Chapter 84: Lord of the Three Realms

At this time, the Three Realms had not yet fully formed, but the vast land of the primordial world still required governance, and so the institution responsible for overseeing the primordial world—the Heavenly Court—came into being.

When Haotian and Yaochi first arrived at the Heavenly Court on Buzhou Mountain, all they saw were ruins and broken walls, a scene of utter desolation. Reaching the Southern Heavenly Gate, they found its plaque hanging by only half, the rest nowhere to be seen.

How could anyone possibly live here? Haotian and Yaochi complained incessantly. Even if they could restore the place with their own power, what about the spiritual veins? That was a truly troublesome matter.

Fortunately, their teacher seemed to be aware of their difficulties. At this moment, a mystical wheel appeared in the sky above the Heavenly Palace. In a short while, it repaired the ruined heavens, transforming the entire scene into one of vibrant prosperity.

Gone were the dilapidated palaces and fallen walls; in their place stood dazzling, resplendent palaces, radiant with golden light.

Upon beholding the Heavenly Palace in its restored glory, Haotian and Yaochi finally felt joy. This was truly a place befitting the supreme rulers of the Three Realms, the only abode worthy of their exalted status. Their hearts brimmed with satisfaction.

Just then, an elderly man approached from afar, holding a book in one hand and a red string in the other—its purpose unclear. Stepping forward, he bowed to Haotian and Yaochi, saying, “This humble Daoist greets Your Majesties.”

This figure was none other than the obsession-incarnate of Tongtian—the Old Man Under the Moon. Given his identity, how could he possibly bow to his own junior brother and sister? He could only offer a respectful greeting; they would have to accept that.

Haotian and Yaochi, unaware of the old man’s true thoughts, nevertheless found it odd how much this Daoist resembled their senior brother, Tongtian.

“Forgive me for asking, fellow Daoist, but what is your relationship to the Sage, the Supreme Lord of the Pure Heavens?” The transformations of a sage were many; Haotian himself, at the level of a mid-stage Golden Immortal, had a benevolent avatar. Perhaps the man before them was indeed connected to senior brother Tongtian.

“I am the obsession-incarnate of Tongtian—the Old Man Under the Moon,” the old man replied with a smile.

“Oh, so you’re our senior brother!” Haotian exclaimed, finally understanding the old man’s identity and offering a conciliatory smile.

The title “Lord of the Three Realms” held by Haotian and Yaochi was, in truth, little more than an empty shell. The entire Heavenly Palace had neither divine soldiers nor celestial generals to guard it, a truly pitiable state. In reality, Haotian and Yaochi were deeply troubled, wondering when their grand enterprise would truly begin.

“Junior brother, why is the Heavenly Palace so deserted? The Heavenly Court stands in need of people—might I be of some use?” Suddenly, the Old Man Under the Moon revealed his true purpose for coming. Clearly, Tongtian harbored significant ambitions.

Had anyone else spoken to Haotian and Yaochi in such a manner, they might have turned and left immediately. After all, they were the lords of the Three Realms, appointed by the Dao Ancestor himself; who would dare to mock them so?

Yet, as these words came from their own senior brother, Haotian and Yaochi could only feel a pang in their hearts. Upon hearing that their senior brother had come to assist them, the two were overjoyed.

“Really? That’s wonderful, Brother Tongtian!” Yaochi, abandoning all decorum, rushed forward and clung to the Old Man Under the Moon’s arm, pressing her bosom against it. The old man hastily steadied her and said to both Haotian and Yaochi, “Not only that, but my disciples shall also join in aiding your grand undertaking!”

Tongtian had long considered whether or not he and his disciples should take up positions in the Heavenly Court. What did his sect most lack? Fortune—an endless supply of fortune. And where could that be found? First, in the Underworld, which governed the reincarnation of all beings in the Three Realms—a veritable treasure trove. Tongtian would not let this slip away.

Second were the humans created by Lady Nuwa. Tongtian understood their importance well. Having come from a later age, he could not abandon his affection for humanity, whose nurturing had brought him to where he was. Since humanity raised him in his past life, he would now protect them in this one.

Third, naturally, was the Heavenly Court. The Heavenly Court, like the Underworld, was crucial: one was the destination of all life, the other its ruler. Both were equally important. If, in the future, all the development of the primordial world depended on him, would the other Three Teachings dare defy him?

Moreover, although Tongtian possessed vast fortune, with what would he suppress and anchor it?

The Supreme Lord of the Human Sect used the Taiji Diagram to anchor his sect’s fortune, so that the Human Sect suffered no great harm in the calamity of the Gods’ Investiture. Partly, this was due to its small number of disciples, but also because the sect’s treasure was unequaled.

The Lord Yuanshi of the Explanation Sect used the Pangu Banner to suppress fortune. Whenever disaster loomed, he would wield his banner to dispel resentment within his sect, thus ensuring the safety of his disciples during the catastrophe.

The Western Sect seized an opportunity, planting the Twelve-Ranked Golden Lotus in the Eight-Treasure Pool, a paradise for its growth, enabling the Golden Lotus to anchor the sect’s merit.

Originally, Tongtian used the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation to anchor his sect’s fortune. But what was that? Four swords forged from a primordial stone by the Demon Ancestor Rahu, infused with boundless innate turbid energy and all manner of negative primordial forces. To use them for anchoring fortune was tantamount to cleansing them with virtue, a task they were fundamentally unsuited for. No wonder the Intercepting Sect lost so bitterly in the end.

But Tongtian would not let that happen again, for he now possessed an innate treasure ideal for anchoring fortune—thanks to the Great Willow Spirit.

“And what position would senior brother like to hold? Whatever post you desire, you may choose for yourself!” Haotian offered generously, knowing that the Old Man Under the Moon, as an avatar of a sage, could not be slighted. Let him pick any office he wished; after all, he could hardly have come for nothing.

“As for me, you know I am not especially adept at matters of management. I’d rather remain a free agent,” the Old Man Under the Moon replied, unwilling to burden himself with trivial affairs.

“And what of your disciples?” As he was a sage, Haotian dared not speak too directly. After exchanging a glance with Yaochi, he turned to the old man.

“I will remain in the palace, overseeing the marriages and unions of the mortal world, while my disciples will assist you in governing the myriad stars. In this way, you can harness the power of the stars to strengthen the Heavenly Court itself, can you not?” The Old Man Under the Moon had come well prepared. His disciples would eventually serve in the Heavenly Court; better to have them arrive early.

This way, not only would he maintain control over the Heavenly Court’s fortune and upper echelons, but he would also bolster its strength.

“Excellent, excellent!” Hearing that the Old Man Under the Moon would bring a host of disciples to “take up residence” in the Heavenly Court, Haotian and Yaochi were overjoyed. Haotian clutched Yaochi’s hand tightly, unable to restrain his delight, and burst into laughter.

The Old Man Under the Moon felt gratified as well. He had finally taken the first step toward escaping the control of the Heavenly Dao. Now, how would the Heavenly Dao respond?

The leader of the disciples arriving at the Heavenly Court this time was Tongtian’s second disciple—the Golden Spirit Mother. She had been born of the stars and commanded all the celestial bodies; thus, overseeing the stars of the heavens was naturally her domain. Tongtian had carefully selected each disciple—of the three hundred and sixty-five Star Lords from the “Investiture of the Gods,” apart from a few favored students, all the rest had come.

To win this battle, one had to be fully prepared.

Once the great army of the Spirit Sect arrived, Haotian and Yaochi held a grand ceremony to worship the heavens and pay homage to their teacher. As long as their teacher personally decreed and proclaimed to all beings of the primordial world that they were the rulers of the Heavenly Court, only then could they rightfully govern the many factions.

Just as Haotian and Yaochi finished lighting incense and making their offerings, a voice resounded from above:

“I hereby confer upon my disciple Haotian the title of Supreme Sovereign of the Heavenly Court, and upon my disciple Yaochi the title of Mother of the Heavenly Court.

I bestow upon Haotian the honorific: The Most Exalted, Primordial Lord of Heaven, Keeper of the Celestial Seal, Holder of the True Way, Sovereign of the Nine Heavens, Master of All Paths, the Supreme Jade Emperor of the Golden Palace, High Sovereign of the Mysterious Firmament. Upon Yaochi, I confer the title: Golden Mother of the Nine Spirits, Supreme Lady of the White Jade Terrace.

May you govern the affairs of the primordial world well and not betray my trust.”