From a martial arts disciple to a god through countless trials and tribulations

Chapter 373 The Strange Immortal Sovereign

A grand ceremony, in the imperial capital.

This is a place where the spiritual veins of heaven and earth converge. The city is magnificent and carries the fortune of ancient dynasties and the laws of immortality.

"This city has a population of tens of millions, but there is not a single mortal among them. They are all Qi practitioners, descendants of ancient great cultivators."

Looking out into the distance, Chen Xuan could directly feel the profound heritage of the Supreme Daoist lineage.

In the center of the city stands an imperial palace, resembling a giant golden pillar piercing through the sea of ​​clouds, connecting heaven and earth. Its surface is covered with ancient runes, absorbing the earth-elemental immortal energy flowing between heaven and earth.

"Hey!"

Chen Xuan arrived at the city wall of the capital and heard the crowing of a rooster, clear and bright like the sound of a sword.

Before the bustling city gate, a golden-feathered, red-beaked rooster, more than half a person's height, wore a Taoist crown on its head and had a red rope and jade pendant from the underworld tied around its neck. Its bright eyes, like lamps, stared at Chen Xuan and scrutinized him.

"Lord Mao Ri Xing Guan, stop calling me. Quickly eat the fairy beans. After you eat the beans, you must tell Yao Jia that someone is going to die somewhere in the city today."

A bright young girl in a palace dress stood with her back to Chen Xuan, bending over to feed a rooster with beans brimming with spiritual energy.

She was none other than Princess Yaojia, the younger sister of Ji Youbing.

"Your Highness, the Daoist Qingnang has arrived. Quickly, greet him." A cultivator from the Demon Suppression Division noticed the rooster's gaze and immediately spoke up to remind Ji Yaojia.

This was a grand procession to welcome the cultivators from out of town, led by a princess; the scale of the procession was undeniably impressive.

"Ah, my savior has arrived! Lord Mao Ri, why didn't you remind me?!" Ji Yaojia immediately shouted.

During the Mountain and Sea Banquet, if Chen Xuan hadn't destroyed Niu Ben's Golden Core, even if the others had won, it would have been a Pyrrhic victory, and most of them would have died. Therefore, many of the survivors who would have died remembered this kindness.

"Hey!"

The rooster glanced at Ji Yaojia, clearly having crowed to warn her, and walked toward Chen Xuan, saying, "I am an old friend of Cat Thirteen from Yunmeng Prefecture. Since we have met, let's enter the city together."

This is the underworld messenger from the capital city, responsible for "monitoring" the illness of the Immortal Seed Princess and the great cultivators in the city.

Chen Xuan came on behalf of Qingnang, while the rooster was the eyes and ears of the Black and White Underworld and other Underworld True Lords.

"Brother Chen, Lord Mao Ri, I will take you to your residence in Wanguofang." Ji Yaojia walked over and offered to lead the way herself.

She was dressed in a magnificent palace gown, with a gold hairpin swaying in her hair. Her lips were red and her teeth were white. Her eyes, like black gemstones, shone brightly as she stared at Chen Xuan.

"Thank you for your trouble, Princess," Chen Xuan replied with a smile.

"Brother Chen, just call me Yaojia. If it weren't for you standing up for me at the Mountain and Sea Banquet, my brother and I would probably have perished," Ji Yaojia said with a smile, blinking her bright, lively eyes.

The old emperor held a grand ceremony, inviting all the true rulers of the world to discuss matters. Chen Xuan set off the day after receiving Ji Youbing's invitation, arriving early, as many others were still on their way.

Moreover, some True Lords are very well hidden, and even their disciples cannot contact them, which is very troublesome.

Most importantly, some True Lords may not give Da Li face, such as some demon True Lords, or True Lords who have grudges against Da Li.

"hold head high!"

Two Qilin horses, riding on auspicious clouds, pulled the chariot forward. Inside the chariot, Ji Yaojia said, "The capital city has been quite lively lately. The three ancient dynasties of Jiang, Ying, and Yao, Xiaojian Pavilion, Zhenjun Kingdom... have all sent people over."

Listening to Ji Yaojia's words, Chen Xuan thought to himself, "Now all the heroes of the world have entered the capital."

"Cock-a-doodle-doo! An unprecedentedly dense aura of death is rising above the city," the rooster crowed.

Young prodigies from the Mountain and Sea Banquet, older immortals from the Daoist temples, and veteran divine travelers—all carrying the will of a True Lord, have come to this great city that reigns supreme over the world.

"hold head high!"

Suddenly, the carriage jolted violently, and the two Qilin horses let out mournful cries, their forelegs buckling to the ground with a thud.

"Who goes there?!" Ji Yaojia's face was frosty as she flung open the carriage curtain. How dare someone in the capital city offend the princess!

"The Emperor of Great Yu has entered the city!"

On the street, many people exclaimed in surprise, all looking up at the sky with expressions of astonishment.

"hold head high!"

Nine azure dragons pulled the chariot, making a rumbling sound, and flew into the imperial capital. The figure on it had flowing black hair, a chiseled face, and wore an azure dragon imperial robe. His entire body was shrouded in azure dragon energy, like a celestial emperor descending to earth.

Furthermore, on the canopy of the carriage, a green dragon coils, its head raised, its eyes like the sun and moon, looking down upon the mortal world.

This is practically a picture of the Heavenly Emperor surveying the heavens. Emperor Yu, with his hair flying in the wind, sits in the center of the imperial carriage, radiating divine light, looking down upon the capital, reigning supreme over the world.

Chen Xuan stared intently. More than a year after the Mountain and Sea Banquet, he saw the unrestrained Emperor Yu again. Now, the other party had shed his youthful naiveté and his majesty was unfathomable.

A blue dragon coiled up, obscuring the sky and the sun. Emperor Yu stood on his imperial carriage and drove straight in, his divine aura spreading unrestrainedly as he headed towards the Grand Palace of Emperor Yu.

"The young emperor of Great Yu is actually ruling the heavens within the city!" Many people from the Great Li Kingdom changed their expressions. Because they saw a prince from Great Li leading the way in front of the Yu emperor's carriage, his posture very humble.

Yu Biao, once ranked first in the list of immortals of Zhongzhou, is a legendary figure known to all.

His life story is nothing short of miraculous. In his childhood, he made a living weaving shoes in a small town, a nobody in the mortal world, but was later forcibly pushed onto the throne by the remnants of the Great Yu Dynasty.

A six-year-old mortal emperor of an ancient dynasty—this is unprecedented in history.

He is a prodigy born of immortality, and also suspected to be the chosen one. Now, he openly and brazenly reveals his identity as a remnant of the Mountain and Sea Sect to everyone, without any attempt to conceal it.

All sorts of incredible and legendary experiences happened to him, leading many to say that Emperor Yu must be one of the protagonists of this era.

"It's very impressive."

Chen Xuan withdrew his gaze and looked at Ji Yaojia, who had an angry expression, and asked, "Why is he also among those invited with great gifts? Does the Great Yu even have a True Lord?"

"There should be...?" Ji Yaojia replied uncertainly.

More than a year ago, after the Mountain and Sea Banquet ended, more than ten True Lords pursued Emperor Yu. Later, more than one True Lord perished as a result.

From then on, the True Lords of the Wood Virtue lineage gradually wavered in their determination to become immortals, such as the alchemy cauldron.

In the Southern Regions, there was the story of Xinzhai and the mourning boy who defied and killed a True Lord, while in the Central Plains, there was another kind of shock brought about by Emperor Yu.

"In times without heroes, even a nobody can rise to fame." By the roadside, a white-haired demon cultivator sneered. He was dressed in black armor and dragged a white wolf tail, looking like a demon god, keeping strangers away.

"Heh, let's find an opportunity to take him down in a few days," another demon sneered.

Chen Xuan turned his head and looked around. Who was so arrogant as to mock the Emperor of Da Yu in the street?

“Tianlangzi, the son of the True Lord of Beiming Tanlang Mountain, arrived in the capital yesterday,” Ji Yaojia said.

She stared at the white-haired Tianlangzi and the group of demon cultivators, her expression somewhat unpleasant, hesitant to speak.

Chen Xuan nodded, and soon, the Qilin horse broke free from the Azure Dragon's oppressive aura and continued pulling the treasure carriage towards the Wanguofang region.

"Huh? There's also the champion of the Mountain and Sea Banquet. How did he sneak into the city?" A demon cultivator spoke up, recognizing Chen Xuan's identity on the Qilin Treasure Carriage. "What champion of the Mountain and Sea Banquet? Without Xinzhai, he's long since fallen out of the top tier of the younger generation of geniuses. He's nothing special." Another demon cultivator sneered.

Behind them, a group of demons, including the white-haired wolf, stared at the back of the Qilin chariot and discussed among themselves.

"Don't speak recklessly. Fei Xinzhai has many tricks up his sleeve. It is said that he has a strange weapon of destiny that can fight across several realms." A demon said with a solemn expression. Although the other party has lost Xinzhai, his potential is still no less than that of a celestial being.

"Why worry? Didn't your True Lord manage to snatch a fragment of the [Immortal Armor] at the Mountain and Sea Banquet?"

A demon chuckled, a white jade-like rune treasure hanging at his waist, crafted from a piece of armor, from the immortal armor that Niu Ben had once used to resist the power of the [Eternal Venerable].

"What do you all think is the true meaning behind the Great Li Dynasty's actions this time?"

"Your True Lord, doesn't want to become an immortal anymore?"

"God knows..."

……

In Wanguofang, Chen Xuan moved into a quiet courtyard.

"Brother Chen, please stay for a few more days." Ji Yaojia quickly took her leave.

Chen Xuan nodded, then said to the rooster in the courtyard, "Senior Maori, has Lord Hei Bai also come to Zhongzhou? What is its opinion on the grand ceremony?"

The rooster said, "Da Li is protected by the [Xuanhuang Sheji Grand Formation]. The True Lords will not risk their lives unless necessary. If the old emperor of Da Li cannot offer great benefits, Lord Hei Bai will not easily show himself."

It stood on the stone table in the courtyard, its feathers shimmering with golden light in the sunlight. The fact that powerful forces from all sides were willing to send people over was already a great honor.

Chen Xuan frowned. He was very curious about what the Emperor of Dali was planning by making such a big fuss.

That night, someone came to visit Chen Xuan and invited him to a high-level banquet held by the human race's Daoist temple, saying it was to welcome him back.

Undoubtedly, although Chen Xuan entered the city simply and did nothing to attract attention, many people noticed him immediately, and many people showed him goodwill.

"The Daoist Qingnang from the Southern Region has arrived!"

Over the next two weeks, the capital city became increasingly lively, with many humans and demon cultivators entering the city. Some even saw gods appearing in the city, supposedly from the Jade Pool and the forbidden land of the Heavenly Court!
Now, all eyes in the world are on the capital of the Great Li Emperor. The world is watching closely, and a tremendous upheaval is brewing in the shadows.

Chen Xuan could clearly feel that the atmosphere in the capital was becoming increasingly tense, with powerful figures gathering from all directions, and the representatives of the True Monarchs converging on the capital.

"A party you just attended yesterday? What, a welcome party for the goddess Tongtian who came from afar? Okay."

During this period, many people either visited Chen Xuan to exchange cultivation experiences or invited him to attend high-level gatherings to deepen the friendship among the direct descendants of the immortals.

The following day, a sensational piece of news arrived: Yu Zhexian from the Southern Region's [Little Azure Sky] had entered the Imperial Capital, but he did not arrive on behalf of the True Lord.

A mad Taoist master named Xiaoqingtian has arrived.

Even in the darkness of night, one can see the soft light of the sky falling, an autumn sun obscuring the moon, golden leaves drifting down, creating an incomparably brilliant scene.

A middle-aged Taoist priest, dressed in an ancient Taoist robe and carrying a Taoist sword, with an expression that seemed to be both smiling and crying, drifted into the imperial palace like a gentle breeze.

"Little Qingtian is in charge of the 'Autumn Season' of the White-Hidden True Lord!"

Everyone was shocked. This was the first True Lord to choose to enter the Imperial Capital. The impact of this was immeasurable, and everyone was talking about it.

Xiao Qingtian Zhenjun entered the imperial palace, and after a short while, he left without saying what he had discussed with Emperor Dali.

"Since ancient times, the Little Azure Heavens have never been tainted by the mortal world. Are they doing this today to support the grand ceremony?" A Qi cultivator whispered in the darkness and immediately used a special method to transmit the message back to his sect.

In the following days, the entire capital city was different; the atmosphere was oppressive.

"Ah Xuan, long time no see?" A gentle, harmless voice rang out from outside the courtyard that day.

Chen Xuan looked up and saw a head wearing a blue sky crown peeking out from outside the courtyard wall. Yu Zhexian was lying on the wall, smiling with his eyes narrowed, and raising one hand to greet him.

"What are you doing?" Chen Xuan asked.

The Imperial Immortal wore a blue-gold robe, had a handsome appearance, and his aura seemed to be in harmony with heaven and earth. He exuded a Daoist charm that was detached from worldly strife, giving him the image of a reclusive master.

But at this moment, his left eye socket was bruised and purple, as if he had been punched, ruining his image as a master and making him look somewhat comical.

"It's been over a year since we last met, so I came to see you," Yu Zhexian replied with a smile.

"?" Chen Xuan was stunned and asked incomprehension, "Are you out of your mind?"

"..." Yu Zhexian blinked.

"Who beat you up?" Chen Xuan asked. The other person had injuries on his face that couldn't be healed, which was really strange.

"Outside the border of Dali, I encountered the wandering Emperor Tian. My grandmaster Uncle Bai Zang ordered me to fight him," Yu Zhe Xian replied.

The Venerable One of Ten Thousand Generations was actually near the Great Li Dynasty?
"Who lost?" Chen Xuan asked. It is said that after Wan Shizun ascended to godhood, he had already attained enlightenment alone.

That was the only supreme destiny in the world. After entering the mortal realm, only he revealed his Dao, while everyone else concealed their Dao. It was rumored that with the immortals no longer appearing, the Venerable One of Ten Thousand Worlds was already invincible under heaven.

"It's a 50/50 chance... but my injury has nothing to do with Di Tian."

Yu Zhexian sighed, then looked at Chen Xuan with a strange smile in his eyes and said, "I came here to remind you that a few days ago I accompanied Grandmaster Bai Zang to the Imperial Palace to discuss some matters and overheard some things about you. You have a great happy event coming your way."

"What good news is it?" Chen Xuan's heart skipped a beat, and he asked eagerly.

During his discussion with Xiao Qingtian Zhenjun, the Emperor Dali mentioned him.
"It's hard to say, but it's a great joy. Your future is secure, which is something I truly envy."

Yu Zhexian shook his head and laughed. Then, with a whoosh, his head shrank off the courtyard wall, as if he had done something terrible, and quickly disappeared.

“…Talking nonsense.” Chen Xuan’s lips twitched, but he sensed that the way Yu Zhe Xian looked at him seemed to reveal a certain gloating.

But what exactly is this great joy that the Imperial Immortal spoke of?

……

The capital city is in turmoil, with various forces converging.

Time passed slowly, and half of the True Lords in the world sent people over, but by this point, the remaining True Lords who had not responded would probably not respond in the future.

Chen Xuan cultivated in the courtyard, sometimes attending gatherings among the immortal disciples, but most of the time he was in cultivation, waiting for the day of the Emperor's meeting... which should be in the next few days.

But on this day, a sudden piece of news ignited the entire capital city, instantly making Chen Xuan the focus of the whole city, leaving everyone dumbfounded.

Marriage!

All of this happened so suddenly that when Chen Xuan learned of the news that had leaked from the Imperial Palace of the Great Li Dynasty, he felt as if he had been struck by lightning!
"Yes, Brother Chen, don't doubt it, someone has found you a wife!" The Ji siblings brought this astonishing news during their visit.

……

"Who is Chen Xuan? Isn't my Daoist partner Yu Zhexian?!" A clear, cold female voice rang out in the Great Li Imperial Palace, filled with doubt.

(End of this chapter)