Wu Ming wandered through the inner streets, listening quietly.
Every alleyway, every teahouse, every crowded intersection echoed with the same topic-the announcement that whoever secured first place in the Tournament of the Talented would be granted entry into the Imperial Commerce Hall.
"So she intends to use this as bait," Wu Ming murmured to himself. "To force the gifted into revealing their talents openly-even if it means killing one another. Not only that, she has magnified the matter, turning it into a grand spectacle to attract even more prodigies."
A faint smirk touched his lips.
"What a greedy woman indeed."
Suddenly, a fragment of conversation caught his attention.
A cultivator stood amid a small gathering, proclaiming that those who wished to obtain insider information regarding the tournament would need to pay at least one hundred low-grade spirit stones.
Wu Ming approached without hesitation and handed over one hundred low-grade spirit stones. Such a sum was negligible compared to the vast resources stored within his spatial pouch.
Once the man received the stones, he smiled thinly and asked at once:
"What sort of information does Young Master seek? Reliable intelligence from reputable sources? Or expert-level predictions regarding the upcoming tournament? We have detailed, written records -comprehensive and meticulously organized. Please, specify your preference."
Wu Ming replied casually,
"I want the most crucial information. The strongest participants. Those at the very pinnacle."
The information broker's expression sharpened.
"For high-tier intelligence, additional payment is required. You may offer one thousand five hundred low-grade spirit stones... or five hundred mid-grade spirit stones."
Wu Ming had no interest in bargaining. Without a word, he tossed over a pouch containing five hundred mid-grade spirit stones.
The transaction concluded smoothly.
Soon, Wu Ming held in his hands a detailed dossier. Within its pages were strengths, weaknesses, and background analyses of the most prominent geniuses arriving from various cities.
His gaze halted upon one particular name.
Mo Li?
"So he truly is the son of an influential figure within the empire... and yet he participates as well."
Wu Ming's eyes narrowed slightly.
"It seems this tournament will be far from simple. For the Imperial Commerce Hall's benefits to attract even someone of such standing... I may have underestimated this branch."
He continued reading.
Then-
"Oh? He's listed as well?"
Chen Ye.
A master of the Sword Path, walking in the footsteps of his late father. Due to internal strife within his clan, his entire family had been annihilated. Even his only younger sister-he had failed to protect her. Hunted relentlessly by a rival clan, he had fled for five years, surviving through constant pursuit and mortal struggle.
Five years of blood-soaked evasion had honed him into something terrifying.
His combat instincts were exceptional. His will unyielding. And though hunted, he had never ceased practicing the sword. His blade now carried dense killing intent and deeply rooted resentment.
Wu Ming exhaled softly.
"So he carries his own burdens as well... I didn't provoke him into deeper hatred, did I?"
He felt faintly perplexed.
His gaze shifted again.
Three more names stood out.
Gu Fei Yi.
Gu Yi Fan.
Luo Ji.
"Gu Fei Yi... that innately gifted child of spatial talent is participating too? Hah. It seems I'll inevitably be targeted."
His eyes moved downward.
"Gu Yi Fan... Hm? He has an elder brother?"
The file described Gu Yi Fan as possessing comparable innate spatial talent-yet his combat experience and overall prowess were clearly superior.
"What kind of individual surpasses even a born spatial prodigy in battle capability? This tournament is no ordinary selection trial."
Finally-
Luo Ji.
"She comes from the other side of the world... not from this region at all.
Origin: The Sacred Kingdom."
Wu Ming froze.
"The Sacred Kingdom?!"
He reread the line, disbelief flashing across his face.
"The Sacred Kingdom exists within the same world as the Human Empire? Shouldn't a realm bearing the title 'Sacred' belong to a higher, divine plane? What is this world's structure...?"
He continued reading.
At the edge of the world lay a boundary known as the Divine Veil of Energy. It separated the Sacred Kingdom from the Human and Demon territories. Only those born within the Sacred Kingdom could naturally pass through it. It had been established by a supreme power to divide the world into two hemispheres.
Though technically existing on the same plane, the Sacred Kingdom differed in energy quality and governing laws.
Even an "ordinary" individual from the Sacred Kingdom could not be measured by common human standards.
Wu Ming sighed heavily, dispersing the confusion clouding his thoughts.
"I must tread carefully around those from the Sacred Kingdom. If I offend that side... I may lose the chance to cultivate quietly in this lifetime."
He paused.
Then suddenly-
A realization dawned upon him.
It was as though a veil lifted within his mind, illuminating a faint path toward ascension.
Wu Ming slowly raised his head and looked toward the heavens, as though waiting for the right moment.
The following morning arrived.
Today marked the official commencement of the Tournament of the Talented.
And the world would soon witness who possessed the most extraordinary gifts beneath the heavens.
Ye Long began explaining the ranks of Array Masters.
"The path of an Array Master is divided into nine realms.
First - Disciple of Patterns.
Those who begin to comprehend the energy lines of Heaven and Earth. They can inscribe basic formations according to manuals.
Second - Spirit Pattern Inscriber.
They can fuse their will into an array. The formation begins to respond to its creator.
Third - Heaven-Earth Architect.
They construct large-scale formations and connect them to the spiritual veins of the land.
Fourth - Lord of Layered Arrays.
They stack multiple formations upon one another. Arrays begin to possess 'systems' and complex mechanisms.
Fifth - Grand Celestial Array Master.
They directly control the power of Heaven and Earth and can distort space within the bounds of their formation.
Sixth - Array King.
They use mountains, rivers, and the sky itself as components of an array. With a mere gesture, they can rearrange surrounding energies.
Seventh - Celestial Array Emperor.
Their formations can cover entire regions and partially alter the world's energy structure.
"These are the realms currently known. Once an Array Master reaches these levels, one can generally determine what they are capable of. Of course, each individual has different techniques and paths to strengthen their foundation. Some external information may not always be accurate."
"Then why are the eighth and ninth realms not explained?"
Ye Long shook his head.
"The eighth and ninth realms are unknown. No one truly knows what they are called or what their boundaries entail. Almost no one has reached them, and no information has leaked out. It can be said that there is hardly even a name for those realms.
"There are rumors that on the other side of the world, within the Sacred Dominion, there may be some who have stepped into the eighth realm. But the ninth realm remains exceedingly rare-almost no one has ever encountered it."
Wu Ming pondered deeply. There were still countless secrets in this world.
He could not help but ask,
"If the ninth realm is so difficult to reach in this era-or perhaps none have reached it at all-then in previous eras, has anyone ever stepped into the ninth realm?"
Ye Long stroked his chin thoughtfully, his brows tightening before he suddenly recalled something.
"Oh, right. There is said to be a tome that records the history of the Kunlun World across many eras. It is a detailed compilation covering ancient times up to the present. But I do not know where it is. That tome not only records long history, it also contains many secrets of powerful beings from the primordial ages."
Wu Ming was quite startled upon hearing this. He tried to ask further, but it seemed Ye Long knew nothing more.
Wu Ming shook off those thoughts and focused on the present-the Tournament of the Talented. But he would not abandon this matter.
After improving his strength, he would investigate further.
At that moment, the herald's voice resounded throughout the arena.
"The spatial gate has been opened and connected to the secret realm! Enter immediately! And remember-your tokens are crucial. Do not lose them. They will record your scores and achievements!"
Before they could react, a powerful force pulled them toward the spatial gate. Only a few were not dragged in, instead leaping forward of their own will.
Wu Ming narrowed his eyes.
"This spatial gate feels unstable. The one invited to open it and connect to the secret realm likely cannot remain in this realm for long. His foundation does not seem solid-he may have relied on external means to elevate himself. Still... he is truly skilled to have deceived so many."
Before he could think further, he was sucked into the vortex and disappeared into the unknown region of the secret realm.
.....
...
......
Inside the secret realm-
Whoosh-!
A figure shot out from the spatial gate.
It was Wu Ming.
The moment he landed, he immediately examined his body, spiritual sea, and storage items, checking carefully whether anything had been lost during the passage through the dimensional corridor.
Wu Ming muttered to himself,
"Seems nothing is missing. That's good."
"So that fellow wasn't relying solely on external artifacts after all. He does have some skill in stabilizing a spatial gate-at least for a short period of time. If the passages had not been opened in controlled intervals, some people might have fallen into the void between dimensions... or been sent to unknown regions outside this secret realm."
He narrowed his eyes.
"Some items might even have been torn away by external spatial currents. Fortunately, mine are intact."
He exhaled lightly.
"Alright. Time to scout this secret realm and see what opportunities it holds. I need to strengthen my foundation and advance to the next realm as soon as possible."
Though his visible cultivation was only at the Ninth Layer of Qi Condensation, his foundation was incomparably solid. In truth, the density and purity of his energy were no weaker than someone who had just stepped into the initial stage of Core Formation.
Two hours later...
After exploring for some time, Wu Ming finally discovered a massive demonic beast lying beneath a cluster of ancient trees, seemingly asleep.
He observed it from afar.
It was a tiger-type demonic beast.
Moreover, after wandering this region for two hours without encountering any other beasts or living creatures, Wu Ming deduced that this creature was likely the overlord of this territory.
"So this tiger's strength is quite formidable," he murmured. "If I engage it directly now, the disturbance will certainly attract nearby beasts... and other competitors."
He fell silent.
Then a thought surfaced.
Wu Ming rubbed his chin, a sly smile forming.
"Looks like... I'll need some bait. Heh."
....
....
Not long after-
BOOM! BOOM!
Explosions echoed through the forest.
A man's furious shout rang out,
"Why is this beast so tough?! Wasn't it only a Rank Two demonic beast before?! How did it suddenly jump to Mid Rank Five?!"
Another man responded irritably,
"How would I know?! Since when does a Rank Two beast leap straight to Rank Five?! I've never seen anything like this!"
He gritted his teeth.
"Don't tell me... we've been tricked?!"
Another voice suddenly rang out loudly.
"Right now it seems we were deliberately lured here by this demonic beast. In truth, I can faintly sense a peculiar energy fluctuation in the surroundings-something resembling an array formation. Only after we began fighting it did it reveal its true cultivation level. That means it had been using some method to conceal its real strength all along! A beast capable of such deception must possess extremely high intelligence!"
The first man shouted back in fear and agitation,
"Then doesn't that mean we've already fallen into its trap?! What are we supposed to do now?!"
The third man responded calmly, though his eyes were grave.
"Even if we are at a disadvantage, we still have a hidden trump card. We must use it now-immediately. If we hesitate any longer, we'll end up being eaten alive here."
The other two looked unwilling, clearly pained at the thought of using their final safeguard. But there was no other choice.
Their trump card was a set of cultivation-suppressing talismans.
Although they were low-grade talismans, they were still capable of restraining a demonic beast's power for a short duration. More importantly, they had several of them-allowing the suppression effects to stack when used together.
Without further hesitation, the three split up at once, dashing in different directions to make it difficult for the tiger to target them simultaneously. Moving with practiced coordination, they swiftly slapped the talismans onto different parts of the tiger's massive body.
The moment the talismans adhered-
A faint suppressive glow erupted.
The tiger let out a furious roar that shook the trees, but soon its movements began to slow. The violent aura surrounding its body started to weaken at a visible rate, its oppressive pressure dropping layer by layer.
The third man shouted urgently,
"This is our chance-attack!"
All three attacked simultaneously.
Sword light flashed in rapid succession, their blades cutting into the tiger's flesh with relentless speed. The sharp edges sliced through muscle and hide as if carving up a far weaker beast. Blood splattered across the ground as the forest floor trembled from the final struggles of the demonic tiger.
Before long, its roars dwindled... then ceased entirely.
Silence returned.
The three men staggered backward, breathing heavily. Their complexions were pale, their qi nearly exhausted from both the battle and the activation of multiple talismans.
They immediately sat down cross-legged to recover what little spiritual energy they could. After only a brief meditation-just enough to stabilize themselves-they rose and approached the tiger's corpse.
One of them crouched down and examined it carefully before speaking,
"What do you think? How much profit could we make from selling a demonic tiger like this? Don't you think so, Liu Yi?"
Liu Yi nodded, still catching his breath.
"I was thinking the same thing, Lu Chang."
The third man then spoke,
"Now only the beast core truly matters. As for me, I won't claim it. We should give it to Senior Brother Bai Xue. He was the one who found the flaw in the beast's concealment and devised the method that saved our lives."
The other two nodded in agreement.
Bai Xue waved his hand modestly.
"You're exaggerating. Once the tournament ends, I'll treat you both to a grand feast."
The two immediately brightened, laughing and joking as their earlier tension melted away.
However, they did not linger. The shockwaves and noise from the battle could easily attract other competitors-or even more powerful beasts. After collecting what they could, they quickly departed from the area.
What they failed to notice-
Within the shadows of the forest canopy, concealed by dense foliage and faint fluctuations of spiritual energy...
A pair of cold, calculating eyes had been watching them from beginning to end.
"Lu Chang, are you certain this place is truly safe? I have already surveyed the surrounding area-there is not even the faintest trace of a demonic beast within this region."
Bai Xue and Liu Yi each extended their spiritual perception, sweeping the surroundings with meticulous care. What they discovered differed little from Lu Chang's assessment; indeed, there were no signs of demonic creatures nearby.
They established an array formation and chose to make camp there. The sun had long since sunk beyond the horizon, and night had fully descended. A small fire was lit, and they began roasting the flesh of the tiger beast.
Lu Chang exclaimed, "Oh! I can scarcely believe that the meat of a Rank Five demonic beast could be so delectable. Not only is it rich in flavor, it also accelerates the circulation of qi within the meridians-and the density of spiritual essence contained within it is astonishing."
Bai Xue replied calmly, "That is only natural. Demonic beasts dwell deep within mountains and forests. Moreover, this place is a secret realm. There is no need to even mention it-the density of spiritual qi here far surpasses that of the outside world, and the resources are incomparably abundant."
Yet before they could properly enjoy their evening meal, they were interrupted.
"Wait-everyone."
Lu Chang frowned. "What is it? Did something-"
"Shh."
"Quiet."
Liu Yi's expression turned grave. He had sensed movement beyond a fifty-meter radius. There were fluctuations-living presences shifting in the darkness around them.
Bai Xue immediately responded in a low voice, "Extinguish the fire at once. Even though we have established an array, we must remain vigilant. For safety's sake, conceal yourselves immediately. It seems we may have been detected by someone else."
Without hesitation, they smothered the flames and erased all traces of their presence from the surrounding area.
They concealed themselves high atop towering trees, observing the situation and every subtle movement below. What they discovered, however, were merely two ordinary Rank Three demonic beasts.
Liu Yi muttered in disbelief, "What is this? Only two Rank Three beasts? I thought we were being followed by an intruder."
Bai Xue analyzed rapidly before speaking.
"Does it not seem strange that mere Rank Three beasts could enter our formation? This array blocks perception and functions as a maze of illusory dead ends. Yet those two beasts walked through it as though it did not exist. I fear something is amiss."
Before the three of them could ponder further, they suddenly sensed something behind them.
They were caught almost entirely off guard-unaware that a strange presence had already drawn near.
A sudden shout pierced the air.
"Watch out!!!"
The three were blasted apart in different directions-not by a direct strike, but by the sheer shock of that overwhelming presence. When they turned toward the source of the disturbance, they saw-
It resembled the very tiger beast they had slain earlier that day.
Yet this time, it appeared incomparably grotesque and horrifying.
Its eyes were hollow, pitch-black cavities, as though the eyeballs had been gouged out entirely. From those empty sockets, dark blood trickled downward. The wounds across its body were unmistakably the sword slashes inflicted by the three of them-deep gashes so severe that its internal organs and ribs were clearly exposed.
The sight was ghastly beyond measure. If an ordinary cultivator were to witness such a scene, their dao heart might well shatter on the spot, fear freezing their limbs, leaving them trembling and incapable of even taking a step to flee.
Lu Chang's voice shook violently.
"What is that?! A spirit? Don't tell me... that is the tiger's vengeful resentment given form!"
Bai Xue and Liu Yi shared the same thought. The three of them believed this to be the malevolent spirit of the tiger they had slain that very afternoon.
Yet something was profoundly wrong.
It had appeared-yet it made no attempt to attack or harm them.
They maintained their distance cautiously. Time passed, yet the tiger's spirit remained utterly motionless.
Bai Xue frowned deeply.
"This is far too strange. Why does it not move at all? Could it merely be an illusion? But no illusion should be capable of appearing this real..."
"Attack!"
"Hah-what?! A trap?!"
In that instant, the three discovered that they had been surrounded from all directions. Every individual lying in wait possessed cultivation no weaker than their own. Some had even reached the stage of condensing qi into essence.
A mysterious laugh echoed through the darkness as a figure slowly emerged from the shadows.
Bai Xue's gaze sharpened with cold recognition.
"So it was you. I should have known. Who else could weave illusions so seamless and convincing? A core disciple of the Illusory Demon Sect-Mo Hai. It is you!"
Mo Hai stood with his hands clasped behind his back, utterly at ease.
"Hahaha... if you insist, then I shall accept that as modest praise. My mastery over illusion is merely mediocre at best. And yet, it was sufficient to ensnare the three of you for quite some time. It seems that today I shall reap abundant rewards. All of you-seize every treasure and valuable possession they carry. Do not forget the Rank Five tiger's beast core as well."
The battle erupted with explosive suddenness.
Though the three of them had been lured into a trap, they were by no means defenseless. Their defensive coordination was exceptional; even against overwhelming numbers, they held their ground with remarkable resilience.
Bai Xue unleashed his blade art in fierce arcs of brilliance. His Dragon Saber Technique roared to life-magnificent and profound. Each strike flowed with disciplined elegance, yet possessed a wild, sovereign momentum of its own. The saber-light coiled and surged like a true dragon descending upon the mortal realm, and for a brief moment, Mo Hai's faction found themselves pressured heavily.
"Cheh! Even surrounded by so many cultivators, you still manage to resist? But how long can that last? All of you-form the Blood Illusion Demon Array! Activate it at once and eradicate these righteous sect whelps!"
His subordinates responded without hesitation. In mere breaths, a crimson formation rose around the battlefield. Though it was born of illusion, its effects were anything but unreal-the injuries it inflicted would manifest upon flesh and bone as if carved by reality itself.
Bai Xue's expression darkened.
"Damn it... this is disastrous. Escape will be nearly impossible now."
His gaze flickered toward his fellow disciples, Lu Chang and Liu Yi. They fought desperately, resisting wave after wave of enemies.
Guilt and sorrow flashed across Bai Xue's eyes.
"...I must ask your forgiveness. But I refuse to die here. My future stretches far beyond this night. Forgive me!"
In that instant, he activated a hidden escape treasure. Space distorted violently around him, and in the blink of an eye, he vanished beyond the radius of the formation-teleported to a distant location without leaving the slightest trace behind.
When Lu Chang and Liu Yi witnessed this betrayal, fury blazed within them. They cursed aloud in rage. Yet anger alone would not save them. They had no choice but to resist and seek survival amidst the chaos.
Liu Yi gritted his teeth. "Damn it! Are the two of us truly to die here? I refuse!"
Lu Chang's voice trembled, yet remained resolute. "There is only one path left-we surrender. We withdraw using our participation tokens. Survival is the only option remaining."
At those words, Liu Yi's expression grew conflicted and unwilling.
They had struggled immeasurably to obtain entry into this trial. It was a once-in-a-century opportunity-their only chance at a radiant future. If they forfeited now, such an opportunity might never arise again. The thought alone was suffocating.
Yet before despair could completely overtake them-
The Blood Illusion Demon Array shattered abruptly from the outside.
Mo Hai's expression twisted violently.
"What?! Who dares interfere in my affairs-Mo Hai's affairs? If you have the courage, reveal yourself!"
A calm voice answered from beyond.
"As you wish."
The voice echoed across the battlefield.
Those who heard it felt an overwhelming pressure descend upon them -a vast and immeasurable might that rendered them nearly incapable of movement. The sheer weight of that aura felt sufficient to crush them a full meter into the earth.
As they sensed the approach of the speaker, none dared lift their heads. Yet they could feel him walking toward them.
With each step he took, demonic cultivators collapsed and perished beneath the suffocating oppression of his presence alone.
He stopped before Mo Hai.
Mo Hai did not even dare to raise his head.
The majestic voice resounded once more.
"Humans and demons are, by nature, destined to stand apart. Yet I do not condemn coexistence, should it be peaceful."
"However... there are those who refuse to abandon their corrupted origins and persist in cultivating wicked arts. Such evil-shall fade beneath my hand."
As the final word fell-
Mo Hai's head was severed cleanly from his body.
Blood erupted in a violent spray. His severed head rolled across the ground until it came to rest before Liu Yi and Lu Chang.
Both trembled uncontrollably, fear gripping their very bones. Tears streamed down their faces as they shouted desperately for mercy-for the chance to live.
Yet these were not tears of cowardice.
They were the tears of men who refused to yield to fate.
The voice spoke again.
"I am not cruel without reason. You did not deceive nor slaughter your own kind. Consider your prior conduct the virtue that grants you life this night."
Despite the crushing pressure weighing upon them, the two clasped their fists respectfully and knelt, their gratitude sincere and unfeigned.
"Good. You understand gratitude and propriety. My task here is complete. I shall depart."
Before the mysterious figure could vanish entirely, they dared to raise their heads, gazing upon the dignified silhouette standing with his back to them.
They called out urgently:
"May we know the name of our benefactor? Should fate allow, we shall repay this kindness in the future!"
Without halting his steps, the figure replied:
"Wu Chen."
And then he disappeared, leaving behind nothing but boundless silence.
The two remained kneeling until dawn broke.
When morning light spread across the land, they slowly tended to their internal injuries before rising to their feet.
Lu Chang asked quietly, "Now that we live... shall we seek revenge for the betrayal?"
Liu Yi remained calm, as though having reached a profound realization.
"Revenge is not what matters now. We must focus on growing stronger. Though we were saved today, it does not mean we shall be so fortunate again."
"Benefactor Wu Chen has imparted to us a lesson of mercy. Whether we comprehend it-and whether we walk the proper path henceforth-depends upon ourselves."
Lu Chang nodded in understanding.
......
..........
.................
~In that moment, both seemed transformed-deeper in insight, calmer in bearing, more resolute than before.
Within an unknown valley-
A lone figure materialized.
Huff... huff...
Bai Xue steadied his breathing.
"At last, I escaped that accursed Blood Illusion Demon Formation. Though I lost two fellow disciples... who can say what truly became of them? Regardless, preserving my own life is what matters most."
He threw his head back and laughed.
"Hahahahahaha!"