As time passed, Great Jin retreated from the six provinces of West Jiang of its own volition. Meanwhile, the Eastdream and Westdream provinces submitted to the Cloudstride Sect. And thus, in a mere two months, the Cloudstride Sect unified the Jiang Continent.
This momentous news reverberated across the world, prompting heated discussions among countless martial artists. Who could have foreseen that the Cloudstride Sect, once in a precarious position, would rise to become a behemoth that ruled the central region of the world?
However, amidst the discussions and whispers, the Heavenly Rankers were not taken aback by the Great Jin’s relinquishment of territory. For them, this was merely the natural order of things.
The world believed that the ebb and flow of the thirteen continents, the rise and fall of dynasties, were determined by the countless ordinary soldiers who fought and bled on the battlefield. But the Heavenly Rankers, the true rulers of the world who stood at the zenith of martial power, knew better. Their lives and deaths, their triumphs and defeats, held the true power to shape the course of history.
Soon after Great Jin’s retreat, a piece of news from the Wu Sect was sent to every corner of the world, reaching the ears of nearly every Heavenly Ranker.
…
With a cave in the Divine Bull Mountain, situated in the Yan Continent, Niu Hao, the leader of the Pleiades Guild, glanced at the notification from the hall jade in his hand. A smile formed.
The Middle Land Immortal Hall is opening, this will be interesting. Let’s see if my soul imprint surpasses Jin Quan.
…
At the Starcom Consortium.
“The Middle Land Immortal Hall is opening?” A gathering of Heavenly Rankers from the Starcom Consortium convened, deliberating over whether they should attend the meeting.
“Wan Xing has conveyed his decision not to attend. We shall go in his place to find out what news the Wu Sect has for us.”
…
The South Ocean was a vast expanse that stretched over countless li, dotted with an abundance of islands numbering in the hundreds of thousands. Amongst these isles, the Min Continent stretched nearly 10,000 li across.
Naturally, such a plethora of islands nurtured a substantial human populace, particularly in the past thousand years when the Middle Land’s inhabitants embarked on a steady migration southward, catalyzing an unprecedented surge in martial artists throughout the South Ocean.
Apart from the human race, the vast region was also home to a large number of demons. Countless lesser demons, greater demons, and even Archdemons thrived on these islands. Archdemons were demonic beasts that could rival Heavenly Rankers.
To the human eye, all species of demonic beasts were practically indistinguishable from one another. Meanwhile, for these creatures, the other species of demonic beasts were practically indistinguishable from humans. Thus, in the expansive South Ocean, human factions waged war against each other, the human race warred with demonic beasts, and different species of demons also engaged in wars!
Nestled deep within the South Ocean, tens of thousands of li removed from the Min Continent, was a massive crystal palace. This was a nation of demons, where myriad aquatic demonic beasts lived.
At the center of the crystal palace.
“The Middle Land Immortal Hall?”
Among the swirling currents, a massive jiaolong with azure scales coiled on the ground. From afar, he looked like a small hill. He fiddled with the hall jade in his claws.
“The 10th of November? How amusing, hahaha,” he chuckled. “I have to travel tens of thousands of li to meet Old Black in the Huang Continent, but if we both enter the Middle Land Immortal Hall simultaneously, we can see each other without having to leave our residences. It’s almost as good as meeting face to face.”
“It is a pity that the Wu Sect is so stingy, opening the hall only once every decade. Something big must have happened for them to decide on a sudden meeting.”
“The humans are the true darlings of this world. It’s only been a few years, yet their qi refiners are multiplying rapidly. According to the Dragon’s Lair Records, I fear that in another century or two, a Golden Core Superior will be born.”
“The resurrection of immortal civilization…” he sighed, “but how do I advance to the Spiritual Body phase? I am not much younger than Old Hei.”[1]
“Mmm, I shall rest for now. When I awaken, it should be just in time for the opening of the immortal hall.” The green-scaled jiaolong coiled his gargantuan body, stowed away the hall jade, and closed his eyes.
…
As the Cloudstride Sect solidified its control over the Jiang Continent, the once tumultuous situation in the Central Plains settled entirely.
In the blink of an eye, the tenth of November arrived.
Deep under Cloudhill, Fang Xia, Wu Yuan, Huan Jian, and Bu Yu gathered in the jade chamber.
“Have you all memorized the important things to take note of?” Fang Xia’s gaze swept over the trio.
“Yes,” Huan Jian nodded solemnly. “Shadow Blade is in seclusion. The individual entering the Middle Land Immortal Hall is a Senior who returned with Ancestor Fang Xia from overseas.”
“Ancestor, are you sure we won’t get exposed?” Bu Yu couldn’t help but voice her concern.
“In due time, you will understand,” Fang Xia replied with a cryptic smile.
Wu Yuan chuckled.
Hum~ Suddenly, the hall jades they held began to emit a brilliant glow, and numerous faint silhouettes seemed to dance. It was a strange, mystical sight.
“We have all been recognized as owners,” declared Fang Xia with a sense of authority. “The Middle Land Immortal Hall has been opened. Focus your Soul Force and send it into the immortal hall.”
Whoosh! A second Fang Xia materialized beside the original. The Clone Gu took its seat on the jade platform beneath the golden orb, controlling the array.
Once they entered the Middle Land Immortal Hall, their awareness of the outside world would be greatly diminished, leaving them vulnerable to potential attacks.
“Let us proceed!”
The four individuals channeled their Soul Forces into the hall jade.
…
Meanwhile, thousands of li away in the Wu Continent, deep within the highest temple of the Wu Sect, a colossal purple sphere emitted a radiant glow.
Several imposing figures, emanating powerful auras, stood within the temple, perceiving the information from the purple orb. At the front of the group stood Emperor Dong Pan in black armor.
Without warning, a mechanical voice resonated from the purple orb. “Four hall jades from the Cloudhill Province of the Jiang Continent have been activated!”
“Four?”
“The Cloudstride Sect has four Heavenly Rankers?” The Heavenly Rankers of the Wu Sect exchanged incredulous glances.
“Previously, Fang Xia had requested five hall jades from me, claiming that the Cloudstride Sect now had five Heavenly Rankers. I thought he was joking,” Emperor Dong Pan murmured. “Could it be true?”
Once considered a mere pawn of the Starcom Consortium, the Cloudstride Sect had never garnered serious attention from the Wu Sect. And yet, now they purportedly possessed four, or perhaps even five, Heavenly Rankers?
“Warning, a suspected Golden Core cultivator has entered the immortal hall! Warning, a suspected Golden Core cultivator has entered the immortal hall!” The impassive mechanical voice urgently blared. “The individual hails from the Cloudhill Province of the Jiang Continent!”
“Warning, a suspected…” The voice repeated.
The Heavenly Rankers of the Wu Sect were left dumbfounded. A Golden Core cultivator?
“The Cloudstride Sect has a Golden Core cultivator?” Emperor Dong Pan echoed their astonishment, before issuing a solemn command. “Immediately enter the immortal hall to meet the Heavenly Rankers of the Cloudstride Sect.”
…
Wu Yuan experienced mild vertigo as a strand of his consciousness entered the hall jade, plunging him into utter darkness. Then, a sudden burst of light illuminated a vividly clear scene before him, and a pristine, white hall stood came into view.
A figure draped in white robes materialized out of thin air – it was Wu Yuan himself.
Projected consciousness spanning tens of thousands of li. This simulation feels as real as the metaverse, no, it’s even more realistic! Wu Yuan marveled, his gaze sweeping across the space.
A spacious hall lay before him. Beside him stood a jade platform. Twelve colossal pillars, intricately carved and enveloped in mist, propped up the grand hall, creating an ethereal atmosphere akin to an immortal realm. Such a magnificent hall was a rarity in the mortal world.
The Middle Land Immortal Hall is indeed a voidrealm. Judging solely from the sensory aspect, it is at least an eighth-grade voidrealm, surpassing the metaverse. It is also far more user-friendly.
Voidrealms were divided into nine grades. Sixth-grade voidrealms had the ability to simulate reality in various aspects. With each increase in grade came added features and wondrous capabilities.
Suddenly, a cold voice echoed throughout the hall. “Esteemed Heavenly Ranker, as this is your first visit to the Middle Land Immortal Hall, you may choose a name for yourself. It is advisable to use your true name. Furthermore, please confirm your desired appearance. Simply envision it with your Soul Force, and your appearance will transform accordingly. Remember, you only have one chance to confirm your appearance, and it is recommended to adhere to your true appearance.”
Countless points of light converged, forming a mirror before Wu Yuan. It revealed his current image.
This does not resemble me in any way. Wu Yuan remarked inwardly as he gazed at his reflection in the mirror. It makes sense. The hall jade can only ensure the accuracy of one’s Soul Force; it cannot scan physical appearances.
For cultivators, the soul was the only true constant. One could change their physical appearance at a whim.
This scenario. Wu Yuan chuckled, a sense of familiarity washing over him. It reminded him of his past life when he registered as a player in virtual reality games on the Battlenet Cosmos in the metaverse.
But confirming an appearance simply by imagining it? That’s even more miraculous than the capabilities of the metaverse. Wu Yuan’s lips curled in amusement.
As an appearance formed in his mind, the original figure in white robes underwent a swift transformation, quickly forming a towering silhouette shrouded in black robes. Only a pair of icy cold eyes could be seen, the rest of his features hidden.
“Do you confirm your appearance?”
“Yes!”
“Please state your name.”
“Wan Liu,” Wu Yuan said.
1. should be referring to the black jiaolong from Huang Temple ☜