The Mortal Realm.
In Zhang Yifan's courtyard, the Jade Emperor led his men in three days of bustling work and built several large rooms.
Afterward, the gods departed respectfully.
But Yang Jian remained behind.
The Jade Emperor did not linger either.
The three-day deadline for Grand Supreme Elder Laozi had arrived.
This matter had to be settled.
Lingxiao Palace.
The Jade Emperor ordered the Yellow Bell and Great Bell to be rung once more, summoning the heavenly gods to court.
Hearing the bell, the gods stopped what they were doing and headed for Lingxiao Palace.
But a large number of gods did not move at all, simply ignoring the bell.
"Father, are we really not going?" Third Prince Nezha asked Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing.
"Why go? Has the Jade Emperor lost his mind? He summons all the immortals at the drop of a hat. Is this some kind of game? Or is he trying to imitate King You of Zhou, lighting beacon fires to toy with the lords?" Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing sipped his tea without the slightest reaction, clearly not taking the Jade Emperor seriously.
"Aren't you afraid the Jade Emperor will find trouble with us later?" Nezha was somewhat uncertain about the Jade Emperor.
"Afraid of what? Your father here is the Heavenly Army Marshal personally appointed by the Investiture of the Gods List. I command the military power of the Three Realms. This Heavenly Emperor is nothing but a figurehead puppet. He wants to find trouble with me? It would be good enough if I didn't go looking for trouble with him."
Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing laughed.
What a joke. With military power in my hands, who would I fear? At worst, I'll purge the emperor's side!
"Uh..." Nezha had never expected his father to put on such airs.
I just hope nothing goes wrong. Nezha thought to himself. He had always felt that something was off about the Jade Emperor.
Lingxiao Palace.
Several dozen gods stood scattered throughout the great hall.
There were more than three hundred fewer gods than at the last gathering of immortals. Over half of the gods had directly ignored the Jade Emperor's decree.
"Very good."
The Jade Emperor smiled. "Those present are all pillars of our Heavenly Court. I am greatly pleased."
"We are willing to serve Your Majesty." The immortals bowed.
What the hell? Who wanted to come? Some among the immortals felt helpless.
If they did not lack backing, and if they were not afraid of causing trouble, who would be willing to listen to the Jade Emperor's mad ramblings?
They would be ostracized afterward by forces like Heavenly King Li and Grand Supreme Elder Laozi.
It was hard—far too hard.
"My beloved ministers, today I have invited you all to see a treasure."
"A treasure?"
The immortals were taken aback.
With a wave of the Jade Emperor's hand, Taibai Jinxing and Wu Qu Xing Jun carried a large object into Lingxiao Palace.
It was covered by a red cloth.
"Let my beloved ministers feast their eyes on it," the Jade Emperor said with a smile.
Swish.
Taibai Jinxing pulled away the red cloth.
"Huh?"
The gods froze in shock.
"This is... a guillotine?"
"Why has such an ominous thing been brought into Lingxiao Palace?"
"Exactly. How can this guillotine be called a treasure? It looks like nothing more than an ordinary Immortal artifact. It is not even a postnatal spiritual treasure, much less a prenatal spiritual treasure."
The gods began discussing it among themselves.
Some gods, however, felt a chill run down their backs and kept their mouths shut.
This was not something people without influence or foundations like them could discuss.
Something major was about to happen.
Sure enough.
"Summon Grand Supreme Elder Laozi into the hall."
The Jade Emperor's authority was imposing without anger. His imperial aura surged forth, and the immortals immediately fell silent.
"Summon Grand Supreme Elder Laozi into the hall!"
Taibai Jinxing shouted loudly. Like the great Yellow Bell, his voice spread throughout the entire Heavenly Court.
Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing heard that shout.
The gods of Jie Teachings in the Heavenly Court heard it.
The Primordial Era Mighty Beings observing from the shadows heard it as well.
And of course, Grand Supreme Elder Laozi heard it too.
At Wuzhuang Temple, Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi muttered to himself with a strange expression, "This Jade Emperor really gives Laojun no face at all. Summoning him, ordering him into the hall? He has completely trampled Grand Supreme Elder Laozi's status. The Heavenly Court was only cobbled together in the first place. Everyone is a feudal king—every one of them is a king."
"A mere brat actually thinks he is somebody? He dares summon me into the hall?"
Grand Supreme Elder Laozi chuckled. "I'll sit right here and see how you intend to end this."
Heavenly Court.
Inside Lingxiao Palace, the gods waited for a long time, yet Grand Supreme Elder Laozi still did not appear.
How could he possibly come?
The Jade Emperor rose to his feet, his expression cold and stern. "Grand Supreme Elder Laozi has defied the imperial decree and rebelled against his superior. By the laws and regulations of Heaven, he shall be executed!"
Uproar!
The gods of the Heavenly Court erupted in an uproar, their expressions changing drastically.
Th-this... the Jade Emperor actually wanted to execute Grand Supreme Elder Laozi?
"Pfft!" At Wuzhuang Temple, Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi spat out a mouthful of tea.
"Execute Grand Supreme Elder Laozi? Pfft, hahahahaha!" Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi laughed without end. "Someone actually wants to execute Grand Supreme Elder Laozi? This is absolutely hilarious. A Saint clone—can it possibly be killed?"
South Sea Guanyin also gazed toward the Heavenly Court with an odd look in her eyes.
Tathagata sat upright upon his throne, his appearance solemn and dignified. His eyes were slightly narrowed as if he were dozing, but his thoughts raced.
The Journey to the West Tribulation had already changed in an unforeseeable direction.
A variable. This was a massive variable.
Yet the heavenly secrets could not be calculated. Everything was hazy, utterly impossible to see through.
Could a Saint be secretly disrupting the heavenly secrets?
Jade Emperor, Jade Emperor, I would like to see exactly what you are relying on.
Not only have you obstructed my Journey to the West, but you have also stirred up conflict in the Primordial Era.
And now, you even want to execute Grand Supreme Elder Laozi?
I fear the one getting spanked later will still be you, Jade Emperor brat!
"Hehehe. Kill him, kill him. Whether the Jade Emperor kills Laojun or Laojun cuts down the Jade Emperor, it is all good. Only when blood and chaos rise again will I, Netherworld Patriarch Minghe, have the chance to continue proving the Dao through slaughter!"
Within the Netherworld Blood River, Netherworld Patriarch Minghe looked forward to it greatly.
Lingxiao Palace.
"Who is willing to execute him?"
The Jade Emperor's gaze swept across Lingxiao Palace. Those upon whom it fell all kept silent, and some even lowered their heads.
Who would go execute him?
Who had that ability?
If they had that ability, would they still be standing here?
"This official is willing to lead the charge." Wu Qu Xing Jun stepped forward and bowed.
"This old official is also willing to capture the traitor Grand Supreme Elder Laozi." Taibai Jinxing bowed as well.
"Good! Hahahahaha!"
The Jade Emperor laughed loudly. "Bring the Dog Head Guillotine and accompany me to Tushita Palace!"
The Jade Emperor set out for Tushita Palace.
A vast and mighty procession followed him.
Countless Primordial Era Mighty Beings watched the Jade Emperor, waiting to see the next act of this grand show.
"The Jade Emperor brat is actually serious?" Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing frowned, suspicion filling his heart.
Tushita Palace.
Bang!
The Dog Head Guillotine slammed heavily onto the ground, producing a thunderous sound.
Wu Qu Xing Jun shouted, "Grand Supreme Elder Laozi, come out and face death!"
"Hmph, you brat. You dare disturb my cultivation? You deserve execution." Grand Supreme Elder Laozi's voice came from within Tushita Palace, overflowing with killing intent.
Whoosh.
A streak of golden light shot forth. It was the Vajra Bracelet, a top-grade postnatal spiritual treasure.
"Ha!"
Wu Qu Xing Jun roared and met it with a punch.
Taibai Jinxing also circulated all his magical power and struck with all his might.
Boom!
Like an atomic bomb exploding, shockwaves burst outward in every direction.
Pfft.
Wu Qu Xing Jun and Taibai Jinxing spat blood and flew backward.
The gap in their strength was simply too great.
They were instantly defeated in a single move.
"Hmph." The Jade Emperor flashed forward and knocked away the Vajra Bracelet.
"Laojun, I will give you some face. I permit you to step onto the Dog Head Guillotine yourself, so you can die with some dignity."
"Do you think I would fear that boundless karma?"
Grand Supreme Elder Laozi appeared before the Jade Emperor. "Since you wish to kill me, I will not spare you either."
"Come, then."
"Come!"
The Jade Emperor took one step forward and stood high above the Heavenly Court.
Grand Supreme Elder Laozi followed with one step, staring coldly at the Jade Emperor.
A brutal battle was about to erupt.
Before you continue