Sect Layout!

The pavilion on Yueying Peak was bustling with activity.

A group of inner disciples at the Myriad Phenomena Realm gathered together, mostly discussing their gains and experiences outside.

Zhou Hao rarely speaks.

It's a bit boring.

After all, their levels of cultivation are different.

Listening to his fellow disciples talk about their extraordinary encounters with celestial-grade magic treasures made him lose interest.

There's not much to say about his own experiences.

Are you saying that Brother is now killing Loose Immortal like slaughtering dogs, and that he just pulled off a heist against the Shaoyan Clan, stealing their clan's most prized treasure and dividing up over two hundred top-grade immortal-level magic weapons?

Even when it's boasting, you have to consider the level of your audience.

As evening approached, the fellow disciples who had come to make an appearance left, leaving only the three true disciples, Nishang, Lin Han, and Yu Tiandu, before Zhou Hao's Yueying Peak finally quieted down.

"Junior Brother Zhou Hao," Fairy Nishang looked at Zhou Hao, "This time, the sect has formed an alliance with the Heavenly Court the Heavenly Realm. I heard from the sect leader that we true disciples will be introduced to cultivate under the tutelage of the true immortals and gods of the Heavenly Court. Will you go?"

"The sects have formed an alliance with the Heavenly Court?" Zhou Hao asked. "When did this happen?"

I've been busy with my own things since I left all these years. This is the first time I've returned to the Profound Heaven Realm, and I've never heard of this before.

"The alliance was probably just finalized this year. Some of the Earth Immortal Loose Immortal who were living in seclusion in the back mountains of the sect have already entered the Heavenly Court and are said to have been given many divine positions," Yu Tiandu replied.

Both he and Nishang's tribes had celestial ancestors who were also their true disciples, making them more well-informed than ordinary primordial spirit elders.

"What is the Heavenly Court trying to do?"

Recalling his encounter with Jin De, a member of the royal family of the Golden Roc Great World, in the Earth Ruins Realm, and hearing him say that his Celestial God Di Hao, had also allied with the Heavenly Court's Celestial Master Sa, Zhou Hao was immediately puzzled.

In the Three Realms, the Heavenly Court holds a rather awkward position.

Although they are responsible for coordinating and managing the three thousand great worlds and countless small worlds, each of the great worlds has a world lord at the level of Pure Yang True Immortal or a Heavenly God, and they are all supported by powerful beings like the Dao Ancestor.

Throughout history, there have been several instances where a powerful world has stormed the Heavenly Court, even resulting in the death of the Heavenly Emperor... Given these precedents, how could the current Heavenly Emperor dare to interfere?

Moreover, even the Great Xia Dynasty practiced laissez-faire governance in the Xia Clan Great World, establishing a maximum of 3,600 prefectures and creating the Yinglong Guard to strengthen its rule and deterrence. With the limited manpower of the Heavenly Court, it was impossible to manage everything.

"According to the Ancestor, it's because the Underworld was attacked by a mysterious force decades ago, and even the Six Paths of Reincarnation collapsed. The Heavenly Court's actions are probably also for self-preservation." Fairy Nishang wasn't sure either; it was just her guess.

Even Liang Jin Jintianxian would likely have limited access to such highly confidential information.

Only Patriarch Mu Yang has the power to decide on alliances with external forces and even the future direction of a sect.

"It seems that after the ancestor revealed the strength of Pure Yang True Immortal, the sect also needs to change, no longer hiding behind the scenes, but moving to the forefront," Zhou Hao thought to himself.

No matter how awkward its position may be, the Heavenly Court is still the nominal highest ruling institution of the Three Realms, and it is not an exaggeration to say that it is the final gathering place of all causes and effects.

"Those are things our ancestors considered. We just need to utilize all available resources to enhance our own strength. Since the destruction of the ancient Pangu World and the establishment of the Heavenly Court, the Heavenly Court's accumulated resources are definitely no weaker than those of any other great world's royal family," Lin Han said in a deep voice. "I plan to take up a post in the Heavenly Court soon after I reach the Nascent Soul stage."

"Me too." Fairy Nishang nodded, her eyes filled with anticipation.

In the vast worlds of the mortal realm, possessing a Celestial Immortal is considered a top-tier power. However, in the Heavenly Realm, only Pure Yang True Immortal and Celestial Gods can occupy a territory.

Even powerful beings like True God Dao Ancestor mostly have their Daoist temples in the Heavenly Realm.

The Heavenly Realm is the strongest world in the Three Realms. It is the place where the truly unparalleled figures of the Three Realms gather.

"I have just completed my mastery of the true teachings, and I am still somewhat inferior to my senior brothers and sisters. This time, my Yu Clan clan will send my elder brother Wen Du to the Heavenly Court."

"Brother Zhou Hao will be going too, right?" Yu Tiandu looked at Zhou Hao with a hint of envy. "With Brother Zhou Hao's Second Primordial Spirit avatar at the Void Return Divine Demon level, if he goes to the Heavenly Court, the Heavenly Emperor will look at him differently. He might even become a general commanding hundreds of thousands of heavenly soldiers."

Nishang and Lin Han both nodded.

Even if Primordial Spirit Daoist or Earth Immortal Loose Immortal goes to the Heavenly Court, they will at most be a minor leader.

Even if one has the opportunity to acquire the countless supernatural powers and secret techniques accumulated by the Heavenly Court, as well as various resources for cultivation, one still needs to slowly accumulate experience and complete tasks to obtain them.

However, Zhou Hao's current strength is already extremely high. Once he goes to the Heavenly Court, his starting point will inevitably be higher than everyone else's, and he will receive more resources.

In their minds, Zhou Hao certainly wouldn't miss such a good opportunity.

But who knew--

"I'm not going for now." Zhou Hao shook his head. "There are still three years until the Immortal Fate Assembly of the Xia Clan Great World. Even if I were to go to the Heavenly Court in the Heavenly Realm, it would be after the Immortal Fate Assembly."

"The Immortal Fate Assembly?" The three looked at each other, puzzled.

They were naturally aware of the Immortal Fate Assembly that the Xia Clan Great World every three hundred years.

Even if one ranks in the top ten of the Immortal Fate Assembly and has the opportunity to become a disciple of some true immortals and gods, it is only an opportunity, and the true immortals and gods they become disciples of may not necessarily be stronger than those in the Heavenly Court.

Most importantly, the Heavenly Court, as the legitimate authority of the Three Realms, has been weak for a long time, and most of the truly outstanding disciples have been monopolized by the royal families of various worlds and the powerful forces behind them.

They have countless resources, yet they are desperately seeking talented people but cannot find them.

With signs of impending chaos and the collapse of the Underworld looming ahead, joining the Heavenly Court seems like the perfect opportunity.

Zhou Hao smiled slightly, changed the subject, and did not say anything more.

"Even if you're going to the Heavenly Court, naturally the stronger your status and the more resources you'll receive, the more you'll be valued."

He knew very well that this Immortal Fate Assembly would be the most special one in countless years, and also the one from which he would benefit the most.

Having waited so long, with only three years left, of course I won't give up.

However, seeing Yun Yuchan sitting quietly to the side stirred something in Zhou Hao's heart.

"Yu Chan and Yu'er could go to the Heavenly Court to receive better training."

For cultivators, innate talent and comprehension may determine the upper limit of their immortal path, but with sufficient resources and the best training, they can still break through the limit and defy fate.

"I'll go see the sect leader tomorrow," Zhou Hao thought to himself.

With his current strength, he is qualified to arrange opportunities for those close to him within the sect.

The next day.

A side hall of the Profound Heaven Palace.

Zhou Hao met the sect leader Immortal Feng Yu.

"Haha, Zhou Hao." Immortal Feng Yu personally came out to greet him and led Zhou Hao to a quiet seat in a side hall.

"Sit." Immortal Feng Yu and Zhou Hao sat facing each other, and a young attendant respectfully served them fragrant tea.

Looking at Zhou Hao, Immortal Feng Yu was filled with mixed emotions.

That junior disciple from back then is now a peerless existence comparable to the sect's Heavenly Immortal Ancestor. Even though he had foreseen it, he didn't expect this day to come so quickly.

He was still puzzled when he learned that Zhou Hao was now able to rival a Celestial Immortal.

Zhou Hao is already so monstrous, why isn't the powerful ' Xuanwu Great Emperor ' planning to take him as a disciple?

Do we have to wait until Zhou Hao overcomes the Heavenly Tribulation before he's qualified?

That's asking too much.

"I heard you returned to the sect yesterday, and I wanted to see you to ask if you were planning to move your cave dwelling to the ' Changliu Mountain Range ' in the back mountains," Immortal Feng Yu said with a smile. "According to the sect's rules, Earth Immortal and Loose Immortal, except for the heads of each peak, will move to the Changliu Mountain Range. It's quieter there than the inner sect."

"No need," Zhou Hao shook his head. "I won't be staying in the sect for long. I'll be back in the Xia Clan Great World in two or three years at most. Moving back and forth is too much trouble."

"Yes, it's for the Immortal Fate Assembly." Immortal Feng Yu nodded, pondering in his heart that perhaps Zhou Hao's progress was too fast and the Xuanwu Great Emperor hadn't paid attention for a while.

After all, for such powerful beings, more than ten years is just a fleeting moment.

When the Immortal Fate Assembly arrives, the entire Great World will be watching, and the Xuanwu Great Emperor should also take notice.

"Is there anything the sect can help you with?" Immortal Feng Yu asked. "Supernatural powers and secret techniques—anything available in the Dao Treasury Hall is welcome for you to choose and cultivate. The Myriad Forms Hall is also open for your study."

Choose any supernatural power or secret technique you like? Will you come with me to the Myriad Forms Hall to study its secrets?

Zhou Hao was stunned.

"But my merit points..."

"The so-called merit points are just a way to encourage you to hone your skills. Since they're hard-earned, you'll cherish them; after all, nothing comes for free," Immortal Feng Yu remarked. "However, once you truly reach the Earth Immortal of the Void Return realm, the sect will no longer require merit points. But don't bite off more than you can chew; more supernatural abilities and secret techniques aren't always better. You can certainly study the Myriad Forms Hall more; by drawing inferences from similar cases, it will benefit your cultivation."

Zhou Hao nodded, feeling a surge of emotion welling up inside him.

This is what a sect is like.

Although I understand that the sect's move is intended to increase disciples' sense of belonging, people are all made of flesh and blood. If they turn a blind eye to this and take it for granted, then they would truly be ungrateful.

"By the way, did you come to see me for something?" Immortal Feng Yu asked again.

"It's about the alliance between our sect and the Heavenly Court," Zhou Hao said. "I heard from Senior Sister Nishang Chang and Senior Brother Lin Han that they're going to the Heavenly Court, and some Earth Immortal and Loose Immortal from our sect have already gone."

"That's right." Immortal Feng Yu's face brightened at the mention of this. "Our Mysterious Heaven Sect's roots are in the Heavenly Realm. Back then, our founding ancestor suffered a calamity outside, which led to surrounding forces wanting to destroy our sect. That's why Patriarch Mu Yang led his remaining disciples to seek refuge with Xia Emperor. Now that Patriarch Mu Yang has achieved the Pure Yang True Immortal and has been accepted as a personal disciple by Dao Ancestor Yinglong, it's time for our Mysterious Heaven Sect to return to the Heavenly Realm."

"Return to the Heavenly Realm?" Zhou Hao held his breath.

"Yes." Immortal Feng Yu said spiritedly, "From the ancient era of gods and demons to the present day, this has been the common wish of every immortal in the sect who has reached the Void Return Returning Realm: to return to the Heavenly Realm and re-establish the sect! This alliance with the Heavenly Court is just the first step."

"Ancestor Yu Lin will be the leader of our Mysterious Heaven Sect in the Heavenly Court. He has been appointed by the Heavenly Emperor as one of the Five Qi True Lords, the Eastern Jupiter Wood Virtue True Lord, and will soon be heading to the Heavenly Realm."

"You must know that in the ancient Heavenly Court, only Pure Yang True Immortal could hold the position of the Five Qi True Lords. It is only because the Heavenly Court is becoming increasingly weak that such a reward is bestowed. With this honorable position, Ancestor Yu Lin can command 100,000 heavenly soldiers. With the support of a group of immortals from various sects, he should be able to establish a foothold for our Mysterious Heaven Sect in the Heavenly Realm."

Zhou Hao took a deep breath, utterly shocked that the sect had quietly begun making arrangements in the Heavenly Realm.

"Sect Leader, what do you need me to do?" Zhou Hao replied quickly. "My Second Primordial Spirit also possesses cultivation comparable to a top-tier Celestial Immortal. With the sect undertaking such a major undertaking, I can also contribute."

"Since you're going to the Immortal Fate Assembly, go all out and show your strength!" Immortal Feng Yu laughed, hinting at something. "Being able to become a disciple of a powerful figure is the greatest support you can give to your sect!"

"Mm." Zhou Hao nodded emphatically.

No matter who my opponent is, I, Zhou, am determined to take first place in this Immortal Fate Assembly!

First update.