Great Zhao Empire.
This was a kingdom from the same era as the Great Ying Empire, even older than Great Zhou.
At this moment, in the Great Zhao imperial capital, Taihe City—
On a mist-shrouded mountain peak—
Numerous noble children from the Great Zhao elite gathered together.
Among them stood a twelve-year-old boy dressed in a purple-gold robe and wearing a purple-gold crown.
This boy was Nangong Yi, the Divine Son of the Bian'an Divine Sect.
The Great Zhao Empire was a theocratic state.
Although there was still an imperial family, it was nothing more than a puppet. The real authority lay in the Bian'an Divine Sect.
That sect had seven Divine Sons.
Nangong Yi was the youngest among them.
Sitting across from Nangong Yi was a nine-year-old girl.
Despite her age, no one dared to look down on her. Even Nangong Yi treated her with great respect.
"Miss Lu truly has divine foresight," Nangong Yi said. "I followed your guidance and really found a Watercloud Illusion Crystal in the Meng River. It's incredibly helpful for cultivating my Baxia Divine Art."
The other noble youths around them all looked at the nine-year-old girl with burning admiration.
In their eyes, she was basically a prophet.
That girl was none other than Princess Changle—Lu Jingshu.
Six months ago, after barely escaping with her life from Great Zhou, she had secretly arrived in the Great Zhao Empire.
She knew the development of the next five hundred years.
Using that prophetic advantage, she quickly carved out a powerful reputation in the Great Zhao court and gained the favor of many nobles.
Nangong Yi was one of them.
Lu Jingshu held Nangong Yi in high regard.
He was the future sect leader of the Bian'an Divine Sect, and one of the few in the Eastern Wastes who could somewhat rival Yang Xiu.
Of course, no matter how heaven-defying Nangong Yi was, in the end, he couldn't defeat the Child of Heaven's Mandate—Yang Xiu. He too would have to acknowledge Yang Xiu as the Alliance Leader of the Eastern Wastes.
If given the choice, Lu Jingshu would much rather support Yang Xiu.
But since she couldn't return to Great Zhou for now, she had no choice but to settle for backing Nangong Yi.
"Divine Son, the Watercloud Illusion Crystal is nothing," Lu Jingshu said. "Your true heaven-defying opportunity lies within the Ancient Desolation Tower."
"I know the Ancient Desolation Tower holds many opportunities," Nangong Yi said. "But what exactly is this heaven-defying chance you speak of?"
"This time, five Innate Sword Talismans will awaken within the Ancient Desolation Tower," Lu Jingshu said. "If you can seize one, you'll gain a wisp of Sword Dao origin and become a Sword Dao genius rarely seen even across the heavens."
Nangong Yi was visibly shaken. "Are you serious?"
"In the past six months, has anything I said ever turned out wrong?" Lu Jingshu replied calmly.
Boom!
The clouds suddenly churned. A moment later, a giant phantom figure appeared overhead.
Everyone gasped at the sight.
"Greetings, Sect Master!"
It was the phantom of Xu Wujiao, the Sect Master of the Bian'an Divine Sect.
"Miss Lu, if Nangong Yi truly acquires one of the Innate Sword Talismans, you may become our sect's Divine Maiden," Xu Wujiao said.
The Innate Sword Talismans were just that shocking—so much so that even the sect master had been alerted.
"Thank you, Sect Master," Lu Jingshu smiled slightly.
But she wasn't the least bit interested in being the sect's Divine Maiden.
Moments later, Xu Wujiao's phantom faded away.
The expressions of those present grew serious. Nangong Yi also turned solemn.
Even the sect master had been alarmed. Clearly, Lu Jingshu's words were true.
"Divine Son," Lu Jingshu said, "this trip to the Ancient Desolation Tower—there's someone you need to pay extra attention to."
"Who?" Nangong Yi asked.
"The Crown Prince of Great Zhou—Yang Cheng."
As she spoke, Lu Jingshu lowered her head slightly, hiding the hatred in her eyes.
Back in Great Zhou, she had noticed that events were drifting further and further from the future she knew.
She even began to doubt whether the future she foresaw was fake.
But once she arrived in the Great Zhao Empire, every single prediction she made proved true—without exception.
That confirmed it for her. The problem wasn't her visions.
It was that something—or someone—in Great Zhou had caused a major disruption.
And thinking back, her judgments in Great Zhou were never wrong—except when they involved Yang Cheng.
Every prediction about him always went awry.
That gave rise to a deep killing intent toward him.
Yang Cheng had to die.
Only then could everything return to its proper path, the future she foresaw restored.
"The Crown Prince of Great Zhou?" Nangong Yi frowned. "Isn't he just three years old? Why would you think he's worth my attention?"
Yang Cheng had some fame in Fengtian City, but once outside it, his influence plummeted.
After all, he was still far too young. Even with tales about him spreading, most people dismissed them as exaggerated rumors.
Taihe City was tens of thousands of li away from Fengtian City.
Hardly anyone here had even heard of Yang Cheng.
The fact that Nangong Yi knew he was three years old was already impressive.
"Though Yang Cheng is only three years old, he possesses the Divine Dragon Sword Body, has grasped Sword Intent, and has already slain the Crown Prince of Great Yan—Tuoba Xiao," Lu Jingshu said.
"Do you still think he's not worth paying attention to?"
Nangong Yi's expression changed. "I saw Tuoba Xiao three years ago—he was already a Martial Master back then. Are you telling me the Crown Prince of Great Zhou killed him?"
"Miss Lu, are you sure he did it alone, without help?"
"I'm absolutely certain. Yang Cheng killed Tuoba Xiao by himself," Lu Jingshu said.
"Hiss—"
"If that's true, then the Crown Prince of Great Zhou really is a monster."
"There must be some huge secret behind him. Even with great talent, there's no way he should be this powerful at that age."
Gasps echoed around as many people inhaled sharply.
A cold glint flashed through Lu Jingshu's eyes. "Divine Son, based on my predictions, this Yang Cheng will become a major threat to your fate in the future."
She made up that whole story just to get Nangong Yi to go after Yang Cheng.
Nangong Yi's face darkened as he stared at Lu Jingshu. "You've got a grudge against Great Zhou, and now you're trying to get me to take revenge for you?"
"No, I have no feud with Great Zhou," Lu Jingshu said. "The only one I resent is the Empress Dowager. In fact, I've got a good relationship with the Zhuang clan. And all I did was share this with you, Divine Son. What you choose to do is entirely up to you. I have no power to sway your decision."
That made Nangong Yi ease up a little.
"No one can interfere with my fate," he said arrogantly. "If such a person appears, I'll crush him into dust."
Scenes like this were playing out all across the Eastern Wastes.
Every major force was preparing their top prodigies under the age of twelve for the Ancient Desolation Tower.
Great Zhou.
Fengtian City.
"Cheng'er, you want to go to the Ancient Desolation Tower?" Yun Liyue frowned.
"I can't miss out on this kind of opportunity," Yang Cheng said.
"You're too young. Even if you don't go now, there's still plenty of time for you to grow. Why take this risk?" Yun Liyue said.
"Mother, it's precisely because I'm so young that I won't draw attention," Yang Cheng blinked. "As long as I don't cause trouble, I won't be in any real danger."
Of course, that was just to put Yun Liyue at ease.
To complete the mission of making his name known throughout the Eastern Wastes, he had to crush every genius in the tower. Keeping a low profile was out of the question.
Yun Liyue sighed. "I know you've got your own mind. Even if I stopped you, you'd find a way to sneak off. Fine. But if you're going, you're taking Lin Shu with you."
Yang Cheng was a bit puzzled. He didn't understand why his mother would agree to let him go just because Lin Shu was tagging along.
Lin Shu wasn't particularly strong—nowhere near someone like Shen Muxue.
Still, it worked in his favor. No need to keep persuading her.
In his past life, the Ancient Desolation Tower revealed five Innate Sword Talismans.
Eventually, those five talismans were claimed by Yang Xiu of Great Zhou, Nangong Yi of Great Zhao, Baili Guan of Taoshan, Leng Qianyu of the Ice Palace, and Kongxing of the Great Buddha Temple in Kunlun.
Every one of those who obtained a talisman went on to lead their respective factions.
So this time, Yang Cheng would definitely fight for all five talismans while completing his mission.
That same day, Yang Cheng set out.
There were three others in his carriage: Shen Muxue, Lin Shu, and Tang Xingyu.
Compared to his mother, Lady Cheng was far less suspicious.
Tang Xingyu didn't even have to beg. Lady Cheng personally brought her to the carriage.
Two days later—
Yang Cheng's convoy entered the Ancient Desolation Mountain Range.
At the same time, prodigies from all over the Eastern Wastes were swarming in.
High in the sky, a white crane flew through the clouds.
On its back stood an old man, while a ten-year-old boy sat cross-legged.
"Your Highness," the old man smiled. "At the Ancient Desolation Tower, you'll see young Miss Tang again."
He was an elder of Taoshan, a half-step Martial Sovereign.
The boy was Baili Guan, a core disciple of Taoshan and prince of the Skyfeather Empire.
Baili Guan was born with the Zhu Heaven Sword Body. From birth, he awakened the external Zhu Heaven Sword inheritance from the Drunken Sword Ancestor—limitless potential.
The elder's mission this time was to escort him to the Ancient Desolation Tower.
"The last time I saw Tangtang, she was only a year and a half. Now she's already three," Baili Guan said with a look of anticipation.
"Miss Tang has a very special physique. She'll be a great help to your cultivation," the elder said. "Even though you're both young, if you plan to marry one day, she'd be the perfect match."
"I know," Baili Guan said. "Being young has its perks. I can use this time to build a bond with her."
A year and a half ago, Lady Cheng had traveled with Tang Xingyu to the Skyfeather Empire.
That was when Baili Guan first met Tang Xingyu.
While playing with her, he noticed his true qi circulating noticeably faster.
He told his father about it.
His father laughed and told Lady Cheng they should arrange a child engagement.
Though Lady Cheng turned it down, saying Tang Xingyu was too young, Baili Guan had already decided in his heart that she was his future bride.
A quarter of an hour later—
In the center of the Ancient Desolation Mountain Range stood a towering pagoda.
It was three hundred zhang tall and looked incredibly grand.
By now, thousands of martial artists had gathered beneath the massive tower.
Some came to join the battle inside. Some were attendants. Others were just here to watch the show.
And more groups from different powers were still pouring in.
Flying beasts tore through the sky. Divine steeds pulled luxurious carriages. Some even rode giant elephants…
Suddenly, the air grew cold.
Moments later, a flying ice boat appeared in the sky.
"That's the Ice God Boat from the Northern Ice Palace!"
"Look! That cold and beautiful girl at the front—isn't that Leng Qianyu?"
"It's her! I've seen her from afar before. An absolute beauty in the making. She's bound to be stunning when she grows up."
Gasps of awe spread through the crowd.
Moo!
A deep elephant cry echoed through the mountains.
"The Great Zhao Empire has arrived!"
"That boy wearing the purple-gold crown on the elephant—that's Nangong Yi."
"Another future prodigy. Makes you jealous just looking at him."
"Huh? Who's that nine-year-old girl next to Nangong Yi?"
The crowd's attention quickly shifted again.
Anywhere else, the appearance of someone like Leng Qianyu or Nangong Yi would've made them the clear center of attention.
But today, with the opening of the Ancient Desolation Tower, this place was destined to be a gathering of monsters.
Even Leng Qianyu and Nangong Yi couldn't dominate the spotlight alone.