Daojun, start from Penglai foundation building

A grand banquet of immortals was held in the Hall of Fragrant Breeze, where the moon, with its radiant beauty, danced.

Jiang Sheng sat in a corner of the hall, watching the immortals, Buddhas, and saints discuss the Dharma and Tao. He watched the Buddhist Heavenly Kings and Arhats, and the Taoist Emperors and Star Officials, all beaming with joy and pointing out the beauty of nature. Then he looked at his own side and saw that the Taoist immortals were not much better off, enjoying themselves to the fullest.

Looking around, Jiang Sheng found it difficult to drink the wine in front of him.

"What's wrong? Feeling uncomfortable?"

As Yuan Yi Zhenjun's voice rang out, Jiang Sheng looked at him. This veteran Zhenjun of the Penglai Yuan generation was no longer the serious and sullen man he usually was; he was stroking his beard and watching the dance with great delight.

Jiang Sheng nodded and then shook his head: "Uncle-Master Yuanyi, I just feel that this banquet at Pixiang Hall is a little different from what I expected."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Yi Zhenjun laughed and said, "The banquet in Pixiang Hall is not about Pixiang Hall, but about the word 'banquet' itself."

"His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor has hosted a grand banquet, inviting all the celestial beings, Buddhas, and saints. His intention is to share joy with all the celestial beings and immortals. Everyone is raising their cups, exchanging toasts, and chatting and laughing. Isn't this exactly what he wanted?"

"Don't overestimate the Hall of Fragrant Breeze, and don't underestimate the immortals in the hall. In the end, this banquet in the Hall of Fragrant Breeze was originally set up by His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor because he felt that the Eastern Heavenly Daoist family was powerful before, in order to restore the majesty and orthodoxy of the Heavenly Court."

"The fact that all the celestial beings, Buddhas, and saints attended the banquet also signifies that they still jointly respect the Heavenly Court and the Heavenly Emperor."

"We all know what we're thinking. Since we're not seeking pleasure, why bother maintaining a semblance of seriousness?"

Jiang Sheng was taken aback upon hearing this, then chuckled, "Uncle-Master is right, I've misunderstood."

“My junior disciple is always thinking about fighting and competing, but he’s getting a bit stuck on one thing.”

Yuan Yi Zhenjun laughed heartily: "I know you have worked hard for a hundred years in Xiao Penglai to cultivate your sword, but you can't solve everything with just your sword."

"The Heavenly General who rolled up the curtain accidentally broke the glass cup. Although the atmosphere in the hall is lively and the great powers are chatting and laughing, everyone is still on guard. If another battle breaks out, it will no longer be a banquet for entertainment."

"If you're not careful, that tense atmosphere will come back."

Jiang Sheng smiled bitterly and said, "My nephew also knows this, which is why he feels helpless. No wonder there is a saying that human power cannot defy the will of Heaven. It is true that the will of Heaven is beyond human control."

"It seems that my junior disciple's thoughts are still not clear enough."

Yuan Yi Zhenjun finished the imperial wine in his cup, touched his mouth, and the smile in his eyes did not fade: "Nephew, what are we cultivating the Xuan Can method for?"

"The Great Way, longevity, freedom, and transcendence are nothing more than this."

“Now, my nephew, you have a promising future on the path to the Great Dao and longevity is within reach. You speak of freedom and transcendence. Immortals are not bound by the divine path and are not bound by Buddhist precepts. Isn’t this enough for you to let go of the pressure in your heart?”

"Don't always be so tense. Relax more; it's good for your Dao heart."

Jiang Sheng frowned slightly, then nodded: "Uncle is absolutely right. Previously, I studied the Dharma on the Taiyin and Taiyang in the Xuanhuang Realm, thinking that I had cut off external evils and realized my true nature. I thought I had become broad-minded, but now it seems that I am still a little short."

Looking at the most outstanding prodigy in his sect, Yuan Yi Zhenjun suddenly asked, "Ling Yuan, although we have fought side by side several times and I have taught you the Dharma before, there are still several generations between us, and I don't know you very well."

“Looking at your generation of Ling, Lingwei is calm and composed, a role model for teachers; Lingyu is decisive and valiant, a worthy advisor to the ruler; Lingzhao is unrestrained and carefree, the most elegant. You have a tranquil mind, and logically you should be the one most in harmony with the Great Dao and nature. After all, a tranquil mind will not be burdened by external things, will not compete or fight, and will be free and happy.”

"But why is it that you, with your detached nature and clear mind, are the one who pushes yourself the hardest?"

"What exactly is chasing you, making you dare not relax for a moment? Could it be that there is some formidable enemy that the sect cannot deal with for you?"

Jiang Sheng thought for a moment and said softly, "They say he has a detached nature, but he still has some ambition after all."

"Although the myriad realms are full of stories about how great Penglai Spiritual Abyss is, how it is worthy of being the leader of the contemporary Xuanmen sect, and how it is the number one in the three paths of immortals, gods, and Buddhas, I really don't care about these worldly fame and fortune."

"But if it really comes down to the number one in the divine path or the number one in Buddhism, I really don't want to be overshadowed by them. It must be because of my pride."

Yuan Yi Zhenjun laughed and said, "So, you have never been willing to relax or slack off, just to maintain your cultivation level so that you can always be one step ahead of others?"

Jiang Sheng shook his head: "That's not the case. After all, before the great calamity of the Xuanmen, I knew that whether it was the Divine Path or the Buddhist Path, including all the various lineages of the Xuanmen, there should be no one in the contemporary world who could defeat me."

"Now that the great calamity of the Xuanmen has ended, those people are still trying to break through to the next realm and merge with the body, or to survive the calamity. But my junior nephew had already reached the third calamity of cultivation during the great calamity. Even if he were a fifth calamity True Monarch, my junior nephew would not be afraid."

"Speaking of which, with my junior brother's current cultivation level, not to mention the contemporary true disciples of all the heavens and myriad realms, he should be able to stand undefeated among those with five tribulations of cultivation."

Jiang Sheng spoke calmly, and his indifferent and matter-of-fact demeanor made Yuan Yi Zhenjun take notice. His junior disciple was truly extraordinary.

Holding his wine cup, Jiang Sheng took a sip and said, "This competitive spirit, this desire to compete, is ultimately not about competing with others or with fame and fortune, but simply a struggle between myself and my junior brother."

"Always thinking about taking another step closer to the Great Dao, always thinking about surpassing the past, as long as I think that there are still people above me who are incomparable, and that there are still people at the end of the Great Dao who I look up to, then I will not stop."

"Perhaps when?"

After saying this, Jiang Sheng said no more, but took another sip of the imperial wine.

Yuan Yi Zhenjun was stunned. He knew that his junior disciple was proud and arrogant, but he did not expect that his pride and arrogance would reach such an extent.

After a long silence, Yuan Yi Zhenjun, who had originally wanted to persuade Jiang Sheng to relax, finally sighed: "There is no one to rival you above, and no one to look up to on the road ahead. With such ambition, it is no wonder that you have achieved such great skill today."

"Lingyuan, your ambition is so high that it is rare in the world. No wonder the ancestors said that you are a pure Yang seedling. With such ambition and the help of natural talent and cultivation, the Pure Yang Realm will not be difficult for you."

Jiang Sheng sincerely apologized to Yuan Yi Zhenjun: "I have spoiled your enjoyment, Uncle-Master."

Yuan Yi Zhenjun waved his hand dismissively: "We're just here to eat and drink for free, what's the point of having any refined tastes? Besides, do you really think that just now the atmosphere in this hall was tense, and now all the immortals here can remain calm?"

"It's just to save face for His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor."

As he spoke, Yuan Yi Zhenjun raised an eyebrow: "That Curtain-Raising Heavenly General and that Wine-Serving Heavenly Maiden are truly deserving of ten thousand deaths!"

Jiang Sheng nodded. If the Curtain-Rolling Heavenly General hadn't accidentally knocked over the glass cup, the atmosphere in the Fragrant Pavilion wouldn't have been so tense, and the conflict between the immortals, gods, and Buddhas wouldn't have been so blatantly displayed.

Before, no matter what, there was at least something to cover it up; everyone knew the truth, but they always managed to keep a facade.

However, after the Heavenly General shattered the glass lamp, he directly exposed the complex and contradictory relationship between the Eastern Heavenly Taoism, the Western Heavenly Buddhism, and the Heavenly Court to everyone in the myriad realms. Although the Three Realms are now powerful, the internal contradictions and rifts have been clearly seen by all parties.

Although this does not affect the future strategy of the Three Realms, the Heavenly Court and the Western Buddhist Sect will still proceed according to the original plan to merge the various divine paths and Buddhist sects, but it will still be somewhat embarrassing.

No wonder His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor dealt with that Curtain-Raising Heavenly General in such a cruel way. Not to mention being barred from reincarnation for 100,000 years, just considering that he almost caused a war between the immortals, gods, and Buddhas, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to throw him into the eye of the North Sea and let the weak water and icy winds ravage him for millions of years!
Yuan Yi Zhenjun looked around and whispered, "Nephew, this Dharma banquet is probably coming to an end soon."

"With such an incident, many things such as the original contests and discussions could not be done, and His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor probably had no intention of maintaining this superficially lively atmosphere."

"Before the Dharma banquet ends, immortals, Buddhas, and saints are all gathered in this Fragrant Hall, and the heavenly secrets are in disarray. No one dares to probe the voices of others. Let me tell you something: your desire to obtain the position of the Heavenly Lord of Justice may cause some trouble, and there may be twists and turns in the process."

Jiang Sheng pondered for a moment: "There will be trouble and twists and turns, but in the end, this position should still fall to my junior apprentice."

Yuan Yi Zhenjun nodded: "It's good that you understand. Although it was the Curtain-Rolling Heavenly General who accidentally broke the glass cup, our Eastern Heaven Daoist family was the one that reacted the most strongly. In addition, since Kaiyuan Heavenly Venerable intends to compete with His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor, His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor will definitely take action against the batch of Heavenly Fruits that our Eastern Heaven Daoist family is vying for."

"The position of Pure Yang Daojun should be secure, but what about the rest of us?"

Jiang Sheng nodded repeatedly, understanding in his heart whether it was better to belittle those at the Pure Yang level or to bully these juniors.

At this moment, Jiang Sheng looked into the hall and saw the immortals, Buddhas, and saints chatting and laughing. He felt a sense of realization. Even the powerful beings of the Pure Yang realm could not completely do as they pleased, let alone himself.
Looking at his hands, Jiang Sheng sensed the fortune and merit provided by the refined golden-purple immortal talismans within his body, which were continuously nourishing his physical body and soul. He also sensed that the magical treasures in his dantian, purple mansion, and sea of ​​consciousness were being refined and sublimated by the Xuanhuang Qi. Jiang Sheng realized that in the end, it was still because his own cultivation was insufficient! The Dharma banquet in Pixiang Hall, which was originally scheduled to last for several months, quickly came to an end.

According to the original plan of the Golden Palace Heavenly Emperor, the Dharma banquet in the Fragrant Pavilion would last for seven months. In addition to the heavenly maidens performing dances and the warriors setting up formations, there would also be performances such as the True Dragon Offering Auspiciousness and the Spirit Bird Leading the Clouds. Furthermore, there would be a battle of magic between the Sun and Moon Lords in the inner palace, and juniors from all sides in the outer palace would take the stage to compete for entertainment.

However, following the incident of the Heavenly General Rolling Curtain, all the contests and competitions were cancelled and replaced with dance and music. Therefore, while the dragon clans of the four seas offered auspicious omens and all the auspicious birds and beasts of the heavens came to congratulate them, the true disciples of the True Cloud Sect of Qiongyun Daojun were allowed to demonstrate the creatures of clouds and mist, the venerables of the Lesser Light Realm performed the Lapis Lazuli Buddhist Dharma, and the Yaochi fairies of the Golden Mother Yuanjun performed a dance before it was all over.

The Dharma banquet, which was expected to last seven months, ended abruptly in the last three months. However, all the deities and saints present were satisfied, and the matter was thus concluded.

As for the Golden Palace Heavenly Emperor's subsequent decree to extend the punishment of the Curtain-Raising Heavenly General by another 100,000 years, that's a matter for later.

After the Heavenly Court banquet ended, everyone was still savoring the experience. As a result, some familiar immortals, Buddhas, and saints invited each other to small gatherings, and the younger generation did the same.

Amidst this harmony, the Cangwu Realm fell into the East Sea, located at the end of the East Sea, becoming a symbol of the easternmost point of the Three Realms. The Heavenly Venerable Kaiyuan bestowed upon it the name: East Cangwu Continent.

The Crimson Cloud Dao Sect remains located within the Cangwu Continent, but its core has ascended to the Heavenly Realm, residing in the Eighth Heavenly Palace, and becoming the Daoist temple of the Eastern Imperial Prince Emperor.

As for the Kunlun Realm, it was eventually located in the northwest, between the northern demon race and the western Buddhist sect. This position was uniquely advantageous, and neither the western Buddhist sect nor the northern demon race would care too much about it. In addition, the Golden Mother Yuanjun had some personal connections with both the Buddhist and demon races, so the Kunlun Realm eventually became the northwest continent.

Therefore, the Heavenly Emperor of the Golden Palace personally bestowed upon it the name: West Kunlun Continent.

The sacred site of the Golden Mother Yuanjun's Yaochi also ascended to the Heavenly Court, located in the northwest of the Eight Heavens, and became the Daoist temple of the Western Queen Mother Emperor.

When the Cangwu Realm and Kunlun Realm fell into the Three Realms one after another, the Shaoguang Realm and Xiaoyun Realm also fell into the South Sea of ​​the Three Realms. The Xiaoyun Realm merged with the Southern Continent and reorganized the Southern Continent. The Golden Palace Heavenly Emperor named it the Southern Xiaoyu Continent, and the core of the Zhenxiao Dao Sect ascended to the Eighth Heaven Palace, becoming the Daoist Temple of the Southern Emperor of Longevity.

As for Shaoguang Realm, it is a separate continent in the South China Sea, known as Nanlili Continent. The sacred site of Nanlili Continent is the Southern Buddha Elder, one of the Five Elders, and the Great Bodhisattva Mingguang Guanyin of the South China Sea.

The sacred site of the Western Buddha, the Pure Lotus Guanyin Bodhisattva of the Western Sea, is located in the Western Continent. At the same time, the Golden Enlightenment Buddha also set up a separate hall for him in the Great Lingyin Temple as his lodging.

Maitreya Bodhisattva, as the Great Bodhisattva Maitreya Buddha of the East bestowed by the Golden Palace Heavenly Emperor, should have his sacred site located in the East. However, Maitreya Bodhisattva still merged the Floating World into the West, making it the second continent in the West, named Western Floating World.

As for Maitreya Bodhisattva's sacred site, apart from the Futu Temple on the Western Futu Continent, after discussion, the Eastern Heavenly Daoists specially set up a sacred site for him on the Eastern Mountain and Sea Continent. However, Maitreya Bodhisattva chose to reside on the Futu Continent for the long term, only sending people to the Kaiyuan Heavenly Palace to express his gratitude. The deity himself remained motionless in the west, seemingly having no intention of visiting the Mountain and Sea Continent, which truly disappointed the Kaiyuan Heavenly Venerable.

In a short time, with the end of the Xuanmen Calamity, the Eight Great Thousand Worlds merged into the Three Realms, bringing immense fortune and merit to the Three Realms. Then, the four Great Thousand Worlds of Cangwu, Kunlun, Futu, and Shaoguang merged into the Three Realms again, bringing new vitality to the Three Realms.

The incorporation of the two Xuanmen Great Thousand Realms, Cangwu and Kunlun, signifies that all Xuanmen Realms have completely merged into the Three Realms Great Thousand Realms. From then on, the Three Realms Great Thousand Realms became the legitimate lineage of all Xuanmen Realms, and all lineages originated from the Three Realms Great Thousand Realms.

The merging of the Floating Pagoda and the Lesser Light Realms signifies the beginning of the Buddhist sects of all heavens returning to the Three Realms. Silently, the great calamity of the Xuanmen had just passed, and the great calamity of the Buddhist sects seemed to be stirring.

At this time, the Three Realms were a scene of vibrant life and flourishing development, with rare and precious materials emerging in abundance and geniuses from all directions constantly appearing, presenting a magnificent and prosperous scene.

The Buddhist and Taoist traditions in the South and the Buddhist traditions in the West have been constantly exchanging ideas. The demon races in the North have many connections with Kunlun. The Taoists in the East have a far-reaching reputation throughout the heavens. The foundation of the Heavenly Court is also becoming more and more profound. However, even amidst this prosperous scene, as a new batch of Heavenly Fruits is about to be formed, His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor is becoming increasingly unhappy.

Why does Your Majesty seem so uninterested?

"But the music and dance aren't beautiful?"

In the Xuanhua Hall of the Dou Niu Palace in the Nine Heavens, the Golden Palace Heavenly Emperor looked at the dance and music below with a calm expression, somewhat lost in thought, which prompted Qiongyun Daojun to ask a question.

The Golden Palace Emperor said calmly, "My dear minister, it is not that the dance and music are not beautiful, but that my state of mind is not beautiful."

As he spoke, the Golden Palace Emperor looked beyond the Nine Heavens Palace at the Heavenly Fruits nurtured within the Three Realms: "How can I bear to give up so many Heavenly Fruits for a single Dharma Banquet?"

"That sinner, even if I execute him a hundred thousand times, a million times, it still wouldn't be enough!"

Recalling the arrival of the Heavenly Emperor with the Curtain-Rolling Appearance, the Golden Palace Heavenly Emperor casually asked, "How is that sinner?"

The Antarctic Divine Emperor, who was in charge of the punishment, immediately stepped forward: "Your Majesty, as Your Majesty has instructed, this fiend will suffer the torment of ten thousand arrows piercing his heart and his flesh being corroded day and night. He will not be allowed a moment of peace!"

The Golden Emperor said calmly, "He must suffer the full 100,000 years of punishment, not even for a single breath less!"

"His soul must not be allowed to be scattered before his punishment is over!"

The Antarctic Divine Emperor repeatedly agreed.

The Golden Palace Heavenly Emperor looked at the Southern Pole Divine Firmament Emperor with hesitation: "My dear minister, how long have you been in charge of the Heavenly Court's laws?"

The Antarctic Divine Emperor replied, "Your Majesty, I have been in charge of the Heavenly Court's laws since the time of Panfeng. All the Heavenly Laws and Decrees set by Your Majesty have been implemented by me. It has been twelve thousand years now."

The Golden Palace Heavenly Emperor murmured, "Twelve thousand years have passed. My dear minister, you have presided over the penal code, promoted the heavenly rules, and maintained the heavenly authority. Your merits are truly great."

The Antarctic Divine Emperor hurriedly declined, while the Golden Palace Heavenly Emperor muttered to himself, "However, the position of the Great God of Justice is about to be born. This position should be a pure Yang rank, intended to preside over the laws and decrees of the Three Realms and wield the heavenly authority of punishment."

Upon hearing the words of the Golden Palace Heavenly Emperor, the Antarctic Divine Firmament Emperor's expression changed. The Heavenly Laws and Decrees of the Three Realms were nothing but waste paper to the Pure Yang Great Powers, but they were very effective for those below Pure Yang. As the Heavenly Emperor who held the Heavenly Laws and Decrees and punished the Heavenly Power, he held great power. Who in the Three Realms and Four Directions did not know the illustrious name of the Antarctic Divine Firmament Emperor?

Now that the God of Justice has emerged and immediately replaced his authority with a Pure Yang status, he is unwilling to accept this no matter what.

The Golden Palace Heavenly Emperor looked at the Southern Pole Divine Firmament Emperor: "My dear minister, are you still unwilling?"

The Antarctic Divine Emperor was startled and realized his loss of composure, so he quickly bowed and said, "Your subject dares not have any other thoughts, and only wishes to be loyal and dutiful to Your Majesty."

The music and dance continued in the Xuanhua Palace, but the expressions of the various divine emperors changed. Qiongyun Daojun, in particular, looked thoughtfully at the prostrate Shenxiao Emperor.

The Golden Palace Heavenly Emperor seemed quite satisfied with the Antarctic Divine Emperor's statement: "Loyal and dutiful, very good."

"In this vast world of the Three Realms, among immortals, Buddhas, and saints, how many dare to claim to be truly loyal and devoted to me?"

“My dear minister, the position of the God of Justice is something that was born from the heavens and earth of the Three Realms, and I cannot stop it. But you can strive for this position.”

Upon hearing this, the Antarctic Divine Emperor was initially delighted, but then said with distress, "Your Majesty, that is the Pure Yang Fruit position. How can I, a mere Mahayana cultivator, possibly obtain it?"

Unexpectedly, the Golden Palace Heavenly Emperor laughed and said, "The Pure Yang Fruit position is naturally coveted by countless people, but what if one is not Pure Yang?"

Not pure Yang?!
As the assembled gods and emperors exchanged bewildered glances, the Golden Palace Heavenly Emperor suddenly rose to his feet. With a raised palm, the Great Dao resounded, and the might of Heaven surged throughout the Three Realms, as if boundless power of time had been condensed in his hand, transforming into a slender, thin blade.

This thin blade looked incredibly fragile, yet its sharpness caused even the assembled gods, emperors, and Daoist Qiongyun to change color!

This is the Blade of Time, the embodiment of the Great Dao of Time held by the Golden Palace Heavenly Emperor. With a single strike, it can shorten the lifespan of all living beings, erode the life essence of heaven and earth, and even destroy the entire universe.

Holding this blade of time, the Golden Emperor gazed calmly at the fruition being nurtured within the heavens and earth, and with a serene expression, raised his hand and swung the blade:

"cut."

A position originally belonging to the Pure Yang level was ruthlessly severed by the Golden Palace Heavenly Emperor before it could be fully formed.

In an instant, the Three Realms trembled, and Heaven and Earth were enraged. The Golden Emperor simply sat back on his throne. As his imperial aura crashed down, the terror and rage vanished without a trace, and the Three Realms returned to peace. Only the Emperor's Daoist voice echoed throughout the Three Realms:
"The Three Realms and the Great Thousand Worlds have not yet merged with the heavens, and the laws of heaven and earth are incomplete and the decrees are incomplete. Therefore, the position of the Great God of Justice should not be filled."

"I hereby execute him, and change the title of the Great God of Justice to the Heavenly Lord of Justice, with a new rank."

"Mahayana!" (End of Chapter)