524: Assembly of Immortals

The waves of the Chaos Sea gradually subsided, and Xu Qing's figure stepped out from the Void Realm. With one step, he arrived outside the Eighty-First Fortress City.

The majestic city walls still stood, but the aura within the city was somewhat subdued.

With a sweep of his Divine Thought, he sensed that the auras of several Deputy City Lords were weak, and they were still in seclusion healing their injuries. The City Lord, Dao Ancestor Xuanwei, was also not in the city.

Though curious, he still returned to his Immortal Cave first.

Inside the Qiankun Immortal Cave, his Dao body suddenly opened its eyes.

The two bodies merged like milk and water, their auras becoming one.

Xu Qing straightened his clothes, and when he pushed the door open, he looked just like someone who had just finished a normal period of seclusion.

Moments later, a familiar aura approached him. Who else could it be but Dao Ancestor Xuanzhen?

"Dao Friend Xu, we haven't met in several millennia, and your Dao rhyme is even greater than before."

Dao Ancestor Xuanzhen smiled slightly, but there was still a hint of fatigue between his brows, clearly indicating he had also experienced a great battle.

"Dao Friend Xuanzhen, what happened in the city? Why do you look like this?" Xu Qing asked.

Dao Ancestor Xuanzhen sighed and said, "A few days ago, the Tianyang aliens attacked. Fortunately, City Lord Xuanwei was prepared, but we also paid a considerable price. Several Fellow Daoists, including Lei Xiao, had their old injuries worsen and gained new ones."

"Why didn't you call me?" Xu Qing frowned.

Dao Ancestor Xuanzhen quickly explained, "The City Lord said you were in seclusion and shouldn't be disturbed. Plus, we could handle it, so we didn't call you."

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing felt a sense of emotion.

He asked again, "Where is City Lord Xuanwei now?"

"The City Lord has gone to Main City Number One." A smile appeared in Dao Ancestor Xuanzhen's eyes, "The Grand Immortal Gathering is coming soon. This is a grand event that our Eighty-First Fortress City holds every ten thousand years. At that time, many Dao Ancestors who are on good terms with the City Lord will come to discuss the Great Dao together."

"The City Lord went to prepare the necessary items for the Grand Immortal Gathering!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing's eyes flickered.

This was perfect!

He had already planned to seek out various powerful individuals to discuss the Dao, to verify his own Dao. Now that the Immortal Gathering was approaching, it saved him the trouble of traveling around.

"When does the Immortal Gathering begin?" Xu Qing asked.

"In ten years." Dao Ancestor Xuanzhen smiled, "Dao Friend Xu, if you are interested, you might as well participate. With your strength, you will surely gain something at the gathering, as there will be powerhouses at the Three-step Dao Ancestor Realm attending this time."

"That's exactly what I intend to do." Xu Qing nodded, "After many years of seclusion, it is ultimately not right to Cultivate in isolation. I still need to discuss the Dao with various Fellow Daoists."

Dao Ancestor Xuanzhen nodded, "Dao Friend Xu, you are absolutely right. You can Cultivate in peace for now, and when the Immortal Gathering begins, I will introduce you to the other Fellow Daoists."

Xu Qing shook his head and smiled, "I've been in seclusion for too long, and this craving for food and drink is hard to bear. How about you accompany me?"

"It is my honor to drink with Dao Friend Xu!"

Dao Ancestor Xuanzhen laughed.

It was still the familiar Drunken Immortal Pavilion, with vermilion lacquer railings and bells hanging from the eaves, tinkling in the wind as if welcoming guests.

Xu Qing and Dao Ancestor Xuanzhen sat by the window, outside which chaotic clouds and sea surged, with rays of light faintly visible. Inside the pavilion, the aroma of wine filled the air, and the fragrance of spiritual delicacies wafted about.

A chaotic green carp was cooked to perfection, its flesh glistening like jade, melting in the mouth. Moreover, wisps of chaotic Dao rhyme circulated, which was greatly beneficial for Cultivation.

After three rounds of drinks, Dao Ancestor Xuanzhen's face was slightly flushed, and his spirits grew even higher. He laughed, "Dao Friend Xu, after many years of seclusion, your Dao techniques must have improved. How about we discuss the Dao?"

Xu Qing took a light sip from his cup and nodded, "That's exactly what I intend to do."

Dao Ancestor Xuanzhen, skilled in array Dao, waved his hand and outlined a miniature array pattern on the table with wine, spiritual light flowing, subtly even drawing upon the Heavenly Dao Law.

He smiled, "This is a variation of a corner of the 'Nine Revolutions Heavenly Star Array.' I've been studying it recently and found that if one can..."

Although Xu Qing did not primarily Cultivate array Dao, the Great Dao are interconnected. He observed intently, and after a moment of contemplation, he lightly tapped his fingertip, and a wisp of Chaos Qi fell into the array. Immediately, the array pattern changed, and its originally fixed trajectory began to evolve on its own, endlessly regenerating.

"Wonderful!" Dao Ancestor Xuanzhen's eyes lit up, "Dao Friend, this chaotic evolution of yours has turned a dead array into a living one!"

The two went back and forth, discussing arrays and the Dao, each offering insights that touched the other.

As the drinking reached its peak, Dao Ancestor Xuanzhen suddenly sighed, "The path of array Dao is as vast as the sea. Even if we spend our entire lives, we can only glimpse a corner of the iceberg. When it comes to the pinnacle of array Dao, it belongs to the first Array Ancestor of the Eternal Dao Realm—'Heavenly Evolution God Ancestor.'"

Mentioning this person, reverence appeared in Dao Ancestor Xuanzhen's eyes: "Legend has it that he was an Innate Gods and Devils, born with knowledge of all arrays, and eventually reached the Five-step Dao Ancestor Realm, truly the Ancestor of array Dao!"

Xu Qing's eyes flickered, and he suddenly asked, "Since he is an Innate Gods and Devils, without a past self, how did he condense a past?"

At this question, Dao Ancestor Xuanzhen was stunned.

He frowned in thought, his wine cup suspended in mid-air. After a long time, he gave a wry smile and said, "This... such a secret, I'm afraid only Heavenly Evolution God Ancestor himself would know."

Xu Qing smiled slightly, not pressing further, and raised his cup, saying, "I was presumptuous. Come, let's drink."

Dao Ancestor Xuanzhen breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Dao Friend, your question reminds me of something the City Lord often says."

"'The Great Dao is boundless, why must one know everything?'"

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing felt bitter in his heart, because he was a person without a past self.

"Come! Let's drink!"

The two continued to clink glasses, discussing the Dao and chatting.

When the banquet ended, Xu Qing had gained quite a bit.

Dao Ancestor Xuanzhen's insights into array Dao gave him new ideas for its application.

Xu Qing looked at the surging Chaos outside the window, lost in thought.

Seven years passed like sand through fingertips.

On this day, nine-colored auspicious light suddenly spread across the sky above the Eighty-First Fortress City, and immortal music came from the Void Realm. Dao Ancestor Xuanwei returned, stepping on clouds, followed by several figures with immense auras, all of whom were powerhouses at the Two-step Dao Ancestor Realm.

"Dao Friend Xu, it's been a long time." Dao Ancestor Xuanwei stood with a smile, his wide sleeves fluttering in the wind, "I heard you've come out of seclusion. It's a good opportunity to meet a few old friends."

He turned sideways to introduce them. A Daoist in a green robe, holding a jade flute, was graceful and refined: "This is 'Dao Ancestor Yu Xiao,' skilled in the Dao of music. A single melody from him can stir the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth."

Another red-haired elder, carrying a sword box on his back, had sharp features: "'Dao Ancestor Fentian,' peerless in both sword and fire, once incinerated hundreds of millions of demonic beings from Tianyang with a single sword strike."

Finally, there was a woman in plain white clothes, her eyes like autumn waters, with phantoms of stars circulating around her when she stood still: "'Dao Ancestor Xinghe,' she deduces heavenly secrets and controls the changes of the stars."

Xu Qing greeted them one by one. The Dao Ancestors had heard of Xu Qing, and now seeing his extraordinary demeanor and being personally introduced by Xuanwei, they naturally treated him with courtesy.

In the following months, the Dao rhyme of the Eighty-First Fortress City intertwined, and several Dao Ancestors were often seen discussing the Dao by the edge of the Chaos Cliff.

As the Grand Immortal Gathering approached, the Fortress City became increasingly lively.

On this day, purple Qi suddenly came from the east for thirty thousand li outside the heavens, and a Three-step Dao Ancestor descended. Xuanwei personally went out to greet him.

He was an old man with crane-white hair and a youthful face, holding a coiled Dragon staff. With every step he took, Dao lotuses spontaneously bloomed beneath his feet.

"Dao Friend Zixu's personal visit truly brightens our humble abode." Xuanwei smiled.

Dao Ancestor Zixu smiled and said, "It is Zixu's honor to be able to attend Dao Friend Xuanwei's Grand Immortal Gathering!"

Dao Ancestor Zixu's gaze swept over everyone, lingering slightly on Xu Qing, and he nodded, saying, "This young friend has a profound aura. Is he a newly advanced Fellow Daoist?"

Dao Ancestor Fentian smiled and said, "Although Dao Friend Xu Qing has just entered the Two-step Realm, his understanding of the Great Dao is unique, and even my Fentian Sword Intent struggles to shake him."

Upon hearing this, Dao Ancestor Zixu said with interest, "The younger generation is truly formidable! His future achievements will surely surpass ours."

With these words, Xu Qing's reputation grew even greater.

By the eve of the Grand Immortal Gathering, twenty-eight Dao Ancestors had gathered in the Eighty-First Fortress City.

Xu Qing, introduced by Xuanwei, met many people.

Unfortunately, after multiple attempts, Xu Qing was ultimately disappointed... Xu Qing stood on the city wall, looking at the twelve bright moons rising in the Chaos Sea, and softly said, "Where should my Dao go?"