416: Chapter 417 The Immortal King Arrives!

Hongmeng Immortal Court, Deputy Supervisory Divine Palace.

Immortal King Qingyuan bowed to receive the Decree. Only after that supreme will, which had enveloped the heavens and earth, slowly receded did he straighten his back.

Inside the great hall, it remained vast and empty, save for the treasure orb at the ceiling, which simulated the movement of the celestial stars and emitted an eternal, unchanging light.

"Gu Changsheng..."

Immortal King Qingyuan silently recited this name in his heart.

As a direct confidant of the Empress and the second-in-command of the Immortal Court's Internal Affairs Office, he knew far more inside information than the outside world.

Five hundred years ago, the source of the anomaly that swept across the entire Ziwei Dao Domain—the "Purple Qi Coming from the East, the Great Dao Resonating in Harmony"—had long been locked onto the Gu Clan of Shenwu World by the Immortal Court's Imperial Observatory.

At first, everyone thought it was the Gu Clan's Immortal Emperor Old Ancestor, who had been slumbering for many years, who had made a Breakthrough, thus triggering such an anomaly.

It was not until the Decree was issued from the Imperial Palace where the Empress was in seclusion that everyone suddenly realized the truth.

The one who had startled the Empress was not an Immortal Emperor, but the discourse on the Dao by a junior.

This was simply inconceivable.

What kind of existence was the Empress?

She had ruled over these Major Thousand Worlds for countless epochs, and her state of mind had long been like the eternal blue sky, unstained by dust.

Ordinary discussions on the Dao by Immortal Kings might not even catch her Dharma Eye.

"A twelve-character mantra was enough to cause Your Majesty's Origin to sublimate. This Young Lord Gu Jiu is truly a monster."

A sharp light flashed in Immortal King Qingyuan's eyes.

The Empress had always loved talent, especially appreciating young Prodigies whose talent, foundation, and boldness were all top-tier.

This time, sending him personally, ostensibly for an "Imperial Summons," was actually a signal.

A signal to the entire Nine Heavens Immortal Realm, declaring that this Ninth Young Lord of the Gu Clan had already attracted the attention of the Immortal Court and the Empress herself.

This was a heaven-sent fortune and an excellent investment.

Immortal King Qingyuan's position in the Immortal Court seemed secure, but he knew deeply how difficult it was to advance further in an Immortal Court filled with factions and complex relationships.

If he could build a good relationship with a rising star who had limitless potential and was deeply favored by the Empress during this mission, it would be entirely beneficial and harmless to his future status in the Immortal Court.

With his thoughts racing, he had already made his decision.

"Someone, prepare the 'Nine Domains Sky Boat.' We are heading to Shenwu World!"

The Nine Heavens Immortal Realm was vast and boundless, containing Three Thousand Dao Domains and billions of galaxies.

To travel from the supreme heavenly domain where the Immortal Court was located to the remote corner of Shenwu World, if one relied on the foot speed of an ordinary True Immortal, they might not reach it even after flying for ten thousand years without rest.

Only by using the "Nine Domains Sky Boat" that spanned across domains, and passing through the ancient teleportation arrays controlled by the Immortal Court and a few super powers, could one cross this astronomical distance in a short time.

This in itself was a manifestation of class and power.

Humble Cultivators might never be able to leave the Star Domain where they were born throughout their entire lives.

Only in a few core worlds were there cross-domain teleportation arrays jointly controlled by the Immortal Court and various super powers.

Every activation consumed an astronomical amount of resources; those who were not nobles or royalty had no qualification to use them.

The strict hierarchy was vividly demonstrated at this moment.

Holding the Empress's Decree, Immortal King Qingyuan was naturally unimpeded.

Accompanied by flashes of brilliant light that distorted space and time.

Three months later.

He had already crossed billions of galaxies and descended into the Star Domain where Shenwu World was located.

Almost at the same moment he stepped out of the teleportation array.

Gu Clan Immortal City, Ziwei Hall.

Patriarch Gu Qingshan, who was busy handling clan affairs, suddenly raised his head. The transmission jade talisman in front of him was vibrating wildly, and a golden "Court" character on it emitted an imposing Aura that could not be ignored.

Gu Qingshan probed with his Divine Sense, and his expression changed drastically.

"An envoy from the Immortal Court has entered Shenwu World!"

The news was like a giant boulder crashing into a calm lake, causing a huge uproar among the high-ranking members of the Gu Clan.

Although the Gu Clan was the hegemon of the Eastern Star Domain and nominally a vassal, they were effectively a separatist regime, often paying lip service to the Immortal Court's orders while disobeying them in private.

But this did not mean they could ignore the existence of the Immortal Court.

After all, that was the supreme power center that nominally ruled over the Nine Heavens Immortal Realm; its strength was far beyond what a single Gu Family could compare to.

Moreover, the person coming was Immortal King Qingyuan, a confidant of the Empress and a powerful figure in the Immortal Court's Internal Affairs Office, holding a high and authoritative position.

"Quickly open the central gate and arrange the highest ceremonial guard!"

"Notify the three Immortal King Little Ancestors to come out of seclusion to welcome them!"

Orders were issued from Ziwei Hall, and the entire Gu Clan Immortal City began to operate with unprecedented efficiency.

Soon, three vast, abyss-like Auras of Immortal Kings rose into the sky from different directions in the deepest parts of the Immortal City, indicating the Gu Clan's highest level of respect for this envoy.

As for Ancestor Tianwei, who was in seclusion—that Immortal Emperor who had transcended worldly power—unless the Gu Family faced the danger of annihilation, he would never be disturbed by such a trivial matter.

Immortal King Qingyuan did not deliberately restrain his Aura. He walked through the air, his Divine Thought spreading out like a tide, overlooking the majestic Immortal City below.

"What a Gu Family."

Even with his vision, he had to secretly praise them.

The number of Immortals in the city and the thickness of the powerful Auras were enough to dominate the Eastern Star Domain.

In terms of foundation alone, among the many vassal forces under the Immortal Court, they could be considered to have upper-middle qualifications.

Of course, that was all.

In the eyes of Immortal King Qingyuan, a vassal like the Gu Clan could at most be considered a slightly stronger tiger.

While the Hongmeng Immortal Court was the true Dragon overlooking the entire forest.

Those who could truly influence the structure of the Immortal Realm and make even the Empress take notice were the Immortal Venerable Dao Lords who held complete authority over a Dao Domain.

However, very soon, the Gu Family's status would be different.

When he arrived above the guest-welcoming plaza, it was already packed with people, and banners were fluttering.

"Dong..."

The distant sound of a bell rang throughout the heavens and earth.

Patriarch Gu Qingshan, leading hundreds of core Elders of the Gu Clan, had long been waiting here.

Tens of thousands of Gu Clan cavalry, clad in golden armor, stood solemnly on the white jade plaza, their Aura stern and imposing.

At the very front of the formation, three Gu Clan Old Ancestors, whose Auras were as deep as the sea and who were surrounded by the Dao principles of Immortal Kings, stood side by side with solemn expressions.

"The Gu Clan of Ziwei Dao Domain respectfully welcomes the envoy from the Immortal Court!"

The leading Immortal King, with white hair and beard, spoke in a resonant voice that echoed through the clouds.

Immortal King Qingyuan lowered his cloud, landed on the high platform, and returned the bow to the three Immortal Kings. He kept his posture humble and showed none of the arrogance of an envoy from the Immortal Court.

"Fellow Daoists, you are too kind. I, Qingyuan, have come only to convey a Decree from Your Majesty; I dare not style myself as an 'Envoy'."

Everyone knows how to give face, and one does not strike a smiling face.

Seeing him so polite, the expressions of the three Gu Clan Immortal Kings softened significantly. After some pleasantries, they led him toward Ziwei Hall.

Immortal King Qingyuan knew clearly that after today, the Gu Family's status in the Eastern Star Domain and even the entire Nine Heavens Immortal Realm would become completely different because of that young man named Gu Changsheng.