Chapter 746 – "The Serpent's Debut"
The morning sun poured across the arena grounds, its light catching on the polished tiles and the towering banners of each sect. The air was already thick with noise — cheers, shouts, and the distant clamor of weapons striking in the early bouts.
From the Heavenly Sect's entrance tunnel, Alex walked out with Yu Mei, Fei Xue, Ling Hua, Mei Lian, Ru Yan, Shui Yun, Yan Zhi, and Jin Rou. The crowd's murmur swelled instantly, the white-and-gold robes of the Western Continent's champions unmistakable even from a distance.
Around Jin Rou's neck, the pale serpent shifted. Its smooth coils were warm against her skin, but the faint, thrumming pulse that came through their bond wasn't from comfort — it was from anticipation.
It wants to fight.
The realization came to her in a rush. She didn't hear words, but the intent was crystal clear through the thread linking them: the serpent's desire to prove itself before her eyes, to show not just loyalty, but strength worthy of being her chosen guardian.
Jin Rou lifted her hand, stroking the serpent's head. Its tongue flicked once, eyes gleaming like chips of polished ivory. She could feel its eagerness pressing against her thoughts.
She slowed her pace slightly until she was beside Alex. "It wants to fight," she said quietly, glancing at him. "It wants to show me what it can do… to gain more of my acceptance."
Alex's eyes moved to the serpent. For a moment, the two seemed to simply regard each other — man and beast, linked by more than appearances. He could feel its cultivation, the coiled force waiting to be unleashed.
He looked back to Jin Rou. "Do you want to see its power?"
Her lips curved into a faint smile. "I do. I want to know exactly what kind of servant I've been given."
Alex nodded once. "Alright."
The answer was simple, but in his tone there was the quiet weight of permission — not just to fight, but to hold nothing back.
The serpent's body tensed slightly against her neck, as if it had understood every word. Its coils loosened enough to shift, its head rising, tongue flicking in the air toward the arena.
They reached the edge of the waiting area, the sunlight spilling across the wide ring. The head judge was already calling for the fighters to take their places. Across the stage, the Immortal Flame Pavilion's formation was ready, flames flickering faintly along the tips of their weapons.
Yu Mei glanced at Jin Rou's serpent, then at Alex. "You're really letting it fight?"
Alex's smirk was faint but sure. "Level 9 power, absolute loyalty, and a will to prove itself… Let's see how quickly it ends this."
The sisters exchanged knowing glances. Even without knowing the full extent of the serpent's abilities, they suspected this match wouldn't last long.
Jin Rou reached up, letting her fingers trail along the serpent's smooth scales one last time before lifting it from her neck. It coiled lightly around her arm, its body warm and taut, then slid to the ground with a fluid motion.
The pale serpent's head rose high, unblinking eyes fixed on the enemy team across the stage. Its tongue flicked once more — and the aura that rolled off it was sharp enough to make the Immortal Flame Pavilion's front line falter for just a heartbeat.
In the stands, murmurs rose quickly.
"Is that a… guardian beast?"
"Whose is it?"
"I can feel its pressure from here…"
The judge's gaze shifted between Alex, Jin Rou, and the serpent, his brows lifting slightly. "Will it be fighting in your place?"
Alex's voice was calm. "No. It'll be fighting alongside me."
The judge hesitated only briefly before nodding. "Very well. All combatants — prepare."
Jin Rou folded her arms, her smile small but filled with anticipation. Show me, she thought down the link, and the serpent's body tightened with purpose.
When the signal came, the serpent would have its chance to show both master and crowd exactly why it was born from Alex's essence.
The judge's gaze lingered on the serpent for a few seconds longer before he turned his attention to Jin Rou. "That beast… is it yours?"
Jin Rou inclined her head with calm certainty. "Yes. I am a beast tamer. This serpent is my contracted guardian. It is part of me as much as my own limbs are. And there's nothing in the tournament rules against a beast fighting alongside its master."
The judge hesitated, brows knitting. "We've had no such precedent in this round."
Her eyes didn't waver. "Savage Fang Hall uses their warbeasts openly in competition. Their last bout had two dire wolves on the field. If their beasts are allowed, then mine is as well."
That point hit its mark. The judge's shoulders eased slightly as the murmurs in the stands swelled. People were already recalling Savage Fang Hall's earlier matches — the snarling fanged maws, the clawed beasts tearing through opponents without challenge.
In the Northern Continent's section, Savage Fang Hall's elders gave faint nods of agreement, one of them even smirking at the recognition.
"Very well," the judge said at last, his voice carrying across the arena. "Your beast may participate. It will be considered part of your team and subject to the same elimination rules."
The serpent's head lifted higher, as though it understood the decision. Its coils flexed, muscles rippling just beneath smooth pale scales, a faint sheen glinting in the sunlight.
Across the stage, the Immortal Flame Pavilion's fighters were exchanging uneasy glances. The frontliner with the crimson scarf narrowed his eyes at the creature, his voice low to his teammates. "That's no ordinary beast… be ready for it."
In the waiting area, Fei Xue's lips curved faintly. "They should be more than just ready."
Yu Mei smirked. "They should be praying."
Jin Rou reached down, letting her fingers rest gently on the serpent's head. Through the bond, she felt its coiled tension — not from fear, but from barely contained eagerness.
Show me what you're capable of, she thought. The serpent's tongue flicked once, tasting the air, before its unblinking eyes locked on the enemy formation.
The judge raised his arm. "All combatants, prepare to begin!"
The moment the judge's arm fell, the pale serpent uncoiled from Jin Rou's neck and slid to the arena floor. Its movement was soundless, fluid, like a ribbon of living light gliding over the polished tiles.
The Immortal Flame Pavilion fighters barely had time to spread into their formation before the serpent struck.
Its eyes flared with cold light. In an instant, arcs of lightning burst from its scales, leaping between all nine opponents in a chain of blinding white. The crackling bolts didn't just shock — they seized muscles, locking limbs mid-motion, cutting off chants and weapon swings before they could begin.
Before the first wave had even faded, a sudden burst of frost followed. Shards of ice exploded outward from the serpent's body, glittering like jagged crystals. Where they struck, flame auras guttered and died, limbs stiffened, armor turned brittle enough to crack at a touch.
The serpent didn't need to move closer — its mastery of space bent the battlefield around it. With a flick of its head, the air shimmered, and two Immortal Flame cultivators found themselves suddenly hurled across the stage as though invisible hands had plucked them from the ground. Another blinked and realized the distance between them and their teammates had stretched impossibly far, cutting them off from any hope of support.
Then came the wind. A single whip of the serpent's tail sent a slicing gale screaming through the arena, strong enough to scatter embers like dead leaves and knock weapons from trembling hands. The gusts circled back on themselves, corralling the Pavilion fighters into a tight, chaotic knot.
Jin Rou stood at the edge of the stage, arms folded, watching with a calm that only deepened with each passing second. Through their link, she felt the serpent's ease — how none of this effort taxed it in the slightest.
One tried to leap free of the serpent's range. Space folded again, and they were slammed back into the center of the ring, a fresh coil of lightning waiting to greet them.
Another swung a staff wreathed in flame, only for a shard of ice to lance through the weapon's haft, shattering it in their grip.
In less than half a minute, all nine Immortal Flame Pavilion fighters were sprawled across the arena floor — weapons frozen, armor cracked, muscles twitching with the last echoes of electricity. None had been maimed, but every single one was utterly incapable of standing.
The serpent returned to Jin Rou's side without a drop of blood on its scales. It coiled loosely around her arm again, head lifting to meet her gaze. Through their bond, she felt its wordless pride.
Her lips curved in a rare, approving smile. Well done.
The judge's voice, slightly stunned, rang out over the crowd:
"Victory — Heavenly Sect!"
The stands erupted into a roar, though more than a few voices were tinged with disbelief at how quickly the match had ended.
Alex, standing beside her, gave a faint smirk. "Looks like your servant's already made its reputation."
Jin Rou glanced at him, one hand stroking the serpent's head. "It's only the beginning."
Chapter 747 – "A Shock Across the Stands"
The thunder of the crowd didn't fade — it surged. What had begun as cheers for the Heavenly Sect's victory swelled into an uproar, every voice straining to be heard over the others.
Some were roaring in triumph. Others were simply shouting in disbelief.
"That wasn't a fight — that was an execution!"
"What was that beast? It used four different elements in under a minute!"
"I swear I saw space magic! That's impossible for a guardian beast!"
In the Western Continent's section, the Heavenly Sect's disciples stood with heads high, the victory reflecting on them all. But beyond their corner, the atmosphere had turned tense.
Up in the tier reserved for sect leaders and elders, faces that were usually unreadable now betrayed open surprise.
Sect Master Tian sat with his arms crossed, a faintly smug smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. Beside him, Lady Xia watched the serpent with narrowed eyes — not in doubt, but in calculation.
Across the row, the Sect Master of the Immortal Flame Pavilion leaned forward, his expression sharp. "That… was level 9 aura." His voice carried just enough for the nearby leaders to hear. "I would stake my position on it."
The leader of the Blood Moon Sect frowned deeply, his eyes tracking the pale coils now resting along Jin Rou's arm. "Level 9… and still so young. That isn't a beast raised over decades — that's freshly bonded."
From the Savage Fang Hall, a broad-shouldered elder let out a low whistle. "We use warbeasts in every match, but I've never seen one strike that clean. Lightning, ice, wind, and space? And not one wasted move."
The Frost Moon Palace's matriarch, seated with her disciples behind her, narrowed her eyes. "That girl… Jin Rou. She's not simply carrying it for show." Her gaze flicked briefly to Alex. "And he's not simply letting her keep it."
The ripple of astonishment spread further down the line. Even the normally aloof Celestial Dragon Sect elder spoke, his voice quiet but edged with interest. "A level 9 guardian beast under the command of a level 8 cultivator… in the hands of a united team, that's a weapon that could shift entire battles."
In the stands below, the murmurs turned to heated speculation. Some claimed the serpent had to be an ancient relic-beast resurrected. Others insisted it had to be the product of a divine contract — and a few whispered that Alex himself must have created it.
On the arena floor, Jin Rou seemed unaffected by the storm of attention. She stroked the serpent's smooth head once, feeling through their link the satisfaction radiating from it. It had wanted to prove itself; it had succeeded beyond question.
Alex stood beside her, his hands clasped loosely behind his back. He could feel the weight of dozens of gazes from the high platform above, but he didn't acknowledge any of them.
Lady Xia broke the quiet in their section with a faint smile. "I think it's safe to say," she murmured to Sect Master Tian, "that every sect here will remember this match."
Sect Master Tian chuckled low in his throat. "Good. Let them remember."
Far above, the head judge raised his voice over the noise. "The winners of this match — Heavenly Sect! Proceed to the next round!"
The roar returned in force. But now, woven into the cheers, was something else — wariness. Respect. And just a trace of fear.
The roar of the crowd still rumbled in the background, but in the upper pavilion, the conversations had shifted to quiet, heavy tones.
On the high platform reserved for leaders, the Sect Master of the Celestial Dragon Sect broke the silence first. His golden eyes tracked the pale serpent still coiled on Jin Rou's arm far below. "Level 9 at birth… and controlled with such precision. That's not a coincidence. That's craftsmanship."
The Sect Master of the Immortal Flame Pavilion leaned back, his fingers drumming lightly on the armrest. "Craftsmanship is one word for it. I'd call it a weapon."
Across from them, the Frost Moon Palace Sect Master folded her hands in her lap. "And yet it moves with will, not programming. That's the mark of a living creature — but one far beyond natural design." Her gaze shifted toward Alex. "This has his touch. I can feel it."
The Blood Moon Sect Master gave a quiet, humorless laugh. "Whoever forged that bond did it with power to spare." His eyes narrowed slightly. "A Ninth Level's hand, perhaps?"
That drew a ripple of glances between them.
Because here, in this pavilion, every one of them was Ninth Level.
The Celestial Dragon Sect Master — a towering figure whose presence rolled like an unseen tide.
The Immortal Flame Pavilion Master — a living inferno contained in human form.
The Frost Moon Palace Mistress — a blade of ice honed to perfection.
The Blood Moon Lord — a predator cloaked in human skin.
Each of them had long since reached the pinnacle of cultivation known to mortals, and each had tempered that peak to frightening sharpness over centuries.
And yet, the sight of that serpent — effortless in its victory, born already at their own level — stirred something they rarely felt in public: unease.
The Celestial Dragon Sect Master finally said it aloud. "We've all seen guardian beasts. None of them… were born at our level. None."
The Frost Moon Palace Mistress's eyes remained on the arena. "And if it's truly at the Ninth Level, then that girl, Jin Rou, now has a weapon fit to stand in the same realm as us."
The Blood Moon Lord smirked faintly. "A weapon — or a declaration. If the Heavenly Sect wanted to show the rest of us they've stepped far beyond their last tournament standing… message received."
The Immortal Flame Pavilion Master's gaze followed Alex as he left the arena floor with the sisters in tow. "That man," he murmured, "is rewriting the rules."
The others didn't argue. They only watched in silence as the pale serpent slipped from sight, carrying with it the knowledge that the battlefield had just shifted in a way no one could ignore.
The tension between the four Ninth Level sect masters hung in the air for a moment longer before the Celestial Dragon Sect Master broke it with a casual glance toward the seats of the Emerald Jade Sect.
"Strange…" he said. "I don't see their Sect Master. He's usually front and center at events like this."
The Immortal Flame Pavilion Master followed his gaze, brows drawing together. "You're right. Where is he? He's not the type to miss a spectacle."
The Frost Moon Palace Mistress turned slightly toward the Emerald Jade delegation. "Elder Mei Suhua," she called, her tone polite but edged with curiosity, "where is your Sect Master? We've not seen him since the tournament began."
Mei Suhua, seated among her sect's disciples, glanced up at the high platform. Her lips curved in a smile that was just a touch too slow, her voice carrying easily across the distance — warm, sultry, and entirely unbothered by the formality of the setting.
"He did come," she said, her tone dripping with amusement, "but he returned to the main sect in the Eastern Continent. By now… he may have already enjoyed the company of hundreds of women."
Her eyes half-lidded, she added in a voice that made even nearby disciples shift uncomfortably, "I have to admit… my own experiences with him were nothing short of amazing. His skill… and his size…" She let the pause hang, her smile widening. "…eight inches, and he knew exactly how to use it."
A ripple of discomfort and suppressed laughter moved through the crowd.
On the high platform, the Blood Moon Sect Master gave a short, low chuckle. "Blunt as ever, Mei Suhua."
The Celestial Dragon Sect Master only shook his head, muttering, "The Emerald Jade Sect never changes."
Lady Xia, seated beside Sect Master Tian of the Heavenly Sect, leaned slightly toward him with a faint smirk. "Remind me why we invited them again?"
Tian exhaled slowly. "Because they win."
Below, Mei Suhua reclined in her seat as if she hadn't just spoken with blatant carnality in front of half the Central Continent's elite. Her gaze drifted toward the tunnel where Alex and his group had exited, her smile losing none of its heat.
Mei Suhua's gaze stayed fixed on the tunnel where Alex had disappeared with the sisters. The crowd's noise faded in her mind, replaced by a single, simmering thought.
Her smile deepened, voice lilting with open desire as she leaned forward in her seat. "Mmm… I still want to taste him."
That earned her a few raised brows from nearby elders. She ignored them, her eyes shifting up toward the Heavenly Sect's section on the high platform.
" Sect Master Tian… Lady Xia," she called out, her tone as casual as if she were asking for tea, "may I taste your son-in-law?"
The ripple through the stands was immediate. A wave of murmurs spread like wildfire — because everyone here remembered the earlier public scene, when she'd openly offered Alex the mystery box in exchange for a night with her.
Lady Xia's eyes narrowed slightly, her voice cool. "You're as bold as ever, Elder Mei."
Mei Suhua tilted her head, unbothered by the edge in the woman's tone. "Boldness gets results, Lady Xia. And I think we both know your son-in-law could give me results worth remembering."
Sect Master Tian exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable, though his hand rested a little tighter on the armrest of his chair.
From the Frost Moon Palace section, the Mistress let out a quiet, almost amused hum. "So it's true, then… you really did offer him that deal."
"Oh, I did," Mei Suhua replied without shame, her lips curling in a slow smile. "And I meant every word."
Up on the high platform, the Celestial Dragon Sect Master exchanged a glance with the Immortal Flame Pavilion Master, both looking faintly entertained.
"She's fearless," the Pavilion Master murmured.
"Or reckless," the Dragon Sect Master countered, though there was the faintest glint of amusement in his eyes.
Below, Mei Suhua leaned back in her seat, still smiling to herself. Her appetite — for victory, for pleasure, and for Alex — was far from sated.
Chapter 748 – "The Scores are Set"
By the time Alex and the sisters had left the arena floor, the next matches were already underway in other rings. The Central Continent Tournament was vast — multiple battles unfolding across different stages, the roar of one crowd often blending into the shouts from another.
Hours passed in a storm of duels, group battles, and sudden upsets. Ice clashed with flame, beast roars shook the air, and the smell of ozone and blood hung over the competition grounds.
When at last the day's final gongs rang out, the records were tallied and the crystal display boards across the arena flared to life, projecting the results for all to see.
Western Continent
Heavenly Sect — 240Azure Spirit Sect — 0Iron Fist Sect — 10Golden Root Sect — 0White Lotus Sect — 0
The Heavenly Sect's dominance was absolute; their points more than doubled the combined total of every other Western Continent sect.
Northern Continent
Blood Moon Sect — 230Savage Fang Hall — 90Ghostfire Abyss Sect — 100Thousand Fangs Pavilion — 70Shadow Claw Sect — 90
The Blood Moon Sect stood unchallenged at the top, their mix of raw force and dark tactics overwhelming every opponent.
Southern Continent
Frost Moon Palace — 220Radiant Sun Palace — 100Serpent Song Sect — 40Sky Feather Hall — 70Ocean Soul Sect — 110
The Frost Moon Palace's icy precision crushed their rivals, though Ocean Soul Sect had fought fiercely to secure second place.
Eastern Continent
Emerald Jade Sect — 220Scarlet Halberd Sect — 20Nine Waves Sect — 40Fallen Star Sect — 130Heaven's Edge Sect — 0
The Emerald Jade Sect's points reflected both their skill and their shameless willingness to use any advantage — a fact that made some sect leaders frown and others smirk knowingly.
Central Continent
Celestial Dragon Sect — 230Immortal Flame Pavilion — 130Heavenly Phoenix Hall — 120True Void Sect — 200Mountain Sea Sect — 90
The Celestial Dragon Sect maintained its lead in the center, but the True Void Sect's sudden rise to second place drew murmurs across the stands.
As the scores solidified, the murmuring crowds began to buzz with speculation. Which continents would dominate the coming intercontinental rounds? Which sects would crumble under the pressure? And, above all, could anyone challenge the Heavenly Sect's perfect record so far?
Alex glanced at the scoreboard only once before turning away. The numbers meant little to him — but to the watching world, they were a warning.
Once the points from every continent were confirmed, the judges began the next task — calculating the overall rankings.
In the Central Continent Tournament, ties were not left to chance. When two or more sects finished with the same score, the deciding factor was the combined total points of all sects from their continent. The stronger the continent's total, the higher that sect's ranking.
Attendants moved quickly, feeding the crystal boards with the final sums. The numbers shifted, and the scoreboard expanded to show continent totals:
Continent Totals
Western Continent — 250Northern Continent — 580Southern Continent — 540Eastern Continent — 410Central Continent — 770
The crowd murmured as the implications sank in. The Central Continent's collective score was the highest by a wide margin — meaning that in the case of ties, their sects would outrank any from other continents.
The final ranking list now appeared beneath the totals:
Heavenly Sect — 240 points (Western Continent total: 250)Celestial Dragon Sect — 230 points (Central Continent total: 770)Blood Moon Sect — 230 points (Northern Continent total: 580)Frost Moon Palace — 220 points (Southern Continent total: 540)Emerald Jade Sect — 220 points (Eastern Continent total: 410)True Void Sect — 200 points (Central Continent total: 770)Immortal Flame Pavilion — 130 points (Central Continent total: 770)Heavenly Phoenix Hall — 120 points (Central Continent total: 770)Ocean Soul Sect — 110 points (Southern Continent total: 540)Ghostfire Abyss Sect — 100 points (Northern Continent total: 580)
The order now reflected not just the strength of each sect, but the power of the lands they represented.
The murmurs in the stands deepened, laced with fresh tension. For some sects, the tie-break rule had given them a leap in prestige. For others, it was a bitter drop — proof that even their personal victories couldn't outweigh the weakness of their home continent.
Up in the leaders' pavilion, Sect Master Tian's lips curved faintly. "Second place on the board, but not a single loss among my people," he murmured.
Lady Xia glanced sidelong at him. "And more than a few enemies now watching closely."
Alex didn't comment, but the way his eyes lingered on the rankings made it clear he was already thinking ahead — not about points, but about the battles yet to come.
Chapter 749 – "The Gate to Celestial Paradise"
As the cheers for the final rankings faded, the head judge stepped forward, his voice amplified by a subtle ripple of mana.
"Now… the reward for the top ten sects."
The noise in the stands shifted instantly, excitement replacing the earlier tension. This was the moment everyone had been waiting for — the reason so many sects had fought tooth and nail for a place in the top ten.
"The top ten sects," the judge announced, "will each be granted entry for twenty members — including Elders and Sect Masters — into the Celestial Paradise."
The reaction was immediate. Disciples gasped, Elders straightened in their seats, and even the most stoic Sect Masters allowed a flicker of interest to show.
The judge continued, "Only two hundred may enter in total. The Celestial Paradise will open for a single month. Once the gate closes, it will not open again for another hundred years."
Around Alex, Yu Mei and the sisters exchanged intrigued glances. Jin Rou tilted her head, curious, while Fei Xue murmured, "So this is what everyone was chasing."
Alex, however, simply raised an eyebrow. "Is it really that valuable?" he asked, his tone calm but edged with skepticism.
Sect Master Tian turned toward him with a faint smile. "Yes. Even the smallest harvest from the Celestial Paradise can rival decades of effort outside it. The herbs, minerals, and ancient treasures inside… some have been untouched for centuries."
Before Alex could respond, Lady Xia's soft, amused voice cut in from his other side. "Valuable, yes — but not compared to what you've already given me."
That earned her a few curious looks from nearby elders. She met Alex's eyes and added, "The herbs you handed me earlier are far more potent than anything I've seen in the Celestial Paradise. If I had to choose, I'd take your greenhouse over that so-called sacred land."
Yu Mei's lips curved faintly. "I can confirm that. His 'gifts' are in a league of their own."
Alex chuckled under his breath. "Then I suppose the real reward here is letting the others fight over scraps."
Sect Master Tian gave a quiet laugh, though his gaze stayed on the judge as the man outlined the rules of entry. Across the arena, some sect leaders were already huddling together, voices low, no doubt plotting alliances and betrayals before the gates even opened.
Above it all, the massive golden portal depiction shimmered on the crystal board — the symbol of the Celestial Paradise. To most, it was an opportunity beyond measure. To Alex, it was simply another location on a very long list.
As the announcement concluded and the sect leaders began to disperse, Alex reached into his sleeve and withdrew a small, unmarked case. The soft click of the clasp opening drew the attention of the sisters immediately.
Inside, nestled in velvet, were eight rings — each one forged in a unique hue, the metal and gemstone unlike any work found in the markets or forges of the continents.
Without ceremony, Alex began handing them out. First to Yu Mei, then Fei Xue, Ling Hua, Mei Lian, Ru Yan, Shui Yun, Yan Zhi, and finally Jin Rou. Each took their piece carefully, as if sensing from the moment it touched their palm that it was no ordinary ornament.
"These aren't just jewelry," Alex said quietly, his gaze passing over each of them in turn. "They're bound to me — attuned to your mana, your breath, and your presence. Wear them, and no matter where you are, I'll know. If danger comes, they'll shield you long enough for me to reach you… instantly."
Yu Mei turned hers over between her fingers, eyes narrowing as she felt the faint hum of power woven into it. "These are…" She trailed off, already sensing the layered enchantments hidden in its form.
"They each have their own traits," Alex added, "but the purpose is the same — protection, connection, and a reminder."
Jin Rou slid hers onto her finger without hesitation, the serpent at her neck flicking its tongue toward it as though curious. "A reminder of what?" she asked.
Alex's lips curved faintly. "That you're mine."
The sisters exchanged glances — some amused, some faintly flushed — before they all slipped the rings onto their fingers. Even without testing them, they could feel the quiet power sealed within, and the comfort of knowing it came directly from Alex's own hand.
Lady Xia, watching from her seat, caught the faint shimmer in the air as the rings bound themselves to their wearers. She didn't comment, but the corner of her mouth curved in something between approval and amusement.
That day arrived sooner than it seemed possible. The gates to the Celestial Paradise shimmered high above the central arena, runes the size of houses orbiting its golden arch. The air was thick with spiritual energy, the scent of rare herbs and unknown lands already seeping through the widening crack between worlds.
From every continent, the top ten sects had gathered. Each sent their allotted twenty — Sect Masters in their finest robes, seasoned elders, and the most promising disciples of their generation. Even from a distance, the combined aura of so much talent made the air hum.
For the Heavenly Sect, their group was led by Sect Master Tian and Lady Xia. At their side stood Alex, with Yu Mei, Fei Xue, Ling Hua, Mei Lian, Ru Yan, Shui Yun, Yan Zhi, and Jin Rou — all in their finest battle attire. Behind them, nine of the sect's most trusted elders formed a silent, disciplined rank.
Before they stepped toward the gate, Alex opened his hand, and in it appeared a long, slim case. Inside lay twenty identical black bars, each lined with a faintly glowing blue circuit that pulsed like a heartbeat.
He began passing them out, one to each member of the Heavenly Sect's group. "These will protect you from harm," Alex said simply. "Even from a full-force strike by a Level 9 cultivator. And if things go badly, they will instantly teleport you back here."
The elders turned the devices over in their hands, marveling at the intricate runic pathways etched into the metal. The glow was steady, calm — yet they could feel the raw, compressed force sealed inside.
Lady Xia examined hers closely before looking up. "How long will the shield last?"
"One month," Alex answered without hesitation. "You can activate it as soon as you arrive. That's the time limit for the Celestial Paradise itself — when it closes, these will expire as well."
A murmur of appreciation went through the group. With these in hand, even the most dangerous corners of the secret land would not be an immediate death sentence.
Sect Master Tian simply nodded once, though his eyes lingered on Alex with a mix of respect and acknowledgment. "You've just doubled our chances of coming out ahead."
Alex only adjusted his sleeves. "I don't care about the odds. I care that no one here fails to return."
The golden gate above them widened further, spilling radiant light across the plaza. The voice of the head judge boomed across the grounds.
"All participants — step forward. The Celestial Paradise awaits."
Chapter 750 – "The Garden of a Vanished Heaven"
The moment the Heavenly Sect stepped through the golden gate, the world shifted.
Light bled away into a sky of endless twilight, painted in swirls of soft violet and pale gold. In the distance, jagged mountains rose like the spines of some slumbering dragon, their peaks wreathed in clouds that shimmered with thin streams of liquid light. Rivers of crystal water cut across rolling valleys, their surfaces reflecting not just the sky but the aura of every plant and stone around them.
The air was thick with spiritual energy, so pure it tasted sweet on the tongue. Flowers the size of shields bloomed in quiet meadows, petals bending toward the newcomers as if curious. Ancient trees towered high, their bark glimmering faintly, each leaf releasing a faint chiming sound whenever the wind stirred.
Nothing here felt hostile — but everything radiated the kind of pressure that spoke of great age and power. Still, as Alex's senses swept the land, one truth was certain.
"There's nothing here above Level 9," he said quietly.
The black bars he had given them pulsed faintly at their belts, the circuit lines alive with protective mana. That, combined with the absence of anything beyond their limits, made the Heavenly Sect's Sect Master confident.
"We should separate," Sect Master Tian decided. "Cover more ground. The sooner we claim the treasures, the stronger our position will be when the gate closes."
The elders nodded, already forming smaller groups to head toward promising ridges and valleys.
As the others began to disperse, Yu Mei lingered. She turned toward her sisters — Fei Xue, Ling Hua, Mei Lian, Ru Yan, Shui Yun, Yan Zhi, and Jin Rou — and lowered her voice with a faint smile.
"I'm keeping Alex for myself for a while."
The others exchanged looks — some amused, some knowing — before Fei Xue smirked and shrugged. "Fine. Just don't tire him out too much."
"Or do," Ling Hua added with a teasing wink, earning a few chuckles.
Yu Mei's eyes softened as she looked back at Alex. "Come with me. There's something I want to see… and I don't want anyone else around for it."
He didn't argue.
As the sisters moved off in different directions, Yu Mei took Alex's hand and led him toward a path that wound between a field of glowing white lilies, the faint sound of falling water drawing them deeper into the untouched heart of the Celestial Paradise.
The path between the white lilies felt like it had been made for two people alone. The blossoms glowed faintly in the dim twilight, their fragrance a delicate mix of sweetness and something sharper, like the scent of rain before a storm.
Yu Mei's hand was warm in Alex's, her steps unhurried. She seemed in no rush to reach any destination — only to draw out the moment.
They came upon a small glade where a crystal-clear stream spilled from a stone arch, forming a shallow pool. The water caught the light in shifting patterns, casting ripples of gold across the moss-covered ground.
Yu Mei stopped at the edge and turned to face him. "It's beautiful here," she said softly, though her gaze was fixed entirely on him. "But not as much as what I came here for."
Alex arched a brow. "And what's that?"
Instead of answering, she stepped closer, slipping her arms around his neck. "You," she murmured, her voice warm with both affection and something far more dangerous.
Her lips found his without hesitation — soft at first, then deepening as her body pressed flush to his. The faint sound of the stream faded into the background, replaced by the heat building between them.
Alex's hands moved to her waist, drawing her closer still. She leaned into him, one hand sliding along his jaw, the other trailing slowly down his chest. The air between them seemed to thicken, the surrounding flowers swaying as if moved by something more than the wind.
When she finally pulled back for breath, her eyes held a faint gleam. "No sisters watching. No interruptions. Just you and me… and a whole month where I don't have to share."
Alex gave a low, amused hum. "That sounds like a dangerous promise."
Her smile widened. "Then you'd better be ready to pay the price."
She pushed him gently back until his shoulders met the mossy bank of the pool, the scent of lilies and the soft rush of water wrapping around them. Her fingers trailed to the fastenings of his robe, and the look in her eyes made it clear — the treasures of the Celestial Paradise could wait.
Yu Mei's fingers lingered on the knot of Alex's robe, not untying it yet — just holding it, feeling the steady warmth radiating from him. Her gaze searched his, and in the quiet glade, even the faint lapping of the stream seemed to slow.
Alex lifted a hand to brush a strand of her dark hair back from her face. His touch was feather-light, but the way his thumb lingered at her cheekbone carried a weight only she could feel — the quiet promise that when he looked at her, he saw her, not just another member of his vast circle of companions.
She leaned into his touch, eyes half-lidded, and whispered, "I wanted this… just us… since the moment we arrived."
He drew her closer until her forehead rested against his, his other hand settling at the small of her back. "Then let's make the most of it."
Their lips met again, slower this time — not rushed, not claiming, but savoring. The kind of kiss where every motion felt deliberate, where each brush of breath between them carried meaning. Yu Mei's hands found his shoulders, her fingertips tracing slow circles as if memorizing the shape of him.
When they broke apart, she exhaled softly, her eyes shimmering in the twilight. "I love the way you hold me. Like you know I'll never want to leave."
Alex's reply was a quiet murmur against her temple. "Because you won't."
They sat together at the edge of the mossy bank, Yu Mei shifting so she could curl into his side. The petals of the lilies glowed faintly around them, and the stream's reflection painted soft gold over their skin. Alex's arm wrapped around her, his thumb idly tracing along her arm, and Yu Mei rested her head against his chest, listening to the slow, steady beat of his heart.
For a long while, neither spoke. There was no need. In that secluded glade, time felt suspended — as if the Celestial Paradise itself had agreed to grant them this moment, untouched by anyone else's footsteps.
Finally, Yu Mei tilted her head to look up at him again, a faint smile playing at her lips. "Let's stay here a little longer… until the world remembers we're supposed to be collecting treasures."
Alex smirked, brushing a kiss against her hair. "We already found the most valuable one."
She didn't need to ask what he meant. She simply smiled wider and pulled him into another slow, lingering kiss, the kind that promised the rest of the day would belong entirely to them.