Chapter 1516 - 546: Four Sages Decide the Affairs of the Southern Continent Together
Although the matter of altering the Skycutter Great Array was discussed between Li Ping’an and the Holy Mother, the proper procedures must still be followed.
The process is not complicated.
Li Ping’an first dispatched Heavenly Soldiers and Generals to establish checkpoints and patrol routes along the Southern Continent’s border, creating a buffer zone.
Forces from the East Continent under the control of Li Dazhi collaborated with the Heavenly Square Pavilion of the Heavenly Court, spreading the word that the Heavenly Court would soon officially incorporate the Southern Continent into its governance, and it would establish a series of heavenly regulations for the ordinary of the Southern Continent, and so forth.
The purpose of this action is to prepare the Qi Cultivators in the main world psychologically in advance.
After several days of dissemination and brewing, most Qi Cultivators in the East Continent understood the current state of the Southern Continent.
It is nothing more than an oversized mundane realm, without any treasures or ancient relics, inhabited only by mortals unaware of the existence of Immortals among Heaven and Earth.
The forthcoming heavenly regulations have also been circulated far and wide.
The regulations mainly pertain to two aspects:
First, the Southern Continent will be temporarily protected, and Qi Cultivators are currently prohibited from entering without the Heavenly Court’s permission;
From the moment the Southern Continent returns to the world’s order, it will be strictly monitored by the Heavenly Dao; any exceptional beings entering the Southern Continent without authorization will face severe punishment.
Second, the practice of Qi Cultivation has ceased in the Southern Continent for many years. Any sects from the East Continent wishing to recruit disciples must wait until conditions mature and possess a certificate issued by the Heavenly Court to enter the Southern Continent to select disciples.
This certificate will be available for public application, approval, and issuance, and even the Casting Cloud Sect of the Heavenly Emperor’s father cannot bypass the process.
In the recent days, the news has begun circulating within the realm of cultivation, stating that the Southern Continent is the foundation of fortune for the Human Race, a land vital to the destiny of humanity, and that the upcoming Daoist Celestial Consecration Tribulation will also proceed there.
The Heavenly Court’s initiative to incorporate the Southern Continent is to lay the groundwork for the Dao Immortal Tribulation.
Aside from credible information, there are also some rumors.
For instance, it is said that the Southern Continent holds great treasures that the Heavenly Court wants to monopolize;
Or that the beings of the Southern Continent only know of the ancient Xuanyuan Huangdi and not the Heavenly Emperor, which displeases the Heavenly Emperor;
In general, such speculation abounds.
One characteristic of the New Heavenly Court is the speed at which it dispels rumors.
Quickly, local areas began posting notices refuting the rumors, selectively disclosing information about the Daoist Celestial Consecration Tribulation to Qi Cultivators and pointing out that the previous sect conflicts and the battle over the leadership of Chanjie had, in fact, been influenced by the tribulation’s calamity.
This indeed served multiple purposes.
Under the efficient operation of the Heavenly Court’s mechanism, when one and a half million Heavenly Soldiers surrounded the Southern Continent from various directions, it did not cause disturbances.
——The surrounding involved establishing dozens of temporary military camps and dispatching Heavenly Soldiers to patrol back and forth, relying on overlapping Immortal Consciousness rather than a one-person, one-post manner.
Many Qi Cultivators went to the border between the East Continent and the Southern Continent, gazing at the thick light barrier there.
When Li Ping’an, accompanied by several ministers, arrived at the Holy Mother Palace, a peaceful scene enveloped the Southern and East Continents.
Inside the Holy Mother Palace, Li Ping’an directly reached the main hall where Nüwa resided, while the ministers waited outside, paying their respects quietly, and Li Ping’an entered alone.
Nüwa had withdrawn the Dao Charm of the Saint, allowing this conversation to be imprinted into the Heavenly Dao for masters from various factions to calculate.
Nüwa said: "What brings Your Majesty the Heavenly Emperor to my secluded place with such great fanfare?"
"Reporting to the Holy Mother!"
Li Ping’an respectfully performed a Daoist bow:
"I deduced the Daoist Celestial Consecration Tribulation from the Heavenly Court, perceiving its strong connection with the Southern Continent.
"Now that the Southern Continent is isolated from the outside world by the Skycutter Great Array, leading to a cessation of fortune and calamity with nowhere to be released, this must lead to dire consequences.
"Therefore, today I earnestly request the Holy Mother to remove the Skycutter Great Array, allowing the Southern Continent to return to the main world’s order. The Heavenly Court is fully prepared to protect the many mortals, ensuring that no demons or monsters will wreak havoc in the Southern Continent."
Nüwa pondered slightly, as if hesitating.
The scenario inside the grand hall had already been reflected through the Cloud Mirror technique used by masters, illuminating the Azure Wander Palace, Jade Void Palace, Xuan Capital City, Five Soil Temple, and Fire Dragon Cave...
The purpose of Nüwa’s withdrawal of the Dao Charm of the Saint was to perform this dialog with Li Ping’an for the various masters to see.
Then Nüwa said in a deep voice: "How can the land of mortals in the Southern Continent be related to the Dao Immortal Tribulation?"
"This is how it is indicated by the Heavenly Dao."
Li Ping’an said with a bitter smile:
"Although the Heavenly Court claims to be the master of the Heavenly Dao, often it merely follows the Heavenly Dao’s hints as laborious tasks.
"As for why it is related to the Dao Immortal Tribulation there, I truly do not know."
"This matter requires cautious handling."
Nüwa said:
"The multitude of mortals in the Southern Continent has long established their path of operation. If it is merely for the Daoist Celestial Consecration Tribulation that the Southern Continent is placed in danger, it might be unjustifiable.
"Such a vast number of mortals in the Southern Continent alone make their incense merits a significant treasure that cannot be overlooked.
"There are always big sects in this world coveting incense, plundering fortune, and attempting to rise on their own.
"How should we handle the matter if the Skycutter Great Array is opened?"
"Holy Mother, we cannot possibly fear such wolves."
Li Ping’an said brightly:
"In the name of the Heavenly Emperor, I promise you here."
"The secular world of the Human Race in the Southern Continent is the land of humanity. Once the Skycutter Great Array is opened, the Hundred Clans cannot establish residences in the Southern Continent, and no sect can establish a domain or open a sect within it without permission.
"The Heavenly Court will intervene in incense offerings throughout the Southern Continent, allowing only for the worship of the Three Pure Ones, respect for the Holy Mother, and reverence for the Heavenly Court!"
The Holy Mother Nüwa smiled and nodded, saying gently: "The Heavenly Emperor has been considerate. Since it is so, I must discuss with a few Daoist friends, and only then can this matter be settled. Your Majesty, please wait a moment."
"Please."
Li Ping’an bowed his hands in salute and then went over to sit on a chair by himself.