You've Really Put Me in a Tough Spot!

Inside Five Estate Temple.

Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden cupped her hands in salute and slowly said, "This junior has come on the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother's orders to pay a visit to Fellow Daoist Lingxiao. If I have disturbed Great Immortal Zhenyuanzi or Senior Hongyun in any way, I beg your forgiveness."

There was not the slightest trace of arrogance or any other emotion in her words.

Even though Lingxiao's cultivation was only at the early stage of the Primordial Unity Golden Immortal realm, she showed him no disrespect. Instead, with just a few words, she made her purpose clear and highlighted Lingxiao's standing.

Zhenyuanzi and Daoist Hongyun were unfathomably profound and utterly unmoved by others' flattery. Yet seeing Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden treat Lingxiao with such respect, they immediately developed a faint favorable impression of her.

Zhenyuanzi waved his hand and said with a smile, "Mystic Maiden, don't remain standing. Sit and speak! I have some idea of why you have come. Taste the ginseng fruit first; there is no rush to discuss serious matters."

Hearing this, Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden let go of her restraint, sat upon a meditation cushion, and drank wine while discussing the Dao with everyone.

Lingxiao remained calm and unruffled, a smile always hanging at the corners of his lips.

Only after a long while did Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden speak. "After the Witch-Demon Calamity, the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother took charge of the Heavenly Court. Yet after all these years, the living beings of the Primordial World still know only the Six Sages of the Heavenly Dao, but not the august might of the Heavenly Court."

"Fellow Daoist Lingxiao possesses deep foundations and boundless fortune. You introduced many powerful cultivators to the Interception Sect and helped it secure several positions as mentors to Human Emperors. This has left our Heavenly Court deeply envious!"

"Now that Fellow Daoist Lingxiao stands alone, and since the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother have long admired you, they sent this humble Daoist to visit you."

Taking advantage of the harmonious atmosphere, Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden laid everything bare.

With a light sweep of her jade sleeve.

A longsword floated in the air. Pure utmost-yang laws surged from it, while dense immortal charm coiled around its blade. It was unmistakably a top-grade Xiantian Spiritual Treasure.

"The Jade Emperor and Queen Mother possess deep reserves indeed, and they are lavish in their generosity."

"This top-grade Xiantian Spiritual Treasure was once one of Immortal Emperor Dong Wanggong's natal supreme treasures. After his body perished and Dao vanished, it disappeared without a trace. Who would have thought it would ultimately fall into the Heavenly Court's hands?"

"The Pure Yang Sword, also known as the Eastern King Sword, is an exceedingly rare treasure of slaughter in the Primordial World!"

Zhenyuanzi raised his brows slightly as he spoke to Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden.

Within the Primordial World, only supreme Xiantian deities and mighty quasi-sages were qualified to wield top-grade Xiantian Spiritual Treasures. Yet this Pure Yang Sword was being given to Lingxiao by the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother just like that.

Zhenyuanzi could not help sighing inwardly. The Jade Emperor and Queen Mother saw things more clearly than Lord Tongtian did; they could perceive Lingxiao's potential and the fortune surrounding him.

"Nothing can escape Great Immortal Zhenyuanzi's discerning eye. This Pure Yang Sword is a gift from the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother to Fellow Daoist Lingxiao upon meeting him."

"Besides that, the Penglai Immortal Island upon the Eastern Sea has already been cleaned and put in order by heavenly soldiers, heavenly generals, and female immortals of the Heavenly Court. If Fellow Daoist Lingxiao does not find it lacking, please accept Penglai Immortal Island as your Daoist ground!"

"It is only a pity that the other two islands, Yingzhou Island and Fangzhang Island, were reduced to ruin in that earth-shattering battle."

Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden dared not conceal anything and revealed every detail.

The Pure Yang Sword!

Penglai Immortal Island!

Not only Lingxiao—even Daoist Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi were somewhat astonished.

During the Witch-Demon Calamity, Penglai Immortal Island had been the seat of the Immortal Court, gathering immeasurable luck from heaven and earth. Even after Dong Wanggong's fall, it remained an immortal blessed land.

And now, the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother wanted to hand Penglai Immortal Island over to Lingxiao, fresh and untouched.

What old cadre could withstand a test like this?

"This humble Daoist is merely a Primordial Unity Golden Immortal. How could I possibly deserve the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother's generous favor? The Pure Yang Sword and Penglai Immortal Island are both exceedingly precious. I fear my virtue is insufficient—that my virtue does not match my position!"

Lingxiao shook his head, still putting on an act of modest restraint.

Potential and foundations were one aspect, but most importantly, Zhenyuanzi and Daoist Hongyun stood unwaveringly behind him. That was why he had won Haotian and Yaochi's regard.

Hearing this, Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden explained, "The Primordial World has Heavenly Dao Sages, and beneath the Heavenly Dao stand the Six Imperial Heavenly Emperors! The Jade Emperor governs the Heavenly Court, but the positions of the other five among the Six Imperial Sovereigns have yet to be decided."

"Before this humble Daoist came to Five Estate Temple, the Jade Emperor had already gone to Purple Cloud Palace to pay audience to Dao Ancestor Hongjun. If nothing unexpected occurs, Fellow Daoist Lingxiao should become one of the Six Imperial Heavenly Emperors."

"Moreover, the Queen Mother instructed this humble Daoist that the Investiture of the Gods Calamity is about to descend. The Heavenly Court needs someone to preside over the grand situation, and Fellow Daoist is the only suitable choice."

The Six Imperial Heavenly Emperors!

Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden's words exploded like thunder, reverberating through Lingxiao's mind.

The Jade Emperor ruled over the myriad worlds of the Primordial World and was the common sovereign of the Three Realms.

The other Five Sovereigns each performed their own duties as well.

In the east stood the Eastern Pole Qinghua Emperor, commanding the myriad kinds of the Three Realms, governing the growth of all things, relieving suffering and delivering the afflicted, and guiding departed souls beyond. He was also known as the Heavenly Worthy Taiyi Who Saves from Suffering.

In the south stood the Southern Pole Longevity Emperor, commanding all thunder, governing the transformations of the seasons and climate, and controlling the vital pivot of blessings, calamities, birth, and growth for all things.

In the west stood the Western Pole Gouchen Emperor, commanding all gods, assisting the Heavenly Emperor in governing the three talents of heaven, earth, and man, while presiding over military affairs throughout the Three Realms.

In the north stood the Northern Pole Purple Tenuity Emperor, commanding all stars and assisting the Heavenly Emperor in governing the warp of heaven and the weft of earth.

Below stood the Fengdu Great Emperor, also called the Netherworld Emperor, who carried out Heaven's mandate and assisted the Heavenly Emperor in governing the birth and propagation of yin and yang.

The Six Imperial Heavenly Emperors were the foundation of the Heavenly Court. With the Jade Emperor at their head, they suppressed the luck of the Heavenly Dao and governed the Primordial World.

Now!

The Jade Emperor and Queen Mother wanted to grant him the exalted position of one of the Six Imperial Heavenly Emperors!

Lingxiao appeared immovable as a mountain, steady as an old dog, but within his heart, raging waves surged.

Compared with Heavenly Dao Sages, the Six Imperial Heavenly Emperors did not need to entrust their Primordial Spirits deep within the Heavenly Dao, and naturally did not have to suffer the Heavenly Dao's restraints. They merely had to fulfill their respective duties.

Yet the authority over the Heavenly Dao he enjoyed far surpassed that of the Heavenly Dao Saints.

For one reason alone!

After Dao Ancestor Hongjun merged with the Dao, he issued a decree to the various Heavenly Dao Saints, restraining them from casually meddling in the great currents of the Primordial World.

"Since the Jade Emperor has gone to the Purple Cloud Palace to discuss this matter with Dao Ancestor Hongjun, it means, little friend Lingxiao, that it will be difficult for you to refuse. In my view, you should accept the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother's goodwill."

"Once you take the position of one of the Six Imperial Heavenly Emperors, Red Cloud and I will naturally support you with all our strength. You need only focus on cultivation and dealing with the Investiture of the Gods Calamity. Leave everything else to us."

Zhenyuanzi said calmly and unhurriedly.

The Ancestor of Earth Immortals, revered by ten thousand immortals.

Any living being born of heaven and earth could respectfully call him Earth Ancestor. If Zhenyuanzi gave the call, an immense multitude of living beings would come flocking to his side.

Now, Zhenyuanzi intended to spare no effort in supporting Lingxiao and helping him firmly secure the position of Six Imperial Heavenly Emperor.

"Zhenyuanzi is right. You cannot miss such an opportunity."

"The Interception Sect and Lord Tongtian wronged you. It is not that this grudge will go unavenged—it is simply that the time has not yet come. Once you preside over the affairs of the Investiture of the Gods Calamity, the good days of the Interception Sect disciples will be over."

"Stop hesitating and accept the Pure Yang Sword!"

Daoist Red Cloud patted Lingxiao on the shoulder, his words brimming with the exhilaration of holding his head high at last.

He thought to himself.

Lord Tongtian, so you have a day like this too!

At that moment, Lingxiao rose to his feet and said solemnly, "Great Immortal Zhenyuan, Senior Red Cloud, Fellow Daoist Mystic Maiden, you are truly making things difficult for me!"

With that said!

He extended his right hand and gripped the Pure Yang Sword tightly.

His divine sense surged forth as he began refining this top-grade Xiantian Spiritual Treasure.

"Though the Six Imperial Heavenly Emperors are not as exalted as Heavenly Dao Saints, they are by no means comparable to those Interception Sect disciples. When the time comes to avenge your grievances, you will not even need to lift a hand—you will be able to crush them by status alone."

"If they refuse to respectfully bow, that would be contempt for the majesty of the Heavenly Court, defiance of the principles of the Heavenly Dao, and disrespect toward the Heavenly Emperor. Once that label is pinned on them, no one will dare bear it!"

Daoist Red Cloud said with ill intent.

Hadn't the people of the Interception Sect claimed that Lingxiao had defied his sect and shown no respect for a Saint?

When the time came, the wheel of fortune would turn; offense and defense would switch places. Let them see what they could do then.

Hehehe...

"Mystic Maiden pays respects to the Heavenly Emperor!"

The instant Lingxiao gripped the Pure Yang Sword, Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden did not hesitate in the slightest. She performed a Daoist salute toward Lingxiao.

The Six Imperial Ones were all Heavenly Emperors!

Thus, before the Jade Emperor had decided which direction's Heavenly Emperor Lingxiao would be, Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden could only address him as Heavenly Emperor.

"Rise, please!"

A gentle expression appeared on Lingxiao's face. With a stream of mana, he helped Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden to her feet. At that instant, he felt the fortune of heaven and earth gathering toward him from all directions, and even his Dao heart became far clearer.

Presumably, the Jade Emperor and Dao Ancestor Hongjun had already reached an agreement.

Only a formality remained before he ascended the throne of the Six Imperial Heavenly Emperors.

Elsewhere.

Dragging her grievously wounded body, Qiongxiao crossed countless billions of miles back to Kunlun Mountain. Yet before she could head to the Azure Roaming Palace to pay respects to Lord Tongtian, she witnessed an explosive scene.

Once people left, the tea turned cold. Not long after Lingxiao had severed his karma with the Interception Sect, Immortal Dingguang and the others had already begun tearing down Lingxiao's cave abode...