Have You Heard, Those Who Follow Me Prosper, Those Who Oppose Me Perish

In the Heavenly Court, within the Lingxiao Palace.

All the principal and deputy Heavenly Gods of the Heavenly Court, those with rank and those without, had long been waiting respectfully inside the Lingxiao Palace.

Even Grand Supreme Elder Laozi was seated at the head of the left side. After him came the Four Heavenly Masters.

"The Jade Emperor arrives!"

Taibai Jinxing announced.

"We respectfully welcome Your Majesty. May Your Majesty's lifespan be as enduring as the heavens."

Amidst the bowing of the assembled deities, the Jade Emperor ascended the throne in the Lingxiao Palace.

Seeing Yang Jian appear alongside the Jade Emperor, the gods all pondered the nature of their relationship.

Of course, what concerned them most was the reason for the Jade Emperor summoning them all.

The Jade Emperor closed his eyes to rest, remaining silent for a long time.

The gods exchanged glances, left with no choice but to wait.

"My ministers~"

Just as the immortals were growing impatient, the Jade Emperor finally spoke, his voice soft and drawn out.

All the gods looked up at the Jade Emperor.

"Have you all heard the saying, 'Those who follow me prosper, those who oppose me perish'?"

The Jade Emperor's casual remark, upon reaching the ears of the gods, conveyed a thousand different messages to each of them.

What did the Jade Emperor mean by this? What was he planning to do?

The gods exchanged glances, but still replied, "We have heard of it."

"It is good that you have heard." The Jade Emperor straightened his back and surveyed the gods, "From this day forward, the positions of the 365 principal gods of the Heavenly Court, as well as all minor gods and minor immortals under the Heavenly Court's jurisdiction, shall be personally appointed, promoted, and selected by me."

BOOM!

The gods erupted in an instant.

The principal gods of the Heavenly Court, and indeed all the gods with official positions, were to be personally appointed and selected by the Jade Emperor?

Damn it!

This was equivalent to the Jade Emperor holding all the personnel power of the Heavenly Court in his own hands!

The gods chattered amongst themselves in a cacophony of discussion.

Grand Supreme Elder Laozi glanced calmly at the Lord of Fire.

The Lord of Fire understood the implication and stepped forward, saying, "Reporting to the Jade Emperor. The principal gods of the Heavenly Court were appointed during the Investiture of the Gods Calamity, as recorded on the Investiture of the Gods List. The positions of principal gods are ordained by the Heavenly Dao and selected by the Investiture of the Gods List. Your Majesty's actions are truly inappropriate."

"The Investiture of the Gods List? Countless years have passed since the Investiture of the Gods Calamity. You still cling to that," the Jade Emperor scoffed. "From now on, my decree is the Investiture of the Gods List! It is also the Investiture of Immortals List!"

What!

Had the Jade Emperor gone mad?

What gave him the confidence to act like this?

Had he been drinking?

How many drinks had he had to get this drunk?

The gods were greatly alarmed, but they also understood the gravity of the situation.

This was tantamount to stripping them of their authority.

Whether they were competent to fulfill their duties as Heavenly Gods would now depend solely on the Jade Emperor's word?

If he said you were capable, you were capable. If he said you weren't, even if you were, you wouldn't be!

"Your Majesty, are you attempting to overturn the decree of the Heavenly Dao?" the Lord of Fire continued.

The Jade Emperor's eyes narrowed, a hidden murderous intent flashing as he stared at the Lord of Fire, "What? Are you defying my decree?"

"We obey the decree of the Heavenly Dao," the Lord of Fire stated, his back straight and unwavering.

He had been appointed by the Investiture of the Gods List, his primordial spirit residing within the Heavenly Dao. His position in the Heavenly Court was merely a temporary arrangement. He had no fear of falling out with them.

"Good, very good. Hahahaha." The Jade Emperor laughed heartily and looked at the gods, "Since you all know that 'Those who follow me prosper, those who oppose me perish,' you should understand the true meaning of this phrase."

"Guards, the Lord of Fire has been rebellious and has angered His Majesty. Escort him out of the Lingxiao Palace, take him to the Platform of Extermination, and have him executed!"

The Jade Emperor commanded coldly.

Hiss!

The gods gasped in unison. This Jade Emperor was serious.

"Your Majesty is truly overbearing!"

But the Lord of Fire sneered, his cold gaze sweeping over the approaching Heavenly Soldiers. His aura surged, sending the soldiers spitting blood and flying backward.

"How dare you! Lord of Fire, prepare to die!"

Yang Jian roared, suddenly drawing his spear and charging forward.

Boom!

A head flew off.

Lord of Fire was merely a Golden Immortal. Facing Yang Jian's full-power strike, he was no match, lasting only one round before being beheaded in the grand hall.

"Lord of Fire!"

"Your Majesty!"

The gods cried out in shock!

They never expected the Jade Emperor to be so ruthless, to be serious! He showed no regard for Lord of Fire's backing, directly executing him!

"Your Majesty, I am your sworn enemy!"

Lord of Fire's primordial spirit remained, shouting defiantly.

"Hmph!"

The Jade Emperor snorted and flicked his finger, sending a stream of magical power that annihilated Lord of Fire's primordial spirit as well.

Poor Lord of Fire was left with only a wisp of his primordial spirit residing within the Heavenly Dao, severely weakened from that moment on.

"Those who follow me prosper, those who oppose me perish!" the Jade Emperor roared.

The gods were startled and lowered their heads, not daring to meet the Jade Emperor's sharp gaze.

Some heavenly gods were displeased, but they could only grit their teeth in silent anger.

"You, the little soldier outside, come in," the Jade Emperor called out, pointing to a heavenly soldier outside Lingxiao Palace.

The summoned soldier immediately entered Lingxiao Palace respectfully and knelt.

"What is your name?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, this humble immortal is Li Er."

"Li Er, your performance just now was excellent. With Lord of Fire having been executed, this position is now vacant. You shall now serve as the Lord of Fire. As a reward, you are granted a Peaches of Immortality."

Heavenly soldier Li Er was shocked, then overjoyed. Could this immense fortune finally be mine?

Li Er immediately bowed deeply, "Thank you for Your Majesty's grace! I, Li Er, will surely serve Your Majesty with utmost loyalty, willing to go through fire and water!"

What is this!

Witnessing this scene, the gods of the Heavenly Court twitched at the corners of their mouths.

This is unbelievable. Not only did he just execute Lord of Fire, but he casually picked a mere soldier to take his place!

Was the Jade Emperor demonstrating his authority like this?

Was he starting to reclaim and exercise the power to enfeoff righteous gods of the Heavenly Court?

"Do any of you have objections?" the Jade Emperor's gaze was chilling.

The gods dared not utter a sound.

"Hmph! The Jade Emperor is unjust."

Grand Supreme Elder Laozi emerged, let out a soft hum, then flicked his horsetail whisk and left.

The Four Heavenly Masters also glanced at the Jade Emperor and followed him out.

Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing watched Grand Supreme Elder Laozi leave, knowing that he had fallen out with the Jade Emperor, so he also left.

Li Jing's two sons and his generals also followed suit.

Many righteous gods from the Jie Teachings also departed.

Only a group of immortals without significant backing or the support of Saints remained, not leaving.

"Good, very good! Hahaha." Watching everyone leave, the Jade Emperor laughed heartily, "It's good they left! It's good! Guards, register those who have left, strip them of their Heavenly Court positions and their immortal registry."

The remaining gods looked at each other, their hearts filled with trepidation.

The Jade Emperor today seemed like a completely different person.

What backing did he truly have?

And all of this was witnessed by Taibai Jinxing, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

Only he knew the Jade Emperor's true backing: it was the Old Man, it was the Jade Emperor's father, Zhang Yifan!

Following the Old Man, what were Saints?

I, Taibai Jinxing, will be a Great Dao Saint in the future!

With these gods gone, his own value would be even more evident. Taibai Jinxing was secretly pleased; with so many people leaving, his status in the Heavenly Court would surely rise.

"Your Majesty, South Sea Guanyin Bodhisattva has arrived."

Taibai Jinxing announced.

"Hmm, she's here at a good time. Let her in," the Jade Emperor flicked his dragon robe and sat down.