Chapter 5: The Heavenly Court Settles Its Foundation, Adding More Exalted Positions

Seeing everyone arguing and holding fast to their own opinions, Hongjun could only let out a sigh and say, "Each of you has your own candidate in mind, but there is only one throne of the Celestial Emperor. Who should sit upon it?"

As soon as Hongjun finished speaking, Taishang suddenly turned to Zhenyuanzi and Jumang and asked, "Fellow Daoists Zhenyuanzi and Jumang, do neither of you have any thoughts on the position of Celestial Emperor?"

Following Taishang's words, the gazes of everyone else quickly shifted toward the two of them.

Realizing the attention was on him, Zhenyuanzi quickly replied with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Taiqing jests. I am a solitary figure; aside from two gate-keeping boys, I do not even have a single disciple. The throne of the Celestial Emperor has no affinity with me whatsoever!"

Having said that, Zhenyuanzi then looked at Jumang and continued, "On the other hand, Fellow Daoist Jumang, your Wu clan is brimming with capable individuals and claims to be the descendants of Pangu. I think it would be quite fitting for someone from your clan to take the throne of the Celestial Emperor!"

However, upon hearing Zhenyuanzi's words, Jumang reacted as if he had heard something utterly unacceptable and hastily retorted, "Fellow Daoist Zhenyuanzi, you certainly know how to joke. That Celestial Emperor's throne was once occupied by Dijun of the Monster clan; I imagine anyone from our Wu clan would only wish to avoid it at all costs!"

Hearing this, Zhenyuanzi and the others burst into hearty laughter.

Yet, they did not press the matter of the Wu clan assuming the position any further, instead turning their attention to the remaining two present: Wangshu and Chenrui.

Noticing their gazes, Wangshu could not help but smile wryly. "As a woman, I shall not meddle in this affair!"

The next moment, however, Wangshu heard Chenrui speak up abruptly.

"Although Fellow Daoist Wangshu, as a woman, has no such intentions, since you belong to the lineage of the starry skies, is there not the Ziwei Emperor? As the imperial star governing countless stars, and with numerous stellar deities under his command, he would indeed be an excellent choice!"

At this, the others finally grasped Chenrui's underlying intention.

It also made them realize that this matter had nothing whatsoever to do with the candidates they had in mind. Consequently, they quickly extinguished their ambitions and ceased to dwell on it further.

Wangshu turned to Chenrui upon hearing this and said with a faint smile, "Fellow Daoist Chenrui, judging by your words, it seems you hold a very high opinion of the Weichen Emperor?"

She fixed her gaze on Chenrui, her expression a mixture of amusement and scrutiny.

***

Chenrui remained entirely calm and composed as he replied, "As the Ziwei Emperor, born alongside the imperial star itself, Weichen is a natural celestial sovereign—this is indisputable.

Furthermore, Weichen commands countless stellar deities, every single one of whom is crucial to the operation of the Primordial World. Even if someone else were to ascend the throne of the Celestial Emperor, they would find it impossible to bypass Weichen when mobilizing the myriad stars, and it might even trigger yet another catastrophe in the Primordial World. Why not simply let Weichen take the seat instead? After all, everyone present has witnessed his contributions to the Primordial World over the years while guarding the starry skies, as well as the kind of person he is."

Having said this, Chenrui cast a meaningful, half-smiling glance at Hongjun, and finally added, "Of course, whether Weichen is ultimately adopted or another candidate is chosen ultimately depends on the will of Fellow Daoist Hongjun!"

Hearing Chenrui's words, Zhunti, Yuanshi, and the others instantly looked toward Hongjun as if catching a glimpse of hope, their eyes filled with eager anticipation.

Yet, upon hearing Chenrui, Hongjun wore an expression that seemed to say "as expected," tinged with a trace of lingering regret.

In truth, the moment he received the intelligence, he had known that his original plan was virtually unfeasible.

Although Haotian was a boy who had served him for many years and he genuinely wished to make arrangements for him, Haotian fell far too short when compared to Weichen.

Moreover, Weichen now had Qingxuan helping to orchestrate his rise, along with Wangshu as a natural and invisible backing. Haotian paled significantly in comparison. In terms of manpower alone, Weichen already commanded countless stellar deities and held absolute control over the entire starry skies.

Just as Chenrui had pointed out, even if someone were forced onto that throne, they could never surpass Weichen.

Ultimately, Hongjun looked at Yuanshi and the others, sighed softly, and said, "Very well, let it be settled thus. Since Fellow Daoist Qingxuan has already proposed that Weichen take charge of the Heavenly Court, and he possesses both the experience of guarding the starry skies and a sufficient following, then henceforth the Heavenly Court shall be governed by Weichen. Do any of you have any objections?"

After Hongjun spoke, Yuanshi and the others wore expressions of faint disappointment, but they nodded in agreement.

"However, Teacher, is the Heavenly Court not currently in a state of utter ruin? Will such a battered Heavenly Court not detract from the majesty of the Primordial World?"

Hearing this, Chenrui spoke up once more. "In that case, leave this matter to me! I imagine my abilities should suffice to restore the Heavenly Court to its former glory. Am I right, Fellow Daoist Hongjun?"

Hongjun nodded and replied, "With Fellow Daoist Qingxuan taking action, no mishaps should occur. Therefore, to celebrate the rebirth of the Heavenly Court, I shall bestow the Grand-State Inception Peach as a congratulatory gift, as well as an artifact to suppress the fortune of the Heavenly Court!"

***

Immediately afterward, Hongjun produced a supreme-grade congenital spiritual root—the Grand-State Inception Peach—right before everyone's eyes and handed it directly to Chenrui.

"Fellow Daoist Qingxuan, since you reside deep within the starry skies, pray deliver this to Weichen on my behalf."

With a wave of Hongjun's sleeve, a stream of spiritual information shot forth, streaking directly toward the ancient starry skies.

Chenrui nodded to Hongjun and accepted the Grand-State Inception Peach from his hands.

Seeing this, Hongjun let out a slight sigh. "Since the affairs of the Heavenly Court are concluded, the purpose for which I summoned you all here today has been achieved!"

However, before Hongjun could finish speaking and prepare to return to the Heavenly Dao realm, Chenrui promptly stopped him.

"Since Fellow Daoist Hongjun has concluded that matter, the supreme seats of the Heavenly Court should consist of more than just a single Exalted Celestial Sovereign. Let us resolve the rest together!"

At Chenrui's words, everyone looked at him with renewed curiosity.

"I wonder what Fellow Daoist Qingxuan has in mind?" Hongjun asked, turning his gaze toward him.

"The Celestial Emperor is the most exalted figure in the Heavenly Court, honored as the Primordial Grand Exalted Celestial. However, with countless affairs in the Primordial World, leaving decisions and administration to a single person would undoubtedly be somewhat hasty.

Why not establish six supreme positions representing the east, south, west, north, zenith, and nadir, enfeoffed as the Six Imperial Lords of the Heavenly Court, ranking just half a step lower than the Celestial Emperor? What do you all think of my proposal?"

Having laid out his suggestion, Chenrui swept his gaze across those present one by one.

After digesting his words, they found logic in his proposal and began to ponder it deeply.

Finally, Hongjun made the executive decision. "Fellow Daoist Qingxuan's proposal is quite sound. Do any of you have any thoughts on the matter?"

In Hongjun's view, since matters had already reached this conclusion, it was better to follow Chenrui's suggestion. Not only would this grant a favor to Chenrui, but it would also offer an opportunity to those present while providing a certain degree of check and balance upon Weichen.

"Since Teacher and the Dao Lord have already reached a decision, we have no objections whatsoever!"

Taishang and the others closed their eyes slightly in silent assent, then gave their prompt replies.