Auspicious clouds pierced through the fierce winds of the heavens, and Zhenwu and Xu Xiao stood side by side, with swirling clouds beneath their feet.
As he ascended to a certain height, Xu Xiao felt as if he had broken through a dimensional barrier and instantly arrived at another realm.
Cranes carrying lingzhi mushrooms flew by all around, and in the distance, golden rays rolled like rainbows, while auspicious clouds spewed purple mist.
Although the view still reveals a sea of clouds, both the environment and the Spiritual Energy indicate that this place is no longer in the mortal realm.
"This ancient Heavenly Court is truly magnificent."
With Xu Xiao's eyesight, besides the clouds and cranes, he could also see the magnificent heavenly palace buildings in the distance.
Above the clouds and mountains, there are towering buildings with deep blue glazed tiles, adorned with bright and sparkling precious stones, radiating countless rays of light.
"Haha, you're actually just average on the outside, but your Internal Energy is truly extraordinary. Junior brother, let me guide you through it all."
As he spoke, the auspicious cloud beneath Zhenwu's feet carried Xu Xiao closer, allowing him to take in all the scenery within sight.
Like leading an outsider into the city, Zhenwu responsibly took his junior brother around the Heavenly Realm for quite a while before turning around and flying off in one direction.
" The North Heaven Gate is just ahead," Zhenwu pointed into the distance.
Xu Xiao gazed intently and saw a majestic Heaven's Gate standing tall amidst the clouds, exuding boundless awe simply by looking at it.
Before the Heaven's Gate Heaven's Gate, dozens of Heavenly Soldiers and Generals, clad in armor and wielding halberds and swords, stood guard.
The two leading divine generals also noticed the two figures on the auspicious clouds. Upon seeing Zhenwu's arrival, they quickly led their celestial soldiers to bow and salute. "Welcome, Sovereign Lord Zhenwu!"
Zhenwu nodded slightly and led Xu Xiao into the Heaven's Gate.
The Heavenly Soldiers and Generals the gate kept their eyes straight ahead, only turning their gazes silently to Xu Xiao after the two had gone far away.
Unfamiliar faces? The Sovereign Lord Zhenwu himself is leading the way!
Goodness gracious! It seems another Heavenly Court star is about to emerge in Heaven!
The two generals exchanged a glance, then suppressed their gossip and continued standing guard.
Even immortals have emotions and desires, but they are bound by heavenly rules. Having stayed in the Heavenly Court for a long time, they become even more eager for all news.
Those who know the backgrounds of deities and the interesting stories of powerful beings are often the first to know.
Logically speaking, the Great Jade Emperor Haotian was diligent and frugal, should have entered the Heavenly Palace through the South Heaven Gate, which was the closest route. However, Xu Xiao was not foolish enough to ask Zhenwu why he was being led through the North Heaven Gate.
Upon entering, Xu Xiao felt a lightness all over his body, as a wave of Spiritual Energy, even more concentrated than outside the Heavenly Realm, washed over him, carrying with it the power of the stars in the heavens.
Looking up, the sky was ablaze with stars, seemingly within reach—we had arrived at the Ziwei Enclosure!
" The Great Emperor Ziwei of the North Pole, rules over all stars and governs the celestial order. Since you have been appointed to patrol the heavens, you must first pay your respects to this Emperor," Zhenwu reminded him telepathically, while also giving him a meaningful look.
Before the words were finished, the starry river in front of them suddenly parted, and an emperor wearing a nine-tassel crown and a purple-gold robe came stepping on the stars.
His face was hidden behind the crown, only his eyes were visible, which were like lightning, and stars seemed to flow around him, as if he himself was this vast galaxy.
"Fellow Martial Dao, it's been a long time." The Great Emperor Ziwei's voice was like the clinking of metal and jade, but his gaze fell on Xu Xiao. "Is this the variable that Xuandu mentioned?"
Xu Xiao felt a chill run down his spine, as if a consciousness was relentlessly probing the cause and effect around him. Fortunately, the Reversing the Dao of Cause and Effect operated on its own, concealing the traces of fate tightly, so the other party could not find them.
Such behavior was extremely impolite on a first meeting, but Xu Xiao could only swallow his pride and bow respectfully.
" Xu Xiao, a rogue cultivator from the lower realm, pays respects to the Great Emperor Ziwei."
The Great Emperor Ziwei stared for a moment, then chuckled softly, "Interesting. Reversing cause and effect, concealing heavenly secrets... No wonder Xuandu allowed you to interfere in the Journey to the Journey to the West."
"His temperament is patient and his principles are suitable; he's quite good."
With that, he flicked his sleeve, and a phantom star fell into Xu Xiao's palm. "Since you are now Duty Officer of the Sky-Patrolling Bureau, this is for you. You can contact me at any time, and it can also protect you if necessary."
The illusory starlight vanished the moment he touched it, and Xu Xiao immediately felt a starlight imprint on his soul, allowing him to vaguely perceive the movement of the stars in the heavens.
Upon seeing Zhenwu, Zhenwu's eyes flashed with surprise— the Great Emperor Ziwei's " Star God Guide " was always bestowed only upon his trusted confidants; this move was clearly an attempt to establish a good relationship.
As expected, everyone had high hopes for this junior brother of the time traveler.
"Don't blame me for taking the initiative. It's really a matter of great importance to the Journey to the West Calamity. If I don't discern the true nature of things, it's fine if things don't go well, but I'm afraid things will turn out badly."
"Since you are a disciple of my Daoist Sect and have Fellow Xuandu as your guarantor, you should act according to the circumstances from now on."
The Great Emperor Ziwei explained his actions, and Xu Xiao had nothing to say, only nodding silently.
If it were him, he would definitely test the waters himself before he would feel at ease.
Besides, even if it wasn't a test, but just a fleeting whim, so what?
Whether it's rudeness or politeness, these are the privileges of the powerful. Before he has the ability to resist, Xu Xiao won't say anything about dignity that makes people laugh.
After bidding farewell to Ziwei, the two continued their journey.
Along the way Asgard and jade pavilions stood in rows, with golden-armored warriors carrying jars to store water and fairies in colorful robes scattering flowers like rain. Besides the Heavenly Court, there were also some creatures doing odd jobs in the Heavenly Realm.
As they passed the Tongming Hall, a loud laugh suddenly rang out, "Brother Zhenwu, this young friend is quite unfamiliar!"
Xu Xiao turned his head and saw a red-faced, long-bearded, golden-armored, and red-robed divine general riding on fire, with a gilded mace hanging at his waist. It was none other than Wang Lingguan, the famous Wang Lingguan of the Heavenly Court.
The powerful guardian deity of the Lingxiao Palace sized Xu Xiao up and down with piercing eyes. "I've heard that a cultivator from the lower realms has recently comprehended the profound law of cause and effect. Could it be you?"
"The Spirit Official Wisdom Eye," Zhenwu replied calmly. "Junior Brother Xu is a disciple I accepted on behalf of my master, and he has come today to receive his ordination."
Upon hearing this, Wang Lingguan raised an eyebrow and said meaningfully, "So that's how it is... No wonder it alarmed that person personally bestowed the treasure."
He patted Xu Xiao on the shoulder, a flash of Samadhi True Fire appearing and disappearing in his palm, as if testing him. "Young friend, you are quite capable! If you have time in the future, you are welcome to come to my Tongming Hall to discuss the Dao."
Xu Xiao felt a warmth on his shoulder; the Reversing the Dao of Cause and Effect within his body had spontaneously and silently dissipated the true fire. His expression remained unchanged. "Thank you for your kindness, Spirit Official."
A glint flashed in Wang Lingguan's eyes, and he laughed heartily as he concealed himself, making way for Wang Lingguan.
Zhenwu led Xu Xiao a few steps forward, then silently transmitted a message to Xu Xiao:
"Junior brother, not everyone in the Heavenly Court wants you to get involved in the Journey to the Journey to the West. After all, not everyone comes from the Three Pure Ones Daoist School."
"As for probing questions and getting information out of me, my junior brother has to act according to the situation."
"Understood, Senior Brother."
Xu Xiao isn't a child who needs to the Humanity Sect everything. Others have paved the way, so it's up to him to decide how to walk it.
After taking a few more steps, you soon feel that the laws ahead have changed, and the view suddenly opens up.
We've arrived at the Lingxiao Palace!