Refining the Dao into Godhood: A Tale of the Jie Sect
Chapter 126: The Struggle for Power in the Kan Palace (Seeking Subscriptions)

Chapter 126: Chapter 126: The Struggle for Power in the Kan Palace (Seeking Subscriptions)

This time, the merit bestowed by Heavenly Dao was no less than when Nuwa repaired the heavens, but due to the sheer number of participants, it was directly divided into hundreds of thousands of portions.

The great sun blazes, and the pale moon is pristine; stars flicker unpredictably, and the Ancient Starry Sky regains its vitality anew; the originally chaotic sequence of time also somewhat restored itself in invisibility.

However, Jin Ling Saint Mother could not help but furrow her brows. As the Ancient Starry Sky was reshaping, a force spanning the endless timelines surged toward her, pressing down!

The constellations of the Celestial Stars, the vast expanse of heaven, and the boundless cosmos instantly transformed into a painting scroll, intending to drag her across the distant years into a torn fragment of a Star Map.

"Elder Sister, what’s wrong with you?"

Wudang Saint Mother was the first to notice something amiss and immediately reached out to touch Jin Ling Saint Mother, attempting to assess her condition, only to be repelled by a formidable Power of Stars.

"It’s Lady Ziguang!"

Candle Dragon, who cultivates the Time Great Dao, instantly pinpointed the source of the anomaly: "Since Jin Ling our friend has become the Mother of Stars, it’s tantamount to an indirect usurpation of Lady Ziguang’s authority! Though Lady Ziguang has perished, a Golden Immortal never dies. A sliver of her True Spirit resides within the eternal Daluo Heaven. This is her extending her hand through time and space against our friend Jin Ling!"

"I implore Candle Dragon Senior for assistance!"

Upon hearing this, Xuanqing immediately called upon Candle Dragon for help. Among those present, only Candle Dragon was a powerful entity who practiced the Time Great Dao.

Only he could assist Jin Ling Saint Mother in matters concerning the domain of time!

"There’s no need!"

Candle Dragon chuckled: "With Saint Tongtian present, where is the need for my display of Divine Skills?"

Before the words even finished, a cyan sword light carrying the aura of doomsday followed the karmic threads of Jin Ling Saint Mother and cleaved into the mysterious river of time and space.

The sword light flickered uncertainly, almost ethereal. After plunging into the river of time and space, it abruptly split into myriad strands, slashing toward every temporal mark belonging to Lady Ziguang.

"Shatter!"

As a Daoist call resounded, a speck of Undying Spirit Light was cast. In an instant, the sword light illuminated all heavens, pierced through the eons of time and space, and unleashed unparalleled power.

Boom!

Countless stars vibrated in unison, as celestial beings from the lineage of the Star Gods spanning the ages had barely manifested before they were directly erased at their roots by the Doomsday Sword Light.

Myriads of timelines were shattered; one after another, subsidiary threads merged into the main river of time and space, growing ever stronger as countless possibilities were forged into singularity in an instant.

A corner of the river of time and space became visible, followed immediately by a torn Star Map falling into the hands of Jin Ling Saint Mother—its aura undeniably that of a Top Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure.

"Celestial Stars Map!"

The countenance of Candle Dragon was suddenly shaken: "This is the companion treasure of Lady Ziguang from times past, capable of commanding countless Star Gods. It vanished during the great battle with Emperor Jun and evidently suffered significant damage! However, now that Jin Ling our friend inherits Lady Ziguang’s authority and becomes the new Mother of Stars, she can surely nourish it over time!"

The most significant distinction of Innate Spiritual Treasures is their Innate Undying Spirit Light; even if shattered by other treasures, they can regenerate over time to their original state.

If the "Mountain and River Map" represents the Primordial Map, and the "Netherworld Geomancy Map" the Netherworld’s map, then the "Celestial Stars Map" is the map of the Ancient Starry Sky, each representing certain authorities of the heaven, earth, and Human Race’s Three Realms.

At this moment, Jin Ling Saint Mother also slowly opened her eyes and bowed in the direction of Golden Turtle Island: "This disciple here expresses her gratitude to the teacher for harvesting the Doumu Dao Fruit for the disciple!"

Before the sound of her words died down, the Force of Stars from a myriad of stars rallied towards her, enshrining her as divine and holy, and Heavenly Dao recognized her instantly as the "Mother of Stars."

At this moment, without the need for the Heavenly Emperor to bestow titles, without the need for gods’ recognition, Jin Ling Saint Mother is the "Mother of Stars," she who presides over the endless stars of the Ancient Starry Sky as Doumu Yuanjun.

Her majestic aura of purple radiance is harmonious and integrated; consummately nurturing the aspect of profound primordial Qi, ready to generate the Taiji from the Infinite.

Having integrated the authority of Lady Ziguang and received the divine position of Doumu Yuanjun from the Heavenly Dao, Jin Ling Saint Mother instantly stepped into Daluo’s third realm, her Dao Fruit rapidly reaching perfection. Should she wish, she could immediately sever a corporeal shell, housing either good or evil thoughts in an Innate Spiritual Treasure, and step into the realm of a Quasi-Saint.

"Congratulations to Jin Ling Junior Sister!"

Daoist Duobao was the first to speak. After such a twist of fortune, Jin Ling Saint Mother has advanced ahead of him, but he too was not far from Daluo’s peak.

He harbored no jealousy whatsoever.

The members of Chan Sect, however, had mixed feelings. Among them, except for Nanji Daoist who stepped into the second realm of Daluo as a shadow that leaves traces before the two Yuan meetings... others all remained at the threshold of entering Daluo!

"I also thank Junior Brother Xuanqing!"

Jin Ling Saint Mother slightly bowed in acknowledgment and was about to thank Xuanqing, only to see Xuanqing stealthily stuffing several Acquired Spiritual Treasures into the "Cosmic Light Bell."

Seeing everyone looking toward him, Xuanqing, unable to save face, immediately coughed lightly and said, "I’m just letting the Cosmic Light Bell perform its intended function!"

Daoist Duobao immediately understood and shone brightly: "Junior Brother, lend it to me as well!"

Normally, the "Cosmic Light Bell" was in the hands of the Heavenly Dao; even Saints couldn’t touch it. Wasn’t now the perfect opportunity to use this treasure to refine Innate Spiritual Treasures?

Private use of public assets!

This thought involuntarily crossed everyone’s minds, igniting a fiery look in their eyes.

But the Heavenly Dao, sensing their thoughts, caused the "Cosmic Light Bell" to retreat into the depths of Heavenly Dao’s origin, shaking out the Spiritual Treasures that Xuanqing had thrown in.

Boom!

Above the vault of heaven, thunder suddenly rumbled, as if to warn the crowd.

"Stingy!"

Xuanqing inwardly grumbled: "Such immense merit, and not even allowed to refine two Spiritual Treasures!"

Of course, these were merely his inner thoughts, and with a million guts, he wouldn’t dare speak them aloud, for it would be tantamount to defying the Heavenly Dao.

Seeing everyone looking at him, he immediately gathered the three treasures before him; they were the "Cosmic Light Bell", and the "Sorcerer Slayer Sword" and "Demon-Slaying Saber" crafted by Emperor Jun and Houtu...

While Xuanqing acted quickly, Jiufeng caught a glimpse: "That’s the Sorcerer Slayer Sword forged by the Demon Clan, and the Demon-Slaying Saber made by the Ancestor Witch!"

"What are you planning to do?"

In Jiufeng’s view, the "Demon-Slaying Saber" was passable, but the "Sorcerer Slayer Sword" was always a threat to the Witch Clan and couldn’t be allowed to continue to exist in this world.

Naturally, Xuanqing refused to admit: "Jiufeng Daoist friend, you’re mistaken! What Sorcerer Slayer Sword and Demon-Slaying Saber? These are the Emperor Sword and Reincarnation Saber personally forged by poor Dao!"

"You!"

Jiufeng suddenly felt a surge of anger.

Even the Emperor Sword and the Reincarnation Saber, which she forged herself, does she really take this Great Witch for a blind person?

However, just now, because of Xuanqing’s actions, the Witch Clan had gained a considerable amount of Merit, cleansing much of their Karma, so she did not dismantle Xuanqing’s stage right at this moment!

She merely glared fiercely at Xuanqing.

Seeing this, Xuanqing immediately changed the subject, turning to the Jin Ling Saint Mother and said, "Congratulations, elder sister, on your significant advancement in cultivation! But I wonder, what are the marvelous uses of the Celestial Stars Map?"

Upon hearing this, the Jin Ling Saint Mother couldn’t help but laugh, "For this achievement, I must thank my younger brother’s planning! The Celestial Stars Map, similar to your Netherworld Geomancy Map, aside from containing innate space, its greatest function is to bestow titles upon the Star Gods!"

"What?"

Xuanqing was overjoyed upon hearing this.

If the "Celestial Stars Map" could bestow titles upon Star Gods, doesn’t that mean directly seizing a portion of Hao Tian’s authority?

Moreover, the Jin Ling Saint Mother, as "Doumu Yuanjun", was directly appointed by the Heavenly Dao, so even if Hao Tian knew, he wouldn’t dare to ask for this authority from the Jin Ling Saint Mother.

The Heavenly Emperor?

Only the Heavenly Emperor recognized by the Heavenly Dao is truly the Heavenly Emperor. The Heavenly Dao is above the Heavenly Emperor; at most, the Heavenly Emperor is considered the son of the Heavenly Dao and has no right to counter the decisions of the Heavenly Dao!

And Hao Tian, just as Xuanqing thought, had mixed feelings of joy and worry, his expression wonderfully complex.

Happy because, with the restoration of the Ancient Starry Sky to its original state, the fortune of the Heavenly Court had also invisibly increased significantly.

Worried because the authority to bestow titles upon Star Gods had fallen into the hands of the Jin Ling Saint Mother—and without needing his consent, she could directly appoint the Celestial Stars Gods!

He couldn’t help but look at Taibai Golden Immortal, "Changgeng, what do you think I should do?"

However, no sooner had he spoken these words, he somewhat regretted them!

Because he suddenly remembered that the Taibai Golden Immortal in front of him was an Innate Star God born from the Ancient Starry Sky, theoretically to be commanded by Doumu Yuanjun.

"Your Majesty!"

Upon hearing this, Gold Star Taibai immediately revealed a reassuring expression, "This is something good! In theory, Doumu Yuanjun is also a member of the Heavenly Court! If we work with her to improve the Heavenly Court, we can come up with a plan together!"

"Right!"

"Doumu Yuanjun is the great elder sister of the Jie Sect; if she is willing to take a position within the Heavenly Court, it will definitely attract many of the Jie Sect’s external disciples to join the Heavenly Court!"

As an Innate Star God, he naturally did not want to end up in a difficult position. Hao Tian was his current superior, and Doumu Yuanjun was the "Mother of Countless Stars" who commanded ten thousand Star Gods; he did not wish for the relationship between the two to become strained.

Consummation brings mutual benefits.

Conflict brings mutual harm.

This was the opinion of Gold Star Taibai.

"Excellent!"

Upon hearing this, Hao Tian immediately nodded.

To bring the Jin Ling Saint Mother into the Heavenly Court would indeed rapidly strengthen the Heavenly Court.

This time, although it was Xuanqing who spearheaded the effort, the influence of the Jin Ling Saint Mother was undoubtedly significant.

However, compared to the Jin Ling Saint Mother, he was more interested in bringing Xuanqing into the Heavenly Court!

After all...

Xuanqing’s influence was even greater!

Of course, he was somewhat apprehensive about the various Saints and the three sects of Xuan Sect; both the Dragon Clan and the Witch Clan listened to Xuanqing’s commands, which undoubtedly indicated Xuanqing’s influence within the two clans.

Moreover, Xuanqing was one of the Primordial Human Race, with a significant influence among the Human Race as well, and even had an incarnation serving as the Tai Mountain Lord in the Netherworld.

This made him pay even more attention!

He wanted to summon both Xuanqing and Jin Ling Saint Mother to join the Heavenly Court, but at the same time, he did not want the Xuan Sect to grow too powerful and was thinking of finding some Immortal Gods to counterbalance the Xuan Sect.

"Proceed!"

After much deliberation, Hao Tian spoke, "I wish to meet these two nephews of mine!"

...

Meanwhile, on the other side, under Xuanqing’s suggestion, the newly titled Doumu Yuanjun, Jin Ling Saint Mother, immediately used the "Celestial Stars Map" to confer titles upon the Celestial Stars Gods.

The Twenty-Eight Constellations, the Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang, and the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends, which are more significant celestial stars, were directly conferred to some Jie Sect external disciples with decent cultivation.

The disciples of the Jie Sect, mostly being transformed beings of different origin, would also absorb the power of the sun, moon, and stars during cultivation. Becoming Star Gods would undoubtedly speed up their cultivation progress.

Afterward, Xuanqing began to persuade Aoguang and others, urging them to send a part of the Dragon Clan to ascend to heaven.

"This doesn’t seem appropriate!"

Aoguang frowned slightly, "My Dragon Clan occupies the Four Seas, naturally close to the Water Element Great Dao. The environment of the Ancient Starry Sky isn’t really suitable for the Dragon Clan’s cultivation!"

"Furthermore..."

"My Dragon Clan, currently entwined with Karma, joining the Heavenly Court is very likely to invite cause and effect!"

Throughout history, the Heavenly Court has always been the gathering place of cause and effect. Whether it was the Eastern Prince or Emperor Jun, or even the current Heavenly Emperor Hao Tian, appointed by the Daoist Ancestor himself, they all harbored ambitions to command the Three Realms and order the Primordial world.

He truly did not want to wade into these muddy waters!

"Daoist Aoguang, these words are not fitting!"

Upon hearing this, Xuanqing smiled slightly and persuaded, "The Star Sea is also a sea! Dragons can grow large or small, ascend or hide; when large, they create clouds and mist, when small, they conceal their forms; when ascending, they fly through the universe, and when hiding, they lurk within the waves! Moreover, with poor Dao and elder sister Jin Ling looking after you, the Dragon Clan established in the Ancient Starry Sky is definitely only beneficial!"

"Or are you saying, the words you and predecessor Ying Long spoke earlier—about advancing and retreating together with my Jie Sect after this—were merely to appease me and elder sister Jin Ling?"

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