[Heavenly Court Announcement: The path of cultivation is like climbing a mountain; only by forging ahead can one reach the peak. After thirty years of honing and refinement, the Qingyang Immortal Kingdom has decided to host the Immortal Kingdom Duel next year to assess the progress of all cultivators.]
[All those listed on the Immortal Ranking are eligible to participate in this grand event. Those who make it into the top 100 will receive corresponding rewards!]
[First Rank Immortal List: Top 100 cultivators will be awarded 10,000 offerings, top 50 will receive 30,000 offerings, top 10 will receive 50,000 offerings, and the top 3 will receive a second-rank lower-grade breakthrough pill and 50,000 offerings, while the champion will exclusively receive a second-rank lower-grade breakthrough pill and 100,000 offerings!]
[Second Rank Immortal List: Top 100 will receive 100,000 offerings, top 50 will receive 300,000 offerings, top 10 will receive 500,000 offerings, along with a third-rank lower-grade breakthrough pill and 500,000 offerings. The champion will also receive a third-rank lower-grade breakthrough pill and 1 million offerings!]
[Third Rank Immortal List: Top 100 will receive 1 million offerings, top 50 will receive 3 million offerings, top 10 will receive 5 million offerings, along with a fourth-rank lower-grade breakthrough pill and 5 million offerings. The champion will exclusively receive a fourth-rank lower-grade breakthrough pill and 10 million offerings!]
[Fourth Rank Immortal List: Top 100 will receive 10 million offerings, top 50 will receive 30 million offerings, top 10 will receive 50 million offerings, along with a fifth-rank lower-grade breakthrough pill, 50 million offerings, and a choice of a fifth-rank lower-grade magical tool. The champion will be awarded a fifth-rank lower-grade breakthrough pill, 100 million offerings, and a choice of a fifth-rank middle-grade magical tool!]
...
The moment the Heavenly Court Announcement was released, the entire Qingyang Realm was instantly abuzz.
Why?
Because the rewards set by the Qingyang Monarch were exceedingly generous.
In the Immortal Duel, those who enter the top 100 in their respective ranks can receive corresponding rewards. Among them, the rewards for the fourth rank are the most generous. Making it into the top 10 almost guarantees the opening of the door to the fifth rank of immortality.
If one can claim the crown, the rewards are priceless.
A fifth-rank lower-grade breakthrough pill!
100 million offerings!
A fifth-rank middle-grade magical tool!
Any of these treasures alone would shock the Qingyang Immortal Kingdom.
The combination of these three treasures is enough to drive the world mad.
When the Heavenly Court Announcement appeared, the Heavenly Court Chat Group became more lively than ever.
Usually, many cultivators discuss the Dao and exchange insights here. Occasionally, juniors seek advice on cultivation difficulties from seniors, or rumors spread about a cultivator's advancement, the founding of a sect, or treasures found in ancient ruins.
With millions of cultivators gathered here, even during quiet times, it never feels lonely.
However, currently, the Qingyang Realm has no external disturbances. Since the war with foreign forces thirty years ago, they have not been seen. Truly exciting events are rare.
Until the Heavenly Court Announcement appeared, the Heavenly Court Chat Group was in an uproar.
Every moment, dozens or even millions of divine senses were flooding the chat.
Cultivators were all eager for the upcoming Immortal Kingdom Duel. Among cultivators of the same rank, no one considered themselves inferior and all wished to fight their way into the top 100, win the grand rewards, and leap to become peerless cultivators.
In recent years, the number of new cultivators has increased significantly, making it harder to earn offerings. Fortunately, the Heavenly Court Chat Group provides everyone with one free chance to exchange secret techniques. Additionally, the Qingyang Immortal Kingdom has made its techniques public, and sects have risen, providing many secret techniques for early-stage cultivation.
However, advancing beyond the third rank becomes significantly more challenging. The strongest beings in the current world are only at the fourth rank, making it incredibly difficult to create techniques that match this level. Even finding fourth-rank techniques in ancient ruins is exceedingly rare, another reason for the scarcity of fourth-rank cultivators.
But today's situation is different.
The Immortal Kingdom Duel a year from now is a prime opportunity to earn a vast number of offerings. It could be the critical moment for leaping over the dragon gate.
Anyone who makes it into the top 100 and earns a place will ensure substantial offerings, benefiting those on the current Immortal Ranking immensely.
...
In the Eastern Region.
Amidst towering mountains, verdant ancient pines, and shimmering valleys.
A waterfall cascades like a silver chain from the mountain top. Among the ancient buildings and pavilions, numerous handsome men and women in traditional robes either soar on clouds or move swiftly.
This is the location of the Shangyang Sect, a renowned top-tier sect in the Qingyang Immortal Kingdom.
The Shangyang Sect was originally an extension of the Qingyang Gang. Over a decade ago, the Qingyang Gang's leader, Lin Lin, ventured into ancient ruins and inherited the legacy of ancient cultivators, thus elevating the Qingyang Gang to a sect.
Initially, Lin Lin intended to name the sect "Qingyang," but to avoid conflicts with the Immortal Kingdom, it was changed to "Shangyang."
In the sect's main hall, Lin Lin, dressed in light green robes, sat in the center, exuding a detached aura. Compared to thirty years ago, the Shangyang Sect leader was now more serene and less sharp.
"Immortal Kingdom Duel, how marvelous!" Lin Lin smiled as he read the messages in the Heavenly Court Chat Group, especially the announcement.
Opposite him sat several Shangyang Sect elders.
Cultivation is thriving, resembling the golden age of ancient times. However, the marks of the mundane world have not entirely disappeared. Human artisans continue to progress steadily, focusing more on improving the convenience of cultivators' lives rather than creating weapons of war.
After guidance from Qingyang Monarch Lu Qingyang, human artisans seem to have made rapid advancements. The era of cultivation remains dominant. Even if nuclear weapons were developed, they would hardly pose a threat to fourth-rank beings, let alone those surpassing the fourth rank, far beyond the Qingyang Immortal Kingdom's current capabilities.
"Why did the monarch suddenly host the Immortal Kingdom Duel? Is there a deeper meaning?" asked a handsome, scholarly-looking young man in white robes, named Xiao Li, an elder of the Shangyang Sect at the early fourth rank, or early Nascent Soul stage.
Everyone knows the Heavenly Court Chat Group originates from the Ten Thousand Heavens, controlled by the Qingyang Immortal Kingdom's ruler.
The name Lu Qingyang is revered throughout the Qingyang Realm. He is a true immortal.
Thus, the Heavenly Court Announcement reflects the monarch's will and, deeper still, the will of the Qingyang Immortal Kingdom.
Hearing this, the other elders also fell into contemplation.
Why did the monarch, silent for thirty years, suddenly issue this decree?