"Hubian and Dong Wanggong had no contact. Previously, Phoenix and Long Ji saw a possession of Dong Wanggong's in the Celestial Island. Afterwards, Long Ji told his parents about the encounter. Hubian clearly remembered that he was once contemptible of Dong Wanggong, which led to missing the opportunity and eventually died with the end of his path."
He pondered over the numerous points his daughter had mentioned, correlating them with his own memories to reach a conclusion.
Though not given by the Dao Ancestor, the Huo Tian Mirror was forged under his guidance, considered a supreme artifact of the later stage of natural essence. He scrutinized it twice at this moment without noticing any trace of transformation techniques. Numerous characteristics perfectly matched the description.
Was he never dead, or was it a case of being dead and then brought back to life? Where did this lively and sprightly Dongwanggong come from?
As a standard Hongwu quasi-saint, Huo Tian, when in doubt, would immediately consult the stars and bones for divination. Given that it's not the Battle of Guenshen, the celestial destiny at the level of quasi-saints is relatively clear. He quickly calculated that this matter was related to the wuxia tribe and was not without significance. His gaze couldn't help but turn towards Hell.
Faced with Huo Tian's inquisitive gaze, Princess Pingxin felt wronged but couldn't say so herself.
This matter indeed belongs to Rucun. Rucun had good intentions and there were no problems with the planning. If Dongwanggong had suddenly emerged to betray them at the critical moment of the War of Wuxia and Monster Race, even Ti Jun would have difficulty coping with it.
If that scenario had unfolded, the Wuxia Race would indeed have won and become the sole supreme ruler of Hongwu.
Unfortunately, Dongwanggong's resurrection was a billion points too late. Now, not only has the War of the Wuxia and Monster Race ended, even the War of Capturing the Gods is over. Just now coming back to life?
Princess Pingxin couldn't explain this matter and could only respond with silence.
It really is the work of the Wuxia Race? Huo Tian was a bit puzzled. Today, reviving Di Jiang was indeed reasonable for the Wuxia Race, but what's the purpose of reviving Dongwanggong?
He wanted to send Taibai Xingjin to deceive the person away. Dongwanggong was not a friendly visitor, and he didn't want to see this person. After another round of calculations, Huo Tian found out that Taibai Xingjin was not currently in the Heavenly Palace, which was quite a problem.
Huo Tian wanted to try and calculate Taibai Xingjin's whereabouts again, worried that there might be some conspiracy targeting himself.
This directly upset Deng Chanyu who was on the Golden Star, who is daring enough to plan against me? Without thinking, she directly cast a spell to obscure the celestial destiny related to herself.
If Deng Chanyu unleashed all her abilities, she would not fear Huo Tian in terms of hard power. This was also the key reason why the phoenix dared to seize the throne of the Ziwu Emperor. If she wasn't afraid of hard power, then certainly not soft power either; after all, she was carrying the Hongmeng Purple Qi of a sage-level being. Huo Tian's desire to calculate her was a futile hope.
Seeing the dense gray mist before him, Huo Tian knew that a powerful being was obscuring celestial destiny. He attempted to break through a crack, only for the other party to step up their efforts simultaneously. They exchanged blows back and forth in a matter of three moves, and Huo Tian found himself on the losing side. He had previously managed to pinpoint Taibai Xingjin's location, but now he could not even do that.
Who is obscuring celestial destiny? Is it Zhengyuanzi, Duobao, or Menghe?
He racked his brain but couldn't come up with an answer.
Huo Tian tried divination twice, which had already wasted a considerable amount of time. Dongwanggong was still waiting outside the South Heavenly Gate alone, and if he avoided him, it would seem like he was hiding something.
He could only command the old sand beside him.
Lao Sha declined the phoenix's invitation. In recognition of his service, Huo Tian restored him to his position as General of the Rolling Screen. There were no idle people around, so it's you, go on this trip.
"General of the Rolling Screen, go and give orders to open the Heavenly Gate and invite Dongwanggong to enter the Heavenly Palace. I will personally host a banquet in the Golden Seal Hall to entertain him."
"I obey the order."
Huo Tian had failed to govern the three realms properly, with poor relationships between rulers and citizens. However, there was one redeeming aspect: he excels at maintaining face.
The South Heavenly Gate was wide open, with golden lotus blossoms paving the way. Along the sides of the road stood towering and lush jade trees, each meticulously nurtured. Arrays of heavenly soldiers stood on both sides, their armor gleaming and their weapons sharp, giving off an aura of top-tier elite forces.
The celestial maidens played a musical piece named the "Nine Movements," a composition from the Shun Dynasty era that is renowned as the "Song of the Nine Virtues." In those days, when Emperor Shun played the Nine Movements, all birds sang in unison, creating an unprecedented grandeur.
It's unclear what Huo Tian was thinking. Perhaps because of the singing of all birds in unison, he thought of someone. After all, the musical pieces rehearsed by the celestial maidens recently have all been named "Nine Movements."
At this moment, they presented it to welcome Dongwanggong.
Dongwanggong had a blank expression, paying no attention to anything around him, and simply followed Lao Sha into the Heavenly Palace.
They arrived at the Jinshang Palace, where Huo Tian had set up the banquet, very quickly.
Huo Tian thought of himself as the supreme ruler of the three realms, while Dongwanggong was in extreme disgrace.
The disparity in their statuses was immense. He held himself to a higher standard and did not lower his rank to greet him, instead waiting inside the hall.
During his time in the Zixiao Palace, he had seen Dongwanggong when he was behind the Taiqing Sage. Dongwanggong had appeared as the first manifestation of the primordial qi, a true Hongwu powerhouse, while he stood by as a mere attendant.
Now, Huo Tian wouldn't think that way anymore. What ancient almanac from bygone days is he still bringing up?
You came all the way here to see me, and I've hosted a banquet to entertain you, which is already giving you enough face. I am the ruler, and you're not even a minister; at best, you're a civilian. It's only right for you to make the first move and offer your respects. Isn't that reasonable?
The result was still a mistake.
In Dongwanggong's memory, Huo Tian was merely a page boy who served tea and poured water to the Dao Ancestor. After Dongwanggong's fall, no one in the Heavenly Court remained, and it was only then that the Dao Ancestor promoted Huo Tian, making him take over from Dongwanggong to manage Hongwu.
There is a huge gap in their understanding.
The two didn't take their seats, just standing in the hall, neither of them spoke or moved to go inside.
Lao Sha stood on the side, stunned and confused. His brain was buzzing, for as his duty is to ease the ruler's burden, he is of little influence and can do little. Sweat trickled down his cheeks and from his beard.
The hall was silent for more than ten breaths of time before Dongwanggong suddenly laughed.
He reached out and took out a dragon-headed cane, "Your Majesty, do you recognize this?"
Huo Tian gritted his teeth, his voice cold: "Of course I do."
Dongwanggong's eyes carried a hint of disdain: "Since Your Majesty recognizes it, why don't you kowtow?"
Dongwanggong emphasized the word "Your Majesty" deliberately.
Huo Tian stared at him fiercely, Dongwanggong raised the dragon-headed cane casually, his gaze unwavering. He spoke softly: "Kowtow."
Hongjun has three dragon-headed canes, one given to Taiqing, the origin of the saying "Today, nine dragons bestowed on Taiqing, forever to be supreme in the profound doors" (Chapter 207).
One was given to Yuan Shiji, who disliked such old-fashioned items and felt they did not match his aura. It was later gifted to Taoyuanmu. (Chapter 1155)
The third dragon-headed cane was bestowed upon Dongwanggong, granting him the power to command all male immortals in the world.
At this moment, Dongwanggong produced the dragon-headed cane to threaten Huo Tian, "Don't you respect me? Just look at this cane. It was personally given to me by the Dao Ancestor. Don't you also respect the Dao Ancestor?"
