"Hmph, that Haotian fellow—sooner or later, this debt will be settled with him. He thinks things will really go as he wishes? A Dan Scroll Iron Edict, does he really believe it can be condensed so casually? How much fate does the entire Lingxiao Immortal Court truly have? This is not the last era. In that era, the Lingxiao Heavenly Court carried the mandate of heaven in the Great Desolate World, shepherding the people on behalf of the heavens, balancing yin and yang, regulating the seasons. Back then, they bore the authority of heaven's mandate. Now, although they still possess vestiges of the previous era's legacy, the destiny they command is absolutely limited.
Though they occupy a region the size of a province, when it comes to governing the beings under their domain, they are far less efficient than an Emperor Dynasty that rose step by step from a mortal kingdom."
A trace of disdain appeared between the brows of the Queen Mother of the West.
The ruling methods of Lingxiao Immortal Court were strange, peculiar, and unusual.
Because their origin was from the previous era, they were born already holding the authority of heaven's mandate.
The Immortals and gods within the Immortal Court all prided themselves on their lofty status. None of them had the intention to truly immerse themselves among the common people. They still wished to maintain their aloofness, ruling with overwhelming power, receiving offerings, and reaping benefits. But in doing so, the livelihood of the people naturally fell into chaos.
The path of the Destiny Dynasty was never something that could be managed well merely from above.
Even if the Lingxiao Immortal Court had enough power to instill fear, fear alone could not bring true loyalty and submission. If Lingxiao Immortal Court failed to change, then undoubtedly, they would stagnate at the Immortal Court stage forever, never advancing onto the Heavenly Court's path.
"Haotian cannot be blind to this. He may have lacked the opportunity before, but now, I fear he intends to reorganize the entire Lingxiao Immortal Court. With Lingxiao's strength and foundation, they cannot be underestimated. Haotian is no simple character. He is preparing for a purge of Lingxiao, to seize complete control of it, rule its domains thoroughly, and then expand further outward."
Yi Tianxing shook his head as he spoke.
"Mm. The most terrifying part of Lingxiao Immortal Court is that the Immortal Court itself is one body. In the Great Desolate, it was the supreme existence suppressing heaven and earth. In this era, it is said the entire court has fused into one, becoming like a single Immortal City. Its grade likely exceeds the limits of ordinary Immortal Courts and Immortal Cities, possibly reaching the level of a Heavenly Court city—an Eternal-level Immortal City."
The Queen Mother of the West took a deep breath and spoke solemnly.
Although she was indignant, she still did not lose her rationality. She understood Haotian well. A fool could never have survived this long, much less maintained his position as ruler of Lingxiao Immortal Court, living comfortably.
Blindly belittling an opponent would only make one into a fool.
Lingxiao Immortal Court's suppression of the world was no trivial matter, and she knew its strength no less than anyone else.
The most terrifying thing was that very Immortal Court itself. It could be regarded as a supreme divine artifact.
"Yaochi, tell us what you know about Lingxiao Immortal Court."
Yi Tianxing nodded, his heart becoming ever more vigilant.
"Lingxiao Immortal Court possesses a special treasure known as the Ascension Pool. This Ascension Pool is their greatest treasure. With it, Lingxiao can endlessly recruit souls, immerse them in the pool, reshape their bodies, and form Immortal bodies, transforming them into heavenly soldiers. As long as Lingxiao Immortal Court wishes, they can continuously create such troops. Each soldier emerging from the Ascension Pool has at least reached the Yang God realm. Back in the war against Eternal Night, Lingxiao Immortal Court contributed greatly with these forces. In all these years since, it is certain that Haotian has never ceased converting heavenly soldiers through the Ascension Pool. How many exist now, no one knows."
The Queen Mother of the West spoke slowly.
This single Ascension Pool alone gave Lingxiao Immortal Court an immeasurable foundation.
Even though condensing Immortal bodies consumed great energy, that consumption could recover over time. After hundreds of years, who could know how many heavenly soldiers Haotian had created? To this day, Lingxiao Immortal Court had kept a low profile, never revealing its true strength.
A million, ten million, hundreds of millions, even trillions of heavenly soldiers—if they were truly deployed, what kind of terrifying might would erupt?
Most importantly, the heavenly soldiers created from the Ascension Pool were not locked in cultivation. They could continue cultivating, growing stronger. Yet their true souls were branded with marks—marks seized by the Gathered Immortal Banner.
They could never resist Lingxiao Immortal Court's will.
This was Haotian's true core strength, his foundation.
"Mm. With Haotian's methods and heritage, subduing the Immortal Court should not be difficult. His sword dance is aimed at another—his intentions lie elsewhere."
Yi Tianxing's eyes grew profound.
His heart grew ever more cautious.
For any Immortal Court was no trivial existence, and Great Yi had only just entered that rank.
"So what should we do?"
Cai Yan asked after a moment of thought.
"I think this is just right. There are still invitations we have yet to send out. Let us send them into Lingxiao Immortal Court, to the Immortals and gods within. Invite them to attend Great Yi's Immortal Peach Banquet."
Yi Tianxing smiled faintly and nodded. "Yes. Great Yi's invitations are limitless. Our banquet opens wide its doors, welcoming all friends of the Eternal World to join."
"This is good. Haotian tried to humiliate us; this time we must teach him a proper lesson."
The Queen Mother of the West agreed with a nod.
"Mm. Let us wait and see. It grows late. Since you are both here, then don't leave—let us rest together."
Yi Tianxing laughed, looking at the two women, his eyes flashing with a special glimmer.
"You…"
The Queen Mother of the West's face changed, and she turned as if to leave.
Yet in the next moment, her slender waist was encircled by a strong arm, pulling her into his embrace as he carried her toward the massive cloud bed. Cai Yan blushed deeply at the sight, but soon untied her sash and joined them.
Not long after, sounds full of imagination began to echo.
Spring filled the palace—its myriad flavors impossible to describe to outsiders.
Meanwhile, in a secret base of Hydra.
On a throne sat Xie Tian, the Evil Heaven Dao Sovereign. Below him stood nine figures, cloaked in red, yellow, blue, green, cyan, white, black, gray, and silver. They were none other than Hydra's nine leaders—the Red Robe, Yellow Robe, Green Robe, and so forth. Each radiated a deep, unfathomable aura. Yet before Xie Tian, all bowed their heads slightly, showing due reverence.
"That Haotian brat is holding a Peach Banquet, and that Yi fellow too is preparing an Immortal Peach Banquet. Celebrations for their victory in the Heaven-Slaughter, is it? They dare host a grand feast upon my Hydra's head? How amusing. Truly amusing. Do they really think I, Xie Tian, am dead?"
A cold, sinister smile tugged at Xie Tian's lips. The evil aura within it was enough to send an invisible chill through anyone who saw it.
In the battle to slay Heaven, he had fled—not out of fear of death, but for the sake of the greater plan.
That battle had exposed nearly all of their identities. To preserve what was useful, he had no choice but to retreat, especially once it was impossible to further disrupt Great Yi's ascension to Immortal Court. But this choice had been a massive humiliation to him.
Even after escaping, to avoid the Eternal World's pursuit, he severed his link with the Heavenly Dao, not daring to connect as before, to wield the authority to mobilize heaven and earth, equal to a Saint's position. For now, he remained only at the Hunyuan realm. For the sake of his retreat, he had even abandoned his Heavenly Demon God Weapons. The loss was immense. These days, he had been forced to hide in Hydra's secret base.
"Lord Xie Tian, should we not create some trouble for them? We cannot let them enjoy endless flowers and applause."
The Black Robe suggested.
"Indeed. Recently, throughout the Eternal World's realms, pervasive demonic phenomena have begun to appear. This is due to Eternal Night and the Eternal World making partial contact—the laws of heaven and earth are exchanging, fusing, infiltrating one another. Soon, natural Demon Abyss will form. At that time, our Eternal Night's demon armies will pour forth endlessly, sweeping across, turning the Eternal World into a battlefield, igniting wars everywhere."
The Red Robe spoke with fanatical zeal.
Hydra naturally knew of this demonic pervasion first. They understood clearly: this was the direct reaction of the two realms merging and eroding one another. And now, Eternal Night held the advantage, able to seize the initiative.
Once the Demon Abyss opened, demon armies would roam freely. No matter how strong the Eternal World was, it would be dragged into the quagmire of war.
"Do not underestimate the Eternal World. Its top-tier experts are not few. Especially with the fusion of myriad worlds, countless new beings have been added, and endless strong ones have appeared through the power of dreams becoming reality. Even Saints and many Dao-proving powerhouses of the last era, who perished against Eternal Night, have been pulled from illusion into reality once more. This was the Eternal Heavenly Dao's ultimate gamble—exchanging infinite futures for the final choice. This time, there is no retreat. Destroy the Eternal World, and Eternal Night will win this war."
Xie Tian sneered coldly.
The fusion of worlds, dreams becoming reality—especially when it included Saints, countless Dao-proving cultivators, and innumerable strong races—all manifesting into existence. How could this come without cost? The Eternal Heavenly Dao had already gone all-in.
The Eternal World had no retreat left.
But this was all within Eternal Night's expectations. Against absolute strength, no scheme could prevail.
"You shall act in secret. With this pervasive demonic tide, I will see to it that Lingxiao Immortal Court and Great Yi Immortal Court shall not enjoy their joyous banquets in peace."
Xie Tian made his decision without hesitation.
"Heh heh, rest assured, Lord. Hydra was made for this very purpose."
The Green Robe laughed strangely, his tone carrying a trace of cruelty.
(End of Chapter)