On the jade steps, Haotian watched Bi'an leave, his hand resting on the armrest of the imperial throne as his expression shifted.
Yao Ji...
"Hmph!" He snorted coldly at Ao Yue, then turned and vanished in a streak of golden light. He had to hurry and discuss this with Jade Pool to work out what they should do.
He had only himself to blame. Lately, he had been occupied with stabilizing his primordial spirit and refining a divine body. He had thought that, with Yao Ji's cultivation surpassing the Three-Headed Flood Dragon's and the Plain-Colored Cloud-Realm Banner protecting her, nothing could go wrong on this trip. Who would have thought... something had happened after all. Alas...
Seeing Haotian leave, Ao Yue calmly withdrew his gaze and waved a hand at the assembled deities. "Sorry you had to witness that spectacle. You may withdraw."
"Your Majesty is too kind. We take our leave!" The deities hurriedly bowed with their hands clasped.
Among them, Long-Eared Dingguang Immortal asked Ao Yue, "May I ask, Your Majesty, must this lowly deity still descend to the mortal realm to apprehend the Three-Headed Flood Dragon?"
"No need. Set the matter of the Three-Headed Flood Dragon aside for now. We will deal with it after Yao Ji's affairs are settled," Ao Yue said.
"Yes." Long-Eared Dingguang Immortal lowered his head in acknowledgment.
After dismissing court, Ao Yue went to the Jade Pool Immortal Realm to ask the Queen Mother of the West what exactly was going on and what she had done to Yao Ji. However, the immortal maidens there told him that she was away, having gone to Mount Kunlun to discuss the Dao with the Primordial Heavenly Venerable.
With that answer, Ao Yue could only turn and leave helplessly. On the way, he gave