I Am King Zhou, the Human Emperor!

As for Primordial Golden Immortals, also known as Quasi-Saints, there weren't even enough in this world to fill both hands.

Primordial Great Luo Golden Immortals, also known as Saints, numbered only six in this world.

As for whether there were realms beyond that, even Grand Tutor Wen had no way of knowing.

But Zi Shou knew very well that above those six Saints stood Dao Ancestor Hongjun.

"Your Majesty is the Human Sovereign, protected by Human Path Luck and naturally immune to all evil. It would be best if you did not cultivate!" Grand Tutor Wen cautioned.

Zi Shou nodded. He understood what Grand Tutor Wen meant. Whether he cultivated or not, his lifespan wouldn't change.

A hundred years later, he would still die of old age. What difference would cultivation make?

But how could Grand Tutor Wen know that he didn't even have a hundred years?

The Canonization of the Gods had already been set in motion. In twenty years, he would perish alongside Great Shang.

Even if he couldn't attain immortality, he had to take a gamble for his own fate and that of the Human Race.

Meanwhile, after making all his preparations, Taibai Jinxing was ready to formally meet King Zhou.

"If there is business, present it. If not, court is adjourned!"

As Morning Court began, the ministers offered their counsel, mostly reporting on affairs of state. The court soon became exceptionally lively.

Before this, perhaps because they had been intimidated by the King's unexpected conduct, many officials had been uneasy and had no idea what the King was thinking.

But after Grand Tutor Wen returned to court, it was as if the ministers had suddenly found their backbone.

Those who should offer counsel did so, and those who should report did so, thoroughly changing the court's former atmosphere.

Zi Shou accepted their advice readily. As long as the ministers worked diligently, Great Shang could gradually grow stronger, and his fortune could increase.

In his eyes, every minister was a hardworking employee. As their boss, he naturally had to lower his stance appropriately.

Just as ruler and ministers were in perfect harmony, Prime Minister Shang Rong stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, an immortal envoy from the Heavenly Court has descended and seeks an audience with you!"

The ministers exchanged looks, and quite a few of them even frowned in secret.

Everyone knew that the King had just publicly slain the Spirit of the Qi Water River and the Mountain God of Taihang Mountain.

Now, an immortal envoy from the Heavenly Court had descended and wished to see the King. How could this be anything simple?

"Since he is an envoy from the Heavenly Court, summon him in for an audience," Zi Shou said expressionlessly.

He had long harbored many suspicions about Prime Minister Shang Rong. Only now did everything become clear.

He truly hadn't expected Shang Rong's contact to be the Heavenly Court.

But upon careful thought, it wasn't surprising.

The Canonization of the Gods had arisen because of the Heavenly Court in the first place, and the three hundred and sixty-five positions of righteous gods on the Investiture of the Gods List also belonged to the Heavenly Court.

Seen this way, it was only natural that the Heavenly Court cared so much about the Canonization of the Gods.

Under the watchful eyes of the ministers, dazzling light suddenly rose from outside the hall.

The light shimmered in five colors, seeming to contain some indescribable power that made people feel as though they were bathed in a spring breeze.

A strange fragrance suddenly filled the air, while countless flower petals drifted down from the sky. Faintly, it even seemed as though Immortals were dancing.

Only then did an elderly man with the bearing of an immortal drift gracefully into the hall and bow to Zi Shou with clasped hands.

At that moment, a cold snort rang out, jolting the ministers awake as though from a dream.

The one who had snorted was none other than Grand Tutor Wen, who was glaring coldly at the Heavenly Court envoy who had drifted in.

"Taibai Jinxing greets Your Majesty. By the Jade Emperor's decree, I have come specifically to meet Your Majesty!"

Taking a closer look, the ministers saw that Taibai Jinxing truly carried himself with extraordinary grace. At a glance, he was clearly an accomplished master, worthy indeed of being an envoy from the Heavenly Court.

Combined with all the earlier omens, how could they not realize that this was plainly an immortal master?

"Though you are an envoy of the Heavenly Court, you are so insolent. Do you truly think I would not dare kill you?" Zi Shou said in a deep voice.

He claimed to be here to meet the King, yet he had created such a spectacle upon arriving. Who was he trying to impress?

Did Taibai Jinxing think he could seize the initiative and make him fearful with such tricks?

Moreover, others might not know his identity, but how could Taibai Jinxing not know that he was the current Human Sovereign of the Human Race?

He had merely bowed with clasped hands rather than paid proper respects. What did Taibai Jinxing take the Human Sovereign for?

That was precisely why Grand Tutor Wen had snorted coldly. He was clearly deeply displeased with Taibai Jinxing's manner.

Yet the Spirit of the Qi Water River had been a thousand-zhang Jiaolong, and he had personally slain it!

The Mountain God of Taihang Mountain had likewise been a majestic White Tiger, and he had still personally killed it!

Taibai Jinxing might be an envoy of the Heavenly Court, but did that mean he couldn't be killed?

"Please calm your anger, Your Majesty! I am a minister of the Heavenly Court, not a minister of Your Majesty. A clasped-hands bow is not discourteous," Taibai Jinxing said calmly.

"Under all Heaven, is there any land that is not the King's? Along the shores within the realm, is there anyone who is not the King's subject?" Zi Shou said.

"The Human Race dwells upon the Primordial Land, while Heaven lies above it! Though Your Majesty is the Human Sovereign, the Heavenly Court stands above the Thirty-Three Heavens!" Taibai Jinxing said.

"Since Heaven and man are separated, each performing their own duties without interfering with the other, why have you come?" Zi Shou said.

This exchange seemed simple, but the ministers listening were drenched in cold sweat.

It was nothing more than the King believing himself to be the ruler of all under Heaven, thinking that anyone who saw him must pay their respects.

Taibai Jinxing, meanwhile, was saying that the Heavenly Court lay beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens and did not fall under the Human Race's jurisdiction.

Moreover, by saying that humans lived below while Heaven resided above, he faintly implied that the Heavenly Court stood above the Human Race.

But the King suddenly shifted the topic, saying that the Heavenly Court and the Human Race did not interfere with each other. Though he seemed to be addressing Taibai Jinxing, he was actually referring to the killing of the gods.

To put it plainly, since the Heavenly Court and the Human Race did not interfere with each other, the Spirit of the Qi Water River and the Mountain God of Taihang Mountain had affected the Human Race and naturally deserved to die.

After all, no one was foolish. Everyone knew that as an envoy of the Heavenly Court, Taibai Jinxing had certainly come because of the slain gods.

But with these words, the King had undoubtedly blocked whatever Taibai Jinxing meant to say next.

"Your Majesty is mistaken. Only by respecting Heaven and Earth and offering sacrifices to the gods can Great Shang enjoy favorable winds and rains, while the people live in peace and prosperity," Taibai Jinxing said.

His words sounded like advice, but Zi Shou heard a threat within them.

If he agreed and henceforth revered the Heavenly Court and worshipped the gods, Great Shang would enjoy favorable winds and rains.

"And if I refuse?" Zi Shou said.

"If Heaven and Earth are not respected and the gods are not worshipped, disasters will surely arise!" Taibai Jinxing said gravely.

That was a threat. If Heaven and Earth were not respected, the gods would grow angry, and Great Shang would likely suffer endless natural disasters.

"Whether they are natural disasters or calamities caused by Immortals and Gods, I will judge for myself," Zi Shou said.

The gods would grow angry and disasters would never cease? He had already slain two gods. He didn't care about killing a few more!

"Since I have come to meet Your Majesty, I naturally cannot arrive empty-handed. Please allow me to first present a gift," Taibai Jinxing said.

Though his face remained calm, he was secretly alarmed. This King Zhou was even harder to deal with than he had imagined.

Fortunately, he had prepared in advance. Once he presented the gift, he refused to believe this King Zhou wouldn't obediently take the bait.

"Then present it," Zi Shou said.

Though Taibai Jinxing had come with ill intent, as an envoy of the Heavenly Court, if the gift he brought was too poor, wouldn't that disgrace the Heavenly Court?

Naturally, he would accept the gift, but Taibai Jinxing's purpose was doomed to fail today.

Taibai Jinxing raised his hand, and a Jade Tray suddenly appeared in it. Upon it sat an enormous peach.

In an instant, a strange fragrance filled the air, leaving everyone feeling refreshed and clear-headed.

"Your Majesty, please look. This is a Peach of Immortality from our Heavenly Court. It ripens once every three thousand years. Those who eat it become immortals and attain the Dao, their bodies grow healthy and light, and their lifespans are extended!"

At these words, the ministers were shocked, but their eyes all revealed yearning.

Only a few ministers such as Grand Tutor Wen and Bi Gan remained composed. Grand Tutor Wen even wore a look of disdain.

Everyone understood Taibai Jinxing's intentions. If it had been an ordinary emperor, he would surely have been unable to contain himself upon seeing a Peach of Immortality.

After all, to an emperor, nothing was more important than lifespan. Which emperor did not long for immortality?

And though the Peach of Immortality presented by Taibai Jinxing could not grant immortality, it could extend one's lifespan. What emperor would refuse it?

Zi Shou's face darkened. Taibai Jinxing wanted to fool him with a Peach of Immortality? Did he truly think Zi Shou knew nothing about them?

"A Peach of Immortality is indeed a fine thing, but as I understand it, some ripen once every three thousand years, some every six thousand years, and others every nine thousand years. Is that correct?"

The moment those words were spoken, Taibai Jinxing's expression changed drastically.

In the end, Taibai Jinxing left in disgrace, and naturally failed to achieve his purpose.

He had threatened with the wrath of the gods and tempted with a Peach of Immortality, believing success was certain.

But Taibai Jinxing had never imagined that King Zhou would be utterly unmoved by either threat or temptation, and would instead be so forceful.