Chapter 536: Chapter 442: Ephemeral Splendor

On the third day of the third month, the Pantaio Feast was at its peak, with celestial music echoing through the nine heavens and ten lands, and auspicious clouds gathering.

Outside the Southern Heavenly Gate, rays of rosy light stretched out in thousands, and auspicious air abounded.

Azure Luan spread its wings, its plumage shimmering with light, carrying the Immortals with flowing robes across the sky, while white cranes sang long and clear, slowly descending.

Additionally, an Immortal Elder rode a divine deer, and wherever the deer’s hooves stepped, golden lotuses blossomed from the void. There were also female Immortals driving multicolored auspicious clouds, with mist spreading a refreshing exotic fragrance.

Immortals wore jade flutes at their waists or possessed reishi, exuding a carefreeness beyond the mortal world. The Dao Patterns on their robes flowed, hinting at the rise and fall of stars, and their every move resonated with the rhythm of harmony with heaven and earth, brimming with immortal charm.

The Jade Pool palace was made of glazed jade, with the palace roof covered in tiles crafted from millennia-old Profound Ice, reflecting seven-colored rosy light.

In front of the palace, the square had lush Pantaio trees, their branches laden with large, juicy fruits, reddish with hints of pink, exuding a pervasive fragrance, the essence of which transformed into tangible spiritual mist, winding between the palaces.

On both sides of the square, jade pillars stood tall, carved with ancient celestial birds and exotic beasts, vivid and lifelike, as if ready to leap forth at any moment.

"Immortal King Shanyuan has arrived!"

With a high-pitched announcement, a ray of golden light came from the sky.

Immortal King Shanyuan wore a red-gold Daoist robe and a Purple Gold Crown, surrounded by three golden lotuses of merit, with numerous runes converging beneath his every step.

He was a distinguished disciple of the Jie Sect, who, after painstaking cultivation for ten thousand years, finally attained the position of Immortal King.

"The Overturning Sea Immortal Monarch has arrived!"

The Robust Sea Embroced in a dark blue brocade robe, adorned with water patterns of the Four Seas and Eight Regions, surrounded by swirling water vapor, with a faint sound of waves crashing against the shore.

As one of the ancient Jie Sect’s Eight Immortals, now a Nine Heavens Immortal Monarch of tremendous strength, commanding the aquatic Immortals of the Four Seas, his entrance drew many cultivators forward to pay their respects.

"The Azure Profound Immortal Monarch has arrived!"

"Immortal Monarch Li has arrived!"

Voices calling out resounded one after another, with Li Xuan dressed in a moon white Daoist Robe, his countenance gentle, surrounded by peaceful Dao Rhyme yet bearing the demeanor of a Grandmaster.

He, along with The Overturning Sea and Azure Profound, have all ascended to the positions of Nine Heavens Immortal Monarch, each ruling a celestial domain, wielding significant power.

At this moment, the Jie Sect was thriving with talented disciples, not only boasting numerous Immortal Monarchs but also many outstanding members who broke through their bottlenecks and ascended to the position of Immortal King.

At this Pantaio Feast, looking around, one could see Immortals clad in the Jie Sect Dao Robes, whether Immortal Monarch, Immortal King, or Heavenly Immortal, all distinct in hierarchy yet harmonious, depicting a scene of myriad Immortals coming to pay homage in prosperity.

Once Li Xuan and the others entered, the scene immediately became lively.

Numerous Jie Sect Immortals gathered around, bowing and paying respects, their tone respectful yet warm:

"Greetings to Patriarch Li!"

"Greetings to Patriarch Overturning Sea!"

"May Patriarch Azure Profound be well!"

...

Although within Chen Sheng’s school, Li Xuan and others may be junior brothers or disciples, within the Jie Sect, regarding seniority, background, and cultivation, they are undeniably patriarch-level figures.

Even someone as esteemed as Immortal King Shanyuan must respectfully address Li Xuan and the others as "Patriarch."

Li Xuan slightly supported them with a gentle tone:

"No need for such ceremony, Shanyuan Daoist."

"Over the years, your demon-exterminating efforts in the lower realm have significantly contributed, and your cultivation has advanced with remarkable speed."

The Overturning Sea engaged in pleasant conversation and laughter with the Four Seas Celestial Immortals, displaying the grace and authority of a superior in every action.

The Azure Profound Immortal Monarch, surrounded by young Immortals, patiently solved cultivation dilemmas, with the sound of the Dao softly echoing, attracting many Immortals to stop and listen.

...

The entire Pantaio Feast was bustling yet orderly, with laughter and Dao Rhyme intertwining, showing a flourishing scene.

At this moment, a figure slowly entered the palace, instantly silencing the bustling scene.

The newcomer was adorned in golden armor, with armor etched in nine heavens profound patterns, shimmering with brilliance, a golden sword hanging from his waist.

He had an upright stature, a righteous appearance, exuding an aura of solemnity, known as Yan Wenqiu, the Curtain General attending to the chariot of the Heavenly Emperor.

Yan Wenqiu, glancing across the scene of countless Immortals paying homage, felt a sense of emotion arise.

Years ago, he was just an ordinary cultivator in the lower realm, who by chance received the Great Celestial Venerable’s transmission, subsequently dedicating himself to vigorous cultivation, amazingly ascending to True Immortal status before the grand birthday.

Later, upon ascending to the Immortal Realm, he got selected once more by the Great Celestial Venerable to serve as an immortal court official before the Heavenly Emperor.

He was also diligent, relying on his extraordinary talent and hard work to gradually cultivate into a Heavenly Immortal, ultimately being granted the title of Curtain-Lifting General, often accompanying the Celestial Emperor, deeply trusted.

Yan Wenqiu silently felt gratitude in his heart: "If it weren’t for the Celestial Venerable’s transmission and support, I wouldn’t have the position of Curtain-Lifting General today."

He knew deeply that everything he had today was bestowed by the Celestial Venerable, a kindness he could never repay in this life.

His appearance undoubtedly signaled the imminent arrival of the Celestial Emperor.

All the immortals in the hall subconsciously restrained their auras, tidied their robes, and stood solemnly, quietly awaiting the arrival of the Supreme Deity.

As expected, Yan Wenqiu walked to the center of the hall, turned to face outside, and with the cultivation force, loudly announced:

"The Supreme Deity of the Nine Heavens, the Grand Celestial Venerable of the Natural Mystical Myriad Celestial Authority arrives——!"

The sound rolled like thunder, spreading through the entire firmament, even penetrating the clouds, echoing through the nine heavens and ten grounds.

In the next moment, above Jiuxiao, golden light radiated in all directions, countless auspicious clouds converged into a sea, and a massive Nine-Dragon Agarwood Chariot slowly emerged.

This agarwood chariot was crafted from innate agarwood, with its entire body inlaid with countless rare treasures, pearls, agates, and jade adorning it, flowing with brilliant colors, dazzling and resplendent.

On each side of the chariot, nine golden dragons spiraled, their heads bowed, dragon whiskers swaying, exhaling timely blessings that transformed into a sky full of spirit rain, nourishing the celestial mountains and vegetation below.

Before and behind the agarwood chariot, countless Giant Spirit Generals and Celestial Officers were clustered around.

The Giant Spirit Generals stood a hundred feet tall, clad in treasure armor of celestial gold, wielding giant axes, their aura majestic, each step causing the void to tremble slightly.

The Celestial Officers were dressed in brocade robes, holding jade tablets, their expressions solemn, arrayed neatly, softly reciting ancient Dao Scriptures, their Dao sound resonating with heaven and earth, forming a vast pressure.

On the chariot, Chen Sheng wore a twelve-patterned imperial robe, a crown with beaded tassels on his head, the beads swaying, covering part of his face, revealing only a pair of profound eyes.

He slightly closed his eyes, his aura ethereal, as if merging with heaven and earth, exuding supreme majesty yet possessing a detachment surpassing all things, making others dare not to look directly, only to worship in their hearts.

"Greetings to the Grand Celestial Venerable!"

Led by Li Xuan, all the immortals in the hall bowed in unison, their voices uniform and resonant, echoing through the clouds, imbued with deep-seated reverence and esteem.

Immortal Kings, Immortal Lords, and True Immortals, regardless of their rank, all respectfully bowed, none daring to show the slightest neglect.

Chen Sheng slowly opened his eyes, and in an instant, the Emperor Dao Profound Light shot from his eyes, piercing the clouds, illuminating the entire firmament.

The spiritual qi between heaven and earth violently fluctuated, in worship of the Grand Celestial Venerable, countless runes condensed around him, forming an invisible Emperor Dao Domain.

"You may rise."

His voice was calm yet carried the undeniable authority as if divine music, spreading throughout the entire Celestial Pool.

"Today is the Feast of Peaches, rulers and ministers shall enjoy together, no need for excessive formalities."

With that, his gaze slowly swept over the hall, finally resting on Yan Wenqiu, nodding slightly.

Yan Wenqiu understood, promptly bowing down and withdrawing, loudly commanded:

"By order of the Grand Celestial Venerable, let the music and dance begin, let the immortal banquet commence!"

As the words fell, a group of celestial maids in plain white palace attire slowly walked out from behind the hall, each a celestial maiden from the Lunar Palace, their faces supremely beautiful, their figures graceful, robes fluttering, like spirits under the moon.

The celestial maids held jade flutes, pipa, guzheng, and other instruments, delicately moving with lotus steps, and began dancing in the hall.

Their dance moves were light and spirited, like butterflies in flowers, like wild geese in flight, each movement contained the rhythm of the heavenly dao, mesmerizing all the immortals who were intoxicated, lost in admiration.

At the same time, the Music Immortals also began to play music, the sound of bells and drums harmonized, zither and lute resonated, the melodious celestial music echoed through the clouds, perfectly complementing the celestial maids’ dance.

The music was sometimes high and vigorous, like thousands of horses galloping; sometimes gently lingering, like trickling water; sometimes ethereal and elusive, like the sound of heaven, causing the hearts and spirits of the immortals to fluctuate, making their Dao foundations warm and enriched.

The immortal banquet commenced, within the jade discs, large Peaches of Immortality exuded an enticing fragrance, the nectar in jade cups glistened with a crystalline gleam, there were also various rare fruits, immortal brews, and delicious dishes, a dazzling array, everything in abundance.

The immortals raised their cups, toasting each other, chatting and laughing, a beautiful scene of harmonized music and dance, and monarchs and ministers enjoying together.

Li Xuan, along with several Immortal Lords, toasted Chen Sheng, reporting the recent situations of their respective immortal domains.

Amid this laughter, joyous music, and harmonious dancing, Chen Sheng, seated at the center of the grand hall, watched the joyful faces of the immortals, watching this grand scene of myriad immortals paying homage, yet in his heart silently sighed.

"The great extinction of the era is mere twelve thousand years away."

"All the prosperity before my eyes will ultimately be destroyed, the flourishing of the Intercept Teaching, the carefree lives of the immortals, ultimately just illusions, fleeting as a dream."

The cycle of the Great Dao, the alternation of decay and bloom, is an unchanging truth.

Now the source of the Lower Realm is withering, the Dharma-ending age has already arrived, chaos beginning to appear, the prosperity of these nine heavens and ten grounds cannot last long.

When the great extinction of the era comes, everything will return to an end, all the beauty, all the prosperity, all the carefreeness, will wither in chaos, reverting to nothingness, and evolve once again.

...