The comet remained silent, only relentlessly unleashing heavenly tribulations.

Chapter 81 Sixth-Rank True Monarch Who Performs Tribulations and Transcends Calamities

"That's enough!"

Song Yi sighed softly, then smiled and said, "Since the Dragon King thinks so highly of me, then I will accept this disciple!"

Upon hearing this, Ao Ying, who was standing to the side, could not contain her joy. She immediately bowed gracefully and performed the grand ceremony of three kowtows and nine prostrations, saying loudly, "Disciple greets Master!"

Song Yi accepted the gift without hesitation, and then took out a treasure from his sleeve.

The treasure grew taller in the wind, reaching the size of a lotus platform, with its petals displaying a golden hue.

As soon as it appeared in the world, it emitted countless auspicious rays of light.

In an instant, a refreshing fragrance wafted over, penetrating the soul and purifying the mind, dispelling all distracting thoughts.

Song Yi said solemnly, "This item is a flower that fell from the laurel tree, a top-grade innate spiritual root from the primordial era, and has been with me for many years. This treasure can protect the clarity of the primordial spirit, prevent the arising of inner demons, and make it difficult for external evils to enter. It is a first-class defensive treasure. Today, your master bestows it upon you, hoping that you will not slack off in your cultivation."

Ao Ying respectfully accepted the treasure with both hands, feeling the vast Yin energy within. Overjoyed, she said in a clear voice, "Thank you for bestowing this treasure upon me, Master!"

Thirty years later, the Heavenly Court held its grand assembly once again.

In the Great Luo Heaven, countless auspicious energies and radiant light converged from all directions of the myriad realms.

The immortals and gods rode on auspicious five-colored clouds, rode on celestial birds and divine beasts, or rode in a nine-phoenix palanquin. The Great Luo Heaven was filled with colorful lights and magnificent scenery.

Ao Ying followed behind Song Yi somewhat timidly, her eyes full of curiosity.

This was her first time attending the grand assembly.

Of the thirty-three Heavenly River Dragon Kings, only she, a seventh-rank Dragon Lord, was qualified to enter the Lingxiao Palace.

Now, four or five hundred years have passed since the Great War of Investiture of the Gods in Heaven, and more and more immortals and gods are ascending and receiving titles.

Song Yi no longer stood in the last few rows as before, but gradually moved to a position in the middle and back.

Just then, the temple's guardian spirit announced loudly, "The Great Heavenly Venerable has arrived!"

In an instant, the noisy Lingxiao Palace fell silent.

The gods straightened their clothes and bowed in respect.

Nine layers of auspicious purple-gold clouds surged in from outside the hall, and on the highest jade steps, the majestic and boundless supreme Dharma form of the Great Heavenly Venerable slowly appeared.

The twelve-tassel crown on his head was adorned with jewels, and nine streams of celestial dragon energy surrounded him, his divine might as vast as the sea, making people dare not look directly at him.

After the Jade Emperor took his seat on the supreme dragon throne, the ethereal celestial music in the Lingxiao Palace gradually faded away.

The guardian deity of the temple stepped forward and said in a booming voice, "Fellow immortals and gods, we have something to report!"

According to the Heavenly Court's custom, the officials of the eight departments of Heaven would first step forward to report.

First, Thunder God Wen Zhong stepped forward to report on the achievements in clearing the demonic atmosphere from the Three Realms, saying that most of the thirty-six demon caves in the lower realm had been pacified.

The Fire God presents a map of the newly opened Fire Domain in the Southern Flame Continent.

The Great Emperor of Plague reported to the human world that the plague had been contained on time and that no one dared to disobey the laws of Heaven.

Doumu Yunjun reported that the movement of the stars in the heavens was normal, with no abnormalities.

The Grand Duke Jupiter presents the performance records of the City Gods from various regions for the Great Heavenly Venerable's perusal.

The Water Deity reported on the allocation of rain and water across the four seas.

Marshal Xuantan presented a register of offerings from the Three Realms, stating that the Heavenly Court's annual revenue had increased by 30% compared to a hundred years ago.

After each of the eight departments finished their performance, they returned to their respective posts.

The Celestial Minister, Venus, stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, the Broom Star Lord has spent over two hundred years completely dredging the river channels of the thirty-three heavens and successfully diverting the Weak Water of the Nine Heavens into the Great Luo Heaven. This has ensured the complete flow of energy throughout the Heavenly Court, allowing Yin and Yang to harmonize and life to flourish endlessly. This is a great achievement that will bless countless generations!"

The Jade Emperor sat on his throne, nodded slightly, and said, "The Broom Star Lord has indeed made a great contribution to the excavation of the Milky Way and the connection of all the heavens."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lei Zuwenzhong strode out of the train.

Holding a jade tablet, he spoke in a thunderous voice: "Reporting to the Great Heavenly Venerable, the Broom Star Lord has not only rendered meritorious service in controlling the floods of the Heavenly River, but has also subdued numerous rebellious demons causing chaos in the mortal realm. This time, he has even captured the Western Great Mighty Garuda King, who devoured the righteous god of the East Sea. He has truly rendered a great service!"

Upon hearing this, the Jade Emperor's voice deepened: "The Western Buddhist sect is suspected of harboring filth and evil. Nine Heavens Responding to the Origin of Universal Transformation Heavenly Venerable, after your court session, draft a divine edict from the Thunder Department, vehemently exposing the heinous crimes of the Great Mighty Garuda King in disregarding heavenly rules and harming righteous gods. Also, issue a decree to Mount Ling, so that the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the West may take this as a warning and never again allow such a deeply karmic demon to occupy a high position!"

"Your humble servant obeys the decree!" Wen Zhong bowed and accepted the order, then returned to his place in the ranks.

The Jade Emperor's tone softened, and he continued, "The Broom Star Lord has made great contributions. Not only that, but recently even the Third Holy Mother of Mount Hua submitted a memorial requesting credit for him, stating that it was only with his strong assistance that the Black Mountain Demon, who had been causing chaos and suffering in the underworld, was finally able to be killed."

At this point, the Jade Emperor abruptly changed the subject, his heavenly voice booming: "Where is the Broom Star Lord?"

"Your humble servant is here!"

Song Yi strode out of the column, holding a ceremonial tablet and bowing respectfully.

"Since I ascended the throne, I have always punished those who committed wrongdoings and rewarded those who achieved them. You have performed such an extraordinary feat today; whatever reward you desire, speak freely before the immortals, and I will grant it!"

Upon hearing the Jade Emperor's words, all the gods present in the Lingxiao Palace were startled and secretly marveled at the extent of his divine favor.

Song Yi knew that this was not the time to be modest and shirk responsibility. If he missed this opportunity, he would not know when he would be promoted to a higher priesthood.

He immediately proclaimed, "Your Majesty, I was deeply honored by the grace of the two sages, the Supreme Lord and the Primordial Beginning, and was appointed as the Heavenly Broom Star, destined by Heaven to oversee the misfortunes of the human world and sweep away all filth. Therefore, I humbly request to assume these two great divine positions today, so as to better serve the Heavenly Court and bring blessings to all living beings!"

"For the God of Calamity to have such a heart is truly a great kindness!"

The Jade Emperor nodded and then issued an edict: "I hereby bestow upon Song Yi the title of True Lord of the Sixth Rank of Heaven, who delivers from calamity and tribulation, and establish the Purification and Turbidity Palace."

The pure are those who cleanse the heavens of impurities; the turbid are those who bring down bad luck. Both purity and turbidity are under the jurisdiction of this government.

The Purification and Turbidity Bureau has three subordinate departments: the Heavenly Purification Department, the Darkening Department, and the Dispelling Calamity Department.

Among them, the Department of Disaster Relief acts on behalf of Heaven to inflict calamities and misfortunes on those who are rebellious and immoral; the Department of Relief from Calamities is responsible for responding to the prayers of believers in the mortal realm seeking relief from calamities, dispatching messengers to investigate, determine the cause of their misfortunes, and decide whether they can be relieved, thus demonstrating Heaven's intention to reward good and punish evil.

Song Yi was overjoyed and was about to bow in gratitude when a righteous deity suddenly stepped out from the train ahead. Upon closer inspection, it was indeed the Plague Emperor.

Lu Yue stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, I believe this is inappropriate. Our Plague Department and Smallpox Department were sent down by Heaven’s mandate to bring down calamities. The Purification and Turbidity Bureau’s General Obscurity Division is acting on behalf of Heaven to bring down calamities, which is undoubtedly in serious conflict with the Plague and Smallpox Departments. Why doesn’t Your Majesty place this newly established Purification and Turbidity Bureau under the jurisdiction of our Plague Department, so that it will be legitimate and not cause confusion in the Heavenly Court’s authority?”

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