In a side hall at the back of the main palace, Wang Sheng frowned as he looked at the outfit laid out before him: golden armor, a golden helmet, golden trousers, golden boots.

"Do I really have to wear this?"

"Of course. You need to have the presence of a leader."

"I think being approachable is also a good way to lead..."

The entire set gleamed with blinding gold. There was not a trace of jade or silver anywhere; even the tassel on the helmet was gold.

Wu Tianshou remarked, "This is a defensive treasure. I have kept it for many years. Today, I offer it to you, Lord Fei Yu."

Wang Sheng was rendered speechless. Considering how the Star Deity had put it, he could no longer refuse.

He cupped his hands. "Thank you. I will try it on now."

Under their watchful eyes, Wang Sheng removed his long robe and undergarment, then quickly changed into the full set of golden armor. The moment he finished, he seemed to exude the kind of brightness that made it hard to look at him directly.

He picked up the Dragon Sword. Now, he looked extremely powerful. His presence was close to that of Hu Chang as well.

Xu Zhongliang studied him for a while. When Wang Sheng looked over, Xu Zhongliang turned away, his shoulders trembling slightly.

He must be holding back laughter! The forefather of the Shu Sword Sect is definitely holding it in!

The corner of Wang Sheng's mouth twitched. He changed the subject. "Let us head out. We should not keep everyone waiting. Senior Wenqu, just guide me through voice transmission later."

"Very well," Xu Zhongliang replied, his expression turning serious.

He and Wu Tianshou took positions behind Wang Sheng on either side. Wang Shan and Jingwu then led the way, leaving the side hall and entering the main hall.

Inside, many former members of the Heavenly Court had already prepared themselves. Their armor shone as they stood in orderly rows according to rank.

Wang Sheng understood the situation clearly. Though hundreds of immortals in this hall addressed him as their lord, most of them had not truly accepted him as their leader.

The respect I receive now comes from Emperor Qinghua's support, from Yaoyun's decision to follow me, and from my status as the successor of Emperor Ziwei. If I want to walk this path, I need to start acting like someone in power. I have to use the sword in my hand to carve out a path forward—to turn the restoration of the Heavenly Court into something more than empty slogans.

Only then will these people truly follow me and give me their loyalty. Well... that can wait. For now, I have to focus on the present and complete the plan, turning our situation from passive to active.

"Everyone, seniors of the Heavenly Court!" Wang Sheng stepped forward and raised his treasured sword. "Today, I stand with you to raise the banner of retaliation. In this strike against the Immortal Saint Realm, we have to be clear about the situation. The enemy is stronger and more numerous. I ask for your patience.

"This time, we only have to build momentum and show the dignity of the Heavenly Court's immortals. We have to let them know that the Heavenly Court still exists and show those scattered across the endless space that its flame still burns!"

The immortals held their breath and fixed their eyes on him. There was no loud response, but their expressions spoke for them.

As long as it meant fighting those who once invaded the Heavenly Court, even if they were sent as expendable forces, they would not complain.

Wang Sheng added, "From this moment on, Senior Wenqu will handle all strategic planning."

Holding a longsword, Xu Zhongliang stepped forward from the ranks of the martial official. He cupped his hands and saluted. "As you command!"

"Senior Divine Guardian Wang will handle reconnaissance, troop movement, and overall deployment!"

Wang Shan stepped forward from the civil ranks and returned the salute. "I will not fail you all!"

At that moment, a Heavenly Court deity took a step closer to them. "My lord, though you are a sacred spirit from the Ancient Era, you are also the one leading the revival of the Heavenly Court. Since we are about to strike, even if we do not seek a decisive battle, we should establish a proper title so that your command has legitimacy. It would be best for everyone to discuss and grant you an official position within the Heavenly Court."

The immortals all nodded in agreement. Wang Sheng glanced at Xu Zhongliang, only to see him standing quietly, as if detached from the matter.

Xu Zhongliang had likely planned this arrangement. Well aware of Wang Sheng's nature, he had pushed him into this position.

A flash of light came from the Qiankun Ring as Yaoyun appeared before Wang Sheng.

The immortals saluted again, and Yaoyun returned the gesture.

"This matter should be discussed carefully," Yaoyun said. "The position, rank, and who grants it all have to be decided properly."

"Your Highness, I believe it need not be so complicated," said a ruddy-faced, well-built immortal as he stepped forward and bowed. "Since Lord Fei Yu will lead us into battle, he has to be given the title of marshal. It would be best to name him Grand Marshal."

Yaoyun replied, "He is yet to earn merit. How can he be called that? Moreover, in the Heavenly Court, that title carries great weight. True Lord Erlang, who fights alongside us, already holds the position of Grand Marshal of the Heavenly Court's armies. We cannot risk causing him dissatisfaction."

Wu Tianshou stepped forward and held up a square seal about one chi wide. "This is the Heavenly Court's military grand seal. The Second Master had someone deliver it last year. He said he is only suited to lead troops into battle, not serve as Grand Marshal. This duty originally belonged to Li Jing, the Heavenly King."

Wang Sheng stepped forward on his own as well and motioned for Yaoyun to stand behind him, signaling that she did not have to argue for him further. "Everyone, let me say a few words. I know you are all considering my position, but I cannot accept the Heavenly Court's military grand seal at this time.

"You may assign me a nominal title. Even if it is high enough to stand alongside the Four Heavenly Ministers, I will accept it without complaint. However, a post with real authority cannot be given like this. At the very least, I must first earn merit and prove that I am worthy of this position, so that my cultivation and strength match this seal."

Wang Sheng paused.

Seeing the approval in the eyes of the immortals, he continued, "The title of sacred spirit only refers to my past life. The Immortal Emperor of our Heavenly Court did not possess the fate of a sacred spirit, yet he still established the Three Realms. What matters lies in people. Resolve can overcome fate!

If we wish to restore the Heavenly Court, the path ahead cannot rely on ancient myths or old tales. It has to be built on strength, unity, and mutual support. Hence, just decide on a nominal title for me for now. As long as it is not too awkward to say aloud, I will accept it."

That was embarrassing...

Several immortals could not help but smile. A female immortal standing toward the back said, "Lord Fei Yu is right. We only have a few hundred people and, at most, tens of thousands of troops. Calling someone Grand Marshal now would invite ridicule."

"Since Lord Fei Yu has spoken, let's just follow his decision!"

Xu Zhongliang said, "Then let us settle it with a simple discussion."

Wang Sheng added, "Great Divine Guardian Wang, you should return the military grand seal to the Second Master at once."

"Understood," Wang Shan replied.

He took the seal and left the hall, heading toward the hidden spatial passage he had created. About the time it took to drink a cup of tea, a decision was reached.

Wang Sheng looked at the title they had given him, then at the large banner, and found himself at a loss for words before letting out a quiet laugh.

When it came to this sort of thing, these old immortals clearly knew what they were doing.

***

Half a day later.

Streams of light gathered from all directions. Above the magma-covered planet, tens of thousands of people assembled in the sky.

Wang Sheng stood before the great palace. Most of the immortals had already taken to the air.

Over the past three hundred years, Wang Sheng had relied on various spiritual herbs and pills to force his breakthrough to the Golden Immortal Realm. Nevertheless, he had yet to attain true immortality.

The immortals of the Heavenly Court, whom Wang Shan had protected, had also regained some of their strength. The dozens of true gods among them had recovered faster than expected.

A closer inspection would reveal a simple reason behind it all.

Although the Heavenly Court had fallen and the order of the Three Realms was in chaos, the structure of the Three Realms remained. No force had risen to replace the Heavenly Court. Hence, the true gods it had appointed were still under the protection of the Great Dao.

Wang Sheng carried part of the Heavenly Court's fortune, and combined with what the others bore, the gathered fortune had reached a considerable level. One of the greatest benefits of this fortune was that events would gradually turn in their favor.

Most of the tens of thousands gathered in the sky were at the Heavenly Immortal Realm, and a smaller number was at the True Immortal Realm.

Wang Shan had nurtured this force. Most were descendants of Heavenly Court immortals, raised from a young age to devote themselves to its restoration. Though such upbringing was extreme, it proved useful now.

At the very least, it meant that the few hundred high-level immortals would not be charging out alone. They now had the scale and the feeling that they were actually about to head into battle.

Wang Shan continued opening spatial rifts in the sky, calling in scattered subordinates.

There was still more than an hour before they moved.

When the time came, Qinghua in the west, the Second Master in the south, and their group in the Northern Sky Region would launch simultaneous attacks on three chosen targets that the Heavenly Court's enemies were holding.

Qinghua alone could hold back a million celestial troops. When his Dao descended, it could turn a celestial body into a dead planet.

The Second Master commanded hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers. His own strength ranked among the top in the current Heavenly Court forces, and with many capable generals under him, his burden was not too great.

The greatest pressure rested on Wang Sheng's side.

They not only had to win; they had to do it decisively. Moreover, their target was the most difficult of the three. After all, only then would all this planning carry meaning.

Wu Tianshou soon arrived and reported, "The five statues have been infused with enough immortal power. The Divine-Possession Art can be sustained for half an hour."

Wang Sheng nodded, though a trace of tension stirred within him. "Good.

The stage was set. It was time for him to step forward.

At that moment, sharp flaps came from behind him. When Wang Sheng turned, his face twitched.

A sturdy general carried a freshly made gilded banner out of the hall. On the banner were a few bold characters.

Radiant Devil-Suppressing Grand Marshal of the Heavenly Court!

Wang Sheng thought, This title... is actually acceptable. It's not too awkward. I expected something even longer.