The Seven Fairies' playful skirmish with Yang Jian caused a small stir among the Primordial Era World's high-ranking figures and great powers.
Who could have imagined that the Seven Fairies, who had only been at the Earth Immortal realm three months ago, had now reached the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm?
Such cultivation was considered top-tier strength in the current Primordial Era World.
To cultivate to such a realm without several million years was simply impossible. One also needed exceptional talent, foundations, and boundless opportunities.
Whether the Seven Fairies had encountered some great fortune, or whether the Jade Emperor had obtained some secret treasure, became the subject of speculation among the Primordial Era World's great powers.
Western Teachings, Spirit Mountain.
Tathagata lowered his eyes slightly, his appearance solemn and dignified as he pondered deeply.
After sweeping her gaze across all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of Spirit Mountain, Great Master Guanyin pressed her palms together and bowed. "Buddha, the Jade Emperor did not fall for the Fengxian County matter. He did not enter the trap to display the authority of his rule over the mortal realm, nor did he display his ruling authority over the mortal realm in the regions near Spirit Mountain on the Western Niuhe Continent."
"This has made it impossible for us to proceed with the Fengxian County ordeal, and it has also severely affected our plan to have the human race in the areas surrounding Fengxian County of the mortal realm completely convert to Western Teachings."
"Now, the Journey to the West team has been pinned down at Lion Camel Ridge and cannot move a single step. Today, the Seven Princesses deliberately or inadvertently revealed their cultivation and strength. Could the Jade Emperor be plotting something?"
Tathagata nodded. "The Journey to the West is a Heavenly Dao Tribulation, and it is also the matter Dao Ancestor Hongjun promised would bring great prosperity to Western Teachings. Conflict with the Heavenly Court is unavoidable. Rather than speculate about what the Jade Emperor seeks, we might as well ask him directly."
Tathagata looked at Guanyin. "You are the planner and executor of the Journey to the West. You will go to the Heavenly Court and get to the bottom of this."
"Yes, Buddha." Guanyin accepted the order.
"Do not disappoint the expectations our teachings have placed upon you," Tathagata said softly.
"I will certainly not fail in my mission." Guanyin rejoiced inwardly.
Ever since becoming the person in charge of the Journey to the West, Great Master Guanyin had known that her status within Western Teachings would rise sharply, and so would her power.
The Journey to the West had already traveled half its course. The benefits were plain for all to see, so how could she possibly not know?
Thus, Great Master Guanyin rode the clouds toward the Heavenly Court.
Heavenly Court.
The Jade Emperor ordered someone to strike the great bell and summon all the Heavenly Court's orthodox gods to court.
It had been over a thousand years since all the immortals had been summoned to court. Even when they had cooperated with Monkey Sun's havoc in Heaven, there had not been such a grand display.
On the way to Lingxiao Palace, the gods all wondered what had happened to warrant such a massive commotion.
Deep within the Heavenly Court palace.
The Jade Emperor reclined high upon the ninefold dragon throne, lightly swaying his head as he hummed an unknown tune. His fingers tapped gently against the throne, and he looked thoroughly relaxed and pleased.
Seeing the Jade Emperor in such high spirits, Yang Jian found it rather strange. It was rare to see him in such a good mood.
"Uncle," Yang Jian said with a bow.
The Jade Emperor did not look at Yang Jian and merely replied softly, "Mm. Don't you usually dislike me? Why have you come to the Heavenly Court?"
"You jest, Uncle. Aren't all outward appearances merely meant to cooperate with you?"
Yang Jian did not intend to play the sort of cryptic verbal games shared by clever people. He went straight to the point. "I am merely your enforcer, Uncle. I handle the things that cannot see the light of day. I handle the matters the Heavenly Court cannot conveniently show its face for. That is all."
"Heh, you truly have never disappointed me." The Jade Emperor smiled and looked at Yang Jian, appreciating that he had punctured the unspoken window paper between them.
"It is because Uncle has gone to such painstaking lengths," Yang Jian flattered him.
As a great celestial deity and regional governor of the Heavenly Court, Yang Jian naturally understood how to read his superior's intentions. Whether it was the Journey to the West or the Third Holy Mother being imprisoned beneath Mount Hua, he understood the hidden rules and purposes behind them.
"What have you come for today?"
"Your nephew wishes to know why you have pinned down the scripture-seeking team heading west. Wasn't everything settled long ago?" Yang Jian asked bluntly.
"That is because I intend to cut down the entire Journey to the West team."
The Jade Emperor's casual words made Yang Jian's body shudder violently, his pupils contracting involuntarily.
The implications were enormous!
It was too shocking.
Was he going to openly oppose Western Teachings?
Storms were about to rise in the Primordial Era World!
"Cut down the Journey to the West team? Are you canceling the Journey to the West?" Yang Jian asked tentatively.
"Hmph. I mean cutting off the heads of the Journey to the West team," the Jade Emperor snorted.
What the hell!
Yang Jian was stunned once more. He could not believe his ears and thought he had misheard.
Not only did the Jade Emperor intend to cancel the Journey to the West, he also intended to chop off the heads of its members!
This was not merely slapping Western Teachings across the face. It was pissing on their faces afterward.
Damn, that was ruthless.
His uncle was truly domineering.
What exactly had happened for the Jade Emperor to have such confidence?
What kind of existence and backing did he have behind him to be so overbearing?
The Jade Emperor was greatly satisfied when he saw Yang Jian's shocked expression.
What backing? What support? Wasn't it simply because he had an incredible father now?
With that father, who did he need to fear? He feared no one!
Whenever the Jade Emperor thought of Zhang Yifan, his mood brightened. This father was too powerful and made him feel far too secure.
"Can you handle this matter?"
"Huh?"
The Jade Emperor asked Yang Jian, making Yang Jian's heart leap as he cried out in surprise.
"What? Afraid?"
Afraid? He was certainly a little afraid. After all, killing the Journey to the West team meant directly clashing head-on with Western Teachings.
One had to know that Western Teachings had two Saints. The Journey to the West had also been promised by Dao Ancestor Hongjun, so this was equivalent to slapping Dao Ancestor Hongjun in the face as well.
"Mm?"
Seeing Yang Jian hesitate, the Jade Emperor was somewhat disappointed.
But he still gave him a chance.
To gather one hundred and eight Primordial Chaos Grand Unity Golden Immortals, he would inevitably have to start with those around him, and Yang Jian had always been one of the candidates.
"Your nephew will not fail his mission! I will bring back the heads of the Journey to the West team!" Yang Jian gritted his teeth and shouted.
Yang Jian was gambling. He was betting that the Jade Emperor definitely possessed enough strength to take this risk, and that he must have thought it through carefully before acting this way.
If Yang Jian had known that the Jade Emperor was acting this way merely because Zhang Yifan had said, "If someone refuses to submit, just do them in. Why think so much?" he probably would have coughed up blood.
"Good! Hahaha, worthy of being my fine nephew." The Jade Emperor laughed heartily.
"You must want to know how your sisters became Grand Unity Golden Immortals, right?"
"Yes. I also wish to make further progress in the future and strive to reach the quasi-Saint realm."
"With such little ambition of yours." The Jade Emperor laughed as he scolded him.
"Huh?" Yang Jian was dumbfounded. Reaching the quasi-Saint realm was considered lacking ambition?
Below Saints, weren't quasi-Saints the most powerful existences?
Why was becoming a quasi-Saint considered unambitious instead?
Did he want to become a Saint?
"Yang Jian, if I grant you the position of a Great Dao Saint, do you want it?"
"Yes, of course I do."
Yang Jian had been silently criticizing the Jade Emperor and had not listened carefully to what he said. Thinking he was being rewarded with something, he casually agreed.
Once he came to his senses, Yang Jian was shaken to the core and stared wide-eyed. "Uncle, what did you just say?"
"I said, if I grant you the position of a Great Dao Saint, do you want it?" The Jade Emperor smiled at Yang Jian.
Yang Jian was shaken again, his heart churning like stormy seas.
The position of a Great Dao Saint?
A Great Dao Saint?
Did I really hear that correctly?
A Great Dao Saint!
What was going on? Was this real?
Even the Jade Emperor, the Orthodox of the Three Realms, Haotian Shangdi, and Great Celestial Venerable, was only at the quasi-Saint realm.
Moreover, in the Primordial Era World, the highest authority was only the Heavenly Dao.
Where would a Great Dao come from? Not to mention a Great Dao Saint.
There were only six Heavenly Dao Saints!
Yet the Jade Emperor before him did not seem to be joking. He had to be serious.
Seeing Yang Jian still standing there in shock, the Jade Emperor slapped the dragon throne and shouted, "Do you want it or not? Give me an answer!"
With a thud, Yang Jian fell to his knees and shouted, "Yes! Your nephew wants it!"
"Good! Then I grant you the position of a Great Dao Saint!" The Jade Emperor nodded in assent.
Yang Jian was thrilled beyond measure.
He had thought that once the Jade Emperor granted it, some miracle would happen. He waited eagerly and excitedly, wanting to see what changes would occur to him.
But after waiting for quite some time, Yang Jian realized that nothing had changed. He was still the same as before.
Seeing Yang Jian's expression, the Jade Emperor could not help but laugh. "What are you thinking? Do you think you can become a Great Dao Saint immediately? Dream on. I merely promised that you may obtain the position of a Great Dao Saint in the future."
"Thank you, Uncle!" Yang Jian's mouth twitched. His excitement had been for nothing, yet his heart still surged with emotion. "From now on, your nephew will go through fire and water for Uncle without hesitation."
"Uncle, um, what exactly is this..." Yang Jian asked with immense curiosity.
"You have always been my confidant, so I will not hide it from you. It is because your uncle has acquired a father." The Jade Emperor smiled.
What?
A father?
The Jade Emperor had acquired a father?
What kind of father was so incredible that he could even promise the position of a Great Dao Saint?
Who was he? Was he the Great Dao itself?
Before Yang Jian could figure it out, Taibai Jinxing entered from outside the hall.
Upon seeing Yang Jian, Taibai Jinxing nodded to him, then bowed toward the Jade Emperor. "Reporting to Your Majesty, all the gods have arrived at Lingxiao Palace and await Your Majesty's court session."
"Good!" The Jade Emperor nodded, then said to Yang Jian, "Yang Jian, do not overthink it. In a few days, I will take you to meet your grandfather. For now, accompany me to meet these gods of the Heavenly Court."
Before you continue