At the entrance of the Jasper Pool Sacred Land, many Immortals gathered to greet the guests.
Leading them was a distinguished Female Immortal dressed in a silver-white Cloud Robe, her long hair tied into a high bundle with a jade hairpin. She had a tall and dignified demeanor.
This was a Daoist Monarch.
Daoist Monarch Taixu.
Zhang Jian had seen her once before at the Immortal Banquet in the Pure Yang Hall of the Donghua Celestial Realm.
This Yaochi Daoist Monarch possessed extraordinary Dao Practice, and Zhang Jian had heard many Immortal Gods mention that in the Immortal-Demon War of the Donghua Realm, many Outer Demon God Race champions met their end by her hand.
Additionally, there were several other distinguished Female Cultivators, mostly High-tier Female Immortals under the Yaochi Saint Mother’s command, with most being Daoist Monarchs, serving as the backbone of Jasper Pool.
Among them were Furong Immortal Monarch, Daoist Monarch Tianyue, Daoist Monarch Taiyan, and a rare Male Immortal, known as Daoist Monarch Tai Ming.
These were Daoist Monarchs Zhang Jian hadn’t heard of before.
The five Daoist Monarchs welcomed guests at the entrance, adding brilliance to the scene.
Zhang Jian’s gaze swept across the sky; among the Immortals he spotted many rarely-seen powerful Immortal Gods.
Such as Barefoot Immortal, Hundred Beasts Immortal Monarch, Bai Niao Immortal Monarch, Hundred Scaled Immortal Monarch, East Emperor, Emperor Bao Sheng, Emperor Gouchen, and True Martial Demon-Vanquishing Celestial Venerable, among others.
Amidst the gathering of Immortals, most carried gifts.
It turned out the Jade Pool Assembly was also the birthday celebration of the Queen Mother.
Among the Immortals and Gods, offerings ranged from Overseas Immortal Treasures, a gourd of Heaven and Earth Divine Pill, or Heaven and Earth Divine Flame; at the very least they would have Auspicious Wood and Grain, a respectable gift.
Some Immortal Gods, however, brought Spirit Beasts and Spirit Birds, causing a commotion around Jasper Pool.
The scene drew the attention of the assembled Immortals.
"These Great Immortals certainly differ from other Immortal Gods!"
Standing in the crowd, Zhang Jian heard the Earth Official Emperor express an unusual expression.
The Celestial Official Emperor responded.
"Worthy brother, these Great Immortals have ancient origins and profound Dao Practice, beyond our judgment!"
He merely shook his head slightly toward the Earth Official Emperor.
The three Ancient Immortals left behind a group of Divine Beasts, then laughed heartily, striding into the Jasper Pool Sacred Land.
At that moment, several streams of Immortal Light appeared from the void, sweeping over the small area filled with foul, fishy, and musky smells, with expressions of displeasure.
One of the figures sneered uncomfortably.
"Indeed, beast-like creatures don’t understand the teachings of the Saints, yet they dare to rank alongside us!"
"Wu Xuan, what grandeur, what’s so wrong with beast-like creatures, did they kill your family?"
A voice filled with ridicule echoed from the void.
The Daoist Monarch referred to as Wu Xuan had a sinking expression, as vast starlight flowed from the depths of the void, revealing various forms of Star Gods.
Leading them was a noble woman, dressed elegantly, wearing a silver-white Star Crown.
As for the one speaking, it was a fierce-eyed Female Immortal in fiery red, wearing a Golden Radiance Crown, flanked by unkind-looking Star Monarchs.
The Immortal known as Wu Xuan sneered.
"Huo Ling, don’t assume ability in front of me; at least we Immortal Gods didn’t turn this dignified Sacred Land into chaos; I disdain such demon fiends!"
The Female Immortal known as Huo Ling, with a fiery temper, retorted coldly.
"Wu Xuan, truly all mouth and no substance. Although we’re beast-like, we don’t spew insults, that’s civility!
While you pose as Saintly Disciples, yet spout slander at first encounter, this is your saintly teaching; I say you’re worse than them, you little Daoist Child!"
"You..."
Hearing this, Wu Xuan Daoist Monarch’s face turned with anger, ready to retaliate.
But before anything could happen, the five Daoist Monarchs positioned themselves between the two factions.
Daoist Monarch Taixu approached the noble-woman, smiling.
"Honored Celestial Venerable of the Kan Palace Profound Spirit Doumu, please attend the Jasper Pool, take your seat!"
Meanwhile, Daoist Monarch Tai Ming intercepted Wu Xuan Daoist Monarch, smiling.
"Wu Xuan and Huo Ling, today you’re guests of Jasper Pool; could you extend courtesy to us fellow Daoists, attend the banquet, settle differences later!"
Wu Xuan Daoist Monarch’s face eased slightly, still with a cold demeanor, yet manifested from the Immortal Light.
The figure handed a Jade Box to Daoist Monarch Tai Ming.
"A small token, please offer to Her Majesty!"
Daoist Monarch Tai Ming nodded, accepted, and handed the Jade Box to a nearby Immortal Official for registry.
Without further words, he cast a cold glance at the Star Monarchs, proceeding down the path into Jasper Pool Sacred Land.
The Celestial Venerable of the Kan Palace Profound Spirit Doumu remained composed throughout, also presenting gifts alongside the Stars, joining the pathway amidst the gaze of Immortals and Gods.
Zhang Jian stood beside the Celestial Official and Earth Official Emperors.
He did not recognize the Daoist Monarch addressed as Wu Xuan, only overhearing references from nearby Immortal Gods that he hailed from Kunlun Celestial Realm, holding a special position there.
He was, however, acquainted with the Celestial Venerable of the Kan Palace Profound Spirit Doumu, a significant figure in the Divine Dao of the Celestial Court, inheriting the authority of the Mother of Stars, with an esteemed position.
Huo Ling, on the other hand, was the Fire Mansion Star Monarch, a formidable Star God, achieving Daoist Monarch status through the Divine Dao, mastering the Three Thousand Divine Fires, incredibly potent.
Soon, Zhang Jian observed the skies as Beidou Palace radiated celestial light; amid a burst, several streams of Immortal Light emerged, led by a graceful beauty. She was also of Star Monarch stature, in a regal yet charming attire.