Those Who Refused to Accept Their Fate and Those Who Did

"Fellow Daoists, it has been some time since we last met. I do not wish to disturb the Great Emperor's cultivation, so I would appreciate it if you could convey my regards to the Great Emperor!"

After making the arrangements, Zhang Xuezhou remained calm and composed, behaving with gentle elegance.

Upon entering the Immortal Court with Zhang Xuezhou, Wu Chao nearly cursed, "What the hell?"

He was getting worse year by year, while Zhang Xuezhou was getting better year by year, causing more and more trouble, and his temperament was so stable that it was hard to see the bottom of Wu Chao.

Zhang Xuezhou clearly continued the style he developed as an apprentice at the Yedie River Holy Land, thus constantly rising to higher positions.

This style carries significant risks, but the potential rewards are equally substantial.

Seeing Zhang Xuezhou leisurely ride the waves towards the center of the Heavenly Court, Wu Chao felt indescribable emotions.

"Three abolitions and three establishments—today, taking advantage of the Kunlun Holy Son's influence, I want to challenge you to a few rounds of gambling!"

Things still needed to be done. Wu Chao touched the golden pill that Zhang Xuezhou had tucked into his arms and took a deep breath.

"What are we betting on?" the two old Daoist disciples asked excitedly.

"You've seen a lot from following the Great Emperor, you should recognize this pill!"

Wu Chao took the golden elixir out of his bosom and waved it in front of the two old Daoist boys. The two boys looked on incredulously and with great joy.

"You want to gamble with us using the Longevity Elixir?" the old Daoist Tong Sanfei asked.

"We don't have anything so valuable to bet against you," the old Daoist priest Tong Sanli said, both hopeful and dejected.

"Bring out your best spirit medicine for me to see. If they're suitable, I'll make the bet!"

Wu Chao's heart was pounding in his throat.

The relationship between Wu Chao and Zhang Xuezhou has a degree of friendship, but it is more about mutual interests.

Zhang Xuezhou previously made a pie-in-the-sky promise about the Yin-Yang School's Realm Technique, mentioning that he would improve the Realm Technique the future; such talk is very unrealistic.

But the pills Zhang Xuezhou offered were very practical.

After being identified by the two Daoist boys from Gouchen Palace, Wu Chao no longer suspected anything and decided to take the risky path with Zhang Xuezhou. He also planned to engage in a back-and-forth struggle with the two Daoist boys to prevent cultivators from the lower realm from entering the Western Heavenly Gate for a certain period of time.

Hello everyone!

The Immortal Court suffered a theft during its century-long grand celebration, and the Jade Emperor was willing to concede to Kunlun, making life difficult for many immortals recently.

When Zhang Xuezhou, dressed in the divine robes bestowed by the seal, arrived riding the waves, many powerful immortals, adept at changing their minds according to the wind, began to have different thoughts.

The immortals clearly wanted to exchange pleasantries, gather information, or make a good impression.

After all, before being kicked out of Kunlun's public relations department, Zhang Xuezhou was still considered Kunlun's holy son.

This position is quite good, especially since Zhang Xuezhou has made real contributions. In everyone's eyes, as long as Zhang Xuezhou can cultivate to a higher level, he will definitely become one of the most important members of the Kunlun Great Gods.

Although Zhang Xuezhou's position was about to be in jeopardy, he didn't offend anyone and maintained a diplomatic and tactful approach.

"Great Immortal with the Curly Beard, I'll remember your name!"

Why give a gift? This is too polite!

"This jewel is dazzling and delightful to look at, so I'll accept it!"

"This bowl looks like it's made of gold; it's truly a masterpiece!"

Just as a carriage entering Chang'an City cannot run wildly to avoid collisions, Zhang Xuezhou did not fly recklessly in the Immortal Court.

Moreover, these areas, even without arrays, contain traps and mechanisms, making them extremely prone to causing trouble.

His body floated forward on the ground passage, attracting the attention of some powerful immortals. Some immortals followed him and tried to get close to him, while others gave him gifts.

Zhang Xuezhou didn't hesitate and accepted it as soon as it was delivered.

Regardless of its function or suitability for use, Zhang Xuezhou praised it repeatedly.

For a time, many people followed him and flew along, and he was able to maintain a pleasant journey with both hosts and guests.

Once they reached the vicinity of Lingxiao Palace, the group realized the signal and stopped blindly following.

"Wang Shan!"

"Zhang Shengzi!"

A gatekeeper and four celestial soldiers were stationed in front of the Lingxiao Palace. The gatekeeper was an old acquaintance of Zhang Xuezhou.

Wang Shan was poisoned by the Soul-Severing Powder. The wounds and swelling on his face subsided, but his face was still very red.

Zhang Xuezhou greeted him and inquired about his injuries.

Wang Shan felt both helpless and envious.

During the centennial event, all participants were extremely equal, relying on their own strength to determine each other. However, after the centennial event, each person's status determined their different paths in life.

Zhang Xuezhou could be Gaogao, even meeting the Jade Emperor, while he would remain just a gatekeeper, destined to guard the Pixiang Palace in the future.

The disparity was enormous, and Wang Shan felt a mix of emotions, yet he had no choice but to accept it.

"His Majesty has summoned you. Let me show you the way!"

When the heavenly soldiers who had gone to report returned, Wang Shan even led the way for Zhang Xuezhou.

"If there is any news in the future, I hope the Holy Son will offer some guidance!"

Halfway there, Wang Shan couldn't resist asking for advice and even handed over a rusty magic Law Artifact, leaving Zhang Xuezhou with nothing but a wry smile.

He's about to be blacklisted, how can he possibly offer advice to others?

Zhang Xuezhou used to rely on his words to deceive people everywhere, but when the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon spread the decree, he found himself unable to move an inch.

The claim that the Centennial Gathering can regulate the power of the Three Realms is not just a figure of speech; it truly has this effect. It includes almost all the major forces of various cultivators, making it increasingly difficult for Zhang Xuezhou to gain an advantage in the future.

"Brother Wang, you still have to rely on yourself to climb high!"

When Zhang Xuezhou stepped into the Lingxiao Palace, he could only sincerely reply with one sentence.

He could fool the powerful immortals he cultivated relationships with along the way, but he didn't want to fool his former rival, and he also refused to accept the magical Law Artifact that Wang Shan had given as a gift as a favor.

This left Wang Shan speechless, unsure how to respond.

By the time he had figured out his answer, Zhang Xuezhou was nowhere to be seen at the entrance of the main hall.

"Zhang Shengzi has no idea how tough it is to be high up. We gatekeepers can only honestly collect our salaries from the Immortal Court. Who knows when we'll be able to make a living on our own? We can't even leave our posts, so there's no way we can skimp on our earnings. Sigh..."

Wang Shan muttered to himself, finishing speaking his mind before reluctantly returning to the Lingxiao Palace.

Having cultivated to his level, a salary is no longer sufficient to elevate him further.

Wang Shan achieved two good rankings at the centennial celebration, but the Immortal Court lost face and came in third. The Jade Emperor conceded, and the immortals could not celebrate the loss with a happy ending, let alone give them a reward.

Many of the powerful immortals had experienced family misfortunes and lost numerous treasures, so no one had the heart to reward them.

Wang Shanqin practiced martial arts for a long time and even borrowed a Law Treasure to participate in the centennial event. However, he felt that participating in such an event was the same as not participating at all; his life had not been changed, and he had not gained anything.

"Only someone of Zhang Shengzi's high status can add flowers to brocade; we little people will remain the same as always. He's the flower, and we can only be the green leaves to set him off!"

Wang Shan's heart was filled with mixed feelings of resentment and resignation.

One moment he was thinking of being loyal to the Jade Emperor and continuing to guard the Hall of Fragrant Breeze, and the next he was hoping that Kunlun would bring about change, so that low-level immortals like them could have the possibility of advancing and profiting.

His mind was filled with distractions, and he found it difficult to calm down. He felt that his perseverance in practicing martial arts was gradually fading.