Dao Domain, Immeasura Palace.
Perhaps many of the younger cultivators in the Dao Domain do not know where Immeasura Palace is, nor do they realize its true power. But among the older generation, there are few who are unaware of Immeasura Palace.
In the Dao Domain, aside from the five top-tier sects—Origin Dao Sect, Purelight Sect, Great Buddha Mountain, and others—there also exist three colossal powers.
These three giants are the Dao Domain's Three Supreme Hidden Sects: Cloudveil Hall, whose Palace Lord Albert Lan is rumored to be on the verge of reaching the Dao Fusion Realm; Immeasura Palace; and Blackfrost Hall—collectively known as the 'Two Palaces and One Hall'.
Even though Albert Lan of Cloudveil Hall is said to be on the brink of Dao Fusion, among the Two Palaces and One Hall, Cloudveil Hall is considered the weakest.
Many people do not know this, for even Cloudveil Hall rarely interacts with the world. As for Immeasura Palace and Blackfrost Hall, their appearances are even rarer.
But today, Immeasura Palace is bustling with activity. After years of silence, it seems ready to declare to all sects and cultivators in the Dao Domain that Immeasura Palace remains the foremost sect. No matter how long it has remained hidden, this fact does not change.
At this moment, whether they know of Immeasura Palace or not, whether they are major sects or minor ones, all have sent their most lavish delegations to congratulate Immeasura Palace.
There is only one reason: the new Palace Lord of Immeasura Palace, Fubu Wen, has truly achieved Dao Fusion, becoming an undisputed Dao Fusion Sovereign in the Dao Domain. News of this accomplishment spread instantly throughout the domain, accompanied by the announcement that, during the Dao Fusion Ceremony, Fubu Wen will investigate the disappearance of his father, the former Palace Lord Fuling Qiong.
For various reasons, the Dao Domain has not seen a new Dao Fusion cultivator emerge in recent years. Even though rumors claim Purelight Sect has a Dao Fusion expert, when the sect was threatened, it was only said that the expert intervened briefly—no one actually saw her appear.
Now that Immeasura Palace has produced a Dao Fusion expert, who would dare not attend?
At this moment, in the most luxurious chamber of Immeasura Palace, a flat-nosed young man calmly addressed the refined woman before him. "Nora Xiu, I will not force you. You have three days to consider. These three days coincide with my Dao Fusion celebration. I hope that after three days, you will come to understand and agree to marry me. I will show you that marrying me will make you the luckiest woman in the world."
To be honest, this young man was rather unattractive—his long face and flat nose, with two steep, inverted-brow lines above, immediately gave the impression of a volatile temperament.
Despite his plain looks, the woman seated beside him was exceptionally beautiful. She seemed unfazed by his words, her attention wholly focused on the young man.
The refined woman before him was indeed Nora Xiu, though her cultivation was now at the mid-stage of Dao Forging.
Nora Xiu looked calmly at the flat-nosed youth, softening her tone as much as possible. "Immeasura Palace Lord, I am but a minor Dao Forging cultivator. There are many women more beautiful than me at your side, and I already have a husband. It is absolutely impossible for me to marry you."
Clearly, this flat-nosed youth was none other than Fubu Wen, who had recently stepped into the Dao Fusion Realm as the Palace Lord of Immeasura Palace.
Upon hearing Nora Xiu's words, Fubu Wen burst into laughter. "We cultivators need not be bound by such trivialities! You said your Dao partner was someone you met in the cultivation world; perhaps by now, his lifespan has already run out. Besides, do you know how many Dao Fusion cultivators exist in our Dao Domain? Let me tell you: in hundreds of thousands of years, not a single new Dao Fusion expert has appeared—except for me."
What's more, marrying into Immeasura Palace would be your great fortune. Our ancestor was the Immeasura Palace Lord, whose Dao mastery was unrivaled. With the Nirvana Mirror, she traversed countless voids and surely surpassed Dao Fusion by now. With Immeasura Palace's foundation and resources, your cultivation speed would multiply many times over.
Fubu Wen's temper was always extremely volatile. The reason he was so patient today, not daring to force Nora Xiu in the slightest, was because he knew just how important she was.
He had spent countless years in seclusion, unable to break through to the Genesis Realm. Yet while Nora Xiu cultivated, he sensed the clarity of the world's laws, and with that, he stepped into Dao Fusion in a single leap. If Nora Xiu became his Dao partner and he cultivated by her side, how rapid would his progress be?
Nora Xiu definitely harbored a great secret, likely stemming from her cultivation method. In Fubu Wen's eyes, this method had already surpassed the Dao Domain's level.
Others cultivate by striving to connect with the laws of heaven and earth, seeking enlightenment. But when Nora Xiu cultivates, the surrounding laws themselves become clearer—how terrifying is that?
It was precisely for this reason that he could be so patient.
"Sister Xiu, the Palace Lord truly has your best interests at heart. Resources in the Dao Domain are scarce; if you continue searching on your own, you might never advance beyond the first step," said the stunning woman beside Fubu Wen, her tone gentle and coaxing.
Fubu Wen's face darkened. "Manna Zhen, from now on, you must address Xiu as 'elder sister'. No more disrespect."
Manna Zhen quickly replied, "Yes, Wen, Sister Xiu."
"Your name is Manna Zhen?" Nora Xiu suddenly fixed her gaze on Manna Zhen and asked.
Manna Zhen nodded. "That's right, my name is Manna Zhen. Why? Have you heard of me?"
Nora Xiu shook her head. "No, I haven't heard of you. It's just that I have a friend with the same surname, so your name reminded me of her."
Manna Zhen blinked her innocent, beautiful eyes at Nora Xiu, seemingly puzzled by her words.
Of course Nora Xiu knew the name Manna Zhen. Her husband, Joe Di, had once told her about a woman named Manna Zhen—he had loved her, which had brought him much suffering. In the vast universe, there must be countless women named Manna Zhen. Nora Xiu did not press further about her background, but she had a hunch that this was the very woman Joe Di had spoken of.
Nora Xiu steadied her emotions and said, "Palace Lord, I have decided to think it over. Perhaps I can give you an answer before three days are up."
"Hahaha..." Fubu Wen laughed heartily and stood up. "Good, that's how it should be. As cultivators, we should be decisive, not hesitate. I'll go greet the guests. When you've made up your mind, come find me anytime. In Immeasura Palace, aside from me, you will be the most honored."
With that, Fubu Wen turned and left. Manna Zhen rose, a flash of jealousy and discomfort passing through her eyes before vanishing completely. She then followed Fubu Wen out of the luxurious chamber.
Nora Xiu watched their retreating figures, feeling utterly calm. She had a vague sense of the reason: in terms of beauty, she was not much superior to Manna Zhen; in cultivation, she was inferior. Moreover, she had already married. The only reason the Palace Lord coveted her was because she cultivated the Rule Cycle.
She was well aware of the power and terror of the Rule Cycle. Thanks to Joe Di, who had taught her the Starry Sky Art and helped her develop the starry meridian, her cultivation speed was already astonishing. Ordinary cultivators could not compare to her at all.
Still, after reaching the Celestial Immortal Realm, she did not hesitate to switch to the Rule Cycle that Joe Di had engraved in her sea of consciousness. There was only one reason: Joe Di also cultivated the Rule Cycle.
It was only after she began cultivating the Rule Cycle that she realized how slow the Starry Sky Art truly was. Thanks to the Rule Cycle, she had been able to reach the Dao Domain in such a short time.
For Fubu Wen to expect her to remarry was pure fantasy. She had long decided that, if it came to her death, she would burn her soul to send a message to Joe Di. As his closest companion, Joe Di would surely sense it.
Even if Joe Di's whereabouts were unknown, she was certain his cultivation far surpassed hers. Everything she had was taught by Joe Di. She had reached Dao Forging, so how could Joe Di be any less? One day, Joe Di would avenge her.