presence appeared from their respective star palaces or temporary residences and respectfully bowed.
Soon, a host of important star deities, including the Ziwei Star Lord, the Big Dipper Star Lord, and the Tianheng Star Lord, gathered at the Lingxiao Treasure Hall.
They looked at the empty Emperor's Seat in the palace, and then at the Heavenly Venerate Qing Huan standing silently in the hall, their eyes filled with anticipation and trepidation.
They knew that the Dao Ancestor had discussed the position of Heavenly Emperor in the Purple Cloud Palace, and now that the Sage of Qing Huan had returned, it must have brought about a result.
"Greetings, Sage Qing Huan!"
All the star gods bowed in unison.
Qing Huan turned around, his gaze sweeping over these former pillars of the demon race. Most of them still bore the scars and exhaustion of the great battle, but their eyes still held the pride and resilience that belonged to the stars.
No need for formalities.
Qing Huan's voice was calm.
"The Purple Cloud Palace has decided that a candidate has been chosen for the position of Heavenly Emperor."
The star gods immediately held their breath, anxiously awaiting what would follow.
The Ziwei Star Lord couldn't help but ask:
"Sage, I wonder which great being gained the favor of the Dao Ancestor and succeeded to the throne of the Heavenly Emperor?"
"But which reclusive great sage of our demon race? Or..." His eyes held a glimmer of hope, wishing to hear a name such as "Crown Prince Lu Ya".
Looking at their expectant eyes, Qing Huan slowly shook his head, shattering their illusions:
"Not a demon. The new Heavenly Emperor is Hao Tian, a pageboy before the Dao Ancestor."
"What?"
"Hao Tian? That boy?"
"Why... why did the Dao Ancestor choose him?"
"A mere child, with cultivation no higher than Daluo Golden Immortal, what virtue or ability does he possess to rule over all the heavens?"
An uproar erupted within the Lingxiao Treasure Hall.
The faces of the star gods were filled with astonishment, confusion, and even resentment. Even in their decline, their demon race had once been the masters of heaven and earth; how could they possibly accept serving a mere child with no foundation and low cultivation as their master?
The Ziwei Star Lord's face was grim. He stepped forward, his tone filled with intense resentment:
"Sage! This... why is this? Even if we demons are not Heavenly Emperors, we are not a mere child! Could it be that the sages are suppressing our race?"
Qing Huan raised his hand, exerting a slight pressure, and an invisible aura spread out, instantly silencing the restless gods. He said in a deep voice:
"This was personally designated by the Dao Ancestor, and it is the will of Heavenly Dao. It is a settled matter and cannot be changed."
He looked at the unwilling faces, and his tone turned sharp:
"I have come here today to warn you all! The position of the Heavenly Emperor has been established, and he is the rightful heir of the Primordial Wilderness, representing the order of the Heavenly Dao."
You must not be arrogant or complacent, nor should you be outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant. You must be dutiful and diligent in maintaining the rotation of the All the Stars in the Heavens. This is your duty and also Merit to the Primordial Wilderness world!
If anyone dares to neglect their duties, or show disrespect to the new Heavenly Emperor, or secretly sabotage him...
Qing Huan's eyes suddenly sharpened like swords, and he released a slight amount of holy power. Although it was only a trace, it made the air in the entire Lingxiao Treasure Hall seem to freeze, making the gods unable to breathe and their souls tremble.
"... Then don't blame me for disregarding past relationships and personally cleaning up the sect to uphold the heavenly rules!"
The cold words struck the hearts of every star god like a heavy hammer.
They had no doubt about the Qing Huan Sage's determination and ability.
This person displayed astonishing abilities during the Witch-Demon War, capable of contending with the saints, and even personally...
The thought of that rumor sent a chill down the spines of all the Star Gods.
The former leader of the Head of Male Immortals, the East Prince, was once so powerful and ambitious, wanting to establish Immortal Court to rival the demon race's Heavenly Court.
And what happened? For some unknown reason, at some point in time, he voluntarily entered the depths of the Volcano of Immortality, using his Quasi-Sage and the entire Immortal Court's body to replace Yuanfeng in eternally suppressing the extremely evil fire vein of heaven and earth, enduring the torment of boundless karmic burning... Just thinking about it sends chills down one's spine.
Rumors circulated among the most powerful beings in the Primordial Wilderness world that this matter was somehow connected to the seemingly detached Heavenly Venerate Qing Huan, and was one of the manifestations of his methods.
Faced with absolute power and ruthless methods, any resentment or indignation can only be buried deep within.
The Ziwei Star Lord took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and took the lead in bowing and accepting the order:
"... We will humbly obey the decree of the Sage! We... will certainly fulfill our duties and assist... the Emperor Hao Tian."
The voice was strained, yet it represented a helpless surrender.
Seeing this, the other star gods also lowered their heads and said in unison:
"I will obey the decree of the Sage!"
Seeing that the deterrent effect had been achieved, Qing Huan's tone softened slightly, but it still carried an undeniable air of authority:
"You must remember that the Witch-Demon Calamity have passed, and the old era has ended."
The rules of Heavenly Dao are now increasingly perfect, and it is no longer the era in which one could act recklessly with Magic Power.
Those who err will be punished by divine law and entangled in Karma. I hope you will all act wisely and lest you bring trouble upon yourselves."
His gaze swept over the dilapidated yet still magnificent Lingxiao Treasure Hall, and he slowly walked to the empty Emperor's Seat. He found a platform on a cloud and sat down to rest his mind.
"I will remain here and await the arrival of the new Heavenly Emperor."
The star gods exchanged glances, understanding dawning on them.
The Qing Huan Sage's actions served two purposes: to maintain order in the Heavenly Court, stabilize the hearts of the former demon clan members, and prevent any unrest.
Similarly, he was also "standing up" for the upcoming Emperor Hao Tian in his own way, ensuring a smooth transfer of power.
With this Sage present, even if the star gods had their own ideas, they dared not make the slightest move.
Silence fell over the Lingxiao Treasure Hall.
The star gods silently retreated to the sides, heads bowed, waiting for their new master, whom they did not approve of but had to welcome.
Starlight streamed through the cracks in the roof, illuminating a complex scene of ruin and rebirth.
A new era has begun, belonging to the Emperor Hao Tian, to humanity, and to the contest of Sage.
As for helping Hao Tian gain support, it was merely to secure better positions for the demon race and his own disciple, so they wouldn't be included in the Investiture of the Gods and used to accumulate Merit...
Those three fools, Three Pure Ones, bossed Hao Tian around, resulting in their disciples being Investiture of the Gods the Gods, thus ending their chance to Great Dao.