Why Are You Here

Why Are You Here . . .

Amidst the grandeur of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect's banquet, a spectacle unfolded that could only be described as majestic and otherworldly. Dongsheng Ting, the youngest scion of the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor, held court upon the back of an azure dragon, while beside him, Princess Glaze rode regally upon a resplendent blue luan. Together, they embodied an image of ethereal magnificence, akin to an immortal couple descended from the celestial heavens.

Such a sight struck the assembled guests with an awe-inspiring impact. Whispers of admiration and intrigue rippled through the crowd, eager to understand the significance of this extraordinary duo.

In hushed tones, murmurs of intrigue flitted among the spectators. They spoke of the azure dragon beneath Dongsheng Ting, a magnificent creature subdued from the fabled Qinghai Dragon Pool, bestowed as a reward for his attainment of the immortal-foundation realm. Rumors, in their own melodramatic way, whispered that Dongsheng Yin, the elder brother, had to engage in a grueling, eighteen-day battle before finally earning the dragon's submission.

Each of the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor's offspring was an exceptional individual, and Dongsheng Ting, the youngest, was no exception. His older siblings, equally renowned, had chosen to explore the far reaches of the immortal realms, leaving their indelible mark on various corners of existence.

The towering azure dragon exuded an air of dominance, casting a spell that compelled all who beheld it to bow before its majesty. To think that such a noble and powerful creature would willingly kneel to Dongsheng Yin testified to their profound bond.

Beside Dongsheng Ting, the blue luan that Princess Glaze rode upon emanated a different but equally enthralling aura. It blended grace and majesty in a perfect union. The creature was not only impressive in its own right but also harmonized seamlessly with the elegance of the princess herself.

As the crowd contemplated the entrance of Princess Glaze, the Idlecloud Immortal King, among others, mused aloud about the legendary daughter of Emperor White. Stories and legends swirled around the White Emperor, rumored to be the brother of the Evergreen Immortal Emperor. His unique ability to foretell future events and divine the secrets of the heavens had played a pivotal role in the Evergreen Immortal Emperor's ascent to power.

With the arrival of Princess Glaze, the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect and its guests could not help but wonder what momentous event or purpose had led her to grace them with her presence.

Meanwhile, Qin Wentian, situated amidst the gathering of experts from the Cloud Prefecture, absorbed the snippets of conversation. He heard the mention of Princess Glaze and the renowned White Emperor, whom many believed had foreseen the fate of the empire. The connection between Princess Glaze and Qing'er, his beloved, remained a mystery to him. Although Qing'er had recently returned to the immortal realms, the depth of their relationship was a puzzle.

Yet, with Princess Glaze's arrival, Qin Wentian felt one step closer to reconnecting with Qing'er.

As Dongsheng Ting and Princess Glaze descended, their azure dragon and blue luan remained suspended in the sky, casting an enchanting backdrop for the gathering. It was a sight that could only be witnessed in the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect—a spectacle that added an extra layer of grandeur to the festivities.

Within the banquet's sprawling venue, countless guests took their seats, each arranged according to their status and power. The top tier accommodated dignitaries such as Dongsheng Ting, esteemed experts from the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, war generals like the Deepflame Immortal King, and esteemed guests including Princess Glaze, the Undying Immortal King, and the Scarce Moon Immortal King. The layout of their seats reflected their rank and strength, and the generous spacing between individuals emphasized their extraordinary status.

On this uppermost tier, the majority of the guests were formidable immortal kings, each a titan in their own right.

Beneath them, delegates from the major powers of the thirteen prefectures were seated, with immortal king figures occupying the foremost positions, followed by powerful immortal-foundation experts and the participating 160 candidates. Together, they represented a diverse cross-section of the immortal realms' might.

Further down, ordinary immortal-foundation experts and servants from the major powers and the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect filled the remaining seats.

Amid this meticulously organized assembly, the resounding roar of a dragon echoed through the air, signaling Dongsheng Ting's ascent. With profound respect, every guest at the banquet rose to their feet, honoring the presence of this illustrious scion of the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor.

Dongsheng Ting, positioned at the center of this grand spectacle, raised his wine cup in a genial gesture toward the assembled guests. A warm smile graced his features as he embarked on his role as the host representing his illustrious father, the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor. With a voice that carried across the hall, he extended gratitude to the senior figures who graced the occasion, acknowledging their presence with sincerity.

As his words resonated through the hall, Dongsheng Ting, a scion of the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor, exemplified the embodiment of the event's host. It was evident that he had been thrust into this position to facilitate interaction with the distinguished guests and dignitaries of the thirteen prefectures. This role was not merely ceremonial; it also served as a test, a means of tempering one's inner composure and confidence in the face of such formidable gatherings. Few could master the art of controlling the atmosphere among so many luminaries, but with time, Dongsheng Ting's inner strength and self-assuredness would only grow.

A chorus of toasts and hearty nods followed Dongsheng Ting's words, reinforcing the conviviality of the event. An eloquent guest chimed in, acknowledging the significance of the gathering and humorously hoping that Dongsheng Ting would not take offense at their boldness.

Dongsheng Ting, with graciousness and poise, responded by expressing his gratitude for the guests' presence, emphasizing the importance of this centennial event. He revealed that the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor intended to take three disciples from among the top-ranked individuals, a clear indication of his esteem for the geniuses hailing from the thirteen prefectures. With his wine cup raised once more, he offered a toast, dedicating it to the talented individuals who had gathered there.

In response, the prefecture lords and immortal kings, representing the various regions, offered their thanks and goodwill, partaking in the toast and emptying their cups. The participants themselves regarded Dongsheng Ting with admiration, their eyes shining with the prospect of becoming recognized by the elders of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect. Dongsheng Ting's brilliance was undeniable; his entrance, astride an azure dragon, served as a constant reminder of the gap between them and such a paragon.

For these contenders from the thirteen prefectures, this was their moment to seize an opportunity, to stand out among their peers, and to secure a place among the top three. While their ultimate aspiration might be to become Sage Child characters and receive the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor as their master, the path to achieving such a lofty goal was fraught with formidable challenges.

Dongsheng Ting, sensing the weight of expectations and the solemnity of the occasion, soon lightened the mood. He invited everyone to take their seats, officially initiating the banquet. With genial smiles and relaxed conversation, the guests began to savor the delectable dishes arrayed before them.

Amidst the revelry, Jun Mengchen, known for his carefree demeanor, couldn't contain his enthusiasm for the lavish banquet. He indulged in the sumptuous delicacies with abandon, reminiscing about the stark contrast between this opulent feast and the simple fare of his particle world.

Qin Wentian, initially lost in contemplation, was drawn out of his thoughts by Jun Mengchen's spirited indulgence. A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he too succumbed to the culinary delights, savoring each exquisite bite. The food and wine flowed effortlessly, imbuing him with a refreshing vitality. It was as if his energy reserves, depleted from earlier battles, were being rekindled with every sip and morsel. Even his wounds mended at an accelerated pace, an unexpected boon of rejuvenation amid the opulence of the immortal banquet.

Seated gracefully, Dongsheng Ting's gaze wandered to his side, where Princess Glaze occupied a neighboring seat. His countenance bore a warm and elegant smile as he directed his attention toward her.

"Princess Glaze," he began, a hint of curiosity coloring his tone, "what has captured your interest amidst this gathering?"

Princess Glaze, her eyes a reflection of depths unknown, had been quietly surveying the crowd. Her response came effortlessly, tinged with an air of casual detachment, "I'm merely assessing the strength of the heaven's chosen from the thirteen prefectures."

Dongsheng Ting's smile persisted as he acknowledged her reply. "Indeed," he concurred, "later, the 160 participants hailing from the thirteen prefectures will engage in a competition to identify the three most exceptional individuals. It will be an opportunity for Princess Glaze to witness firsthand the prowess of our region's prodigies. However, permit me to be straightforward: Your presence here, traveling from afar to attend this immortal banquet hosted by my father, suggests a deeper purpose. Is there another reason behind your visit?"

Upon receiving the invitation, Dongsheng Ting had been filled with excitement, demanding that the banquet surpass all previous iterations in grandeur and significance. Though Qing'er hadn't been the attending princess, Princess Glaze's presence had delighted him. Establishing an acquaintance with the daughter of the enigmatic White Emperor held its own allure. However, he harbored no illusions that Princess Glaze had journeyed here without reason, simply for the sake of attending the event.

"Would you like to know the true reason?" Princess Glaze turned her enchanting gaze toward Dongsheng Ting. The profound luminescence within her eyes stirred a quiet tumult within his heart, yet he maintained his composure, his smile unwavering. "Should it be inconvenient to share," he reassured, "there's no need for Princess Glaze to feel obliged to respond. My inquiry was made in casual curiosity."

Her response flowed with an air of simplicity. "There's nothing significant. My father simply requested that I make this visit."

The revelation hung in the air, causing a subtle shift in Dongsheng Ting's expression. The White Emperor had summoned his daughter to attend this event? Questions and speculations swirled within him, but he refrained from prying further. Princess Glaze's words had offered no elaboration, and thus, he chose to respect her discretion.

Princess Glaze, an embodiment of ethereal radiance, understood the complexities of her unique abilities. While the world believed her capable of unravelling heavenly secrets and foreseeing the future, she recognized the formidable challenges inherent in such endeavors. Her rare constellation bestowed upon her an exceptional connection with energies that transcended ordinary martial cultivators, granting her insights beyond the reach of most. However, her journey to mastery in this realm had only just begun, and she was acutely aware of her limitations compared to her father, the White Emperor.

Her father had imparted to her the existence of a brilliant star in the vicinity of the Eastern Sage Thirteen Prefectures. This celestial body held a mysterious connection to the destiny of their Evergreen Immortal Empire, signifying its potential to influence the empire's fate. Astonishingly, this star bore a striking resemblance to the one representing the Evergreen Immortal Emperor himself—a star that had manifested long ago, at the inception of their quest to reclaim the Evergreen Immortal Empire. However, many mysteries remained shrouded in uncertainty, and the Evergreen Immortal Emperor himself remained unaware of this revelation.

As fate would have it, the emergence of a new star in the heavens coincided with the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect's once-in-a-century immortal banquet. The uncanny timing between the appearance of this celestial body and the grand event had not escaped the White Emperor's notice. In light of this intriguing connection, he dispatched Princess Glaze to attend the banquet, tasked with the mission to gather any possible insights or information linked to the enigmatic star.

Dongsheng Ting, seated beside Princess Glaze, followed her gaze, his eyes descending upon the assembled participants below. In a heartbeat, his tranquil demeanor gave way to an abrupt and disquieting transformation. His expression grew taut, and a frigid gleam of resolve pierced through his eyes. His very aura seemed to ripple with an uncharacteristic intensity as his gaze locked onto a particular participant.

Princess Glaze, taken aback by his sudden shift in demeanor, cast a quizzical glance at the source of his focus. Her scrutiny led her to a young man engrossed in light-hearted banter with fellow attendees, fully indulging in the banquet's delectable offerings. His radiant smile and playful interactions betrayed no hint of the profound confrontation about to transpire. However, as if guided by an inexplicable sixth sense, the young man eventually turned his gaze in their direction.

Meeting Dongsheng Ting's unyielding stare head-on, the young man, a mere Celestial Phenomenon cultivator, displayed a remarkable absence of trepidation. Instead, his own gaze bore a sharpness that matched Dongsheng Ting's unwavering intensity, fearlessly engaging the young scion of the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor.

Such audacity left Princess Glaze astounded. She observed with astonishment as the Celestial Phenomenon cultivator, seemingly unperturbed by the discrepancy in their statuses, met Dongsheng Ting's piercing stare with an unwavering determination. It was a display of unwavering resolve, and the unspoken tension radiated throughout the banquet hall.

Dongsheng Ting, a figure of considerable renown, typically commanded respect and deference. Yet, the enigmatic presence of this audacious young man had disrupted his composure. This unforeseen development piqued her curiosity, and she couldn't help but ponder the true identity of this bold newcomer.

In an unexpected outburst, Dongsheng Ting's voice reverberated through the hall. His proclamation rang out, laden with disbelief and undeniable emotion. "You, here?!" The abrupt interruption left the assembled guests in a state of bafflement. All eyes converged on the focal point of Dongsheng Ting's ire, their collective curiosity aflame. Who could provoke such a dramatic reaction from the esteemed scion of the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor?