At daybreak the next morning, just before roll call at the Celestial Court.
Yi Shuyuan followed Cao Yugao up into the heavens on a cloud. By the time they reached the Heavenly Steps, the eastern sky had begun to show its pale belly, and numerous divine generals stood outside the Heavenly Gate visible in the distance.
As their cloud passed through the Heavenly Gate, many gods and Heavenly Soldiers looked up at them. They naturally recognized Cao Yugao, one of the Five Generals of the Thunder Department, so the man beside him with long, graying hair had to be Yi Daozi.
Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom!
The drums thundered through the heavens. This time, the heavenly drums carried a different meaning from before. Beams of light appeared throughout the Celestial Court, all flying toward the Divine Firmament Treasure Hall.
The Heavenly Palace was very different from how it had been on Yi Shuyuan's previous visit. Divine radiance shone everywhere, and the aura of incense offerings filled every quarter.
By the time Yi Shuyuan and Cao Yugao arrived before the Divine Firmament Treasure Hall, the entire hall glittered with magnificent light, and Heavenly Soldiers and gods crowded its cloud steps.
"So many gods!"
Hui Mian lay on Yi Shuyuan's shoulder, marveling endlessly. Yi Shuyuan felt much the same; he could not even name them all.
Their cloud landed directly before the entrance to the Divine Firmament Treasure Hall.
"Please enter the hall, Yi Daozi-"
"After you, Master Yi!"
With those words, Cao Yugao entered the Divine Firmament Treasure Hall alongside Yi Shuyuan. Within the enormous hall, cloud platforms at every height were filled with gods from the various departments.
"Greetings, Divine Sovereign!"
Yi Shuyuan cupped his hands in greeting. The Heavenly Emperor nodded and gestured toward one side.
"Sorry for the