Chapter 107: The Hidden Depths of Taibai Jinxing

Chapter 107: The Deceptive Taibai Jinxing

It is no surprise that the Queen Mother of Yaochi values etiquette. Countless myths have depicted this, and such stories are rarely without foundation. Luo Feng considers himself quite observant of etiquette, certainly not as boorish as a certain monkey. Setting aside the fact that the status of the Heavenly Emperor is as noble as that of a Saint, one must maintain a certain level of respect and awe simply based on the current Emperor's cultivation and realm. However, the Heavenly Emperor’s nostalgic nature did surprise Luo Feng slightly.

Giant Spirit God sighed, gazing into the layers of clouds. "Back then, I was merely a Longbo giant from the lower realms. The Saints of the three teachings and the major immortal sects looked down upon me. I was desperate and came to the Heavenly Court as a last resort. Yet, His Majesty entrusted me with a heavy responsibility, tasking me with guarding the South Heaven Gate. Over these hundreds of millions of years, the Heavenly Court has recruited many experts, but I have always held my position at the South Heaven Gate. That is because I am one of the original veterans who first ascended to the Heavenly Court."

Luo Feng listened silently, analyzing the pros and cons. The Heavenly Emperor is also a monarch, and if a monarch is nostalgic... it could only mean one thing—could this be a carefully crafted persona? Whether the Heavenly Emperor is truly nostalgic or not, he at least presents himself as such. If it is genuine, then all is well. If it is merely a persona, he must be constantly vigilant to avoid offending the Emperor and must act in accordance with that image. Luo Feng grew wary; the Heavenly Emperor is indeed no ordinary figure, and his mastery of imperial arts is profound. Peering through a narrow tube to see a leopard, one can guess the rest—if even the Giant Spirit God cherishes the Emperor's kindness, then surely the entire Heavenly Court feels the same. Holding a grudge is easy; remembering kindness is difficult, especially over hundreds of millions of years.

Following the Giant Spirit God through the South Heaven Gate and past numerous checkpoints and thresholds, they headed toward the inner courtyards. There, massive pillars stood, supporting the heavens, entwined with golden-scaled, sun-glittering red-bearded dragons. Long bridges spanned the sea of clouds, with colorful, phoenix-like birds circling gracefully above. Bright mists shimmered in the celestial light, and verdant fog veiled the horizon.

Finally, they arrived at a palace that felt ethereal and antique. The Giant Spirit God stopped and cautioned, "When you see Taibai Jinxing later, do not act rashly. Do not be fooled by the old Star Lord’s modest cultivation; he is a favorite in the eyes of His Majesty. Moreover, he is kind-hearted and well-regarded throughout the Heavenly Court."

Taibai Jinxing, the Metal Virtue Star Lord? A flash of brilliance crossed Luo Feng’s eyes. He nodded and said, "Brother Giant Spirit, rest assured, I know how to conduct myself." The Giant Spirit God nodded and strode inside.

Not long after, a clear, bright laugh drifted from the palace. "Fellow Daoist Luo, my apologies for not welcoming you sooner!"

Luo Feng looked up to see an elderly man with a long white beard, holding a clean and supple horsetail whisk, with a white-gold star mark between his brows. Suddenly, his heart jolted—this Metal Virtue Star Lord... Taibai Jinxing, known for his "good guy" image, was someone he could not see through! In the eyes of the Giant Spirit God, this was merely an ordinary immortal, at most a Heavenly Immortal, perhaps even an Earth Immortal. But to Luo Feng, the old Taibai was impenetrable, unfathomable, and utterly incomprehensible.

While Luo Feng sized up Taibai Jinxing, Taibai Jinxing was doing the same to him. A white Daoist robe, a horsetail whisk in hand, wearing a Daoist crown, with the cultivation of a novice Earth Immortal—such figures were a dime a dozen in the Primordial Continent. If not for the grey-blue hair, he would have left no impression at all. Taibai Jinxing quickly made his assessment: impenetrable, unfathomable, incomprehensible!

Taibai Jinxing greeted him with a beaming smile, grasping Luo Feng's sleeve, and exclaimed, "The Heavenly Court is in dire need of talents like you, Fellow Daoist. Giant Spirit, you may head back; I shall introduce this Fellow Daoist myself."

The Giant Spirit God laughed, "If it is the old Star Lord's word, I am naturally at ease. Farewell, farewell!"

Taibai Jinxing’s words were warm and devoid of any arrogance, causing Luo Feng to hold him in even higher regard. If the Giant Spirit God’s words were true, Taibai Jinxing was a close minister and a trusted confidant of the Heavenly Emperor. With such status, he could easily command respect across the Heavenly Court, yet he was kind and approachable to a newcomer—strictly speaking, not even a newcomer, but a mere Earth Immortal. He was not to be underestimated!

Luo Feng returned the gesture respectfully. "Luo Tianyi pays his respects to the venerable Star Lord. As I am new to the Heavenly Court, I hope for your guidance."

Taibai Jinxing stroked his beard and smiled, "That goes without saying, that goes without saying. Fellow Daoist, please follow me..."

Luo Feng nodded obediently. He did not offer a gift; to gift this old man would require at least a Primordial Spirit Treasure, and offering low-grade immortal items would be worse than offering nothing at all. He followed closely and quietly behind Taibai Jinxing.

After some time, they arrived behind a great hall. Luo Feng looked up; it was not the Lingxiao Palace. That made sense. Currently, the Conferred God List had not yet appeared, the Heavenly Court lacked fame, and few immortals were willing to serve there; they could barely hold an assembly. If they forced the issue, a crowd of Earth and Heavenly Immortals with only two or three Golden Immortals would be no different from bandits occupying a mountain. While it might count as a first-rate force in the Primordial World, it would be a joke for a Heavenly Court meant to govern the Three Realms. The current Heavenly Emperor, the Jade Emperor, could not afford such a loss of face.

In front of the great hall, Taibai Jinxing smiled, "I shall go and report to His Majesty. Fellow Daoist, please wait a moment."

Luo Feng bowed, "Many thanks, venerable Star Lord."

A moment later, Taibai Jinxing returned with a smile, "His Majesty has issued an edict: the wandering immortal from the lower realms, Luo Tianyi, is summoned for an audience."

Guided by Taibai Jinxing, Luo Feng stepped into the treasure hall. There, seated above, was a young man in a mysterious yellow imperial robe, his presence solemn and majestic. Luo Feng dared not use his divine sense to observe, fearing he might offend the imperial might and bring disaster upon himself. He cast a slight, sideways glance.

In an instant, Luo Feng’s soul trembled. He seemed to see the cycle of the sun and moon, the rise and fall of tides, the vastness of heaven and earth. The myriad changes of a universe, the shifting of seas into mulberry fields, and billions of years of time were all contained within those eyes. Behind him, a golden wheel of merit illuminated the ten directions and the Three Realms, shining with supreme light. He was the embodiment of heaven and earth, the very will of the cosmos! He was the Ruler of the Three Realms, the Haotian Heavenly Emperor, the Jade Emperor!

Luo Feng had only seen such an aura in one other person: the Dao Ancestor of Zixiao Palace. Unlike the Dao Ancestor, who had returned to simplicity and whose presence felt like a gentle spring breeze, the Heavenly Emperor’s aura felt as if it were reinforced by the entire Primordial Universe.

"This wandering immortal from the lower realms pays respects to the Haotian Golden Gate Supreme Natural Marvelous-Being Miro Supreme True Jade Emperor!"

A long, rhythmic, and melodic title rolled off Luo Feng’s tongue. It was clearly something he had practiced many times. The Heavenly Emperor on the throne smiled faintly. In terms of orthodoxy, he was the Haotian Emperor; in terms of the Daoist gate, he was the Jade Emperor. Various factions had different titles for the Lord of the Heavenly Court, and over time, he had grown accustomed to them all. It had been a long time since he heard someone address him with such reverence and such a long, formal title. This elusive Golden Immortal was interesting.

The Heavenly Emperor’s lips parted slightly, "Since you come to pay homage, why do you hide within a puppet body? As a dignified Golden Immortal, this is unbecoming."

Luo Feng was unruffled; he had anticipated that the Heavenly Emperor would see through his disguise. If the Ruler of the Three Realms, at least a Da Luo, could not see through him, that would be truly strange.

"Reporting to Your Majesty," Luo Feng smiled knowingly and bowed.