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

Chapter 377 Emperor Xuanji, Before Dawn

An ordinary day in the capital city.

A brilliant sunset burns on the horizon, divine birds soar into the sky, and palaces are hidden in the clouds, gleaming brightly.

When Chen Xuan arrived at the imperial palace, all the forces had already gathered there, and he stood far away by the roadside where no one paid any attention to him.

This is a special day for the various forces that have come from afar.

If the Ji family cannot provide a satisfactory explanation, their status will plummet over the next few thousand years, or even longer, and no one will continue to respect this ancient and supreme lineage.

Before long, Yu Zhexian arrived, Emperor Yu arrived, Little Ming King Kong Xuan, the rooster of the Rabbit Day, Lu Zhuan, Yan Yushu, Jiang Muying, Ye Kui... Some came alone, some came in large groups of Qi practitioners, and they gathered in front of the Grand Ceremony Palace.

Those who practice Qi all have their own circles, especially when they are on someone else's turf, this is even more obvious. Those who are destined for greatness, the direct descendants of the Daoist lineage, gather together with many sects and forces that they usually have connections with.

Among these Qi practitioners, young cultivators like Chen Xuan are very rare, numbering only twenty or thirty, with most having come with their elders.

"At least forty ancient temples have come."

Chen Xuan observed the composition of these Qi practitioners and found that they came from a wide variety of lineages. After all, there were several True Lords within major forces such as the Little Underworld, Little Azure Heaven, and Sword Inquiry Dojo.

The few forces without True Lords should not be underestimated either. For example, the Qingnang Daoist Temple has Chen Xuan and Tai Xuan, who is not dead but still alive. The Dayu has Yu Biao and is suspected to have Mu Dexian...

"They're all here."

Qi Lian led Su Fuyao over; cultivators from Yunmeng Prefecture were more approachable when they were away from home.

"Ah."

Chen Xuan nodded. He looked at the other corner, where Ye Kui was squatting on the ground, chewing on foxtail grass, like a passerby spying on him.

In other places, all sorts of people would glance at him from time to time.

“Little Ming King Kong Xuan…” Chen Xuan turned his head and saw a handsome man in a five-colored feather robe in the distance. He was elegant and dashing, like a flawless fairy descending to earth.

He gave Chen Xuan a slight smile, his expression even carrying a hint of apology.

"Some time ago, we were targeting Dali, but those demons just happened to choose you instead. Please don't take offense." That's roughly the gist of it.

Chen Xuan examined the quality of the other party, then looked away.

“That’s Kong Xuan, one of the strongest Divine Travelers below True Lord.” Qi Lian, a Nine-Turn Divine Traveler, said, “I heard that on his first day of ascending to godhood, he slaughtered three ancient temples in the Western Lands [Little Spirit Mountain], destroyed several Divine Traveler Arhats at the Tongtian Realm, and even escaped from the hands of an enraged Bodhisattva of Spirit Mountain.”

This near-perfect immortal seed is worlds apart from the flawed immortal seed of Dan Ding Dao Zi, who has taken the shortcut of immortal pills.

Now, Kong Xuan has cultivated nine more minor realms, reaching the limit, and his understanding is already unfathomable.

"Why doesn't he become a True Monarch?" Chen Xuan asked curiously.

The "Tao Hongchen" realm is the boundary between ordinary people and geniuses, while the "Zhenjun Realm," which has a limited number of levels, is the boundary between geniuses and peerless prodigies. There are many who have reached the limit of their spiritual journeys, but in the end, only one or two people in a generation can reach the Zhenjun realm.

However, Xiao Mingwang Kong Xuan clearly already possessed the qualifications to become a True Lord.

"I heard his father stopped him," Qi Lian replied. A family with two immortal seeds, both extremely perfect, is very rare in the entire history of Qi cultivation.

"I see." Chen Xuan nodded slightly.

The origins of immortal seeds are complex, but the mainstream view in the Qi cultivation world is that some supreme Qi cultivators who have reached the end of their path retrace the "Dao" they carry in a more perfect way.

The necessary condition for the birth of a Celestial Seed Golden Core is that the "host" possesses exceptional physical attributes, comprehension, and other innate talents.

It is said that if a celestial seed can grow step by step according to the guidance of the "Golden Elixir," it may be able to break through to a higher realm.

Above the immortals lies the Supreme Heaven.

And those like Yu Zhe Xian are even more terrifying... because among the extraterrestrial forces at the Mountain and Sea Banquet, some believe that "Pure Yang Immortal Lord" may have touched upon the Supreme Realm.

"Hey!"

After a while, the rooster of the Rabbit Day flapped its wings and came over here, saying in a strange tone: "Half a year ago, after the mourning boy of Xinzhai Heaven disappeared, I saw several True Lords of the Ji family bring back a large red coffin. I don't know what was sealed inside."

"Understood." Chen Xuan nodded.

"Hmm," said the rooster, "It's good that you know what's going on."

It said nothing more. All the True Monarchs in the world had gone into seclusion, and a strange balance of silence had just been achieved. But the Ji family suddenly stepped forward, almost risking the face of the entire Supreme Dao lineage. This was extremely terrifying.

At dusk, the palace gates opened, and Ji Youbing led a group of princes and princesses out, then welcomed everyone inside.

Chen Xuan stepped into the palace and walked along a long road. On the ground, there were faint golden arrays, layer upon layer. On the palace walls on both sides, blurry figures and arcs of light flowed back and forth, accompanied by a radiant glow.

"The ground formations are at least at the Immortal level, and there is more than one of them; they have not yet completely faded."

Su Fuyao looked solemnly at the mottled light and shadow flowing on the palace walls on both sides and said, "The Imperial Palace is even more terrifying than the Dao Palace of the Mountain and Sea Banquet. Among these flowing light and shadow, there are several Dao traces left by ancient sages and supreme beings."

“Supreme Heaven…” Chen Xuan was also looking at the light and shadow flitting across the palace wall, hazy and indistinct, with an ethereal aura.

But even a fleeting glimpse of such a scene is enough to shake anyone's heart.

One can imagine that in ancient times, countless immortals and sages frequently entered this palace to pay homage to the human emperor.

“If a crisis of national annihilation or clan extinction occurs, the Ji family might be able to awaken these ancient Dao traces,” Su Fuyao said solemnly.

The supreme-level [Xuanhuang Sheji Grand Array], the supreme weapon [Wuji Flag] mark, the supreme-level Dao trace that protects the country... these things are only a part of the Ji family's revealed strength, just the tip of the iceberg.

What even more terrifying things are hidden deep within the Ji family's imperial palace remains unknown.

"As expected of an eternally flourishing supreme lineage, it's truly quite frightening," Chen Xuan muttered to himself.

The celestial palace has stood high in the heavens for millions of years, but the radiance of the Golden Core Immortals cannot shine into the land of the Great Lady of Ceremonies. This statement is not an exaggeration.

In front.

The first magnificent palace, named "Dikun Palace," appeared, with a base of Xuantian purple gold and a roof of glazed jade tiles. The jade steps, shrouded in celestial mist, were paved with fragments of meteorites.

Chen Xuan stepped onto the starry jade steps, as if ascending to heaven.

This is where the Ji family hosts banquets for various powerful forces.

……

Within the palace, each of the massive pillars was carved from the bones of a Qilin. If these were moved out, each one would be a top-tier treasure no less powerful than a True Monarch's artifact.

The ancient bronze chimes in the hall resounded with celestial music, like the harmonious chime of dragons and phoenixes.

A palace maid descended from the sky, holding a jade pot and pouring out exquisite wine. The aroma of the wine transformed into a spiritual mist, enveloping the hall and giving those who smelled it the feeling of ascending to immortality.

Chen Xuan sat behind the jade table on the left front row, looking at the golden Qilin throne at the very front center.

The place was deserted; the Ji family's True Lord had not yet appeared.

"Since the Ji family's True Lord hasn't arrived, let's eat first." A demon in the hall spoke with a laugh, grabbing the celestial delicacies from the plate and wolfing them down with rough movements.

"You are all extremely rude," a human Qi cultivator said coldly.

"Heh, are you stupid? Once the True Lord arrives, this banquet might not be able to continue." Youyao sneered noncommittally.

This is a demon god of the ultimate realm, but not in his true form. He arrived in spirit form, and therefore speaks without restraint and has never been afraid of anything.

In the distance, the princes and princesses, including Ji Youbing, who were accompanying the guests, showed slight changes in expression, but made no move.

"I wonder which old friend will step forward today." Chen Xuan turned around and saw Lu Zhuan, who looked like a seven or eight-year-old child, holding a jade cup with the aroma of tea wafting from it.

Lu Zhuan's aptitude in this life was too poor, but now he has been "promoted" by the Six Desires Heaven and has successfully passed through the tribulations of the mortal world.

"Senior Lu Zhuan, you really know a lot of people," Chen Xuan said with a smile.

“The Qi Refining Realm isn’t all about fighting and killing,” Lu Zhuan said with a smile. As the Dao Lord, he was representing the Tongtian Daoist Temple this time. He continued, “Most of the True Monarchs of the Ji family are rare, kind-hearted people.”

Earth, with its profound virtue, carries all things; its path is mostly gentle.

"Of the four ancient dynasties of Jiang, Ji, Ying, and Yao, the Ji family has the best reputation." Chen Xuan nodded in agreement. Otherwise, Zhang Dongxuan and Hua Liuli would not have asked him to give such a grand gift.

The advantage of engaging with this tradition is that the other party has a very high bottom line; even towards enemies, they are upright and honest, and disdain to use any underhanded tricks.

It didn't take long. "Buzz!"

A terrifying aura rose from the palace gates, and then, a tall, elderly figure, dressed in a Qilin imperial robe, emerged from the Taixu like a powerful mountain.

With his white hair and pale face, he strode into the palace, his body shrouded in imperial aura. He wore a twelve-tasseled crown, from which divine light of the Dao emanated. Even a wisp of his aura caused the void to tremble.

"Greetings, True Lord Xuanji!"

"Your Majesty the Emperor."

"Greetings to the Emperor, the most sage and virtuous ruler who governs all under Heaven and manifests the power of Heaven and Earth!"

"..."

As the Emperor Zhenjun entered the hall, all the Qi practitioners on both sides of the way rose and bowed in greeting. Even those demons who had spoken rudely earlier now looked solemn and dared not show the slightest disrespect.

"Fellow Daoist Xuanji." Lu Zhuan stood up and bowed, not expecting that it would be the head of the Ji family who had come in person.

This is the great emperor who has ruled the Great Ritual Dynasty for thousands of years!
Chen Xuan also stood up and looked at this near-immortal True Lord.

At this moment, he had only one thought in his mind: compared to the other party, the young True Monarch Bai Cao of Qingqiu, who was over a thousand years old, was not even in the same league. Bai Cao was too inexperienced.

This is a great lord who has lived for six or seven thousand years and is already close to being an immortal.

This is undoubtedly the number one Earth Virtue True Lord in the world after the Southern Region's Tai Xuan!

"Gentlemen, please dispense with the formalities—"

The old emperor of the Ji family waved his sleeves and sat high on the golden throne. His majestic voice did not come from his lips, but rather resonated from the heavens above.

"clang……"

The Emperor Ji's withered fingers rested on the Qilin armrest, his knuckles protruding, and within the bluish-purple veins flowed the imperial aura that suppressed the four extremes and eight wastelands.

His white hair did not hang down, but floated in the void like a living thing. Each strand of hair was wrapped with chains of the laws of the Great Dao. With the slightest movement, it caused the stars in the Great Void to flicker.

"Terrifying." Everyone's heart was pounding.

If Emperor Ji hadn't suppressed his aura, ninety-nine percent of the people here would have turned to dust or become mindless clay sculptures the moment he descended in his true form.

Even those who reach the pinnacle of spiritual travel cannot escape this fate; they will perish in a wisp of breath.

"The gap is too big." Youzhijing Shenyou couldn't help but sigh. The gap between a True Monarch and Zhijing is countless times greater than the gap between a Zhijing and a mortal.

Moreover, this is a supreme Daoist master who is close to immortality.

Generally speaking, only one or two True Lords who have reached the highest level on a certain path of immortal energy can be considered worthy of the title "near-immortal".

The rosy light streamed through the palace windows, falling like golden threads and illuminating the aged Emperor Ji, who sat on the Qilin throne.

All eyes were focused on the emperor, who was quietly awaiting his next words.

"When I ascended the throne, I said I would usher in an era of lasting peace and end the age of the celestial palace."

When Emperor Ji spoke, each word seemed to explode like golden thunder in the hall, and the large pillars carved from unicorn bones seemed to groan in pain.

"But now, I am nearly seven thousand years old."

Everyone was filled with excitement, but then a sense of desolation filled their hearts.

Life has its ups and downs, and time flows by, just like flowers blooming and withering. Even such a supreme Daoist True Lord, born with such splendor, will eventually grow old. The celestial palace still exists, but the emperor's youthful ambitions have probably already dissipated in the winds of the mortal world.

“Fellow Daoist Xuanji, please speak frankly if you have any questions. If we can help, we will certainly not stand idly by,” Lu Zhuan said, standing up.

Although his cultivation level was low, he, Emperor Yu, and a few others present were qualified to have an equal dialogue with Emperor Ji.

The words fell.

Chen Xuan saw four True Monarch auras rising in the hall; this was the arrival of the True Monarch wills from other forces.

"Wow!"

Behind the jade table of the Jiang family in the Great Seal script, beside Jiang Muying, a being at the Limitless Divine Realm had heavenly fire surging within its eyes, and a pair of golden-red eyes lit up.

In the direction of the Great You victor, within the spear eye of the divine general Liu Chen, black water boiled, as the somewhat "young" Great You emperor peered in.

At the location of the Yao family of Dafu, an old prince dressed in a sky-blue robe had a glint of cyan-gold light shining in his eyes.

On the other side, an ordinary-looking middle-aged swordsman had his sword hum once, and the White Emperor Sword Qi flowed.

In an instant.

The wills of the True Monarchs of the other three ancient human dynasties in Zhongzhou, as well as the White Emperor's Little Sword Pavilion, all responded.

"The True Lords of the Jiang, Ying, and Yao families, along with Lord Jian Su, are currently observing the proceedings," someone whispered.

Without a doubt, these powerful forces all have deep connections with the Ōrei family.

Even before Emperor Ji had said anything, they expressed their respect immediately.

“But the attitudes of the True Lords from other forces are unclear,” Chen Xuan thought to himself.

He saw some forces either using some kind of mirror artifact or igniting some kind of high-level talisman to transmit the scene here.

However, many forces reacted indifferently, taking no action whatsoever.

After all, even a True Lord would be taking a huge risk by rashly projecting his will into the Great Li Kingdom and entering the Imperial Palace in the capital.

"Please speak frankly, Your Majesty. This junior can fully represent my father's wishes."

Behind a jade table on the right side of the hall, the young Ming King Kong Xuan, dressed in five-colored feather robes, suddenly stepped out, smiling and speaking respectfully.

Instantly, everyone's eyes were drawn to it.

"The Peacock Clan is utterly rude and has no manners whatsoever," someone muttered, expressing their fury at the other party's behavior.

Is this behavior a deliberate attempt to lower the level of this True Lord's Council in front of all the powers?

"Either they do what Little Dragon Palace did and simply don't come, or since they've come, why make such a fuss?" someone sighed. In recent days, the inside story of Qingnang Daozi being deliberately targeted had already spread.

As Chen Xuan watched the figure of Little Ming King Kong Xuan, he guessed that today's meeting might cause a major upheaval.

"can."

Emperor Ji nodded, waited a moment, and continued, "I have invited you all here for two reasons."

"My first wish is to become an immortal."

The scene was silent; no one offered an opinion. Who doesn't want to become an immortal? The key question is how to achieve it.

In fact, in many people's opinion, Emperor Ji had no chance of becoming an immortal, because there was a group of Earth Virtue True Lords in the celestial palace.

Chen Xuan thought to himself, "If Emperor Ji wants to become an immortal and devour the other Earth Virtue True Lords, he must first confront that Earth Virtue Golden Core Immortal whose good and evil are unclear."

Back then, when a True Lord of the Ji family had the thought of becoming an immortal, he was immediately and mercilessly killed by Emperor Ji, which may well be partly due to this reason.

Emperor Ji glanced around, paused for a moment, his eyes filled with unwavering determination, and continued:
"The second matter is that I intend to attack the Immortal Palace."

Everyone present looked at each other in bewilderment, but the Emperor Ji's next words left them speechless and chilled to the bone.

"After the meeting concludes, the Ji family will immediately begin the war. Before dawn, only one of the Ji family or the Immortal Palace can survive," the Emperor declared.

"This..." Chen Xuan was stunned. In a daze, he thought he was hallucinating.

"puff!"

In the distance, a mirror-shaped artifact exploded with a bang, and the will of a True Monarch vanished.

Immediately afterwards, another talisman burned out completely.

In an instant, even more of the True Lord's will rapidly departed, leaving the hall in deathly silence.

(End of this chapter)