Zhenwu led Xu Xiao on a cloud, through the fierce winds of the Nine Heavens, straight to the northern end of the Heavenly Court.
This Heavenly Realm is not just the location of the Lingxiao Palace, but consists of a total of thirty-six heavens, each under the jurisdiction of Four Sovereigns Emperors.
Most of the celestial officials' residences and palaces are scattered throughout various regions of the Thirty Heavens.
The upper floors are the domains of the powerful figures, and no one is allowed to set foot there without permission.
Laojun's Tushita Palace is located on the Thirty-Three Heavens, which is a very clear statement, considering that the Lingxiao Palace is only on the thirty-second heaven.
Although Xu Xiao was appointed by the Jade Emperor, his Sky-Patrolling Bureau was actually under the jurisdiction of the Great Emperor Ziwei, which is why Zhenwu initially took him to pay respects to the Great Emperor Ziwei.
Soon, Zhenwu led Xu Xiao to the seventeenth heaven, which was under the jurisdiction of the Great Emperor Ziwei, and found a magnificent temple.
The entire palace, like other Asgard palaces and temples, was built above the sea of clouds, with starlight shining around it, making it look quite impressive.
A group of the Heavenly Realm officials, along with guards and divine generals, were waiting outside the Asgard early in the morning, awaiting the arrival of the new celestial officials.
The news of Xu Xiao's acceptance of the title had already spread from the Lingxiao Palace to the Thirty-Six Heavens, and these minor gods of the Sky-Patrolling Bureau could only look on with bated breath.
"They're here! They're here!"
Some people saw Zhenwu's divine light descend and immediately whispered a message, then quickly lined up in neat rows.
"Welcome to the arrival of the Sovereign Lord Zhenwu! Welcome to the arrival of the Celestial Official in Charge!"
The gods at the entrance bowed in unison, but their eyes couldn't help but linger on Xu Xiao.
"He was personally brought here by the Sovereign Lord Zhenwu; the new official must have a powerful background!"
This familiar scene startled Xu Xiao for a moment, then he smiled.
It's safe to say that this is typical of the Eastern pantheon; even the Heavenly Court operates on this system!
As the ruler of multiple worlds, Xu Xiao had experienced such respectful greetings countless times, and he simply smiled inwardly and got used to it.
As the next head of the Sky-Patrolling Bureau, Xu Xiao naturally wouldn't let Zhenwu speak to appease his subordinates, so he stepped forward:
"You've all been very kind. I'm just here today to familiarize myself with the place. My official appointment will be in three days, at which time I will have a proper get-together with all of you."
Xu Xiao said it casually, and then, without even rushing to enter the gate of the Sky-Patrolling Bureau, urged the Great Emperor Zhenwu to go to the Divine Ability Pavilion.
The latter didn't say much, and with a smile, led Xu Xiao away.
Only the group of priests and clerks behind him remained, looking at each other in bewilderment, not knowing why.
"You've already arrived at the gates of your own Asgard, why don't you go inside and take a look? These people are all waiting for you, their superior, to give them a lecture."
"The affairs of the Sky-Patrolling Bureau are simple, but since you're new to the job, having these minor deities and clerks to help you will make things much easier."
Zhenwu Jiayun led Xu Xiao toward the Divine Ability Pavilion, showing some curiosity along the way.
"It's meaningless. I've never liked that kind of flattery anyway, so this is a good opportunity to put them on the cold shoulder."
"Besides, if there's anything I don't understand, I'd rather ask my senior brother. These petty officials are slick and cunning; I have no interest in disciplining them."
Xu Xiao smiled slightly.
He learned from Zhenwu that the Sky-Patrolling Bureau was independent of other departments, and its nominal superiors were only the Great Emperor Ziwei and the Jade Emperor.
Although it was a low-paying position with little incentive to advance one's career, and even the title of Xu Xiao, the clerk, didn't sound very prestigious.
However, Xu Xiao possesses independent authority and all personnel appointment power within the Sky-Patrolling Bureau.
These tricks of the petty officials and divine generals greeting him at the door did not please him; instead, they made him think they were slick and deliberately keeping him at arm's length.
Xu Xiao never liked smooth-talking, opportunistic subordinates. He preferred pragmatic people, like Orochimaru, who were capable and even tolerant of some of their quirks.
The only thing he couldn't tolerate was subordinates who were obsequious, cunning, and deceitful.
"Alright, there's only so much business to do at the Sky Sky-Patrolling Bureau anyway, Junior Brother, you can do whatever you want."
The Great Emperor Zhenwu didn't say much. He was also someone who disliked flattery. Under the Great Emperor Ziwei, most of the righteous immortal officials followed the Northern Emperor's Black Law.
The Divine Ability Pavilion is located on the twenty-first level of the Heavenly Realm. Even with Zhenwu Riding, it took half a day to fly there without using spatial traversal.
Soon, the two arrived at a formation shrouded in stars and bathed in light.
Faintly visible amidst the surrounding stars, one can discern an ancient-style pavilion standing tall.
The rich power of the stars spread to every corner, firmly protecting the entire pavilion in its very center.
Xu Xiao curiously examined the starlight, sensing the immense power hidden within its seemingly harmless glow.
Vast, profound, and deadly, it resembles starlight but is actually a manifestation of the purest Great Dao.
Seeing Xu Xiao's curiosity, Zhenwu offered a brief explanation:
" The Great Emperor Ziwei of the North Pole, rules over all stars. This place is the Ziwei Enclosure, and the Divine Ability Pavilion is located here."
"This place is protected by the Heavenly Cycle Star Formation. No one may enter without a written order from the Great Emperor Ziwei."
Xu Xiao nodded upon hearing this. "The Dao is not easily passed on. Since this is a place where immortals are taught supernatural powers and techniques, it will naturally be heavily guarded."
'Even the Great Emperor Ziwei's Divine Ability Pavilion is so heavily guarded; one can imagine that the monkey was deliberately released into the Tushita Palace by the Daoist Sect sect.'
'Even now, I wouldn't dare trespass into a place like this. No, even if Xu Xuanpin broke through to the multiverse level and returned from nirvana, I wouldn't be confident enough to enter.'
In Xu Xiao's eyes, those dazzling starlight all exuded a higher level of Great Dao aura.
It may seem harmless, but if you take a few steps forward and delve deeper, you will be immediately crushed by the power of this endless starlight.
Being crushed by such power, one's own Great Dao will crack in an instant, and the slightest carelessness will lead to death and the annihilation of one's Dao.
'So, although I may seem to have become stronger, compared to these truly powerful beings, I'm nothing more than an ant that can be crushed at will.'
Xu Xiao was secretly alarmed, but Zhenwu, who was beside him, took two steps into the starlight and pulled out a token from his pocket.
"By order of the Northern Emperor, I have come to the Divine Ability Pavilion to select cultivation techniques and supernatural abilities for the new Heavenly Patrol Officer."
The starlight instantly converged, focusing on the token. After sensing the aura of the Northern Emperor's decree, the starlight then landed on Xu Xiao's Duty Officer of the Sky-Patrolling Bureau Seal.
After comparing the two sides, the starlight suddenly opened up.
It was right in front of Zhenwu, on the road leading directly to the Divine Ability Pavilion.
"Junior brother, come forward. We still need to go inside and choose our supernatural abilities one by one. Time is of the essence."
With the token clearing the way and Zhenwu leading the way, Xu Xiao hurried forward and walked quickly with Zhenwu to the foot of the Divine Ability Pavilion.
The starlight behind them suddenly closed in, and the two figures vanished into the starlight.