Second year, twelfth month of the Covenant.
Above the Whispering Wildlands Peninsula, thunder rolled through the skies, echoing like a drumbeat across realms. Enormous cumulonimbus clouds churned with pale violet lightning, framing the peninsula in an apocalyptic way.
Yet within this storm, serenity was present.
Suspended above the peninsula's second-highest peak, the Empyrean Unification Palace shimmered like a dream. The palace looked like a fire phoenix with a glowing crystal, its open-air structure forming the image of a celestial bird's nest cradling the sky. It glowed softly in hues of crimson, gold, and starlight silver.
The floor was a mirror lake of glowing crystal, every step echoing a burst of heaven and earth energy to aid the guests in their cultivation. Surrounding the altar were half-concentric tiers of floating platforms, shaped like rising lotus petals, each lined with thrones, sky-perches, arrayed by station and stature.
Outside, the peninsula's defense was tight.
Each area held at least an Empyrean Stage expert gazing around with their soul sense. They were members of the Reaper Soul Legion.
Near the edge of the opening to the peninsula, guests were being brought in by multiple ferries. The former Grand Elders of the Whispering Wildlands Peninsular helped bring them into the massive floating continent.
Yotan was at the forefront, welcoming the guests.
With the help of the Vice Captains, they brought them inside the Empyrean Unification Palace, where every Realm Master's name was announced.
"Matriarch Leora Verlight from the Starlight Jade Wolf Lower Realm and her entourage have arrived!~"
The announcer was none other than Ellia. She cheerfully announced and waved her hand, allowing the guests to pass. However, the guests were quite nervous, with them being watched by the woman beside Ellia. She was none other than Mingzhi, who looked at them coldly. She was like an evil wraith, waiting to pounce on them if they did something funny.
Matriarch Leora Verlight walked forward across the red carpet, heading towards the altar.
She appeared in a white robe draped in flowing layers of silk that swirled around into beautiful embroidery. The fabric was lightly dyed a rich shade of golden, a color that spoke of regality and authority. Her green hair was arranged in an elaborate style, with delicate pins and combs holding it in place while the rest fell like a graceful waterfall. A single jade hairpin was tucked over her hair, making her appear even grander.
She looked above, looking at nine wisps of phoenix-shaped inscriptions soaring in the air, their blazing trails leaving vivid arcs through the storm-churned skies. At the apex of their flight, their phoenix cries echoed in harmony, making one feel soothed.
Musicians, stationed on the floating fire-lily verandas, played a lovely symphony with their zithers and flutes. Dancers with peacock plumes descended in spirals from the sides, each step creating a flower of fire. The open-air palace was lively, petals unfolding and flames rippling.
She looked at them with awe. One, she didn't think an Anarchic Divergent could be this romantic. Two, she didn't think an Anarchic Divergent would even dare to try this, inviting powerful experts from the world. Although none of the Realm Masters were at the layer limit because they were away from their realms, it didn't matter. They had other sources to protect themselves, like hiring someone from the Upper Realms to help them.
The Divine Emperor of Death did say that they could not bring anyone else other than the ones mentioned, so they sent him a letter seeking to include at least one bodyguard who is near the layer limit. Since most of the realms requested it, the Divine Emperor of Death also agreed, which was honestly surprising to them since they felt like they could decline to visit if he had said no.
It put them in a spot. Still, they were finally here, their footsteps light and their hearts fearful.
It was unknown what would happen today.
Nonetheless, she was optimistic. At the same time, her eyes couldn't help but subconsciously look for a person, wondering if he was still doing good.
"Patriarch Arata Sunborn from the Golden Crow Lower Realm and his entourage have arrived!~"
Behind, Patriarch Arata Sunborn also made it.
He caught up with Matriarch Leora Verlight, and their entourages walked side by side.
"What do you think?" He asked.
"Seems like a luxurious marriage on the surface." She replied.
He nodded his head and looked around, being careful.
Finally, they made it to the altar.
This place had concentric circles as seating platforms, nearly six of them. There were five tiers, each layer rising like a blooming lotus from the front.
Once they were here, Yilla and Zestria were there to show them their seats. They had already made it here first from their realms. Their names were also announced, making them laugh. It wasn't like they were outsiders, but as Realm Masters, they were treated with the appropriate respect, and finding themselves doing nothing, they began to invite the guests to their seating.
"Welcome to the marriage ceremony of our Davis Family. Your seat is there, right below your emblem."
Zestria pointed them towards their seat.
Matriarch Leora Verlight and Patriarch Arata Sunborn caught sight of their emblems before they cupped their hands towards her and walked towards it.
The first-tier seats were all built like thrones. There were only forty-eight thrones, one for each Lower Realm's Realm Masters. Above and behind the first tier were the second tier seats, which were meant for Minor Realm's Realm Masters, Grand Elders, and bodyguards. The third-tier seats were meant for Elders and disciples.
As for the fourth tier seats, they appeared to be for notable guests and elites who were uninvited.
As for the fifth tier seats, those belonged to the uninvited but were still good enough to have here. They could be from intelligence organizations, sects that maintain records of history, or even popular storytellers.
Time passed.
"Patriarch Pyrallos Ignivorn from the Crimson Twilight Lower Realm and his entourage have arrived!~"
"Matriarch Vael Glacienth from the Frozen Wasteland Lower Realm and her entourage have arrived!~"
"Patriarch Ka'reth Vuldan from the Ghastly Cloud Sovereign Lower Realm and his entourage have arrived!~"
One by one, the Realm Masters and their entourages made their way in.
Yilla looked at the Ghastly Cloud Sovereign Lower Realm. Their Zyrus Family also had some blood relation with them, but it wasn't high enough for her to unlock the bloodline. She didn't care either, as she had surpassed them, leaving them in the dust. Still, she was curious, wondering what they were like.
Iesha also gazed at the Frozen Wasteland Lower Realm's Realm Master, wondering what was going on with Natalya, Tanya, Pia, and Bing Luli. Even if not for Natalya, she imagined she would see Tanya, Pia, and Bing Luli, but there was no news from them. She was worried, but their life jades were still intact and connected, so she guessed she should not be worried.
More and more Realm Masters arrived.
Patriarch Warren Auraflame of the Fire Phoenix Lower Realm.
Patriarch Orestes Temperas of the Earth Dragon Lower Realm.
There was even a Grand Elder from the Azure Dragon Upper Realm who visited, called Terronoir Heavenshade.
His hair was white, and he appeared old, but he still had significant muscle mass in his body and a strong back that stood straight like a mountain. His long beard only accentuated his handsome face, even though it was slightly wrinkled.
Clearly, he came in his avatar form. Otherwise, they suspected he would be an Exalt, perhaps at the Mid Stage Exalt, at the very least.
The Realm Master of the Earth Dragon Lower Realm was ready to offer his seat to Terronoir Heavenshade, but the latter declined and simply went to be seated on the fourth tier as though he were humble.
Yilla and Zestria could only look at each other before they shrugged.
They continued instructing and allowed the guests to be seated in an orderly fashion.
Soon, all forty-eight Realm Masters were present, including Esmond Stavenger and Yughen, except for one, the former Verdant Vale Realm Master, Thousand Windblades. Rumors had it that he had already fled to the Upper Realms since he was spotted there. Nonetheless, he wasn't a Realm Master anymore, so all were present.
After all had gathered, it was abuzz with discussions, not limited to political ones.
*Booom!~*
Abruptly, a thunderclap tore through the heavens, and a flash of lightning struck the altar.
Above the altar, a blonde-haired man clad in crimson-gold robes stood in the air. He overlooked the entirety of the gathering with a cold gaze, eying each and every one of them, causing their hearts to sink. Finally, his gaze landed on Terronoir Heavenshade before landing on Venerable Knight Lussandra, who was actually one of the first ones to arrive, but she made no move or spoke a word, simply having her eyes closed.
Mingzhi and the others' hearts shook.
That was indeed a grand entrance that made the place silent with awe and fear. Mingzhi could sense nearly everyone was scared shitless of him.