TEAR!

  Toll—Clang!

  Toll—Clang!

  Toll—Clang!

  Nine bells rang across heaven and earth, their resonance spreading through every corner of the world.

  The sacred harmony washed over mountains and seas alike.

  Lower?realm cultivators felt enlightenment bloom within their hearts.

  Mortals fell into peaceful trances as illness faded and wounds healed under the divine melody.

  The sky itself parted—slowly, gracefully—like a satin curtain unveiling a grand cosmic play.

  Beyond the opening lay the mysterious Immortal Realm.

  A vast jade palace floated upon an island suspended in the heavens, its emerald walls engraved with ancient immortal runes.

  Armies of cultivators stood in perfect formation within its courtyard, motionless and imposing.

  The Heavenly Court.

  One of the ruling powers of the Immortal Realm.

  The appointed overseer of this Lower World.

  Across the world, reality began to change.

  Immortal Qi poured through the tear in the sky, forcing the mortal realm to bow before superior laws.

  Forests expanded in moments.

  Deserts awakened with spiritual vitality.

  Seas froze under overwhelming pressure.

  Mountains flattened as the world struggled to withstand the invading energy.

  The Immortal Realm was never meant to connect with the mortal world.

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  Such a linkage had occurred only a handful of times throughout history.

  Only during catastrophes threatening heavenly order would Overseers dare open the passage.

  Yet now—it had happened.

  To seize the treasure.

  And to erase a future threat to the Heavenly Court.

  Several figures descended from the celestial tear, standing side by side above the battlefield.

  “Chief Commander Cui,” one immortal spoke calmly,

  “I hope you understand the price of opening the Immortal Gate. The Heavenly Emperor will not look kindly upon this.”

  Snort.

  “You failed to eliminate even a single chosen one,” another added coldly.

  The remaining immortals remained silent, their gazes filled with open disdain toward Overseer Cui.

  Still, they had answered his call—for the favor owed… and for the rewards they could get from the Heavenly Emperor.

  Across the battlefield, Xi Li did not hesitate.

  Sensing that the timing was right, he transmitted a single command.

  Retreat.

  Array Disc Platforms activated instantly, gathering disciples and elders before teleporting them safely back to the sect.

  Even before several descending immortals, Xi Li felt no fear.

  Only excitement.

  Their cultivation was sealed to the Immortal Ascendant Realm.

  And that… was enough.

  Silence fell.

  The immortals turned toward him.

  No words were exchanged.

  None were necessary.

  Their cultivation erupted simultaneously.

  Invisible pressure descended upon the battlefield.

  Xi Li’s body froze for a brief moment.

  Fear crept into his heart.

  But he was familiar with fear.

  Every battle fought beyond his limits had begun the same way.

  Courage was not the absence of fear—

  but advancing despite it.

  Immortal Qi surged through the world, strengthening every Law he wielded.

  The Laws condensed into seals.

  A single black seal—embodying rebellion itself—collided against a sea of radiant golden seals.

  The impact shattered space.

  Xi Li staggered.

  Cracks spread across his Dao Foundation as blood spilled from his lips.

  The world held its breath.

  Land surrounding the battlefield turned barren and chaotic, forcing distant observers to retreat in terror.

  ‘Xi Li, retreat!’ Ling Yue’s anxious voice echoed within his mind.

  ‘Not yet,’ he replied calmly.

  ‘He still needs time.’

  The battle dragged on.

  Each defense left deeper wounds than the last.

  “Now you understand the cost of defying the heavens,” Overseer Cui declared arrogantly.

  Xi Li merely scoffed.

  Immortal Qi erupted from within him.

  Carps Leaping the Dragon Gate.

  A colossal black dragon manifested, roaring toward the gathered Immortal Ascendants.

  For the first time—

  their expressions changed.

  Brows furrowed.

  Smiles vanished.

  They unleashed their own supreme techniques.

  Visions filled the heavens—

  Rocs blotting out the sun,

  Divine beasts of legend,

  Statues of past Heavenly Emperors descending with crushing authority.

  The black dragon tore through them all.

  Its claws ripped apart celestial beasts.

  Its flames pierced divine manifestations.

  Its tail shattered imperial statues into fragments of light.

  With every destroyed vision, the dragon grew larger.

  Stronger.

  More ferocious.

  It charged forward—unstoppable.

  BOOM!

  A deafening explosion shook the entire continent.

  Yet… the source was neither Xi Li nor the Immortal Ascendants.

  At the center of the battlefield stood a lone figure in blue robes.

  Plain.

  Unremarkable.

  And yet—every gaze turned toward him.

  Lu Jin.

  The Heaven’s Chosen.

  He had finally arrived.