We promised to develop a game of elimination, but what the hell is going on with Havoc in Heaven?

[Holy crap! The Dao Ancestor?!]

Why did the Dao Ancestor appear at this time? Is he going to help the Jade Emperor?

[Very likely! Look, the Dao Ancestor has always been in the Heavenly Court, hasn't he?]

[What's the point of playing then! If the Dao Ancestor makes a move, can we even defeat him?]

No, not necessarily. Perhaps, just like back when the Great Sage was, Laozi will only make a brief appearance and won't get too involved?

They saw the appearance of Laozi.

Whether it was the viewers in the live stream or the many players present, everyone was shocked, and a chorus of exclamations of amazement filled the air.

Yang Jian's expression also turned serious.

Upon seeing Laozi, the Jade Emperor dared not be negligent. Ignoring everyone present, he cupped his hands and bowed to Laozi, saying, "Laozi."

Lao Tzu nodded in return, saying, "Your Majesty."

"Does Laozi intend to intervene in this matter?" After bowing, the Jade Emperor nodded slightly, but his expression remained dignified as he asked.

"Senior, this is a matter between Yang Jian and the Jade Emperor. Please do not interfere!" Yang Jian said to Laozi.

"That's right! Old man, I advise you not to meddle in other people's business!"

"Dao Ancestor? So what if he's a Dao Ancestor! This is just a game! As long as you show your health bar, I'll cut down even a Dao Ancestor like you!"

"I'm not even afraid of the Jade Emperor, why would I be afraid of a recluse like you?"

"Come on! He's just a Dao Ancestor! I've already defeated him in other games!"

"It's more than just being slashed! In some games, the Dao Ancestor is even a woman, and a stunning one at that!"

"What?! There's such a game? Is it serious? Send it to me so I can critique it!"

"..."

After a brief moment of shock, the players also shouted at Laozi.

Please, while the appearance of Laozi is indeed shocking, who are they? They're just players! They fear nothing, just a bunch of game data. Who are they afraid of?

If we don't give you an explanation today, the Dao Ancestor and his men will still chop you down without hesitation!
Yang Jian was touched by the support of his brothers behind him. Although he couldn't understand some of the players' words, he was naturally warmed by their willingness to stand by him at this moment.

Laozi first nodded, then shook his head, and then glanced at the noisy players.

At that glance, the players felt as if they had been muted; for a moment, they couldn't open their mouths or utter a word.

"!!!"

"!!!"

"!!!"

Faced with this situation, many players started to gesticulate wildly and become shocked, creating a commotion.

No, an NPC has this kind of mechanism?

Is this scientific?

After dealing with the players, Laozi ignored them and slowly said, "I had no intention of interfering in Your Majesty's affairs. I was only entrusted by someone to stop the war. I hope I can resolve the grudges between the two of you."

After Yu Ding Zhenren contacted his master Yuanshi Tianzun, Yuanshi Tianzun learned of the situation and asked Taishang Laojun to go out and resolve the matter.

As Yang Jian's grandmaster, it would be inappropriate for Yuanshi Tianzun to directly intervene, as that would be tantamount to trampling on the Jade Emperor's dignity. If the Jade Emperor felt that his dignity had been damaged and insisted on a fight to the death, then it would be a loss for him.

At this juncture, the intervention of Laozi, who resides on the thirty-third heaven of the celestial court, was undoubtedly the most appropriate course of action.

"Oh~?" The Jade Emperor's eyes flickered, naturally thinking of this point, and he was also pondering something: "But this Yang Jian not only split the Peach Mountain formed by the Heavenly Rules, violating the Heavenly Rules, but now he is also causing havoc in the Heavenly Palace. How can I forgive him!"

The Jade Emperor shouted sternly. Although Laozi had intervened, the Jade Emperor still did not want to let Yang Jian off the hook. It was Yang Jian's actions that had caused the Heavenly Court to lose face. If Yang Jian were allowed to swagger out, where would the Heavenly Court's dignity be? Who in the Three Realms would still respect the Heavenly Court?
"This old Taoist priest will give Your Majesty a satisfactory answer," said Laozi.

Then, he slowly looked at Yang Jian and said, "Yang Jian, stop now. You've caused enough trouble."

"Stop? Father, elder brother, and mother all died right under Yang Jian's nose, all because of the Heavenly Court! All because of the Heavenly Laws! How can Yang Jian stop?!" Yang Jian shouted, his eyes red as he stared intently at the Jade Emperor.

With the culprit right in front of him, how could he possibly stop?
[Exactly! A blood feud, and he just stops like that? What's that old Taoist thinking?!]

Even the Dao Ancestor couldn't stop my second brother from taking revenge!

If Heaven is unjust, I will shatter it!

[Damn it, why is it that every time they fight their way to the Jade Emperor's palace, someone always comes to stop them? Back then, the Great Sage was the Buddha, and the Second Brother was the Taoist Ancestor! The Jade Emperor really isn't going to step down so easily.]

As Laozi brushed his fingertips across his sleeve, a soft golden light fell upon Yang Jian's brow, instantly calming the murderous aura that was about to overwhelm his reason by three-tenths.

"Foolish child," his voice was not loud, but it pierced Yang Jian's mind like a morning bell: "Do you still remember when you became Yu Ding's disciple, you promised him that you would not cultivate for revenge, but only for protection?"

"Now that you've made a scene in Lingxiao, seemingly seeking justice for your mother, countless people have died or been injured in the Three Realms because of your battle. Is this what you wanted to see?"

Yang Jian paused for a moment upon hearing this, then looked outside the hall—the roars of players and the screams of heavenly soldiers mingled together, and immortal blood stained the cloud steps of the South Heavenly Gate. Recalling the countless deaths and injuries in the mortal realm during the Golden Crow Formation, a look of pain crossed his face:
"I have failed my master and the people of the world in this matter. When Yang Jian was cultivating, he made up his mind to put aside his grudges and only wanted to save his mother and reunite his family. But in the end, even my mother died because of my mother. I can't care about anything else now!"

Taishang Laojun sighed softly and said, "His Majesty has his own difficulties. Everything he has done is for the peace of the Three Realms. I know you are eager to save your mother, but even if you want to save Yaoji, you should not do it in this way."

Upon hearing this, Yang Jian gritted his teeth and fell silent again. His master had advised him on this matter, but he hadn't listened. He already regretted it, but there was no point in saying anything now.

Looking at Yang Jian's remorseful expression, Laozi nodded slightly, raised his hand, and a piece of jade slowly appeared in front of Yang Jian: "Yang Jian, the soul of your mother Yao Ji has not actually dissipated."

These words struck Yang Jian like a thunderbolt. He looked up abruptly, his hatred instantly replaced by disbelief, and his hand gripping the axe trembled slightly: "What did you say?"

"When your mother burned her immortal essence, I happened to pass by and protected a wisp of her remnant soul with my innate pure energy. With my innate pure energy, your mother may well awaken in the future." The Supreme Lord Laozi's voice carried a hint of melancholy: "You can also think about it, Yang Jian. If your mother were to awaken, would she want to see you trapped by hatred as you are now? Would she want to see the Three Realms in chaos because of your Yang family?"

These words struck Yang Jian like a heavy hammer. He staggered back half a step, and the three-pointed double-edged sword clattered to the ground. Trembling, he reached out and took the jade stone that his mother had transformed into.

When the viewers in the live stream saw this, the chat exploded with comments:

[Holy crap! Yao Ji isn't dead? This old Taoist priest really did something worthwhile after all!]

[The Dao Ancestor truly lives up to his name! Awesome!!!]

[Second Brother is probably going to give up.] [Damn it, we've already fought all the way to the Jade Emperor, and now he's giving up? Even if Second Brother gives up, I won't! Damn it!]

[But we've never seen Yao Ji in the main storyline. Does that mean she hasn't been resurrected yet at the point in the main storyline?]

Countless players and viewers were discussing it heatedly.

Upon hearing Laozi's words, the Jade Emperor's expression changed slightly. He was clearly unaware of this matter, and his gaze toward the jade was somewhat complicated.

Ultimately, it was Laozi's doing, so he didn't say much.

Yang Jian's fingertips traced the jade, and beneath its cool touch, he felt a faint pulse of life. His eyes reddened as he looked up, his voice hoarse: "Laojun, how can I save my mother?"

"This jade needs to be nurtured with the power of protection for a thousand years," Laozi said slowly. "If you are willing to take on the responsibility of protecting the Three Realms and put aside personal grudges, this wisp of remnant soul will slowly solidify."

Yang Jian nodded. As expected, after learning that Yao Ji could be resurrected, he said, "As long as Mother can be resurrected, Yang Jian is willing to do anything."

Laozi nodded in satisfaction, then looked at the Jade Emperor and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, Yang Jian has shown remorse. I beg Your Majesty to spare him this time for the sake of this old Taoist priest."

The Jade Emperor tapped his fingers on the armrest of his dragon throne. After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke: "But he wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace and damaged the dignity of my Heavenly Court. If we let him go like this, where is the dignity of my Heavenly Court?"

“This matter is easy.” Laozi stroked his beard and suggested, “As long as Your Majesty is magnanimous and invites Yang Jian to serve as an official in the Heavenly Court, the outside world will only think that Your Majesty has subdued Yang Jian. Even Yang Jian, who caused a great disturbance in the Heavenly Palace, has joined the Heavenly Court. This will not only not damage the majesty of the Heavenly Court, but will also make the Heavenly Court’s prestige even greater in the Three Realms.”

The Jade Emperor's eyes gleamed, and he felt that what Laozi said made some sense. This incident made the Jade Emperor realize that the Heavenly Court was seriously short-handed. It would be good to have Yang Jian join, especially since Laozi had already spoken up, and he had to give him face.

“Very well, since that’s the case, if Yang Jian is willing to serve as an official in the Heavenly Court, I can pardon his past sins and bestow upon him the title of ‘Erlang Manifesting Sage True Lord’, commanding a million heavenly soldiers and generals. What do you say?” the Jade Emperor said.

[Holy crap, a million heavenly soldiers and generals? Does the Jade Emperor really give us this much face?]

"Then who do you think Lao Tzu is? Standing before you is the Dao Ancestor!"

[It's no wonder that the Heavenly Court is currently short of talent!]

[How did Erlang Shen get the title of True Lord of Manifestation? But didn't Erlang Shen stay in Heaven?]

[There's still a "thousand-year nurturing" period; are they taking good care of Yao Ji's soul in Heaven?]

Before Yang Jian could reply, the crowd erupted in a commotion.

Yang Jian gripped the jade tighter, looked up at the Jade Emperor, his eyes still cold, and said, "Joining the Heavenly Court is fine, but commanding a million heavenly soldiers is unnecessary. I also have a few other conditions."

"Hmm?" Upon hearing this, the Jade Emperor's gaze toward Yang Jian turned somewhat cold.

Yang Jian ignored him and said, word by word, "First of all, I will only obey orders, not proclamations. I will stay at the mouth of the Guan River and will not participate in the daily affairs of the Heavenly Court. Secondly, the brothers who came with me today are all standing up for me, and the Heavenly Court cannot hold them accountable either."

Upon hearing Yang Jian's words, the Jade Emperor's brows relaxed slightly. Although Yang Jian was exceptionally capable, he didn't want to see Yang Jian's actions too often, as it annoyed him. It was better that he wasn't kept in the Heavenly Court. As for the others, Yang Jian had already let them go, so it didn't matter much to them.

"I grant your request, but if you dare to use your military power to cause trouble again, I will not let you off lightly!" the Jade Emperor said.

Yang Jian nodded, and only then did he finally bend down to pick up the Three-Pointed Double-Edged Sword. He cupped his hands to Laozi and said, "Thank you for saving my mother's life, senior. If you can revive my mother and protect the peace of the Three Realms, Yang Jian will do his best."

Taishang Laojun smiled slightly.

The live stream room and game channel were already buzzing with excitement.

Many players were deeply moved to see that Yang Jian had not forgotten them even at this point.

However, there are also many players who, just like some people in the live stream said, are like this.

We've already reached the Lingxiao Palace, and the Jade Emperor and Dao Ancestor are right in front of us. As players, how could we not give it a shot!

Even though Yang Jian has given up on causing havoc in the Heavenly Palace, they haven't!

But before they could even begin to act...

Looking at the situation before him, Lao Tzu stroked his beard and said, "In that case, the matter is over."

Then, he looked at the many players in the Heavenly Court and smiled, "As for you, don't cause any more trouble, and you may also leave."

With that, he waved his whisk, and the players began to disappear one by one, without any power to resist.

Not only players in the Lingxiao Palace, but also players in the Heavenly Court and other parts of the Yang Jian instance, began to disappear one by one, their faces filled with astonishment.

"Senior! What are you doing!" Yang Jian's expression immediately turned anxious upon seeing this scene, as he thought that Laozi had done something to his brothers.

To this, Laozi simply said, "Don't worry, they're fine. I just sent them back to where they came from."

After doing all this, Laozi smiled gently, mounted his green ox, and slowly departed.

The Jade Emperor laughed when he saw this.

Yang Jian's expression shifted unpredictably, but since Laozi had said so, he had no choice but to believe him.

……

【Fuck! 】

【Fuck! 】

【Fuck! 】

As for the players...

Both the players themselves and the viewers in the live stream were all exclaiming in surprise.

Everyone was completely bewildered by the situation before them.

Because none of them expected it.

I can't believe I unknowingly exited the Yang Jian instance!
And then, when I tried to get in again, I couldn't.

No? What's going on?!
They haven't even gotten involved in the aftermath of Havoc in Heaven, the aftermath of Nezha, Li Jing, and Yang Chan, or the events involving the Seven Monsters of Meishan yet!
No matter how you look at it, there's still a lot of story left in Yang Jian's storyline, right? Why are you quitting now?

Is it possible for an NPC to do something like this?!
All of a sudden.

Everyone present was in an uproar. (End of Chapter)