Volume One: The Lich Cataclysm Chapter 158: Di Jun's Wicked Amusement, the Birth of the Celestial Court

“Elder Brother, regarding this matter, we must plan carefully,” Taiyi said as he looked at Dijun.

“Elder Brother, you may not know, but I’ve heard that Zhenyuanzi is now traveling across the vast wilderness, seemingly scheming something. Most importantly, he is said to be a disciple of that esteemed figure now, and some even claim to have witnessed Zhenyuanzi’s power—it is truly formidable. Therefore, we must be cautious with our plans. The primordial world today is no longer a place where only we harbor such ambitions.”

Hearing this, Dijun looked at Taiyi, curiosity lighting his face. “Oh? Then who else harbors such designs?”

“I’ve heard that the Celestial Court is plotting as well. And do you remember, because of Hongyun, Kunpeng of the Northern Seas lost his position. Now, this one surely bears a deep grudge against Hongyun.”

“Oh? In that case, why not draw him into our Heavenly Court? Or have we already contacted him?” Dijun’s eyes suddenly shone with interest.

“Elder Brother, you’re right. We did send him a message, but he’s quite stubborn, showing no sign of willingness to join forces with us.”

“Hmph. The advantage is no longer his to claim. He can no longer do as he pleases. He must either join our Heavenly Court or be destroyed!” As Dijun spoke, a sharp gleam flashed in his eyes.

Taiyi nodded in agreement. “That’s what the strategist and I thought as well. He cannot be allowed to do as he pleases any longer. But now, with the Celestial Court involved, it’s a real threat to us. They are not like Kunpeng, who acts alone.”

“In that case, let’s put the matter of Kunpeng aside for now. We’ll deal with the Celestial Court first, and only then bring him into the demon clan.”

Little did Dijun and Taiyi know, this single decision would make Kunpeng even harder to deal with in the future.

“What about the others—the Blood Sea and the Four Seas?”

“The Blood Sea is the domain of Minghe alone. Though he is powerful, he poses little threat as he dwells in the Blood Sea, and we are not suited to linger there.”

Hearing this, Dijun’s curiosity was piqued. “Has something changed?”

Taiyi could only nod helplessly. “During the time we were listening to the Dao, Minghe created a new race. After Houtu of the Wu clan transformed herself into the Six Paths of Reincarnation, she designated Minghe’s Asura clan as the Asura Path. Now, they cannot be underestimated. With the Six Paths of Reincarnation located within the Blood Sea, even though that Lady Pingxin finds it hard to leave the Six Paths, it’s not impossible. If we were to interfere with the Blood Sea, she would not stand idly by.”

Now, the Blood Sea was not only connected to the Nine Netherworld but was also the resting place of the Six Paths of Reincarnation. Given the importance of the Six Paths, not only Lady Pingxin but even Heaven itself would not allow them to be destroyed.

As Taiyi spoke, Dijun felt that, despite having broken through to the quasi-saint level, he was more restrained than ever. For a moment, much of his former ambition faded.

“And what of Emperor Xi and Empress Wa?”

“Emperor Xi is said to be in seclusion and is close to becoming a quasi-saint. Empress Wa broke through some time ago.”

Dijun sighed softly. So, these are the ones valued by the sages. Without any prior experience, they’ve already surpassed him. This made Dijun realize that perhaps he should not underestimate the siblings, especially as they were now in the same boat. Who could say what the future might hold? It was clear that, given the current situation, Empress Wa’s ascension to sainthood was all but certain.

After some thought, Dijun said to Taiyi, “It seems our demon clan and Heavenly Court are facing more and more opponents. Tell all the demon saints and demon kings to train harder. Otherwise, it is uncertain whether we will eliminate others or be eliminated ourselves.”

In the end, Taiyi left the miscellaneous affairs to himself, letting Dijun focus on consolidating his breakthrough.

After Taiyi left, Dijun gazed up at the starry sky. There, he had many hidden moves prepared, and he had thought that this breakthrough would allow him to execute them. Who would have imagined the situation would become even more complicated?

Yet, instead of being discouraged, Dijun’s fighting spirit only grew stronger. “Now this is interesting. If things had gone as before, it would not have been nearly as much fun. I look forward to seeing how you all will respond to me.”

Taiyi, had he known Dijun’s thoughts, would have tried to reason with him further. After being struck down once, Taiyi had become more cautious, less reckless than before—a change he never could have imagined.

At that moment, East Sovereign Gong, whom Dijun had been thinking about, was holding a charming fairy in his arms, feeding her spirit fruits with one hand while his other hand roamed.

“Oh, stop it! Let me go!” she protested coyly.

“You didn’t seem to mind before. Or are you just playing hard to get with me?” he teased.

But just then, a knock at the door interrupted his pleasure. Annoyed, East Sovereign Gong shouted, “What’s going on? Didn’t I say not to disturb me?”

The knocking paused before a voice replied, “Sovereign, there is news from the envoy sent to West Kunlun.”

Hearing this, East Sovereign Gong’s angry expression shifted to one of anticipation. He tossed the fairy aside and strode quickly to the door, not sparing her another glance, leaving only the sound of her soft weeping behind.

After stepping out, he straightened his robes and asked, “Speak.”

The messenger bowed his head, not daring to meet his gaze, and replied carefully, “The invitation you sent was thrown away. It seems the other party has no intention of responding.”

By the end, the messenger was trembling uncontrollably. There was no need to look to know that East Sovereign Gong’s face must be terrifying at that moment.

Just as East Sovereign Gong was about to erupt in fury, another messenger arrived.

“What is it now? Speak quickly—why is there so much to handle these days?” His temper was clearly short.

“Sovereign, Lord Thunder has urgent business and requests your presence.”

At this, East Sovereign Gong’s anger suddenly dissipated. Thunder was no ordinary cultivator; he was one of the few great powers in East Sovereign Gong’s Celestial Court, a fellow Dao listener from Zixiao Palace.