Chapter 999
Big Brother, you've really given the brothers a huge surprise!
When Fang Qing sensed someone in the lower realm, he appeared on the top floor of the Nine-Tiered Welcoming Platform, a special platform outside the Imperial Palace used to receive important figures or hold grand ceremonies.
He had already sent a message through his mind, and a team of elite guards was dispatched to clear the area and establish a state of emergency, prohibiting any unauthorized personnel from approaching.
At the center of the Welcoming Platform, the colossal ascension array, engraved with complex spatial runes and hundreds of feet in diameter, was now radiating dazzling seven-colored light, and the space was fluctuating violently.
The light flashed one after another, and figures, slightly staggering yet upright as pine trees, emerged from it, forcibly stabilizing themselves.
The leader, though not particularly burly, exuded an unshakeable, imposing presence, much like an ancient, sacred mountain.
Beneath his skin, a faint golden divine light flowed, and within his body seemed to lie dormant billions of roaring ancient giant elephants. His aura was domineering and fierce, and his cultivation had firmly reached the peak of the first level of the Shattered Realm, only one step away from the second level.
It was Yang Qi!
His eyes flashed like lightning as he warily and quickly scanned the unfamiliar and magnificent surroundings, as well as the powerful guards. But when his gaze fell upon the smiling figure standing in front of him, his tense body suddenly relaxed, and his eyes burst with unbelievable ecstasy.
Following closely behind Yang Qi was a slender figure shrouded in a faint aura of Xuanming coldness—the Xuanming Empress.
She maintained her aloof and mature charm, and her cultivation had also reached the peak of the first level of the Shattered Realm, with sharp yet calm eyes.
Then, flashes of light appeared, and Long Zhu Ri, Gu Po Jun, Wu Tong Tian, Xue Qiang Wei, Han Che, Tai Cang Yi...
Fifteen or sixteen figures appeared one after another. They were all "Sons of Heaven" and core members who had followed Fang Qing in battles across the south and north in the lower realm, and who had either been pushed forward by Fang Qing's resources or achieved breakthroughs and ascensions through their own perseverance and opportunities.
As soon as they landed, before they could even marvel at the immense immortal spiritual energy of this place, which far surpassed the lower realm's welcoming pool, and the incredibly stable spatial structure, they were awestruck by the fierce and disciplined guards around them, and by the magnificent, heavenly palace-like scenery of the welcoming platform itself.
But when they saw the figure in blue robes standing with his hands behind his back, looking at them with a warm smile, all their shock, wariness, and confusion were instantly replaced by unparalleled excitement and warmth!
"Big brother?!"
"Owner?!"
"Lord of the Manor?! Is it really you?!"
Exclamations rose and fell, and Yang Qi was the first to stride forward, his voice trembling with excitement.
A ripple appeared in the beautiful eyes of the Xuanming Empress, and she bowed in respect.
Long Zhuri, Gu Pojun, and others couldn't contain themselves and crowded around, their faces beaming with undisguised excitement and joy at the reunion.
"Haha! Good, good! Qi Di, Xuan Ming, Zhu Ri, Po Jun... everyone's up here!"
Fang Qing laughed heartily, stepped forward and gave Yang Qi a big hug, then patted Long Zhuri and the others on the shoulder. His gaze swept over every familiar face, his eyes filled with satisfaction.
The years spent in the celestial realm did not diminish the bond forged in the blood and fire of the mortal world.
"Brother, where...where exactly is this place?"
After finally calming down, Yang Qi looked around again at the magnificent Nine-Tiered Welcoming Immortal Platform and the towering palace complex in the distance, which was faintly visible and bathed in rosy light, and couldn't help but ask.
Others also cast curious and inquisitive glances their way.
"here?"
Fang Qing smiled slightly, her tone so calm as if she were talking about a trivial matter.
"This is the core celestial palace area of the Thai Heavenly Realm. This platform, called the Nine-Tiered Welcoming Platform, is generally only used to welcome envoys from other celestial realms or heroes who have made unparalleled contributions. As for over there,"
He pointed to the most magnificent palace complex in the distance, shrouded in endless auspicious clouds and the radiance of laws, "That is the Biluo Heavenly Emperor Palace and my Holy Emperor Palace. Your sister-in-law, Biluo, is now the Heavenly Emperor of the Taihuang Heavenly Immortal Realm. As for me, I am her Daoist partner, helping to manage some affairs."
"..."
Time seemed to stand still once again.
Yang Qi's smile froze, and his eyes widened in shock.
A trace of the Xuanming Cold Qi in the Xuanming Empress's hand involuntarily dissipated.
Long Zhuri opened his mouth wide enough to fit a crane egg.
A twitch appeared on Gu Pojun's rugged face.
The others looked as if they had been struck by lightning from the heavens and their souls had flown away.
Heavenly Emperor?
My sister-in-law is... the Heavenly Emperor?!
My elder brother is... the Heavenly Emperor's Daoist partner? Helping him with some affairs?!
These few seemingly casual words contain information that is a million times more violent than the spacetime turbulence they experienced during their ascension!
Before their ascension, they learned through various channels that Fang Qing was thriving in the Immortal Realm, having become a general and an Immortal Emperor, wielding great power.
They had even mentally prepared themselves for the possibility that, thanks to Fang Qing's connections, they might be able to secure a decent position and avoid starting from the bottom. But even with their vivid imaginations, they could never have imagined things would turn out this way!
Did they directly become the "family member" of the Lord of the Immortal Realm? Half a master of the Immortal Realm?
This... this can't be described as "doing well" anymore, this is practically a meteoric rise.
"The Empress's...the Empress's Daoist partner? The Emperor's...brother?"
Gu Pojun repeated the sentence with a dry throat. Then, an indescribable joy erupted in his chest like a volcano. He slapped his thigh and laughed loudly.
"Hahaha! Boss! You...you're too scary! The brothers were worried about causing you trouble, and we were thinking about how to start as celestial soldiers to make you proud, but wow! We've become royalty! This...this is too awesome! Hahaha!"
His smile immediately broke the tense atmosphere.
The others also gradually recovered from their extreme shock, their faces quickly filled with ecstasy, excitement, disbelief, and a slightly dizzying sense of happiness.
Wu Tongtian grinned foolishly, Blood Rose's eyes shone brightly, Han Che's cold lips couldn't help but curl up, and Taicang's fingers trembled with excitement.
what does this mean?
This means they can practically do whatever they want in the immortal realm!
It has endless resources, the best cultivation methods, and the safest cultivation environment.
This is a start that many ascendants wouldn't even dare to dream of!
Yang Qi took several deep breaths to suppress the turmoil in his heart, and shook his head with a wry smile: "Brother, you really... gave the brothers a huge shock, no, a huge surprise!"
Fang Qing felt a surge of warmth in his heart as he watched his brothers' excitement.
He waved his hand and laughed, "Alright, stop grinning like an idiot. The Immortal Realm is wonderful, but it has many rules and is quite complex. You're new here, so your first priority is to adapt to the environment and consolidate your cultivation. As for your sister-in-law... well, I'll speak to the Heavenly Emperor of Azure Heaven. Your identities, accommodations, and positions will all be arranged. However,"
He changed the subject, his expression becoming slightly serious: "You still cannot be negligent; you still need to cultivate diligently."
Upon hearing this, everyone felt a chill run down their spines, and the ecstasy on their faces subsided slightly, replaced by a resolute fighting spirit.
They were heroes who had fought their way out of the mountains of corpses and seas of blood in the lower realm. With their unwavering will, they naturally understood Fang Qing's deeper meaning.
To have such an opportunity is already a stroke of good fortune. If we become complacent because of it, wouldn't we be letting down our leader's painstaking efforts and betraying our own Daoist aspirations?
"Understood! Don't worry, boss!"
"Master, we will certainly not let you down!"
"Lord, we will diligently cultivate and establish merit!" the crowd responded in unison, their voices resounding. Fang Qing nodded in satisfaction, then summoned the Imperial Palace Eunuch, a composed and dignified old immortal official whose cultivation was at the mid-stage of the Shattered Thought Realm, who had been waiting nearby.
"Chief Steward Fu, these are all brothers and close relatives I brought from the mortal realm. You should personally arrange for them to be given a separate residence in the best area, and all their expenses should be provided according to the standards of the first-class offerings of the Heavenly Court. Also, retrieve cultivation techniques, magical jade slips, standard immortal armor, and weapons suitable for their respective attributes and characteristics from the Heavenly Court's Scripture Pavilion and the Holy King's Armory, and distribute them to them in advance."
Steward Fu bowed and accepted the order with utmost respect.
He had already received clear instructions from the Heavenly Emperor and the Holy Emperor, and knew the significance of this group of ascendants. "This old servant obeys the decree. Esteemed immortals, please follow this old servant."
Fang Qing then said to Yang Qi and the others, "You should first go with Steward Fu to settle in and familiarize yourselves with the environment. Later, I will host a banquet to welcome you. As for the specific job arrangements, I will discuss them with Biluo and then make a decision."
Yang Qi and the others bowed and thanked him again, and then, still feeling excited, followed Steward Fu away from the Ninefold Welcoming Immortal Platform and headed to the legendary "Hidden Dragon Garden"—said to be an area in the Heavenly Palace specifically for the residence of imperial relatives, important guests, and highly promising newcomers.
Meanwhile, Su Qing went to the Lingxiao Heavenly Pavilion, where the Heavenly Emperor of Biluo handled daily affairs. The guards here were even more stringent, with many arrays, but Su Qing was completely open to him.
Inside the Heavenly Pavilion, Biluo had just finished reviewing a batch of memorials concerning disputes over mining rights on resource-rich stars in a certain star region, and was gently rubbing her temples.
Upon seeing Fang Qing enter, a natural smile appeared on her face, and the majesty of the Heavenly Emperor softened considerably: "Qing, you've arrived. Have the brothers from the lower realm arrived? I sensed unusual spatial fluctuations from the Welcoming Immortal Platform."
"Yes, they're all here. Yang Qi, Xuan Ming, Zhu Ri, and the others, not one is missing."
Fang Qing walked to her side and naturally put his arm around her slender waist. The two of them walked to the window together and looked down at the vast and boundless celestial realm with its array of stars. "We've just settled in. Seeing them reminds me of many things from my time in the mortal realm."
Biluo nestled in his arms and whispered, "They are all your friends who have gone through thick and thin with you. Now that they have ascended to immortality, they should naturally be well taken care of. I have already sent orders to the Imperial Household Department and the Ministry of War to properly arrange their duties and cultivation resources. I have also increased the number of people at Qianlong Garden to ensure that they are not disturbed."
"I trust you to handle things."
Fang Qing lowered his head and lightly kissed her hair, then changed the subject, "Luo'er, the brothers have arrived, which strengthens our forces. But there are some things we should discuss more deeply."
Upon hearing this, Biluo also lost her tenderness, straightened up slightly from his embrace, and asked seriously, "You mean... the Celestial Alliance?"
"good."
Fang Qing nodded. "We have been in charge of the Taihuang Heaven for some time now, and things are gradually becoming more stable. But we cannot limit our vision to this one immortal realm forever. I have also carefully read the secret files about the Celestial Alliance that the former Heavenly Emperor left you."
He strolled to the star map, condensed with supreme magical power, hanging in the center of the Heavenly Pavilion.
The star map reflects the real-time situation of the Thai Celestial Realm and its surrounding known star regions.
In the far reaches of the star map, where the edges are blurred, are marked some larger, more dazzling star markers, as well as complex alliance symbols.
"The 36,000 Immortal Realm Alliance, with the Brahma Immortal Realm as its supreme authority."
Fang Qing pointed his finger at the huge point of light at the top of the star map, which emitted a pale gold color and seemed to be surrounded by countless phantom images of chanting.
"According to classified records and scattered intelligence, the foundation of the Brahma Immortal Realm is unfathomable. Its territory is thousands of times larger than that of the Taihuang Heaven, and it is filled with experts, possibly even old monsters who have touched the threshold of 'mythology'. The internal rules, distribution of benefits, and power structure of such a behemoth must be extremely complex."
"So, my husband is going to visit the Brahma Immortal Realm?"
Biluo frowned. "The Brahma Immortal Realm has a strict hierarchy, and its envoys often act arrogantly towards other first-class immortal realms. If my husband really wants to go, he must be careful."
Fang Qing smiled and said, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I'll be low-key when I need to be, and I'll let people know when to be assertive that Taihuangtian isn't someone to be trifled with. Besides..."
A profound light flashed in his eyes. "I am truly curious about that mythical realm, and about the vast Immortal Realm. This Alliance of Immortals might be a good window into that."
The two then discussed in detail the specific arrangements after Fang Qing's departure, including communicating with several key officials and making preliminary plans for the initial positions of Yang Qi and others.
All of this will have to wait until after the banquet.
Several days later, deep within the Holy Emperor's palace, in a magnificent hall called the Jade Banquet Pavilion of the Azure Sky, specially used for entertaining distinguished guests, celestial music filled the air, and auspicious vapors billowed. A private and extremely high-level banquet was underway.
Fang Qing sat in the main seat, with the Heavenly Emperor of the Azure Heaven accompanying him. Although he was not wearing formal imperial robes, but only simple everyday clothes, his dignified and majestic demeanor still made Yang Qi and the others, who were meeting him for the first time, feel invisible pressure and sincere awe.
They finally realized that their "sister-in-law" was indeed the supreme ruler of a vast immortal realm.
Below, Yang Qi, Empress Xuanming, Long Zhuri, Gu Pojun, Wu Tongtian, Xue Qiangwei, Han Che, Tai Cangyi, and more than ten others sat on either side.
They had changed into the standard robes of the Heavenly Court's first-class offerings. Although they looked a little reserved, their eyes sparkled with excitement and determination.
On the jade table before them were exquisite delicacies and divine wines they had never seen before, their aroma filling the air and refreshing the mind.
"Today's banquet is firstly to welcome all of you brothers back and celebrate our reunion in the Immortal Realm."
Fang Qing raised his glass, his voice gentle yet clear, reaching everyone's ears, "Secondly, there are some things I need to clarify with you all in person."
Everyone quickly stood up and respectfully raised their glasses.
"The Immortal Realm is vast and full of opportunities, but it is also ten thousand times more dangerous than the lower realm. The rules here are strict, the hierarchy is clear, and there are intricate power struggles involved, making it far more complex than any star field in the lower realm."
Fang Qing's gaze swept over everyone. "You are new here, and although Biluo and I will take care of you, you must also diligently cultivate yourselves. I have already discussed with Biluo and made some initial arrangements for your duties."
He paused briefly before continuing, "Yang Qi and Xuan Ming, you two have the highest cultivation levels and the most composed temperaments. You can temporarily join the central army of the Holy King's Army as deputy commanders and familiarize yourselves with the battle formations and border affairs of the Immortal Realm."
Long Zhuri and Gu Pojun, you two are brave and skilled in battle, and you can join the vanguard camp.
Wu Tongtian, Xue Qiangwei, and Han Che each have their own strengths and go to the Left Army, the Scout Camp, and the Frost Guard for training, respectively.
Tai Cangyi, your mastery of formations is extraordinary. You may first enter the Ministry of Works to observe and learn..."
He clearly outlined each person's characteristics and initial destination, arranging them in a way that considered their abilities while leaving room for flexibility. He did not immediately place them in high positions, but rather started them from deputy positions or specific roles, emphasizing experience and learning.
"These positions are the starting point, not the end point. What you achieve and how much power you gain depends entirely on your own performance and merits."
Fang Qing smiled.
"yes, Sir!"
The Heavenly Emperor Biluo also offered a few words of encouragement, which made everyone feel flattered and honored.
As the atmosphere at the banquet gradually warmed up, everyone began to relax and asked Fang Qing and Bi Luo some common knowledge about the immortal realm and questions about cultivation. Fang Qing and Bi Luo patiently answered their questions.
Seeing his former comrades-in-arms reunite in the Immortal Realm and find a place to settle down and make a name for themselves, Fang Qing felt very gratified.
The banquet lasted for several hours before it ended.
Fang Qing then kept Yang Qi and Empress Xuanming behind, giving them more specific instructions and providing them with a great deal of resources to help them.
Yang Qi was a big foodie, so Fang Qing naturally prepared a lot of immortal stones for him to enjoy.
As for Fang Qing, he also planned to leave the Thai Emperor Celestial Realm.
Without alerting anyone, and without even using the Heavenly Court's official large-scale teleportation array, he silently disappeared into the vast sea of stars, following an ancient and hidden interstellar route recorded in the former Heavenly Emperor's secret files.
His target was the Brahma Immortal Realm, the supreme core of the alliance of 36,000 immortal realms, located at the intersection of all the heavens and myriad realms. (End of Chapter)