Yellow Court Daoist-Chapter 793 - 713: The Daoist’s Ambition is Above Officialdom, Battling Fierce Generals in the Spirit Xiao Palace!

Heavenly Observation Marshal and Flame God General are both shocked, but let's not dwell on that.

Lu Qingfeng followed Sa Heavenly Master directly to the South Heavenly Gate.

Passing through Tongming Hall.

After a brief wait, an immortal official loudly announced, "Summon Qingjing Daoist from the Lower Realm to ascend the palace."

Arriving above the Spirit Xiao Palace.

The sight was—

Golden nails studded the jade doors, colorful phoenixes danced over the vermilion gates.

The corridors looped around, delicate and translucent everywhere; triple eaves and quadruple clusters, dragons and phoenixes soared layer upon layer. Above was a massive, purple, bright, round, shining golden gourd top; below, Heavenly Consort gracefully wielded a folding fan, Jade Girl held an immortal scarf. Fiercely, a Heavenly General commanding; proudly, an immortal minister guarding.

Lu Qingfeng gazed eagerly.

The grand Spirit Xiao Palace, boundless as the sky, where stars flickered, the Jade Emperor seated loftily, beneath him immortal ministers and Divine Generals stood prominently, all deeply cultivated beings.

Before going to the Marshal Mansion, Lu Qingfeng had left his General Seal and Magic Sword at the General Mansion, fearing that in the presence of Heavenly Observation Marshal, due to Divine Position, he would have to act humbly as a lesser in front of a Golden Immortal with superior Dao ability.

Thus.

This ascent to heaven, though not suppressed by his identity, meant he recognized barely any of the divine generals.

He only knew that the emperor seated at the top must undoubtedly be the Jade Emperor.

Indeed.

As soon as he steadied his stance.

A majestic voice resounded throughout Spirit Xiao Palace—

"Is the one who has come Qingjing Daoist from Yellow Wind Ridge?"

The Jade Emperor spoke from high above, silencing the grand hall instantly; on the high platform, invisible restrictions piled on, yet from the voice alone, Lu Qingfeng couldn't determine the Jade Emperor's cultivation, feeling only a profound and unfathomable sense sweeping over him.

In fact.

Not only the Jade Emperor.

All the divine generals and immortal ministers above this palace were equally inscrutable.

Lu Qingfeng, without turning his eyes, bowed deeply to the Jade Emperor, loudly declaring, "Indeed, it is I!"

As a Golden Immortal.

No reverence to heaven above, no kneeling to the earth below, on par with heaven and earth, that is the highest honor.

Even when meeting the Jade Emperor, a mere bow and salute sufficed as the grandest courtesy. Hence, no one in the palace rebuked Lu Qingfeng.

Lu Qingfeng stood in the palace.

Vaguely feeling the gaze of the Jade Emperor looking down upon him, he stood at ease. Mana circulated within him; he pushed the Inverted Void Glazed Glass Wall to its limit, masking all causes and karmic ties. He also secretly used a third of the subtlety of the Invisibility Technique to hide his true strength.

Both were Supreme Great Divine Powers.

Even the Jade Emperor, for a moment, could not discern his abilities with mere eyes.

As expected.

After a short while.

That faintly discernible gaze disappeared.

A voice from above commanded, "Qingjing Daoist's Divine Skills are extraordinary, deeply compassionate and loyal, Heaven uniquely needs such talent now—does any minister have suggestions?"

All the generals and immortal ministers glanced at each other, unsure of the Daoist's abilities and the Emperor's intentions.

It was the Sa Heavenly Master who had brought Lu Qingfeng who stepped forward, loudly proposing, "Your Majesty, there are still five hundred vacancies in the Spiritual Official Hall; perhaps let Qingjing Daoist serve there, and spare Wang Lingguan the trouble of being short-handed!"

The celestial officials were protectors and overseers, managing the heavens and inspecting the human world, punishing all those who violate laws or defy filial piety.

Powerful.

Yet, in terms of reverence, quite ordinary.

Even the presiding Wang Lingguan of the five hundred celestial officials, only an assistant under You Sheng Zhenjun, one of the North Pole Four Saints.

If Lu Qingfeng were to become a celestial official, his position would be under Wang Lingguan, subjected to his governance.

And it was well-known—

Wang Lingguan was the favored disciple of Sa Heavenly Master, one of the Four Great Celestial Masters in Tongming Hall.

In this regard.

Lu Qingfeng would then be under the control of Sa Heavenly Master, to be manipulated at will.

He came to the Heavenly Court to avoid disaster, not to invite trouble. Moreover, if he served in the Spiritual Official Hall, should the Buddhist Sect seek trouble in the future, it was feared Wang Lingguan would not fully protect him following his master's orders.

How could Lu Qingfeng accept this?

"Improper."

"Improper."

Lu Qingfeng shook his head, stating, "I possess Great Divine Power, how can a mere Wang Lingguan outrank me?!"

He was not like the initially ignorant Monkey King, who ascended to Heaven and accepted the post of Horses' Fortune without knowing its significance.

Misled by appearances.

Having held a position in the Thunder Department before, Lu Qingfeng was well aware of the various Divine Positions in the Heavenly Court.

He would not be fooled.

"What audacity!"

Sa Heavenly Master, seeing Lu Qingfeng personally object and belittle his disciple, immediately scolded, loudly declaring, "Previously you were but a lesser Divine General, now suddenly promoted to a celestial official, that's already His Majesty's grace, how dare you bargain further?!"

Lu Qingfeng chuckled, retorting to Sa Heavenly Master, "When the True Man invited me to ascend to heaven, it wasn't with such a face."

Upon these words.

"How insolent!"

Sa Heavenly Master's face drastically changed.

Just as he was about to rebut, he heard Ge Xianweng beside him proposing, "Your Majesty, since Qingjing Daoist claims his Divine Skills are no less than Wang Lingguan's, why not summon General Wang to perform here in the palace, to settle their prowess and let us witness the Daoist's true capabilities."

Sa Heavenly Master, harboring dark thoughts, stayed silent.

The Jade Emperor, hearing this, praised, "Good idea. Quickly summon Wang Lingguan to appear."

Lu Qingfeng, eyes on his nose and mind in focus, ignored the scrutinizing gazes of the immortal ministers around him, remaining motionless.

Silently waiting.

Soon.

A great general approached from outside the palace.

Dressed in Golden Armor wielding a Golden Whip, with golden eyes and red hair, a phoenix mouth and silver teeth immensely majestic, none other than the 'Dutian Inspector, Three Realms Selfless Fierce General', head of the Spiritual Official Hall, is Wang Lingguan!

This general ascended the steps.

First bowed to the Jade Emperor, then to his mentor, and afterward greeted the immortal ministers and Divine Generals.

Then stood solemnly.

Upon the Jade Emperor's signal, Sa Heavenly Master took the order, commanding, "General Wang, Qingjing Daoist is unwilling to join your Spiritual Official Hall, claiming his Divine Skills match yours, please do your utmost to experience the Daoist's superior moves."

"Yes!"

Wang Lingguan thunderously took the command, and said to Lu Qingfeng, "Forgive the offense."

Then the Golden Whip in his hand came smashing down towards Lu Qingfeng's forehead.

It was mentioned as an apology, yet the strike was executed without a hint of mercy.

"Good timing!"

Lu Qingfeng, fearless, lifted his Quiet Bamboo Cane to meet the Golden Whip. Secretly arrayed within were twelve Iron-Backed Centipedes that formed the Twelve Heavenly Godslayer Great Array, enhancing the cane with immense power and instantly blocking the whip.

The strike was ineffective.

Wang Lingguan, undeterred and unpanicked, stepped forward to continue the offensive.

Lu Qingfeng, holding the Quiet Bamboo Cane, sensed the scattered Iron-Backed Centipedes within the cane and a faint, nearly imperceptible crack.

His palm was tingling.

He shook his head secretly: "Though my cane, refined into a Third-rank Immortal Artifact with Divine Skills and array support, is as powerful as common Spiritual Treasures, it's still somewhat inferior to Golden Immortal Magic Artifacts."

His cultivation was not deep, and he possessed no powerful treasures.

This was a disadvantage.

Watching the clash from the hall, the assembled Immortal Officials and Divine Generals saw much.

In just one exchange, they could tell that this Daoist was truly skilled and not boastful, though he was at a major disadvantage due to an inferior weapon.

This way, defeat seemed imminent.

Knowing his own disadvantage, Lu Qingfeng didn't hold back. Holding his cane, he laughed and said, "General Wang's Golden Whip is fierce; forgive the offense!"

He then raised his cane as if to resist, but secretly summoned the Five-Colored Divine Light. A Golden Light surged behind him, brushing away the incoming Golden Whip with a fierce swipe.

Wang Lingguan was caught off guard.

In that moment of panic, Lu Qingfeng activated the Quiet Bamboo Stick, arranging the twelve Iron-Backed Centipedes and secretly employed the 'Six Roots Purification Method' and 'Qingjing Heavenly Fire,' two powerful Divine Skills.

These Divine Skills, originating from the same source as the Quiet Bamboo Cane, were executed effortlessly.

The cane came smashing down—Boom!

Instantly, Wang Lingguan toppled over, his vermilion hair scattering about, appearing somewhat disheveled.

"Amazing Daoist!"

"Truly Divine Skill!"

Those in the hall were shocked, with some insightful ones recognizing the origins of that divine light, secretly astounded.

In one strike, success.

But this Dutian Great Spirit Officer was also a Daoist of Golden Immortal standing, and though struck, he was unharmed.

"Again!"

He reached out for a Divine Sword and slashed towards Lu Qingfeng.

Wang Lingguan was impressive.

Conducting himself with a fiery, aggressive stance, as if to pierce mountains and capture spirits.

His next assault, the Divine Sword enveloped in wind and fire, aimed to split Lu Qingfeng in two.

Seeing the Divine Sword as formidable as the Golden Whip, Lu Qingfeng dared not resist directly, quickly summoning dual-colored Divine Lights, and with a swish, took away the Divine Sword.

"Take this!"

He swung his cane again—Boom!

Another hard fall.

This time, Lu Qingfeng didn't give Wang Lingguan a moment to react, pressing on with relentless strikes.

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

He beat him back repeatedly. Qingjing Heavenly Fire surged out, scorching Wang Lingguan's vermilion hair black, leaving his face blotched with black and blue.

Utterly disheveled.

Yet Wang Lingguan was a seasoned Heavenly General, drawing a Red Tassel Spear to engage Lu Qingfeng.

Within two moves, it was again taken by Lu Qingfeng.

This time.

Seizing the chance, Wang Lingguan used his Eyes of Golden Flame to see the intricacies and immediately recognized it: "It's the Five-Colored Divine Light!"

This was indeed shocking.

With such Divine Skills, no wonder he managed to take away his three weapons continually. Continuing this fight weaponless was indeed challenging.

In a thought.

He dared not retrieve a weapon, resorting to using his fists to parry, exchanging numerous blows.

Wang Lingguan, weaponless, cunningly used Divine Skills, but when it came to Divine Skills—

Lu Qingfeng was not inferior to anyone!

No matter what Divine Skills Wang Lingguan employed,

Lu Qingfeng had a countermeasure, completely overwhelming him.

Golden Immortal combat.

Intricacies not visible to the common eye, even the Immortal Officials and Divine Generals in the hall could only see Wang Lingguan continuously losing his weapons to the Yellow Wind Ridge Demon Immortal, retreating in utter disarray.

Clearly outmatched.

"Five-Colored Divine Light!"

Sa Heavenly Master looked uneasy but recognized the superiority, unwilling to let his disciple be humiliated, immediately shouted, "Since the superior and inferior are distinguished, both of you please halt!"

Wang Lingguan was waiting for these words.

At the sound of it.

He instantly leaped out of the fray, ceasing to fight with Lu Qingfeng.

Stopping to look, they saw Wang Lingguan's face swollen, his head sporting several large lumps, the pain making him grimace uncontrollably.

Yet he forcibly faced the supreme Jade Emperor and bowed, saying: "Qingjing Daoist's Divine Skill is formidable; this general is thoroughly convinced!"