Honghuang: My understanding is beyond belief. I am the first immortal of Jiejiao.

"It's not that we can't get it."

The Great Emperor Qinghua said quietly.

“They simply dare not kill him. When the Law of Time is cultivated to its peak, it can sever the threads of cause and effect. If this person is pushed too far, he can cause the entire Golden Lotus of Merit of Mount Ling to wither.”

Suddenly, a bell rang out from outside the hall, striking eighty-one times—a sign that a golden immortal from the upper realm had fallen.

Venus's face turned deathly pale.

"Just received news that two of the traitorous Yaksha generals were killed by a cyan sword light at the edge of the Blood Sea."

The Jade Emperor suddenly burst into laughter, the sound of which made the dragon reliefs on the beams and pillars of the Lingxiao Palace tremble.

"Well done! Lin Zhu is truly remarkable!"

A golden edict flew out from his sleeve.

"Taibai, convey my imperial decree."

Lin Zhu was granted the title of 'Qingxiao Chengtian Hudao Zhenjun', enjoying a third-rank celestial rank and the right to freely enter and exit the Thirty-Three Heavens.

"His Majesty!"

Emperor Gouchen said urgently.

"This person's origins are unknown."

"It is precisely because it is unclear that it is a variable."

The golden light in the Jade Emperor's eyes materialized and intertwined in front of him to form the pattern of the Eight Trigrams.

"Can any of you predict Lin Zhu's next move?"

Upon hearing this, the four emperors each used their divination abilities.

A moment later, the Ziwei Emperor shook his head first, followed by Changsheng and Gouchen, and finally even the Qinghua Emperor, who was most skilled in divination, showed surprise.

"The secrets of heaven are so chaotic that even the approximate location cannot be calculated."

"This is the anomaly."

The Jade Emperor stood with his hands behind his back, and the phantom image of the entire Heavenly Court appeared behind him.

"The Great Tribulation of Journey to the West was originally an opportunity for Buddhism to flourish, but now, we have this card to play."

Inside the Ziwei Hall, purple mist swirled, and the power of stars flowed endlessly around the ceiling.

Emperor Ziwei stood with his hands behind his back, a solemn expression on his face.

"Your Majesty, is Lin Zhu truly unrelated to the Chaos Storm?"

The voice of the Ziwei Emperor echoed like the collision of stars in the vast hall.

The Jade Emperor sat serenely on the nine-dragon throne, his expression calm, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest.

“The Dao Ancestor Hongjun never mentioned this matter, and I was also unaware of it.”

Emperor Ziwei frowned slightly, and his star-patterned robes fluttered even without wind.

"If there is indeed a connection, how should it be handled?"

If that's really the case.

The Jade Emperor's eyes gleamed.

"On the contrary, it's better."

"better?"

The Purple Star Emperor looked surprised.

The Jade Emperor slowly rose, his sleeves fluttering slightly.

"I have glimpsed the truth of the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This child may bring a turning point to the Heavenly Court."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the four emperors in the hall.

"I intend to give Lin Zhu a high position, and in the future he may be able to share the same status as the Four Emperors."

Upon hearing this, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

Emperor Gouchen suddenly took a step forward, his body crackling with lightning.

"Your Majesty is mistaken! Lin Zhu has only been in the world for a few decades. What merit or ability does he have to be ranked alongside us?"

The Purple Star Emperor and the Longevity Emperor exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes.

Houtu Niangniang lowered her eyes and remained silent.

The Jade Emperor said calmly:
"Gou Chen, you will leave this realm in five hundred years, at which time your position will be vacant."

Even so, it's not up to a mere brat!

Emperor Gouchen was furious, and thunder roared around him.

"The throne of the Great Emperor concerns the fate of the Heavenly Court; how can it be treated lightly? If even one more person shares in the spoils, the foundation of the Heavenly Court will surely be shaken!"

The Emperor of Immortality coughed lightly.

"Your Majesty, this matter is indeed of utmost importance."

"What if he's strong enough?"

The Jade Emperor suddenly asked a question, his gaze sharp as lightning.

The four emperors fell silent once again.

Inside the hall, the power of stars and the energy of thunder collided, creating an atmosphere so heavy it almost materialized.

After a long silence, the Ziwei Emperor sighed.

"In that case, let's hold a vote."

The Jade Emperor nodded.

"can."

The voting results were quickly revealed: Emperor Ziwei and Emperor Changsheng abstained, Emperor Gouchen opposed, and only Empress Houtu voted in favor.

"Two abstentions, one vote against, and one vote in favor."

The Jade Emperor's gaze was profound.

"My mind is made up; Lin Zhu should be given an important position."

Emperor Gouchen was so angry that he laughed instead.

"Very well! Excellent! Since Your Majesty has made a decision, we will naturally comply!"

Having said that, a flash of lightning, and his figure disappeared from the hall.

The other three emperors also took their leave one after another.

After everyone had left, the Jade Emperor stood alone in the hall, gazing up at the stars that seemed to dance in the sky, and murmured to himself.

"Heaven and earth are ruthless; they treat all things like straw dogs. If they bow their heads, they will all perish."

Venus quietly appeared.

"Your Majesty, would you like to summon Lin Zhu?"

The Jade Emperor shook his head.

"The time has not yet come."

Meanwhile, inside the Star Palace.

Lin Zhu knelt beside the jade couch, her hands trembling slightly.

Xiao Qiong, lying on the couch, was as pale as a sheet, with traces of blood still remaining at the corner of her mouth.

Her clothes were soaked with blood, and her breathing was so faint that it was almost imperceptible.

"Xiao Qiong."

Lin Zhu's voice was hoarse as he took out a purple-gold gourd from his bosom and poured out three Nine-Turn Taiyi Rejuvenating Pills.

As soon as the pill was produced, the entire Star Palace was filled with the fragrance of medicine and the spiritual energy surged like a tide.

If anyone with discerning eyes were here, they would be utterly astonished. Such a life-saving elixir would be hard for even an ordinary immortal to obtain, yet Lin Zhu took out three at once!
"Eat it, you must get better."

Lin Zhu carefully fed the pill into Xiao Qiong's mouth, and then took out the fine wine to help her swallow it.

After the pill entered his stomach, Xiao Qiong's body glowed with a faint golden light, and his injuries began to heal at a speed visible to the naked eye.

But Lin Zhu was still not at ease, so he took out more than ten jade bottles from his treasure pouch and poured out various precious pills.

"This is the Profound Essence Pill refined from the corpse of the Golden Immortal beside the Demon Cave in the South Sea. This is the Nine-Turn Golden Pill refined by Nezha using the Exquisite Pagoda. This is..."

Lin Zhu muttered to himself as he fed the pills to Xiao Qiong one by one.

If any outsiders saw this scene, they would surely curse it as a waste of resources. Any one of these pills would be enough for ordinary immortals to fight over, but Lin Zhu was stuffing them into Xiao Qiong's mouth as if they were free.

"Silly girl, who told you to block my way?"

Lin Zhu gently stroked the stray hairs on Xiao Qiong's forehead, her eyes filled with heartache.

He recalled the scene of Xiao Qiong shielding him. The incoming black light was meant to take his life, but Xiao Qiong stepped forward without hesitation.
"elder brother."

Xiao Qiong suddenly called out softly, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

Lin Zhu was startled and immediately bent down.

"Xiao Qiong? You're awake?"

Xiao Qiong slowly opened her eyes and smiled weakly.

"The medicine...it's so bitter."

Lin Zhu felt a lump in her throat and almost burst into tears.

"Suffering is the right thing to do! Who told you to be so foolish as to take the blame for me!"

Because... you're my brother.

Xiao Qiong's voice was weak, but it was firm.

These words struck Lin Zhu's heart like a heavy hammer.

He had been alone since childhood, struggling in this world, and had never experienced such unreserved family affection before.

"Silly girl"

Lin Zhu's voice choked with emotion as she gently grasped Xiao Qiong's hand.

"From this day forward, you will be my own sister. I, Lin Zhu, hereby swear that I will never allow anyone to hurt you again!"

Within the Star Palace, chaotic energy permeated the air like mist.

Lin Zhu sat cross-legged on the jade bed, his hands forming a mudra, surrounded by a faint gray aura.

This chaotic energy was what he had accumulated bit by bit over the past few days, and now it was all being transferred into Xiao Qiong's body, who was lying next to him.

"Hang in there a little longer."

Lin Zhu's forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat, and his fingertips trembled slightly.

Even with his current cultivation level, he felt strained after continuously channeling chaotic energy for three days.

Xiao Qiong lay quietly, her face as pale as paper, with only the faint rise and fall of her chest proving that she was still alive.

Her physical wounds have healed, but the internal damage cannot be recovered overnight.

"call"

As the last wisp of chaotic energy flowed into Xiao Qiong's body, Lin Zhu let out a long sigh and slowly finished his practice.

He reached out and gently stroked Xiao Qiong's forehead, his eyes filled with heartache.

"Silly girl, who told you to take that blow for me?" Recalling the battle in the East China Sea, a cold glint flashed in Lin Zhu's eyes.

Those bald monks from the Western Church actually set up an ambush to kill him.

If Xiao Qiong hadn't risked his life to protect him, he would probably be the one lying here now.

"However, you also paid a price."

Lin Zhu sneered and flipped his hand to take out a long sword that was entirely blood red.

Immortal-killing Sword!
Blood-red light flowed across the sword's blade, and the faint howls of vengeful ghosts could be heard emanating from it.

This was the spoils he had seized from those two fallen Great Luo Golden Immortals, one of the four great killing swords of the Jie Sect.

"It's a pity we didn't have the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation to coordinate with it, otherwise..."

Lin Zhu shook his head, suspended the Immortal Slayer Sword in front of him, and began to refine it with chaotic energy.

The sword trembled, seemingly unwilling to be subdued.

Lin Zhu snorted coldly, and the chaotic energy within his body surged forth, forcefully suppressing the ferocious energy within the sword.

"You dare to be so insolent in front of me?"

As the chaotic energy eroded it, the Immortal Slayer Sword gradually calmed down, its blood-red light receding, transforming into a seemingly ordinary longsword.

Lin Zhu nodded in satisfaction and put it into his sleeve.

"Although it's not as handy as my Immortal-Slaying and God-Slaying Blade, it'll still be useful to keep it."

After finishing these tasks, Lin Zhu turned his attention back to Xiao Qiong.

He took out several bottles of pills and carefully fed them into Xiao Qiong's mouth.

"These pills should speed up your recovery."

Lin Zhu said softly.

"I have a surprise for you when you wake up."

Heavenly Court, Lingxiao Palace.

The Jade Emperor sat high on his dragon throne, his face solemn.

The prince and the assembled immortals and gods were all discussing the earth-shattering battle in the East Sea.

"Have you heard? Two Great Immortals of the Western Sect have fallen!"

"It's said he was killed by a junior named Lin Zhu, how is that possible?"

"I doubt it. It might be the work of remnants of the Jie Sect."

Amidst the murmurs, Venus stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said:
"Your Majesty, this matter is strange. The Western Sect has acted contrary to its usual practice. Instead of punishing them, it has closed the gates of the Western Paradise and performed rituals to help those two Great Immortals pass on."

The Jade Emperor frowned slightly.

"Do you have any definite news?"

"None yet."

Taibai Jinxing shook his head.

"The secrets of heaven are in chaos, and even those with clairvoyance and keen hearing cannot see what is happening in the East China Sea."

Just then, a clear, cold voice rang out.

"Your Majesty, I have this memorial."

The immortals looked in the direction of the sound and saw the Moon Goddess, dressed in white, gracefully stepping out of the ranks.

"speak."

The Jade Emperor nodded.

Taiyin Xingjun said calmly

"My disciple, Fairy Ni Chang, has been restless lately, guarding the Star Palace day and night. According to her, Lin Zhu has been in seclusion since returning from the East Sea, and seems to have suffered serious injuries."

"Oh?"

A glint of light flashed in the Jade Emperor's eyes.

"So, the matter in the East China Sea is indeed related to him?"

"I dare not make a rash judgment."

The Moon Goddess lowered her head slightly.

"But the reaction from the Western Church is unusual, and there may be other hidden reasons."

The Jade Emperor pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked:

"What does the Star Lord think should be done about this?"

The Moon Goddess looked up, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

"Lin Zhu is a boy with extraordinary potential. If he could be put to use by our Heavenly Court..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was already clear.

The immortals in the hall looked at each other, all knowing what this meant. The Heavenly Court might be protecting Lin Zhu and opposing the Western Sect!
The Western Paradise, the Great Thunder Temple.

The sacred site, once bathed in the light of Buddha, is now shrouded in solemnity.

Countless Buddhas and Bodhisattvas closed their eyes and chanted sutras, their voices resounding, to pray for the salvation of the two fallen Great Immortals.

On the lotus platform, the ancient Buddha Dipankara frowned deeply.

“Buddha, this matter is strange.”

he whispered.

"The secrets of heaven are obscured, and even we cannot deduce the truth."

The Buddha's eyes were slightly closed, and his expression was serene.

Everything has a cause and effect.

"But that bamboo grove..."

The ancient Buddha of the Burning Lamp seemed to want to speak but hesitated.

"Just a chess piece."

The Buddha finally opened his eyes, and within them seemed to be the birth and death of three thousand worlds.

"The true master of chess has yet to appear."

Dipankara Buddha was startled.

"Does the Buddha mean that a sage has intervened?"

The Buddha did not answer, but simply said...

"Issue my decree: the Western Paradise shall be closed for one hundred days, and all disciples shall not leave."

"This"

The ancient Buddha Dipankara was greatly alarmed.

"Are we just going to let Lin Zhu go like this?"

The Buddha's vision is far-reaching.

"The time has not come yet."

Inside the Star Palace, Lin Zhu suddenly opened his eyes.

"woke up?"

He turned to look beside him and saw Xiao Qiong's eyelashes flutter slightly as she slowly opened her eyes.

"Brother"

Xiao Qiong's voice was weak, but her eyes had regained their sparkle.

Lin Zhu breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.

"How does it feel?"

Xiao Qiong blinked, and suddenly her stomach rumbled.

Her face flushed slightly, and she whispered.

"hungry"

Lin Zhu chuckled to himself.

"She was hungry as soon as she woke up, so it seems she's really alright."

He was prepared and took out a pile of spiritual fruits and elixirs from his storage ring, piling them in front of Xiao Qiong.

"Eat up, there's plenty."

Xiao Qiong's eyes lit up, and she grabbed the spirit fruit and stuffed it into her mouth.

She ate very quickly, finishing all the food in front of her in the blink of an eye.

"More."

Xiao Qiong licked her lips, still wanting more.

Lin Zhu shook his head helplessly.

"Your gluttonous talent is truly..."

Even so, he still took out some more food.

Seeing Xiao Qiong wolfing down his food, Lin Zhu felt relieved that he could eat so much, which meant that his injuries had indeed healed almost completely.

"Oh right, I said I'd give you a surprise."

Lin Zhu suddenly smiled mysteriously.

Xiao Qiong's mouth was full of food, and she asked indistinctly.

"What surprise?"

Lin Zhu did not answer, but instead took something out of his bosom.

It was a bead the size of a fist, entirely blue, with liquid flowing inside, emanating an ancient and powerful aura.

"This is.?"

Xiao Qiong's eyes widened, and she even forgot to chew.

"Ancestor Dragon Pearl."

Lin Zhu said softly.

"The most treasured artifact of the Dragon Palace of the East Sea".

The spirit fruit in Xiao Qiong's hand fell to the ground with a "plop," and she stared at the bead in disbelief.

"The legendary Ancestral Dragon Pearl, which contains the essence of the Ancestral Dragon?"

Lin Zhu nodded.

"With it, your Primordial Dragon Whale bloodline should be able to advance even further."

Xiao Qiong was so excited that she trembled all over, wanting to reach out and touch it but not daring to.

"Brother, this is too precious."

"Take it."

Lin Zhu placed the Ancestral Dragon Pearl into her hand. (End of Chapter)