From the skies above the Western Flame Continent, a beam of celestial light descended—a new Heavenly Descent Zone had formed.
Nine Immortal Emperors, led by Guan Song, stepped into the phenomenon. Beyond the natural formations that protected its borders, intricate artificial arrays had been layered within. Only cultivators at the level of Immortal Emperor or higher could pass. The array was of their own design, effectively sealing off the site from any outsiders hoping to claim a share of its bounty.
Shangguan Zhi moved forward first.
A surge of spiritual energy erupted from her palm as she pressed it against the array. Instantly, a brilliant cyan light burst forth, spreading out like a spiderweb.
The light swiftly covered the entire array. Once the formation was fully enveloped, the glow intensified, and the entrance opened.
"Shangguan-sister, your strength has truly grown," remarked Zhuo Xiyan with admiration.
"At this pace, you'll probably reach the ninth layer of the Immortal Emperor realm soon, won't you?" Guan Song said with a smile.
"Within the month at most," Shangguan Zhi replied, stepping boldly into the area. "You all shouldn't get complacent either. Keep pushing your cultivation forward."
"Don't worry, Shangguan-sister. We won't be dragging anyone down," Fu Yishu chimed in.
"You talk big for someone at the lowest level among us," Wenren Jiu scoffed.
"I had a relapse of an old injury, that's all. Besides, I'm about to break through to the mid-stage of the eighth layer," Fu Yishu defended himself.
"This place doesn't seem to have anything unusual," said Wen Xin, scanning their surroundings.
Guan Song closed his eyes and carefully attuned his senses. "There's a faint disturbance," he said after a moment.
Beiye Xun did the same.
The Heavenly Descent Zone contained only subtle fluctuations—no trace of life could be found. He frowned. "But the disturbance doesn't feel like the birth of a Heavenly Child."
Zhuo Xiyan pursed her lips. A growing sense of unease gnawed at her.
Even the Great Wastelands were no longer at peace.
First came the reappearance of powerful ancient cultivators. Now, strange happenings in the Heavenly Descent Zones.
Would their carefully laid plans really succeed?
No matter how intricate the strategy, before absolute power, weren't they just a bunch of clowns?
She needed to think of a more foolproof plan.
"Have any of the other Descent Zones shown similar changes?" Guan Song turned to the other four members responsible for watching over the sacred sites.
The nine of them rotated guard over five separate Heavenly Descent Zones—each cycle lasting five hundred years.
"No," the others all shook their heads.
"Let's erect a defensive barrier," Guan Song said after some thought. "Since all nine of us are present, we can reinforce it well."
"Even if something truly unusual occurs, our barrier should contain it."
"Guan-brother is right," Xue Yi agreed.
"Let's set the barrier," Shangguan Zhi nodded and raised her hand to begin the formation.
Together, the nine Immortal Emperors constructed a powerful array. Not only did they strengthen the new barrier, but they also reinforced the outer defensive formations before departing as a group.
Yet shortly after their departure, in the northwest skies above the Western Flame Descent Zone, a small black cloud began to gather.
It was only the size of a palm, yet it was dense and pitch-black, as if made of solid ink.
From its surface pulsed eerie gray lights.
A wave of ominous energy swept across the entire Descent Zone—but curiously, it evaded Shangguan Zhi's surveillance arrays with flawless precision.
Northern Dry Continent – Starmoon Sect
Elder Xu Wen had assembled both inner and outer disciples on the outer sect's training grounds.
"On the eighth of next month, the Grand Tournament of the Four Sects will take place. The Sect Master has entrusted Elder Yu and me to lead our team. We will be taking eighteen disciples."
"Let's finalize the participant list."
"One elite outer disciple, twelve standard outer disciples, and three top-ranked servant disciples—Lin Mu, Pang Yuhu, and Du Lebin."
The three named servant disciples stepped forward with barely contained excitement. "We will not disappoint the Sect Master!"
Xu Wen nodded with satisfaction, then turned toward Xiao Huohuo. "Huohuo, you will be our main force for this tournament. Remember: victory is the only acceptable outcome."
The Sect Master had demanded that the Starmoon Sect make a name for itself—and that meant seizing first place.
Xiao Huohuo straightened up. "You can rest assured, Elder Xu. We will take first place for Starmoon."
He wouldn't have dared to make such a bold statement in the past.
Back then, Xu Wanwan of the Ten Directions Sect was seen as unbeatable. She possessed a ninth-grade spirit root and had awakened the thirteenth-ranked Sacred Physique of Hidden Spirit.
In their last encounter, she had already reached mid-stage of the Foundation Realm.
Now, three years later, she was surely even stronger.
Originally, Xiao Huohuo couldn't compare.
But now—he was part of the Starmoon Sect.
With access to tenfold spiritual gathering arrays and rare celestial treasures, he had risen to the mid-stage of the second layer of the Foundation Realm. In two days, he would likely reach the third layer.
And that wasn't all. He now wielded a ninth-grade spiritual hammer inlaid with ninth-grade gems, wore ninth-grade robes, and adorned his hair with a ninth-grade hairpin.
Even his palm concealed a rare artifact—the Yellow-Rank Mirror of Inner Reflection.
The Ten Directions Sect could sell their entire foundation and still not equip Xu Wanwan like this.
If they were at the same cultivation level, how could she possibly compete with him?
In fact, her cultivation level would likely be lower than his now.
Losing this tournament? Nearly impossible.
The other disciples, fired up by his confidence, began chanting in unison, "First place! First place! First place!"
Only Jiang Wanwan looked a little uneasy.
She came from a small region and had never seen an event on this scale.
The names of the four great sects were legends to her—names she had grown up hearing with awe.
Moreover, her cultivation was the lowest among the chosen participants. Her time in cultivation had simply been too brief.
Shi Jingjing, though carefree and tactless, had always been honest and blunt.
"Don't worry, Senior Sister! The Grand Tournament isn't that scary."
"Even the Mistveil Sect is one of the four, and look at them now."
"From the Sect Master down to the disciples, every one of them has been awed by Starmoon."
"And there will be more to come."
"You're the senior outer disciple, after all—your status is something to be proud of."
"There's no need to care what they think."
Gu Chenyuan awkwardly rubbed his nose. This girl really didn't hold back when she spoke.
Xu Wen quickly chimed in, "Jingjing is right. You're the Sect Master's first personal disciple—your status is unparalleled. Never sell yourself short."
"Thank you, Elder Xu, and thank you too, Junior Sister Jingjing," Jiang Wanwan said with a grateful nod.
"Alright, everyone. Focus on your training. We depart on the first day of the new month. Five days from now, gather at the teleportation platform. We're heading to Canglang Cliff, and we're coming back with first place!" Xu Wen declared boldly.
The Grand Tournament of the Four Sects was held every cycle at Canglang Cliff in Sifang City—a distant location from Mount Wanjue.
Additionally, Sifang City was protected by powerful restrictions. Unless one had authorization from the city lord, no teleportation array could penetrate it.
It was said these restrictions were crafted by an Immortal Emperor from Central Continent.
Though located in the Northern Dry Continent, Sifang City was not governed by any local sect or power—it was overseen by the League Council.
The League Council was chosen from the Nine Supreme Powers of Central Continent.
Each of the four continents—East, West, South, and North—had its own branch of the League Council, representing those same nine powers.
As a result, the League held unquestionable authority in all four continents.
And their decisions were not to be challenged.
Thus, all participating sects had to first teleport to Shenghua City, the closest location to Sifang City. From there, they would board flying ships to reach their destination.
Within a two-hundred-mile radius of Sifang City, aerial travel was prohibited by a No-Fly Formation.
So they would need to walk the rest of the way.
Given the potential for unforeseen events during the journey, they built in a few extra days.
That was why Xu Wen had chosen the first of the month for departure.