A moment of silence passed before Zhen Yuanzi, ever the understanding one, was the first to speak, "May I ask how many subordinates the Heavenly Emperor requires, and of what cultivation?"
Hao Tian chuckled, "The Heavenly Court governs the Three Realms, so naturally, the more the better.
It's not just the Heavenly Court that is severely short-handed; several among the Six Emperors also lack sufficient immortal beings. The Heavenly Court has yet to fully regain the influence of the ancient Demon Court."
Upon hearing this, Lu Ya scoffed internally. If you don't have the backing of the demon race, don't take on this burden. He was here today solely due to the prestige of the title "Lord of the Three Realms." To expect him to send his demon race forces to help Hao Tian's Heavenly Court, which occupied the ancient Demon Court, was out of the question!
However, Hao Tian had mentioned the Six Emperors.
Kun Peng was the first to declare, "Since the Heavenly Emperor requires assistance, we shall naturally provide it. Once I return, I will gather my followers and disseminate the Heavenly Emperor's decree. I will send as many willing individuals as possible to the Heavenly Court!"
Everyone present understood the implication: these were just polite words. Willingness was key, but what if no one was willing?
Hao Tian could only offer a wry smile inwardly, yet his face remained serene. "Many thanks to Daoist Hun Kun then."
With Kun Peng, that old fox, setting the precedent, other major and minor powers offered similar assurances, each displaying their own diplomatic skills. If one didn't think too deeply about their words, it would seem like a wonderfully promising situation.
But in reality, who was truly willing?
The Heavenly Court claimed to be the Lord of the Three Realms, yet the Primordial World had long since solidified into distinct factions, each managing its own affairs. For the Heavenly Court to suddenly re-emerge as the Lord of the Three Realms and demand governance would be to contend for power and influence with every existing faction.
This would undoubtedly forge countless karmic ties and offend numerous powers, large and small. They would not engage in such thankless endeavors.
However, not everyone shared this sentiment.
Just as everyone was outwardly agreeing while inwardly refusing, Kong Xuan rose and said, "Heavenly Emperor, my master's enlightenment came late. Although I have some disciples, allocating twelve planar realms and the sentient beings of the Three Thousand Worlds to the Hall of Sentient Beings already leaves us desperately short of manpower.
However, since the Heavenly Emperor has need, our lineage of sentient beings shall naturally lend our aid. The human immortals of Bei Jilu Continent are numerous. I can disseminate the Heavenly Emperor's decree and recruit hundreds of immortals, along with over a dozen Golden Immortals and Tai Yi cultivators, to serve in the Heavenly Court, at the disposal of the Heavenly Emperor and the Great Emperor of the East Azure Pentagon."
Hao Tian's heart finally felt a measure of relief. Even if people were sent to the Great Emperor of the East Azure Pentagon, his Heavenly Court would still gain some immortal personnel.
"Young friend Kong Xuan, you are most benevolent! Thus, our Heavenly Court thanks the Sage of Sentient Beings."
Kong Xuan smiled, "It is as it should be. My master has a registered disciple who wishes to serve in the Heavenly Court. Might I inquire if the Heavenly Emperor would be willing to accept him and bestow upon my unworthy junior brother an immortal official post?"
Hao Tian paused, then burst into laughter. "Hahaha, if the disciples of the Sage of Sentient Beings are willing to join our Heavenly Court, then it is naturally most welcome!"
The great cultivators present were astonished. Why was the usually reclusive and world-weary Sage of Sentient Beings so enthusiastic this time?
At this moment, Bai Ze secretly conveyed a message to Lu Ya. Lu Ya then stood and declared, "Esteemed senior, our demon realm is willing to dispatch the Twenty-Eight Star Lords as subordinates, for the service of the Heavenly Emperor and the Great Emperor of the Celestial Palace of Gou Chen!"
Hao Tian beamed with joy, "Many thanks to the demon realm for your assistance."
Lu Ya did not address Hao Tian as Heavenly Emperor, nor did Hao Tian take offense. After all, the previous Heavenly Emperor was his father. It was already quite commendable that he was willing to send people to the Heavenly Court!
Guang Chengzi glanced at the still composed Xuan Du and finally said, "My sect, the Ten Sects of Chan, is willing to dispatch a hundred immortals for the service of the Heavenly Emperor and the Great Emperor of the Southern Pole of Longevity."
The assembled great cultivators understood that these three parties represented the support of three Sages for three Great Emperors, rather than their support for Hao Tian as the Lord of the Three Realms.
After going through this elaborate process, Hao Tian was finally content. Even if only a minority were willing to send people to the Heavenly Court, it would alleviate his immediate crisis.
As for the Queen Mother, she remained aloof and uninvolved. She certainly did not lack personnel. With just the mere mention of her title as Queen of the West, she could summon a multitude of immortals. Furthermore, as the ruler of the Western Kunlun Realm, she had no shortage of people at her disposal.
Finally, the Peach Banquet concluded, and the peaches that the Queen Mother had accumulated over nearly a hundred Eons were all consumed.
Some great cultivators, after their fill, even took a substantial number of peaches with them. The Queen Mother, deeply affected by this, sought out Shen Nong Shi, the master of cultivation, and had him divide the spiritual roots of the Flat Peaches into three types: three thousand-year-ripening, six thousand-year-ripening, and nine thousand-year-ripening Flat Peach spiritual roots. She established a forbidden area in one of the most spiritually vibrant locations of the Heavenly Court and constructed the Flat Peach Garden.
This way, the Queen Mother no longer had to fear her entire stock being depleted by a single Flat Peach Banquet. For future banquets, only the most exalted would partake of the nine thousand-year-ripening peaches, great cultivators would enjoy the six thousand-year-ripening ones, and Da Luo Immortals would only be able to consume the three thousand-year-ripening variety. The nine thousand-year-ripening trees would yield only twenty-seven peaches, the six thousand-year-ripening ones a hundred, and the three thousand-year-ripening ones perhaps over a thousand fruits. With such limited yields, she no longer feared them being entirely consumed.
After the banquet, Kong Xuan exchanged pleasantries with the various esteemed figures and old friends of Qing Ling, then bid farewell to Qing Luan and prepared to return to his mountain.
His justification was solid: although he had eaten the Flat Peaches, his master had not. Could he not take a few back for his master to taste? When he mentioned his master, who dared to refuse him?
Just as he was about to descend from the Heavenly Court, he saw a group of immortals riding auspicious clouds. It was the people from the Three Sects.
Guang Chengzi spotted Kong Xuan and smiled, "Greetings, Daoist Kong Xuan. Are you planning to return to your mountain?"
Kong Xuan offered a humble salute. "Indeed. Where are you esteemed Daoists headed?"
Guang Chengzi chuckled lightly, "We are planning to descend to the mortal realm for some travel to stabilize our Dao hearts."
"Then I shall not disturb your journey. Farewell." Kong Xuan smiled and prepared to depart.
"Wait a moment!" It was Great Master Xuan Du who spoke.
Kong Xuan smiled and asked, "What guidance does Daoist Xuan Du have?"
"I heard that your master, the Sage, intends to send disciples to the Heavenly Court? What is the meaning of this?" Xuan Du inquired, "Is this your intention or the Sage's intention?"
Kong Xuan chuckled lightly, "This concerns matters of my Fu Yu Mountain. It is best that Daoist Xuan Du does not meddle."
Xuan Du's expression faltered upon hearing this, but he said nothing further.
Guang Chengzi, however, stated, "Daoist Kong Xuan, this is the Heavenly Court of the Primordial World, a matter of grave importance. It is best not to interfere too much, lest it cause the various Sages to harbor suspicions."
"Suspicions?" Kong Xuan scoffed, "I believe it is Daoist Guang Chengzi who is overthinking. Even without the Sages present, matters of this nature should be overseen by the senior disciples of each sect. Since Daoist Xuan Du and Daoist Duo Bao have not spoken out, why are you so concerned?"
"You!" Guang Chengzi was rendered speechless. He had always been deeply favored by his master, and though not the eldest disciple, he acted as one. In the absence of his master, he held sway within the Chan Sect. When had he ever been so directly contradicted?
"As expected of a being of that nature, his words are uncouth, but it is understandable." Guang Chengzi cast a disdainful glance at Kong Xuan and, speaking dismissively, turned to leave.
But upon hearing this, Kong Xuan bristled. "Who are you referring to? My origins and transformation are far superior to yours, a being born of acquired essence."
Seeing the situation, Duo Bao quickly laughed heartily, "Alright, alright, fellow Daoists, let us not spoil the harmony. Daoist Kong Xuan, do not take offense at junior brother Guang Chengzi." He then addressed Guang Chengzi, "Junior brother, go and attend to your affairs."
Duo Bao's intention was to mediate. Despite the growing animosity between the Chan and Jie Sects, the fundamental unity of the Three Sects still existed.
Guang Chengzi, however, did not appreciate the gesture. Ten thousand years ago, at the Grand Assembly of the Three Sects, Duo Bao had publicly berated him for doctrinal disagreements in front of all the disciples. Having lost face in front of such a crowd, who could easily let it go?
"Senior brother Duo Bao need not feign trying to persuade me. You likely wish to see me embarrassed."
Duo Bao paused, his face showing a hint of shame. The incident from years ago was indeed his fault; he had been too focused on arguing the doctrines of Chan and Jie and had severely embarrassed Guang Chengzi.
Kong Xuan laughed, "See? He doesn't even appreciate help, calling it 'not knowing good intentions.' I wonder how you cultivated your Dao, lacking such clarity of mind and wisdom."
Guang Chengzi's anger flared. "Kong Xuan, you fallen bird, what are you being so arrogant about! A mere mixed-feathered phoenix dares to speak of our Chan Sect's Dao?"
Kong Xuan, too, was enraged. No matter how much he restrained himself or cultivated his mind, his inherent pride was unquestionable. Under Qing Ling's tutelage, he had learned to conceal his pride and temper his arrogance, but one's nature was not so easily changed, especially the nature of a Da Luo Golden Immortal.