The sky above the Central Continent burned with dawn's golden light as thousands of young cultivators stood before a colossal floating bridge that shimmered in the heavens. The air itself seemed alive with spiritual energy — pure, dense, and overwhelming.
The ancient elders called it Heaven's Bridge, the third and most dangerous trial in the Gathering of Lower Realm Geniuses. It spanned thousands of meters across the sea of clouds, glowing with runes inscribed by ancient sovereigns. Each step contained divine will and crushing pressure — only those acknowledged by Heaven could ascend it.
At the forefront of the Eastern Continent's delegation stood Lin Feng, his long robe fluttering in the wind, sword at his waist, and calm confidence in his eyes. Behind him were the elite of the Sword Sovereign Sect, including Li Yuexin, who watched him with quiet determination.
Around them, four other delegations gathered.
The Western Continent marched under a banner of fire-red silk, led by the familiar figure of Qin Xiao, his arrogance undimmed.
The Northern Continent's ranks were cold and disciplined, commanded by the spear-wielding prodigy Bai Shen, whose aura exuded freezing stillness.
The Southern Continent's warriors stood beside their fiery-haired spear-maiden, Ru Yin, her beauty as fierce as her killing intent.
And at the very center, the Central Continent, birthplace of many legends, stood the silent and mysterious Lei Tian, a youth whose very presence caused thunder to ripple faintly through the clouds.
An elder from the Higher Realm, draped in gold and holding a divine scroll, floated before the bridge.
> "Heaven's Bridge opens once every five hundred years," he intoned. "Climb if you dare. Each step bears the will of an ancient sovereign. Only those acknowledged by Heaven may proceed. The rest shall fall into the void."
A deep hum resounded through the heavens as radiant glyphs bloomed across the bridge's surface.
"Go!"
Thousands of cultivators surged forward.
The moment Lin Feng stepped onto the first step, immense pressure crashed down. It was like the heavens themselves sought to crush his existence. The air burned with divine energy, and countless weaker cultivators coughed blood before even reaching the tenth step.
Lin Feng's body trembled briefly, then steadied. His dragon bloodline pulsed in response, the roar of a distant beast echoing faintly through the sky.
"Too weak," he murmured, stepping again.
By the twentieth step, the weaker disciples of the Eastern Continent began to falter. Lin Feng turned back briefly.
"Hold your cores steady! Don't resist the will—flow with it!"
His voice carried authority; his aura stabilized those behind him.
From above, Qin Xiao sneered.
"Still playing leader, Lin Feng? This trial isn't for trash continents like yours."
He deliberately kicked a wounded Eastern disciple down the steps.
Before anyone could react, Lin Feng's figure blurred.
A streak of azure light flashed — and Qin Xiao was blasted three steps backward, coughing blood.
"You talk too much," Lin Feng said coldly, sword still humming with killing intent.
Murmurs spread through the onlookers.
"He forced Qin Xiao back!"
"Impossible — that's the number three genius of the Western Continent!"
But Lin Feng didn't care for their astonishment. His focus remained on the path ahead.
The further they climbed, the heavier the pressure became. At the fortieth step, Bai Shen appeared, spear in hand, his gaze like cold steel.
"I've heard of your exploits, Lin Feng. But this bridge is no place for arrogance."
His spear moved, and instantly, the temperature plummeted. Frost spread across the bridge, and time itself seemed to slow.
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed.
"An Ice Law Domain… impressive."
His sword flared — azure flames coiled around it, merging with a faint golden hue.
Dragon Domain – First Manifestation!
The air erupted with a dragon's roar as ethereal dragon shadows surged behind him, shattering the ice and forcing Bai Shen back several meters.
The onlookers gasped.
"He can resist Heaven's suppression with his domain!"
"That's supposed to be impossible at his realm!"
Step by step, Lin Feng climbed higher.
By the sixtieth step, Ru Yin awaited him, her crimson spear blazing with pure fire qi.
"Lin Feng," she said, her voice steady but proud, "show me if the Eastern Continent truly has changed."
He smiled faintly.
"I'll show you more than that."
Their weapons clashed — flame against azure wind.
Azure Sword Art – Sixth Stance: Sky Rending Blade!
The air split open as her spear created waves of molten fire. Both attacks met in a thunderous explosion.
When the smoke cleared, Ru Yin was on one knee, sweat beading her brow. Lin Feng stood firm, his blade buried in the stone.
"You're strong," he said respectfully. "But not my enemy."
Ru Yin smiled faintly. "Eastern Continent… has finally birthed a monster."
And then — silence fell.
Only two figures still climbed: Lin Feng and Lei Tian.
Each step they took made the bridge quake.
Thunder rumbled overhead as Lei Tian's aura surged. Lightning wrapped his entire body, forming a mantle of divine power.
"Lin Feng of the East," he said, his voice calm yet proud. "You've done well to reach this far. But here, Heaven chooses who stands above."
"Then let Heaven choose," Lin Feng replied, drawing his sword.
Lightning flashed — Lei Tian struck first.
Heaven's Thunder Law – Judgement Blade!
A pillar of divine thunder fell, splitting the sky apart.
Lin Feng roared, activating all four intents — Sword, Battle, Dragon, and Slaughter. They converged, swirling around him like a storm.
"Azure Sword Art – Seventh Stance…"
His voice echoed across the heavens.
"Heaven-Slaying Dragon!"
A colossal dragon of crimson and blue energy burst forth, its roar shaking the heavens. The dragon's claws met the thunder blade head-on.
BOOM!
The explosion tore through the clouds; the bridge itself trembled violently. Lightning shattered, and Lei Tian was hurled backward, barely catching the 69th step, his robe in tatters.
Lin Feng, panting but unbroken, ascended to the 75th step.
The divine runes of the bridge ignited, and a pillar of golden light enveloped him.
Words appeared above his head — "Heaven-Tier Genius."
The crowd below erupted.
"The Eastern Continent… they've done it!"
"After a thousand years, they've produced a Heaven-Tier genius again!"
High above, the Higher Realm elders exchanged silent looks.
"That boy…" one murmured. "His potential surpasses the mortal plane."
As the light faded, Lin Feng stood at the peak, his robe fluttering in the wind, his gaze steady and resolute.
At last, the Eastern Continent had risen.