An enormous immortal ship sailed through a series of fluffy white clouds. The scenery of the secular world had already disappeared beneath this layer of clouds, and even the numerous auras of countless living beings became difficult to detect.

In the Heavenly Realm, highest of the Three Realms, the clouds in the sky acted as a separation between one layer and the next. Because of its origins, the Heavenly Realm was also sometimes called, Great Desolate realm.

"Master, are we there yet?" A young disciple called out to his old master, an immortal expert at the Profound Immortal realm. "The fogginess of these clouds are becoming aggravating.

"Soon disciple, just have some patience, you should already be feeling the true qi from the heavens," the immortal master said exasperatedly.

Before long, the clouds broke apart to allow the upward sailing ship to emerge. Now it sailed across the sky as if it were the open ocean. A grand gateway impossibly tall was fully visible in the distance, radiating a profound golden light.

It was beautiful beyond belief, yet also domineering in a way rarely seen in the cultivation world. The young disciple recognized the design as similar to his own sect's mountain gate. He also realized that his, and many smaller sects must've copied their gate design from the Heavenly Court.

"Remember your purpose here," the immortal master reminded him. "You may be of imperial birth, but your father's identity as the head of a dynasty won't support you here. Even my own status will not allow you to act unscrupulously."

"Yes yes, I understand." The immortal master frowned at his princely disciple's words and pondered wether he had indeed listened.

"Halt! Who dares to approach the Southern Heavenly Gate!" A loud voice demanded of them. It was accompanied by a heavy pressure that slightly tilted the ship.

"Chao dynasty's White Tundra sect approaches, my lord," the immortal master replied by cupping his hands. "We come to enlist my disciple, beloved ninth prince of the Sui Dynasty for the celestial army."

There was a long period of silence, causing the young disciple to grow nervous. He glanced at his master, silently questioning why things were taking so long.

"It's standard procedure. He's just checking the list," his master assured him.

"Can an esteemed heavenly god not check faster?"

"Not everyone in the court is a god. You'll see mostly minor officials at the gate."

The young disciple frowned with disappointment. Officials were all boring and stuffy old men in his opinion. He was not only a prince, but also an esteemed immortal.

"Enter!" The same voice announced.

"Finally," the young disciple muttered with no small annoyance.

Sailing through the gate, those aboard the ship took note of the traffic. Many more vessels, likely carrying the same purpose as them, moved through. Through the gate, a check in station with numerous immortal officials stood around.

"At last. So this is the heavens. Legends say the Jade Emperor merged the ancient Starry Skies with the Heavenly Realm to form the Great Desolate. Most pleasing to the eye, worthy of my praise."

"Not so loud disciple, you're causing a scheme," his immortal master chastised. He scanned around the other moving vessels, particularly at passing cultivators who glanced at them curiously.

Many more guards with impressive cultivation defended the building. A garrison of troops were also running drills at a nearby barracks. Most impressive of all, a giant of a man with blue skin stood to oversee operations.

He was crowned, armoured, complete with a celestial ribbon running across his shoulders. In his grip was a straight sword. He towered over everyone present, standing over a hundred thousand metres tall. His cultivation was also completely unreadable. He was the Southern Heavenly King.

Other celestial soldiers who were commanding officers floated next to the Heavenly King's ear. The young disciple grinned eagerly, having identified his future commanding officers.

A plethora of gifts he'd prepared, emerged from his interspatial ring. He floated up towards the Heavenly King, intending to introduce himself.

"Disciple wait!" The immortal master called out, but it was too late. The young male had already flew up to perform a respectful greeting to the Heavenly King of the South.

"This Zhang greets the venerable…gag!" He was pulled back by his own master, then tossed to the deck of the ship. "Why?"

"Foolish boy, do you think you have the qualifications to speak to the Heavenly King?" The immortal master scolded him. "In the dynasty, you can talk casually with kings and emperors, but here? You and I are just ants. Do not think for a second we are qualified to even look at those great god's direction."

"I…but why? Surely the esteemed Heavenly Court recognize their secular counterparts."

The immortal master felt like tearing his hair out. "Foolish boy, do not compare yourself to those up high."

The Southern Heavenly King did not seem to have noticed anything. In fact, he just kept staring straight at the gate. It was only some passing soldiers, officials, and fairies who whispered gossip.

The immortal master felt his cheeks flush at the scene his disciple caused. Inwardly, he felt like kicking the young man for not behaving better.

"Ah what's done is done. Let's go to the barracks first. Hopefully, they will not turn down your enlistment."

He forcefully moved the boat towards the barracks. "I took you in not because of your talent, but as a favour for your father. But even I have erred in not beating the arrogance out of you. Your enlistment in the celestial army will do you well."

Here in the heavens, nobody cares about what status a human realm prince would have. They were all subjects of the Jade Emperor.

"Forget your precious status and you'll have an easier time. Though given your outburst, expect some bullying," he advised the younger man.

…

The mess hall of the Heavenly Court's 12th heaven's barracks was packed by lunch time. Immortals typically did not need to eat, but the food of the Heavenly Court was spectacular. Not only beneficial for cultivation, but just tastes good.

This was all because of the Kitchen god, Lord Zao. Don't his title fool you, Lord Zao was an esteemed deity who personally oversaw food operations across the Heavenly Court. Beyond that, he was also the appointed chief of all city gods.

Mortals may disdain the Kitchen god's seemingly low position, but those in power realized how high his status was, and to never offend him. After all, Lord Zao watched over all the households of the universe and reported directly to the Jade Emperor. He was one of the individuals responsible for catching evil figures before they left their planning phase.

The Jade Emperor's spy master.

But to the soldiers of the court, his cooking skills came to mind more often. Even if the man would not cook for them, his disciples were placed across the thirty three heavens.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"What are you reading Ming Wa?" A passing soldier asked a female soldier who was both reading while eating her fill of rice. "What's so good to distract you from the kitchen god's meal?"

The female soldier perked up. "This? It's part of the required reading list in the army manuel. Didn't you go through it?"

"I'll do it when I have time. The general's training regime's been too much." He sat down beside her. Around them, thousands of soldiers came to collect food. It was an ideal time to socialize.

Each of the thirty three heavens had their own army that was part of the larger celestial army. Each one commanded by a Heavenly Marshall, who delegated to Great Heavenly Generals, who then delegated to lower Heavenly Generals under them.

Fresh recruits would enter one such heaven for training before deployment. Ming Wa and the male soldier, Hu Jingtao were such recruits.

"I get it, but it's an important read. In the future we'll be deployed to patrol both the Heavenly Realm as well as the Infinite Trichiliocosm. These readings will guide us."

Hu Jingtao peered over at the title while munching on rice. "The Celestial Order, a guide to the righteous way? A philosophy text? Hahahaha."

"Don't laugh," Ming Wa sighed. "This was listed as very important."

"Were soldiers Ming Wa, we fight and obey the higher ups, then get payed. Don't you remember why we enlisted? Cultivation is expensive." He paused to drink a sip of celestial water. The satisfaction of the qi rich liquid gave his physique comfort. He'd have to digest these gains later with meditation.

"Sides. Why a philosophy book? Not like we're gonna need it on the field. Shouldn't a code of conduct and stratagem be more important?"

"They are, I've read them already. But this book so equally up there with them," she said and flipped the book around. "Look here, the author's name."

"Hm? Let's see…Haotian? Isn't that?"

"His majesty's personal work," Ming Wa nodded with full seriousness. "I'm only part ways into it, but it explains a lot of what confused me about the laws and regulations book. They were all built off of this book's philosophical foundation. His mastery is sharing his wisdom with us for free. We are getting a chance to see why the court is designed the way it is."

"You uh…seem pretty into it huh? Always a book worm. Even as a True Immortal you do not change."

Ming Wa grinned and playfully slapped his chest. "It's a good read. Besides, this is a higher calling."

"What?"

"I think I understand," she said in an almost reverent tone. "His majesty the esteemed Jade Emperor must've seen so much. This mission of his, that he extents to us. It's so…I don't even know if I could describe it."

She felt herself a changed woman. Before, she had only known the court to be an ever present looming eye. One that pressured her community at all times. Yet now she felt a higher purpose after understanding the court.

What the heavenly gods were striving for. What the Jade Emperor fights to maintain. His Celestial Order was opened to her for the first time since she'd heard of it.

Later, as they were finishing up, another soldier passed a message onto Hu Jingtao.

"Heavens, Pagoda Bearing Heavenly King Li is coming to inspect us tomorrow morning. The marshal's already pushing for perfection. Oh heavens, our general is not gonna let us relax," Hu Jingtao complained.

"All for the greater good. If we have the power to enforce the Jade Emperor's celestial order, then it is all the better."

…

In another part of the Heavenly Court, deeper in than what most would ever see. The Jade Lake was both a geographical feature situated on a floating island, as well as an institution.

It was located deep within the Nine Heavens, a restructured form of the old Starry Skies. When Haotian created the Heavenly Court, he merged the Twenty Four Sea Calming pearls into that dimension. They transformed into twenty four extra heavenly realms that encircled the original Starry Skies.

Four Heavenly Gates, twenty four outer heavens to serve as military bases, nine inner heavens for the executive institutions. Each of the outer heavens was commanded by a Heavenly Marshal, while the nine heavens was directly overseen by the heavenly gods.

Jade lake was the place that cared for all female immortals. It contrasted the Eastern Stone House which oversaw all male immortals.

The Queen Mother of the West, Xi Wangmu tasted a small cut of an immortal peach. The silence of her audience was heart pounding.

"Perfect," she said, eloquently wiping her mouth.

"Thank you for your praise mother," the seven immortal fairies replied. As far as immortals go, they were nothing special, having not inherited much talent from their parents. As such, their duties were small.

"I trust you girls to procure the necessary amount for this year's Peach Banquet."

The seven fairies nodded. This job was done every year. Though not all important powerhouses showed up, it was still a prestigious event. So the immortal peaches had to be raised with care.

"Mother, forgive me for my insolence. But will his majesty be attending?" The purple robed fairy asked.

"I cannot say," Xi Wangmu said. "What Haotian does is something only Haotian can decide. Perhaps he may, or perhaps he may not. What brought this on?"

"It's just…well daughter is confused. Despite being the chief heavenly god, he doesn't attend to the Heavenly Court often. Court sessions are hosted by the Four Emperors, he does not attend banquets, nor does he greet the Immortal Venerates."

Xi Wangmu scoffed. "Do not let their propaganda fool you Independent cultivators are too arrogant to expect personal welcomes from him. He does more for the court then you girls realize."

The Queen Mother walked to her windowsill. "My daughters, do not concern yourselves with the upper management of the court. Some things in this universe are better left to your imagination. Now go, you all have work to do."

After sending them away, she sighed to herself. Years went by, friends died and were reborn, political factions shifted. Yet Haotian never changed, always running around, enforcing his ideals. It was the best way he knew how to ran things.

Herself and her husband, their other fellow daoists were only caught up in his wild ideas. Yet after living for so long, she cannot say she was against it.

Half a day later, she detected another presence radiating compassionate light entering the nine heavens. It was a female cultivator she was familiar with.

Exiting her office building that oversaw a magical lake, she saw a multi armed woman taking in the scenery.

"Are you here as Avalokiteshvara boddhisatva, the goddess Guanyun, or Perfected Cihang?" She asked the intruder.

"Apologies for the intrusion empress," the boddhisatva woman said.

"I know you enjoy the calming scenery. Still does not answer my question," Xi Wangmu reminded her.

"This is a pit stop admittedly. I was on my way to Tushita," Guanyin answered. "I did not mean to disturb empress' cultivation. The great Jade Emperor has already given me permission to visit as I please."

"I'll notify Gold Horn then," Xi Wangmu said while manifesting a paper bird. "You must know, I cannot guarantee you an audience with the Elder Lord."

"I would not mean to presume. I'm not here for any matter regarding the sangha either. Just a former disciple paying a house visit.

Before long, a young blond man with a single horn came riding a green cow. He was holding a large banner that read, 'Tushita.'

"It has been nice seeing you senior. I will be off now," the boddhisatva said with a bow. "I will see you again at this year's Peach Banquet."

Xi Wangmu was neither glad to see her, nor repulsed. Buddhism, just like Daoism, was full of division. No one could guarantee that any arhat, boddhisatva, or buddhas belonged to the same school of thought.

She paused to look further eastward, towards a new land that had settled into the Heavenly realm. Brought by the Vairocana Buddha with consent from the Jade Emperor.

She remembered the conversation she had with Haotian well. He'd told her to not worry about where they came from and to pry. Yet suspicion built in her chest.

The people from the land of Nippon kept to themselves. But she remembered their haunted faces, the private conversations they had with Haotian. Something happened in the Chaos Sea.

"This long quiet may finally be ending," she murmured. "Old friend, are you committed to seeing your celestial order through to the end?"

Haotian's decisions involves the fates of all in the Three Realms. Nothing could ever be taken lightly. That was why, she and her husband had to advise him to think things over, no matter how stubborn he becomes.

But in the meantime, she had more disputes to resolve.

…

An enormous carriage pulled by nine dragons came to a stop before a great world. An upper realm within the Infinite Trichiocosm called, Vermillion Feather world.

Normally, a relatively unassuming upper realm. It had produced immortals, boddhisatvas, and great demons in the past millions of years.

Those same experts currently stood in an asteroid outside their home town with faces of concern.

"Your excellency, is there really no way through?" A Daoist immortal at the Profound Immortal realm begged a heavenly general in command.

That general sighed, shaking his head. "It's up to the marshal and the Gouchen Emperor now."

The world was under siege. A celestial army numbering in the hundred thousands surrounded the great world. Numerous generals, great generals, and three heavenly marshals were present.

In their own immortal ship, the three marshals, their assisting great generals had looks of anger. The siege had gone on for a long time.

"Your majesty," one of the marshals said to a middle aged man in blue imperial robes. "Our latest plan has failed, the strike force we dispatched was eliminated by the devils."

"Five Devil Great Emperors barricaded themselves like cowards." The blue robes emperor clenched his teeth in rage. "If this goes in any further, there's a very real possibility of their ritual to let the Heart Devil step out of his prison."

All the heavenly gods felt a deep sense of failure loom over them. They'd gotten the distress message too late. Vermillion Feather world was already deeply compromised.

The same old story of some lucky bastard unearthing ancient records. Discovering old devil arts to cultivate himself, and building a cult. Hiding away from urban settlements in order to hide from the kitchen god's gaze, changing culture over time to remove his idols to blind said kitchen god.

So many worlds in the universe, one was easily missed. That devil cult successfully fooled many into believing great devils to be benevolent deities. Deities who, unlike the cold heavenly gods, brought tangible pleasures to daily life. Before long, Devil Great Emperors passed through.

"Page seventy nine, under emergency conducts in the divine stratagem states," one marshal slowly said. It urged the other two, as well as their generals to gasp with horror.

"That in the event of an unsalvageable situation. We cut our losses and…"

"ABSURD!" Another marshal roared. "There are trillions of lives inhabiting that world. Your majesty, do not take this fool's advice. We have the power advantage here."

"I'm just being logical. The devil cults are too ingrained. And we cannot maintain a power advantage if they were to succeed."

"Marshals, this lowly general must advice that over half of that population has converted."

"Half, you say half. Then half of them are innocent bystanders."

The Gouchen Emperor felt immensely torn. He could almost see the laughing faces of his opposing Devil Great Emperors.

Then, a man stepped onto the ship. The carriage pulled by dragons had stopped beside it, too fast for any other patrolling guard to question it.

Those discussing the plan glanced over and immediately dropped to their knees in kowtow. Even the Gouchen Emperor was no exception.

"Your esteemed majesty, your servant has failed you," the Gouchen Emperor said.

Haotian did not look at any of them, his gaze locked at Vermillion Feather world. He appeared cold to onlookers.

"Tendrils of corruption has already seeped into the roots, its heavenly Dao has already…" Haotian controlled his breathing. "Damn you Heart Devil."

"Reporting to your majesty, so far we have…"

Haotian heard the report in silence. His gaze never leaving the upper realm. In fact, his divine sense was scanning every once of it, including the Devil Great Emperors residing within.

Their alters were set in ritualistic practice. Mortals and cultivators alike danced in bliss, unaware of the siege going on beyond their sky. Momentarily, five powerful gazes probed the Jade Emperor in arrogant mockery.

Slowly, Haotian stepped forward, walking until he floated in space. One of his hand was clenched in front of his face.

As he released it, a small black and white ball appeared. In its spinning from, it appeared immensely unstable. The Gouchen Emperor widened his eyes in realization.

"Your majesty," he said beggingly. "There is still some time."

Haotian did not reply, he flicked the black and white towards Vermillion Feather world. Inside it, the five Devil Great Emperors cursed.

"Damn it, he actually did it." The five of them immediately shielded themselves with barriers.

In a flash of light, Vermillion Feather world was reduced to space rock. The noise followed after, shocking the celestial soldiers, heavenly generals, and even the heavenly marshals gasped at the destruction.

Under the Heavenly Court's rule, destruction on the scale of worlds wouldn't just occur. And by the Jade Emperor's own hands.

The five Devil Great Emperors appeared singed. All their plans to release their brethren had been burned to ash. Inwardly, they both cursed and praised the Jade Emperor's decisiveness.

The three heavenly marshals sighed. Then immediately jumped into battle. Battalions of celestial soldiers immediately formed into their war formations to encircle the five. The Gouchen Emperor drew his sword.

"We, the Heavenly Court, failed this world," Haotian said in seeming coldness.

"Make sure everyone receives paid leave," he instructed all the officers. Then he joined the fray.

After disposing of this incident, Haotian got into his carriage. He did not speak with anyone, nor see anyone. The lonely carriage pulled away to parts unknown.

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