What kind of beings were the Nine Heavens Dao Sovereigns?
They stood at the very pinnacle of existence, gazing down on all living things—true Supreme Dao Sovereigns. Even Yi Tianxing had no means of contacting them, let alone delivering an invitation.
Moreover, the Peach Banquet invitations were unsigned and anonymous, merely scattered among the people and across the vast oceans—so how had they ended up precisely in the hands of the Nine Dao Sovereigns?
And with the date altered?
This was clearly a premeditated move.
What's more, with their power, the Nine Heavens Dao Sovereigns could, with a single thought, pierce through all illusions. If they wished, the true time of the Peach Banquet would naturally surface in their minds.
Yet they chose to follow the altered time written on the invitation.
This alone was the greatest clue.
Who had delivered the invitation?
Who had altered it?
For the Nine Heavens Dao Sovereigns, none of that mattered.
What mattered was that the invitation had ended up in their hands, and more importantly—it gave them an excuse. Everything else was irrelevant.
A conspiracy?
Before absolute strength, a conspiracy was a child's play.
It was obvious to all that Great Yi had not sent such an invitation. Not only the Nine Heavens Dao Sovereigns knew this—even the guests in attendance did. Under normal circumstances, the Dao Sovereigns would have simply ignored such a ruse.
But they came anyway.
And that could only mean one thing—this wasn't just about saving face or making trouble.
There was a deeper purpose.
The Nine Heavens Dao Sovereigns wanted this confrontation—so they appeared.
"Emperor Yi," said Cangtian Dao Sovereign, his voice laced with frost,"this invitation was sent by your Great Yi.It clearly instructed us to arrive at the moment of transition between the old and new year.And now you would serve us scraps?Isn't this an insult?"
His tone implied that a storm of fury was ready to break out at any moment.
"Of course, the invitation was sent by Great Yi,"Yi Tianxing replied calmly, a strange gleam in his eyes."But the Nine Dao Sovereigns are far too noble to be slighted.The banquet earlier was for the honored guests within and around Great Yi,but a more exclusive feast has been prepared in Cloudwater Garden,awaiting your esteemed arrival.Please, do grace us with your presence."
To deny the invitation now would be pointless. Claiming it had been forged would only bring disgrace to both sides.
So Yi Tianxing chose the only path forward: embrace the situation and elevate the prestige of the Nine Dao Sovereigns.
He emphasized that they had their own private banquet, a show of utmost respect and honor.
And these weren't just empty words.
In Cloudwater Garden, Yi Tianxing's avatar Yi Tianxie had already prepared everything—laying out the finest delicacies and rarest spiritual fruits, including the true Immortal Longevity Peach.
These were not offshoots, but fruit from the original mother tree, a genuine innate spiritual root.
The entire arrangement had been completed in mere moments, but it looked like a meticulously prepared and pre-arranged feast.
Everything radiated the highest level of hospitality and reverence.
The nine Dao Sovereigns turned their gaze toward Yi Tianxing.
They knew full well that no one in Great Yi could have foreseen their arrival, and yet Yi Tianxing had come up with a solution on the spot, flawlessly executed.
It left them with no opening for further complaint.
This private banquet—lavish and exclusive—made it impossible to claim they'd been slighted.
Everything was airtight.
Even if they'd come with hostile intent, they had no grounds to act—at least, not yet.
"Very well."
The Nine Dao Sovereigns exchanged glances and descended—nine beams of divine light streaking toward Cloudwater Garden.
"Fellow Pure Yang Daoist," Yi Tianxing said to Lü Dongbin and the other two immortals,"Would you join us?"
"A feast like this? How could we miss it?"Lü Dongbin replied without hesitation.
Despite the oppressive presence of the Dao Sovereigns, the Three Pure Yang Immortals remained unshaken.
This was Great Yi's territory—the Dao Sovereigns did not rule here.
Yi Tianxing nodded and led the way.
This would not be an ordinary exchange. Beneath the surface, he could sense hidden dangers, likely more severe than expected.
Back at Hydra's secret base...
"These Nine Dao Sovereigns you brought in—They've already been shut down by three sentences from Emperor Yi.No excuse left to act.You still think Great Yi will fall out with them?"
White Robe sneered, clearly skeptical.
"Don't worry," Black Robe replied confidently."You think the Dao Sovereigns will back off just like that?If they've chosen to appear, they won't leave empty-handed.Just wait—we'll get our good news."
"To alter the invitation like that, I had to use the Illusory True Word.Without it, the forgery would've been seen through in an instant.Even if Yi Tianxing senses something wrong—he has no choice but to go along."
He was visibly pleased with himself. Yi Tianxing may have responded well, but to him, it was merely a delay.
The outcome was inevitable.
Inside Cloudwater Garden
Cascading waterfalls flowed all around, giving rise to misty clouds. Among the clouds, banquet tables were arranged in stunning harmony.
The presentation far outclassed the previous Peach Banquet.
The immortal peaches here were no longer the common Ten-Thousand-Year Peaches, but true Immortal Longevity Peaches, borne of an innate divine root.
The Nine Dao Sovereigns took their seats, divine light still cloaking their bodies.
They needed no expression to emanate authority.
They were Heaven.
They were Dao.
Their presence was the will of the cosmos.
When the Three Pure Yang Immortals entered, a trace of coldness flickered in the Dao Sovereigns' eyes—but they said nothing.
This was Yi Tianxing's domain, and they were still guests.
Some lines could not be crossed—not yet.
They sat down and began to sample the delicacies before them, despite their lack of interest.
Even so, they couldn't deny the extraordinary flavor of the Immortal Peaches.
Still, fine cuisine was not why they came.
Three rounds of wine later, the atmosphere grew quiet.
Yi Tianxing looked toward the nine figures. He took a deep breath and said calmly:
"The Peach Banquet has concluded.I thank the Nine Dao Sovereigns for gracing us with your presence—it has added brilliance to the event.When we next host the Peach Banquet, we will send personal invitations well in advance.You will not be disappointed."
His words made it very clear: this is the end.
Anyone who heard it would understand that it was a polite farewell.
But the Dao Sovereigns?
They acted like they didn't hear a thing.
None of them moved.
"Emperor Yi," said Cangtian Dao Sovereign,"Your Great Yi stands as the foremost human Destiny Dynasty,the leading force under Heaven.But if you continue expanding... things may no longer be easy."
"Indeed," added Huangtian Dao Sovereign."Now that the seals on Heaven and Earth have lifted,ancient powerhouses from various races are returning.Their strength is enough to annihilate immortal cities in an instant.They can lay waste to entire provinces.Such beings—just one of them can be enough to overthrow a nation.It won't be so easy to grow unchecked anymore."
"Why not gather more allies for Great Yi?Many top-tier beings would surely be interested."
Their intentions were now crystal clear.
"These Dao Sovereigns want to become Great Yi's backers?"
"To insert their hands into its affairs?"
The Three Pure Yang Immortals exchanged glances, inwardly shaken.
Yi Tianxing's heart tensed.
Their target was obvious—Great Yi itself.
The Dao Sovereigns believed Great Yi held something they wanted. And now, they sought to form ties—starting as "supporters."
But who could guarantee that would be the end?
Once they were entangled, who could stop them from taking more?
The most troubling thing wasn't what they offered—but what they wanted in return.
And what exactly that was, remained unknown.