Immediately, several sword lights flew from a distance. Xiao Ning could see clearly that they were the Abbot of Qingxu Temple and three elders from Tongtian Peak.
"Greetings, Supreme Elder!"
Upon seeing Xiao Ning, they descended from mid-air and bowed to him.
"No need for such formalities!"
Xiao Ning nodded and looked toward the source of the smoke and dust from the attack.
"May I ask, Elder, what is going on? Has something happened?"
Qingxu's heart stirred, and he stepped forward to ask.
"I was just testing my moves, I didn't expect to disturb everyone, I'm really sorry!"
Xiao Ning waved his hand and explained.
A few breaths later, a mountain breeze blew, dispersing the smoke and dust, revealing the traces of where his previous attack had struck.
"hiss!"
Qingxu, Liu Zixi, and the others looked up and gasped when they saw what was happening.
The once lush and green forest had been utterly ruined, with a ravine tens of feet deep and hundreds of feet wide running through it, stretching from the top of the cliff all the way down to the bottom of the peak, which was thousands of feet high.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it divine might.
Xiao Ning pondered to himself, realizing that with the added power of the Qiankun Ruler and one-tenth of his own magic power, his attack could almost rival the power of a full-force strike.
"So, my strength has almost doubled?"
"Excellent, excellent!"
Thinking of this, Xiao Ning felt much better.
------------
Chapter 2 Dongzhen Du'e Tianjun (10k)
The Heavenly Court, the Lingxiao Palace.
The Jade Emperor sat high on his gilded throne, his eyes half-closed, revealing a look of enjoyment on his face.
A layer of mist swirled around his face, obscuring his features. Tiny golden dragons seemed to swirl around him, and celestial energy rose from beneath his feet, making him appear extremely majestic.
Below the throne sat celestial officials, including emperors, heavenly rulers, and immortal generals, each seated according to their rank and status.
In the very center of the crowd was an open space, filled with ethereal mist and melodious music, where a group of fairy maidens were dancing gracefully, their figures elegant and their charm captivating.
At that moment, Xiao Ning awakened his memories of his past life, and a soaring aura rose up like a rainbow, spreading throughout the Three Realms and alarming all the great figures in the Three Realms.
The Jade Emperor, who was sitting high on his gilded throne, suddenly opened his eyes. There was no trace of infatuation left. With a wave of his hand, the dancing fairies immediately stopped and silently retreated.
"A mortal in the lower realm has awakened his innate wisdom, and unexpectedly, he has become a powerful cultivator at the Yang God Realm. My beloved ministers, have any immortals recently been reincarnated?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Venus stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I have never heard of any Heavenly Lord or Arhat entering the cycle of reincarnation..."
He paused, then hesitated, and said, "Perhaps, it could be a reclusive cultivator in the mortal realm who, unable to break through in his previous life, resolutely chose to reincarnate!"
The Jade Emperor nodded slightly.
Taibai's words make sense. After all, there are countless cultivators in the lower realms, and most of them ascend to heaven to serve as officials after achieving success in their cultivation.
However, many people also live in seclusion, practicing asceticism in the deep mountains, never appearing in the world and unknown to outsiders.
The Jade Emperor addressed the assembled officials, saying, "My beloved ministers, now that this person has returned from his tribulations, how should our Heavenly Court respond?"
Venus stepped forward and said, "Great Heavenly Venerable, in my humble opinion, it would be better to first try to appease them, test their stance, and then decide on a course of action!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, all land under heaven belongs to the king, and all people within the realm are his subjects! The Three Realms all revere the Great Heavenly Venerable. If this person does not know what is good for him, I suggest that we send troops to annihilate him as a warning to others!"
The Jade Emperor frowned. Had this Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King lost his mind? How could he utter such idiotic words?
However, this person has always been loyal to Liu Bei while serving Cao Cao.
He received a salary from the Heavenly Court, but his heart yearned for the Western Paradise.
His plan, seemingly for the benefit of Heaven, actually put Heaven in the spotlight.
If the rogue cultivators in the lower realm agree to the Heavenly Court's offer of amnesty, that would be fine. But if they disagree, sending troops to annihilate them would seem too domineering, wouldn't it?
If this continues, which cultivator in the world will still be willing to serve the Heavenly Court?
After figuring this out, the Jade Emperor was furious. This traitorous minister deserved to die.
If not…
He said with slight displeasure, "Do any of you ministers have other opinions? Please feel free to speak your minds!"
Everyone else shook their heads and offered no comment.
They are either of low status and have no voice;
Or perhaps they have other thoughts, which they cannot say more about;
Or perhaps they were dissatisfied with the Jade Emperor's rule and disdained him.
The Jade Emperor, observing the expressions on everyone's faces and lost in thought, said, "Venus, heed my decree!"