Since the Heavenly Court's announcement in the mortal realm...
Within the Qingyang Immortal Kingdom, a fervent aura of upward striving permeates every corner, sparking a sweeping fervor for cultivation.
Every cultivator aspires to shine at the Heavenly Court ceremony,
To win substantial rewards,
And even hopes for the recognition of the kingdom's lord, thus embarking on a path to change their fate against the heavens.
For many, this year has been a purgatory-like trial,
Awaiting eagerly for the moment when the Heavenly Court ceremony would commence.
Finally, that day arrived.
A solemn voice resonated through everyone's hearts,
"After an incense stick's worth of time, are you willing to enter the Heavenly Court?"
Upon hearing this inquiry, many cultivators briefly lost focus before eagerly responding,
"We are willing!"
As their thoughts settled,
They felt as if the heavens and earth had turned upside down. When they regained their senses, they found themselves in an expansive and boundless realm.
Surveying their surroundings, they saw countless seats neatly arranged at the edge of this realm.
With flashes of celestial light, figures streamed in, each taking their seat.
Looking around, amidst the bustling crowd and the clamor that pierced the skies, it felt as though they were in the real world.
Simultaneously,
In the center of this realm stood numerous battle platforms, imposing and numerous beyond counting.
"Is this the Heavenly Court?"
"A place of profound mystery, capable of hosting so many beings!"
Some examined themselves and observed the throngs of people around them, momentarily unable to discern their current state.
Many harbored this doubt.
"What a vivid sensation, even my physical form seems fully replicated!"
On a seat somewhere, a woman dressed in ethereal white garments—Shen Xue—radiated elegance, though her expression belied her inner astonishment.
As a late-stage Fourth Order Divine Master, Shen Xue possessed immensely powerful spiritual strength.
At this moment, she keenly perceived that her true physical self had not entered the Heavenly Court; only a strand of her soul had crossed over.
Yet, with just that strand of soul, she had manifested a physical body indistinguishable from her actual one. Such a marvel left Shen Xue profoundly shaken.
At this moment, her reverence for the mysterious and inscrutable lord of the kingdom deepened even further.
She then observed her surroundings carefully and noticed that everyone seated belonged to disciples of the Blood Mountain Pavilion.
"So, entry into the Heavenly Court isn't random; disciples of the same sect gather together."
The Blood Mountain Pavilion was no ordinary force; founded by Shen Xue over a decade ago, it specialized in sorcery and stood out uniquely.
With her Fourth Order cultivation and her exceptional innate spirit and physique,
Shen Xue created an intricate and profound cultivation method, along with numerous extraordinarily powerful spells.
These techniques and spells formed the foundation of the Blood Mountain Pavilion.
In this era of scarcity in venerable disciples, ordinary cultivators sought enlightenment without success, choosing instead to join the forces of major sects.
Despite the Qingyang Immortal Kingdom's dissemination of the Qingyang Canon for the welfare of all beings,
Its advantages were limited compared to the martial arts handed down by sects or those taught directly by eminent masters.
As time passed, more and more cultivators appeared in the Heavenly Court space.
This space seemed to have infinite capacity, effortlessly accommodating all arrivals.
Until the final person descended, and the sky filled with swirling yellow clouds.
In an instant, these clouds condensed into the imposing and vast silhouette of an ancient and towering celestial tree.
Its branches and leaves shimmered with divine light, evoking a feeling of profound reverence and worship.
"Pay respects to the lord!"
At the appearance of the towering celestial tree, all the cultivators stood up respectfully, their eyes filled with reverence for the lord.
Lord Lu Qingyang!
These five characters were already engraved in the heart of every Qingyang Immortal Kingdom cultivator.
Everyone knew that the true form of the lord was an ancient immortal tree within the hundred thousand mountains.
Later, establishing the Heavenly Court's chat group to spread teachings and assist humanity through crises,
Then defeating the invaders from other realms and establishing the Qingyang Immortal Kingdom, revered by all.
He was the supreme existence of the Qingyang Immortal Kingdom and even the entire Qingyang Realm, an unparalleled giant.
Formerly, Gu Fang was known as the strongest in the kingdom and hailed as a war god.
However, the reason for his supremacy lay in the fact that no one dared to rank Lord Lu Qingyang among the strong.
In everyone's eyes, Lord Lu Qingyang was transcendent and beyond comparison; no one was qualified to stand alongside him, let alone rank him.
To forcefully place him at the top and make others follow suit would be a sacrilege against Lord Lu Qingyang.
Though his name was well-known, few had truly witnessed his real appearance since the appearance of the hundred thousand Heavenly Courts.
Especially for the newly ascended cultivators of the Qingyang Immortal Kingdom, their knowledge of the lord was limited to spell images and textual records.
However vivid these representations were, they could not compare to seeing him with their own eyes.
At this moment, with the manifestation of the celestial tree's shadow, carrying with it an awe-inspiring pressure that dominated the heavens and earth.
Even the strongest at the peak of the Fourth Order felt as insignificant as dust.
At this moment,
From the center of the celestial tree's vastness emerged a young man in azure robes. His words were plain yet carried a terrifying authority that resonated clearly in everyone's ears.
"The celestial realm's contest begins now. By entering the Heavenly Court, you are deemed willing participants. Before you lie ten thousand and eight hundred battle platforms, each pairing two random peers of the same rank."
"In addition, you traverse the Heavenly Court in soul form. Even if you perish here, you will not truly perish in reality."
"The top hundred of each realm will receive corresponding rewards!"
Upon hearing this, the cultivators were stirred with excitement, their eyes filled with anticipation.
Ten thousand and eight hundred battle platforms, gathering all the cultivators of the Qingyang Immortal Kingdom, constituted a scene rarely witnessed in history.
Even if they didn't make it to the top hundred, experiencing such a spectacle firsthand would be worth their entire lives.
Moreover,
With their souls in the Heavenly Court, unafraid of life or death, they could fight without any reservation.
As Lu Qingyang finished speaking, the vast shadow of the celestial tree gradually dissipated from the sky.
Immediately afterward, the cultivators on numerous seats vanished in streaks of light. In the next moment, combatants appeared on the formerly empty battle platforms.
Ten thousand and eight hundred battle platforms, each hosting two individuals, marked the commencement of the celestial realm's contest.
No further words were needed.
Some battle platforms erupted into fierce battles almost immediately.
Deep within the hundred thousand Heavenly Courts, Lu Qingyang silently observed everything happening on the celestial realm's battle platforms.
"After thirty years of accumulation, today marks the harvest. I hope you all will not disappoint me!"
4o