Within the Ultimate Principle Society, the Supreme Elder's aura was veiled, his expression enigmatic.
"The Linya Molt is a tribulation, yet also a blessing."
"Disasters run rampant within the Immortal Palace, but a sliver of fortune lies there as well."
"I hope Old Second can take another step forward."
Unlike the Sole Palace, which governed the Linya Molt and constructed the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Realm, the path pursued by the Ultimate Principle Society was to use Supreme Ultimate Principles to shatter the limit of the Yang God's second tier and break through to the third tier, or even the fourth tier.
Yet this path was exceedingly difficult.
"With Supreme Venerable Ten Thousand Suns's aptitude, it might just be possible..." The Supreme Elder of the Ultimate Principle Society wore an unreadable look and seemed slightly hesitant. Then, as if sensing something, a curious glint appeared in his eyes. "The moment he emerged from seclusion, he headed for the Immortal Palace. He truly is a man of deep affection and righteousness.
"However, the gates of the Immortal Palace are shut. Unless the Sole Palace hands down an edict, no one can enter," the Supreme Elder murmured.
"Hong Yun," the Supreme Elder softly called out suddenly.
At that moment, a young man in red robes arrived, bowing his head with a respectful demeanor.
Hong Yun was a disciple of the Supreme Master.
However, this disciple had a very special background—he was not a native creature of the Immortal Realm.
Yet having entered the Immortal Realm and attained the Yang God realm, it meant he could no longer leave. Once he departed, he would be devoured by the Unnamable.
Thus, Hong Yun had always remained in the Sixth Heaven of the Immortal Realm.
"This disciple is here."
"Go to the place where the Immortal Palace opens and invite Supreme Venerable Ten Thousand Suns to come to the Ultimate Principle Society for a discussion," the Supreme Master of the Ultimate Principle Society spoke.
Hong Yun kept his head bowed, carefully pondering his master's words.
Generally speaking, an invitation like this would not require a disciple like him to show up in person.
With a single thought, the Supreme Master of the Ultimate Principle Society could transmit a message across hundreds of millions of li.
For his master to send him in person had to hold special significance.
After a moment's thought, he roughly understood his master's intentions.
"This disciple understands," Hong Yun said.
His master's intention was perhaps to inform Supreme Venerable Ten Thousand Suns about the situation in the Sixth Heaven and the other worlds—and to convey it through his mouth.
Taking his leave of his master, Hong Yun felt mixed emotions.
*To think that after so many years, such a prodigy as Supreme Venerable Ten Thousand Suns has emerged in the Immortal Realm.*
*I wonder how far he can walk along the path of ultimate principle.*
With an emotional sigh, Hong Yun stepped onto a teleportation array, his figure vanishing in that instant.
...
Qishan Market.
People came and went in a bustling stream.
Shen Wushen sat inside a tavern, diligently sipping wine, anticipation gleaming in his eyes.
Lian Mei wore a formfitting white gown that lacked fabric across her chest, revealing a large expanse of smooth, fair skin, while the hem hugged her plump rear, exuding boundless charm.
The surrounding cultivators murmured in hushed tones, stealing covert glances at Lian Mei from time to time. Indeed, this woman dressed boldly and skimpily, and her scent and aura were exceptionally alluring, just like a vixen.
"Ever since the Immortal Palace opened, streaks of flowing light have flown out every three months. I wonder what our haul will be this time."
"Those streaks of light are only useful to Purple Mansion cultivators like us; otherwise, how could an opportunity like this ever fall to us!"
"I hope to obtain an opportunity from the flowing light to advance a step further into the middle stage of the Purple Mansion."
"Sigh, I wonder if there's any chance of entering the Immortal Palace."
"Are you courting death? Even Yang Gods face the risk of perishing upon stepping into the Immortal Palace! You're just a Purple Mansion cultivator, weaker than an ant before a Yang God, and yet you're thinking of entering the Immortal Palace?"
Shen Wushen listened calmly to the surrounding chatter. "Senior Sister Lian Mei, once I help you seize a hundred strands of flowing light this time, I will leave."
Back then, in order to gather cultivation arts for Qi Yuan and help send letters to Yue Nü Jin Li, he had incurred many favors from Senior Sister Lian Mei.
"You truly don't know how to appreciate romance," Lian Mei said, rolling her eyes at Shen Wushen. "The friends you make are all a bunch of dullards too."
"Hey, you can't say that. What about me is dull?" Just then, a handsome man clad in blood-red robes entered the tavern. He looked at Shen Wushen, a smile gracing his face. "It's been a century since we last met."
Lian Mei cast a glance at Qi Yuan, an odd look in her eyes. "Shen Wushen, you actually have friends in this Sixth Heaven?"
When Shen Wushen saw Qi Yuan, shock struck his heart, and a trace of awkwardness appeared on his face.
"This is Qi... Brother Qi. He's a friend I met in the lower realm."
"The lower realm?" Lian Mei paused, her expression turning solemn. "Then he must be a Yin God senior."
Anyone from the lower realm who wished to ascend to the Immortal Realm needed to possess the Yin God cultivation realm.
Lian Mei was in the Purple Mansion realm. Although rogue Yin Gods might not necessarily have higher status than her, proper respect was still due.
"How did you end up here? Looking for the flowing light?" Qi Yuan asked casually.
Truth be told, Shen Wushen had gathered cultivation arts for him and helped deliver letters to Jin Li, providing tremendous assistance.
Having arrived at Qishan Market and sensed Shen Wushen here, Qi Yuan naturally dropped by to see him.
"Something like that," Shen Wushen replied, feeling somewhat constrained despite himself.
After all, the events that later unfolded in the Sixth Heaven of the Immortal Realm had fueled many conjectures.
He had his own guesses about Qi Yuan's true identity and true strength.
Yet... for such a terrifying existence to appear before him like an ordinary cultivator and chat with him made him feel as if he were dreaming.
"Why did you come here? For the Immortal Palace?" Shen Wushen asked.
Lian Mei was taken aback. Shen Wushen's phrasing was rather strange.
What did he mean, "for the Immortal Palace"?
"Yes, I plan to enter the Immortal Palace and take a look," Qi Yuan answered truthfully.
Lian Mei recovered from her daze and covered her mouth, chuckling. "Junior Brother, see... this good friend of yours is a dullard as well."
If he wasn't a dullard, why would he talk about entering the Immortal Palace?
Only Yang God powerhouses like their Mount Futu Mountain Master had any chance of being drafted into the Immortal Palace.
"Don't spread rumors—how am I a dullard!" Qi Yuan said earnestly. "I am a man of striking appearance, dashing and refined."
Speaking of dullards, he was reminded of Zhu Bajie.
He was nothing like Zhu Bajie.
The only similarity was that Zhu Bajie was Marshal Tianpeng, and Qi Yuan was undeniably handsome.
Hearing this, Lian Mei's smile deepened. "I suppose only someone like you would be willing to be friends with Shen Wushen."
Shen Wushen had an aloof, stubborn temperament, and he had few friends on Mount Futu.
The friends he did make were a ragtag bunch.
"Aren't you his friend too?" Qi Yuan rolled his eyes at Lian Mei. "Stop calling me a dullard, or watch out—I'll give you a nickname."
Lian Mei laughed so hard she could barely close her mouth. "Go ahead, give me a nickname! Big Sister is listening."
"Hmm..." Qi Yuan thought of Nose-Picker Sis.
Lian Mei didn't pick her nose.
"Big-Booty Sis!" Qi Yuan said, glancing at Lian Mei's plump rear.
If he was going to give a nickname, he naturally had to pick the most prominent feature.
Like Ziyuan Daxue, Horned Sis.
Like Ziyuan Xiaolu, Pink-Horned Sis.
Hearing this, Lian Mei laughed even more coquettishly. "Junior Brother Wushen, for this friend of yours to live this long without being beaten to death, he must have some real skill!"
If any other female cultivator heard such a nickname, she would probably consider it sexual harassment and strike with murderous intent.
She, however, was different. She actually quite liked this nickname and found it rather unique.
"Why would I be beaten to death?" Qi Yuan blinked. "Killing someone over a minor disagreement—the atmosphere in this cultivation world is truly terrible!"
Qi Yuan sighed with emotion.
Cultivators cultivating themselves to be so belligerent and full of hostility was completely improper.
Between people, harmony should be prized above all else.
Lian Mei burst into laughter again.
Beside them, Shen Wushen remained completely silent.
*Killing someone over a minor disagreement?*
*Doesn't it seem like Qi Yuan does that more often than anyone?*
"The atmosphere of the cultivation world really is awful. Sigh, every single one of them is hypocritical to the bone," Lian Mei lamented. "I dress like this specifically for them to look at, yet every last one of them only dares to steal peeks."
As she spoke, Lian Mei puffed out her chest.
Qi Yuan nodded in agreement. "Not only hypocritical, but one constantly runs into sanctimonious hypocrites bullying men and extorting women!"
"Great minds think alike! The atmosphere in this cultivation world really is rotten," Lian Mei said with a charming smile, whether sincere or feigned.
"There isn't even any trust between people either," Qi Yuan said.
Lian Mei, however, was a trustworthy woman—she went commando when going outside.
"Shen Wushen, wait here for a bit. I'll take a trip to the Immortal Palace. If I encounter any flowing light, I'll bring some back for you." Qi Yuan wasted no more words.
Meeting Shen Wushen and exchanging greetings had already exhausted all his social energy.
After all, he had severe social anxiety; if he stayed for a meal, he would shatter into pieces.
"Alright. Thank you, Brother Qi!" Shen Wushen said earnestly.
Wearing an amused smile, Lian Mei watched Qi Yuan's departing back and remarked, "This friend of yours is quite interesting. Aside from boasting and rambling like a madman, he actually... has some merits."
Shen Wushen kept quiet.
Right at that moment, a vast, profound sound suddenly thundered across the vault of heaven.
It was like a bolt of lightning on a clear day.
The cultivators in the market couldn't help walking out, looking up into the boundless sky.
"That's the phantom of the Immortal Palace!"
"What's going on? Why did the Immortal Palace suddenly appear?"
"What happened?"
Countless cultivators were utterly bewildered.
In a distant region, the Yang God Heavenly Venerables observing the Immortal Palace also revealed looks of utter shock.
"How could the Immortal Palace manifest again?"
"Is that... Supreme Venerable Ten Thousand Suns?"
"He wants to force his way into the Immortal Palace? How could that be possible!"
"The waters in the Immortal Palace run deep. Even if Supreme Venerables joined forces, they couldn't force it open. Supreme Venerable Ten Thousand Suns is bringing trouble on himself!"
"No, if he dares to do this, could he... have cards up his sleeve?"
At this moment, within the sea of stars, countless stellar projections representing Yang Gods suddenly flared with dazzling radiance, casting beams of light down upon this place.
They wanted to see how Supreme Venerable Ten Thousand Suns planned to enter the Immortal Palace!
Meanwhile, the cultivators here were dumbfounded, having no idea what was happening.
They only knew that something terrifying was taking place.
At that moment, a gentle, comical voice echoed across heaven and earth:
"Immortal Palace, be a good baby, open up your gate!"
Above the firmament, the phantom of the Immortal Palace trembled continuously.
Immortal qi surged proudly, and a hundred hues of brilliant light spilled forth, dazzling and mysterious.
Various ancient and extraordinary auras leaked out, as if hailing from eternity past.
Seeing this scene, Hong Yun's eyes filled with astonishment.
*With a single phrase, Supreme Venerable Ten Thousand Suns... actually summoned the Immortal Palace!*
*How did he do it?*
*Could it be that Supreme Venerable Ten Thousand Suns reached an agreement with the Sole Palace?*
This was the only explanation Hong Yun could imagine.
Perhaps after defeating Taihuang Palace, Supreme Venerable Ten Thousand Suns had formed some connection with the Sole Palace.
That was why he could summon the Immortal Palace.
"Won't open, won't open, definitely won't open?" Above the firmament, Qi Yuan looked at the gates of the Immortal Palace, his gaze calm. "Since you won't open, I'll just force my way in!"
At that moment, his figure forcefully squeezed toward the gates of the Immortal Palace.
In merely a split second, the form of the Immortal Palace disappeared.
Qi Yuan's figure vanished without a trace along with it.
The countless Yang Gods observing this scene were shaken to their cores.
"Did he... go in?"
"He entered the Immortal Palace?"
"He actually went inside!"
"How is that possible!"
"Could it be... Supreme Venerable Ten Thousand Suns really established ties with the Sole Palace?"
That was the only possible reason they could think of.
Any other reason would simply be too preposterous!
...
Inside the Immortal Palace.
A streak of light flashed.
Astonishment flickered in Ancestor Ziyuan's eyes.
"Go."
Without the slightest hesitation, the White Dragon Abyss Lord, wearing a veil over her face, vanished in an instant.
Where they had just been standing, light descended, causing all things to wither and dissolve.
Only upon reaching a safe area did Ancestor Ziyuan let out a sigh of relief.
"The Immortal Palace this time is actually different from before. Even a Great Ultimate Principle cannot contend against this Everlasting Kalpa Glow," Ancestor Ziyuan said, lingering fear in his heart.
He had only been in the Immortal Palace for several decades, yet he had already encountered crises several times.
Although none were catastrophic and he could easily evade them with his strength, the danger was slowly escalating.
The Everlasting Kalpa Glow was also growing more and more frequent.
"What exactly is this Everlasting Kalpa Glow... It seems capable of corroding even ultimate principles, and only ultimate principles can resist it in the slightest," Ancestor Ziyuan mused in puzzlement.
"It somewhat resembles the Xuanhun Light from before the world was opened," the White Dragon Abyss Lord said.
Before the creation of the world, there were no rules, only boundless chaos.
Once a world and living beings came into existence, rules appeared.
This Everlasting Kalpa Glow seemed fundamentally opposed to rules, capable of corroding them away.
As she spoke, the White Dragon Abyss Lord looked at Ancestor Ziyuan with a curious gaze. "Ancestor Ziyuan, your strength has advanced considerably compared to the past.
"When Taihuang Palace ambushed you last time, how exactly did you survive the Root Demon Tribulation?"
This time inside the Immortal Palace, Ancestor Ziyuan had displayed formidable power, noticeably superior to third-tier Great Ultimate Principles.
His growth in strength was naturally because he had overcome the Root Demon Tribulation.
Yet based on what the White Dragon Abyss Lord knew of Ancestor Ziyuan, he should have had no chance of surviving that last Root Demon Tribulation.
Even if he had somehow scraped by through sheer luck, he should have been severely crippled, with less than ten percent of his strength remaining.
Instead, Ancestor Ziyuan was hale and hearty, even more formidable than in his prime.
"That is... a secret," Ancestor Ziyuan said smugly.
"Could it be related to Supreme Venerable Ten Thousand Suns?" the White Dragon Abyss Lord asked casually, looking at Ancestor Ziyuan.
When no other explanation presented itself, the best guess was whoever he was close with and whoever was strongest.
At the mention of Supreme Venerable Ten Thousand Suns, the White Dragon Abyss Lord's expression turned complicated.
Back then, she had even wanted Supreme Venerable Ten Thousand Suns to father a child with her.
Unfortunately, Supreme Venerable Ten Thousand Suns had declined, which had deeply disappointed her.
Fortunately, however, she hadn't tried to force Qi Yuan at the time; otherwise, the White Dragon Abyss might very well have become a second Taihuang Palace.
"As for this matter... this old man has no idea either," Ancestor Ziyuan denied.
Even if denying it was useless, he still had to deny it.
The fact that Qi Yuan could resolve Root Demon Tribulations had to be kept secret for as long as possible.
Fortunately, Qi Yuan possessed the might of a Supreme Venerable. Had he merely been in the first tier of the Yang God, a Lesser Ultimate Principle, or a third-tier Great Ultimate Principle, he would likely have been targeted long ago by numerous experts and pressured into helping them survive their tribulations.
For ultimate principle experts, the Root Demon Tribulation was far too perilous.
Yet to grow stronger, one was forced to overcome it.
Many experts in the realm of Great Ultimate Reason refrained from advancing their strength solely out of dread that the Root Demon Tribulation would descend.
When Ancestor Ziyuan's Root Demon Tribulation descended last time and he survived unscathed, it had naturally surprised many Yang Gods.
At that time, however, Supreme Venerable Ten Thousand Suns's prestige was at its zenith after obliterating Taihuang Palace, so even those Yang Gods harboring ulterior motives dared not make inquiries.
Chapter 566