In the Heavenly Court, Haotian, seeing that the Heavenly Court's strength was gradually perfected with the influx of Kunlun's people, established the Heavenly Rules in his capacity as the Lord of the Heavenly Court!
Heavenly Rule One: Revere heaven and earth, and obey the will of heaven.
Heavenly Rule Two: Cherish the righteous path, and harbor no evil thoughts.
Heavenly Rule Three: Adhere to the heavenly way, and act in accordance with it.
Heavenly Rule Four: Cultivate goodness with divine essence, and do not stray.
Heavenly Rule Five: Do not covet cultivation, and do not bully the weak.
Heavenly Rule Six: Treat others as oneself, and be kind to all.
Heavenly Rule Seven: Practice courtesy on the great path, and respect each other between genders.
Heavenly Rule Eight: Cultivate oneself, strengthen the body, and control desires.
Heavenly Rule Nine: Speak with reason, and maintain a calm and peaceful mind.
Heavenly Rule Ten: Do not fear evil disturbances, nor dread calamities.
Heavenly Rule Eleven: Heavenly beings and gods shall not privately marry mortals.
Heavenly Rule Twelve: Heavenly beings and gods shall not privately reveal their divine forms in the mortal realm.
Heavenly Rule Thirteen: Heavenly beings and gods shall not privately use magic to deceive mortals.
Heavenly Rule Fourteen: Heavenly beings and gods shall not privately leave their divine positions to roam the three realms.
Heavenly Rule Fifteen: Heavenly beings and gods shall not privately bestow favors upon their kin.
Heavenly Rule Sixteen: Heavenly beings and gods shall not shield mortals with deep sins.
Heavenly Rule Seventeen: Heavenly beings and gods shall not associate with treacherous individuals who defy the righteous path.
Heavenly Rule Eighteen: Heavenly beings and gods shall not accept incense offerings from wicked individuals.
Heavenly Rule Nineteen: Heavenly beings and gods shall not disturb the changes in the mortal world.
Heavenly Rule Twenty: Heavenly beings and gods shall not hold divine positions outside the Heavenly Court.
Although Haotian had established twenty Heavenly Rules, he understood that their implementation required the assent of Kunlun's saints. Thus, he immediately copied a set of the rules and sent them to Kunlun for the Six Saints of Kunlun to review!
On Kunlun Mountain, Taishang was surprised to see Haotian's people. He had not expected Haotian to send emissaries to Kunlun. Upon learning the purpose of Haotian's visit, Taishang glanced at the document.
After reading it, Taishang nodded. The Heavenly Court was established to assist in the operation of heaven and earth, and Haotian's established Heavenly Rules were indeed beyond reproach.
Yuanshi and Tongtian sensed the arrival of people at Kunlun and appeared beside Taishang. Seeing this, Taishang handed the Heavenly Rules to them.
"Second brother, third brother, these are the Heavenly Rules drafted by Haotian. You two should take a look as well!"
Yuanshi took the Heavenly Rules from Taishang, glanced at them, and then passed them to Tongtian.
"Elder brother, are Haotian's established Heavenly Rules perhaps too strict for those serving in the Heavenly Court?" Yuanshi, having memorized the content of the rules after a single glance, spoke slowly to Taishang.
Before Taishang could reply, Tongtian had also finished reading the Heavenly Rules and immediately interjected, "Second brother, I think they are quite reasonable. The first ten rules are fine. While the latter ten are considerably stricter than the first ten, the Heavenly Court is indeed meant to maintain the balance of heaven and earth, so it is understandable."
After Yuanshi and Tongtian spoke, they both turned to Taishang. The decision on this matter ultimately rested with him.
Seeing that Tongtian and Yuanshi were awaiting his pronouncement, Taishang pondered for a moment before stating, "There is nothing improper with these twenty Heavenly Rules. I say we proceed with them."
After speaking, Taishang returned the Heavenly Rules to the emissary sent by Haotian. The emissary, being perceptive, immediately took his leave from the Three Pure Ones.
With the approval of the Three Pure Ones, Haotian promptly convened all the Heavenly Court personnel in the Lingxiao Hall and publicly announced the twenty Heavenly Rules. He also specifically emphasized that the rules had received the consent of the Three Pure Ones.
Hearing that Haotian had consulted the Three Pure Ones, no one voiced any objections, and the Heavenly Rules were thus enacted.
After establishing the Heavenly Rules, Haotian felt that since the Heavenly Court was comprised of people from Kunlun, he was still too passive.
Haotian contemplated for a while and then made his way to Nuwa's Wa Huang Palace.
In Wa Huang Palace, Nuwa frowned upon seeing Haotian. She was aware of Haotian's establishment of the Heavenly Court, even going so far as to make a grand oath for it. Nuwa felt she had no particular acquaintance with Haotian, having only met him a few times when attending lectures in Zixiao Palace. Nuwa was puzzled as to why Haotian had come to her.
As soon as Haotian saw Nuwa, he immediately put on a smiling demeanor.
"Greetings, Senior Sister Nuwa!"
Nuwa's brow furrowed upon hearing this. Haotian had been a mere attendant under Hongjun, so calling her Senior Sister was both understandable and not. However, Nuwa did not make things difficult for Haotian and said calmly, "Rise! Haotian, what business brings you here today?"
Haotian, hearing this, rubbed his hands awkwardly.
"To be frank, we have come today to request some people from Senior Sister! My Heavenly Court has just been established and lacks suitable personnel!"
Upon hearing this, Nuwa understood Haotian's predicament and said calmly:
"Haotian, have the Three Pure Ones not sent nearly all their people from Kunlun into the Heavenly Court? Is that not enough for you?"
Haotian's expression became somewhat unnatural, and he said sheepishly, "Senior Sister, please do not mock me. How can I possibly command the people of the Sages of the Three Pure Ones?"
Nuwa chuckled lightly upon hearing this. "It is not I who mock you, but rather you who mock me. I have not established any lineage, so how could I possibly have anyone to give you!"
Haotian sighed internally, realizing that there was no hope from Nuwa.
"Senior Sister, forgive my presumptuousness. Haotian bids you farewell!"
As Haotian was about to depart, Nuwa suddenly recalled the troublesome Ling Zhuzi and spoke:
"Enough. Since you have asked, though I have no one here, I shall give you one. However, this child is naturally mischievous. I will first send him down to the mortal world for tempering, otherwise he will surely throw your Heavenly Court into chaos!"
Haotian's face lit up with joy, and he immediately thanked Nuwa.
Nuwa waved her hand and instructed Caiyun, who was beside her:
"Caiyun, Ling Zhuzi is impetuous. Disperse his cultivation, preserve his consciousness, and send him into the mortal realm to await someone destined to guide him!"
Caiyun, though reluctant, proceeded towards the prison of Wa Huang Palace.
Seeing Caiyun head towards the prison of Wa Huang Palace, Haotian looked at Nuwa in confusion.
"Senior Sister! This...?"
Nuwa smiled lightly and said slowly, "This scoundrel broke one of my beloved possessions, and I have imprisoned him."
Haotian's mouth twitched, and he muttered inwardly that Nuwa was unreliable, actually sending him a prisoner!
Haotian shook his head and immediately took his leave of Nuwa.
After Haotian departed, Caiyun arrived at the prison of Wa Huang Palace. As soon as Ling Zhuzi saw Caiyun, he said with a smile:
"Sister Caiyun, is the Empress going to let me out?"
Caiyun glared at Ling Zhuzi and said crossly, "You still have the audacity to speak! The Empress is truly angry this time and will send you to the mortal world for tempering."
Ling Zhuzi's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he grinned broadly.
"Before, when I wanted to go to the mortal world, the Empress would never allow it. This time, I can finally have my wish!"
Caiyun shook her head helplessly and immediately acted to disperse Ling Zhuzi's cultivation, sending him into the mortal realm to await someone destined to find him.