These matters might be unknown to ordinary, common mortal immortals, but the group of Celestial Domain Immortal Officials accompanying the Great Sun Dragon Carriage knew them perfectly well.
Of course.
Knowing was one thing.
Now that the Heavenly Dao had not yet fully awakened, and the Immortal Dao claimed to be the leader of all Daos, dominating heaven and earth was indeed a fact.
Even if Shangqing Sect had connections to the Heavenly Dao, these Celestial Domain Immortal Officials wouldn't take them seriously.
Moreover, between Shangqing Sect and the Heavenly Dao, there was still the Shangqing Cave, and the Shangqing Cave was still separated from Shangqing Heaven.
Most importantly, Shangqing Sect was spread throughout the myriad worlds; within the Lingluo Heavenly Domain alone, there were dozens of Shangqing Sects across the various worlds.
And the Immortal Court Residence governed the Lingluo Heavenly Domain, ruling over all worlds within its territory. They didn't even put those Immortal Realm families with great backgrounds in their eyes, so naturally, they wouldn't regard a mere Shangqing Sect as significant.
If it were about searching Shangqing Sects in other worlds, these Celestial Domain Immortal Officials wouldn't even blink. They wouldn't need to appear personally; arranging for a Celestial Domain Commander to lead a team could handle the matter, confident that Shangqing Sects in other worlds wouldn't dare to cause trouble.
However, the idea of going to the Shangqing Sect in the Primordial World to conduct a search made these Celestial Domain Immortal Officials rather worried.
The reason was that the Nine Heavens had long ago issued a decree: the Primordial World was not under the jurisdiction of the Immortal Court Residence. In other words, they, as Immortal Officials of the Lingluo Immortal Court, had no right to search anywhere in the Primordial World.
That was only secondary.
The most important point was that the current sect master of the Shangqing Sect in the Primordial World, Yun Wan, was a Celestial Immortal.
She was also an immortal who had received a Mandate from the Heavenly Dao.
A Mandate from the Heavenly Dao was not something that Mandates from the Immortal Dao, Monster Dao, or other great Daos could compare to.
Although a Mandate from the Heavenly Dao wasn't a true Heavenly Mandate in the strictest sense, its existence surpassed even a true Great Dao Heavenly Mandate.
Since ancient times, all those who had received a Mandate from the Heavenly Dao were immensely powerful, their strength unfathomable.
Be it Celestial Immortals, Celestial Demons, Celestial Monsters, Celestial Shamans, etc., all possessed vast supernatural powers, capable of anything between heaven and earth. They were not people ordinary folk could provoke; even those Great Dao Star Lords, or even Great Dao Thrones, might not be a match for these individuals bearing the Heavenly Dao's Mandate.
Exaggerated?
Not at all.
These Celestial Domain Immortal Officials had cultivated for at least tens of thousands of years, some over a hundred thousand. They had all witnessed the terrifying strength of Celestial Immortals and Celestial Demons.
In their minds, regarding those who bore the Heavenly Dao's Mandate, it was best to keep a respectful distance, absolutely not to provoke them, for they could not afford to.
However.
What worried them most wasn't the Celestial Immortal identity of the current Shangqing Sect Master Yun Wan, but the fact that the Shangqing Sect of the Primordial World had once produced a Lady Sect Master, Ye Tianlan. It was said that Yun Wan was the direct disciple of Lady Sect Master Ye Tianlan.
Lady Sect Master Ye Tianlan—in legend, she was the Heavenly Dao Lady of Shangqing Cave.
Yes!
The Heavenly Dao Lady of Shangqing Cave.
Shangqing Cave was one of the Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens. Such a terrifying background was frightening enough, let alone being the Heavenly Dao Lady of Shangqing Cave. This was already beyond terrifying to describe; merely hearing it made these Celestial Domain Immortal Officials uneasy.
"The current sect master of Shangqing Sect in this world, Yun Wan, is indeed a Celestial Immortal. Her master, Lady Sect Master, after reincarnating, also cultivated here," came the solemn voice of Lord Saint Yang from within the Great Sun Dragon Carriage. His tone shifted, filled with arrogance, as he continued, "But so what?"
"As long as the Heavenly Dao does not manifest for a day, this old man considers the Azure Heaven dead. In this Present-Ancient Era, our Great Sun Bright Immortal Dao rules heaven and earth, bringing blessings to the Great Desolation and the myriad worlds, sheltering all living beings. Now that the criminal disciple You Di has returned from death, and the Heavenly Dao watches idly, this old man will act on Heaven's behalf. Be it emotionally or rationally, publicly or privately, by duty or responsibility, this old man has the obligation and duty. Never mind that the sect master of Shangqing Sect in this world is merely a Celestial Immortal; even if the sect master were still the Heavenly Dao's Lady Sect Master, this old man would not fear her."
Most of the Celestial Domain Elders following the Great Sun Dragon Carriage were Lord Saint Yang's disciples or former subordinates. They knew his temperament and knew that his words contained no exaggeration. Given Lord Saint Yang's character, even if the Shangqing Sect Master were still the Heavenly Dao's Lady Sect Master, he truly would not fear her.
"With a heart full of righteous spirit, one fears neither heaven nor earth"—this was a phrase Lord Saint Yang often quoted, and it was what he had always taught these Celestial Domain Elders. Lord Saint Yang himself had always acted accordingly.
Soon.
Lord Saint Yang, riding the Great Sun Dragon Carriage, led a grand procession of Celestial Domain Elders and Immortal Officials to Shangqing Sect. When they arrived, a group of Shangqing Sect elders also appeared. The leader, a woman in green robes, was none other than the sect master of Shangqing Sect, the Celestial Immortal Yun Wan.
"May I ask why Lord Saint Yang has come to my Shangqing Sect with such a large force?" Yun Wan appeared somewhat aloof, her expression quite calm, her tone likewise.
"Sect Master Yun Wan should be aware of the news that the criminal disciple You Di has returned from death," Lord Saint Yang said.
"I have heard something of it."
"Does Sect Master Yun Wan know of the whereabouts of that criminal disciple You Di?"
"I do not."
Yun Wan's reply was straightforward.
Seated inside the Great Sun Dragon Carriage, Lord Saint Yang paused for a moment before speaking again, "I heard that the criminal disciple You Di cultivated at Shangqing Sect in his youth?"
"That is true."
"This old man also heard that the master of the criminal disciple You Di lives in seclusion within the Shangqing Pagoda of your sect."
"Senior Zhenjue is no longer at my Shangqing Sect."
"Oh? Is that so?"
At this point, Lord Saint Yang stepped out from the Great Sun Dragon Carriage. He stared at Yun Wan and said, "I wonder if Sect Master Yun Wan could do us a favor and manifest the Shangqing Pagoda."
"Why?" Yun Wan countered. "Does Lord Saint Yang doubt my words?"
"Do not misunderstand, Sect Master Yun Wan. This old man does not distrust you. I merely wish to confirm things more thoroughly and, incidentally, take a look at the place where Zhenjue once lived in seclusion."
"There is nothing to confirm, and nothing worth seeing. You Di has not come, and I have not seen him."
"Whether You Di has come or not, this old man will know as soon as I enter the Shangqing Pagoda."
"My apologies. The Shangqing Pagoda is a treasure of my Shangqing Sect. Historically, only the sect master may enter."
"Sect Master Yun Wan, Immortal Qingqing of the Eternal Life Pavilion, including Senior Kaishan and others, have already come forward to confirm that You Di has indeed returned, and that he may be within the Lingluo Heavenly Domain. This old man previously issued a proclamation throughout the Heavenly Domain, and the Immortal Realms of the various major worlds have been thoroughly searched, yet no trace of the criminal disciple You Di has been found. Now, only the Primordial World remains unsearched."
He paused, then continued, "Moreover, the master of the criminal disciple You Di once lived in seclusion at Shangqing Sect. It is said that every time he returns, he visits his master. Therefore, for the safety and well-being of all living beings under heaven, I ask Sect Master Yun Wan to make an exception and manifest the Shangqing Pagoda."
Yun Wan responded indifferently, "I have said I have not seen You Di, and he has not come. As for the Shangqing Pagoda, I have also said it is a treasure of our Shangqing Sect. Outsiders are not permitted entry. I hope Lord Saint Yang will understand."
Lord Saint Yang's anger began to show faintly. He said in a heavy voice, "What if this old man insists today that you manifest the Shangqing Pagoda!"