561: Chapter 562 Abnormal Situation

After Patrol Envoy Zhang was taken away, Celestial Official Yun stood where he was, silent for a long time.

Although he had decided to make a clean break from Patrol Envoy Zhang, having his Disciple arrested publicly was, in the end, a slap to his old face.

He could not just let it go; he could not swallow this insult!

But Celestial Official Yun was not a reckless man.

Before getting to the bottom of the matter, he would not act rashly.

He knew that the mastermind behind this was not simple.

Tampering with the Karma of official records, mobilizing the Heavenly Punishment Inspection Division, and precisely seizing Patrol Envoy Zhang's leverage—this entire operation directly nailed down his guilt. He did not believe there was no one directing this from behind the scenes.

To pull off such a scheme, at least a presence at the level of a Divine Lord was required.

Therefore, the top priority now was to report this matter upward as soon as possible.

If a Divine Lord was truly involved in this, he would need to find someone to cover for him.

And that person, naturally, was the true master of the Heavenly Inspection and Earth Investigation Division—the [Divine Lord of Nine Heavens Illumination and Myriad Spirit Response].

However, meeting a Divine Lord face-to-face was not easy; the chasm between the Middle Three Heavens and the Upper Three Heavens was something he, even as a Celestial Official, could not cross.

However, although this [Divine Lord of Nine Heavens Illumination and Myriad Spirit Response] resided in the Upper Three Heavens year-round, he had left a Clone here.

Normally, no one dared to disturb his meditation, but now, he could not care about that much.

Thus, Celestial Official Yun ignored the various expressions of the people from the Inspection Division and walked all the way to the deepest part of the Heavenly Inspection and Earth Investigation Division.

There stood a magnificent hall.

The temple doors were built entirely of black spiritual jade, and there was no plaque above the lintel, only a rune engraved in gold paint, its brushstrokes as deep and heavy as an abyss.

[Hall of Nine Heavens Illumination and Response].

Celestial Official Yun took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

Upon entering, he saw a giant golden statue standing at the end of the hall.

It was cast entirely of spiritual gold, about three zhang tall, with a solemn dharma body, draped in a black divine robe, the patterns on which outlined complex divine markings, like flowing stars.

The entire sculpture did not seem to be deliberately carved, but rather like the lingering shadow left behind when some existence descended into the mortal world.

The moment Celestial Official Yun looked up at the divine statue, an indescribable feeling surged in his heart.

When his gaze met the face sitting with lowered eyes, he felt his own existence suddenly become extremely small, while this statue was infinitely magnified!

He knew this was not an illusion, but rather that the gap in status between them was too great, like a mayfly seeing the bright moon in the clear sky; having this feeling of looking up was very reasonable.

Therefore, he did not show any panic, but only a solemn expression, and immediately bowed and performed a salute, his voice respectful and steady.

"Disciple Celestial Official Yun, I have an urgent matter to see the Divine Lord."

However, the response he received was silence; only his own echo remained in the hall.

After waiting for a while, Celestial Official Yun spoke again, his tone still respectful, without a hint of impatience. He just explained the reason for his visit slightly.

"This matter involves the position of the Divine Lord; the subordinate dare not make a rash judgment, and I ask the Divine Lord to inquire."

As soon as these words were spoken, after just a moment, a barely audible sound came from within the golden statue, like something that had been asleep for a long time was slowly waking up.

Then, he saw a very faint light slowly illuminate between the eyebrows of the golden statue, flowing slowly along the contours of the sculpture, and finally spreading across the entire surface of the sculpture.

Finally, the eyes of this golden statue slowly opened.

In an instant, Celestial Official Yun felt an invisible force crash down on his shoulders, causing his already hunched waist to bend further.

And at this moment, a voice slowly sounded, as if coming from a very distant place, blurry and ethereal, yet carrying a sense of eternal constancy.

"What is it?"

Seeing that he had truly received a response from the Divine Lord, Celestial Official Yun was pleasantly surprised.

However, he did not dare to be negligent and recounted the matter of Patrol Envoy Zhang from beginning to end.

At the end, his tone carried a hint of probing.

"The subordinate dares to ask, does this matter involve a struggle between Divine Lords?"

When these words were spoken, there was silence in the hall for a moment, and that voice sounded again, but the tone actually contained a trace of imperceptible confusion.

"What did you just say the official record for that outsider's promotion to Celestial Official was?"

Celestial Official Yun hurriedly replied: "Supreme Red Text Water Virtue Celestial Official."

The hall became quiet again. The spiritual light on the surface of the golden statue flickered slightly, as if it were thinking.

"Water Virtue... Water Virtue again... Why is it specifically Water Virtue? And it came from an outsider..."

"Could it be that He has returned? But wasn't His divine office destroyed by the Heavenly Emperor, and was He not cast into the Lower Three Heavens to undergo a life tribulation? How could He appear in the Middle Three Heavens?"

The sudden self-talk of that voice left Celestial Official Yun, who was on the side, confused.

What, what, what? What is this talking about?

What does it mean to destroy a divine office? And what is a life tribulation? What is all this talking about!

Aren't we discussing factional struggles? How did it get to that person in the Heavenly Emperor Palace!

Is this something he should be listening to!?

However, curiosity ultimately prevailed, and Celestial Official Yun finally couldn't help but ask.

"May I ask, my Lord, who is the 'He' you speak of?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the statue's self-talk suddenly came to an abrupt halt, and then it asked with a slightly confused tone.

"You don't know?"

"Ah? Should I know..."

Celestial Official Yun revealed a clear and foolish expression, and the statue fell into silence again.

After a while, a light laugh came.

"Hehe, interesting, very interesting..."

This laughter was inexplicable, making Celestial Official Yun feel a chill down his spine, but before he could ask again, the statue of the [Divine Lord of Nine Heavens Illumination and Myriad Spirit Response] began to speak on its own.

"Nine Heavens High Above, Great Void Charging Harmony, One Origin Transformation, Initiating Chaos. The essence of the Profound Origin, condensed into the Spiritual Abyss, the Qi of Clarity and Turbidity, divided into flowing waves.

The Divine Lord of Nine Heavens Nourishing Flowing Waves and Universal Salvation, holding the pivot of Heaven One, the Great Dao is manifested, governing the pulse of all rivers, this is the Immeasurable Heavenly Venerate who performs the wonders of Hanxu and saves people..."

As the words of the statue spread, Celestial Official Yun was instantly stunned.

He was certain he had never heard the title [Divine Lord of Nine Heavens Nourishing Flowing Waves and Universal Salvation].

But as the statue's voice continued to sound, a piece of old history suddenly emerged in his mind one by one.

But he only took one look, and the information contained within almost caused Celestial Official Yun's Divine Soul to collapse.

It turned out that hundreds of years ago, a world-shaking major event had occurred in the Divine Court.

Well, earth-shaking in the literal sense!

And one of the most critical figures was named [Divine Lord of Nine Heavens Nourishing Flowing Waves and Universal Salvation].

He was originally a Divine Lord of the Divine Court, and a genuine Water Virtue Divine Lord!

At that time, the Divine Lord sat on a nine-colored lotus throne, emitting glazed precious light, illuminating the eight extremes. At that time, there were ten thousand spirits of the Water Mansion, bowing and paying respects, which could be described as magnificent!

It was just that this Divine Lord did not seem to be a person who followed the rules, and always thought that the Divine Court's system was pedantic and conservative.

The Life and Death of all spirits in the Divine Court were under punishment; even if they died, they just returned the Dao to Heaven, and their Souls could not be Reincarnation, but would only be reshaped by the rules of the Divine Dao and cast out again.

Therefore, He had the idea of building a Yellow Springs and Underworld River to ferry the dead and give all living beings a destination, and for this, He took action and made a great vow.

"Hunyuan initiates the tribulation, all spirits are born with Qi, the Divine Court establishes the system, and thousands of truths hold punishment to govern.

However, Life and Death repeat, only returning to the furnace of the Heavenly Dao; Souls are worn away, not hearing the path of Reincarnation.

The Divine Lord lowers his eyes, watching the piles of white bones under the Nine Netherworlds unable to transcend.

Sighing long, looking at the wandering ghosts in the Six Harmonies eventually returning to extinction.

Then at the peak of the Great Void, making a great vow, the sound shaking the ten directions.

Breaking the iron law of the Divine Court, opening a new path for the Yellow Springs.

Leading the clear waves of the Nine Heavens, transforming them into the turbid currents of the Nine Earths.

Making the dead not drown in the void, and the living not confused about where to return, ferrying all unfinished Souls, redeeming all unextinguished Karma.

As long as there is a thought not calmed, a wisp not scattered, all can enter My Underworld River, wash away the dust and dirt, cleanse the grievances, and wait for clarity and turbidity to separate, then go to the next life."

After the oath was finished, the Nine Heavens shook, and the Divine Court bell rang.

He saw this Divine Lord actually stripping away his own Divine Power, condensing it into a drop of mysterious bead, and throwing it into the Nine Netherworlds.

Suddenly, the earth cracked and springs gushed, turbid waves rolled, and a Yellow Springs vaguely took shape.

This action was naturally noticed by the Emperor in the Heavenly Emperor Palace, and he was instantly furious!

The laws of the Heavenly Court were established by the Primordial at the beginning of the opening of the tribulation, and the Life and Death of all spirits were under the jurisdiction of the Divine Dao.

The theory of Reincarnation was originally false!

Now there is actually a deity who privately opened the netherworld and recklessly led dead Souls; this act is not just overstepping, but also cutting the Foundation of the Divine Court and breaking the limbs of the Heavenly Dao.

Therefore, the Heavenly Emperor stood up with a wave of his sleeves, then took the Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Seal, threw it into the air, and ten thousand layers of clouds surged like boiling water under the throne.

In an instant, the Nine Heavens saw an anomaly. Only layers of crimson clouds suddenly split, and a thunder light fell from outside the infinite, colored dark purple, wrapped around with golden seal electric patterns.

Wherever it passed, time and space wrinkled because of it.

Then, following the six-character divine name "Nourishing Flowing Waves and Universal Salvation," it struck directly into the Divine Lord's dharma body.

Shattering his crown, splitting his dharma robe, and hitting his life-bound mysterious bead.

Finally, the remaining power of the Purple Heaven Divine Thunder turned into nine chains, wrapping around his limbs, neck, waist, spine, Lingtai, Dantian, and heart.

Each chain was engraved with cinnabar crime seals such as "Overstepping," "Rebellion," and "Recklessness."

Finally, the chains tightened suddenly, dragging him down from the Nine Heavens, falling straight into the Lower Three Heavens.

The Lower Three Heavens are the most turbid and filthy places in the Nine Heavens.

Those who fall into them have their divine bodies eroded like rotten wood, and their Divine Souls devoured like remnant candles.

There is no more Divine Power to breathe and absorb, completely cutting off the Innate Qi veins that deities rely on to survive.

Finally, the Heavenly Emperor issued a divine decree, just one sentence.

"This deity will undergo a life tribulation in the Lower Three Heavens. If he survives, the crime will be erased and the office restored. If he does not survive, he will return to the Dao and the Heavens, adding a brick and a tile to the Divine Court."

And with this, the scene ended!

Celestial Official Yun suddenly came back to his senses, panting heavily. Only then did he realize that he was already covered in cold sweat.

This was not because his concentration was insufficient, but because the scene was immersive, as if he had truly witnessed such an earth-shaking grand scene before.

But if he had really experienced such a thing, how could he have forgotten it!

"Remembered?"

At this moment, the statue of the [Divine Lord of Nine Heavens Illumination and Myriad Spirit Response] in front of him suddenly spoke, pulling Celestial Official Yun's somewhat scattered thoughts back.

Immediately, Celestial Official Yun bowed to the statue and asked respectfully.

"Dare I ask the Divine Lord, just now that..."

"That is true history, history that once happened!"

Before he could finish speaking, the statue answered on its own.

"But..." Celestial Official Yun's lips moved, seemingly wanting to say something, but not knowing how to open his mouth.

"You want to say, why you don't remember it, right?"

The statue suddenly let out a light laugh.

"This is the most interesting point."

Speaking of this, the statue paused for a moment, and then suddenly changed the topic.

"You may not know, this [Divine Lord of Nine Heavens Nourishing Flowing Waves and Universal Salvation] was actually not someone originally from the Divine Court, but came from the outside world!"

"Outside world!"

Celestial Official Yun was shocked again.

This news was no less shocking than the scene of history he had just glimpsed!

Although the Divine Court has always claimed to teach without discrimination, on the surface, as long as one joins the Divine Court, one has the opportunity to be promoted to a high-ranking divine office.

Whether it is a Celestial Official, a Divine Lord, or even an Emperor above, there is a chance.

But in fact, this is because divine offices have long been monopolized by various noble God Race families, and outsiders cannot touch them at all.

Not to mention, divine offices have uniqueness; if the superior does not retire, the people below will never be able to be promoted!

Therefore, let alone outsiders, even local natives are not enough to share!

But this [Divine Lord of Nine Heavens Nourishing Flowing Waves and Universal Salvation] not only achieved the position of Divine Lord, but was also a "Water Virtue" Divine Lord, one of the Foundations of the Five Elements, which is somewhat incomprehensible!

Was it good luck, or was there someone supporting him behind the scenes?

Otherwise, there is no explanation for why an outsider could snatch the position of Divine Lord from the major noble families.

But what does this have to do with him forgetting that memory? Wait, no!

Celestial Official Yun suddenly thought of something.

The Divine Lord would not say these words for no reason; there must be a deep meaning.

"It's the outsider!"

Celestial Official Yun was not a stupid person and quickly associated something.

"The reaction is not slow..."

Seeing Celestial Official Yun react, the statue's tone carried a hint of appreciation.

"That's right, the experience of this guy named Wang Chan is so similar to [Divine Lord of Nine Heavens Nourishing Flowing Waves and Universal Salvation].

Also from an outsider, also joining the Divine Court, and even more so, promoted at an extremely fast speed.

And his performance is even more exaggerated!

[Divine Lord of Nine Heavens Nourishing Flowing Waves and Universal Salvation] at least took decades to ascend to the position of Divine Lord. And this guy has already been promoted to Celestial Official in just a short time.

This is truly incredible!

Even stranger, this person is also of the "Water Virtue" lineage!

You must know that after the incident of [Divine Lord of Nine Heavens Nourishing Flowing Waves and Universal Salvation], the entire Divine Court's attitude towards "Water Virtue" related divine personnel changed.

They no longer easily trusted and entrusted them with important tasks.

Especially those who cultivate both "Water Virtue" and are from an outsider background are even more marginalized.

But this does not mean that they are left alone and ignored; on the contrary, the audit is even stricter.

But the problem lies here; this outsider named Wang Chan joined the Divine Court, why was the approval so fast?

Moreover, the other party's divine office is so sensitive, but no one noticed that something was wrong!

Although it is said that using Power Of Faith can directly promote one's divine office rank, why did no one react to a Water Virtue Celestial Official who suddenly appeared in such a short time?

If Celestial Official Yun hadn't come to him today, even he, a Divine Lord, would not have noticed this matter at all!

It seems that someone is deliberately concealing the Karma of this matter!

There is always a demon when things are abnormal; the [Divine Lord of Nine Heavens Illumination and Myriad Spirit Response] has already realized the seriousness of the problem.

However, he is not panicked. Not to mention that he is also a Divine Lord, perhaps inferior to [Divine Lord of Nine Heavens Nourishing Flowing Waves and Universal Salvation] in talent and courage, but in terms of strength, he considers himself to be in the strongest echelon besides the Emperor.

Not to mention, in the Divine Court, the Heavenly Emperor can suppress everything, so there is no need to worry about any conspiracy.

After all, in the face of absolute strength, all of this is an illusion.