It is said that Five Goats City was abuzz with excitement due to the "Tao Master Wedding News" brought by the Immortal Palace, Louship, and Spirit Treasure Immortal Envoy.
The millions of city residents all envied the good fortune of the Li and Jia families, who had practically stumbled upon their Immortal Fate.
Li Sanyu and Jia Qiang were also aware; they knew that the Tao Scholar from years ago had now become an extraordinary True Monarch Immortal.
Although they had an old friendship, they did not plan to exploit the connection.
They just didn't expect Tao Qian to still remember them and specially sent someone to invite them.
The two initially thought that since that was the case, they would go alone to revisit the Tao Scholar, but that female fairy envoy, whose immortal body seemed like a crystal gemstone, also conveyed her master's instructions to bring their families, both for propriety and to bestow some karmic opportunities upon their families.
After hearing this, the two gathered their families and boarded the Louship.
The palace ship, named "Ascending Immortal Boat," was already an extraordinary Immortal Treasure and bore the Spirit Treasure Sect's flag. Traveling from south to north, passing many provinces and various city markets, witnessed by numerous cultivation forces, none dared to cause disturbance and all respectfully sent off the ship.
In just a few hours, both families experienced a celestial perspective.
After crossing the vast sea and passing through the Nine Prisons of Ghosts Wind, they quickly entered the Penglai Sea.
Back then, when Tao Qian arrived, he witnessed "the auspicious hour at Penglai Sea, Ten Thousand Immortals Coming to Biyou Palace." This time, the scenery within this Immortal Realm was even more astonishing and grandiose than during the Spirit Treasure Ten Thousand Immortals event.
Both families leaned over the bow of the ship, taking in the surrounding spectacle.
The Penglai Sea, an immortal hidden realm, naturally had its celestial phenomena, which now shone with auspicious clouds and rainbow-colored glow.
It was bustling as if it was a festival market, the only difference being that in those clouds and colorful lights were gods, immortals, demons, buddhas, devils, ghosts... all sorts of powerful beings seldom seen in the Human World.
The mortals among them became the rarity.
Occasionally curious divine spirits or Daoist or Buddhist practitioners would come to observe them, and knowing they were old friends of Tao Qian, would politely greet them.
Not long after, the Ascending Immortal Boat arrived at Tao Qian's Dao Field, Ascending Immortal Island.
This island was already a rare sight of the Immortal Realm, and now it was even more awe-inspiring.
With the Immortal Island as the core, the whole world had changed its attire—flowers and candles stretched across the sky and soaring auroras, endless colorful clouds, thousands of phoenix birds singing in unison, hundreds of exotic beasts offering congratulations, and a seemingly infinite golden embankment beginning from the Immortal Mountain on the island, extending left and right, connecting numerous Immortal Island Dao Fields.
The embankment appeared to be paved with golden light, on which many fairies and music envoys were playing a celestial melody, extinct in the Mortal World,
Upon hearing it, one would feel as if falling into an Immortal Realm.
Li Sanyu and Jia Qiang, each with their relatives, couldn't help but immerse themselves on the spot.
The other gods, immortals, and divine creatures were somewhat better but also marveled at it. This celestial tune was renowned for its ability to cleanse body and soul, a wondrous experience indeed.
Beside them, the Crystal Clan Immortal Envoy called Zhong Jiao'er spoke up to introduce:
"This piece is called the 'Rainbow Robe Song,' which is the Great Abyss Immortal Sound, personally composed by the Jade Ring Mountain Master, and these fairy music envoys have been sent to perform it, with remarkable spiritual effects."
"No matter what kind of being you are, being able to hear this piece is karmically significant and beneficial."
With these words, the Ascending Immortal Boat landed on the island.
Once the two families disembarked, they were immediately awestruck by the astonishing scene before them.
Tens of thousands of red bridal outfits, dazzling clouds, the entire Immortal Island seemed filled with celebratory feasts, yet none were like the ordinary Mortal World round table feasts.
Each was unique, no two alike.
There was a feast set at the Cloud Cliff Sea Pavilion, mostly occupied by Daoist cultivators of celestial demeanor, engaged in toasting and singing.
There was a feast at the bottom of Dragon Marsh Lake, hosting mainly Water Clan exotic beasts, with dragon beasts in deep cultivation.
The most popular feast was in the splendid Peach Forest. Who doesn't know that Tao Master planted a vast Longevity Peach Forest that extends life? So, within the forest, one could find gods, immortals, demons, buddhas... Some even brazenly begged the Peach Immortals for fruits to taste.
Another feast took place in an Ancient Nuo Cave, filled with Ghost Dao practitioners and strange beings.
These places all hosted feasts, and of course, the two Immortal Mountains, Flame and Ice Pot, on the island were equally lively and filled with joy.
After witnessing so many wonderful sights, Li Sanyu and Jia Qiang thought of telling the fairy envoy that they could simply set them down anywhere, to avoid disturbing some honorable guests.
Zhong Jiao'er, hearing this, merely smiled and crisply said:
"No, no!"
"Young Master has instructed that, being friends, you must sit at the main feast."
With that, she called on several Mermaids to lead the two families to Yunhua Mountain's Spiritual Resonance Cave.
On the way, they saw other splendors like Immortal Pavilion and Pearl Palace, before taking their seat at the celebratory feast within the highest palace hall, Spiritual Resonance Palace. They were again amazed by the other guests inside the hall.
They were, after all, mere mortals, likely unable to perceive the true forms of high-level cultivators.
But earlier, on the Ascending Immortal Boat, Zhong Jiao'er had given both families a cup of Longevity Wine. It was brewed from Longevity Immortal Peaches; drinking it could extend one's life, granting some extraordinary power. Combined with the island's Forbidden Technique, it allowed them to clearly see the other guests.
Although they were just citizens of Southern Yue Province, and not very worldly,
thanks to the influence of Divine Ear Sect and Ting Di Sect, mortals in the seventy-two provinces could now know some of the major figures in the cultivation world.
At this moment, both families were exclaiming in surprise.
Why the astonishment?
They realized that a majority of the significant figures in both the Mortal and Cultivation Worlds had gathered here.
And once seated at the feast, they quickly understood the karmic opportunity Tao Qian had specially prepared for them.
Li Sanyu's family had a young daughter named Li Yinghua, who unexpectedly caught the eye of Shaoqing Sect's contemporary top True Inheritor, Shi Yingqiong.
This female sword fairy, who once wielded her sword across dozens of provinces and slew countless evil cultivators and demons, at a glance perceived that whilst Li Yinghua outwardly appeared as a mortal woman, she indeed possessed the sword bone and an unparalleled sword heart, marking her as an exceptional sword cultivator candidate perfectly suited for entry into her Shaoqing Sect.
Shi Yingqiong's chivalrous reputation was known throughout the world, admired even by those of the Demon Path. Additionally, she was a recognized friend of Tao Qian, making joining her sect a great opportunity—how could the Li Family refuse?
Immediately, the mentor-disciple relation was established.
...
Similarly, Jia Qiang's family encountered an analogous fate, as his eldest daughter, Jia Xiuyue, was favored by "Aunt Jade Rabbit", a relative of Tao Qian at the banquet, who deemed this girl natural and well-suited for the Taiyin Lineage, inviting her to join as a disciple.
Even Tao Qian addressed the Jade Rabbit Fairy as "Aunt", indicating her extraordinary origins. The Taiyin Lineage, akin to Jade Ring Mountain, remained aloof from conflict, seeking only longevity and freedom.
Her offer to accept a pupil was gladly accepted by the Jia Family.
However, Sun Xiaosheng had an innate penchant for seeking amusement; this setback didn't dishearten him. His shimmering golden eyes swept over the scene, appearing curious, as if searching for the next suitable sparring opponent.
Soon, he found someone, pulling Chen Xiyi by the arm, and asked:
"Senior Brother, Senior Brother, that yellow-robed Daoist singing to the drum, with a clear soul and upright nature, impressively divine—is this someone significant?"
Knowing his junior brother's nature and pride, Chen Xiyi, after considering the arrangement by the master, smiled secretly, candidly introducing for Sun Xiaosheng.
"That is Daoist Xu Xun, Master Taixuan. He possesses the Qingwei Dao Body, practices the Yin Yang Dharma Eye, learned from Ma Yi Immortal, and cultivated the Universe in the Sleeve... Though you also have some supernatural powers and mana, facing this Daoist you may suffer a great loss, and within moments be drawn into his sleeve, unable to escape."
"Senior Brother talking nonsense, though that Daoist looks impressive, how could he possibly defeat me, Sun Xiaosheng?"
Sun Xiaosheng spoke thusly, yet, being a naturally peculiar creature with mystical senses, he pondered briefly acknowledging his senior brother spoke true.
Yet he not only remained undaunted, but grew more excited, categorizing Xu Xun as a potential rival.
This golden ape was indeed proud.
In the banquet, besides Xu Xun, although he eyed talents like Yang Jie, Brother Wei, Senior Sister Lu among others with some interest, ultimately he skipped over them.
Before long, his gaze settled on another person, pulling Chen Xiyi asking:
"That Daoist at the cliff amusing with Thunder Spirit and Thunder Python, human-headed, dragon-bodied, and incandescent—holding an oddly shaped appearance, single-handedly occupied a banquet table, exhibiting astonishing demeanor—who is that? I might not best him now, but I should remember his title. When I reach Ultimate Happiness, I aim to win."
Upon hearing, Chen Xiyi glanced and revealed a bitter smile, saying humorously:
"You sure pick well, jumping from peers to pursue senior figures."
"That is none other than Thunder Marsh's master, Thunderbolt True Monarch."
"Behind Thunder Marsh stand numerous Thunder Department Gods, comparable to us Fangcun Mountain."
"Thunderbolt True Monarch ranks among the few notable figures globally, rumored for his quirky temperament. Throughout the cultivation world, few catch his eye—Spirit Treasure Sect's Duobao True Monarch is among them. His presence at the banquet is likely due to the connection with Duobao True Monarch."
"If you challenge him, you'd immediately become charred, even the master couldn't save you."
Sun Xiaosheng delightfully leaped, repeatedly expressing joy, "What a fine senior, a fine True Monarch, mark them, mark them! When I attain Ultimate Happiness, I'll seek them."
Soon after, he identified another person and asked:
"Senior Brother, that gloomy over there, even his teeth black as charcoal, hurts my golden eyes to look at—as if gazing any longer would render me blind—who is that?"
Chen Xiyi looked, momentarily gasping coolly:
"Indeed, any longer and you would be blind—this figure belongs to the Side Door's senior, Medicine Immortal—an expert genuinely practicing Daoist, Buddhist, and Demon paths known for Ancient Poison Path mastery. Even a mere glance can administer lethal venom, within moments you might exhaust blood from all seven orifices, collapse and perish where you stand."
"Medicine Immortal possesses a balance of righteousness and wickedness, disregarding both Twelve Daoist Sects and Buddhist Temples, defying Demon Sects as well, maintaining history only with Duobao True Monarch, attending the banquet likely out of respect for the elder."
Upon hearing this, Sun Xiaosheng grasped the key.
Reflecting privately: among peers, aside from a few including my senior brother, none could withstand me battling. These elder figures carry substantially more illustrious titles—aiming for them one by one would be exhilarating.
With this thought settled!
This mischievous monkey, as if thrilled as a child, clung to Chen Xiyi, gesturing secretly towards each remarkable figure he found.
Hoping his senior brother would introduce all formidable and fearsome figures thoroughly, enabling him to seek them individually for thrilling duels later on.