“Her Majesty, have all the participants arrived?” A tall burly man clad in the armor of the Tianyu Empire said to Eris respectfully.
This robust man, with his cultivation at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, was the Empire Army’s chief commander. He was personally chosen by Eris to lead this expedition.
Eris gazed forward, her eyes sweeping through the young cultivators.
Before her stood fourteen young men and women, each adorned in distinct robes representing the major powers within the Empire.
Each of the four great families was allowed to send only two cultivators, making a total of eight cultivators, all at the Nascent Soul stage.
There was the Third Prince, standing beside Second Prince Lin Xuandu, who had an arrogant smile. Beside him was a mysterious man in dark robes, his face hidden under a dark hood.
Among them were Iris and Lucian, standing close together.
Finally, there was Sylvia, silently standing next to Lucian. She wore a plain white robe with azure patterns, along with the same white mask that completely concealed her face.
Lucian could feel her eyes occasionally glancing at him when she thought no one was watching, which he found quite adorable!
At this moment, they were all on the deck of the Royal Family’s flying treasure ship, waiting silently.
Eris nodded to the burly commander, her empress robes fluttering gently in the breeze, “Yes, we may leave whenever you’re ready.”
Just as the burly man was about to give an order, the clear sky suddenly darkened with dark clouds gathering above them!
An indescribable pressure descended upon the flying treasure ship without warning!
Lucian felt his heart tremble!
Lucian quickly turned his gaze upward, sensing an immense pressure unlike any he had ever felt before.
Eris had a grave expression on her beautiful face as her eyes narrowed, focusing upwards.
Despite the overwhelming pressure, everyone on the ship quickly understood that there was no murderous intent behind it.
They could all still move!
In mere moments, the clouds began to part, revealing a radiant golden light that enveloped the entire ship.
The golden light grew more intense, then gradually formed into two enormous eyes that stared down at them from the heavens!
This gaze was cold, devoid of any emotions.
Second Prince Lin Xuandu was the first to react. He quickly bowed deeply, “Greetings, Ancestor.”
Third Prince followed his brother’s lead without delay.
“Greetings to the Imperial Ancestor,” he practically roared.
The other cultivators exchanged unsure looks before hurriedly doing the same.
Eris cursed inwardly, but still offered a bow!
She also sent a message to Iris and Lucian to do the same.
“Is this the Ancestor of the Imperial Family?” Lucian took a sharp breath.
Gazing into these eyes, he could clearly feel that even Scholar Zhu, whom Lucian believed had reached the Divinity Transformation level, didn’t give him this indescribable sensation.
Yet, he really disliked this feeling of bowing to someone.
It was the same in front of the Crown Prince, and now this…
But if he just stubbornly refused…
He feared he would become the nail that got hammered first!
Iris gave Lucian an hard elbow making him grimaced, “Bow a little, you idiot…”
Lucian nodded and lowered his head.
At the same time, within his Sea of Consciousness, a crimson Halberd with an ethereal blade trembled, emitting a mysterious energy that quietly enveloped his true Nascent Soul and the unique essence of his Bloodlines!
Meanwhile Scholar Zhu, who was also going to ensure Sylvia’s successful entry into the Tribulation Realm, was drenched in sweat!
His pupils glowed green as he thought to himself, “Thank goodness I didn’t enter that forbidden zone.
Who would have thought this old man has actually reached the half-step into the Soul Integration Realm!?
But why is he revealing his cultivation level? Does he believe no one here can see through his stage?
No that can’t be… I must inform the Lord!”
His eyes quickly returned to normal, and he bowed with the utmost reverence.
“This year’s youngsters seem promising,” A deep and ancient voice echoed across the deck, reverberating in everyone’s mind rather than their ears.
Immediately, everyone felt a breeze sweep across the ship’s deck!
“Huh?!” Lucian’s brow raised in surprise, as he felt his 90 percent completed Halberd releasing more energy!
The Demon Emperor’s weapon within his Sea of Consciousness trembled more violently, strengthening not only his own concealment but also flowing through the unique Soul Connection he shared with Eris and Iris.
He immediately understood that this old coot was scanning them!
Eris’s eyes widened slightly as she felt this unknown energy, but sensing the familiar source, she didn’t reject it.
But when she understood what this energy was doing, her pupils constricted in shock.
Lucian’s expression swiftly returned to normal as if he didn’t notice anything unusual.
“I won’t take anymore time. Here, this is a gift from this old one to help you inside the Tribulation Realm.”
As the words faded, the air above the ship suddenly rippled and tore open!
From the spatial tear, fifteen glowing talismans emerged!
The Talismans hovered momentarily before each one flew toward a cultivator on the deck.
“Use them wisely…”
As everyone stared at their gifts in awe, the enormous eyes slowly began to close.
The pressure that had enveloped the ship gradually dissipated, and the dark clouds scattered, revealing the clear sky once more.
The burly commander finally regained his composure and stood up from his kneeling position, immediately ordering the soldiers to activate the treasure.
…
At the same time, in a different place far from the flying treasure ship, a middle-aged man with sharp features and long silver hair opened his eyes.
He sat cross-legged on a jade platform within a dark room filled with swirling spiritual mist.
His lips curled up into an amused smile as he stroked his beard thoughtfully.
“How interesting! To think she could finally conceal herself from my perception,” He laughed.
“And that guy beside Iris! Is he the Daoist partner she has chosen?” He muttered to himself, his fingers tapping on his knee.
After a moment, his eyes flashed with disappointment.
“I didn’t sense anything special about him. Even his Nascent Soul felt impure… Then why did you choose him as your daughter’s partner, little girl? Is he just a cover for something else?”
He shook his head, and closed his eyes, “Forget it! I hope you won’t disappoint me, my dear daughter in-law… HAHAHA…”