"Europe, Asia... I never imagined the world held such vast lands. But it's not too late!"
As Ying Zheng studied the World Map, his heart surged with ambition, and his eyes seemed to burn with fire.
"I shall come, I shall see, I shall conquer! Great Qin will surely rule every land beneath the sun and moon!"
Just as he was getting excited, a notification rang in everyone's ears.
[Ding! Heavenly Emperor has uploaded the Heavenly Dao Rank Sacrifice Method!]
At the same moment, Ying Zheng's fervor vanished. He hurriedly opened the Chat Group.
[Ying Zheng: Checking in. I didn't expect Your Majesty to be watching the Chat Group too. May immortal fortune shine upon you, Your Majesty!] [Little Dragon Girl: +1. But have you all read the file His Majesty uploaded? No wonder—it's something His Majesty casually uploaded, yet it's already so astounding!] [Ye Fan: I read it. I never imagined there would be a way to elevate a world. His Majesty truly makes no move until he does—then he astonishes everyone!] [Ying Zheng: The Heavenly Dao Rank Sacrifice Method uses the faith of All Beings as an offering and the myriad spirits of heaven and earth as an altar. Sacrifice to the Heavenly Emperor, and you can receive his blessing to elevate your world's rank. How much it rises depends on the faith offered!] [Ying Zheng: This... this is practically a cultivation method made just for me! Ying Zheng, Emperor of the human world, bows to thank His Majesty for his favor!] [Yue Buqun: Good heavens! Elevating the Heavenly Dao's rank! Doesn't that mean the First Emperor's world could evolve from a historical world into a wuxia or even a fantasy world? Spiritual Energy is about to return!] [Little Dragon Girl: I used to think that since the First Emperor was the only extraordinary person in his world, it couldn't really be called an immortal dynasty. Now it seems I was mistaken. Perhaps one day, his entire court really could ascend!] [Ye Fan: I wonder if I'll ever have the chance to see the world His Majesty lives in. He's called the Heavenly Emperor, and has such a miraculous cultivation method. Surely his world must be an extraordinary place!] [Little Dragon Girl: +1. His Majesty must have an unparalleled dynasty, just like the First Emperor!] [Ying Zheng: Of course. But His Majesty's realm isn't called a dynasty—it's an Immortal Court. That's my greatest wish, too!] [Yue Buqun: Would His Majesty permit us to behold his immortal visage?] [...]
East King Duke withdrew his gaze from the Chat Group, then looked up at the Immortal Court.
The Lingxiao Treasure Hall stood firm in the Thirty-Three Heavens, foremost among all the heavens.
From there, one could survey the heavens: celestial maidens gathered fruit, mighty warriors carried stars, and the sun and moon's celestial officials collected the essence of the starry sky. Heavenly Soldiers and Generals patrolled the world, slaying demons and vanquishing evil, while Great Luo immortals suppressed the void and dispelled tribulations across the heavens.
Everything in the Immortal Court was running smoothly.
By any measure, it was the foremost power in the Primordial World. It had hundreds of Great Luo Golden Immortals alone.
And that was before counting the Taiyi and other immortals.
"They want to see the Immortal Court?"
East King Duke stroked his chin and thought it over. It didn't seem like a bad idea.
After all, he had barely spoken in the Chat Group before, and its members had no clear idea of who he was.
Letting them see the Immortal Court's current might would deepen their faith in him.
Many had already joined the Immortal Court, but even companies in his previous life held welcome parties for new employees. Naturally, they should hold a grand gathering as well.
He could livestream it for the group members.
The Chat Group.
The few of them stared at the screen, which had gone quiet for a long time, and felt a little disappointed.
[Little Dragon Girl: It's all right. The Heavenly Emperor might still be busy and hasn't seen the messages!]
Though she said that, the others still couldn't help feeling let down.
But just then, a system notification rang out.
[Heavenly Emperor: Certainly. The Immortal Court will hold a gathering in five days. I'll start a livestream then. Anyone interested may watch.]
The moment they saw the Heavenly Emperor's message, the Chat Group erupted into a flurry.
[Yue Buqun: What? The Heavenly Emperor really replied! I'm not dreaming, am I?!] [Little Dragon Girl: An Immortal Court gathering—it sounds wonderful! Thank you, Your Majesty!] [Ye Fan: May the Immortal Lord enjoy ten thousand blessings!] [Ying Zheng: I can't wait for His Majesty's livestream! Why can't time pass faster?] [...]
The Primordial World.
The Heavenly Court.
East King Duke smiled as he watched the chat for a while, then closed the Chat Group.
The Immortal Court's forces had only just entered the Heavenly Court, and he still had to manage and appoint them.
And since he had decided to hold a gathering in five days, he naturally needed to prepare in advance.
After giving it some thought, East King Duke stepped out of the Lingxiao Treasure Hall.
As soon as he emerged, he saw West Queen Mother, wearing a phoenix crown and brocade robes, busy keeping order and registering the new unaffiliated cultivators.
The sight warmed his heart.
He walked straight over to West Queen Mother.
"What is your name? What is your origin, and what is your cultivation?"
West Queen Mother held a jade decree in her hand as she questioned the rogue immortal before her.
"..."
Only when East King Duke drew near did West Queen Mother notice him.
After quickly registering the cultivator before her, she handed her remaining tasks to the maidservants beside her. Amid their playful calls, she came gracefully over to East King Duke.
"Have you finished your seclusion?"
Ever since East King Duke had fought Di Jun and the others, he had gone into seclusion. This was his first time emerging.
"Mm!"
East King Duke smiled and nodded. He took West Queen Mother's soft, boneless hand and strolled with her through the Thirty-Three Heavens.
"Taihua, there's something I need to tell you."
They walked in silence for a long time, savoring the comfort and beauty of the moment.
Suddenly, East King Duke stopped and turned to face West Queen Mother, holding her hand. Looking at her peach-blossom face, he spoke earnestly.
But no sooner had he finished speaking than a tremor came from beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens.
They both turned to look.
Northern Region, Hundred Thousand Mountains.
"Damn it! Damn it! If I'd known this would happen, I should've killed East King Duke back then!"
Taiyi's roar shook the entire Demon Court, and the void trembled for millions of miles.
Yet his eyes remained fixed on the streak of light above the Ninth Heaven, his teeth clenched in fury.
That streak of light marked the Heavenly Court in the Thirty-Three Heavens, where jade palaces and towers stood in countless numbers, and fairies raised mist among the celestial halls. It was like a supreme immortal realm.
Yet this place, hailed as the Primordial World's greatest blessed land, should have been their opportunity.
A vague premonition made him feel as though he had lost something vital. His chest felt unbearably tight.
Nearby, Di Jun's face was deathly pale. He still hadn't recovered from his severe injuries, but seeing more and more people in the Primordial World join the Heavenly Court, he could no longer sit still.
"Taiyi, we can't let the Heavenly Court keep expanding. Otherwise, there'll be no place left for us in the Primordial World!"
Di Jun's expression was grave as he looked seriously at Taiyi.
"I understand that, too. But what are we supposed to do?"
If East King Duke had been as he was before, Taiyi wouldn't have been so furious, even if his cultivation was profound.
After all, there were many powerful cultivators in the Primordial World, such as the Three Pure Ones. Together, the three of them could be considered among the foremost top-tier figures in the Primordial World.
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