“I understand.” Jiang Wen nodded, clutching the jade pendant as he walked towards the Shennong Hall.
The road from here to the Shennong Hall was long, and ordinary cultivators were not allowed to fly.
He could only rely on his own two legs, slowly walking towards the Shennong Hall on the summit.
Along the way, banners fluttered all around.
Golden-armored guards were stationed at various points along the mountain road, and cultivators could be seen flying by in a hurry from time to time.
The Heaven Worship Ceremony included not only the Martial Arts Tournament but also discussions and lectures on the Dao.
Sects from all over would stay on Shennong Mountain for ten days to half a month for these discussions and lectures.
Therefore, many rogue cultivators gathered here and did not disperse, all for the sake of this opportunity.
If they were fortunate enough to encounter a Dao Palace Realm expert, it might be a blessing for these rogue cultivators.
After all, relying on oneself to comprehend the Dao, the path of cultivation would be long and arduous.
Arriving at the front of the Shennong Hall, he was stopped by the guards.
He saw that the front hall was bustling with activity, with hundreds or even thousands of cultivators seated inside.
These were all major cultivators from the various sects, one of the main forces of Tianyuan City.
Jiang Wen handed over the silk, and the guard glanced at it before letting him in.
His eyes were filled with curiosity, curious about this extraordinary person who was famous throughout the world today.
He stepped past the noisy front hall and entered the main hall.
He saw grand halls and pavilions, houses and buildings, decorated with canopies and floral arrangements.
Incense burners and offering tables, bells and chimes, and Dharma instruments were arranged in a solemn manner.
The Heavenly King sat high on the throne, presiding over the ceremony with dignity.
The hall was filled with clear-minded ministers, all drinking and making merry.
Singing and dancing filled the hall, with celestial maidens performing graceful dances.
The sounds of bells and drums intertwined, creating pleasing Daoist music.
Compared to the shabby Taicang Imperial Palace in Jiang Wen's memory, this place was truly like heaven on earth.
Zithers, flutes, and harps played in harmony, their sounds soft and soothing, bringing peace to the heart.
Jiang Wen entered the hall, attracting countless gazes.
Those gazes were filled with either doubt, scrutiny, appreciation, or jealousy.
Thousands of people had different expressions, but none of them could affect him.
He walked steadily towards the Heavenly King's throne.
When he was four zhang away from the Heavenly King, he was stopped by two giant guards behind a light veil.
The guards held golden halberds and wore golden armor.
They were majestic and imposing.
It was clear at a glance that they were the elite of Tianyuan City, capable of fighting a hundred enemies each in battle formations.
“Upon seeing the Heavenly King, why don't you kneel?” the guard scolded.
Jiang Wen took a deep breath and slowly knelt on the ground.
He bowed to the Heavenly King behind the veil and then shouted loudly, “This humble one, Jiang Taixu, greets the Heavenly King.”
After calling out, he bowed to the Heavenly King.
Then, he stood up and clasped his hands in salute, waiting in front of the veil, and the Heavenly King's voice came from within.
“Rise.”
“You are the champion of the Martial Arts Tournament, is there anything you desire?” the Heavenly King asked.
Hearing this, Jiang Wen stood in place and pondered for a moment.
Then, he raised his head and said to the Heavenly King, “Taixu has a matter and hopes that the Heavenly King can grant it.”
“What is it?” the Heavenly King said.
“When Taixu came to Taicang, I encountered a woman who is the Holy Maiden of the Luo Ren tribe.
However, the Luo Ren tribe was invaded by other tribes, and in the end, the entire tribe was killed and captured.
Seeing that this Holy Maiden was pitiful, I brought her to Tianyuan, hoping to ask the Heavenly King to stand up for the Luo Ren tribe.”
Jiang Wen said earnestly, recounting the Luo Ren tribe's experiences.
Although some of the details were fabricated by him, most of it was true.
“The Holy Maiden of the Luo Ren tribe?” A rustling sound came from behind the veil, as the Heavenly King rose.
She sat up straight and looked down at the hall, then asked.
“Is the Luo Ren tribe registered?”
As soon as she spoke, a person not far from the stage stood up.
This person was middle-aged and had a long beard.
He bowed to the Heavenly King, nodded, and said, “Reporting to the Heavenly King, the Luo Ren tribe has been recorded in the Myriad Races Covenant.”
“Since they are recorded in the register, why would they be invaded by other tribes?” the Heavenly King asked again.
“This… this subject does not know the details very well.
Why doesn't the Heavenly King summon the Holy Maiden to come up and inquire, and then you will know?” This person wiped the sweat from his forehead and answered in a trembling voice.
“Then summon the Holy Maiden of the Luo Ren tribe, I have words to ask her.” The Heavenly King spoke, and naturally, someone would carry it out.
Not long after, two people walked in from outside the hall.
One was Xue, and the other was Luo Ji.
Xue walked into the hall, and the ministers on both sides respectfully bowed.
However, her expression was calm, and she walked past Jiang Wen, through the veil.
She stood in front of the Heavenly King and bowed, her voice clear and cold, “Xue greets the Heavenly King.”
“My King, you are never by my side.” The Heavenly King laughed.
“Please forgive me, Heavenly King, Xue has important matters to attend to.” Xue said without panic.
She was not alarmed by the Heavenly King's words, but remained calm and composed as always.
“Enough, return to your seat.” The Heavenly King sighed.
“Yes.” Xue sat down in her seat.
At this moment, the Four Great Kings were gathered, which could be considered a rare grand occasion in Taicang for a hundred years.
Luo Ji, who had come with Xue, stood in the hall shivering.
Her face was pale, and her hands were trembling.
This was the first time in her life that she had seen such a grand scene, and she was extremely panicked.
If she hadn't seen Jiang Wen, Luo Ji might not have dared to enter.
She stood beside Jiang Wen, trembling, and tugged at his clothes.
Her eyes were full of pleading, causing Jiang Wen to reveal a helpless expression.
“Don't panic, the Heavenly King only summoned you to understand the situation of the Luo Ren tribe.” Jiang Wen comforted her, and Luo Ji finally calmed down a little.
At this time, the Heavenly King, sitting in his seat, said again, “Are you the Holy Maiden of the Luo Ren tribe?”
“Yes, it is I, your subject.” Luo Ji replied quickly.
“Why was the Luo Ren tribe destroyed? Is there any evidence?” the Heavenly King asked.
“Your subject has evidence!” Luo Ji nodded and presented the Luo Ren tribe's holy object that she had brought.
Then, she took out a scroll that Jiang Wen had never seen before and had a guard pass it up.
“This is the Luo Ren tribe's holy object, and the other is the actual evidence recorded by your subject of the Luo Ren tribe's invasion, please examine it carefully, Heavenly King.”
Luo Ji's emotions slowly calmed down.
She took a deep breath and mustered her courage to look at the Heavenly King.
After all, she had exhausted all her strength to see the Heavenly King and seek justice for her people.
Now that she could truly see the Heavenly King, it was a major event for Luo Ji.
The future of the Luo Ren tribe lay in the Heavenly King's words.
The items were passed up, and the Heavenly King took a look at them, then had the guards return them.
Then, he stretched out his hand and opened it, and a token appeared.
“General Chifeng, listen to my command.” The Heavenly King said.
“Chifeng obeys!” A person came from the wind and landed in front of the hall.
“I order you to take three thousand Vermilion Bird troops and quickly arrest the Xuan Li and Beishui tribe leaders.
And pardon the remaining members of the Luo Ren tribe, ordering them to move to the Dayuan outside Tianyuan City, and there must be no mistakes.”
The token flew into the hands of the person wearing armor, and this person grasped the token and said sternly, “I obey the decree!”
After saying that, he left in a gust of wind.
“I have ordered people to handle the affairs of your Luo Ren tribe, are there any other grievances?”
“No, Luo Ji thanks the Heavenly King.” Luo Ji knelt on the ground and bowed to the Heavenly King, then slowly walked out of the Shennong Hall.
Jiang Wen watched her leave, also relieved.
Having helped Luo Ji, the next thing was what he had to do.
“Do you have any other wishes?” the Heavenly King asked again.
“My path of cultivation has been hindered, and I would like to ask the Heavenly King to give me some guidance.” Jiang Wen bowed.
“You may.” The Heavenly King nodded and dropped another object that flew to Jiang Wen.
“After the ceremony ends, you may use this object to see me.”
