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Chapter 449 How about we have another spar?

Just as a naval battle was about to break out.

A place of ultimate splendor suspended above the sea of ​​clouds in the heavens.

Thousands of palaces and pavilions.

All are made of flawless white jade and dazzling glass, with carved beams and painted rafters, flying eaves and brackets, flowing with eternal and immortal divine light.

Auspicious clouds lingered around the palace, and auspicious cranes and birds danced gracefully.

This place is beyond the imagination of normal people.

Unreachable territory.

It is a being that has been passed down in myths and legends since ancient times, who governs the celestial bodies, controls the changes of yin and yang, and manages the life and death of all things.
heaven.

However, if any human familiar with myths and legends were to witness this scene at this moment...

They will surely be horrified.

They doubted whether what they were seeing was an absurd dream.

That should be the solemn and orderly main hall of the Heavenly Court.

Inside the Lingxiao Palace.

At this moment, however, the place was bustling with noise and chatter.

Inside the hall, towering cloud pillars stand tall, the dome is painted with a mysterious picture of the movement of the stars in the sky, and the floor is covered with warm and glowing jade.

However, the gods of the Three Realms, the star lords of all directions, and the heavenly soldiers and generals who should have stood respectfully on both sides showed no manners or decorum whatsoever.

Some huddled together in twos and threes, whispering to each other.

They spoke and laughed without any restraint, their voices echoing in the empty hall.

Some even lay flat on their backs above the misty clouds, completely disregarding their image.

He crossed his legs, looking utterly bored.

Even worse, some openly embraced beautiful, scantily clad goddesses beside them, behaving frivolously and whispering flirtatious words, showing no regard for the occasion.

Where is even a trace of the legendary majesty and order of the Heavenly Court?

They were clearly like a group of nouveau riche who had suddenly acquired immense wealth, boundless power, and long lifespans, recklessly squandering their riches in a den of iniquity.

And in the center of this chaotic scene.

On that supreme throne.

A young boy sat upright.

He was dressed in imperial robes, with a crown and tassels hanging down. His face was handsome but still had a touch of childishness. He exuded a pure and majestic imperial aura, which was out of place with his surroundings.

He is the Heavenly Emperor who nominally rules this Heavenly Court.

This is an act of utter disrespect and near-humiliation towards Your Highness and his courtiers.

The young Heavenly Emperor showed no sign of anger.

He simply watched the chaos unfold before him with equanimity.

His gaze seemed to reflect nothing at all.

It's as if they've already seen it all, so numb that they can't feel any emotion.

The noise inside the main hall.

This eerie atmosphere lasted for an unknown period of time.

Until a clear and steady footstep sound came from outside the hall.

The sounds inside the hall suddenly ceased.

Those gods who were lying down and chatting in groups almost instinctively restrained their unrestrained behavior and stood up one after another.

All eyes turned to the entrance of the main hall.

Even the young Heavenly Emperor, who remained expressionless on his throne.

The empty gaze flickered slightly, and the person slowly raised their head to look over.

At the entrance to the main hall, light and shadow rippled gently.

A group of several people walked in slowly.

The leader was an old man dressed in a blue imperial robe, with a long beard reaching his chest and a dignified and ancient face.

Behind him followed several boys holding whisks, ruyi scepters, and precious pearls. Each boy had a humble expression and a pure aura, indicating that he was a person of considerable cultivation.

With the appearance of this old man.

The gods who had been so unrestrained just moments before now showed expressions of awe, a stark contrast to their previous attitude towards the young Heavenly Emperor.

It's unclear who started it, but everyone bowed in unison, their respectful voices instantly echoing throughout the Lingxiao Palace:
"Greetings to the Great Emperor of the Eastern Azure Flower Realm!"

"Welcome, Great Emperor Qinghua!"

The sound of their voices contained a deep sense of respect and awe.

It's as if he were the Great Emperor Qinghua.

He is the true ruler of this place.

On the contrary, the rightful Heavenly Emperor on the throne was completely ignored at this moment, appearing extremely lonely and embarrassed.

The Eastern Azure Emperor merely nodded slightly indifferently to the surrounding gods' respectful welcome.

They didn't even linger their gazes on them for long.

He strode forward.

He walked through the automatically parting crowd and approached the young Heavenly Emperor on his throne.

With steady steps, he finally stopped below the imperial steps.

She raised her head slightly to look at the boy above.

Until then.

Only then did a very subtle change appear on the young Heavenly Emperor's face.

He revealed a perfectly timed expression of confusion, tinged with a hint of bewilderment and dependence.

He leaned forward slightly, his tone gentle.

With even a hint of junior's reverence for an elder, he asked:
"My dear minister, what important matter warrants this sudden summons?"

His voice was clear and resonated exceptionally well in the suddenly silent hall.

The Great Emperor of the Eastern Pole, Qinghua, slowly raised his head, his face expressionless.

Those eyes, which had seen through countless years, stared directly at the young Heavenly Emperor.

His voice was calm and even as he began to speak:
"Your Majesty, that one has already been born."

He paused briefly, seemingly observing the boy's reaction, before continuing, his tone becoming more serious: "For the sake of the future survival of our Heavenly Court, we must also make a choice."

"that one?"

The young Heavenly Emperor's expression of doubt deepened.

He frowned slightly, as if genuinely trying to figure out what the title meant, his voice filled with pure incomprehension:
"Who is the one you speak of, my dear minister? Why have I never heard of him before?"

He paused, straightened his posture slightly, the patterns on his imperial robes shimmering faintly, and spoke with a tone that carried the self-assured skepticism befitting the Heavenly Emperor:
"Moreover, we are the Heavenly Court, ruling over the entire universe and wielding the laws. We are the rightful rulers of the Three Realms. Even if there are powerful enemies, we should sweep away all obstacles and protect all living beings. How could we need others to decide our life and death?"

These words came from his mouth.

Coupled with his slightly immature yet dignified expression, he should have appeared righteous and awe-inspiring.

However, this reached the ears of all the gods in the hall at that moment.

But it only drew silent mockery and contempt.

Many gods openly displayed expressions of disdain.

His eyes were filled with mockery and pity.

Some people couldn't help but chuckle quietly.

Although they immediately restrained themselves, the meaning was all too clear.

In their understanding and even in their shared memories.

This young Heavenly Emperor.

They have always been the most useful puppets and decoys in the hands of the Great Emperor Qinghua.

He held the title of emperor but had no real power.

They were completely unaware of the true state of Heaven and the dramatic changes in the external landscape.

To still cling to the outdated notion of the Heavenly Court's supreme authority and utter such naive, laughable, and out-of-touch words is truly as foolish as ever, beyond redemption.

When the young Heavenly Emperor asked the question so innocently, the Great Emperor Qinghua of the Eastern Pole showed no surprise on his aged face, as if he had expected this reaction.

He remained calm and explained, without getting angry:

"Your Majesty has long resided in the deep palace and may not know that the world today is no longer what it was before you fell asleep. As time flows and eras change, the balance of power has been reversed."

"You only need to issue a decree to lead the entire Heavenly Court to submit to that one. Only in this way can we find a glimmer of hope for survival in the face of the impending monstrous wave."

When it comes to the words "to submit to that one".

Although the Qinghua Emperor's tone was calm, it carried an undeniable determination.

It was as if this wasn't a discussion, but a strategy that had already been decided.

At this moment, all that's needed is for the young Heavenly Emperor to serve as a puppet.

It's just stamping it with the seal of the Heavenly Court's legitimacy.

In the past, he only needed to make such a clear statement, without needing to say anything more.

With just a glance, this young Heavenly Emperor would be like a puppet on strings.

Without hesitation, he nodded in agreement, without exception.

However.
This time, things seem a little different.

The young Heavenly Emperor on his throne, after clearly hearing the words "submission,"

Surprisingly, he didn't immediately nod obediently as usual.

Instead, he leaned back slightly, his body tensing up almost imperceptibly for a moment.

His face showed obvious hesitation and struggle.

He remained silent for a moment, as if weighing something.

Finally, he raised his head and looked directly at the powerful and influential Emperor Qinghua below. Although his voice remained gentle, it carried a hint of hesitation and resistance:

"My dear minister, shouldn't we reconsider this matter further?"

"We are, after all, the Heavenly Court, receiving offerings from the beings of the mortal realm and enjoying the worship of all people. Since the beginning of time, we have been responsible for protecting humanity and maintaining stability in the Three Realms. This is the foundation of our existence, the mandate of Heaven." His words gradually became more fluent, and a hint of almost stubborn insistence flashed in his eyes: "Now, how can we lose our integrity before even encountering a powerful enemy, become cowardly before the battle, and easily surrender the power of the Heavenly Court to some other being? Wouldn't that be destroying our own foundation, making us a laughingstock among the beings of the Three Realms, and bringing shame upon all the emperors of the past?"

This statement came out.

The entire Lingxiao Palace fell silent instantly.

The mockery, disdain, and even the slight amusement on the faces of all the gods vanished instantly, replaced by utter astonishment and disbelief.

What did they hear?
This emperor was always obsequious and a puppet, like a mere decoration.

He actually dared to refute the suggestion of the Qinghua Emperor?
How dare he refuse?

He actually has his own ideas and principles?
This is simply an unprecedented wonder since the beginning of time!

Several hot-tempered generals, clearly direct descendants of the Qinghua Emperor, instantly showed anger on their faces, their divine power fluctuating, and they subconsciously took a step forward.

He spoke up and rebuked this arrogant and ignorant puppet emperor.

In their deeply ingrained beliefs.

The throne of the Heavenly Emperor is merely a symbolic object pushed out after the various emperors reached a compromise through power struggles.

When did it become his turn to question the real decision-makers?

However.
Just as they were about to take a step...

The Great Emperor of the Eastern Azure Flower seemed to have eyes in the back of his head, and raised his hand very slightly.

A subtle movement stopped all his restless subordinates from making any move.

His gaze remained fixed on the young Heavenly Emperor's face from beginning to end, never wavering.

In the depths of those calm, still eyes.

For the first time, a very subtle hint of surprise and scrutiny flashed across my face.

He stared at the young Heavenly Emperor, remaining silent for a full ten seconds.

These ten or so seconds.

For the gods in the temple, it seemed to be longer than an era.

The oppressive atmosphere almost solidified into a tangible form.

Finally, the Qinghua Emperor spoke again, his voice still steady, but seemingly carrying a hint of coldness:

"Your Majesty, do you mean you are not going to agree?"

He did not have an immediate reaction.

Instead, they gave us one last chance to confirm.

The young Heavenly Emperor seemed somewhat at a loss due to this direct questioning.

He subconsciously avoided the Qinghua Emperor's gaze, which seemed to see through everything.

His fingers unconsciously curled slightly as he gripped the armrest of the throne. His tone lacked confidence, even carrying a hint of pleading, as he tried to shift the focus:

"My dear minister, this matter concerns the future of the entire Heavenly Court. Isn't it a bit too hasty? Have you consulted the opinions of the others?"

The other individuals he mentioned were naturally those who were ranked alongside the Great Emperor Qinghua of the Eastern Pole.

The other emperors who jointly held power in the Heavenly Court.

The other beings among the Six Emperors.

However, these words reached the ears of the Qinghua Emperor.

But a strange expression slowly appeared on his ancient and dignified face.

That was neither anger nor disdain.

It's more like a playful discovery of something extremely interesting.

"Ah"

A very soft laugh escaped from the throat of the Qinghua Emperor.

The laughter was initially low, with a hint of absurdity.

It then gradually grew louder, turning into a low laugh that echoed through the silent hall.

"Hehe. Hahaha."

The laughter continued, carrying an indescribable meaning.

The sight sent a chill down the spines of all the deities in the hall, who all lowered their heads, unable to look directly at him.

They dared not even try to fathom the emperor's true state of mind at that moment.

The young Heavenly Emperor remained seated on his throne.

His face maintained that harmless expression, tinged with a hint of bewilderment and nervousness.

He quietly watched as the Qinghua Emperor below laughed.

It was as if they didn't understand why the other person was laughing.

After laughing for a while, the Great Emperor of the Eastern Pole, Qinghua, slowly stopped laughing.

He raised his hand and gently stroked his long, drooping beard.

The playful and scrutinizing look in his eyes intensified.

He carefully looked the boy on the throne up and down, as if he were seeing him for the first time.

After a long time, he slowly spoke.

The voice carried a hint of profound emotion:

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"

"It seems that all these years, you have not just been sitting here in silence, but have been hiding much deeper than I imagined."

These words resounded like thunder in the hearts of the gods.

Hidden well?
This puppet emperor?
What do you mean?
Is it
Before the gods could even process the horrifying implications of this...

The Great Emperor of the Eastern Pole Qinghua has taken another step.

This time, he no longer stopped below the steps, but steadily stepped onto the steps that symbolized the highest authority in the Three Realms.

This action itself is a huge overstepping of boundaries.

Under the gaze of countless shocked, horrified, and incredulous eyes, the Qinghua Emperor disregarded the Heavenly Court's etiquette and walked straight to the side of the throne.

Because the young Heavenly Emperor was sitting.

He was standing, which created the image of an old man looking down at the boy from a high position.

He bent down slightly.

Those eyes, brimming with boundless majesty and power, stared directly into the young Heavenly Emperor's eyes without flinching, and the voice remained steady:

"As for the others, Your Majesty need not worry about them."

"Now that I am standing here today, I am naturally confident. Once I have met with that person, they will make the wisest choice."

His words were filled with absolute confidence.

It was as if the wills of the other five rulers were already under his control.

"Therefore, Your Majesty..."

The Qinghua Emperor lowered his voice: "You only need to issue the decree now, immediately."

An invisible pressure spread like a tide.

The air in the entire Lingxiao Palace seemed to freeze.

All the gods held their breath, their hearts pounding.

They knew this was the final showdown.

There is no room for maneuver anymore.

If this puppet emperor knew what was good for him, he should immediately write down the edict.

If they don't know what's good for them.
It seems that the Heavenly Court is about to undergo a complete transformation today.

In this almost suffocating atmosphere.

Forced into such a position and looked down upon like this, the young Heavenly Emperor, who seemed about to be crushed at any moment, made a move that made all the gods' eyes nearly pop out of their sockets.

The bewildered look on his face melted away quickly, like ice and snow meeting the sun.

Instead, there was an extremely calm smile, even with a hint of languidness.

He actually... slowly smiled.

Completely disregarding the Eastern Azure Emperor, whose aura was as terrifying as a prehistoric beast, who was so close at hand.

It felt as if the situation before me was tense and ready to erupt at any moment.

For him, it was just a boring drama.

Under the increasingly cold gaze of the Qinghua Emperor.

Amidst the horrified gazes of the gods throughout the hall.

The young Heavenly Emperor slowly rose from the throne that symbolized supreme power.

This stop.

His originally somewhat immature figure seemed to instantly become tall and imposing.

An indescribable, restrained yet incomparably noble and majestic aura naturally emanated from him, subtly rivaling that of the Eastern Azure Emperor.

He looked straight at the Qinghua Emperor, who could no longer look down at him because of his rising.

A chilling smile played at the corners of his lips.

He spoke softly:

"My dear subject..."

"Speaking of which, the last time I sparred with you in terms of art techniques seems to have been when I was young and ignorant."

A hint of reminiscence flashed in his eyes.

It then transformed into pure curiosity.

"So many years have passed in the blink of an eye. I am quite curious, my dear minister, what level have you reached in cultivating your Azure Longevity Body?"

"Wouldn't it be better to..."

The young Heavenly Emperor's smile grew even brighter, yet it was utterly cold and devoid of warmth.

"How about we, ruler and subject, have another spar?"

(End of this chapter)