My gorgeous wife Chapter 1971 - 1939: The Pure of Heart

With a constant smile adorning his face, Zhuo Wuju greeted the assembly.

"It has been a considerable time since we last met."

After exchanging brief pleasantries, Zhuo Wuju presented Li Chen to the group. "This is a fellow Daoist I encountered by chance. Though I am unfamiliar with his name, his grasp of the Dao and its principles is quite profound. We have journeyed together, and I have gleaned much from our discussions on the Dao."

"I am Li Chen," Li Chen responded, offering a respectful cupped-hand greeting without any pretense of superiority.

"Greetings, Brother Li."

"To earn such high praise from Brother Wuju, Brother Li must certainly possess extraordinary abilities," a young woman remarked with a playful glint in her eyes.

Observing the individuals before him, Li Chen fell into a contemplative silence.

He recognized these as true paragons of talent, individuals who, if not Supreme Heavenly Kings themselves, were undoubtedly among the realm's most formidable powerhouses. Li Chen could subtly perceive that each of these young individuals wielded immense combat prowess, far exceeding many Supreme Heavenly Kings he had previously encountered.

Could this be the authentic might of the Supreme Asura Realm from antiquity?

Li Chen had never considered himself a prodigy, yet with the aid of the Seven Realms Tome, he had forged a path that even the most gifted could only aspire to tread.

However, it now appeared that these youths were exceptionally outstanding, each capable of surpassing the very definition of genius.

"It seems Brother Li is a bit reserved," the young woman teased once more.

Li Chen perceived no malice in her words; it was merely good-natured banter.

Upon closer inspection, Li Chen noted the woman's attire – a simple yet elegant white gown. Her features were exquisitely sculpted, reminiscent of a classical painting, exuding a rare and captivating grace.

Yet, her appearance was not the primary focus of Li Chen's attention.

The most striking element was the longsword sheathed at her waist.

Despite its scabbard concealing the blade and its aura being restrained, Li Chen sensed an intensely perilous aura emanating from it. Furthermore, this dangerous aura felt strangely familiar to him.

"Brother Li is new here, Zhixin. Cease your teasing," Zhuo Wuju interjected, aiming to alleviate Li Chen's discomfiture.

"Just having fun," the young woman replied, playfully sticking out her tongue at Zhuo Wuju. She then gracefully extended her hand toward Li Chen. "Greetings, I am Jun Zhixin."

Following this introduction, Li Chen was introduced to the other talented youths present. He couldn't help but express his astonishment at the sheer concentration of genius gathered in one place.

Moreover, in Li Chen's estimation, these individuals represented the absolute zenith of talent. Their superiority extended beyond mere strength; each possessed a serene demeanor singularly focused on the Dao, devoid of the overt brutality and ruthlessness commonly observed among cultivators in the contemporary Starry Universe.

He, by comparison, felt like merely a fortunate wanderer.

Despite this perceived disparity, Li Chen felt an unexpected sense of belonging.

For ages past, this tranquil existence, free from worldly competition, was precisely what he had yearned for.

Perhaps it remained so, even now.

The truth was, he had consistently been ensnared in a vortex of uncontrollable circumstances, unable to break free.

"Brother Li, allow me to guide you through Penglai Celestial Island. The grand gathering has not yet commenced, and some fellow Daoists are still en route," Zhuo Wuju offered, extending an invitation to Li Chen.

"Certainly," Li Chen replied with a smile.

"Brother Wuju, I wish to accompany you!" Jun Zhixin exclaimed, rushing over with evident enthusiasm.

"Brother Li Chen, you won't turn me away, will you?" Jun Zhixin added, winking playfully at Li Chen.

Having engaged in conversation for a while and grown more acquainted, Jun Zhixin's mode of address towards Li Chen had naturally evolved.

"Absolutely not," Li Chen responded, smiling and shaking his head. "This is my inaugural visit to Penglai Celestial Island; I shall depend on both of you to introduce me to the local customs and way of life."

"Let us proceed together then," Zhuo Wuju agreed with a nod.

As they traversed Penglai Celestial Island, numerous cultivators were visible, each exhibiting a notable level of cultivation. Within the specially designated marketplace, various establishments thrived, including eateries, shops, and stalls.

Despite the ambient noise, Li Chen experienced a deep sense of inner tranquility.

This peace stemmed from observing that every individual – whether a passerby, a vendor, or even two cultivators engaged in a heated negotiation over a commodity – exuded a harmonious aura, conspicuously absent of worldly strife.

This was an unprecedented sight for Li Chen.

He had always believed that where people gathered, there would inevitably be conflict stemming from differing interests and hidden agendas – this was the natural order of things.

Yet, here, Li Chen found no trace of such dynamics. It was as if everyone's minds had been purified to an extraordinary degree, focused solely on the pursuit of the Dao, with no inclination towards competition.

"Could this truly be the Immortal Realm?" Li Chen couldn't help but whisper to himself.

The 'Immortal Realm' he referred to was a conceptual term, unconnected to the actual Immortal Domain. In Li Chen's perspective, the Immortal Domain was merely a venue for potent cultivators to vie for supremacy.

And so, this might be the true Immortal Realm.

"Penglai Celestial Island is truly a remarkable place," Li Chen murmured, his voice filled with quiet admiration.

"Indeed," Jun Zhixin concurred, nodding slowly. "When the Lord of the Heavenly Dao conceived Penglai Celestial Island, the intention was to forge a sanctuary of absolute harmony and tranquility. Entry is permitted only to those with untainted hearts; any impurity acts as a barrier, rendering the island invisible to the unworthy."

"Is that the case?" Li Chen asked, a flicker of surprise crossing his features, before turning his gaze to Zhuo Wuju at his side.

"Precisely," Zhuo Wuju affirmed. "Because only the pure of heart can set foot on Penglai Celestial Island, it remains an unspoiled paradise of joy."

Li Chen gazed into the distance, his mind adrift.

An intricate tapestry of emotions swirled within him.

Only those with pure hearts permitted entry?

"Is my heart still truly pure? Or is this merely a dream, allowing me passage?"

"Brother Li Chen seems lost in thought?" Jun Zhixin, ever perceptive, detected Li Chen's subdued mood and inquired gently.

"Ah, it's nothing, just pondering a few matters," Li Chen replied with a wry smile, pulling himself from his reverie and shaking his head.

At that precise moment, Zhuo Wuju suddenly looked up. "Quick, look! Lord Mingmeng has returned!"

Lord Mingmeng?

The mention of this name caused Li Chen to instinctively lift his head.

According to Zhuo Wuju and the others, this Penglai Celestial Island was an creation of the Heavenly Dao, and the one referred to as Lord Mingmeng was the formidable guardian responsible for its administration.

More importantly, Lord Mingmeng was a practitioner of the Palm Realm!

A woman of ethereal beauty, defying all worldly standards, emerged from the horizon. She drifted towards Penglai Celestial Island, her feet treading upon clouds tinted with the hues of dawn.

Although the woman's presence did not radiate an overwhelming aura, the mere glance Li Chen cast upon her made him feel like a minuscule minnow confronting the boundless expanse of the ocean.

"Could this... be a Palm Realm powerhouse?" Li Chen felt a wave of awe wash over him.