The Emperor's Summons

The black-robed Imperial sovereign mused to himself, "My imperial clan of Grand Xia carries the bloodline of the legendary 'Xia' clan, the imperial clan of the primordial Pangu World. We unified this major world eons ago and have governed it for countless cycles. My master has also said… that in terms of the strength of its fate and fortune, this Grand Xia world of mine ranks first among the dozens of major worlds under his tutelage. When fortune converges, the Three Realms tremble. Some peerless heroes are destined to be born, and the chances they are born in my Grand Xia world are extremely high!"

"Master is a being who has grasped the Heavenly Dao, one of the most supreme major powers in the Three Realms. Even he is worried that the Three Realms are about to descend into great turmoil… If I am careless, I am afraid the imperial Xia clan will be destroyed."

He was very clear on this.

His master was a true, top-tier major power of the Three Realms, commanding dozens of major worlds. The Grand Xia world was merely one of them.

And the Lord of Heaven?

The Lord of Heaven merely managed some of the order of the Three Realms. In terms of authority, he wasn't even much higher than the Grand Xia Emperor himself, let alone compared to the Emperor's master. Beings like his master were the true masters who controlled the fate of the Three Realms. There had been turmoil in the Three Realms before, and the Lord of Heaven had been replaced several times. Who became the Lord of Heaven? It was all decided through discussion by top-tier major powers like his master.

"Since a being like my master is worried, then his disciples, including myself, might fall in this tribulation."

"I must be careful, extremely careful and cautious."

The black-robed Imperial sovereign was a being who had survived from the primordial world era to the present day. He had led his tribe from that primordial world into the Grand Xia world, fought against native Fiendgods, struggled against other tribes, and finally unified the world. He was no gentle soul.

He understood very well how to survive a great calamity.

"I must forge good relations with more major powers of the Three Realms."

"Even better, I should have some major powers of the Three Realms working for me. That way, my fortune will naturally soar."

"This Immortal Fortunes Assembly is likely to produce future major powers of the Three Realms."

The black-robed Imperial sovereign's gaze was profound.

Suddenly——

A figure appeared on the clouds in the distance. He wore a bright yellow robe embroidered with a pattern of a Yinglong, his facial features were soft, and his eyes were like stars. This was the Qi King! He was a being at the Celestial Immortal level.

"Your Majesty." The Qi King bowed respectfully.

"Qi King, during my absence, have there been any important matters?" the black-robed Imperial sovereign asked. Usually, the Emperor's clansmen and ministers managed the day-to-day affairs of the realm; only truly significant matters were reported to the Emperor.

"Your Majesty is already aware of the Yan King becoming a Celestial Immortal. As for other matters… there is nothing else of great importance. The Grand Xia world is still fairly peaceful." The Qi King said respectfully. The death of Shaoyan Nong? Even if it were the current Duke of Yu, it would be a trivial matter, not worth reporting to the Grand Xia Emperor. Of course, if an Earth Immortal like Patriarch Xuanji were to die, that would be worth reporting.

"Mm." The black-robed Imperial sovereign nodded. "The Immortal Fortunes Assembly is still a few months away. Do you have any special news regarding the Assembly?"

"The Immortal Fortunes Assembly?" The Qi King was startled.

The Immortal Fortunes Assembly was held once every three hundred years.

For cultivators with relatively short lifespans, it was essentially a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But for the exalted Grand Xia Emperor, with his infinitely long and ancient life, the triennial Assembly was actually quite frequent. A single period of seclusion could last tens of thousands of years. He usually paid no attention to the Assembly, leaving it to a few Celestial Immortals under his command to oversee.

Celestial Immortals presiding over it was already considered a high enough standard.

"If there is anything special about this Assembly…" The Qi King thought for a moment, recalling a piece of intelligence delivered from Heavenly Treasures Mountain. He then said, "There is one unusual aspect. In past Assemblies, some truly proud, peerless geniuses chose not to attend. However, this time, many famous peerless geniuses have all come one after another. In terms of quality, this Assembly should be considered very high."

Peerless geniuses didn't always participate in the Immortal Fortunes Assembly.

Due to personality, temperament, or the nature of their cultivation methods, many chose not to come. For instance, the Slovenly True Immortal originally hadn't planned to attend.

"Oh?" The black-robed Imperial sovereign nodded gently. Indeed, everything had its omens.

Invisible fortune was converging.

The Immortal Fortunes Assembly was the focal point of that convergence. Those peerless geniuses would instinctively feel drawn there. Those who truly shone during it would receive even greater blessings of fortune, and their future achievements would be limitless.

"This time, I will personally preside over the Immortal Fortunes Assembly," the black-robed Imperial sovereign declared.

"Personally?" The Qi King was shocked. "This Assembly happens every three hundred years. It's nothing so important. Your Majesty wishes to preside over it in person?"

The black-robed Imperial sovereign nodded. "Correct. I will preside over it in person. I will also increase the rewards for this Assembly tenfold, even a hundredfold."

"Tenfold? A hundredfold?" The Qi King's heart trembled.

In previous Assemblies, the top three might be awarded an Immortal-ranked treasure.

What about this time?

"Issue a decree to all the nobles, clans, sects, and teachings throughout the world," the black-robed Imperial sovereign said calmly. "Inform them that I am paying close attention to this Immortal Fortunes Assembly, that I will preside over it personally, and that they must arrange for their very top, most elite disciples to attend."

"A direct decree?" The Qi King was even more astonished.

Attendance was usually voluntary.

"Qi King, you are aware of the cataclysmic change in the Netherworld Kingdom a few decades ago, are you not?" The black-robed Imperial sovereign looked at the Qi King.

"Yes, I know that the Six Paths of Reincarnation collapsed. But what does that have to do with the Immortal Fortunes Assembly?" The Qi King had a faint inkling, but due to his limited perspective, he still didn't fully understand. However, he now realized that the previous disaster in the Netherworld was the reason the Emperor was attaching such importance to this Immortal Fortunes Assembly.

Since that was the case, he couldn't afford to be lax.

"I will issue the decree immediately," the Qi King quickly replied.

"Mm. The commencement date for the Immortal Fortunes Assembly will be set for the sixteenth day of the first month," the black-robed Imperial sovereign commanded.

"Yes." The Qi King acknowledged.

Soon, radiating from the imperial capital of Grand Xia came the news: 'The Grand Xia Emperor will personally preside over the Immortal Fortunes Assembly. All nobles, clans, sects, and teachings are commanded to arrange for their most elite disciples to attend.' This decree spread rapidly across the entire major world. All the great nobles on the endless lands, and even the great powers in the boundless seas, received the Emperor's command.

"The Emperor himself is presiding?"

"The last time the Emperor presided over the Immortal Fortunes Assembly was after the rebellion of the Dong'e clan and others was crushed, and that was billions of years ago. The time before that was the very first Assembly. Why would the Emperor decide to preside over this one?"

For a time, all the great nobles, major sects, and great teachings were filled with trepidation.

They cared little about the lives of their Wanxiang Adept disciples. Even if they all died, it would only create a gap of a few hundred years before new geniuses emerged.

What they were worried about was the intent of the Grand Xia Emperor. He was the true sovereign who controlled the fate of an entire major world!

For him to personally preside and issue a direct decree…

This was significant.

"Ancestor, the Emperor presided over the first Assembly, and then again after the Dong'e rebellion was crushed. This is the third time he will personally preside. There must be a reason."

"Enough, don't overthink it. What status does the Emperor hold? Do you think you can fathom his thoughts? Even if his decree ordered our clan's young geniuses to go to their deaths, we would have no choice but to obey. Go, order the top three Wanxiang Adepts among our clan's younger generation to participate. As for the rest, they may follow their own will."

"Recall the three Holy Sons. Prepare them to participate in the Assembly."

"Yes, Holy Master."

"At our Qitian Gate, the top five among the Ten Great Disciples must participate in the Immortal Fortunes Assembly. The other disciples may decide for themselves."

"Yes, Grand Elder."

Throughout the Grand Xia world, not a single truly powerful force dared to defy this command. Those who received the order were all powers on the same level as Anchan's Beishan clan. Institutions like the Black-White College? They weren't even qualified to receive a direct order.

Winter had arrived once more. The accumulated snow glistened brilliantly under the sunlight.

Ji Ning, Yuchi Xiyue, Yu Wei, Mu Northson, Cangjiang True Immortal, and the Slovenly True Immortal were all gathered together, drinking immortal wine, feasting on seafood, and talking freely.

"The order from the imperial capital has come down," Yuchi Xiyue said with a smile. "This Immortal Fortunes Assembly will commence on the sixteenth day of the first month. That leaves just over a month."

Every Assembly was held in the first month.

"While wandering around the Grand Xia capital, I heard some people discussing at a restaurant that the top three of their sect's nine great disciples had all come. They also mentioned disciples from other sects who had arrived. It seems an incredible number of geniuses are gathering this time," Mu Northson said excitedly, holding a beast-head wine cup.

"According to the intelligence I purchased from Heavenly Treasures Mountain, waves upon waves of geniuses are currently converging on the Grand Xia capital," Yu Wei added gravely.

Yuchi Xiyue laughed. "It seems you don't know enough yet. Actually, this time the Emperor himself will preside over the Assembly. To curry favor with His Majesty, all the nobles, sects, and teachings will naturally bring their very best geniuses."

"The Emperor himself will preside?" Ji Ning, Yu Wei, and the Slovenly True Immortal were all astonished.

"This news is known to all the great nobles. Some peerless genius disciples have probably been told as well, though they dare not spread it lightly," Yuchi Xiyue said. "I'm telling you all this, but don't go spreading it around."

"Naturally."

Ji Ning and the others were still in a state of shock.

The Grand Xia Emperor?

The being who ruled this entire major world? The one who truly stood at the very peak?

Ji Ning and the others felt an even greater sense of anticipation.

As time passed, more and more geniuses arrived in the Grand Xia capital. Some, having heard that this Assembly would gather an extraordinary number of prodigies—those who had originally decided not to come—found their hearts swayed and rushed over as well.

In the blink of an eye, the sixteenth day of the first month had arrived.