Life, so often, is just like that.
When you think you can get more, fate makes a choice not to your liking, leading to an outco that's even lesser than what you originally had.
In the empty bedchambers, Wu Wang looked towards the corner where he and the Young Master used to share profound monts of intimacy, only to find that her hanging basket was no longer there.
Turning his head towards the pool, it too was a place where he and Fairy Ling shared absurd dreams of spring, but alas, no trace of that fastidious fairy remained.
Let them all move out, then, just move them all out! Leaving him, the lone and isolated man, to claim a solitary and unmatched path amidst the Celestial Court! Let him, the lord of the Celestial Court, focus on handling the court's affairs and study how to grasp more of the Great Dao as quickly as possible!
——A minor grievance from Wu Wangzi's reduced garden visits.
Wu Wang clearly understood the intentions of his two ladies.
In recent days, with Xiaolan's pleasing efforts, repeatedly visiting the gardens as encouragent for Wu Wang, he, spurred on by his two ladies, began to renew his spirit. He wielded the Heavenly Emperor's small whip and directed his energy towards the thriving and important matters of the Celestial Court.
Even though he had already arranged all the steps beforehand;
Even though the plan would not be greatly affected by how much effort he personally put in once it was set;
Even though his Primordial Spirit was constantly attuning to the Great Dao through the Heavenly Dao, and the harmonious state of Yin and Yang brought him considerable benefits;
But could he say this out loud?
Clearly not, as saying it would lead Xiaolan and the Young Master to deem him unserious.
Well then, they ant well. After all, desire isn't sothing only he has. If other people could endure, then all the more so should he, who hadn't actually been slighted in any way.
And Wu Wang soon confird the adage, 'distance makes the heart grow fonder.'
His affection for his two ladies unexpectedly deepened even further.
Having just passed the first day of the month, Wu Wang began to count down the days until the fifteenth. During his leisure, he would divide a portion of his spiritual mind to start... observing Yang Wudi.
Yang Wudi suddenly beca incredibly cautious.
He changed his previously flamboyant behavior, becoming ticulous in his actions. He was capable of hiding in one spot for days without the slightest movent, as if he had rged with the earth itself.
He was still staying in that small village.
Through the eyes of Yang Wudi, Wu Wang glimpsed again a corner of the Outer Sky.
The world outside was spacious for the creatures living there, but this group of long-haired people, numbering only a few dozen, struggled to survive on this land. They engaged in ice fishing and hunting in the snowy wilderness, barely maintaining their livelihood at the baseline.
Yet they showed no intention of moving, and the smiles of the won and children were effortlessly easy and sincere.
Are Divine Spirits tougher than harsh winters? Wu Wang surmised sothing along those lines in his heart.
He did not urge Yang Wudi to explore more areas, letting things proceed at Yang Wudi's own pace.
Celestial Court affairs, under the managent of Yun Zhongjun, the Head Manager, and the Earth God, were progressing thodically and orderly.
In days without the company of his ladies, Wu Wang spent each day in his temple, focusing on cultivation for half the ti.
Ji Mo and Lin Qi dared not disturb him, as they believed Wu Wang surely was overwheld with myriad tasks, each movent affecting the entire Heaven and Earth. Yet in truth, Wu Wang was simply... quite idle, and he couldn't indulge in carefree play within the Celestial Court.
He began to pay attention to the construction progress of Tianlan City, nad so as a homophone for 'Heaven and Man.'
He started caring for the emotional well-being of all spirits.
He noticed many Heavenly Soldiers in the Celestial Court were beginning to show signs of romantic relationships. After careful consideration, Wu Wang didn't stop this. He even drafted celestial policies granting the offspring of Heavenly Soldiers and Heavenly Generals residence qualifications in the lower three levels of the Celestial Court.
This had its advantages as well as disadvantages.
Without considering whether the combat capabilities of the Heavenly Soldiers and Heavenly Generals would be affected, it was also necessary to consider whether they could beco a kind of 'monopoly on resources,' becoming clannish or familial.
Thus, Wu Wang established the corresponding heavenly edicts in advance, informing the beings living in the lower three levels of the Celestial Court of the constraints they would face when becoming Heavenly Soldiers and Heavenly Generals, as well as how to avoid conflicts of interest.
Yun Zhongjun was extrely surprised and moved by the suddenly diligent Heavenly Emperor.
Previously, Wu Wang's desk was piled high with morials; as soon as one batch was dealt with, the next had already accumulated.
After Fairy Ling joined the Celestial Court, the Eastern Emperor's desk was exceptionally clean; a bundle of newly arrived morials would be disposed of in just a mont.
The Heavenly Emperor was spirited, focused, and quick-witted, with a keen eye for detail. He could often pinpoint the crux of an issue with a single remark, unlike before when he needed Yun Zhongjun's subtle reminders.
"Fairy Ling is truly impressive!" In front of the Head Manager, Yun Zhongjun gave a thumbs-up and couldn't stop praising. "To think that she could make His Majesty change so drastically, becoming so motivated, this Tianyan Saintess must have so tricks up her sleeve!"
The Head Manager's forehead was lined with black streaks as he said indifferently, "By that reasoning, does Yun Zhongjun favor Fairy Ling even more now?"
"Haha," Yun Zhongjun chuckled. "What are you thinking, Head Manager? She is His Majesty's Fairy Immortal; what does that have to do with us? Let's not continue the ways from Emperor Shun's ti. You should also change your way of thinking. Imagine, if you were now to sacrifice yourself for the Heavenly Dao, would the Young Master fall out of favor before His Majesty?"
The black lines on the Head Manager's forehead seed to be spreading throughout his body.
Yun Zhongjun raised an eyebrow and bumped the Head Manager's shoulder. "Rough words hold a truth; that's how it is. The three of them are getting along sweetly, and His Majesty's fighting spirit has been spurred. Just honestly serve your sentence under the Heavenly Dao and manage your own little world. What's the matter, feeling uncomfortable without soone compelling you?"
The Head Manager swept his sleeve. "Hmph! I'm disinclined to argue with you, lazy god. I'm off to ponder the elixirs of eternal life."
"That's more like it." Yun Zhongjun smiled with narrow eyes, watching the Head Manager leave on a cloud. Then, stretching leisurely, he strolled back to his own temple to deal with the affairs of governance.
「So, another half a year passed.」
The Celestial Court was completely stable, and tales of the Nine Heavens began to spread throughout the Great Wilderness.
The internal strife that had broken out in the Human Domain was suppressed by the iron-fisted tactics of the Human Emperor.
For the beings of Heaven and Earth to unite, Wu Wang sent people to propagate the threats of Emperor Shun and the Candle Dragon throughout the lands. He deliberately hid the fact that Emperor Shun had combined with the Candle Dragon.
Otherwise, it wouldn't be about using the Candle Dragon to threaten beings into unity; it would be outright intimidation. Explaining that one plus one doesn't always equal more than one is indeed challenging.
Wu Wang's days were passing rather comfortably.
The Young Master and Ling Xiaolan took turns accompanying him, and Lin Suqing inadvertently beca the woman who t Wu Wang the most.
Occasionally, Wu Wang would order his people to collect so rare treasures to gift to his two ladies at ho: presenting the Young Master with precious food ingredients and Ling Xiaolan with fabrics of exceptional cleanliness, catering to their preferences and gaining their joyful appreciation.
During this half year, Heaven and Earth tended toward stability, and the Heavenly Dao was accepted and understood by an increasing number of Divine Spirits.
The Innate Gods had initially feared Wu Wang and dared not act rashly. By this ti, however, they had co to fear both the Heavenly Dao and Wu Wang, compelled by the Heavenly Dao to strictly observe the edicts and rules of Heaven.
The Divine Spirits who were imprisoned within the Heavenly Dao, with the exception of the Head Manager, were mostly miserable.
They did the majority of the work without a shred of freedom to speak of and were constantly influenced by the Heavenly Dao, gradually and thoroughly reverting to the essence of spirits of the Great Dao.
Born for the Great Dao;
Manifested for the Great Dao.
The Divine Positions in the Celestial Court were further filled, with the proportion of Human race experts increasing step by step. A large number of Immortals and True Immortals from the Human Domain were sent to the Celestial Court to beco the new contingent of Heavenly Soldiers.
In the past six months, Zhong only appeared twice, informing him that Jingwei and his mother were safe.
After being sealed, they mostly remained in a deep slumber.
Wu Wang couldn't wait to bring them back imdiately, but each ti, Zhong's persuasion made him prioritize the bigger picture.
Zhong had begun to reveal more information.
For instance, the greatest value in eradicating Emperor Shun was to liberate the Dao of Ti, rging it with the Heavenly Dao.
For instance, three years after Wu Wang established the Celestial Court, the inspection tour that must be comnced should garner as many insights into the Dao of Heaven and Earth from the old gods as possible.
And for instance, Wu Wang also needed to create conditions as best as he could to, like a baby, touch the essence of the Great Dao through the Heavenly Dao, feeling how the Great Dao exists and affects this world.
Zhong once said, "Only then might you understand what the ultimate challenge really is."
The Eastern Emperor's Bell, on that potential tiline where I 'barely won,' surged against the flow of the river of ti towards the 'beginning' of everything. The Bell I saw a mont later, on its path of movent, was actually the Bell from an earlier mont.
Simply put, the Eastern Emperor's Bell that I will forge in the future must possess the power to peer into the entire river of ti simultaneously.
Such a divine artifact is unable to resolve the ultimate enemy? Wu Wang had gradually begun to feel the imnse pressure, stemming from the passage of ti, from the future.
「Thus, the Celestial Court passed another few months calmly.」
...
「Yu Yuan, the land of the setting sun.」
At twilight, the sun star transford by the Golden Crow had just dipped into Yu Yuan. Carried by the chariot through the natural formations set outside Yu Yuan, it returned to the Fusang Tree.
Three figures appeared above Yu Yuan, looking down at the abyss below that radiated an enigmatic Dao charm.
Whether dressed in brocade robes or in loose long gowns, Wu Wang, who stood in the center wearing a black robe, already had an aura of majesty emanating from him.
Wu Wang, Yun Zhongjun, and the Head Manager—when the Heavenly Emperor arrived at this place with two of the top Celestial Court officials, it was obviously not just to take in the scenery.
Below Yu Yuan lies an ancient battlefield where Shen Nong once allowed Jingwei's remnant soul to be reincarnated.
They were here for that battlefield today.
Yun Zhongjun smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I am familiar with this place; allow to lead the way."
"Please do, elder brother," Wu Wang took out a folding fan and gracefully opened it.
The Head Manager spoke gravely beside him, "If outsiders didn't know better, they might think Your Majesty has co here for a leisurely stroll."
"Just taking a casual walk," Wu Wang laughed. "The Heavenly Dao has control over this place; no need to worry too much."
Yun Zhongjun's figure was the first to descend towards the abyss below. Wu Wang wanted to imdiately follow but was stopped by the Head Manager, who raised his hand. The Head Manager closely followed behind, evidently acting as Wu Wang's escort.
Wu Wang didn't say much more.
Even though among the three of them, he was now the most capable fighter.
The land of Yu Yuan also possessed so peculiar traits.
Descending into what seed like an endless abyss was like entering a realm of pitch darkness, where Dao rules didn't manifest, nor were there any spiritual energy fluctuations. However, with their strength, they could easily decipher the mysteries of this place.
"Such a natural formation has been quite rare since ancient tis," praised Yun Zhongjun. "Most powerhouses couldn't bear to destroy it and have preserved it until now."
As Yun Zhongjun's voice faded, points of pale green light appeared below.
Mica-like spirit bodies appeared around them, wandering freely in this void, occasionally exploding into nothingness, and sotis condensing out of thin air.
Shortly after, Yun Zhongjun casually swiped forward, and the surrounding darkness receded like water, revealing a rift before them.
This rift was like a sliver of sky at the exit of the abyss but was not the direction they had entered from.
The three gods entered in single file, and a dark yellow world was slowly illuminated.
The yellow sand on the ground and the clusters of dark clouds in the low sky... This place resembled a still painting, rough and desolate.
In the distance, giants turned into mountains, along with the scattered remains of soldiers on the ground, played an ancient and distant war song.
"This is where the God of Light fell." Yun Zhongjun sighed softly. "Your Majesty, many of my old friends are buried here, and in the end, the Candle Dragon that erged beca the ruler of the fourth divine era."
Wu Wang said solemnly, "Elder brother, my condolences."
The Head Manager leaned on an unseen support, gazing at this place, and whispered, "My sister and I did not take part in this battle. We had little divine power at the ti, which is why we were spared."
"Let's get down to business." Wu Wang spoke softly and then closed his eyes in concentration, standing in this place as if deep in thought.
The Head Manager and Yun Zhongjun set off in opposite directions, selecting various spots where the remains and items containing incomplete Dao rules were enveloped by divine power and piled up in front of Wu Wang.
The power of the Heavenly Dao slowly seeped into this small world, which could collapse at any mont, with Wu Wang's feet as the epicenter.
Before long, a breeze stirred in this place, and spiritual energy, as if it were waking up.
——This was the Heavenly Dao fortifying this small world here.
Wu Wang seed to sense sothing and raised his hand to reach towards the mountain of items piled in front of him, grabbing a broken hilt.
He examined the texture of the hilt closely, then his form slowly rose and sat cross-legged as the hilt was wrapped in the power of the Heavenly Dao and began to quiver slightly.
Monts later, a pitch-black beast flew out from the hilt. It resembled neither a tiger nor a lion, with a deer's tail and horse's hooves. It roared sadly at the sky before dissolving into black smoke, leaving behind a speck of golden light.
This is it, the golden light!
Wu Wang flicked his finger lightly, and the power of the Heavenly Dao turned into a small serpent, which directly swallowed the golden light.
Wu Wang declared loudly, "Soul, rest; Dao, return."
As his voice fell, dots of golden light appeared within the small world, like swarms of sumr insects, converging towards Wu Wang.
The little serpent darted out, greedily devouring these golden lights like the ga 'Snake,' rapidly expanding. Its appearance began to change, from a serpent to a dragon.
After a short while, a Golden Dragon coiled around Wu Wang, gazing up at the narrow sky and earth.
"Return to the Heavenly Dao," Wu Wang said softly. The Golden Dragon slowly shrank until it turned into a beam of golden light and fled into the void beneath Wu Wang.
At the sa ti, the power of the Heavenly Dao grew slightly stronger.
Within the structure of the Heavenly Dao, another Great Dao was added to the non-central peripheral frawork.
Yun Zhongjun and the Head Manager arrived at the sa ti, both showing signs of joy.
Yun Zhongjun exclaid, "This thod actually works! At the very least, this place could allow the Heavenly Dao to accept two hundred Great Daos that have been silent!"
"Yes," Wu Wang said with a smile. "The Great Dao has always been present between Heaven and Earth, rely unseen. In truth, we need to comprehend it one by one. However, this place leaves us a shortcut of convenience."
"The Innate Gods buried here were essentially the 'handles' of the Great Dao. We only need to use the Power of rit to condense a false carrier and then fill it with the fragnts of these 'handles'. Finally, we restore the 'handle' and integrate this Great Dao directly into the Heavenly Dao."
The Head Manager asked, "Is there a large consumption of the Power of rit?"
"A lot," Wu Wang spread his hands. "But don't worry. I've decided to open the Blood Sea. Once the hidden dangers from the Outer Sky are resolved, this Blood Sea can also be used as a training ground."
The Head Manager nodded slightly, saying, "In that case, it seems sowhat unfair to the creatures born in the Blood Sea."
There's no such thing as perfection in this world, Wu Wang mused, then said slowly, "Creating a vessel for conflict, one that bears the negative emotions of this world, is ultimately more beneficial for Heaven and Earth. I can take on such unsavory tasks. The Heavenly Emperor cannot only have a kind and selfless side."
Having said that, Wu Wang waved his hand gently, and one by one, objects drifted over, suspending around him.
Serpents of the Heavenly Dao were born, devoured, turned into dragons, and returned. The entire ancient battlefield turned into a sea of gold.
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