Is this really my husband? I never thought my husband’s aspirations would grow so grand. Yet, a man with ideals and ambitions is a good man. But to become a guardian deity of the three realms—how remarkable! To serve as a guardian in the divine realm, that’s truly beyond reach. After all, Ying'er knows that guardian deities aren’t appointed—they earn their position through countless battles and negotiations, proving their strength and resilience. The Celestial Emperor is eager for capable talents, as it has been 500 years since anyone has dared to step forward and assume the role of a guardian deity. In the past, many guardian deities were either injured—having their arms broken, legs twisted, eyes gouged out, or noses shaved—during their enforcement duties. In truth, the Emperor has yet to fully unify the divine realms. Many deities rule independently, wielding their superior skills, confidence, and wealth, and observing that the Celestial Palace lacks truly powerful and formidable forces. Thus, they are able to challenge the Emperor directly. The Celestial Emperor could do little about certain overlooked matters, but this time, upon observing Gao Liang’s outstanding demeanor—his robust physique and eyes gleaming with sharp clarity—he recognized Gao Liang as a true prodigy, one rare in a five-hundred-year cycle. Thus, the Emperor boldly appointed him. Yet Gao Liang remained unconvinced. For Gao Liang did not merely wish to serve as a guardian deity of the divine realm—he aspired to be the guardian deity of the three realms. "Purely delusional!" the ministers murmured among themselves in the court, expressing widespread disbelief. "Think you've become a god and thus achieved something extraordinary? Hmph! The celestial deities themselves possess remarkable abilities, and to even attain the position of a guardian deity is no easy feat—many look up to it with admiration but can never reach it. You, a mere mortal who has just ascended to divinity, what's so remarkable about you? To be so arrogant!" The powerful earth-deity, deeply dissatisfied, openly mocked Gao Liang before the very presence of the Celestial Emperor. Ying'er was under immense pressure, as a growing number of court officials now pointed and criticized her and Gao Liang, as if saying, "That person is so arrogant! We must show him what we're made of—otherwise, he'll think that just because the Celestial Emperor has elevated him, he'll no longer recognize his own worth!" "As for Ying'er, perhaps she's trying to realize her grand cosmic ambitions through this overly confident young man! Hah! I'm certain this is all her idea!" Even another immortal spoke up. Gao Liang immediately called for silence and addressed the officials: "Any who dissent, come and face me one-on-one!" The mighty warrior had long been dissatisfied with Gao Liang. After all, he himself was the Celestial Emperor's foremost general—how could Gao Liang, upon arriving, simply overshadow him? He immediately roared, "I'm coming!" The Celestial Emperor granted his request, as he also wished to see just what Gao Liang was truly capable of. Meanwhile, Ying'er grew increasingly concerned. Husband, you've only just officially become a god—your foundation is still shaky. How can you possibly compete with such a top-tier court Yet, Gao Liang smiled warmly at Ying'er, as if to say, "Watch my performance! I won't lose!" The duel between Gao Liang and the mighty warrior began in the heavenly court. The ministers and the imperial consorts all stared intently, watching the newly ascended Gao Liang challenge the first-rate master of the imperial palace. Some even placed their bets. Tian Shengmu approached Ying'er and said, "I believe you will surely lose, for the warrior is truly a pillar of our imperial palace—renowned for his countless achievements and unparalleled abilities!" Ying'er remained undaunted, for Gao Liang's confident gaze had convinced her. She firmly replied, "Tian Shengmu, I'm certain Gao Liang will win!" "Really? Is that so? Does Gao Liang truly possess such talents?" Tian Shengmu was deeply skeptical, having little faith in the abilities of the newly deified Gao Liang. The conversation between Tian Shengmu and Ying'er caught the attention of the Emperor, who immediately smiled and said, "If Gao Liang triumphs, I shall bestow upon him the title of Supreme Heavenly Deity." "Tian Shengmu shook her head and said, 'Gao Liang must lose!' Then she turned to Ying'er and said, 'Once Gao Liang loses, you'll have to serve me every day. But if Gao Liang truly wins, I'll formally approve your marriage to him, and bestow upon you the Purple Immortal Pavilion—a grand mansion, a fortune in gold and silver, and the title of Supreme Heavenly God. You'll become the Lady God of the Supreme Deity! How about that? You'll be on equal footing with the Heavenly Emperor—how prestigious is that?' Ying'er was truly astonished that the battle between Gao Liang and the mighty warrior had become so significant. She nodded in agreement, yet her heart was racing—Husband, husband, you must win, you must win! If you lose, we'll part ways. As for the conversation between the Heavenly Emperor, Tian Shengmu, and Ying'er, Gao Liang was unaware of it. Yet Gao Liang knew well that this battle against the mighty warrior was a matter of life and death—only by giving it his all could he secure his standing in the heavenly realm." Just as back in the Long Feng Hall, when he faced Qiao Lord and used risk control to counter his lightning slash, securing his position as the second-in-command of the Long Feng Hall—indeed, due to his continuous growth, eventually becoming the Hall’s chief steward—now that he has officially ascended to divinity and been formally enshrined by the Heavenly Emperor as one of the Immortal Immortals in the Xiao Yao Pantheon, he must now forge his own realm through sheer strength, establishing his standing in the divine realm. A deep roar surged within Gao Liang’s heart—definitely win, must win—and every pore on his body stood upright. As for the Divine Warrior, the mighty giant? He stood like a colossal figure, showcasing his impossibly powerful muscles. In contrast, Gao Liang appeared merely a small dwarf. After all, when the giant shifted slightly, his body soared to twenty meters tall, each arm stretching ten meters long, his mouth broad as a cavern and his eyes bright as lanterns—so imposing that he seemed like a mountain itself. The clash between such a mountain and a small dwarf was truly unequal. It was no wonder the Heavenly Saint Mother favored the Divine Warrior. Our protagonist, Gao Liang, though now a god, remains unchanged—after all, he never studied Sun Wukong’s seventy-two transformations nor Zhu Bajie’s thirty-six, not out of lack of desire, but simply because he didn’t have the time. Gao Liang is unfazed, recognizing that this asymmetric contest is much like a mouse facing a cat: it cannot rely on raw strength alone, but must depend on wisdom. How will the contest unfold? The Great Earthly Force, with a slightly disdainful smile, gently extends a palm as broad as a scoop, then gives a light snap—like smacking a mosquito—and presses Gao Liang firmly beneath it. Ying'er watches Gao Liang with growing apprehension, while Tian Shengmu beams with delight; the Heavenly Emperor shakes his head in quiet regret, and the Golden Light Messenger turns away, while the other ministers cheer enthusiastically for the Great Earthly Force. The Bodhisattva of Strength laughed heartily, yet as he laughed, he felt as though his palms had been sharply pierced by something, causing him to tremble uncontrollably. Of course, he could not afford to embarrass himself before everyone. He immediately tried to clap harder, but the more he pressed, the stronger the resistance became, and the more painful the sensation in his hands grew. He then promptly released his palms, and found that Gao Liang had already settled into a meditative posture, seated cross-legged, calm and focused.