This heavenly proclamation was transmitted directly from the Eternal Heavenly Dao. The three great worlds jointly opened this Chaos Heavenly Ladder. Without a doubt, no one could know in advance what exactly would unfold—the outcome was veiled in the unknown. This battle was no longer confined to the internal matters of each world; it concerned the dignity and face of all three. Whoever emerged victorious would carry a glory lasting a lifetime.
More than that, the war touched the future itself. Heaven's Chosen represented a world's foundation, the very pillars of its destiny. Should too many of them fall, their realm would face decline for millennia, leaving no successors to carry the torch.
The impact on the future balance of power, even on strategic direction, would be monumental. This was a wager of fate among the three worlds.
How could such a matter be taken lightly?
The fact that the Heavenly Dao itself manifested was proof enough of its importance.
The words of the Eternal Heavenly Dao resounded to all races across the Eternal World. Likewise, in Yongye and the Nightmare World, their respective Heavenly Daos delivered the same call—a final mobilization of their Heaven's Chosen, stressing the stakes of what lay ahead.
"In this Chaos Heavenly Ladder, you may plunder the fate of enemies. Slay a rival Heaven's Chosen, and their fate becomes yours. The more fate you seize, the greater your chances of grasping destiny. May my Eternal Heaven's Chosen shine forever like the blazing sun, their light never extinguished."
Another proclamation shook heaven and earth, enveloping all.
Every being carried fate, but Heaven's Chosen bore far more than the common man. Their extraordinary gifts and countless opportunities flowed from this abundance of fate. It shielded them from disaster, turned calamities into fortune, and guided them through deadly trials. The more robust one's fate, the greater the chance of surviving this Heavenly Ladder Battle—and reaping its boons.
Countless Heaven's Chosen felt their eyes blaze with fervor.
This was not merely permission but an encouragement to kill. It was a call to clash with the Heaven's Chosen of Yongye, even to fight to the death.
Cowards spoke of cherishing life. But when the prize was immense enough, what was life worth? To gamble everything was to open the door to a different tomorrow.
"Those Eternal Heaven's Chosen who would join the battle—step through the Heavenly Gate, ascend the Heavenly Road, and enter Buzhou!"
With the final decree, boundless pressure surged across the void. Heavenly might descended.
In the sky appeared a colossal Heavenly Gate. On it flickered endless images—Immortals, Buddhas, gods, demons, spirits, ghosts, men—ever-changing, embodying the countless races of heaven and earth. With but a glance, one felt their own insignificance, the majesty of Heavenly Dao crushing all thoughts of defiance.
And instinctively, each Heaven's Chosen knew: even if the Heavenly Gate lay across the horizon, at the merest call of their heart, it would project itself before them. Step through, and they would arrive directly at Buzhou Mountain. But once they entered, there was no leaving except by their own strength and luck.
Shua! Shua! Shua!
As the gate manifested, its projections fell upon every domain. One after another, Heaven's Chosen wasted no time—they stepped inside without hesitation. For the Eternal, for destiny itself, they were willing to stake their lives.
Those who went knew well: if they did not return, they would not return at all.
The moment each one entered, their figure lit up the sky, reflected across eternity—names forever carved into the annals of the Eternal World.
"Stone Emperor of the Holy Spirit Clan!!"
A towering, domineering figure shrouded in holy aura strode forth, radiance blazing for thousands of miles.
"Linglong Celestial Maiden of the Immortal Spirit Clan!!"
A supreme beauty descended in a cascade of divine light, seven-treasure jade ruyi in hand, rainbow silks trailing, exuding such transcendent sanctity that none dared harbor even a speck of blasphemy.
"Death Son of the Reaper Clan!!"
"Crown Prince of the Sacred Dragons!!"
"Undying Battle King, Heaven's Favored of Humanity!!"
"Tong Yi of the Three-Eyed God Clan!!"
…
One after another, figures soared into the heavens, entering the gate, ascending the Heavenly Ladder, marching toward Buzhou to meet the challenge of Yongye and Nightmare.
Every Heaven's Chosen radiated boundless might. Their cultivation realms were staggering—none beneath True Spirit Realm, with most at Dao Platform Realm, brushing the threshold of Proving Dao. Though realm alone meant little, each one possessed the foundation to fight above their level.
Their sharpness and indomitable spirit surged like blades unsheathed. Whoever stepped forth did so with the resolve of life and death—succeed or die trying. Those lacking such courage had already withdrawn before this day.
Indeed, many Heaven's Chosen had abandoned the trial beforehand. To knowingly walk into ninety percent odds of death seemed sheer folly. Better, they reasoned, to live and one day prove Dao through talent alone.
Still, countless races urged their own Heaven's Chosen forward.
"So many Heaven's Chosen! Every race has sent theirs forth. Even the weakest tribes dare not abstain. This is a battle staked on the fate and honor of entire peoples. To fall is glory, but to cower is disgrace for generations."
"My Holy Spirit Clan shall trample demon corpses, prove Hunyuan, and achieve Immortal Spirithood! The Stone Emperor is a once-in-an-era genius—who can oppose him once he seizes destiny?"
"Bah! When it comes to geniuses, who can compare to my Three-Eyed Clan's First God Child, Tong Yi? He wields the supreme Time-Space Divine Eyes—time and space themselves are the loftiest of laws! With both merged, none can match him. Under his gaze, the cosmos bends. In this battle, he alone will reign as blazing sun, eternal across the stars!"
On the Star Network, races extolled their champions endlessly, brimming with confidence—even when they knew their geniuses might not stand out. To admit weakness was unthinkable. Better to lose the fight than the tongue.
Great Yi, Xuanhuang Immortal City.
Within the Immortal Palace, the princes and princesses had readied themselves. Yi Xianhuang stood at the fore, Yi Ziyang and the others behind, their auras deep and volatile, like volcanoes on the verge of eruption.
Yi Tianxing and Cai Yan stood quietly with the other consorts, gazing at their children.
The concern in the women's eyes could not be concealed, least of all from the mothers of the emperor's children. The trial was too perilous—a nine-deaths-one-life ordeal.
As heirs of Great Yi, the princes and princesses bore no advantage; instead, they would become prime targets for Yongye's Heaven's Chosen, hunted all the harder. Their path would be harsh beyond imagining.
Yi Tianxing scanned his children, silent for a moment, then said:
"The Heavenly Gate has opened. The Chaos Heavenly Ladder begins. You know well its danger—nine deaths for one life. I cannot promise you will return. You each have your hidden cards—but so does every Heaven's Chosen. Against Yongye, against Nightmare, survival will depend on your strength. If you wish to withdraw, this is your last chance. None would laugh, none would reproach."
"You are grown. Adults, even parents yourselves. Life will give you countless choices. Each must be made with care. But once you choose, then crawl if you must, but see it through. Withdraw, or go on—the choice is yours."
He loved them equally, without distinction. But their lives were theirs to choose. He could not decide for them.
This time, amidst all the upheaval, Yi Tianxing gave them one last chance to turn back.
"Father Emperor, your daughter has decided. I will go. We of Great Yi have no princes or princesses who fear death!" Yi Xianhuang declared firmly.
"Indeed. Be at ease, Father. We shall win renown for Great Yi, glory for humanity," Yi Ziyang added.
One by one, the royal children spoke with unwavering resolve. Their hearts were set.
"Good. Then bow to your mothers, give thanks, and bid farewell."
Yi Tianxing turned his back and gazed into the void.
Hearing this, the children's faces softened. They turned toward Cai Yan and the others, kneeling in solemn obeisance.
It was gratitude for their mothers' love—and an apology for the grief they might yet cause. Should they fall, it would be a sorrow no parent should bear.
"Xianhuang, care for your siblings. I will await your triumphant return. All of you—return safe. Not one must be missing," Cai Yan urged, her eyes glistening.
"Great Yi… to battle!!"
"Tread the Heavenly Ladder—decide life and death!!"
Yi Xianhuang did not answer. She lifted her gaze to the heavens and cried out.
At once, a colossal Heavenly Gate projected above Great Yi.
Leading the way, Yi Xianhuang stepped forth, her figure radiant, and in the void resounded the cry of a phoenix.