Don't let Yu Ding take on any more disciples.

Chapter 458 Burning Lamp: Destroy it! I'm tired!
Suddenly, the Taoist Ran Deng let out a furious roar, his whole body radiating light, and a rain of light filled the sky as he pointed at the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda.

In an instant, countless laws of heaven and earth transformed into tangible chains, as if cast from divine metal, binding the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda.

"If we don't seize this opportunity now, when will we?"

With a loud shout, the countless chains of divine laws landed on the golden pagoda and disappeared. Instantly, the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda dimmed, its divine power diminished, and finally lost all its light, shrinking to the size of a palm before falling to the ground.

"The Seven-Jeweled Exquisite Pagoda?!"

Li Jing was shocked. He and the Seven Treasures Pagoda were originally connected, but at this moment, this connection was forcibly severed by an irresistible force.

"The villain!"

With a gloomy face, Ran Deng snorted coldly and pointed at Li Jing again, unleashing divine power from his fingertip.

In an instant, Li Jing was struck as if by lightning, spitting out a mouthful of blood. The Bifang demon god fire around him subsided, and many wounds appeared all over his body. His hair was disheveled, and he staggered backward, his breath weakening. His injuries were serious.

But he couldn't care less about anything else and immediately cried out, "Bifang, how are you?!"

Inside him, the Bifang that had been lending him power coughed up blood after this attack, its body cracking and glowing fissures appearing, as if each cough would shatter it.

Li Jing was truly anxious this time.

While Li Jing's success today cannot be attributed entirely to his own hard work, Bi Fang played a crucial role.

The attack that Ran Deng just made was clearly aimed at Bi Fang, and at this moment, Bi Fang is in a worse condition than him.

"Cough cough, I won't die... I won't die."

Bi Fang raised his hand to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth, but immediately coughed up more blood. He sighed, "I, Bi Fang, roamed the primordial world, never imagining my end would be like this... but..."

His eyes blazed, and he laughed heartily, "I've also torn off the last fig leaf of the Heavenly Court, and we haven't lost. We won't be the last group to challenge the Heavenly Court; many more will follow in our footsteps in the future."

I really look forward to the day when Heaven is challenged again and again, until it is overthrown by future generations, hahaha…

"We haven't lost yet..." Li Jing couldn't quite understand Bi Fang's optimism.

"What use is there in keeping a disciple who deceives his master and a possession that betrays his master?"

Burning Lamp stared at the palm-sized golden pagoda on the ground, his eyes cold and sharp, causing the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda to tremble.

"No!" Li Jing roared in despair.

But the next moment, with a loud bang, the Seven Treasures Exquisite Golden Pagoda shattered into hundreds of fragments.

With the destruction of the Seven Treasures Pagoda, the heavenly soldiers and generals who had been trapped inside were released, and instantly, a huge crowd filled the space, a veritable sea of ​​people.

Some people couldn't fit anymore and ended up standing in a sea of ​​people.

One hundred thousand people?
One million people?
Anyway, no one can count them right now.

As for the scene... you can imagine that nearly 70-80% of the Heavenly Court's forces are crammed here.

Venus quickly stepped forward to maintain order and evacuate people.

The scene of the lamp directly shattering the Seven Treasures Pagoda surprised Taiyi, Manjushri, Samantabhadra, Huanglong and others.

The precious treasure was blown up; none of them expected this move.

Is this a sign that he's cutting ties with Li Jing...? The group couldn't help but think, abandoning his disciple to save his master, this teacher is truly decisive, showing no regard for the bond between master and disciple whatsoever.

"Yu Ding, it seems Master Ran Deng is about to make a move against Li Jing. Should we... Yu Ding?"

When Taiyi saw that Randeng was staring at Li Jing again, he couldn't help but ask, but he received no response.

The group looked over in surprise and saw that the spot where Yu Ding had been standing was now empty.

"Where is he?" The group looked at each other, searching around.

"there!"

Manjushri, the Heavenly Venerable of Vast Dharma, suddenly pointed in a direction with a strange expression.

As the group looked over, they saw Yu Ding's figure flickering, sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right, sometimes up, and sometimes down, collecting the shattered fragments of the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda one by one.

Everyone: ヽ(｀Д)︵┻━┻

Taiyi gritted his teeth: "No way, what time is it? You still have time to pick up magic weapon fragments?"

Is it because your apprentice ran away that you're no longer responsible, so you feel relieved?

That little dragon cub is so disloyal; he didn't even call my Nezha when he ran away.

Huang Long said in frustration, "Damn it, he beat me to it again."

Taiyi, Manjushri, Samantabhadra: ∑(Дノ)ノ Hmm?

"do not want!"

Suddenly, Jinzha, Muzha, and Nezha, who had been subdued by their own master, let out a heart-wrenching scream.

However, after Ran Deng destroyed the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda, he turned his gaze to Li Jing, his already unpleasant expression becoming even more unpredictable, and finally walked towards Li Jing.

"Children, your father is useless and has dragged you down with him."

Li Jing smiled with a complicated expression and said, "If there is a next life, we will still be father and son."

At this moment, Ran Deng had already walked up to him, his expression indifferent: "Li Jing, do you know your mistake?"

"This disciple still does not know, what mistake have I made?"

"Then is there anything else you want to say?"

"Of course I have something to say."

Li Jing said, "My hometown was caught up in the struggle between the gods and the demons. My family was destroyed and I was left all alone. Afterwards, the Heavenly Court did nothing. Do you think they were wrong?"

Burning Lamp remained silent, while Taiyi, Manjushri, and the others also pondered.

Li Jing said loudly, "A twelve or thirteen-year-old boy, all alone, walked out of the mountains full of wolves, insects, tigers, leopards, ferocious birds and beasts. Do you know how he got through those days? Do you know?"

Beside them, Venus, who was directing the flow of traffic, and a group of heavenly soldiers and generals looked over.

"No, you don't understand. You are high and mighty gods. How could you care about the life or death of an ant?"

Li Jing smiled sadly: "Later, I was fortunate enough to meet my mentor. After that, I married and had children. I just wanted to live a peaceful life with my wife and children. I no longer wanted an explanation, and I never went to cause trouble for the Heavenly Court. However, I will never allow you to repeat the past in front of me again."

Li Jing coldly looked at the group of heavenly soldiers and generals: "Remember, it's not that I won't let you go, it's that you won't let me go. Since you won't change, then I'll teach you to recognize one thing: human life is not as insignificant as ants or weeds."

The gods and celestial soldiers had complex expressions.

Some were angry after hearing it, some remained silent, and some pondered in silence.

Li Jing said loudly, "I understand. Some things can only be achieved through struggle. Silence cannot change anything. I will die today, but if you do not change, someone else will come and tell you about this in the future."

Ran Deng said coldly, "Have you finished speaking?"

Li Jing looked up at Ran Deng, shook his head and smiled, "A master doesn't know his disciple, and a disciple doesn't understand his master. It seems that you and I are not suitable to be master and disciple."

Ran Deng raised his hand and said angrily, "Stubborn and unrepentant, Venus! Today I will expel this wretched child from my sect. From now on, any punishment shall be decided according to the Heavenly Laws. You need not worry about me anymore."

If it weren't for the fact that Li Jing was destined by heaven and that handing it over to the Heavenly Court would prove he was unaware of the matter, he would have really wanted to kill this guy.

But honestly, he regretted taking on this apprentice so much.

Venus cupped his hands in greeting, then waved his hand, and immediately two divine generals stepped forward to escort Li Jing away.

"Father?!"

Seeing this, Sanzha was furious and struggled desperately, but he couldn't break free from the glowing ropes binding him.

"Gentlemen, hold your fire!"

Suddenly a voice came.

Everyone turned around and saw a lucky cloud drifting by, with two figures on it.

"It's Grand Master Xuandu, and that one is..."

Taiyi and the others looked at the young Taoist with white hair and a youthful face beside Xuandu and couldn't help but exchange bewildered glances.

At this moment, Yu Ding flashed back to his original position and said softly, "You all know that person, you've met him before, Fellow Daoist Taixu!"

"Is he the Grandmaster Taixu?"

Taiyi and the others were all taken aback: "How did he become like this?"

In the past, Master Taixu always appeared as an old Taoist priest.

When this young Taoist priest with silver hair and a youthful face appeared before them, they didn't recognize him at all.

"I'm sorry, everyone, my master asked me to handle this matter, so I'm a little late."

Grand Master Xuandu stepped forward and exchanged greetings with the people from the Heavenly Court and Randeng and others from Yuxu Palace.

It wasn't just slow, it was very slow... Everyone who heard him couldn't help but twitch at the corner of their mouth.

The Sage Taiqing sent you to handle this matter, why didn't you wait until the Lingxiao Palace was demolished before coming?
Master Taixu stared at Li Jing, who looked relieved and delighted after speaking his mind, with a complex expression in his eyes.

No one understands better than him how heavy the burden Li Jing has carried over the years has been.

Li Jing looked up and saw a strange white-haired Taoist priest staring at him with a peculiar gaze, which surprised him.

"Bifang, don't you feel that immortal... looks a little familiar?" Li Jing asked in his heart. Bifang lay flat and waved his hand, saying, "Who cares, I'm tired."

"Great Immortal Ran Deng, I have a question I would like to ask you."

Taixu took a deep breath and looked at Randeng: "How come the obedient and well-behaved disciple I taught has become a traitor to his master and ancestors in your hands?"

“You are…” Ran Deng’s expression suddenly changed.

Grand Master Xuandu smiled and said, "Everyone, let me introduce you. That is my junior brother, the last disciple of our master, whose Daoist name is Taixu."

Ran Deng exclaimed in surprise, "It's you!"

Because Manjushri Bodhisattva encountered obstacles in accepting disciples and asked him to come forward, he had a meeting with the Taoist Taixu once.

But when he saw him again today, the other person had changed completely, and his temperament and aura were also completely different from before, so he didn't recognize him at first glance.

And... isn't this Taixu the incarnation of our own Jade Void Sect Master? How did he become his senior brother's disciple?
Was I overthinking things that time?

"Master?" Li Jing's pupils contracted, and he murmured in disbelief.

At this moment, he has committed such a terrible crime, yet this master publicly acknowledges the relationship and speaks up for him.

Upon comparison, the difference in skill between the two masters was immediately apparent.

Upon realizing this, Li Jing's eyes reddened, and tears streamed down the face of this man in his forties.

"A true man stands tall and upright. You weren't afraid to cause trouble in the Heavenly Court, so why are you crying now?" Taixu scolded, but his eyes were filled with concern.

Li Jing could only nod repeatedly, unable to speak.

Randeng angrily said, "Taixu, look at the trouble your disciple has caused the Heavenly Court and me."

Taixu sneered: "What, trying to shirk responsibility? You chose your own disciple, you gave him your own treasure, and now you know you're in trouble? I'll give you three words: You deserve it."

Grand Master Xuandu glanced around at the Heavenly Palace, which was ninety percent destroyed, and the overcrowded place.
Even he was deeply surprised along the way, thinking to himself that this junior brother was a real talent.

Putting everything else aside, in terms of teaching disciples, he is no less than Yu Ding of Yuxu Palace. He didn't make a mistake in recruiting this junior brother!

Ran Deng roared angrily, "You're the one who taught me that skill! Don't you acknowledge that?"

Taixu nodded readily and said, "I admit it!"

"Alright, let's split the responsibility 50/50."

Ran Deng was secretly delighted, but he said with a stern face.

Taixu looked at him in surprise: "I only taught him some Five Elements Immortal Techniques and Escape Techniques, and you expect me to take half the responsibility?"

He said leisurely, "I will only take 20% of the responsibility."

Randeng gritted his teeth and said, "Then what about the Bifang inside his body? Don't tell me you don't know, it's at least 40% there."

Taixu Laoshen said calmly, "It wasn't me who caught it. Don't look at me like that. I swear, I'll only take 20% responsibility."

Upon hearing the inquiry into Bi Fang's origins, Huang Long and Taiyi couldn't help but glance guiltily at Yu Ding Zhenren.

The leader was Yu Ding, the bird was caught by several of them together, and the seal was also bestowed by Yu Ding.

As a result, Bifang eventually escaped.

Yu Ding explained that at that time his cultivation had not recovered much, making it difficult to complete complex sealing formations, so...

Damn jade cauldron!
They can't even do such a small thing properly and in a sloppy way.

"Please don't argue, gentlemen. I have a suggestion for you both."

Huanglong glared at Yu Ding and cautiously probed, "I think it would be better if Master Randeng took 70%, Fellow Daoist Taixu took 20%, and Yu Ding and I took 10% together. Please don't let this hurt our harmony."

Huh... Ran Deng originally thought Huang Long was going to take sides, but unexpectedly, Huang Long and Yu Ding, who had no responsibility, took the initiative to take responsibility.

Yu Ding feigned reluctance and said, "Are you crazy? We have no responsibility, so why should we take responsibility? If you want to take responsibility, you take it. I'm not taking it."

Taiyi stared intently at Yuding and said, "Junior Brother Yuding, I think you should take the blame!"

Manjushri and Samantabhadra exchanged a glance and smiled.

They don't know anything about Bi Fang, but since you, Yu Ding, are here, isn't it a bit unsociable of you to try to stay out of it?

Manjushri, the Heavenly Venerable of Vast Dharma, said kindly, “To be fair, I think Brother Huanglong’s suggestion is very good. You see, we shouldn’t let such a small matter ruin our harmony.”

Master Puxian also forced a smile and said, "Aren't you trying to coerce Junior Brother Yuding with your words? Junior Brother, don't listen to them. You always consider the big picture, and I trust your choice."

Jade tripod: (σ-`д)
What a bunch of bastards! They're just trying to make sure I'm not doing anything!

Thus, the division of responsibilities for Li Jing was decided in a pleasant atmosphere.

As for the three Zha, Taiyi Zhenren, Manjushri Guangfa Tianzun, and Puxian Zhenren, as their masters, have an inescapable responsibility.

"Ahem, has everyone finished discussing?"

Grand Master Xuandu glanced at the crowd and smiled, "I have brought my master's decree. Why don't you all listen to it?"

By this time, the heavenly soldiers had mostly dispersed.

Immediately, everyone from Jade Void Palace, along with Venus and a host of divine generals from Heaven, bowed and faced the direction of Grand Master Xuandu.

Xuandu nodded and took out a scroll, saying: "By order of the Supreme Celestial Venerable of the Great Purity, the Heavenly Court failed to investigate and acted improperly, disregarding human life. Therefore, this calamity is not caused by human error, but is truly self-inflicted."

Now, considering Heaven's benevolence towards life, I hereby bestow upon Li Jing the title of Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, commanding 100,000 troops of the Heavenly Court, assisting the Golden Palace in subduing demons, aiding the Heavenly Emperor in eliminating evil spirits, maintaining military discipline, protecting the sacred scriptures, and patrolling the Three Realms. You shall obey!"

After the decree was read, countless astonished gazes, including those of Taiyi Randeng, turned to Li Jing.

Even the two generals who were holding Li Jing captive, as well as Li Jing himself who was being escorted, were stunned.

No, what is that?

Li Jing and his sons practically demolished the Heavenly Court, injuring and capturing some of them, and in the end, they not only didn't punish them, but also bestowed upon them the title of Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, commanding the Heavenly Court's troops, and assisting the Heavenly Emperor.

Venus was the first to exclaim with delight, "What are you all standing there for? Quickly untie Li Tianwang!"

Li Jing's abilities are beyond question; they have all witnessed and experienced them firsthand, and it's unlikely anyone would disagree.

If this person were to become a member of the Heavenly Court, the strength of the Heavenly Court would definitely rise to another level.

"Wait a moment!"

Huanglong suddenly muttered, "He was bestowed the title of Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King... but what about the pagoda?"

Swish!
Upon hearing this, everyone who had witnessed Randeng destroying the Seven Treasures Pagoda turned to look at him with strange expressions.

I told you to be quick with your men, now you're in trouble!

The Taoist Ran Deng looked at the Grand Master Xuan Du in bewilderment.

I shattered the tower, and you came. Well, you came, bringing with you a decree to be bestowed the title of Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King.

No, if you, Xuandu, had been just two steps faster, just two steps, the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda wouldn't have shattered.

"The pagoda is here."

Holding a pile of pagoda fragments, Yu Ding sighed, "I've retrieved them, but it's a pity. Master Ran Deng, why did you smash this treasure?"

Ran Deng Taoist: ヽ(ー_ー)ノ,

Seeing that his apprentice had caused too much trouble, he severed ties with him, ending their master-disciple relationship, and the apprentice was granted a pardon!

Okay, he shattered the Linglong Pagoda that betrayed its master, and as a result, the Supreme Saint of Taiqing bestowed upon him the title of Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King instead.

Destroy it! I'm tired!

Grand Master Xuandu received the decree and handed it to Taibai, saying, "I trouble you, Immortal Elder, to deliver it to the White Emperor. In addition, my master also said that although Li Jing's death sentence can be waived, the losses he caused to the Heavenly Court cannot be avoided and must be compensated. Who will go and coordinate with the Heavenly Court to calculate the losses?"

Venus received the decree and looked at the people of Jade Void Palace.

Taiyi, Huanglong, Manjushri, and Puxian took a step back in unison without exchanging any words, handing over the jade cauldron.

"Yu Ding is most familiar with this matter, let him go!"

Master Yu Ding's face darkened.

He sensed the deep malice from his fellow disciples.

Venus's eyes lit up and he quickly stepped forward, saying happily, "This humble god also had the same idea. Immortal, please."

Yu Ding nodded and was about to leave when Taibai Jinxing cupped his hands and smiled, "The losses will be calculated by my Heavenly Court and Immortal Yu Ding. Next, please ask the great immortals to restore our Heavenly Palace and Treasure Hall to their original state. Thank you for your trouble!"

Unlike the previous times, Venus became cheerful when he learned that Li Jing had been granted amnesty and bestowed the title of Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King.

Finally, he finally saw hope in Heaven!
With this person guarding the Heavenly Court, he felt at ease.

Yu Ding said in a serious tone, "Then I will trouble you senior brothers to repair the Heavenly Court. This time, we must do our best. I also ask Senior Brother Xuandu to keep an eye on the quality."

Three more members joined the Jade Void Palace construction team.

He successfully transformed from a small-scale contractor working alongside others into a foreman, no longer needing to do the work himself. The journey has been quite arduous and challenging.

As for the problem of Li Jing (the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King) not having a pagoda... let Randeng (the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King), who enjoys the temporary pleasure of collapsing the pagoda, figure out a solution.

Besides, the jade tripod he possessed was also a damaged tower; otherwise, giving the Haotian Tower to Li Jing could have created a version of the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King.

Grand Master Xuandu had a good impression of the jade cauldron and smiled, saying, "It is my duty!"