Primordial Era: The Three Senior Brothers of the Taiqing Clan

Chen Qing suddenly remembered something and turned to Pingxin, saying, "By the way, it would be best to let these witches take up positions in the underworld. That way, they'll have something to do and can accumulate some merit to offset their karma."

Just as Pingxin was about to reply, Chen Qing suddenly heard his master Laozi's voice: "Come to Zixiao Palace immediately!"

Chen Qing was taken aback, not expecting his master to summon him at this critical juncture. He immediately said to Pingxin, "Master has ordered me to go back. I'll come to Youming to find you again in a while."

"Mm." Pingxin nodded.

Chen Qing transformed into a streak of light and flew towards the chaos beyond the heavens. Along the way, he pondered to himself: What could be happening at this time? Suddenly, his heart skipped a beat—could it be the selection of the Heavenly Emperor?

On closer reflection, it's quite possible. The Heavenly Court was originally ruled by the demon race, but now that the demon race is severely weakened, a change of leadership is inevitable. But shouldn't this be a matter for the sages to discuss? What does it have to do with someone like me who hasn't even become a sage yet?

Lost in thought, Chen Qing had reached the edge of chaos. Unable to understand, he simply stopped thinking and stepped into the chaos. Just as he was struggling to find the location of Zixiao Palace, a clear guide suddenly arose in his mind.

After the sages dispersed from Zixiao Palace, before they had even returned to their respective dojos, they simultaneously heard Hongjun's voice: "Come to Zixiao Palace immediately."

Although puzzled, the group dared not delay and hurried towards Zixiao Palace. Upon arrival, they learned that the Dao Ancestor had asked them to nominate a candidate for Heavenly Emperor.

The saints all knew the implications of the Heavenly Emperor's position—nominally ruling the primordial world, but in reality, it involved too many karmic consequences, making it a thankless and arduous task. However, there was one advantage: it was extremely beneficial for the propagation of their sects.

The group argued endlessly about who should be chosen. Then someone mentioned "Chen Qing," and the entire Zixiao Palace fell silent instantly.

Seeing this, Hongjun suggested calling Chen Qing to discuss the matter together. This led to Laozi transmitting his voice to Chen Qing.

Time passed slowly, and the saints, all of whom were calm and composed, closed their eyes to rest until they heard Chen Qing's presence outside Zixiao Palace, at which point they opened their eyes one after another.

Chen Qing stepped into the Purple Cloud Palace and saw that all six sages were present. He thought to himself, "As expected." He first stepped forward and respectfully bowed to Dao Ancestor Hongjun: "Chen Qing greets Dao Ancestor!"

He then turned to Lao Tzu: "Chen Qing greets his master."

Then he bowed to Yuanshi, Tongtian, Nuwa, Jieyin, and Zhunti one by one, showing complete respect and impartiality.

Seeing Chen Qing's demeanor, everyone except Zhunti, who had a grudge against him, including Hongjun Daozu, secretly nodded in approval—this child knows the rules.

Laozi smiled and said, "Qing'er, we intend to make you the Heavenly Emperor. Are you willing?"

"What?" Chen Qing's eyes widened in astonishment. The Heavenly Emperor? Shouldn't the Heavenly Emperor be Haotian and Yaochi? How did it become him?

He subconsciously glanced at the boy and girl standing behind Hongjun.

To say he wasn't tempted by the throne of the Heavenly Emperor would be a lie. But as a transmigrator, he knew all too well how miserable it would be for Haotian to become the Heavenly Emperor. Besides, if he were to become the Heavenly Emperor, who would he care about? His master? Or his two senior uncles?

Most importantly—they find things troublesome. There are tons of trivial matters every day; they probably don't even have time to cultivate, spending all their time contributing to the primordial world.

Thinking of this, Chen Qing shook his head repeatedly: "Master, this disciple feels that I am not suitable to be the Heavenly Emperor."

How could someone who aspires to a carefree and joyful life and pursues the ultimate goal possibly become a Heavenly Emperor?

Seeing Chen Qing's eager expression, as if he were being forced into something, Laozi couldn't help but chuckle. He hadn't really wanted Chen Qing to take the position in the first place—with Chen Qing's talent, becoming a saint in the future wasn't impossible, so why risk losing more for a small gain?

Yuanshi and Tongtian originally intended to support Chen Qing to become the Heavenly Emperor, but seeing that he was unwilling, they gave up and instead began to think about which of their disciples could take the position.

"I believe that Maitreya of my Western religion is capable of fulfilling this role," Zhunti said.

When Chen Qing was first brought up, the Western faction gave up on competing for him, realizing their own disciple was indeed inferior. But now that Chen Qing himself was refusing, they naturally wouldn't let this opportunity slip by.

"Who is this Maitreya of yours? I've never even heard of him. My disciple Duobao is more suitable." Tongtian retorted without any politeness.

Chen Qing's heart stirred; Duobao was indeed suitable. In his previous life, Duobao managed the Jie Sect, and later, after joining Buddhism, he also managed it, keeping everything in perfect order.

Before he could speak, Nuwa said, "The Demon Emperor's tenth son can become the Heavenly Emperor. He is the successor of the previous Heavenly Emperor."

"No way!" Zhunti immediately retorted, "Those ten golden crows descended to earth and caused widespread suffering to the prehistoric world. How could they possibly be qualified?"

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement. The atrocities committed by the Golden Crow Prince back then were indeed immense.

Nuwa's face immediately darkened. Her almond-shaped eyes narrowed, and she rebuked him mercilessly, "Zhunti, you dare call yourself a saint! We haven't settled the score for you breaking through the Demon Emperor's great formation and tricking the Golden Crow into descending to the mortal realm!"

"That's not true," Zhunti said without batting an eye. "This is the natural order of things, and I am merely following the will of Heaven and the will of the people."

The onlookers were amazed. In terms of cultivation, Zhunti might be weaker than the others; but in terms of shamelessness, he was unparalleled in the entire prehistoric world.

Nuwa was furious, but since they were in Zixiao Palace, she couldn't vent her anger.

Subsequently, the debate devolved into a protracted tug-of-war—mainly between the Three Pure Ones and the Two Western Saints.

The Three Pure Ones are now on good terms and don't care whose disciple becomes the Heavenly Emperor; it doesn't matter who it is. As for Zhunti, he's just being unreasonable and utterly shameless. If we weren't in Zixiao Palace, Chen Qing would really like to have another discussion with him.

"Enough." Hongjun, who had been resting with his eyes closed, finally spoke. "You are all sages, yet you make such a racket. What kind of behavior is this?"

Zhunti's eyes darted around, and he immediately interjected, "Please, Master, do us justice! The Three Pure Ones are going too far! Our Western Paradise is already barren, and we finally have a fine disciple. How can he not become the Heavenly Emperor? They are obstructing us in every way. We beg you, Master, to have mercy!"

This stunned everyone—it was truly eye-opening to see such a shameless person in the world.

Even Hongjun's eyelids twitched, but he simply ignored him and turned to Chen Qing: "They initially recommended you to be the Heavenly Emperor, intending to invite you up to discuss it, but you refused. So, in your opinion, who is suitable to be the Heavenly Emperor?"

"Uh..." Chen Qing was stunned.

He never expected the Dao Ancestor to suddenly ask him this question. This was clearly a death trap! Feeling the gazes from his master and two senior uncles behind him, Chen Qing felt bitter—choosing either one seemed like a bad idea.

Zhunti's face darkened—if Chen Qing gets to choose, what chance does the West have? There's no way Chen Qing would choose someone from his Western sect.

Feeling the gazes of everyone, Chen Qing gritted his teeth and said, "Dao Ancestor, I have been thinking hard and I really can't make a decision. Please forgive me."

In the end, he chose a way that wouldn't offend anyone.

The three Qing masters were taken aback for a moment, then a smile appeared on their lips, and they all secretly thought he was cunning.

Chen Qing declined, and now everyone looked expectantly at the Dao Ancestor. They had argued for a long time without reaching a conclusion, and had only displeased the Dao Ancestor, so they might as well just listen to him.

Hongjun was quite straightforward, asking directly, "Haotian, are you willing to become the ruler of the Heavenly Court?"

Haotian, who had been standing quietly behind Daozu, was first stunned upon hearing this, and then overjoyed.

The position of the Lord of Heaven is far better than staying in the Purple Cloud Palace all day. After so many years, he has long been tired of it and wants to go out and see the primordial world.

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Haotian will certainly live up to your expectations and manage the Heavenly Court well!"

Compared to Haotian's joy, the expressions of the other sages were much more complex.

They originally wanted the Dao Ancestor to choose one of his own disciples, but unexpectedly, the Dao Ancestor directly chose the boy next to him.

Although Haotian's cultivation was not bad, and he was a Quasi-Saint with a One Corpse, he was ultimately just a child, and they didn't really think much of him. But since it was the Dao Ancestor's decision, they couldn't say anything more.

"I bestow upon you the Haotian Mirror for protection. Furthermore, Yaochi will descend to assist you," Hongjun added. "I also bestow upon you the Eastern Azure Lotus Banner and the supreme innate spiritual root, the Peach Tree, to suppress the Heavenly Court's fortune."

Yaochi stepped forward, looking bewildered, and accepted the Eastern Azure Lotus Treasure Banner and the peach tree. She hadn't expected to receive one as well.

After Hongjun finished speaking, he waved his hand, and a beam of light enveloped Haotian and Yaochi. When the light faded, their forms changed drastically. Haotian had become a dignified middle-aged man, possessing a regal air. Yaochi, on the other hand, had become a beautiful young woman of sixteen.

"Thank you, sir!" The two men, overjoyed at the benefit they had received, immediately bowed down.

Chen Qing shook his head, looking at the two happy people in front of him, and couldn't help but sigh: when they really go to take charge of the Heavenly Court and see that devastated and broken scene, I wonder what their expressions will be.

Just when everyone thought the matter was over, Zhunti's eyes darted around and he spoke again: "Master, Haotian and Yaochi were your attendants. Now that they're gone, you have no one to serve you. I have a disciple named Maitreya who can come and take orders from you."

Upon hearing this, the saints' eyes lit up, and they all expressed that they could send their own disciples to Zixiao Palace to serve them.

Although the status of a child is considered somewhat low in their eyes, it does not stop everyone from vying for him. Even a third-rank official is more important than a Daoist master.

The benefits are obvious: Haotian has served as a disciple for so many years, and his cultivation has reached the Quasi-Saint level. Now he has been arranged to be the Lord of the Heavenly Court, and even a top-grade innate spiritual treasure has been bestowed upon him.

If their own disciples could stay by the Dao Ancestor's side, even a little bit of what the Dao Ancestor gave them would be enough for them to enjoy endlessly.

Of all the saints, only Lao Tzu and Nuwa remained silent.

Laozi only had two disciples—his eldest disciple, Chen Qing, needed no attention from him, nor could he be. Chen Qing was already a quasi-saint, and his combat power was the strongest below the saint level; the next step would be sainthood. His second disciple, Xuandu, was always by his side, and he couldn't bear to send him to be a page.

Nuwa had no disciples.

Hongjun shook his head: "I have already attained the Dao, and I no longer need servants."

At this moment, Lao Tzu suddenly asked, "May I ask you, Master, after merging with the Dao, is it the Dao of Heaven, or...?"

Hongjun smiled and said, "The Dao merges with the Heavenly Dao, but Hongjun remains Hongjun."

Before anyone could ask further, he said directly, "Go. From this day forward, unless there is a great upheaval in the world, Hongjun will not appear."

With a wave of his hand, everyone appeared outside the Zixiao Palace.

The saints looked at each other in disbelief, their hearts filled with horror—was this the Dao Ancestor's method? They were already saints, yet they were utterly powerless to resist.

Haotian snapped out of his daze and quickly bowed to the saints: "Haotian has just taken charge of the Heavenly Court, and I hope that my fellow disciples will take good care of me in the future."

But he seemed to have forgotten something, ignoring Chen Qing who was standing to the side.

Chen Qing smiled wryly. It was better to be ignored; it saved him trouble.

Laozi, however, was displeased. His face darkened, and he turned to leave, saying, "Chen Qing, let's go!"

Yuanshi and Tongtian were equally unhappy—not only because Chen Qing was ignored, but also because Haotian, a mere child, had become the Heavenly Emperor, while their disciple had been rejected. Didn't this mean that their disciple was inferior to this guy?

Naturally, no one gave Haotian a friendly look, and they all turned and left.

Haotian stared blankly at the departing figures of Sanqing and Chen Qing.

The two Westerners saw this and a hint of disdain flashed in their eyes, but they still greeted each other politely before leaving.