Amidst flashes of radiant light and thunderous roars, a colossal mountain nearly ten thousand zhang tall suddenly appeared in the sky.
Such a behemoth, with its base spanning nearly a hundred li, cast an enormous shadow over the central area of Tianyuan City, enveloping everything beneath it.
With such a spectacle, the crowd near the plaza naturally noticed immediately. Many looked up in astonishment, but all they could see was the dark underside of the massive mountain, leaving them utterly dumbfounded.
A mountain of this size was not something the cultivators below had never seen before, but one floating in the sky was an entirely different matter.
Moreover, just moments ago, the sky had been completely empty.
Further away, other celebrants rushing toward the plaza were equally stunned, yet from a distance, they could clearly see the full form of the three-colored peak.
But as they marveled, they unexpectedly noticed that the upper half of the peak was densely covered with pavilions and palaces, while the summit was shrouded in a thin layer of white mist, within which something indistinct seemed to lurk.
Driven by curiosity, some cultivators ignored the guards below and flew straight toward the floating mountain.
At that moment, the three-colored peak ceased its expansion as the silver light dimmed slightly.
Han Li, seeing the approaching cultivators, smiled faintly and casually formed a hand seal.
Countless runes flashed across the peak’s surface, and a transparent barrier emerged, instantly freezing the void within several li of the mountain.
As the cultivators flew into this area, loud *thuds* echoed as they were repelled by an invisible force, bouncing off the barrier.
Stabilizing themselves, the cultivators exchanged bewildered glances but dared not attempt another breach.
Everyone knew this mountain was undoubtedly connected to Han Li, the newly ascended Venerable. Offending him would be tantamount to courting death.
Then, a calm male voice suddenly echoed from the summit:
“Having so many fellow Daoists attend my celebration is an honor. All qualified guests may enter directly via the teleportation formations below. I, Han Li, await your esteemed presence at the summit’s Great Ascension Platform.”
The voice was unmistakably Han Li’s!
Though unhurried, it resonated clearly in the ears of every attendee, as if spoken right beside them.
“Senior Han!”
“It’s Venerable Han Li himself!”
The nearby cultivators stirred in excitement, quickly descending toward the plaza below.
Meanwhile, under the order maintained by armored guards, attendees had already formed lines before the teleportation formations, vanishing in flashes of light.
On the three-colored peak, numerous structures dotted the landscape, among which over a dozen teleportation halls were scattered.
The first batch of arrivals materialized within these halls, stepping out of the formations and curiously surveying their surroundings.
Inside, white-robed attendants—some disciples of Qi Lingzi, others temporarily borrowed from Elder Gu—stood ready. Bowing slightly, one stepped forward and said respectfully, “Esteemed Seniors, please follow me. I will escort you to the summit for the celebration.”
Seeing that most attendants were at the Golden Core or Nascent Soul stage, the cultivators paid little heed and followed them out of the hall, ascending a winding mountain path toward the peak.
As more figures emerged from the teleportation formations, attendants guided groups up the path in succession.
Along the way, the cultivators marveled at the exquisitely carved jade pavilions, rare flowers, and exotic beasts roaming the scenic surroundings—some even legendary creatures.
A few, overcome by curiosity, strayed from the path, only to find themselves engulfed in white mist, seemingly suspended in midair.
Panicked, some froze, while others futilely cast spells to break free.
To onlookers, however, these cultivators appeared rigid, like wooden puppets the moment they left the path.
“Illusions!” gasped those versed in formations.
The leading attendant, unfazed, raised a silver token, releasing a five-colored radiance that swept the trapped cultivators back onto the path.
As the mist dispersed, the disoriented group regained their bearings.
Before they could recover, the attendant bowed and warned, “Esteemed Seniors, this mountain was conjured by our Venerable’s mighty power. Beyond this path lie formidable restrictions. Please stay close, lest misfortune befall you.”
The chastened cultivators nodded ruefully. None dared test a Great Ascension cultivator’s illusions.
Subsequent groups received the same warning, and aside from a few reckless souls, most adhered to the path.
When the first batch reached the summit, the thinning mist had fully dissipated, revealing a vast plaza paved with white jade bricks.
Rows of colorful cushions covered the ground, nearly filling the space.
At the center stood a crystalline pagoda, dozens of zhang tall, its seven tiers adorned with emerald-green runes that shimmered faintly.
Atop the pagoda floated a colossal azure lotus, half-bloomed, its petals a vibrant green.
Seated at its heart was a green-robed youth—Han Li—eyes lightly closed, a faint smile on his lips.
Beside him lounged a golden-scaled beast, its silver eyes darting curiously—the Leopard-Qilin Beast.
Though Han Li seemed oblivious to the arrivals, the cultivators bowed deeply before settling quietly at the plaza’s edges under the attendants’ guidance.
More celebrants streamed in—elders, youthful maidens, even horned or furred demons—all paying respects before seating themselves in solemn silence.
The plaza, though massive, could hold only thirty to forty thousand. Soon, nearly all cushions were occupied, while hundreds of thousands below were barred from entry.
As the general attendees settled, representatives of major factions arrived, escorted to inner rings near Han Li.
Among them were envoys of foreign races, their forms and auras starkly alien.
Finally, as the silver-haired Elder and Tianyuan City’s elders appeared at the entrance, the seven suns hung high—noon had arrived.
“The hour is upon us. Let the celebration commence!” declared Qi Lingzi, materializing below the pagoda with a bow.
As temple bells chimed distantly, five-colored radiance filled the sky, accompanied by celestial music and ethereal figures dancing amidst falling petals.
A fragrant, spirit-rich aroma permeated the plaza.
“Herbal Elixir! Refined from eighty-one rare blossoms!” someone blurted before hastily silencing themselves, though many inhaled greedily, invigorated.
“Salutations!” Qi Lingzi announced.
The human cultivators rose as one, bowing deeply:
“Congratulations on Senior Han’s Great Ascension! May ten thousand cultivators rejoice!”
The demons and foreign envoys, though silent, paid equal homage.
The celebratory cries, amplified by formations, resounded across Tianyuan City, echoing through the heavens.
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