On the high platform, Yun Huang lightly tapped the rim of his cup.
The notes of flute, zither, and xiao followed one another, Azure Jade's sword light rose clear and bright, and the garden's Immortal Plants swayed gently in the breeze.
As he watched, the faintest trace of a smile finally surfaced in his eyes.
His elder brother wielded a ceremonial sword, neither competing for victory like a sword cultivator nor flaunting his might like an emperor. Instead, it was as though... he were dancing anew those scenes of old that should have hung above the Immortal Court, just for him.
He found himself almost entranced.
In that instant, he even felt a flicker of impulse to reestablish the Immortal Court.
Deep within the Immortal Emperor's gaze lay a trace of nostalgia and admiration that even he had not noticed.
Even setting aside that heaven-defying Chaos Dao Embryo and those Primordial Double Pupils, this understanding of the Great Dao and this state of mind alone already stood supreme across all heavens.
In the clearing, Yun Qing's sword dance had reached its final movement.
His figure stood steady as an ancient pine as he pushed Azure Jade level from his palm. Its tip pointed not toward the others, but toward Yun Huang on the high platform.
He offered a salute from afar, like an old minister of the Immortal Court in a previous life presenting a sword to the sovereign upon the steps, yet also like a brother in this life, smiling his greeting across the wind and daylight.
Yun Huang's gaze sharpened slightly.
The next instant, Yun Qing gave a light flick of his wrist.
Azure Jade returned to its sheath.
Clang-
The clear sword cry rang throughout Langhuan Clear Void. Spiritual light rippled across the ground, its lingering resonance