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

He rubbed his eyes hard, making sure he wasn't seeing things! The young girl before him, who not long ago was merely a True Immortal serving the Moon Goddess in the Guanghan Palace, now exuded a boundless aura, her Daoist charm subtly resonating with the laws of heaven and earth—clearly the aura of a Great Luo Golden Immortal! How long has it been?! At most, it's been less than two thousand years since she ascended to the Heavenly Court! This… this completely overturned the understanding of Venus for billions of years!

He suddenly turned his head to look at Lin Zhu beside him, his eyes filled with an extremely complex mix of shock, inquiry, and a hint of...envy.
“Lord of the Prison God…this…Fairy Ni Chang…” Taibai Jinxing pointed at Ni Chang, unable to speak coherently.

Lin Zhu remained calm, as if he had only done a trivial matter, and casually remarked.

"Oh, you mean Ni Chang? It was just a slight breakthrough by chance."

"Venus, His Majesty has summoned you urgently. What is the matter?"

"By sheer chance...a slight breakthrough..." Venus's lips twitched, and he screamed wildly in his heart.

You call this a slight breakthrough?! From True Immortal to Grand Luo Golden Immortal, how many chasms have been crossed?! If this were just a matter of chance, everyone in the Heavenly Court would be a Grand Luo!
He was absolutely certain that this was Lin Zhu's doing! This young man harbored too many unconventional secrets!
An extremely bold, even somewhat "blasphemous" thought flashed through the mind of Venus, this veteran deity.

Marrying Lin Zhu...it seems...it really has endless benefits? Even he couldn't help but feel a little tempted! But he immediately suppressed this thought; now was not the time to think about that.

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and regained some of the composure of a high-ranking official of the Heavenly Court, and said solemnly.

"His Majesty has decreed that Lord Prison God must immediately proceed to the Lingxiao Palace for an audience, as there are important matters to discuss!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhu felt a slight chill run down her spine.

The Jade Emperor urgently summoned him? Could it be... that the matter of the God-Slaying Spear in the South Sea and the Demon Cave has been exposed? He subconsciously touched his waist (the God-Slaying Spear had been stored in his internal space).

That thing is both a rare treasure for killing under the Heavenly Dao and a top-tier demonic artifact, making it extremely easy to attract trouble and misfortune.

If the Jade Emperor were to take it away on the grounds that "this object is inauspicious and may bring chaos to the Heavenly Court," then he would have a legitimate reason and it would be in accordance with the Heavenly Rules... This made him wary.

"Your Majesty... are you aware of the situation in the South China Sea?"

Lin Zhu asked tentatively.

Venus, being so experienced, immediately guessed Lin Zhu's concerns from the subtle changes in his expression and quickly comforted him.

"Rest assured, Lord Prison God! His Majesty has already ascertained the situation in the South China Sea through the Haotian Mirror. His Majesty trusts you greatly," he said.

"With the God of Hell in the South Sea, the Heavenly Court can rest easy!" This summons is not for discussing your merits or demerits, but rather for other important matters to be discussed.

Upon hearing the words "highly trusted," Lin Zhu's tense nerves relaxed slightly.

As a close advisor to the Jade Emperor, Venus's words carry considerable weight.

"Okay, thank you for leading the way, Venus."

Lin Zhu nodded, gestured to Fairy Ni Chang, and then followed Venus on a cloud to the Lingxiao Palace.

Inside the majestic and solemn Lingxiao Palace, the atmosphere was somewhat heavy at this moment.

The Jade Emperor sat high on his nine-dragon throne, not dealing with memorials as usual, but instead gazing intently at an ancient and precious mirror floating in the hall—the Haotian Mirror!
The mirror reflected not the celestial galaxy, but the human world! Ruins and blood-stained walls—this was the scene at Jinshan Temple in Jiangzhou after a catastrophe! The image flashed back, frozen on the moment when the Buddha, leading three great bodhisattvas and several arhats, descended, striking Gu Yang with his palm, and Gu Yang, before fleeing, unleashed a demonic aura at Xuanzang! A fleeting, chilling killing intent flashed deep within the Jade Emperor's eyes!
"Your Majesty, Lin Zhu, the God of Law Enforcement and Prison of the Three Realms, has been ordered to pay homage!"

Venus reported loudly.

The Jade Emperor shifted his gaze from the Haotian Mirror, the murderous intent on his face instantly vanishing, replaced by his usual majesty and serenity.

He waved.

"Venus, step back."

"The minister obeys the order."

Venus bowed and withdrew from the main hall. The heavy doors slowly closed, leaving only the Jade Emperor and Lin Zhu in the vast Lingxiao Palace.

"My dear minister, there's no need for formalities. Please sit."

The Jade Emperor's voice was gentle as he pointed to the cloud-patterned jade stool that had been prepared beforehand below the imperial steps.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Lin Zhu sat down as instructed, but dared not relax in the slightest.

The Jade Emperor picked up the jade cup on his desk, took a sip of the fine wine, and asked casually.

"My dear minister, you have just returned from the South China Sea, and you must be very familiar with the affairs there. I observed in the Haotian Mirror that the demonic energy in the South China Sea was once very strong, stirring up the secrets of heaven. I wonder if my dear minister knows the reason for this?"

Lin Zhu's mind raced; the Jade Emperor had indeed inquired about the South China Sea!
He took a deep breath and decided to tell the truth. After all, the matter of the God-Slaying Spear could be kept secret for a while, but not forever. Rather than being passive, it was better to take the initiative.

"Your Majesty, the strange disturbances in the South China Sea were indeed... were the work of your humble servant!"

He paused, about to explain the God-Slaying Spear in detail.

"Your humble servant found something by chance deep within the eye of the South China Sea."

The Jade Emperor raised his hand to stop him from continuing, a meaningful smile on his face.

"There's no need to go into details. I only need to know that this was your doing, and that's enough for me."

Lin Zhu was slightly taken aback.

The Jade Emperor put down his jade cup, his gaze sharp as he looked at Lin Zhu, his tone carrying an unquestionable trust and protectiveness.

"My dear minister, remember this: you are a high-ranking official of my Heavenly Court, guarding the four directions and making outstanding contributions! No matter what kind of divine weapon you forge, as long as it serves the Heavenly Court and brings peace to the Three Realms, I will fully support you! Even if it is a demonic weapon, so what? If it is used for good, it will be good! If the Western Sect dares to criticize you on this basis, you may push the blame onto me! Say that I ordered you to forge it to suppress evil spirits! I want to see if they dare to come to my Lingxiao Palace to demand an explanation!"

These words were like a warm current flowing into Lin Zhu's heart!
He never expected the Jade Emperor to be so protective and trusting! Not only did he not investigate the origin of the vicious and demonic weapon, the God-Slaying Spear, but he also took the initiative to endorse him, even at the cost of opposing the Western Religion! This trust and respect filled Lin Zhu with an indescribable warmth and sense of belonging.

"Your Majesty's kindness is deeply appreciated by your humble servant!"

Lin Zhu stood up and bowed respectfully.

The Jade Emperor nodded slightly, but the gentleness on his face gradually faded, replaced by a deep majesty and...icy anger!
He raised his hand and pointed to the Haotian Mirror, which was still suspended in the air. "My dear minister, take a look!"

The scene in the Haotian Mirror shifted once more, clearly reflecting the Buddha's arrival at Jinshan Temple in Jiangzhou, accompanied by three great bodhisattvas and several arhats! The Buddha's light shone brightly, his power overwhelming, yet the place they descended upon was a bustling human city! In the scene, around the ruins of Jinshan Temple, countless houses of ordinary people collapsed from the aftershocks of the battle. Under the impact of the Buddha's light and demonic energy, the people cried out, fled, and died like ants! A human tragedy, horrifying to behold!
The Jade Emperor's voice was as cold as ice, filled with barely suppressed rage.

"The Southern Continent is the territory under the jurisdiction of my Heavenly Court! Under the rule of the Human Emperor, all living beings are at peace!"
What right does he have to come to the Western Paradise without informing us? What right does he have to mobilize troops and wage war within the territory of my Heavenly Court? To slaughter my human race?!

He suddenly stood up, and an imperial aura that ruled over the three realms erupted, shaking the entire Lingxiao Palace!

"Since the founding of the Heavenly Court, I have had an agreement with the Western Heaven to govern in separate boundaries! The Heavenly Court will not easily interfere with the Buddhist teachings in Xiniu Hezhou, and the Western Heaven shall not arbitrarily enter the Eastern Land or interfere with the Southern Zhanbuzhou! This is the cornerstone for maintaining the balance of the Three Realms!"

The Jade Emperor pointed to the scene of the people descending from the Western Paradise reflected in the mirror, and spoke each word with resounding force.

"Now, the Tathagata, leading all the Buddhas, has disregarded the heavenly rules and openly transgressed the boundaries, descending upon my Jambudvipa, Jiangzhou! What does he consider my Heavenly Court? What does he consider the laws of the Three Realms? What does he consider the lives of these hundreds of millions of people?!"

His gaze was sharp as a knife as he looked at Lin Zhu.

"Such actions are no small matter! They are blatant provocations! They trample on the dignity of my Heavenly Court! If I continue to sit idly by, how can the Heavenly Court govern the Three Realms? How can it face the countless beings of Jambudvipa?! The Western Heaven... must pay the price for this!"

The Jade Emperor's words were filled with an unquestionable determination and boundless rage at the Western Paradise's transgression. A storm that would sweep across the Three Realms seemed to be brewing!
Inside the Lingxiao Palace, the emperor's power was like a prison.

The Jade Emperor's furious voice echoed in the empty hall, as if he wanted to completely destroy the Western Paradise's transgressions.

Lin Zhu stood with his hands at his sides, his face respectful, but his mind was as clear as a mirror.

He could feel the Jade Emperor's burning rage, intense and overwhelming.

But seven-tenths of that anger was feigned.

It was more like a gesture, a clear signal to Lin Zhu and to any beings who might be spying on this place. The Heavenly Court's attitude toward this matter was one of absolute leniency!

'If His Majesty were truly enraged by such matters, he would have already confronted the Western Paradise five hundred years ago during the cataclysmic war between the Tang Dynasty and the Buddhist Kingdom of India, a war involving faith and destiny,' Lin Zhu thought to himself. 'It seems His Majesty intends to use this as an excuse to gain some practical advantage.'

As expected, after venting his anger, the Jade Emperor changed the subject, looked intently at Lin Zhu, and asked in a deep voice.

"My dear minister, in your opinion, if I were to gather the heavenly soldiers and generals right now and march on the Western Paradise with the force of thunder, to punish them!"
How will Ling Shan respond?

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhu's heart skipped a beat!
Good heavens! His Majesty is... planning to just rob us by force? This style... feels a bit familiar? Threatening and intimidating, and if all else fails, flipping the table and robbing us by force... Isn't this exactly the kind of tactic I often use? A subtle feeling welled up in Lin Zhu's heart.

'Your Majesty...could it be that you've been corrupted by me?'

He remained expressionless, pondered for a moment, and then analyzed the situation very objectively.

"Your Majesty, I believe that sending troops to punish them directly at this time would do more harm than good."

The Jade Emperor raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Oh? Please elaborate, my dear minister."

"Firstly, Your Majesty's cause is justified and righteous. However, upon closer examination, the Western Paradise's transgression was justified (the pursuit of Gu Yang), and the Buddha himself intervened, preventing a wider disaster (at least on the surface, the Jiangzhou chaos can be attributed to the 'great demon'). Secondly, given the Buddha's abilities, he will undoubtedly offer various excuses, sincerely admitting his mistakes, and the compensation... will be limited to some insignificant offerings or a few unimportant magical artifacts. Thirdly, the Heavenly Court's mobilization of troops and resources, coupled with the waste of manpower and resources, will only result in a negligible amount of compensation. If this becomes public, it will not only fail to deter the Western Paradise but will also make the Heavenly Court appear to have overreacted and lost face, damaging Your Majesty's prestige."

Upon hearing this, the Jade Emperor's anger subsided slightly, revealing a look of "I knew it," and he nodded slightly.

"Your concerns coincide with mine. However... should we let such a golden opportunity slip by? I am unwilling! Even if we can use this opportunity to teach the Western Heaven a lesson, make them feel the pain, and let them know that the majesty of the Heavenly Court cannot be easily violated, that would be good. You are full of wisdom, do you have a good plan to maximize the benefits in this matter?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhu smiled bitterly to himself.

It seems that His Majesty the Jade Emperor is determined to fleece the Western Paradise.

He spread his hands, a helpless yet upright expression on his face.

"Your Majesty, I am the God of Law and Justice in the Three Realms. I have always acted with integrity and reason."

Such scheming and plotting for personal gain are not my forte! I am a good man; where would I get such wicked ideas?

[Ding! Host facing a critical decision detected! Side quest triggered. An eye for an eye!]

[Mission Requirements: Venture alone into the Western Paradise to confront the mastermind, Buddha Maitreya, and demand an eye for an eye! Give him a taste of his own medicine!]

[Quest Rewards: Immortal Slayer Sword Formation Diagram (Page 1)!]

boom!
Lin Zhu's mind was struck as if by a thunderbolt! The Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation Diagram?! The legendary number one killing formation in the primordial world, which the Tongtian Sect Master used to shake the world?! Even just the first page was of immeasurable value! The temptation... was too great!

Lin Zhu, who had just claimed to be a "good person" and "without any tricks up his sleeve," suddenly had a fierce fighting spirit ignited in his eyes! It was the burning light of someone who had seen a priceless treasure and was determined to get it!

"His Majesty!"

Lin Zhu suddenly took a step forward, his voice as loud as a bell, making the entire Lingxiao Palace buzz.

"Why make such a fuss? Your humble servant is willing to go to the Western Paradise alone to demand justice! I will teach those bald... uh, those unruly Buddhist monks a lesson they will never forget! I will make the true culprit, the Buddha Maitreya of the East, pay the price he deserves! Your humble servant guarantees that I will make sure they are dealt with clearly and thoroughly!"

This sudden change, these resolute and murderous words, were like a thunderclap from a clear sky!
"Pfft!"

The Jade Emperor, seated high on his throne, was so startled that he nearly slipped off his nine-dragon palanquin!
He gripped the handrail, staring wide-eyed at Lin Zhu below, who seemed to be on a high, as if he were seeing him for the first time.

"My...my subject! Calm down! Please calm down!"

The Jade Emperor quickly waved his hand, his tone filled with urgency and worry.

"The Western Paradise is a den of dragons and tigers! It is full of experts! Moreover, there is a quasi-saint like Tathagata Buddha guarding it! If you go there alone, it is no different from a lamb entering a tiger's den! You must not act rashly!"

"His Majesty!"

Lin Zhu abruptly interrupted the Jade Emperor's attempts to dissuade him, head held high, chest puffed out, his words righteous and indignant, as if he were radiating a light of justice (and the allure of the Immortal Execution Formation Diagram). (End of Chapter)