For cultivators, seniority and age meant little. Once one reached a certain realm, lifespans could stretch across thousands or even tens of thousands of years. A few decades, even a few centuries, were but fleeting moments. By mundane standards, such an age was just right for marriage—still at the height of one's youth and vigor. It was nothing strange at all.
"Brother, wedding wine awaits! We really came at the perfect time."
Zhao Ziyan beamed with delight.
"Martial Aunt, this person beside you is…?"
The two disciples glanced at Yi Tianxing with curiosity. Anyone who could accompany Zhao Ziyan so closely was clearly no ordinary figure. A guess had already taken shape in their minds—they just hadn't dared confirm it.
"This is my brother."
Zhao Ziyan said directly, without a hint of concealment.
"Your brother? The Lord of the Da Yi Sacred Court… King Yi of Saints?"
They couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath on the spot. The shock in their eyes was written all over their faces.
Zhao Ziyan's identity was well known within Qionghua Immortal Sect. Everyone knew she had been conferred the title of Grand Princess in Da Yi and carried the destiny of an imperial dynasty. Her cultivation progress had been nothing short of miraculous. In just a few decades, she had caught up to, or even surpassed, many who had cultivated for centuries.
This made her a very unique figure in Qionghua.
Even the sect's top authorities treated her with a degree of reverence. There were demands and requests that others couldn't fulfill—but if Zhao Ziyan asked, they would be granted. Of course, she had never abused her position, which earned her great affection within the sect.
Now, not only had she returned—but she had brought her brother.
And her brother was none other than the legendary King Yi of Saints, the ruler of the Da Yi Sacred Court.
Such a person appearing here—who wouldn't be shaken?
Fortunately, these were disciples of an immortal sect. Their mental fortitude far exceeded that of ordinary people. They quickly composed themselves and respectfully bowed.
"Qionghua Inner Disciples Lü Chunguang and Zhang Guihua pay respects to King Yi of Saints."
Their demeanor was proper, without the slightest hint of disrespect. After all, by reputation alone, this man had once led armies into the Evernight Battlefield and returned alive—a feat few could believe. Many thought it no different from a myth. They had long since harbored reverence for him in their hearts.
"We'll immediately send word to the sect to welcome King Yi."
The two disciples added hurriedly.
After all, with someone of Yi Tianxing's status arriving, Qionghua Immortal Sect would need to respond with the appropriate decorum and protocols. Anything less would be a loss of face, something that would invite ridicule from the other sects.
"No need. I'll escort my brother myself. This is a perfect time to introduce him to the Taiyi Immortal Path."
Zhao Ziyan said with a smile, then took Yi Tianxing by the hand and headed up the path.
"What do we do?"Zhang Guihua and Lü Chunguang exchanged a glance.
Of course they didn't take Zhao Ziyan's words literally. She was one thing, but the sect's rules were another. If they failed to report such a visit, and the two simply appeared unannounced in the sect, they might not live to regret it.
"Brother, this Taiyi Immortal Path is quite famous. It's composed of the Ziwei Path, the Baihao Path, and the Jixuan Path—and it's the only route to ascend to Qionghua Immortal Sect…"
Zhao Ziyan explained as she led the way.
Her familiarity with every detail was evident.
Yi Tianxing listened with a smile.
Upon entering the gate, they passed the Nine Heavens Profound Lady statue, along with the statues of the four guardian beasts of Kunlun: Lu Wu, Kaiming Beast, Yingzhao, and Baize. Legend had it that the Qionghua Immortal Sect's heritage was connected to the Nine Heavens Profound Lady—but whether that was true, no one knew for sure.
As they walked, Zhao Ziyan pointed out notable locations.
The Qionghua Palace—the sect master's residence and the primary reception area for guests.
The Reverence Hall—where ancestors were honored and the soul lamps of disciples were kept.
A teleportation platform—used for traversing the vast regions within the mountain. The sect territory was immense.
The Sword Dance Platform—where disciples lived and cultivated. Behind it lay Scrollcloud Terrace, overlooking a sea of clouds that shifted endlessly.
Higher up was the Five Spirits Sword Pavilion, and behind it, the Valley of Remorse, where disciples underwent penance.
The Heavenbearing Sword Terrace was where swords were forged—half scorching heat, half freezing cold. A small path behind the terrace led to the sect's restricted areas.
"This place really is a rare celestial land. The spiritual energy here is denser and purer than the outside world—much easier to absorb and refine. It'd be hard not to grow stronger here."
Yi Tianxing marveled.
The entire Qionghua Sect radiated immortal charm. Every plant and stone resembled something from a divine realm. It was worthy of its heritage and legacy—if Qionghua advanced to become an eight-star sect and moved into Kunlun's inner ring, it wouldn't simply relocate. It would move the entire mountain.
That was how sects in Kunlun relocated: they moved the entire immortal mountain.
Once the mountain reached a new position and absorbed the nearby spiritual flows, it would evolve further—sometimes becoming even more wondrous. Compared to switching from one mountain to another, this was the perfect solution.
Before long, they reached the summit of the mountain. Before them stood a plaque bearing two characters: Qionghua.
DONG—DONG—DONG—
Suddenly, a series of clear and melodious bell chimes rang from within the sect.
Nine in total.
"Nine bell chimes? Who could've arrived? This signifies a visitor of extremely high status."
"Even when a sect master of another seven-star sect visits, they only ring the bell three times. But this… nine full chimes?"
The Qionghua Sect possessed a Welcoming Bell that was only rung for honored guests. Each chime indicated a different tier of importance.
Nine chimes… meant the highest possible honor.
Who was it?
The question spread like wildfire through everyone's minds.
As the bell faded, figures emerged from the sect grounds where the wedding was being prepared: Yun Tianqing, Suyu, Suyao, and Xuanxiao all stepped out to greet the guest. Such a grand welcome naturally drew attention from all the visiting cultivators.
All eyes turned toward the Taiyi Immortal Path.
Soon, two figures appeared.
One was a woman in purple palace robes, graceful and noble. The other was a young man in a cyan robe, whose aura was inexplicably awe-inspiring. A single glance at him stirred a primal reverence from deep within the soul, evoking instinctive respect and submission.
"Sister!"
"Martial Aunt!!"
"It's Fairy Ziyan!"
Many disciples instantly recognized Zhao Ziyan—not only within Qionghua, but among visiting sects as well. Her reputation was widespread.
"Master, you came personally? Didn't you say not to make a big deal out of this?"
Zhao Ziyan hurried forward to greet Suyao, her joy clearly heartfelt. Decades had passed—she had missed her teacher greatly.
"You silly child. Your brother has come in person—how could we not welcome him? If word got out that Qionghua failed to show proper respect, we'd be the laughingstock of Kunlun."
Suyao smiled warmly, then turned to Yi Tianxing and bowed deeply.
"Suyao of Qionghua Immortal Sect welcomes King Yi of Saints to our sect on behalf of all Qionghua."
"Welcome, King Yi!"
Yun Tianqing, Suyu, and the other disciples echoed in unison, their voices resounding across the sect grounds.
All around, the guests from other sects stood dumbfounded, their jaws practically hanging open.
King Yi of Saints?
Hearing the title and seeing him arrive with Zhao Ziyan, it was no longer a mystery.
This was indeed the Lord of the Da Yi Sacred Court, the legendary Yi Tianxing.
His appearance here was completely beyond anyone's expectations—utterly shocking.
"Heh, fellow Daoists, there's no need for such formality. I merely came with Ziyan to visit her sect. But as they say, it's better to arrive by chance than to miss the moment. Since I've come just in time for a wedding, how could I not ask for a celebratory cup of wine? Today, heaven and earth may be vast—but the bride and groom are the center of it all."
Yi Tianxing smiled, producing a jade box along with a gift list, which he handed over.
"Your Majesty is too kind."
Suyao replied with a smile, motioning for a disciple to accept the gift box and registry.
"King Yi of Saints, ruler of the Da Yi Sacred Court, congratulates Yun Tianqing and Suyu on their union. Presents the following gifts:
– Tier 1 to Tier 7 Evolution Potions, two of each– Innate Spirit Fruits – Two Heaven-Fated Longevity Peaches"
The disciple responsible for announcing the gifts trembled as he read.
These weren't just valuable gifts—they were beyond imagination.
Evolution Potions could elevate a mortal with no cultivation all the way to the Seventh Tier, equivalent to the True Spirit Realm. In other words, it ensured the rise of two True Spirit-level experts.
And those Heaven-Fated Longevity Peaches—innate spirit fruits—could boost fortune, longevity, and destiny. Their value rivaled even the legendary Peaches of Immortality from the Heavenly Court.
This was an earthshaking gift.
All the surrounding guests were stunned.
Yi Tianxing's generosity was truly terrifying. It made everyone wonder just how deep the Da Yi Sacred Court's foundations truly were.
"Many thanks, Your Majesty. Please, come inside!"
Yun Tianqing and Suyu hastily invited him in.
"Then I shall intrude."
Yi Tianxing nodded calmly and walked inside, as if he were entering an ordinary home—completely at ease, showing no fear or awe toward the immortal sect.