Chapter 521: Heavenly Palace Supreme Sage
Chapter 521: Heavenly Palace Supreme Sage
"Emperor Chu is personally seeing us off?"
"This is Emperor Chu's Dharma Image, not his True Self."
"How fast, the stars and light are like a blur. Could it be that Emperor Chu has already reached the Immortal Emperor realm?"
In the immortal city, the spaceships of various sects were docked within the city. The disciples and elders on board could all feel the alternating starlight and moonlight outside the immortal city.
Countless streaks of light zipped by, not because the stars were moving, but because they were. They moved so swiftly, it was like a stellar shift, faster than imagination could grasp.
The vast expanse of the Southern Domain passed by in a blur, too indistinct to see clearly. Only the distant, immense landmass could be faintly discerned, its outline vaguely revealing the mountains and rivers of the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty.
"The Southern Domain Battle, with seven dynasties vying for the Primordial True Realm quotas, each dynasty is extremely proactive. It's inevitable that some might resort to despicable means."
In the hall of the spaceship, Great Dream Master raised his head and said to Li Hao beside him.
Li Hao nodded. He had experienced ambushes on his journey through the Many Heavens.
Although he had now transitioned from the Tian Yang Pseudo World to the True World, things might change, but people remained the same, and human nature had always been unchanging.
Li Hao retracted his gaze from the starlit sky outside the spaceship and focused on the porcelain painting before him, examining it closely.
Seeing Li Hao's calm demeanor, Great Dream Master's lips curled into a gentle smile, and he quietly accompanied him.
Time flew by.
Emperor Chu's Dharma Image supported the immortal city, with the Chaos Ancestral Dragon coiling around it. They chased the stars and moons, and within a few days, they arrived at the heart of the Southern Domain.
As they approached, the immortal power in the surrounding starry sky became noticeably denser than in the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty's immortal city, comparable to that of the Immortal Dynasties' imperial capitals.
In the vast, boundless starry sky, a luminous, radiant continent floated, its body shimmering with brilliance. The continent stretched for billions of miles, and the immortal aura shield surrounding it was filled with thick, silvery-white immortal power, shining brightly.
"We're almost there. That's the Heavenly Palace."
In the spaceship, Great Dream Master raised his head, a calm look in his eyes, and said to Li Hao.
Li Hao was discussing how to paint the branches of the time origin divine tree when he suddenly heard her words. He looked up and saw the central point of the Southern Domain, the Heavenly Palace where the Immortal Emperor resided.
In the starry sky outside the continent, there were streams of silvery light. Compared to the vast continent, these streams of light were like tiny silver specks, barely noticeable.
But at that moment, those silver specks were flying toward Li Hao and his companions.
As they drew closer, it became clear that they were Immortal Guards patrolling outside the Heavenly Palace.
These Immortal Guards were all of the Immortal Lord Realm, clad in uniform armor, their expressions cold. Even upon recognizing Emperor Chu's identity, their expressions did not soften, and they continued to fly straight toward them.
Emperor Chu raised his hand and wrote a "Yan" character in the air, which emitted a brilliant golden light.
Upon seeing this, the Immortal Guards bowed and cleared the path ahead.
Emperor Chu supported the immortal city with one hand and held the other behind his back, flying straight ahead.
Outside the boundless Heavenly Palace continent, an immortal aura barrier enveloped it. The silver-helmeted Immortal Guards touched their iron spears together, the immortal patterns connecting, and the spears emitted a silvery radiance, forming a crack in the immortal aura barrier, allowing Emperor Chu to pass through.
Seeing this scene, the disciples and elders from the various sects within Immortal City were all deeply shaken.
Even someone as powerful as Emperor Chu, the emperor of the Ancient Immortal Dynasty, seemed to have to abide by the rules in the Heavenly Palace.
As they passed through the Immortal Barrier, a thick wave of Immortal Power immediately enveloped them, flowing through Immortal City and into the various Realm Artifacts on the spacecraft.
Even Li Hao, who was staying in the main hall, could feel the Immortal Power on the spacecraft, which was now four to five times more concentrated than before. Cultivation here would also be four to five times faster than in the outside world. With enough talent, one could likely reach the Enlightened Realm in their twenties.
Swoosh!
Suddenly, a figure appeared out of nowhere in front of them, wearing a black robe adorned with a special symbol—a dark crimson phoenix tail.
"Phoenix Feather Clan's Feng Leixiang, paying respects to Emperor Chu."
The middle-aged man in the black robe bowed, his demeanor neither humble nor arrogant, his aura restrained. While he couldn't compare to Emperor Chu, he seemed to be an Immortal King Realm cultivator as well!
Emperor Chu's expression was calm; he was already used to the attitude of the people in the Heavenly Palace. "All my sons have arrived here."
"Master is already waiting in the Heavenly Palace hall. Please."
Feng Leixiang smiled and glanced at the Immortal City in Emperor Chu's hand, but his expression didn't change.
Emperor Chu nodded slightly and followed him, flying slowly under his guidance.
"The Phoenix Feather Clan is one of the powerful clans among the Hundred Clans. They are an Immortal Beast Clan, skilled in the Fire Dao and Thunder Dao."
Great Dream Master narrowed her eyes and glanced at Feng Leixiang, then whispered to Li Hao.
Li Hao nodded. The Hundred Clans of the True World were all formidable races, and these races often intermarried. For example, the previous Yin Jingcheng was from the Xuanyin Clan, one of the Hundred Clans and also one of the Six Elemental Clans.
The Six Elemental Clans were all part of the Hundred Clans, united through certain alliances with the Xuanyin Clan. The term "Six Elemental Clans" was a general term for this group.
Even the most powerful great clans needed alliances to maintain their standing. Generations of intermarriage and reproduction had long intertwined their fates, making their relationships complex.
"Every time we come here, we need to first pay homage to the Immortal Emperor."
Great Dream Master said to Li Hao, "This is a rare opportunity. The Immortal Emperor is the true emperor. Even Emperor Chu or other emperors of the Ancient Immortal Dynasties are only nominal emperors in the Immortal Emperor's presence, no different from the kings of mortals. It's just a title within their own Immortal Dynasties. Once they step outside their own Immortal Dynasties, they are nothing."
"But the Immortal Emperor is recognized by all the heavens. When the Immortal Emperor travels, the Imperial Dao illuminates the True World. As long as the Immortal Emperor wishes, one can see the spectacle of the Imperial Dao anywhere in the True World. It is truly terrifying."
Hearing her words, Li Hao's eyes flickered, finding it hard to imagine what such a scene would be like.
But there was no doubt that the Immortal Emperor Realm was an unshakable existence in everyone's hearts.
"Being able to see the world's greatest power and the highest realm with your own eyes is a rare opportunity, but don't force yourself to look directly."
Great Dream Master smiled and said to Li Hao.
Li Hao nodded. Although his Master, the Heavenly Catastrophe Immortal Emperor, was also an Immortal Emperor, he had ultimately perished. The one they were about to see was very much alive.
Soon, Emperor Chu, carrying the Immortal City, followed the Supreme Sage Disciple to the Heavenly Palace hall.
The grand hall hovered above the continent, shining like a blazing sun at its very center and highest point.
It seemed like a divine yang, radiating brilliant heat and illuminating the entire land.
On their journey, there was no teleportation; they simply traveled at the speed of Body Control, with the surrounding scenery rushing past them in a blur.
In no time, Emperor Chu led the group to the front of the Heavenly Palace.
The majestic hall hung in the air, with a grand staircase stretching nearly ten thousand miles in front of it, as white as jade. On either side, Immortal Guards, like a swarm of bees, patrolled the surroundings, their bodies shimmering with silver dust.
Emperor Chu's Dharma Image was extremely grand, but as they approached the Heavenly Palace, it gradually shrank from ten thousand feet to a thousand, and finally to just a few dozen feet. The Immortal City in his hand also became smaller.
Feng Leixiang, clad in black robes, stopped at the foot of the stairs, turned to Emperor Chu, and extended his hand. "Please."
Emperor Chu understood his meaning; after all, this wasn't his first visit. His expression remained calm, though his brow furrowed slightly. The Immortal City in his hand rose and expanded above his head. Then, the Chaos Ancestral Dragon coiled around the city let out a dragon's roar, carrying the Imperial Clan up and setting them down at the foot of the stairs.
Feng Leixiang heard the Chaos Ancestral Dragon's roar and glanced at it, his eyes conveying a calm and composed warning.
This calm and composed gesture was a reminder not to disturb the beings within the Heavenly Palace.
The Chaos Ancestral Dragon, sensing the calmness and the underlying warning, let out a discontented snort, glanced at them, and turned its body to let Chu Tianhuang and the others off its back.
"Little ones, get down. I can't carry you all up here."
The Chaos Ancestral Dragon telepathically communicated to the Imperial Clan.
Chu Tianhuang and the others also understood and jumped down, not daring to ride the dragon into the Heavenly Palace.
At the same time, numerous Realm Artifacts from the Immortal City took flight, growing larger, and figures leaped out from within them.
"Let's go."
Great Dream Master also led Li Hao out of the spacecraft, approaching the Heavenly Palace to pay homage to the Supreme Sage, walking on foot.
Flying or riding an Immortal Artifact would be a great disrespect.
Unless granted special permission by the Heavenly Palace, such as for the Supreme Sage's Personal Disciple, who could freely fly and move about.
In a moment, the Disciples from various sects and their Realm Artifacts landed at the foot of the white jade-like stairs, gathering together.
Li Hao scanned the crowd and noticed several unfamiliar but powerful auras. He knew these were likely the Disciples recommended by their respective sects, including the Imperial Family, as Great Dream Master had mentioned.
Like Yin Jingcheng and Meng Huaiyue, who were the recommended Disciples from the Nine Depths of the Great Dream, ranking beyond the top thousand.
As Li Hao looked around, several pairs of eyes soon turned to him. He scanned the crowd and saw Lin Qingying, giving her a smile and an encouraging look.
Lin Qingying, seeing Li Hao's smile, felt her fatigue and somber mood lift, and she returned a warm smile.
Their exchange caught the attention of two other pairs of eyes. One came from the Imperial Clan, specifically Chu Yueli.
Following Li Hao's gaze, she saw him exchanging glances with another woman, and she clenched her teeth in frustration.
Though her realm wasn't high, her skill in flirtation was considerable. Even before marrying him, she felt a greenish tinge spreading over her head.
The other pair of eyes belonged to Tian Hongyi from the Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Tower, standing not far from Lin Qingying. Clad in a snow-white robe with a sword pattern on his chest, he saw the green-robed woman's smile and followed her gaze, his brow furrowing and his face turning cold.
"Is this the Heavenly Palace?"
"Does the Supreme Sage reside within? The endpoint of cultivation for the True World's ten thousand races, the Immortal Emperor!"
The disciples from the various sects were all gazing up at the towering palace, which at this moment only revealed its endless stairs and a glimpse of its grand eaves at the top.
The thought of soon seeing the Immortal Emperor in person made the eyes of the many prodigies present shine brightly.
No matter how extraordinary a prodigy might be, the ultimate goal of cultivation was to become an Immortal Emperor.
Moreover, the deeds of each Immortal Emperor were celebrated in the True World, each having blazed their own imperial path, influencing countless generations to come, their legacies enduring forever.
"Emperor Chu, please."
Feng Leixiang, standing at the foot of the stairs, waited until all the disciples from the various sects had descended from the immortal city. Then, he smiled and gestured for Emperor Chu to proceed.
Emperor Chu's Dharmic Image, towering dozens of zhang tall, still exuded a majestic presence. His gaze, calm and disdainful, followed Feng Leixiang as he ascended the stairs.
The disciples from the various sects, led by their patriarchs or elders, immediately followed in his footsteps.
Li Hao stood with Gu Yan and Yue Xi, looking around as they climbed. The staircase was long, and it would take about half an hour to reach the top. He noticed that the two beside him, after their initial curiosity, had been focused on climbing, their brows furrowed, as if burdened by some concern.
Mourong Qingwu, a close friend of Yue Xi, gently nudged her with her elbow and said, "Silly girl, what are you thinking about? You're not hoping the Immortal Emperor will clear your race's name, are you?"
Yue Xi jumped in fright, looking around to make sure no one had heard her. Seeing that no one was paying attention, her expression changed, and she bit her lip, saying, "For the Immortal Emperor, it's just a matter of a single word."
"True, but the words of the supreme beings are as precious as gold."
Mourong Qingwu shook her head, clearly hoping to dissuade Yue Xi from such thoughts to avoid angering the Supreme Sage. After all, the Immortal Emperor was an existence far beyond reach, able to do as he pleased, with the power of life and death in his hands, and no one could threaten him, unless the ancient demon emperors united.
"Our race has nothing to do with chaos. Though we possess that power, we have never abused it."
Yue Xi said, her lips trembling.
The Chaos Clan was despised in the True World, their reputation tarnished. When Li Tiemu brought her back to the Sword Abyss, he faced immense pressure.
Initially, her Dao Heart and talent were so exceptional that even the Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Tower would have fought to have her. But once her race was known, the situation reversed, and they wouldn't even let her join.
"Words can be devastating. Once you wear a dirty cloak, who cares who put it on you? They will still call you a beggar."
Mourong Qingwu shook her head lightly, sighing.
Li Tiemu, who was walking nearby, heard their conversation and his heart skipped a beat. He said to Yue Xi, "Young lady, don't do anything foolish. The Immortal Emperor won't bother with such matters. Unless you achieve a high rank in the Southern Domain Battle and earn the favor of the Supreme Sage, you won't have the right to speak."
Yue Xi clenched her fingers, feeling a deep-seated resentment and unwillingness to accept the situation.
Mourong Qingwu added, "That's right. There is another way: the Hundred Clans Imperial Battle Mountain. If you can rise among the Hundred Clans there, you will have a voice."
Yue Xi naturally knew of this path, but it was far from easy, even more difficult and bloody than the Southern Domain Battle.
"I understand."
She said softly, knowing that if she acted rashly, she might endanger everyone in the Nine Depths of the Great Dream, and even bring trouble to the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty. At that point, the legend of the Chaos Clan bringing disaster would only be further solidified.
Gu Yan glanced at her, seeing her acquiescence, and slowly withdrew his gaze. His clenched hand relaxed, and his expression returned to calm.
As they continued to climb, the long staircase finally came to an end, and they saw the Heavenly Palace where the Supreme Sage resided.
A majestic hall stood tall, seemingly merging with the sky. Around the hall, streams of flowing light floated, reminiscent of the Great Dao Origin Light on the Heavenly Dao Bridge.
(End of Chapter)
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