Countless celestial phenomena unfurled above the void as the laws of the Dao manifested in full brilliance. The oppressive majesty of the heavens swept across the entire Cangtian Domain, surged through the Eastern Victory Continent, and radiated outward to engulf the entirety of the Desolate Immortal Realm.
Across the realm, ancient titans of cultivation awoke from their secluded meditations. Sensing the rise of a peerless imperial aura from beyond the void, they were struck with awe and dread.
"What a terrifying presence! Could it be… someone has ascended to the realm of Immortal Emperor?"
"Since the demonic invasion thirty million years ago, all the Immortal Emperors of our realm either perished or vanished into the multiverse. Could a new one truly have emerged?"
"Which Immortal King managed to take that final step?"
Patriarchs of the grandest sects and ancient families roused one by one, their hearts shaken by the might of an Immortal Emperor.
Those who had already attained the realms of Immortal Lord and Immortal King were especially alarmed. They projected their true forms into the sky, attempting to divine the source of this awe-inspiring power.
Yet the heavenly secrets were veiled, cloaked by a vast and mysterious force. Try as they might, they could not locate the exact origin.
. . .
Unaware that his breakthrough had shaken the entire Desolate Immortal Realm, Ye Chen's cultivation surged like a divine tempest. In an instant, he soared from the Body Refining stage to the apex of the Immortal Emperor Realm.
A boundless power roiled within him—so vast, so fearsome, that he felt as though he could shatter the entire Eastern Victory Continent with a single punch.
Even the stars above no longer felt distant. With a glance upward, he could pluck them from the heavens as easily as reaching for fruit.
Supreme power coursed through his limbs. His very body seemed to hold within it the laws of an entire minor world.
"No wonder the Immortal Emperor is unmatched… this feeling is intoxicating!"
A wide grin spread across Ye Chen's face.
"Oh right—there's still the Boundless Immortal Bell!"
He summoned the divine artifact from the system's storage. Immediately, a formidable aura surged forth, suffused with waves of imperial might. Had he not restrained its presence, a single wisp of that pressure could have flattened the entire mountain range.
The bell was ancient in design, adorned with complex, unfathomable runes of the Dao.
"This is no ordinary Immortal Artifact. The Boundless Immortal Bell is an Emperor's Weapon—a peerless treasure among treasures!"
With a wave of his hand, the bell shrank to the size of a palm and hovered quietly above it. Though delicate in appearance, it radiated an overwhelming, destructive force.
"Alright now, tell me what you're good for. Make it interesting."
Ye Chen addressed the system with a smirk.
[This system is the Supreme Sect System of the Myriad Realms. Its purpose: to establish the greatest sect beneath the heavens and above all creation.]
[By expanding your sect, you will receive abundant rewards. Mutual prosperity, never a loss.]
[Dominate all realms. Grow stronger. Build a legacy. Host, let your legend begin.]
Ye Chen nodded with satisfaction. Growing a sect was nothing difficult for an Immortal Emperor.
[Host may begin by recruiting disciples. The greater their potential, the greater your rewards.]
"Potential? And how exactly is that measured?" Ye Chen asked.
[Disciple talent is categorized as: Mortal Grade, Spirit Grade, Profound Grade, King Grade, Saint Grade, Immortal Grade, and Emperor Grade.]
"A trivial matter," Ye Chen muttered. "Now, I still haven't given this sect a proper name… That old man went to his grave without naming it. I suppose… we'll call it Kunlun Holy Land."
[Sect successfully named: Kunlun Holy Land. Reward: Sect Gate Plaque acquired.]
As soon as the name was uttered, the system activated a reward, and a miniature sect gate appeared in the system's storage.
"Manifest."
With a sweep of his arm, Ye Chen set the sect gate at the foot of the mountain.
Boom!
With a thunderous roar, a majestic gate soared into existence, over a hundred zhang tall. Luxurious and imposing, it bore the words "Kunlun Holy Land" in radiant calligraphy.
The moment it appeared, spiritual energy across the mountain surged. Even the humble peak took on a mystical, divine air.
This was merely the effect of a single gate plaque—yet already astonishing.
"Time to recruit."
Ye Chen unleashed his divine sense. With his current cultivation, sweeping across the entire Cangtian Domain was a mere thought.
And with the system's aid, he could effortlessly discern each individual's innate potential.
Soon enough, he detected a promising candidate not far away.
"An Immortal Grade talent? Already? Seems fortune truly favors me!"
He took a single step forward. A vortex in space opened before him, and the moment he entered, it closed behind him.
. . .
Cangtian Domain, Tongtian Valley.
A ragged figure raced through the valley, pursued by over a dozen powerful cultivators.
"Damn it! The Ghostshade Pavilion's techniques are so sinister… They target the soul directly—I can't even muster half my strength!"
The youth, named Mu Yan, was seventeen or eighteen and clearly at the end of his rope.
Behind him were members of the notorious Ghostshade Pavilion—a faction infamous for hunting residual souls across the Desolate Immortal Realm.
Mu Yan bore within him a powerful remnant soul, and for that, they had marked him for death.
"Useless boy. You're already spent. Stop running and let big sis show you some real love…"
From among the pursuers, a seductive woman emerged in a crimson dress. Her long, pale legs were boldly exposed, each step like a dagger to the hearts of men.
She licked her lips with a glistening tongue, her eyes glinting with dark allure.
In her slender hands, she wielded a thick, black iron chain—etched with runes that exuded a baleful aura. It was a weapon designed to bind souls.
"Ghostshade scum! Don't think you have me cornered yet! I may be down, but this fight isn't over!"
Mu Yan wiped the blood from his lips, his gaze fierce and unyielding.
He had one final move left—drawing upon the power of the remnant soul within him.
"Elder Li… one last time. Can you still lend me your strength?"
His voice echoed in his mind.
A weary, ancient voice responded. "I can still unleash one final burst—comparable to the Soul Transformation Realm. This is our only chance to escape!"
"Then let's do it. If we can break their formation, we might live to fight another day."
With that, Mu Yan surrendered control of his body to Elder Li, the soul who had long dwelled within him as a companion and protector.
Boom!
Mu Yan's power erupted, leaping from Foundation Establishment to Soul Transformation in an instant. The air roared with turbulent energy—like a storm that could raze mountains.
But the crimson-clad woman showed no fear. Instead, her eyes lit up with excitement.
"Yes… that's the power I want. If I can devour this soul, my cultivation will soar!"
Her iron chain shrieked as it transformed into massive, black serpents that lunged at Mu Yan.
He fought back with all he had, but her techniques were tailored to suppress souls. He was soon overwhelmed.
Pfft!
Mu Yan spat blood and was hurled hundreds of meters back, his aura falling rapidly.
Elder Li's voice rang out, weak and grim. "Mu Yan… this may be the end."
Gritting his teeth, Mu Yan stared up as his pursuer approached, walking on air.
He knew—this time, there would be no miracle.
"Die!"
Her voice turned cold as the iron chain pierced the void, aiming straight for his heart.
Mu Yan closed his eyes.
But just as death closed in, a humble figure silently appeared in midair—standing directly in the path of the chain.
Bang!
Before it could even touch him, the unbreakable chain shattered into glittering fragments.
Everyone froze in disbelief.
Ye Chen calmly looked at the stunned Mu Yan and spoke in a quiet, resolute voice:
"Would you be willing to join Kunlun Holy Land… and become my personal disciple?"