Upon hearing Fang Huayin’s words, the gathered immortals and deities grew somewhat flustered and tense. The great figures who had transcended the sea of suffering stood aloof, gazing down upon the passage of time and the vicissitudes of the mortal world—how could they be easily encountered?
Though they themselves were ranked among the celestial ranks and transcended the mundane, in the eyes of those who had reached the other shore, they were likely no more significant than dust!
They swiftly channeled their Dao power, activating immortal techniques to purify themselves, not daring to show the slightest disrespect. Even the True Lord Zhu Long took out a small red coral bottle, tossed it into the air, and inverted it, releasing streams of clear spring water that fell like rain, enveloping the entire Ningbi Peak in a cleansing mist.
The “drizzle” swirled like smoke, washing away impurities and purifying both body and mind. Tan Ping and the others felt an all-encompassing comfort, their surroundings appearing as if freshly scrubbed, even carrying a hint of crystalline clarity.
They stared in astonishment at the peak, unable to comprehend what had just happened or why such a transformation had occurred.
Before long, the peak’s vegetation turned lush and verdant, brimming with vitality. A bubbling spring emerged, its waters so clear one could see the bottom. At the center, a simple reed pavilion had been erected, adorned with lanterns and colorful decorations, exuding an otherworldly elegance.
Just as everything was prepared, a crane’s cry echoed from the heavens, resounding through the firmament. Then, True Lord Zhu Long and the others saw billowing mist surge from nowhere, carrying an exotic fragrance and a soft, radiant glow that formed a path.
Nine five-clawed true dragons descended slowly from the boundless heights, pulling an ancient and sacred aloeswood carriage. Streams of profound yellow light rose from within, coalescing into a resplendent canopy that radiated infinite brilliance.
Though Tan Ping and the others did not understand what was happening, the mere sight of those golden and crimson-scaled dragons made them instinctively hold their breath, overwhelmed by an innate sense of awe. They dared not make a sound.
They had once glimpsed the nineteenth son of the East Sea Dragon King from afar, but even he lacked the majesty of these dragons—and most importantly, these were merely the ones pulling the carriage!
Who could command nine true dragons to draw their chariot? Who sat within that aloeswood carriage?
Even the ancient Sage Emperor Qi had only nine flood dragons pulling his carriage during his grand processions!
On another peak, the Scepter-Bearing Divine Envoy and the Buddha of Unfettered Freedom in the World instinctively rose to their feet, exclaiming in unison:
“Primordial Heavenly Venerable!”
Primordial Heavenly Venerable Su Meng!
As the aloeswood carriage drew nearer, the radiant canopy above it shimmered like a beaded curtain, obscuring the interior. Only a faint glimpse could be caught—a flawless, luminous halo, within which stood a jade tree bathed in clear light, bearing two indistinct fruits and supporting an ancient glass lamp that illuminated all realms. Beneath this halo sat a shadowy figure.
Golden lotuses bloomed across the peak, each flower releasing streams of pure spring water. True Lord Zhu Long and the others wore solemn expressions, their hearts trembling with reverence as they followed Fang Huayin in a deep bow, proclaiming in unison:
“We greet our master!”
“We greet the Heavenly Venerable!”
Their voices reverberated, reaching Tan Ping and the others, who shuddered inwardly as a single thought emerged in their minds:
“Primordial Heavenly Venerable!”
The one who had arrived was none other than the teacher of the Radiant Dawn Fairy—Primordial Heavenly Venerable Su Meng, one of the few great figures who had reached the other shore, the supreme sovereign of the present age!
To think they would have the fortune to witness a being of the other shore, a ruler standing at the pinnacle of existence!
With solemn hearts, they too bowed in unison, their voices rising as one:
“We greet the Heavenly Venerable!”
The cries of “Heavenly Venerable” echoed far and wide as the Nine Dragons Aloeswood Carriage halted before the reed pavilion. A brilliant radiance burst forth, with multicolored clouds soaring into the sky and mist spreading across the land, evoking a sense of transcendence untouched by time.
The flawless halo entered the pavilion, while the carriage shrank and settled beside it. The entire Changmen Island fell into silence, as if transported to another realm.
Watching Fang Huayin enter the pavilion to pay respects, True Lord Zhu Long and the other immortals bowed once more:
“We greet the Heavenly Venerable!”
A few moments later, Fang Huayin stepped to the edge of the pavilion and proclaimed loudly:
“Primordial Heavenly Venerable of the Jade Void Palace of Kunlun Mountain has come to witness the ceremony!”
“The Heavenly Venerable declares: The calamity is perilous, the Nine Nethers encroach. Should the path of humanity falter, all will be lost. Only by uniting the strength of all beings and striving together can we seize a sliver of hope.”
Daoist Xuanwu and the others hastily responded:
“We thank the Heavenly Venerable for his guidance! We shall spare no effort in aiding the Human Emperor to overcome the calamity!”
Tan Ping and the others echoed the sentiment, though curiosity gnawed at them. Unable to resist, they stole a glance toward the pavilion, hoping to catch a glimpse of the great figure from the other shore.
Amidst the radiant clouds and shimmering mist, the flawless halo within the pavilion was clearly visible, as if encompassing all things, possibilities, and the flow of time itself. Before it sat a figure clad in deep Daoist robes, crowned with an ancient and sacred headpiece, their features obscured by a veil of chaotic darkness.
The moment Tan Ping saw this figure, his mind buzzed as if something had exploded within him.
Though the attire was different, this was unmistakably the Daoist who had lent him the “Yellow Millet Pillow”—the one who had sent him dreaming back to the Middle Ages!
The Yellow Millet Pillow had been lent to him by a great figure of the other shore—Primordial Heavenly Venerable Su Meng of the Jade Void Palace!
This realization surpassed all his wildest imaginings. Even in his most fanciful dreams, he had never dared to envision such a thing. The greatest beings he had ever conceived were the mighty ones of Creation—and even that was only because he had witnessed the Sage Emperor’s sacrifices and the awakening of Taiyi. Otherwise, he would have assumed it was merely some immortal or exalted being.
Thump, thump, thump—his heartbeat quickened uncontrollably, waves of excitement, bewilderment, ecstasy, and confusion crashing over him.
Why would a supreme being of the other shore lend him the Yellow Millet Pillow?
The immortal fate he had sought so desperately had now surpassed all his hopes combined!
How many in the world could claim to have encountered a being of the other shore?
As his thoughts wandered, the Buddha of Unfettered Freedom in the World clasped his hands and bowed to Meng Qi, then silently resumed his seated posture, his expression pensive, devoid of his usual carefree smile. The Scepter-Bearing Divine Envoy, too, dared not act disrespectfully, fearing that Meng Qi might seize any excuse to unleash the Three Treasures Ruyi or the Tyrant’s Severing Blade.
The Primordial Heavenly Venerable of old had been shameless in bullying the weak and protecting his own to an extreme degree. The current one was likely no different—there was no sense in risking one’s life to test that.
He composed himself, bowed solemnly, then retreated with visible unease.
Today’s mission had two purposes: to demonstrate power and erode the morale of those aligned with Gao Lan, and to carry out the Divine Envoy’s orders by probing the attitudes of other great figures of the other shore toward the reestablishment of the Great Zhou and the revival of humanity. This could be inferred from the mighty beings they sent.
Who could have predicted that Primordial Heavenly Venerable Su Meng would descend in person to witness the ceremony? This had completely upended the expectations of both the acting Divine Envoy and himself!
Had they known, they would never have come!
Dong!
At that moment, a bell tolled from the central palace complex of Changmen Island, its resonant chimes ringing twelve times in succession, creating an atmosphere of grandeur and solemnity.
Gao Lan, wearing the imperial crown and a bright yellow dragon robe, emerged from the great hall and ascended a high platform.
With a metallic ring, he drew the Human Emperor’s Sword. The sun, moon, and stars descended; mountains and rivers arrayed themselves, as if condensing the flourishing scenes of humanity across all realms into a single space.
Surveying the surroundings, he spoke gravely:
“While our homeland remains unliberated, even the reestablishment of the Great Zhou warrants no celebration!”
Before his words faded, he raised the pale golden sword. Across the vast East Sea, countless islands erupted with the light of humanity, each hue converging before him to form a square seal inscribed with a map of the sea.
Empowered by fortune and the gathered will of humanity, Gao Lan’s gaze locked onto the peak where the Scepter-Bearing Divine Envoy stood, sparks of tension flashing between them.
Where was their homeland? The Land of Vacuous Purity and the Buddha’s Pure Land on Earth!
The Divine Envoy leaned back slightly, his eyes turning cold. Just then, he saw a golden streak of light shoot from the reed pavilion on Ningbi Peak, surrounded by countless sacred seals.
Gao Lan extended his left hand and caught it—a bamboo whip adorned with seals, brimming with the power to strip divine authority.
“The God-Smiting Whip!” The Divine Envoy instinctively recoiled, his aura fluctuating as if facing a natural nemesis. The observing immortals exchanged bewildered glances.
From within the pavilion, Meng Qi’s authoritative voice rang out:
“With this whip, all wicked gods may be struck.”
Hearing this, True Lord Zhu Long and the others suddenly understood—this must be the legendary God-Smiting Whip! Since the Register of Deities had been seized by the Old Mother of No Birth, the Divine Envoy’s current strength and status likely relied on her aid.
No wonder he feared the whip so!
As Tan Ping watched, mesmerized and lost in thought, a Buddhist chant suddenly sounded in his ear:
“Namo Amitabha. Young benefactor, you possess profound wisdom and a karmic bond with our Buddhist path. Would you be willing to follow me in the practice of the Dharma?”
Startled, Tan Ping turned to see the ancient giant Buddha smiling at him.
The Buddha of Unfettered Freedom in the World!
He wanted to take him as a disciple?
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