It is both fortunate and unfortunate that the number of individuals selected by a Ninth Step Star Field is exceedingly small—only three over the span of ten thousand years.

The Eighth Step Star Fields host five sects: the Limitless Sect, the Shadow Wind School, the Rainbow Path Sect, the Celestial Response Sect, and the Silent Soul Dao.

“Senior…”

The three men’s expressions grew solemn. Although they had never heard this title before, the mere fact that a single jade slip contained the aura of a Soul Shattering cultivator, and that the sender clearly knew everything about them, only increased their reverence.

Liu Jinbiao, just wait until I crush you!!! Vote for monthly tickets to aid my revenge!

Once disbanded, though they would be reassigned to other branch sects, their status would plummet instantly. They would likely face ridicule for the rest of their lives and never receive proper attention; disgrace would cling to them forever.

“The remaining three sects are far stronger than our Heavenly Firmament Sect; we have absolutely no hope…” one of the elders said bitterly.

This fissure was no longer rainbow-hued; under Wang Lin’s divine sense, it immediately contracted and vanished.

It was not just one Eighth Step sect, but all of them acting simultaneously. During the Grand Competition, the branch sects would report to their main sects for a new round of evaluations. The superior branch sects would earn rewards and favor from the main sect, and their outstanding disciples would often be retained by the main sect to be personally cultivated.

Then, a jade slip suddenly shattered the Heavenly Firmament Sect’s protective mountain array, pierced through the main hall’s roof, and descended directly, floating in the center of those within the hall.

Of course, cross-level challenges were possible. For instance, a thousand years ago, the Purple Path Sect challenged the strongest sect in a Sixth Step Star Field, and although they failed, their valiant effort earned them considerable regard from the Limitless Sect of the Eighth Step Star Field, though they were defeated.

“We don't have that many Yuan Crystals…”

The moment these words were spoken, the expressions of the three changed drastically.

As for those who failed, their status would often decline again over the subsequent millennium, until finally, the main sect would abandon them, disband the branch sect, and scatter the remaining disciples among other branches.

Through this cruel method, the strength of the sects within the Eighth Step Star Fields was constantly pushed upward. Until one day, when the majority of the branch sects under an Eighth Step sect had grown exceedingly powerful, that Eighth Step sect would be granted the status of a Ninth Step sect by the Divine Sects.

“You are facing a calamity yet remain oblivious. Let this old man speak plainly. Three days ago, someone sent me the life stories of you three, offering a price of sixty thousand Yuan Crystals for me to take your lives!”

Furthermore, the deceived sects, mindful of their reputation, would absolutely never reveal that they had been tricked. Even if they conducted secret investigations, they usually found nothing. This was because the branch sects this person selected were often chosen after careful consideration, usually being weak sects like the Returning Origin Sect—those on the verge of dissolution with no hope of winning.

After the Grand Competition Ceremony of the Eighth Step Star Fields, the three strongest disciples from the branch sects would engage in a true slaughter against the branch sects of the other four Eighth Step Star Fields. This killing was crucial. Although the Eighth Step sects themselves were forbidden from interfering, and the Ninth Step Star Fields conducted strict inspections, the contests among the branch sect members could indirectly reveal a portion of the strength of each Eighth Step sect.

The Returning Origin Sect and the Purple Path Sect were branch sects belonging to the Limitless Sect of the Eighth Step.

A supremely powerful aura suddenly erupted from that jade slip, instantly suffusing the entire hall. As it spread, it permeated every corner of the Heavenly Firmament Sect, subtly causing the very continent where the Heavenly Firmament Sect resided to tremble.

“Sixty thousand Yuan Crystals…” The three felt their minds shaken, filled with terror. Although they harbored doubts, faced with the Soul Shattering aura and the detailed personal histories, those doubts seemed pale and powerless!

They could not accept this reality, yet they dared not refuse. Refusal meant the annihilation of their sect. After all, the Returning Origin Sect was merely a branch.

“Unless a miracle occurs… it will be difficult!” Another elder sighed deeply, gazing around with lingering affection. He knew that after his departure in a month, there would likely be no return; the Heavenly Firmament Sect was fated for dissolution.

Not every swindler could thrive in such a grand ceremony. Yet, there was one individual who had repeatedly gained substantial benefits during these events, appearing almost every thousand years, adopting countless aliases, changing his name with every millennium.

Zhou Chen was not from the Heavenly Sea Continent but was born on the Zhou Wu Continent, joining the Heavenly Firmament Sect halfway through his cultivation journey… Since beginning his path, he has stagnated at the Yang Solid realm for seven hundred and thirty-five years!

In the Cloud Sea Star Field, after a century of silence, the grand competition among the branch sects of the Eighth Step Star Fields was also approaching as scheduled. This millennium-spanning Grand Competition of the Eighth Step Star Fields was practically the grand event of the Cloud Sea Star Field.

Luo Conggang was born on the Heavenly Sea Continent, his father being Luo Haitao… Since starting his cultivation, he forcefully advanced using numerous pills, stopping at the early stage of Nirvana Glimpse.

Such sects were disbanded after the competition, so how could they seek trouble with the swindler? It all came to nothing. Even if they reported being tricked, even if someone believed them, they would ultimately be ridiculed; it was better left unsaid.

“However, this old man bears no grudge against your Heavenly Firmament Sect. While I urgently need Yuan Crystals for alchemy, I am reluctant to commit such an act. But if there is truly no other way, then I must take your three lives.” The voice gradually deepened, merging with the Soul Shattering aura emanating from the jade slip, immediately turning the faces of the three ashen.

The millennium-long Cloud Sea Grand Ceremony was extraordinarily lively, often lasting several months. Every time this occurred, various markets and trading hubs within the Eighth Step Star Fields would convene, naturally leading to the emergence of swindlers who profited from the occasion.

While Liu Jinbiao was displaying his ‘might,’ deep within the Fifth Step Star Field of the Cloud Sea, on a desolate continent, there was a sudden boom as if struck by immense force. The ground trembled, fissures appearing everywhere, and immediately, a white-haired figure burst forth from beneath the desolate land!

The staging of this ceremony was not a fight among all branch sects, but rather unfolded according to the star field’s tier, ultimately selecting the strongest faction from each star field within the Fourth through Seventh Steps.

“The three of you, did this old man speak a single falsehood!”

Seeing this, Wang Lin’s expression became uncertain. Finally, his gaze fell upon the jade bracelet on his wrist. At this moment, the bracelet no longer displayed a blue glow but had turned back to jade green.

Consequently, for such vital competitions, the Eighth Step sects often began preparations very early. The three slots participating in the final Eighth Step Star Field Grand Competition were almost already internally decided. Even before they reached the main sect, they were given the treatment of core disciples of the main sect, with personnel from the main sect personally coming to instruct them.

Wang Lin’s body settled, his face pale as he spat out a mouthful of blood, but his divine sense immediately spread out, locking tightly onto the former rainbow-hued fissure beneath the desolate continent!

“This old man’s time is limited. I will give you half an incense stick to consider. If you refuse, this old man will have no choice but to kill today. If you lack Yuan Crystals, you may offer items of equivalent value.”

This demonstration of strength was for the Ninth Step sects to witness. If the winning Eighth Step sect could maintain this level for ten thousand years, it would possess part of the qualification to become a Ninth Step Star Field sect!

Since the departure of the Heaven Breaking Sect, the Eighth Step Star Fields had held seventeen Grand Competitions, with varying outcomes. However, the rise of the Silent Soul Dao ten thousand years ago resulted in the last nine consecutive competitions becoming predictable. This current—the eighteenth competition since the departure of the Heaven Breaking Sect—if the Silent Soul Dao wins again, its ascension to a Ninth Step sect will be imminent.

“Senior’s arrival is for…” Zhu Yunming took a deep breath, suppressing the tension in his heart, and bowed low to inquire.

“Zhu Yunming, born on the Heavenly Sea Continent, began cultivation at seven, joined the Heavenly Firmament Sect, formed a Core at over two hundred years, reached Nascent Soul at over six hundred years… to this day, after cultivating for several millennia, he has finally reached the early stage of Nirvana Glimpse, serving as the Sect Master of the Heavenly Firmament Sect.”

Simultaneously, a defiant voice echoed from within the jade slip, reverberating through the hall.

“Everything the senior said is correct. May I ask who the senior is?” The three were horrified. The voice spoke with extreme detail, even mentioning things they themselves had almost forgotten, yet the sender knew them perfectly. Shaken by the preceding Soul Shattering aura, their bodies trembled, feeling an impending sense of their souls scattering away.

The Heavenly Firmament Sect was a weak sect within the Fifth Step Star Field; its main sect was the Celestial Response Sect of the Eighth Step. With the Grand Competition approaching, gloom permeated the entire Heavenly Firmament Sect. Their situation, like the Returning Origin Sect, was always last place in every competition. If they failed this time, dissolution was inevitable.

“Of course, this matter is not what this old man desires. If you three can also offer sixty thousand Yuan Crystals or an equivalent value, then this matter ends here. Not only will this old man not kill you three, but I can also assist you, saving your Heavenly Firmament Sect from the threat of dissolution!”

Under this aura, the four elders immediately changed their expressions drastically. They abruptly stood up, staring intently at the jade slip, their minds shocked, a sense of dread rising within them. This incredibly powerful aura made them clearly feel the permeation of a Soul Shattering divine power.

“This old man is Liu Jinbiao! My Daoist name is Jinbiaozi!”

The Returning Origin Sect had repeatedly ended up last over these countless years. This was their final chance. If it ended as before, the Returning Origin Sect would be dissolved by its main sect, and all its disciples, including Lü Yanfei and others, would be sent to other branch sects. From then on, the name Returning Origin Sect would cease to exist. Afterward, the main sect would select new disciples to form a new branch sect, maintaining the established scale.

The three fell silent, an oppressive atmosphere enveloping the entire hall. Just then, a sharp whistling sound suddenly swept through the heavens and earth in an instant, a sound so earth-shattering that the three in the hall sharply looked up.

The Grand Competition Ceremony of every branch sect in the Eighth Step Star Fields would have observers from the Ninth Step Star Fields. If they took a liking to any disciple, they would demand them. Despite the helplessness of the Eighth Step sects, such requests could not be refused.

Legend has it that the Heaven Breaking Sect and the Ghost Sect of those years were established this way.

“In a month is the Branch Sect Grand Competition; we must all be teleported to the Eighth Step Star Field. Besides our Heavenly Firmament Sect in the Fifth Step Star Field, the main sect has three other sects. Every time, our Heavenly Firmament Sect is last. This time… alas.” In the main hall of the Heavenly Firmament Sect, three elders sat, all frowning, their faces showing helplessness, confusion, and a trace of unwillingness.

After a long while, Wang Lin raised his head, gazing at the Cloud Sea Star Field, murmuring, “Wang has… returned!” !!A