The Gathering of Prodigies, The Immortal King Descends

"A quasi-Immortal King of the True Dragon race?"

Su Li smiled calmly, watching as a rift tore open in the firmament. Endless chaotic energy surged forth, and a powerful force radiated terrifying fluctuations.

From the rift emerged a massive black dragon. Its pitch-black scales emitted an unparalleled aura, majestic and imposing. Its giant horns were like trees, its dragon head like a mountain, and it cleaved through the void with a heaven-shaking dragon aura as it descended.

"That is the Black Gold Dragon Immortal. It is rumored that if a Dragon Immortal can step into the Immortal King realm, their entire body of black scales will transform into brilliant gold, allowing them to contend for the title of True Dragon."

Yue Xian explained to Su Li.

Following this, several other True Immortals from ancient realms with formidable strength arrived, leisurely attending the gathering.

"Let us enter. It is time to appreciate the heaven-proud sons of the ancient realms."

Su Li said softly. He had seen enough outside the estate; the interior was the true stage for this grand event.

Inside the estate lay a fairyland of birdsong and fragrant flowers.

Surrounded by the rolling waves of a blue sea and towering purple bamboo forests, an immortal island hovered in mid-air, shrouded in white mist and steaming with immortal energy, indescribably holy.

"That island is the destination of this grand gathering."

Yue Xian explained as she led Su Li forward.

As Su Li and Yue Xian stepped into the estate, they immediately drew the gazes of the crowd.

Yue Xian possessed a transcendent temperament, like a fairy descended to earth, ethereal and untouched by the mundane world.

Though Su Li kept a low profile, he wore a purple-gold Nine-Clawed Golden Dragon robe. His aura was noble and mysterious, radiating the pressure of a superior. His fair face was handsome, his eyes deep, and the aura he exuded was not the least bit weak.

"Yue Xian, you have finally arrived."

A young girl in green, who had been wandering the estate, smiled like a flower upon seeing Yue Xian and hurried over to greet her.

She was Qing Xuan, princess of the South Sea Dragon Palace, and she shared a close relationship with Yue Xian.

"And this is..."

Qing Xuan looked at Su Li, a trace of confusion flashing in her beautiful eyes.

"Royal Ancestor Su Li, the biological son of Lord Immortal King Six Paths Reincarnation."

Yue Xian introduced him.

"Royal Ancestor...? The son of the Immortal King?"

Qing Xuan smiled as she sized Su Li up, a hint of curiosity flickering in her eyes.

Suddenly, as if realizing something, she hurriedly bowed respectfully. "Little one Qing Xuan pays respects to the Royal Ancestor."

"No need for formalities."

Su Li looked at the granddaughter of the South Sea Dragon King with interest, lingering on her for a moment. His gaze made the young girl's face flush red with shyness.

"Let us head to the island."

Su Li said no more.

Many people had already arrived on the island—men and women, old and young. They were all peaceful, devoid of killing intent or conflict, conversing with satisfied smiles.

On the island, jade tables and chairs were laden with rare fruits and fine wines.

White mist flowed, reaching people's knees, and lotus flowers bloomed, rooted in the void. Both their leaves and petals were golden, appearing particularly extraordinary.

Here, nine-colored divine deer balanced jade platters on their heads to offer fruit to the guests, while white apes dutifully poured wine.

No matter how one looked at it, this was a top-tier gathering, far removed from the clamor of the world, possessing only an otherworldly aesthetic.

Suddenly, immortal radiance bloomed, and thousands of auspicious lights shone.

Beyond the South Sea, a purple-gold path extended rapidly, reaching from the sea all the way to the island. A middle-aged man, his form hazy and his true face obscured, stepped along the purple-gold path with great majesty.

Many stood up to welcome him, triggering waves of exclamations.

"It is Immortal King Lingbao."

Qing Xuan, in her fresh and refined green attire, was somewhat shocked; she had not expected three Immortal Kings to attend today.

Su Li looked over. Immortal King Lingbao seemed to sense it and cast a friendly gaze in his direction. Su Li nodded humbly in acknowledgment.

"Immortal King Lingbao, is it?"

Su Li muttered to himself, somewhat puzzled.

In the original ancient history, Immortal King Lingbao had not come; it was his father, Immortal King Six Paths Reincarnation, who had appeared.

But why would this Immortal King Lingbao appear in this ancient history?

Su Li was perplexed.

He was different from other children of Immortal Kings; he was the reincarnation of an Emperor, born in the flawless Supreme realm, and the memories of his past life had already awakened.

Only he knew that the world he currently occupied was merely an ancient history projected into existence. As long as Su Li transcended the Immortal King realm, this world would instantly dissipate, turning into void dust.

"No matter. If the soldiers come, block them; if the water comes, cover it with earth."

Su Li stopped dwelling on it.

Because this ancient history was projected by his own use of a forbidden technique, he had nothing to fear.

Raging flames scorched the heavens as the sun above plummeted, hurtling toward the South Sea Purple Bamboo Forest. Its radiance was so blindingly intense that the seawater began to evaporate violently, on the verge of drying up completely.

"You old codger, existing alongside heaven and earth, living as long as the Primal Ancient Realm itself—you've reached such a venerable age, yet you're still as mischievous as a child, playing such jokes." Someone laughed from within the Purple Bamboo Forest.

From the sky came a peal of hearty laughter. The golden sun transformed into a Golden Crow, retracting all its scorching heat as it descended from the void, finally shifting into an old man clad in golden Taoist robes.

"Look, now that you've come, there is no one left to tend the heavens. The world has dimmed, plunged into night."

Someone complained.

"No matter."

The old Golden Crow pointed a finger, and a streak of golden light shot upward, evolving into a sun to illuminate all things once more.

This was a peerless divine ability; with a single point, he had fashioned a sun. Such a display piqued Su Li's interest, and he found it to be quite a unique spectacle.

At the Heavenly Pride Grand Assembly in the South Sea, Su Li had befriended many descendants of the Primal Ancient Realm's heavenly prides, raising cups to drink, engaging in high-minded discourse, and sitting together to discuss the Tao.

These descendants of heavenly prides hailed from different realms, each possessing unique cultivation experiences and insights.

Su Li humbly sought their counsel, exchanging thoughts with them and exploring the mysteries of the Great Tao together.

Over the course of this month, Su Li's gains had been immense.

His knowledge and cultivation realm had both seen significant improvement, and his understanding of the Great Tao had deepened considerably.

What pleased him even more was that his cultivation at the Extreme Path Supreme realm had shown a hint of loosening.

This was a monumental harvest.

He felt that the opportunity to ascend to immortality was drawing ever closer.

"Ancestor King Su Li?"

Su Li turned to look. A young man wearing purple armor, with flowing long hair, a handsome face, and a tall, upright stature, was walking toward him, radiating an aura of invincibility.

Thunder Emperor, Supreme realm.

An invincible posture, is it? Interesting.

"Thunder Emperor."

Su Li's tone was calm, seemingly unsurprised by the Thunder Emperor's arrival.

Thunder Emperor was a highly gifted existence among the Ten Fiends and a leader among them. With his innate talent and extraordinary strength, he was a rare young powerhouse in the Primal Ancient Realm.

He possessed the speed and power of lightning, commanding endless thunderous force. He could shatter all techniques with the might of his thunder, striking terror into the hearts of his enemies.

The lightning laws cultivated by Thunder Emperor were profoundly mysterious. He could draw upon the lightning elements of heaven and earth to serve his own ends, unleashing world-destroying power. His thunderous might could break all laws, leaving no enemy anywhere to hide.

"You are strong, but it is not enough." Su Li smiled warmly.