I have Immortality In The Cultivation World

Chapter 488: Chapter 365: Havoc in the Heavenly Court

Overhanging Firmament Hall.

Mystical clouds swirl about, somber and dignified.

Ever since the ascension of the three immortals, this place had become the absolute center of the Divine Continent.

The Heavenly Emperor sat on his throne, his gaze sweeping over the gods, his eyes twinkling with satisfaction. The oath he had made years ago had finally come to fruition, as he truly held in his hands the great authority of the Heavenly Court.

Within the Hall, the gods were divided into several factions. The three Immortal Sects each formed a lineage, the major teachings and dynasties split into two, and the newly appointed loose cultivator True Gods, who banded together yet fought among themselves, could also be considered two factions.

With the Heavenly Emperor simply mediating from the center, he was omnipotent.

With a slight indication by his eyes, the Minister of Rites, and also the first loose cultivator True God to take charge over the top three ministries, Yu Zichan, stepped forward and said,

“Your Majesty, your servant has an important matter to report.”

The Heavenly Emperor smiled and said, “You may speak, my beloved subject.”

Yu Zichan bowed and said, “Your servant dares to inquire, how old does Your Majesty count himself today?”

Boom!

An immense pressure appeared out of nowhere, heavy as a sacred mountain, causing even True Gods to be taken aback by fright. The might of the Heavenly Emperor had far surpassed that of an ordinary True God.

“Does my beloved subject know what he is asking?”

“Your Majesty, there is a common saying in the Mortal World, ‘A nation cannot be without its ruler for a single day!’

Yu Zichan spoke in a deep voice, “Your Majesty’s contributions to the Divine Continent are unparalleled and unprecedented. However, even a man’s life-span is determined by fate, and preparations must be made early to avoid chaos breaking out in the Heavenly Court.”

“Your servant dares to request that Your Majesty appoint a Crown Prince!”

Hiss!

The eyes of the gods in the Hall filled with admiration when they looked at Yu Zichan. Even knowing he was the Heavenly Emperor’s lapdog, to speak such words required incredible audacity.

The Heavenly Emperor’s expression remained as calm as ancient well water, his face neither sad nor happy, but the pressure he emitted suddenly surged. @@novelbin@@

“I, am currently three thousand six hundred years old, possessing another one thousand four hundred years of life. There is no need to discuss the matter of appointing a Crown Prince just yet!”

Yu Zichan, as if set on his course and bereft of wisdom, pressed on aggressively, “A thousand years of life can pass in an instant. When the Crown Prince one day takes hold of the Divine Continent, can all matters be settled so easily?”

“A thousand years to prepare the way for his ascension…

“Enough!”

The Heavenly Emperor interrupted with a rebuke, his voice cold, “I shall consider this matter myself. Do any other beloved subjects have something to report?”

The Minister of Personnel, very perceptive, stepped out, “Reporting to Your Majesty, the Heavenly Court has bestowed the title of True God upon one thousand seven hundred new recipients in the past hundred years, which is an increase of fifty percent over the past century, but the consumption of incense has increased by seventy percent.”

“This matter concerns the safety and stability of the Heavenly Court, and thus requires Your Majesty’s holy judgement!”

The Heavenly Emperor pondered for a moment before saying, “Abolish fifty percent of the daoist temples, and increase the difficulty of the remaining ones’ examinations. The number of True Gods to be conferred in each century shall be maintained at a thousand.”

A True God from the Judicial Department stepped out and said, “Your Majesty, this will surely provoke opposition from the Cultivation World.”

“I am aware that in recent years, quite a few of the mortal True Gods have relied on their power to provide conveniences for their sects, resulting in many cultivators without an Immortal Register!”

The Heavenly Emperor said, “This is a grave offense worthy of sect annihilation. Inform them, but for now, just take note of it.”

“We shall heed the edict.”

The Minister of Personnel realized that the sects held the power of discourse in the Cultivation World. As long as they did not dare to oppose the abolition of the daoist temples, the remaining loose cultivators were of no significant threat.

A little guidance could easily sway public opinion!

Another daoist temple True God stepped out and said, “Your Majesty, another reason for the surge in True Gods is that many of those who enter the daoist temples to study and take exams, already possess cultivations.”

Qi Refinement cultivators have excellent memory, and those in the Foundation Establishment stage possess Divine Sense, far surpassing mortals who pore over scriptures in the temples, making their learning efficiency incomparable.

“Hmph, those sects are becoming increasingly presumptuous, always scheming to exploit loopholes in the heavenly laws!”

The Heavenly Emperor snorted coldly. Had it not been for Sun Changsheng causing an uproar in the Heavenly Court years ago, perhaps the sects would have been wiped out long ago. He said, “Set new heavenly laws, indicating that those recorded in the daoist temples cannot possess any cultivation.”

Though seemingly trivial, this matter was critical for the foundation of the Heavenly Court.

Sects were colluding with local True Gods to recruit disciples with superior aptitude, who would train and then be sent to the daoist temples for examinations, obtaining Immortal Registers and divine positions, and afterward, return to protect their sects.

Over time, the mid and lower ranks of True Gods would entirely consist of sect disciples, and sooner or later, they would bite back at the Heavenly Court.

Alternatively, it was also cutting off the mortals’ path to ascension, causing resentment that was directed at the Heavenly Court. It wouldn’t be surprising if a failed exam led to an uprising by a Son of Destiny!

The daoist temple True God inquired, “Your Majesty, how should the selection be carried out for the demon race?”

The Heavenly Emperor replied, “For every thousand True Gods each century, allocate slots to the demon race according to a ratio of one to ten, and then award them based on their performance in the daoist temple exams.”

“We shall heed Your Majesty’s decree.”

With just a few words from a few individuals, the strategy for the Divine Continent for the centuries ahead was set, affecting the fate of countless beings.

Some would leverage this to rise to power, while established forces that couldn’t keep up with the changes would fall into decline.

The gods in the Hall perked up their ears to listen, secretly mulling over the strategies in their hearts, knowing that early knowledge of strategies could enable many arrangements. Yet, there was no one short-sighted enough to raise objections.

Those issues discussed at the great assembly had already been settled in smaller meetings, they were announced rather than deliberated upon.

After the two matters were broached, another god from the Thunder Department came out.

“Your Majesty, the number of demonic cultivators has already far exceeded the established ten thousand. Should we conduct a large-scale purge to uphold the majesty of the Heavenly Court?”

For nearly a thousand years, the Heavenly Court had been flourishing in incense offerings, which not only sufficed for the cultivation of True Gods but left a substantial surplus stored in the treasury for emergencies.

The fundamental reason was those demonic cultivators wreaking havoc everywhere, instilling fear in mortals, which naturally led to devout faith.

Perhaps it should be said that “The ignorant can be indoctrinated,” rather than “The ignorant should be indoctrinated!”

“Before purging demonic cultivators, first inform those Demon Gods and Monster Gods, if any of their disciples are dear to them, we can spare a few.”

The Heavenly Emperor nodded, “After all, this is a collaboration, the Heavenly Court can’t be too harsh…”

Before he could finish, a loud noise interrupted.

Bang!

The Overhanging Firmament Hall shook from side to side. Thankfully, the Formation and Prohibition held firm; otherwise, a few fallen bricks would have been a loss of face for the Heavenly Court.