Limitless Evolution: I Have Infinite Potential.

Ye Junlin turned and smiled. "Everyone, don't panic. This is my mount—the Kunpeng."

The moment he spoke, a wave of astonishment swept through the crowd.

"An ancient divine beast... actually willing to be Ye Shidi's mount?" The Cangjian Peak Master and the others stood dumbfounded, their hearts brimming with envy.

Xu Yonian let out a sigh. "Ye Shidi truly has heaven's favor. Perhaps this is destiny."

Meanwhile, on Mysterious Peak, Hong Qianye—already more perceptive than most—was struck by a wave of disbelief.

He had once been an Immortal residing deep within the Kunlun Realm and had acquired far more arcane knowledge than ordinary cultivators. According to everything he knew, divine beasts had long vanished from the world, let alone descendants of the Kunpeng!

And yet, not only had one appeared—it had willingly submitted to Ye Junlin as a mount. The sheer absurdity of it made Hong Qianye's head spin.

"They say those with immense fortune attract unimaginable opportunities... Even divine beasts may seek them out to pledge loyalty."

"Could he really be such a person?"

Memories of recent events surfaced, and Hong Qianye felt his breath catch. A storm of emotion brewed within, and his gaze toward Ye Junlin changed completely.

A young man with ancient treasures, already at Great Ascension, possessing a wealth of powerful divine abilities—and now, even the descendant of a Kunpeng had appeared, choosing him as master.

Wasn't this exactly what it meant to carry immense destiny?

"Why him?! That lazy good-for-nothing who lounges around in decline—why is even heaven on his side?!"

"And me... I've clawed my way up from nothing as a demonic cultivator, scraping and bleeding for every ounce of power, only to be humiliated and toyed with in front of him..."

As the weight of his recent sufferings washed over him, Hong Qianye clenched his jaw to hold back tears. Sorrow surged in his chest like a rising tide.

High in the sky, Ye Junlin patted the Kunpeng's head. "From now on, I'll call you Ah Kun."

The beast wriggled joyfully in response, creating a powerful gust that caused the cultivators below to sway.

After thinking for a moment, Ye Junlin still felt something was missing. He raised his hand, formed a seal, and pointed toward the air.

Boom!

With a burst of divine power, a grand palace materialized above the mountain peak and slowly descended onto the Kunpeng's back, drawing countless astonished stares.

"Perfect," Ye Junlin nodded, satisfied. "Now I've got somewhere to nap."

The Cangjian Peak Master stared in stunned silence at his now-vacant mountain. He clutched his head and let out a wail like a dying beast. "That was my house!"

"Pfft!"

The other peak masters couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Sect Leader Xu Yonian coughed lightly, then said with feigned solemnity, "Jin Shidi, I understand how you feel. Since Ye Shidi took your home, the Sect will build you a bigger one as compensation."

The Cangjian Peak Master's face lit up. He scratched his head and chuckled, "Well, that works too."

Not far off, Ye Junlin called out, "Disciples, hurry up. We're heading out!"

"Coming, Master!"

Bai Xiaoxi glanced at Hong Qianye, who was still staring downward, and gently poked him. "Hong Shixiong, Master's calling us."

Hong Qianye slowly lifted his head, his expression calm. "Mm."

He gazed at Ye Junlin's figure in the distance, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes as he swore silently, I admit that those with great fortune are powerful... but I refuse to live in someone else's shadow forever! So long as I bide my time, I'll seize your fortune and make it mine!

And perhaps it was only natural for Hong Qianye to think this way—he had once been a starving beggar, shivering in the cold. It was through sheer grit and unwavering will that he rose to become the feared leader of the demonic path.

To him, effort meant everything. As long as you didn't give up, anything could be achieved.

Boom!

The Kunpeng flapped its vast wings and soared into the sky, vanishing into the clouds with overwhelming force.

"By the way, is it really safe for Ye Shidi to attend the Xue Family banquet?" the Tianxiang Peak Master asked, worried. "After all, their ancestor is a Virtual Immortal."

"Don't worry," Xu Yonian said calmly, hands clasped behind his back. "With a divine beast at his side, even a Virtual Immortal isn't enough to threaten him—as long as Ye Shidi doesn't stir up trouble, we'll count ourselves lucky."

A subtle smile played on his lips. "The Xue Family wants to intimidate others... but instead, they've invited a tiger to their doorstep. They'll regret it, I'm sure."

---

Lingzhou

In the skies, clouds rolled and churned.

Dozens of floating islands drifted into view—large and small—adorned with residences and buildings, all connected by black iron chains.

At the center hovered a colossal island, surrounded by the others like stars orbiting a moon.

Spiritual energy was rich here. Every building was grand and majestic, adorned with vibrant lanterns and filled with celebration.

This was none other than the Xue Family's domain.

All of the floating islands belonged to the Xue lineage. The central, largest island was the family's main residence, home to the core bloodline.

But today, things were different. Their ancestor had broken through to the realm of Virtual Immortal, and the family was hosting a grand banquet—allowing even branch members to step foot onto the main island to share in the glory.

Swish, swish, swish—

Countless beams of light shot through the sky toward the massive floating island.

Male and female cultivators, dressed in a variety of robes, arrived on flying boats, swords, or beasts, journeying from all corners of the Eastern Domain to attend the celebration.

Now that the Xue Family's ancestor had ascended to Virtual Immortal, their status skyrocketed—and their allies rose with them.

Already recognized as the foremost cultivation family in Lingzhou, this event only further cemented their dominance.

No matter the motive, every major force in the region felt compelled to attend. No one dared offend a family with such momentum.

Within the main residence, the halls were lively with guests.

"Congratulations! With a Virtual Immortal in the family, the Xue Clan will be protected for three hundred thousand years. Truly enviable," said an elder, bowing respectfully.

"Come now," another flatterer said, "who's to say this is the limit? Perhaps he'll reach True Immortal one day! That's a lifespan of over a million years! Right, Young Master Xue?"

"Young Master Xue is the eldest legitimate son of the family. His status is now unrivaled—not just in Lingzhou, but across the entire Eastern Domain!" a sword cultivator added with a raised cup and beaming smile.

"Exactly! We'll be counting on you to look after us in the future!"

Flattery echoed around the hall.

The young man at the center—Xue Tianyi—wore luxurious robes and had a sharp, sinister look. He fanned himself idly, a smug grin on his face.

All around him were prestigious figures from across the Eastern Domain, and their endless praise fed his vanity like fine wine.

"By the way," someone asked suddenly, "did the Xue Family send an invitation to the Xuantian Sect?"

The crowd instantly fell silent.

All eyes turned to Xue Tianyi.

Ever since the war in the Arid Province, the Xuantian Sect had become the most talked-about power in the Eastern Domain.

Even the mighty Yuhua Sect had been devastated due to faulty intelligence—losing over a hundred thousand cultivators, and many of its elders.

No one had expected Ye Junlin to be a Venerable.

If anyone from the Xuantian Sect showed up today, it would send shockwaves through the region.

Xue Tianyi's eyes narrowed, a cold smile tugging at his lips. "Of course we invited them. But who knows if they'll dare show up? If they try sending some nameless pawn to insult my Xue Family, they won't even get past the door."

"And what if Ye Junlin shows up himself?" a guest asked.

That name instantly triggered a flicker of panic in Xue Tianyi's mind. A black-robed figure surfaced in his thoughts, and cold sweat broke out along his back. Still, he forced a confident smile and twirled his fan.

"Hmph, let that country bumpkin come. We'll show him the true strength of the Xue Family!"

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