A Gathering

Watching the Primordial Phoenix, she remained lost in thought for a long time, unable to snap out of it. The phoenixes on the Wutong Tree also let out a series of calls instinctively, as if trying to comfort her.

On Mount Sumeru, a continent spanning several light-years in size floated suspended in the air, covered with jade platforms. In front of these platforms stood five that were far larger than the rest—not only bigger but also elevated higher.

At this point, some beings with the cultivation of Primordial Unity Golden Immortals began to arrive one after another. After a moment of hesitation, they directly sat on the jade platforms at the very back. As the Heavenly Dao evolved by the Primordial Wilderness grew stronger day by day, the restrictions of the world were no longer as severe as before. Thus, many more Golden Immortals and Primordial Unity Golden Immortals had appeared, with even the weakest being merely Mystic Immortals. Of course, beings of such low cultivation dared not ascend to the gathering place itself; at most, they sat near the base of Mount Sumeru. In truth, only those at least at the Primordial Unity Golden Immortal level could set foot on this continent.

As the Primordial Unity Golden Immortals filed in one after another, the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals followed—these represented the mid-tier combat power of the Primordial Wilderness at this time. The Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals, after some thought, took their seats according to their own strength: those at the early stage sat at the back, those at the middle stage in the middle, and so on. As for those at the peak of the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm, they were not numerous even across the entire Primordial Wilderness, so they naturally sat at the very front. Yet, when these beings saw the five jade platforms placed ahead, they were momentarily puzzled. Weren't there only four Golden Immortals of the Origin Ancestors? Why was there an extra jade platform? Had one of the Ancestors broken through over these years?

Hongjun had just arrived. Looking down at the crowd of Mystic Immortals and Golden Immortals at the foot of Mount Sumeru, he furrowed his brow. Luohu and the others were really something—letting such small fry come along. But since this gathering was not centered on him, Hongjun, though somewhat displeased, said nothing more. After a moment's hesitation, he slowly appeared on the continent atop Mount Sumeru and sat down according to his own cultivation level.

Once seated, Hongjun gazed at the five seats ahead, which were noticeably higher than the rest, and a trace of envy flickered in his eyes. Over the years, even with fragments of the Jade Plate of Creation, he had spent considerable time and countless heavenly treasures just to recover from the injuries Hong Yuan had inflicted on him. Now, he was merely at the peak of the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm, still some distance from the Golden Immortal of the Origin. He wondered what Luohu and the others had obtained to directly break through to that level. Could they have also acquired parts of the Jade Plate of Creation? At this thought, Hongjun's heart tightened. Not good—better keep a low profile. With that, he immediately rose, intending to move further back.

But just then, Yin Yang, Hun Peng, and the others arrived. They swept a glance over the scene and slowly landed beside Hongjun. "Greetings, Daoist Hongjun!" Hongjun sighed inwardly. If he left now, he might provoke displeasure, so he honestly made a bow to Yin Yang and the others. "Greetings, fellow Daoists." Yin Yang and the others then asked curiously, "Daoist Hongjun, we just saw you suddenly stand up. Is something the matter?" Hongjun shook his head. "Nothing serious—I merely sensed your arrival and did not wish to be discourteous."

Hearing Hongjun's words, Yin Yang, Hun Peng, and the others felt a warmth in their hearts. Daoist Hongjun was truly a good man. Just sensing their approach, he had stood up to wait for them. Though a small gesture, this respect moved them deeply. "Daoist Hongjun, you are too polite. If you have no objections after this gathering, why not come to our Dojos to exchange insights on the Dao?" Faced with their invitations, Hongjun did not refuse and accepted with a smile. "Then this old Daoist shall impose on your hospitality!" "Excellent," Hun Peng said, stroking his long beard with a light chuckle.

For a moment, Hongjun found himself unable to extricate himself from the fervent enthusiasm of Yin and Yang.

Watching more and more familiar faces arrive, Hongjun ultimately had to abandon his plan to slip away to the back.

After all, doing so would only make him seem guilty.

So he could only do his best to suppress the aura of the fragments of the Jade Plate of Creation within him and remain seated.

Thus, one by one, the renowned ancestors of the Primordial Wilderness descended and took their seats.

In an instant, nearly every notable figure across the Primordial Wilderness had gathered here.

Even the Ancestral Dragon and the First Qilin arrived, settling into the mid-tier seats among the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals.

After all, they had only recently emerged into the world and were still far from matching those true great powers.

But as the two of them glanced around, they immediately furrowed their brows.

"Primordial Phoenix didn't come? I wonder what that woman is thinking?"

Since the three of them had been born on the same day, a mysterious connection allowed them to sense each other, giving them a mutual understanding.

At this point, the three clans had not yet fully taken shape, so there was no conflict between them.

In fact, because they were all born alongside fortune, there was an additional bond among them.

Seeing that Primordial Phoenix had not arrived, the Ancestral Dragon and the First Qilin grew somewhat anxious.

If Primordial Phoenix failed to show, and someone accused her of disrespecting the four Golden Immortal of the Origin ancestors, it might incur their displeasure.

If the Phoenix Clan alone bore the brunt, that would be one thing, but if it dragged them into it, they would be truly wronged.

Thinking this, the Ancestral Dragon and the First Qilin felt a surge of irritation.

Women were just women—utterly lacking in foresight!

After a moment's thought, the Ancestral Dragon said, "Forget it. If Primordial Phoenix isn't coming, then so be it. Let us focus on comprehending what we can. I suspect the four ancestors summoned us today for something important. Her absence is her own loss!"

"Indeed!" The First Qilin sighed and nodded in agreement.

Once everyone had taken their seats, the sky suddenly blazed with golden light, as five auras far surpassing that of a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal descended upon the assembly.

The figures of five Daoists slowly made their way over.

In the blink of an eye, they stood before the five empty jade platforms.

Seeing Ancestor Yang Mei, Luohu, and the others, Yin Yang, Hun Peng, and Zaohua smiled and spoke: "Congratulations, fellow Daoists, on attaining the Golden Immortal of the Origin!"

Ancestor Yang Mei looked at these old friends from days past and replied with a smile, "Fellow Daoists need not stand on ceremony. We merely took a step ahead by chance—it is nothing."

Because Ancestor Yang Mei had emerged early into the world and rarely revealed his true capabilities, some cultivators who did not know who he was watched him interact so familiarly with the other ancestors.

They took the opportunity to ask those around them.

But after asking around, no one knew who this Ancestor Yang Mei was.

Finally, a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal who had emerged early into the world spoke up to remind them: "That is Ancestor Yang Mei, a figure from the same era as the Great God Pangu. He is now considered the foremost being of the Primordial Wilderness, even surpassing the other ancestors by a measure!"