"This is the 'lingxiao golden tablet.' He who holds this tablet is as if His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor himself has arrived, and can pass freely through the Nine Heavens to reach the Lingxiao Palace."
Emperor Ziwei held up the golden tablet with both hands, supporting it with a soft starlight, and placed it on the table before him. He said solemnly:
"We have come by order of His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor specifically to visit the Daoist Venerable.
His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor holds the Daoist Venerable in extremely high regard, and is mindful of the Karma the Daoist Venerable has earned by acting to cleanse the demonic aura and protect all living beings.
He has specially prepared 'chaos purple cloud tea' and sincerely invites the Daoist Venerable to travel to the Lingxiao Palace in the Ancient Heavenly Court nine days from now, when the moon is full in the sky and the purple Qi from the east is at its peak. There, you may sample immortal tea, discuss the Limitless Primordial Dao, and deliberate on the grand plan to counter the Demon Tribulation and stabilize the heavens."
He paused, glanced at Emperor Yuzhen beside him, and continued, "At that time, the Heavenly Court will reappear to the world, welcoming you with the highest honors. Seats in the Lingxiao Palace have also been prepared for the Daoist Venerable and your esteemed Disciples."
Emperor Yuzhen added, "The Demon Ancestor has appeared with aggressive momentum, and the fate of the tribulation is entangled; this is not something a single family or sect can handle alone.
His Majesty's intention is to hope to join hands with the Daoist Venerable to collectively stabilize the universe. This is a major matter concerning the welfare of all living beings in the heavens, and we hope the Daoist Venerable will agree."
The invitation from the two was phrased with great humility and showed full sincerity, placing Han Xuanji on an equal footing with the Heavenly Emperor.
Han Xuanji reached out, his fingertips lightly brushing the 'lingxiao golden tablet.' The imprint of the Heavenly Emperor's will to rule the heavens contained within it lit up slightly before settling down, as if smoothed over by an even more profound and peaceful power.
His eyes were deep, as if he were looking through the golden tablet to deduce the Karma and future variables within.
The pavilion fell silent for a moment, with only the blue smoke from the incense burner rising straight up, sketching mysterious Dao patterns in the air before dissipating.
A moment later, Han Xuanji looked up at the two slightly solemn Emperors and spoke slowly:
"Fellow Daoist Heavenly Emperor's invitation to discuss the Demon Tribulation is only right. The Demon Race running rampant is ultimately not a good thing. Since that is the case..."
He nodded slightly, his tone peaceful yet carrying a sense of finality:
"Nine days from now, when the moon is full in the sky, I shall take my Disciples to attend this Lingxiao appointment."
Seeing Han Xuanji agree, Emperor Ziwei and Emperor Yuzhen both breathed a sigh of relief, while a surge of joy rose within them. The most important task of this trip had been accomplished. If Han Xuanji had not agreed, the two of them would not have known what to do.
"That is excellent! His Majesty and the entire Heavenly Court will surely prepare the way and await the Daoist Venerable's arrival!"
The two spoke in unison, their voices tinged with delight.
Next, the group began to exchange views on the Dao. Han Xuanji did not speak much, but every time he mentioned a key point, he struck at the essence. In just a few words, the two Emperors were secretly shocked and benefited greatly. They increasingly felt Han Xuanji's unfathomable cultivation and his profound understanding of many Great Daos, which left them truly impressed.
After about the time it takes for two sticks of incense to burn, the two Emperors knew it was not appropriate to stay and disturb him further, so they took the initiative to rise and bid farewell.
Han Xuanji did not try to make them stay, but simply said to Li Taiqing, who was standing by the pavilion door:
"Taiqing, see our two distinguished guests out on behalf of your Master."
"Yes, Master."
Li Taiqing responded respectfully, feeling a bit curious himself.
After seeing off the two Emperors, tranquility returned. The blue smoke from the incense burner still curled, and the 'lingxiao golden tablet' lay quietly on the table, emitting a faint golden glow. A faint smile couldn't help but appear at the corners of Han Xuanji's mouth. The Heavenly Emperor's invitation was not unexpected, and it also happened to suit his plans.
The Ancient Heavenly Court and Lingxiao Palace were undoubtedly places with extremely Advanced Dao Rhyme. He didn't need to worry about his safety either. Having already reached the Limitless Primordial realm, even the Heavenly Emperor could do nothing to him. This was the confidence born of his own strength...
Time passed slowly, and nine days went by in the blink of an eye.
During these nine days, the Lingxu Immortal Domain was not peaceful.
Since that day when the purple Qi came from the east and the stars paved the way, countless eyes from the myriad worlds had been focused here.
Every day, messengers from various forces arrived at the Lingxu Heavenly Palace, openly or secretly scouting for information, meeting with various high-level officials of the Lingxu Heavenly Palace under the guise of visiting old friends. The entire Lingxu Heavenly Palace was more than ten times busier than usual.
In the Myriad Phenomena Garden, however, it remained as quiet as ever.
Han Xuanji did not go into seclusion during these nine days; he simply read Daoist scriptures, tasted clear tea, and occasionally guided his Disciples' cultivation as usual.
Li Taiqing and the others also made rapid progress in their cultivation during these few days. Not only did they digest the insights from the previous great battle, but under Han Xuanji's guidance, many difficult problems were easily solved, and everyone's cultivation improved significantly.
By now, they all knew they were about to accompany their Master to the Heavenly Court's gathering. That was not only a supreme honor but also represented their lineage officially stepping onto the stage of the heavens.
This day. Unusual purple-gold clouds appeared in the eastern sky.
This time, it was no longer limited to the The Human Cultivators Alliance domain. Throughout the entire Immortal Realm, including the Spirit Realms subordinate to it, in any realm where living beings existed, one only had to look up to see the magnificent heavenly light diffusing from the Nine Heavens!
"Boom—Rumble—"
It was not the sound of thunder, but the sound of the Dao, coming from an infinite height. It was solemn and majestic, echoing in the depths of every living being's mind!
Purple Qi traversed the heavens, surging from beyond the Nine Heavens. It was boundless, dyeing half of the Immortal Realm's sky a noble purple-gold.
Within the purple Qi, Dragons and Phoenixes sang in harmony, Qilins presented auspicious omens, and immortal flowers bloomed. Countless auspicious visions evolved, as if celebrating the return of a supreme being.
Billions of stars simultaneously released unprecedented light, and starlight poured down like a waterfall upon the myriad worlds.
Nine-colored auspicious clouds were generated from the Void Realm, layering upon each other to pave an auspicious path spanning countless realms.
In the clouds, phantoms of celestial maidens danced gracefully, scattering heavenly flowers and golden lotuses. Golden-armored divine soldiers stood solemnly on both sides, peerless in their majesty. Phantoms of immortal palaces and jade towers appeared indistinctly, and ethereal immortal music drifted down.
Countless Cultivators stuck at a Bottleneck felt a sudden flash of inspiration at this moment and made their Breakthroughs one after another!
This was the world sensing the return of a supreme being to their position, spontaneously bestowing blessings!
"This... this is..."
Countless ancient beings were startled from their slumber, looking toward the sky with shocked expressions.
"The Heavenly Court! The Heavenly Court has reappeared!"
Some old-timers who had lived through the ancient times had tears in their eyes.
"To think I would see such a sight again in my lifetime!"
"The Heavenly Emperor... has returned!"
The Dominators of the various Immortal Domains and the Old Ancestors of every faction, regardless of what they thought in their hearts, all bowed toward the direction of the Nine Heavens.
This was a declaration at the level of the Dao. Even without words, all beings in the myriad worlds who had reached a certain level understood its meaning.
The Ancient Heavenly Court, which had drifted for endless ages, would officially declare its return today! And that legendary Heavenly Emperor would retake his authority! In the direction of the Nine Heavens, the Ancient Heavenly Court, which had been hidden behind layers of space-time barriers and endless mist, was now fully revealed to the sight of the heavens.
Towering and endless palaces rose and fell. Centered around the Lingxiao Palace, thirty-three heavenly palaces and seventy-two treasure halls were arranged in an orderly fashion, all shrouded in eternal and indestructible immortal light and divine radiance.