099 Welcoming Immortal Island

Above the vast sea stood a towering, colossal volcanic island amidst the boundless horizon. This conical volcano spanned a thousand miles in circumference, its summit flickering with fiery light, harboring endless molten lava within.

Atop the volcano, countless fortresses and manors were arranged in dense, orderly clusters, shimmering with spiritual energy. Strange currents of power surged skyward. Crowning the summit was a grand steel city of imposing grandeur, firmly perched over the volcanic crater.

From afar, the city revealed a forest of towering buildings, connected by corridors and bridges, their radiant lights flickering and flowing—a spectacle most extraordinary. Within the city stood nine towering spires, like pillars supporting the heavens, reaching thousands of feet into the sky, their peaks piercing the celestial atmosphere.

This was the mountain gate of the Chongxuan Sect.

Among all the sects in the Eastern Sea, only the Chongxuan Sect had truly mastered the art of “artifacts” to perfection.

As Pang Yue and Luo Qingyuan arrived outside the Chongxuan Sect’s gate, they saw Immortal cultivators coming and going—some riding clouds and mist, others mounted on auspicious beasts, or piloting flying artifacts—all displaying remarkable bearing.

The upcoming Golden Core Grand Ceremony was a prestigious occasion, a matter of pride for all major powers.

Though the Chongxuan Sect was orthodox and did not extend a direct invitation to the Magic Talisman Sect, they had, in a subtle roundabout way, invited the Luo family—one of the six great Golden Core clans of the Magic Talisman Sect.

Ten Qi-Feeding disciples from the Luo family, led by Elder Luo Zhiyao, headed straight for the Chongxuan volcano.

Along the way, they noticed that other factions arrived in groups of dozens, some even numbering over a hundred, their presence overwhelming.

To welcome its guests, Chongxuan Sect had specially conjured a floating fairy island in the void outside the mountain gate. On the island, flying springs and cascading waterfalls, ancient pines, and cypresses crafted a serene and elegant environment.

Delicately constructed pavilions dotted the island, prepared as lodging and viewing places for honored guests.

This island was called the Welcome Immortal Isle, only brought forth during grand festivals and ceremonies.

Outside the Welcome Immortal Isle stretched a long rainbow bridge. Countless Chongxuan disciples, clad in uniform splendid robes, escorted guests according to their status to their quarters on the island.

Opposite the isle hung a lofty platform of jade stone, vast in length and width. At its center stood a dazzling nine-tiered altar. On each side of the platform, several hundred bronze Daoist warriors, three meters tall, stood guard. Their bodies bore ancient, rugged patterns through which spiritual light flowed in mysterious ways.

Each bronze warrior bore the spiritual pressure of a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator.

These bronze Daoist soldiers were forged by the Chongxuan Sect through ancient artifact-smithing methods combined with the soul-transfer techniques of mythical beasts.

Ordinarily, they were tempered deep within the volcanic core and rarely appeared above ground.

At this moment, each bronze warrior held a crimson banner, fluttering fiercely in the wind, presenting a majestic spectacle that underscored the prestige of the Eastern Sea’s foremost artifact-smithing sect.

Pang Yue observed the Chongxuan disciples busily arranging the jade crystal platform and the guests coming and going on Welcome Immortal Isle. He sighed in admiration—the grandeur of Chongxuan seemed to surpass even that of the Magic Talisman Sect.

Luo Zhiyao led his group onto the rainbow bridge, where Chongxuan disciples promptly greeted them and guided them onto the Welcome Immortal Isle, settling them into their pavilions.

The lodgings assigned to the Luo family were slightly elevated, with excellent views—a clear sign of respect toward the Magic Talisman Sect.

Everyone chose their rooms in the pavilions. Luo Zhiyao left the Luo disciples to their own devices, boarding a cloud to visit friends within the Chongxuan volcano.

The accompanying Luo disciples paired off in twos and threes, leaving the Welcome Immortal Isle to visit the Chongxuan marketplace.

Pang Yue and Luo Qingyuan did not hurry away but leisurely sat on the pavilion terrace, sipping Chongxuan Sect’s spiritual tea and chatting idly.

The Chongxuan Sect comprised nine branches.

Each branch corresponded to a path of cultivation centered on a unique life-bound treasure.

The nine towering spires within the mountain city were the ancestral halls of these branches.

Among the nine branches, two possessed primordial spirit-level inheritances, while seven were steeped in peak Golden Core legacies.

Luo Qingyuan released a flying sword message by secret art, smiling sweetly: “I have a confidante who inherits the True Transmission of the Golden Glow branch of Chongxuan Sect. She will take us to the marketplace later.”

Pang Yue nodded thoughtfully. To forge the nine great spiritual treasures of his past life, the key was to find the corresponding main materials.

Since the Magic Talisman Sect was not adept at artifact forging, their marketplace and merit halls offered limited materials.

Perhaps Chongxuan Sect might hold some surprising resources.

After a short wait, a golden glow appeared on the horizon.

The teleportation light was exquisitely beautiful, shifting endlessly with countless rays blending illusion and reality, enchanting all who beheld it.

The light descended gently above Welcome Immortal Isle, paused briefly, then flew directly to the terrace where Pang Yue and Luo Qingyuan sat.

As the glow dispersed, a snow-skinned beauty dressed in red adorned with gold approached gracefully.

Pang Yue focused and saw a delicate, fair-skinned woman of tender years, her beauty striking like a blooming peach or plum blossom. Her figure and features were exquisite, and the golden-waist sash dress she wore only enhanced her dignified elegance and proud bearing.

“Qingyuan, little sister, long time no see. Have you missed your sister?” The woman said warmly, taking Luo Qingyuan’s soft hand in hers.

She then glanced curiously up and down at Pang Yue, saying, “So this is your lucky gentleman? Though he’s a bit older, he still passes as quite a handsome fellow…”

She chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Luo Qingyuan rolled her eyes playfully and retorted, “Your dual-cultivation partner is already eight hundred years old, yet you still have the nerve to tease me.”

Then she introduced Pang Yue: “This is my confidante, Master Mingfei. Her dual-cultivation partner is a Golden Core elder of the Golden Glow branch, whom she captured during his Foundation Establishment stage.”

“Greetings, fellow cultivators,” Pang Yue cupped his hands and bowed.

Master Mingfei lifted her beautiful eyes, glanced at Pang Yue, and returned the greeting with a slight bow.

“I’ve heard from Qingyuan that your swordsmanship is remarkable. I must ask you to teach me sometime,” she said.

The Golden Glow branch’s life-bound treasure was the Golden Glow Banner, and they specialized in wielding the Golden Glow Sword Light—the only branch in the Chongxuan Sect to cultivate sword techniques.

Luo Qingyuan and Master Mingfei were clearly close. Leaning toward her, Luo Qingyuan whispered, “He’s also skilled in the path of dual cultivation. Would you like to learn a thing or two?”

“Ask for a beating!” Mingfei’s cheeks flushed as she shot Pang Yue a quick glance, then playfully punched Luo Qingyuan.

The two women immediately tumbled into a friendly embrace.

Pang Yue cleared his throat and said seriously, “Fellow cultivator, I wish to purchase some artifact-forging materials. Could you kindly guide me?”

Mingfei smiled, “What materials do you seek?”

“Great Dao boulders, clear sky iron essence, forbidden spirit red copper, Supreme Mysterious Pure Iron...” Pang Yue named seven or eight kinds.

Mingfei’s delicate brows furrowed, then she looked surprised: “Even within Chongxuan Sect, these materials are extremely rare. The fact that you know them shows you are indeed a master forger.”

“I know of a shop that still holds some Supreme Mysterious Pure Iron. I will take you there to have a look!” she offered graciously.