At the beginning of Chapter 35, our main character, Kim, had already arrived outside the Nine Crown Pavilion.
The past three days had quietly passed by.
During those three days, there was one name being discussed almost everywhere throughout the Empire—
Demonic Master Kim.
Some called him the cultivator who had absorbed Death Energy.
Others claimed he was the successor of a Demon God.
And some believed he possessed a mysterious Space Attribute technique.
Because of all these rumors and discussions, Kim continued receiving a massive number of Epiphany Points.
His points increased with every passing day.
However, Kim was not paying attention to any of that at the moment.
Because today was an extremely important day.
Three days had finally passed...
And at last—
The day of the Imperial Ranking Ceremony had arrived.
The entire Empire was filled with excitement.
Disciples from great sects...
Geniuses from powerful families...
Mighty elders...
Clan leaders...
Sect Masters...
And even commanders of the Imperial Army were paying close attention to this event.
This year's Imperial Ranking Ceremony was far from ordinary.
Because the First Trial was directly connected to a Secret Realm that opened only once every hundred years.
Inside that Secret Realm were countless opportunities, hidden treasures, ancient inheritances, and priceless cultivation resources.
Because of this, even the Emperor himself had personally arrived to attend the ceremony.
Alongside him were members of the Imperial Family, Imperial Princes, Imperial Princesses, and numerous high-ranking officials.
Today, the eyes of the entire Empire were focused on this competition.
Soon afterward, the scene shifted to the area outside the Secret Realm.
In the middle of a vast open field, strange waves of energy were spreading through the sky.
It looked as though space itself was trembling.
Gradually, the flow of qi around the entrance of the Secret Realm began to intensify.
This was a clear sign that the Secret Realm was about to open.
And as time continued to pass...
More and more disciples gathered in the area.
Cultivators were arriving from every direction.
Some came from powerful sects.
Some came from great families.
And some belonged to neither sect nor family.
These were independent cultivators who had come to test their luck and seek opportunities within the Secret Realm.
Slowly but surely, the entire region became packed with hundreds of thousands of cultivators.
Outside the Secret Realm, the crowd continued to grow larger with every passing moment.
At first, ordinary disciples and independent cultivators gathered in the area.
Soon afterward, cultivators from both the Righteous Sects and Demonic Sects began arriving one after another.
The entire region was filled with excitement and dense waves of qi.
Everyone was waiting for the Secret Realm to open.
Some time later, the continent's renowned Top Ten Great Families also arrived one after another.
Along with them came numerous elders, geniuses, and protective guards.
Wherever they went, people instinctively moved aside to make way for them.
After that, representatives from the major sects began appearing as well.
Powerful cultivators from both the Righteous and Demonic paths had now gathered in the same place.
Only one hour remained before the Secret Realm opened.
The vast field was already packed with hundreds of thousands of cultivators.
Meanwhile, the waves of qi in the sky were becoming stronger and stronger.
It felt as if the entrance to the Secret Realm could open at any moment.
At that moment, an official of the Imperial Ranking Ceremony stepped forward and addressed the gathered cultivators.
Using qi to amplify his voice, his words echoed throughout the entire region.
"All disciples, listen carefully!"
"The First Trial of the Imperial Ranking Ceremony is about to begin."
"The opening and closing time of this Secret Realm has already been determined."
"Once the Secret Realm opens, it will remain accessible for a total of six days."
"After six days have passed, the Secret Realm will automatically close."
"Therefore, all disciples must leave the Secret Realm before the six-day limit is reached."
The crowd immediately became serious and listened attentively.
The official continued,
"This Secret Realm is far from ordinary."
"According to our records, this Secret Realm has not appeared for nearly two hundred years."
"During this period, the beasts and other creatures living inside may have grown extremely powerful."
"It is also possible that the Secret Realm has manifested in other locations during these two hundred years, leading to the emergence of unknown dangers."
"Therefore, no disciple should lower their guard."
The moment these words were spoken, many disciples' expressions became solemn.
Because a Secret Realm that had remained inaccessible for two hundred years meant only one thing—
The dangers hidden inside would be anything but ordinary.
The official then delivered his final warning.
"Within the Secret Realm, you will encounter countless opportunities, treasures, and cultivation resources."
"But something is even more important than obtaining those opportunities."
"Your life."
"Always prioritize your own safety and the safety of your companions."
"Avoid unnecessary killing and meaningless conflicts over resources."
"As long as you remain alive..."
"There will always be more opportunities waiting for you in the future."
After all the cultivators had carefully listened to the first announcement, the official of the Imperial Ranking Ceremony spoke once again in a grave voice.
"Now, I wish to give all of you a second warning."
"And this is the most important warning of all."
The moment those words were spoken, the entire field fell silent.
Every disciple focused their attention on him.
The official slowly continued,
"While searching for resources and treasures inside the Secret Realm, you will encounter many strange and mysterious locations."
"However, there is one place that you must never enter under any circumstances."
"I am referring to the Black Aura Cave."
The moment that name was mentioned, the expressions of several elders and veteran cultivators turned serious.
The official continued,
"If you discover a massive cave surrounded by black aura anywhere within the Secret Realm..."
"Do not even approach it."
"And under no circumstances should you attempt to enter it."
"A terrifying danger is hidden within that place."
The entire field became deathly silent.
Taking a deep breath, the official continued.
"Approximately eleven hundred years ago, when this Secret Realm first appeared on our continent..."
"Numerous powerful cultivators entered it."
"But in the end..."
"Only a single person managed to return alive."
The expressions of countless disciples immediately changed.
An event that had occurred more than a thousand years ago...
And only one survivor had returned.
Just imagining it sent chills down many people's spines.
The official spoke once more.
"That survivor was none other than..."
"The most powerful cultivator in the history of our continent."
"It was he who left behind the earliest records regarding this Secret Realm."
"According to his account, something existed within that cave which the cultivators of that era were completely incapable of confronting."
"So I will warn all of you once again."
"Do not approach the Black Aura Cave."
"Do not attempt to enter it."
"It may very well cost you your life."
After the official finished speaking, many disciples silently engraved the warning into their memories.
Some wore expressions of fear.
Others revealed expressions of curiosity.
Because in the cultivation world...
The greater the danger...
The greater the opportunity that often lay hidden behind it.
However, no one openly voiced their thoughts.
At that moment, a sudden commotion erupted from the rear of the crowd.
Numerous cultivators turned their heads in the same direction.
Then someone shouted loudly,
"The Ice Family has arrived!"
"The Ice Family is here!"
"The Ice Family!"
In an instant, discussions spread throughout the entire field.
The Ice Family.
One of the most prestigious and powerful families on the continent.
Many even considered them the most talented family of the current generation.
Their Ice Arts and Frost Bloodline were renowned across the continent.
And their young geniuses had consistently achieved outstanding rankings in every Imperial Ranking Ceremony.
As soon as the Ice Family's group appeared, the surrounding cultivators instinctively moved aside to make way for them.
A cold yet overwhelming aura spread across the entire area the moment they arrived.
For a brief moment...
It felt as though the temperature of the entire field had dropped.
ICE FAMILY (Rank #1 of the Nerathion Continent)
Title: Lords of Eternal Frost
Specialty: Ice Arts, Frost Bloodline
Mount: Ice Crystal Deer
Territory
The Ice Family rules over the Frozen Moon Valley, located in the northernmost region of the Nerathion Continent.
The valley remains covered in snow and ice throughout the entire year.
The cold in this region is so terrifying that ordinary cultivators could freeze to death within only a few hours.
Family History
Thousands of years ago, the ancestors of the Ice Family obtained the inheritance of an Ancient Frost Phoenix.
From that inheritance, the legendary Frost Bloodline was born.
Today, the Ice Family is widely recognized as the strongest family on the Nerathion Continent.
Family Reputation
"Where the Frost Moon shines, the Ice Family reigns."
Many sects and powerful families are reluctant to challenge the Ice Family.
Their disciples are famous throughout the continent for their discipline, talent, and cultivation strength.
Main Genius
Xue Ling'er — Frozen Moon Princess
Cultivation: Core Foundation 7th Layer
Status: Family Young Mistress
Titles:
Frozen Moon Princess
Frost Fairy
Future Ice Empress
Description
Xue Ling'er is widely regarded as the most talented young cultivator on the entire Nerathion Continent.
The purity of her Frost Bloodline exceeds 95%.
According to many legends, whenever she enters deep cultivation, snowfall begins within several kilometers around her.
Current Public Ranking
#1 Young Genius of the Nerathion Continent
Second Genius
Xue Tianhan — Frozen Blade Heir
Cultivation: Core Foundation 4th Layer
Description
Xue Tianhan is the younger brother of Xue Ling'er.
His mastery of swordsmanship and Ice Sword Arts is renowned among the younger generation.
Many experts believe that he will become one of the future pillars of the Ice Family.
Family Secret Technique
Eternal Frost Scripture
The supreme cultivation technique of the Ice Family.
Cultivators who master this scripture can gradually transform the surrounding area into a terrifying Frozen Domain, greatly increasing their combat power while suppressing their enemies.
Family Ultimate Art
Heaven Freezing Moon Art
One of the strongest arts possessed by the Ice Family.
This technique can freeze an entire battlefield, drastically reducing an opponent's movement speed, qi circulation, and combat effectiveness.
Family Goal
To claim First Place in the Imperial Ranking Ceremony once again and further solidify the Ice Family's position as the supreme family of the Nerathion Continent.
Current Situation
This year, the attention of the entire continent is focused on Xue Ling'er.
Countless experts believe that unless an unexpected dark horse appears...
The champion of this year's Imperial Ranking Ceremony will undoubtedly be Xue Ling'er, the Frozen Moon Princess.
As soon as the Ice Family arrived, the atmosphere throughout the entire area changed.
Tiny snowflakes began to fall from the sky, while a chilling wind spread across the surroundings.
It felt as if winter itself had descended upon the land.
The members of the Ice Family advanced while riding their exclusive mounts, and among them was the Family Head himself.
Their magnificent arrival immediately attracted the attention of countless disciples and cultivators.
After all the introductions were completed, the final announcement regarding the Secret Realm was finally made.
"All participants, pay close attention."
"Once the Secret Realm opens, it cannot be reopened from the outside, nor can it be forced open from within."
"The opening and closing times are completely fixed."
"Therefore, no disciple should foolishly remain inside out of greed for additional resources."
The elder's voice echoed throughout the entire region.
"In the past, many powerful cultivators of our continent became trapped inside the Secret Realm because of such greed."
"But when the Secret Realm reopened a hundred years later..."
"There was no sign of any survivors."
"Only their bones and skeletons remained."
Hearing this, many disciples revealed solemn expressions.
It was clear that while this place was filled with opportunities, it was equally deadly.
A few moments later, the entrance to the Secret Realm began to tremble.
Gradually, a massive crack appeared in the sky.
Mysterious energy surged out from within the rift.
The aura was ancient, strange, and overwhelmingly powerful.
Many weaker disciples were unable to withstand the pressure.
Fortunately, the peak experts of the Nine Heavenly Empire had already prepared for such a situation.
They immediately activated their powers and suppressed the mysterious energy before it could spread any further.
After some time, the disturbance finally settled down.
Only then was permission granted to enter the Secret Realm.
Thousands of disciples and cultivators rushed forward with excitement.
Within a short period of time, nearly ten thousand cultivators had entered the Secret Realm.
However, the moment they stepped inside, everyone realized something.
No one entered at the same location.
Every participant was transported to a completely random area.
Some appeared deep within dense forests.
Some arrived between towering mountains.
Others were sent near ancient ruins.
And some found themselves standing in vast, unknown plains.
No one knew where they would end up.
No one knew what dangers awaited them.
And with that—
The true beginning of the First Trial of the Imperial Ranking Ceremony officially commenced.
Thank You!
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With great happiness, I am ending this chapter here.
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Chapter 35 End.
But...
Chapter 36 Coming Soon!