Suspended in the mid-air was a cluster of black specks, dense and indistinct. Ye Chen estimated that every Ghost God Realm expert on the entire Thunderous Plaza, when gathered, numbered close to a hundred million Ghost Gods!

Across the entire expanse of the plaza were about fifty or sixty Prehistoric Civilizations. Each civilization, having propagated over countless ages, now numbered only around seventy to eighty million individuals due to resource scarcity, totaling nearly five billion people!

Among them, Ghost God experts were not uncommon; in the Ancient World, an ordinary person who cultivated for a century could easily reach the Ghost God Realm! Only the Demigod Realm could be considered the pinnacle strength of a civilization!

The total number of Demigod experts across the entire plaza was perhaps only forty thousand, while Pseudo-God Realm experts were even rarer. “Esteemed guests!” A voice like crashing thunder echoed above the entirety of the plaza.

“I am the Personnel Elder of the Crimson Meteor Sect. Today, I am here solely to recruit disciples with immense potential in the Ghost God Realm.

Those willing to join may remain!” This booming voice reverberated across the entire venue. “What?” “The Crimson Meteor…” “So it is the Crimson Meteor Sect!!

Hahahaha…” “What is the Crimson Meteor Sect?” The ten billion Ghost God experts suspended in the air were instantly awakened. Hearing the words of this mysterious man, some were confused, some were ecstatic, and others fell into contemplation… Time seemed to have exploded into chaos.

What a staggering impact it was for a billion people to gather and discuss! If one’s physical constitution wasn't strong, they would have been shaken senseless just standing there.

Ye Chen’s eyes moved, and he noticed streams of men radiating imposing and mysterious auras surging out from many distant civilizations—all Demigod Realm experts. Strangely, these individuals only observed from afar, making no move to approach.

“Gentlemen…” The man in crimson spoke in a low tone. “As long as you become disciples of the Crimson Meteor Sect, you will receive free rations every month, access to cultivation caverns, and numerous elixirs for refining your physique!” “Historical statistics show that anyone entering the Crimson Meteor Sect, even a first-tier Ghost God expert, will inevitably ascend to the Demigod Realm within three years!” The voice of the man in crimson carried a profound sense of authority and pride.

“If no one steps back, I will commence the selection process.” Silence! Everyone present exchanged glances, unable to mask their astonishment.

Ascending from the Ghost God Realm to the Demigod Realm in just three years? Consider that some individuals were stuck at the peak of the Ghost God Realm for countless ages, yet could never break through to the next level, their flesh unable to evolve, leading to their eventual regretful demise.

Yet, this man in crimson claimed that joining them guaranteed a breakthrough to the Demigod Realm in three years! Whoosh!

The momentary silence was immediately shattered by an earth-shattering clamor. Countless faces flushed crimson with excitement, their bodies trembling slightly.

In this Ancient World, a Ghost God Realm expert was merely considered ordinary! A Demigod was equivalent to a minor executive!

A Pseudo-God expert was comparable to a corporate leader! As for the higher-tiered Divine beings, they were world-class figures of supreme standing!

If these Ghost God experts were placed on Earth, they would be roles not to be ignored, but in this vast Ancient World, simply standing on the Thunderous Plaza of this reception platform made them seem like a minuscule drop of water. Only by becoming a Demigod expert did one earn the right to hunt around the plaza’s perimeter; Ghost God experts were merely prey meant to be hunted...

The man in crimson remained impassive, his eyes sweeping across the assembly. Wherever his gaze landed, everyone felt a chilling light pierce their bones, as if a venomous serpent had coiled around their necks, causing their bodies to stiffen involuntarily.

In an instant, the once boisterous and lively crowd fell into profound, silent stillness. A surge of crimson, blood-red light erupted from the eyes of the man in crimson; within them seemed to flicker faint, mysterious shadows.

He began his scan slowly, starting from the east. “You!” The man in crimson pointed, and instantly, a man clad in dark black armor was restrained by a mysterious power and pulled toward him.

“You!” “You!” “You…” As his fingers kept pointing, figures shot out from the crowd, flying toward the man in crimson. Soon, the man in crimson’s finger landed near Ye Chen.

As he pointed, Ye Chen felt his entire body ensnared by a miraculous force—a power filled with profound breadth, immensity, stability, and a sense of peace. Moments later— “That is all.

Those not pointed out, you may return now!” The man in crimson waved his hand dismissively. Everyone paused slightly, looking at him with stunned expressions.

“Wasn’t this a selection?” “Why did it end so quickly?” “We haven’t even started!” As waves of dissatisfied protests arose, the man in crimson frowned and stated gravely, “Your aptitude is insufficient. I carry the Crimson Meteor Sect’s Pseudo-God Treasure, the ‘Heavenly Eye,’ which can see through a person’s cultivation and potential.

Everyone I selected has been automatically filtered through this Pseudo-God Treasure, the Heavenly Eye.” Having said this, the man in crimson coldly surveyed the entire assembly. “Do you have any further objections?” The crowd fell into utter silence.

Objections? Of course, they had objections!

But when the opposing party presented a Pseudo-God Treasure, having objections was useless. Immediately, even though many felt disgruntled, they dared not argue further, having to accept the reality.

After all, the might of a Pseudo-God Treasure was undeniable! Still, to give up just like that—how could they reconcile with it?

The man in crimson offered no comfort whatsoever, stating plainly, “Those chosen, wait at the departure point on the east side of the plaza in three days.” With that, he turned directly and departed. Ye Chen watched his figure rapidly vanish from sight, his brow furrowed slightly.

He withdrew his gaze and glanced at the chosen individuals around him, estimating there were about a hundred thousand in total. He couldn't help but shake his head lightly, moved swiftly, and turned to leave, returning to the territory of the Spiritual Civilization.

“What happened?” Xu Tianguo, Bai Long, and the others immediately gathered around, asking curiously. Ye Chen calmly replied, “In a couple of days, I will leave here and head to Azure Water City.

Once matters are settled there, no one on this Thunderous Plaza will dare to harass the Spiritual Civilization again, allowing it to develop in peace.” Xu Tianguo was stunned for a moment, then erupted with joy. “Truly?” Ye Zhu’s expression held a measure of worry.

“This matter must be extremely dangerous. Are you confident?” She was no longer the little girl she once was.

In the past, no matter what, she would never have allowed Ye Chen to undertake something so perilous. She did not see herself as a great figure.

She was just an ordinary person who did not want her closest, dearest, and only kin to face danger! But now, having endured so much hardship, her mind had gradually matured, and she understood that many things were not about choosing not to do them, but about having to do them.

The burdens she carried were too numerous... She felt that the only thing she could do now was share Ye Chen’s load.

Though she couldn't assist in combat, she could understand his feelings and let him know he wasn't fighting alone! Ye Chen looked at her, his eyes flickering slightly, and his expression softened.

“It’s nothing major, just that a very powerful faction has taken an interest in me. I'll go for a test in a few days.

If I pass, I’ll become a member there. Afterward, all the other civilizations and factions on this plaza will afford us some respect and won’t cause trouble for us.” Everyone realized the situation.

“You must not force yourself!” Ye Zhu earnestly cautioned him. Ye Chen pinched her cheek and chuckled.

“Little girl, you still don’t trust me?” Ye Zhu swatted his hand away and retorted playfully, “If you’re gone, I’ll immediately go to join you!” Ye Chen’s body trembled slightly… A surge of hot blood rushed up from his deepest core. He looked at her deeply, then said no more.

“I’m going into seclusion now.” His figure flickered, and he vanished. Following the arrival of the man in crimson, the entire Thunderous Plaza erupted in fervor.

Numerous powers convened meetings, giving the individuals qualified to participate in the assessment intensive training, instilling them with much lore about the Crimson Meteor Sect. When the agreed time arrived, on the east side of the plaza, countless figures gathered.

Looking out, it was an endless, dark expanse, teeming with bobbing heads and hushed discussions. Not long after—swoosh~~ In the distant sky… a spaceship, brilliantly jade-green throughout, sailed slowly toward them.

This vessel was exceptionally grand and vast, easily a hundred times the size of a Rune Ship, resembling an aircraft carrier. At the very front flew a banner engraved with a Crimson Flame Sigil.

“Board now!” A low voice sounded from within the ship, reaching every ear below. The people assembled were certainly not children; they immediately understood what to do.

With a synchronized movement, they formed neat lines, stretching out like a contiguous black ribbon across the sky, surging orderly toward the ship. Ye Chen moved with the flow of the crowd.

Along the way, he noticed no one cutting in line or falling behind. He looked around and saw that although his neighbors were all human, their appearances held subtle differences.

For instance, the Superpower Civilization from the First Solar Era: every member of that race possessed three eyes. The one centered on their brow was usually closed, only opening during combat.

Every Superpower Civilization member awakened their inherent superpower at the age of sixteen, with these powers graded. Some superpowers were merely enhanced vision, allowing them to see through clothing and into bodies...

Other superpowers could transmute stone into gold, and these were considered lower-level abilities. In the peaceful modern cities, a small minority of super-powered individuals (metahumans) existed… These people were all hereditary descendants of the bloodline from the First Solar Era’s Superpower Civilization.

More potent superpowers included Domain control and Blood Sacrifice Worlds. Some terrifyingly powerful super-users, despite having only Level 100 personal strength, could slay experts at Level thousands through their powers!

Naturally, the consequence of such exertion was often extreme overdraw, leading to unconsciousness or even death! Besides the Superpower Civilization of the First Solar Era, there was the Fire Civilization of the Second Solar Era, the Giant Civilization of the Third Solar Era, and the Atlantis Civilization of the Fourth Solar Era.

The people of Atlantis were inherently brilliant; by fourteen or fifteen, they possessed the wisdom equivalent to a professor in the Spiritual Civilization. They once dominated Earth, only to vanish overnight.

All subsequent nations searched for them but found no trace. The Fire Civilization was too ancient; few surviving artifacts remained.

The Giant Civilization was first discovered through giant skeletons unearthed on a solitary island, leading to the deduction that the Second Solar Era was dominated by the Giant Civilization.