Chapter 4: Bai Ze Arrives at the Palace of Wa Huang; the Jade Capital Discusses the Heavenly Court

By the banks of the Eastern Sea, within the ancestral land of the human race.

Sui Ren-shi gazed into the distance at the countless members of the human clan who were preparing to journey to the Primordial Earth Immortal Realm, his heart heavy with worry.

The human race was frail; both in physical constitution and in innate cultivation talent, they were naturally inferior to other tribes by a significant margin.

Then, Sui Ren-shi produced an object, and instantly, a rich yet non-scorching flame enveloped his entire body.

This was the very first wisp of fire that Sui Ren-shi had once created using the Fire-Drilling Wood. Later, after merging with boundless merit, it transformed into Sui Ren-shi's most formidable means and the enduring heritage flame of the human race.

As long as the human race endured, this fire would burn eternally without ever extinguishing.

"Depart!" After infusing the heritage flame into the passage, a portal linking directly to the Earth Immortal Realm materialized, and Sui Ren-shi spoke in a swift voice.

At his command, human beings stepped into the portal one after another. Seeing his clansmen entering, Sui Ren-shi quickly directed the flames around his body to envelop each passing person.

This fire, which was scorching hot enough to burn all things in creation, caused not the slightest bit of harm to them.

When every last person had walked through, Sui Ren-shi cast one final glance back at the human ancestral land, then turned his gaze toward the direction of the Kingdom of Qingqiu, before stepping silently into the portal.

"Farewell! Who knows when we shall meet again!"

Within the Wa Palace.

Following countless casualties among the demon race, only a pitiful handful of survivors remained, now eking out a precarious existence within the Demon Realm.

On this day, the sole surviving Demon Sage, Bai Ze, suddenly arrived outside the Wa Palace.

"Bai Ze of the demon race requests an audience with the Saint Nüwa!"

Bai Ze bowed deeply toward the Wa Palace from afar and spoke.

Moments later, the gates of the Wa Palace slowly swung open.

Saint Nüwa sat high upon a cloud platform, looking down at Bai Ze as she inquired, "I wonder what brings you to my palace, Bai Ze?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Ze abruptly knelt forward and addressed Nüwa, tears streaming down his weathered face.

"Saint Nüwa, I beg of you, for the sake of our past bonds, please help the demon race once!"

Hearing this, an overwhelming aura surged from Nüwa's body as she stated with utmost authority, "Are the demon races not currently living quite well within the Demon Realm? What need is there for me to help them!"

Yet Bai Ze replied with an unwavering tone, "Saint Nüwa, although the demon race has declined, Crown Prince Lu Ya is still here in the Sage's Wa Palace. At present, the Heavenly Court lacks a rightful ruler. I beseech the Empress, remembering our past ties, to help Crown Prince Lu Ya ascend the heavenly throne!"

Nüwa initially intended to use her saintly powers to seal off the Wa Palace the moment Bai Ze began to speak, but before she could act, her expression changed drastically.

"Come to the Zixiao Palace at once!" Hongjun's voice suddenly echoed in Nüwa's ears.

Maintaining her composure outwardly, Nüwa replied...

"The demon race has already become a thing of the past; you would do well to speak no more of Heavenly Court matters!"

"Does the Empress truly have no regard for old ties at all?"

Hearing this, Nüwa grew instantly furious. "Insolent! Are you questioning me? Speak no more of this nonsense; return to the Primordial World at once!"

With a wave of her sleeve, Nüwa swept Bai Ze out of the Wa Palace.

Following that, Nüwa let out a long sigh and departed toward the Zixiao Palace.

Meanwhile, inside the Zixiao Palace.

Upon arriving at the Zixiao Palace, Nüwa respectfully questioned Hongjun, "May I ask if Teacher summoned Nüwa here because of the affairs concerning the demon race?"

Hongjun nodded slightly. "The fortune of the demon race has run its course. If things were to continue as they were, their future would only become increasingly difficult. Were it not for Fellow Daoist Qingxuan establishing the Six Realms, how could the demon race enjoy such tranquility today?"

Nüwa asked with lingering apprehension, "Then... what of the Heavenly Court?"

Hongjun swiftly interrupted her. "Speak no more of this. Now that you have attained the realm of a Saint, you should naturally understand that this is decreed by the heavenly numbers! Since the matter of the Heavenly Court has already been raised, let us wait for the arrival of Sanqing and the others before discussing it further."

Immediately afterward, Hongjun dispatched messages to Sanqing and the others.

"Come to Zixiao Palace at once; we have matters to discuss!"

Just as he finished speaking, Hongjun's expression shifted slightly. After sending out a few more messages, he vanished from the Zixiao Palace.

In the Primordial Starry Sky.

Chen Rui, who was stationed on an obscure star deep within the starry sky, suddenly received a message.

"Fellow Daoist Qingxuan, please come to Zixiao Palace for a discussion!"

Upon receiving the message, Chen Rui smiled faintly.

"So this matter has finally arrived after all. Since I have already agreed, I suppose I shall make the trip."

With that, Chen Rui cast a glance at the Purple Star Emperor Star, and then vanished from the Primordial Starry Sky.

On the Lunar Star.

Wangshu, who was deep in seclusion, suddenly received Hongjun's summons.

"Fellow Daoist Wangshu, please come to Zixiao Palace for a discussion!"

Simultaneously, on Mount Kunlun and Mount Sumeru.

The expressions of Sanqing and the Two Saints of the West changed instantly.

Taishang looked toward Yuanshi and Tongtian. "Teacher has suddenly summoned us; I wonder what purpose he has in mind."

Meeting Taishang's gaze, Yuanshi spoke thoughtfully, "It is likely a matter of great importance, otherwise he would not have called all of us there."

"Let us go. We must not keep Teacher waiting."

With that, Taishang rose to his feet. Seeing this, Yuanshi and Tongtian also stood up and accompanied Taishang toward the Heavens Beyond Heavens.

The Heavens Beyond Heavens, Zixiao Palace.

When Sanqing and the others arrived, they found that Nüwa, Jumang, Zhenyuanzi, Chen Rui, and Wangshu were already present.

A short while later, Hongjun's figure suddenly materialized upon the high dais of the Zixiao Palace.

As soon as he appeared, Hongjun swept his gaze across Sanqing and the others, confirming that everyone had arrived.

Before Hongjun could speak, Zhunti chimed in abruptly, "May I ask why Teacher has summoned us here today?"

As soon as Zhunti finished speaking, Sanqing and the others turned to look at him.

Hongjun cast an impassive glance at Zhunti before speaking in a measured tone.

"A considerable amount of time has passed since the great war between the Wu and Demon clans. The Heavenly Court serves as the foundation of order for the Primordial Heaven and Earth, yet it remains devoid of a ruler. I have called you here today to discuss with you a suitable candidate to take charge of the Heavenly Court and govern the Primordial World."

Hearing this, Zhunti immediately spoke up, "Teacher Hongjun, my two disciples from the Western Sect, Mahasthamaprapta and Ksitigarbha, both possess extraordinary innate endowments and deep roots. One of them should rightfully occupy the throne of the Heavenly Emperor!"

As soon as Zhunti made his claim, Yuanshi and Tongtian refused to be left behind and chimed in as well.

"Teacher, my eldest disciple, Antarctic Immortals, possesses both profound wisdom and exceptional innate roots; he is fully deserving of the Heavenly Emperor's throne."

"Teacher, my first disciple, Daoist Duobao, possesses a steadfast temperament, supreme talent, and profound roots. Naturally, he should be the one to sit upon the throne of the Heavenly Emperor!"

For a time, each of them eagerly praised their own disciples, claiming that their respective pupils were the most suitable candidates for the Heavenly Emperor's seat.

They argued fiercely and endlessly, all vying to secure the prestigious position for their followers.

The scene left the rest of the assembly dumbfounded.

Only Taishang cast a meaningful glance at Jumang, Wangshu, and the others present. Seeming to attain sudden enlightenment, he remained entirely silent.

What surprised Taishang most was that Nüwa also kept completely quiet. This greatly puzzled him, as he had assumed Nüwa would undoubtedly speak up to place Fuxi on the throne, yet she said nothing at all.