"Everything depends on Master," Ying Huanhuan said softly, her face tinged with a rosy blush.
Though she and Ye Feng hadn't made their relationship public, the signs were clear to anyone with eyes. They held hands often, exchanged subtle touches, and shared quiet moments—far too intimate for a normal master-disciple bond.
The others understood. There was no need for words.
Meanwhile, far from Linjia Mountain, the Far Battlefield—an ancient, fractured realm born from the war between the Talisman Ancestor and the alien demons—echoed with fading chaos. This land, a scar of a world once shattered by divine power, was now the proving ground for the strongest youths of the Eastern Xuan Region.
Vast and wild, the ancient battlefield was more than ten times larger than any mid-tier dynasty. It was filled with countless legacies, deadly traps, and scattered fragments of ancient power. Each time it opened, some would rise to fame—while most would fall, becoming fertilizer for the ruins.
Dong!
A bell rang out atop Baichao Mountain, piercing the heavens.
The clouds on the peak dispersed, revealing a brilliant sun hovering overhead. A solemn voice followed the chime.
"The White Moon has risen. Those who possess the Heavenly Nirvana Seal—ascend the mountain immediately."
The Hundred Dynasties War was over.
"We finally made it to the end," Lin Dong said with a sigh.
"Yes," Lin Langtian replied, glancing at his fellow disciples. "This battlefield is ruthless. Only the strong survive. But we've gained much. I'm sure none of us will ever forget this experience."
Before joining the war, many of them had been limited by their worldviews. Now, they had seen the vastness of the Eastern Xuan Region—the endless opportunities and countless threats. It was a humbling and exhilarating realization.
"It's moments like these that make life worth living," Wu Yun grinned.
He had entered as the weakest among them, still in the Tianyuan Realm. But now, he had broken into the Nirvana Realm—a transformation that once seemed impossible. He might still be the weakest of the group, but he was no longer the same.
"Let's go. Time to ascend," Lin Dong said.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Suddenly, sharp winds cut through the air.
Several figures leapt out from hiding, trying to steal the Nirvana Seals from others in a last desperate attempt to gain entry to Baichao Mountain. Only those with the Heavenly Nirvana Seal were qualified to ascend.
"Courting death!"
Chi Hao's eyes turned cold. His massive axe cleaved through the air, splitting a man clean in half, then cutting down another who tried to ambush him from behind. The savage power of his strikes sent a wave of fear through the onlookers.
After that display, no one dared challenge him again.
Baichao Mountain was steep, reaching straight into the clouds. There were no stairs, no path—only the void. To ascend, one needed the ability to walk on air. This final climb was another test, one that weeded out the unworthy.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Martial light streaked upward as the strongest participants soared toward the summit. Only those who had survived at least three Nirvana Tribulations could withstand the pressure at the peak.
The top of the mountain was unexpectedly flat—a vast square of ancient bluestone. Above it floated rows of light-formed thrones, each one occupied by a figure exuding overwhelming pressure. They sat lazily, half their eyes closed, their mere presence radiating awe.
"Super sects…" someone whispered with reverence.
These were the true overlords of the Eastern Xuan Region. Each of the seated figures represented one of the eight great sects—forces that ruled the region from the shadows.
Among them was a man in a flowing white robe. On his chest, the symbol of a black sun shifted with alternating patterns of yin and yang.
He looked young, sturdy, and sharp like a forged blade.
As Lin Dong and the others landed, the man rose from his throne, descending through the air with ease. He stopped before the group, smiling warmly.
"Big Brother. Fellow disciples. You're finally here."
"Brother?" Lin Langtian raised a brow, eyes narrowing. "You're wearing Yuan Sect robes… don't tell me you…"
The young man laughed. "Yes. I've taken over Yuanmen. The three former masters are now my protectors. Thanks to Master's help, I crushed Yunmen without giving them a chance to retaliate. Yuanmen had no choice but to submit."
This was Wang Yan.
He hadn't destroyed Yuanmen. Instead, he had claimed it, reformed it, and now ruled it with absolute authority.
"I didn't slaughter them. But I did tear their pride apart. The three Reincarnation Realm elders? I defeated them three times each with the weapon Master gave me. After that, they had no choice but to yield."
Whispers spread among the younger elites. Wang Yan's actions had already become legendary—one man and one blade, tearing through the once-dominant Yuan Sect like a storm.
To drive his point further, Wang Yan had demoted every elder who opposed him, placing them beneath their former juniors. Whether it was revenge or poetic irony, no one dared to challenge him now.
His feat shook the entire Eastern Xuan Region.
Now, standing at the top of Baichao Mountain, Wang Yan faced his brothers and extended an invitation. "You've all climbed to the summit. Why not join me? Let's rebuild Yuanmen together."
The eight super sects of Dongxuan Territory were: Yuanmen, Jiutian Taiqing Palace, Fugu, Shenzong, Honghuang Palace, Jianzong, Daozong, and Wanguimen.
Wang Yan's offer caused a stir. The other sects' representatives remained silent—none dared interrupt. Not after what he had done to Yuanmen.
Buzz!
Suddenly, space rippled.
A rift opened, and from within stepped Ye Feng, followed by Lin Qingtan, Ling Qingzhu, and Ying Huanhuan.
"Meet the Young Palace Master!" a graceful woman in white rose from one of the chairs and bowed respectfully to Ling Qingzhu.
Wang Yan, Lin Dong, Lin Langtian, and the others bowed deeply toward Ye Feng.
"Master!"
Ye Feng glanced at them. "Wang Yan has invited you to join Yuanmen. You're all free to choose. Whether it's Yuanmen or any of the other seven sects, I won't interfere. You are my disciples, but your path is your own."
Lin Dong stepped forward first.
"Master, I joined the Hundred Dynasties War for the challenge—not to join another sect. My sword belongs to myself."
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