On a cloud flying toward the South Heaven Gate of the Heavenly Court, Ian Song and Princess Lana stood side by side.
"May I ask how I should address you, Immortal? Oh, and is your injury serious?"
Princess Lana asked softly, her expression tinged with a hint of shyness and her eyes showing genuine concern. She had seen blood at the corner of Ian Song's mouth earlier.
Ian Song smiled, "Thank you for your concern, Princess Lana. It's just a minor injury—I'm fine now. My name is Ian Song, and I'm from the mortal world."
"Ah, you're from the mortal world?"
Princess Lana stared at Ian Song in shock, "But isn't it said that people from the mortal world are all very weak? How can you be so powerful?"
At the same time, she secretly compared Ian Song to Don Young in her heart.
Both were mortals—so why was Ian Song so strong while Don Young was so useless?
"You're right. Over ninety-nine percent of mortals are rather weak, but there are exceptions." Ian Song wasn't offended and explained with a smile.
"Then you must be one of those rare exceptions!"
Princess Lana said with a sweet smile, then suddenly changed the subject, "Ian Song, could you tell me about the mortal world?"
Ever since the incident with Don Young and the Seventh Fairy, the Queen Mother had strictly forbidden her and her sisters from visiting the mortal world. Later, after Bowen Liu severed the Heaven-Pillar, they had even fewer chances to descend. All told, it had been over a thousand years since they last visited the mortal world.
"Sure!" Ian Song nodded and picked out a few stories about the mortal world to share with Princess Lana.
Princess Lana was very interested and kept asking questions from time to time.
Unknowingly, the two of them had already arrived at the South Heaven Gate riding their cloud.
The Growth-Protecting Heavenly King, who guarded the South Heaven Gate, was shocked to see Princess Lana returning together with a young man on a cloud. Heavenly law clearly forbade private romances between immortals.
Thinking of this,
He hurriedly flew up and stared warily at Ian Song, "Princess Lana, who is this?"
"Greetings, Growth-Protecting Heavenly King. I am Ian Song from the mortal world, here to seek an audience with the Jade Emperor!" Before Princess Lana could reply, Ian Song spoke up on his own. He had originally planned to use Princess Lana as cover to slip into the Heavenly Court, but along the way, he found her so pure-hearted and childlike that he couldn't bear to use her. If it had been someone like Lord Venus, he wouldn't have hesitated. So Ian decided to meet the Jade Emperor openly and have a proper talk.
If the Jade Emperor was willing to give up the idea of restoring an emperor to the mortal world, Ian might compromise and allow them to spread belief among humans. But if they insisted, he would simply sever the Heaven-Pillar again.
Upon hearing that Ian Song was from the mortal world, the Growth-Protecting Heavenly King's expression changed drastically. He immediately shouted, "Bold mortal cultivator, how dare you trespass in the Heavenly Court! All soldiers, seize this bold mortal and deliver him to the Jade Emperor for judgment!"
As he spoke, the Growth-Protecting Heavenly King cast an immortal technique, pushing Princess Lana aside out of concern that Ian Song might harm her.
Everything happened so quickly that Princess Lana didn't react in time. Seeing the Heaven Soldiers and Generals charging at Ian Song, she anxiously cried out, "Growth-Protecting Heavenly King, please have the Heaven Soldiers and Generals stop! Ian Song is a good person!"
But the Growth-Protecting Heavenly King wouldn't listen to her; his mind was set on capturing Ian Song.
The Heaven Soldiers and Generals stationed at the South Heaven Gate were much stronger than those at the Rainbow Bridge, but ordinary Heaven Soldiers were only at the Golden Core level, while Heaven Generals were comparable to Nascent Soul cultivators.
Only the Growth-Protecting Heavenly King was formidable, but even he was merely on par with a late Soul-Split stage cultivator.
Therefore, Ian Song didn't take them seriously at all.
Suddenly, Ian Song had a thought: both Erlang Shen and Sun Wukong, the two top martial powers of the Heavenly Court, had once caused chaos here, but were eventually recruited by Heaven.
If I go to negotiate with the Jade Emperor quietly, he might not take me seriously. Better to make a scene first so these immortals see my strength.
So the Jade Emperor doesn't ignore me!
With this in mind, he flicked his fingers, sending out hundreds of strands of qi.
Bang bang bang bang bang!
The qi strands shot out, each striking a Heaven Soldier or General without exception. All of them were knocked flying and lay on the ground, unable to get up.
Seeing this, the Growth-Protecting Heavenly King was greatly shocked. He immediately transformed the Wisdom Sword in his hand into a snow-white sword beam and slashed at Ian Song, shouting, "Demon, prepare to die!"
Get lost!
Ian Song shouted coldly, raising his hand to strike upward with a punch.
His fist light exploded forth like a silver torrent, instantly devouring the sword beam unleashed by the Growth-Protecting Heavenly King. Then, the fist light changed direction and blasted toward the Heavenly King.
Demon, don't be arrogant!
The Growth-Protecting Heavenly King roared, his body instantly transforming into a ten-meter-tall war god.
But in the next moment—
His fist light flashed like a stream of light, slamming into the giant chest of the Growth-Protecting Heavenly King, sending him flying thousands of meters with his sword.
Dang! Dang! Dang!
At that moment, an urgent bell sounded.
Hearing the bell, Princess Lana's face turned pale; it was the Skyshock Bell. When it rang, the Heaven Soldier camps would rush to reinforce the South Heaven Gate.
Ian Song, you must leave quickly! If too many Heaven Soldiers and Generals arrive, you won't be able to escape!" Princess Lana urged anxiously.
What can mere Heaven Soldiers and Generals do to me?
Ian Song stood in midair, his white robe fluttering, speaking with a clear, heroic tone. His fearless bearing was enough to make any girl's heart race.
For a moment, Princess Lana's gaze was a little dazed.
But she quickly recovered and urged again, "Ian Song, you're strong, but there are a million Heaven Soldiers stationed in the Heavenly Court. No matter how powerful you are, you can't fight them all! Please leave quickly, or it will be too late!"
Who dares cause trouble in Heaven?
Just then, a thunderous shout came from inside the South Heaven Gate.
Hearing this, Princess Lana's face turned even paler. Suddenly, she made a decision, rushing to Ian Song's side: "Quick, Ian Song, take me hostage! As long as you hold me, you can escape safely!"
Ian Song was stunned, then felt moved. "Princess Lana, don't worry. I can handle this!"
Seeing Ian Song refuse to take her hostage, Princess Lana steeled herself, pulled Ian Song's hand and placed it around her fair neck. At that moment, three figures rushed out from the South Heaven Gate and saw this scene, instinctively assuming Ian Song had taken her hostage.
These three were the Growth-Protecting Heavenly King's brothers: the Nation-Guarding Heavenly King, the Broad-Vision Heavenly King, and the Much-Heard Heavenly King.
Bold demon, release Princess Lana at once or you will die without a grave!" The Nation-Guarding Heavenly King shouted angrily, glaring fiercely.
Meanwhile, Heaven Soldiers and Generals swarmed out of the South Heaven Gate like locusts, surrounding them tightly. There were tens of thousands of them.