The grand Imperial Edict Ritual of the Nine Heavens had fallen utterly silent. Every immortal and deity was stunned, unable to believe what they were seeing. Amid the ranks of silent onlookers, the ritual's core figure—the most important one, True Warrior—had failed to appear. Old Celestial Lord could not believe that the young Daoist had refused the Heavenly Court's ritual in such a way.
He had clearly gone to Earthly Deity Ruizhu Palace a month ago.
He had delivered the Jade Emperor's decree, and Empress Houtu had indeed personally passed it to the young Daoist.
But, but, this...
Did this mean he was refusing to accept it?
In all the long history of the Heavenly Court, this was the first time anyone had ever refused its investiture in such a manner. Old Celestial Lord suddenly realized that after delivering the Jade Emperor's decree, he had never actually asked whether the young Daoist would accept the investiture...
Because it had hardly seemed like something worth asking.
From ancient times until now, who would ever refuse the Heavenly Court's investiture?!
Impossible!
Especially when it was a title of the Nine Heavens!
And yet he had truly refused...
Dazed, the old man looked toward the clouds. The breeze shifted, drifting down from the sky. On the mountainside, the trees rustled, and a green leaf fluttered down, finally landing on the water and sending ripples across its surface. The young Daoist in white sat cross-legged on a blue stone, a green bamboo rod in hand, fishing. His aura was deep and tranquil, as if he were one with all things under heaven—a sight beyond words.
"The Nine Heavens investiture has begun. Are you really not going?"
A gentle voice asked.
Empress Houtu sat in a pavilion in the mountains, watching the young Daoist, who