Chapter 261

Chapter 261: Don’t Leave Me Out of the Fun

"Ninth Heavenly Emperor, long time no see!" Before he could collect his thoughts, the five Heavenly Emperors had already landed and bowed respectfully.

"Y-yeah… long time," he mumbled, still dazed.

Only when everyone settled into their seats and casual conversations began did the Ninth Heavenly Emperor snap back to reality. Wait! They weren’t here to snatch his territory after all? They actually came for the ceremony?! Then what was that dramatic entrance about? Messing with him?

The Ninth Heavenly Emperor frowned, eyeing the five emperors suspiciously before fixing his gaze on Seventh Heavenly Emperor Hong Fei. Seeing no signs of aggression or scheming from her, his tense shoulders finally relaxed.

Whatever their intentions, as long as they weren’t teaming up against his territory…

He let out a relieved sigh, then turned back toward Hong Fei. His eyes suddenly caught a strange woman sitting alarmingly close to him. "Who the hell are you?!" he blurted.

When had this woman taken the seat beside him? This was the main hall of the Qian Sheng Ceremony – only Heavenly Emperors and their closest celestial lords could enter! The seats were arranged in an arc with three central thrones. As ruler of the Ninth Heavenly Layer, he occupied the center throne. The seats flanking him should’ve held the Seventh and Eighth Heavenly Emperors.

Yet now a complete stranger sat at his right, with Hong Fei positioned below her. Was this some new Eighth Heavenly Emperor? But he’d heard no news of leadership changes! And why did this person lack any trace of celestial energy?!

"Hello, you must be the old… uh, Ninth Heavenly Emperor?" You You flashed a polite smile. "I’m You You. Pleasure to meet you!"

"You You?" He blinked. "Wait, who exactly are you? Why are you here? Do you even know where this is?"

"Since when does the Ninth Heavenly Emperor police seating arrangements?" Hong Fei cut in sharply before You You could respond. "This is my sect master. Why shouldn’t she sit here?"

"Wha…?" Sect master?

Before he could process this, the other emperors chimed in:

Elder: "This is my Master. Why shouldn’t she sit here?"

Old Four Fang Ming: "This is my matchmaker. Why shouldn’t she sit here?"

Old Two: "This is my Grandpa. Why shouldn’t he sit here?"

Copycat Old Five: "This is… also my Grandpa. Why shouldn’t he sit here?"

Ninth Heavenly Emperor: "…"

What fresh madness was this?! Who was this person with a dozen different titles?

And you’re all sovereign emperors! Sect master and matchmaker might be strange enough, but grandpa? Don’t you ancient fossils realize how ridiculous that sounds?! Where would you even get a grandpa?!

His worldview crumbling, the Ninth Heavenly Emperor didn’t notice the red-robed man approaching until a hand clapped his shoulder. He looked up to see a devastatingly handsome man radiating divine energy that made his immortal core tremble.

"Mind scooting over? I’m with her."

The Ninth Heavenly Emperor numbly nodded. "S-sure…" He found himself mechanically shifting seats before realizing what happened.

"……" Who was that? Where was he? What just occurred?

——————–

Upon reaching the Floating Island, You You realized the ceremony grounds were massive – divided into specialized zones for different cultivation paths, each with sparring platforms. It resembled the Immortal Sect Competition from the lower realm, but more focused on friendly exchanges than competition.

Their group occupied the main hall – a lofty viewing platform overlooking the entire island.

You You turned to her companions. "Nie Zheng, you should mingle – it’s been ages since you visited the Immortal Realm. As for Ling Qi…" She addressed Sixth Heavenly Emperor, "Elder, could someone guide him? He’s unfamiliar here."

"At once, Master." The Elder summoned a celestial lord.

After her companions left, You You noticed an empty arena dominating the island’s center. "Hong Fei, what’s that platform?"

"The Asking Lord Platform." Hong Fei’s smile tightened. "Ceremony rules allow any immortal to challenge an Emperor there. Pass their test, and your wish becomes binding through the Heavenly Seal – an unbreakable oath."

"Even if someone regrets it later?"

"The Heavenly Dao enforces it." Hong Fei’s eyes hardened. "But the Emperor designs the test. No one forces us to make it passable."

As You You nodded, a figure landed on the platform.

"I am Bei Liang of Eighth Heavenly Layer!" declared a male immortal oozing celestial energy but tainted by sly ambition. "I challenge Seventh Heavenly Emperor Hong Fei!"

The island fell silent.

Hong Fei’s voice turned glacial. "State your wish."

The man grinned. "I’ve long admired Your Excellency. I wish to marry you and cultivate the Great Dao together!"

"Bullshit!" The Ninth Heavenly Emperor’s grip shattered his armrest as he barely restrained himself from leaping up.