Laying the Foundation (Part 1)

The meeting is over.

With the tokens given to them by Zhou Hao in hand, Withered Bone True Lord and Poison Dragon Venerable went out to recruit True Immortals and rogue cultivators they knew in the Heavenly Realm.

Although Zhou Hao claimed to be sending them to travel Three Realms, his true focus in recruiting them was primarily in the Heavenly Realm.

After all, the various great worlds in the mortal realm have long been the domains of many powerful overlords. Among the rogue cultivators, those who can reach the level of Celestial Immortal, or even True Immortal or Celestial God, are mostly in the Heavenly Realm.

Iron Drum True Immortal and Sacred Sound True Immortal, along with a group of celestial leaders, went with Pi Shu'er Pi Han'er to hand over the 200,000-strong army.

As for registering all cultivators above the Nascent Soul level within the Coiling Dragon Ridge Mountains, this can only be done after Zhou Hao finishes refining the Immortal-Calling Banner.

Meanwhile, Pi Chen'er left alone and headed towards the Western Ox-Heaven Continent, intending to move her entire lair to Perching Dragon Gorge.

Zhou Hao stopped Yu Lin, passed on the manipulating technique of the Cosmos Diagram, and then asked him to first settle the affairs of the Mysterious Heaven Sect members at Medicine King Ridge.

Once this innate spiritual treasure has recognized a master, it can be temporarily lent to others because the spirit of the treasure is sufficiently potent.

With the Cosmos Diagram, Yu Lin Tianxian could teleport directly from Perching Dragon Gorge back to the Profound Heaven Realm without fear of any danger along the way.

After dealing with all the trivial matters, only Taibai Venus and the Four Great Celestial Masters remained in the main hall. Zhou Hao and the five True Immortals went to the side hall and sat down as host and guest.

"Senior brother, four Celestial Masters."

Zhou Hao waved his hand, and a wine pot and wine cups appeared out of thin air on the jade table in front of him.

He personally held the wine pot and poured wine for Taibai Venus and the Four Great Celestial Masters.

"Your Majesty is too kind."

"You flatter me, old Daoist."

Taibai Venus and the Four Great Celestial Masters hurriedly replied.

"I believe you are all aware of the calamity that is currently raging in the Three Realms," Zhou Hao said in a low voice as he filled each wine cup. "The Wujian Faction has stirred up conflict, and hundreds of Great Worlds throughout the Three Realms have been engulfed in war, with the situation extremely precarious. Just a few days ago, before I assumed the throne of the Heavenly Emperor, I personally witnessed an assassination attempt in the Great Xia World. Three Pure Yang True Immortal launched a sneak attack, nearly causing the loss of one of my avatars."

"Such a thing is true?" Taibai Venus and the Four Great Celestial Masters exclaimed in astonishment.

They all knew that the Three Realms were in chaos and hundreds of great worlds were engulfed in war.

However, this was the first time Zhou Hao had known that he had been ambushed by three Pure Yang True Immortal.

Even the disciple recently accepted by the Three Pure Ones was ambushed and assassinated by a True Immortal in the mortal realm, and nearly perished... Has the situation deteriorated to such an extent?

"It was precisely because of that assassination attempt that my master decided to appoint me as the Heavenly Emperor, to raise the banner of the Dao Sect sect, and thus gather the immortals of the Three Realms to end this calamity," Zhou Hao continued. "After all, in the face of this great calamity, relying solely on benevolence and education is no longer sufficient to deal with the situation, unless we stop the killing with killing."

Taibai Venus nodded, Four Great Celestial Masters exchanged glances, paused slightly, and then slowly nodded as well.

Although these words were not explicitly stated, the implication that the Jade Emperor was inactive was quite clear.

Seeing the Four Great Celestial Masters agree, Zhou Hao felt reassured and continued, "My cultivation time is still short, and I haven't even passed the Heavenly God Tribulation. It is thanks to my master's high regard that he bestowed upon me magical treasures and supernatural powers that my strength is still somewhat respectable."

"Your Majesty is too modest."

"If even the Emperor finds it acceptable, then how can we old Daoists possibly face anyone?"

The Four Great Celestial Masters all spoke.

"Combat strength is one thing, but in terms of alchemy, formations, talisman techniques, weapon crafting, and many other skills, I am naturally far inferior to the four Celestial Masters," Zhou Hao said with a smile, flattering the four Celestial Masters.

These Four Great Celestial Masters, besides their respective cultivation paths, are also extremely famous among the Pure Yang True Immortal of the Three Realms Zhang Daoling Ge Xuan alchemy, formations, Sa Shoujian techniques, Xu Jingyang crafting skills.

"Your Majesty flatters me."

Even though the Pure Yang True Immortal was only human, the fact that he received such praise from the Emperor in person made the four Celestial Masters stroke their beards and smile.

"My master has commanded me to unite all the immortals of the Dao Sect. Although the four Celestial Masters are currently serving under the Great Celestial Venerable, they are still true immortals of our Dao Sect," Zhou Hao said solemnly. "I have kept the four of you here today to ask you a question... I wonder if the four Celestial Masters are willing to lend me a hand in this great calamity?"

Now for the main event.

Upon hearing this, the four celestial masters all became solemn.

The ' Celestial Master Sa, ' who was implicitly the leader of the Four Celestial Masters, immediately spoke up: 'The Emperor does not mind our low strength and has personally invited us. We four naturally have no objections.'

"That's right," Zhang Daoling Celestial Master Zhang, chimed in. "The four of us are righteous gods of the Heavenly Court, and whether it's the Great Celestial Venerable or the Emperor Venerable, they are all Heavenly Emperors. Of course, we will obey any orders they give."

"That's exactly right." Celestial Masters Ge and Xu both nodded in agreement.

Upon seeing this, Zhou Hao immediately understood that the four Celestial Masters must have discussed this beforehand, otherwise they wouldn't have agreed so readily when he offered to recruit them.

certainly.

He had anticipated this.

Otherwise, these four Celestial Masters should have taken their leave and returned to the Heavenly Court when Marshal Tianpeng and the others left, instead of attending the court assembly.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty." Taibai Venus Jinxing raised his cup and said, "With the assistance of four Celestial Masters, Your Majesty's strength has increased once again. This is truly a cause for celebration. Let us all toast Your Majesty."

"Respect to the Emperor," the four Celestial Masters said, raising their cups in response.

"Haha, good." Zhou Hao also laughed and raised his glass, drinking with the five of them.

Having successfully recruited four Celestial Masters, he now has nine Pure Yang True Immortal on his side. Pi Chen'er, he has a total of twelve True Immortals and Celestial Gods. This is no small number and is enough to make him a dominant force in the Heavenly Realm.

In particular, the Vast Wilderness Mountain Range, which is under the control of the sect under Celestial Master Sa, is adjacent to the Coiling Dragon Ridge Mountains. With both territories under their control, the area alone is comparable to any great world.

The four celestial masters were overjoyed to have encountered such an enlightened ruler.

They all attained immortality in small worlds within the Human Realm, deeply understanding the principle of 'mastering both literary and martial arts to sell to the emperor's court'.

Compared to the Jade Emperor, who only holds a title, Zhou Hao, with a deeper background, terrifying talent and extraordinary abilities, and who also displays great talent and strategy, is the true hero of the chaotic world and a wise ruler who can lead the people to overcome the calamity with greater confidence.

After discussing ownership, Celestial Master Sa spoke first, "Your Majesty, the Lady is currently setting up an array for Perching Dragon Gorge. This humble Daoist priest is also quite knowledgeable about array formations, so I will go and lend her a hand. After the array is set up, I will Falling Thunder Ravine and register all the immortals of the Vast Wilderness Mountain Range, just like Your Majesty instructed for Coiled Dragon Ridge, so that they may obey Your Majesty's decree."

"Then there's Celestial Master Sa."

Zhou Hao was very satisfied with his initiative in sharing the burden and immediately agreed.

"We still have some unworthy disciples in the Heavenly Court. Although their strength is average, they can still be of some use to help the Emperor's disciples with alchemy, medicine making, weapon crafting, and talisman drawing," the other three Heavenly Masters said. "We will leave first to gather our disciples and then return to serve the Emperor."

"Good." Zhou Hao was even more delighted to see this. "With the four Celestial Masters helping us like this, as long as we are united, what is there to fear even in the face of great calamity?"

After seeing off the four Celestial Masters, only Zhou Hao and Taibai Venus remained in the side hall.

"Senior brother, I'm currently recruiting on a large scale. Besides the existing 200,000 troops, there will be hundreds of thousands of demon soldiers brought by Pi Chen'er, as well as many more cultivators joining us," Zhou Hao said.

"I have no shortage of resources for cultivation, such as pills, weapons, and armor, thanks to the vast resources of Medicine King Ridge, the Vast Wilderness Mountain Range, and the Coiling Dragon Ridge Mountains. My only problem is the lack of cultivation techniques, supernatural abilities, and secret arts for training disciples... Senior brother, do you have any suggestions for me?"

Besides external resources, the cultivation techniques and supernatural abilities practiced by the disciples, cultivators, and soldiers of any sect or force are also a kind of foundation.

Just like the Dao Treasury Hall of the Yinglong Guard in the Great Xia World, which has enough cultivation techniques, supernatural abilities and secret arts for its subordinates to exchange for with military merits or merit points, it can not only improve their strength, but also be used as a means of incentive.

However, due to the short duration of my cultivation, I have not accumulated any experience in this area.

"That's not difficult to do," Taibai Venus said. "The Pure Yang True Immortal, Celestial Immortals, and even Earth Immortal Loose Immortal under the Emperor's command all have accumulated cultivation techniques and secret arts. As long as the Emperor issues an order to establish a Daoist treasury within the Limitless Palace, stipulating that those who offer up their cultivation techniques and supernatural abilities will receive rewards, I believe the immortals will surely respond."

"It's not just about cultivation techniques. As long as a complete reward system is established, rare materials and even unused magical treasures can be exchanged for them, which can also create internal circulation among them."

"Since you already have a plan in mind, then I'll leave this matter to you," Zhou Hao said.

"Your Majesty, you..." Taibai Venus was taken aback, then immediately understood, shaking his head and saying, "I knew it! With Your Majesty's talent, how could you not know such a method of managing power? So this is what you were waiting for this old Daoist."

"The capable should do more," Zhou Hao said with a smile. "Next, I need to go to Jade Pool to see the Three Xiao Goddesses. I'll have to trouble you, Senior Brother, to share the burden of such tedious matters."

"Is the Emperor going to see the Three Xiao Sisters?" Taibai Venus suddenly realized.

It's time to meet them.

Among the righteous gods of Heavenly Court, the Four Saint True Lords, including Marshal Tianpeng, who are nominally under Zhou Hao's command, no longer have any objections to Zhou Hao after the battle at the Ten Thousand Demon Palace.

Because they had four powerful figures behind them, Zhou Hao couldn't just give orders and make arrangements as he would with True Immortals like the Withered Bone True Lord.

However, as long as the imperial edict can be obeyed and troops can be mobilized at any time, the objective will be achieved.

If we can persuade the Three Xiao Sisters to come to our aid at the crucial moment, then the significance will be extraordinary.

It should be known that the lineage of the Jade Pool Golden Mother is that of the direct descendants of the Lady Nuwa. The three goddesses Yunxiao, Qiongxiao, and Bixiao are among the most outstanding beings in the Pure Yang True Immortal.

Especially Yunxiao, with the Primordial Golden Dipper in hand, even Lü Dongbin wielding the Green Duckweed Sword wouldn't dare say he could definitely win.

With such top-tier combat power and such illustrious status, their assistance sets a benchmark for Zhou Hao in recruiting other True Immortals in the future.

"What reason does Your Majesty intend to use to meet the Three Xiao Sisters?" Taibai Venus asked. "Jade Pool is the Golden Mother's Daoist temple. Since the reincarnation of the ancient Donghua Emperor, it has been closed off and rarely sees outsiders. Although the Three Xiao Sisters have a Daoist temple called ' Three Immortals Island ' in the East Sea, as far as I know, after the attack on the Underworld, the Three Xiao Sisters returned to Jade Pool and never went out again. The Three Immortals Island were also sealed off with a great formation and disappeared without a trace, almost as if they had been abandoned."

"For what reason?" Zhou Hao laughed, "I'm going to seek a master and ask for the Dao on behalf of my Daoist partner, so that I can meet the three goddesses. Even if they don't care about me, just for the sake of the Sanqing Ones, they shouldn't be able to prevent me from even entering the Jade Pool, right?"

"Let's arrange for your Daoist partner to become a disciple." Taibai Venus nodded. "Since Your Majesty has condescended to do so, the Three Xiao Sisters will surely feel your sincerity. It's a feasible plan."

Of course it's possible.

Normally speaking, the Three Pure Ones and Lady Nuwa were both born from chaotic gods and demons, so they can be considered to be of the same generation.

Zhou Hao was a disciple of the Three Pure Ones, and should be of the same generation as the Jade Pool Golden Mother, making him a senior uncle of the Three Xiao Sisters.

But now he has sent his Daoist partner to become a disciple of the Three Xiao Sisters, thus making himself a junior as well.

Although in the world of cultivation, apart from being from the same master, everything else is based solely on strength, not seniority.

However, this behavior can be considered as giving the Three Xiao Sisters a lot of face.

Unless the three of them want to offend Zhou Hao to the point of no return, they would never refuse to take him as a disciple.

If the Three Xiao Sisters accept Liu Yu and Yun Yuchan, they will be on the same side, and it would be only natural for them to help each other in times of trouble.

"Let Yu'er and Chan'er become disciples of the Three Xiao Sisters Sect. During the great calamity, they can find refuge in the Jade Pool, a peaceful place to live," Zhou Hao pondered his plan.

My master's words about the Wujian Faction still ring in my ears.

The Dao Sect will be a crucial point in the future battle against the Wujian Faction, and Wujian Gate members will inevitably try every means to infiltrate it.

In the entire Three Realms, where else can one find a truly trustworthy place, like the secluded and sparsely populated Jade Pool, the direct descendant of the Lady Nuwa?

I can't finish writing.

I'll write the second half of the chapter tomorrow.

Some fans had previously expressed concern about the main character's romantic partner.

Put it in the Jade Pool, or even later in Nuwa's Fairyland.

You guys can rest assured now.