Chapter 1134: The First Guest of the Blue Gold Palace |
After bidding farewell to the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor, Tang San did not immediately return to the Blue Gold Sacred Mountain. Instead, he first sought out the Sunborne Nymph Emperor to report his upcoming marriage. This Emperor was his most direct ally, and if one was going to cling to a big tree for shade, one might as well cling firmly. Such connections might be needed at a critical moment.
Next, he went to the White Tiger Demon Emperor and the Undying Demon Emperor to inform them as well. The Crystal Phoenix Demon Emperor was not in the Ancestral Court; he was getting busy in the newly-minted Crystal Phoenix City, handling various matters.
Once these tasks were finished, Tang San returned to the Blue Gold Palace.
Within the palace, a soft, multicolored radiance shimmered gently. Outside, Nihil napped peacefully, curled like a little cat. Any light that escaped would be instantly absorbed by the Scourge Dragon, so there was no fear of other Emperors sensing it.
Moreover, the Sacred Mountain, Tower of Life, and Blue Gold Palace were closely connected to Tang San. With his cultivation at the absolute peak and the arrays working perfectly, his cultivation space was perfectly isolated from outside observation and interference
This faint rainbow glow was the lesser immortal spirit energy generated by the Heart of Nature. A small portion was released through the Tower of Life, transforming into life energy that spread outward, while most of it was stored within the Blue Gold Palace for the cultivation of himself and Mei Gongzi.
During this time, Mei Gongzi's very being had undergone a metamorphosis. Sitting cross-legged, she radiated a natural, serene dignity.
Tang San quietly approached, gazing at her delicate face. Then he looked around at the palace's various arrays and felt the rich energy flowing out from the Tower of Life. Preparations were nearly complete.
Next, they would face the two most important events of their lives: their wedding and their ascension to Emperorhood.
The Blue Gold Tree clan and the Peacock Demon clan had sent their strongest to the Ancestral Court early to help with wedding preparations. The ceremony was naturally to be held before the Blue Gold Sacred Mountain. Not all guests could go up the mountain itself, so the space before its staircase was going to be used as a wedding venue.
The Tower of Life was temporarily capped at seven floors. From the center of the Blue Gold Palace atop the eight-hundred-meter mountain, the tower rose, and from it, life energy mist came out like smoke from a furnace's chimney, shrouding the skies of the Ancestral Court in clouds and rain.
Since the Tower of Life's construction, rainfall over the Ancestral Court had increased significantly, but this rain was eagerly awaited by all its inhabitants. Each shower brought the richest life energy, offering opportunities for growth and advancement.
Now, the strong members of every clan were eager to enter the Ancestral Court to bathe in this life-giving rain. But the Council had anticipated this from the moment the first level of the Tower of Life was completed, and they had issued a decree that greatly raised the threshold for entry. Now, it was not just noble status; there were bloodline and cultivation requirements as well.
Visitors were limited to a maximum stay of seven days and needed a special pass. Those below the tenth order could only obtain such a pass twice a year, and even those at the tenth order faced restrictions if they did not have a first-tier bloodline.
These measures kept the Ancestral Court from being overwhelmed.
But once news of the wedding spread, applications for passes surged. It was obvious that such a union would bring many benefits to those attending. The Court bustled with a liveliness even greater than during the Battle for the Throne.
Yet atop the Blue Gold Sacred Mountain, the Blue Gold Palace remained a place of tranquil focus amidst the commotion.
Tang San and Mei Gongzi were quietly cultivating on the palace's first floor.
Many outside the palace assumed that the higher one went on the Tower of Life, the richer the life energy and the better for cultivation—but in truth, it was quite the opposite. It was the first floor that held the most unique energy, because here, Tang San was keeping all the lesser immortal spirit energy confined.
This lesser immortal spirit energy nourished their bodies, slowly refining them into true divine bodies.
This was one of the reasons Tang San had been so excited upon seeing the Heart of Nature at the super auction. Its benefits were immense, not only for passing the Emperor tribulation but also for restoring his former divine power. The Sea God divine seat was already his, so he would face no challenge regaining it, but reaching that level of power once more required a body capable of bearing it. The lesser immortal spirit energy was steadily improving that capacity, allowing him to continually strengthen his bloodline imprints without triggering the plane's suppression or a tribulation.
Suddenly, a booming laughter rang from outside.
"Jin Miaolin, I've come to fetch someone! Open the door, or else! Hahahaha!"
At the sound of this voice, Tang San and Mei Gongzi opened their eyes simultaneously.
This time, however, Mei Gongzi did not immediately look at Tang San. Instead, she lowered her head shyly, and a faint blush colored her cheeks.
Tang San smiled and rose, stretching a little. "At last. These past two days I haven't been able to cultivate in peace."
Mei Gongzi gave a soft hum, laced with nervousness and a hint of coquettishness.
Tang San extended his hand. She still kept her head lowered, but placed her hand in his.
With a gentle pull, he drew her into his arms.
"Nihil, please invite His Majesty inside."
Nihil let out a groan in response and lifted his tail, leaving the path open. Tang San raised his hand, and the great doors of the Blue Gold Palace swung open.
A tall figure appeared in the light. He took a step forward, but the next moment, he paused, as if he had sensed something weird.
"Please come in, Grandfather," Tang San's voice called from within.
The White Tiger Demon Emperor hesitated briefly, then strode inside.
As soon as he stepped over the threshold, the light dimmed, and with a muffled boom, the doors shut.
He took half a step back in surprise, then saw a faint, multicolored mist flowing toward him. Instinctively, his bloodline power flared, but almost at once, he forced it back down. He was not under any attack. And when his bloodline power touched the rainbow light, it actually… grew brighter?
Ahead, he saw the couple standing hand in hand, smiling at him.
"What is this…" the White Tiger Demon Emperor murmured.
Tang San smiled. "I have to apologize for all the promises I haven't been able to fulfill until now. As a compensation, let me show you something real and present. Drop your defenses and feel it for yourself."
The White Tiger Demon Emperor naturally trusted his own family, and so he entirely withdrew the bloodline power that protected him like armor, letting the rainbow light wash over him.
In an instant, his vertical pupils widened.
It was an inferior form of immortal spirit energy, but even so, it was far beyond any kind of natural spirit energy present in a mortal plane. As it invaded him, he felt every meridian and acupoint open up, and a wave of indescribable comfort swept through him. His Emperor-level divine consciousness subtly shifted, a profound sense of elevation spreading through his being.
A faint white mist rose from his body; he felt as if he had just stepped from a hot bath, clear and renewed. His body and spirit alike were perfectly cleansed.
"This… What is this?" asked the White Tiger Demon Emperor in astonishment.