"Is she summoning me?"

Upon hearing these words, Yun Xiao paused his cultivation in the Primordial Void Technique, rising to step outside.

"Yes." Yue Yin nodded. Both she and Cao Shuo had cultivated at the Western Kunlun Palace. And now, Empress Zhao, contacting Yun Xiao through her, signaled that this was more of a personal affair than the will of the Celestial Court.

"Does that mean I must make the long journey to the divine land of the Celestial Court?" Yun Xiao inquired.

"No need." Yue Yin pointed to the sky. "The Western Kunlun Palace can soar through the heavens, and it's currently hovering above the Thunder Department."

The Thunder Immortal Formation was basically completely spent. So, it could no longer add to Yun Xiao's combat power for the time being.

"What do you say? Will you go?" Yue Yin asked softly, then added, "She's summoning you privately; it could be a trap, and you wouldn’t be wrong to refuse."

"I'll go," Yun Xiao answered without much hesitation.

"Aren't you afraid of the danger?" she asked.

"In this Great Dao Celestial Realm, no one can kill me," Yun Xiao declared, stepping out as he added, "Let's go and see what these celestial maidens are truly plotting."

"Right!" Yue Yin nodded. Yun Xiao’s confidence and command also bolstered her courage. She bowed slightly, following him with reverence, their roles of master and disciple seemingly reversed.

BUZZ!

Launching from the pagoda of the Myriad Divine Thunder Bureau, the two soared up to the heavens on their Sovereign Swords.

Only then did Yue Yin count the Sword Prisons on Yun Xiao’s Sword Soul—a total of 30, equal to her own, striking more awe into her.

It took her 300 years to form her 30 Sword Prisons.

Yet, Yun Xiao had managed to do the same over a single night!

No one understood the terror of this divine prodigy better than her and Gu Suwan.

"The Chaos Sovereign, who traversed a path in mere decades that others took centuries, was already a supreme marvel of the Heavenly Palace. And now, this young master has done it in mere days."

If Lu Fan was dozens of times the genius of those in the Heavenly Palace, how many times was Yun Xiao beyond Lu Fan?

Yue Yin could only think that while others had defied the heavens, Yun Xiao seemed to embody the heavenly path itself—perhaps be even above it!

Cultivators might view such a rapid rise as squeezing potential, with a possibly limited ultimate height, but Yue Yin already felt distinctly that Yun Xiao wasn't merely squeezing his potential.

Every step he took was ordinary, and therein lay the terror.

"The more I understand, the more I revere him," Yue Yin thought as she watched the young man before her, not merely a man but an incarnation of the heavenly dao, the will of the world itself.

Amid such musings, the two Sword Immortals sliced through the clouds above the Thunder Department and beheld the palace ensconced within a burning sea of clouds—a sprawling, boundless structure that flew through the heavens.

Grand and majestic, the palace was shrouded in celestial mist, with colorful lights fluttering about, and even from afar, the melody of heavenly music intertwined with the fragrance of flowers filled the air.

Cranes glided gently overhead, springs murmured, and clouds rolled leisurely by, painting a scene of tranquil peace that soothed the soul. Yet beneath that peace lay a solemn reverence, for this was the palace of Empress Zhao, a matriarch of the Great Dao Celestial Realm.

"Yue Yin and the Immortal Champion have arrived."

As Yun Xiao and Yue Yin landed on the white jade platform before the Western Kunlun Palace, a soft female voice enveloped them, and a path formed before Yun Xiao—crafted from countless dancing flower petals, guiding him forward.

Yun Xiao stepped into the sea of flowers, moving toward the grandest of the palaces, embraced by the whirl of multicolored petals. He had been to the divine land of the Celestial Court before, and seen the Immortal Asylum behind the Western Kunlun Palace. But this floating palace was, in truth, a part of the Western Kunlun Complex, free from any presence of the Immortal Asylum.

Here, it was purely a realm of tender sanctuary, where the highest echelons of female Immortals resided, all high in status and naturally, older, much like Yue Yin and Cao Shuo, epitomizing successful women in the Celestial Court.

Approaching the palace, Yun Xiao could smell a myriad of fragrances, a blooming garden's array, revealing the many distinguished women within. High status often meant older age.

Yun Xiao walked the floral path to a palace named Dowager Hall, whose doors swung open automatically as he approached, adorned with phoenix carvings symbolizing maternal power.

Inside, the glow of pink candlelight filled the hall, illuminating every female Immortal in an exceptionally delicate light, their skin gleaming with radiance.

"Come in."

Seated above on a phoenix throne, Empress Zhao wore a long, flowing gown of gold and black, her smile gentle, her demeanor regal and lofty, commanding both awe and compassion, holy and inviolable, shining upon the mortal realm like the moon above.

Her sublime beauty was unique and rare, a presence unmatched within the Celestial Court, making her truly singular.

Normally, any male Immortal, except perhaps the White Emperor, would approach Empress Zhao with reverence and humility.

Yun Xiao did not. His gaze was clear, devoid of any offense, certainly free of any self-doubt. He saw her straightforwardly, stripped of her maternal crown, as a strong, ordinary Immortal woman.

"Lu Yao pays his respects to Empress Zhao and the esteemed Immortals," Yun Xiao said, neither haughty nor humble, giving due respect before waiting to see which play would unfold.

As Yun Xiao spoke, his eyes casually swept the surroundings. Around the Dowager Hall sat hundreds of women, each a celestial beauty of breathtaking grace, each distinct in charm and allure, overwhelming to behold.

They shared a common trait—nobility and exaltation, clearly of high status, and among them, some exuded an intense presence, not mere consorts but powerful dignitaries of the Celestial Court.

Most, like Yue Yin, were of a mature age, ripe with grace and unparalleled elegance.

Yet, a few were younger, scarcely a century old, considered youthful maidens in their realm.

Even if married, they were in the prime of their celestial youth.

𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

As Yun Xiao observed them, they too assessed him, many seeing him in person for the first time, curiosity and wonder apparent in their beautiful eyes.

They whispered among themselves, occasionally giggling softly; their cheeks blushed pink under the glow of the candles, like ripe peaches on the table, smooth and sweet, dripping with honeyed words.

Their discussions centered around Yun Xiao's remarkable Creator Immortal form.

Indeed, he was exceptional. Of course, being of stature, they weren't impertinent but couldn't help their natural admiration.

"Sir Lu, do you recognize the heroines of the Immortal path in this hall?" Empress Zhao asked with a warm smile, making it seem more a casual conversation than an inquisition.

"Your Majesty, my knowledge of Immortals is limited, having only recently embarked on the path; I ask for their indulgence," Yun Xiao replied.

"Indeed, indulgence," Blue Star chirped from his embrace, his face alight with a smirk.

Yun Xiao gave Blue Star a gentle squeeze through his armor, maintaining his smile. His pleasant demeanor, coupled with his divine looks, naturally spared him any mind for his inexperience.

Empress Zhao smiled. "Yue Yin, you are my acknowledged disciple and belong to the Western Kunlun Palace; you needn’t be formal. Today, as I survey the heavens and earth, passing by the Thunder Department, I brought peers to meet Lu Yao, this remarkable youth. You are his master; please introduce him."

"Understood." Yue Yin, a Rank 2 Heavenly Officer, appeared especially dutiful in this setting.

Of course, to introduce Yun Xiao was to acknowledge his status, and the seating arrangement in the hall already represented the respective honors of these women.

Leading Yun Xiao, Yue Yin directed his attention to Empress Zhao's right, where a young woman in a pink dress sat. She was exceptionally pretty with a pair of pink bunny ears—whether ornamental or real was unclear.

Under the soft pink candlelight, this maiden appeared exquisitely delicate, her innocence laced with a touch of allure, irresistibly captivating.

"This is Saintess Yao Xi, the Princess Consort of the Crown Prince," Yue Yin said with reverence.