Amid the loud laughter, Axel casually wiped his hand against his armor with clear disgust.
The surrounding constellations stared in shock.
Especially the young general brought over by Immortal He. His throat tightened as he swallowed hard, his face pale while he looked at Axel with undisguised fear.
Behind Axel, the Bull Demon King quietly let out a breath of relief.
Pigsy noticed immediately and smacked the Bull Demon King's leg with a grin.
"Look at you, still daydreaming."
"It's just some meaningless True Lord title. Why would my Great Sage Brother care about that?"
"Even the title of Heavenly Emperor wouldn't impress him."
Pigsy's grin widened as he looked toward Immortal He.
At that moment, he genuinely felt refreshed.
Seeing Immortal He slapped across the palace grounds filled him with a satisfaction he hadn't felt in years.
Beside him, Axel laughed and nodded.
"Pigsy's right. Why would I care about some lousy title…"
Then he paused and glanced toward Yang Jian.
"Actually, Erlang, I'm not talking about you, so don't take it personally."
Yang Jian burst out laughing.
"What are you saying, Brother?"
"Our lives are tied together already, so why bother being polite?"
"Besides, you're right."
Yang Jian's eyes turned colder.
"I never cared about the title of True Lord either."
"If giving up that title could free my mother and brother from endless suffering, I'd throw it away without hesitation."
As he spoke, Yang Jian glanced toward Immortal He with obvious contempt.
At the same moment, a cloud of white mist suddenly exploded around Immortal He's body.
His figure vanished instantly.
Then another Immortal He appeared several feet away, clutching his swollen face while groaning in pain.
"Ow…"
His expression twisted for a second before he forced an ugly smile back onto his face.
"Lord Fude possesses incredible speed and strength."
"This old Daoist had only begun using his transformation technique before your slap already landed."
"I am merely a Third-Rank Inspector of the Perfumed Hall, while Lord Axel is now a First-Rank Heavenly King."
"For someone of your status to strike me personally is practically an honor."
He hurriedly cupped his hands again.
"Now Lord should understand how high your position truly is."
"This old Daoist once again congratulates Lord Axel."
Before Axel could reply, Immortal He immediately dragged the red-robed young general forward.
"Oh, right!"
"This old Daoist nearly forgot."
"The newly appointed Mao Ri Xingguan happened to be accompanying me today during his inspection tour of Heaven."
"I brought him specifically to pay his respects to Lord Axel."
The old crane was terrified.
He knew Axel's group hated Heaven, but he had no idea Axel's personal hatred was aimed mostly at him.
Naturally, he wanted someone else nearby to absorb part of the pressure.
The newly appointed Mao Ri Xingguan looked nervous, but he still stepped forward respectfully and bowed.
Axel looked him up and down before sighing.
"So Mao Ri Xingguan really got replaced."
"Relax, kid."
"Maybe one day I'll drag the original one back up here myself."
"You can sit in the position for now. After that, I'll arrange another job for you."
"Remember that."
He casually patted the young man's shoulder before walking directly toward Immortal He again.
Axel lightly slapped the crane immortal's cheek a few times before speaking softly.
"You know why you're still acting brave?"
"Because you think somebody powerful is backing you."
"That's why none of this feels painful yet."
"But one day, when the person protecting you disappears…"
Axel grinned.
"That's when despair actually starts."
"So don't rush."
"I'll play with you slowly."
"Take your time, buddy."
Smack!
Another slap sent Immortal He crashing onto the ground.
Axel stepped right over him and continued forward.
The Bull Demon King followed immediately after, his massive frame stomping over the fallen immortal without hesitation.
Yang Jian smiled faintly before carrying his three-pointed double-edged spear forward as well.
Pigsy waddled after them with his huge stomach bouncing.
Then suddenly:
"Ow! Damn it, my balls!"
"It's all Old Pig's fault for having short legs!"
His miserable scream echoed through the area as the group walked deeper into Heaven.
After crossing the Dou Niu Palace, they headed straight toward the Seventy-Two Halls.
But halfway there, Axel suddenly stopped.
Everyone behind him halted instantly.
The Bull Demon King even tightened his grip on his weapon.
Venus turned around helplessly.
"What is it now?"
Axel looked at him like he was stupid.
"You're taking us the wrong way."
He then looked toward Yang Jian.
"Erlang, this old man is trying to lead us to the Lingxiao Palace, right?"
"But we're not here for that."
"We came for Nezha."
"So naturally we should visit Li Jing's Hall of the Heavenly King first."
Axel grinned.
"Lead the way."
Yang Jian nodded without hesitation.
"Alright, Big Brother."
He immediately walked past Venus and headed in another direction.
The rest followed behind him.
Only Venus stayed back, desperately trying to persuade them.
"Lord Axel, please don't act recklessly."
"At least meet His Majesty first."
"His Majesty personally granted you your title and wishes to discuss the Dao with you."
"Please, at least show some respect and meet him first."
Axel didn't even turn around.
"Why should I go see him?"
"If he wants to talk, he can come see me himself."
Then his tone dropped colder.
"And Taibai, stop talking before you shorten your own lifespan."
The group marched straight toward the Hall of the Heavenly King.
Bang!
Axel kicked the palace doors open with a single strike.
Under the stunned gazes of countless heavenly soldiers, his voice echoed through the hall.
"Where are Li Jing and Nezha?"
A moment later, Li Jing walked out holding his pagoda, followed by Nezha and several heavenly officials.
The moment Li Jing noticed Yang Jian standing beside Axel, his expression tightened.
He gripped the pagoda harder and forced himself to speak steadily.
"Lord Fude, True Lord Erlang."
"Before your arrival, His Majesty already discussed this matter with me."
"My son's affairs are family matters. Even the Jade Emperor does not interfere in the affairs of my household."
"Surely the two True Lords are not planning to…"
Axel looked at him like he'd just heard the dumbest thing imaginable.
"Are you serious right now?"
He ignored Li Jing completely and waved toward Nezha.
"Brother Nezha, I'm Erlang's elder brother."
"We came here to take you out of Heaven."
Yang Jian immediately added,
"That's right."
"Once we're prepared, we'll smash the Lingxiao Palace apart and overturn Spirit Mountain together."
"Wouldn't that be satisfying?"
Nezha remained expressionless.
He didn't respond at all.
Li Jing snorted coldly.
"The two True Lords must be joking."
"Rebelling against Heaven? Attacking Spirit Mountain?"
"My son clearly has no interest in such madness."
"So please stop disturbing my family."
Then he waved his hand.
"Guards, escort them out."
"Since His Majesty has summoned the two True Lords, I dare not delay his plans."
As he finished speaking, Li Jing finally relaxed slightly and rubbed the pagoda in his hand out of habit.
Then his face froze.
His hand was empty.
Li Jing stared blankly at his palm.
"…Huh?"
At the same moment, Axel suddenly raised his right hand.
Resting in his palm was the exquisite pagoda.
Axel grinned like a complete menace.
"Looking for this?"
"The golden pagoda?"
"The silver pagoda?"
"Or this little pagoda you've been carrying around all day?"
His laughter exploded through the hall.
"Hahahahaha!"
The next instant:
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Terrifying flames erupted from Nezha's body.
His expression twisted with uncontrollable hatred as he stared directly at Li Jing.
The killing intent in his eyes was no longer hidden.