The wedding feast had finally reached its fervent climax. Not only had the battle failed to scare the guests away, but it had also instilled in them a sense of reassurance. The Imperial Clan stood strong, with the aged emperor on the brink of breaking into the ancestral realm, the emerging young powerhouse Chu Mo rising to prominence, the reigning emperor, and the crown prince Ji Qi deftly steering the dynasty forward. What more could one ask for prosperity?

Thus, everyone in the grand hall drank with unrestrained enthusiasm, their initial caution and reserve long forgotten. They conversed loudly, their laughter filling the space.

Chu Mo walked around the hall with his wine cup, accompanied by Qi Xiaoyu and Shui Yiyi, to toast every guest. He left out no one—relatives, old friends. He took time to converse with each individual, and though it was time-consuming, everyone he interacted with felt delighted.

When he reached Nayi, Chu Mo smiled warmly at her. She returned his smile. Beside her stood a visibly aged Lie Ge, whose eyes flashed momentarily with regret. Yet, having spent time within Piaomiao Palace and learned about Chu Mo's experiences over the years, both Lie Ge and Nayi understood well the countless ladies who had once surrounded Chu Mo. In the end, however, Chu Mo had chosen only Qi Xiaoyu and Shui Yiyi, proving one thing: feelings cannot be forced.

Though Lie Ge felt a tinge of sadness for his sister, his years as an earthly emperor had given him clarity. He had no grievances against fate.

Similarly, Nayi held no resentment. She indeed still had feelings for Chu Mo, feelings that persisted even now. But she had missed much of Chu Mo's journey, especially the pivotal years of his growth. Her memories of him were frozen in the past, with a vast gap in between—one that could never be bridged. Upon hearing of Chu Mo's trials and triumphs, Nayi understood that they would never be able to rekindle what had once been.

Even if Chu Mo were to propose, she would not agree. The youthful affection from years gone by was best preserved as a cherished memory, needing no further discussion.

"I will soon reach higher realms in cultivation!" Nayi looked at Chu Mo with a serious expression.

Chu Mo nodded, "I believe you!"

Once the queen of the Prairie, she had managed to guide a faltering nation toward stability and prosperity. Chu Mo had faith in her capabilities even now.

Nayi raised her wine cup, her face slightly flushed, and looked at Qi Xiaoyu and Shui Yiyi. "I toast you both!"

Shui Yiyi and Qi Xiaoyu smiled and clinked cups with her, then drank their wine.

Nayi remarked, "You are truly fortunate. Happiness will surely follow you."

Qi Xiaoyu smiled faintly and said, "You, too, will find your own happiness."

Although she wasn't well-acquainted with Nayi, Qi Xiaoyu had long been aware of her existence. She neither adored nor despised her. In Qi Xiaoyu's eyes, if Chu Mo liked someone, it was perfectly acceptable to bring them into his life. Her sense of exclusivity was far less pronounced compared to Shui Yiyi's.

Shui Yiyi, though much more possessive, knew her position as a later addition to Chu Mo's life. Over time, she and Qi Xiaoyu had developed a bond akin to sisterhood—a relationship many envied.

When Chu Mo turned to toast Liu Yun and Liu Feng, siblings from the same lineage, Liu Feng's face revealed a trace of suppressed regret. Nonetheless, he managed to carry himself with composure and quietly had several cups with Chu Mo.

Liu Yun, on the other hand, was far more composed. Her heart now focused fully on the path of cultivation, her ambitions and desires diminished compared to the past, leaving her utterly at peace as she faced Chu Mo.

After attending to all his old acquaintances, Chu Mo then brought his two wives to make their way to new friends.

Numerous young talents from the Luotian Immortal Domain sought to acquaint themselves with Chu Mo. Among them were even a few youthful Great Saints!

These individuals had once dominated the Trial Field and later withdrew to assume leadership over their families or sects. Now, they were the backbone of their respective groups.

Indeed, this group represented the true elite of Luotian Immortal Domain. Were it not for the presence of a prodigy like Chu Mo, the light shining on them would have been even brighter. Initially, many viewed Chu Mo with jealousy or disdain during his rise from obscurity within the Trial Field. But as Chu Mo's brilliance grew ever more dazzling, silence began to spread among them. Today, resentment and disdain for Chu Mo had mostly disappeared. At least within the confines of this grand hall, none remained.

Now, this group expressed deep warmth toward Chu Mo.

The banquet continued.

The deep night approached.

The Monkey Great Saint and the other six saints returned!

Though their bodies bore no obvious injuries, one could sense an unmistakable weariness about them.

Their return drew a thunderous cheer from the hall.

It was as if massive waves surged one after another, with nearly every person in the hall raising their cups. Eventually, the hall erupted into a deafening unified chant: "Welcome back, Seven Saints, heroes who defeated the giant, let us toast to the Seven Saints!"

Monkey and the other six shared bewildered glances—they were utterly stunned!

When they had arrived earlier, they had indeed been met with respect and admiration, but the current reception felt entirely different. This was genuine acceptance—the kind that came from the depths of people's hearts!

In essence, they were now considered insiders, part of the collective.

Although hesitant at first, the saints could palpably feel the change.

The Seven Saints had long existed as solitary entities since their rise to power. Over the years, the only person they had collectively acknowledged was Chu Mo.

This solitude was not born of cold arrogance, but of persistent suspicion and fear from others since their emergence, leaving the saints disillusioned and withdrawn. Deep down, however, they still yearned for positive recognition.

Every living being, upon cultivating to higher realms, eventually chose to take human form. This was because attaining human form was considered the most optimal state for cultivation, as a human body contained the secrets of the cosmos. If a cultivator could fully unlock these secrets, they would essentially reach the pinnacle of power.

Even beings at the Supreme level of cultivation—the zenith of universal existence—could not claim to fully understand their own mysteries.

Thus, though Monkey stubbornly retained his simian shape, his heart also harbored a longing to be truly human and accepted as such.

Faced with the earthshaking cheers, the Seven Saints were momentarily dumbfounded. After a brief pause, the six who had taken human form flushed slightly with embarrassment, while Monkey's furry face concealed his emotions.

They were sentimental beings at heart. Conceding willingly, they picked up cups from the trays held by attendants and raised them together in a toast, downing their drinks in one go!

The cheers and shouts surged anew.

"Monkey Great Saint, invincible!"

"Seven Saints, invincible!"

"With the Seven Saints guarding Luotian, how can we fear any foe?"

"Seven Saints are one of us!"

"It's truly an honor!"

Monkey glanced at Chu Mo, who was approaching him, and transmitted a somewhat dazed message: "What's going on here? Why does it feel like they've suddenly accepted us?"

"Actually… they had already accepted you. They simply didn't dare to approach. After tonight's battle, their spirits were invigorated, and the atmosphere of the banquet caused them to let go of their inhibitions. It's only natural they're more open now," Chu Mo explained with a smile.

Monkey immediately grasped the situation. His fiery gaze brimming with insight, he couldn't help but flash a satisfied grin as he transmitted again, "Guess what became of the Primordial Chaos Patriarch's Dharma Body?"

"You killed it, obviously," said Chu Mo nonchalantly.

Monkey rolled his eyes. "How boring! Of course, we killed it—otherwise, we wouldn't be here now. What matters is the process. Do you get it, the process?"

Chu Mo twitched slightly at the corners of his mouth, glancing at Monkey and internally comparing him to a child seeking attention despite his mighty status.

"I'd like to hear the Great Saint's tale," Chu Mo replied aloud this time, breaking etiquette to humor the Monkey Great Saint.

Monkey's spirits lifted instantly. He drank another cup of wine and began recounting the story of how the Seven Saints surrounded and slew the Primordial Chaos Patriarch's Dharma Body.

As he spoke, more and more people in the hall quieted down, captivated by his vivid narration, until eventually, the Monkey Great Saint's voice was the only sound echoing through the grand room.

"An unharmed giant is utterly terrifying. That old bastard's Dharma Body nearly suppressed the seven of us to the point where we couldn't breathe. Moreover, a complete giant's spiritual attacks are astonishingly lethal. The claim that a single thought from a giant could kill a Great Saint… is no exaggeration!"

"But we brothers aren't just amateurs! With our perfect synergy, we bombarded that old tortoise relentlessly, leaving him dazed in confusion. In the end, he tried to flee… How naive! Did he really think he could escape from us? I smashed his wretched backbone into fragments with one swing, hahahaha!"

Monkey's animated gestures and laughter were met with enthusiastic applause and cheers from everyone in the hall, all raising their cups to toast him.

Whether or not they could see Monkey, they shouted in unison, "Great Saint, invincible! Great Saint, unparalleled! Great Saint, majestic…" and lifted their glasses high.

Monkey grinned mischievously, sipping his wine. As his tale drew to a somber note, he sighed deeply and said, "Majestic or not, that old bastard was indeed powerful. While we managed to defeat his Dharma Body, if his true self had appeared, even with the seven of us, all we could do would be to flee."

The room gradually fell silent.

Chu Mo then spoke up, breaking the tension. "It doesn't matter. If the seven of you aren't enough, then there's still all of us—countless cultivators fighting on together! If giants could truly dominate everything, the world would've long since fallen under their absolute rule. In the past, when giants plotted against my royal ancestors, against my maternal grandfather, what happened? Zhong Caiyun was struck down; that huge rat was eliminated; Patriarch Heiyu vanished into the Heavenly Realm's sea and never resurfaced—perhaps dead, who knows. Now only a couple remain, and even they struggle under the weight of past sins, still shackled by karmic debts. Giants… aren't gods. They're just powerful beings—nothing more."

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The third night watch is delivered.

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