Chapter 832: The Jade Emperor of the Haotian Bright Palace

A purple-gold gourd?

Dong Jianfeng, a Great Celestial, was sucked into the gourd just by responding to a call? What kind of gourd was that? A Great Celestial artifact? And a top-tier one at that?

"A true name treasure?" one of the Great Celestials muttered in surprise.

At the mention of a true name treasure, the expressions of the other Great Celestials changed. These artifacts were among the most mysterious. It was said that each true name treasure contained a measure of fate, at least one yuan of it, forming a small world inside!

Who was that old man in the Eight Trigrams robe?

The Great Celestials looked at this new faction with a mixture of fear and curiosity. Who were these people? An entourage of a ruler? If even a minister could wield such power, how formidable was their leader?

Some of the twenty-one remaining Great Celestials seemed to recognize the newcomers, their faces showing signs of apprehension.

Zhong Shan also scrutinized their appearance, his face twitching slightly. Shui Jing, noticing the usually unflappable Sacred King showing signs of unease, wondered if Zhong Shan knew them.

It wasn't that Zhong Shan knew them personally, but their attire was all too familiar. Their appearance was unmistakable.

As for the purple-gold gourd, Zhong Shan had heard legends about it. To think it could even capture a Great Celestial!

The group of ten flew toward the Longevity Hall, their presence overwhelming. Despite their small number, they seemed to outshine everything around them.

The ten Great Buddhas looked at the newcomers with grave expressions. While some among the group were on guard, the leaders appeared relaxed, treating the situation as inconsequential.

The twenty-one remaining Great Celestials halted their attacks. Dong Jianfeng's fate had been a stark reminder of the potential danger posed by these newcomers.

The group landed in front of Hao Meili.

"Ninth Princess," nine of the newcomers bowed slightly to Hao Meili.

Hao Meili's expression shifted continuously as she looked at the leader of the group, sensing something familiar yet uncertain.

"Who are you?" Hao Meili demanded rudely.

Courtesy? Hao Meili had never cared for such formalities.

"I am your ancestor," the leader replied.

The Great Celestials frowned at this declaration. Who was this man, claiming to be the ancestor of a little girl?

"You're Haotian?" Hao Meili asked bluntly.

Though she had guessed, she wanted confirmation.

Hao Meili's words caused the nine behind the leader to frown slightly.

"I am Haotian, the ruler of the Great Hong Heavenly Court," Haotian confirmed with a smile.

"What do you want?" Hao Meili raised an eyebrow.

Despite his status, Hao Meili showed no respect for Haotian. In fact, there seemed to be a hint of resentment in her tone.

Seeing Hao Meili's impatience, a small golden dragon suddenly flew over, landing on her shoulder and glaring at the group.

Upon seeing the little golden dragon, Haotian's pupils contracted. His ministers, the old man in the Eight Trigrams robe and the one holding the horsetail whisk, also stared intently at the dragon. Even the figure in the black robe seemed focused on it.

Zhong Shan's eyes narrowed. He had identified the newcomers' identities and noticed Haotian's shock. What could have caused such a reaction?

"Why are you here?" Hao Meili demanded again, her tone still disrespectful.

Haotian, maintaining his composure, responded, "I have come to take you back to the Great Hong Heavenly Court. Your presence is needed there."

Hao Meili's eyes flickered with defiance. "I'm not going anywhere with you. You have no right to take me away."

The tension in the air was palpable. The Great Celestials watched closely, unsure of the outcome but knowing that the presence of Haotian and his ministers had drastically altered the dynamics.

Meanwhile, Zhong Shan remained observant. The situation had become incredibly complex, and the stakes were higher than ever. The confrontation between the factions was reaching a critical point, and the slightest misstep could lead to an all-out battle.

A small golden dragon? Could there be something special about it?

"I'm here to take you home!" Haotian said, satisfaction evident in his eyes.

"This is my home!" Hao Meili retorted, eyes blazing with defiance.

This is my home? Everyone frowned. Haotian turned to Zhong Shan.

"What is your name?" Haotian asked in a deep voice.

"Great Yan Sacred Court, Zhong Shan!" Zhong Shan reported his name for the third time.

"I intend to take Hao Meili with me. Do you have any objections?" Haotian asked.

Haotian's question was neither dismissive nor overly respectful, but it seemed to be directed more at Hao Meili than Zhong Shan.

"Hao Meili is my friend, not my subordinate. Her decisions are her own. If she wants to go, I won't stop her. If she wants to stay, she is welcome. However, if you try to force her to do something against her will, I won't allow it," Zhong Shan shook his head.

Despite knowing the strength and power of the ten before him, Zhong Shan stood firm on his principles, confident that everything was still within his expectations.

"How dare you! Do you know who you are speaking to?" a three-eyed man behind Haotian roared.

Zhong Shan looked coldly at the three-eyed man, "This is not your place to speak!"

Zhong Shan's icy gaze made the three-eyed man furious, but as he was about to lash out, Haotian raised a hand to stop him.

"Humph!" the three-eyed man snorted coldly.

Haotian gave Zhong Shan a long, deep look before turning to Hao Meili.

"Why do you refuse to come home with me?" Haotian asked kindly.

"This is my home. My family is all dead. Why should I go with you?" Hao Meili replied bluntly.

Indeed, Hao Meili's stubborn and willful nature had been shaped by her life's experiences. With her family gone, what was there to pursue? Haotian might be her ancestor, but what did that matter to her? Not cursing him was already a good thing.

Haotian frowned slightly at her response and looked at the man in black robes.

"You speak to her," Haotian said with a sigh.

"Who are you?" Hao Meili asked, eyeing the man in black robes curiously.

"Do you remember the Western Poison Emperor?" the man in black robes asked.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Hao Meili asked, suddenly wary and angry like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"I founded the Plague Sect. Who do you think I am?" the man in black robes replied.

"What do you want?"

"I want to tell you that I can bring the Western Poison Emperor back to life," the man in black robes said calmly.

"Impossible! His soul and lifespan were exhausted. He's as dead as can be!" Hao Meili vehemently denied, though a glimmer of hope flickered in her eyes.

"Give me the Plague Sect's master token," the man in black robes demanded.

Hao Meili quickly produced a token, the one the Western Poison Emperor had left her before he died.

Grasping the token, the man in black robes channeled a faint energy through it. A subtle aura emanated from the token.

"It's the old man's aura! It's really his aura!" Hao Meili exclaimed, tears of excitement welling up in her eyes.

The man in black robes withdrew his hand, causing the aura to disappear.

The prospect of bringing back the Western Poison Emperor stirred deep emotions in Hao Meili. She had always been headstrong and independent, but the chance to reunite with the mentor who had raised her was a powerful lure.

"Come with me, and I will revive the Western Poison Emperor," the man in black robes offered.

Hao Meili hesitated, her usual defiance tempered by the promise of something she had thought lost forever. She glanced at Zhong Shan, torn between her loyalty to her friends and the hope of seeing her mentor again.

"Hao Meili, the choice is yours," Zhong Shan said softly. "You know we will support whatever decision you make."

The tension among the Great Celestials and the newcomers remained high. Zhong Shan's unwavering stance, coupled with Haotian's calm demeanor, had created a standoff with no clear resolution in sight.

The gathered forces watched closely, knowing that the decision made here could alter the balance of power significantly. As Hao Meili stood at the crossroads of her fate, the fate of the Great Yan Sacred Court hung in the balance.

"The old man? Where is he?" Hao Meili asked eagerly.

"The Western Poison Emperor's soul is mostly depleted, but fortunately, the Plague Sect has secret methods. His true spirit has been collected. To revive him, his soul must be replenished. This is a complex task, not something that can be done quickly. You must come with us if you want me to revive him," the man in black robes seemed to grasp Hao Meili's lifeline.

Hao Meili's face changed, hesitating. She looked at Zhong Shan with a trace of reluctance.

Seeing Hao Meili's expression, Zhong Shan nodded, "Hao Meili, while I can't decide for you, I can offer some advice."

"Hmm?" Everyone turned to Zhong Shan.

"Haotian is your ancestor, and it's clear he won't harm you. Your unique physique will undoubtedly attract many people's attention. I don't yet have the ability to protect you constantly, but Haotian can. I suggest you go with them for now," Zhong Shan advised.

Zhong Shan's suggestion surprised everyone.

"You want me to go with them? But..." Hao Meili's eyes showed a hint of reluctance.

Looking at Hao Meili, Zhong Shan spoke solemnly, "The Great Thousand World is filled with powerful beings. Your physique will surely make many envious. I indeed cannot protect you yet. We are friends, and I won't forget you. Today's helplessness doesn't mean it will always be so. When I become strong enough, I will come to find you and ask if you want to return to the Great Yan. If you do, I will bring you back."

Biting her lip, Hao Meili nodded. Though stubborn and headstrong, she could see the situation clearly. Besides, she trusted Zhong Shan, just as she once trusted the Western Poison Emperor.

"Okay, I'll listen to you. Once this matter is settled, I'll go with them. Remember your promise, don't forget it!" Hao Meili reminded him.

"Rest assured, my promise will never change," Zhong Shan nodded.

Haotian gave Zhong Shan a meaningful look before turning to Hao Meili. He then looked at the small golden dragon on her shoulder, his brow furrowing slightly. Just as he was about to speak, Zhong Shan interrupted.

"Hao Meili, take Xiao Jin with you as a companion. Protect Xiao Jin along the way!" Zhong Shan quickly said.

Haotian and his leading ministers looked at Zhong Shan with approval. This young man knew how to judge the situation.

Zhong Shan had discerned the peculiarities. From Haotian and his people's expressions, it was clear that Xiao Jin's dragon physique was extraordinary. If Xiao Jin stayed, Zhong Shan couldn't protect her for long, and trouble would surely follow. With Hao Meili, Xiao Jin would be safe.

"Okay," Hao Meili nodded.

Then, she looked at Haotian.

"Hey, Haotian," Hao Meili addressed him informally.

"Call me the Jade Emperor," Haotian wasn't too angry.

"The Jade Emperor? What a lame name...!" Hao Meili began to mock.

"Hao Meili, call him the Jade Emperor from now on," Zhong Shan interjected.

Looking at Zhong Shan, Hao Meili nodded.

"Fine, the Jade Emperor. Jade Emperor, I'll go with you after this crisis is over," Hao Meili said.

"Agreed," the Jade Emperor nodded.

The nine subordinates behind him frowned slightly.

At this moment, the twenty-one Great Celestials around them were speechless with anger, having witnessed a family reunion of sorts. This new faction seemed to be allies of Zhong Shan as well?

The Jade Emperor? Most Great Celestials didn't know the name, but some had heard of it. The Jade Emperor? Haotian? The Jade Emperor of the Haotian Bright Palace? That powerful Sacred King? A ruler who controlled four major continents? This was not a minor force; it was an incredibly formidable one.

Zhong Shan was simply astonishing. Just having opened the heavens and appeared in the Great Thousand World, he had already allied with one dojo? And now the Buddha? The Buddha had become his son? One dojo wasn't enough, now another Sacred Court? The Jade Emperor? Could Zhong Shan truly be entering the Great Thousand World for the first time?

The Great Celestials were dumbfounded, realizing that dealing with Zhong Shan and his expanding web of alliances was going to be far more challenging than they had anticipated.