Stepping on the Immortal Dao Rainbow Bridge, the Chu Emperor arrived above the majestic divine mountain where everyone was gathered, like an emperor leading a personal expedition.
On this divine mountain, ethereal immortal mist drifted, and silver-helmeted immortal guards loomed in and out of the mist, layer upon layer, their watch strict, seemingly surrounding the entire divine mountain.
Li Hao and the others followed behind him. As they approached, they saw another group of figures gathered on the divine mountain besides themselves.
These people had a similar style of clothing and cold, stern auras. Many emanated powerful presences, clearly belonging to another Immortal Dynasty.
"Celestial Illumination Immortal Dynasty!"
Ahead, Chu Tianzheng of the royal family swept his gaze across them, his eyes slightly narrowed.
Beside Li Hao, the Great Dream Master also whispered softly, informing Li Hao and the others of the affiliation of the group ahead.
In the sky above the Celestial Illumination Immortal Dynasty, a figure sat upright in the immortal mist, his Dharma form majestic and imposing. He smiled faintly at the Chu Emperor from afar.
The Chu Emperor nodded calmly. Although the seven great ancient Immortal Dynasties had their struggles and competitions, they maintained a facade of peace. However, if a weakness in the opponent was truly detected, a deadly move would erupt in an instant!
Li Hao looked towards the Celestial Illumination Immortal Dynasty and saw several familiar figures standing at the front of their royal family. They were the ones to whom he had sold the Great Dao Source Light on the Heavenly Dao Bridge.
Everyone discussed in loud voices, though some revealed a hint of jealousy in their eyes.
As the Supreme Being finished speaking, the immortal guard commander took out a treasure from his bosom—a large white mirror.
Standing in that line, she was equally conspicuous. Surrounded by other prodigies, she was like a flame, her crimson radiance particularly striking.
Back then, the Chu Emperor had appeared and joined the Jiang Rong Immortal Dynasty. The transaction was very pleasant, especially after leaving the Source Mystic Realm and learning that other Immortal Dynasty prodigies had been delayed in obtaining Source Light, entering Source City a year later. They felt even more fortunate to have met the Chu Emperor.
The immortal guard commander said, "Before entering, we still need to verify everyone's soul age."
Shen Fu saw a familiar figure among them—Chi Ying, whom he had encountered before.
He saw a majestic figure also stepping on an Immortal Dao Rainbow Bridge, flying rapidly towards them.
The immortal guard commander spoke loudly, explaining the rules of this grand meet.
Standing at the very front of Shen Fu's group, her figure was outstanding and remarkable, her eyes cold and imperious. Today, she had changed into a set of white-gold battle armor, making her appear even more imposing.
The higher the realm, the greater the gap between each level. Even with his seventh level Immortal Lord Realm cultivation, he could only barely challenge an eighth or ninth level Immortal Lord Realm opponent. But if the opponent was a formidable monster like Li Hao, it would be even more difficult. If they were to meet, it would likely be a bitter battle!
That immortal dynasty, when the Chu Emperor turned his head to look, was the Yuan Zun Immortal Dynasty, whom he was familiar with. Chi Man, whom he had met in front of the Space Source Divine Tree, saw Shen Fu and nodded to him from afar as a greeting.
Then came the Jiang Rong Immortal Dynasty. The imperial princess Jiang Tianchi also saw the Chu Emperor. Recalling that this young man had sold her the Great Dao of Space Source, she nodded slightly to the Chu Emperor as a greeting.
"Tenth level of True Immortal Realm?" Sensing the Chu Emperor's cultivation aura, he raised an eyebrow, a sneer appearing at the corner of his lips.
Hearing the name of that immortal dynasty, the Chu Emperor turned his head to look.
Yes, and perhaps not just Li Hao, but also other competitors traveling with him!
As more and more people gathered on the divine mountain, the immortal mist in front suddenly churned. Then, the mist parted like a whirlpool, and a figure emerged from within—the Celestial Palace Supreme Being.
"Other rankings will receive generous rewards: immortal stones, immortal weapons, Emperor's blood, mystic fruits, and more."
"Hmm?"
"Now, we will announce the groupings!"
"Truly, experts are as numerous as clouds."
The grouping had been rumored among the Immortal Dynasties for a while.
A year had passed, and he still hadn't been able to comprehend the Immortal Lord Realm. What a pity!
Shen Fu's heart stirred slightly. He knew there would be groupings. After all, if it were simply a random draw for matches, a True Immortal Realm facing an Immortal Lord Realm would be pointless. Except for extremely rare exceptions, almost no True Immortal Realm could withstand the suppression of an Immortal Lord Realm; the outcome would be decided with a mere wave of the hand.
That feeling was familiar to the vast majority of people present—it was Li Hao's aura!
Yet, standing before the Supreme Being, these eight figures drew the attention of the entire crowd. All sides were inwardly apprehensive, knowing that these few were likely disciples of the Supreme Being, perhaps even including direct disciples!
However, few showed any strong reaction. As one of the hundred clans, in terms of lineage, they were not much different from Jin Fengling. The latter was also from one of the hundred clans.
Hearing the immortal guard commander's words, the faces of some Immortal Lords present changed slightly. Even Chu Tianhuang and the others showed a hint of seriousness in their expressions.
"This Southern Domain Grand Meet is limited to a soul age of eight thousand years. No exceeding this limit is allowed!"
"Immortal Lords in the mystic realm are all at the Immortal Lord Realm level, with top ones even reaching the first level of Immortal Lord Realm!"
"True Immortals, enter the mystic realm on the right. Immortal Lords, enter the one on the left!"
The immortal guard commander announced.
Li Hao glanced over and felt a sense of感慨 (gan kai - mixed emotions of sadness and reflection). The Immortal Lords at the front of that immortal dynasty numbered in the dozens, and they all seemed to be participating disciples.
"Their results will also be included in the overall ranking, and will receive True Immortal Realm enhancements, improving their ranking!"
"And the enemies in the True Immortal Realm group will all be at the tenth level of True Immortal Realm!"
He had been thinking about that True Immortal Realm who dared to snatch divine tree dao fruit from him in the Source Mystic Realm, and hadn't expected to actually encounter him.
"If the True Immortal Realm group ranks in the top ten in the end, they will be qualified to challenge an Immortal Lord of their choice. If they can win, they can challenge again, until defeated!"
"Within the mystic realm, there are no rules. However, upon entering, all immortal weapons, immortal talismans, including immortal pills and other external aids on your person, will be stripped away!"
The Chu Emperor's gaze couldn't help but turn to Jin Yunxian. He had been worried about not having a chance for revenge, but now the opportunity had arrived.
Simply put, as long as one could display brilliance and perform outstandingly, the benefits obtained would be enough to lay a solid foundation and secure cultivation resources for tens of thousands of years.
The white mirror stood in mid-air like a monument, and the immortal guard commander's figure appeared within it, showing a soul age of 65,824 years!
Hearing this, the young man named Shen Bujin raised an eyebrow. Thinking of what the other person said about the first level of Immortal Lord Realm, he hesitated and refrained from speaking again on impulse.
The whirlpool led to an endless, deep place, emanating waves of intense ill will. This ill will was as foul as a tangible stench, causing a feeling of nausea and making people change color.
"Next are the prizes!"
After all, just by virtue of their birth, they were hundreds, even thousands of years ahead of their arduous cultivation. How could this not make people feel resentful?
The Supreme Being said in a deep voice, "The path of prodigies is fraught with thorns and brambles. Only by enduring the most severe trials can one have the opportunity to step into the King Realm, and even touch the Emperor Realm!"
Before him, stood eight figures, as insignificant as dust.
"Before you enter the mystic realm, I will preserve your soul hearts. If you accidentally fall inside, there is still a chance for reincarnation, but you will need to cultivate again from scratch."
At this moment, the Supreme Being raised a hand, and in the high sky to his left and right sides, two white whirlpools respectively appeared!
Among them were the Yuan Zun Immortal Dynasty, whom the Chu Emperor was familiar with. Chi Man, who had encountered him in front of the Space Source Divine Tree, saw Shen Fu and nodded to him from afar as a greeting.
Becoming famous in one battle—it all depended on this battle!
At this time, the Supreme Being spoke softly, saying, "The enemies inside are fiends imprisoned from beyond the realm. Some of these fiends bear Dao Fire I have inscribed upon them. Slaying them and obtaining the Dao Fire is the condition for clearing the trial."
The Chu Emperor sensed the mockery in the other's eyes and inwardly sighed regretfully. His Dao of Painting had failed to break through, otherwise he would have been able to openly and justly seek revenge this time.
However, some people's expressions were fierce. As members of the hundred clans, their racial origins were not much inferior to Jin Fengling's. The latter was also one of the hundred clans.
And hearing the immortal guard commander's words, some Immortal Lords present had slight changes in their expressions. Even Chu Tianhuang and others showed a bit more solemnity.
"This is just the first step of selection for the grand meet. The slaughter and battles within the mystic realm will also be projected across the Southern Domain. Do not underestimate it, everyone."
"If ranked in the overall ranking from seventy-first to seventieth, outside of the top ten in either group, you will also receive the opportunity to cultivate in the Celestial Palace Supreme Being's mystic realm for a thousand years!"
If he were an Immortal Lord, he would have the chance to fight Shen Fu in the Immortal Lord group's grand meet. At that time, in front of an ancient god clan of the Southern Domain, and countless people from countless major and minor immortal dynasties, he would shatter the Chu Emperor's dao body, letting him know that obtaining what does not belong to him is not good fortune, but misfortune!
Hearing the immortal guard commander's words, the atmosphere on the divine mountain suddenly became heated, and everyone was a little excited.
"Given that this eight-thousand-year span is still somewhat large, with some having a soul age of one thousand years, some approaching eight thousand years, some still in the True Immortal Realm, and others already in the Immortal Lord Realm, therefore, this grand meet will be divided into two groups!"
Then, not long after, came the prodigies sent by other minor and medium immortal dynasties.
The young man's sword-like eyebrows were prominent. Facing the gazes cast from all directions, he seemed oblivious, his entire body shrouded in a layer of domineering divine radiance, like a young god.
Hearing this, everyone looked towards the two mystic realms. Some people's faces began to change.
At that moment, the immortal guard commander looked at the young Jin Fengling below, his expression admiring:
At this time, someone suddenly spoke loudly, "Although I am a True Immortal, I wish to enter the Immortal Lord Realm mystic realm to challenge myself. I wonder if it's permissible?"
"It's said that Jin Fengling is innately powerful, and his physique was at the extreme limit from birth, extremely terrifying!"
"Besides, there are mysterious surprise ancient fiends!"
"He is just a favored child of the era. It's said that at the beginning of chaos, a wisp of chaos law entered a certain living being's body, creating Jin Fengling!"
"If the Immortal Lord Realm group ranks in the top eighty, they will receive the opportunity to enter the Primal True World for further cultivation. If favored by the Emperor Venerable at that time, they can become disciples under the Immortal Emperor's sect!"
"Celestial Illumination Immortal Dynasty has arrived."
"True Immortal Realm group, those ranked in the top ten, will also receive the same opportunity!"
"These two mystic realm passages respectively lead to two different fiend battlefields."
One ancient god clan, besides Yan Chu and Celestial Illumination, were Jiang Rong, Yuan Zun, Jin Yun, Wang Qin, and Chi Jiang!
Not long after, the ancient god clans arrived one after another.
The immortal soldier commander spoke, his gaze sweeping across the entire field.
The Supreme Being gently raised a hand, and thick immortal power descended from the surrounding innate Dao light whirlpools, giving everyone a feeling of floating like immortals.
"No."
As the Supreme Being indicated, a figure from among the immortal guards flew out, exuding a vast aura, even stronger than the Great Dream Master beside Shen Fu. Without any restraint, quite ostentatious, he announced loudly:
If this Southern Domain Grand Meet were a free-for-all, True Immortals would be completely unable to participate; it would only be a stage for Immortal Lords.
As the Celestial Illumination Immortal Dynasty arrived not long after, other immortal dynasties quickly followed.
Even if he believed himself to be invincible within the True Immortal Realm, he did not dare to challenge a first level Immortal Lord Realm. That was no longer just a single level difference, but a gap of hundreds or even thousands of times!
If there was no belief in a life-or-death battle, how could one contend with the myriad clans' prodigies, and fight against those fiends?!
Those people stood on the outer perimeter of the divine mountain. Some immortal dynasty emperors were only in the early Immortal King Realm and did not have the right to ascend into the air, so they could only obediently stand on the ground and wait.
Hearing the Supreme Being's words, some people who were slightly timid at heart suddenly became excited.
Chu Emperor had sharp eyes and quickly saw a familiar face among them—Jin Yunxian, the one who had wanted to take the divine tree dao fruit in the Seven Source Cities.
The difficulty of cross-realm combat was no less than a True Immortal Realm challenging an Immortal Lord Realm!
As the Supreme Being descended, the whispers and murmurs on the scene instantly disappeared.
(End of Chapter)