Zhang Jian didn’t have to wait long in the Three Emperors Celestial Realm before King Yu returned with a stern face.
"Patriarch?"
Zhang Jian noticed King Yu seemed a bit annoyed.
"I have already found out about that person’s background, it was a Daoist Monarch from a heterodox sect, and I have already killed him!"
"However, his Daoist Monarch imprint disappeared in the end, and all the Saint Emperors are investigating it!"
Zhang Jian’s gaze was subtle, it seemed that Daoist Monarch had other backers behind.
However, being targeted by all the Saint Emperors, those behind him will sooner or later be uncovered.
At this moment, Zhang Jian felt at ease, having this matter actually worked better for him.
The actions of the Three Emperors Celestial Realm also serve as a deterrent to those with ulterior motives.
To act against him, one must consider whether they can withstand the backlash from the Three Emperors and Five Elders Assembly.
...
Soon after, Zhang Jian left the Three Emperors Celestial Realm and returned to the Central Celestial Realm.
Upon his return, the skies above Lingyuan Emperor’s Mansion were bustling with activity.
Qi Yuhua and Bai Liying had already received the news and were leading many Zhang Clan members to welcome him.
The entire Emperor’s Mansion was bustling as never before.
Even many Immortal Gods, upon hearing the news, came to join the fun, as such a scene at Lingyuan Emperor’s Mansion was indeed rare in the Central Celestial Realm.
Only a few Great Divine Ability Users can bring blessings to the world and ascend with their families shortly after their ascension.
Happiness is always fleeting.
After the celebrations, Zhang Jian started arranging Immortal positions for the Zhang Clan.
However, Immortal positions in the Central Celestial Realm have always been in high demand. Even in Zhang Jian’s capacity as the Water Official Emperor, it was not easy to arrange for Immortal Gods to enter, posing a considerable challenge.
Fortunately, Zhang Jian was not in a hurry, allowing the Immortals to settle and cultivate at Lingyuan Emperor’s Mansion first.
As for Zhang Xian and Zhang Yi, Zhang Jian had other plans for them, intending to return them to the Three Emperors Celestial Realm after their reunion.
They were originally core disciples of the Tongshan Dao Lineage and could secure membership as reserve members of the Three Emperors and Five Elders Assembly.
With the status of reserve members, they could enjoy many privileges in the Three Emperors Celestial Realm, and cultivate in various Secret Realms.
However, within the Tongshan Dao Lineage, there were many special Cultivation Secret Realms where the two, as disciples, could engage in internal competition.
As for Zhang Zhao, Zhang Jian planned to keep him in the Central Celestial Realm to vie for an Immortal position.
With an Immortal position, he could also cultivate afresh in many of the Secret Realms overseen by the Central Celestial Realm.
Soon after, news spread across the Heavens that the Jasper Pool Sacred Land would hold the Peach Blossom Banquet after a century, and the entire Central Celestial Realm became lively once again.
This sparked much discussion.
With news like this coming from the Jasper Pool, it couldn’t possibly be false.
Furthermore, many Immortal Gods swore they had verified the information, and some high-ranking Emperors had already received banquet invitations from the Jasper Pool Sacred Land.
Later, Zhang Jian returned from his duties.
Within the Emperor’s Mansion, many Immortals gathered by the Lotus King’s Pool.
In the center of the Lotus King’s Pool were many ethereal lotus flowers and Immortal Lotuses, mist rising, and Immortal Light flowing.
In the distance, several corners of the Immortal Palaces jutted out from the clouds, their glazed tiles shining brilliantly.
Further away, there were newly planted Heaven and Earth Spirit Roots.
Among them were the Taiyin Treasure Tree, the Bodhi Treasure Tree, and the Cyan Spirit Fruit Tree.
These Treasure Trees were brought from the Lower Realm.
After Zhang Zhao and others ascended, fearing the Zhang clan successors couldn’t safeguard their legacy, they transferred some of the foundation into the hidden Er Long Mountain, bringing some Heaven and Earth Spirit Roots into the Celestial Realm.
These Treasure Trees indeed brought luster to the Lingyuan Mansion.
Qi Yuhua, Bai Liying, and the Ji Family accompanied Zhang Jian at the forefront, followed by Madam Yun, Madam Meng, and other concubines.
Many Zhang Clan members sensibly trailed far behind.
"Emperor, do you think there’s a chance you’ll receive an invitation from the Jasper Pool?"
In Qi Yuhua’s eyes was a curious glimmer.
The other women also turned their gaze towards him.
This was a matter the women of Lingyuan Emperor’s Mansion had been eagerly discussing.
They had compared notes on many potential guests of the banquet and concluded that Zhang Jian was highly likely to receive an invitation from the Yaochi Saint Mother.
Zhang Jian’s sequence was eighth, and he currently temporarily held the unique position of Water Official Emperor.
The San Yuan Emperor was a frequent guest of the Yaochi Saint Mother’s gatherings.
As for whether he could be officially seated in the middle or upper seating, that seemed less likely.
But being able to enter the Jasper Pool Peach Blossom Banquet already indicated that their Emperor had established a strong foothold in the Celestial Court, having a certain level of influence.
Zhang Jian pondered slightly and then said.
"Receiving an invitation shouldn’t be difficult; I’ve heard from the Celestial Official Emperor and the Earth Official Emperor that the San Yuan Emperor often attended the Jasper Pool banquet, usually seated in the lower seats, and with good fortune, might enter the middle seats. The specific seating depends on how many Immortal Gods will join this Jasper Pool gathering."
Hearing this, the women’s eyes brightened slightly.
Seeing their expressions, Zhang Jian couldn’t help but smile.
The Jasper Pool banquet was famous throughout All Heavens and Myriads of Worlds, naturally attracting the curiosity and longing of many Immortal Gods. To him, it was just so-so.
Most Immortals would converse about Dao Practice, magic, or complete some significant matters after attending the banquet.
Completing significant matters was prominent among those in All Heavens Void like the Immortal Venerables, Daoist Venerables, or even the Western Buddhas.
For other Immortal Gods and some Daoist Monarchs, most were there to listen and network with higher echelons from All Heavens Void.
Those with lower levels of Dao Practice would end up eating and drinking only.
However, even such an opportunity for mere eating and drinking was enough to make many Immortal Gods envious.
The Jasper Pool Peach Blossom Assembly’s standard was not low.
Besides the Undying Divine Medicine Peach, a ’specialty’ of Jasper Pool Sacred Land, there were many innate Divine Objects produced by Jasper Pool Sacred Land, and even Heaven and Earth Treasure-level tributes.
This included offerings from overseas Immortals like the Undying Spring, Fire Dates, Fire Mulberry, Longevity Immortal Peaches, Canna Lily, Ginseng Fruit, etc.
And there was also the Jasper Pool auction.
At this moment, Madam Ji spoke from the side.
"I never imagined that my future husband could one day enter the Jasper Pool Sacred Land and participate in the Peach Blossom Assembly!"
Beside her, Madam Meng and Madam Yun also nodded in agreement.
The Celestial Immortals participating in the Jasper Pool Assembly are legendary in the Lower Realm, and even just mentioning them demands reverence as Great Gods.
Zhang Jian smiled slightly at the corner of his mouth but shook his head secretly.
He had absolute confidence in himself.
At this moment, Qi Yuhua spoke again.
"By the way, Emperor, during your time away, quite a few guests came to visit, including the Fifth Princess of the Heavenly Court!"
"But upon hearing that you went to the Three Sovereign Heaven Realm, they didn’t stay long."
"The Fifth Princess of the Heavenly Court?"
Zhang Jian’s eyes subtly flickered, having no impression of this Fifth Princess.
He thought quietly to himself.
The Heavenly Court is unlike the Central Celestial Realm, where day and night can be distinguished, only alternating between the Sun Star and the twelve Bright Moons.
Zhang Jian and the ladies strolled in the Emperor’s Mansion, enjoying this brief tranquility and peace.
A myriad of starlights twinkled in the sky, forming a Star River. Occasionally, starlight plummeted from the heavens, heading towards the Heavenly Court.
A decade later, good news came one after another.
First came from the Three Sovereign Heaven Realm, where King Yu sent a message that a Daoist Monarch who slaughtered common beings in the Mortal Realm had been successfully captured by a Human Race Daoist Monarch. They also discovered his origins.
He was a Daoist Monarch from the Heterodox Panwang Daoist Palace, known as Daoist Monarch Youyuan.
It was because Daoist Monarch Ten Thousand Gu had been killed in the Grand Array of Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow, that he bore a grudge against Zhang Jian, committing such a grave crime.
The Three Sovereign Heaven Realm has already initiated a suppressive strike against the Panwang Daoist Palace.
This is to ensure that the sect most likely to become the fifth patriarch among the Heterodox pays a price.
Additionally, King Yu brought another good piece of news, as the Three Emperors and Five Elders Assembly agreed to allow Zhang Jian to integrate the Earth Emperor Ancestral Qi into the Three Sovereign Heaven Realm.
This was another good piece of news.
Next, the Jasper Pool Sacred Land sent an Immortal Envoy to deliver an invitation from the Jasper Pool Sacred Land.
However, this Immortal Envoy surprised Zhang Jian.
"Fellow Daoist Bai Hua?"
Outside the Emperor’s Mansion, Zhang Jian was slightly surprised, noticing that Bai Hua Fairy was accompanied by several Flower Fairies.
Bai Hua Fairy, clad in a Hundred Flowers Immortal Robe, appeared elegant and graceful, overshadowing all the others, with her bright eyes holding an indescribable brightness.
She smiled gently, bowed, and said, "Emperor, this Little Immortal has come under the orders of the Holy Mother to deliver the invitation to the Jasper Pool Peach Blossom Banquet, expecting your esteemed presence at the banquet in eighty-nine years!"
Saying this, she handed over a golden invitation card.
The invitation was adorned with lavish floral patterns, suffused with a rich cloud glow, with faint Immortal Light, and extraordinary grandeur.
Zhang Jian took the invitation and saw a symbol formed by Great Dao cloud patterns on it.
It was a number.
One hundred fifty-eight!
Zhang Jian glanced over it and smiled.
"Please convey to Her Majesty that I will surely attend the Peach Blossom Assembly!"
Then he desired to retain this fairy, but Bai Hua Fairy politely declined.
"Emperor, this Little Immortal still has other invitations to deliver, please excuse me!"
Her eyes gleamed with a smile.
Zhang Jian did not insist on retaining her.
Bai Hua Fairy took her leave and, at that moment, noticed the many female immortals behind Zhang Jian, her pretty eyes fluctuating, then swiftly departing.
Within the mansion, the female immortals had already taken note of the commotion at the doorway, and with Zhang Jian retrieving the invitation, they all gathered to inquire.
Among them, there was a lively discussion.
During this, they inevitably mentioned Bai Hua Fairy.
There were also some rumors about Bai Hua Fairy in the Zhou Mountain Realm.
Rumors had it that this fairy was a close attendant to the Yaochi Saint Mother, holding a respected position.
Of course, there were many rumors about Bai Hua Fairy and her many Flower Fairies under her.
Listening to the gossip among the female immortals, Zhang Jian shook his head secretly.
Even female immortals are prone to gossip.
At this moment, he gazed at the Yaochi Invitation in his hand, realizing that, as he expected, he was placed in the middle seat of the Yaochi Assembly.
After all, he represented the lineage of the San Yuan Emperor and also possessed a Divine Body.
However, among the Celestial Immortals and Gods, Dao Practice is more valued than lineage or heritage.
With over eighty years left before the Yaochi Assembly, Zhang Jian made another visit to the Three Sovereign Heaven Realm, integrating the Earth Emperor Ancestral Qi once again into the realm.
After the Earth Emperor Ancestral Qi merged into the realm, Zhang Jian clearly felt another surge of destiny integrate into his Life Palace.
The merging of destiny noticeably accelerated his cultivation.
Eighty-nine years later, the Yaochi Assembly arrived as scheduled.
On this day, the Jasper Pool Sacred Land of the Upper Ninth Layer was bustling with activity, with beams of Immortal Light or auspicious clouds surging from all directions of the Central Celestial Realm.
The Yaochi Banquet is held once every forty-eight thousand six hundred years.
This time, the Yaochi Saint Mother called the banquet ten thousand years in advance, catching the attention of many Celestial Court Immortals and Gods from the Central Celestial Realm.
The Holy Mother never acts without reason.
The underlying reasons intrigued numerous Immortals, even Immortal Venerables and Daoist Monarchs.
Zhang Jian dressed in a noble robe with a blue and red Water Official Emperor’s attire, the Emperor’s Robe and Jade Belt, exuding a divine Dao pressure.
This time, he traveled with the Celestial Official Emperor and Earth Official Emperor, symbolizing unified progress and retreat of the San Yuan Emperor lineage.
At the entrance to the Jasper Pool Sacred Land, the three immortals saw Immortal Gods manifesting from Immortal Light, riding Divine Beasts, riding on Immortal Carriages, or appearing amidst cloud light.
Across the ten directions, various Immortal Gods appeared, among them overseas Independent Immortals, Outer Sect Immortals, many Immortal Venerables, and Western Buddhas.