As the horizon just began to turn fish-belly white, Gu Han had already returned to the Yaochi Immortal Palace with the three of them.
Although the Three Great Demon Kings were each overlords in their own territories and possessed extraordinary knowledge,
standing in this fairyland-like Yaochi Immortal Palace, they still could not suppress their expressions of shock.
The rushing Spiritual Qi was incredibly pure; every breath felt like consuming a Spirit Pill.
The square paved with white jade was polished enough to reflect people, mirroring the morning light and the shimmering waves of the distant Yaochi.
In the distance, pavilions and towers were arranged in an orderly fashion, hidden within the dense spiritual mist; the dao rhyme flowed naturally, blending seamlessly with the surrounding mountains and rivers.
"This... the Spiritual Qi here..."
Fu Shan took a deep breath, his eyes widening,
"It's ten times stronger than my Giant Rock Valley! No, a hundred times!"
Although Ink Scale was also shaken, he was more restrained.
He looked around, his gaze lingering for a moment on the vast, misty Yaochi, a strange light flashing in his eyes.
The Seven-Colored Illusionary Butterfly Emperor was more sensitive to the omnipresent dao rhyme of this place.
Her dreamlike eyes lit up slightly; the environment here offered unimaginable benefits to her cultivation.
The "dream illusion crystal" the Palace Master had casually bestowed was already a supreme treasure, yet this Immortal Palace itself seemed even more extraordinary.
"This is the Yaochi Immortal Palace."
Gu Han's voice woke the three from their shock. Her tone was flat, as if she were merely introducing an ordinary residence.
"From now on, you will cultivate here."
"We obey the Palace Master's command!"
The three quickly composed themselves and responded respectfully.
Just then—
"Weng..."
A clear and melodious sword hum, as if falling from the Nine Heavens, resounded over the Immortal Palace without warning!
Immediately after, an indescribable, biting Sword Intent soared into the sky from Snow Moon Peak to the east!
That Sword Intent was aloof and detached from the world, cold as eternal frost, yet pure to the extreme.
It wasn't intentionally emitted; it was more like the natural aura of a peerless Sword Cultivator immersed in the Dao of the Sword.
But even just this naturally revealed trace made the hairs on the necks of the Three Great Demon Kings, who had just entered the Immortal Palace, stand on end!
This Sword Intent... was actually so terrifying!
It certainly wasn't something a Mahayana Stage could possess!
It even... surpassed the feeling that an ordinary Undergoing Tribulation stage gave them.
Could there be another peerless immortal Cultivator in the Immortal Palace, only slightly weaker than the Palace Master?
Gu Han felt their fear, and a hint of understanding and a smile flickered in her eyes.
She looked up toward Snow Moon Peak, where the Sword Qi was like a rainbow, faintly dancing with the morning glow.
"No need to panic."
Gu Han's cold voice soothed the throbbing in their hearts.
"That is Grand Elder Li Hanyi. She is practicing her sword."
Grand Elder? Li Hanyi?
Practicing her sword?
Just a trace of Sword Intent leaked while practicing her sword made the three of them, Mahayana demon kings, feel as if they were facing a great enemy?
Ink Scale and the others looked at each other, the shock in their hearts beyond words.
They instantly felt an immense amount of awe for this Grand Elder they had yet to meet.
At the same time, they gained a clearer understanding of the Yaochi Immortal Palace.
The Palace Master was unfathomable, and the Grand Elder's sword path was profound... What exactly was the origin of this Yaochi Immortal Palace?
"Ma... Master?"
Just then, a voice filled with pleasant surprise came over.
Liu Ruyan, dressed in red, was walking along the bluestone path by the Yaochi.
She had clearly been startled by the Sword Intent just now and came out to check, only to see Gu Han and the three new faces with majestic auras behind her.
Her gaze quickly swept over Ink Scale and the others.
The young man in black had an aura as deep as an abyss, with a faint dragon's might.
The burly man had vigorous blood energy, as if he could move mountains with his bare hands.
And that woman in colorful clothes... a dreamlike halo flowed around her... faintly making even her feel a bit dizzy.
These three, the pressure each of them gave her, far exceeded any Soul Transformation or even Body Integration Stage Cultivator she had seen in her previous two lives!
Even... possibly stronger!
Where did Master bring these people from? Could they be new Elders?
"Ruyan."
Gu Han looked at her Second Disciple and beckoned.
"You've come at the right time. These three are the newly joined Elders."
"Elder Mo Lin, former Master of the Black Dragon Pool in the Wan Jue Mountain Range. His true form is an Ink Flood Dragon, and he excels in water and lightning techniques."
"Elder Fu Shan, former Master of the Giant Rock Valley. His true form is a Mountain-Toppling Ape, and he possesses infinite strength."
"Elder Butterfly Dance, former mistress of the Illusory Flower Sea. Her true form is the Seven-Colored Illusionary Butterfly Emperor, and she specializes in illusions and the path of the spirit."
As Gu Han introduced them, the expression on Liu Ruyan's face went from surprise to astonishment, then to complete dumbfoundedness, finally turning blank.
Wan Jue Mountain Range... Black Dragon Pool... Giant Rock Valley... Illusory Flower Sea... Ink Flood Dragon? Mountain-Toppling Ape? Seven-Colored Illusionary Butterfly Emperor?
Aren't these... aren't these the legendary Three Great Demon Kings who reside deep within the Tianjue Mountain Range and strike terror into the hearts of countless Cultivators?!
In just one night... Master brought back these three notoriously fierce demon kings who dominated their respective regions... to serve as Elders?!
Liu Ruyan felt as if her brain were slightly deprived of oxygen.
Having lived three lives, she had seen her share of storms, but the scene before her completely shattered her understanding.
Those were three Mahayana Stage demon kings! Not just any random nobodies!
Master's methods... are simply heaven-defying!
"This is Liu Ruyan, this seat's Second Disciple."
Gu Han introduced her to the three demon kings.
Ink Scale and the others did not dare to be negligent. Although Liu Ruyan's cultivation was still shallow, her status as the Palace Master's Personal Disciple was no small matter, and her future was boundless.
They all restrained their auras and greeted her politely.
Liu Ruyan snapped out of it, quickly suppressed the turbulent waves in her heart, and respectfully returned the greeting:
"Ruyan greets Elder Mo Lin, Elder Fu Shan, and Elder Butterfly Dance."
"Where is A Yao?" Gu Han asked.
"Replying to Master, Eldest Senior Sister is still resting. She played a bit late last night."
Liu Ruyan answered, an unconscious smile appearing at the corners of her mouth.
She truly loved that innocent and adorable Eldest Senior Sister from the bottom of her heart.
Gu Han shook her head helplessly. This little fellow.
"Ruyan, first take the three Elders to familiarize themselves with the Immortal Palace's environment, and then arrange suitable Immortal Caves for them."
"Yes, Master!" Liu Ruyan took the order.
Watching Liu Ruyan lead away the Three Great Demon Kings, who were still unable to hide their shock, the corners of Gu Han's mouth curled up slightly.
The framework of the Yaochi Immortal Palace was finally beginning to take shape.
With Li Hanyi guarding the center, the Three Great Demon Kings performing their respective duties, Liu Ruyan managing internal affairs, and A Yao as a future potential... the Sect finally had some Life Qi.
She looked up again toward Snow Moon Peak; that world-startling Sword Intent had gradually withdrawn, returning to tranquility.
"Hanyi's sword path seems to have improved once again..."
Gu Han murmured, a hint of anticipation flashing in her eyes.
Just as the Yaochi Immortal Palace welcomed its new members and gradually got on the right track,
the commotion caused by a ninth level of undergoing tribulation practicing her sword was undoubtedly a bolt from the blue for certain sensitive existences nearby!