CHAPTER 289: CHAPTER 288 YANG JIAN’S TROUBLES

In the end, the two still parted ways. Between immortals, those who find each other agreeable form Dao Companions, not husbands and wives. This distinction already speaks volumes.

Seeking the Dao is the ultimate goal of immortals. On the surface, the two seem perfectly matched—both are direct disciples of Saints—but the gap on the path of seeking the Dao is something that cannot be compared to the difference between a pauper and a wealthy young lady.

Fortunately, Jin Ling can wait, and Nezha can wait as well.

Time is the least valuable commodity to immortals.

After tidying up his emotions, Nezha’s drive to push forward and improve himself grew even stronger.

Carrying the two hulking unconscious figures, Yang Jian and Huang Long, tucked in his sleeves, he headed toward the starry skies.

...

In Nuwa Palace, Nuwa, who had been watching the live broadcast all along, was currently fiddling with the Red Embroidered Ball, studying something.

To the side, Qingluan craned her neck, watching as she asked, "Goddess, do you think Nezha and Jin Ling can really work out?"

Nuwa furrowed her brows slightly as well. Jin Ling’s cultivation was far too high. With a bond of this magnitude, the display on the Red Embroidered Ball had already become exceptionally vague.

Whether it would work out or not might only become clear when the final results were revealed.

Unfortunately, Nuwa couldn’t muster energy for other matters, but when it came to gossip, she gave it her all, especially since this was major gossip about her own disciple.

"Come on, little Red, show me some enthusiasm!"

...

When Nezha returned to Ziwei Star, the Heavenly Court’s deities were still on an expedition to the Demon World, so everything appeared unusually quiet.

Back at the Ziwei Emperor Palace, he released Yang Jian and Huang Long. Both had thick skin and robust vitality. After this period of isolation, they had already recovered significantly.

Nezha took out two snow-white lotus seeds from a Sixth Grade Pure World White Lotus. He gave each of them one. The power of purification coursed through their bodies, swiftly cleansing all impurities and chaos. Before long, both woke up in succession.

The two of them had originally been handling Blood Poison smoothly along the way, but somehow inexplicably plunged into the Blood Sea, where they thought they were done for—until they encountered Jin Ling Saint Mother.

It could only be said that their luck was indeed extraordinary.

Huang Long, who had benefited from tagging along with Yang Jian, was utterly unaware of this. At the moment, he kept thanking Nezha profusely while marveling at how many kind-hearted people existed in the Primordial World!

At this time, Yang Chan was busy checking whether Yang Jian was injured while trying to suppress her own emotions.

Looking at his sister’s small face, Yang Jian’s expression became grim. Unlike Huang Long, who had a carefree mindset, when he was trapped in the Blood Sea, he genuinely thought he was going to die.

What about his revenge then?

What about his sister?

What about their mother?

Nezha, seeming to discern Yang Jian’s thoughts, stepped forward to console him, "Don’t overthink it; working hard to improve yourself is the right path."

Perhaps Nezha was indeed a good role model in Yang Jian’s mind, as his expression gradually eased after hearing this.

"Junior Master is right. From this ordeal, I’ve gained some insights. I plan to seclude myself and aim for Golden Immortal soon. I ask for the Emperor’s permission."

Yang Jian advancing to Golden Immortal was a good thing for Nezha. Nonetheless, Nezha still reminded him, "The matter in the East Sea is of great significance. Since the True Martial General has achieved such great merits, His Majesty and the Dragon Clan surely won’t shortchange you."

As for Nezha himself, there was no higher rank left for him to achieve—unless Hao Tian suddenly kicked the bucket someday.

But he really wasn’t interested in that position. No other reason—just too exhausting.

Why not spend the time tinkering with his wife at home? Surely that’s more enjoyable than dealing with official duties?

Expressing his gratitude to Nezha repeatedly, Huang Long also returned to his own cave dwelling. Though he appeared fine, his injuries were actually more severe than Yang Jian’s. He was only holding up due to his thick life force. In the Blood Sea, he had borne considerable damage to protect his martial nephew.

Nezha continued to cultivate diligently—after all, his motivation to advance had increased by yet another notch.

Following Nezha’s advice, Yang Jian went to find Hao Tian. The rule in the Heavenly Court was simple: you work as hard as you get paid. This principle was the cornerstone of Hao Tian’s rule over the Three Realms.

Now clad in a battered suit of armor, caked with bloodstains, his hair deliberately cut unevenly to accentuate his pitiful appearance, Yang Jian half-knelt before Hao Tian and recounted the events—nine parts fiction, one part truth.

Huang Long lent his aid without compensation, Yang Jian resolved the problem—now it was up to Hao Tian to give out tangible rewards.

This incident had indeed stirred things up significantly; after all, the tremors from the Blood Sea had been felt throughout the entire Primordial World.

As for the rewards, there were only two options: promotion or wealth.

Yet, this expedition had drained enormous resources. The Heavenly Court’s treasury was nearing deficit. If they rewarded Yang Jian further, how would they continue the fight against the Demon World?

After pondering for a moment, Hao Tian reached a decision.

"I hereby confer upon the True Martial General the title of Northern Heaven True Martial Spirit Emperor, overseeing all matters of destiny, military campaigns, and the extermination of demons throughout the realm."

Yang Jian fell silent upon hearing this.

It wasn’t that the promotion wasn’t significant—it was excessively significant.

Originally the most junior among the Beiji Four Saints under Emperor Ziwei, Yang Jian had now jumped to become the Northern Heaven True Martial Spirit Emperor.

Such a leap meant that even his former superior, the Marshal of the Heavenly Canopy, the leader of the Beiji Four Saints, would now rank below him.

His current relationship to Nezha’s position was now akin to that of Nezha’s position relative to Hao Tian’s—a tangled mess of status.

Honestly, it was kind of nauseating.

Aside from figures like Gold Star Taibai who excelled in political cunning, most of the immortals present lacked any political instincts whatsoever—because truthfully, they simply didn’t care about these matters.

At the moment, seeing Hao Tian’s generous conferments, they merely assumed it was all in the family. One by one, they began heaping compliments upon Yang Jian, calling him the Heavenly Court’s rising star, the War God of the Heavenly Court—a deluge of praise was thrown his way without hesitation.

Perhaps Yang Jian hadn’t fully perceived Hao Tian’s sinister intentions, but he knew full well the principle that the nail that sticks out gets hammered. Moreover, this merit had essentially been ceded to him by Nezha. Thus, he said, "Your Majesty, Yang Jian is still young and lacking in mana. I am unworthy of such a heavy responsibility. I ask Your Majesty to rescind this decree."

At this point, Hao Tian only grew more convinced that this appointment was a brilliant move. Nezha wanted to encroach upon his authority? Fine, he’d plant a wedge within Nezha’s camp.

This individual might be Nezha’s trusted aide, but he was also Hao Tian’s nephew by blood. Surely Nezha wouldn’t commit wholeheartedly to employing him!

Ultimately, Yang Jian was unable to decline this role; he ended up with the title of Northern Heaven True Martial Spirit Emperor and even garnered the reputation as the Heavenly Court’s War God. His face darkened noticeably as he left the scene.

Oh, and on his way out, he also received a written edict from Hao Tian—a request for reinforcements.

The campaign against the Demon World was draining resources at an astonishing rate. By now, Yang Jian was beginning to regret not leveraging Nezha’s influence sooner; bearing the full burden of these expenses alone was unsustainable.

As he departed Hao Tian’s temporary palace, Yang Jian became increasingly burdened with guilt, feeling he was truly a reprehensible figure. Then again, wasn’t his uncle even worse?

Was this even something a human being could bring himself to do?

Now, Yang Jian found himself somewhat fearful of alienating Nezha. Though he knew Nezha had a magnanimous nature, when it came to power, human hearts could be unpredictable. After all, his own uncle had proven himself willing to forsake familial bonds for power—it didn’t get much colder than that.

Returning to the starry skies, Yang Jian hesitated for a moment before finally deciding to tell Nezha about this matter.

Initially, upon seeing Yang Jian’s solemn expression, Nezha thought it might be something significant. Hao Tian using this tactic to disgust him was indeed unexpected. Nonetheless, when it came to power, Nezha truly didn’t care much at all.