Ancient City of Celestial Profound.
This city, steeped in time, stretched vast and boundless across the landscape, a place of storied myths and legends. Within its borders lay sacred mountains, mighty rivers, hidden realms, and forgotten lands, all brimming with mystery. The most famed among them was the ancient Celestial Profound Realm, a hidden sanctuary from eras long past.
The city itself was named for this realm, and the Celestial Profound Realm took its name from a legendary figure of ages gone by—the Great Saint Celestial Profound.
It was said that within the depths of this realm lay a treasure trove of his legacy, left behind from his lifetime. And now, once more, the day had come for the opening of this secret realm. News spread far and wide, and countless beings across lands and realms had come to partake in the opportunity. The confluence of major powers in the area made the city a melting pot, teeming with diverse and unpredictable figures.
In truth, the Celestial Profound Realm had opened several times over the centuries, with treasures and fortunes claimed by those who came before. Yet, even after all this time, every major power and countless beings still flocked to it, driven by two reasons.
First, the ultimate inheritance left by the Great Saint remained undiscovered, an enigma that only those worthy could claim. Second, only those of a certain age and power could pass through the gateway to the realm, setting a limit that rendered the quest accessible only to the younger generation.
Each time the Celestial Profound Realm opened, it became a proving ground for youth, where bloodlines and clans sent their most promising warriors to clash and contend. But this time was different. The world had entered an era of fierce rivalry, and the appearance of the "Heroic Ranking" stoked the fires of competition among the young like never before.
The Heroic Ranking comprised three levels, each representing unparalleled honor. To ascend its ranks was to claim a place in history, one's name forever enshrined in the lore of the Celestial Domain. For the young and ambitious, this was a goal burning with allure, their dreams of recognition driving them to the brink.
As a result, even more had gathered this time.
Elite sects and prominent factions arrived with their champions, each confident in their talent's potential. Among them were scions from ancient royal bloodlines, inheritors of power older than memory itself, from the primordial age.
In the skies, the spectacle grew; carriages drawn by mystical creatures, ancient flying beasts, and floating warships crossed the void, each bearing powerful figures toward the realm's entrance.
Boom!
Suddenly, clashes erupted in the air. Battles began, blood and steel colliding as warriors fought for the Celestial Tokens, essential items for entering the realm. The sky echoed with cries, and in a thunderous roar that split the heavens, a massive golden lion appeared, its nine heads roaring in unison. It strode majestically across the sky, each golden mane blazing like flames, a figure of unmatched power.
This was the Nine-Headed Lion, known as the "Supreme Mount" for its fearsome and noble bearing. Although its spirit was proud and untamed, often turning against its master in time, it had established its own tribe long ago. Now, the Nine-Headed Lion Tribe was one of the most powerful among the ancient royal clans, their strength unmatched.
One voice cried out in recognition, "It's him! The heir of the Nine-Headed Lion Tribe, undefeated in battle and feared among the young heroes. His strength rivals even that of the ancient royal bloodlines."
On the other side, a great gray dragon, its body stretching over a hundred meters, roared in defiance, fixing its eyes on the Nine-Headed Lion. The two creatures exchanged fierce looks, their pride refusing to yield.
Without another word, they charged forward, plunging into the depths of the Celestial Profound Realm. Whether they would clash later remained uncertain, but outside the realm, they held little reason to fight.
The ancient city continued to throng with countless beings and heroes of all kinds. Towering golden giants, nearly a hundred meters tall and glistening like molten metal, stepped forward, their very movements shaking the ground. Their golden blood pulsed visibly through their bodies, radiating a power so overwhelming that it gathered into a golden cloud above.
Then came the Demonic Cloud Sparrows, creatures shrouded in dark mist, their eyes a blood-red gleam in the dim light. They soared past, their expansive wings blackening the sky.
Among the crowd were more—heroes from primordial royal clans, heirs from families of ancient blood, first-generation warriors, young prodigies from humanity, and sovereigns from the ancient dynasties.
The sight was breathtaking to the original inhabitants of Celestial Profound City, who had never seen such a gathering of powers, all drawn by the allure of the Heroic Ranking.
Rumors circulated that the Ranking was deliberately baited by several powerful prodigies who coordinated to summon every young hero to the Celestial Profound Realm, knowing it would create a stage for grand conflict and conquest.
Suddenly, a deafening roar split the air, a thunderous cry akin to a dragon's roar echoing across the realm. Beasts and beings alike stopped, heads turning skyward as an enormous shadow fell over the land. Approaching from the horizon were nine magnificent creatures, each a white jade-scaled dragon-like beast, their pristine bodies shimmering in an ethereal glow that dimmed the daylight.
White Jade Dragons!
Countless beings lifted their heads in awe, taken aback. But the astonishment was only beginning—these were nine-headed White Jade Dragons, the highest of their kind in all of Celestial Domain.
Trailing them was an opulent carriage, decorated in glistening jade and gold, emblazoned with a single character: 楚.
The crowd gasped. "The House of Eternal Life! The Heavenly Lord with Double Pupils!"
Excitement spread like wildfire. It was rumored that the Heavenly Lord of the House of Eternal Life, a prodigious youth born with the rare and powerful trait of double pupils, had emerged from seclusion. And now, he was here.
With hearts pounding, countless eyes followed as the nine White Jade Dragons halted, their celestial light intertwining. From within the resplendent aura, a figure descended, as ethereal as a dream.
She was a young woman, her presence so serene and otherworldly that time seemed to stand still. Her beauty struck awe into all who gazed upon her, a rare grace that transcended the mundane world.
"Isn't that the Celestial Spirit of the Eternal Life House?" someone murmured in amazement. "Second on the Heroic Ranking."
An envious murmur spread through the crowd. "Only the Heavenly Lord of the House of Eternal Life would have such a figure as his maidservant!"
Before they could recover from their astonishment, another figure emerged—a tall, slender figure clad in flowing white robes, his very presence radiating a quiet, serene power. His skin was as luminous as polished jade, his form wreathed in a soft, ethereal glow, an aura of timeless tranquility.
A hushed awe fell over the crowd. This was him—the Heavenly Lord of the House of Eternal Life, the youth with the Double Pupils, a symbol of perfection among the young.
Gasps and whispers filled the air. Many young women found themselves captivated, their eyes reflecting a longing fascination.
"Long live the Heavenly Lord!" someone cried, and soon, others joined in. The Elder of a first-tier sect and his entourage approached in respectful obeisance, bowing deeply in reverence.
The spectacle before the Celestial Profound Realm reached a fever pitch. Countless warriors, elders, and masters had gathered, their hearts beating with anticipation and curiosity. They had heard of the one called the Heavenly Lord with Double Pupils, but to witness him in person was a revelation.
As they watched him, a burning question echoed in every mind.
In the Celestial Profound Realm, who could possibly stand against him?
In all of Celestial Domain, among the young generation, there were few indeed who could match his status or power.
He was young, yet stories told of his unparalleled strength and heavenly demeanor. With his presence now, he had made the greatest entrance, the highest status in the realm, and no one could challenge his place.
All looked on, wondering what wonders and legends he would forge within the Celestial Profound Realm, his very presence a spark that set the stage for an epic confrontation.