Volume One: The Lich Cataclysm Chapter 123: The Celestial Banquet, Emperor Jun's Invitation

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“Ten inferior innate spiritual roots from the Purple Mansion Continent of the Eastern Sea!”

...

“Five innate spiritual herbs from the Red Cloud Cave, courtesy of Master Hongyun!”

“Five medium-grade innate spiritual roots from Great Immortal Zhenyuan at Five Villages Temple on Longevity Mountain!”

“Four Dao Pills, forty Nine-Turn Golden Pills, and four hundred Golden Pills from Dao Sovereign Qingxuan of Buzhou Mountain!”

Upon hearing the gifts presented by Buzhou Mountain, many quickly turned their gaze toward the entrance of the hall, discovering that the arrivals were merely Ao Qing and Geng Ning, two young attendants. Following behind them were Xue Mei and three others.

Only now did many realize that these unfamiliar figures, Xue Mei and her companions, were all at the level of Grand Luo Golden Immortals. Moreover, the aura they radiated was far from ordinary; they were clearly not common Grand Luo Golden Immortals.

This piqued the curiosity of many regarding Buzhou Mountain, and as for Ao Qing and Geng Ning, the two attendants, none could perceive their depths. Xue Mei and the others merely followed closely behind, their demeanor evidently placing the two attendants in the lead.

“Dao Pills! What kind of elixir could that be? And so many Nine-Turn Golden Pills as well.”

Many now cast their eyes towards the Supreme Elder of the Primordial Purity, some sympathetic, others gloating, each with their own thoughts.

Yet the Supreme Elder paid no mind to these gazes, sitting serenely as if wholly unconcerned.

“The Wu Tribe of Buzhou Mountain presents ten medium-grade innate spiritual herbs and countless innate spiritual fruits!”

As the ceremonial announcement echoed, a number of burly men and sturdy women strode boldly into the grand hall.

“The Wu Tribe—just who are they?”

“The Wu Tribe, yes. I’ve heard they’re quite mysterious. But if you mention the Four Seasons Deities, you must have heard of them! It’s said they are among the ancestral deities of the Wu Tribe.”

“So that means there are many ancestral deities in the Wu Tribe?”

“Twelve in total! What did you expect? They’ve appeared in the prehistoric era before, even helped organize the western lands. Each is powerfully formidable, though for some reason, they rarely show themselves in the wilderness.”

Just then, another ceremonial announcement rang out in the hall.

“Ancient Starry Sky: Lady Taiyin presents five superior innate spiritual herbs and twenty medium-grade innate spiritual herbs.”

With the announcement, Lady Xihe, clad in plain robes, entered gracefully, followed by several Star Gods.

“Western Mount Sumeru: Master Jieyin and Master Zhunti present five pieces of innate spiritual materials and five innate Bodhi seeds!”

After the ceremony concluded, Zhunti, wearing a bitter expression, turned to Jieyin and spoke.

“Ah, Senior Brother, the West is poor—unable to bring anything noteworthy, we can only offer these gifts!”

Having said this, Zhunti’s eyes sparkled as he pulled Jieyin to find a seat.

Seeing the spiritual fruits and nectar set upon the table, he sighed with regret.

“Ah, Senior Brother, look at all these things—no one’s eating them. We should take some back to improve life for our disciples!”

Jieyin made no reply to such words. Instead, countless mighty beings in the hall wished they could hide themselves, ashamed to be seated alongside such people.

As the hall grew noisy, a loud voice suddenly rang out.

“The Heavenly Emperor arrives!”

And so, countless mighty ones saw Emperor Jun, Taiyi, Fuxi, and others, leading a host of demon clan members, enter.

Emperor Jun was clad in imperial robes of purple and gold, which made him appear especially dignified and noble.

With their arrival, many turned their gaze, yet among them, the Three Pure Ones and all members of the Wu Tribe paid no heed whatsoever, instead sitting quietly or conversing amongst themselves.

“Honored guests, all of you are rare mighty beings of the wilderness—thank you for gracing the Heavenly Court’s celebration! Today, as we are all gathered here—”

“Your Majesty!”

Emperor Jun was interrupted by Bai Ze, standing behind him.

“Strategist, is there something you wish to say?”

Emperor Jun looked at Bai Ze.

“Your Majesty, with all these mighty beings here to celebrate the Heavenly Court, discussing other matters seems inappropriate.”

Bai Ze stepped forward and spoke quietly with Emperor Jun, but every attendee, being supremely powerful, heard their words clearly.

Those with understanding knew this had long been premeditated.

Indeed, Emperor Jun, displeased, replied,

“What’s inappropriate? You tell me! The emergence of the Heavenly Court is due to the lack of order in the wilderness, and I am perfectly suited for this role. Nearly all the mighty beings of the wilderness are gathered here—now is the ideal moment!”

With this, Emperor Jun ignored Bai Ze and instead looked ambitiously at the multitude of mighty ones.

Most of the wilderness’s mighty beings were Grand Luo Golden Immortals; those at the level of Hunyuan Golden Immortal were either in seclusion or disdained the affairs of the Heavenly Court.

“Big Brother, it looks like Emperor Jun is planning something big! Are we just going to let her flaunt herself?”

Yu Qing watched Emperor Jun speak, and the three brothers quietly communicated among themselves.

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“Patience—let’s watch and see.”

The Supreme Elder glanced at Yu Qing, then said no more, as if truly indifferent.

“Brother, it seems Emperor Jun is intent on stirring things up!”

At that moment, Qiang Liang quietly communicated with Shi Jiuyin.

Among the Wu Tribe brought by the two ancestral deities, aside from a few mild-mannered great witches like Kua Fu, the rest of the Wu Tribe warriors and great witches were furious at Emperor Jun’s words.

“This Emperor Jun brat, what is he plotting? Where does he think he places the Wu Tribe? The wilderness was opened by the Father God—no matter what, it’s not for Emperor Jun to dictate!”

In such a brief time, Emperor Jun had already called out the names of many mighty ones, directly bestowing them a year of heavenly authority from the Lingxiao Hall, granting them titles.

As Emperor Jun spoke, the recipients casually accepted.

Many present now clearly understood Emperor Jun’s intentions.

“Friend Zhen Yuanzi, you are a rare innate deity in the wilderness, with Longevity Mountain as your domain. Today, I wish to invite you to join the Heavenly Court as the fifth Earth Emperor. What do you think?”

With Emperor Jun’s words, many looked at him with ambiguous expressions, most simply watching the spectacle.

“Emperor Jun, I must apologize. I devote myself to cultivation and do not meddle in worldly affairs. Such honors you should bestow upon another.”

Indeed, Zhen Yuanzi lived up to his reputation—even when dissatisfied, his refusal was tactful and measured.

But Emperor Jun would not relent.

“Friend Zhen Yuanzi, you are mistaken. With the current state of the wilderness, solitary cultivation may bring unforeseen dangers!”

Now, many mighty ones could hear the threat in Emperor Jun’s tone.

“Emperor Jun brat, can’t you hear it? Zhen Yuanzi is not at all moved by your offer.

He is virtuous and does not wish to embarrass you—he’s already shown great kindness. Why must you insist?”

Zhen Yuanzi’s early emergence and Qingxuan’s concealment of his fate meant that, aside from knowing he was an innate deity, few present had seen him act. Many assumed he was merely a Grand Luo Golden Immortal like themselves.

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