His voice could be heard from afar; it was a perfect example of how one's voice precedes one's arrival.
The person who came was none other than Venus, who had been ordered to recruit Xiao Ning.
As the saying goes, a day in heaven is equivalent to a year on earth. After he made some preparations and set off for the mortal realm, more than three months had passed in the human world.
"I am Xiao Ning, and I greet Immortal Lord Taibai!"
Although he did not know the purpose of this person's visit, seeing that the other party treated him with courtesy, Xiao Ning did not dare to be negligent and got up to greet him.
"Amitabha! It's Fellow Daoist Xiao!"
Venus, holding a smooth and soft whisk, descended from the clouds and stood three feet away from Xiao Ning, bowing slightly and offering a Daoist salute.
"Immortal Lord, you are a rare guest! Please come in quickly!"
"Fellow Daoist, please!"
The two entered the main hall of Qingxu Temple one after the other.
After the guests and hosts were seated, outer disciples served tea, with the abbot of Qingxu Temple accompanying them.
After several rounds of tea, Xiao Ning asked, "Immortal Lord, instead of enjoying blessings in the Heavenly Realm, you have descended to the mortal world. Did you come specifically to see me?"
Venus, according to legend, is one of the primordial deities of this world. It was born from Venus, hence the name Venus.
His surname was Li, his given name was Chang Geng, and he was also known as Qi Ming. His main job was to be the Jade Emperor's special envoy, responsible for conveying various orders, which made him popular with the people!
This man is one of the Jade Emperor's loyal ministers and a powerful figure in the Heavenly Court. Ordinary people are not even qualified to meet him, and it is impossible for him to idly wander down to the mortal realm.
Xiao Ning guessed that this person's arrival must be for some important matter.
Therefore, he didn't waste any time and went straight to the point.
Venus put down his teacup and said with a smile, "The Great Celestial Venerable learned of Fellow Daoist Xiao's reincarnation and return, and specially sent this humble Daoist to offer his congratulations!"
Xiao Ning cupped his hands and said, "Haha, please convey my gratitude to the Great Celestial Venerable for his concern. I appreciate it!"
From his words, Venus sensed that he had no intention of rejecting the Jade Emperor, and a feeling of joy welled up in his heart. He tentatively asked, "Now that you have been reincarnated, I wonder what you will do for me in the future!"
Xiao Ning shrugged and said, "As Fellow Daoist Taibai can see, Qingxu Temple has been kind to me in raising me, and I have no choice but to repay that kindness. So I will stay at Qingxu Temple and teach the younger disciples, and focus on my cultivation in order to break through to a higher level!"
His words contained a mixture of truth and falsehood, leaving Venus unable to distinguish between them for a moment, and he thought that Venus was trying to fool him.
But Venus did not show it on his face. He chuckled and praised, "Knowing how to repay kindness, fellow Daoist, you have good character and a good heart!"
Then, he turned to Qingxu, who was sitting with him, and asked, "This must be Abbot Qingxu. You are truly blessed to have the reincarnation of a Yangshen Realm expert. As a result, Qingxu Temple has become one of the top forces in the human world!"
Qingxu quickly rose and bowed, saying, "This humble Taoist, Qingxu, greets the Immortal. The Immortal is too kind! The Supreme Elder's favor upon our temple is truly a blessing for the entire Qingxu Temple!"
Venus nodded, looked at Xiao Ning, considered for a moment, and asked, "Fellow Daoist Xiao, do you have any interest in serving as an official in the Heavenly Court?"
"To become an official in the Heavenly Court?"
Xiao Ning exclaimed in surprise. He had originally thought that Venus was just representing the Jade Emperor to test him and, incidentally, to befriend him.
Unexpectedly, they directly tried to win me over, being straightforward and clear-cut.
Indeed, cultivators are much more straightforward than ordinary people, without so many scheming and intrigue.
Xiao Ning thought for a moment, then shook his head and replied, "I am used to a life of leisure and I am afraid I cannot stand the constraints. I would like to ask the Immortal Lord to inform the Great Celestial Venerable that I do not have the honor!"
Venus, upon hearing this, was not angry.
He had anticipated this before he came. After all, if the other party coveted royal power and wealth, he would have already become a celestial official in the Heavenly Court in his previous life, so why would he have remained unknown all this time?
"Fellow Daoist, please hear what I have to say. Being a celestial official in the Heavenly Court is not like being in a mortal dynasty. There is no need for roll call or daily court attendance!"
Venus laughed and said, “In our Heavenly Court, there are real and honorary positions. If you do not wish to take a real position, you can take an honorary one and have a title in the Heavenly Court! Every 360 years in the mortal realm, on the first day of each year in the heavens, when the Great Heavenly Venerable convenes the Grand Court Assembly, you just need to come and report for duty!”
In a way, they are just like the elders of sects in the cultivation world.
There is a distinction between senior members with actual positions and senior members with honorary titles.
Elders in actual positions manage sect affairs within their respective professions and are considered members of the sect.
The honorary elders are merely figureheads; there is no direct superiority relationship between them, but rather a simple cooperative one.
Xiao Ning clearly understood this principle as well.
After thinking about it, he finally nodded in agreement.
"Since you are so sincere, fellow Daoist, it would be ungrateful of me to refuse. I am ashamed to accept this honorary position!"
Venus was overjoyed. He took out a scroll of imperial edict from his sleeve, stood up, and read aloud: "The Great Heavenly Venerable hereby confers the title of Xiao Ning, a rogue cultivator from the lower realm, as the Heavenly Lord of the Cave Truth and Calamity Relief. This is the decree!"
Xiao Ning stood up and accepted the imperial edict with a slightly respectful air.
"Your subject receives the decree! Thank you, Great Heavenly Venerable! I am grateful for your trouble, fellow Daoist!"
Venus chuckled and said, "Fellow Daoist, you were immediately bestowed the title of Heavenly Lord by the Great Heavenly Venerable upon your arrival in the Heavenly Court. How enviable!"
Xiao Ning raised an eyebrow, sensing the hidden meaning in the other person's words.
"Hehe, is it me, Xiao, who's blocking someone's way?"
Venus shook his head, waved his hand to set up a barrier that enveloped the two of them, and whispered, "I feel an instant connection with you, fellow Daoist. What happened today is what I say and what you hear, but I will not admit it afterward!"
"Of course, I didn't hear anything!"