At the foot of Shangqing Sect.
Wuya sat upright within a pavilion, a faint smile on his face as he leisurely sipped tea.
Beside him, Ghost Elder stood quietly with a furrowed brow, while the imposing A Guang remained with his arms crossed, eyes closed, standing ramrod straight.
Liuguang Bing, Long Qi, Wang Ba, Xun Yihe, and about twenty to thirty others had also gathered near the pavilion, waiting and discussing.
"Could it be that Gu Tianlang is afraid?
Why hasn't he shown his face yet?"
"I'm starting to doubt whether he ran off long ago."
"Run?
That's unlikely. He should still be within the sect. Perhaps he didn't expect so many people to come to denounce him today; maybe he really is scared."
Ghost Elder glanced at him, shaking his head in disappointment. "What kind of person is Monarch Chixiao? In the Ancient Era, he dared to defy even the Nine Heavens Immortal Dao. How could he possibly fear these people?"
"If he isn't afraid, why hasn't he appeared yet?"
Ghost Elder shook his head again. He didn't know the exact reason either, but one thing was clear: Monarch Chixiao would definitely not be absent out of fear.
Just then, a commotion suddenly erupted in the area. Everyone looked over to see a group of several dozen people marching grandly into the grounds. As these dozens approached, disciples from the various major sects hurriedly made way.
These dozens were all nobles of the Immortal Dynasty.
And without exception, they were all Purple Gold Immortal Nobles.
As was well known,
The existence of Purple Gold Immortal Nobles was hailed as the nobles among nobles.
Their status was especially exalted. Even Nine Tribulations Loose Immortals, True Immortals, and even some Upper Immortals dared not act presumptuously before a Purple Gold Immortal Noble.
Because everyone knew that without exception, the identity of any Purple Gold Immortal Noble was extraordinary.
They were either reincarnated great powers.
Or they hailed from legendary lands beyond this world.
And each possessed immense fortune.
In the Present-Ancient Era, a saying was very popular: the prodigies of the Present-Ancient Era divided the world into three parts.
One part belonged to Shangqing Sect's Dragon Gate (the inner sect).
The second part belonged to the Immortal Dynasty's Purple Gold Hall.
The third part belonged to Crimson-Letter Sect's Zixiao Pavilion.
The meaning was that among the heaven-favored prodigies of the Present-Ancient Era, Shangqing Sect's inner disciples occupied one-third, the Immortal Dynasty's Purple Gold Hall occupied one-third, and Crimson-Letter Sect's Zixiao Pavilion occupied one-third.
The Purple Gold Hall was founded by the Third Prince of the Immortal Dynasty. Everyone within the hall was a Purple Gold Immortal Noble, and moreover, each was a heaven-favored prodigy chosen from among ten thousand.
Zixiao Pavilion was famously established by Crimson-Letter Sect's renowned Zixiao King, praised as 'a gentleman like jade upon the field, a peerless master in this world,' and acknowledged as the true master of Crimson-Letter Sect in the Present-Ancient Era. The people within Zixiao Pavilion were also heaven-favored prodigies chosen from among ten thousand.
Now, nearly over thirty Purple Gold Immortal Nobles from the Immortal Dynasty's Purple Gold Hall had arrived.
Their leader was also a person of Great Destiny, a star constellation descended to the mortal realm: Jade Dragon Flying Star.
That's right.
Just like Wuya, he was a person possessing the Great Destiny of a star constellation.
The appearance of this group of Purple Gold Immortal Nobles immediately caused a huge stir. Many knew the Immortal Dynasty would not take action against Monarch Chixiao, so why had they sent so many Purple Gold Immortal Nobles now?
And even Jade Dragon Flying Star, who possessed Great Destiny, had come.
Could it be that the Immortal Dynasty had changed its mind?
Prepared to take action against Monarch Chixiao?
Thinking this, the leaders of the various major sects and great families couldn't help but feel somewhat excited and quickly asked, "Might we inquire, Noble Jade Dragon, what brings you here this time?"
Jade Dragon Flying Star, dressed in a light blue robe, wearing a silver crown, and holding a jade fan, looked quite elegant. He smiled faintly and said, "It's nothing important. We're just here to watch the spectacle."
"Watch the spectacle?"
Everyone was somewhat puzzled.
"Do not misunderstand, everyone. We have come this time not representing the Immortal Dynasty, but only as individuals."
Jade Dragon Flying Star walked forward slowly, speaking softly. "I have long admired Monarch Chixiao. Hearing he has returned, I simply wished to witness him for myself. That is all."
Hearing Jade Dragon Flying Star say they did not represent the Immortal Dynasty, the excited leaders of the major sects felt rather disappointed. On reflection, it made sense; if the Immortal Dynasty had truly changed its mind to sanction Monarch Chixiao, they wouldn't have sent just over thirty Purple Gold Immortal Nobles.
Though somewhat disappointed, the major sects were still pleased with the arrival of Jade Dragon Flying Star and the others. After all, they were over thirty Purple Gold Nobles of the Immortal Dynasty. Their presence was better than nothing. Moreover, while these over thirty Purple Gold Immortal Nobles claimed they were just here to watch the spectacle, that was likely just talk. Their purpose in coming was definitely not merely to watch the show.
"Heh, Brother Jade Dragon, what refined interest. Traveling a thousand miles, could it really be just to join in the spectacle?"
Suddenly!
A gentle voice came through.
Everyone looked over to see another group of several dozen people arriving grandly from mid-air.
These dozens were each imposing and majestic, every one a True Immortal, every one possessing unique and immense fortune.
Seeing these people, another commotion arose in the area.
Because the newcomers were none other than Crimson-Letter Sect's Zixiao Pavilion.
Their leader was also a renowned heaven-favored prodigy of the Present-Ancient Era: Wan Huayu.
Like Wuya and Jade Dragon Flying Star, he too was a star constellation descended to the mortal realm, possessing Great Destiny.
Good heavens.
Whether it was Shangqing Sect's inner sect, the Immortal Dynasty's Purple Gold Hall, or Crimson-Letter Sect's Zixiao Pavilion, each contained heaven-favored prodigies who dominated the Present-Ancient Era. Each was a leading figure among the younger generation of their respective great families. Usually, seeing even one was very difficult, yet today so many had come at once.
There were twenty to thirty from Shangqing Sect's inner sect.
Over thirty had come from the Immortal Dynasty's Purple Gold Hall.
Now, over twenty had also come from Crimson-Letter Sect's Zixiao Pavilion.
Even more terrifying was that three star constellation prodigies possessing Great Destiny had actually come.
If the over thirty Purple Gold Immortal Nobles from the Immortal Dynasty's Purple Gold Hall said they came to watch the spectacle, then what was the purpose of these people from Crimson-Letter Sect's Zixiao Pavilion?
Unclear.
No one knew.
"Hahaha!
So it's Brother Wan."
Jade Dragon Flying Star placed his hands behind his back, smiling faintly as he watched Wan Huayu flying toward them from the sky. "Might I ask, Brother Wan, what brings you here this time?"
"The same as Brother Jade Dragon."
The thirty-some people from Crimson-Letter Sect's Zixiao Pavilion arrived instantly, appearing in the area. Wan Huayu's figure was relatively tall, and as he appeared, he seemed to look down upon Jade Dragon Flying Star, a spring-breeze-like smile also hanging at the corner of his mouth. "Also here to join the spectacle."
"Oh?
What a coincidence indeed."
Jade Dragon Flying Star said lightly, "However, as people of Crimson-Letter Sect, now that the true Monarch Chixiao has returned, why hasn't Zixiao King come personally to pay his respects?"
"There are many in the world who call themselves Monarch Chixiao. Must my elder brother Zixiao come to pay respects every time a Monarch Chixiao appears?"
"This one sounds like the real deal."
"That's only what it sounds like. How would Brother Jade Dragon know whether it's true or false?"
Jade Dragon Flying Star shrugged, neither affirming nor denying.
"Moreover, even if it were the true Monarch Chixiao, my elder brother Zixiao would not come to pay his respects."
"Oh?
And why is that?"
Wan Huayu smiled. "Chixiao Sect is Chixiao Sect, Crimson-Letter Sect is Crimson-Letter Sect. Chixiao Sect was founded by Monarch Chixiao, while Crimson-Letter Sect achieved its present-day status under the leadership of my elder brother Zixiao."
Wan Huayu's words seemed not directed at Jade Dragon Flying Star alone, but more like they were meant for everyone present to hear.