The sound of whispering slowly died down across the great frost-jade terrace of Cloud-Peak Immortal Mountain.
Ten thousand sect masters, elders, and young masters from the twelve orthodox powers of the Central Continent reclined on embroidered silk divans. Golden banquet tables groaned under the weight of roasted spirit-boar ribs, glistening glazed peacocks, and silver basins filled with chilled celestial dew-peaches. Crystal wine fountains flowed without stopping, filling the thin mountain air with the heady fragrance of thousand-year spirit-lotus wine.
At the highest tier of VIP tables, several prominent patriarchs raised their jade goblets, toasting with loud, sycophantic praise.
“Holy Son Ye Chen is truly the undisputed dragon of our generation!” Patriarch Feng of the True-Phoenix Court laughed, stroking his golden beard. “Securing the northern boundaries, subduing the unruly border clans, and betrothed to the fair Fairy Bai Lian! A glorious match that will unite two ancient bloodlines for ten thousand years!”
Beside him, an elder from the Golden-Sun Sect sneered toward the lower courtyard. “Indeed! Unlike those crude, lower-realm upstarts who throw copper coins at dirt-farmers in the borderlands, our Central Continent understands that pure lineage and ruthless strength are the only true virtues under heaven!”
Standing atop the central raised dais, flanked by twelve burning dragon-braziers, was Holy Son Ye Chen.
