Chapter 523: Chapter 429: The Peach Banquet

Meanwhile, by the banks of the Heavenly River, within the Celestial Interception Hall.

On the jade steps within the hall, Chen Sheng sat cross-legged, eyes gently closed, the celestial aura around him circulating like flowing water.

Each breath drew in the Spiritual Qi tide from outside the hall, transforming into silver threads that burrowed between his brows.

Suddenly, his fingers pinched lightly, and twelve talismans floated in the air before him, the inscriptions upon them flickering and finally coalescing into a sequence of numbers—eight hundred and twenty-three.

"At eight hundred and twenty-three years, it’s time to ascend to a Heavenly Immortal."

Chen Sheng thought to himself, this point in time was the choice made after collecting the experiences of numerous Celestial Lords, Celestial Kings, and Heavenly Immortals.

This rate of promotion was perfectly poised at the threshold of the first order—not earth-shattering, yet sufficient to establish a foothold in the heavenly court.

This speed of ’concealing brilliance with clumsiness’ was the most prudent middle way. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

...

As time drifted by, over a dozen cycles of spring and autumn passed, and the waters of the Heavenly River shimmered outside the Celestial Interception Hall.

The Eight Immortals and Li Xuan leaned against the guest-pine outside the hall, each holding a chilled jade liquid nectar.

"Uncle-Master, has Master been in retreat for nearly thirteen years now?"

"In the past, Master never retreated for more than three years. He’d either go out on expeditions or guide our cultivation. Such a long period of seclusion is rare indeed."

Li Xuan, wearing a moon white Daoist Robe, appeared more composed than the Eight Immortals:

"Thirteen years is nothing, in the past..."

Before he could finish, Li Xuan suddenly shuddered, raising his head sharply to gaze at the dome of the Celestial Interception Hall, his eyes filled with undisguised joy:

"He succeeded! Brother has succeeded!"

On hearing this, the Eight Immortals’ expressions all changed, and they quickly focused their perception.

Sure enough, the purple mist enveloping the hall suddenly began to churn violently, and myriad visions gradually emerged within the mist.

At times it transformed into vast armies on the battlefield, at others into the vast expanse of stars circling the cosmos, then again into the common scenes and everyday life of the human world.

These were the trademark visions of the Heavenly Immortal stage, the "Heart’s Image Past Heaven"!

"With the emergence of the Heart’s Image Past Heaven, attaining the status of a Heavenly Immortal is a natural progression. Master’s talent is truly unparalleled!"

"Indeed!"

Li Xuan straightened his back, pride evident on his face:

"Brother is now not yet a thousand years old, and he’s already broken through to Heavenly Immortal. This speed is no less compared to those Celestial Kings."

As they chatted, the purple mist of the Celestial Interception Hall suddenly exploded, transforming into a skyful of radiance that shot upwards, causing the waves of the Heavenly River to simultaneously roll back. Countless stars flickered in the sky, forming a splendid star map.

In the midst of the radiance, a figure slowly stepped out, dressed in a purple gold Daoist Robe, his Heavenly Immortal aura as vast as the seas yet perfectly controlled, forming a gentle halo within three feet of himself.

"Congratulations to Master for ascending to Heavenly Immortal!"

"Congratulations to Senior Brother on successfully proving the Dao!"

The Eight Immortals and Li Xuan quickly stepped forward, their voices full of joy.

Chen Sheng raised his hand faintly to signal them to rise, speaking softly: "Rise, minor proficiency in the Dao is unworthy of mention."

With that said, he waved his sleeve, and dozens of gilded invitation cards appeared out of thin air, suspended before them.

The cards were made of shark silk, inscribed with vermillion mixed with divine water from the Heavenly River, the covers imprinted with the seal of the Celestial Interception Hall, glowing with colors:

"Deliver these invitations for me—to the Heavenly River General’s Mansion, to the Jade Pillar Peak of the King of Wenchang... three days later, Celestial Interception Hall will host a banquet in celebration."

The Eight Immortals all accepted the task: "We obey, Master!"

The immortal radiance of the Celestial Interception Hall had not yet fully dissipated when the news of the Heavenly River Marshal ascending to Heavenly Immortal at eight hundred and twenty-three years spread quickly among the Heavenly Immortals.

"At such an age, and with top-level Dao Principles, truly remarkable, definitely possessing the potential of a Celestial King!"

"We must definitely go and make some acquaintances!"

...

Meanwhile, in the White Cloud Immortal Hall.

The Four Great Celestial Immortals of Bright Light gathered once more, seated around the cloud-patterned jade table in the hall, with the other three immortals’ gazes fixed almost tangibly on the White Cloud Celestial Immortal in the main seat.

"Apologies to our fellow Daoist!"

"We ask our fellow Daoist to consider the larger picture!"

The White Cloud Celestial Immortal listened to their words, his expression calm though he couldn’t help but feel a bit troubled within.

In the past years, the child of fortune from White Cloud Observation had suddenly fallen, causing him significant loss, and now he must concede, losing face in the process...

After a long while, he sighed softly: "So be it, a bet is a bet."

...

In a side hall to the main hall, Cold Nether Daoist was sitting cross-legged on an enlightenment cushion, completely unaware of the external changes.

Suddenly, a familiar apparition descended like a celestial canopy, and as Cold Nether Daoist was about to open his eyes, he felt a sharp pain in his sea of consciousness, his vision blacked out, and he completely lost consciousness.

Outside the hall, a stone statue suddenly appeared in the palm of the White Cloud Celestial Immortal, its face lifelike, bearing the likeness of Cold Nether Daoist.

The other three Heavenly Immortals exchanged glances, their expressions unchanged, just nodding slightly:

"Fellow Daoist, since you are so decisive, we shall accompany you on this journey."

"Our four sects have always been united, we will go together!"

Inwardly, the White Cloud Celestial Immortal sneered, these people spoke well, but in reality, all four had to go.

This involved the division of interests in the Mingguang Realm!

Since the opponent had achieved Heavenly Immortal status, they had to actively invite him to the table, otherwise, he could overturn it at any time.

Especially with past grievances involved.

...

Shortly after, within the Celestial Severance Hall, Chen Sheng watched the figures of the Four Great Celestial Immortals disappear into the Cloud Sea, secretly thinking:

"These Heavenly Immortals indeed know how to make choices and compromises."

"Unfortunately, I do not like to compromise!"

Chen Sheng shook his head lightly.

The next moment, a golden light flashed in his palm, revealing a stone statue, and in an instant, it expanded rapidly.

With a "crack," the Profound Ice statue shattered like weathered stone, completely crushing Cold Nether Daoist’s Primordial Spirit, not even causing a ripple.

Chen Sheng’s expression remained unchanged.

To him, Cold Nether Daoist posed no threat, nor was he worth remembering, let alone bearing any animosity.

Not just Cold Nether Daoist, but the Four Great Celestial Immortals before were the same!

They used to visit together to intimidate Chen Sheng, but little did they know, their display seemed to him like rabbits baring their teeth at a tiger.

Chen Sheng readily agreed to their proposal, as in his heart:

"It’s all just some dust, in a few years, it’ll be trivial to brush it away!"

...

"Senior Brother!"

Li Xuan witnessed the arrival of the Four Great Celestial Immortals, now clad in a moon white daoist robe, walked briskly, his face filled with uncontrollable excitement:

"Can our Celestial Severance Sect finally control the Network of Destiny?"

His eyes were full of fervor, the five great immortal sects had long dominated the Network of Destiny, nearly monopolizing the fortune in the Lower Realm.

Now that his senior brother had become a Heavenly Immortal, their sect could finally be one of them.

Chen Sheng spoke calmly:

"Indeed!"

Upon hearing this, Li Xuan grew even more excited: "From now on, there are six great immortal sects! We’re no longer an outlier!"

Chen Sheng glanced at him, letting out a soft snort:

"You’ve already become a Profound Immortal, yet you still care about such things. If you can’t remain calm, head to the Celestial Thunder Hall and seclude yourself for ten years!"

Hearing this, Li Xuan was stunned, but bound by his senior brother’s majesty, he could only lower his head, bending respectfully:

"As you command."

...

In the Jade Pool, shrouded in immortal mist, the millennium Peaches Banquet was finally upon us, the Cloud Stair Jade Road adorned in a dazzling array by immortal officials and generals.

At three quarters past the Hour, celestial music began resonating along the Cloud Stair Jade Road, attended by numerous Immortal Lords, Kings, and Heavenly Immortals stepping in pace with the music.

Chen Sheng, accompanied by Li Xuan, Fu Hai Zi, and others from the Celestial Severance Hall, walked amidst, numerous Heavenly Immortals along the way casting amiable glances.

It wasn’t long before the immortals sat according to their ranks, engaging in lively conversations.

This bustling scene continued for nearly an hour, the Majestic Emperor eventually arrived, fashionably late.

Suddenly, three resounding bell tolls echoed through the Cloud Sea, silencing the once boisterous Jade Pool.

A commanding celestial voice emanated from outside the hall: "The Majestic Emperor has arrived—"

Before the words could fade, a golden pillar of light descended from the sky, piercing through the Jade Pool Hall’s roof.

Within the light, the Majestic Emperor was clad in an imperial robe emblazoned with twelve emblems, a crown with drooping pearls obscuring his face, surrounded by myriad golden rays with each step seeming to weave constellations beneath him.

"Our respects to the Majestic Emperor!"

All the immortals bowed in unison, their voices synchronizing perfectly, causing the peach blossom petals within the hall to flutter down.

"Rise, all of you."

Chen Sheng also sat among them, sipping from a jade cup of Jade Pool Immortal Brew, though his gaze discreetly swept over the Emperor, pondering:

"Is it my imagination? This Emperor appears somewhat different from how I remember!"