As the Lunar Star Lord began her moon-riding celestial patrol.
The divine vessel drew in the moonlight of the heavens as it sailed through the clouds of the Ninth Heaven.
Wherever the moon wheel passed, silver radiance spread across ten thousand miles of sky.
In an instant, the stars of the heavens dimmed.
At both sides of the divine vessel, the Twenty-Four Solar Term Gods answered the summons, revealing their true forms.
[Start of Spring] wore green and held a willow branch; [Rain Water] wore dark robes and carried a pot; [Awakening of Insects] beat thunder drums; [Spring Equinox] was half yin and half yang.
The Twelve Hour Gods stood arrayed along the vessel's rails.
The solemn dharma forms of the Twelve Earthly Branches—Rat, Ox, Tiger, and the rest—chanted the hours as they followed the vessel.
That divine sound was incomparably deep and heavy, circling the vessel without dispersing and piercing straight through the Ninth Heaven.
For a time, immortals and gods across the Heavenly Court emerged upon hearing the news, all standing solemnly in welcome.
Outside the Layered Tower Hall at the Southern Heavenly Gate.
Like the Lord Wealth Hall, it too was guarded by generals of the Northern Pole Exorcism Office.
Upon the cloud platform within the hall, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King was in seclusion, reforging his treasured pagoda. Suddenly sensing something, he opened his eyes and saw the eastern moonlight blazing brilliantly. His expression immediately turned grave.
An Exquisite Guard hurried into the hall to report. "Marshal! The Moon Goddess has suddenly begun a celestial patrol ceremony! The divine vessel has already passed the Heavenly Gate and is heading for the Layered Tower Hall!"
The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King frowned slightly. "Strange. Her Ladyship has not patrolled the heavens for a hundred years. Today is neither a