Chapter 618: Promoted Again |
Chapter 618: Promoted Again
The fairy hovered in mid-air, opening the decree in her hands.
"By the decree of the Heavenly Order Capital Seat, bearing the seal of the Birth Division Head, with joint signatures from the Fortune-Bestowing Division and the Prosperity-Granting Division, witnessed by the three officials."
"You Ming, the Life-Extending, Fortune-Broadening, Celestial Prosperity Righteous Deity, tirelessly nurtures the young and weak, selflessly bestows grace upon the common people. His benevolent and righteous deeds shine brightly in the mortal realm; his meritorious achievements have moved the heavens to listen."
"Thus, he is hereby appointed as the [Judge of Life Protection, Childcare, Fortune, and Prosperity]."
"He is registered under the official Judge's registry of the celestial realm's [Birth Division], concurrently receiving decrees from the [Fortune Prefecture] and [Prosperity Prefecture]. He is to oversee the duties of childbirth protection, childcare, fortune operation, and wealth and prosperity rewards in the three prefectures of Tai'an, Changning, and Pingling within Bingzhou. He holds the authority to examine the protection of living beings, adjudicate human fortunes and misfortunes, and exercise independent judgment and guardianship."
"He is granted one Judge's Authority Seal; one page of the official registry jade book..."
"Once this decree is issued, heaven and earth bear witness, and all three realms shall know of it."
The decree burned away, transforming into streams of golden radiance that flowed into You Ming's body.
From this moment on, the fate threads of fortune, prosperity, life, and nurturing in the three prefectures of Tai'an, Changning, and Pingling became subtly and invisibly connected to him.
You Ming hurriedly bowed repeatedly in thanks, though at this moment, his mind was utterly bewildered.
He was no longer a novice in the divine path. Having been a deity for nearly fifty years, he was quite familiar with the various rules of the divine path.
But the opening phrase of this decree, "Heavenly Order Capital Seat," almost made him think he had misheard.
Even with this promotion, he was only a proper sixth-grade official. How could it have come to the point where this appointment decree was issued by the Heavenly Order Capital Seat?
Not to mention the sixth grade, even a fourth-grade deity wouldn't have this opportunity.
Furthermore, his original affiliation was under the Birth Division. Although he had authority related to fortune and prosperity, that was only considered skirting the edges.
But this time, while his position still involved birth, fortune, and prosperity, it had received the joint signatures of the Fortune-Bestowing Division and the Prosperity-Granting Division.
A triple-division concurrent appointment—this was special treatment.
It was equivalent to You Ming having direct backing from above when exercising authority in these three areas, making things much more convenient.
Especially since these three divisions were all lucrative posts, major sources of mortal incense offerings.
What was going on? Were they not planning to keep things running anymore?
Although You Ming knew he was the sole disciple of the Great Subtlety Dao Lord, he was even clearer that his teacher, more reclusive than himself in temperament, would never step forward to fight for benefits on his behalf.
Thus, he couldn't understand why this was happening.
"You Ming."
Just as countless thoughts flashed through You Ming's mind, the female immortal who had proclaimed the decree slowly descended, landing before You Ming.
"I pay my respects to the Superior Deity."
You Ming didn't know how to address her, but being respectful was never wrong.
"My name is the Jade Maiden True Immortal, Guardian of Ceremony of the Nine Heavens Cloud Palace. Of course, you may also call me the Jade Maiden God."
The female immortal looked You Ming over. Although her expression remained unchanged, a trace of curiosity flickered in her eyes.
To think such an exquisitely talented figure could be nurtured in the mortal realm. No wonder that blockhead Golden Boy kept mentioning this youth.
"So it is the Jade Maiden God."
You Ming's heart skipped a beat. Previously, he had been under the Golden Boy God. Besides the Golden Boy, there was also a Jade Maiden among the acolytes by Jasper Dawn Primordial Sovereign's side. Today, he finally met her.
But why was the Golden Boy God in the form of a young child, while the Jade Maiden God appeared as a maiden of sixteen?
"Originally, a Great Power from the Great Unity Celestial Palace wanted to propose your promotion to the celestial realm, but Her Ladyship vetoed it."
"Although ascending to the celestial realm seems to offer considerable short-term benefits, it would hinder your Dao path. Great changes are coming to the mortal realm, but with them come vast opportunities. Therefore, the Primordial Sovereign vetoed that proposal and instead wants you to continue cultivating your foundation in the mortal realm."
"Tsk, if I hadn't lost that bet to that blockhead Golden Boy last time, it would be me reincarnating into the mortal realm now."
Although the Jade Maiden God maintained a dignified posture, she seemed to be quite a chatterbox. You Ming hadn't asked anything, yet she spilled everything in one go.
"Great changes in the mortal realm?"
Hearing these words, You Ming felt an inexplicable tightness in his heart. For an existence at the Primordial Sovereign's level to call it "great changes," it must be a world-shaking transformation.
The confusion in his heart only grew.
Why would someone from the Great Unity Celestial Palace suddenly want to promote him? On the surface, he had no connections with the Great Unity Celestial Palace. In fact, behind the scenes, he had even killed several of their True Immortals.
Secondly, why did they want him to ascend to the celestial realm?
"I'm not entirely clear on the specifics either, but it's definitely related to the nine Dao Lords."
Although the Jade Maiden God also held an official fifth-grade divine position, the Primordial Sovereign wouldn't share information of too high a level with them.
"However, Her Ladyship asked me to bring you a message."
After talking for a long time, the Jade Maiden God finally got to the main point. You Ming held his breath, listening attentively for the instruction.
"Her Ladyship said, 'These changes in the mortal realm involve both heavenly will and human manipulation. You just need to act boldly and decisively. This great opportunity is available to everyone.'"
The Jade Maiden God deliberately imitated Jasper Dawn Primordial Sovereign's expression, speaking with a serious face, but then she herself almost couldn't maintain it.
Hearing this, You Ming gained some understanding in his heart.
Shentu Xing had thrown the mortal realm into chaos. You Ming had long discovered that the other party had celestial realm backing, indicating that celestial powers had already begun scheming for these mortal realm changes.
This meant that there would be a great opportunity within these coming changes.
The meaning behind Her Ladyship's words was for him to act decisively when facing oppression or opportunities, not to hesitate or hold back.
Although Her Ladyship only gave a single instruction, You Ming could also interpret it as a promise.
In a sense, this one promise was more important than his divine position.
After all, the opponents You Ming would face in the future would likely come from the heavens.
"My sincere thanks to Her Ladyship for her guidance, and to the Jade Maiden God for delivering the message."
You Ming expressed his gratitude once more.
"No need, you don't have to be so formal. Before Golden Boy returns to the upper realm, you and I will have to work together in the future. If you have any matters, you can contact me directly."
The Jade Maiden God waved her hand. She wasn't as thick-skinned as the Golden Boy God and wasn't accustomed to being flattered.
"If you need anything in the future, use this to contact me."
As if remembering something, she took out a jade talisman and handed it to You Ming.
After offering a few more pieces of advice, the Jade Maiden God had the celestial maidens arrange the various treasures, official robes, and accessories on the altar table. Only then did she lead everyone in a leisurely return to the heavens.
"It seems the upheaval in the mortal realm is about to begin."
You Ming watched the divine light slowly dissipating in the vast sky, the smile on his face gradually fading.
This promotion in divine position was partly a reward for his diligent work over the years, but more likely, it was also a form of compensation.
The great figures in the celestial realm engaged in contention without breaking the surface, naturally requiring those below to charge forward for them.
You Ming didn't know if he currently qualified to be a pawn for these great figures, but he understood that his peaceful days were probably about to end.