Chapter One Hundred Forty-Six: The Immortal Fate Assembly

As expected, the Mad Immortal Wu arrived this time bearing cultivation methods and secret divine techniques from the Black and White Academy, gifts for Ji Ning.

After imparting these secret techniques, Wu inquired about Yun Tian’s situation and assessed his cultivation. Following their exchange, Wu grew increasingly astonished by Yun Tian, to the point where he felt unable to teach such a prodigious disciple any further.

“Never in my dreams did I imagine taking on such an extraordinary and twisted disciple like you. You surpass even Little Slob by far. Perhaps at this Immortal Fate Gathering, you might even claim first place!” Wu said, patting Yun Tian’s shoulder with a sigh of satisfaction before departing contentedly.

After bidding Wu farewell, Yun Tian and Ji Ning spent some time catching up and agreed to participate in the Immortal Fate Gathering together. Then Yun Tian took Yu Qiu and returned to the Qi Prince’s mansion.

In the blink of an eye, the day of the Immortal Fate Gathering arrived. At dawn, as the first light crept over the capital of the Great Xia, countless True Immortals from all corners of the city and the three thousand six hundred commanderies thronged toward the Imperial City. Yun Tian, now a member of the royal family, had long been stationed there in advance.

As the golden sun rose, bathing the Great Xia capital in warm light, nine resounding bell strikes echoed. The million-strong crowd gathered outside the Imperial City fell silent.

The massive gates of the Imperial City suddenly thundered open. Guarding the entrance were four towering divine demons, one of whom, with nostrils flaring flames and skin glowing red, declared, “True Immortals wishing to enter the Immortal Fate Gathering, you may now enter the Imperial City. Once inside, participation is compulsory—no retreat permitted. All, proceed!”

With a series of swift whooshes, a dense swarm of figures resembling a plague of locusts surged toward the gates in a spectacular scene. Nearly one hundred thousand people would compete this time, making it the grandest Immortal Fate Gathering in history.

Inside the Imperial City, the first sight was a vast corridor.

“Participants in the Immortal Fate Gathering, follow us!” A sonorous voice rang out, echoing through the heavens and earth. Ahead, a group of golden-armored imperial guards led the way through the air.

Following the broad avenue, they soon arrived at an immense plaza, so vast its boundaries vanished from view. The black stone tiles beneath were inscribed with intricate runes, suffusing the plaza with a chilling aura.

All True Immortal participants were assigned designated areas to wait.

One figure, having arrived early, was studying the runes carefully. Perceiving the influx of participants, his gaze swept over the crowd and spotted Ji Ning, Yu Wei, and the Real Immortal Slob. A faint smile curled his lips as he hurried over. “Senior Brother, Junior Brother Ji Ning, Senior Sister Yu Wei!”

“Brother Yun!” Ji Ning’s face brightened upon seeing Yun Tian. After exchanging greetings, he quickly introduced Yu Wei. This was Yun Tian’s first meeting with her.

Meanwhile, Yun Tian and company noticed orderly teams arriving from the three thousand six hundred commanderies and the four seas, each representing their respective commanderies, landing on the plaza.

Suddenly, figures shot skyward, soaring high. Among them were the King of the Underworld and the Qi King. Only Celestial Immortals could ascend to the Tianmang Hall’s main chamber to meet the Great Xia Emperor, and each Celestial Immortal brought at most one or two attendants.

Atop Tianmang Hall, the Great Xia Emperor sat solemnly on his throne, clad in a black robe. Below him, in two rows, stood numerous Celestial Immortal princes of the Xia Mang clan closest to the emperor, followed by elder Celestial Immortals from across the Great Xia realm. A glance revealed nearly a thousand Celestial Immortals assembled.

“Greetings, Your Majesty!” With the Qi King leading the respectful bow, all Celestial Immortals bowed in unison, and their attendants knelt.

At the same moment, on the vast plaza below, the hundred thousand talented participants and over a million cultivators from the commanderies and seas knelt synchronously, heads bowed to the ground, voices unified: “Greetings, Your Majesty!”

“Rise,” the Great Xia Emperor’s majestic and calm voice resounded.

The emperor then instructed the Qi King, “Qi King, announce the rules of this Immortal Fate Gathering.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” The Qi King respectfully accepted the order and flew out of the main hall, hovering above the mist. His voice echoed across the realm: “There are 109,363 participants in this Immortal Fate Gathering. Each will receive a talisman. You will all enter the Mingyue Landscape Talisman, the treasured artifact used by His Majesty the Emperor. The Mingyue Landscape Talisman contains the universe within, a self-contained world where you may fight freely, seizing talismans from others. If you deem yourself too weak, you may discard your talisman, and you will be swiftly removed from the talisman’s world. Though that means defeat, at least your life will be spared.”

After completing the announcement, the Qi King returned to the hall to report back to the emperor. Suddenly, a scroll appeared in the emperor’s hand. Unfurling it, one could faintly see a bright moon and landscape painting. The Mingyue Landscape Talisman was a pure Yang artifact of immense power.

With a rumble, the emperor’s will moved the Mingyue Landscape Talisman out of the hall and into the sky, unfurling into a vast scroll spanning thousands of miles, shading the heavens. Within the scroll’s world could be glimpsed faint outlines.

Below, Yun Tian, Ji Ning, and the other one hundred thousand True Immortals were drawn upward, falling like raindrops into the Mingyue Landscape Talisman. In the blink of an eye, the plaza was empty.

“This trial within the Mingyue Landscape Talisman will last one year. Feel free to observe and enjoy! Begin the feast!” The Great Xia Emperor smiled faintly as numerous maidservants swiftly arranged tables laden with immortal wine and fruits.

The elder Celestial Immortals seated themselves cross-legged behind the tables, their attendants likewise seated behind them.

Within the Mingyue Landscape Talisman’s world, Yun Tian felt himself touch the enormous scroll. The scenery shifted, and he found himself atop a vast lake.

“Oh, there are quite a few around!” Sweeping his gaze, Yun Tian saw scattered groups numbering over a dozen across the lake’s surface. Simultaneously, his hand reached out and grasped a glowing cyan-green talisman that suddenly appeared before him.

A cold-hearted young man nearby glanced at Yun Tian then, without hesitation, cracked a black whip that coiled like a python, lashing toward him.

“Seeking death!” With a cold glint in his eyes, Yun Tian flickered to the youth’s side. Before he could react, a sharp sword light cleaved him in two. The sword’s aura shredded his flesh and obliterated his soul.

Such ruthless swiftness in killing a True Immortal startled the others who had intended to attack Yun Tian. Their expressions changed.

“Hmph, you’re fast to flee! I’m too lazy to massacre you,” Yun Tian said coolly, watching the few scramble away. Unconcerned by the ensuing melee, he used his divine sense to scan around, then transformed into a streak of light, swiftly departing.

Moments later, sensing spatial fluctuations, Yun Tian found a deserted valley and hid within a cave to cultivate quietly.

It was not yet time to strike. After the battles outside reduced the numbers, it would be more efficient to seize talismans.

While the killing raged within the Mingyue Landscape Talisman, the atmosphere in Tianmang Hall was far more relaxed, with Celestial Immortals chatting and laughing.

As the Immortal spectators discussed the scene, a sudden clear voice cut through the mist outside: “Daoist Xia Mang, we have come uninvited today. I wonder if you welcome us?”

Eight figures appeared amidst the mist.