If you don't give up, I'd like to be your adoptive father.

Chapter 1021 Misbehavior
Xiaoyu came to Mount Hua just to take a look around and see if she could find Dou Gengyan. There are a few things she needs to remind her of.

This was her first time bringing the True Form Diagram to the Five Sacred Mountains. She wanted to try out the effects of combining the True Form Diagram with the Heavenly Master's Authority, along with the Whirlwind Mixture of Mountains and Rivers to Refine the Spirit.

The effect was astonishing; they were able to directly smuggle themselves into the Zongxuan Cave Heaven.

She entered the Zongxuan Cave Heaven simply out of curiosity.

I plan to just wander around and if I find Dou Gengyan, I'll say a few words to her; if not, I'll just have to give up.

Registering one's celestial status within the Huashan region?
She really hadn't thought of that.

However, since she was already there and being watched by a group of immortals, Xiaoyu wasn't intimidated.

To be honest, she had always heard of the "List of Names and Registers," but this was the first time she had seen it, and she was quite curious.

Under the scrutinizing gazes of the crowd, she walked a few steps to the Heavenly Mirror.

The next moment, an inexplicable pulling force was transmitted from the Heavenly Mirror to her.

Her life essence and soul essence were uncontrollably stimulated.

"Buzz buzz~~"

The bronze base of the Heavenly Mirror trembled slightly, and a transparent light curtain unfolded between the mirror frames.

It really is a mirror.

The mirror first showed Xiaoyu's current appearance, crystal clear, as if another real Xiaoyu was hidden inside the mirror.

Suddenly, the little feather in the mirror transformed into a cloud of white smoke, which filled the entire mirror surface and surged like boiling water.

Then a glimmer of golden light shone through the depths of the white mist.

A glimmer of gold appeared, followed by the emergence of even more points of light.

It's no longer just golden light; it has radiance in various colors.

It is colorful and dazzling.

As the colorful lights seeped out from the depths of the white mist, they naturally began to dispel the original white fog.

When the entire mirror shimmered with light, the surrounding immortals couldn't help but let out a long exclamation of amazement.

Each person's expression was a mixture of admiration and awe.

"Such a powerful source of immortal energy, could it be a celestial being?"

"If one is a celestial being, why would one need to register in the Heavenly Register at Mount Hua? One would have been welcomed to Heaven by celestial children sent by the Dao Ancestor as soon as one became an immortal."

"Hmm, it's starting to reveal its original form. Wait a minute, why does it look a bit like Mount Hua?"

The immortals were shocked and envious for a while, and then they saw the colorful immortal light begin to gather together, forming a unique and divine image.

A majestic and magnificent mountain peak.

But it is not just one mountain peak.

Gradually, a complete mountain range emerged from the colorful fairy light.

They were used to seeing certain scenic spots on Mount Hua, and could not fully appreciate the entire mountain.

Seeing the complete Mount Hua now, it looked somewhat familiar, but I couldn't be sure.

Aside from feeling a little unfamiliar with the complete shape of Mount Hua, the main reason for the overwhelming sense of wonder it exudes, as seen in the Heavenly Mirror Mountain, is that it is too real.

They stood at the foot of the mountain, like ordinary people facing the true majestic peaks of Mount Hua, feeling a familiar sense of oppression in their hearts.

"Ah, it's His Majesty the Golden Heavenly King!"

While the other immortals were still in shock and uncertainty, the white-robed old Taoist and the wise Taoist exclaimed in unison.

Then, they all turned their heads at the same time and looked at Xiaoyu with surprise and awe.

"What? This fairy is the Golden Heavenly King?"

"No wonder, I felt it was familiar. This kind of charm could not possibly be possessed by anyone other than the Great Emperor of the Western Mountain."

"Indeed, the origin revealed by the Heavenly Mirror is clearly the 'Spirit of Mount Hua,' which can only be the Great Emperor of the Western Peak."

"But why would the Great Emperor disguise himself as a fairy maiden, or even a Taoist priest, and come to the Heavenly Ascension Pavilion to register in the Heavenly Register? Does the Great Emperor need to register in the Heavenly Register?"

"The Great Emperor certainly doesn't need to register in the Heavenly Register; he's transformed into a fairy maiden, playing around in the mortal world, and having fun with us!"

"Think about it, everyone. We have just looked in the Heavenly Mirror and handed the roster to the Great Emperor of the Western Mountain."

The Emperor probably greatly admires us and will personally come to fetch one of us to the Heavenly Court!

The other immortals, some surprised and others enlightened, all turned to Xiaoyu in front of the Heavenly Mirror.

Xiaoyu's expression was indifferent, her face showing no confidence or composure. She stood up straight, her hands were behind her back without her noticing, and her chin was slightly raised by more than ten degrees.

She remained expressionless and didn't say a word.

"Pfft!"

Such grandeur and magnanimity! Even immortals knelt down, bowing and shouting, "Great Emperor, may you bear witness, this humble immortal 'Pine Cone' has applied for Heavenly Certification for the 167th time this year."

In order to be included in the Heavenly Register and to serve the Great Emperor, the Jade Emperor, the Dao Ancestor, and all living beings in the Three Realms, this humble immortal has recited the "Huangting Dadongjing" 170 million times.

The Taoist patriarch once said that reciting the "Huangting Dadongjing" ten thousand times would allow one to ascend to heaven in broad daylight.

Waaah, for thousands of years, this little immortal has never gone out to visit fellow Daoists, but has only stayed behind closed doors to study the Yellow Court Classic.

It's more than ten thousand times ten thousand times.
"I beg Your Majesty's mercy to grant this humble immortal's wish of ten thousand years!"

Xiaoyu was truly moved. Reciting scriptures for millions of years and reading them more than 100 million times—what incredible perseverance!
"Fellow Daoist, please rise. I have witnessed your Dao heart firsthand. It is against all reason and justice that the Heavenly Court would not accept you!"

Pine Cone was overjoyed and cried out with tears in his eyes, "Thank you for your kindness, Great Emperor. Now that I have gone to the Heavenly Court, I will continue to study the Yellow Court Dao Scripture behind closed doors."

"If I don't recite this a billion times, I won't be able to repay the Emperor's kindness in promoting me today!"

Xiaoyu's expression froze.

—If you go to the Heavenly Court, why would you need to recite the Yellow Court Classic? Can't you just read it at home?

She mentally complained, her expression stiffening and a little embarrassed.

But in the eyes of the white-robed old Taoist, the Emperor's expression was slightly cold, as if he were a little angry.

—Even the Great Emperor praised Pine Cone for having a Daoist heart, so he certainly wasn't angry with him.

A thought struck him, and he quickly opened the "List of Celestial Immortals of the Heavenly Court's Mysterious Cave," took out a vermilion brush, wrote down Songguozi's name, and asked, "Great Emperor, what celestial position shall I bestow upon Fellow Daoist Songguozi?"

Xiao Yu pondered and said, "Fellow Daoist Song Guozi is fond of reciting the Huangting Dadongjing and has made a great vow to recite the Huangting Daojing ten billion times."

This achievement is unparalleled in the Three Realms; let him be named the 'Great Sage of Sutra Recitation' and directly attain sainthood!

The white-robed old Taoist priest trembled, and stammered, "Great Emperor, did you mean the Great Sage, or the 'Great God of Sutra Recitation'?"

Xiaoyu said calmly, "You can't understand the sounds, yet you don't understand the meaning?"

The old Taoist in white robes grumbled, "But the Heavenly Court has no such position." Xiao Yu said, "This is called 'having an official position but no salary.' His title is 'Great Sage Who Recites Scriptures.' He is not given any official duties or salary. Instead, he is kept in the Heavenly Court and allowed to quietly recite the Yellow Court Scripture and climb to even greater heights."

After saying that, she turned her head to look at the pine cone and asked in a serious tone, "You only have the name of a Heavenly Official and the glory of a Great Sage, but no incense offerings or daily worship. Are you willing to accept this?"

He's going to be canonized directly; he's going to become a "saint"!

The pine cones were so moved that they shed tears.

He cried out, his voice trembling with sobs, "The Great Emperor has treated me so well, bestowing upon me the title of 'Great Sage.' With such an honorable position, how could I possibly hope for any salary?"
"This humble fairy only wishes to pray for the Great Emperor one hundred times each day before reciting the Yellow Court Daoist Scripture!"

"Great Sage of Sutra Recitation, please rise. There's no need for you to pray for me. I only hope that you attain the supreme Dao of Sutra Recitation and open up a brand new 'Dao of Sutra Recitation' for my Pangu Immortal Realm." Xiaoyu said softly with an expectant look on her face.

"Waaah, I, the little fairy, will definitely study hard and live up to the Emperor's expectations," Songguozi choked out.

The immortals around him looked at him with a mixture of confusion and undisguised envy and jealousy.

The title "Great Sage Who Recites Scriptures" doesn't sound very reliable, especially since he has no official position or salary.

But it is ultimately a "righteous god" of the Heavenly Court, and also holds the honorable position of "Great Sage".

The old Taoist priest in white robes felt disgusted, but there was nothing he could do. He could only hold a vermilion brush and quickly write the divine duty "Great Sage of Reciting Scriptures" on the back of the pine cone.

When he wrote the name of the pine cone in the celestial register, the pine cone already sensed it: his name left the "green slip" of the underworld and was successfully recorded in the celestial register of the heavenly court.

As the white-robed old Taoist wrote down his divine duty, the pine cones seemed to sense something in the darkness.

He was still unsure of the specific benefits.

I felt extremely comfortable, from my soul to my body, as if I had "ascended to heaven a second time".

The surrounding "celestial energy" became more vibrant than before, making it easier to refine celestial energy.

He was so moved that he wanted to recite the Huangting Dadongjing on the spot.

He had previously felt that reciting the Huang Ting Jing was one of the greatest pleasures in life.

Now he wants to read the Huang Ting Jing even more.

Well, chanting scriptures has become his "duty".

"Thump!" Another immortal knelt down, this time kowtowing repeatedly, and shouted: "Great Emperor, have mercy! I am a humble immortal from the East Sea, with the Daoist name 'Qinglian Jushi'."

Although this is my first time registering in the Heavenly Register at Zongxuan Cave Heaven, I have already accumulated 350 days of merit over thousands of years!
"I would gladly exchange this divine merit for a place in the Heavenly Realm."

Xiaoyu glanced at him, wanting to ask: Where is Dou Gengyan, who came to Mount Hua with you? I'll also bestow upon her the title of "Great Emperor".

She is now the "Spirit of Mount Hua," not Yu Fengxian, so we shouldn't ask her questions.

"That's all the 350 Heavenly Skill points, nothing else?"

This guy is a traitor. The fact that she didn't arrest him is because she's magnanimous. He's dreaming if he thinks he can get anything out of her!

The Hermit of the Azure Lotus, unaware of the "Great Emperor's" thoughts, gritted his teeth and said, "This time, I have entered the Central Plains in accordance with the will of Heaven and to assist the true Son of Heaven in overthrowing the tyrannical Qin."

"The little fairy is willing to enter into this game herself, following only 'fate'."

—Wow, this guy is ruthless, so determined, he's making a statement!

If the Heavenly Court needs him to undertake a mission during this great calamity to ensure the smooth completion of the Mandate of Heaven, he is willing to risk his life and become a pawn of the Heavenly Court.

Xiao Yu nodded slightly, her face showing appreciation, and said softly, "Fellow Daoist Qinglian, you are loyal and brave. I hereby bestow upon you the title of 'Battle King'."

The white-robed old Taoist priest grumbled again and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Heavenly Court does not have the Heavenly Duty of Fighting Dharma King."

Even if one holds an official position without receiving any salary, the 'Dharma King' is still a 'King'.

—You, the "Golden King," are just a "King" yourself.

Of the Five Sacred Mountains, only the title of "Great Emperor" bestowed upon Huang Feihu, the Lord of Mount Tai, is truly fitting.

The other four mountains are called "Great Emperors," but in reality they are "Heavenly Kings."

The hermit of Qinglian had a conflicted expression, a mixture of elation, hesitation, and resentment.

The title of "King" is certainly precious, enough to excite him for ten thousand years.

But he risked his life, how could he only receive glory without any benefit?
Give him some authority so that he can enjoy the blessings and prayers.

Without the power of incense offerings and prayers, how can one transform from a wandering immortal into a "deity"?
Xiao Yu laughed and said, "The Heavenly Court's duties are like official positions in the human world. If you don't do a good job, you will be dismissed; if you do a good job, you will definitely be promoted."

First, during this great calamity, become a 'Fighting King'.

In every major battle, they would fight bravely and relentlessly. As long as they lived, the battle would continue.

Like Nezha, Erlang Shen, and Li Jing from the Investiture of the Gods period.

Once he has assisted the true emperor in ascending to the throne and establishing order in the world, he will immediately resign from his position in the mortal court, retire to the mountains and forests, and await a new imperial decree from the Heavenly Court.

There will definitely be other arrangements at that time.

Perhaps, like Erlang Shen, he could directly choose a treasure land in China, establish his own government, and become a 'god king'.

"At that time, I'll be envious of Fellow Daoist Qinglian!"

The great gods who achieved sainthood in their physical bodies, such as Yang Jian, Lei Zhenzi, and Li Jing, were not immediately granted divine titles by Jiang Ziya after the Investiture of the Gods was completed.

Jiang Ziya conferred titles upon gods using the Investiture of the Gods list, and those he conferred titles upon were all "ghosts and gods".

The great gods who became gods in their physical bodies were appointed by the Jade Emperor himself after the Investiture of the Gods was completed.

One was bestowed by Jiang Ziya, and the other by the Jade Emperor; the difference is quite significant.

Jin Tianwang Jiang Xiong belongs to the former category; he is a ghost or deity, not a saint who achieved sainthood through physical means.

The "Fighting King" has now forged an immortal body and will become a great god in the future, which can be considered as "physical sainthood".

All the immortals knew the old story of the Investiture of the Gods.

Upon hearing her words, the newly crowned "Battle King" immediately lost his worry and became joyful and full of anticipation.

Others looked at him with envy.

Only the white-robed old Taoist was registering the "Fighting King" while thinking to himself: "If a person doesn't die, he will fight endlessly. With all this torment, can he really live until the end of the great calamity?"
Even great gods like Erlang Shen and Nezha wouldn't dare to be so reckless during the Investiture of the Gods period.

The mighty Erlang Zhenjun, what a powerful god he is!
Instead of charging into battle on the front lines, he often served as a grain transport officer.
"Reporting to the Great Emperor, this humble immortal, 'You Erlang,' may not have as much merit as Fellow Daoist Qinglian, but I also aspire to assist the true Son of Heaven."

"Great Emperor, please have mercy on me. This humble immortal, 'Gao Liang,' has cultivated on Mount Hua for a thousand years and has finally overcome the tribulation to become an immortal. I beg the Great Emperor to grant me an opportunity to serve the Great Emperor and the Jade Emperor."

"The Great Emperor."

Before the white-robed old Taoist could finish writing about the appointment of the "Fighting King," more immortals knelt down, kowtowing and loudly requesting the Great Emperor to bestow the title.

And it wasn't just one; several immortals knelt down at the same time, creating a truly spectacular scene. This attracted the curiosity of the immortals outside the Heavenly Pavilion, who also gathered around.

Emperor Yu smiled broadly and said with great generosity, "Fellow immortals, please rise. It is fate that we meet today. As long as you have merit, no evil deeds, and a spirit of progress, I will surely grant you your wishes."

(End of this chapter)