Chapter 86: Xingtian's Rebellion Against Heaven

People can share hardships, but why can’t they also share prosperity? The answer lies in the moment you reach the peak of your endeavors; you and your closest companion begin to see each other's thoughts and opinions as severe obstacles on the road ahead, leading inevitably to disagreements and discord.

In the past, when Haotian had not truly “ruled” the vast world, every matter, great or small, had to pass through the Old Man under the Moon. Nothing could be decided without him, this senior brother of his. Yaochi, too, studied the art of governance by his side, as if the Old Man under the Moon was adept at everything, and thus all heavenly decrees required his hand before they could be issued.

The Old Man under the Moon became the veritable “Emperor Above.” Yet he knew his own place well; history, after all, is filled with tales of loyal hounds being cooked once the cunning hare is caught. So, he devoted himself fully to assisting, making clear from the start that he would not meddle, but could not easily refuse Haotian and Yaochi’s requests.

Now, however, Haotian the Celestial Emperor and Yaochi the Holy Mother believed their wings had grown strong enough to fly alone and balance the Old Man under the Moon. Yet they had forgotten something crucial—the Old Man under the Moon was not only a founding elder of the Celestial Court, but also a Sage! The dignity of a Sage cannot be violated. Since they were so eager to test their own weight, the Old Man under the Moon devised this scheme to teach them a lesson.

This was why Xing Tian’s severed head could still live. Haotian and Yaochi, who had only moments before been laughing heartily, now frowned in consternation, unable to comprehend how Xing Tian could have come back to life.

Soon, a tattered celestial soldier staggered into the Hall of Supreme Harmony, collapsed to the ground, and reported to Haotian, the Old Man under the Moon, and the other court officials, “Xing Tian has reached the Mysterious Bright Heaven.” With those words, the celestial general’s soul dissipated.

Haotian could sit still no longer. The Mysterious Bright Heaven! That was not far from his own Hall of Supreme Harmony.

These Thirty-Three Heavens were no ordinary places. Originally, above Mount Buzhou, there was but one heaven—the old firmament itself. After the War between Deities and Demons, the Celestial Court split into Thirty-Three Heavens: the First, Yudan Heaven; Second, Longevity Heaven of the Highest Deity; Third, Brahma Blue Extension Heaven; Fourth, Silent Doushu Heaven; Fifth, Bridge of Blissful Nirvana Heaven; Sixth, Cave of Profound Response Heaven; Seventh, Spirit Transformation and Brahma Support Heaven; Eighth, Lofty and Clear Bright Heaven; Ninth, No Thought No Love Heaven; Tenth, Supreme Yellow Heaven; Eleventh, Supreme Bright Heaven; Twelfth, Pure Bright Heaven; Thirteenth, Mysterious Embryo Heaven; Fourteenth, Mysterious Bright Heaven; Fifteenth, Seven Luminaries Heaven; Sixteenth, Void Heaven; Seventeenth, Supreme Ultimate Heaven; Eighteenth, Crimson Bright Heaven; Nineteenth, Glory Heaven; Twentieth, Shining Heaven; Twenty-First, Imperial Reed Heaven; Twenty-Second, Spiritual Bright Heaven; Twenty-Third, Tranquil Heaven; Twenty-Fourth, Radiant Heaven; Twenty-Fifth, Supreme Jade Heaven; Twenty-Sixth, Primordial Bearing Heaven; Twenty-Seventh, Supreme Peace Heaven; Twenty-Eighth, Extreme Wind Heaven; Twenty-Ninth, First Emperor Heaven; Thirtieth, Supreme Emperor Heaven; Thirty-First, No Thought Heaven; Thirty-Second, Ruanle Heaven; Thirty-Third, Tanshi Heaven.

It was clear that Xing Tian had already reached the Fourteenth Heaven, Mysterious Bright Heaven, leaving Haotian in a difficult spot. Immediately he issued orders to all the soldiers and generals of the Celestial Court, and said to the Old Man under the Moon, “Beloved advisor, perhaps you should withdraw for now.”

Haotian was still wary of him. How else could Xing Tian have breached the Thirty-Three Heavens? Surely the disciples of the Spiritual Sect were holding back. If he did not send the Old Man under the Moon away, things could only worsen. Better to let him return home.

“I take my leave,” the Old Man under the Moon said, bowing to Haotian and Yaochi, then turning to go. But Yaochi reached out, grasping the hem of Haotian’s robe in silent protest. Only then did Haotian realize his mistake, yet when he tried to call the Old Man under the Moon back, the words would not come, and he sighed softly.

All this time, the Old Man under the Moon had been waiting for Haotian’s admission of fault. If only he would apologize, the Old Man under the Moon would drive Xing Tian away. Yet Haotian never spoke the words. The Old Man under the Moon now understood that his softness in the past had led to this moment. He could no longer afford to be weak.

A thunderous boom erupted from the highest of the Thirty-Three Heavens, Tanshi Heaven, as the great gates forged of ten-thousand-year-old meteorite were cleaved open by Xing Tian’s battle-axe.

“Xing Tian, I know the hatred in your heart,” Haotian said, now composed, “but today you will pay for it with your life.” He spoke with surprising calm.

“If you’d realized this sooner, would we be here now?” Xing Tian wasted no words and charged the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The Nine Heavens Maidens, Marshal Tianpeng, Jade Yao Immortal, and others donned their battle robes, joining Haotian and Yaochi in fierce combat against Xing Tian.

Xing Tian, once a member of the ancient tribe, had further honed his skills under the Heaven-Opening Master. His fighting was all the more ferocious, and for a time, not one celestial general could withstand him.

The Nine Heavens Maiden wielded her treasures, protecting Yaochi’s flank, while Marshal Tianpeng, Haotian, and Jade Yao Immortal together engaged Xing Tian head-on.

Xing Tian did not flinch. Marshal Tianpeng swung his nine-toothed rake; Haotian, with the Heavenly Mirror above his head and the Heavenly Sword in hand, slashed at Xing Tian; Jade Yao Immortal swept her sleeves, attacking his lower body.

Xing Tian raised his axe to block Marshal Tianpeng, but as he moved to counterattack, the Heavenly Sword’s radiance engulfed him, and Jade Yao Immortal seized the moment to bind his legs with her flowing sleeves. Forced to defend himself, Xing Tian raised his axe to parry the sword’s light.

The Heavenly Sword, a gift from the Dao Ancestor himself, was fearsome in its might. Even with his axe, Xing Tian underestimated its power. Sword marks appeared across his body. Sensing his chance, Haotian summoned his Heavenly Seal and brought it crashing down.

Though Xing Tian’s body was formidable, he could not withstand the blow of the Heavenly Seal. He was sent hurtling down to a mountain peak in the lower realm.

Haotian knew this man must be killed. He and his allies rushed to where Xing Tian had fallen.

If not for the innate toughness of his ancient tribe, Xing Tian would not be lying peacefully on the mountain now, suffering only superficial wounds. Yet he suddenly noticed his injuries healing bit by bit. On closer inspection, he realized what was at work.

“It seems Xing Tian is not so formidable after all; it was only the cowardice of those Spiritual Sect disciples that brought shame to my Celestial Court!” Haotian exulted, turning to Marshal Tianpeng and the others.

“We obey Your Majesty’s decree!” they replied eagerly. If ever there was a time for flattery, this was it.

After all, he was still the Celestial Emperor. From now on, he must find a way to restrain the power of the Spiritual Sect; relying on himself alone would not do. Perhaps it was time to see what the Expounding Sect could offer. Haotian resolved to seek a means to check the Spiritual Sect after the battle.

“Must you not let me go?” Xing Tian’s tone softened as he addressed Haotian and the others.

“Only now do you regret it? Too late!” Haotian’s face grew stern, a cruel smile curling his lips. “Kill him!”

With a single command, their attacks converged on Xing Tian.

But Xing Tian made no move to defend himself, merely watching as the attacks drew near.

“Let’s see if you can escape death this time, Xing Tian!” echoed the thought in everyone’s heart, their faces breaking into victorious grins.

“Rise!” Xing Tian extended his palm, clenched his fist, and from the earth surged countless hands of elemental earth, seizing all the immortals.

Caught off guard, they fell into his trap. The Nine Heavens Maiden, Marshal Tianpeng, Yaochi, and Jade Yao Immortal were all gripped tightly and rendered helpless.

Haotian managed to escape thanks to the protection of the Heavenly Mirror. Seeing his comrades trapped by the earthen hands, he prepared to rescue them, but just then a voice halted him in his tracks.

“Haotian, I have but one request. Grant it, and I will release the others!” Xing Tian shouted.

At this point, Haotian paid no mind to Xing Tian’s use of his given name. He stopped and asked, “What is it?” It was clear these powers of earth were not Xing Tian’s own, and the negotiation was only to prevent matters from getting out of hand.

“All I want is to strike you once with my axe—to vent the bitterness in my heart,” Xing Tian replied calmly.

“What?! No!” Haotian’s pride would not allow him to be threatened—never had he suffered such humiliation. He flatly refused.

“In that case—” Xing Tian chuckled darkly and tightened his grip, drawing cries of pain from the four captives. Haotian tried to advance, but a multitude of earthen hands blocked his way. “Let’s see whose speed prevails—yours or mine!”

In the end, Haotian conceded. What choice did he have? His finest generals were under Xing Tian’s control; he had no option but to agree.

Xing Tian advanced and swung his axe at Haotian—yet Haotian was left unharmed, not understanding how he had emerged unscathed.

Quickly, Haotian gathered his power, swept up his companions, and soared back to the Celestial Court, casting a resentful glare at Xing Tian below before returning in defeat.

“Many thanks, Lady,” Xing Tian called, bowing into the distance toward the Underworld, before concealing himself beneath the mountain to continue his cultivation.

And the name of that mountain? It was called Changyang Mountain.