Chapter 52: The prelude to the Battle of Ruism

As the ten resurrected cultivators stood before him, Zenith Heaven Emperor couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. These were legends, heroes of a time long past, brought back to life by his own hand.

But before he could even begin to process the gravity of the moment, a figure stepped forward from the crowd.

It was Daozi, the Head of the Thirteenth Tribulation Immortals.

Daozi, stepped forward with a respectful bow. "Greetings, Master. And to my Junior Brothers, welcome back to the world of the living!"

"Master, Junior Brothers, allow me to introduce Zenith Heaven Emperor," he said, gesturing towards the towering figure before them.

Zenith Heaven Emperor inclined his head in greeting, his expression composed and respectful.

The Holy Man, who moments before had been a lifeless shell, looked upon the Heavenly Court's leader with confusion and surprise.

"You...resurrected me?" he asked, his voice filled with disbelief.

Zenith Heaven Emperor nodded, his eyes steady and unwavering. "It was my honor and my duty to do so. With this the ancient agreement I had with Daozi is fulfilled"

The Holy Man's gaze shifted to Daozi, who nodded in confirmation.

The Holy Man, his gaze filled with a mixture of astonishment and gratitude, turned his attention to Zenith Heaven Emperor once again. "You, how can you possess the power to defy fate and resurrect those who were long gone... I am in your debt."

Zenith Heaven Emperor, a twinkle in his eyes, returned the Holy Man's gaze. "It was my honor and privilege to bring you back, esteemed Holy Man. The cultivation world has yearned for your wisdom and guidance."

Daozi then added, "Master, you should know that Zenith Heaven Emperor is the current leader of the Heavenly Court."

The words hung in the air, their impact rippling through the room. The Holy Man and most of the Thirteen Tribulation Immortals exchanged puzzled glances. They hailed from an era that predated the rise of the Heavenly Court, when Ruism stood as a force that towered above all others.

Zenith Heaven Emperor merely smiled, understanding the weight of their confusion.

The Holy Man's eyes narrowed in curiosity, his voice laced with intrigue. "The Heavenly Court... a power that emerged after our demise. Pray tell, Zenith Heaven Emperor, how did this come to pass?"

Zenith Heaven Emperor, his gaze steady, began to unravel the tapestry of history. "In the wake of your destruction, esteemed Holy Man, the Heavenly Court rose to prominence. Later it too collapsed, but currently I am rebuilding it. Even in its current state, it is still a formidable force that commands respect and authority in the cultivation world."

"Master, my Junior Brothers, I must confess something," he began, his voice hushed yet resolute. "Zenith Heaven Emperor is not only the leader of the Heavenly Court, but he is also the son of the Willful Heavenly Way."

The words hung in the air, their weight sinking into the hearts and minds of those present. Cultivators of their caliber could not help but be astounded by this revelation. The Holy Man, in particular, couldn't contain his shock.

"He is...WHAT?" the Holy Man exclaimed, his voice echoing with astonishment.

Daozi nodded solemnly, his gaze meeting Zenith Heaven Emperor's. "Yes, Master. He is the son of the Willful Heavenly Way."

The room erupted in whispers and murmurs as the resurrected cultivators processed this revelation. How could they not have known? How could they have missed such a crucial piece of information?

The Holy Man approached Zenith Heaven Emperor, his eyes searching for answers. "You are the son of the Willful Heavenly Way...?" After saying this, he silently added in his mind, 'The son of the guy whose sudden departure caused me to be pitted prematurely against the Liquid Metal Ball. Had he just occupied his position as Heavenly Way for a few years longer, I would certainly have succeeded him instead of that ball'

Zenith Heaven Emperor's gaze met the Holy Man's, his expression firm. "Hey, don't insult my Grandpa," he said, his voice carrying a hint of both protectiveness and determination. "Even if I never met him and will personally ensure that he meets his end at my hands for what he did to my mother, that still doesn't give you the right to insult him."

The words hung in the air, reverberating through the chamber. It was a declaration that left everyone inside the room astounded. Never had they imagined that Zenith Heaven Emperor was not only related to one Heavenly Way, but to two.

The Holy Man looked slightly embarrassed, realizing that his thoughts had been inadvertently read by a certain someone. He quickly composed himself and replied, "I apologize. It was not my intention to insult your grandfather. I was just reminiscing about my own failed attempt at the Heavenly Way's position."

Suddenly Yuanzi, one of the Thirteen Tribulation Immortals, exclaimed, "I did not expect such a strong familial connection between you and the Heavenly Ways."

Zenith Heaven Emperor nodded, his eyes scanning the room, taking in the reactions of the Thirteen Tribulation Immortals and Daozi. "Yes, it is a complex lineage," he acknowledged. "My mother, the Heavenly Emperor, and the Heavenly Court were created as a patch for the Heavenly Way Ball's fragmented existence, a result of what you did, Holy Man." He paused, his gaze piercing. "But that plan was put to an end by my father."

A ripple of astonishment coursed through the room, the cultivators struggling to comprehend the depth of the revelations they were witnessing. The intricate web of relationships, the clash of ancient forces, and the weight of personal vendettas unfolded before their eyes.

"To be precise," Zenith Heaven Emperor continued, his voice steady, "my mother was created using a Spirit Ghost fragment left behind by the Third Heaven, making them both my grandfathers in theory."

The impact of his words settled upon the assembled cultivators, their minds grappling to comprehend the layers of lineage and power that surrounded Zenith Heaven Emperor. The room buzzed with a mixture of disbelief, intrigue, and a newfound respect for the man before them.

After this Daozi stepped forward, his voice filled with reverence. "And he is also the one who leads the grand plan that we, Ruism, agreed to join under the condition of your resurrection."

The Holy Man's gaze shifted from Zenith Heaven Emperor to Daozi, a mix of awe and gratitude in his eyes. "So, our resurrection was not merely a selfless act. It was part of a larger scheme to shape the future of cultivation."

Daozi nodded. "Yes, master. The Heavenly Court, Ruism and most major forces of the cultivation world have united under the guidance of Zenith Heaven Emperor, working together to bring about a new era of cultivation."

The room fell silent once again, the weight of their newfound knowledge settling upon them. The resurrection of the Holy Man and the Thirteen Tribulation Immortals was not just a gift bestowed upon them; it was a piece in a larger puzzle, a puzzle that Zenith Heaven Emperor held in the palm of his hand.

Suddenly breaking the silence, Zenith Heaven Emperor, with a solemn expression, addressed the gathered cultivators. "Let us move on with our conversation, for there is something of utmost importance that requires our attention. Currently, 'Fat Ball' is launching an attack on Ruism."

Confusion flickered across the face of one of the resurrected Tribulation Immortals. "Who is this 'Fat Ball'?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity.

Daozi, ever the knowledgeable one, stepped forward to provide clarity. "He is none other than the Eight Ruler of the Nine Serenities," he explained, his tone tinged with a mix of respect and caution.

The realization dawned upon the resurrected cultivators, their expressions shifting from confusion to a hardened resolve. They had faced the wrath of 'Fat Ball' once before, and now fate had granted them a second chance to confront their enemy.

The Holy Man's expression was grave, his eyes filled with a somber understanding of the situation. "I see. So, what do you propose we do about it, Zenith Heaven Emperor?"

Zenith Heaven Emperor's expression grew serious as he began to explain the situation. "Ruism is under attack, and we cannot let 'Fat Ball' continue his rampage. We must band together and stop him, no matter the cost." 'And I will secretly film you when doing, so he silently added in his mind'

The room fell silent as the gravity of the situation sunk in. The resurrected cultivators nodded in agreement, their eyes burning with a fierce determination to protect their fellow cultivators and put an end to the Eight Ruler's reign of terror.

Daozi stepped forward once more, his voice ringing out with conviction. "Then let us join forces and put an end to this threat once and for all. For Ruism!"

The group echoed his sentiment, and with that, they set out to face their greatest challenge yet. The fate of Ruism rested in their hands, and they were determined to emerge victorious no matter what.