Lord of the Earth

"It's actually the Pure Yang Immortal, Lü Dongbin!"

Upon hearing the other party introduce themselves, Xia Tian's heart stirred.

The Taoist priest in front of me, dressed in flowing blue robes and carrying a long sword, is none other than the head of the famous "Eight Immortals" in Taoist legends, and the patriarch revered by the Quanzhen School!
For the Chinese people, even if they do not know the detailed background.

However, the proverb "A dog bites Lü Dongbin, not recognizing a kind heart" is known to everyone, and it has left behind poems full of immortal spirit and mysterious Taoist charm in China, such as "Traveling to the North Sea in the morning and Cangwu in the evening" and "A world is hidden in a grain of millet"!

Seeing the "real person," even though he knew it should only be a "brand," still stirred up Xia Tian's emotions.

"I have met you, Lord of Mount Tai."

With a warm, spring-like smile, Lü Dongbin offered a polite salute to Wu Song, his demeanor elegant and his manners impeccable.

Although he was a "quasi-god" with higher cultivation, the Heavenly Court was strictly ordered, and the Lord of Mount Tai was in charge of the Netherworld. His power was extremely heavy, and his divine position was highly respected, far beyond that of ordinary immortals.

Wu Song was resolute and did not like to talk nonsense.

He simply returned the greeting with clasped hands, his posture as upright as a pine tree, his expression neither humble nor arrogant, exuding a dignified air.

Lu Dongbin's gaze returned to Xia Tian, ​​his eyes filled with even more scrutiny and curiosity. He smiled and said, "With the aura of an emperor, Your Majesty, you have actually managed to set foot here. It seems this grand gathering at Yaochi is destined to be anything but ordinary. If you don't mind, please take a seat and have a chat."

He gestured to the empty jade tables not far away, which were shrouded in a misty, ethereal aura.

"It's my wish, but I don't dare to ask for my ear."

Summer naturally follows the path of goodness.

Even if what is before us is merely the mark of a former deity, being able to sit alongside such a legendary figure is an excellent opportunity to learn about the secrets of this "First Celestial Court of Humanity".

"Your Majesty must be attending this grand gathering at Yaochi for the first time. Why don't I introduce you to them..." Lü Dongbin flicked his sleeves and pointed to the various "immortals" who had already arrived, each with their own unique aura.

"These are my closest friends..."

Lü Dongbin first pointed to the few people sitting next to him.

Upon closer inspection in the summer, one could see:
A middle-aged man with a limp, bare-chested and leaning on an iron crutch, with a vermilion gourd hanging from his waist, appeared lazy and unruly, but his eyes gleamed with a sharp light between their opening and closing.

A pot-bellied man, his breasts exposed, waved a brown fan, his face glowing, his laughter hearty, and his aura as powerful as a mountain.

A woman stands gracefully, holding a lotus flower in her hand. Her appearance is exquisite and otherworldly, and her temperament is ethereal and untouched by worldly dust.

"Hmm, these should be Li Tieguai, Zhongli Quan, and He Xiangu, three of the Eight Immortals of the Upper Cave..."

The other figures, such as Lan Caihe wearing straw sandals and carrying a flower basket, Han Xiangzi holding a purple-gold flute and being elegant and handsome, Cao Guojiu wearing an official robe, holding a jade tablet and having a solemn expression, and Zhang Guolao with a smile, all resemble the legendary figures!
Although his cultivation level was slightly inferior to that of "Lü Dongbin", they were both at the top level of deities.

Even Han Zhongli and Tieguai Li are no less than Wu Song in terms of "the pinnacle of divine power"!
More importantly, Xia Tian could sense a resonant Daoist aura emanating from them, clearly indicating that these "Eight Immortals of the Upper Cave" also possessed special "combined supernatural powers" similar to the "Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends"...

"As expected of the former 'First Celestial Court of the Human Race,' among these eight immortals alone, there is one quasi-god and seven supreme deities... These 'Eight Immortals of the Upper Cave' are probably considered a core force in the entire Heavenly Court!"

Summer thought to herself, somewhat surprised.

However, that's normal, given that only those qualified to participate in this "Peach Banquet"...

"And then there are... look, the three people sitting on the cloud throne opposite are the Three Star Gods of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity!"

Summer followed Lü Dongbin's finger and looked around.

The three "quasi-god" star lords shone with divine light, their Daoist aura permeating the air.

The first person had a full and round face, a ruddy complexion, and always wore a warm smile. He held a lustrous jade ruyi in his hand, wore a brocade robe embroidered with bat and auspicious cloud patterns, and was surrounded by a refreshing and auspicious aura!

"Hmm, so this is the Star Lord who holds the power of fortune in the 'Heavenly Court'? Four divine rings, he is also a 'quasi-true god'..."

On that jade ruyi were clearly five divine rings, indicating that it was an object belonging to a true god at the level of crystal.

The second person wore an official hat, held a scroll and a writing brush, and had a serious yet wise expression. His eyes seemed to flow with the patterns of brocade and official rank, and he exuded a dignified and noble air.

Lu Xing, also known as Wenchang Dijun, is in charge of human rank, salary, literary fortune, and academic achievements.

In the Heavenly Court system, those who can obtain the title of 'Emperor' are all people of high position and great power, and should not be underestimated!

In fact, this is also a being at the level of a "quasi-god".

The most eye-catching figure is the "God of Longevity," with a prominent forehead, a long, snow-white beard, a dragon-patterned cane, and a large, plump, and auspicious peach hanging from the top of the cane. His smile is endearing!
However, Xia Tian discovered that the "divine halo" behind it seemed to possess "five paths," and was actually a "true god."
In fact, in Journey to the West, the God of Longevity is just one of the Three Star Gods of Fortune, Prosperity and Longevity.

However, in the genealogy of "Investiture of the Gods", he is a disciple of Yuanshi Tianzun, whose status is above the famous "Twelve Golden Immortals of Jade Void" and only below the deputy leader, Randeng Daoren. He is a true veteran Golden Immortal and a symbol of longevity.

Without a doubt, this is a renowned and deeply rooted deity. Even someone like Lü Dongbin would have to stand up and pay his respects to show his reverence!
In Xia Tian's temporary state of "pseudo-true god" achieved through external forces, he couldn't even clearly perceive the exact strength level of the Antarctic Immortal!

This alone is enough to further illustrate the profound heritage of this "First Celestial Court of the Human Race".

"These are the Three Holy Mothers, the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden, and Doumu Yuanjun... They have arrived!"

Just then, celestial music rang out again at the entrance to the Jade Pool, and the voice of the "Curtain-Rolling General" responsible for announcing the event was filled with utmost respect.

This time, three female immortals with distinct temperaments entered.

The leader was a stunningly beautiful young woman, dressed in palace attire, with a blend of innocence and nobility in her eyes.

Beside him was a woman of middle age, with an elegant and graceful demeanor, and eyes that conveyed wisdom and authority.

The last one was a kind-faced old woman, holding a dragon-headed cane, walking steadily, with endless stars seemingly rising and falling around her, exuding an ancient aura that encompasses heaven and earth and nurtures all living beings.

The story of the Third Holy Mother needs no introduction; everyone knows the tale of Chenxiang splitting the mountain to save his mother.

She not only has a powerful elder brother, Erlang Shen Zhenjun Yang Jian, who is known as the "Number One War God of Heaven", but her father is also Shao Hao, the White Emperor, who is one of the "Five Emperors of the Five Directions" in Heaven and holds a high position!
He himself was revered by later generations as the "God of Mount Hua," in charge of the spiritual beauty of the surrounding mountains and rivers.

The Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden is no stranger to Xia Tian either.

According to legend, she was the teacher of the Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan, who taught him military strategy and talismans, helping him defeat Chiyou and pacify the world. More importantly, in some ancient legends, she was also the Yellow Emperor's first wife, holding an extremely noble status.

Even the battle formations set up by the "108 Heroes" in the Water Margin world are suspected to have been inherited from this ancestor of military strategy and supernatural powers!
If Chi You represents the "warlord" on the male side, then Jiu Tian Xuan Nu is the war goddess on the female side!

The arrival of that old woman caused many immortals at the banquet, including the Three Star Gods of Fortune, Prosperity and Longevity, to rise up and respectfully greet her.

"Greetings, Doumu Yuanjun!"

Such treatment is enough to demonstrate his extraordinary status.

"This one is Doumu Yuanjun!" Lü Dongbin's tone was extremely solemn.

Doumu Yuanjun, the mother of all stars, possesses a magnificent Daoist body.

She is, according to legend, the mother of the Ziwei Emperor (who rules over all stars), the Gouchen Emperor (who rules over all thunder), and many constellations of the Big Dipper, one of the "Six Emperors"...

It is an ancient deity who is said to be the embodiment of the innate Great Dao, a true god-level being!
"Greetings, Doumu Yuanjun..."

Summer couldn't hide her surprise; she hadn't expected that even the mark of "Imperial God" would appear here.

Doumu Yuanjun's gaze fell gently on Xia Tian. Her gaze seemed to contain the profound truth of the cyclical flow of stars and the birth and death of the universe, making Xia Tian feel as if everything about him could be easily seen through, yet strangely, he did not feel any discomfort.

She nodded slightly, her voice seeming to come from the depths of the distant starry sky, carrying a hint of approval:
"Your aura as a human king, though still immature, already shows signs of encompassing heaven and earth and bestowing blessings upon all living beings. What's even more remarkable is that you are entangled with some 'variables' that don't belong to this world, yet are intimately connected with us... Interesting. I hope you will cherish this destiny, for it may illuminate the world of our human race in the future!"

Xia Tian felt a chill run down her spine, knowing that such an existence was extremely special, and even a single "mark" was enough to reveal many things that she could no longer perceive.

Therefore, he responded respectfully.

"Thank you for your guidance, Lord Xie. I will keep it in mind and always keep the well-being of the people in mind."

Upon hearing this, Doumu Yuanjun's eyes seemed to shimmer with a faint light, and she revealed a deeper smile: "Good."

Then, her gaze turned to Wu Song, her voice gentle yet containing the sound of stars flowing through the sky:
"Unexpectedly, a star lord who embodies the spirit of slaughter and destruction can inherit the divine office of the Lord of Mount Tai, who governs the cycle of reincarnation in the netherworld. Yin and Yang, life and death, slaughter and order, seem to be mutually exclusive, but in fact they are mutually reinforcing... This makes me quite happy... Well, well..."

Her gaze seemed to see through everything.

Then, she looked at Huang Rong behind Xia Tian and a kind smile appeared on her face.

"Oh my, what a beautiful young lady... She possesses the pure energy of Yin, and has actually gained the approval of the Moon Palace... Alas, that girl Heng'e, with her aloof nature, hasn't visited me for quite some time now..."

His words were full of the care and love that elders have for younger generations.

He naturally led Huang Rong away from Xia Tian and examined her closely, asking her questions.

Summer did not stop them.

It was because he did not sense any malice from "Doumu Yuanjun"; rather, it was a kind of affinity and protection that originated from the source of life, like stars surrounding the center.

Of course, it could also be because the "Mother of Stars" herself belongs to the level of a supreme true god, and her Daoist charm is too profound, even if it is just a "mark".

With Xia Tian's current "pseudo-quasi-god" level, he simply doesn't have the ability to truly perceive the other party's emotional fluctuations.

"The Old Mother of Lishan, along with her disciples, is attending the gathering..."

At this moment, a voice announced the arrival of the Jade Pool once again, the tone filled with obvious respect.

An elderly woman, dressed in a simple Taoist robe and holding a dove-headed staff, with a kind yet dignified face, slowly entered.

She didn't possess any dazzling aura, but she exuded a calm and profound aura that seemed to have witnessed countless years and the vicissitudes of life, as if she herself were a living history.

Behind him followed closely a woman dressed in white. This woman was slender and beautiful, but her brows carried a hint of eerie charm, and her body exuded a pure, watery aura and the unique feminine aura of snakes.

"Could this be the white snake that would later become famous?"

Summer was suddenly struck by a thought, recalling the legend of the Old Mother of Lishan.

Legend has it that this ancient female immortal spanned multiple eras, possessed extremely powerful magic, and taught heroic female generals from various eras, such as Zhong Wuyan, Fan Lihua, Liu Jinding, and Mu Guiying. Even Bai Suzhen from Qingcheng Mountain was one of her disciples!

The Old Mother of Lishan greeted Doumu Yuanjun, Jiutian Xuannv, and others, clearly old acquaintances. Her gaze swept across the room, and when she saw Huang Rong being pulled by Doumu Yuanjun, she smiled slightly and said to Doumu Yuanjun, "Sister has a good eye. This little girl is intelligent and talented, with a solid foundation in Taiyin. She is a good prospect." Her tone carried the appreciation of an elder.

"The Great Immortal Zhenyuan has arrived!"

At this moment, the voice of "General Rolling Up the Curtain" rang out again.

Once again, a renowned immortal has arrived.

A Taoist priest was seen wearing a purple-gold crown, a carefree crane cloak, and three long strands of beard. His face was serene and ancient, and he held a jade whisk. His demeanor was transcendent and otherworldly, and the Taoist aura behind him was as deep as the sea, connected to the earth's veins, and boundless!
According to Journey to the West, this person is the "Ancestor of Earthly Immortals," and his Taoist temple is located in Wuzhuang Temple on Longevity Mountain, where there is a spiritual root of heaven and earth.

The ginseng fruit tree blossoms once every three thousand years, bears fruit once every three thousand years, and takes another three thousand years to ripen. Smelling it can grant you three hundred and sixty years of life, and eating one can grant you forty-seven thousand years of life.

Qianxia now desires this spiritual root. If the imperial dynasty could obtain it, it would undoubtedly be a tremendous help to the construction of Qianxia's immortal dynasty!

However, before Xia Tian could even meet this "Lord of the Earth Immortals"!
"Emperor Donghua...has arrived!"

Again, a voice came through.

As a vast, majestic, and supremely masculine aura spread out, an emperor dressed in a blue imperial robe, wearing a crown, and with an ancient and dignified face slowly approached. Purple energy swirled around him, and his dragon-like and tiger-like strides seemed to draw in the energy of the entire celestial court.

"Emperor Donghua has arrived!"

Whispers came from the mouth of an immortal, spoken with reverence.

Lü Dongbin immediately stopped smiling, his expression becoming extremely respectful. He stepped forward and bowed deeply, saying, "Disciple greets the Emperor!"

His attitude was more respectful than ever before.

In the summer, I recalled the myth that Lü Dongbin was once a pageboy under the Eastern Emperor in his previous life.

In retrospect, this statement proved to be true.

This emperor, born from pure yang energy, who was once the head of male immortals and ruled over Penglai and Yingzhou, was undoubtedly one of the most powerful beings in the Heavenly Court.

Donghua Dijun nodded slightly to Lü Dongbin, then his gaze swept across the entire scene, pausing briefly when Xia Tian passed by.

That gaze was like the rising sun, warm yet possessing an all-seeing penetrating power, making Xia Tian feel that his "imperial dynasty fortune" was slightly boiling under that gaze.

"After Yu the Great, another human emperor star rose, a sign of great fortune and extraordinary destiny."

The voice of Emperor Donghua was peaceful yet majestic, like a morning bell and evening drum, echoing directly in Xia Tian's mind.

"Since you have come here, it is by fate. You should carefully understand it, as it may be beneficial to your future governance of humanity and your handling of great changes."

Summer did not slack off, bowing respectfully.

"Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty. Xia Tian will certainly live up to this opportunity, and will not let down the human race." (End of Chapter)