The next day.
The first light of dawn had barely appeared when the grounds inside and outside Chongming Sect's mountain gate were already adorned with flowers and brocade. Auspicious birds wheeled and danced through the sky, while sacred birds wandered and perched on the ground.
Koi leaped through the waves, and Coiled Dragons churned through the clouds.
A rainbow woven from blood and white bones stretched across the grounds. All the disciples, stewards, and elders... had changed into robes befitting their stations, and, looking full of vigor, moved about welcoming guests.
Deep within the Inner Sect, cloud platforms rose one after another in midair.
Tables, chairs, and screens were arranged on the platforms, and rows of golden bowls sat neatly in place. Spirit Fruits glistened in the bowls, while fragrant wine perfumed the tables.
Countless Wraith Attendants, Corpse Puppets, and blood demons had taken on splendid attire. They stood respectfully beside the seats, hands folded, waiting to serve the guests.
The blazing sun shone down from the heavens, scattering myriad colors.
The towering mountain gate appeared in the vast Sea of Clouds in the distance. The various powers under Chongming Sect's rule were arriving one after another.
"As the saying goes in the secular world, 'Unless you've seen the splendor of the imperial palace, how can you know the Son of Heaven's dignity?'" A Core Formation Realm cultivator stepped onto a long bridge and headed toward the cloud platforms deep within the Inner Sect. Looking down at the endless Sea of Clouds and the scattered mountain peaks along the way, he couldn't help feeling stirred. He sent a voice transmission to his companion. "We've served the Sacred Sect for hundreds of years, yet this is the first time we've seen a spectacle like this."
His companion was just as excited.