The ancient city loomed, constructed entirely from unknown materials. Its surface was pitch-black, etched with eerie, twisting patterns that seemed naturally formed. It exuded a feeling of ominous unity, dominating the entire view like a monstrous beast about to leap forth and devour the world. Just a single glance could chill the heart and rattle the soul.
On the towering walls of the city, ancient seal-script characters glowed faintly:
Yin Moon City.
This was the Imperial Capital of the Yin Moon Dynasty.
A powerful force of fate and destiny loomed over the city, gazing across the land.
Inside the imperial palace sat a young man, draped in black robes. His handsome face carried an innate majesty, and his aura was both elegant and demonic—a strange but commanding combination. He radiated a faint melancholy that set him apart.
This man was none other than the ruler of the Yin Moon Dynasty:
The Seven-Night Demon Lord—now titled Demon Emperor Seven-Night.
"Your Majesty, urgent intelligence."
A shadow-clad spy in black night gear materialized silently before him, holding out a sealed report.
"Oh? Hand it over."
Seven-Night's eyes flashed with interest. This spy operated within Great Yi's borders. For him to return meant something significant had happened.
Unsealing the report, Seven-Night's eyes glinted. Though his face remained calm, a hint of surprise flickered across his gaze.
"Interesting... the Immortal Peach Banquet. The Yi Emperor is buying hearts and minds. Even using the likes of Destiny Peaches and Bridal Peaches as offerings. So... this is the depth of Great Yi's foundation. It far exceeds previous estimations."
He took a deep breath.
As an emperor, Seven-Night understood the power behind such a gesture. The scale of generosity alone announced Great Yi's full sovereignty over the Vast Sea Realm. Whether others accepted it or not, their dominance could no longer be denied.
What truly shocked him, though, was Great Yi's abundance.
Sure, other factions had longevity-granting treasures too—but not on this scale, and certainly not enough to be shared at will with outsiders.
Such boldness... revealed a grand and encompassing vision—the mark of a truly great power.
This was the kind of ambition that drew powerful figures to follow. Great Yi showed the capacity to accommodate and elevate talents, to give them a stage for their ambitions. That was true influence.
"Go," Seven-Night ordered, "obtain an anonymous invitation at all costs. I must attend this banquet. Sooner or later, we'll have to face Great Yi."
"As you command, Your Majesty."
The spy vanished as swiftly as he'd appeared.
With the Yin Moon Dynasty's strength, getting an invitation wouldn't be difficult.
"Other factions near the Vast Sea Realm must be getting anxious too," Seven-Night murmured. "A storm is rising… I wonder what future awaits the Yin Moon Dynasty."
His tone carried a trace of uncertainty.
The rise of Great Yi was simply too overwhelming. They were now in close proximity. Whether now or later, a confrontation—or a union—was inevitable.
Chaos Over Invitations
The Immortal Peach Banquet invitations continued to spread across all realms.
In some cases, they fell from the sky onto unsuspecting heads—a literal stroke of fortune. Such miraculous events only deepened the mythos surrounding the banquet.
But they also sparked conflict.
Fights broke out over the coveted invitations. Blood was shed, and some cultivators even perished in the struggle.
Families, sects, and even close friends grew estranged as greed trumped loyalty.
Giant Willow City
Beyond the Vast Sea Realm, in a bustling ancient city, human cultivators bustled through streets lined with shops and taverns. This was Giant Willow City, a regional trade hub and a center of local power.
Inside a lively tavern, guests drank and debated.
"Did you hear? Great Yi has fully unified the Vast Sea Realm! The Iron-Blooded Great Wall now surrounds the entire region!"
"They're holding a Peach Banquet, but only if you have an invitation. I heard the peaches they serve are no worse than the legendary ones from Heaven itself!"
"Great Yi is a paradise. Everyone gets to cultivate. Everyone is well-fed. Their lives are like a dream—it's practically heaven!"
"Their cities have floating trains, mechanical carriages, and even something called the StarNet, where you can talk to someone a thousand miles away as if they're standing right in front of you!"
Every tale made Great Yi sound more like a mythical utopia.
Nearby, seated by a window on the second floor, a handsome young noble listened quietly. A pig-shaped protective medallion hung from his neck—clearly a powerful artifact.
This was Zhu Fengchun, of the prestigious Zhu Clan in Giant Willow City.
"Amazing… So it's true. Great Yi has unified the Vast Sea. I suppose my clan must start making preparations," he muttered under his breath.
"This banquet… I must attend. My grandmother's lifespan is nearing its end. This might be our chance to extend her life—maybe even reverse her aging."
As he spoke, he glanced at the anonymous invitation in his hand. It had literally fallen from the sky, hitting him on the head earlier in the day. Now, its meaning was clear.
Totemic Cities and Festival Spirits
Giant Willow City was protected by a Totemic Spirit—a colossal, sentient willow tree.
The totem system was common across scattered human territories. By worshiping beings of spiritual power, the city gained protection, while the spirit fed on faith and incense in return.
The city's destiny spirit was fused with the willow totem, forming a unique bond. In times of danger, the tree could defend the people—and so the city flourished.
The Zhu Clan was one of its most elite families, wielding powerful cultivation methods and deep roots. Zhu Fengchun, its direct descendant, was already on the verge of inheriting leadership.
Naturally, the Peach Banquet stirred ambitious thoughts in him.
And cities like this one were countless around the Vast Sea—each now stirred by the gravitational pull of Great Yi.
The Four Great Sea Realms
Outside the Vast Sea Realm, four neighboring realms were particularly noteworthy:
Bohai Realm
Caribbean Sea Realm
Demon Sea Realm
Dead Sea Realm
Each of these realms was also experiencing sudden turmoil and excitement—for invitations had begun to appear among them too.
And none of these regions were truly unified.
The Caribbean Sea Realm
A chaotic region, filled with pirates of all kinds—human and nonhuman alike.
The Caribbean Sea was rich in treasure, but also plagued by endless war and turmoil. Battle was a way of life here.
One group stood out—the Pirate Alliance, a loose coalition formed by the strongest pirate factions. At its head was the Pirate Emperor, wielder of the Pirate Code and recognized (at least nominally) as the ruler of the realm.
But in truth, power in the Caribbean Sea was always determined by one thing:
Strength.
The Pirate King held authority only so long as he was the strongest.
Despite the title, chaos and bloodshed remained the order of the day.