The New Year's Eve dinner was thoroughly distracted for nearly all martial artists because tomorrow would be the "Summit Martial Arts Conference"!
Even though only Blood-Exchange Warriors and those in the Innate Realm were eligible to compete, simply observing these experts battle was greatly beneficial in itself.
Moreover, this was secondary—what everyone was most looking forward to was whether Lu Yao would once again grace them with the "Sky Lantern Festival" and the blessing of "Immortal Divine Sensation".
The 5,000 participants from the last New Year's banquet had all advanced their Martial Dao Realm by one level through it; so even enhanced their Spirit Refinent Stage!
How could one not be thrilled and eager!
Amidst countless anticipatory hearts, ti finally ushered in the second day.
At this mont, a densely packed sea of people sward the "Chengtian Gate" square.
Among them were civil and military officials, heads of major powers, competitors in the martial arts conference, and their families and others, totaling nearly 200,000 people!
At the forefront of the crowd, Minister of Revenue—Yan Jingming, was casually chatting with Zuo Xiaowei, the Minister of Works.
"This ti, there are as many as 10,000 Blood-Exchange Warriors participating in the competition, alongside 300 Innate Grandmasters."
"An astonishing number, indeed. The golden age of martial arts has arrived," they remarked, feeling genuinely moved upon seeing so many powerful individuals standing shoulder to shoulder.
Yan Jingming voiced his puzzlent, "In just a few short years, the number of high-level warriors has surged inexplicably. This is quite peculiar and extraordinary."
Zuo Xiaowei, also puzzled and uncertain, said, "Many of the Ten-Complete Immortal Pills bestowed by the military have leaked out—could that be the cause?"
"Yet that shouldn't result in such a doubling effect."
...
anwhile, Wudang Sect Leader Zhang Yunshu, who was standing nearby, could not help but interject:
"Both of your excellencies, this is actually what is called 'destiny'. Invisible and intangible, yet it truly exists. It's clear who this prosperous era depends on, without the need for further words."
From his perspective, his own Wudang Sect was the pri example. Once struggling in decline, Wudang soared to new heights imdiately upon receiving Lu Yao's support.
Yan Jingming, not daring to slight a newly acclaid Divine Manifestation True Lord, promptly bowed with hands clasped, smiling, "True Lord Zhang speaks the truth. As the saying goes, 'Every five hundred years, a sage erges,' and it is ti for the Divine Land to be rejuvenated."
Their conversation, overheard by those around them, struck a chord. Indeed, more and more people were breaking through their realms as if an invisible barrier had been lifted.
~~~~~~~~~~
At the sa ti, the Seven Disciples of Wudang accompanying Zhang Yunshu were looking around and said:
"Are we going to have a contest on Chengtian Gate square in a short while?"
"That shouldn't be the case, should it? The Imperial Court hasn't prepared anything at all—not even a fighting platform is set up."
"I heard that the Summit Martial Arts Conference is really going to be held on the summit?"
"That's what I've heard too, but are we really expected to fly up there?"
...
Amidst the growing noise, the sky over the Imperial City suddenly darkened.
Everyone looked up and was instantly dumbfounded!
In the sky, a massive palace was slowly drifting over, blocking out the sun!
Upon drawing closer, people realized that the gigantic palace was designed in the grand style of the Qin and Han dynasties, with the words "Epang Palace" inscribed in seal script on its front door.
The crowd imdiately boiled over, with tidal waves of astonished gasps rippling through:
"My heavens! Is that the Celestial Lord's magical treasure?"
"That must be right; it is said that he indeed possesses such a divine treasure!"
"Are we actually going to fight up there? The Summit Martial Arts Conference truly will be held above the clouds!"
Not only them, even the high-ranking officials and leaders of major forces were shocked!
Yan Jingming, Zuo Xiaowei, and others might have received the news earlier, but witnessing this colossal floating palace with their own eyes still left them profoundly shaken, at a loss for words for a long while!
Imdiately following, the palace gates of the Imperial City swung open, as countless guards draped in bright red capes filed out in formation.
The heavy, uniform steps of the cha were oppressive, subduing the gradually quieting crowd.
Accompanying them were Pri Minister Zhang Wenda and Zuo Xiaowei.
Zhang Wenda began to speak, his clear voice reaching everyone's ears:
"Please do not panic in what cos next, let us all enter the Epang Palace together."
No sooner had he spoken than a golden column of light nearly a hundred ters in diater shot out from "Epang Palace."
Those enveloped by the column of light imdiately found themselves in a state of weightlessness, helplessly floating upward.
Zhang Wenda and Zuo Xiaowei took the lead, drawn up into the sky by the golden light, with others following suit.
Upon entering the Epang Palace, they were surrounded by a complex of suprely majestic palaces, prompting gasps of shock, as they touched and observed, appearing as unsophisticated bumpkins who had never seen the world before.
It was no wonder they acted this way; the treasures of the Sun God Immortal Honored were simply too magnificent, with each structure towering into the clouds, rendering any ordinary person as inconsequential as an ant before them.
Fortunately, being the elite of the Yi Dynasty, and with forbearing guards already stationed for guidance, order was swiftly restored.
~~~~~~~~~~
In front of the Hall of Supre Harmony's plaza, preparations, including countless rings and stands, had been made in advance.
On the terrace of the Hall of Supre Harmony, a Dragon Throne was set, with nurous court maids and eunuchs standing silently around it.
And Li Pei sat solemnly on it.
Seeing that everything was ready, Pri Minister Zhang Wenda led the crowd in performing salutations.
While chanting long live in unison, many were curious—where had Lord Lu Tian gone?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At this mont, Lu Yao was inside the Hall of Supre Harmony, using his Divine Thought to control the levitation of Epang Palace.
It was like a muscle-building workout, using Divine Thought of the Thunder Tribulation Realm to forcibly control a Magical Treasure of the Sun God Realm, it was the best ans to push one's limits to the extre.
The martial arts competition was expected to last 3 to 5 days. For Lu Yao, this was "killing two birds with one stone," without any delay.
Now, to express the importance placed on talent, Li Pei personally read out the rules of the competition.
The first 100 of the Blood-Exchange warriors would receive an Ice Jade Ring as a reward; the top 10 from the Innate Realm would receive an Ice Jade Bracelet.
And for both categories, the first place would obtain the coveted "Ingenious Infusion"!
Hearing this, many instinctively looked towards Zhang Yunshu.
It was said that he had received the "Ingenious Infusion," instantly crossing over a great span in the Spirit Refinent Realm, and becoming a Divine Manifestation True Monarch!
Such generous rewards made even many observing Great Grandmasters itch to jump into the fray.
What followed was straightforward; after a brief opening ceremony, the competition everyone was eagerly anticipating began!
Warriors from various backgrounds, with the blessings and expectations of their families, stepped onto the ring!
The lee promoted personal growth and served as nourishnt for the evolution of others.
~~~~~~~~~
On the ring of the Innate Realm, Bai Lu from the Wudang Sect, wearing a cream-colored Taoist robe and looking complex, respectfully saluted Liao Qe.
Nostalgically looking back a few years, Bai Lu recalled that Liao Qe was far from her equals in both the Martial Path and the Spirit Refinent Realm.
But now, Liao Qe was Grandmaster acting as a referee!
Bai Lu's opponent, a Bodhisattva from the Joyful Sect, also saluted with respect at this ti.
Liao Qe nodded, waved his hand downward, and announced the start of the match.
Being vastly surpassed by soone once inferior to her in all aspects severely affected Bai Lu's ntality.
Despite her clear advantage in strength, she continually made elentary mistakes. Right from the start, she was pressed hard by her opponent, nearly facing a disastrous defeat.
Luckily, with the aid of the Ice Jade Ring gifted by Lu Yao the previous year, she quickly cald her mind and, by a narrow margin, turned defeat into victory, leaving her fellow disciples below sweating with anxiety.
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