The gathering of worlds, goals, and fates served as a mere prelude to the grandest event since the Saint Cyclic Renewal Summit! As the eve inevitably passed, the much-anticipated day arrived.
The Neo-Dawn Alchemic Expo!
However, while the hearts and minds of quintillions were teeming with excitement and curiosity, questions flew about hectically as no one knew where the venue for the alchemic expo would be held! In all preceding events, there would be large, extraordinary stadiums of sorts, but the number of people attending was rarely higher than a few tens of thousands, typically elites of the expo's region and those with sufficient status, strength, and wealth to participate.
It was the first time in the written history of the entire world that an alchemic expo had invited such large, imposing, and incredible numbers. Was there a stadium that could possibly hold the quintillions of lives? Of all genders? Of all races? Of all cultivation bases? It seemed impossible.
Yet there was not the slightest panic within the expressions of those attending to them, bringing some kind of extreme uncertainty that continued to this day! Moreover, reports and communications kept circulating saying there were no movements from any Secret Realm, World Realm, Planet, or Lunar Satellite on the Ascendant Emperor's side!
"See! As I said before, Alchemic Sovereign Wei has greatly overestimated his ability by giving himself three months. I expect a last-minute delay, likely showcasing his inexperience and panic." An Official Mortal Sovereign Alchemist of the Twisted Earth Starfield's lead Alchemist Association, the Firmament Nectar Association, said to his peers.
There were two groups of Mystic-tier organizations, divided by when they arrived at the Neo-Dawn Starfield. Some arrived on the eve of the event, like the Imperial Clan, Everlore Association, Jiang Clan, Unchained Heart Sect, and their allies. They feared that this was a trap of some sort, so they arrived together and, through unspoken coordination, remained together.
The other group was those that arrived earlier. Those in this group was initially stationed across the various realms of World Dawn, but they soon began to gather into realms to form social groups of allies and acquaintances.
The Alchemist of the Firmament Nectar Association was among the second group, alongside about thirty other Mortal Sovereign Alchemists who all were present at the Saint Cyclic Renewal Summit.
"I concur-three months and this population size, how could there possibly be a venue capable of holding every last life with so little preparation time? It's just not possible. Even a large-sized planet wouldn't be able to hold the reported numbers that are in the quintillions." Another Alchemic Sovereign, belonging to the Verdant Paradise Starfield's leading Association, the Emerald Elixir Association chimed in.
"Haaaaaa! This will be so embarrassing," a female Alchemic Sovereign held her face as her eyes sparkled with a pitying light. For such a heaven-blessed handsome, extremely capable young man to experience such a setback could only worsen his reputation. She could only silently pray as her peers sought to voice their concerns and agreements to ease their egos. Which of their Alchemic Expos was close to being so grand before it even began?
It wasn't only this social group discussing this development; the other group was also talking about this.
The Imperial Clan's vessel had countless elites, including Sky Monarchs, Imperial Monarchs, Imperial Princes, and Imperial Princesses. Accompanying these grand figures were talented youths and experienced old foxes, all coming here despite the ongoing tension between the Neo-Dawn Starfield and Aeternal Sky Starfield that seemed to allude to a coming war.
"Where's the Empress?" Sky Monarch Bai furrowed his brow as he asked Yang Chaoyue in an interrogating tone. The latter had assured them that, through her 'connections' with Wei Wuyin, the Empress was unharmed, and she would appear during the Alchemic Expo.
Tian Muyang and Tian Lingyu were also present, including a few other Imperial Monarchs of the Tian Clan lineage. They had accepted the invitation, placing the lengthy discussion of potential conflict aside as they arrived to more or less reclaim the Empress. This was their main objective given by the Imperial Advisor, who was located somewhere else at the moment.
Yang Chaoyue faintly smiled, unbothered entirely by Sky Monarch Bai's tone or the furious glint within the other Imperial Monarch's eyes. Her unbridled attitude as a Sky Monarch was growing by the day. Moreover, this was the Neo-Dawn Starfield, and she made no attempt to hide her advantage here with her attitude.
"You'll see her soon," her words were careless and unconcerned. A tall, slender, and bearded Imperial Monarch named Tian Shangyang, also Tian Muyang and Tian Taizong's grandnephew, glared sharply at Yang Chaoyue.
The Tian Clan's lineage was difficult to navigate, especially with Tian Muyang being three generations older than the Divine Emperor. The female cultivators' long lives and fertility period often created clans of outrageous lineages. Therefore, most were respected not by their generation or seniority but by their position, status, and Strength.
Yang Chaoyue didn't react in the slightest as she twisted her burgundy hair idly. She was waiting for something. Tian Shangyang could only clench his fists silently. There was a time when this infuriating woman was the personification of respectfulness, walking on glass as he spoke and obediently seeking his advice and favor on several occasions. Now, she was acting as if the Imperial Clan was an organization she served only out of obligation. This was even worse as her strength exceeded his own.
Tian Lingyu glanced at Yang Chaoyue. There was a faint hint of understanding in her heart towards this woman. And when she thought about that, her face faintly blushed.
Sky Monarch Bai sighed in his heart; with the internal situation of the Imperial Clan so divided on Wei Wuyin, how could there possibly be anything good should a war break out? Whether it was Tian Muyang, Tian Lingyu, Yang Chaoyue, or some suspected others, they all had signs of being biased toward Wei Wuyin. Clearly, they received benefits and favors that were hard to resist.
It was a total mess!
"Where is this damn venue?!" Since he couldn't unleash his fury on Yang Chaoyue, Tian Shangyang directed all his internalized hatred and frustration toward Wei Wuyin. "How incompetent must you be to fail at setting up your own expo?! How ridiculous!"
"..." Every Sky Monarch, Imperial Monarch, and member of the direct lineage of the Imperial Clan of the younger generation went oddly silent. In fact, some even stepped away from him subconsciously. This was especially so for Yang Chaoyue and Tian Lingyu. The latter was present at Xun Yicao's beheading!
"What?" Stunned by the reactions he received, typically expecting others to rush in and agree with him, Tian Shangyang felt that something was wrong. Suddenly, he felt a chill course through his spine.
"What is it?!" He asked with far less fury than before.
Shockingly!
Nothing happened!
Tian Shangyang was confused after searching hectically about, even looking behind him, yet everyone else's were still concerning as they had strange gazes. He didn't know what was going on! Unfortunately for him, they simply felt that it was best to distance themselves from someone who insulted Wei Wuyin in his territory, and it was a type of natural response.
Almost instantly, he was ostracized by his very own lineage. They were here for good fortune and the expo, not to offend Wei Wuyin! And there was no way they weren't being heavily monitored right now! Who would dare to chime in?! Additionally, Yang Chaoyue was right there! If she snitched...
Tian Shangyang soon realized the implications, but he had his own pride and brushed it off with a snort. Internally, he began to regret it. Not because of his fear of Wei Wuyin but the consequences of offending him if war began. Chances were that he would be targeted first.
"It's starting," Yang Chaoyue said as she ignored Tian Shangyang and looked at her Spatial Ring that faintly flickered with overt spiritual light.
Starting?!
Abruptly, the Dark Void went still. A strange air alerted everyone. From those at the first stage of the Qi Condensation to the Earthly Saint Phase, they all began to feel something that gradually caused them all to grow silent. Their eyes shifted in a strange unison as if their minds and spirits were attracted to a certain location! The event was beyond strange!
"Welcome!" A lovely voice that could soothe the heart, mind, and soul resounded, and it contained a warm, alluring gentleness that was practiced to perfection. The quintillions of lives in the Neo-Dawn Starfield, be it of the beast lineage or humanoid, all went quiet and peaceful.
Every last living soul heard this voice coming from the furthest reaches of Defiant Dawn and World Dawn.
"YOUR HIGHNESS?!" Sky Monarch Bai and the others were immediately taken aback by the voice's owner! While there was a gentleness within that covered her authoritative tone, it was unmistakably the Empress' voice!
"..." The entire Imperial Clan group was shaken.
"To the Neo-Dawn Alchemic Expo!" Her voice continued, and the attention of everyone was fully drawn to it. As long as it was within the Neo-Dawn Starfield, nomatter if you were isolated in a Secret Realm, concealed by dozens of exquisitely placed formations, or on various ships, you could not escape the reach of this voice!
"We will begin shortly, but before we do, I ask that every living soul that wishes to participate simply loudly 'think' of the name: Ascendant Emperor Wei. This will serve as your verification of entry—your ticket to the event. If you do not wish to participate further, simply forgo doing so. You'll be escorted back to your home at no expense."
''...''
''...''
''...''
These instructions were beyond strange! But given that they traveled so far, why would they dare hesitate? The first courage few did as instructed. Instantly, a ray of silvery spiritual light descended upon them, wherever they were, across time and space, as long as they were within the range of the Neo-Dawn Defiant Star's radiance!
Yang Chaoyue was the first to obey; a ray of light enveloped her gently, illuminating her beauty by several notches. The others were stunned by the development! They couldn't determine where the beam of light came from! It seemed to originate from the space above them!
Tian Lingyu was next!
Then, Tian Muyang!
Seeing them act with no hesitation, there was some concern in the Imperial Clan's hearts. What if this was a trap? Moreover, what type of ridiculous event was this?!
Before they could truly think it through, countless lights beautifully shone across the Neo-Dawn Starfield's two Dawns. The planets and lunar satellites strewed across the Neo-Dawn Starfield displayed a gorgeous light show that could beguile the heart.
"Beautiful..." An Imperial Princess said, her eyes misty with tears. Eventually, she thought of those three words, and her body was enveloped in silvery spiritual light. Her eyes, particularly her pupils, took a silvery color, resembling Wei Wuyin's!
Within a few minutes, quintillions of cultivators that had arrived for the explicit purpose of participating in the Neo-Dawn Alchemic Expo were engulfed by gentle light! While some still had reservations, even establishing various spiritual safeguards to prevent malicious invasions or harm, they all eventually thought of the name, and a light encased them as well.
Imperial Monarch Tian Shangyang was the last to do so, his eyes filled with suspicion and fear as he observed the states of his allies. He even tried to touch the light of Sky Monarch Yang Chaoyue but found that a strong, horrific killing intent warning him of further action rippled through his Sea of Consciousness, shaking his psyche!
Clearly, the warning was meant to say that they were now under the Ascendant Emperor of Neo-Dawn's protection! In the end, he clenched his teeth and decided to bite the poisoned wood.
"ASCENDANT EMPEROR WEI!" He mentally shouted.
From above, he saw a waterfall of light gush out of seemingly nowhere and crash against his body! He felt blinded! The experience was a little too terrifying! But he steeled his heart, protected his spirit and mind, and readied himself.
But the harrowing experience he expected never came. The gentle light was warm, like a mother's embrace, and guiding like a father's teachings. Despite not knowing what to do, he instinctively acted to exert his Spiritual Strength, causing him to feel as if he was 'being flown' across time and space in a miraculous, thought-provoking fashion.
The experience washed his Sea of Consciousness with a type of extraordinar energy, and his breadth of thought and mental strength began to rapidly increase. As a Sky Monarch of tens of thousands of years of age, this shook him as his mental strength and energies hadn't experienced any meaningful change in the last few centuries!
Suddenly, he felt a howl of joy from his Mystic Soul, and his body felt a sense of euphoria. The entire experience was mildly addicting, causing him to want more!
Unfortunately, all good things came to an end.
And the first thing he saw as he regained his senses was...
"OH. MY. HEAVENS!"
