The group of four had just arrived outside the protective array of Radiant Lake Palace when the formation opened wide, revealing a pale golden staircase that led straight to the palace atop the mountain.
"Welcome to Radiant Lake Palace, honored guests from Cauldron Haven, led by Joe Di, invited to attend the Immortal Fruit Banquet!" a young attendant called out in a sharp voice.
Joe Di sneered. With their status, even if Nate Shee himself came to greet them, it would be appropriate. Yet Nate Shee had sent only a young attendant, and that was bad enough—the attendant even referred to them merely as Joe Di’s group, ignoring Sam Shen, Yin Wushang, and Zhong Ao entirely. Zhong Ao’s origins were mysterious, but both Sam Shen and Yin Wushang held positions far higher than Joe Di, and yet not a word was mentioned of them.
Without hesitation, Joe Di stepped onto the golden staircase. As he set foot on the first step, a banner of fire-elemental law was woven into existence.
With each subsequent step, Joe Di would construct one or two more banners of law. No matter how beautiful Radiant Lake Palace once was, after today, if he did not destroy it, he would never be at ease.
The golden staircase crossed over Radiant Lake and ended at the entrance of a grand hall atop the mountain.
After the four walked the length of the golden staircase, Joe Di had already set up an eighth-level Explosive Law Immortal Array.
Even as they reached the grand hall’s entrance, Joe Di continued constructing banners of law.
"Haha, I thought Alchemist Di would remain in seclusion. I never expected Alchemist Di to dare come to Radiant Lake Palace—truly impressive, truly impressive." As Joe Di and his companions entered the hall, a voice rang out, dripping with sarcasm.
Joe Di saw the speaker—undoubtedly another Immortal Emperor, though he did not recognize him. Judging from the dense fire-elemental law surrounding the man, Joe Di guessed he cultivated a fire-based technique.
"Is this your partner's private bathhouse? Only your partner and certain people can come here?" Joe Di didn't care whether the other was an Immortal Emperor or not; he shot back directly.
The Immortal Emperor was furious, but after Joe Di's retort, Joe Di ignored him completely. At this moment, the Immortal Emperor couldn't make a move either.
Joe Di's gaze fell upon a calm, unhurried middle-aged man approaching. The man carried an unsheathed long sword on his back, sword aura swirling around him. His cultivation was clearly above the seventh level of Immortal Emperor—yet another top powerhouse.
"Zhou Bujian of the Moving Sword Immortal Sect greets Emperor Dan Di. Years ago, I visited Cauldron Haven Immortal City to pay my respects, but sadly, we only met briefly. To see Emperor Dan Di here at Radiant Lake Palace is truly a joy beyond words." The middle-aged man stepped before Joe Di and clasped his fists, his delight unmistakable.
The title 'Emperor Dan Di' was spread by Yin Wushang, whose word carried great credibility. Even if Joe Di was no longer an Emperor Dan, most people still believed he truly was an Immortal Emperor of Alchemy.
Joe Di realized this man was the sect master Zhou Bujian of the Moving Sword Immortal Sect, one of the five great sects of the Color Mirage Immortal Continent.
Not long ago, three of the five sect masters from the Color Mirage Immortal Continent—Xie Wanleng, Yue Wuliang, and Xiling Yuanyi—came to Cauldron Haven Immortal City to cause trouble for him. He gravely wounded two and killed one. He hadn't expected to meet Zhou Bujian, another of the five sect masters, here.
Before Joe Di could respond, a hearty laugh rang out. "Haha, it's fortunate Sect Master Zhou never met Emperor Dan Di. Previously, Xie Wanleng of Star Demon Palace, Xiling Yuanyi of Bu Zhou Immortal Sect, and Yue Wuliang of Tianyun Dao went searching for Emperor Dan Di, but they returned disappointed. Xie and Yue were gravely wounded, and Xiling is gone forever—we'll never witness his stunning spear again."
The speaker wore a tall crown and a long purple robe.
Joe Di instantly recognized this must be Ye Xi. He sized Ye Xi up and asked with a puzzled look, "And who might you be?"
Ye Xi replied calmly, "I am Emperor Ye Xi. It's only natural that Emperor Dan Di wouldn't recognize me."
Joe Di nodded, "Oh, so that's you. Not bad, you knew I was in a bad mood last time, so you didn't come over."
Zhou Bujian was already greeting Chen Zishun and Yin Wushang. Though his main purpose was to find Joe Di, Yin Wushang's reputation far surpassed his own.
After speaking, Joe Di turned to Zhou Bujian and clasped his fists. "Sect Master Zhou, when you came looking for me last time, a few dogs happened to show up in Cauldron Haven. At that time, I hadn't yet mastered my dog-slaying blade, so I had to leave the city temporarily."
Zhou Bujian was clearly a sword fanatic and paid no mind to Joe Di's veiled sarcasm. He replied excitedly, "Emperor Dan Di, I drank your starry sky tea—it's truly extraordinary. Within it, I found a hint of sword dao, a sense of the vastness of the cosmos, and something I can't quite grasp. I believe if I can perceive that elusive quality, my sword dao will reach a new height. Unfortunately, I have no more starry sky tea..."
"If Sect Master Zhou wants starry sky tea, that's simple enough—I still have some." Joe Di laughed heartily. Although Zhou Bujian was one of the five great sect masters of the Color Mirage Immortal Continent, in Joe Di's eyes, his character was completely different from that of Yue Wuliang and the others.
Zhou Bujian hurriedly said, "I'm not asking for starry sky tea; I know how precious it is. What I want is to ask you, Daoist Di, about that elusive quality I couldn't perceive—what is it?"
"Sect Master Zhou, you may be disappointed. I heard Emperor Dan Di's cultivation just recently reached Immortal King. However, his array skills are formidable—even Xiling Yuanyi's array mastery pales in comparison." Another voice interjected.
This was clearly a jab at Joe Di's supposedly low cultivation. The rumors about him killing several Immortal Emperors and a group of Immortal Lords in Cauldron Haven were attributed to his arrays, not his own strength.
As soon as Joe Di saw the newcomer, he knew this must be a top lightning law expert—another Immortal Emperor.
Since he had come here, it was clear he was Ye Xi's guest. It was no surprise that Ye Xi's guest would target him.
"So it's Daoist Jie Di, Elder of Thunder Sun Sect. The fact that Emperor Dan Di can brew starry sky tea is proof enough of his dao—perhaps even greater than ours." Zhou Bujian greeted respectfully. He had come seeking Joe Di, but wouldn't join in Jie Di's criticism.
This chapter isn't finished yet ^.^, please click next page to continue reading!
"I think Elder Jie is mistaken. In cultivation, every dao is a part of the Great Dao. Emperor Dan Di's mastery of arrays proves his status." A clear, crisp voice rang out.
Joe Di's eyes lit up—sometimes beauty truly was a feast for the eyes.
Not only was the newcomer beautiful, she was the epitome of beauty—and there were two of them.
Zhou Bujian quickly introduced them, "Emperor Dan Di, this is Snowmelt Immortal Emperor Mo Lousnow from Yaohua Snow Mountain of the Color Mirage Immortal Continent. Beside her is her proud disciple Ai Qingbing, who has fully inherited her teachings and has limitless potential."
If Snowmelt Immortal Emperor was the epitome of beauty, then Ai Qingbing beside her had surpassed her master. Standing there, she seemed as if she might drift away with the wind—like a figure out of an immortal scroll, truly breathtaking.
"Greetings to Daoist Yin, Guildmaster Chen, Daoist Zhong, Emperor Dan Di..." Snowmelt Immortal Emperor was exceedingly courteous, clasping her fists to greet nearly everyone around Joe Di.
Aside from Zhong Ao, who couldn't be bothered to speak, Yin Wushang and Chen Zishun quickly returned the greeting.
Joe Di also clasped his fists politely, "Greetings, Daoist Mo, Daoist Ai."
Zhou Bujian said enviously, "Junior Sister Mo, I truly envy you. Qingbing reached the third level of Immortal King in just a few short years—she's only a step away from mid-stage Immortal King. Her talent is the greatest I've ever seen."
Just as Snowmelt Immortal Emperor was about to respond modestly, Jie Di of Thunder Sun Sect laughed, "When it comes to talent, I'm afraid no one can compare to Emperor Dan Di. I heard that twenty years ago, when Emperor Dan Di first arrived at Cauldron Haven, he was only at the first level of Immortal Lord. How many years has it been? Now he's an Immortal King. Remarkable, truly remarkable."
Jie Di was clearly hinting that Joe Di possessed a great secret. But his words were so shocking that, regardless of how long Joe Di had actually cultivated, everyone's attention turned to him.
In just twenty short years, he had gone from first-level Immortal Lord to Immortal King—how heaven-defying was that?
Ai Qingbing stared at Joe Di in astonishment. She had always prided herself on her talent. Since beginning her cultivation, she'd never heard of anyone advancing faster than herself—until today.
Joe Di looked coldly at Jie Di. "Back when your Thunder Sun Sect attacked my abode, I was just about to pay your sect a visit. I didn't expect you'd dare to show yourself now."
Jie Di showed no fear at Joe Di's threat and replied calmly, "I know Emperor Dan Di is quick to kill sect masters, but my Thunder Sun Sect is not easily intimidated. Even if one of our disciples accidentally triggered your abode's array, we can only hope for your understanding."
Today, Joe Di was certain to die—so why bother with courtesy?
Joe Di chuckled, "That's good to hear. If it was just an accident with the array, I can let it go. By the way, Palace Master Ye, what do you think of his words?"
Ye Xi laughed, "There's reason in both sides... Everyone, please enter Radiant Lake. Let's drink tea and discuss further. Today, all the powerful figures from the various immortal continents have gathered at my Radiant Lake Palace—it's the perfect time for an Immortal Exchange."
(Today's update ends here. Good night, friends! By the way, I'm heading to Nanjing tonight and will be on the road all day tomorrow, so updates may be unstable or delayed. I'll do my best to keep up if I have time.)