"Lin Tian, what is the meaning of this?"
Haotian asked in a low voice.
"What do you mean?"
Lin Tian smiled. "Great Heavenly Venerable, how long has it been since what happened in the Eastern Sea? Have you forgotten already? You and Gouchen plotted against me, tried to kill me, and attacked me. Everyone saw it. I'm not falsely accusing you. Now I've come to settle the score."
"You intend to settle it here?"
Haotian's lips twitched slightly before he warned, "I am the Heavenly Emperor personally appointed by the Dao Ancestor. I preside over the Heavenly Court and govern the Three Realms, acting in accordance with Heaven and bearing its mandate. You had best think carefully before you act."
"The Heavenly Emperor was indeed appointed by the Dao Ancestor, but so what? Who told you to try to kill me?"
"Surely you can't be allowed to kill me while I'm forbidden to kill you."
"Besides, the Dao Ancestor conferred the office of Heavenly Emperor. As its holder, you've been utterly devoid of virtue, leaving the Primordial World in a complete mess. You'd probably have trouble accounting for yourself before the Dao Ancestor. With me in charge, things will be different. The Four Seas will enjoy peace, the Primordial World will be stable, and Heaven's might will sweep far and wide, with none daring to disobey. The Dao Ancestor will probably be delighted."
Lin Tian spoke unhurriedly.
His words drifted out of Lingxiao Hall, making the expressions of the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, Yang Jian, He Xiangu, and the other immortals of the Heavenly Court abruptly darken. Lin Tian had all but spelled it out.
He would kill Haotian without fail, both to avenge himself and to take the throne of the Central Heavenly Emperor!
The Queen Mother of the West