Volume One: The Calamity of the Lich Chapter 117: Di Jun Claims the Title of Heavenly Emperor, The Response of the Purple Star Emperor

Before him stood the Supreme Palace, crowned by a throne enveloped by the radiant aura of nine golden dragons, each exuding an overwhelming aura of majesty. Fuxi and Baize exchanged a knowing glance, then turned to Di Jun and spoke in unison, “Your Majesty, please ascend the throne!” The other demon clansmen, upon hearing this, followed with their own voices, “We beseech the Demon Emperor to take his seat upon the throne!”

Standing aside, Taiyi's expression shifted from his usual stoicism as he too addressed Di Jun, “Elder brother, please take your seat upon the throne.”

Unable to refuse any longer, Di Jun strode step by step toward the throne, his heart pounding with excitement at the sight of its grandeur. Yet as he approached, he realized this was no ordinary seat of power; it was not so easily claimed as he had imagined. Just as he was about to sit, Di Jun understood: the throne was not something one could simply occupy at will.

As Taiyi, Fuxi, and the others watched Di Jun hesitate, he suddenly moved. “Heaven bears witness: I, Di Jun of the demon clan, ascend today to the Celestial Court. Sensing the chaos of the primordial wilderness, let the Celestial Court emerge to bring order to the world! From this day forth, I, Di Jun, am the Celestial Emperor, and the Celestial Court is founded!”

In that moment, Di Jun comprehended the manifold wonders of the Celestial Court—it could observe and govern all beings of the primordial world, serving as one of Heaven’s manifestations of authority. As Di Jun seated himself upon the throne, he felt a sudden surge of divine power, as if he could easily surpass his former self in an instant. At the same time, as he proclaimed himself Celestial Emperor, his fortune doubled and more.

‘With this boundless fortune, my cultivation hereafter will be unhindered. It will not be long before I surpass countless others in the primordial world,’ thought Di Jun.

With newfound confidence, Di Jun cast his gaze toward Kunlun Mountain, the ancient stars, and the Unyielding Mountain, pillars of the heavens. For the first time, he truly felt the majesty of ruling all beneath the sky.

He then turned to Fuxi, Taiyi, and the others. “Now that the Celestial Court is established and everything is renewed, we need many hands to ensure its proper operation and to fulfill its purpose. Do any among you have suggestions?”

Di Jun first glanced at Fuxi, then at Baize, Taiyi, and finally at the countless gathered demons. Hearing his words, Fuxi and Baize exchanged glances before looking to Nuwa, Taiyi, and the others.

“Your Majesty, our roots lie with the demon clan. Now is the perfect opportunity for the demon clan to step into prominence.”

Di Jun was deeply gratified by the words of Baize and Fuxi, feeling that all his past efforts had been worthwhile. “Let it be as Emperor Fuxi and Grand Advisor Baize have said. Henceforth, Emperor Fuxi, the Eastern Emperor, and Empress Nuwa shall not only be Demon Emperors but also the Three Sovereigns of the Celestial Court.”

With these words, Fuxi, Nuwa, and the others felt a sudden surge in their own fortunes. At last, Nuwa understood why Fuxi had insisted on allying with Di Jun from the beginning. With the demon clan’s fortune supporting her, her cultivation over the years had accelerated many times over, and now with this further increase, she saw a promising future ahead.

Then Di Jun spoke again. “From now on, Baize shall be the foremost of the Ten Demon Saints, as well as the Chief Marshal of the Celestial Court, commanding the celestial armies. Any demon strong enough may serve as a celestial soldier.”

He then appointed the Ten Demon Saints to their positions, as well as countless other posts within the Celestial Court—thirty-six Heavenly Hall Lords, seventy-two Earthly Hall Lords, and more. Each role carried its own responsibilities, though Di Jun, at this moment, failed to grasp the full weight of this truth. To him, the Celestial Court seemed nothing more than a tool for himself and the demon clan to accumulate fortune and merit.

Perhaps, with this vast power of fortune, his strength would soar, and with greater power, all things would become much easier to achieve. Yet he failed to realize that certain ideas are hard to change, and once habits take root, they become deeply ingrained, influencing countless decisions. By the time he would come to understand this, it would already be too late.

Di Jun knew that each of these innumerable positions in the Celestial Court came with their own duties, but he merely mentioned it in passing, not giving it the attention it deserved, thus sowing seeds of future calamity.

Moreover, the demon clan was composed of countless different races, all of whom had joined for the sake of invisible fortune and merit.

Meanwhile, atop Kunlun Mountain, the Three Pure Ones were gathered within the Hall of Supreme Polarity.

“Elder brother, Di Jun is becoming ever more arrogant! Now he dares to proclaim himself Celestial Emperor, ruling all the primordial lands. Does he not even see us, the primeval deities?” Yuan Shi, the Jade Pure One, protested indignantly.

Yet the Supreme Pure One, Laozi, merely smiled. “Worry not, Second Brother. Heaven, when it wishes to destroy someone, first drives them mad.”

Having spoken, Laozi only smiled mysteriously and said no more. The Upper Pure One, Tongtian, looked on in confusion. “Elder brother, what are you hinting at?” No matter how Tongtian pressed, Laozi kept silent.

At the same time, far away in the ancient starry sky, in the palace of the Purple Tenuity Emperor Star, the Emperor of Purple Tenuity sat expressionless upon his throne. “Star Gods, why is it that I merely secluded myself for a few days, and now the primordial world has changed so drastically?”

The assembled star gods remained silent before his anger. Even Lord Chang Geng, usually eager to speak, stood rooted to the spot, eyes downcast.

But his silence did not spare him from the Emperor’s attention. “Lord Chang Geng, aren’t you usually quite outspoken? Why do you hold your tongue today?”

Fixing his gaze on Chang Geng, the Emperor waited.

“My lord,” Chang Geng replied, “we star gods of Purple Tenuity dwell deep within the ancient starry sky. No matter what Di Jun’s Celestial Court does, it cannot reach us here. Therefore, there is no need for you, my lord, to concern yourself with Di Jun’s declarations.”

The Emperor’s face grew darker. “So by your reasoning, I should wait until he is at our doorstep before considering a response?”

Chang Geng hurried to explain, “That was not my intention, my lord. Besides, the esteemed Qing Xuan once warned us star gods that as long as we do not involve ourselves in the tribulations of the primordial world, we may rest easy.”

At these words, the Emperor’s fury exploded. “Qing Xuan, Qing Xuan! How many times have I heard you all mention him over the years? Do you answer to me, or to Qing Xuan?”

Regret flickered in his eyes as the words left his mouth, but once spoken, there was no taking them back. As the sovereign of the star gods, he could not simply withdraw his words. He noticed, too, the disappointment—some hidden, some clear—in the eyes of many present, which only made his mood worse.

In the end, the gathering of star gods and the Emperor of Purple Tenuity ended in discord, with nothing resolved.