Wet viviparity

Chapter 834 Jade Platform, On Expanding Territory

The golden wheel pierces the clouds, its fiery glow stretching for ten thousand miles.

The Pleiades Star Lord, stepping on bursts of golden flames, gracefully descended from the Eastern Heavenly Gate, traversing the spiritual realm tens of thousands of feet above.

Here, the clouds are like a vast sea, boundless and empty.

The Pleiades Star Lord traveled slowly and steadily through the upper realm, accompanied by clear light. Before long, he arrived at the center of a solitary hundred-acre sea of ​​clouds, where a jade platform stood suspended, which was the location of a key point in the Heavenly Palace.

Descending the long steps and ascending, one sees a flat, wide platform, like a mirror yet not quite, reflecting the constellations.

There were no palaces or pavilions around the platform, only thousands of auspicious clouds forming a flowing canopy, their colors shimmering, swaying silently in the gentle breeze.

At this moment, graceful figures of immortals stood on the east and west sides of the jade platform.

Auspicious clouds drifted in the east, where several Taoist priests sat upright. Some had white hair and youthful faces, their eyes reflecting the vastness of the sea; others wore plain silk robes and held jade whisks. Each of them exuded a pure and harmonious aura. They were none other than the patriarchs and immortals of Taiping Mountain. Their bodies were surrounded by pure energy, blending seamlessly with the jade platform, almost inseparable.

The female immortal who held her hand in a mudra and had her whisk draped over her arm was recognized by the Pleiades Star Lord. She was none other than the Qingnang Fairy, who had shone brightly during the Dingxian Tour at the end of the Tianzhou era.

The one leading in the east was not tall, and sat sideways on a round, purple-blue rock ball. He had a long beard, a black face, and wore a black robe with a silk sash. The faint aura he exuded made Pleiades Star Lord know that he was already among the celestial beings.

"Fellow Daoist Wu Ling!"

Pleiades Star Lord began.

The Taiping Mountain Wuling Ancestor also returned the greeting.

The scenery and climate on the west side are quite different.

There, thunderclouds formed a mat, and mysterious light rose and fell. At the head was a demon god, with a majestic figure, wearing a dark robe. On the robe, one could vaguely see the surging water and the shadows of giant beasts lurking. This was none other than the Lord of Rain Boar.

Its face was like bronze, its mouth was slightly open, and its fangs were faintly visible. Although it tried its best to restrain its fierce aura, its eyes flashed like lightning when they opened and closed, and faintly conveyed the sound of a flood, which greatly ruined the peaceful atmosphere of the immortals on this platform.

Beside the Rain Pig God stood an immortal, Chen Yuanjun of the Thunder Department's Cloud-Walking Division. He had a blue face and a long beard, and wore a dignified divine robe with thunder patterns embroidered on the collar. His eyes were sharp as needles as he scanned the unexpectedly visiting Pleiades Star Lord.

The other immortals on the west side are mostly hidden and their appearances are difficult to discern.

The star official walked with ease to the jade platform, his red robe fluttering slightly and his necklace jingling softly.

His gaze was clear as he looked directly at the immortals on the platform and said in a loud voice, "I have come here on the invitation of Fellow Daoist Lingxu to refine and consecrate a treasure for the Southern Fire Frontier. I ask that you all do me a favor and allow me to pass through this frontier."

The Qingnang Patriarch of Taiping Mountain pointed lightly with his jade whisk and nodded, saying, "Star Official, you have come from afar with great difficulty, and your integrity is evident. This young man Lingxu is refining treasures for the sake of the common people of Tiannan, which is also a matter of preordained cause and effect. It is only right that you be allowed to pass."

Before the words were finished, a cold snort came from the west side.

Beside the Rain Pig God, a suspended pearl trembled slightly, rippling outwards.

The immortal who had transformed into a precious pearl and whose form remained hidden said, "The Southern Fire Frontier is a domain jointly established by the three families, and its blockade is an ironclad rule."

"Pleiades Star Lord, you are in charge of dawn and sunrise, your duty is in the east. You should be confined to the innate, coiled divine tree. Why have you entangled yourself in this mortal tribulation? That brat Lingxu is refining a treasure, a weapon specifically for killing. Isn't your action merely adding to your karmic burden?!"

Chen Yuanjun immediately replied, his voice cold and hard, "As a star official, you are bound by your duties and should know that the laws of heaven are strict."

The sealing of these three borders is in accordance with celestial will and aligns with the impending calamity. If the borders are opened lightly, causing an imbalance of energy and encompassing the mortals of the Southern Wilderness, leading to widespread suffering and devastation, can the Star Officials bear the consequences?

The star official's expression remained unchanged, and a faint light shone behind his head, like the rising sun, dispelling the invisible, cold pressure around him.

His gaze swept over Yu Zhi and Chen Yuanjun, and he said calmly, "The treasure refined by Lingxu is a treasure that satisfies all desires. No treasure in the world is more auspicious and lucky than this one. How could it cause me to create karmic obstacles?"

Furthermore, I've already made a bet with him, and I accept my defeat. Right now, I only seek to fulfill my responsibility of consecrating the artifact, without inquiring about its uses or the karmic consequences, heavenly laws, or tribulations involved.”

He paused slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "On the jade platform, you all gathered to discuss this very matter. The sealing of the territory is intended to protect life. I, the Star Official, entered only to complete the final touch; once the treasure is finished, I will leave without disturbing worldly affairs. If, due to my absence, the magic treasure refined by Ling Xuzi is flawed, who will bear the consequences of my dereliction of duty?"

“Fellow Daoist Mao Ri, you have been cultivating in seclusion on the sacred tree for a long time, why bother to seek trouble here?” The Lord of Rain Pig opened his mouth wide, his voice like muffled thunder.

"You and I are different after all."

The Pleiades Star Lord was unusually calm. He said, "Since that emperor left, my spirit has greatly declined. I no longer have the strong ambition to serve two masters like you. This has also made me less restrained, which is why many old immortals regard me as an anomaly and thus take extra precautions against me."

You wouldn't understand this feeling of being completely unrestrained; it means you've embarked on the path of the Greatly Free Demon, a path even the immortals fear, truly lawless.

"That's a huge joke."

Rain Master Chen Yuanjun pointed to the six stars of the Southern Dipper that appeared on the jade platform, and said with a hint of sarcasm, "The covenant of the Three Frontiers is witnessed by the Southern Dipper. If the star officials want to disobey, that is fine, but they should first ask the Southern Dipper Star Lords."

When the Pleiades Star Lord saw those six stars, he also showed a troubled expression.

The other star deities were alright, but the old star deity who possessed the three stars of fortune, prosperity, and longevity was the most wary of him and would not easily grant him any favors.

"Could it be that the forging of this treasure was truly thwarted by the will of Heaven?!" The Pleiades Star Lord's heart sank.

To the east of the Jade Platform, the patriarchs and immortals of Taiping Mountain each unleashed their immense magical power, causing the atmosphere on the platform to be as taut as a bowstring, in order to show their support for the Pleiades Star Lord, or rather, for their own disciple, the Venerable Lingxu.

"The matter of refining treasures cannot be determined only after the borders are settled. This cause-and-effect relationship still needs to be thoroughly investigated. Perhaps we can invite the Star Lords to come and discuss this matter together," said Ancestor Wuling, his tone decisive.

"There is absolutely no room for negotiation on this matter."

The many immortals and gods on the west side responded forcefully.

For Yunyu Temple, this is a great calamity, and also a struggle for hegemony in the south for thousands of years to come. There can be no retreat.

The words of Ancestor Wuling seem fair, but this former patriarch of the Taiping Mountain restoration has always been good at long-term planning. Today's great calamity shows signs of his behind-the-scenes manipulation. Even if his words are fair, they should not be allowed to pass.

Just as the stalemate was at hand, a clear and melodious sound of jade chimes suddenly came from beyond the sky.

Everyone looked up and saw the sea of ​​clouds suddenly part, and a beam of moonlight, like a white silk ribbon, pierced through the sky and fell down. Its light was bright but not dazzling, and as warm and smooth as jade.

As the radiance faded, a phoenix-drawn chariot appeared, drawn by nine pure white jade toads. As the curtains swayed, wisps of Taiyin True Talismans could be seen flowing through them.

Before the imperial carriage had even come to a stop, a cold voice swept across the jade platform, "The Southern Contest of Magic, the Three Borders Lockdown, were originally for the sake of the common people. Now that a junior scholar is refining a treasure to protect the Dao, you are obstructing his consecration ceremony. Isn't this putting the cart before the horse?!"

The voice was not loud, but it directly suppressed the fierce aura of the Rain Pig God, and even the hidden lightning concealed in Chen Yuanjun's sleeve froze.

On the east side of the platform, the Taiping Mountain Wuling Ancestor was the first to rise, and the purple-blue rock ball beneath him hummed in respect; the Qingnang Fairy gently flicked her whisk and curtsied as a gesture of courtesy.

The expressions of the immortals on the west side changed drastically. Those who had been hiding all appeared and bowed. The Lord of Rain Boar opened his mouth slightly, his fangs hidden. Chen Yuanjun lowered his head and held his breath, as if facing a strict teacher.

The Pleiades star official was deeply shaken, and the flames behind his head trembled slightly.

He naturally recognized this carriage as the ceremonial carriage of the Taiyin Goddess. This old immortal, who was in charge of the Moon Palace and had experienced countless tribulations, was always detached from worldly affairs. How could she personally come to this mortal tribulation arena?

What surprised him even more was that the "younger disciple" mentioned by the Divine Mother clearly referred to Ling Xuzi. He thought to himself, "My agreement with Ling Xuzi was originally intended to establish a connection through this, and to gradually guide him to join our party. I never expected that this boy could actually invite the Divine Mother's presence. How could he have such means? How could he possibly have such means?"

Could it be that the Divine Mother also has her eye on this child? That doesn't make sense. Given the Divine Mother's esteemed status, even if Lingxuzi were to attain immortality in the future, she could simply reap the benefits with a single decree from her. Why would she need to scheme against this child from his humble beginnings like I have?

Am I the odd one out, or is he the odd one out?

The Pleiades Star Lord stood frozen in place, racking his brains but unable to figure out what tricks Ling Xuzi could use to win the favor of the Divine Mother.

(End of this chapter)