To those harboring ill intent—or simply non-human races—the Rainbow Bridge hanging in the sky was a silent threat, a sword of Damocles suspended overhead.
But to the citizens of Great Yi, it was the exact opposite—it brought a powerful sense of security.
As long as the Rainbow Bridge existed,Any city under siege could receive reinforcements instantly,Allowing Great Yi to project overwhelming force across any distance.
Unless the enemy could kill in a single strike, the safety of Immortal Cities was greatly increased.
So it was no surprise that the people of Great Yi looked upon the Rainbow Bridge with smiles and reverence, their eyes shining with hope.
Shua!
Even though many were awed by the spectacle, those who had received invitations began to activate them, summoning the Rainbow Bridge for escort.
Suddenly, a beam of seven-colored light shot toward Snow Province, descending upon a man clad in flowing robes, with two streaks of white hair at his temples. His aura was serene and ethereal—this was none other than Qing Yunzi, sect master of the Green Mountain Immortal Sect.
By his side stood an elderly man, his breath faint, his body emitting an air of decaying life—on the brink of death. Yet, the energy emanating from him was formidable and unyielding.
This was Qing Songzi, a True Spirit Realm powerhouse and the sect's Great Elder—a hidden card. His existence had never been made public; the outside world believed him long dead. In reality, he had been kept secret to preserve the sect's fate.
In earlier days, the Green Mountain Sect had been ranked merely a Five-Star Sect, with Yang God Realm as its known peak strength. But clearly, they'd hidden their true capabilities. With a True Spirit Realm cultivator in reserve, they were qualified to be a Six-Star Sect.
Yet Qing Songzi's aura showed he was already nearing the end of his life—he had no time left to ascend further. This meant his current realm was one he'd reached long ago and had been sealed ever since.
Many sects likely hid similar cards.Judging them by surface-level rankings could lead to fatal miscalculations.
This time, Qing Yunzi brought Qing Songzi with a clear purpose: the Ten-Thousand-Year Immortal Peach, the Longevity Peach served at the Immortal Peach Festival.
Once consumed, the fruit could extend lifespan by 5,000 years, even offering a chance to restore youth or rekindle the spark of life.
Qing Songzi had a slim chance to not only recover but possibly ascend to Dao Platform Realm, and maybe even beyond to the Path-Proving Realm.
Even the faintest glimmer of hope was worth any price.
Attending this festival might allow many like Qing Songzi to undergo rebirth—and in doing so, they would owe Yi Tianxing a favor. A karmic debt.
Once the Immortal Peach Festival succeeded,Countless powers would be entwined in Great Yi's karma.Such cause and effect could not be denied.
Karma: A Double-Edged Sword
Of course, karma was a dangerous thing.
There was an old saying: "A bowl of rice creates gratitude; a sack of rice creates resentment."
A small favor is a blessing—people are grateful and can easily repay it.But a favor too large creates a debt too heavy to bear.Eventually, that debt becomes resentment.Some, in desperation, might even choose to kill their benefactor to erase the debt.
"If the person is dead, there is no longer any karma to repay."The same logic applied to all karmic relationships.
Thus, even those attending the festival might one day attempt betrayal, especially if they felt overwhelmed by Great Yi's generosity.
But the fact that Yi Tianxing could host this event boldly was a testament to his confidence. He sat upright, unmoved.
"Let's see who dares make a move.Let's see who dares harbor disloyalty."
Clearly, Qing Yunzi and Qing Songzi were not among such schemers.
Names Echo Across the Empire
"Qing Yunzi, Sect Master of Green Mountain Immortal Sect, has arrived!!"
The Divine General Yutian accepted their invitation and made the announcement—his voice echoing through the entire Great Yi Empire.
Attending the Immortal Peach Festival and having your name proclaimed was a chance for instant fame.
Your name would spread throughout the Vast Sea Region and beyond—immortalized as part of the First Immortal Peach Festival, a historical milestone.
Soon after:
"Jinguang, Sect Master of the Profound Heart Sect, has arrived!"
Another brilliant light lit up the Rainbow Bridge.
A youthful-looking cultivator appeared, also accompanied by an elderly man radiating an aura of decay—yet unmistakably powerful.
Clearly, he too had come for the Longevity Peach, hoping to prolong life, regain youth, and perhaps even break through to a higher realm.
It was also a signal—the sect was willing to accept Great Yi's goodwill and bear the karmic tie.
One by one, Immortal Sects emerged, summoned by the Rainbow Bridge. Each was proclaimed across the land.
Within Great Yi, countless cultivators looked up at the Rainbow Bridge. Anyone who gazed at it could see the process unfolding as though it were right before their eyes—distance meant nothing.
Sects of all levels appeared: some Four-Star, some Six-Star. No Seven-Star Sects had been seen yet, and it was unclear whether any existed within Great Yi's borders.
But one thing was certain—nearly all the sects within Great Yi were willing to ally with the empire.
Resistance was futile.Great Yi had become a supreme power within the Vast Sea Region,With potential to become a Sacred Court.
To oppose it now was to invite ruin.
And anyone who had built an immortal sect had survived for centuries. Fools never made it that far. Showing respect to the strong was not shameful—it was wisdom.
"Those who adapt to the times are true heroes."
Non-Human Powers Arrive
"Princess Su Weiduo of the Pure Blossom Garden, from the Elven Race, has arrived!"
"Dragon King Ao Lie of the Vast Sea Dragon Palace, has arrived!"
"Lin Yu of the Vast Sea Qilin Clan, has arrived!"
"Ba Sihai, Patriarch of the Dinosaur Clan, has arrived!"
...
Despite the earlier rumors, many non-human powers ultimately chose to attend.
The Immortal Peach Festival wasn't merely about food—it was about destiny, alliances, and the future of their races.
To ignore this was to risk being blacklisted by Great Yi.One day, an army might appear at your gates.
Each invitation had names inscribed. To neglect it would be an open insult.
A Moment of Pride
"What a grand event. Since when do non-human races treat us humans with such reverence?"
"They receive our invitations and attend obediently, even with admiration in their eyes!"
"Glory to humanity! Glory to Great Yi! This is a gathering of all races—only we could achieve this!"
"Tonight is New Year's Eve—let's drink until dawn!"
As countless non-human guests stepped onto the Rainbow Bridge, pride swelled in the hearts of the Great Yi people. Their national pride was unleashed in full.
"This is a true golden age.The empire is not the final goal—Great Yi is showing the aura of a Sacred Court."
"The day of ascension may soon arrive."
Observers from Afar
Outside the Iron-Blood Great Wall, in the Bohai Domain, atop a mighty mountain shrouded in clouds, three figures stood watching from the skies.
One wore flowing white robes and carried an ancient sword on his back. His appearance was handsome and unrestrained, his aura noble and carefree.
To women, he was like a dream incarnate.
He exuded an allure that no mortal woman could resist—Light as mist, elegant as a god.
A burly man beside him, fanning himself with a palm-leaf fan and laughing heartily, remarked:
"Mmm, impressive.We've been honored guests at the Queen Mother's Peach Banquet before...This isn't quite at that level, but the momentum is astonishing."
"The potential here is limitless.Whoever this Emperor Yi is, he's no ordinary man.I'm truly curious now—I want to meet him."