This continent was not flat in topography but resembled the head of a phoenix.
Connecting the Phoenix Head Continent were the Eight Heavens.
At the very apex of the Phoenix Head Continent rested the Phoenix Head Altar, which connected to the Thirty-Three Heavens of the Phoenix Ancient Civilization—the abode of the Ruler of the Phoenix Ancient Civilization.
In addition, there were seven other locations, each linking to one of the Eighteen Heavens, serving as the residences of the Seven Goddesses: the Jade Saint Pool connected to the Metal Mother’s Eighteenth Heaven; the Jade Consort Pool to the Fire Mother’s Eighteenth Heaven; the Nine Heavens Terrace to the Wind Mother’s Eighteenth Heaven; the Azure Tan Terrace to the Wood Mother’s Eighteenth Heaven; the Cloud Concealment Terrace to the Water Mother’s Eighteenth Heaven; the Azure Nether Terrace to the Earth Mother’s Eighteenth Heaven; and the Thunder Proud Terrace to the Thunder Mother’s Eighteenth Heaven.
Currently, six of the Seven Goddesses had taken their positions.
These six were: the Metal Mother, Queen Mother of the West; the Water Mother, Princess Cloud Mist; the Fire Mother, Holy Mother Yao Ji; the Earth Mother, Empress Xuan Ming; the Wind Mother, Mysterious Maiden of the Nine Heavens; and the Thunder Mother, Princess Lei Ao. Only one, the Azure Maiden, had yet to assume her seat.
The contest for the Azure Maiden position was to be held at the Azure Tan Terrace.
The Azure Tan Terrace was an immensely vast platform, its material quite peculiar: it was forged from wood that was incomparably hard and possessed a vibrant azure hue, constantly emitting a rich, verdant fragrance. The shape of the Azure Tan Terrace resembled a supremely beautiful Azure Luan, a testament to the last Azure Maiden's artistry. The entire terrace was magnificent, imbued with a faint, lingering perfume.
To the east of the Azure Tan Terrace hung a colossal azure bell.
This bell was named the Azure Sound Bell, and its chime held a miraculous power that brought clarity and serenity. To the west of the Azure Tan Terrace, a subtle, ethereal Stairway to Heaven shimmered, offering passage to the Wood Mother’s Eighteenth Heaven.
By this time, the Azure Tan Terrace was already fully occupied.
Seated in the foremost position was the Ruler of the Phoenix Ancient Civilization, clad in a Cloud-Piercing Bright Robe, wearing the Golden Light Supreme Profound Crown, and accessorized with a seven-foot-long finger-winding jade sword. The Ruler was noble and elegant, possessing an aura so imposing it defied direct gaze. She perfectly blended the dignity of a mother governing the world with the delicate charm inherent to womanhood.
The foremost among the Seven Goddesses was naturally the Metal Mother, Queen Mother of the West. She wore the Crown of the Grand Void Cave Yin, draped in cloud-woven feathered robes, and carried the Weapon of (Fen Jing). The Queen Mother of the West’s temperament bore a resemblance to that of the Ruler; she was essentially the designated successor, poised to ascend the throne should the Ruler ever fall. Her power currently stood at the absolute peak of a Civilization Deputy Lord, on the cusp of potentially shattering the barrier into the Civilization Lord tier—a level far beyond that of typical Deputy Lords.
Second among the Seven Goddesses ranked the Fire Mother, Holy Mother Yao Ji. Yao Ji possessed piercing, delicate eyes and a melon-seed-shaped face, clad in a fiery crimson robe that made her dazzlingly alluring. This goddess, too, possessed cultivation approaching the level of the Civilization Lord.
Third among the Seven Goddesses was the Mysterious Maiden of the Nine Heavens. She was dressed in flowing cloud-light embroidered robes, petite and strikingly beautiful. The Mysterious Maiden was a formidable figure; incidentally, the one who knew Zhou Qingxuan and harbored a secret affection for him in the past was none other than this Mysterious Maiden.
The Earth Mother, Empress Xuan Ming, possessed a rather ordinary appearance, setting her apart from the other beautiful goddesses. She exuded a feeling of immense weight, as steadfast and grounded as a mountain or the very earth itself.
The Water Mother, Princess Cloud Mist, remained veiled within swirling mist and water, making her difficult to discern clearly.
The Thunder Mother, Princess Lei Ao, appeared to be a girl in her early teens, radiating extreme pride. She wore a purple-light embroidered robe, constantly flickering with lightning, immediately signaling her arrogant nature. Two long, purple pigtails flowed smoothly down her back.
The Ruler of the Phoenix Ancient Civilization and these six goddesses—with the exception of the Earth Mother, Xuan Ming—each possessed unique and captivating allure.
Among the assembled guests, though none spoke it aloud, many thought inwardly: acquiring any one of these goddesses would guarantee both immense wealth and intoxicating pleasure. These guests were primarily envoys from the Five Great Ancient Civilizations and thirty general civilizations. Given the prestige of the Phoenix Ancient Civilization, these powers had each dispatched at least one Civilization Realm expert to attend.
The assembly now hosted some forty to fifty Civilization Realm experts.
Within the Central Heavenly Dynasty’s Civilization Realm contingents, factions had long since solidified.
The faction formed by the Legal Ancient and Martial Ancients stood opposed to the faction comprised of the Desolate Ancient, Buddha Ancient, and Immortal Ancient groups. Normally adversaries, they maintained a slightly subdued atmosphere here out of respect for the Ruler of the Phoenix Ancient Civilization, yet the two groups remained seated a considerable distance apart.
Among the attendees, the most keenly observed were those from the Miao Civilization.
The Miao Civilization held significant importance today, as both the Deputy Lord of the Three Epoch Miao Blade Civilization and the Deputy Lord of the Two Epoch Miao Gu Civilization were already present. Furthermore, the Miao Maiden, Qing Lian, sat gracefully; her inner power was completely harmonized, clearly having reached an extraordinary state.
Hmm, why haven't Lu Yuan and Yue Nu Xiao Qing arrived yet?
Lu Yuan’s reputation had recently soared, and many were intensely curious to see what made him so remarkable that he could achieve the Civilization Realm so rapidly, yet he had yet to appear.
When the Azure Sound Bell chimed its first note.
The start of the Azure Maiden contest was marked by the ninth chime.
And now, with the first chime sounding, the absence of Lu Yuan and Yue Nu Xiao Qing caused a flicker of surprise among the attendees.
The Ruler of the Phoenix Ancient Civilization turned to Princess Cloud Mist, her voice elegant and clear: “Cloud Mist, why hasn't Xiao Qing arrived?”
Princess Cloud Mist replied gravely, “Lu Yuan sealed the Azure Pattern Palace; neither Lu Yuan nor Xiao Qing has emerged. They must still be inside the Azure Pattern Palace, though they should certainly be here by now.” As she spoke, the Mysterious Maiden of the Nine Heavens subtly fretted. Due to her connection with Zhou Qingxuan, she always paid special attention to Lu Yuan.
On the Azure Tan Terrace of the Phoenix Head Continent, besides the forty to fifty Civilization Realm experts, many subordinates from each civilization had accompanied them—figures like the Son of Law and the Son of Martial Arts were present in numbers. As the conversation continued, the bell sounded its second chime, prompting murmurs among the crowd.
“Why haven’t Lu Yuan and Yue Nu Xiao Qing appeared?”
“Perhaps they knew they stood no chance against Miao Maiden Qing Lian and decided to flee before the competition even began.”
“That’s entirely possible.”
“However, Lu Yuan and Yue Nu Xiao Qing truly stand little chance. Miao Maiden Qing Lian’s foundational aptitude is far superior to Yue Nu Xiao Qing’s, and Qing Lian has the backing of the Miao Civilization. Xiao Qing’s support is only Lu Yuan, who, despite his miraculous ascent to the Civilization Realm, cannot compare to the massive structure of the Miao Civilization.”
“Indeed. It’s very likely they are intentionally delaying their entry because they know they cannot win.”
Clang! The sound was melodious and clear. It was the third chime.
A moment later, Clang! The fourth chime resonated across the entire Phoenix Head Continent. Miao Maiden Qing Lian allowed a hint of self-satisfaction to cross her features. Lu Yuan was not as terrifying as imagined. She would secure the Azure Maiden position this time. Just then, Qing Lian felt a surge of powerful aura approaching from the southeast—an aura not just strong, but profoundly familiar; the very same presence that had once made her break out in a cold sweat. He was here!
He, of course, was him.
He!
Yes, he had arrived.
As the Azure Sound Bell rang its fifth note, a young man dressed in azure stepped forward, a long sword resting casually on his left shoulder, holding a pale yellow wine gourd in his right hand. He moved with unrestrained elegance and ease, his steps solid. Trailing behind him was a young woman, also in azure, whose beauty was mixed with a dash of martial spirit. She was tall and slender, with an extremely narrow waist accentuated by a hanging blue sash that further enhanced her poise.
Lu Yuan had arrived! Yue Nu Xiao Qing had arrived!
Lu Yuan offered a slight smile, a gesture that unknowingly captivated the hearts of countless young women. The maidens from the Flower Civilization who had been discussing Lu Yuan earlier flushed upon seeing his smile. Lu Yuan was already one of the most popular idols in the Central Heavenly Dynasty, nearly on par with the Son of Desolation. Moreover, having risen from a common sect like the Sword Gate, his actual fanbase was even larger than the Son of Desolation’s. Thus, Lu Yuan, who was only moderately handsome, attracted many blushing maidens simply due to his immense popularity—he truly was handsome. Among the Seven Goddesses, Princess Lei Ao, the girl with the twin purple pigtails, let her face redden slightly before quickly muttering, Pah, what am I thinking about.
Lu Yuan walked to the center of the gathering and bowed to the Ruler of the Phoenix Ancient Civilization: “I must thank the Ruler of the Phoenix Ancient Civilization for your aid when the Ruler of the Desolate Ancient Civilization pressed me back at the Legal Ancient Civilization last time.” One should always acknowledge assistance received. The Ruler of the Phoenix Ancient Civilization looked upon Lu Yuan; truly, a junior with immense potential, who might one day reach the Civilization Lord level, and one who respected tradition. Unlike the arrogant Son of Desolation, this was quite pleasing. The Ruler’s gaze softened considerably. “No need for such formality. Proceed to your designated seat.” She gestured vaguely, and Lu Yuan gracefully took his place.
Xiao Qing also offered a deep bow: “Greetings to the Ruler of the Phoenix Ancient Civilization.” Having spent some time in the Ruler’s presence previously, the Ruler nodded slightly: “Today, in the Azure Maiden contest, my civilization cannot show favoritism toward you. Be seated for now.” After offering her respects, Xiao Qing sat down beside Lu Yuan.
Clang! The Azure Sound Bell sounded its sixth note.
Only three more chimes until the Azure Maiden contest would commence.
As everyone waited, a deep, resonant voice boomed from the delegation of the Miao Civilization. The Deputy Lord of the Miao Blade Civilization stood abruptly and addressed the assembly: “Ruler of the Phoenix Ancient Civilization, if memory serves, in ancient legends, the Mysterious Maiden of the Nine Heavens sought vengeance after a close relative was murdered. Is the pursuit of kin-slaying vengeance justified?”
“It is naturally justified,” replied the Ruler of the Phoenix Ancient Civilization from her high seat upon the Phoenix Throne.
“Then that settles it,” the Deputy Lord of the Miao Blade Civilization nodded. “I too have recently lost a relative who was murdered, and I wish to seek vengeance now. I propose starting immediately, before the Azure Sound Bell reaches its ninth chime, lest we delay the Azure Maiden contest.”
(Second chapter delivered. Tomorrow [censored for context], please cast your monthly votes! It’s the end of the month; send all the monthly votes you have!)
(Today is Chapter 1111, four ones. The sword is one. This book’s Holy Day of the Sword! For this 4/1 Sword Holy Day, I request monthly votes!!!) (To be continued)