Sanskrit chants filled the air as a misty aura ascended.
Brilliant rays of light flickered, and crimson beams surged through the sky!
The place exuded an ethereal atmosphere, and from time to time, "cultivated immortals" arrived, riding on strange treasures that ordinary mortals had never heard of or seen before.
Some cultivators who had yet to reach the Core Formation stage, still in the Foundation Establishment stage, rode on celestial cranes, emerging from the clouds and mist.
Although they could not fly freely through the air like Core Formation cultivators, their mount-based arrival left the mortals below in awe, making them seem like true immortals in the eyes of those responsible for menial tasks at the mountain gate.
After all, it was impossible for anyone working here to not harbor even the slightest hope of someday gaining a connection to immortality.
Before the most grandiose and luxurious building in the mountain gate, there was a vast square.
This square was even larger than the one before the main hall on Tongtian Peak at Xuantian Sect.
Due to the limited space on the peak of Tongtian, the square there was relatively small, while the mountain gate's square had no such constraints.
Additionally, the main hall square on Tongtian Peak was usually reserved exclusively for the sect's disciples.
The mountain gate square, however, was different…
In a sense, this square, visible to countless mortals, represented the face of Xuantian Sect, one of the seven great righteous sects of Zhao Kingdom!
For cultivators specializing in earth-based magic, building a grand and imposing square was no difficult task.
Today, the massive mountain gate square of Xuantian Sect was bustling with activity!
With the help of water-based cultivators, who purposefully manipulated the surroundings, spiritual mist rose from the ground. Accompanied by the grand entrances of Core Formation and Foundation Establishment experts from the five peaks of Xuantian Sect, displaying their unique abilities, the mortals witnessing the spectacle couldn't help but marvel in awe, exclaiming that the journey was well worth it!
As Lin Li and Junior Brother Liu made their way through the mountain gate, they found themselves surrounded mostly by mortals working for the various departments under Xuantian Sect's command.
These mortals, who could hold prestigious positions in the secular world, often wielding influence or being treated as honored guests by various powers, were now just fish swimming in the vast sea, insignificant by comparison.
Among them were young men dressed in fine garments and beautiful women draped in luxurious silks.
However, these people—who, in the mortal world, would have been regarded as figures of prestige—were no more than ordinary bystanders at the mountain gate of Xuantian Sect.
Many strong and capable martial artists, well-known in the martial world, were also present.
But here, in Xuantian Sect's mountain gate, even they blended into the crowd.
There was no need to mention those tasked with menial chores.
Regardless of their backgrounds, whether they were handsome, beautiful, strong, or wealthy, these people couldn't help but look at Lin Li and Junior Brother Liu with envy when they saw the yellow insignia of the Xuantian Sect outer disciples on their robes. Respect flashed in their eyes, and they instinctively cleared a path for them, bowing slightly in reverence.
To Lin Li's surprise, while walking, a young woman in pink deliberately approached him, trying to catch his attention with coquettish gestures, hoping he would take her as a concubine.
The reason for this was clear without needing much explanation.
Even in this place, filled with notable figures among mortals, she—who might have been a renowned beauty in the secular world—was nothing more than a roadside flower, destined to fade within a few short years.
For a mortal, beauty is fleeting.
In the mortal world, people are willing to sell their bodies for money and vanity.
Now, when it comes to immortals, if a mortal were to be taken as a concubine by one, serve them well in the bedroom, and win their favor, the immortal might reward them with cultivation techniques. Even if they didn't become a true immortal, they could at least retain their beauty for several more years. Moreover, upon being discarded by the immortal, they would return to the mortal world as ageless masters of the martial arts!
And with a bit of talent, becoming an immortal might not be out of reach!
Such cases of beauties offering themselves to immortals, hoping to become concubines, were common in the cultivation world and were no longer considered surprising.
For Lin Li, who had lived a life filled with hardship and oppression, and who had always been subjected to the cruelty of reality, this was the first time he had encountered such an opportunity, aside from the two maids Junior Brother Liu had gifted him. Naturally, he felt a bit overwhelmed and unsure of how to respond.
Fortunately, Junior Brother Liu, being the eldest son of the esteemed Liu family, was no stranger to flattery. With a casual gesture, he dismissed the young woman, who had been offering herself.
Afterward, Junior Brother Liu turned to Lin Li with a playful grin and said, "Senior Brother Lin, I hope you're not mad that I drove your good fortune away? If you are, just say so! I'll immediately have someone find an even more beautiful, untouched girl to honor you!"
"Pff! Junior Brother, what are you talking about?"
Lin Li could already sense the meaning behind Junior Brother Liu's words.
When a man has achieved enough status and power, beautiful women are nothing more than something to enjoy at will—there's no need to be overly attached or impressed.
Naturally, there's no reason to feel embarrassed or lose face over it.
So, Lin Li shook his head and laughed, "Do you think I'm that kind of person? The most important thing right now is to hurry to the sect assembly! I should be thanking you for taking care of that nuisance, not blaming you!"
"As expected of Senior Brother, you never disappoint!"
Junior Brother Liu chuckled as he clasped his hands in praise, and the two continued on their way.
In the crowded mountain gate square, many people, seeing that they were from Xuantian Sect, immediately made way for them, sparing Lin Li and Junior Brother Liu the trouble of pushing through the throng. The envious looks from the surrounding crowd followed them all the way.
When they reached the center of the square, they realized that the sect assembly was about to begin.
In the center, a tiered wooden platform had already been erected.
At the very top of the platform were private rooms, their interiors hidden from view.
It was clear that the individuals in those rooms were the true high-ranking figures of Xuantian Sect!
Beneath the private rooms were rows of seats, most of which were already occupied. Only a few spots remained empty, with experts arriving on various magical artifacts or riding spirit beasts, taking their places.
The platform and seating area seemed to be divided into five distinct sections.
One of these sections was noticeably more populated, with almost as many people as the other two sections combined.
Just then, a beautiful lotus flower floated toward the square from a distance.
As it approached, sounds of gasps and people swallowing could be heard throughout the mountain gate square.
Some even exclaimed in wonder, "My heavens!"
"How can there be such a beautiful woman in this world?"