Volume 3 - Chapter 326: Supreme Being of the Celestial Palace - Part 2
Feng Leixiang smiled faintly and glanced at the Immortal City in Chu Emperor’s hand, though his expression remained unchanged.
Chu Emperor gave a slight nod and, guided by the other man, slowly followed him through the air.
“The Fengyu Clan is one of the stronger among the Hundred Clans—a race of immortal beasts, skilled in the Dao of Fire and the Dao of Thunder,” said the Great Dream Master in a low voice to Li Hao, his eyes focused on Feng Leixiang.
Li Hao nodded. The Hundred Clans of the True Realm were all formidable, and many had interwoven lineages. For instance, Yin Jingcheng, which they’d encountered before, belonged to the Profound Yin Clan, one of the Six Prime Clans among the Hundred Clans.
These so-called Six Prime Clans were part of the Hundred Clans, but due to their alliance with the Profound Yin Clan, they formed a powerful faction collectively known as the “Six Primes.”
Even the topmost clans needed to form alliances to maintain their long-standing positions. Generations of marriages and mingling had long since tangled their lineages and relationships beyond simple clarity.
“Every time one comes here, one must first pay homage to the Immortal Emperor,” the Great Dream Master said to Li Hao. “This is a rare opportunity. The Immortal Emperor is a true emperor—in comparison, whether it's Chu Emperor or the sovereigns of other ancient immortal dynasties, they are but false emperors in his presence. Just like mortal kings—mere titles within their own dynasties. Once outside their territory, such titles hold no weight.”
“But the Immortal Emperor is recognized by all the heavens. Wherever he travels, the Imperial Dao casts its light across the True Realm. If he so wills it, his imperial procession can be seen from any corner of the realm. It’s truly terrifying.”
Hearing this, Li Hao’s eyes flickered. It was difficult to imagine what sort of awe-inspiring spectacle that must be.
But there was no doubt—the Immortal Emperor was an unshakable presence in the hearts of all.
“To witness the greatest powerhouse of this world, to see the ultimate realm with one’s own eyes—it is a rare privilege. But don’t attempt to gaze upon him directly,” the Great Dream Master added with a smile at the corner of her lips.
Li Hao nodded. Though his own master, the late Tianyang Immortal Emperor, had also reached such heights, that was a tale of the past. What stood before him now was a living, breathing Immortal Emperor.
Before long, the Chu Emperor lifted the Immortal City and followed the Supreme Disciple toward the Celestial Palace.
The palace floated high above the land, like a blazing sun suspended midair, situated at the very center of the continent, occupying the highest point of all.
It resembled a divine sun, radiating dazzling heat and illuminating the entire land.
Though no teleportation was used, they traveled with immense speed through flight. The landscape beneath swept past them like a gust of wind.
In the blink of an eye, the Chu Emperor had led everyone to the front of the Celestial Palace.
This grand palace hung silently in the air, its entrance marked by a staircase stretching nearly ten thousand miles, pristine as white jade. On either side stood silvery Immortal Guards, like drifting silver dust, circling and patrolling like a swarm of bees.
The Chu Emperor’s Dharma Aspect was immense, yet as they neared the Celestial Palace, it began to shrink—from ten thousand feet to a thousand, and finally to just a few dozen feet. The Immortal City in his hand also reduced in size accordingly.
Draped in a black robe, Feng Leixiang stopped at the foot of the stairs. Turning to face Chu Emperor, he extended a hand and said, “Please.”
Chu Emperor understood. This wasn’t his first visit, after all. His expression remained calm, though his brows furrowed ever so slightly. He let the Immortal City fly from his hand, where it expanded above his head. Then the Chaos Ancestral Dragon coiled atop the city let out a deep roar, carrying the imperial family aloft before gently setting them down before the stairs.
Upon hearing the dragon’s roar, Feng Leixiang looked toward him, his eyes offering a calm, wordless reminder.
It was a silent gesture of composure and restraint—a warning not to disturb those within the Celestial Palace.
Sensing the quiet majesty beneath that gaze, the Chaos Ancestral Dragon snorted in dissatisfaction, casting a sidelong glance before turning its body to allow Chu Tianhuang and the others to dismount.
“Off with you, little ones. I can’t carry you here,” the dragon transmitted telepathically to the royal clan.
Understanding the situation, Chu Tianhuang and the others obediently dismounted. None dared ride a dragon into the Celestial Palace.
At the same time, numerous flying vessels and domain artifacts within the Immortal City soared into the air and expanded in size. One by one, figures leapt from within.
“Let’s go,” said the Great Dream Master, stepping from her ship with Li Hao in tow. They advanced toward the Celestial Palace on foot, as was required when paying respects to the Supreme One.
Any form of flight or use of Immortal artifacts was a grave act of disrespect.
Unless one had received special permission from the Celestial Palace, such exceptions were exceedingly rare—limited to direct disciples of the Supreme One, who were free to fly at will.
Soon, all disciples from the various sects and vessels had landed before the jade-like staircase, gathering together.
Li Hao swept his gaze across the crowd and quickly sensed several unfamiliar yet powerful presences. He realized, as the Great Dream Master had mentioned, these were likely the specially nominated disciples from major sects and royal clans—those granted passage beyond the typical thousand candidates.
Yin Jingcheng and Meng Huaiyue, for example, had been nominated by the Great Dream Nine Abysses Sect, counted outside the standard thousand.
As Li Hao glanced around, a few gazes quickly fell upon him. Among them was Lin Qingying. Li Hao smiled at her and offered a subtle look of encouragement.
Seeing Li Hao’s smile, the weariness and silence that had weighed on Lin Qingying during her long journey seemed to dissolve. She returned his smile with radiant warmth.
Their brief moment of connection drew two other gazes toward them—one from among the imperial clan, none other than Chu Yueli.
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