Beside Zhang Yi and Zhang Xian stood Crown Prince Zhang Zhao and his wife, with Princess Anping Zhang Chang’an, Princess Nanyang Zhang Qiao, and many Imperial Princes behind them.
Among these Imperial Princes and Princesses, many had already attained longevity, while a few outstanding individuals had achieved the realm of Primordial Spirit True Monarch after three millennia of cultivation, with two achieving the True Immortal Body.
With the innate talent of the Innate Dao Body, coupled with the guidance and teachings from a Saint King, their cultivation progressed exceptionally smoothly.
Other Imperial Grandsons and Imperial Great-Grandsons, though their cultivation time was not as long as the Second Generation Princes, also experienced rapid progress, with most nearing the realm of Yin Spirit Venerable.
The bloodline inheritance of the Innate Gods was exceptionally outstanding.
This saved them much of the painstaking effort of cultivation.
Besides these Princes and Grandsons, there were also some Elders of the Imperial Family, and even powerful figures who had been deified after death, coming to join as well.
For example, Zhang Yi, who had been appointed as the Five Continents City God, and Prince Qing Zhang Kui, who had been declared National Guardian General and was worshipped in the Martial Temple, both manifested as Star Monarchs.
Although only at the Second Grade Star Monarch level, their revealed Divine Power was not much weaker than that of a First Grade Star Lord.
Nearby, many civil and military Immortal Ministers of Great Xia stood in line, with subtle longing in their eyes.
They had heard the news that this time, the Great Xia Saint King’s ascension to the Celestial Palace came with many slots for ascension.
Moreover, ascending to the Celestial Palace meant directly entering the Great Xia Saint King’s government office in the Celestial Realm, eliminating the worry of being reassigned as mere subordinates to other Immortal Gods or even being reduced to cannon fodder.
This ignited a strong desire among many Immortal Gods.
The only unknown was how many slots for ascension there would be!
Many minds were silently pondering and hoping in their hearts.
At this moment, the side of the square was also filled with distinguished guests.
There were also many other deities, various Water Gods, Fire Gods, Mountain Gods, and powerful figures from the Great Xia Holy Dynasty gathered around, with Immortal Gods distinctly divided into two sides.
Part of them were led by the new Sheji Emperor, below which were four Inspection Envoys, and the Kitchen Godess, a former First Grade Star Lord, stood alongside the Great Xia City God King Zhang Yi, the National Guardian General, and other deified founding generals, forming their own group.
The observing Immortals were led by the Immortals of Tongshan Dao, including True Monarch Fuyou, True Monarch Zhanmo, True Monarch Qingyun, True Monarch Wu Liang, True Monarch Bone Burning, True Monarch Zijing, True Monarch Pursuing Star, and True Monarch Chuyun.
There were also the Seven Great Saint King’s Families, including the Ji Family, Si Family, Jiang Family, and Feng Family, with many family patriarchs coming in person.
Qianguang Daoist of Nanhua Sect and Yihun Ancestor of Celestial Will Sect also led groups of Immortals here.
Many Immortals were also looking around at the crowd.
"Ancestor, do you think Senior Sister Ji and Jiang’Er will ascend with the Great Xia Saint King this time?"
Among the crowd, True Monarch Lingyun Jiang Chengguang, Lord of the Seventh Spirit Mountain, fixed his gaze on Yihun Ancestor, a curious look in his eyes.
Hearing this, the eyes of many Immortals turned their way.
Yihun Ancestor replied.
"According to the sect’s records, the eras led by the Saint Kings are typically very long, spanning ten thousand years, even hundreds of thousands of years, or even millions of years. However, the longer the time, the more likely that the Human Emperor Purple Qi and Human Emperor’s Merit received after abdication would weaken!"
He gently stroked his beard, sighing.
"Merit significantly affects the number of people one can take during ascension. Regular Celestial Immortals with limited merits may not be allowed by the Celestial Realm to bring others in, often only allowed a spot for a single mount at best!"
"However, whenever a Great Power ascends, this limitation is relaxed. In ancient times, it wasn’t uncommon for Ancient Saint Kings to ascend with a portion of their civil and military ministers!"
"The Great Xia Saint King unified the world, with merits clearly displayed, and chose to ascend just under four thousand years after achieving enlightenment, potentially seizing the peak of his Human Emperor Dao Fruit and Saint King’s Merit for direct ascension!"
"Therefore, the number of people he can take with him for ascension should be relatively ample, with Noble Consort Yun likely on the list, along with Pure Consort Meng. But your master sister, despite her comprehensively perfected Dao Practice, might not be included in the list!"
Yihun Daoist was somewhat puzzled; logically, the Great Xia Saint King, having attained enlightenment for a short period, would more likely remain in the position of Ancient Saint King further to consolidate his reign.
Even if it took tens of thousands of years to consolidate, it would not be surprising to him.
Unexpectedly, he chose to ascend so soon.
"Is this to ensure the Human Emperor Purple Qi and Human Emperor’s Merit stay at their peak, allowing as many ’mortals’ as possible to enter the Celestial Realm?"
This was the only reason that came to Yihun Daoist’s mind, as he couldn’t think of anything else!
At this time, he noticed that many Immortal Gods cast their gazes toward Crown Prince Zhang Zhao and Crown Prince Consort Si of the Great Xia Royal Family.
Among them, many powerful Immortal Gods had scrutinizing looks in their eyes.
After the Great Xia Saint King’s ascension, whether this Second Generation Great Xia Emperor could suppress the many proud and formidable generals and even conquer the Dukes of the ten directions was unknown.
Only, this Crown Prince was always shrouded in Great Xia Dragon Qi and Emperor’s Qi, making it impossible to see through illusion and reality, leaving Yihun Daoist unable to make a judgment.
Meanwhile, Yihun Daoist noticed that the three Second Generation Ancestors of the Tongshan Dao Lineage had not appeared.
This inevitably stirred other thoughts in his mind, leaving him with a speculative expression.
...
Not just Yihun Daoist was speculating; most other Immortal Gods were also keeping their eyes on the Great Xia Royal Family, wondering who the Great Xia Saint King intended to take directly into the Celestial Palace this time.
Not needing to pass the Immortal Tribulation and entering the Celestial Palace to take office directly is a creation that all Immortal Gods dream of.