Establishing Dominance

Establishing Dominance . . . 

The Juxian Tower had become the epicenter of a simmering conflict, its echoes reverberating throughout the royal capital of the immortal empire. News of the encounter between the Skymist and Evergreen Immortal Empires spread like wildfire, igniting curiosity and tension in equal measure.

While the skirmish at the tower had not escalated into an all-out battle, both empires had made their intentions abundantly clear. The Skymist Immortal Empire had dispatched Prince Skymist Hai, a figure of arrogance and insolence, who had openly disrespected and insulted the two princesses. His demeanor left no room for compromise, as if the Skymist Immortal Empire believed they could dictate terms regardless of the Evergreen Immortal Empire's stance.

In response, the Evergreen Immortal Empire had sent forth two formidable figures: Princess Changping, the younger sister of the Evergreen Immortal Emperor, and Princess Glaze, daughter of the White Emperor. Their resolute rejection of any agreement not sanctioned by their Emperor was clear, and they made no effort to hide their disdain for the Skymist Immortal Empire. Their very presence, while not strictly necessary, served as a testament to the Evergreen Immortal Empire's unyielding resolve.

All eyes in the royal capital were now trained on the imperial palace of the Evergreen Immortal Empire, where the stage was set for a direct confrontation between the two mighty empires. Princess Glaze had already extended a daring invitation, welcoming experts from all corners of the world to witness the unfolding drama. The Evergreen Immortal Palace stood ready to receive those who dared to venture inside.

This was not merely a clash of words; it was the prelude to a monumental showdown between the Skymist Immortal Empire and the Evergreen Immortal Empire. The Skymist Immortal Empire had slyly couched their challenge in the guise of friendly sparring among juniors, but their true intentions were clear. They sought to tarnish the reputation of the Evergreen Immortal Empire and diminish their standing in the eyes of the world.

The three days leading up to the fated encounter felt like a fleeting moment in the grand scheme of immortal empires. Today, the royal capital buzzed with anticipation as experts from every corner of the realm converged outside the imperial palace of the Evergreen Immortal Empire. The palace, a majestic bastion of power, was home to kings and marquises, a symbol of unparalleled prestige.

Its towering gates, imbued with an otherworldly radiance, swung open gracefully, revealing an ancient path that beckoned the assembled crowd forward. This path led the way into the heart of the empire.

From the horizon, a procession of experts approached, numbering in the hundreds. They rode atop fearsome greater demons, each emanating an aura of menace that sent shivers down onlookers' spines. Leading the procession was a greater demon White Tiger, its eyes gleaming with murderous intent. Astride the White Tiger was a young man dressed in resplendent blue, his regal bearing marking him as a figure of great significance—an immortal king. Beside him stood a woman, her beauty tinged with a sharpness that belied her graceful appearance.

Even Skymist Hai, with his silk-clad arrogance, paled in comparison to the stature of this blue-clad prince from the Skymist Immortal Empire. His fame and talent had garnered him renown throughout the empire, and he stood as a testament to the empire's formidable might.

Then came a group of experts, gliding through the air on swords that sang with the melody of danger. They were the Paragon Sword Sect, masters of their art.

The Taihua Immortal Dynasty made their grand entrance in a war chariot that exuded majesty and dominance, showcasing their imperial strength.

Next, disciples of the Sky Demon Palace descended upon the scene, their demonic presence palpable. Even the most formidable of mounts cowered before their vast demonic aura.

As the procession continued, ordinary demons trembled beneath the oppressive energy. The arrival of experts from various immortal emperor-level powers, though less renowned, added to the burgeoning spectacle.

These attendees were not mere spectators; they were astute observers. They recognized the Skymist Immortal Empire's thinly veiled intentions and the Evergreen Immortal Empire's willingness to meet the challenge head-on. The drama that unfolded before them promised intrigue, power struggles, and an indelible mark on history.

This gathering was no mere spectacle; it was a testament to the ambitions, alliances, and rivalries that defined the world of immortal empires. The clash between the Skymist and Evergreen Immortal Empires was about to commence, and the world watched with bated breath.

Qin Wentian and his companions arrived discreetly, blending into the crowd to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. However, it didn't take long for Skymist Hai of the Skymist Immortal Empire to spot them. His keen eye noted the presence of numerous guards surrounding Qin Wentian, and while he remained ignorant of Qin Wentian's true identity, he sensed the weight of an immortal emperor's backing. But Skymist Hai wasn't easily daunted.

"You still dare to show your face? Your audacity is truly impressive," Skymist Hai sneered, fixing his gaze on Qin Wentian.

"You overestimate yourself," Qin Wentian retorted casually, a subtle mockery in his tone. He seemed to relish the fact that Skymist Hai underestimated his strength.

"Your arrogance remains unchanged. Pray that you leave this palace alive," Skymist Hai retorted dismissively, his contemptuous laughter filling the air. He turned his attention elsewhere, leaving Qin Wentian to his thoughts.

The immortal king standing beside Skymist Hai announced their presence, "Envoy Skymist Jiang of the Skymist Immortal Empire, leading a delegation to pay respects to the Evergreen Immortal Empire."

The Paragon Sword Sect representatives followed suit, making their presence known with dignity.

Qin Wentian, too, stepped forward, proclaiming, "Qin Wentian of the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect, accompanied by a delegation, is here to pay respects to the Evergreen Immortal Empire."

His announcement elicited curious glances and raised brows from those around him, for they had now learned of his affiliation with the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect.

"He's from the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect?" Skymist Hai sneered, his contempt unabated. He dismissed Qin Wentian's significance, believing that the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect was no match for the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect.

As the various envoys declared their affiliations, the crowd's awareness of the brewing tension grew. The Eastern Sage Immortal Sect's ongoing conflict with the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect in the thirteen prefectures was common knowledge. It was intriguing to witness a representative of the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect present amidst these circumstances.

Skymist Hai's disdainful comment lingered in the air, but his arrogance seemed misplaced in the eyes of many. The foundations of the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect couldn't compare to the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect's, yet Qin Wentian's presence suggested he had a role to play.

A graceful voice then beckoned, "Please enter, everyone." A procession of serving girls emerged, offering respectful welcomes and guiding the guests inside. Despite the Skymist Immortal Empire's antagonistic intentions, the Evergreen Immortal Empire extended courtesy, upholding the decorum of a gracious host.

Expert delegates from various major powers landed and made their way toward the imperial palace. As immortals, their movements were swift, allowing them to traverse great distances with ease.

The imperial palace of the Evergreen Immortal Empire sprawled magnificently, housing the residences of numerous kings and marquises. It resembled a majestic forest of grand edifices. At a leisurely pace, entering the heart of the palace would have taken an eternity. Thus, they quickened their pace.

Finally, the assembly reached an expansive courtyard prepared for an immortal banquet. Princess Changping and the Crimson-eyed Marquis took their positions as hosts. With a respectful nod, they greeted their esteemed guests. Princess Changping's gentle smile concealed her inner resolve.

Skymist Jiang, however, couldn't contain his impatience. He cast an impatient glance at Princess Changping and inquired, "Are we not allowed to enter the Emperor's palace? Our Skymist Immortal Empire's envoy wishes to meet the Evergreen Immortal Emperor."

"The Great Emperor is deeply immersed in his cultivation and has limited time. Therefore, we have the honor of serving as hosts and welcoming you in his stead. A prince from our Evergreen Immortal Empire will soon arrive to extend our hospitality," Princess Changping explained graciously. She was unimpressed by the Skymist Immortal Empire's rudeness. They had already displayed their disrespect before even entering the palace. Expecting the Evergreen Immortal Emperor to receive them personally was presumptuous, to say the least.

Skymist Jiang's inquiry and demeanor seemed to suggest that he believed their envoy deserved a more prestigious welcome. However, Princess Changping made it clear that the Skymist Immortal Empire was not entitled to such a privilege. They would receive a prince's welcome—an equal exchange for their envoy. The Evergreen Immortal Emperor's presence was reserved for matters of greater significance. Skymist Jiang and his delegation had overstepped their bounds in expecting otherwise.

A collective sense of intrigue and apprehension rippled through the hearts of the gathered experts. The Skymist Immortal Empire had arrived to visit the Evergreen Immortal Emperor, yet it appeared that the immortal emperor had no intention of granting them an audience or discussing any agreements. The tension in the air was palpable.

In the midst of this charged atmosphere, a group of figures soared gracefully through the skies, breaking the anticipatory silence. Among them was Princess Glaze, radiating an aura of regal elegance. By her side stood a strikingly handsome young man—a prince of the Evergreen Immortal Empire, none other than Evergreen Longhao. His presence alone, marked by his status as an immortal king, commanded reverence and attention.

"Behold His Highness Longhao, a prince of our Evergreen Immortal Empire," Princess Glaze introduced with a regal flourish.

"Aunt!" Evergreen Longhao greeted Princess Glaze with respect, then turned his gaze to the assembly. Today, the Evergreen Immortal Empire played host to a gathering of extraordinary individuals from various realms, numbering over a thousand. The air was charged with anticipation and curiosity, a mix of excitement and uncertainty.

"Your Highness, we extend our greetings," many among the assembly acknowledged with respectful bows and clasped hands. Evergreen Longhao reciprocated their gestures with a gracious smile. "You are all esteemed guests here today. Please, be seated."

"Our purpose in visiting the Evergreen Immortal Empire today extends beyond this banquet. We have come to meet with the Evergreen Immortal Emperor and to arrange for our young talents to engage in sparring with your own. Why must we waste time on such frivolities?" Skymist Jiang, also a prince, maintained his imposing stance. He forwent the offer to sit, projecting an air of dominance.

"Your Highness Jiang, you may convey your concerns directly to my father through me. I will ensure your message reaches him. Nevertheless, there is no inherent conflict between the enjoyment of an immortal banquet and the practice of sparring," Evergreen Longhao responded diplomatically. He signaled to an expert standing by his side, who promptly stepped forward and, with a resonant stomp, summoned a colossal battle platform into existence.

The battle platform was of considerable size and clearly constructed from materials of immortal grade. It was designed to withstand any onslaughts below the immortal-king level. The arrangement of the platform and the banquet tables had been meticulously planned, with each faction facing the central arena. It was evident that the Evergreen Immortal Empire had orchestrated every detail in advance.

"This battle platform is crafted from the finest immortal-grade materials and can withstand attacks below the level of immortal kings. Additionally, a protective barrier of light surrounds the area, preventing any collateral damage from affecting the enjoyment of the banquet," Evergreen Longhao explained, ensuring the participants' safety and comfort.

Skymist Jiang's voice dripped with displeasure as he remarked, "It appears that unless we partake in this immortal banquet and engage in the sparring, we will have no opportunity to meet the Evergreen Immortal Emperor. The Evergreen Immortal Empire intends to show us no courtesy!" His words resonated with a subtle undercurrent of frustration and indignation.