The Eternal World holding banquets one after another was nothing less than a display of disdain. This time, they would make sure the other side understood that celebrating while stepping on their heads was not something so easy. To celebrate so soon, so prematurely, was nothing but wishful thinking. This time, they would be presented with a heavy gift.
"However, we cannot be careless. The Great Yi Immortal Court holds an extremely strong grip over all realms under its command. The Demon Abyss are not only a bridge allowing our Eternal Night to reach the Eternal World, but if the Eternal World is strong enough, they can also enter Eternal Night through these pits. It is a mutual passage. Once established, it will be jointly sustained by the laws of both realms, and even a Saint-level powerhouse will not be able to easily destroy it. Even if the Abyss is open, we must tread with utmost caution."
Xie Tian spoke with a solemn expression.
The Great Yi was no ordinary force. It was a Dynasty of Fate. They had originally planned to hinder its advancement, yet despite their efforts it had still risen to the rank of Immortal Court. Its momentum was unstoppable, impossible to restrain through conventional means. Great Yi was a ferocious tiger—during the second battle of Gods and Demons, it had dared to storm into the Eternal Night battlefield. If Eternal World seized the chance, they could very well invade Eternal Night itself through the Abyss. That possibility was far from impossible.
On the contrary, it was highly likely.
When the Abyss first appeared, under the blending of the laws of both realms, true top-level powerhouses could not pass through. Only endless demonic soldiers could invade. But now Great Yi was no longer weak—if given the chance, they could easily surge into Eternal Night and launch a counterattack.
"Rest assured, my lord. We will handle this matter flawlessly."
The Hydra chieftain, upon hearing this, grew tense and immediately gave his resolute guarantee.
Time quietly passed.
The Lingxiao Immortal Court continued to issue invitations for the Flat Peach Banquet, while Great Yi Immortal Court also distributed invitations for their own Peach Banquet. Great Yi even sent their invitations directly into Lingxiao Immortal Court itself. Many deities and immortals received them.
Among them, the Three Pure Ones.
The Three Immortal Sisters of the Jie Sect—Yunxiao, Bixiao, and Qiongxiao—had once been enshrined as the Goddesses of Resonance with the World in the Immortal Court of the previous era. Within the Immortal Court, they naturally had palaces and residences. Their palace was once called the Palace of Resonance, but now its plaque bore the name "Three Immortal Palace."
It must be known that the Three Sisters had long broken free from the Investiture of Gods. They had regathered their immortal bodies.
The Investiture Board only left their names recorded, but no longer had power to restrain their freedom. By reason, they could have departed from Lingxiao Immortal Court, but they had not. They still resided there.
Not only them—those who had once been bound to the Investiture Board in the previous era had all broken free. Each of them was now without shackles in cultivation. Yet, none had chosen to leave. Still, Haotian's control over them had weakened to the extreme—reduced to nothing more than "taking salary from the Immortal Court, enjoying its luck, but unwilling to truly exert themselves."
Inside the Three Immortal Palace.
Three jade invitations appeared before three peerless beauties. Each of the Three Sisters possessed a transcendent beauty. Yunxiao was gentle and kind, ethereal and elegant, making one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze. Bixiao carried a trace of cool aloofness. Qiongxiao was playful and petite, evoking endless affection.
Each of them exuded a different charm.
"Elder Sister, Great Yi Immortal Court has sent us invitations. Should we attend this banquet?"
Qiongxiao blinked her mischievous eyes at Yunxiao and asked.
The news of Great Yi was no secret to them—especially since its promotion to Immortal Court. Countless eyes had been watching its every move. People were particularly fascinated by the countless products Great Yi had created.
Food, clothing, tools, entertainment, drinks—everything imaginable.
Even before Qiongxiao lay piles of snacks, most of which were products of Great Yi.
"Go. Why shouldn't we? Great Yi is an Immortal Dynasty on par with Lingxiao, and one that has risen in this very era. Its system is complete, and it even dares to counterattack Eternal Night. I wish to see it for myself."
Bixiao pondered briefly, then nodded.
It was said that not only had they received invitations, but many immortals had as well. This was a direct invitation extended to all the powerhouses within Lingxiao Immortal Court. The reason behind Great Yi's bold move was worth pondering.
To go or not to go was far more than a simple act.
"Then let us attend. I hear that the Queen Mother of the West has already joined Great Yi, becoming the Mistress of its Western Palace. Her status now is second to none, not inferior to the Queen Mother of Lingxiao. With Great Yi's sky-slaying momentum, it is even more imposing than Lingxiao. And with the Star Network spreading across Eternity, which originated in Great Yi, it is worth experiencing firsthand."
Yunxiao nodded in agreement, her mind made up.
She too was deeply curious. Such an opportunity, she would not miss.
Indeed, within Lingxiao Immortal Court, the immortals who had received invitations felt their hearts stir. Each harbored different thoughts, yet almost all carefully kept their invitations close.
Time quietly passed.
The world seemed to sink into a rare moment of tranquility.
Unnoticed, it became the third day of the third month of the Eternal Calendar.
That day, above the Central Heaven Continent (Zhongyu Tianzhou)—
A vast Immortal City suddenly manifested amidst endless divine light and billowing auspicious clouds. Words failed to describe its size. Shrouded in the clouds, it appeared and disappeared. Celestial music resounded, filling all hearts with reverence and awe.
Amidst the clouds, a massive heavenly gate appeared, visible to all beings of the Eternal World.
The Southern Heavenly Gate!
The immense divine characters inscribed upon it made its identity unmistakable. Rows of heavenly soldiers in silver armor stood guard, their aura overwhelming and formidable. At the front stood a general of the Immortal Court—the mighty Growth King, Mo Liqing.
He stood tall—over two zhang in height, with a face like a living crab, beard like copper wires, holding the Azure Cloud Sword inscribed with four words: "Earth, Water, Fire, Wind." Within the wind resided black gales, filled with countless spears and blades; its fire carried golden serpents, black smoke veiling the sky, burning fiercely without hindrance. Truly awe-inspiring.
"The hour has come! The Flat Peach Banquet begins now! By decree of the Jade Emperor—open the Southern Heavenly Gate! All realms may summon the gate for reception. Lingxiao Immortal Court welcomes all worthy guests to this grand feast!"
The Growth King's voice rang out, amplified by the gate, covering the entire Eternal World.
From this moment, anyone across the realms who held an invitation and sufficient cultivation could summon the Southern Heavenly Gate for passage. Swift and convenient.
The Eternal World awakened.
Shua! Shua! Shua!
Projections of the Southern Heavenly Gate manifested across the skies of countless realms. Powerhouses appeared before them, stepping through into Lingxiao Immortal Court.
Inside the Great Yi Immortal Palace—
Yi Tianxing stood alongside the Queen Mother of the West and Cai Yan, gazing at the scene unfolding in the void.
Their invitations to the Flat Peach Banquet had long been delivered.
Haotian had not forgotten Yi Tianxing.
"Husband, shall we go?"
Cai Yan softly asked.
"Go? Of course. A feast like the Flat Peach Banquet cannot be missed."
Yi Tianxing smiled faintly.
"I will not go. Let Sister Zhaoji accompany you. Though Haotian is not much of a man, those peaches are decent. But I have long since tired of them. Better that I remain here—out of sight, out of mind. Someone must sit in the Immortal Palace after all."
The Queen Mother of the West shook her head.
To her, the banquet was nothing special. Someone indeed had to remain behind to guard Great Yi. Naturally, this chance fell to Cai Yan.
"Very well. Then we two shall go. This time, there will surely be a spectacle worth witnessing."
Yi Tianxing smiled calmly. With a wave of his hand, the Heavenly Emperor's War Chariot appeared before him. The Primordial Nine Dragons, even more unfathomable than before, roared as he stepped onto it with Cai Yan.
Roar! Roar! Roar!
The Nine Dragons pulled the War Chariot, piercing the void in an instant. It traversed space itself, faster than imagination, crossing realm after realm in a breath.
Unlike others, Yi Tianxing had no intention of summoning the Southern Heavenly Gate.
He would travel across the realms openly, with dignity—announcing his presence to all as he headed straight to the Central Heaven Continent.
The War Chariot tore through space, surrounded by the powers of time and space, their ripples lingering in the realms it passed.
In but a few moments, it reached the Central Heaven Continent.
(End of Chapter)