157: Chapter 157 Cloud Sea Grand Ceremony, Xuanhuang Fortress

Kunlun Small World continued to operate as usual.

Disciples cultivated, challenged the Trial Tower, sought enlightenment, and occasionally sparred and debated the Dao; their days were peaceful and fulfilling.

By the xuanqing liquid pool behind the Main Peak, that seven-colored crystal lay at the bottom, its light flickering intermittently.

The pool water rippled slightly, vitality circulating, and the phantom within the crystal remained curled up, though it had stretched out somewhat compared to a few months ago, as if slowly waking from a long slumber.

One year later, spring passed and autumn arrived; in the Kunlun Small World, spirit flowers never faded, and Immortal Qi swirled in the air.

On this day, many people arrived outside the Kunlun mountain gate.

Representatives from the Seven Great Factions of the Southern Wasteland had gathered here, with Ancestor Zhou Huaixu at their head.

Behind him followed Daoist Ziyang, Daoist Yunlan, and the others; not a single Tribulation Transcender from the Seven Great Factions was missing—they had all arrived.

During the battle of the sea of blood a year ago, the seven of them had eighty percent of their life essence drained by Venerable Lingyun. Had Jiang Changge not intervened in time, they would likely have perished long ago.

Even so, that great battle had left them severely injured, requiring decades or even centuries of recuperation to recover.

However, due to his connection with Zhou Tianchen, after returning to the Zhouwu Dynasty, Ancestor Zhou Huaixu had Dynasty Lord Zhou Shanhe contact Zhou Tianchen, obtaining a large amount of top-tier Spirit Medicine from Kunlun.

xuanqing liquid and Heaven Rank Medicinal Pills were treasures that outsiders could only dream of.

But to Kunlun, these were trivial matters, mere trifles.

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu recovered extremely quickly, fully healing within half a year, and even experiencing a blessing in disguise as his cultivation showed signs of further advancement.

He sold the surplus Spirit Medicine to the other six factions at high prices, making a massive profit.

Medicine King Valley, Piaomiao Sect, and the other six factions each paid a significant price to obtain a batch of Kunlun-made Spirit Medicine from the Zhouwu Dynasty, and the injuries of their respective Old Ancestors all recovered within the following six months.

The seven of them had come together this time to formally thank the Lord of Kunlun for saving their lives.

However, when they arrived at Kunlun, Elder Qingxuan informed them that the Sect Master was in seclusion and had not yet emerged.

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu stood outside the mountain gate, looking toward the mist-shrouded depths of Kunlun. He was silent for a moment before turning to the other six: "Since the Senior is in seclusion, we shall not disturb him."

Daoist Ziyang nodded slightly: "That is only right."

The seven of them straightened their attire outside the gate, bowed in unison toward the Kunlun mountain gate, their demeanor solemn and respectful.

"Ancestor Zhou Huaixu gives thanks to the Senior for saving our lives."

...

Seven voices echoed before the mountain gate, carrying heartfelt gratitude and reverence.

The clouds and mist within the gate churned for a moment, as if responding to their thanks, before returning to calmness.

The seven straightened up. Just as Ancestor Zhou Huaixu was about to turn and leave, he suddenly remembered something and looked at Elder Qingxuan again, cupping his hands: "Elder Qingxuan, there is one more matter."

Elder Qingxuan nodded slightly: "Please speak, Fellow Daoist Zhou."

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu said: "In another half a year, the Southern Wasteland Cloud Sea Grand Ceremony will begin."

"The Cloud Sea Grand Ceremony is initiated by the Heavenly Dao itself. The location changes each time, and participants must meet the conditions set by the Heavenly Dao. At that time, all factions, large and small, in the Southern Wasteland will participate. Disciples from each faction will compete, and the top five will receive the Xuanhuang Key."

Elder Qingxuan asked with confusion: "Xuanhuang Key?"

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu nodded: "The Xuanhuang Key is the only way to enter the Xuanhuang Fortress."

"The Xuanhuang Fortress is one of the top Secret Realms in the Xuanhuang World, constructed from the Origin of Heaven and Earth. It opens once every thousand years. The five major regions each hold a ceremony, with the Heavenly Dao issuing rewards and determining the top five participants."

"Subsequently, the Prodigies from the five regions gather within the Xuanhuang Fortress to fight for the Xuanhuang Command Flags. The number of flags is limited, and those who obtain one can receive gifts from the Heavenly Dao, leading to countless Opportunities."

After listening, Elder Qingxuan nodded slightly: "I have noted this matter. When the Sect Master emerges from seclusion, I will report it to him."

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu cupped his hands: "Then I will trouble you, Elder."

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu said no more. Together with the other six, he turned and left, the seven figures turning into streams of light and vanishing into the sea of clouds outside the Kunlun mountain gate.

The area before the mountain gate returned to tranquility. Elder Qingxuan stood with his hands behind his back, gazing toward the sea of clouds, lost in thought.

Lu Jinghan stood under an ancient pine inside the mountain gate, having heard every word of Ancestor Zhou Huaixu's speech.

His gaze was deep, as if piercing through time and space, returning to the memories of his past life.

Cloud Sea Grand Ceremony, Xuanhuang Fortress, Xuanhuang Command Flags.

In his past life, he had also participated in the ceremony, though not in the Southern Wasteland, but in the Central Province.

At that time, he was traveling in the Central Province with Xiao Yuan and others and happened to catch the start of the Central Province ceremony.

He and Xiao Yuan joined forces, fighting their way into the top five, placing third and fourth, and obtaining the Xuanhuang Key.

After entering the Xuanhuang Fortress, he witnessed the chaotic battle between the Prodigies of the five regions.

The Command Flags appeared randomly in the fortress, each accompanied by extremely dangerous trials and Opportunities.

Although he failed to obtain a Command Flag, he obtained a fragmented sword technique Legacy in an ancient ruin deep within the fortress. That sword technique accompanied him for thousands of years, until he was Undergoing Tribulation.

Lu Jinghan withdrew his gaze, a flash of sharpness in his eyes.

In this life, he would definitely be able to enter the Xuanhuang Fortress again, obtain a Command Flag, and receive that gift from the Heavenly Dao.

He turned and walked toward the Trial Tower.

There was half a year left, enough for him to make another Breakthrough in his Realm.

The news of the Cloud Sea Grand Ceremony was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples among the Kunlun Disciples.

Within just a few days, almost everyone knew about the grand event that would be held in the Southern Wasteland in half a year.

Heavenly Dao decree, gathering of the five regions, Xuanhuang Key, Xuanhuang Command Flags—every term made the young Disciples' hearts surge with excitement.

Although most knew clearly that with their strength, let alone the top five, they might not even make it onto the ranking list, the words "Heavenly Dao reward" were enough to ignite fighting spirit in anyone.

"Even if I can't get into the top five, just making the list would be good! A Heavenly Dao reward, even if it's just a wisp of Heavenly Dao Qi, would be enough for me to digest for years," one Disciple said to his companion while regulating his breath.

"Who says otherwise? I heard that in the last Cloud Sea Grand Ceremony, all one hundred Disciples on the list received gifts from the Heavenly Dao, and even the worst ones made a Breakthrough in a small Realm." The companion's eyes were full of longing.

"Stop dreaming. Let's just pass the fortieth level of the Trial Tower first. If you can't even pass the fortieth level, you'll just be embarrassing yourself if you go up there."

Similar conversations were playing out in every corner of the Kunlun Small World.

No one slacked off, because everyone knew clearly that Kunlun had given them the best resources, the best Cultivation Technique, and the best environment. If they still couldn't produce results under such conditions, they could only blame themselves for not working hard enough.

On this day, many people gathered on the Trial Plaza.

On the bluestone-paved plaza, dozens of Disciples were whispering, their gazes simultaneously cast toward the figure in the center of the plaza.

Lu Jinghan stood as straight as a pine, his aura restrained like an abyss, impossible to gauge.

Not far from him, Ao Qin was loosening his wrists, his golden brocade robe particularly eye-catching in the morning light.

His aura was more stable and refined than it had been half a year ago, with golden dragon-shaped Qi circulating around him, showcasing the domineering power and majesty unique to the East Sea Dragon Clan.