Chapter 597: Chapter 596: Ten Years in a Flash—Lin Heng Emerges, Time for War!

In the time that followed, Yang Jian came to the Celestial Court once again, bringing the news that the other two had agreed to Lin Heng, and then he disappeared from the world again, preparing for the battle ten years later.

Similarly,

Lin Heng also began preparing for battle.

He began to refine his own space day and night.

Thus, the Grand Thousand Immortal Realm fell into a strange calm.

The four major top forces seemed to be recuperating.

Only the Celestial Dao Sacred Court continued to tirelessly erode the population of the Daoist Celestial Court.

There was no choice.

With a Saint backing them.

Even if Sun Wukong and the Long-armed Ape were furious, they could only grit their teeth and endure.

For ten years.

Venerable Emperor Chong’en often struck against the Celestial Court.

Although he was blocked each time, he never intended to succeed.

Or rather, his tireless efforts served the fundamental purpose of keeping the beings of the Celestial Court in constant fear.

As the centennial period approached, this fear and unease would only grow stronger, urging the beings within the Celestial Court to seek alternative paths.

Thus, they would willingly leave the Celestial Court.

Even if these beings joined the Celestial Dao Sacred Court, the fortune of the Celestial Court would gradually diminish.

When the time comes to truly extinguish the Dao, the karma taint will naturally be much less.

"Saint Chong’en, what do you say, when can you assist our Celestial Dao Sacred Court in ascending to join the ranks of the Celestial Courts?"

In the deep starry sky, Nine Nether Ao humbly inquired into the depths of the universe, his tone tinged with tension and anticipation.

A Saint can split heaven and earth, possessing their own spatial domain.

Nine Nether Ao could not see the figure of Venerable Emperor Chong’en, but this place had long been acknowledged as the location for communication with him.

"What, are you also eager to become the Lord of Heaven?"

From the depths of the universe came a voice as the nebula quivered, bringing an aloof indifference that looked down upon all beings.

The immense pressure made Nine Nether Ao tremble, he hurriedly explained: "Saint Chong’en, do not misunderstand, I have no intention of usurping the fortune of the Celestial Court. My current standing is entirely due to your care. When Yang Jian pursued me, it was you who saved me. I am grateful beyond words and dare not harbor a second thought."

"The desire for ascension is entirely for the centennial period—you’re a Saint, you shouldn’t be entangled in the karma of beings."

"The matter of Dao’s extinction should be left to me."

"Ascending to the Celestial Court is solely for the campaign against their Celestial Court."

"So, Saint Chong’en, please do not doubt."

The posture of Nine Nether Ao was exceedingly low, even as the Lord of the Celestial Dao Sacred Court, in the presence of Venerable Emperor Chong’en, he resembled a timid servant.

It was indeed humbling.

In the first round of the Saint selection, he and Venerable Emperor Chong’en were once competitors.

However, with the Dao confirmation of Venerable Emperor Chong’en,

A former rival could only bow and acknowledge submission.

"Your intentions, I do not care, you only need to remember one thing—even if you become the Lord of Heaven, should a Saint wish to extinguish you, there are still countless ways."

Venerable Emperor Chong’en’s calm voice came from the depths of the universe, the underlying meaning like a piercing cold winter wind, causing Nine Nether Ao to shiver, his nine fierce heads nearly burying into the dust.

He was trembling, faithfully expressing loyalty.

"Take it then."

Venerable Emperor Chong’en ceased to chastise, casually casting an object that fell from the Outer Heaven Universe with a thunderous roar, shrouded in a world-suppressing majesty.

Manifesting before Nine Nether Ao.

It was a cauldron.

A Phoenix Blood Dragon Pattern Cauldron filled with boiling thunderbolts.

"This object was obtained from the Outer Heaven Universe, an Extreme Sacred Weapon, albeit not as inherently suitable for the Destiny Dynasty as the Celestial Measuring Ruler, it is still sufficient as a National Treasure for the Celestial Court," Venerable Emperor Chong’en said lightly.

"Thank you, Saint, thank you!!"

Looking at the Phoenix Blood Dragon Pattern Cauldron exuding unparalleled power before him, Nine Nether Ao’s heart was filled with extreme joy, repeatedly bowing toward the depths of the universe, like a loyal servant!

In the past, equal in status, now showing deference, Venerable Emperor Chong’en sighed slightly, though his expression remained mostly unchanged, he said faintly, "All right, go prepare for ascension."

Nine Nether Ao excitedly responded, "At your command!"

Once he departed,

The Star Realm fell silent once more.

Venerable Emperor Chong’en turned his gaze toward the Daoist Celestial Court, a cold smile curling at his lips.

"The end of Daoism is near."

...

...

Buzz!

Daoist Celestial Court.

In a secluded Little World unknown to others, Lin Heng once again tested his control over this place.

Accompanied by the roar of the Great Dao.

Lin Heng used the rules of this place with increasing ease.

Ten years.

In these ten years.

He diligently refined this Little World and inscribed his Dao and the rules he mastered upon it.

Now, exaggeratedly speaking, he could almost be called the ’Heavenly Dao’ of this world!

"It should begin."

Having prepared everything, Lin Heng’s gaze became resolute, he no longer hesitated and stepped out of this Little World.

Upon emerging at the Forbidden Palace, he flashed a figure and went to the Celestial Palace of Discussion in the Twenty-Seventh Heaven.

Many matters.

Needed to be arranged.

However, before he summoned the Immortals, an unusual aura suddenly emanated from the distance beyond the Celestial Court.

Hmm?

Lin Heng slightly raised an eyebrow and stepped outside the Celestial Palace.

At that time,

The Immortals of the Celestial Court had all gathered above the sea of clouds, discussing among themselves.

Shen Gongbao was the first to notice Lin Heng and hurried over: "Daoist Lord, when did you finish your retreat?"

Hearing this, the other Immortals also came over one after another.

For the past ten years, Lin Heng had used closed-door meditation as a reason, always constructing his Little World.

The Immortals had not seen the Daoist Lord in ten years.

Of course, ten years was nothing to the Immortals present, as indeed to Tianpeng, taking a nap at home meant a year’s cycle of flourishing and withering.

"Just finished."

"Over there, are they preparing for ascension?"

Lin Heng asked, his gaze spanning across countless continents, directly observing the realm outside the Celestial Court.

The Immortals sighed in response.

"Indeed." Shen Gongbao sighed, "It’s the Celestial Dao Sacred Court. Nine Nether Ao has already obtained the National Treasure, and for months, they have been arranging the Fortune Array of the Celestial Court, preparing for ascension."

Upon hearing this, Lin Heng’s eyes deepened slightly.

Nine Nether Ao’s Celestial Dao Sacred Court, its territorial size was but a few dozen continents, the fact that they could conduct an ascension with this size was indicative that during these ten years, countless beings had left the Celestial Court to join them.

"Daoist Lord, they’re doing this in preparation for the centennial period."

"When the centennial period arrives, the Celestial Court Level national war will begin..." Shen Gongbao expressed deep concern.

National wars do not affect karma, hence throughout history, the destruction of Celestial Courts, besides inciting internal strife, frequently involves forces of the same rank eroding each other’s fortunes.

Just like the three-clan war of Dragons, Phoenixes, and Qilins.

Or the Divine Enthronement war between Shang and Zhou.

And now, Venerable Emperor Chong’en clearly intended to support the Celestial Dao Sacred Court to offset the karma of all beings.

While he only needed to bear the karma of the Lord of Heaven alone.