332: Chapter 332: The Conference Begins

Three months later.

The Northern Border, Supreme Dao Palace.

Outside the mountain gate, a massive crowd surged like a tide.

Cultivators arriving from all over formed a long, winding queue that stretched for miles, with no end in sight.

There were Sword Cultivators arriving on flying swords, descendants of prominent families riding Spirit Beasts, Loose Cultivators who had traveled on foot, and Sect Disciples escorted by their Elders.

Their cultivation levels varied, ranging from the Foundation Establishment Stage to the Soul Transformation Stage.

Their ages were even more varied, with teenagers in their youth as well as Elders nearly a hundred years old.

Every face bore a different expression—nervousness, anticipation, excitement, and anxiety.

But they all shared a common goal: to participate in the Immortal Ascension Assembly and change their destiny.

In front of the mountain gate of the Supreme Dao Palace, a hundred-zhang-tall stone statue stood on the left and right.

On the left was the Ancestral Founder, holding a long sword and gazing into the distance.

On the right was the second-generation Sect Head, wearing a Daoist robe with a compassionate expression.

Having weathered ten thousand years of wind and rain, the two stone statues remained towering and immovable, radiating an invisible pressure that inspired awe in everyone who passed through the mountain gate.

Above the mountain gate, a golden barrier of light flowed endlessly.

That was the outer manifestation of the Supreme Dao Palace's grand Mountain-Protecting Array, which was said to be capable of withstanding a full-force blow from a Body Integration Stage Cultivator.

Ordinary Cultivators who saw this light barrier would be left breathless by its majestic power.

But today, the barrier did not seal the mountain gate; instead, it stood wide open, as if welcoming all visitors.

Today was the official registration day for the Immortal Ascension Assembly.

At the Supreme Dao Palace, on the Viewing Platform.

The Sect Heads and Elders of the various Sects of the Righteous Path had already taken their seats, sitting on both sides according to their status.

The Viewing Platform was located directly above the square, ten zhang higher than the ground, offering an excellent view to overlook the entire square.

The Viewing Platform was paved with white jade stone slabs, each polished as smooth as a mirror.

In the center of the platform was a long red sandalwood table, laden with spiritual tea and spiritual fruits, with a row of grand armchairs on each side.

The Former Palace Master of the Supreme Dao Palace, Daoist Master Qingxu, sat in the very center. His face was lean and elegant, with a three-bearded beard hanging down his chest, and Daoist charm flowed all around him.

He wore a white Daoist robe embroidered with the pattern of a Taiji diagram.

Although he had already announced his abdication and passed the position of Palace Master to Li Changsheng.

On an occasion like today, he still sat in the seat of honor.

Next to him sat Shangguan Yunhe, the head of the Shangguan Family.

Dressed in a green robe, he possessed an elegant temperament, a refined face, slender eyebrows, and a faint smile lingering on his lips.

Next to him was Sect Master Wuxin of the Sword Sect. Clad in snow-white clothes with a sword hanging at his waist, his expression was cold, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, making him look like an unsheathed sharp sword.

Behind him stood several Disciples, each radiating a sharp aura.

Behind the three of them were the Sect Heads and Elders of other smaller forces.

Qian Wanguan, the Pavilion Master of the Wanbao Pavilion, was also among them, with a round figure, a smiling expression, and two walnuts rolling in his hands.

Moon Fairy, the Cult Leader of the Xuan Sect, sat in a corner, dressed in a green robe and wearing a green veil that revealed only her cold eyes.

On the Viewing Platform, there were also a few empty seats.

Those were reserved for "special guests."

No one knew who those empty seats were for, but everyone knew that anyone for whom the Supreme Dao Palace would reserve seats was definitely no ordinary figure.

On the square, the crowd suddenly fell silent.

A white figure descended from the sky, landing at the very front of the Viewing Platform.

Li Changsheng. Today, he had changed into a brand-new white Daoist robe with golden cloud patterns embroidered on the hem, a white jade belt tied around his waist, a handsome face, and an extraordinary bearing.

Behind him followed Ling Jianxin, Su Qinghan, Jian Wuchen, and other Core Disciples of the Supreme Dao Palace.

He walked to the front of the Viewing Platform and turned to face the square.

"Everyone," Li Changsheng spoke. His voice was not loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.

"Welcome to the Supreme Dao Palace."

"His gaze swept across the dense crowd in the square, pausing for a brief moment.

"Today is the official registration day for the Immortal Ascension Assembly. I am deeply honored that you have traveled thousands of miles to participate."

"There are Sect Disciples, descendants of prominent families, Loose Cultivators, and Wandering Cultivators."

"No matter where you come from, no matter how high or low your cultivation is, and no matter what your background is, as long as you have a heart that seeks the Dao, the gates of the Supreme Dao Palace will be open to you."

A burst of chatter erupted from the crowd.

"Is that Alliance Leader Li? He's even younger than the rumors say!"

"I heard he obtained a Mahayana Stage Legacy and is already in the Mahayana Stage!"

"That can't be right? He doesn't look like it..."

Li Changsheng ignored the chatter and continued.

"This year's Immortal Ascension Assembly will consist of three trials."

"The first trial is the Spiritual Root test, which evaluates bone age, cultivation level, talent, and Spiritual Root quality. The second trial is a practical combat competition, a series of duels where the winner advances. The third trial is a Heart-Nature test, assessing your Dao Heart through an illusion."

"Those who pass all three trials will be admitted into the Sects of the Righteous Path."

"Those with outstanding results will receive higher-level cultivation resources." He paused, then added, "Furthermore, the overall champion of this Immortal Ascension Assembly will receive any Heaven Rank Cultivation Technique from the Supreme Dao Palace's Scripture Pavilion, in addition to a Heaven Rank Magic Treasure. The top ten will also be heavily rewarded."

As soon as these words were spoken, the square boiled with excitement once again.

A Heaven Rank Cultivation Technique? A Heaven Rank Magic Treasure?

For most Cultivators, those were almost completely out of reach.

Li Changsheng raised his hand, signaling for silence.

"Today's affairs will be hosted by the External Affairs Elder of the Supreme Dao Palace."

"I hereby wish you all the best of luck in making the honors list."

After speaking, he turned and walked back to the Viewing Platform, sitting down next to the seat of honor.

Daoist Master Qingxu glanced at him and said in a low voice, "You spoke well just now."

Li Changsheng nodded: "You flatter me, Junior Martial Uncle."

On the square, Elder Zhou, the External Affairs Elder, had already stepped forward to the front stage, holding a fly-whisk and clearing his throat.

"Everyone, I am the External Affairs Elder of the Supreme Dao Palace, surnamed Zhou."

"Today, I am responsible for hosting the registration for the Immortal Ascension Assembly. Anyone under a hundred years old and with a cultivation level at or above the Foundation Establishment Stage is eligible to register."

"Now, begin queuing up to register."

The queue began to move.

Zhou Han stood in the crowd, gazing at the white figure on the Viewing Platform from afar.

Elder Qingyang's voice echoed in his mind.

"Is that Li Changsheng? The Alliance Leader of the Righteous Path?"

Zhou Han nodded in his heart: "Yes, Senior."

Elder Qingyang fell silent for a moment.

"He is not simple. This kid is young, but there is an... indescribable temperament about him."

Zhou Han: "Does Senior know him?"

Elder Qingyang: "I do not, but he gives me the feeling of a great figure from my era."

Zhou Han did not ask any further.

He couldn't say why either, but looking at Li Changsheng, he felt an indescribable feeling in his heart.

It was a very subtle feeling, like a premonition of being chosen by destiny.

He didn't know where this feeling came from, but he remembered it.

The queue moved forward slowly.

It stretched all the way from the mountain gate to the foot of the mountain, winding like a long serpent.

Zhou Han stood in the queue. Around him were all kinds of Cultivators; some were conversing in low voices, some were looking around, and others were resting with their eyes closed.

He took a deep breath, smelling the scent of sweat and dust mixed with the aroma of vegetation.

"Next!" shouted the Disciple responsible for registration, his tone carrying a hint of impatience.

Zhou Han stepped forward. "Name?"

"Zhou Han."

"Background?"

"Loose Cultivator."

"Cultivation level?"

"Foundation Establishment Great Perfection."

"Family background?"

"None."

The Disciple looked up at him, sizing him up for a moment. "Foundation Establishment Great Perfection? Do you know what the minimum threshold for this conference is?"

Zhou Han was taken aback. "It wasn't written on the announcement..."

"The announcement says we do not ask about background or origin, but it didn't say we don't ask about cultivation level."

The Disciple sighed.

"You're just at the Foundation Establishment Great Perfection, not even at the Golden Core Stage yet. Why are you here to join the fuss? The first trial is a spiritual power test, and you won't even be able to activate the Testing Stone."

Zhou Han's face burned slightly. He opened his mouth to say something, but didn't know what to say.

A sneer came from behind him as a young man in a brocade robe stepped forward. "Move aside, move aside. A mere Foundation Establishment Cultivator dares to register? What a waste of everyone's time."