The Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth had suddenly materialized from the heavens above, stunning all the celestials that were presented by the sight of the gigantic landmass that covered several mountain peaks and soon the entire vicinity was soon in the shadow of the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth.
"This is…really the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth…" Some of the more experienced celestials stammered out.
Even Ye Jing was startled as she muttered, "Why is the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth appearing here? The five hundred years cycle is just over."
The Great Goddess Fantian said gently, "I will need all the golden celestials and dark supremacies save for those whose names are on the heavenly decree to enter the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth for a period of ten years. You can choose to take the trial in the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth or choose to stay in confinement inside. Either way, it will last for a period of ten years."
"Ten years?…" The celestials below were all muttering.
To the golden celestials, ten years were actually nothing as many of them would choose to stay in reclusion for hundreds of years even. But asking all the golden celestials and dark supremacies to enter the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth was like voiding all the leadership of the celestial clans in a single go.
Saintess Ziyue said gently as she looked at all the leaders of the righteous celestial clans, "I have faith in what the Great Goddess Fantian is asking us to do. Let's listen first and be calm."
Saint Dong Sheng gave everyone a commanding look, "We are all servants of the gods. So what are you all thinking?"
The Great Goddess Fantian explained as her gently voice echoed, "This is the only way to avert the dark descendant. Without the dark aura that is within your hearts in the celestial realm, the dark descendant will dissipate after ten years."
Lin Wucheng whispered to everyone, "This is actually a good idea. Not only will we avoid a major battle with the dark celestials, we can have a second chance to take the trial of the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth."
Tang Yiren said hoarsely as he looked at Yun Xinghe and the rest of the protégés of the Celestial Sword Clan, "I totally agree with Elder Lin too."
The main reason why Lin Wucheng and Tang Yiren were so agreeable to this plan was because they had just overcome their lightning tribulation to become a great saint. The battle with the dark celestials had come at a bad timing and right now, their reservoir of spiritual force was lacking.
Naturally Xuan Danfeng was also for the idea, "Ten years is nothing at all. I can sit still for ten years with no issue."
Of course, the celestials actually did not have a choice and the Great Goddess Fantian had already decided their fates for them. They were simply trying to assure themselves that it was alright to go away for ten years. After all, it was a much better idea than having to fight the dark celestials or to face the dark descendant.
The dark celestials were mostly agreeable as well.
The Great Goddess Fantian waited for a while for it to sink in before she continued, "Those that choose to be confined will be able to cultivate peacefully and a cultivation library will be provided. Ten years of cultivation within the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth will be equivalent to a hundred years of quiet meditation in the Unmoving Mountains. Of course, you may end your reclusion anytime to take the trial of the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth…"
Many of the celestials were suddenly excited as they all secretly thinking, "Maybe I can even get a breakthrough…"
When a celestial entered seclusion, they usually sought to overcome their present stage or barrier to reach a higher state of divinity. However, it was difficult and time was usually not on their side. But if they could cultivate for ten years and had the effect of a hundred years of cultivation then they may have a chance of purifying their inner spiritual sea and chanced for a breakthrough.
The purpose of meditation was actually to purify one's own spiritual reservoir so as to ascend to a higher state of divinity!
Moreover did the Great Goddess Fantian also mention that there was even a cultivation library? Many of the smaller celestial clans had pathetic cultivation library and depended on the grace of the major celestial clans for their cultivation improvements.
Even the golden celestials of the patriarch clans were excited. It was because some were struck in their present divinity for some time or were eager for new knowledge. What godly secrets would the cultivation library of the gods hold? Just thinking about it made their hot blood boil with great anticipation!
Forget about ten years, even if it was a hundred years, they would still be willing to go there!
Some shameless golden celestials were even thinking, could they ask to be confined for a hundred years so as to reap the benefit of a thousand years of cultivation?
The Great Goddess Fantian turned her eyes to look at the side of the dark celestials and said echoed gently, "Although you are all dark celestials, you are all the children of the heavens. There is no right or wrong in your cultivation methods. However a correction is very much needed and now I have the divine power to change it. The dark supremacies will all need to be confined for three years in the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth. Not only will you receive the full benefit of the golden celestials that are in confinement but you will also become golden celestials…"
When she had said that, all the dark supremacies were shocked beyond words. It was like a dream that had come true for many of them. Many of them actually did not want to choose the heretic path but were set upon the same path by their protégé masters. The heretic path was one that was fraught with dangers and difficult to traverse, requiring twice or many times longer than the golden celestials. That was the main reason why the dark celestials were constantly outnumbered by the higher level righteous celestials.
Even if they had wanted to turn over a new leaf, their leadership would not allow it. But now, all their leadership had a chance to become golden celestials!
Now there were more than half of the high level celestials that were golden celestials in the camps of the heretic sects and they were constantly suppressed by the high level celestials. These celestial clans were now heaving some sigh of reliefs. Some of them were just unlucky to be in the domain of the dark celestials or practiced some unorthodox arts like poisons, mysticism etc. They were actually not dark celestials. If the high level dark celestials were to become golden celestials then the three dark domains of the heretic sects would soon be having a total facelift soon…
"We can become golden celestials?!"
Beitang Ying who was hiding among the celestials was startled. She had become a golden celestial because of Xiaofang. Ever since she had become a golden celestial, her temperament had become much better and she was appreciated of her new life.
She secretly looked at the back of Yun Chen and lowered her glance…
Even Yun Chen had secretly stolen a glance at her. It was because they had fallen in love while they were together scouting the camps of the heretic sects. But they were worried that their unison may not be blessed by the righteous celestial clans.
The Great Goddess Fantian echoed gently, "Consider this a grace of the gods for you."
Many of the dark celestials were weeping and were on their knees as they lamented with joy loudly. To the dark celestials, they felt that the gods had abandoned them and they were constantly oppressed by the majority of the celestials. There were only a few safe cities that they could go to, like the Tranquil City.
The Great Goddess Fantian shifted her gaze, "Live in peace with one another. The dark descendant is only forthcoming because of the dark intrigues of the celestial clans. The Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth original purpose is to test the celestials and elevate the courageous and the ingenious. But that original purpose has long been lost. Instead of it being an individual trial, it has become a place where the strong lures the weak to be the bait to avoid taking the risks…"
When she had said that, many of the celestials from the patriarch clans lowered their faces in shame. Throughout the thousands of years, the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth was just a big massing of the celestial clans and they often use their numbers to trample over the trials. Many celestials had perished in the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth so that their leadership could reap the rewards without taking the risks.
There were many instances of the patriarch clans bullying a small celestial clan to risk a particular danger so that they would not be the ones that were dead, often for a meager reward.
Saintess Ziyue muttered melancholy, "I was not a good leader…" She did not have a choice when she was the Ascendant Mistress of the Ancient Ascension Sect. The two rival patriarch clans the Divine Sovereign Clan and the Celestial Sword Clan were not softies either.
Ye Jing nodded lightly. As the ex-patriarch leader of the Holy Citadel City, she knew that she would only have bones when she entered the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth with the other patriarch clans. That was common knowledge for her since her clan was the weakest for a long time…
The strong became stronger while the weak became weaker…
The Great Goddess Fantian echoed gracefully as her fingers move toward the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth, "From on onward, only the golden celestials and the dark supremacies will be able to enter the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth. Also the future appearances of the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth will be once every hundred years and the trial period will last for a year, at which anyone that meet the requirements will be able to enter at any time once. If you exit the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth then you will have to wait for another hundred years. The entrance of the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth will be at the Unmoving Mountains here. None shall stop a candidate from entering the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth lest it provoke the ire of the gods. The Unmoving Mountains shall be my holy mountain for the Nine Celestial Fraternity."
The celestials were all startled. The period of the trial had been extended from six months to a year. This may mean that more treasures could be reaped from inside the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth. But that would mean that there were also more risks.
"The subsequent trials will only open for a year?"
"But the Great Goddess Fantian says the first group will be able to take the trial for ten years. Does this mean that the first group can reap the most benefits?"
"Should we choose confinement or to take the trial?"
"If we take the confinement then our cultivation level may improve but the treasures of the trial will be taken away by the others…"
"Which one should we choose?"
"The high level celestials that did not come to the Unmoving Mountains are now the biggest losers…"
The Great Goddess Fantian said gently, "During these ten years, the Goddess Palace and the Devil Isle will help to watch over the Nine Celestial Fraternity. You may go in peace into the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth."
As she said that, a blue portal and a white portal appeared below.
"The white portal will lead to the libraries of the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth while the blue portal will lead you directly into the first level of the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth. If you are taking the trials of the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth, no more than five can enter at the same time."
She paused briefly before continuing, "There will be an hour grace for you to hand over your wishes to your clan and to make your choices. Please do it now."
Almost all the celestials exploded immediately as the entire vicinity were filled with their excited voices.
Beitang Ying quietly whispered to Yun Chen, "I'm taking the trial. Will you follow me?"
Yun Chen smiled, "Then I will take the trial too."
Beitang Ying asked quietly, "You're not going with your nephew Yun Xinghe? He may need you."
Yun Chen shook his head, "There are many strong golden celestials in the Celestial Sword Clan like Tang Yiren and the Sword Elders. I will go with you…"
Xuan Danfeng looked at her direct protégés, Song Feixian, Xu Wenping and Wan'Er before she sighed softly. "I have no wish to be confined but the three of you should meditate quietly for at least three years in the library of the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth or even more. The benefits that you can reap may be beneficial to your future progression. If I'm not wrong, the libraries of the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth are all pocket spaces within the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth and we won't get to even meet one another should we choose this option. So be very careful. The Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth is not easy to overcome for the first timer."
Then she looked at Song Feixian and Wan'Er, "I have actually wanted to bring both of you into the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth for your first visit six months ago. But unfortunately, this is too sudden."
Wan'Er asked, "Protégé mistress, you are going to take the trial alone?"
Xuan Danfeng laughed softly, "Seems so. But I'm going to be confined for at least six months first. After all, I can't fight in my present condition just yet. This great saintess here isn't about to die from some random weak monsters in the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth just yet. Hahaha."
Then she said solemnly as she looked at her three protégés, "Remember this. Should you decide to brave the trials of the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth, blue portal will take you to the next level while the green portal will take you to the outside. I don't think there will be a green portal anytime soon since we have to be inside for ten years. If you see Nanyan, please take care of her…"
Then she turned and gathered ten of the elders of the Lofty Snow Palace, "There are three of you who are golden celestials. I won't stop you from deciding your own choices. As for the affairs of the clan, I will put it into the hands of the remaining seven inner elders and the ten inner elders that are not here today."
She sighed softly, "If I am not around in ten years' time then please appoint Gong Nanyan as my successor."
All her direct protégés and the elders were startled, "Gong Nanyan is to become your successor?"
One of the elders asked, "Where is Gong Nanyan now? She has been missing for several months now…"
Xuan Danfeng laughed softly, "I've sent her on a special mission. Maybe she will be in the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth, who knows."
Song Feixian, Wan'Er and Xu Wenping took a discreet look at one another. They had actually seen Gong Nanyan a few days ago…
Near them, the Heavenly Fragrance Villa was also waiting for their instructions…
Su Shanyue was asking Feng Minyue, "Senior Sister, so which option should we choose?"
Feng Minyue quietly said, "Shanyue, you ought to choose the confinement. Our clan is one of the smallest patriarch clans. The benefits that you can reap from the library of the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth may be immeasurable to your future progression. As for me, I haven't decided yet…"
It was because Feng Minyue was secretly looking at the direction of Fan Yuqing…
Ye Jing was looking at the three goddesses and at Fan Yuqing, "So may I know whose names are in the heavenly decree yet?"
The Devil Envoy smiled coldly, "For someone who is about to die, why are you such a busybody?"
Ye Jing smiled weakly, "Precisely because I am about to die that is why I am dying to know."
The Heaveness had suddenly descended and said quietly to the Devil Envoy, "Why don't you reveal to her?"
Then she had drawn Ye Jing into her embrace, "Child, please forgive us…"
Ye Jing smiled weakly and there were tears in her eyes, "I…really don't wish to die…but I know that today I am going to. Goodbye…Celestial Teacher…In the end, I am still unable to ascend before my time is up…in the end, I am still unable to escape from my destiny…"
Fan Yuqing was trembling as she coldly looked up the heavens, "So what if the Devil Isle has won? The library of the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth contains the new cultivation methods of the Devil Isle, am I right to say so?"
Then she raised her white flute with her trembling fingers, "Mother Consort, Ye Jing needs to die because I'm the daughter of the heavens. My body is considered to be too precious to perish, am I right? Actually, I am the one that is the real cause of the failures to contain the dark descendant."