One attack had come from Sage Nuwa, and the other from Jade Cauldron of the Clarifying Sect.
If Haotian truly intended to kill, Yang Chan would have been fine, but Yang Jian would have had no chance of survival!
As the lofty Heavenly Emperor, he might not dare kill Jade Cauldron, a direct disciple of a Sage, but would he not dare kill a mere Yang Jian?
In the end, all this grand fanfare was merely because he could not save face and had been left unable to back down!
Yao Ji had, after all, been his younger sister for countless years. How could he truly feel nothing for her?
What Haotian wanted was not Yao Ji's death, but merely a way to uphold the majesty of Heavenly Law while preserving his own dignity.
If possible, who would be willing to kill his own nephew and imprison his own younger sister?
Jade Cauldron could see Yang Jian's extraordinary talent. How could Haotian, who shared blood karma with him, fail to know it?
In the future, Yang Jian would even rise to become the Judicial God of the Heavenly Court, answering summons but not proclamations, enjoying a whole series of privileges.
Could anyone dare say that had nothing to do with his status as Haotian's nephew?
Jiang Yun's purpose in ascending to Heaven this time was to offer the Jade Emperor that very step down!
And, while he was at it, make preparations for the Investiture of the Gods in advance!
Without a word along the way, they passed through the Southern Heavenly Gate and headed straight for the Thirty-Three Heavens.
Outside the Jade Pool Mystic Realm.
"Please wait here, Daoist!"
The Giant Spirit God did not dare show the slightest negligence. He respectfully asked Jiang Yun to wait outside the hall before entering to report.
Before long, the Giant Spirit God hurried back out, the respect on his face even deeper. "Daoist, His Majesty summons you!"
"Thank you, Divine General!"
Jiang Yun straightened his appearance, his expression calm as he strode into the Jade Pool Mystic Realm.
Immortal qi swirled through the hall, while countless streams of auspicious radiance filled the air.
Seated high upon the dragon throne and phoenix seat were none other than Haotian, the Great Celestial Worthy of the Three Realms, and the Queen Mother of Yaochi.
"This humble Daoist, Jiang Yun, pays respects to the Great Celestial Worthy and Her Majesty the Queen Mother."
Jiang Yun performed a Daoist salute, his etiquette respectful and flawless.
"Rise."
Haotian's dignified voice rang out. His gaze flashed like lightning, as though he intended to see through Jiang Yun completely.
Yet Jiang Yun seemed entirely unaware, remaining composed and at ease.
He knew Haotian was testing him.
"Thank you, Great Celestial Worthy."
Jiang Yun straightened up. Without any needless words, he immediately pleaded guilty. "Reporting to the Great Celestial Worthy, this humble Daoist was traveling through the lower realm today when he happened upon the Heavenly Court enforcing its laws."
"I should not have interfered, but—"
As Jiang Yun spoke, he swept his sleeve!
Buzz!
The divine light of the Yin-Yang Immortal Eye flashed. Yao Ji, Yang Jiao, and Yang Jian instantly appeared in the center of the great hall.
Only then did Jiang Yun continue, "However, this humble Daoist seems to share a predestined bond of master and disciple with Yang Jiao and Yang Jian!"
"In my urgency, I acted on impulse and rashly intervened to stop Divine General Giant Spirit."
"This was this humble Daoist's fault alone!"
"I beg the Great Celestial Worthy to forgive my offense!"
With that, Jiang Yun bowed deeply once more!
His words were utterly impeccable!
He took every bit of blame upon himself, never mentioning the Clarifying Sect's scheme.
Nor did he mention his identity as a disciple of the Interception Sect, saying only that he had acted out of "urgent impulse"!
What did Haotian lack?
In terms of status, the Heavenly Emperor stood second only to the Dao Ancestor and the Sages. There was no higher position for him to rise to!
In terms of strength, in the eyes of all beings of the Primordial World, Grandmist Purple Qi was the foundation of becoming a Sage. Without Grandmist Purple Qi, one could not become a Sage.
Haotian was currently in the late stage of Quasi-Sagehood. Enjoying the orthodox destiny of the Heavenly Court and the Three Realms, reaching the peak of Quasi-Sagehood was merely a matter of time.
Thinking about it that way.
Born a pageboy!
What Haotian lacked was nothing more than face, and all he wanted was dignity!
"Good! What an excellent Jiang Yun!"
Haotian's favor toward Jiang Yun instantly soared to its peak!
Talent, combat power, comprehension—
None of those amounted to much!
What was truly rare was such perceptiveness, such a temperament that knew when to advance and when to retreat!
He understood the ways of the world and was well versed in human affairs!
As the Jade Emperor of the Three Realms, was this not precisely the step down he wanted?!
"Hahaha!"
Haotian was overjoyed. Even his stern face revealed a faint smile. "So that is how it is! Since this is a master-disciple bond ordained by Heaven, your intervention was understandable."
"I cannot act against Heaven's will either!"
Haotian looked at Jiang Yun and magnanimously waved his hand. "Forget it! The ignorant are not guilty!"
"Since you share a master-disciple bond with these two boys, I shall fulfill this bond for you today!"
"Yang Jiao! Yang Jian!"
Haotian shouted in a deep voice, "Why do you not swiftly pay respects to your master?"
The two little boys, Yang Jiao and Yang Jian, had already been badly frightened by the majesty of the Heavenly Court. Hearing this, they hurriedly knelt and kowtowed. "This disciple pays respects to Master!"
Jiang Yun smiled faintly and stepped forward to help them both up.
"This humble Daoist gratefully accepts the Great Celestial Worthy's favor."
"However, the position of first disciple among the fourth generation of the Interception Sect has not yet been decided."
"This humble Daoist must report to his master and grandmaster before their standing can be determined."
"Today, I shall first accept these two as registered disciples. They may formally enter the sect in the future. I hope the Great Celestial Worthy will grant permission!"
These words delighted Haotian even more!
Look at that!
What did it mean to understand the rules?!
This was what it meant to understand the rules!
It seemed as though Jiang Yun had rejected Haotian's favor, but that was not the case at all.
One had to know that fourth-generation disciples he accepted himself and fourth-generation disciples acknowledged by Tongtian held entirely different standings within the Interception Sect.
If Yang Jiao could become the first disciple of the fourth generation of the Interception Sect, Haotian, as his uncle, would gain face as well!
"Granted!"
In high spirits, Haotian shifted his gaze to Yao Ji, who was kneeling on the ground.
"Brother, Yao Ji has failed your expectations—"
Haotian sighed softly upon hearing this.
Then he turned to Jiang Yun and took the initiative to ask, "Daoist Jiang, in your view, how should my sister be dealt with for descending to the mortal realm without permission and violating Heavenly Law?"
"Reporting to the Great Celestial Worthy."
"Matters of the Heavenly Court naturally fall under the Great Celestial Worthy's authority. This humble Daoist should not rashly speak, but since the Great Celestial Worthy has asked today—"
"This humble Daoist believes that although Princess Yao Ji was at fault, she was also plotted against and had her judgment clouded for a time. Her actions are understandable."
"However, the majesty of Heavenly Law cannot be discarded!"
"In this humble Daoist's foolish opinion, why not punish Princess Yao Ji by ordering her to reflect behind closed doors, thereby setting an example for others? What does the Great Celestial Worthy think?"
"Good!"
"Yao Ji! Daoist Jiang has pleaded for you today, so I shall punish you lightly!"
"You are to return to Radiance Palace and reflect behind closed doors for a thousand years! Without my decree, you may not take a single step outside!"
"Thank you, Brother!"
Even if Yao Ji had been foolish, she could now guess that she had been plotted against and that her mind had been clouded.
After suffering such a drastic upheaval in a single day, she did not know what to do for the moment.
After Yao Ji withdrew.
The atmosphere in the great hall had become incomparably harmonious.
The more Haotian looked at Jiang Yun, the more pleased he became. He was just wondering how to win him over.
Yet at that moment, Jiang Yun stepped forward of his own accord. "Reporting to the Great Celestial Worthy!"
"This humble Daoist has one more request!"
"Oh?" Haotian smiled. "Please speak freely, Daoist!"
Jiang Yun said, "This humble Daoist has long admired the majesty of the Heavenly Court and yearns for it!"
"Though lacking in talent, this humble Daoist wishes to join the Heavenly Court and serve the Great Celestial Worthy. I seek a divine office!"
"I hope the Great Celestial Worthy will grant my request!"
The moment those words were spoken, Haotian's heart leaped with joy.
"Good! Good! Good!!"
Haotian had been considering how to draw Jiang Yun in, never expecting Jiang Yun to make the request himself.
"Hahaha! Excellent! Daoist Jiang's willingness to join my Heavenly Court is my good fortune! How could I refuse!"
Overjoyed, Haotian immediately issued a decree. "Transmit my edict!"
"I hereby appoint Jiang Yun as the Patriarch of the Nine Heavens, Esteemed Father, Chief Superintendent of the Five Directions, Supreme General of the Northern Pole Left Enclosure, Grand Marshal and Commander-in-Chief, Heavenly Canopy True Lord!"
"You shall command the Celestial River and oversee one hundred and eight thousand Star River naval troops!!"
"Bestow upon him the Marshal's Golden Seal!"
Before you continue