Volume One: The Calamity of the Lich Chapter 121: The Bluebird Delivers a Message, The Sorcerer Tribe Responds

"Eh, though I have such thoughts, they're nothing more than fleeting notions," Zhenyuanzi replied directly when Hongyun inquired of him.

"Oh?" Seeing the doubt on Hongyun’s face, Zhenyuanzi could only explain patiently, "You know only that I am acquainted with that elder, but you don’t know that I once wished to become his disciple."

"Oh? And yet, you didn’t become his disciple, did you?" Hongyun asked with confusion, unable to understand why someone of Zhenyuanzi’s talent would go unchosen.

"But it’s not as simple as you think," Zhenyuanzi sighed softly. "The elder did not look down on me. On the contrary, he had great hopes for me. He told me from the start that he didn’t refuse me out of disdain, but because he wished me to go further on my own path. So we made a verbal agreement: if I could one day comprehend my own Dao, I could then become his disciple."

"That’s a truly high standard! One must fully comprehend their own Dao just to become his disciple?" Hongyun could not help but click his tongue in amazement. He knew well that Zhenyuanzi’s power had long surpassed that of an ordinary Golden Immortal and reached another realm entirely. For Hongyun, such strength was already unimaginable, yet even so, it had not been enough to be valued in that way. Now Hongyun understood Zhenyuanzi’s considerations.

"Alright then, brother, it’s your decision," Hongyun conceded, no longer pressing the issue.

"I’ll go. I don’t wish to give others reason to gossip, and I am also curious to see what Di Jun intends. Though my strength may not match that elder, the current Heavenly Court cannot easily manipulate me," Zhenyuanzi said, his tone resolute. He could only guess at Di Jun’s intentions, and how accurate those guesses were would only become clear in time.

"Don’t worry, brother—you have me accompanying you!" The two exchanged a glance and smiled.

Meanwhile, invitations from Di Jun had reached Mount Sumeru, the Purple Palace Continent, and Mount Kunlun.

On Mount Sumeru—

"Senior brother, let’s go to the Heavenly Court when the time comes. I want to see what courage Di Jun has. He’ll surely bring out many treasures to entertain his guests, haha!"

Seeing Zhunti so eager, Jieyin was already used to it and simply let him be, shaking his head with resignation and making no comment.

On Mount Kunlun—

"Eldest brother, are we truly going to the Heavenly Court?"

"Yes, we must. Otherwise, what would others think of the Three Pure Ones?" Taishang looked calmly at Yuan Shi in the great hall and spoke with composure.

At the same time, in the ancient starry sky, Di Jun had also sent envoys. To the surprise of many star deities, the envoy directly requested that the Lady of the Lunar Star receive the invitation.

"What’s going on? What is Di Jun planning?" In the palace of the Emperor of Ziwei Star, his figure was absent, but many, upon hearing the words of the envoy from the demon clan, were filled with suspicion and doubt.

Seeing this, Lord Chang Geng stepped forward and said, "Everyone, best not to speculate too much. Who knows what Di Jun is thinking? Don’t fall for his schemes."

Yet Chang Geng realized that after he spoke, many began to harbor their own thoughts, though such people were always in the minority. Among them, the Twelve Celestial Generals each had their own designs. In particular, the Lord of Tian Gang Star, who had long harbored resentment against Chang Geng for being favored by Ziwei Emperor, now saw another opportunity opening up before him.

"The Lady of the Lunar Star is still absent? Why has it been so long without any sign of her? Could it be..." Before the star deity could finish, Xi He entered, followed by Chang Xi. Everyone noticed Chang Xi’s sour expression, but chose not to inquire. Though Xi He and Chang Xi were born later than most present, few dared to underestimate them. Not only was the Lunar Star unique and one of the Seven Luminaries, but their status alone placed them above most star deities.

Xi He walked up to the envoy from the Heavenly Court and took the invitation from his hands. "I am Xi He, Lady of the Lunar Star. I have received your invitation. You may go," she said coldly, tucking the invitation away.

Seeing this, the star deities in the hall had nothing further to say. But would things truly end so simply?

After the envoy departed, Chang Geng addressed Xi He: "Now that the Emperor is absent and you have accepted the invitation, you should attend the Heavenly Court’s celebration. Be sure to bring gifts from the treasury so that the countless star deities of the ancient starry sky are not seen as lacking in propriety."

Yet Chang Geng failed to notice the endless mockery in Chang Xi’s eyes as she stood behind Xi He.

Meanwhile, at the foot of Mount Buzhou, a similar awkwardness played out for those from the ancient starry sky.

"Halt! This is the territory of the Wu Tribe. Outsiders are not permitted to enter," a burly warrior of the Wu Tribe shouted, stepping forward as a figure descended near their encampment.

"Friend of the Wu Tribe, I am a messenger from the Heavenly Court and wish to meet your chief," the newcomer, a bluebird envoy, replied quickly.

"Pah! So it’s a demon brat! Be gone! Don’t you know our Wu Tribe has no dealings with your demon clan?" The warrior prepared to strike.

"Wait, I truly mean no harm," the envoy pleaded.

"What’s all this commotion?" A more imposing figure suddenly appeared. It was Kua Fu, the great chieftain under Ju Mang.

"Kua Fu, this one is from the demon clan and wishes to see our chief. Isn’t that laughable?" the Wu warrior scoffed.

But after a moment’s thought, Kua Fu turned to the bluebird envoy and said, "Enough. Come with me to see the Ancestral Wu."

He had received a secret message during his deliberation.

Soon, they stood before Di Jiang.

"Since you came to see me, leave whatever you brought, and you may go," Di Jiang said.

At these words, the bluebird envoy breathed a sigh of relief, hastily presented the invitation, and hurried away with Kua Fu, vowing never to return to the Wu Tribe again.

The Wu Tribe—each one of them is a madman, far too terrifying.