Chapter 1451: Jade Emperor Peak

Upon closer inspection, the man who had transformed into a crane and the Fei Ling tribesman who had just restrained him differed significantly in appearance from ordinary humans. While their faces resembled those of humans, their ears were pointed, and on the crowns of their heads, there was a round, reddish protrusion.

As for the black-robed youth who had just transformed into a strange bird, a small black horn protruded from his forehead, and a pair of tusks, several inches long, emerged from the corners of his mouth.

The hundreds of Fei Ling tribesmen observing also mostly differed from humans in appearance. Some had many differences, while others had only slight variations. However, all of them had pairs of feathered wings on their backs, some long, some short, gray, red, and various other colors.

These individuals were clearly members of the Fei Ling tribe.

"The Sky Bell Demon Subduing divine ability of the Beijiu tribe is indeed extraordinarily powerful. I've learned a lot," the defeated man said somewhat resentfully. He and his companion then unwillingly retreated back into the crowd.

"Is there any other fellow Daoist who would like to offer guidance?" The black-robed youth was unfazed and instead issued another challenge to the crowd below.

A slight commotion rippled through the Fei Ling tribesmen below, but for a moment, no one immediately stepped forward to accept the challenge.

Seeing this, the youth's face showed a cold sneer. Just as he was about to say something, someone in the distance suddenly shouted, "Look! The Holy Sons from the three westernmost branches—the Wuguang tribe, the Tianman tribe, and the Chirong tribe—have also arrived!"

Upon hearing this, the crowd below paused in surprise, and then burst into a cacophony of discussions.

Some curious individuals even turned and flew directly into the distance. In the blink of an eye, the number of people in this area had decreased by nearly half.

When the black-robed youth in the air heard the names "Tianman tribe" and others, his expression subtly changed, and he silently floated down.

At the same time, about a hundred li away from the giant peak, dozens of giant birds of various shapes, interspersed with a crimson flying scorpion more than twenty zhang long, were flying side by side towards the giant peak.

Among those giant birds, several were pure white, carrying both men and women. This was precisely the group that had set out from the Tianpeng tribe's Holy City.

Han Li was riding on one of the giant birds, among them.

The Tianman tribe's group, besides the three Holy Sons including Han Li, also included Grand Elder Jin Yue and the mysterious Elder Shi.

The red-bearded elder and the beautiful woman had remained in the Holy City.

At this moment, with them, were two other groups of people, distinct in their attire and appearance.

One group had deep purple hair and light red skin, while the other had slightly smaller wings and vibrant clothing.

By their appearance, they were members of the Chirong tribe and the Wuguang tribe. However, compared to the two tribes, the Tianpeng tribe, with its mere five members, seemed significantly fewer in number.

"Elder Jin, it seems the elders at Jade Emperor Peak must know we've arrived; they've even released the welcoming spiritual flames," a beautiful young woman in vibrant attire said with a smile.

Above the distant giant peak, giant multicolored flames emerged, swirling, intertwining, and flickering, coloring half the sky as brilliantly as a radiant sunset.

Such an astonishing sight, even from a hundred li away, was still clearly visible to their group.

"This is not the first time we've witnessed such a sight. Time truly flies; three hundred years have passed in the blink of an eye. Brother Zhu, now that you've returned here, do you have any thoughts?" Jin Yue replied, then turned to ask a red-skinned old man.

"What thoughts could I have? Unless we can cultivate a true spirit body or ascend to the realm of true immortals, in a few thousand years, or tens of thousands at most, we will all simply be a handful of dust. The rise and fall of various tribes are no different," the old man retorted expressionlessly. "How has Elder Jin considered the matter I raised a few days ago?"

"Our Tianpeng tribe is indeed much weaker than before, but our tribe has been passed down from ancient times, being one of the oldest branches among the tribes. How can we easily abandon our heritage and embrace another branch? Brother Zhu, regarding the merger you proposed on the way, I have considered it carefully and can only politely decline," Jin Yue's eyes flickered, and she replied calmly.

"Is that so? If I'm not mistaken, in ancient times, the Wuling tribe, to which your Elder Shi belongs, was also seemingly absorbed during your tribe's peak. Now that your tribe has weakened, merging into a stronger tribe like ours, and thereby vacating a main branch position for other tribes, is only natural. Why does Elder Jin speak so gravely?" the elder surnamed Zhu said with a cold laugh.

"How can the matter of the Wuling tribe be compared to the current situation? At that time, the Wuling tribe not only lacked a Holy Master, but also faced powerful enemies pressing in, and they actively requested to join our tribe. Our tribe has never coerced anyone," Jin Yue replied lightly.

"Hmph, what happened back then was so long ago; who knows the real truth? Since your tribe has officially refused our good intentions, we can only see if your Holy Sons can pass the trials in the Abyssal Earth. Otherwise, don't blame us, a few tribes, for proposing to the Joint Council of Elders to forcibly dismantle your tribe. Don't forget, it's not just my Chirong tribe that is very interested in your tribe," the elder surnamed Zhu chuckled.

"Brother Zhu, your tribe is already among the top three strongest of our seventy-two branches. Why be so aggressive and insist on annexing the Tianpeng tribe? Does your tribe truly wish to surpass the Jiuyue tribe?" The beautiful young woman's eyes swirled, and she said with a charming smile.

"Madam Qiu, please don't speak nonsense. When did this elder ever utter disrespectful words about the Jiuyue tribe?" Upon hearing the young woman's words, the elder surnamed Zhu's expression drastically changed, and he vehemently denied it.

The young woman smiled, and just as she was about to say more, a burst of celestial music suddenly drifted from the direction of the distant giant peak, followed by spiritual light flashing across the horizon and vast swathes of colorful clouds rolling towards them.

The few people immediately fell silent, and the entire procession halted its flight, hovering in mid-air.

In the blink of an eye, the colorful clouds arrived high above them, and from within, ten individuals with varied attire stepped out. Most were white-haired and appeared ancient. "Greetings, Elders." Upon seeing these ten, Jin Yue, the elder surnamed Zhu, and others were startled and immediately dismounted their giant birds, bowing deeply to the ten individuals.

"There's no need to be so formal. You will all be one of us sooner or later. The other elders are waiting for you all at Jade Emperor Peak," an old woman, one of the ten, leaning on a cane with one hand, said with a smile.

"Oh? Are our three tribes the latest to arrive this time?" Jin Yue's heart stirred, and she asked politely.

"Not exactly the latest. The Ghostface and Poison Dove tribes from the far north have important matters to attend to and will only arrive when the Abyssal Earth fully opens. Therefore, once your three tribes arrive, this grand gathering can commence early," the old woman replied with a chuckle.

"I see," Jin Yue said, nodding upon hearing this.

Han Li, standing behind, swept his gaze over the newly appeared ten individuals, and his heart was greatly shaken.

Most of these ten individuals were astonishingly of Integration stage cultivation or higher. The old woman who spoke first, he couldn't even discern her cultivation level, but she was at least a formidable existence at or above the Mid-Integration stage, similar to Jin Yue.

These were the rumored Joint Council Elders.

It was said that these individuals were originally elders from various tribes, and only when their lifespans were nearly exhausted could they join this Elder Council. From the date of their joining, they automatically relinquished all status and positions in their original tribes and became responsible for the entire Fei Ling tribe.

At this moment, the elder surnamed Zhu and the young woman also stepped forward to exchange a few words with the old woman. Subsequently, guided by these ten individuals, the group once again urged their giant birds to fly directly towards the giant peak.

In a short while, the group arrived near the giant peak. The magnificent cluster of buildings ahead was faintly visible, and high in the sky, many black dots, large and small, were circling.

Upon closer inspection, Han Li realized that these were hundreds of giant birds of various kinds flying in the air, interspersed with some enormous winged insects, each with a ferocious appearance.

Just as they were a few li away from the mountain peak, with a dull thud, a seven-colored rainbow shot out from the buildings on the peak, and in a flash, it spanned the distance to appear before everyone.

Subsequently, a magnificent and vibrant giant arched bridge appeared before their eyes.

The old woman and others merely swayed, and then ascended onto the arched bridge first. Then, the old woman smiled and beckoned to those behind her.

"Let's go up too," Jin Yue instructed, dismounted her giant bird, and followed closely onto the bridge.

The young woman and the Chirong tribe members, among others, naturally did not wish to fall behind and walked onto the bridge as well.

Han Li stepped onto the bridge surface, feeling that it was soft and very elastic underfoot, as if he were treading on a thick mat.

Driven by curiosity, he looked down carefully, wanting to release his spiritual sense to investigate further, but suddenly, there was a tremor under his feet, and a colorful light appeared around them, enveloping everyone. After just a flash, it carried the group to the other end of the bridge.

Mysterious and extraordinary.

Han Li could no longer investigate the unusual properties of the arched bridge beneath him, because on the other side of the bridge, twenty or more Fei Ling tribesmen were standing, staring intently at their group.

Behind them, amidst a swirling white mist, a colossal emerald-green hall appeared faintly.

However, only two individuals stood before the group: a middle-aged man with snow-white hair and a prominent nose, and an elder with a face full of wrinkles, remarkably long cheeks, and faint black tattoos covering his neck.

Seeing this, the old woman chuckled, shook her sleeve, and walked to stand beside these two. The others then stepped into the crowd and disappeared from sight.

"Elders, Holy Sons, you have come a long way and endured extraordinary hardships. The Holy Sons can first rest in the side hall for a while, while the elders can accompany us old fellows into the main hall for a discussion. The elders from other tribes are also in the hall, accompanied by other elders," the tattooed elder said with a smile, cupping his hands in a salute.

"Elder Ming, you are too kind. We shall naturally obey!" The Chirong tribe's Elder Zhu was the first to speak, agreeing with a full smile.

Although Jin Yue and the young woman from the Wuguang tribe were at odds with the Chirong tribe, they had no other opinions at this moment. After turning to instruct Han Li and the others, the three of them, accompanied by these individuals, stepped into the white mist.

"Holy Sons, please follow me. This humble servant will arrange your accommodations." At some unknown point, a petite maiden in white appeared before Han Li and the dozen or so other individuals, saying with a cheerful smile.