After Lin Bai and the others sat down, the martial artists who had come to offer birthday congratulations entered the Heaven and Earth Lotus one after another. Each found a suitable seat, then sat down and waited for the birthday celebration to begin.
By noon, nearly every spot on the Heaven and Earth Lotus was occupied by martial artists.
At that moment, a streak of purple clouds flew over from the east across the firmament and shot into the lotus.
All the martial artists rose one after another and looked up at the sky.
Shangguan Cun smiled and said, "Purple Qi Comes East—True Monarch of Myriad Treasures has arrived!"
Shangguan Cun, Lin Bai, and the others also stood up to welcome him.
Lin Bai looked up. Atop that streak of purple clouds was an old man with white hair and beard, a youthful face, and a faint smile at the corners of his mouth. With his hands clasped behind his back, he walked over at an unhurried pace!
He was like a celestial immortal from heaven, descending step by step from the highest heavens before landing upon the lotus.
"Greetings, Senior!"
"Greetings, Senior!"
"Greetings, Lord True Monarch of Myriad Treasures!"
"Greetings, my lord!"
Countless martial artists within the lotus cupped their fists and called out in unison.
Amid the martial artists' congratulations, surging like waves, True Monarch of Myriad Treasures entered the lotus and stood in midair. He smiled, cupped his fists toward all the martial artists present, and said, "It is merely this old man's birthday celebration, yet so many heroes and outstanding figures from Southern Continent have come to offer their congratulations. I truly feel unworthy of such honor!"
"Fire Lotus Mountain is a small place. If we have neglected anyone, I ask for your forbearance!"
True Monarch