The news of the ancient ruin and the terrifying Grade-8 barrier spread like wildfire across the Desolate Heaven Empire.
It was impossible to hide—a spectacle of blinding light and earth-shaking Qi erupted when the ruin first appeared.
Millions witnessed it firsthand, and for those who didn’t, it only took a day for rumors to flood the cities, towns, and even remote villages.
From the smallest clans to the great sects that overlooked the world, everyone was gripped by excitement and ambition.
The promise of a peerless inheritance hidden behind a Grade-8 formation sent ripples of greed and desire throughout the empire.
In the bustling capital of the Desolate Heaven Empire, the Royal Palace was in an uproar.
Advisors rushed to and fro, urgently debating their strategy.
The Emperor himself, a figure of immense authority, was said to have convened a secret meeting with his most trusted generals and ministers.
“A Grade-8 formation? Could it be a treasure from the ancient age?”
One minister whispered, his voice trembling.
“If our imperial family can obtain it, our dominance over the empire will be unshakable! We wouldn’t even need to give face to those arrogant sects and clans.”
Another added.
While the Desolate Heaven Empire was ruled by the Imperial Family, most of the power was divided between different sects and clans.
Even if they were to rebel, there wasn’t much that the Imperial Family could do, especially against clans like the Bai, Li, and Zhao Clans.
Their influence in those clans were minimal and there is no saying what would happen if either of those clans were to rebel.
But if the Royal Family could obtain the inheritance, then there was hope of restoring their absolute dominance in the Desolate Heaven Empire.
“This inheritance—we, the Royal Family, must obtain it! Summon all the princes and princesses! Tell them that whoever claims the inheritance will automatically become the next Emperor!”
Meanwhile, the Heaven Sword Sect—the greatest Sect within the empire—was also in a storm of activities.
Elders were summoned, their expressions filled with excitement.
Sect Leader Tian Yuheng personally convened the elders, his voice decisive.
“Gather our top disciples. We will select one hundred and give them every resource and support they need.”
Tian Yuheng knew that instead of sending every disciple, it was wiser to choose their best and equip them well.
Some might think it was foolish to limit their numbers, but he understood the hidden dangers of such opportunities.
If the ruin turned out to be a trap, sending all their disciples could mean total loss.
Caution was key.
While also maximizing their resources to those selected ones. Even the greatest Sect doesn’t have unlimited resources.
“How shall we select the participants?”
One of the elders asked.
“Anyone who has reached the Nascent Soul Realm or above should be included without fail. As for the remaining spots, conduct a quick competition—the winners will secure their places.”
Within the Bai Clan’s grand estate, Clan Leader Bai Tianheng was similarly stern, giving orders to the elders.
“Contact all our top disciples across the empire. Those under thirty must return at once even if they are breaking through. This is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss.”
But it wasn’t just the great sects and noble clans that stirred.
The rogue cultivators who roamed the wild lands, the hidden reclusive masters watching from their mountain peaks, and the mercenary bands of the chaotic frontier—none were ignorant of the chaos brewing.
In the vast desert city of Golden Sand Oasis, where ruthless mercenaries and exiled cultivators gathered, the infamous Sand Viper Gang leader grinned as he looked at the report.
“Heh… if those pompous sects think they can hog the treasures, they’ve got another thing coming. We’ll be there too!”
His words stirred the gathered gang members, who exchanged eager and ruthless grins.
“Boss, are we really going for it?”
One of the lieutenants asked, eyes gleaming with excitement.
“Damn right, we are!”
Old Viper barked.
“Gather all our best talents—anyone under thirty with some skill—whether they’re cutthroats, rogue cultivators, or desert bandits. Even if they can’t seize the inheritance, instruct them to at least kill those so-called geniuses from the prestigious clans or sects.”
Even the Forbidden Abyss, a notorious region known for housing demonic sects, was not exempt. Within a shadowy temple, a robed figure chuckled darkly.
“A trial for the young? How interesting… Perhaps it’s time for our next generation to stretch their claws.”
“Haha… Heaven has blessed us. With the genius that has risen recently in our sect, those cultivators from the righteous path stand no chance.”
The entire Desolate Heaven Empire became a cauldron of ambition and scheming, and with ten days until the formation opened, everyone was preparing for a bloody struggle.
***
Of course, such big news—how could Bai Zihan ignore it?
(Ancient Ruin? Inheritance? What kind of opportunity is this for the protagonist?)
He could already tell that it was predetermined for a chosen one.
And looking at the news, it seemed like the Heaven Chosen for such a great opportunity should be quite favored by Heaven.
So many restrictions were in place, ensuring that powerful cultivators couldn’t steal the opportunity from him.
This person was definitely much more significant than Mo Yichen.
And of course, he had to go.
Whether it was stealing this opportunity from the apparent protagonist or finding out who this Heaven’s Chosen was—
Not going wasn’t an option for him.
Now he had two options: go as a member of the Bai Clan or the Heaven Sword Sect.
It didn’t matter much to Bai Zihan, but he decided to choose the Bai Clan.
Why?
Because he was feeling homesick.
Not really!
It was because he was more familiar with the Bai Clan members, and it was easier to order them around.
Moreover, Heaven Sword Sect was conducting a tournament of some sort to select the participants and Bai Zihan didn’t want to waste his time in that.
He has no interest in wasting his time like that.