"Of course, you all will also become the pillars of the Heavenly Court. There is a great chance to go a step further and become a Heavenly Court Sovereign, ruling over a region and enjoying boundless Luck."
Yue Tian's words were powerful and resonant.
The position of a Heavenly Court Sovereign, ruling a region, enjoying boundless Luck, and living as long as heaven and earth... this was the ultimate dream that countless Cultivators could hardly touch in their entire lives, or even through a hundred cycles of Reincarnation.
If time could flow back a thousand years to before they had joined Han Xuanji's sect, hearing such a temptation would likely cause even those with firm wills to feel their hearts waver and give rise to infinite fantasies.
At that time, even though Jiang Hao possessed Immortal King Bones, his vision was still limited to the glory and responsibilities of the Jiang Family's Immortal King Clan.
Hearing the words "Heavenly Court Sovereign," his blood would surely have boiled, seeing it as a supreme symbol of bringing honor to his family and surpassing his ancestors—a distant crown in the clouds that he yearned for.
As for Lu Fan, Lin Potian, and the others, they were even more beyond mention; they were still struggling in the Mortal World back then, where Immortal Ascension was their goal, let alone such a temptation.
But everyone was no longer who they used to be. Under Han Xuanji's influence, their horizons were no longer what they once were, and they had already stepped into the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm step by step.
In their eyes, what did a Heavenly Court Sovereign even count for?
It was merely a Primordial Chaos expert. At most, it might earn them a word of praise from their Master, as they would no longer be considered ants.
Among them, Han You was likely the one truly uninterested; he had followed Han Xuanji in cultivation since birth, free of desires. This trip was merely to accompany his Senior Brothers and gain some experience along the way.
Silence filled the hall for a moment.
Lu Fan picked up the spiritual tea by his side and took a gentle sip, his movements calm and unhurried.
Su Ming's eyelids drooped slightly, showing no reaction.
Nangong Wenjian held his long sword in his arms, silent as a statue. Only Lin Potian quietly stifled a yawn, his gaze wandering.
Li Taiqing and Han You—one wore a gentle but distant smile, while the other's eyes were ethereal as if his soul were wandering elsewhere.
Yue Tian was stunned.
He noticed this abnormal calm, which was completely different from the scene he had anticipated.
He was no novice. As an Assistant under the Ninth Heaven Demon-Suppressing Jade True God, he had seen all sorts of Cultivators, heroes, and Geniuses.
Faced with the temptation of a "Sovereign position," some would lose their composure in wild joy, some would feign calmness while their fingertips trembled, some would be full of suspicion and confirm repeatedly, and some would be ambitious and haggle... But a reaction as ripple-less as this was a first for him!
"Can they not hear me, or do they not understand?"
Countless thoughts flashed through Yue Tian's mind, but he quickly dismissed them one by one.
Having reached such a Realm, how could they not know what a Heavenly Court Sovereign meant?
Could it be that they look down on it?
This thought felt somewhat ridiculous even to him.
Look down on a Heavenly Court Sovereign?
That was a venerable position only Primordial Chaos experts were qualified to compete for!
Ruling a region, standing alongside many ancient existences, enjoying the support of the Heavenly Court's Luck, and being revered by ten thousand immortals!
No matter how high the talent of these young people, they were currently only in the Grand Unity Realm. Where did such confidence come from?
In reality, Yue Tian wasn't purely making empty promises. The Ninth Heaven Demon-Suppressing Jade True God was no ordinary Primordial Chaos expert, but a powerhouse of the Celestial Golden Immortal Realm and an extremely ancient figure in the Heavenly Court. With his support and the Aptitude of these people, stepping into the Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal Realm and being titled a Sovereign would truly not be difficult.
Yue Tian composed himself, suppressing the shock in his heart. He decided to increase the stakes, thinking perhaps they lacked a direct understanding of the power of the "Ninth Heaven Demon-Suppressing Jade True God."
Yue Tian decided to give these young people a proper lesson.
He cleared his throat, his voice becoming even more solemn, as if he were reading from a sacred text:
"Fellow Daoists may not know that my Lord, the 'Ninth Heaven Demon-Suppressing Jade True God,' is no ordinary Primordial Chaos. He is an ancient existence who attained the Dao when the Heavenly Court was first established. He has endured many Great Tribulations without perishing, his cultivation is miraculous, and he has long since entered the 'Celestial Golden Immortal Realm'!"
"Under his command, Divine Generals are as numerous as clouds, and Star Lords stand guard."
His eyes were burning as he scanned the group, trying to find expressions of awe, shock, or at least some sign of being moved on their faces.
However, the response he received was still that suffocating calm.
Yue Tian's expression remained unchanged as he continued:
"Seeing the elegance of you Fellow Daoists today, I finally understand why The name associated with the treasure could become the pillar against the Demon Race's iron hooves!"
"For Fellow Daoists to have such cultivation and bearing at such a young age is truly a blessing for our Immortal Realm and for all living beings!"
"The Emperor is thirsty for talent and favors young heroes most. If you Fellow Daoists are interested, the Emperor is willing to open his palace gates and treat you with the etiquette of Guest Elders and honored guests. We shall share resources, study the Great Dao together, and work hand-in-hand to sweep away the demonic influence, returning peace to the heavens!"
Lu Fan set down his teacup and smiled. "I have also heard of the Jade True God Emperor's great name. He is indeed a Senior powerhouse. We appreciate the kind offer."
Su Ming looked up and said calmly, "The position of a Sovereign carries heavy Karma. Our Dao foundations are newly established and still need tempering. We do not dare to seek it blindly."
This reason was high-sounding and the refusal was seamless.
Even with Yue Tian's deep shrewdness, he found himself in a somewhat awkward position by this scene.
He had spoken so clearly, yet the other party still refused.
The two Divine Generals behind him also looked at each other, their faces filled with disbelief.
A Sovereign position, a personal recruitment by a Celestial Golden Immortal Realm powerhouse...
Did these people even know what they were turning down?
Seeing Yue Tian's expression shifting as if he wanted to say more, Lu Fan stood up at the right moment. His aura as a Human Emperor naturally flowed out, maintaining politeness while indicating it was time for the guests to leave.
"Your Excellency Assistant has traveled far and worked hard to bring the God Emperor's kind intentions; I shall keep them in mind."
"However, this is a matter of great importance and cannot be decided in a moment. Please allow us to consider it for a few days."
Having said this, to continue pestering would be to invite humiliation and lose one's status.
Yue Tian took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the faint sense of frustration in his heart.
He knew that this recruitment attempt had ended in failure.
However, he did not feel angry; he only snorted coldly in his heart, not wanting to lose his composure over this setback.
"In that case... I, Yue, shall not disturb you further."
Yue Tian remained outwardly unperturbed as he placed a token on the table.
"I leave this for you all. If we are fated to meet again or if you encounter an emergency, you can use this to contact us."
"Farewell."
After speaking, he didn't look at Lu Fan and the others again. He turned and led the two Divine Generals, striding out of the side hall.
His footsteps were slightly more hurried than when he arrived, a detail that was hard to notice.
Only when their presence had completely vanished did the invisible tension in the side hall quietly dissipate.
Jiang Hao curled his lip. "Celestial Golden Immortal Realm... is that so amazing? Master's bearing that day, that was the true..."
He shook his head, unable to find the right words to describe it, but the light in his eyes said everything.
Lin Potian chuckled. "Exactly. Let's just Cultivate well. By following Master, we'll definitely be more formidable than some Sovereign in the future!"
He paused and exchanged a knowing look with the others, all seeing a sense of indifference and confidence in each other's eyes.
That was not arrogance, but a calm heart toward so-called "peaks" after having witnessed the true "firmament."
A Heavenly Court Sovereign might be the ultimate goal others spent their lives pursuing.
But in their view, it was merely a... somewhat eye-catching piece of scenery they might pass by on the vast path their Master was leading them on.
Lu Fan, however, remained much more clear-headed. The arrival of this Heavenly Court messenger at this point in time perhaps foreshadowed something.