Chapter 105: Before the Southern Heavenly Gate (Midnight, Please Subscribe)

Chapter 105: Before the Southern Heavenly Gate (Midnight, Please Subscribe)

At the dawn of entering the vast primordial world, one does not know how high the heavens are or how thick the earth is.

The primordial cosmos was nurtured and shaped by the True Immortal Pangu, with the Heavenly Dao overseen by Hongjun to maintain order, and the Three Teachings alongside the Six Sages holding the threads of celestial law. The heavenly order and boundless principles are profoundly mysterious—far beyond the grasp of any innate being from the lower realms.

Now, seizing the opportunity of ascension, one can glimpse the subtle mysteries of heaven and earth.

The heavens are divided into nine regions: the central is called the Jun Heaven; to the east lies the Cang Heaven; northeast, the Bian Heaven; north, the Xuan Heaven; northwest, the You Heaven; west, the Hao Heaven; southwest, the Zhu Heaven; south, the Yan Heaven; and southeast, the Yang Heaven.

This realm of the heavens is neither the traditional thirty-three layered heavens nor the thirty-six layered Da Luo heavens of the Daoist sects, but rather these nine heavens.

As for why, Luo Feng vaguely senses some reason.

The heavens are divided into nine regions, with the central called Jun.

The Emperor rules Jun Heaven; the Emperor is, after all, the Vast One!

Hence, this is Hongjun, the sovereign of Jun Heaven.

The Great Heavenly Venerable Jade Emperor, born of the Zi Xiao Palace, naturally inherits the domain of the sovereign of Jun Heaven and is elevated to the position of Celestial Emperor.

Put simply, regardless of how formidable the Three Pure Ones may be elsewhere, within this primordial cosmos, Hongjun is the ultimate authority.

It is as if the dragon lies down for me, the tiger crouches for me.

To resist is to oppose the primordial cosmos itself.

Luo Feng followed the guiding immortal light, ascending swiftly to Jun Heaven.

Upon first entering the upper realm, it felt like stepping into paradise. Golden rays cascaded in myriad paths, red clouds and colorful mists swirling, auspicious energies rising in streams of purple vapor. There stood the Southern Heavenly Gate, crafted from deep green glazed tiles, adorned with dazzling jewels.

On either side stood dozens of marshals guarding the heavens, each a pillar of support, holding banners and spears; around them were a dozen or so golden-armored divine beings, each wielding halberds, whips, swords, and blades.

White clouds drifted in clusters, cranes cried in harmony. The clouds shifted with endless subtlety and wonder; the cranes’ calls echoed through the nine skies, shaking the universe.

At first glance, the heavenly realm seemed splendid and vibrant, filled with celestial beasts and divine generals, worthy of the names “Heavenly Palace” and “Heavenly Court.”

But upon closer inspection, one could not help but sigh at the superficiality of this celestial court—grand in appearance but hollow in substance.

Around the Southern Heavenly Gate, golden-armored divine beings stood guard, their cultivation no higher than Earth Immortals; even the highest-ranking marshal stationed there was at best a Heavenly Immortal.

Such a vast heavenly court did not even have a single Golden Immortal present, relying instead on a group of minor figures to guard the gate.

The magnificent Southern Heavenly Gate was not merely a gate or a passageway but the very face of the heavenly court.

Like the capital of a nation, the stationed troops must be elite; if even the capital is neglected, what of elsewhere?

To conceal weakness is to reveal problems even more starkly.

The position of Celestial Emperor is supremely exalted.

Truly speaking, sages act as agents of heaven to uphold the Dao, while the Celestial Emperor embodies the Heavenly Dao itself.

Their statuses are at least equal.

The Celestial Emperor’s current reticence signals an extremely unfavorable situation.

But on the other hand, no matter his difficulties, the Celestial Emperor remains a player in this cosmic chess game—at worst, an observer.

Not a mere pawn to be trifled with.

Straightening his robes and calming his mind, Luo Feng stepped onto the Southern Heavenly Gate. Instantly, the golden-armored divine beings and marshals turned their piercing gazes upon him, dozens of Earth Immortals mixed with a few Heavenly Immortals projecting overwhelming pressure that could immobilize any ordinary immortal on the spot.

Yet Luo Feng smiled as he advanced.

The soldiers withdrew their gazes, sensing the arrival of a divine presence.

From behind the Southern Heavenly Gate emerged a colossal divine being clad in golden armor, with dusky skin and a voice like thunder. His massive and powerful frame wielded a heavy pair of Xuanban axes.

“Who is this cultivator? How dare he trespass the Southern Heavenly Gate?” one marshal demanded.

“If you cannot explain, do not blame the Giant Spirit General for showing no mercy.”

“The Giant Spirit General?” Luo Feng examined the golden-armored being with interest. The name Giant Spirit General stirred a faint familiarity. “May I ask if you are the Giant Spirit God guarding the Southern Heavenly Gate?”

The Giant Spirit General laughed heartily. “Indeed, I am this general. You know me?”

There was a hint of pride in his tone; guarding the Southern Heavenly Gate was a grueling duty, and one might not see anyone for ten thousand years.

Seeing an immortal who knew him, he was naturally inclined to converse.

Truly the Giant Spirit God—though a minor figure in “Journey to the West,” to have one’s name recorded in history was no simple matter.

The Giant Spirit God before Luo Feng radiated immense power; his Xuanban axes were as heavy as mountains and rivers—one blow from them could slay an ordinary Heavenly Immortal.

Luo Feng smiled. “I do not know the Giant Spirit General personally, but I do know the East Sea’s Tortoise Angler.”

The Giant Spirit General was momentarily stunned, then asked, “You know my uncle?!”

Indeed, the Giant Spirit God bore the bloodline of the Dragon Elder Giant.

No wonder he was so tall and mighty, able to pull mountains and rivers, and even hold his own against certain monkeys—though eventually defeated.

Luo Feng pondered briefly, then laughed. “Consider it an old acquaintance celebrating the new year. By that count, Brother Giant Spirit and I are no strangers.”

“Come, come, sit and talk.”

The Giant Spirit General hesitated, then shook his head vehemently. “The Celestial Emperor commands: during duty, no reckless actions or neglect of post.”

Luo Feng smiled calmly. “I am right here at the Southern Heavenly Gate. How can it be neglect? Besides, with so many divine generals watching, what trouble could I cause?”

The Giant Spirit General sized Luo Feng up; his aura of spiritual energy remained, clearly a recent Earth Immortal—a minor presence.

He scratched his head, waving a hand. “Then come over, but do not cause trouble.”

Luo Feng smiled lightly. “Naturally. In the martial world, I am known as ‘Steady Young Gentleman.’”

The guards at the Southern Heavenly Gate, bored as they were, welcomed the company.

Amid light-hearted banter, Luo Feng and the Giant Spirit General sat upon the ground before the gate.

They chatted freely, weaving bonds until Luo Feng became known as “Brother Tianyi.”

...

Within the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, the Great Heavenly Venerable reclined idly on a jade throne, fingers flicking over the Haotian Mirror, casually altering the scenery of heaven and earth.

Of course, certain places remained off-limits: the realm of the sages’ teachings, Wuzhuang Temple, the Blood Sea...

This was also the source of the Great Heavenly Venerable’s sorrow.

Suddenly, laughter echoed from afar, and a dignified and elegant female immortal approached leisurely.

The Great Heavenly Venerable smiled. “Yaochi, you have come.”

In this vast heavenly court, only one could command the Great Heavenly Venerable’s utmost respect.

Not only because Yaochi was a master of the Great Luo realm, but also because both were born of Zi Xiao Palace, supporting each other through billions of years.

This was a bond forged in adversity, a love entwined with life and death.

In this vast heavenly court, only one was trustworthy and comforting.

Of course, Yaochi, the Queen Mother of the West, was a title; she could have been the Golden Mother or another.

“Your Majesty, what troubles you?” Yaochi smiled gently, radiant as a blooming rose—beautiful yet grand.

The Great Heavenly Venerable gazed beyond the heavens, sighing deeply. “Back then, when the elder brothers and the master discussed matters, we stood to the side. Suddenly, the master appointed me as the leader of the heavenly court.”

“I said no, I was humble—a mere young disciple. How could I become the Celestial Emperor? Please find someone else more suitable. But when all else failed, I accepted... and so became the ruler of the Three Realms.”

The Great Heavenly Venerable rambled on about the past; Yaochi listened patiently.

At that moment, they seemed less like emperor and empress, more like mortal husband and wife.

(End of Chapter)