Immortal Father

The few ministers outside the hall were invited into the main hall by the maids of the Nüwa Palace, taking their seats behind Li Ping’an.

Nüwa’s slender fingers gently traced through the air, and the Red Embroidered Ball slowly rotated around her. With Nüwa’s command, "Go," the Red Embroidered Ball vanished into the void.

A moment later, the Red Embroidered Ball returned on its own, and three phantoms appeared in the hall.

The phantom of Taiqing Laotzu descended from the heavens, seated on a fiery wind futon, with a faint Taiji Diagram behind him, his expression neither joyful nor sorrowful.

The phantom of Yuqing Yuanshi Tianzun came from the northwest, seated among white clouds, surrounded by a few small white cranes, his expression somewhat stern.

The phantom of Shangqing Tongtian Sect Leader came from the east, with the Green Duckweed Sword at his waist, standing on a Seven-Star Cloud, his youthful face radiating a gentle smile.

Li Ping’an and the eminent officials of the Heavenly Court rose to welcome them.

Once the three phantoms of the Three Pure Ones arrived in the Holy Mother Palace, Taiqing Laotzu remained silent, while Yuanshi Tianzun spoke slowly:

"I am already aware of the matters here.

"The Southern Continent is the cradle of the Human Race, gathering the fortune of the humans and forming the foundation of the world’s order, indeed of great significance.

"However, the Southern Continent has long been isolated from the outside world by the Skycutter Great Array. This matter has both benefits and detriments, yet it seems now the detriment is greater than the benefit, thus the array should be dismantled so that the Southern Continent can be incorporated into the Heavenly Court’s jurisdiction.

"Daoist friend has called us here, is there anything you are concerned about?"

Nüwa sat on the throne, sighing softly.

She said, "The land of the Southern Continent is vast and populated with many mortals. Even with the protection of the Heavenly Court, I still feel uneasy."

Tongtian Sect Leader said, "Why should you worry, Daoist friend? With our Three Teachings of the Daoist Sect here, how could the Human Race be bullied by other powers?"

Behind Li Ping’an, East King Feng Qingyang nearly rolled his eyes upon hearing this.

When the Human Race was oppressed by the Western Sect and the Hundred Clans in ancient times, where was your support then?

It was only because of the rise of the Heavenly Court and the opportunity for the Jie Sect to gain merit, that it gradually became the backing of the Heavenly Court.

Of course, in this setting, East King certainly could not step forward to complain.

Then Nüwa said softly, "Inviting the three of you here today is also to discuss this matter. I intend to modify the Skycutter Great Array rather than completely eliminating it."

"Oh?"

Yuanshi Tianzun asked, "How do you propose to modify the great array, Daoist friend?"

Nüwa said:

"I have thoroughly calculated, the foundation of the Skycutter Great Array can be slightly altered, transforming it from a trapping array into a sealing array.

"If Qi Cultivators below the Heavenly Immortal Realm enter the Southern Continent, they will be suppressed by the array and find it difficult to escape into the void.

"If Golden Immortal Realm Qi Cultivators enter the array, their spells and divine skills will be greatly diminished.

"If Great Luo Taiyi enters the area covered by the array, they will be monitored by the array itself, their strength comparable to a Heavenly Immortal or Golden Immortal outside.

"This move is also out of necessity, merely to prevent too much loss of life from magical combat.

"There will also be corresponding entry Jade Talismans, and those holding the Jade Talisman can enter the area covered by the array without any suppression, these Jade Talismans I will only grant to the Heavenly Court to facilitate the patrol of the Heavenly soldiers and generals in various places."

Yuanshi Tianzun pondered for a while.

Tongtian Sect Leader laughed and said, "This is indeed a good thing, transforming the Skycutter Great Array into a Forbidden Spirit Great Array will also make those malevolent demons more apprehensive."

Taiqing Laotzu said, "Very well."

Once this Taiqing Saint opened his mouth, the matter was thus decided.

Li Ping’an and the Holy Mother exchanged a glance, each showing a slight smile.

This was the final plan they reached after several discussions.

After entering the land of the Southern Continent, the power of Qi Cultivators will be greatly suppressed, and ordinary Qi Cultivators will have no desire to wander aimlessly in the Southern Continent;

The Investiture of the Gods Catastrophe will also be influenced by the Skycutter Great Array, making magical combat less intense and easier to preserve valuable experts;

This also serves as a precaution against the Western Sect.

If the malevolent demons of the Western Sect dare to cause chaos in the Southern Continent, the Heavenly soldiers and generals, in conjunction with the Skycutter Great Array, can easily rout these demons.

There are actually other details in this matter.

For instance, once the transformation of the Skycutter Great Array is complete, only sixteen entrances and exits will be left in the southeast, northwest directions, each a hundred miles long, where the Heavenly Court will station heavy troops to scrutinize those entering and exiting.

However, the transformed Skycutter Great Array cannot obstruct as efficiently as it does now, which blocks most of the great powers and divine communicators below the level of the Saint Hierarchs.

In the future, Taiyi and Great Luo can find some loopholes and gaps in the array, freely entering and exiting the fringes of the array.

Nothing in the world is perfect, every gain comes with a loss.

The four Saints discussed some other details related to the Southern Continent.

Mainly about how to divide incense offerings, and how the Three Teachings of the Daoist Sect would continue preaching.

Li Ping’an just listened on the side, everything had been discussed with Lady Nüwa.

Now, Nüwa was effectively representing the Holy Mother Palace along with the Heavenly Court, negotiating with the three most powerful Saints.

The foundation of incense in the Southern Continent still belongs to his Heavenly Court, which does not conflict with the Three Teachings. Subsequently, the construction of the Heavenly Emperor Temple will be gradually promoted in various places, where statues of the Three Pure Ones and Nüwa will be enshrined, with a level of consecration higher than that of the Heavenly Emperor.

This ’subsequently’ is roughly after the Daoist Celestial Consecration Tribulation.

Once the four Saints have divided the spoils and reached an consensus, Nüwa takes the opportunity to invite the Three Pure Ones to jointly transform the Skycutter Great Array, and the Three Pure Ones do not refuse.

Nüwa and the Three Pure Ones simultaneously look at Li Ping’an.

"Heavenly Emperor," Nüwa smiles, "everything here has been settled. Does Your Majesty find anything amiss?"

"The four Saints have considered everything thoroughly; there is nothing amiss."

Li Ping’an cupped his hands in a Daoist salute:

"The soldiers and generals of the Heavenly Court have been waiting for a long time.

"Soon, the Heavenly Court will annex the Southern Continent’s court of gods, eliminate most of the deities, and have them join the Heavenly and Human Realms as idle immortal officials.

"The Heavenly Court will promulgate twelve new heavenly laws related to the Southern Continent from today.

"Here, we await the joint action of the four Saints, so that all people may share in the blessings, and all living beings may feel gratitude for the holy grace!"

"Good."

Yuan Shi Tianzun nodded with a smile, with a look full of satisfaction:

"In that case, we should spare no effort to maintain the great array. Senior brother, junior brother, junior sister, let us all display our divine skills.

"Today, let us also bless all living things and proclaim the fortune of us Saints."

"Good."

"Good."

The four Saints are about to act simultaneously;

Nüwa raises the Jiangshan Sheji Diagram, the future core of the Skycutter Great Array, Yuan Shi Tianzun takes out the Jade Ruyi, and in the hands of the Tongtian Sect Leader, several lotus flowers appear.

Just at this moment!

A sudden shout of "Wait" is heard, and the interrupter has arrived.

Li Ping’an’s mouth twitches slightly.

He thought today’s matter could pass smoothly, as the two Saints from the Western Sect feared Taiqing’s majesty and did not dare to appear. Unexpectedly...

They still came.

Outside the Holy Mother Palace, a golden cloud swiftly approaches, upon which sit two elder Daoists maintaining a high and low position, with their lotus dais constantly rotating, revealing countless wonders and shedding endless rays of blessing.

It is Jie Yin and Zhunti who have arrived.

The two brothers, seeing that there’s no benefit for them in the incense-rich Southern Continent, could not sit still.

Li Ping’an had anticipated this, gestured to the officials behind him, and sat down with them quietly waiting, expressing the Heavenly Court’s dissatisfaction with the Western Sect.

Let us watch the clash of Saints.

Nüwa’s face showed displeasure and she coldly said: "Two Daoist friends, why do you come uninvited?"

Zhunti displayed a look of sorrow and sighed: "Daoist friend! Our West is impoverished, you have long known this. Why deliberately exclude us from such a grand affair of heaven and earth without inviting my teacher and me! Is it possible that our sainthood is false? Even if you despise us as the last of the Six Saints, your negligence towards my teacher is truly heartbreaking!"

Jie Yin’s face showed no emotion, but he fixed his gaze on Nüwa.

Yuan Shi Tianzun showed no intention of expressing an opinion, and Taiqing Laozi had already closed his eyes for rest, while the Tongtian Sect Leader observed Jie Yin and Zhunti with a smile, with signs that the Green Duckweed Sword was about to be drawn.

Nüwa said calmly: "The two Daoist friends have repeatedly troubled the Human Race, harmed countless living beings, and since ancient times, even cut off the fate of the Human Race. I did not invite you, what is wrong with that?"

"These are all false accusations."

Zhunti said with a serious tone:

"The rise of the Human Race is built upon the bones of countless members of the Hundred Clans; my heart is uneasy, only advising both sides to refrain from large-scale conflict.

"Even if some disciples did not heed discipline and committed evil for personal cultivation, my teacher and I have punished them accordingly.

"This world cannot only have the Human Race; it should be a hundred clans resonating, a hundred flowers blooming.

"Daoist friend, though you are the Holy Mother of the Human Race, with merits of creating the Human Race and virtues of mending the heavens and protecting life, you should open your mind and embrace all living beings.

"That is the true principle!"

Nüwa’s face turned frosty.

The Tongtian Sect Leader said: "Zhunti Daoist friend’s face-thickening skill has indeed improved, such sophistry is meaningless. Matters of the Southern Continent have already been agreed upon by the Holy Mother and the three of our senior brothers, leaving no room for your Western Sect."

Jie Yin let out a soft sigh: "This matter should indeed be discussed among the Six Saints. I ask the two senior brothers, Taiqing and Yuqing, to understand the difficulties of our West and reconsider the affairs of the Southern Continent."

Taiqing continued to keep his eyes closed and remained silent.

Yuan Shi Tianzun, however, pondered slightly.

Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚•𝕟𝕖𝕥

Li Ping’an secretly thought things might go awry, his mind turned, and he immediately stood up.