Following the guiding immortal light, Tang Xiaoqi and the rabbit spirit flew for several more days over the sea.
The deeper they went, the richer the spiritual energy became—so concentrated it solidified into visible mist, and breathing it in seemed to increase cultivation imperceptibly. The sea surface also became exceptionally calm, like a massive blue gem reflecting the clear sky. Occasionally, enormous sea beasts with auspicious auras surfaced to gaze curiously at the passing azure rainbow before slowly sinking again.
This day, at the junction of sea and sky ahead, a different scene finally appeared.
This was no ordinary island, but a cluster of vast landmasses floating above the sea, shrouded in seven-colored auspicious clouds and ethereal immortal mist! The main island was majestic and magnificent, mountains, jade pavilions and crystal halls faintly visible, waterfalls and flowing springs like the Milky Way cascading down. Countless auspicious beasts like cranes and spirit deer roamed about. Around the main island, dozens of and uniquely shaped floating fairy mountains circled like stars attending the moon.
Rich spiritual energy here had almost become substantive, like fine rain falling and nourishing everything on the island. Exotic flowers and precious herbs grew everywhere; many were spiritual species Xiao Qi had never heard of in the Central Plains, radiating refreshing fragrance and abundant vitality. The air was imbued with an ancient, auspicious, yet profound dao rhythm.
This was the overseas cultivation world's sacred land, the core of the Alliance—Penglai Immortal Island!
The guiding immortal light, upon reaching here, transformed into a silver rainbow bridge extending from the main island direction, landing precisely beneath Xiao Qi's feet. The bridge was stable, radiating spatial fluctuations—an obviously sophisticated guiding array.
Xiao Qi straightened his robes, bringing along the rabbit spirit which was also stunned by the scene. He stepped onto the bridge. The bridge autonomously shortened, carrying them, and in an instant crossed the final distance, landing steadily on a vast plaza paved with white jade at the main island's edge.
At the plaza's end stood a majestic ancient hall with a plaque reading "Welcoming Immortals."
Currently, this Welcoming Immortal Plaza was alive with figures and complex, powerful auras. Xiao Qi's gaze swept across, and his heart couldn't help but stir. On the plaza were immortals appearing identical to humans, yet with dao rhythm flowing around them and auras so profound they had clearly crossed the heavenly tribulation and shed their mortal bodies— elders, gathered in groups of three to five, conversing quietly, their words seemingly surrounding law resonances.
There were storm giant descendants, several zhang tall, with skin like ancient bronze, muscles knotting, surrounded by wind and thunder, standing solemnly in a corner like mountains. There were merman nobles in gorgeous palace attire, with crystalline scales behind their ears, stunningly beautiful, their eyes containing wisdom and authority. There were powerful demon kings and divine beast descendants who had taken human form but retained some original features—dragon horns on heads, turtle shells on backs, or golden light in eyes. Their auras were either domineering, ancient, or mysterious.
There were even cultivators dressed strangely, with quite different auras, seemingly from more distant seas or unknown places. Some commanded elemental spirits, some were shrouded in starlight.
Roughly sensing, the cultivators gathered on the plaza had cultivation at minimum Nascent Soul early stage, with Nascent Soul middle and late stages plentiful. There were even several auras that made Xiao Qi feel faint pressure—obviously Nascent Soul great circle, or perhaps touching Spirit Transformation's edge! As for those immortals, their realms were simply unfathomable.
This was truly immortals gathering! Compared to this scene, the Central Plains' so-called "ten thousand sects paying homage" suddenly seemed small in scope. Here gathered top existences from across the Four Seas and Eight Wilds, of different races and different inheritances!
Xiao Qi's arrival also drew attention from many present. His youthful features, his temperament steady as mountains yet hiding lush vitality, and his Green Lotus source aura, though restrained, still perceivable by top powers—all made him stand out distinctly. Especially his shoulder, where that rabbit spirit was looking around undaunted, even winking at a passing cold merman princess—attracting much curious gaze. At such a solemn gathering of immortals, bringing such a "lively" spirit beast was unique indeed.
An elderly immortal in a bagua Taoist robe, holding a fly whisk, with lean features, seemingly one of the reception officials for this assembly, saw Xiao Qi, sensed the invitation in his hand, and smiled as he approached. "This Daoist's bearing is extraordinary—surely you are the Central Plains Qingxu Temple's Master, Daoist Tang Xiaoqi, the World Purification True Lord? I am Yun Jizi, reception elder."
The elder's tone was warm, his manner neither servile nor overbearing.
"Daoist Yun Jizi is too kind—I am indeed he." Xiao Qi returned the bow politely, his manner humble.
"The True Lord has traveled far—you must be tired." Yun Jizi smiled. "The Discourse on the Dao officially begins tomorrow at the 'Ask the Dao Cliff.' Today, fellow Daoists may rest at the Welcoming Immortal Hall, or stroll freely on Penglai Island. The island has many dao-traces and stone inscriptions left by predecessors, as well as scenic spots and secret realms—perhaps beneficial to cultivation. If you have any needs, seek the island's officials at any time."
"Thank you for the information." Xiao Qi nodded appreciatively.
Yun Jizi glanced at the rabbit spirit again, an interesting glint in his eyes, but said nothing more, merely gesturing before going to receive other newly arrived participants.
Xiao Qi didn't immediately go to the Welcoming Immortal Hall; instead, he brought the rabbit spirit to stroll at the plaza's edge, feeling the Penglai Immortal Island's unique atmosphere and observing the powerful arrivals from various quarters.
He saw two immortals using divine sense to evolve some water-technique's mysteries, causing surrounding moisture to condense into various profound patterns; heard several demon kings debating the merits of certain bloodline divine powers in ancient beast language; also sensed powerful divine senses sweeping over himself from immortals, carrying examination and curiosity.
Here was truly a stage for wisdom and power to clash. The rabbit spirit also seemed affected by the solemn, grand atmosphere, temporarily quieting down, crouching on Xiao Qi's shoulder. But its red eyes kept spinning, undoubtedly planning which treasures to covet.
Xiao Qi took a deep breath of that abundant as rain spiritual energy, his heart full of anticipation.
Tomorrow, the thousand-year Discourse on the Dao Assembly would officially begin. Sitting with these top existences from different heavens, having different dao paths, to discuss the dao would certainly be an unprecedented feast of ideas, and would elevate his cognition of the "Great Dao" to a whole new height.
This Penglai Immortal Island, where immortals gathered, was precisely the perfect place for him to verify his learning and broaden his dao path.