In the Central State, the mountains had collapsed, as if they had once been ravaged by a great war, with the remnants of ancient palaces faintly visible and now in ruins.
Those mottled bloodstains, though eroded by the passage of ten thousand years, still struck fear into people's hearts.
Suddenly, the earth trembled, and mountains shook as divine light shot up to the sky, shaking the heavens. Around the mountain range, numerous factions had already gathered, their eyes fixed on the dazzling light, filled with intense desire for the unknown treasures it might hold.
"It is said that this place is the ruins of the Astonishing Immortal Palace from thirty thousand years ago. When a great calamity struck, all the powerful beings within the palace perished in battle, leaving only undying resentful spirits that turned into demons. Fortunately, heroes from various paths suppressed the chaos with imperial artifacts, preventing the disaster from spreading."
"The Astonishing Immortal Palace was once a glorious sect at the imperial level, tracing its roots back to ancient times. However, it eventually declined and lost its imperial grandeur."
"Although it declined, the foundation of the Astonishing Immortal Palace remained. Thirty thousand years ago, an unparalleled genius emerged and achieved the status of a quasi-emperor. This secret realm may be related to him."
People were abuzz with discussion, lamenting the fall of the ancient imperial-level sect.
Even a sect as strong as the Astonishing Immortal Palace could not resist the erosion of time, and only the legendary immortal path might offer eternal immortality.
However, achieving the Dao and becoming immortal was no easy task.
Throughout history, countless emperors had stepped onto the immortal path, only to fall. Becoming immortal seemed like an unattainable dream.
Yet, for those seeking eternal life, even the slightest hope of this dream was enough to drive them to madness.
As the divine light soared, cultivators rode fierce beasts, flew on flying boats, or sat in chariots, arriving one after another.
Powerful auras intertwined, causing ordinary cultivators to show fear on their faces.
At this moment, Lu Qingyang's gaze was also focused on the Central State.
Half a month ago, the strange phenomenon first appeared at the ruins of the Astonishing Immortal Palace, and news of the quasi-emperor's secret realm quickly spread.
The factions of the Central State tried to contain the information, but to no avail. Soon, those from Xianhuang, Tianhuang, and even Guhuang learned of it.
Now gathered here were not only the local forces of the Central State but also the powerful factions from Xianhuang, Tianhuang, and Guhuang.
In terms of strength, the Central State was undoubtedly the strongest, followed by Xianhuang, then Tianhuang, and lastly Guhuang, which was at the bottom.
Lu Qingyang's gaze swept over the various factions, pausing for a moment on the Guhuang camp, sighing inwardly.
Although the three major cave heavens of Guhuang had sixth-tier true lords in charge, their numbers were sparse, and fifth-tier real lords were even fewer.
In contrast, the Central State and Xianhuang had a considerable number of sixth-tier true lords and numerous fifth-tier real lords.
Turning his gaze back to the soaring divine light, Lu Qingyang judged that the opening day of the secret realm was near.
According to legend, this secret realm was left by the last quasi-emperor of the Astonishing Immortal Palace thirty thousand years ago and might still hold the heritage of an imperial-level sect.
Within three days, the phenomenon intensified, and the entrance to the secret realm finally appeared.
Cultivators swarmed in, including disciples from major factions, lone cultivators, and members of the Heavenly Court chat group.
Since the chat groups of the two realms were not connected, they did not recognize each other.
Lu Qingyang focused solely on the secret realm.
This secret realm, unlike that of the Sage of Shenxiao, was composed of a series of grand palaces, reminiscent of the ancient Astonishing Immortal Palace.
A terrifying pressure permeated the area, preventing cultivators from flying.
Observing through the perspective of his followers, Lu Qingyang discovered that this pressure originated from a powerful anti-flight formation.
Cultivators below the seventh tier could not fly.
Moreover, the secret realm was filled with various formations, and many cultivators had already triggered them and met their demise.
Lu Qingyang constantly switched perspectives, delving into the mysteries of the secret realm.
Witnessing a sixth-tier cultivator perish instantly upon triggering a formation, he became even more aware of the dangers within this secret realm.
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