The lands of the Vast Sea, though mysterious to cultivators on the mainland, were no longer so for Linglong, the young mistress of the Vast Sea Sect. She had been making frequent appearances, and many cultivators recognized her as a true disciple of the sect.
However, unlike those stunned by Linglong's beauty, the ascendants from the other Nine Great Sects regarded her with surprise and astonishment.
"Is this the youngest daughter of that Vast Sea Dragon Lady? Wasn't it said her cultivation had gone awry, and she'd never achieve ascension?"
"Indeed. That Dragon Lady even sought help from the Green Tincture Valley, asking the Medical Immortal for aid, but ultimately returned empty-handed."
"Furthermore, this Dragon Girl's origins are mysterious. Even our Dao Xuan Sect has been unable to divine her past. Yet, judging by her true dragon bloodline, she is indeed the Dragon Lady's offspring."
"Hmph, you only know half the story. This Dragon Girl's hope for ascension was dashed because she lacked the true dragon's essence but was forced to undergo the true dragon's tribulation! That was her path to death!"
"However, despite the Dragon Lady's previous desperate attempts to resolve her daughter's issue, this Dragon Girl has now achieved ascension. It's likely related to the great treasure that appeared a few days ago!"
As the Dharma Bodies conversed, their gazes grew more covetous. All signs pointed to the Vast Sea Sect having recently acquired immense fortune!
But treasures of the world belong to the virtuous. The Vast Sea Sect might not be the virtuous ones!
Amidst the exchange of divine senses among the Dharma Bodies and ascendants, everyone harbored ulterior motives regarding the upcoming ceremony. The Vast Sea Sect's isolation overseas was a result of various factors. Yet, now, with at least several ascendants and at least one Dharma Body from each of the other Nine Great Sects, as well as from top immortal dynasties like Great Zhen, present, the Vast Sea Sect dared to flaunt its wealth. This was truly a path to destruction!
When the Old Dragon King held his succession ceremony back then, he had proclaimed it to all ascendants to witness. He was a true dragon in the late stage of ascension, his power unmatched, forcing everyone to bow before him. If the Dragon Lady truly believed her mastery of formations could trap so many Dharma Bodies and true immortals, she was greatly overestimating herself!
Within the interchanging divine vessels, atop the pavilion representing the Four Seasons Society, Mei Yingxue gazed at the peerless young girl in the air with a complex expression. "A child the same age as my daughter. I hope you are truly prepared. Otherwise, today's ceremony might not end well..."
Not far from Mei Yingxue, Gong Xiaoyan, clad in a red robe, glared at Linglong in the air with palpable hostility. "Did she collude with Miao Yu to snatch my Luo Xian away?! Hmph, since she's also ascended, I'll have to properly challenge her during the ceremony!"
Gong Xiaoyan raised her palm, and four-colored spiritual energy swirled within it, as if embodying the mysteries of the changing seasons.
Mei Yingxue frowned upon hearing this. "Yan'er, that Dragon Girl and Miao Yu had a fair transaction. There's no need for you to be like this!"
Gong Xiaoyan shook her head resolutely. "Mother! Back then, I lacked the strength and could only watch helplessly as Luo Xian was taken by another!"
"Now, I am also an ascendant! And a true disciple of the Four Seasons Society! I want to contend! This is my Dao heart!"
Mei Yingxue could only fall silent upon hearing this. Ascendant cultivators placed great importance on cultivating the heart and visualization, which were fundamental to controlling immortal essence and advancing their cultivation. However, her daughter's Dao heart was fixated on that man. Whether it would lead to a good affinity or a karmic entanglement remained to be seen!
Regardless of the secret schemes of the Dharma Bodies and ascendants, or the yearning of the Dao Path cultivators for the nascent small world, at this moment, everyone chose to wait quietly for Linglong's arrangements.
Linglong surveyed the over ten thousand cultivators before her, including Dharma Body limit powerhouses like her own mother. Yet, Linglong felt no unease or worry.
The Vast Sea Dragon Girl bowed slightly to the assembled cultivators, then turned to manipulate the Vast Sea Sky Curtain behind her, continuing to open it. The gate-like opening at the edge of the sky curtain grew larger under Linglong's control. The spiritual energy seeping from within the sky curtain showed no signs of thinning.
Cultivators well-versed in spiritual energy and pocket dimensions could barely suppress their astonishment. They couldn't fathom the immense disparity in spiritual energy between the inside and outside that could create such lingering spiritual mist.
Everyone waited with utmost patience, remaining motionless, quietly anticipating the Dragon Girl leading them into a realm of immortals. Whether they would honestly celebrate the ceremony upon entering or begin discussing who the treasures belonged to would depend on the Dragon Lady's strength!
However, compared to the soon-to-be-opened small world, one person was more interested in another matter!
"Hey!!"
A war chariot, burning with blood and fire, gracefully ascended from the sea. Qi Sha, covered in blood-red armor, did not wait. Instead, holding his halberd, he flew towards Linglong! The crimson battle pupils beneath his monstrous mask were filled with fighting spirit as he looked at Linglong, who was opening the sky curtain.
"You are a true disciple of the Vast Sea, aren't you! I never expected it. Master misjudged; you actually managed to ascend?!"
Seeing Qi Sha charging aggressively, Linglong frowned, about to speak.
However, Qi Sha, believing he had already announced himself and thus not engaging in a sneak attack, swung his battle halberd directly.
"Hahaha!! I've long heard that the True Dragon Physique is unparalleled, and upon ascension, one can transform into an Immortal Dragon!"
"Come, come! Let's have a fight!!!"
Boom!!!
With a swing of Qi Sha's bronze halberd!
In an instant, three thousand zhang of crimson immortal light erupted from the sea, surging towards the Vast Sea Dragon Girl in the air.
"This guy... he wasn't using his full strength when fighting me?!" Ye Aohan, who had already entered the Divine Vessel of the Water Immortal Sect, murmured with resentment, gazing at the crimson immortal light that obscured half the sky.
The peripheral ascendants previously driven away by Qi Sha inwardly exclaimed at his monstrous power. Such a potent immortal essence attack was rarely seen among those who ascended through the rainbow path; it was likely only Dharma Bodies could sustain such expenditure. They truly wondered how this demonic sect brat had cultivated!
Yet, not everyone chose to stand by.
"How dare you, you brat!!!" Mei Yingxue's heart leaped in alarm. With a shout, she drew the long sword at her waist, ready to activate her Dharma Body to block the attack. She cherished the sisterly bond between Miao Yu and Linglong and could not bear to watch Linglong be slain before her eyes.
However, the Divine Vessel of the Dao Xuan Sect had moved to the front of the Four Seasons Society at some unknown time. As Mei Yingxue attempted to draw her sword, an oppressive immortal might descended directly from the Dao Xuan Sect's divine vessel!
"Fairy Mei, this old man believes we should not interfere in matters between the younger generation!"