Gazing upon the majestic yet desolate sprawl of the enormous city before him, Lu Shi was overcome with emotion.

Although he was a subject of the Great Jin, this was Lu Yuan's first time setting foot in the Imperial Capital of Jin.

An Imperial Capital, naturally, exuded the aura of an Imperial Capital.

It boasted no fewer than twelve city gates and twenty-four main thoroughfares. Within this Imperial Metropolis stood palaces such as the Chang Le Palace, Wei Yang Palace, Gui Palace, Bei Palace, and Ming Guang Palace, alongside expansive grounds like the Shang Lin Garden, Kunming Lake, Jianzhang Palace, and Qujiang Pond. The entire city was constructed on a scale so vast it seemed to swallow mountains and rivers with its very presence.

For an imperial seat governed by a mere puppet, to possess such grandeur was truly rare.

Lu Yuan felt a slight astonishment in his heart. Later, upon hearing it was built by the second Emperor of Jin, Emperor Wu of Jin, he immediately understood. Emperor Wu was the strongest among all the Jin emperors, himself a Grandmaster, who had once aspired to establish a truly powerful dynasty—intending to bring the five High-Tier Immortal Sects under his command. His resolve and ambition were those of a true overlord of an era, though he ultimately met his match in the Second Patriarch of the Northern Peak. It was entirely within reason that such a figure would construct an imperial capital so capable of commanding the landscape.

Lu Yuan was now within the capital.

Indeed, the capital was currently quite crowded, besides Lu Yuan. Many cultivators from the Orthodox Immortal Sects were gathered here as well.

The battle beneath the earth was nearing its end; the Demon Wood Cliff had been breached, and the demon realms of Fang Xie and Jing Huanzhen had both been conquered. Fang Xie, Jing Huanzhen, and all their capable lieutenants had vanished. Essentially, the Orthodox Immortal Sects had taken control of the entirety of the demonic territories.

This was an achievement destined for eternal renown, something unprecedented in five thousand years.

Following the conquest of the demons, the Yuan Kingdom on the other front had also withdrawn its troops.

Presently, the Jin Kingdom was basking in the glory of a golden age, the likes of which hadn't been seen in five millennia.

Naturally, the fame of Yi Jian Duan Tian Chu Duan had also soared to incredible heights, nearly rivaling that of Yan Cangtian.

Returning to the main point, the reason for his presence in the Imperial Capital was the impending event: a treasure distribution ceremony. After annihilating so many demons in the underground world, immense resources had been obtained, and a division was necessary. Of course, the distribution was still some time away.

For now? Lu Yuan habitually sought out wine.

The most famous liquor in the Imperial Capital was, without a doubt, the Son of Heaven Wine. Reportedly, this wine was not only prohibitively expensive but also imparted an unusual sensation upon consumption. Lu Yuan felt a flicker of interest and decided to seek some out.

Three days later, the treasure distribution in the Imperial Capital finally commenced. Lu Yuan received a substantial share of spirit stones, Cloud Beasts, and various other secret manuals. In the merit rankings for eliminating the underground demons, Lu Yuan ranked exceptionally high.

It was rumored that considerable debate had taken place among the sects to determine the division of merit. Ultimately, the key criterion became the strength of the demons slain. Since the demons had not lost too many top experts this time, and Lu Yuan himself had felled a Cang Tu Demon Marquis, his ranking was extremely high—surpassing many Venerables in the Great Dao Realm.

Thus, he acquired a vast quantity of resources.

Even with these resources, Lu Yuan mused internally that he still needed them to attempt the breakthrough to the second layer of the Great Dao Realm: the Law of Heaven and Earth.

Advancing even one layer in the Great Dao Realm was exceedingly difficult, far more so than in the Longevity Realm. Each subsequent level required resources on a celestial scale, beyond imagination.

Even with his current hoard—a full ten Beast-Grade Cloud Beasts—Lu Yuan felt the prospect daunting.

Oh, yes, one more matter needed clarification: the disposition of the underground world had vexed the Orthodox Immortal Sects for a long time. Cultivators could not remain there indefinitely; the sheer strain would be unbearable. Yet, if they abandoned it, the demons would likely move back in after a while, eroding the foundation of this eternal achievement.

How was it finally resolved?

In the end, Zhuge Ge, the ancient Venerable of the Great Dao Realm from the Kunlun Immortal Sect, discovered an ancient technique called the Great Transportation Art within archaic lore—a skill capable of moving mountains and dredging seas, possessing truly limitless power. The disciples of the Kunlun Immortal Sect then began applying this Great Transportation Art, physically moving immense quantities of earth and rock to completely seal off the underground world, which reached depths of thirty thousand zhang and was labyrinthine in its structure.

A grand undertaking, truly a magnificent feat.

It was a daily torrent of earth and stone, transported ceaselessly until the subterranean realm was utterly blocked off. Naturally, before sealing it entirely, they relocated all the extremely rare resources found within.

And then... the underground world vanished.

The realm that had existed since the dawn of Jin history—perhaps even predating the kingdom itself—was entirely erased through the actions of the current generation of Orthodox Immortal Sect members. For a time, both the Orthodox Sects and the demons who had managed to survive in hiding felt a profound sense of loss.

They had all witnessed the end of an era.

And with that, the subterranean war finally and utterly concluded.

The Jin Kingdom restored its glorious, flourishing appearance.

Finally returning to Mount Hua. So many things had happened recently.

After one cup of wine, Lu Yuan sat on the veranda of the Ever-Spring Residence. Outside, a bleak evening rain was falling, showering the residence.

The threads of rain drifted and scattered in the air. Fine as needles, soft as floss, dense and continuous—draping the mountains in a white veil, like cicada wings. Closer by, where the rain struck beneath the eaves, it gathered into a row of exquisite droplets, resembling a beautiful beaded curtain.

Such rare moments of leisure. Time had been relentlessly tight lately: first, the assault by a hundred thousand demons on Mount Hua, then the journey to the South Sea, followed by the descent into the earth. A carefree life seemed irrevocably gone. He could only occasionally steal half a day of idle reprieve. This was the reality when one held ambitions; such unhurried existence was impossible.

Yet, to abandon all pursuit right now was something he could not bring himself to do.

It wasn't greed that motivated him; he had never coveted anything. Greater power or higher status were not his goals. What he greedily held onto were the tasks left by Patriarch Yan and the burdens entrusted by his Master. As a man, sometimes choice was not an option.

The phrase 'a true man' carried little weight when spoken, yet bore the weight of a thousand mountains when acted upon.

Never mind. Since he had managed to steal this half-day of idleness, he would rest for now. As for striving for the second layer of the Great Dao Realm, the Law of Heaven and Earth, that was a matter for the future. If it was for the future, it would wait for the future.

Lu Yuan shrugged.

In the days that followed, Lu Yuan enjoyed a period of considerable ease. Fortunately, several close friends were also on the mountain, and they spent their time drinking together—a truly delightful existence. Watching the leisurely white clouds, the vast blue sky, lying prone on the relaxed grass, the thought of fighting and killing seemed less appealing. This kind of unrestrained life was what the path of cultivation should ultimately be.

Seeking ease, asking about ease—it turned out ease resided right beside him.

One day, while reclining on the grass, he sensed a shift in the surrounding vital energy. Ever since achieving the Great Dao Realm, his perception of atmospheric changes had become acutely sensitive. He immediately sat up cross-legged. When he saw the newcomer was the Eighth Generation Peak Master of the Northern Peak, Qu Qingchen, he stood up instantly: "Greetings, Martial Ancestor Uncle..."

Qu Qingchen nodded and smiled: "No need for formalities..."

He stood there, imposing as a towering mountain—truly an image of profound stillness and towering presence.

"Having returned, I meant to speak with you about something long ago," Qu Qingchen stated. "The Central Celestial Dynasty, you must have heard of it by now."

"Naturally," Lu Yuan confirmed.

"The Central Celestial Dynasty is where the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is most concentrated, where cultivation methods are the most formidable, and where the greatest number of experts reside. There, those in the Longevity Realm walk the streets, Great Dao practitioners are common as dogs, and Void Comprehension masters are frequently seen. To become a true powerhouse and realize one's full potential, one must go to the Central Celestial Dynasty. However, reaching it is no simple feat..."

"Every two hundred years, the Central Celestial Dynasty holds an assessment. At that time, all nations on the continent outside the Central Celestial Dynasty—namely the four great nations of Southeast, Northwest, the Great Yong, the Great Gu, the Great Yi, and the Great Rui—will send representatives."

"Gaining entry into the Central Celestial Dynasty brings infinite benefits and a boundless future..."

"However, entering the Central Celestial Dynasty is far from easy."

"Among our Eighth Generation members of Mount Hua, only three managed to enter the Central Celestial Dynasty."

"Of course, this assessment requires specific conditions. One must, at minimum, be in the Great Dao Realm, and cannot exceed one thousand years of age. Anyone older is deemed to have no potential and is not even considered; the Central Celestial Dynasty simply does not accept them..."

"Entry requires a dual assessment. The first is a qualification test held within Jin Kingdom itself. For instance, in our Jin Kingdom, there are only six Great Dao Realm cultivators under one thousand years old in the entire Mount Hua lineage, and roughly forty in the entire Jin Kingdom. The Central Celestial Dynasty only selects twenty—meaning, out of forty, twenty must be eliminated by failing the initial qualification test held here in Jin."

"But do not assume passing the first domestic qualification test guarantees entry into the Central Celestial Dynasty. There is a subsequent Hundred Nation Assessment. At that time, Great Dao Realm cultivators from hundreds of nations will gather, and even fewer will pass the Hundred Nation Assessment. Overall, only three from the Eighth Generation passed the Hundred Nation Assessment and entered the Central Celestial Dynasty."

"Given your strength, you shouldn't be overly concerned. However, the first stage, the domestic qualification test in Jin, is approaching soon. You have only just reached the Great Dao Realm, leaving little time for preparation, which is why I feel some apprehension for you," Qu Qingchen concluded.

Lu Yuan felt a shock deep within.

So, gaining entry to the Central Celestial Dynasty was such a complicated affair: first, a qualification test in one's home nation, where only twenty out of forty Great Dao cultivators under a thousand years were allowed to pass. The other half had to be eliminated—and these were Great Dao Realm figures!

Then, there was the Hundred Nation Assessment, pitting masters from hundreds of states against each other.

The Central Celestial Dynasty was truly a sacred land. An indescribably powerful place.