Zhang Jian raised an eyebrow, muttering to himself.
Speaking of his journey of cultivation, it seemed as though he had been living off others, but in fact, he had relied entirely on himself.
At that moment, his expression subtly changed.
The Earth Emperor Primordial Spirit’s keen ’sense of smell’ detected a special scent, as if imbued with the fragrance of all things in the world, including the scent of the Great Dao, the scent of Spirit Charm, the fragrance of food, and the essence of vitality.
In the distance, he saw Bai Hua Fairy revealing her true form from afar, striding into the Immortal Pavilion.
Bai Hua Fairy also noticed the departing figure of Daoist Monarch Qingxia.
Her eyes soon settled on Zhang Jian, and after a moment’s thought, she suddenly spoke.
"Sister Qingxia is about to embark on a long journey. She entrusted me with the task of escorting the Taiyin Fairy back!"
Zhang Jian grinned wryly.
After entering the Celestial Realm and hearing endless rumors, he understood well the many conflicts between Bai Hua Fairy, Daoist Monarch Qingxia, and Taiyin Immortal Monarch.
Previously, Taiyin Immortal Monarch had designed the reincarnation of Bai Hua Fairy, allowing her to return only after several reincarnations. This time, Bai Hua Fairy surely wouldn’t miss the chance for some payback.
Zhang Jian did not know how to ’congratulate’ Bai Hua Fairy.
But he still said,
"I heard the Daoist Monarch mention an expansion. It seems this Jade Pool Assembly was convened ahead of schedule for this reason!"
Bai Hua Fairy nodded and said,
"The Celestial Court has discovered a fertile dimension in the northern region and plans to bring it under its domain. Hence, this Jade Pool Assembly was convened to divide responsibilities and profits among the various Daoist Monarchs..."
She had heard some rumors about this beforehand.
But she quickly added,
"However, this matter does not concern us mid-level Immortal Gods for the time being!"
"I heard the Emperor volunteered in the hall to enter the Ninth Layer’s Eternal Ice Prison of the Lower Realm, where it’s bone-chilling cold. The Emperor should take care!"
"Is the Eternal Ice Castle really that cold?"
Zhang Jian looked a bit unusual.
He had only heard that the Ninth Layer’s Eternal Ice Castle was a place in the King’s Central Celestial Realm used to punish erring Immortal Gods and suppress Fallen Immortals.
He didn’t know what the situation inside was really like.
At the time, he had been rushed into it without much opportunity to understand the situation.
Bai Hua Fairy was at a loss for words.
"It seems the Emperor is entirely unaware of the conditions inside the Eternal Ice Castle, then the Emperor..."
Zhang Jian shrugged helplessly and said,
"You see, this was the Daoist Monarch’s suggestion. I’ve always been good at heeding others’ advice!"
Bai Hua Fairy rolled her eyes at him.
In fact, she was quite familiar with the Eternal Ice Castle; after encountering a Demon Tribulation years ago, she had entered the Eternal Ice Prison to suppress the demon poison deep in her Primordial Spirit, making her very familiar with its coldness.
She said immediately,
"It’s one of the coldest places in the Celestial Realm, where the frigid air can freeze time and space, ice-seal all things. Many powerful Ancient Immortals have unknowingly attained Nirvana there or directly transformed into the Dao!"
"And as the guardian of the Eternal Ice Prison, holding power over it entails suffering some of its hardships!"
She glanced at Zhang Jian and said,
"This time, the Emperor gained great benefits deep within the Jasper Pool, devouring many Soul Origins and acquiring many Daoist Monarch Secret Techniques in the various Daoist Monarchs’ lectures. Sister Qingxia likely hopes the Emperor can use the Ice Silence power of the Eternal Ice Prison to refine the Dao Heart anew, purifying the Dao Practice to avoid any hidden dangers!"
Zhang Jian nodded.
Bai Hua Fairy continued,
"Beyond the harsh extreme cold of the Eternal Ice Castle, the greatest danger actually comes from the errant Immortal Gods and those Fallen Immortals within!"
Her eyes showed a complex expression, knowing from her experience the struggle in such dire straits.
Infected by the Celestial Demon Poison, she had wavered, thinking of giving up and falling into the Demon Dao.
Yet, as an Immortal of the Jasper Pool, she knew she had vitality, suffering but supported by family, friends, and even the Yaochi Saint Mother as her backing.
Other Immortal Gods might not hold their ground in such desperation.
Once fallen into the Demon Dao, these Immortal Gods become exceedingly dangerous, stopping at nothing to escape.
After a slight pause, Bai Hua Fairy added,
"Besides, you should also be wary of some external Immortal Gods, Emperor!"
"The Central Celestial Realm possesses various Immortal Prisons, not lacking those who, to rescue friends or family, disregard the Celestial Rules. Should a prisoner escape, as the Defensive Celestial Monarch of the Eternal Ice Castle, the Emperor might face criticism, affecting your advancement!"
Zhang Jian nodded slightly.
With Bai Hua Fairy’s guidance, he gained a preliminary impression of the Eternal Ice Fortress.
...
Central Celestial Realm, Upper Fifth Layer, Ling Yuan Emperor’s Mansion.
After the Jade Pool Assembly ended, Zhang Jian returned to the Emperor’s Mansion and gave the nine-thousand-year-old Purple-Striped Peach to Qi Yuhua to consume.
After consuming this nine-thousand-year-old Purple-Striped Peach, Qi Yuhua effortlessly overcame the Celestial Immortal Tribulation, directly achieving the Celestial Immortal Body.
The Emperor’s Mansion was thus filled with excitement.
After thirty to forty thousand years in the Celestial Realm, Qi Yuhua finally achieved the Celestial Immortal Body, accomplished the Immortal Dao, and attained immortality. As long as she did not initiate combat, calamities would not easily arise.
The happiest, however, were Zhang Yi, Zhang Zhao, Zhang Xian, and others.
Upon hearing the news, Zhang Yi and Zhang Xian returned to the Central Celestial Realm from the Tongshan Dao Lineage of the Three Emperors Celestial Realm to celebrate.
However, upon learning of Zhang Jian’s decision to resign from his position as Water Official Emperor and transfer to become the Master of Eternal Ice Fortress, the Zhang Clan immortals were somewhat concerned.
The honor and disgrace of the Zhang Family were entirely tied to Zhang Jian alone.
At this time, Zhang Jian resigned from the celestial position of Water Official Emperor—a position of real power in the Celestial Realm—and transitioned to a role as a Defensive Celestial Monarch, which seemed like a demotion.
However, since this request was made by Zhang Jian himself, they could only reassure themselves that Zhang Jian had other plans, perhaps using the Eternal Ice Fortress as a temporary stepping stone.
Zhang Jian also took this opportunity, with the Zhang Clan immortals around him, to rearrange the cultivation of many Zhang Clan immortals for the next tens of thousands of years.
After all, he might need to stay in the Eternal Ice Fortress for quite some time, unless he encountered some ’high-end opportunity’ that could elevate him extraordinarily.
However, Zhang Yi and Zhang Xian, as disciples of the Tongshan Dao Lineage, could naturally remain within the Tongshan Dao Lineage of the Three Emperors Celestial Realm.
As for Zhang Zhao and his spouse, Zhang Jian had other arrangements.
When Tianhe Master returned, Zhang Jian planned to ask Tianhe Master to keep Zhang Zhao within the Three Primal Spirit Official Hall, starting as an assistant to the Water Official Emperor—a rather high starting point.
As for the Ji Family, Zhang Jian intended to bring them along to the Eternal Ice Fortress.
As for the women, they would remain in the Emperor’s Mansion of the Upper Fifth Layer for quiet cultivation, awaiting his return.
...
Nine Luminaries Celestial Realm, the land where stars shine, where endless starlight descends.
Eastern Celestial Realm Legion, Dongcang Garrison’s Mansion.
Celestial Monarch Chongshan was meeting a distinguished guest in the grand hall at this moment.
This distinguished guest was surrounded by starlight, wearing a silver-white starry Daoist robe, and crowned with the Moonlight Crown, exuding an aura as gentle as jade.
"So, the transfer of the Water Official Emperor to become the Master of Eternal Ice Fortress is already settled?"
Celestial Monarch Chongshan frowned slightly.
The Star God nodded slightly, with a peculiar look in his eyes.
"I did not expect this deity to choose such a bitter and cold place as Eternal Ice Fortress to temper his Dao Heart; he truly is willing to endure hardship!"
Celestial Monarch Chongshan nodded slightly.
In the eyes of many immortals, Zhang Jian’s entry into the Eternal Ice Fortress was merely to utilize the icy authority controlled by the Master of Ice Fortress, and the strength of the fortress itself, to temper his Dao Heart in preparation for suppressing the Demon Tribulation and perfecting the Dao Fruit.
Celestial Monarch Chongshan mused slightly.
"Since entering the Eternal Ice Fortress is the plan, perhaps arrangements can be made in advance!"
"It’s just as well that I need to vent some grievances!"
The Star God’s eyes glimmered with coldness.
During the Jade Pool Assembly, his true body was shattered by the Ling Yuan Emperor, forcibly expelled, and his not-so-generous heart had long held resentment. Now, having learned of Zhang Jian’s plan, he naturally sought to cause trouble for him to vent his anger.
Moreover, this Celestial Monarch Chongshan had lost two celestial beings at the Taiyi Realm under Zhang Jian’s command. It was even less likely that he would easily settle the matter and would definitely want Zhang Jian trapped in the Eternal Ice Fortress.
Celestial Monarch Chongshan sat steadily on the divine position, silent and calm, yet there was a sharpness in his eyes.
For this day, he had waited a long time.
...
Two thousand years later, Zhang Jian successfully integrated the Earth Emperor Ancestral Qi into the celestial dimensions governed by the Celestial Court.
Thanks to this, the Dao Fruit Immortal Light within his Great Perfection Dao Fruit was completely perfected.
This action significantly shortened his time for refining and arduous cultivation by millions of years.
Rolling great destiny converged from various dimensions of the Celestial Realm.
At this time, news also arrived from the Three Emperors Celestial Realm that the Water Official Emperor Tianhe Master had ascended to the Celestial Palace, reincarnated and returned.
Zhang Jian planned to perform ancestral rites once before his departure.