Having successfully passed the Fourth Step of Taiyi Perfection, Zhang Jian prepared to forge ahead boldly and begin the Fifth Step of cultivation.
Heavenly Heart Returning to Dao requires establishing one’s own path.
He takes the Earth Emperor Dao Fruit as his core, which has two main branches: Sheji Emperor’s Authority and Jiuyou Emperor’s Authority.
The Sheji path actually lies between the natural and the unnatural; it incorporates a part of the Authority of the Earth.
The Authority of the Earth is a natural authority, with no worries about path pollution.
As for the rituals and sovereign aspects involved, the Emperor Dao is mostly deep within the Three Emperors Celestial Realm, making it easier to strive for.
For Zhang Jian, the only trouble is the Jiuyou road.
Zhang Jian plans to first visit Taiyi the Celestial Lord of Salvation, then proceed to Pingxin Hall to visit the Earth Emperor and Houtu Deity.
Zhang Jian’s path was somewhat known to the Ji Family, but they did not ask further.
At this time, Zhang Jian noticed the two Jade Maidens in the hall; his gaze briefly passed, with some surprise in his eyes.
His eyes flickered, initially thinking that Qingxia Fairy had invited him into the Eternal Ice Castle aimed at the Xuan Ming Divine Position, yet now it seems unlikely.
Seeing Zhang Jian’s gaze, the two Jade Maidens were slightly uneasy and quickly stepped forward.
"Slaves Jiuling and Zihua pay respect to the Eternal Celestial Monarch!"
Zhang Jian nodded casually and asked.
"I don’t think I’ve seen you before?"
Ji Family stated at this point.
"Your Majesty, according to the regulations of the Celestial Court, as the Eternal Celestial Monarch, you may have eight Jade Maidens in the hall. Just recently, new Celestial Maidens graduated from the Celestial Maiden Palace, so I took the initiative to request some!"
She paused slightly, then smiled.
"Of course, they have also passed my rigorous scrutiny, ensuring no Demon Dao spies have infiltrated!"
She actually implied that neither of them were spies from other major forces.
Zhang Jian communicated telepathically.
"They seem to have the bloodline of the Celestial Human Royal Family!"
Ji Family nodded slightly and said.
"I am aware, but they are very suitable as ’Dao Seeds’ in my cultivation of the Paradise Immortal Spirit Map."
Zhang Jian’s expression remained unchanged.
The Paradise Immortal Spirit Map of Ji Family can directly absorb the rich emotions and thoughts in heaven and earth, nourishing the power of the Seven Emotions and Six Desires, thus sculpting the soul and enhancing a unique type of Dao Qi meticulously gathered by Ji Family.
Among them, exceptional individuals can be nurtured as ’Dao Seeds,’ with their intense obsessions being akin to Heaven and Earth Divine Objects.
The Ji Family especially favors those entangled in earthly dust or filled with catastrophe but possess a tenacious Life Plate.
Zhang Jian nodded slightly, though his eyes had a strange glint.
These two Jade Maidens’ identities are quite unique; the Ji Family indeed found treasures.
After instructing Ji Family on some matters, Zhang Jian once again contacted the Ancestor Yu far in the Three Emperors Celestial Realm.
Ancestor Yu had been pondering ways within the Three Emperors Celestial Realm to separate the All Heaven Eternal Ancestral Qi from its association with the Eternal Immortal Prison.
Upon receiving the news, a reply came promptly.
In the depths of the Tongshan Dao Lineage within the Three Emperors Celestial Realm, Ancestor Yu was convening with the Water Official Emperor, Tianhe Master, imparting Dao Skills, and paused to let him depart.
Watching the departing Water Official Emperor figure, Ancestor Yu’s expression slightly pondered.
Zhang Jian’s Dao Practice progresses swiftly.
At this pace, it’s uncertain whether he or the Water Official Emperor will first overcome the Destruction Tribulation.
With his status in the Three Emperors Celestial Realm, securing a Daoist Monarch position is not challenging, but it’s far tougher to secure two at once.
Ancestor Yu’s gaze was solemn, yet in such matters, he can only safeguard one and strive for two.
Whoever reaches that step first will take precedence; as for the second position, he must devise a way to reclaim it.
Ancestor Yu faced a dilemma, as one was a disciple he personally nurtured, a bearer of his legacy.
The other, though not personally taught by him, was integral to the Tongshan Daoist Lineage, possessing a Divine Body and vital to its greater scheme.
Whom to relinquish was agonizing for Ancestor Yu.
Ancestor Yu then transformed into a stream of light, departing from the Three Emperors Celestial Realm.
...
Outside the Supreme Virtue Palace, the Water Official Emperor, Tianhe Master gazed towards the depths of the Daoist Palace.
Tianhe Master took a deep breath, sensing invisible pressure.
The competition awaiting him had been forewarned by Ancestor Yu early on.
Tianhe Master hadn’t expected, after thousands of years of reincarnation, that his fellow disciple, the Senior Nephew’s Dao Practice reached such heights, nearly overtaking him.
Complex emotions stirred within his heart.
Originally, he viewed him as a junior, admiring him without seeing him as a rival.
Now, he must reshape his perspective.
Thoughts surged through his mind as he slowly stepped toward the Supreme Virtue Daoist Palace.
Though his rival’s unexpected rise pressured him, he was confident in his victory.
As a truly formidable Immortal God, he had prepared thoroughly, whether competing amongst Taiyi Perfection Immortal Gods of the Three Emperors Celestial Realm or within the sect.
...
Netherworld.
Two figures descended through the Celestial Weave Gate into the vast realm of the Netherworld, where boundless Profound Yin Dao Qi and various other Yin Attribute Dao Qi formed a sea of the Profound Yin Attribute.
Even powerful Immortal Gods entering unwarily may face a polluted foundation and demise.
"This is the Nine Muddy Netherworld; be cautious, its vast sea of Netherworld harbors manifold Dao Qi with Anomalous Power, challenging to confront!"
In the depths of Immortal Light, Ancestor Yu’s invisible Immortal Light broke through layers of tainted Netherworld power.
Zhang Jian’s gaze passed; surprise flickered in his eyes.
He believed Netherworld merely referred to the river below the Threshold, unaware of the outer Netherworld Ocean.
The Nine Muddy Netherworld Ocean seems like heaven and earth’s filthiest place, akin to the Weak Water River in the Celestial Realm.
Despite its impurity, it holds irreplaceable worth.
It absorbs emotions and thoughts from heaven and earth, transmuting them into Profound Yin, feeding the Netherworld to prevent them from becoming fertile grounds for demons.
"Master, it’s said in ancient times a formidable King of Netherworld emerged, spurring a Nine Muddy Catastrophe; is this true? The Nine Muddy Netherworld Ocean seems quite majestic!"
Ancestor Yu smiled slightly and replied.
"The Sea of Nine Muddy Netherworld has birthed more than one King of Netherworld, yet most lacked the luck and opportunity of the Demon Ancestor from the Sea of Blood and have perished, but one remains deep within the Netherworld, known for his peculiar nature, and not favored by the gods. If you encounter him, proceed cautiously!"
Zhang Jian nodded.
The two moved forward, breaching a grand, dusky membrane to encounter a dimmer realm, with a Bright Moon hanging high in eternal night.
The first sight is a blood-red path leading straight to a massive dark red door.
The door gleams with a ghostly light, exuding an engulfing dread.
Yin Yang Road, Ghost Gate.
Sensing Zhang Jian and Ancestor Yu’s arrival, ghosts guarding the path noted their formidable Body-Protecting Divine Light.
Both Zhang Jian and Ancestor Yu emitted a Divine Light carrying regal majesty far surpassing any mortal Emperor.
The ghosts immediately recognized the dignified visitors, prompting a Ghost Emperor to welcome them.
Upon learning Zhang Jian and Ancestor Yu’s identities, the Ghost Emperor quickly opened a space passage deep into the Netherworld.
Zhang Jian glanced at this Ghost Emperor.
This Ghost Emperor’s Dao Practice is strong, being a successor among the Five Ghost Emperors of the Underworld.
Once Zhang Jian and Ancestor Yu vanished, the Shen Tu Ghost Emperor heaved a sigh of relief, promptly notifying the Ten Halls Netherworld Emperor.
His worries were unfounded.
After entering the Netherworld, Ancestor Yu led Zhang Jian directly to the Cyan Splendor Eternal Joy Pure Land.
Before the Cyan Splendor Eternal Joy Pure Land, two child attendants awaited, and seeing Zhang Jian and Ancestor Yu, one chuckled.
"Honored guests, the Celestial Venerable has instructed us to await you for a long time. Please enter; the Venerable is inside the palace!"