Primordial World!
Immortal Court.
Thirty-Three Heavens.
Immortal Qi filled the Lingxiao Treasure Hall. True Dragons coiled around its pillars, while True Phoenixes soared across the sky.
East King Duke wore an imperial dragon robe, a purple-and-gold crown hanging low over his brow. He sat majestically upon the Heavenly Emperor's throne, gazing down at the assembled immortals.
West Queen Mother wore a phoenix robe. Graceful and regal, like a Divine Maiden from ancient times, she sat beside him with an air of incomparable dignity.
Inside the great hall, one hundred and eight Heavenly Court True Gods of the third rank and above stood in ordered ranks, bowing respectfully to East King Duke and West Queen Mother.
"We pay our respects to Your Majesty, the Heavenly Emperor, and to the Queen Mother!"
"..."
Lei Yuanzi, Tu Shan Yuan Jun, and the others spoke respectfully from below.
"Rise, immortals!"
East King Duke raised a hand. A vast force lifted them to their feet against their will, leaving them all astonished by the Heavenly Emperor's power.
Then everyone looked at East King Duke expectantly.
This was the Immortal Court's second large-scale gathering of its myriad immortals. The first had been the Investiture Ceremony. Could there be another major undertaking this time?
Thinking of the great battle East King Duke had fought at Buzhou Mountain, they all looked at him hopefully, seeming to guess what was coming. Their excitement was almost impossible to contain.
East King Duke made no attempt to hide his intentions. He addressed the assembled immortals.
"I have earned the regard of the Dao Ancestor, received the position of Heavenly Emperor, and been charged with investing the immortals, governing the order of Heaven and Earth, separating Yin and Yang, and commanding all the living beings of the Primordial World!"
"Yet for many