Chapter Sixty: Arrival Among the Human Race

Human Territory.

The leaders of the Youchao Clan, the Suiren Clan, the Ziyi Clan, and several other prominent members of the human race were gathered together in council. As the human race grew ever stronger, various issues began to emerge, and so they found themselves constantly occupied with matters that needed urgent attention.

“Gongcheng, regarding the alliance with the Feathered Clan…” Suiren turned toward an elderly man seated nearby, about to inquire about the alliance, when suddenly, he sensed a powerful aura approaching from afar.

Startled, Youchao and Ziyi also furrowed their brows. The three exchanged glances, and Youchao said, “A noble guest arrives. Let us hurry out to greet them.”

Hearing this, none dared to delay. They all hastened outside.

As they stepped out of the council hall, they heard, from a distance, several resounding dragon roars mingled with the crisp calls of phoenixes. Looking toward the horizon, they saw two magnificent streams of light slowly approaching—one dazzling with multicolored brilliance, the other pure and snowy white.

From afar, all present were deeply shaken.

Who could this be, arriving with a carriage drawn by nine dragons and nine phoenixes?

“Greetings to the Heavenly Emperor, greetings to the Empress,” Youchao, Suiren, and Ziyi, the three with the highest cultivation, recognized the figures upon the carriage at once and bowed deeply.

The others, as if awakened from a dream, quickly followed suit.

“Greetings to the Heavenly Emperor! Greetings to the Empress!”

“You may rise,” Li Tian descended from the carriage, taking Nuwa’s hand as they stepped down. With a wave of his hand, he lifted everyone up.

“Thank you, Heavenly Emperor and Empress,” they bowed once more before rising, their faces full of reverence as they gazed upon Li Tian and Nuwa. The newer members of the human race were filled with curiosity, but intimidated by the presence of Li Tian and Nuwa, they dared not overstep.

Li Tian glanced over the crowd with an indifferent look, then strolled into the council hall where they had just been meeting. After tens of thousands of years as Heavenly Emperor, he had grown accustomed to such spectacles and felt little agitation.

The others exchanged glances and followed him inside.

Once within the hall, Li Tian unceremoniously took the seat of honor, where Suiren and the other two had been presiding, with Nuwa sitting beside him.

“We did not expect the Heavenly Emperor and Empress to grace us in person. May we ask the reason for your visit?”

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As everyone entered the hall, Youchao stepped forward and bowed respectfully, asking the question.

“Nothing in particular,” Li Tian replied with a smile, then asked directly, “While in the Heavenly Court, I noticed you have built numerous Heavenly Emperor Palaces in the lower realm. May I ask who is responsible for this?”

The group exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of Li Tian’s intentions or how to answer. At last, Suiren stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said, “In reply to the Heavenly Emperor, this was carried out by the Saint Envoy Dafeng… If the Heavenly Emperor is displeased, we can dismantle them at any time…”

“You need not be so cautious. The Heavenly Emperor will not blame you,” Nuwa said, noticing Suiren’s nervousness and smiling gently, putting everyone at ease.

Li Tian laughed as well. “I am not displeased—quite the opposite, I am very pleased. Bring Dafeng before me; I wish to reward him.”

Suiren, Youchao, and Ziyi exchanged relieved glances. Youchao turned and instructed someone, who bowed and left.

Soon after, the attendant returned, leading a Taoist in green robes into the hall.

“Dafeng greets the Heavenly Emperor and Empress.”

“Yes, you may rise,” Li Tian nodded from his seat.

As Dafeng entered, Li Tian immediately discerned that his true form was a cloud lark, and that he had attained the Dao only three thousand years ago.

Three thousand years, without any backing, and having reached the mid-stage of Golden Immortal—this was extraordinary talent. Yet Li Tian was not surprised. In the vast wilderness, talent was abundant, and Golden Immortal cultivation was now common.

“Thank you, Heavenly Emperor,” Dafeng bowed and stood tall in the center of the hall, showing no small measure of spirit.

“Dafeng, you are of the Divine Clan. Why do you assist the human race against the demons?” Li Tian asked.

He knew many Divine Clan members helped humans to curry favor with him, so he posed the question, curious to see how Dafeng would respond.

Dafeng pondered for a moment, then replied, “Humans are born with innate Dao bodies, blessed in cultivation. Moreover, four sages—Taiching, Yuqing, Shangqing, and Zhunti—have established teachings among them. Clearly, the human race is extraordinary, so I came to assist.”

“Oh?” Li Tian was briefly surprised; Dafeng’s answer was unexpected. Yet it was rational and insightful, so Li Tian regarded him as a man of keen perception.

To reach mid-stage Golden Immortal in just three thousand years from obscurity was indeed remarkable.

“You answered well,” Li Tian nodded. “You have made great contributions by building Heavenly Emperor Palaces. Tell me, what reward do you desire?”

Without hesitation, Dafeng clasped his hands and said, “If possible, I would like the Heavenly Emperor to grant me a sword of innate spiritual treasure.”

Li Tian could not help but laugh, surprised at Dafeng’s boldness in requesting an innate treasure. He had acquired many such treasures from the Treasure Cliff, and among them was a lower-grade sword; gifting it away would not be a loss.

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After some thought, Li Tian made up his mind, though he would not hand it over so easily.

Smiling slightly, Li Tian took the innate treasure sword from his storage artifact, and, waving it before Dafeng, said, “This is an innate treasure sword, and I can grant it to you. However…”

He paused, and under Dafeng’s eager gaze, continued, “However, you must promise to build at least ten thousand Heavenly Emperor Palaces across the human lands within a hundred years!”

“Heavenly Emperor… That is quite a difficult task,” Dafeng replied, troubled, though his eyes were fixed on the sword, clearly coveting it.

“I will instruct all races under the Heavenly Court to cooperate with you. If you encounter any difficulties, you may report them directly,” Li Tian said after a moment’s thought.

Dafeng hesitated, but the allure of the innate treasure was overwhelming. Gritting his teeth, he finally agreed.

“Dafeng will fulfill the Heavenly Emperor’s command!”

“Very good,” Li Tian nodded with satisfaction, then tossed the sword to Dafeng.

“Thank you, Heavenly Emperor! Dafeng will devote himself utterly, risking life and death to repay the gift!” Dafeng was overjoyed, kneeling in gratitude.

Li Tian nodded, accepting the salute, then admonished, “I hope you accomplish this task well, or else…”

“Dafeng will never let the Heavenly Emperor down!” Dafeng interrupted with a deep bow.

“Good,” Li Tian said, not pressing further.

Having accomplished his purpose, Li Tian spoke a few encouraging words to the human race, then departed with Nuwa, returning to the Heavenly Court atop the carriage drawn by nine dragons and nine phoenixes.

“Dafeng, you are truly fortunate,” Suiren remarked, eyeing the innate treasure sword in Dafeng’s hand with envy. Though he himself was a Golden Immortal, he possessed only a postnatal merit treasure—wondrous in its uses, but inferior in grade.

“Oh, hardly… But I’ll have much to do now. If I fail, it will be disastrous,” Dafeng replied modestly, clasping his hands, sighing, though the pride in his eyes was impossible to hide.

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