The Hydra faction wasn't just spreading threats to disrupt the Immortal Peach Festival—they were also releasing sinister rumors, claiming the entire event was a trap laid by the Great Yi Empire. According to them, the festival was not a feast but a scheme to lure in powerful non-human cultivators and sacrifice them to the Wedding Peach Tree, feeding them to it as living offerings.
These claims were detailed and vivid—eerily believable at first glance, enough to stir doubt in many.
Naturally, most non-human races were the ones affected by such rumors. As for the human cultivators, hardly anyone believed them. Yi Tianxing had long been revered as a divine figure among the human race.
With the Great Yi Empire's resources, how could they not be capable of holding a legitimate feast?The rumors were nothing more than baseless noise.Yet, some non-human powers remained cautious—after all, the true stance of Great Yi toward them was still uncertain.The old saying "Those who are not of my race are sure to have differing hearts" originated from humans, and it rang especially true for them.
Even if the rumors were likely false, the seed of doubt was enough to dampen some enthusiasm and create hidden tension around the event.
Yet, in the face of overwhelming momentum, such gossip was futile.
Time passed quietly.
In the blink of an eye, it was now December 30th, 48th year of the Eternal Era—a day known as New Year's Eve.
All across Great Yi, households were putting up fresh peachwood charms and pasting brand-new couplets on their doors. Cities, especially the newly established Immortal Cities, were decorated joyously. For many, it was the first year in their new homes—a new beginning full of hope, filled with boundless possibilities.
Though there would be no Immortal Delicacy Banquet this year, Great Yi was hosting the Immortal Peach Festival.
While the general populace couldn't attend the event in person, it had been announced that the festival would be livestreamed across the Star Network. Anyone interested could witness the entire event in real-time, experiencing its wonders as if they were truly there.
They might not taste the delicacies,But just seeing the grandeur of the celebration was enough.What they yearned to see most was the prosperity of Great Yi—The glory of the Human Sovereign Era.
City-Wide Celebrations and Immersive Entertainment
Throughout the Immortal Cities, New Year's Eve celebrations were in full swing. Music, dances, and performances filled the streets with joy.
The Terrifying Paradise and Joyous Amusement Park—two famous theme parks—had now become fully integrated into Xuanhuang Immortal City. Though they would eventually be moved into their own Cloud Realm, for now they were open to the public.
On New Year's Eve, they were fully activated.
Using the city's power, holographic projections of the theme parks were broadcast across every Immortal City, allowing citizens to enter freely and enjoy the rides and games without leaving home.
Even though these were projections, interactivity was fully preserved—people could explore and have fun just as if they were there physically.
It was Yi Tianxing's gift to his people.Joy and laughter would mark the beginning of the new year.It was more than enough.
The Venue: Peach Blossom Garden
The Immortal Peach Festival was held in the Imperial Palace, within a massive garden evolved from the Old Summer Palace, now known as the Peach Blossom Garden.
The garden was filled with peach trees—some hundreds or thousands of years old, stretching endlessly. During the blooming season, petals danced in the wind, creating a breathtaking scene of fragrance and beauty.
Now, the garden had been decorated to exquisite perfection.
Each peach tree had been shaped into a natural setting: petals formed the ground, leaves became tables and chairs, and floral fragrance wafted around each guest like an ethereal dream.
The seats were arranged in the tree canopies,Guests would dine above the blossoms, as if mortals below, immortals above.
A truly unique experience.
Countless trees filled the garden, each one flourishing with pink blossoms. Some had already borne spirit peaches, a kind of rare spiritual fruit, though not quite at the level of Immortal Peaches. Still, these fruits were valuable and hard to find.
Among them stood a ten-thousand-year-old peach tree—the Peach King—whose crown alone was massive enough to support a giant floral platform. Upon it sat a lavish table set for Yi Tianxing and his consorts, covered in the finest spiritual delicacies and Immortal Peaches.
This was the main seat, meant for royalty.The finest food and the rarest peaches were placed here,Enough to accommodate more than ten people without crowding.
Food, Entertainment, and Splendor
This event wasn't just about eating fruit—it was a grand culinary affair.
Top chefs from the Gourmet Hall had been preparing for days. Using the rarest of ingredients, they would present forty-nine exquisite dishes, one after another in a flowing banquet style. The dishes would keep coming until all were served—or until the guest declined.
Each dish would be a gourmet masterpiece,Worth more than its weight in gold.
Even cultivators rarely had access to such luxury—Let alone with top chefs preparing them on demand.
Accompanying the meal were performances—music, song, and dance from the best artists of Great Yi. The entire Empire had devoted its fullest effort to prepare for the Immortal Peach Festival.
The eyes of the entire Eternal World were now turned to Great Yi.
The Moment Arrives: Rainbow Bridge
Unknowingly, night began to fall.
And as the last ray of sunlight dipped beneath the horizon...
Shua!
A brilliant rainbow bridge shot forth from the Imperial Palace, piercing the heavens like a radiant arc, spanning across the entire Xuanhuang City.
On that bridge stood a towering, gold-armored god-general, gripping a massive sword. His expression was stern, eyes sharp like lightning, exuding the might to pierce through the heavens.
His energy merged completely with the bridge beneath him—he was one with it.
This was the Guardian God General Yi Tianxing had obtained from the mystery auction.He had placed him here to guard the Rainbow Bridge, now named Divine General Yutian.
Yi Tianxing had even spent vast amounts of Wish Power Pearls to raise the general's cultivation to the peak of the True Spirit Realm—an incredible force, capable of deterring any would-be troublemaker.
Yutian was now the immovable guardian of the bridge.
The Festival Begins
"By order of the Emperor," Yutian's voice rang out,"The Immortal Peach Festival is now open."
"All those with invitations may summon the Rainbow Bridge from anywhere—inside or beyond the Vast Sea Realm."
"Call upon it, and the Rainbow Bridge shall descend to receive you."
His voice echoed through every corner of the Great Yi Empire, even reaching the minds of all who held an invitation.
Stirring the World
"The Immortal Peach Festival has begun! And they're using the Rainbow Bridge to bring in guests!"
"This is the legendary war treasure of Great Yi—the Rainbow Bridge. With it, they can mobilize armies instantly, launch surprise attacks, and strike fear into their enemies!"
"Amazing! I'm far outside the Vast Sea Realm, but the bridge will still fetch me! That's incredible. Great Yi's strength really is beyond comprehension."
One by one, powerful cultivators looked toward the heavens.
They could sense the presence of the Rainbow Bridge, even if it wasn't yet visible—its aura felt like a massive divine blade, hanging overhead, ready to strike at any moment.
An invisible threat, A majestic invitation, And the festival had finally begun.