Di Jun's words rang through Purple Heaven Palace, rejecting the Sage's decree.
"This..."
The mighty figures were dumbfounded, thunderstruck. One by one, they stared at Di Jun and Tai Yi in shock, as if they'd seen ghosts.
"No way. They can actually refuse?"
At that moment, every mighty figure found it unbelievable. They couldn't make sense of it.
The position of Lord of the Heavenly Court was so transcendent, so exalted, yet these two Golden Crows had rejected it so casually.
"Did the Sun True Fire really burn their brains to ash?"
After their initial shock, some mighty figures gradually began to show delight and excitement. They felt they had another chance.
Kunpeng looked expectant, even rubbing his hands nervously. The Golden Crows had refused, so surely it would be his turn now?
They were both birds, and surely no one was more qualified than him. The Sage's standard for choosing those with fate seemed connected to birds and fowl. Maybe he thought that keeping watch over the world would be more convenient for those who could fly.
The Three Pure Ones exchanged a quiet glance and smiled faintly. The Golden Crows' refusal of the position of Lord of the Heavenly Court suited them perfectly.
Jieyin and Zhunti were even more overjoyed. They had nearly been scared half to death just moments ago. If the Golden Crows took control of the Heavenly Court, would they ever get their revenge? Worse, the Golden Crows might pick a fight with them for no reason.
Fortunately, those two foolish Golden Crows had refused.
"They're digging their own graves..."
They were in high spirits. Since the Golden Crows didn't want the position of Lord of the Heavenly Court, perhaps they had a chance too.
Of course, it was only wishful thinking. Jieyin and Zhunti knew that Hongjun was unlikely to hand the position to beings born in the West.
As for Nuwa, Baize, and the others, they were greatly surprised, and even more puzzled. Why had the Golden Crows refused the position?
Thinking of Ling Xiao only made it harder to understand. He had been the first to refuse the task of ruling the Ten Thousand Races.
In the back of Purple Heaven Palace, Xi He and Changxi were in turmoil. Since when had the Sun Star God become so formidable? He'd actually caught the Sage's eye. There was a time when they'd beaten him up!
Of course, that didn't include the other Star God.
They'd assumed the Golden Crows hadn't come to hear the Dao. They hadn't expected them to show up, but the strongest one hadn't come.
What they couldn't understand most was why the Golden Crow had refused such a tremendous opportunity.
What on earth were they thinking?
Hongjun's expression darkened slightly, a trace of displeasure flickering in his eyes before vanishing without a trace.
He hadn't expected these two Golden Crows to be so lacking in ambition.
He had personally spoken up, yet they were unwilling to establish the Heavenly Court. They'd even claimed their strength was inadequate. Well... to be honest, their strength was indeed rather inadequate.
"Perhaps the time isn't right."
Hongjun thought to himself. Perhaps he'd been too hasty. The two brothers weren't fully mature yet.
"Never mind. I'll set this aside for now. I'll have them establish the Heavenly Court the next time I lecture..."
He waved a hand slightly, signaling Di Jun and Tai Yi to sit down. At that moment, Kunpeng couldn't hold back any longer. He felt his chance had come and was ready to volunteer, to recommend himself.
"Sage, this disciple is willing to shoulder this great responsibility, safeguard world peace, and stabilize the order of Heaven and Earth!"
Kunpeng suddenly volunteered, leaving the other mighty figures stunned. When they came to their senses, they were at once shocked and furious, cursing him inwardly.
"Shameless wretch. You think you're fit for such a responsibility?"
"Bastard! You feathered beast!"
"Heh..."
After speaking, Kunpeng clasped his hands and bowed his head, standing motionless as he waited for the Sage's reply, both delighted and afraid.
He really had acted on impulse, but he couldn't help himself. He was afraid the Sage would forget him, so he'd taken the initiative. Perhaps that would give him a chance.
Hongjun gave Kunpeng a long look and said, "We'll discuss establishing the Heavenly Court another time."
"Now, I have something else to announce."
At this, the mighty figures' expressions shifted, and some of them felt a little disappointed.
"So it's been postponed..."
Some of them also snickered at Kunpeng. The fool had tried to scheme for the Heavenly Court by sticking his neck out. Now look at him.
Kunpeng sat down awkwardly, feeling the mocking gazes around him. He wished he could crawl into a hole.
He'd made a complete fool of himself.
He hadn't gotten the position of Lord of the Heavenly Court, and he'd also revealed his bird-brained nature without meaning to.
He secretly glanced at Di Jun and Tai Yi, feeling resentful. He shifted the frustration of his failure onto them, thinking that if it weren't for Di Jun and Tai Yi, he wouldn't have embarrassed himself.
Besides, the Sage had personally asked them to establish the Heavenly Court, while Kunpeng had volunteered only to be rejected. Didn't that mean he was inferior to the Golden Crows?
How was he inferior?
Hongjun glanced around. Only when Purple Heaven Palace had fallen completely silent did he slowly speak.
"We'll discuss establishing the Heavenly Court another time, but the order of the Primordial World still needs to be maintained. I will choose two capable individuals from among you to uphold that order and keep Heaven and Earth at peace."
When Hongjun finished speaking, the mighty figures were immediately confused.
Again?
There were two positions. Was this another attempt to recruit the Golden Crows?
One after another, many gazes turned toward Di Jun and Tai Yi of their own accord.
Hongjun chuckled inwardly and continued, "These two capable individuals will govern the male and female immortals of Heaven and Earth respectively, and uphold order in the Primordial World on my behalf."
A man and a woman?
The mighty figures' eyes brightened. Governing the male and female immortals might not sound as impressive as establishing the Heavenly Court, but it still carried considerable power.
If they became Head of Male Immortals or Head of Female Immortals, wouldn't the Primordial Land be theirs to roam as they pleased? After all, they would be administering the Primordial World on behalf of a Sage.
Once they understood this, the mighty figures' gazes gradually grew fervent.
Another plum job!
The mighty figures straightened up one after another, showing off their bearing in hopes of catching the Sage's eye.
Hongjun knew what he was doing. After looking around, he turned to a woman and said, "Queen Mother of the West, you are the first manifestation of Yin Qi between Heaven and Earth. You shall be Head of Female Immortals."
Queen Mother of the West paused, then hurriedly stood up. She hadn't expected this honor to fall upon her, and delight came as a sudden surprise.
"I now bestow upon you the Western Plain-Colored Cloud Banner. It is a supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure. I hope you'll put it to good use, govern the female immortals of the Primordial World, and maintain order."
Hongjun pointed, and a small white banner flew before Queen Mother of the West, hovering quietly as it radiated mysterious fluctuations.
"I will obey the Sage's decree!"
Queen Mother of the West bowed her head and gently accepted the treasure. Dressed in white palace robes, she carried herself with stately grace, yet now she couldn't help showing her excitement.
She'd been fretting over finding a suitable Innate Spiritual Treasure for Slashing the Three Corpses, and now one had arrived.
She hadn't expected becoming Head of Female Immortals to come with such a benefit.
It was a delightful surprise.
"A supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure!"
The mighty figures watched with envy. Treasures of this grade would have sparked a bloodbath out in the world.
Aside from the Sages, no one could resist the temptation of a supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure.
Especially after they learned the Method of Severing the Three Corpses, supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures seemed all the more precious.
For a moment, the mighty figures grew restless with desire, even more eager for the remaining position of Head of Male Immortals.
Some female immortals wished they could turn into men so they could compete for the position of Head of Male Immortals.
Before you continue