Yuan’s Ascension

The colossal spherical arena with a radius of four hundred li was completely shrouded by a massive array. Crowded on all sides were rows upon rows of seats.

At full capacity, it could accommodate a billion spectators if everyone were to squeeze in.

However, given that the sect’s Golden Core disciples were individuals with high statuses compared to the rest of the immortal continent, such a seating arrangement was naturally inappropriate.

Moreover, there were numerous Amethyst Cradle Reverends, even some Void Refiner Eminences who had arrived in their true bodies.

Therefore, each and every spectator seat was extremely spacious and luxurious.

And with the vision of the Golden Core Superiors and Amethyst Cradle Reverends, they could easily observe the entirety of the spherical arena.

Moreover, these sect disciples could also send their consciousness into the Dragon Star Immortal Realm to watch the matches.

The voidrealm provided the best viewing experience, complete with real-time corresponding technique explanations and commentaries.

Due to the large number of participants in the Dragon Star Tournament's Amethyst Cradle ranking battles, their battle was scheduled after the Golden Core battles.

Therefore, at this moment, everyone's attention was on the Golden Core hereditary disciple ranking battles.

The first round of the Golden Core hereditary disciple ranking battles consisted of sixteen matches, which would take place one by one in the arenas of Immortal City 83.

And without a doubt, the most highly anticipated participant was Wu Yuan. He was scheduled to participate in the first match!

"Golden Core hereditary disciple ranking battle, best sixteen of thirty-two, first match! Dong Shan versus Li Xia!" The Void Refiner Protectorate in black robes floated high above the battleground. His voice was cold, echoing throughout the vast arena.

“In the last two Dragon Star Tournaments, Dong Shan kept his status as a Golden Core hereditary disciple."

"He is a ninth-stage Spiritual Body cultivator who has cleared level forty of the two-star tower." The black-robed Protectorate introduced the first contender.

Within the arena, over a million spectators listened.

Within the voidrealm, more than eight million spectators listened.

Upon hearing the words ‘level forty of the two-star tower’, countless Golden Core disciples and many Amethyst Cradle Reverends wore expressions of astonishment.

Even among the Amethyst Cradle Reverends, such a level of Dao comprehension was top-tier.

Simultaneously, a multitude of light screens materialized in the arena, each depicting scenes of Dong Shan in the heirdom trial.

Domineering! Violent! A pair of fists, at times as heavy as a mountain, at times morphing into sharp claws.

His prowess in close combat was incredibly ferocious, truly unleashing his power.

“The other contender—Li Xia!"

"Merely fifty years old, he has already conquered level 58 of the one-star tower. A seventh-stage Golden Core cultivator, he is so talented that many dub him the number one genius of our Dragon Star Immortal Sect in hundreds of thousands of years." The voice of the Void Refiner Eminence rose in intensity.

However, no projection of Li Xia’s battle appeared on the light screen because Wu Yuan never participated in the heirdom battle to begin with.

To be precise, since joining the Dragon Star Immortal Sect over a decade ago, Wu Yuan had never truly fought with other immortal cultivators.

Challenging the Seven Star Luminaries Tower? That was merely a battle in the voidrealm, not a real-world fight, it didn't count.

"Who will win this first battle?"

In an instant, the Void Refiner Eminence vanished, replaced by two figures who materialized in the spherical arena, instantly capturing the attention of the onlookers.

The two contenders looked at each other from a distance.

Who will win? This thought rose in the minds of countless spectators. Judging from the introductions, the strengths of both contenders seemed comparable.

"Li Xia has a higher Dao comprehension level, but his mana pool is smaller."

"Dong Shan's attacks are very fierce."

"Li Xia stands a greater chance of winning." Those immortals in the sect observing the match from afar quickly made their judgment.

…

Inside the arena, the black-robed Wu Yuan stood high in the air. He emanated a sharp aura reminiscent of a divine sword, waves of sword intent rippling outwards.

There is an invisible barrier surrounding my body. If I suffer an attack exceeding the power of the ninth-stage Golden Core level, it will instantly be judged as my defeat. Wu Yuan realized.

This barrier covered a radius of ten meters around him. Formed with the support of the arena array, it could withstand an attack of a Void Refiner Eminence at full strength. This ensured Wu Yuan's safety.

At the same time, Wu Yuan received a reminder not to use any external objects, such as ethercrystal weapons, purchased talismans, purchased medicinal pills, and so forth.

In the air six hundred li away stood a burly man in black armor, with ancient bronze skin and a robust vital aura — Dong Shan.

"Li Xia, I know you are strong. But rest assured, I will do my best to defeat you!" Dong Shan stared intently at Wu Yuan.

The crowd of Golden Core cultivators observing the battle might not understand.

But Dong Shan knew himself well. Defeating Wu Yuan? The chances were slim.

"I respect your efforts." Wu Yuan smiled slightly. His robes fluttered, his raging sword intent unabated.

Boom! Dong Shan made his move. Earthy-yellow qi streams enveloped his body, spreading for hundreds of li.

His body instantly transformed into a hundred-zhang tall giant, and his speed skyrocketed beyond three hundred li per second! His aura reached its peak.

A normal ninth-stage Golden Core cultivator had a flight speed of approximately one hundred li per second. However, Dong Shan was clearly not an ordinary Spiritual Body cultivator.

He was an undeniable genius, capable of confronting those in the Amethyst Cradle and Shambhala phases.

Why did the arena have a diameter of eight hundred li? It was because the top-tier geniuses at the Golden Core and Spiritual Body phases needed such a space for combat. Any smaller, and it’d be difficult for them to unleash their full power.

“Earth Dao? Seems like you have comprehended the Primal Dao.” Wu Yuan revealed a hint of a smile.

The Primal Dao and Land Dao were both parts of the Earth Dao and considered Lesser Laws. But if one could comprehend them at a profound level, their power would be unfathomable.

Celestial Body! Hovering in the sky, Wu Yuan summoned numerous flying swords. Simultaneously, a myriad of flying swords appeared, interlocking across the sky.

With three lifebound flying swords as the core, 726 fourth-grade spirit flying swords as support, and the Celestial Body Domain as the guide, a sphere-shaped Thousand Swords Array, about ten li in diameter, was formed in the blink of an eye.

Earthy-yellow qi streams swirled around the array, which resembled a miniature star.

The first step of Star Ruins Sword Array – Solid As A Rock!

Boom! As soon as the miniature earthy-yellow star was formed, the star began to expand wildly in all directions, accompanied by dazzling earthy-yellow qi streams.

Kill! Wu Yuan didn't hesitate at all. With his powerful soul as support and nearly Amethyst Cradle-level essentia flowing into him, he erupted with full strength.

Even a lion hunting a rabbit gave its all.

Boom! The Domains of the two powerful fighters collided. Both were Domains of the Earth Dao. It was like a collision of two meteors, sending endless shockwaves in all directions.

Sword lights filled the sky, instantly shredding Dong Shan's Domain into pieces.

The gap between them was outrageously large.

How could this be? Dong Shan's eyes widened in disbelief.

Whoosh! The terrifying divine sword, formed by eighty-one flying swords and bathed in a frightening earthy-yellow hue, appeared out of nowhere from the miniature star.

Quick as a flash, it shot straight for Dong Shan.

"Scram!" Dong Shan bellowed, throwing a punch with a force so strong, it resembled a supernova.

The punch headed straight for the earthy-yellow divine sword.

Clang! Boom!

The earthy-yellow divine sword neared the point of fracturing, its surface covered in countless cracks as if it was about to disintegrate.

In this head-on clash, Dong Shan likewise quickly retreated, instantly moving hundreds of li back, his face turning slightly red.

Cracks began to appear on the surface of his arm, with beads of blood seeping out. His entire arm seemed ready to explode. Waves of ether surged out, healing his injuries.

He gritted his teeth, feeling a chill run down his spine. Just one strike had almost been too much for his arm and fist to handle.

"Don't run!" Wu Yuan growled, and the miniature star he created by merging the Celestial Body Domain with the sword array began to move.

It was as if a star was hurtling directly towards Dong Shan.

Dong Shan's massive body began pulsing with light. Instantly, his figure accelerated, moving as swiftly as the wind.

He managed to avoid Wu Yuan's attack by a hair's breadth.

Deity Step ether art? Or some other speed-boosting ether art? Wu Yuan instantly judged. This was a common type of ether art.

Disperse! With a single thought from Wu Yuan, the Star Ruins Sword Array, that was originally spread across hundreds of li, suddenly surged and expanded, quickly enveloping the sky in all directions.

In the blink of an eye, it increased to three hundred li. The entire arena was only eight hundred li in diameter.

The collision of two vast Domains was fierce. Although Dong Shan gave his all, his Domain was weakening at an alarming rate.

The vast Celestial Body Domain and countless sword lights circulating around attacked him mercilessly from all directions.

Whoosh! Just as Dong Shan was about to flee again, he felt a terrifying force pulling at him, coming from Wu Yuan’s direction.

His speed slowed drastically, and Wu Yuan closed the distance like a bolt of lightning.

What? Dong Shan's expression changed drastically. He had never encountered any immortal cultivators who comprehended the Celestial Body Dao.

Facing this strange situation, he steeled his heart, and a cold light shone in his eyes.

Swinging his fists, his mountain-like body suddenly began charging towards Wu Yuan like a mighty eagle. His claws flashed menacingly, tearing open the Celestial Body Domain.

In the blink of an eye, he had charged dozens of li into the Celestial Body Domain.

Since fleeing was impossible, he decided to stop fleeing.

Moreover, this was a one-on-one confrontation. Constant evasion would eventually lead to defeat.

Your attack was exactly what I was waiting for. Wu Yuan merely smiled.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Countless flying swords appeared once again within the Celestial Body Domain surrounding Wu Yuan, blanketing the sky.

Finally, they assembled into nine gargantuan divine swords.

Each earthy-yellow divine sword was formed from eighty-one flying swords, constituting a Hundred Swords Array; nine Hundred Swords Arrays combined to form a Thousand Swords Array.

Another Thousand Swords Array emerged.

The Dark Earth Sword Array's fifth step – Sword Intent Tempest!

Whoosh! Nine swords pierced through the air, their movements seemingly unrelated but in reality intertwined, furiously attacking Dong Shan from all directions.

Not good! Dong Shan tried to dodge, but he was in the Domain controlled by Wu Yuan. Even if he used his Deity Step ether art, it would be hard to completely avoid it.

How swift was the speed of a flying sword?

“Shatter!” Dong Shan swung his fists.

Fists as claws! As sabers! And even as hammers!

Clang! Clang! Clang! Hundreds of blows were exchanged at lightning speed. Dong Shan strained every nerve to block the sword array’s attacks.

Devastating shockwaves swept out in all directions, and the entire arena seemed on the verge of exploding.

Of course, that wouldn’t actually happen. With the array's added stability, even a Void Refiner Eminence would not be able to damage the arena at all.

During the 163rd exchange, an earth-colored divine sword broke through Dong Shan's barrier of claw rays, landing a blow on his chest.

The vital qi within his entire body roiled uncontrollably.

Whoosh! Another divine sword slashed past, ruthlessly aiming directly at his neck.

A flash of light, and the mountain-like Dong Shan disappeared instantly from his original location, leaving only the thousands of flying swords surrounding Wu Yuan. Their sword intent was overwhelming.

"The winner of the first match is Li Xia!" A deep voice reverberated throughout the vast arena.

At this moment, the countless immortal cultivators watching the match were all dumbstruck, unable to believe their own eyes.

Most people had anticipated the outcome of this battle. Yet, few imagined that it would be this one-sided.

The gap in strength between the two contenders was enormous.

Dong Shan had shown his immense combat power in the heirdom trial. Yet, before Wu Yuan, he was utterly powerless to fight back!

"Li Xia!"

"He's too strong."

"He’s controlling thousands of flying swords. From what I see, they're all at least fifth-grade spirit weapons."

"He only started cultivating a few decades ago?" Countless Golden Core disciples were shocked. They had never seen such a powerful Golden Core sword cultivator.

"Master! Haha, this is my master." On one of the spectator seats, the burly Qiong Sea King roared excitedly, "First place! My master will definitely take first place."

He shouted wildly, but none of the Golden Core disciples seated nearby said anything. They were still immersed in the recent battle.

"Is Li Xia really this powerful?"

"Wasn't it said that his mana pool was smaller than ours?"

"Controlling two Thousand Swords Arrays at once? You call this a small mana pool?" The expressions of Xing Luo, Chen Jing, Hao Shanjing, and other hereditary disciples all shifted.

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