The Foremost Male Immortal? What Does That Have to Do with My Penglai?

Purple Palace Isle.

A magnificent immortal palace stood atop an immortal mountain billions of zhang high. Boundless purple qi stretched across the sky, while palace halls spread outward along the mountain in every direction. Immortal light crisscrossed throughout, and from time to time, immortals of considerable cultivation flew past atop clouds.

Since the end of Violet Cloud Palace's first sermon, when Hongjun personally appointed Dongwang Gong as the foremost male immortal, Purple Palace Isle—which had long established itself in the Eastern Sea—had grown more influential by the day. Countless rogue immortals of the Great Wilderness had come voluntarily to join it, and in a short time, it had vaguely gained the momentum to command the immortals of the Eastern Sea.

Inside the grand hall of the immortal palace, several sea-patrolling immortal generals who had previously discovered traces of Penglai knelt respectfully below, recounting every detail of what had happened in the depths of the Eastern Sea.

"Penglai?"

Dongwang Gong, seated high above, slowly opened his eyes. A few ripples finally appeared in his otherwise indifferent expression.

The legend of the Three Immortal Islands overseas had circulated throughout the Great Wilderness for a long time. Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou were all top-tier Innate Grotto-Heavens that had concealed themselves within the Eastern Sea since the creation of the world. No one knew how many spiritual roots and treasures lay hidden within them, but the mere words "foremost of the Three Immortal Islands" made their value impossible to measure.

"Are you certain you were not mistaken?"

A Great Luo Golden Immortal clad in a purple-gold Daoist robe could not help asking.

The immortal general below hurriedly shook his head.

"This subordinate would not dare speak a single false word. Although that immortal island appeared for only a few breaths, we saw it clearly. Two innate Dao characters hung above the island—the words Penglai. Moreover, a Great Luo phenomenon soared into the heavens from within the island at the time. An Innate mighty expert must have already taken possession of it."

Upon hearing that someone had already occupied it, the expressions of many immortals in the hall shifted slightly.

If it had been unclaimed land, then given the Celestial Court's current influence in the Eastern Sea, bringing Penglai under its control would have been only natural. But a cultivation ground already occupied by a Great Luo was another matter entirely.

Dongwang Gong, however, did not seem overly concerned.

Hongjun had appointed him the foremost male immortal, and his prestige was at its height. Countless male immortals of the Great Wilderness had come to Purple Palace Isle to pay him respects. Even many Great Luo Golden Immortals had to show the Celestial Court some courtesy.

Since the master of Penglai was also a male immortal of the Great Wilderness, he should theoretically fall under Dongwang Gong's authority.

More importantly, Penglai was located in the Eastern Sea.

No one could possibly ignore a top-tier immortal island beyond the Celestial Court's control appearing so close at hand.

"Since it already has an owner, the Celestial Court will naturally not seize another's cultivation ground by force."

Dongwang Gong spoke calmly, then looked toward a Daoist at the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm on the right side of the hall.

"However, since Penglai lies in the Eastern Sea, it should also understand the Celestial Court's rules."

"Take some men there. Invite the master of Penglai to register in the Immortal Registry and erect a Celestial Court Dao Stele on the island. In the future, when Penglai cultivators travel through the Eastern Sea, they may be considered part of the Celestial Court."

The Daoist immediately cupped his hands.

"This subordinate obeys the Sovereign's decree."

His words sounded polite, but everyone in the hall understood that registering in the Immortal Registry and erecting a Dao Stele ultimately meant making Penglai acknowledge the Celestial Court's rule.

If the other party knew what was good for him, then everyone would be happy.

If he did not, the Celestial Court, with its current strength, did not mind teaching him what it meant to be the foremost male immortal.

Several months later.

The outskirts of Penglai.

Dozens of streaks of immortal light shot over from the horizon. The leading Daoist wore a crimson-gold immortal robe and a Purple Palace Immortal Token at his waist. The pressure of his Great Luo Golden Immortal cultivation spread without the slightest restraint.

Wherever he passed, the waves of the Eastern Sea were forced apart by that aura.

"This is the place?"

The Daoist stopped before a stretch of ocean that appeared utterly empty, his brow furrowing slightly.

The sea-patrolling immortal general behind him hurriedly nodded.

"Reporting to Immortal Lord, Penglai revealed itself here that day."

The Daoist spread out his divine sense, yet he could not detect the slightest trace of an immortal island. He could not help letting out a cold snort.

"It is merely an Innate Concealment Formation."

"Knowing that the Celestial Court has sent someone, yet still failing to appear and welcome us—this master of Penglai has lived overseas for too long and seems rather ignorant of proper etiquette."

His voice, wrapped in Great Luo magical power, rolled outward in every direction.

The next moment.

Ripples suddenly spread across the sea ahead.

The empty space seemed to be slowly pulled open by an invisible hand, and a pathway paved with innate white jade emerged from the depths of the clouds and mist.

The corner of the Daoist's mouth lifted.

"At least they know—"

Before he could finish the final word, he suddenly fell silent.

The sight appearing at the end of the pathway was simply too exaggerated.

A vast immortal island with no visible end floated amid a sea of clouds. Its spiritual qi was so dense that it had condensed into seven-colored auspicious clouds. Countless Innate Spiritual Roots lay scattered across its mountains and rivers, and even the several rivers flowing in the distance brimmed with dense innate Dao essence.

As a dignified Great Luo Golden Immortal holding a high position in the Celestial Court, he naturally would not lose his composure on the spot like some ignorant rogue immortal. Yet the shock in his eyes could not be concealed.

So this was Penglai?

No wonder people had searched so desperately for it since the creation of the world.

If such a place could be brought into the Celestial Court, the foundation of the immortal island alone would be enough to raise Purple Palace Isle's fortune to another level.

The Daoist's attitude became imperceptibly more forceful.

Soon, a figure appeared soundlessly at the end of the pathway.

It was Luxuan.

The three Yunxiao sisters stood not far behind him, curiously observing these Celestial Court cultivators who had suddenly come calling.

"A Great Luo envoy of the Celestial Court, here by the decree of Sovereign Dongwang Gong, foremost of the male immortals."

The Daoist straightened his back slightly and directly revealed the immortal token at his waist.

"Since this is Penglai, Fellow Daoist must be its current master."

Luxuan nodded.

"What is it?"

The Daoist frowned slightly, apparently not expecting Luxuan's attitude to be so indifferent, but he continued nonetheless.

"The Sovereign commands the male immortals of the Great Wilderness. Since Fellow Daoist is a Great Luo and occupies an Eastern Sea immortal realm such as Penglai, you should register in the Immortal Registry and submit to the Celestial Court's authority from this day onward."

"Furthermore, Penglai must erect a Purple Palace Dao Stele outside the island and report the roster of cultivators on the island to the Celestial Court every ten thousand years. Should any new Great Luo or Taiyi arise, they must likewise be registered."

At this point, his gaze fell upon the three Yunxiao sisters.

"Since these three female immortals reside in Penglai, they should also register in the Immortal Registry. Should they leave the island to travel in the future, the Celestial Court will naturally protect them."

Bixiao had initially listened quite attentively, but as she heard the final part, her expression gradually became strange.

She leaned toward Qiongxiao and quietly sent a voice transmission.

"Second Sister, does he mean we have to inform them first whenever we go out in the future?"

Qiongxiao remained expressionless.

"Probably."

"He sure has a lot to say about it."

Although Yunxiao said nothing, her brows had already lightly furrowed.

They had acknowledged Luxuan as their master.

They lived in Penglai.

Since when had a Celestial Court suddenly appeared to manage them?

Luxuan understood it even more plainly.

After the Daoist finally finished listing all the rules, he merely raised his eyes.

"Finished?"

The Daoist nodded subconsciously.

"That is essentially all. So long as Fellow Daoist is willing to accept the Celestial Court's appointment, the Sovereign will naturally not treat you poorly—"

"Then get lost."

The rest of his words stuck in his throat.

The smile on the Daoist's face gradually vanished as well.

He stared at Luxuan, seeming to suspect he had misheard.

"Does Fellow Daoist know whom I represent?"

Luxuan's expression remained unchanged.

"Dongwang Gong is the foremost male immortal. What does that have to do with my Penglai?"

"I am not under the Celestial Court."

"My disciples are even less your concern to register."

Bixiao's eyes lit up as she listened from behind.

Whenever others mentioned the foremost male immortal personally appointed by Hongjun, who would not show him at least some respect?

But when it came to her master, it could be summed up in just three words.

What the hell does that have to do with me?

The Celestial Court Daoist's expression finally sank completely.

"Fellow Daoist Luxuan, the Sovereign gave you face by sending me here to invite you."

"Penglai may be a top-tier grotto-heaven, but the situation in the Great Wilderness has changed. With only one Great Luo, I fear you are not qualified to disregard the Celestial Court."

Luxuan actually smiled at that.

"So?"

Great Luo pressure erupted from the Daoist's body.

"So I advise you to reconsider."