Chapter 545: Chapter 544: No Longer Like a Daoist, But Like a King Overlooking Heaven and Earth! [Second Update]

These were races and forces that once dominated for a time, and yet ended like this.

Looking down the list, the ancient Rakshasa Country, the Great Shang of the Divine Enthronement period, and many smaller forces—none of them didn’t end in destruction?

Their Dao Immortal Court, it can be said, would not have survived without Lin Heng, the number one under the Saints.

The last time, when fifteen Quasi-Saints joined forces and entered the Eastern Desolate, it was already the end times for the Daoist Court.

It can be said.

An Immortal Court that should have faced calamity and is still unharmed by now is indeed rare in ancient history.

But Lin Heng intends to elevate the Immortal Court to the Celestial Court...

To this, everyone had to admit, it was indeed a bit excessive.

It was as if he didn’t even want to respect the Heavenly Dao...

However, Lin Heng declared, "Before the Ancestral Master Shangqing left, he specifically instructed me to quickly ascend to the Celestial Court. He is a Saint, and since he said so, then the calamities from the Heavenly Dao, even if they truly have an impact, should be within a manageable range."

"Moreover, you all might not know, actually when I disappeared those days in the Demon Realm, I went to see Yang Jian."

"What?!"

As soon as Lin Heng said this, everyone was immediately taken aback, looking at each other.

The happenings in the Demon Realm had already spread outside.

Lin Heng’s prowess that day goes without mentioning; it has become a famous tale in the world.

But actually, on that day, Lin Heng alone could not support Nuwa’s ascent to the Celestial Dao Gate.

According to Quasi-Saints who participated that day, at the critical moment, it was the appearance of the Heaven-Barking Dog.

It brought the Treasure Lotus Lamp, blocking Mencius’s Saint’s Book.

Only then could Lin Heng hold on until the end.

For this reason, everyone confirmed that the most dazzling third-generation disciple of Daoism, Yang Jian, was still alive in the world.

Speaking of which.

After the affair in the Demon Realm was over, Lin Heng’s whereabouts were lost for a time.

They really speculated whether he was taken away by Yang Jian.

Hence, hearing Lin Heng mention it now, everyone felt both unexpected and reasonable.

Shen Gongbao sighed, "During the Daoist Lord’s disappearance, I... I used various methods to deduce and search, but found no trace—it turns out he indeed went to see that... that boy Yang Jian..."

"But this boy, just what method did he use to conceal the heavenly secrets so thoroughly..."

"That he couldn’t be found throughout the world..."

Speaking of this nephew-disciple, Shen Gongbao’s tone also carried immense complexity; his heart was filled with mixed emotions. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Just like Nezha.

In the Divine Enthronement period.

Yang Jian could be said to be the most troublesome third-generation disciple, and Shen Gongbao had confronted him both openly and covertly for a period.

The outcome need not be said.

He ended up imprisoned in the North Sea, like the Dragon Race.

His nephew-disciple, on the other hand, achieved sainthood in the flesh and became renowned throughout the world!

"It’s one thing to be unable to defeat him, but I never imagined that even my most prized talent in deducing heavenly secrets would be completely broken by him."

"This boy, indeed... indeed, he was chosen not only by Master but also by the two Senior Uncles."

"I... truly cannot compare to him."

Shen Gongbao sighed, with a hint of a bitter smile on his face.

Lin Heng comforted, "State Preceptor, there’s no need to belittle yourself. When it comes to single combat, Yang Jian is, of course, formidable. But in concealing heavenly secrets, I think it is not his skill, but the Red-bottomed Macaque."

Red-bottomed Macaque?

Upon hearing this, everyone present was momentarily stunned. Shen Gongbao was slightly astonished, "The Red-bottomed Macaque, with him?"

"Yes." Lin Heng nodded quietly.

The Long-armed Ape squinted slightly at this remark and said solemnly, "The one who rescued the Six Ears that day surely must have been the Red-bottomed Macaque, which means Yang Jian..."

The Long-armed Ape did not continue the thought.

As someone who had defected from the Demon Race Celestial Court, he knew there were some things he shouldn’t say.

Lin Heng, however, was indifferent, calmly stating, "Yang Jian and I will have our battle, but the purpose is the same, both are for the sake of Daoism."

"Not to mention, the Heaven-Barking Dog bringing the Treasure Lotus Lamp to rescue me, and later gifting me the Book of Life and Death, these are genuine obligations."

"So, let him be."

Everyone nodded after hearing this.

Lin Heng immediately returned to the initial topic, "Besides the Ancestral Master Shangqing urging me to quickly ascend to the Celestial Court, Yang Jian also specifically instructed me that day."

"Therefore, even if the calamities of the Heavenly Dao have an impact, I think it can be resolved."

"Moreover, we must now ascend to the Celestial Court, and it must be done within a year!"

Lin Heng’s expression turned serious.

Seeing this, everyone also slightly tensed up, "Within a year? Why so urgent?"

For ordinary people, a year is merely the cycle of four seasons.

But for immortals in the Grand Thousand Upper Realm with endless lifespans, a year is like the blink of an eye, insignificant and fleeting.

Lin Heng took a deep breath and spoke truthfully, "It’s not that I’m anxious, but the Western World Venerable, Saint Tathagata, is only a year away from returning to the Buddha Country."

"Wh... What?"

Upon hearing this, the entire Immortal Palace was utterly astonished.

"What do you mean?"

"Is Tathagata about to appear in the world?"

"Will he manifest in the world like Luminous, or will he truly enter the world and reign over Buddha Country?"

Everyone became tense.

Tathagata.

This Saint, who was most illustrious during the Western Journey Calamity Era.

The pressure he exerted on those present was far more terrifying than Saint Luminous!

If, during the Divine Enthronement period, the most radiant figure was the Shangqing Saint Heaven-Reaching Sect Leader.

Then, during the Journey to the West period, the highest peak was the contemporary World Venerable, Buddha Tathagata!

He was one of the masterminds behind the Western Journey Calamity and also its greatest benefactor!

"I’m unsure, but I reckon this time his arrival will likely be a true descent into the world to reclaim the Buddha Country!" Lin Heng said.

"Therefore, we must ascend to the Celestial Court; only with Celestial Court-level fortune can we induce Tathagata’s apprehension."

Upon hearing this, everyone pondered, and Tianpeng was the first to speak, "Since it’s like this, I will immediately lead my forces to conquer and expand!"

He, the Ox Demon King, and Ao Bing.

Had been leading military campaigns before.

The reason they were at the Immortal Court recently was due to the advent of the Heavenly Dao calamities, prompting Shen Gongbao to urgently recall the forces.

Now, as it was necessary to expand the territory, he naturally had to set out again.

Lin Heng nodded, "Later, I will decide the personnel for this mission. But before that, the State Preceptor must draft a proclamation to announce it to the Eastern Immortal Realm."

"If we can achieve bloodless victory and inspire others to join us, that would be best."

"If not, then we will have to resort to conquest."

Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged glances, "Does the Daoist Lord intend to unify the entire Eastern Immortal Realm?"

"Indeed." Lin Heng stood with his hands behind his back, eyes gleaming, looking less like a Daoist and more like a king overseeing the heavens and earth.

Everyone briefly lost themselves, then bowed in unison, "At once!"

Days later, a proclamation issued from the Eastern Desolate Daoist Court, personally delivered by Quasi-Saint Sun Wukong to various places at top speed.

Within less than a month.

It stirred up the Five Great Immortal Realms!