Heavenly Court abounded in precious treasures, with plentiful spiritual energy, beautiful scenery, birdsong, and fragrant flowers... it could well be called the foremost blessed land in the Primordial World. Did a thousand years of confinement here even count as punishment?
Besides, he was the Jade Emperor. If he truly intended to wield power and handle affairs of state, wasn't it perfectly normal to spend a thousand years without leaving Heavenly Court? In the hundred thousand-odd years since the Witch-Demon Calamity, I've only left Heavenly Court four times. I've spent all the rest of my time here. Does that mean I've been serving a sentence too?
At Hongjun's words, fury surged in Ao Yue's heart. If not for his good upbringing and his deep fear of Hongjun, he would have unleashed a fragrant bouquet of curses right then.
He had never seen anyone disgust a dragon so thoroughly!
"Thank you, Master. Your disciple willingly accepts this punishment!" Haotian smiled faintly and bowed with clasped hands to Hongjun's manifestation overhead.
"Mm. Haotian, the Heavenly Dao Divine Sword I bestowed upon you can unleash power comparable to a Saint's full-strength strike. It is a mighty weapon. Unless you reach the final moment, you must not use it lightly!" Hongjun nodded and cautioned Haotian, while also informing Ao Yue that he really had given Haotian something that powerful.
"Yes, Master," Haotian replied respectfully.
"Ao Yue, when the Ancestral Bear returns, discuss the matter with him and vacate one-third of the Divine Positions already conferred, then hand them over to Haotian. All other authority must likewise be divided equally. You must not make things difficult for him!" Hongjun told Ao Yue.
Ao Yue: "..."
This was bullying a dragon beyond all bounds!
"Whew..." Ao Yue closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled.