Eastern Qinghua Emperor! Making All the Saints Bow Their Heads!

White robes like snow, transcendent and unworldly.

Lingxiao bade farewell to Zhenyuanzi and Daoist Hongyun. Escorted by the two young Daoist attendants, Breeze and Bright Moon, he stepped out through the gates of Five Estate Temple.

"Junior brothers, you should head back!"

Lingxiao looked at the two of them and said with a smile.

Now that his relationship with Zhenyuanzi and Daoist Hongyun had grown close, it was only fitting that he address Breeze and Bright Moon more warmly as junior brothers.

"Senior brother, if you suffer any grievances on this journey to the Heavenly Court, do not bear them silently alone! Our two masters are esteemed and profoundly cultivated—even the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother must yield them three parts!"

Bright Moon performed a Daoist salute and spoke solemnly to Lingxiao.

Five Estate Temple was now Lingxiao's greatest backing. No one could harm him!

"Haha... I understand!"

Lingxiao nodded in reply, warmth welling up in his heart.

Then!

Lingxiao stepped upon the void and headed toward the clouds of the Ninth Heaven. Yet before long, heavenly soldiers and generals arrived from all directions, standing respectfully before him.

"We pay respects to the Heavenly Emperor!"

Their unified shout was deafening.

The scrape of weapons against armor displayed the formidable might of the heavenly soldiers and generals.

"No need for such ceremony!"

Lingxiao said softly, without the slightest restraint.

At that moment!

A Daoist clad in flowing robes, with snow-white hair, a long beard, and a kindly face, appeared before the heavenly soldiers and generals without anyone knowing when he had arrived.

He held an ancient whisk flowing with radiant light, while a gleam of wisdom shone between his brows.

"I am Taibai Jinxing, sent by order of the Jade Emperor to welcome the Heavenly Emperor back to the Heavenly Court!"

"Heavenly Emperor, this humble Daoist greets you!"

Taibai Jinxing's aura was placid, as though he were an ordinary mortal. He had reined in all his Dao charm, and his every gesture carried a kindly air that made it difficult for anyone to feel dislike toward him.

"Star Lord, you flatter this humble Daoist!"

Lingxiao returned the salute to Taibai Jinxing. He would not dare look down on this deity of the Heavenly Court.

Taibai Jinxing stood in the western reaches of the starry sky, commanding boundless Metal laws and the power of slaughter. Though he appeared kind and benevolent, if he truly made a move, few beneath the Quasi-Saint realm could be his match.

After all!

Taibai Jinxing was a trusted favorite at the Jade Emperor's side. His position was equivalent to that of Demon Teacher Kunpeng and Demon Sage Bai Ze beside Di Jun during the Witch-Demon Calamity.

His status was exalted and not to be underestimated!

"The Heavenly Emperor possesses deep foundations and immeasurable fortune. This humble Daoist cannot compare to you."

"The Heavenly Court has only recently been established, and its foundations are insufficient. Now that the Heavenly Emperor has joined us, we shall surely suppress the Three Realms, win the conviction of all living beings, and exalt the might of our Heavenly Court."

"The Jade Emperor has laid out a banquet within the High Heaven Palace. He is now waiting only for the Heavenly Emperor's arrival."

Taibai Jinxing spoke slowly, his words full of praise for Lingxiao.

Very soon!

Accompanied by Taibai Jinxing, Lingxiao rode auspicious clouds toward the High Heaven Palace.

After entering the Thirty-Six Heavens, pavilions, towers, palaces, and immortal mountains filled his sight. Every heaven served a distinct purpose within the Heavenly Court.

The High Heaven Palace stood in the highest realm of the Thirty-Six Heavens, the Great Luo Heaven.

The Great Luo Heaven was the central nexus of the heavens of the Primordial World. Here, Jade Emperor Haotian and Queen Mother Yaochi ruled over the living beings of the Three Realms, while in its deepest reaches lay several blessed immortal lands.

As for Dao Ancestor Hongjun's Purple Cloud Palace, it lay beyond the heavens, within the chaos!

"Heavenly Emperor, the Eastern Heavenly Gate lies ahead!"

Upon entering the Great Luo Heaven, Taibai Jinxing pointed toward a jade-green gate a million li away. Three ancient Heavenly Dao divine patterns were carved above it, while two ranks of heavenly soldiers and generals guarded its entrance.

The cultivation of these two ranks of heavenly soldiers and generals had all reached the peak of the True Immortal realm!

"In the Primordial World, the east is honored above all!"

"The Jade Emperor sent Taibai Jinxing to bring me through the Eastern Heavenly Gate and into the heart of the Heavenly Court. There must be some deeper meaning behind it..."

Lingxiao pondered inwardly, calm as drifting clouds and gentle as the breeze.

Under the respectful gazes of the two ranks of heavenly soldiers and generals, Lingxiao and Taibai Jinxing ventured deep into the Heavenly Court. Before long, they beheld the High Heaven Palace, spanning the void and standing atop endless auspicious clouds.

Led by Jade Emperor Haotian and Queen Mother Yaochi, the deities of the Heavenly Court stood expectantly before the High Heaven Palace. Everything they had done was for Lingxiao.

Boom!

The sound of the Dao rumbled, and auspicious signs manifested.

Dragons soared, phoenixes danced, qilin cried out, and all manner of sacred phenomena hung in the air.

"Daoist Lingxiao, you've finally arrived!"

Disregarding the Jade Emperor's dignity, Haotian strode directly toward Lingxiao. His manner of honoring the worthy and thirsting for talent left Lingxiao somewhat flattered and alarmed.

Especially that address—Daoist friend—which was enough to show Haotian's sincerity.

"This poor Daoist Lingxiao pays respects to the Jade Emperor!"

"The Jade Emperor sent a star lord to welcome me to Heaven, then personally led Queen Mother and the celestial officials of the Heavenly Court to wait for me before the High Heaven Palace. Such a grand mobilization truly leaves me fearful and uneasy!"

Lingxiao formed a Daoist salute and bowed to Haotian. Though his words carried reverence and apprehension, the corners of his mouth rose slightly. He now held Haotian in somewhat higher regard.

This ruler of the Heavenly Court possessed unfathomable scheming, and his handling of worldly affairs was impeccable as well.

At those words, Haotian took the initiative to reach out and support Lingxiao by the shoulder.

"Daoist Lingxiao, do not belittle yourself. Your innate foundation rivals that of the foremost innate deities, and you carry immeasurable destiny and fortune upon you. Even the Master cannot see through your depths."

"Now that you have entered the Heavenly Court and become one of the Six Imperial Heavenly Emperors, your status naturally cannot be judged by cultivation alone. The honor of the Eastern Pole Qinghua Emperor stands beneath only my own. You are worthy of my reception."

Haotian lightly patted Lingxiao's shoulder, then revealed a sentimental expression.

Lingxiao caught the key point in Haotian's words.

Eastern Pole Qinghua Emperor!

Also known as the Taiyi Savior Celestial Worthy!

From this day forth, he would enjoy the exalted position of Eastern Pole Qinghua Emperor, becoming an existence in the Heavenly Court second only to Jade Emperor Haotian and Queen Mother Yaochi.

Though he had long suspected as much, Lingxiao still experienced what true surprise felt like.

Even with the system, he still needed time to grow.

But joining the Heavenly Court and becoming the Eastern Qinghua Emperor meant he was officially on the rolls with the Heavenly Dao and Dao Ancestor Hongjun. So long as he did not punch a hole through Heaven itself, whatever he did, he would remain safe and sound.

A profound sense of security wrapped around Lingxiao.

"How could this poor Daoist possibly be worthy of the honored position of Eastern Qinghua Emperor? Yet since the Jade Emperor trusts this poor Daoist, I certainly will not betray your wholehearted sincerity."

"During the Witch-Demon Calamity, Dong Wanggong established the Immortal Court, while Di Jun established the Demon Race Heavenly Court. Both sought to command the myriad beings of the Three Realms, only to meet the end of body perishing and Dao vanishing."

"Now, the Heavenly Court is governed by the Jade Emperor. Though its foundations may not run deep and its majesty may not yet be sufficient, I believe that one day, wherever the sun and moon shine, all living beings shall submit!"

"Not merely the disciples of the various sects—even the Heavenly Dao Saints must bow their heads beneath the Jade Emperor!"

Lingxiao's expression turned solemn as he spoke to Haotian with absolute conviction.

When his words fell, they were like thunder pouring over their heads, striking directly into the depths of their divine souls.

Queen Mother Yaochi and the deities of the Immortal Court all revealed expressions of utter shock. Only the Jade Emperor seemed as though Lingxiao had exposed the thoughts buried in his heart, a meaningful look appearing on his face.

The Heavenly Dao Saints spoken of here did not include Dao Ancestor Hongjun, who had merged himself with the Dao. Naturally, Lingxiao's head was not that hard, nor would the Jade Emperor dare overturn the natural order.

"Daoist Lingxiao, quickly accompany me into the High Heaven Palace. The Queen Mother and I shall hold a welcoming feast to cleanse you of travel dust!"

"Moreover, the Master's decree must be announced to all beings of the Primordial World!"

Rather than answer directly, Haotian merely nodded at Lingxiao.

Without leaving a trace, he shifted the subject.

Making all beings of the heavens submit and forcing the Heavenly Dao Saints to lower their heads—such matters had to be spoken of in private. They absolutely could not be brought into the open.

"Excellent!"

Lingxiao saw through Haotian's thoughts, deep radiance flickering in his eyes.

Just now, he had both flattered Haotian and tested him.

If Haotian lacked the ambition to make the Three Realms submit, then Lingxiao could simply follow the great trend of the Heavenly Dao and advance the Investiture of the Gods Calamity. But now, it seemed that this Investiture of the Gods Calamity ought to undergo some changes as well.

Before obtaining the system, Lingxiao could only be timid and submissive.

Now that the system was at his side, if he still walked on thin ice and followed the great trend of the Heavenly Dao, would that not mean the system had come for nothing?

In the Primordial World, Dao Ancestor Hongjun and the Heavenly Dao ranked first!

Haotian and Yaochi were second!

He, Lingxiao, the Eastern Qinghua Emperor, would take the third seat in the Primordial World!

At this thought, Lingxiao exhaled a breath of turbid air, and his Dao heart became incomparably clear.

A moment later!

Lingxiao, Haotian, and Yaochi sat high upon the jade platform at the very top of the High Heaven Palace. Below them stood all the deities of the Heavenly Court, including the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden, Taibai Jinxing, and others.

Beyond that, graceful celestial maidens moved through the great hall—some playing immortal music, others dancing with fluttering sleeves—making the atmosphere extraordinarily lively.

"Senior Brother, let us first proclaim the Master's Dharma decree!"

Yaochi, noble and graceful, spoke softly.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun's decree would be announced to all beings of the Three Realms: Lingxiao was to become the Eastern Pole Qinghua Emperor!