Chapter 969: Congratulations on Your Ascension to the Immortal Realm, Fellow Immortal!

The endless Void Realm.

Rumble!

After an unknown amount of time of raging, that terrifying lightning, like a vast ocean, finally began to subside. The surging tribulation qi receded like the ebbing tide, revealing a figure that had been bathed in the lightning.

His hair was disheveled, his clothes were in tatters, and a faint smell of burning permeated his entire body. He looked quite miserable—this was Qi Yuan, who had just survived the Great Ascension Tribulation.

It's finally over!

Feeling the destructive aura rapidly receding around him, Qi Yuan finally breathed a sigh of relief, his expression full of annoyance.

Facing this super-doubled Heavenly Tribulation, even though his Physical Body had reached a state of perfection and his lightning resistance was nearly maxed out, he had almost failed to endure it.

It was said that the Immeasurable Ascension Tribulation required at most ninety-nine rounds of tribulation lightning, but This person Qi had just been struck by over ten thousand rounds. He had truly seen what "immeasurable" meant…

Before Qi Yuan could complain further, the clouds suddenly shifted. The cold and silent Chaos Void Realm erupted with ten thousand rays of divine light, instantly sweeping away the destructive aura lingering between heaven and earth.

Shua!

Radiant light showered the Void Realm as the near-material celestial spiritual qi surged into Qi Yuan's body like a hundred rivers returning to the sea.

Nourished by the celestial spiritual qi, his entire being was bathed in the tangible Great Dao essence. In an instant, his injuries were fully healed, a shimmering glow emanated from his skin, and his aura climbed to an unprecedented Peak.

At this moment, the spiritual energy within Qi Yuan's body was converting into Immortal power at a visible rate, spreading through his limbs and bones, undergoing a transformative change every second.

Immortal light shone for miles, and purple qi surged like a tide.

Amidst a series of dazzling auspicious visions, a seven-colored vortex emitting a faint celestial aura slowly appeared above Qi Yuan's head, as if opening a gate to a higher plane.

Soon, a massive pulling force erupted from the vortex, dragging his body into the world beyond…

A short while later.

Immortal Realm, Ascension Platform.

Qi Yuan felt a momentary daze, followed by a dense surge of spiritual energy hitting him, which refreshed his spirit and allowed him to quickly recover from the discomfort of traveling between worlds.

Before him was a vast white jade platform covered in dense, intricate patterns. It was surrounded by swirling mist and ethereal clouds, possessing the grandeur and style of a sacred Immortal site.

Coupled with various magnificent and wondrous Immortal palaces, jade pavilions, and rare exotic beasts, it was enough to profoundly shock any newly ascended Immortal.

Is this the Immortal Realm?

Regardless, Qi Yuan was someone who had seen the great dao divine tree, so he naturally wouldn't let this deliberately crafted spectacle affect his state of mind.

After a brief moment of surprise, he immediately calmed down and composedly looked around, intending to familiarize himself with the environment of the Immortal Realm.

Soon, Qi Yuan saw a middle-aged man dressed in magnificent robes and cloud-patterned shoes arrive on a beam of light, landing steadily before him.

The man had a long, flowing beard and a handsome, elegant appearance, possessing an air of Immortal grace. He was clearly an Immortal of the True Immortal Realm.

"Congratulations on your Ascension to the Immortal Realm, fellow Immortal!"

Although he said "congratulations," this Immortal Official's face bore an air of superior pride and reserve. After sizing Qi Yuan up, he pulled a golden ledger from his sleeve, his tone carrying a hint of ritualistic scrutiny and indifference.

"I am the Immortal Official responsible for managing this Ascension Platform. According to Immortal regulations, all Immortals ascending from the Lower Realm must register their identity and origin here, or be punished for violating the rules."

As he spoke, he opened the golden ledger, his gaze falling on Qi Yuan, and began a series of questions:

"What is your name? Who is your master? Which Lower Realm did you ascend from? Do you have any familiar Immortals or Sects in the Immortal Realm…"

Qi Yuan naturally had no interest in wasting words with this troublesome Immortal Official. He directly pulled a Token from his storage space, waved it before the other's eyes, and said with an air of importance:

"My name is Qi Da. Back in the Lower Realm, I was a loyal follower of the Holy Empress. Her Ladyship told me to report directly to her after my Ascension. I wonder if Your Excellency could do me a favor and take me to her."

"The Holy Empress?"

Looking at the Token in Qi Yuan's hand, the Immortal Official's expression changed instantly. The arrogance and indifference in his eyes vanished, and he quickly bowed, saying:

"Since you are under the Holy Empress's command, fellow Immortal, there is no need for registration. I shall personally escort you to the Holy Empress's Palace."

Seeing the man's shift from arrogance to servility, Qi Yuan could only sigh inwardly. It was true that having connections in high places made things easier; even in the Immortal Realm, one needed a background.

"In that case, I'll trouble you then, fellow Immortal."

With that thought, he nodded with a smile on the surface and followed the Immortal Official away from the Ascension Platform without ceremony, heading toward the Holy Empress's Immortal Cave in the Immortal Realm.

Along the way, the Immortal Official named Bai He was extremely attentive, not putting on any airs of a Senior True Immortal. He shared many anecdotes and curiosities of the Immortal Realm, which Qi Yuan listened to with great interest, feeling quite enlightened.

Within the Immortal Court's sphere of influence, there were tens of thousands of such Ascension Platforms, specifically used to welcome newly ascended Immortals to the Immortal Realm.

Taking the platform Bai He managed as an example, often half a year would pass without a single ascender. Besides receiving a salary from the Immortal Court, he could often squeeze quite a bit of profit from new Immortals, leading a very comfortable life.

Thus, those who could become reception Immortal Officials were usually well-connected individuals within the Immortal Court, and they were among the relatively well-informed.

In fact, Qi Yuan knew that the person the other party truly wanted to curry favor with was actually Immortal Lord Tai Hao, who was already tacitly recognized by the entire Immortal Court as the next Immortal Emperor.

As the nominal wife of Immortal Lord Tai Hao, Shui Yunshan's status in the Immortal Realm had naturally risen accordingly. At the very least, no Immortal would dare to openly challenge her…

More importantly, through Bai He, he had learned a very interesting piece of information.

However, he had important matters at hand and had no time to verify his suspicions for now.

After experiencing a long-distance immortal teleportation array, Qi Yuan saw a magnificent and grand Immortal Cave appear, its design very similar to Shui Yunshan's divine palace.

"Fellow Immortal Qi, this is the Holy Empress's residence."

Bai He stopped respectfully and said to Qi Yuan.

"Thank you for leading the way, fellow Immortal."

Qi Yuan cupped his hands, preparing to dismiss him, when a group of beautiful young maids with high hair buns and colorful dresses flew over from the distance.

Seeing Qi Yuan, the leading maid's eyes lit up, and she said:

"My Lady has been waiting here for a long time. Please come in for a talk, Young Master."

After speaking, the maid seemed to remember something and said to Bai He:

"Exalted Immortal, the Empress said that if anyone is accompanying the Young Master, they may also come in for a cup of tea."

Hearing this, Bai He, who was about to leave tactfully, was overjoyed and bowed in thanks with excitement:

"Thank you for the Empress's grace!"

If he missed such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to cling to a powerful figure, he would never forgive himself even in death.

What on earth is that woman Shui Yunshan up to?

At this, Qi Yuan couldn't help but frown, but he didn't say anything and followed the maids into the residence…