The tension in the air was palpable as the massive flying ship finally descended, casting its shadow over the sprawling forest below. This was no ordinary forest—it was the Endless Forest, a place that stretched on seemingly without limit, its dark, towering trees looming ominously as far as the eye could see. At its center, piercing through the horizon, stood the colossal World Tree. It was so vast and tall that even from miles away, the tree's enormous branches seemed to brush against the heavens, its roots said to burrow deep into the very foundation of the world.
The participants, thousands in number, gathered around a platform where an elder from the Qianyuan Kingdom would explain the rules of the Rite of Ascendancy. As Li Wei stood among his teammates—Li Jun, Mei Chen, Zhou Wei, and Jin Rui—he felt their anticipation and nervousness. However, he remained calm and composed, his mind working out potential strategies even before hearing the rules.
Standing before the assembly, an elder with sharp features and an air of authority stepped forward. His voice was deep, carrying weight as it echoed across the crowd. "Listen well, young cultivators, for the rules of this year's Rite of Ascendancy will determine not only your success but your very survival."
A hush fell over the gathering. Even the wind seemed to die down as everyone's focus turned to the elder.
"The goal is simple. You will enter the Endless Forest, and your task is to slay the beasts that dwell within its depths. Each beast you slay will leave behind its core, and it is these cores that will be the measure of your success. The more cores your team collects, the higher your standing. However, remember this—cores of weaker beasts hold little value. A Grade 1 beast, for example, possesses a red core and will provide the least amount of points. The cores of stronger beasts grow lighter in color, with the Grade 9 beasts having white cores, the rarest and most powerful."
There was a murmur among the participants. Everyone knew that even a Grade 1 beast could be dangerous, but the mention of Grade 9 beasts sent a wave of unease through the crowd. Most Qi Gathering cultivators had never even seen a Grade 3 beast, let alone something beyond that.
"The strongest teams might attempt to hunt Grade 3 beasts, but I must warn you," the elder continued, his gaze sweeping over the sea of faces. "The likelihood of surviving an encounter with a Grade 3 beast is slim. You are cultivators at the Qi Gathering stage—do not overestimate your abilities. However, if you seek true glory, you may choose to take the risk."
Li Wei's eyes narrowed, his mind processing the elder's words. The deeper they ventured into the forest, the more powerful the beasts would become. It was a natural progression, but there was more to it—he could sense the underlying danger in the elder's tone.
"The Rite will last for three months."
At this, all the elders present frowned. A ripple of surprise passed through the participants. Three months? Usually, the Rite of Ascendancy lasted no more than two weeks, and this time, it was being held in the Endless Forest, a place far more perilous than the usual location.
Li Wei glanced at the accompanying elders, noticing their unease. Something was different about this year's Rite, something unusual. He could see the shift in their expressions—they, too, knew that something was amiss.
"The Endless Forest holds many secrets," the elder continued. "And the deeper you go, the greater the peril. I advise you, stay away from the World Tree. Even we, the elders, do not possess the strength to approach its base, and the beasts that dwell near it are beyond anything you have ever faced."
At the mention of the World Tree, the participants stiffened. The colossal tree in the center of the forest seemed to draw all attention toward it, but if even the elders were wary of it, then the dangers must be unimaginable.
"Now, let me make this clear—there are no rules on how you obtain the beast cores." The elder's voice grew sharper, and a chilling smile crossed his face. "You may gather cores by any means necessary. Whether it's through slaying beasts or… taking them from other teams, it matters not. There are no allies in this competition, only rivals."
Li Wei's expression remained stoic, but inside, his mind was already calculating. So, they were encouraging conflict between teams. Of course, it made sense. A competition of this scale would naturally weed out the weak from the strong, not only in strength but also in strategy. Those who were too slow or too soft would lose everything, perhaps even their lives.
"And finally," the elder said, his tone turning grave, "death is unavoidable. In this competition, we cannot guarantee your safety. You will face beasts that are beyond your capabilities, and other teams that may see you as prey. This is not just a test of strength—it is a test of survival."
The air seemed to grow colder at the elder's words. Some participants looked uneasy, while others, like Li Wei, remained unfazed. For Li Wei, death was not a fear; he had seen it too many times in his past lives. Instead, this was a new challenge, and challenges were what pushed him closer to his goal.
The elder's eyes swept across the crowd one final time. "Prepare yourselves. The Rite of Ascendancy begins now."
As the elder stepped back, the tension in the air remained thick. All around, the other participants began to check their weapons and whisper strategies among themselves. Li Wei turned to his team, his voice calm but firm.
"We'll stick to our plan," Li Wei said, his sharp eyes glinting with determination. "Avoid unnecessary conflict and focus on gathering cores. If we encounter other teams, we gauge their strength before deciding if it's worth engaging."
Li Jun, Jin Rui, Mei Chen, and Zhou Wei all nodded in agreement, trusting in Li Wei's leadership after everything they had been through together.
"We're with you, Li Wei," Jin Rui said, clenching his fists. "Let's show them what we're capable of."
Mei Chen smiled confidently, while Li Jun and Zhou Wei remained focused. Their bond had grown stronger during their time in seclusion, and now, they were ready to face whatever challenges awaited them in the depths of the Endless Forest.
Li Wei's gaze shifted toward the distant silhouette of the World Tree, a storm of thoughts swirling in his mind. Whatever secrets the Endless Forest held, he would uncover them. The competition was more than just about victory—it was another stepping stone on his path to immortality.
And nothing would stand in his way.