From the Divine Heavenly Pavilion, the Thunder Department's group set out westward with the Moon Sword Goddess. They flew in the air through the dense mist of the Celestial Court. The grandeur of countless palaces were obscured by protective formations, revealing a tip of their majestic iceberg, a spectacle of unparalleled sanctity and elegance.

Soft celestial music wafted through the air, as if this divine land of the Celestial Court carried with it a slow, crisp soundtrack that bathed the travelers in its harmonious embrace, instilling a serene calm deep within.

To Yun Xiao, this endless expanse of palaces epitomized the notion of being elevated above the mundane, a realm where time stood peacefully still.

Along the path, clusters of divine maidens, baskets of flowers in hand and sweet smiles gracing their faces, added a breath of fresh air to the journey.

Each Immortal they encountered radiated an aura of righteousness and magnanimity, the men exuding nobility, the women grace, their beings untouched by worldly dust, their hearts as clear as mirrors—just as mortals imagined the Celestial Court to be.

Yun Xiao had once thought that the Heavenly Realm of the Divine Continent and the Primordial Ruins were akin to the fabled Celestial Court. Yet, it was not until he arrived here that he realized those places were mere imitations; the true essence of the Celestial Court lay not just in its architecture or its vastness, but in its inhabitants—the Immortals who defined it.

The dignitaries and young talents from the Thunder Department appeared to be familiar with these sights. Their conduct was reserved and their gazes restrained, perhaps to avoid disturbing the sanctity of their surroundings.

As the group traversed the western reaches of this divine land, Yun Xiao's eyes pierced the thick mists, and what struck him first was a towering column as dark as ink—the Immortal Asylum.

It seemed almost hidden between the mountainous vistas ahead, a core part of the Great Dao Celestial Realm that he had not expected to encounter so directly upon his ascent to the heavens.

Between Yun Xiao and the Immortal Asylum lay countless splendid palaces that likely belonged to the Western Kunlun Palace. On the eastern side of these palaces stretched a vast forest, its heavy fragrance signifying the location of the Empress Dowager’s peach orchard.

"The Western Kunlun Palace is part of the Empress Dowager’s royal residence. It's presided over by Empress Zhao and also serves as a pilgrimage site for the celestial maidens of the Celestial Court," Yun Xiao remarked to himself.

The Western Kunlun Palace symbolized the feminine power of the Great Dao Celestial Realm, bustling now more than usual with the hosting of the Divine Peach Banquet.

Upon reaching the Western Kunlun Palace, the Moon Sword Goddess led the Thunder Department's group to descend early and approach the elegant gates on foot. This gate, it seemed, was not the main entrance, and so there weren't many people to receive them.

Upon landing, Yun Xiao immediately noticed an elderly Immortal approaching. This aged figure was of short stature, with a large head and scant hair, leaning on a cane, his small eyes twinkling merrily, exuding an aura of immense fortune.

“Longevity Immortal,” Yun Yin greeted with a smile.

“Supreme General Yun! Please, on behalf of the Empress Dowager, she invites you all.” The Longevity Immortal smiled, exchanging pleasantries with Yun Yin.

Yun Xiao immediately recognized the old Immortal. Though his expression was calm on the surface, his heart turned cold. "It's him!"

The Longevity Immortal was a Stellar Margrave, a Rank 2 Heavenly Officer of the Celestial Court!

When Yun Xiao and Lian Xi first arrived at the Ascension Pool, it was this very old man who callously cooked all the hopeful petitioners, one pot after another, turning their dreams to gruel to feed horses.

To think such a person was a favored official in the Celestial Court! What did this reveal?

Fortunately, Yun Xiao and Lian Xi had both kept a low profile back in the Ascension Pool.

The Longevity Immortal surely never imagined that one of the souls he'd boiled only days before would now stand before him transformed—a Rank 6 Heavenly Officer and a prodigy of the Thunder Department, here to compete for the highest honors of the Celestial Court!

Welcomed by the Longevity Immortal, the Thunder Department's group entered a courtyard, where celestial mist hung thick in the air and birds sang amongst the fragrant flowers.

Lovely celestial maidens danced gracefully, greeting the guests and arranging the banquet, their splendor far surpassing the gathering back at the Grand Firmament Academy.

Indeed, the Grand Firmament Academy's peach banquet was but a pale imitation of this grand feast hosted by the Empress Dowager!

Yun Xiao felt like a villager who had wandered into an imperial palace; his eyes barely kept up with the sights. The tables were laden with delicacies and divine fruits beyond the reach of ordinary Immortals, presented here with an audacious opulence.

"Esteemed friends from the Thunder Department, please be seated," the Longevity Immortal beckoned warmly.

Yun Xiao and Gu Suwan, posing as mother and son, shared a table somewhat apart from the center. Even so, the array of divine fruits and dishes before them dazzled the eyes.

As the guests settled in, and the grand banquet had yet to truly commence, beautiful celestial maidens diffused the air with fragrant perfumes, smiling sweetly as they served wine, played music, and danced lightly.

Yun Xiao had to restrain the excited little black beast in his robes; truth be told, he had adored such feasts since his days in the Primordial Ruins.

A banquet of the rich, a turning point for the poor! But today's occasion was too grand for reckless indulgence.

Amidst the enveloping music, Yun Xiao quietly asked Gu Suwan, whose face always bore a motherly smile, "Doesn't it seem a bit sparse here? Weren’t all the top officials supposed to attend?"

Gu Suwan smiled, gazing ahead, "You young ones aren’t suited for the higher circles. So, you were placed in the outer court. As chaperones, us adults are seated here too."

"Is there an inner court as well?" Yun Xiao asked.

Clearly, the inner court held a grander setting.

"Of course, there's an inner court. But there's no difference in the setup. Whether it's the inner or outer court, the standards are the same. The celestial wines are brewed from the finest heavenly fruits, the meats come from divine beasts nurtured in the Celestial Court, and the peaches are of the highest grade... Such delicacies are seldom seen by ordinary Immortals in their lifetimes."

𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Knowing this young man often lamented his poverty and had an appetite like a starving ghost, Gu Suwan advised him, "Don't just bury your head and eat voraciously. This banquet is about socializing, about understanding the ways of the world."

"Don't worry, I'll just enjoy a little wine," Yun Xiao said with a light laugh, though he wasn't the one who needed restraint.

At the same, a dark little paw stealthily reached out from his embrace, swiftly snatching a translucent, jade-like celestial peach, which disappeared in an instant.

Yun Xiao soon noticed that the Immortals heading to the inner court had to pass through the outer court. So, he could look up and see one after another, their presences vast as celestial seas, passing by on clouds, all smiles.

"Stellar Margrave Greedy Wolf, please enter."

"Stellar Margrave Flame Lord has arrived, this way please!"

"All Celestial Inspectors, over here."

"The Three Merit Chiefs have arrived!"

"Nine Luminaries Sellar Margrave and Grand Duke Tai Sui, please, this way."

"Welcome to the Generals of the Celestial River Navy!"

The Longevity Immortal and Moon Sword Goddess greeted the guests together. The Moon Sword Goddess smiled quietly, seldom speaking, while the Longevity Immortal, who had a broad network, exchanged a few words with each visitor.

"Oh, the Lunar Mistress has arrived? Truly, your beauty is unmatched. The Empress Dowager has missed you!"

Another guest arrived, and the Longevity Immortal's smile almost reached his ears.

Bored, Yun Xiao suddenly sensed a demonic aura. Looking up through the celestial mist, he saw two stunningly beautiful women approaching slowly. Even through the mist, he could see they were peerless in beauty, rivaling the Thunder Department’s most beautiful woman, Nine Kites.

The two delicate women looked somewhat alike, yet their auras differed greatly. One was mature and enchanting, her cheeks tenderly flushed, her figure gracefully captivating; the other, clearly less experienced, was younger and seemingly demure but with an inherent allure.

Both had silvery-pink hair and similar eyes, surrounded by cherry blossoms, their presence ethereal and mysterious... But, Yun Xiao distinctly saw furry fox ears atop their heads.

Their gowns slightly bulged at the back, clearly indicating the presence of fox tails.

"These are fox demons..." Yun Xiao was a bit surprised. He turned to Gu Suwan. "Are demons also revered in the Celestial Court, even attending the Divine Peach Banquet?"

Gu Suwan shushed him softly, giving him a peculiar look before answering, "Of course, there are many Demon Immortals in the Celestial Court. Their ancestors have a long history of loyalty to the Great Dao Celestial Realm. It's said that talent should not be judged by origin; they are pillars of the Celestial Court, why bother with distinctions of race?"

"Oh?" Yun Xiao found this quite curious. No wonder Cao Sheng and Cao Shuo went unchecked, with their demon serpent earrings.

It was clear the Celestial Court didn't hold too great of a disdain for demons, allowing their existence, though they hadn't become mainstream.

Nonetheless, for a demon to attend the Divine Peach Banquet was no small feat.

"The Lunar Mistress wields extraordinary power. Though she holds no official position in the Celestial Court, her reputation in the Great Dao Celestial Realm is immense. She's a leader among the demon Immortals," Gu Suwan said, clearly impressed, indicating that this Lunar Mistress was stronger than her.

"The older fox demon is the Lunar Mistress, and the younger one is her daughter. Her name is Wuqing. The young lady, she's…"

Gu Suwan's face took on a curious expression, whispering, "She's one of the honorary Arbiters taking part in the Immortal Tournament, a very formidable opponent. Among those under 30 years old in the entire Great Dao Celestial Realm, she is the strongest demon prodigy."

"A demon could become the Champion of the Celestial Palace?" Yun Xiao chuckled.

"That's why you should step up your game. If you do, she won't make it, right? Since everyone has registered, and the Celestial Court advocates equality for all beings, we can't very well ask her to withdraw, can we?" Gu Suwan murmured softly.

"Equality for all beings?" Yun Xiao suddenly found it ironic. Demons were considered part of all beings. Yet the common folk in the mortal realm seemed excluded from this category.

Such was the equality for all beings!

At this moment, the Lunar Mistress and Wuqing parted ways; the former headed to the inner court, while the latter, guided by the Longevity Immortal, sat down at a table next to Yun Xiao.

Upon closer inspection of Wuqing's profile, Yun Xiao was struck by her stunning appearance.

"Even as a fox demon, pure and ethereal in appearance, her inherent allure and seduction cannot be fully concealed."

Wuqing seemed gentle and reserved, not engaging with anyone, just sitting quietly, evoking a sense of pity. This reminded Yun Xiao of Lady Hua Lian...

Truthfully speaking, in spite of the situation, Yun Xiao felt no hostility towards Wuqing.

For some reason, amidst this profit-driven peach banquet, with all the bustling Immortals wearing forced smiles, this single fox seemed detached, emanating a sense of clarity.

It was only a couple of months ago that Yun Xiao was slaughtering demons from the Northern Wastelands for the sake of his people.

Yun Xiao couldn't help but feel bewildered. Now, his worldview had been flipped completely upside down; discerning who was human and who was demon was no longer straightforward.

"Hush." Just then, Gu Suwan suddenly whispered, "The Empress Dowager is coming out!"

The Empress Dowager, none other than Empress Zhao, was the greatest matriarch of the Great Dao Celestial Realm! She was an impossibly lofty figure!

Yun Xiao instinctively looked towards the inner court, where through the swirling celestial mist, a procession of beautiful female Immortals emerged, the central figure enveloped in radiant light, dressed in a flowing black and gold gown.