The surroundings were utterly black, the whole world steeped in darkness, save for this one path that radiated a seven-hued light. Yuan Tian dared not look up, keeping his head bowed, walking with reverent steps along the corridor. He walked for an unmeasured time, until even he felt a degree of fatigue, when a circular doorway finally appeared. The moment one of Yuan Tian's feet crossed the threshold of that door, all the surrounding darkness vanished without a trace…
It was a world where birds sang and flowers scented the air. The sky was azure, the lakes crystal clear, the forests verdant, and the meadows bloomed with countless flowers. Everything exuded such harmony, such breathtaking beauty…
Occasionally, a stag would dart past his vision, or a brilliantly colored bird would flutter overhead. Yuan Tian dared not stare, keeping his gaze lowered, silently treading the path paved with flagstones. When he reached the path’s end, he stood before the colossal lake…
There was no road ahead, yet a gigantic palace floated suspended above the water. Every time Yuan Tian beheld this massive edifice, his heart surged with excitement. This was an undertaking beyond human capability; it was a true miracle, a structure only a deity could conceive…
He required no guide. With a sudden surge of strength, he launched himself upward, soaring through the air until he landed directly upon the palace’s steps, where he immediately dropped to his knees, continuing his ascent in a slow, crawling fashion…
All nine hundred and ninety-nine steps took Yuan Tian a full hour to traverse before he reached the palace doors…
Even with his immense power, his knees were already raw and bleeding by that time, yet there was no trace of resentment in his eyes; instead, they were brimming with intense fervor…
How many years had it been since he had last stood here? Though he held the lofty position of Grand Elder outside, here, he understood he was no more than an ant. This was a celestial realm, a domain mortals were forbidden to tread. The fact that he, in his mortal frame, could step upon this sacred ground—what greater fortune could there be?
As Yuan Tian knelt his way to the palace gate, no sound echoed. It was only when he reached the threshold that a faint, ethereal voice drifted from within the vast structure: “Enter…”
Those few simple words transformed into an immense suction force that drew Yuan Tian bodily inside…
When Yuan Tian regained his senses, he found himself standing in a gargantuan hall. The stone columns supporting the ceiling soared hundreds of feet high, each requiring more than a dozen men to encircle. Strange runes were carved upon these pillars, and besides that, the entire hall was utterly devoid of any other ornamentation…
At the far end of the hall rested a massive throne. Upon it sat a figure draped in white robes. He was called a figure only because the person seemed like a mere phantom, yet he was seated there with undeniable substance…
The line between reality and illusion was blurred, and Yuan Tian instinctively dared not look directly at this silhouette, only sensing the surging, overwhelming power emanating from it. His body began to tremble uncontrollably…
“Yuan Tian pays respects to the Cult Master…” Apart from this single shadowy figure, the hall was empty. Yuan Tian knelt down in profound reverence…
“The Heavenly Dragon Eight Divisions and the Eight Pagodas are dead?” Without acknowledging Yuan Tian’s obeisance, the figure simply inquired.
“Yes, Cult Master…” Yuan Tian dared not conceal the truth, nodding his assent.
“This means another powerful faction, or perhaps an individual, has arisen in the Nine Provinces?” The figure spoke as if to himself, yet also as a direct question to Yuan Tian…
“Yes…” Yuan Tian’s body shuddered faintly. He genuinely had no idea what action the Cult Master might choose to take…
“Interesting, truly interesting. I never expected such a figure to emerge in the Nine Provinces. For now, do not move against him. I wish to see how far he can grow,” the figure stated coolly…
“As you command, Cult Master…”
“However, the Nine Provinces have been too peaceful for too long. A person of this caliber requires the baptism of war. Yuan Tian, you know what must be done, correct?” the man said mildly…
“I understand, Cult Master…” Yuan Tian nodded heavily. He grasped the man’s intent immediately—nothing less than stirring unrest throughout the Nine Provinces…
“Furthermore, take advantage of this conflict to find me one thousand young novices whose potential reaches the Profound Level. My Profound Blood Legion requires fresh vitality,” the figure added, seemingly without concern…
“As you command…” Yuan Tian bowed deeply once more…
“Go now…” The figure seemed suddenly impatient, waving a hand lightly. A colossal force seized Yuan Tian’s form and hurled him outward. As he was flung back, Yuan Tian distinctly felt a strange power flooding his body, his own strength continuously increasing. In the span of mere blinks, he had broken through the realm that had long stalled his progress, advancing directly from the third heaven of the Martial God realm into the fourth heaven of the Martial God realm…
Only after Yuan Tian’s silhouette vanished from the hall did the seemingly illusory figure slowly begin to solidify. Viewed from a distance, he was a man perhaps in his early twenties, handsome, but with eyes of extreme coldness…
“The myriad stars stirred, such an intense stellar fluctuation vanished in an instant. Marvelous, truly marvelous,” the man murmured quietly, seemingly to himself…
“The stars changing—nothing like this has happened for many years. Could it be…” At this moment, a low voice echoed from above the hall, laden with confusion…
“It seems you have recalled it as well. Correct, only a Star Radiance Body could cause such a stellar transformation. In other words, among these lab rats, a Star Radiance Body has actually appeared.” A half-smile played across the man’s lips…
“This… How is that possible? We spent so many years and failed to cultivate such a peerless innate treasure body. How could those contemptible ants possibly produce such a talent?” The voice from the void was clearly astonished…
“Heh heh, nothing is impossible. Do not forget, they are, fundamentally, subjects of our experiment,” the man replied, a cruel smile touching his lips…
“Then what should we do? Shall I go and capture that fellow? Those lunatics in the Science Academy would certainly be ecstatic about such a treasure body. Perhaps then…”