Primordial Era: I cultivate the Great Dao of Unparalleled Power, driving even sages mad!

Yaochi looked at Li Taibai, her mind calming down slightly, and asked softly, "Taibai, what you said about establishing a temple to the Daoist ancestor and holding the Peach Banquet in that name is good, but please tell me the deeper meaning behind it."

Li Bai put away his whisk, bowed solemnly, and said, "Your Majesty, I have three reasons to give."

Yaochi nodded: "Please speak, my dear minister; I will listen attentively!"

Li Bai immediately said, "First, establish a legal system."

Yaochi was taken aback: "Legal system? What is legal system?"

Knowing that Yaochi didn't quite understand this principle, Li Bai immediately offered an explanation!

"Your Majesty, what is legitimacy? It is the reason and basis for governing all immortals. Having a title only gives one a position; having legitimacy is what makes one legitimate. The establishment of legitimacy is equivalent to announcing to the Three Realms that Your Majesty's rule over all immortals is not due to a temporary appointment by the Dao Ancestor, but rather represents the Dao Ancestor and inherits the Dao Ancestor's teachings and order. It is a natural and unchanging legitimate lineage of the immortals. No matter how the Three Realms change in the future, as long as the Dao Ancestor's incense continues, Your Majesty's title of ruling over all immortals will always stand firm. Even if there is no one for a time, your position is irreplaceable. In the future, when immortals and gods come to return, they can only recognize Your Majesty's legitimate lineage."

Upon hearing this, Yaochi's eyes lit up with excitement: "Truly my wise minister! Taibai, quickly state three reasons!"

Li Taibai said in a deep voice: "Although the Jade Pool Wonderland has spiritual veins and treasures, it lacks the legal foundation to govern all the immortals. Establishing the Temple of the Dao Ancestor is to establish the laws of the Heavenly Court and the rules of the Jade Pool. The immortals will be taught by the Dao Ancestor and governed by the Goddess. With the legal system established, it will be legitimate and justified. Even if there is no one at present, its position is irreplaceable."

Yaochi's eyes lit up: "Continue."

"Secondly, it gathers fortune. The Dao Ancestor is revered by all three realms. Once the temple is erected, the fortune of Zixiao will naturally be drawn in and cover the Jade Pool Immortal Realm. With the blessing of fortune, the immortal realm's spiritual roots will be reborn and the immortal palace will be stabilized. In the future, all the immortals will have a place to rely on."

Yaochi nodded slightly, her face already showing joy.

These were things Yaochi had never expected. She never imagined that upon leaving the Yaochi Wonderland, she would find such a virtuous minister. Yaochi's eyes practically popped out of her head when she looked at Li Bai.

I love this minister so much! He brought treasures as soon as he arrived, solving our immediate crisis. He also pointed out the major pitfall, preventing us from falling into the abyss. Now he has given us three strategies. He is practically laying the foundation for the Jade Pool Wonderland!

At this moment, Yaochi was overjoyed as she listened. Compared to her senior brother who had been with her for millions of years, who might have schemed against her, Taibai in front of her treated her so well. Without comparison, one could not know the difference, and once compared, the difference in their abilities was immediately apparent!

Yaochi and Haotian are fellow disciples who have cultivated together in Zixiao Palace for countless years. They should be close comrades who fight side by side!

He once placed complete trust in him, regarding him as a reliable ally in order to stabilize the Heavenly Court.

However, Haotian's scheme, when she was completely unprepared, aimed to push her into the eye of the storm and burden her with immense karma. This betrayal and cold-heartedness chilled Yaochi to the bone.

Although Yaochi has not yet fully verified whether Haotian had ulterior motives, there is still hope for Haotian!

But reason told Yaochi that this was true, and Haotian shouldn't be so stupid; he didn't understand such a simple truth.

Yaochi doesn't approve of Taibai out of affection, but rationally she feels that Taibai is right. This is Yaochi's current thought!

In contrast, Li Bai was merely a subordinate who had taken human form with his help, yet he was able to be utterly devoted and selfless!

Xihe generously shared her treasures with him, even though she could have kept them for herself. But Taibai did not. His sincerity and selflessness moved Yaochi, who then placed great trust in him.

He plans everything for himself and avoids trouble in every situation, without a trace of selfishness or scheming.

One is a comrade-in-arms for millions of years, yet harbors secrets; the other is a virtuous minister he has just met, yet is utterly sincere. The good and the bad are easily distinguished, and the close and distant relationships are immediately apparent.

In comparison, Li Bai's sincerity is all the more precious, and Yaochi's feelings for Li Bai have gone from simple gratitude to the joy of finding a kindred spirit!

The most precious thing in the world is to have someone who treats you sincerely in times of crisis, rather than someone who schemes against you or takes advantage of you.

Initially, Yaochi's perception of Li Bai was merely that he was a useful minister, the first official under Yaochi Wonderland, and a helper who could solve their immediate problems.

However, with Li Bai's three proposals for establishing the Taoist ancestral temple, the orthodoxy of Yaochi was established, the fortune was gathered, and the identity was corrected, laying the foundation for the Yaochi fairyland for all ages!

At this moment, Yaochi's understanding of Li Bai underwent a complete transformation.

At this point, Li Bai was no longer an ordinary subordinate, but a man of extraordinary talent and a pillar of the state.

When Yaochi first assumed the position of Great Heavenly Venerable and was isolated and helpless, he was the only confidant she could completely trust and entrust with.

This sentiment has long transcended the formalities between ruler and subject, akin to the deep friendship between King Wen of Zhou and Jiang Ziya, or the profound bond between Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang.

Li Taibai added: "Thirdly, regarding her identity, since the goddess establishes a temple to worship the Dao Ancestor, she is recognized by the Three Realms as the chief priest, holding the Great Dao of Sacrifice, and rightfully wielding the position of Grand Priest. Her status is transcendent, free from disputes of rank and rank, and without any suspicion of overstepping her bounds."

As soon as she finished speaking, Yaochi stood up abruptly, her face full of joy, and exclaimed repeatedly, "What a fine lineage, fortune, and status! Taibai, you are truly my trusted advisor; every word is precious, every sentence hits the nail on the head!"

The last strategy was Li Bai's most brilliant and ingenious strategy!

The right to sacrifice is the root of legitimacy. For example, after the ancient Emperor Zhuanxu severed the connection between heaven and earth, the right to sacrifice to the supreme deity became the core pillar of the legitimacy of his rule.

This is Li Bai's intention, which is to learn from the experience of Emperor Zhuanxu in later generations!

As the embodiment of the Heavenly Dao and the teacher of sages, Hongjun Daozu is the supreme being of the Three Realms. He governs the order of the Heavenly Dao, distributes sage positions, and educates sages. His will is the will of the Heavenly Dao.

By establishing Hongjun as the Grand Priest of Yaochi, Yaochi effectively monopolized the core sacrificial rights of the Three Realms to Hongjun Daozu. This demonstrated that Yaochi's authority over the immortals and control of the Yaochi Immortal Realm was not merely based on the Daozu's temporary decree, but rather on behalf of the Daozu to perform sacrificial duties and transmit the mandate of Heaven.

Yaochi is naturally qualified to do this, and other saints don't do it, so why shouldn't she?

With the strategy decided, Yaochi already had a clear understanding of the situation, but her face still showed a hint of bewilderment and hesitation, as if she were new to wielding power.

The three strategies Li Bai offered were a delightful surprise, yet also a source of bewilderment. Implementing these strategies would require immense execution!

"Taibai, how should I proceed?"

Li Taibai immediately replied, "Your Majesty, this cannot be implemented until everything is settled. This is a plan to establish the foundation of the Jade Pool Immortal Realm. We must completely resolve this matter with the Great Heavenly Venerable Haotian before deciding on the next step. For now, Your Majesty must first verify the Great Heavenly Venerable Haotian's true intentions!"

Yaochi nodded: "Alright, I will heed Li Bai's words!"

After some time, things stabilized at Haotian's Lingxiao Palace!

Although the dust had been swept away and the ruins had been repaired, the Lingxiao Palace still appeared empty and desolate!

Only Haotian sat on the throne of the Heavenly Emperor in the hall, his agitation barely concealed by the purple aura surrounding him.

This so-called Great Celestial Venerable who rules over the Three Realms doesn't even have a single subject.

Having just returned from the Jade Pool Wonderland, I was greeted by magnificent palaces and towers, abundant spiritual energy, and the presence of Venus and the Moon Goddess, two ministers, standing beside me!

Both were personally appointed by the Dao Ancestor and ascended to the same throne, yet I remain guarding this empty Lingxiao Palace, without soldiers or ministers!

Yaochi, on the other hand, now has a trusted group of followers and has even obtained Xihe's relics, giving him a subtle advantage.

Yes, Yaochi is actually Haotian's rival. If Yaochi moves too fast, it means Haotian is incompetent!

"With Venus and Chang'e assisting me at Yaochi, how can I fall behind?"

Haotian condensed a wisp of imperial purple energy at his fingertips: "I am the Supreme God Haotian, who rules over all gods. How can I be without capable men?"

Thinking of this, Haotian raised his hand and waved it, and a jade-like immortal stone appeared in his palm!

This stone is no ordinary object. It is a primordial immortal stone that Haotian shed from his own body after listening to the Dao Ancestor in Zixiao Palace for hundreds of millions of years. It has absorbed the spiritual energy of the Heavenly Dao and the fortune of Zixiao for hundreds of millions of years. It has a deep foundation and has long since developed intelligence. It just lacks a method to enlighten it.

"Heaven and earth bear witness, and the Way of Heaven guides me. By the supreme decree of the Jade Emperor of the Golden Palace, I enlighten your spirit, and you are born into this world!"

A surge of purple energy erupted from Haotian's fingertips, and a dazzling golden light shot directly at the immortal stone.

The immortal stone suddenly trembled, surrounded by a rich spiritual energy, and its smooth stone body gradually became translucent!

A stunningly beautiful human silhouette slowly emerged from the stone, and countless rays of light shot into the sky from the Lingxiao Palace, with auspicious energy swirling around the palace, causing even the stars in the heavens to tremble.

In an instant, the immortal stone shattered with a roar, turning into a sky full of shimmering light, and a fairy dressed in a plain white fairy dress slowly appeared.

The fairy had exquisite features and a graceful figure. She was surrounded by a faint purple aura. Her eyes and brows resembled Haotian's, and she possessed an air of nobility and dignity. She was fully intelligent.

The fairy bowed gracefully to Haotian: "I am deeply grateful to my brother for his guidance, which allowed me to emerge from stone and take form. I am also grateful for your countless years of preaching and protection!"

Haotian looked at the fairy before him, the melancholy between his brows easing slightly, his tone becoming gentle: "You are formed from my original immortal stone, sharing the same origin as me, and are therefore my own sister. I bestow upon you the name Yaoji, also known as Fairy Yunhua, and grant you the power to wield my natal spiritual treasure, the Haotian Mirror, to oversee the Three Realms and illuminate all the heavens!"

"Yao Ji thanks her elder brother for bestowing upon her a name and a treasure!"

Yao Ji bowed again: "I will certainly not fail my brother's trust, and will wield the Haotian Mirror well, living up to your expectations!"

Haotian nodded slightly, raised his hand, and a vast power of the Heavenly Dao surged into Yaoji's body, containing his great supernatural abilities cultivated over billions of years, as well as the methods to command all gods and dispatch heavenly soldiers.

Yao Ji's body shone brightly, and her cultivation level instantly soared to the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm. The purple aura surrounding her became increasingly dense, and she exuded a more decisive and ruthless aura, already possessing the majesty of someone who commands heavenly soldiers.

"I bestow upon you another position: Grand Marshal of the Heavenly Army, to command all the gods of Heaven on my behalf, to command the heavenly soldiers and generals of the Three Realms, to maintain order in Heaven, and to solidify my imperial power!"

Haotian's voice grew increasingly majestic, his gaze sweeping across the empty Lingxiao Palace, and he already had a plan in mind!

With Yao Ji around, we have a trusted confidante and right arm. Then we can gradually increase the Heavenly Army's forces!

Yao Ji straightened up and bowed again to receive the decree. The Heavenly Court's female war goddess was already showing her prowess: "Your subject Yao Ji obeys your brother's decree! I will do my utmost to command the heavenly army, rectify the Heavenly Court, help my brother consolidate his position as Heavenly Emperor, and rule over all the gods, thus living up to the trust placed in me by the Dao Ancestor!"

......................

After stabilizing the Lingxiao Palace, Haotian began searching for Yaochi!

Purple aura surged across the sky as Haotian, clad in imperial robes, slowly stepped into the revitalized Yaochi Wonderland.

"Junior sister, what's your decision? What do you think about the Peach Banquet?"

Upon hearing this, Yaochi hesitated, as if she truly didn't understand the danger involved: "Senior Brother, I feel... something is amiss. We've only recently arrived in the Heavenly Court, our foundations are not yet established, and we have no prestige whatsoever. Wouldn't it be too ostentatious to bring up birthday wishes so abruptly?"

Haotian smiled slightly, his tone calm: "If it were just an ordinary Peach Banquet, where people eat and drink and then disperse, it would be meaningless. Since it happens to be my junior sister's birthday, wouldn't it be perfectly justified to have the immortals and gods of the Three Realms celebrate together?"

Yaochi looked up, feigning confusion: "Senior brother is joking. We were enlightened by the Dao Ancestor on the same day, month, and year. If it's said to be our birthday, then it's also your birthday. Why do you insist on calling it mine?"

Haotian's expression remained unchanged, still displaying a humble demeanor: "I am the Heavenly Emperor of the Three Realms, how could I possibly offer birthday wishes myself? It is most appropriate for my junior sister to do so. The immortals who offer their birthday wishes to you naturally understand that they are also congratulating me, thus achieving the best of both worlds."

Yaochi gently shook her head: "I think it's better to just hold a simple Peach Banquet and not mention the birthday celebration again."

But Haotian did not back down, and his tone gradually became firm: "It's alright, Junior Sister is overthinking it. This is just a small matter, nothing to worry about."

Yaochi looked at Haotian, her heart growing heavy, and she increasingly followed the direction Taibai had guessed!

Yaochi didn't want things to turn out this way. Now Yaochi was curious: Did Haotian really not know how much of an impact this would have?

Or are you simply treating yourself like a fool?

For a moment, Yaochi felt a surge of anger, confusion, and chill.

"Senior brother, why...do you have to do this? It's just a banquet, why insist on calling it a birthday celebration?"

Upon hearing this question, Haotian's composure faltered slightly, clearly indicating he had been pushed into a corner.

Haotian paused for a moment, clearly making up a reason on the spot, and his tone was slightly awkward and stiff: "Of course it should be so. The Heavenly Court is offering peaches to the Three Realms, how can we let them eat and drink for free? This is a good opportunity to see who in the Three Realms is truly sincere to the Heavenly Court and who is truly willing to celebrate my junior sister's birthday. This is also a test of people's hearts."

Yaochi immediately refused sternly: "No, this is absolutely unacceptable."

Haotian frowned slightly, his tone tinged with impatience: "The Heavenly Court is currently empty and needs to establish its authority. Junior Sister, you are too cautious. How can you maintain order in the Three Realms without undertaking some significant tasks?"

Yaochi remained unyielding: "Even if we are to establish authority, this is not the way to do so."

Haotian completely lost his patience. His tone turned serious, and he said with an unquestionable air, "Junior Sister, you need not say anything more about this matter. I will make all the decisions. How to send out the invitations and what to say at the banquet are all matters for me to arrange personally."

Upon hearing this, Yaochi immediately realized that this matter was no simple one!