Chapter 33: The Immortal Master of Reception

Five years ago, Zhao Yunsheng passed away peacefully at the age of sixty-five. The new emperor, his legitimate eldest son, now governs the realm.

This is the new emperor’s first participation in the Immortal Ceremony. Coupled with the secret rumor that his imperial grandfather may have been slain by an immortal master, he appeared exceedingly nervous, instinctively shifting half a step behind Li Ji'an for shelter.

Zhao Shuyao glared angrily at her elder brother several times, but her looks were ignored.

When her gaze fell upon Li Ji'an at the very front, Zhao Shuyao’s eyes grew complex.

At the previous Immortal Ceremony, she was four months shy of seventeen and had just achieved a minor breakthrough in blood refinement, worthy of the title "heaven's pride." Although she failed to become an immortal candidate, she was still quite proud, having at least tied with the disciple of the founder of the Grandmaster List. Because she was seven months younger, she even enjoyed a slight advantage.

Yet, after that ceremony, Li Ji'an showed her what true genius meant.

It was not until her father Zhao Yunsheng’s death five years ago that she admitted defeat completely.

On Zhao Yunsheng’s deathbed, she swore to follow Li Chang'an's lead, especially once they entered the immortal realm, vowing always to act according to his guidance.

Likewise, at Zhao Yunsheng’s passing, Li Ji'an promised him that he would look after his children within his capacity, though he firmly declined the offer of a marriage alliance.

Over the subsequent five years, Li Ji'an insisted that Zhao Shuyao begin training in martial arts to enhance her combat prowess.

He even imparted to her his own unique techniques.

Thus, once content with her minor internal refinement—believing herself qualified as an immortal candidate and nearly abandoning the martial path in favor of immortal cultivation—Zhao Shuyao advanced further, now nearly attaining the rank of grandmaster in blood and essence.

For this reason, Zhao Shuyao’s former antagonism toward Li Ji'an transformed into a complicated inner turmoil.

Not only did the image of Li Chang'an before her shift, but even the renowned, never-before-met Li Ji'an—who drove her competitive grandfather to his grave—gradually became someone different in her heart.

Just moments ago, as they entered the Immortal Hall and awaited the arrival of the immortal master, Li Chang'an presented a martial art that she regarded as nearly divine, stating he was instructed by Li Ji'an to hand it over to the Scripture Pavilion for all warriors to study.

May the martial way flourish in this realm; may all people become dragons!

Such magnanimity and ambition were enough to inspire reverence throughout the world.

“They’re here!” Suddenly, Li Ji'an’s ear twitched, keenly catching the sound of something slicing through the air.

The nine other immortal candidates and the emperor instantly held their breath, bowing their heads still lower.

As expected, the next moment, a figure drifted down above the Immortal Hall.

“Rise and answer!”

Li Ji'an lifted his head to see an unfamiliar face, much younger than the immortal master he had seen sixty years earlier, and with a sharper, prouder demeanor.

“Changed in just fifty years?”

Recalling Zhao Yunsheng’s description of the previous immortal master ten years ago, it was obvious that the last one had aged greatly since the one seen sixty years ago.

---

“Judging by this, the cultivation of this new guide may not be particularly high…” Li Ji'an made a preliminary assessment.

The new emperor stepped forward respectfully, not daring to lift his gaze. This only deepened the young immortal master’s disdain.

His eyes narrowed as he scrutinized the ten immortal candidates present.

“Hm? Such potent blood and essence among this group?” Suddenly, his eyes fixed on Li Ji'an and Zhao Shuyao, surprise and delight flashing across his face.

Sensing the immortal master's pleasure, the new emperor breathed a sigh of relief and boldly looked up, preparing to claim credit: “With the immortal master’s blessing, it is thanks to—”

But before he could finish, the immortal master’s expression darkened, glaring fiercely at the emperor: “Hmph! I thought your previous candidates were your limit… Never imagined you’ve been deceiving us all these years.”

“Ah? No, that’s not so—immortal master, please allow me to explain…” Cold sweat broke out on the emperor’s brow.

“Enough. From now on, the standard for candidates will be set by these two. If any fail to measure up… hmph, you’ll bear the consequences!” The young immortal master gave the emperor no chance to explain.

Li Ji'an secretly frowned.

His distrust in this guide grew.

The immortal master he met sixty years ago, whatever else could be said, possessed a certain immortal bearing in both speech and manner.

This one, however, resembled some unpolished youth from an aristocratic house, untested by the world, inexperienced and without depth.

“Immortal master, you are mistaken! I am innocent—I would never dare deceive an immortal!” The emperor was near collapse. Since the Cloud King ascended the throne, he had abolished the previous policy that mobilized the entire nation to cultivate candidates, instead shifting from wide-net recruitment to precision training.

This eased the burden on the people, but greatly increased the pressure and risk for candidate selection.

Gathering candidates who had fully completed blood refinement was hard enough—how could he raise the standard again, especially to match a prodigy like Li Ji'an?

In a century of the Celestial Dynasty, only Li Ji'an had achieved such greatness!

“How dare you talk back? You deserve punishment!” The young immortal master, feeling his authority challenged, snorted coldly. Without any visible movement, Li Ji'an felt as if an invisible palm had suddenly struck out.

Smack! The emperor was instantly slapped aside, landing heavily, his cheek swelling.

“Brother!” Zhao Shuyao, behind Li Ji'an, cried out involuntarily, rushing forward to check on him.

Li Ji'an firmly grasped her arm like an iron clamp.

“Hmph! If you do it again, your soul will scatter, never to reincarnate.” The young immortal master said coldly.

The emperor clutched his swollen cheek, not daring to utter another word, nodding repeatedly.

“You are born in a land abandoned by heaven, yet granted entry to the immortal realm. Remember this grace.” The young immortal master addressed the ten candidates.

---

“We will never forget the immortal master’s guidance,” the ten replied in unison.

The young immortal master nodded. “Do not resist. Ascend with me to the immortal realm!”

“Yes!”

Immediately, Li Ji'an felt a supporting force arise beneath his feet, lifting him gradually higher.

“This is entirely different from the power of blood and essence—colorless, formless, gentler and more refined… Could this be magical power?”

As they rose ever higher, the speed noticeably slowed.

Li Ji'an even sensed the invisible force beneath him nearing exhaustion, and if he exerted himself, it might dissipate.

At about a hundred meters, they hovered mid-air.

The young immortal master patted a small cloth pouch at his waist, which flashed with radiance.

Suddenly, a small boat shimmering with light appeared and expanded in the wind.

In an instant, it became a giant vessel ten yards long.

“Immortal treasure!”

“A true immortal’s technique!”

“Will we soon learn such immortal arts?”

…

The sudden appearance of the giant vessel made several candidates cry out in wonder.

Previously, even witnessing the immortal master slap the emperor without moving, or carrying them into the sky, they were not overly astonished—after all, grandmasters could project their blood essence outward.

But the flying vessel was entirely beyond the scope of martial arts.

The young immortal master, seeing their reaction, allowed a faint smile to flicker across his lips, seeming quite pleased.

His attitude softened: “No need for such surprise—this is but a minor trick. Quickly board the vessel. We journey to the immortal realm!”