A year's time flew by in the blink of an eye, and five Immortals were leaving Huaguo Mountain.

Yunxiao City, Ao Luan sent off Emperor Donghua to the port with a smiling face.

She waited for half a day, but Emperor Donghua was late to depart and instead became lost in thought.

"When will this guy be willing to leave!"

Ao Luan was thinking resentfully in her heart.

At that moment, a golden light flew over.

"Emperor, Ao Luan."

Sun Wukong landed at the port, saying, "I was discussing the Tao with the Immortal and am a bit late. Where's Nezha?"

He looked around, finding it strange since he heard Nezha had already come over.

Ao Luan replied, "He left before I arrived."

"That quickly?"

Sun Wukong frowned slightly. Nezha had been avoiding him all year and now he didn't even say goodbye when returning to Heavenly Palace.

Emperor Donghua glanced at Sun Wukong.

"Rest assured, Emperor."

Sun Wukong discerned what he wanted to say and smiled, "If I have time, I will surely visit you."

A hint of a smile flickered in Emperor Donghua's eyes, and he nodded his head before soaring away.

Sun Wukong then asked Ao Luan, "Haven't Lord Lao Zi and the Immortal arrived?"

"They've gone to find their mounts."

Ao Luan replied.

Sun Wukong had given freedom to the white deer and the green ox; they were having fun and didn't want to return to Heavenly Palace, hiding these past two days.

But no matter how they hid, they could not escape from their masters.

Approximately the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Lord Lao Zi and the Immortal from the South Pole arrived on the green ox and the white deer.

"Lord."

Sun Wukong took out a list and handed it to Lord Lao Zi, "This is the list of Immortals descending to the Lower Realm next year."

"I will deliver it to the Jade Emperor."

Lord stuffed the list into his sleeve, patted the green ox, and it flew towards Huaguo Mountain.

"Stubborn beast, not that way!"

Lord Lao Zi cursed loudly before making the green ox turn direction and fly towards South Heavenly Gate.

"Immortal."

Sun Wukong looked towards the Immortal from the South Pole.

"Don't worry, Monkey King."

The Immortal from the South Pole knew what he was going to say, "I will speak well of Fairy Chang'e for you."

Sun Wukong nodded.

He certainly did not want other female Immortals refusing to come to Huaguo Mountain because of Fairy Chang'e.

"There is another matter, Monkey King."

The Immortal from the South Pole said, "Could you give me some grass?"

"Grass?"

Sun Wukong glanced at the white deer and nodded in agreement.

Subsequently, the Immortal from the South Pole took the grass, mounted the white deer, and returned to Heavenly Palace.

Before the morning court began, the Immortal from the South Pole tied the white deer outside the Palace of the Polestar and waited for a while until he saw Fairy Chang'e flying over.

"Fairy."

The Immortal from the South Pole stopped her and said a few words.

"There's no need to say anymore, Immortal. I'm not angry."

Fairy Chang'e interrupted him.

Though she returned to Heavenly Palace in a fit of rage, she soon calmed down.

A dance competition was nothing significant, and she had not lost.

Later in the Palace of the Polestar, the Jade Emperor inquired about the situation at Huaguo Mountain.

The Immortal from the South Pole recounted his observations and also brought an improved date tree seedling to the Great Hall.

The Jade Emperor touched the date tree, and besides that, he didn't say much else.

Nezha also reported on his year's experiences, mainly related to monks. The Jade Emperor slightly frowned but did not punish him.

Lord Lao Zi was not in Palace of the Polestar; he handed the list to the Jade Emperor as soon as he returned and went off to engage in Alchemy.

In the Palace of the Polestar, only Chang'e's report was the most detailed.

At Huaguo Mountain, out of spite against Daji, she regularly visited the library, learning quite a few things.

"Your Majesty," Fairy Chang'e finished reporting and said, "I want to go to Huaguo Mountain again."

"Oh?"

The Jade Emperor was somewhat surprised, "Why?"

"The music and dance of Huaguo Mountain are truly unique."

Fairy Chang'e replied: "I wish to descend to learn more, to perform at the upcoming Flat Peach Banquet."

The Jade Emperor asked for the opinions of the immortals, and no one opposed.

Song and dance did not affect the immortals' practice, and they all looked forward to Fairy Chang'e's performance.

The Jade Emperor agreed.

After the court assembly ended, Fairy Chang'e descended to the mortal world once again.

The Jade Emperor returned to Tongming Hall, where he saw Emperor Donghua waiting for him by the chessboard.

"Gold Star Taibai."

The Jade Emperor called for Gold Star Taibai, who took a seat opposite the Emperor, and they began to play chess.

Gold Star Taibai stood by the Jade Emperor's side, observing the game while translating Emperor Donghua's insights and experiences.

As the chess game neared its end, Emperor Donghua brought up official business.

He had spent a year observing Huaguo Mountain, and the administration of the demons there gave him much inspiration; Emperor Donghua wanted to implement a new management system for the Immortal Records.

"The Monkey King told me that you agreed to reform the Heavenly Palace, and now is the perfect time."

Gold Star Taibai translated Emperor Donghua's intended words, word for word.

The Jade Emperor shook his head: "We mustn't rush things, let's take it slowly."

Emperor Donghua's brows furrowed slightly.

"Since you've already promised the Monkey King, do not hesitate anymore!"

Gold Star Taibai exclaimed angrily.

The Jade Emperor looked up at him.

"It wasn't me," Gold Star Taibai wiped his sweat, "that's the tone of the Emperor."

The Jade Emperor turned back to look at the Emperor, and said shaking his head: "This matter requires long term consideration."

Emperor Donghua stopped playing chess and returned the pieces to the box.

He looked at Gold Star Taibai, who kept wiping sweat, unsure whether to speak or not.

"Speak."

The Jade Emperor said.

"The Emperor says..."

Attempting to soften his tone, Gold Star Taibai said: "Going back on your word, you lose the majesty of the Heavenly Venerate."

Emperor Donghua stood up and left with a sweep of his sleeve.

The Jade Emperor's expression darkened.

He gripped the chess piece tightly, feeling very uncomfortable.

Emperor Donghua has always been outspoken, but he had only been to Huaguo Mountain for a day, and already he was speaking for the Monkey King; things seemed to be changing too quickly.

The Jade Emperor was somewhat unaccustomed.

He had to send five immortals to the Lower Realm every day; if each one was influenced, then in the long run...

"Snap."

The Jade Emperor accidentally crushed the chess piece.

"Your Majesty."

Gold Star Taibai looked at him with concern.

"I'm fine."

The Jade Emperor loosened his grip and, recalling the list, began to hesitate whether he should agree.

"Your Majesty."

At that moment, Tota Li Heavenly King walked in.

As soon as he entered, the Jade Emperor felt it was not a good sign.

Heavenly King Li reported a piece of news.

"Oh?"

The Jade Emperor appeared surprised, then his expression turned pensive.

Could this matter be related to Buddha?

No, it should not be...

"The Golden Winged Great Peng certainly doesn't listen to him that much."

The Jade Emperor thought to himself, then took the list out of his sleeve.

"Gold Star Taibai."

The Jade Emperor passed the list to Gold Star Taibai: "Go and ask these people if they want to descend to the Lower Realm."

The Jade Emperor said: "After you receive their answers, return and report to me."

Gold Star Taibai opened the list and looked puzzled, for these were not special immortals; the Jade Emperor could have simply issued a decree, there was no need for such procedure.

But he still responded with "yes" and turned to leave.

"Li Heavenly King."

The Jade Emperor continued with a decree to Tota Li Heavenly King.

Heavenly King Li's eyes lit up slightly.

Although His Majesty hadn't changed his mind, he clearly was beginning to waver.

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