Ten days later.
Daybreak. A scorching sun formed from a Suncrow tore through the darkness and soared into the sky. It emanated dazzling golden radiance that illuminate the entire city, causing the ancient city walls to be painted in a layer of brilliant gold.
At this moment, the broad streets that stretched through the city like spiderwebs were crowded with people and filled with clamorous noise. Dense expanses of cultivators filled the surroundings.
The faces of everyone was covered in excitement, antic.i.p.ation, and respect.
Because today was the day that the curtains to the Dao Discussion would be drawn!
There was a huge amount of people here, huge to the point it was unimaginable, and it was unimaginably bustling as well. The entire ancient Ten Direction City was crowded to the point even a drop of water couldn’t leak out from it.
Most of the cultivators had converged to Ten Direction City from all over the Ancient G.o.d Domain in the past few days, and they’d come here for the sake of witnessed this unprecedentedly grand Dao Discussion held by the five extremes of the Imperial Region!
…
“The Dao Discussion will begin at the Square of Vie within the Dao Inst.i.tute. At that time, all of us will probably be unable to enter at all.”
“Exactly. I heard that only the great figures from the top-rate powers of the Imperial Region have the qualifications to enter the Square of Vie and watch the Dao Discussion.”
“Haha. There’s no need to worry. I heard that once the Dao Discussion begins, the Dao Inst.i.tute will activate the ‘Divine Screen of the Heavens’, and it’ll appear throughout the sky in Ten Direction City. We’ll be able to watch everything that occurs during the Dao Discussion through the Divine Screen of the Heavens.”
“Haha, that’s for the best. Otherwise, it would truly be torturous if we were unable to watch everything that occurred during this Dao Discussion.”
“Just wait. The curtains to the Dao Discussion will be crawn in another six hours from now. I presume that the cultivators of the five extremes have already started to enter successively into the Dao Inst.i.tute.”
The sounds of discussion filled the streets and alleys of the city, and all the topics of their discussions was related to the Dao Discussion. It seemed to be extremely bustling with noise and excitement.
…
“Yanran, all of you follow me well. Let’s head to the Dao Inst.i.tute right now.” On the streets that flowed incessantly with people, a dignified middle aged man in violet clothes smiled as he spoke. His gaze was like a bolt of lightning, his brows were imposing, and his figure was lofty. He was exactly the Patriarch of the Shentu Clan, Shentu Qingyuan.
It wasn’t just Shentu Yanran who was following by Shentu Qingyuan’s side, and Le Wuhen, Yuqiu Jing, and Zhuanyu Shui were actually there as well.
All those years ago, they’d exploded the Desolate Manku Ruins with Chen Xi. After so many years, they’d actually gathered together once more and arrived at Ten Direction City. Obviously, they’d come here because of the Dao Discussion.
“Isn’t this a little too bustling. How many years has it been since such a grand event had occurred in the Imperial Region? It’s simply unprecedented!” Le Wuhen exclaimed with shock. All along the way, they’d seen too many cultivators, and there was no lack of renowned figures amongst them. Moreover, there were even some experts of the other regions. It caused them to be dazzled by the sight of this and were unable to take it all in.
“Could it be that all the respected and known figures of the entire world have converged at Ten Direction City? I clearly noticed many clansmen of the Ye Clan, Shaohao Clan, Donghuang Clan, and various other clans here.” Yuqiu Jing was extremely shocked.
“Unfortunately, we advanced too slowly. Otherwise, perhaps we could partic.i.p.ate in this world shocking and grand event just like Chen Xi is.” Zhuanyu Shui sighed. He was slightly disgruntled and felt a slight sense of loss.
When they heard this, Shentu Yanran, Le Wuhen, and Yuqiu Jing had complicated emotions in their hearts as well.
All those years ago at the Desolate Manku Ruins, they were Spirit G.o.d Exalts just like Chen Xi, and there wasn’t a clear difference in their cultivations.
Yet now, after merely a short period of a few tens of years, Chen Xi had already attained the peak of the Universe Enlightened Ancestral G.o.d Realm, and he’d gone far into the distance when compared to them.
Even though they’d advanced into the Universe Enlightened Ancestral G.o.d Realm now as well, they were merely initial-stage Universe Enlightened Ancestral G.o.ds after all. In terms of combat strength, they were utterly unable to compare with those old geezers at the Universe Enlightened Ancestral G.o.d Realm.
So, they naturally didn’t possess the qualifications to partic.i.p.ate in this Dao Discussion.
“Hahaha! This is as it’s said, the destiny of the heavens can’t be resisted. We came here this time to cheer for that fellow, Chen Xi.” Le Wuhen smiled lightheartedly. “Not to mention that even if we possess the qualifications to partic.i.p.ate in this Dao Discussion, there are only five spots to fight for. No matter what, it’s impossible for these five spots to fall into our hands.”
These words were the truth.
The Dao Discussion was divided into two zones. One was prepared for the disciples of the five extremes of the Imperial Region, and there was a total of 25 spots to be fought for in this zone. The other zone was prepared for all the peak Universe Enlightened Ancestral G.o.d Realm experts in the world, and there were only five spots to fight for in this zone.
However, everyone was most concerned about the Dao Discussion between the disciples of the five extremes. As for the latter, practically no one paid any attention to it.
There was only a single reason for this. The reputation of the five extremes of the Imperial Region was too great. They were said to be the only five supreme powers of the entire Ancient G.o.d Domain. So, a battle of such scale was bound to receive the attention of all.
“I heard that the Buddhist Sect’s Jia Nan has come here as well, and he seemed to be partic.i.p.ating in the Dao Discussion.” Shentu Yanran spoke abruptly.
“That fellow is as abnormal as Chen Xi is. So, it’s normal for him to be partic.i.p.ating in the Dao Discussion.” Le Wuhen spoke indifferently.
“Haha! It’s just a pity for that fellow, Luo Shaonong. If he didn’t die, then he would probably have the qualifications to partic.i.p.ate as well, right?” Yuqiu Jing seemed to take slight pleasure in Luo Shaonong’s misfortune as he spoke.
The others couldn’t help but laugh when they heard this.
As they spoke, they’d already entered through the ancient and grand entrance of the Dao Inst.i.tute while bring led by Shentu Qingyuan.
“Alright. Don’t talk anymore since we’re arrived here. Be careful or you might cause unnecessary conflicts.” Shentu Qingyuan took a deep breath and spoke with a solemn expression.
The hearts of Shentu Yanran and the others immediately shook, and they didn’t dare brush off what Shentu Qingyuan said. They were similarly clearly aware that all those who were able to enter the Dao Inst.i.tute to watch the Dao Discussion were cultivators from the greatest powers in the Imperial Region!
…
Indeed. It wasn’t just Shentu Yanran and the others that had come today. Various top-rate powers including the Luo Clan, the Gongye Clan, the Di Clan, the Kunwu Clan, the Shaohao Clan, and the Ye Clan had great figures from their clan coming here while bringing some clansmen along to watch the Dao Discussion.
Besides that, the peak Ninth Star Imperial Monarch Zi Wei, Imperial Monarch Zhen Wu, and various other renowned terrifying existences had made an appearance in Ten Direction City.
There was no doubt that they’d definitely come here for the sake of the Dao Discussion.
In short, this Dao Discussion held by the five extremes of the Imperial Region had become the center of attention of the entire Ancient G.o.d Domain, and it drew the attention of various powers.
…
The Dao Inst.i.tute.
Square of Vie.
It was an extremely enormous square, and it was enormous to the point of being impossible to lay eyes on its end with the naked eye. Black Glazed Rock paved the ground. They were branded with dense markings of the Dao, and they covered every inch of the entire square and emanated a horrifying aura.
This was the Square of Vie. According to rumor, the Dean of the Dao Inst.i.tute had personally created it during the primeval times, and it had existed until now for countless years.
An ancient and lofty hall stood towering right before the square, and it was called Convergence Hall. When the curtains to the Dao Discussion were drawn, Grand Instruction Elder Huai Kong’zi that was in charge of the Dao Discussion would announce the rules and arrangements of the Dao Discussion from that hall.
Surprisingly, row after tow of tables and seats were prepared at the sides of the square, and there was at least no less than 8,000 there!
All of these were prepared for the great figures that had come to watch the Dao Discussion, whereas, ordinary figures had utterly no qualification to reside there.
At this moment, numerous figures were already seated at the area prepared for attendees. No one made noise, and even if they were conversing with each other, they whispered between each other, causing the atmosphere here to seem rather solemn.
Swoos.h.!.+
Suddenly, a treasured vessel formed from a green lotus leaf tore through the sky and arrived here, and it appeared above the ancient square and drew the attention of everyone in the surroundings.
“Oracle Mountain!” Under the gazes of everyone, Wen Ting led Chen Xi and the others out of the treasured vessel, and then they were led by Imperial Monarch Rong Xun to stand on the square and wait.
Rumble!
After merely a few breaths of time, a black lightning cloud appeared out of thin air, and it carried the red robed Grand Priest of the Sovereign Sect, Lei Fu, and the others.
After that, before everyone could recover from their shock, the cultivators from Nuwa’ Dao Palace, the Divine Inst.i.tute, and the Dao Inst.i.tute arrived successively.
In an instant, the five groups from the five extremes of the Imperial Region had converged on the s.p.a.cious Square of Vie, and it caused the atmosphere in the surroundings to become solemn while not a trace of the sound of conversation could be heard.
All the spectators were sizing up the cultivators of these five supreme powers, yet no one dared to open their mouths and start a discussion.
This was the power and influence of the five extremes of the Imperial Region. Would anyone dare to engage in discussion and make noise before them?
This sort of silence didn’t continue for long.
In next to no time, a mighty and tall figure appeared at the highest point of Convergence Hall.
He wore a Daoist’s robe, had snow white hair, and a firm countenance. As he stood there casually, he emanated a mighty aura of supremacy. It was exactly the Grand Instructing Elder, Huai Kong’zi, that was in charge of presiding over the Dao Discussion!
A row of Instructing Elders of the Dao Inst.i.tute stood on both sides of Huai Kong’zi. All of them possessed cultivations at the Imperial Monarch Realm, and there was over 30 of them!
When once looked over, it was simply like numerous suns had gathered there, and their divine might was boundlessly vast and imposing.
Along with the appearance of Huai Kong’zi’s group, the atmosphere in the entire heavens and the earth became extremely solemn, and the surroundings became still while all things fell silent.
“I’m Huai Kong’zi, and I’m under orders to preside over the Dao Discussion. Greetings Fellow Daoists.” Huai Kong’zi looked towards the surroundings while cupping his hands from afar, and his voice was solemn and heavy as it resounded through the heavens and the earth.
“Fellow Daoist, it’s time. Don’t adhere rigidly to formalities. Please swiftly announce the arrangements of the Dao Discussion.” The red robed Grand Priest, Lei Fu, spoke indifferently from afar.
“Since it’s like that, then I’ll do as all of you wish.” Amidst his heavy voice, Huai Kong’zi suddenly raised his head, and his gaze was like a bolt of lightning that shot into the distance. He said, “Sound the drums! Seal the city!”
It was merely a few words, yet it rumbled through the nine heavens like a thunderclap and swept throughout the heavens and the earth. It spread throughout Ten Direction City and caused all the cultivators in the city to be shocked.
“Sound the drums!”
“Seal the city!”
“Sound the drums!”
“Seal the city!”
Under the shocked gazes of everyone within the city, numerous enormous figures that were 30km tall and could hold up the sky had suddenly surged out from the area before the city gates that resided at all four cardinal directions, and they were like ancient FiendG.o.ds that had reappeared into the world and shouted incessantly.
Surprisingly, they were true pure blooded descendants of FiendG.o.ds. They stood towering in the heavens and the earth while revealing monstrous divine might, and they struck the divine drums in their hands, causing it to rumble like a tempestuous wave that surged through the surroundings and resounded in the heavens and the earth!