Cultivation: When you take things to the extreme

Chapter 598 - 365: Attitude

"Zhen Yuanzi?"

Although he was aware of the ins and outs, the Jade Emperor still maintained appearances and did not make an immediate judgment after pondering. He looked to his various ministers, "Where did this individual cultivate, and from where did he acquire his path that has stirred the Dragon Palace and disturbed the Netherworld with such divine power?"

"Your Majesty!"

As the echo of his voice faded, the South Pole Great Emperor stepped forward from the ranks of the Longevity Star Palace Master, "This man is a wandering cultivator who appeared in South Observance a thousand years ago, establishing the Tao lineage at Mount Longevity’s Wuzhuang Temple. His divine power is vast and extraordinary, and yet his background and who he apprenticed under remain unknown."

"Oh?"

The Jade Emperor raised an eyebrow and looked back at the crowd, "In that case, which department shall dispatch a general to the Lower Realm to subdue him?"

"Your Majesty, with your permission!"

As the words fell, the Longevity Star Palace Master spoke, "This Zhen Yuanzi, although a wanderer, is also a cultivator with a true path.

After establishing the Tao lineage at Mount Longevity’s Wuzhuang Temple a thousand years ago, he has been slaying demons in South Observance, purifying Qiankun, and holding the Pill Origin Gathering to exchange and disseminate teachings widely, passing on his knowledge... "

"To this day, in South Observance, all cultivators of the Righteous Path count him among their knowledgeable and good friends, even forming sworn brotherhoods to cultivate life and death together. Many junior cultivators have received his gracious teachings. Although they do not officially join his sect, they are treated even more favorably than disciples."

"On the strength of these friendships, the fraternity of Pill Origin, his educational accomplishments, and his cultural influence, the cultivators of South Observance all respect him. Two hundred years ago, they even formed an alliance at the Wuzhuang Assembly, sweeping away the demons and evildoers in South Observance.

He was the leader everyone looked up to, responding readily to his call, truly a cultivator of virtue and a noble gentleman."

The Longevity Star Palace Master’s report made the South Sea Dragon Monarch and the Underworld Dark Lord frown deeply. However, in the presence of Heavenly Venerables and within the celestial court, it was really not fitting to verbally refute, so they clenched their teeth and let him speak.

The Longevity Star Palace Master also disregarded the feelings of the two lords as he continued, "How could such a paragon of virtue cause trouble without reason and stir up chaos in the Dragon Palace and Netherworld? There must be a reason for this.

If we simply apprehend him, it would surely upset the cultivators of South Observance and lead to widespread discontent, damaging the Heavenly Court’s face and your Majesty’s benevolent grace. Therefore, I beseech your Majesty to clarify the cause and effect first.

If he truly has no justifiable reason and has committed heinous crimes, then Heavenly Court would act with justified cause and win the hearts of the people!"

"You speak sensibly!"

The Jade Emperor, upon hearing this, also agreed, and his gaze turned to the South Sea Dragon Monarch and the Underworld Dark Lord, "Why has this person caused chaos in the Dragon Palace and Netherworld? You must tell all without concealing anything."

"Answering your Majesty!"

The South Sea Dragon Monarch gritted his teeth, "That villain took advantage of the Grand Void Sea Assembly to not only collect Essence Gold Divine Iron but also uprooted the entire Ancient Iron Mountain, causing an imbalance in the Earth Aura and unrest in the water veins, leading to countless casualties among the Aquatic Clan."

"That is one thing; there is another. Under the guise of demon slaying, he chased after my brother-in-law and stormed into the palace!"

"Although my brother-in-law had joined the Demon Path, that was only to deceive others; in reality, he was a covert ally for our East Sea Dragon Palace in the Demon Abyss. During the ancient wars between immortals and demons, he had made great contributions that helped my father defeat the Dark Heaven Crown Prince!"

"Thus, when that villain chased into the palace, without discussion or allowing for explanation, he beat my brother-in-law to death. How can such actions be considered virtuous?"

"I earnestly request that your Majesty make a just decision and grant me justice!"

With that, he knelt on the ground.

Seeing this, the Underworld Dark Lord also seized the opportunity.

"I report to your Majesty, what the Dragon Monarch said is true. That villain, while claiming to stand for virtue and justice, is actually working for his own self-interest.

Although it is true that Yin Heavenly Lord was a rebel from the Underworld and did evil in South Observance, after fleeing into the Nether Realm, Yanluo had already captured this evil spirit, intending to escort him to Fengdu and leave the judgment to the Emperor."

"However, that villain refused to believe in the Underworld’s innocence and ruthlessly killed the Yin Heavenly Evildoer."

"Had he stopped there, it would have been sufficient, as Yin Heavenly Lord deserved to die for causing havoc in South Observance from within the Underworld. Yet, that villain, after killing Yin Heavenly Lord, also took the Book of Life and Death. Is this not claiming righteousness to conceal selfish motives?"

The Dark Lord knelt, speaking solemnly, "I earnestly request that your Majesty make a just decision and grant the Underworld justice!"

"This..."

The Jade Emperor’s gaze shifted, looking back at the Longevity Star Palace Master.

The Longevity Star Palace Master shook his head, "From this perspective, whatever Zhen Yuanzi has done, he has had proper justification. Although there may be misunderstandings and improper aspects, they can’t be grounds for initiating an armed capture."

After speaking, he looked towards the Jade Emperor and advised, "Your Majesty, why not summon him to Heaven to clarify face to face? After explaining everything, return Ancient Iron Mountain and the Book of Life and Death. With reason and evidence, surely everyone will be convinced."

"Hmm..."

The Jade Emperor pondered for a moment and then nodded, "Your words make sense. Let’s do as you suggest. You shall go down to the South Observance boundary and summon this man to Heaven for clarification."

"This servant obeys!"

The Longevity Star Palace Master bowed and then turned to leave the Lingxiao Treasured Hall.

Leaving the various ministers silent, pondering to themselves.

"The Emperor’s protection, along with the harmonious support from the Longevity Star Palace Master, could it be... there’s an intention to recruit Zhen Yuanzi?"

"This man’s talent is exceptional and astonishing; having reached Mahayana shortly after his enlightenment, he defeated Buddhist Arhats. Barely a millennium of arduous cultivation, and he already possesses a variety of divine powers."

"Stirring up the Dragon Palace, disrupting the Underworld, even the likes of Yanluo, whose strength nearly reaches that of a Calamity Immortal, were easily slain by him. Neither the East Sea Dragon King nor Mount Tai Yama—who both are Calamity Immortals—could detain him."

"With such talent and strength, he is bound to enter the Tribulation Realm in the future, and even has the potential to become a True Immortal. It’s only logical for the Emperor to want to recruit him."

"It is said that this man is a profound scholar, master of all arts, and each is a great school in itself, even reaching the level of Immortal Master. If he could be brought into the Heavenly Court, then the Emperor would have one of the few capable ministers of ancient times."

"The Dragon Palace and Underworld, although backed by the East Sea Dragon Emperor and the Emperor of Fengdu, two True Immortals, should be shown some consideration, but only that—some consideration. At most, return the Ancient Iron Mountain and the Book of Life and Death, but that’s as far as it should go."