What Do You Think, Fellow Daoist Candle Dragon?

All living beings suffered!

The Demon Race and the Dragon Race had suffered. It only made sense for Fellow Daoist Star to suffer a little, too.

That way, they could appoint Daoist Star to the office of Great Emperor Ziwei of the North Pole.

Two of the vacant offices would be filled at once.

As for Candle Dragon, he was still best suited to Great Emperor Changsheng of the South Pole.

That office governed the lifespan and blessings of all living beings, and also shared command of the Thunder Department.

It was a pretty good fit for Candle Dragon, and the job even matched his specialty.

It was just that finding a suitable candidate for Great Emperor Qinghua of the East would be difficult.

There were only so many Quasi-Saints and Hunyuan Golden Immortals in the Primordial World who had ever come out to cause trouble.

Surely he couldn't just barge in and attack someone for no reason, the way he had with Daoist Star?

Besides, Daoist Star's case was easy enough to justify.

It wasn't as if he'd attacked him for no reason.

That fellow lived in the Star Sea, right within the Heavenly Court's sphere of influence.

After all, the Myriad Stars had all been entrusted to deities to govern.

His attack on Daoist Star was perfectly reasonable.

But the office of Great Emperor Qinghua of the East wasn't so easy to fill.

For one thing, after dealing with the incumbent,

he'd first have to give him a new title.

He'd have to take the name Heavenly Venerate of Great Unity Saving from Suffering.

Would that clash with Taiyi of the Chan Teachings?

That didn't matter!

The Chan Teachings' Grand Master Lingbao had clashed with Master Tongtian, hadn't he?

If that was a problem, the Chan Teachings could deal with Grand Master Lingbao first.

Why did he need to change the title?

That didn't matter either!

The Heavenly Court wouldn't be complete without a Heavenly Venerate of Saving from Suffering.

He couldn't be the only one easing the Karma of all living beings and rescuing them from suffering, could he?

But that left very few suitable candidates.

Zhenyuanzi?

No!

That fellow's defenses were too tough, and the Earth Book, the Heaven and Earth Treasure Mirror, was deeply connected to the Earth Veins.

If they really fought, breaking through the formation wouldn't be a problem.

The trouble was the damage to the Earth Veins that would follow.

How much Karmic Debt would that incur?

It wouldn't be worth it!

Minghe?

He didn't seem suitable either.

Don't be fooled by that fellow living in the Sea of Blood, such a desolate place.

He had genuine Merit backing him.

He'd followed Nuwa's example and created the Asura Race.

Then, when Houtu established Reincarnation, the Asura Race had helped complete the Six Paths.

The Sea of Blood's formation wasn't much to worry about.

But with all that Merit behind him, Minghe would dare gamble that he wouldn't kill him.

With no fear for his life, would Minghe do as he wanted?

Absolutely not!

This batch of Quasi-Saints wouldn't do.

Then he'd have to set his sights farther back, on the Hunyuan Golden Immortals of more ancient times.

Every one of those old hands had some baggage.

They'd survived until now only because, having lived so long, they'd grown ever more protective of their lives.

Otherwise, they would have perished in a Measure Calamity long ago.

But which lucky soul should he choose?

That was the question.

He pondered for a while.

The names of Demon Gods from ancient times flashed through Haotian's mind.

Then three names came to a halt in his thoughts.

He'd almost forgotten those three neighbors who'd been hiding so well.

Those three had fled when Dijun and Taiyi were around.

After Dijun and Taiyi died, they'd quietly returned.

He'd left them alone because they had no quarrel and he didn't want to make enemies without cause.

But things were different now. This was about whether Haotian could have an easier time.

If Haotian couldn't have an easier time, then his neighbors ought to share some of the burden.

People said a rabbit didn't eat the grass by its own burrow.

But there was also an old saying: How could one allow another to snore beside one's bed?

He couldn't afford to worry about that now.

You were the closest ones to him, after all.

As for why he was attacking them?

Didn't their unwarranted invasion of the Heavenly Court count?

What?

You said you'd been in the Heavenly Court since you took human form?

Well, sorry about that!

You'd have to take it up with Dijun and Taiyi.

After all, Haotian had inherited the Heavenly Court from Dijun and Taiyi.

And the Dao Ancestor had given it to him, too.

Having found a reason to attack, Haotian immediately spread out his Spiritual Sense.

At the same time, he amplified it a thousandfold.

His vast Spiritual Sense swept inch by inch across the Thirty-Three Heavens.

Before long,

Haotian said softly, "Found you!"

Then he drew back his Spiritual Sense and sent a message to Candle Dragon and Kunpeng. "Kunpeng, Candle Dragon!

Come see me at Lingxiao Palace!"

With that, Haotian vanished and arrived at Lingxiao Palace.

It seemed he'd have to put off refining the spiritual treasures.

He needed to think it over again and make sure there were no problems.

He had to proceed with caution!

Haotian had barely settled onto the Dragon Throne when

Kunpeng and Candle Dragon appeared in the hall.

"This minister Kunpeng (Candle Dragon) pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

"You may rise, my two ministers!"

At his words, Kunpeng and Candle Dragon stood up.

Once they were settled, Candle Dragon asked, "May I ask what Your Majesty has summoned us for?"

There was a reason Candle Dragon was so eager.

He still hadn't delivered the grand gift from the Dragon Race.

Dozens of Yuanhui had passed.

His palace had already gathered tens of thousands of Clam Maidens.

If he didn't send them soon, Candle Dragon's reputation would be ruined.

Hadn't that rascal Kunpeng already started looking at him strangely?

Those who knew understood that Candle Dragon intended to gift the Clam Maidens to Haotian.

Those who didn't might think Candle Dragon was enjoying himself in the Heavenly Court.

Haotian wasn't in the mood to concern himself with Candle Dragon's thoughts.

Beauty?

It would only distract him from governing the Primordial World!

He'd given up alcohol long ago!

After glancing at the two cultivators, Haotian slowly said, "In a moment, you'll go pay a visit to two fellow Daoists.

The goal is simple!

Just keep them occupied until I get there.

Can you do that?"

Haotian's words made Kunpeng and Candle Dragon's hearts tighten.

Could they say no?

They just didn't know which two poor souls had crossed this man now.

Candle Dragon spoke up at once. "Please give us your orders, Your Majesty!

Which fellow Daoist should I visit?"

Haotian replied, "Kunpeng, you'll visit Fellow Daoist Yellow Heaven!

Candle Dragon, you'll visit Fellow Daoist Qing Tian!

As for Fellow Daoist Cang Tian, I'll pay him a personal visit."

At Haotian's words, Kunpeng immediately let out an "Ah!"

His surprise was beyond words.

He could only curse inwardly.

By the boundless Dao Ancestor!

He was cranking up the difficulty right from the start!

Keep Yellow Heaven occupied?

What kind of rotten job was that?

Whatever happened, Kunpeng was bound to get a beating.

If he held Yellow Heaven off,

Yellow Heaven would beat him.

If he failed,

Haotian would beat him.

Hearing Kunpeng's exclamation, Haotian asked coldly, "What is it?

Do you have a problem, Fellow Daoist Kunpeng?"

At the words "Fellow Daoist,"

Kunpeng immediately replied, "I have a question, Your Majesty!

May I ask what these two fellow Daoists have done?"

Haotian answered gravely, "Do I need to explain myself to you?

You can consider it a case of their names clashing with mine.

Is that acceptable?"

Kunpeng swallowed hard.

My apologies!

Fellow Daoist Yellow Heaven!

If I don't keep you occupied, I'll be the one getting beaten right now!

He hurriedly replied, "Of course! Of course!

Your Majesty is absolutely right!

What kind of standing does that Yellow fellow have?

How dare he use the word 'Heaven' in his name?

I say that fellow must harbor treasonous intentions!

Your Majesty has discovered their treacherous designs and will wipe them out with overwhelming force.

In my humble opinion, this is entirely appropriate!

What do you think, Fellow Daoist Candle Dragon?"

Hearing Kunpeng's words, Candle Dragon immediately cursed inwardly.

That damn bird really was no person at all!

It was bad enough that he was throwing Candle Dragon under the bus.

He had to drag me, Candle Dragon, along even when taking a detour.

What rotten luck!

What damn rotten luck!

If I weren't worried that this bastard might kick me while I was down,

I'd make that damned bird pay for this.