124: Chapter 124 God-Slaying Whip, Book of Good and Evil Merits

"This time, many thanks to Fellow Daoist for your assistance." Jiang Hao poured tea for Heavenly Venerable Lingbao.

Heavenly Venerable Lingbao took it, shaking his head with a smile: "Why the need for thanks? To be able to participate in such a grand event, to witness and assist in the establishment of a Heavenly Court that may surpass the Mythological Era, is for this humble Daoist both cultivation and a joy."

He took a sip of tea and looked at Jiang Hao, his expression turning more serious:

"The Heavenly Court is established, and its presence is beginning to show. However, the real challenges lie ahead: how to truly operate it, how to mediate the conflicts between the myriad races, and how to deal with potential enemies. Does Fellow Daoist have a plan in mind?"

Jiang Hao gazed at the boundless starry sky outside the hall, his gaze profound: "There is no rush. The framework is set; let it operate and integrate naturally first. You and I, along with other future comrades, are the true Stabilizing Pillars of the Heavenly Court."

"As for specific mundane affairs... there are naturally protocols and Laws, as well as those Star Lords and Divine Generals to handle them. We only need to maintain the overall direction."

As the leader, it was unrealistic to do everything personally. The importance of a leader lay in controlling the grand direction, so Jiang Hao was not worried.

Heavenly Venerable Lingbao nodded: "Reasonable. Then this humble Daoist shall not disturb you further. Returning this time and seeing Fellow Daoist's achievements has gladdened my heart. I shall continue my travels; the transformation of my next life is also approaching."

"Please suit yourself, Fellow Daoist. Within the Thirty-Three Heavens of the Heavenly Court, there will always be a place for your Daoist sanctum." Jiang Hao raised his cup.

"Haha, good! We shall meet again another day to discuss the Dao over wine!" Heavenly Venerable Lingbao laughed heartily, raising his cup to drink with him.

After finishing the tea in his cup, Heavenly Venerable Lingbao stood up, transformed into a plain beam of sword light, and quietly vanished into the depths of the starry sky.

...

Inside the Lingxiao Palace, clouds carpeted the floor, and faint glowing patterns emerged.

Jiang Hao sat upon the high imperial throne, his gaze calm as he looked down at the core members of the Heavenly Court standing below.

"Since the Heavenly Court has been established, we must constantly maintain the order between heaven and earth and uphold the most basic rules."

Jiang Hao's voice echoed through the sacred Lingxiao Palace.

"The responsibility of the Heavenly Court is to hold the bottom line, mediate major conflicts that no one else can resolve, punish the great evils that plague the world, and deal with major disasters. For specific tasks, there must be a specialized department."

As he spoke, Jiang Hao's gaze finally rested on Xiao Dong.

Young Xiao Dong's strength was sufficient, being at the Peak Quasi-Emperor level. He also cultivated Jiang Hao's own Chaos Scripture and hailed from the Dao Seeking Sect, making him part of the core lineage.

Furthermore, his character was steady and just, earning Jiang Hao's deep trust.

"Xiao Dong."

Xiao Dong immediately stepped forward and bowed: "Present."

His heart stirred as he vaguely guessed what was coming.

"You have managed the Dao Seeking Sect in an orderly fashion; your temperament is steady, and your actions are fair."

"Are you willing to take up the burden of maintaining the Laws of the Heavenly Court and patrolling the Heavens and Myriad Worlds? You would head a department specifically responsible for Law enforcement, arbitration, inspection, and supervision."

The hall fell silent for a moment as the surrounding dao rhyme flowed slightly.

Several other Star Lords and Divine Generals looked over; some were envious, while others felt it was only right, silently anticipating the outcome.

Xiao Dong's chest suddenly burned with a surge of excitement, and he almost failed to maintain his usual steady demeanor.

Being the Sect Master of the Dao Seeking Sect was certainly good, earning the respect of countless Sects, but in the end, it was only the affairs of a single Sect.

However, being the head of the Heavenly Court Law Enforcement Team... that meant patrolling on behalf of the Heavenly Emperor across the entire Universe, holding the legal ruler that measures right and wrong. The future prospects were vast.

While the position of Sect Master was good, the role of Law Enforcement Team leader offered him a much broader horizon.

Xiao Dong took a deep breath to suppress his churning emotions, his voice slightly tight with excitement.

"By the grace of the Heavenly Emperor's trust, Xiao Dong will surely carry this out well, even if it costs him his life."

"Good." Jiang Hao nodded.

"From this day forward, the Heavenly Court Law Enforcement Team is established. Members shall be chosen from the best of the myriad races, prioritizing character and Heart-Nature first, then cultivation and ability."

"Your servant obeys!"

Xiao Dong did not delay for a moment. He immediately returned to the Dao Seeking Sect, handed over the Sect's affairs with the utmost speed, and then threw himself entirely into the formation of the Law Enforcement Team.

As the news spread, the Heavens and Myriad Worlds were shaken. Countless young Geniuses from various races and Sects were filled with passion, viewing the chance to join the Heavenly Court Law Enforcement Team as a supreme honor.

The selection was extremely rigorous and the process was open and transparent. Finally, a diverse, elite, and upright team was formed.

There were tall martial generals from the Dragon Clan, reserved Sword Cultivators from the Human Race, robust warriors with surging blood vitality from the Ancient Race, and Formation Masters from the Spirit Race surrounded by runes...

On this day, all those selected gathered for the first time at the designated training grounds of the Heavenly Court.

The celestial light was vast, and dao rhyme fell like rain.

Jiang Hao's figure appeared silently on the high platform. He didn't say much, merely reaching out his hand into the void.

Boom!

A great roar echoed from the depths of the Universe as countless starlight converged. Chaos Qi surged, pulling in wisps of golden Karma and the terrifying Aura of the Heavenly Dao's slaughter, intertwining and forging within his hands.

Laws acted as hammers, and Dao fires ignited themselves.

After a short while, the divine light dissipated, and two items floated quietly.

One was a dark-gold whip about three feet long. It looked ancient and lacked brilliance, but its body seemed to contain the birth and death of countless tiny stars, hiding a terrifying Aura specifically designed to strike the Divine Soul and shatter all Spells.

The other was a seemingly ordinary jade ledger. The words 'Karma Ledger' on the cover flowed with the Aura of Karma and Reincarnation, as if it could automatically record the good and evil of all things in the heavens, hiding nothing from its sight.

"These are the God-Striking Whip and the Karma Ledger," Jiang Hao spoke.

"The whip governs punishment and can even strike immortals; the ledger records merits and faults, judging Karma clearly. The original Divine Artifacts shall be held by Xiao Dong."

Having said that, he flicked his finger.

The God-Striking Whip and the Karma Ledger vibrated gently, each splitting into dozens of slightly fainter beams of light that landed precisely in the hands of every Law enforcement member, becoming sub-artifacts linked to their Auras.

Simultaneously, a sheet of silver light cascaded down, enveloping every member.

The light condensed into sets of uniform silver battle armor. The armor's lines were smooth yet sharp, with the Heavenly Court's unique cloud and star patterns flowing across the surface.

Not only was its defensive power astonishing, but it also represented the supreme authority of the Heavenly Court behind them.

Holding the sub-artifacts and wearing the silver Heavenly Armor, all the Law enforcement members felt a heavy responsibility and supreme glory weigh upon their shoulders. Their blood surged, and they couldn't help but roar in unison, their voices piercing the clouds:

"We respectfully obey the Heavenly Emperor's decree! We shall protect the Heavenly Laws, even if we must die ten thousand deaths!"

This roar was filled with righteousness and an amazing Aura. Through Spells like the Sky-Viewing Mirror, it spread throughout the Heavens and Myriad Worlds. Countless beings were moved by the spirited appearance of this new force.

This was the Incarnation of the Heavenly Court's authority, the guardian of order!

Soon, under Xiao Dong's leadership, this silver-armored team began patrolling the heavens.

Their movements were unpredictable, but they always appeared when needed.

The first major test came from the Origin Realm.

Two powerful races in the Origin Realm had completely fallen out over a newly discovered divine ore vein, sparking an all-out war.

Both sides had brought out their hidden trump cards, with damaged ancient emperor weapons and Heavenly Venerable weapons clashing in the Star Domain. The aftershocks destroyed countless stars, and many living beings suffered.