Translator: AnubisTL
"I've heard of a forbidden land in the western Great Wilderness Domain called Moonlit Ridge, perpetually shrouded in moonlight. Why can't we ever see it?"
Within the Moonchase Palace's territory, a considerable number of cultivators had already gathered.
Some had come to witness the pivotal battle between the righteous and demonic paths, while others sought to behold the splendor of the Moonchase Palace's new generation of holy maiden.
However, as the appointed time had not yet arrived, rogue cultivators without invitations could only wait patiently outside the palace's mountain gate.
For reasons unknown, the moonlight in the western Great Wilderness Domain always carried an air of desolation at night.
Beneath this desolate moonlight, an ethereal Moon Palace perched atop a distant mountain range.
Though seemingly close, the palace radiated an aura of untouchability, standing aloof and independent, as if it had descended from the immortal realm into the mortal world.
A crowd of rogue cultivators had gathered below, gazing up at the otherworldly palace complexes with reverence in their eyes.
The Moonchase Palace was undoubtedly one of the most ancient powers in the Great Wilderness Domain, its foundation deep and unfathomable, commanding awe and respect.
Even after countless ages, the Moon Palace maintained its transcendent neutrality, refusing to meddle in the conflicts of the outside world.
This unwavering neutrality alone was proof enough of the sect's immense power!
From ancient times until now, the inheritance has never been broken!
Although many believed that the Moonchase Palace's failure to select a new holy maiden for centuries was a sign of decline, the birth of a new holy maiden has dispelled all such doubts.
Every holy maiden eventually reaches the nascent soul realm and ultimately succeeds to the position of palace master of the Moonchase Palace.
This means that in the coming years, the Moonchase Palace will once again produce a nascent soul realm cultivator!
Such an unbroken inheritance commands the respect of both the righteous and demonic paths.
"I never thought I'd witness the birth of a new holy maiden of the Moonchase Palace with my own eyes. What a fortunate occasion!"
"Indeed. I heard the selection process is extremely rigorous. Not only must the candidate possess extraordinary strength to surpass her peers, but she must also resonate with a mystical moonstone. Only those who meet both requirements are qualified to inherit the title of holy maiden."
"It's been nearly three hundred and seventy years since Palace Master Yue Xuan took office, hasn't it? Finally, a new holy maiden has emerged."
"Heh, I heard that every holy maiden is not only immensely powerful but also possesses unparalleled beauty. I'd love to catch a glimpse of her radiant face."
"Hahahaha, that's true. Over the years, countless rumors about the holy maidens of the Moonchase Palace have persisted in the Great Wilderness Domain, yet no one has ever claimed to have become their dao companion."
"Indeed. While the Moonchase Palace doesn't have a strict rule forbidding its holy maidens from forming dao companion relationships, no one has ever managed to achieve such a thing in all these years."
"After all, she's the successor of the Moonchase Palace. Even the mighty rulers of the Ancient Hua Immortal Dynasty at its peak couldn't accomplish it."
"..."
As the rogue cultivators below eagerly discussed the matter, a powerful aura rapidly approached!
Boom!
Sensing this overwhelming presence, many rogue cultivators fell silent, their voices vanishing as they cautiously gazed into the night sky.
There stood a man with an effeminate demeanor, a massive purplish-black sword strapped to his back, a faint, detached smile perpetually gracing his lips.
Upon nearing the distant mountains, he called out in a clear, resonant voice:
"Gui Fan of the Ghost Sword Sect has come to pay his respects!"
"To congratulate the Moonchase Palace on the birth of its new generation's holy maiden, I bring a congratulatory gift!"
Indeed, this effeminate yet handsome man was none other than Gui Fan, one of the central figures in the unfolding drama!
His arrival immediately drew countless eyes, making him the center of attention.
"The Young Master of the Ghost Sword Sect has arrived so early!"
"The Moonchase Grand Assembly is still about seven days away. Why come so far in advance? Is he planning some elaborate preparations?"
"The most formidable young talent of the demonic sects is about to clash with the Pure Yang Physique in a great war."
As Gui Fan arrived, a gentle moonlight spread across the sky, forming a luminous white carpet that stretched to his feet as he stood suspended in mid-air.
"Young Sect Master, we apologize for our belated welcome," a soft voice echoed from the Moon Palace atop the mountain, carrying an ethereal power that swept away the distracting thoughts of countless cultivators.
Hearing the voice, Gui Fan smiled and stepped onto the moonlight carpet, striding toward the Moon Palace.
Following Gui Fan's arrival, powerful cultivators invited to the Moonchase Grand Assembly began arriving in succession over the next few days.
Some were Clan Heads from prestigious cultivation clans, such as the Zhao Family of Giant Deer Prefecture. Even though their Clan Head's cultivation was only at the foundation establishment realm, he had still received an invitation.
Others were renowned rogue cultivators, all sharing the common trait of exceptional strength—at least capable of dominating the core formation realm—or possessing remarkable achievements in a specific field.
"Old Daoist Mu Long pays his respects, congratulating the Moonchase Palace's new holy maiden!"
"Fu Xuan offers his congratulations to the Moonchase Palace's new holy maiden."
"This humble Daoist is True Bone Immortal..."
One after another, powerful rogue cultivators descended, many of whom were familiar to Li Qing, demonstrating the immense influence of the Moonchase Palace.
With only three days remaining until the Moonchase Grand Assembly, two figures descended from the sky in tandem.
"I am Limitless, here to pay my respects to Senior Yue Xuan!"
This declaration stunned the cultivators waiting outside the venue.
So, this Core Formation True Lord with the daoist name Limitless wasn't here for the Moonchase Grand Assembly at all, but to visit the current palace master of Moonchase Palace.
"Wait, I've heard of Senior Limitless before."
"Really? I've never heard of him in the southern region."
"Heh, while this senior isn't particularly famous, he's quite distinctive. It's said he's indifferent to fame and fortune, possesses an exceptionally peaceful temperament, and never involves himself in any conflicts."
"Looks like he didn't receive an invitation to the Moonchase Grand Assembly. Why would he come here then?"
Li Qing, with his keen spiritual perception, naturally overheard the rogue cultivators' hushed discussions below.
But he chose to ignore them. Arguing with these people would be pointless. The most crucial matter now was whether Senior Yue Xuan would agree to see him.
It was an unfortunate coincidence that his visit coincided with the Moonchase Grand Assembly, making his presence seem rather awkward.
He looked exactly like someone who hadn't been invited but had come uninvited, trying to save face!
After a long moment, a carpet woven from moonlight materialized within the Moon Palace, stretching to Li Qing and Shen Ningbing's feet.
Seeing this, Li Qing couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
"Fellow Daoists, please enter."
Hearing these words, Li Qing and Shen Ningbing stepped onto the gently glowing moonlight carpet and walked into the Moon Palace.
As they moved forward, the surrounding scenery gradually transformed. By the time they fully entered the palace, it was as if they had stepped into an entirely different world.
The mountains and wilderness that had surrounded them earlier had vanished, replaced by a cluster of majestic palace complexes and a full moon hanging high in the sky.
Li Qing marveled inwardly at this heaven-and-earth-altering feat.
But before he could dwell on his astonishment, a female cultivator in a pristine moon-white robe appeared before them, gazing at Li Qing with a peculiar expression.
The cultivator's features were pleasing, though not strikingly beautiful—a face of above-average comeliness.
"You have traveled far. What brings you here?"
"The palace master is extremely busy and rarely meets with outsiders. If you wish to attend the Moonchase Grand Assembly, I can make arrangements for you."
(End of the Chapter)
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