Translator: AnubisTL
The Southern Domain of Azure Ridge remained perpetually blanketed in snow, its icy winds howling across vast stretches of silver-clad wilderness.
Yet today, this desolate region pulsed with an unexpected vibrancy.
The Free and Unfettered Sect's ancestor was celebrating his eight hundredth birthday, and the entire Azure Ridge Domain's immortal dao factions had been invited to the grand and solemn occasion.
Clan Heads from cultivation clans across the domain personally attended to pay their respects.
Under the watchful eyes of the assembled masses, the Free and Unfettered Sect's spiritual vein mountain gate buzzed with unprecedented activity.
"I heard even the Lingyun Sect is sending representatives to Patriarch Xiaoyao's birthday banquet?"
"The Lingyun Sect, which has been secluded behind closed gates for over three years, is actually attending the Free and Unfettered Sect's celebration? That's unbelievable!"
"Hiss... It seems they're planning to negotiate peace. I heard the Free and Unfettered Sect proactively sent the Lingyun Sect an invitation."
"If that's true, it would be a blessing. A full-scale war between the two sects would shatter the peace of the immortal realm."
"..."
Amidst the murmurs, a colossal spirit warship suddenly appeared in the sky, its mast bearing the Lingyun Sect's banner.
It was clear: the Lingyun Sect's forces had finally arrived.
The massive spirit warship cleaved through the thick, frigid clouds, hovering directly above the Free and Unfettered Sect.
Almost instantly, countless gazes converged on the warship, focusing on the figures emerging above its deck.
Some eyes held complex emotions. Since the Free and Unfettered Sect had taken control of the Azure Ridge Domain, life had become far less comfortable than under the Lingyun Sect's rule.
But there was no choice. The Free and Unfettered Sect held overwhelming power, led by a Nascent Soul Ancestor who had lived for eight centuries, his strength unmatched across the entire Azure Ridge Domain.
While the Lingyun Sect boasted numerous core formation elders, none could withstand even a single exchange with Patriarch Xiaoyao.
Soon, Xu Xia's figure slowly emerged from the warship.
Beside him stood several foundation establishment elders, their faces grave and their eyes radiating solemnity.
They carried a heavy burden as they came to attend this banquet.
After all, the Free and Unfettered Sect remained the Lingyun Sect's true enemy. This banquet was undoubtedly a trap, a feast with ill intentions.
Bearing heavy psychological pressure, the group disembarked from the spirit warship and hurried toward the magnificent and imposing immortal dao mountain gate below.
Before long, a foundation establishment elder from the Free and Unfettered Sect arrived to personally greet them.
"Hehe, please come this way, fellow Daoists from the Lingyun Sect!"
Xu Xia and the others hesitated briefly before following the elder's guidance to their seats.
Under the scrutiny of curious gazes, Xu Xia's group sat down together, their expressions slightly grave.
The reception hall was vast and spacious, with guests seated on either side. At the far end, an imposing main seat stood silently, its occupant self-evident.
Yet Patriarch Xiaoyao had not yet appeared, and the Birthday Banquet had already begun.
Exquisite spirit food and delicacies from across the realms were served, while spirit wine and spirit tea flowed freely, filling the hall with rich spiritual energy.
"Hehe, would you care to try this Spirit Longevity Peach? It's a rare Spirit Fruit traded from the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, a specialty of a great cultivation clan from the outer domain."
With the Free and Unfettered Sect Leader's attempt to lighten the mood, the atmosphere of the somewhat strained Birthday Banquet finally began to ease.
The Lingyun Sect and their companions remained vigilant, silently observing the exquisite spirit food before them without touching a single bite.
They knew they hadn't come merely for a banquet; they were quietly awaiting the Free and Unfettered Sect's move.
Yet throughout the entire feast, the expected confrontation never materialized. The Free and Unfettered Sect members acted as if the Lingyun Sect didn't exist, focusing solely on entertaining the other cultivators from across the Azure Ridge Domain.
Finally, after three rounds of wine and five courses of dishes, the sect leader of the Free and Unfettered Sect slowly stepped onto the stage, his face wreathed in a genial smile.
"Heh heh, esteemed guests," he began, "the Free and Unfettered Sect has been established in the Azure Ridge Domain for some time now. The spiritual energy here has grown increasingly dense, making it ever more suitable for cultivating the immortal dao. This is a fact evident to all."
"However, over the years, we've felt our connection with you all has been insufficient, and our development of cultivation resources has been lacking."
As he spoke, the sect leader cast a deep, meaningful glance toward the Lingyun Sect's table.
Xu Xia and his companions felt their hearts tighten, bracing themselves for what he would say next.
As expected, the sect leader's next words caused the faces of the assembled cultivators to darken.
"From now on, the Free and Unfettered Sect intends to establish an alliance with all of you. Our goal is to collectively utilize the cultivation resources of the Azure Ridge Domain, fostering harmonious coexistence among us all!"
"All members of this alliance will be entitled to..."
The sect leader then proceeded to outline the benefits of joining the alliance, such as the Free and Unfettered Sect taking a smaller share of future cultivation resource yields.
While still less generous than the Lingyun Sect's previous governance, this arrangement was a significant improvement over the past few years. It would alleviate the financial strain on the cultivation clans, allowing them to breathe easier.
Abruptly shifting his tone, the sect leader declared, "Since this alliance is spearheaded by the Free and Unfettered Sect, shall we call it the Carefree Immortal Alliance?"
"And as for the alliance's leader..."
Before he could finish, a pre-arranged chorus erupted from the crowd, orchestrated by the Free and Unfettered Sect's informants:
"Since it's called the Carefree Immortal Alliance, the leader should naturally be from the Free and Unfettered Sect!"
"Exactly! Looking across the Azure Ridge Domain, who else is qualified for such a position?"
With these words, the formation of the alliance seemed to be settled.
The sect leader of the Free and Unfettered Sect turned his gaze toward Xu Xia and smiled warmly.
"Fellow Daoists of Lingyun Sect, what are your thoughts? After discussing this with our supreme elder, we've decided that if you join the alliance, the position of vice alliance leader will be yours."
The position of vice alliance leader sounded impressive, second only to the Free and Unfettered Sect in status.
But Xu Xia knew it was merely an empty title. He wouldn't rashly agree without seeing tangible benefits.
"And what advantages would Lingyun Sect gain?"
"Advantages? Naturally. You'll receive twenty percent of the alliance's basic cultivation resources."
The Free and Unfettered Sect then proceeded to outline how they would treat Lingyun Sect in the future.
As they spoke, Xu Xia and his companions' expressions grew increasingly grim. Accepting such terms would make them traitors to their sect.
Compared to their previous agreement, Lingyun Sect would receive far less—nearly seventy percent less.
This meant the Lingyun Sect would inevitably have to downsize significantly in the future, disbanding a substantial number of disciples. Otherwise, the cultivation resources would be insufficient to distribute among them.
Moreover, the Free and Unfettered Sect demanded the authority over the Lingyun Sect's Grand Formation and required the sect's pill refiners, artifact refiners, and other specialists to provide their services to the Carefree Alliance without compensation.
However, the Free and Unfettered Sect's leader completely ignored Xu Xia and the others' grim expressions, continuing his demands as if speaking to himself.
The atmosphere in the grand hall gradually froze. The other guests fell silent, daring not to utter another word, only stealing glances at the Lingyun Sect's representatives.
Just then, several figures suddenly appeared in the hall. A hunched but dignified old man with an air of immortal grace entered, his hands clasped behind his back.
Beside him walked the Free and Unfettered Sect's supreme elders.
The moment this figure appeared, the Free and Unfettered Sect's leader immediately bowed deeply, his voice dripping with utmost reverence:
"Greetings, Ancestor!"
Indeed, this was Patriarch Xiaoyao himself!
At his arrival, every person in the hall rose to their feet, clasping their hands in respectful salutation: "Greetings, Carefree True Monarch!"
"May the Carefree True Monarch live ten thousand years, and may the immortal dao flourish forever!"
"The Meng Family of Longevity Valley wishes Senior Xiaoyao a life as long as the heavens and a prosperous dao!"
"..."
Patriarch Xiaoyao didn't release any spiritual pressure. He appeared as an ordinary old man, stroking his beard with one hand as he chuckled and strolled into the grand hall. He settled comfortably into the main seat at the head of the hall.
"Heh heh heh, thank you all for attending. It's truly an honor to have so many esteemed fellow daoists grace my birthday banquet."
Patriarch Xiaoyao surveyed the hall, his gaze finally settling on Xu Xia and his group. He cut straight to the point:
"Those conditions I mentioned earlier are negotiable. I'm just curious about the whereabouts of your sect's Fellow Daoist Limitless. If he were here to discuss matters face-to-face, I might be willing to relax those terms further."
Patriarch Xiaoyao had already scanned the spirit warship and confirmed the presence of several core formation true lords from the Lingyun Sect. However, Li Qing, the person he was most concerned about, was conspicuously absent.
His primary motive for inviting the Lingyun Sect was to eliminate Li Qing.
Within the Lingyun Sect, Li Qing posed the greatest threat. His cultivation had already reached the peak of the core formation realm, leaving him just one step away from the nascent soul realm.
As the spiritual energy in the Azure Ridge Domain continued to surge, Xu Xia grew increasingly anxious that Li Qing would seize this opportunity to advance to the nascent soul realm.
If that happened, the threat would become far greater.
He couldn't afford to ignore Li Qing's existence any longer!
Sweat beaded on Xu Xia's forehead as he clasped his hands in a fist salute. "Ancestor Limitless is occupied with urgent matters and cannot attend Senior Xiaoyao's birthday celebration. As the sect leader of Lingyun Sect, I am authorized to negotiate the terms of our alliance on behalf of my sect."
Patriarch Xiaoyao's white brows furrowed slightly at these words.
Immediately, a supreme elder of the Free and Unfettered Sect roared, "What status do you have to presume to discuss matters with us?"
As he spoke, he unleashed a fraction of his nascent soul realm spiritual pressure, forcing the Lingyun Sect delegation to stagger back several steps, their faces paling.
"Send someone from Lingyun Sect who actually has authority to speak. There are several supreme elders aboard your spirit warship, yet you send mere juniors to offer birthday greetings? Do you take this old man for a fool?"
Carefree Old Lord's tone turned icy, and the atmosphere in the hall grew oppressively heavy. The others didn't dare to breathe too loudly.
Finally, at that very moment, several supreme elders from the Lingyun Sect arrived outside the Free and Unfettered Sect's mountain gate, soaring through the air.
Wu Chong, True Lord Fu Xuan, Ancestor Ziqing, and Shen Ningbing arrived together, their presence radiating the combined aura of four core formation realm cultivators.
The instant these four core formation realm cultivators appeared, Xu Xia let out a slight sigh of relief, finally freed from the crushing pressure.
The Carefree Old Lord naturally sensed their arrival. He chuckled softly, "Guests have come, yet I haven't greeted them properly. How impolite of me."
"Welcome our guests!"
Boom!
As soon as his words fell, several supreme elders from the Free and Unfettered Sect immediately sprang into action. They flew out of the main hall to confront Wu Chong and his group.
The Carefree Old Lord strolled out leisurely, his steps unhurried and his demeanor utterly relaxed.
The Birthday Banquet could no longer continue. The other cultivators followed suit, their hearts pounding as they watched the core formation realm cultivators face off.
"Are they going to fight? But Patriarch Xiaoyao is a Nascent Soul cultivator. These Lingyun Sect supreme elders can't possibly be a match for him, right?"
"Hiss... This is reckless."
"Today might mark the end of the Lingyun Sect. This Birthday Banquet is clearly..."
"..."
Several terrifying auras clashed in the sky, creating two opposing spiritual pressures that disrupted the spiritual energy throughout the surrounding heaven and earth.
The atmosphere felt like a single wrong word could ignite a full-scale battle!
Yet the supreme elder of the Free and Unfettered Sect remained fearless, bolstered by the presence of a Nascent Soul Ancestor lurking behind them—the source of their confidence.
True Lord Chang Jue scanned the surroundings but couldn't find Limitless True Lord. His brow furrowed slightly.
He still intended to reclaim his natal magic treasure. If the owner was nowhere to be seen, who was he supposed to ask?
For a moment, he felt a surge of irritation.
"Is this how you celebrate our Free and Unfettered Sect's ancestor's birthday? Not only did you fail to bring congratulatory gifts, but you've arrived with such murderous intent. This is utterly unacceptable!"
Wu Chong stepped forward into the air, cupping his fists in a respectful bow. "We regret to inform you that the Lingyun Sect cannot accept the conditions you proposed earlier."
True Lord Chang Jue's expression turned icy.
"Heh, it seems we've truly invited a pack of unwelcome guests today."
"But once we capture you all, Limitless True Lord won't be able to stand idly by, will he?"
With matters having reached this point, all pretense had been completely abandoned.
As the words faded, the core formation true lords on both sides moved simultaneously.
In an instant, several streaks of spiritual light flashed across the sky as the cultivators unleashed their techniques, engaging in aerial combat.
True Lord Fu Xuan's talismans, Wu Chong's gluttonous beast, and Ancestor Ziqing's Qi Piercing the Rainbow!
Among them, Shen Ningbing's methods were particularly remarkable. Wielding a longsword of ice crystals, she possessed unparalleled lethality in this frozen wasteland, as if fighting on her home turf.
From the very start of the battle, she had already suppressed True Lord Chang Jue and the other supreme elders of the Free and Unfettered Sect.
Waves of spiritual pressure radiated outward, causing Patriarch Xiaoyao's white brows to furrow once more.
Clearly, his sect's cultivators alone couldn't subdue the forces sent by Lingyun Sect.
This further solidified his resolve to eliminate Lingyun Sect. If he failed to act now, by the time Limitless True Lord ascended to become Limitless True Monarch, the Free and Unfettered Sect would likely lose all ability to restrain their rival.
Thus, Patriarch Xiaoyao finally prepared to intervene personally.
Boom!
The overwhelming spiritual pressure of a Nascent Soul cultivator erupted, sending a wave of dread through everyone present.
Before they could react, Patriarch Xiaoyao's figure materialized in the sky above.
He planned to personally capture the Lingyun Sect's supreme elders and use them to force Li Qing to reveal himself.
With a grand wave of his hand, Patriarch Xiaoyao unleashed several spirit ropes that darted through the air like spiritual serpents, coiling directly toward Shen Ningbing and the others.
"Since you've come as unwelcome guests, this old man has no choice but to personally teach you a lesson. There's no Fourth-Tier Grand Formation to protect you now."
The ropes moved with astonishing speed, rapidly closing in on Shen Ningbing's group.
But just as they were about to strike, the air temperature suddenly soared, turning the surrounding frost into scalding steam and melting the snow on the ground.
In the next instant, a colossal fiery palm materialized, swatting the spirit ropes aside with a single, thunderous blow.
Boom!
The scene left everyone present utterly stunned.
How could this be? Patriarch Xiaoyao's natal magic treasure had been sent flying? It was inconceivable!
At that moment, a hearty voice boomed across the horizon:
"Hahaha, old ghost Xiaoyao! This Li has come personally to wish you a long life!"
"Let's see if you can handle this grand gift I've prepared for you!"
(End of the Chapter)
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