"Is he a Quasi-Immortal King of the True Dragon Clan?"
Su Li smiled serenely as he watched a crack split open in the sky. Boundless streams of chaos surged within it, and a fearsome power radiated terrifying ripples.
A massive black dragon emerged from the crack. Its pitch-black scales exuded an unparalleled aura, its bearing mighty and imposing. Its horns were like trees, its head like a mountain, and it cleaved through the void as it advanced, trailing a heaven-shaking dragon aura.
"That's Black Gold Dragon Immortal. They say that if a Dragon Immortal enters the Immortal King realm, his pitch-black scales can transform into dazzling golden ones, allowing him to contend for the title of True Dragon."
Yue Xian explained to Su Li.
Soon, several more True Immortals of the Ancient Realm, each immensely powerful, arrived and leisurely joined the gathering.
"Let's go in. It's time to get a look at the Ancient Realm's peerless young talents."
Su Li spoke softly. They had seen all there was to see outside the estate; the gathering's main event was inside.
Within the estate lay a heavenly paradise, filled with birdsong and fragrant blossoms.
All around them stretched a surging blue sea, while tall Purple Bamboo Forests stood upright. At the center was an island suspended halfway in the air, shrouded in white mist and suffused with immortal energy. It was indescribably holy.
"That island is where the gathering is being held."
As she led Su Li forward, Yue Xian explained.
Su Li and Yue Xian entered the estate, immediately drawing everyone's attention.
Yue Xian had an otherworldly bearing, like a celestial maiden descended to the mortal realm, pure and untouched by worldly concerns.
Though Su Li was discreet, he wore a purple-and-gold robe embroidered with a Nine-Clawed Golden Dragon. His bearing was noble and mysterious, and he exuded the pressure of a born ruler. His fair face was handsome, his gaze deep, and his aura was no less imposing.
"Yue Xian, you finally made it."
A young woman in green, who had been strolling around the estate, saw Yue Xian and beamed as she hurried over.
She was Qing Xuan, a princess of the South Sea Dragon Palace and a close friend of Yue Xian.
"And this is...?"
Qing Xuan looked at Su Li, puzzlement flashing in her beautiful eyes.
"Ancestor Wang Su Li, the son of Lord Immortal King Six Paths Reincarnation."
Yue Xian introduced him.
"Ancestor Wang...? The son of an Immortal King?"
Qing Xuan looked Su Li up and down with a smile, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
Then, as if realizing something, she hurriedly bowed with great respect. "This young woman is Qing Xuan. Greetings, Ancestor Wang."
"There's no need for formalities."
Su Li looked with interest at the South Sea Dragon King's granddaughter, giving her a couple of extra glances. The young girl's cheeks flushed red, and she grew terribly shy.
"Let's go to the island."
Su Li said no more.
Many people had already gathered on the island, men and women, old and young. Everyone was peaceful, without a trace of hostility or quarrels, and they chatted with satisfied smiles.
Rows of jade tables and chairs had been set out across the island, laden with all kinds of rare fruits and fine wines.
White mist flowed around knee height. Lotuses bloomed, rooted in the void, their leaves and petals all golden and extraordinary.
Here, nine-colored divine deer carried platters of fruit on their heads to serve the guests, while white apes dutifully poured wine.
By any measure, this was a gathering of the highest order, far removed from the clamor of the mortal world. All that remained was an air of transcendent beauty.
Suddenly, the sky filled with dazzling immortal radiance and countless auspicious beams.
Beyond the South Sea, a purple-gold avenue rapidly stretched toward them, reaching all the way from across the sea to the island. A middle-aged man, indistinct and impossible to see clearly, strode along it, surrounded by an overwhelming majesty.
Many people rose to welcome him, and exclamations rippled through the crowd.
"It's Immortal King Lingbao."
Qing Xuan, dressed in fresh, elegant green, looked astonished. She had never expected three Immortal Kings to attend today.
Su Li turned his gaze toward him. Immortal King Lingbao seemed to sense it and sent him a friendly look. Su Li nodded politely in return.
"Immortal King Lingbao?"
Su Li murmured, seeming somewhat perplexed.
In the earliest stretch of ancient history, there had been no Immortal King Lingbao. The one who came had been his father, Immortal King Six Paths Reincarnation.
Why, then, could Immortal King Lingbao appear in this stretch of ancient history?
Su Li was puzzled.
Unlike the other Immortal Kings' children, he was the reincarnation of an Emperor. He had been born with a flawless Supreme physique, and the memories of his past life had already awakened.
Only he knew that the world he now inhabited was merely a stretch of ancient history reflected into existence. The moment Su Li transcended the Immortal King realm, this world would vanish instantly, reduced to nonexistent dust.
"Never mind. When soldiers come, I'll send a general; when floodwaters come, I'll hold them back with earth."
Su Li stopped dwelling on it.
After all, he had reflected this stretch of ancient history into existence using a forbidden art. There was nothing for him to fear.
Flames seemed to scorch the heavens as the sun overhead plunged down with a roar, flying toward the South Sea Purple Bamboo Forest. Its light burned so fiercely that the seawater evaporated in great clouds, on the verge of drying up completely.
"That old geezer! You've lived as long as heaven and earth, as long as the Ancient Realm itself, and yet after all these years you're still as mischievous as a child, playing tricks like this," someone in the Purple Bamboo Forest said with a laugh.
Laughter rang from the sky. The golden sun transformed into a Golden Crow and drew in all its scorching heat. It flew over from the void, then took the form of an old man dressed in golden robes.
"Look, you've come, and there's no one keeping watch in the sky. The world has grown dim and fallen into darkness."
Someone complained.
"Never mind."
The old Golden Crow pointed a finger. A streak of golden light shot up into the heavens, transforming into a sun that once more illuminated all creation.
It was an unparalleled divine ability: with a single point of his finger, he created a sun. Even Su Li watched with keen interest, finding the feat uniquely fascinating.
At the South Sea Heavenly Pride Grand Assembly, Su Li made the acquaintance of many descendants of the Ancient Realm's heavenly prides. They raised their cups together, talked at length, and sat in meditation as they discussed the Dao.
These descendants came from different realms, and each had unique cultivation experience and insights.
Su Li humbly sought their guidance, exchanged ideas with them, and explored the mysteries of the Great Dao together.
Over the course of that month, Su Li gained immensely.
His knowledge and cultivation had both advanced considerably, and his understanding of the Great Dao had deepened.
What pleased him even more was that his cultivation in the Extreme Dao Supreme realm had begun to loosen, if only slightly.
It was an enormous gain.
He could feel that the opportunity for him to become an immortal was drawing ever nearer.
"Ancestor Wang Su Li?"
Su Li turned to look. A young man strode toward him, exuding an invincible aura. He wore purple armor, had flowing long hair and handsome features, and stood tall and straight.
Thunder Emperor, at the Supreme realm.
Such an invincible bearing? Interesting.
"Thunder Emperor."
Su Li spoke calmly, seemingly unsurprised by his arrival.
Thunder Emperor was one of the most gifted among the Ten Fiends, a leading figure among them. Blessed with extraordinary talent and exceptional strength, he was a rare young powerhouse in the Primal Ancient Realm.
He possessed lightning-fast speed and strength, and commanded boundless thunder. He could shatter all techniques with its might, leaving his enemies quaking in fear.
The laws of thunder he cultivated were unfathomably profound. He could draw upon the thunder elements between heaven and earth and make them his own, unleashing power capable of destroying heaven and earth. His thunder could break all techniques, leaving his enemies nowhere to hide.
"You're strong, but not strong enough." Su Li smiled warmly.
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