Chapter 1 The Beginning
On the Tian Xuan Continent, in the Pill Sect.
Today was the Pill Sect's once-in-a-century grand lecture, sharing insights on refining high-grade pills.
The lecturer this time was a young seventh-grade alchemist.
Despite her alchemical rank being only seventh-grade, her status within the Pill Sect was exceptionally high; even the Sect Master addressed her as Martial Aunt.
She was a true inheritor of the Pill Sect's Old Ancestor, Wu Ji Zi, and her mastery of alchemy was already incredibly profound.
Although she had only been in the Pill Sect for a few decades, and was barely a hundred years old, still tender as ripe fruit, her alchemy skills were not to be underestimated.
Lu Siyao was on stage, expounding her alchemy insights. Today, she represented the Pill Sect, lecturing to all visiting alchemists.
Most of them were alchemists from the Tian Xuan Continent, with a very small number from the Dark Void Continent and the Grand Underworld Continent.
The Pill Sect's Gate Master, Mu Liangchen, stood directly behind Lu Siyao, looking much like an attendant.
It couldn't be helped. Lu Siyao's status was different now. Not only was she his Martial Aunt, but she also had an unclear relationship with Xia Feng and was deeply favored by their Grand-Martial Uncle.
This grand lecture on insights lasted for three days and three nights. No one left, and no one felt they had heard enough, with everyone hoping Lu Siyao would continue.
"The alchemy insights for this session conclude here. The next Pill Sect lecture will be in another hundred years. I hope everyone makes progress," Lu Siyao said slowly, standing up and addressing everyone after her talk.
"Elder Lu, could you perhaps tell us more?" the crowd below called out enthusiastically.
Lu Siyao's status in the Pill Sect was so high that she had been assigned the position of Elder.
Although it was an honorary position, merely a title, it was fitting for her status.
"I've said all that needs to be said. Go back, study your notes diligently, and comprehend them," Lu Siyao replied.
"Elder Lu, are there any secrets to alchemy? Or perhaps a steadfast conviction?" an alchemist asked.
Hearing the question, Lu Siyao looked up towards the distance and said slowly, "Yes."
Lu Siyao's answer piqued everyone's interest. Someone inquired, "Elder Lu, what is your conviction? Could you share it with us?"
Lu Siyao's eyes firmed as she heard this. Gazing into the distance, she declared loudly, "My conviction is him. He believes in me, and I cannot disappoint him. I must satisfy him."
After Lu Siyao's impassioned declaration, the venue fell into absolute silence.
It was understandable for a young girl to pine for spring. It was just unknown who would be fortunate enough to be the "him" in Lu Siyao's heart.
Lu Siyao was so outstanding; being her partner must surely be a source of immense happiness.
"Elder Lu, I truly feel proud for this male cultivator. He must be very happy," one alchemist mused.
"No, he is my idol. What virtue do I, Lu Siyao, possess to make him happy?" Lu Siyao said, her expression darkening.
Xia Feng had departed decades ago. Whether they would ever meet again in this lifetime was unknown.
"Siyao, didn't I tell you to be confident? You are the most diligent girl I've ever met."
A resonant voice echoed through the entire venue, clearly audible to everyone.
Upon hearing this voice, Lu Siyao's eyes welled up. She called out to the sky, "Big Brother Xia, is that you? Have you returned?"
Lu Siyao felt as if she were dreaming, or perhaps her longing was so deep that her mind was playing tricks.
"Of course."
Immediately after, a figure materialized in the sky, slowly descending towards Lu Siyao.
Xia Feng's two friends in the Immortal Realm were Wu Ji Zi and Lu Siyao. Naturally, he had to visit them upon arriving in the Immortal Realm.
"Big Brother Xia." Lu Siyao, overcome with joy, looked at Xia Feng, who was standing before her as solid as ever, tears of surprise streaming down her face.
"Alright, don't cry. Come and see you and old brother Wu Ji Zi," Xia Feng said with a smile.
Everyone in the audience watched this intriguing scene.
Had the "him" Lu Siyao spoke of returned?
Indeed, he was a young, handsome man. His appearance was impeccable.
But what kind of power did he possess to command such admiration from Lu Siyao?
This was the unspoken thought of every man present.
Before everyone could fully process their shock, Mu Liangchen bowed deeply towards Xia Feng. "Greetings, Immortal Emperor."
Greetings, Immortal Emperor.
The words were not spoken loudly but pierced through the entire venue.
Immortal Emperor?
Everyone forgot to breathe, their hearts racing. Some of the more timid individuals' teeth chattered from fright.
Which Immortal Emperor was it?
Immortal Emperors were supreme beings throughout the entire Immortal Realm, revered and respected by everyone from the bottom of their hearts.
But which Immortal Emperor was this?
Could it be Immortal Emperor Wu Mie?
It certainly wasn't Immortal Emperor Tian Lu, as many people recognized him.
Immortal Emperor Wu Mie had been missing for a long time. Lu Siyao had just said he had returned; could it truly be Immortal Emperor Wu Mie?
"There's no need for formalities," Xia Feng waved his hand and then said to Lu Siyao, "Go find your master for a drink."
With a wave of his hand, Xia Feng took Lu Siyao and flew directly towards the deepest part of the Pill Sect.
Wu Ji Zi had sensed Xia Feng's arrival long ago and was waiting for him at the entrance.
"Old brother, I've come to see you and Siyao," Xia Feng said upon landing, looking at Wu Ji Zi by the entrance.
"Haha... good, come in, let's have a drink," Wu Ji Zi chuckled, his face alight with excitement, and walked inside.
Lu Siyao poured drinks for the two of them. Having not seen each other for a long time, the three drank heartily.
"Big Brother Xia, will you be leaving again this time?" Lu Siyao asked, looking at Xia Feng.
"I have matters to attend to during this visit. I will leave in ten years. When I return next time, if you wish to accompany me, then come with me to Void City," Xia Feng said.
"Okay." Lu Siyao's eyes lit up, and she nodded quickly.
Wu Ji Zi smiled and nodded without speaking. The three drank for three days and three nights before Xia Feng departed.
After bidding farewell to Wu Ji Zi and Lu Siyao, Xia Feng returned directly to Void City.
Void City had undergone a complete transformation after decades of development. The defensive formation on the city walls was personally established by Xia Feng. Without an Immortal Emperor's intervention, it would be extremely difficult to breach.
After all, activating the defensive formation required a continuous supply of immortal stones. Without them, the formation would merely be a decoration.
Xia Feng directly descended above Void City, returning to his residence without a sound.
Finally arriving at Void City, it was time to release everyone.
With a thought from Xia Feng, everyone was summoned from the Eastern Emperor Bell.
Suddenly finding themselves in an unfamiliar environment, everyone felt extremely disoriented.
Was this the Immortal Realm?
Void City had never been prosperous. Even after decades of development, it still looked somewhat meager.
In everyone's minds, the Immortal Realm was like what was depicted in the TV series Journey to the West, where the Monkey King wreaked havoc in Heaven. The Immortal Realm should have been like that.
"Welcome, everyone, to the Immortal Realm. You are not mistaken; this is the Immortal Realm. It might not be what you imagined, but this is indeed the Immortal Realm," Xia Feng said with a smile, explaining to the confused crowd.
Upon hearing this, the crowd felt a sense of disappointment and exclaimed, "Holy crap! This is truly not what we imagined."