Xuanwu War Sovereign

Two figures descended below the Demon Refining Ancient Tower.

One radiated a vast Divine Light.

The other, a compassionate golden radiance.

One was surrounded by six revolving paths, emitting endless Divine Light.

The other was wreathed in a golden Buddha Light, like a Buddha descending to the mortal world!

The many young powerhouses in the arena, and even the Hall Masters and Elders from the peaks above the nebula, quickly turned their gazes to the Crystal Ranking.

At that moment, the Crystal Ranking changed once again.

First: Panwu, 26 Points!

Second: Wang Dao Yi, 26 Points!

Third: Jian Zongyuan, 26 Points!

Fourth: Shenxiu, 26 Points!

Fifth: Qin Feng, 25 Points!

Sixth: Ye Ding, 25 Points!

Seventh: Xingzhou, 25 Points!

Eighth: Dongfang Qingyun, 25 Points!

Ninth: Gongsun Hong, 25 Points!

Tenth: Gongyang Zi, 25 Points!

Eleventh: Chen Guang, 25 Points!

"They actually took second and fourth place! How terrifying!"

"It’s over! Gongyang Zi is done for too. He actually dropped to tenth place!"

"This is full of unexpected twists!"

"But still, who are these other people? How come we’ve never heard of them? Slaying a Martial Dao Great Power while only in the Sea of Reincarnation Realm... a prodigy like that shouldn’t be so obscure!"

"You just don’t get it. Most of them are smart. No one’s a fool. They wouldn’t flaunt their abilities before they were strong enough to protect themselves!"

"True. The tree that stands tallest in the forest will be the first to be broken by the wind. Now that they’ve been promoted to True Disciples, they finally have a basic ability to protect themselves. That’s why they’re making a stunning debut now!"

Amidst the clamor of discussion, some people looked at the nine youths in the arena who were about to become True Disciples, their hearts filled with a mix of emotions.

Some felt dejected, some were jealous, and some were envious.

"So many monsters appeared this time!" Standing to the side, Red Flame Crossbow, who had been feeling rather resentful, felt a sense of relief.

There was also a hint of bitterness.

Not far away, Taishu Fengyun, Ye Guangji, Yang Changsheng, Gongyang Zi, and Zhi Yao looked on, sighing with emotion.

As the nine new True Disciples were led out one by one from the Demon Refining Ancient Tower, this session of the True Inheritance Ceremony entered its final stage.

Five rays of brilliant light slowly descended from the depths of the Void.

Everyone involuntarily quieted down and bowed in salute.

Above the nebula, the various Hall Masters and Peak Elders lowered themselves to show their respect.

"Disciples in the top nine, take one step forward. Disciples ranked tenth and below, take one step back!"

A serene voice drifted over.

Qin Feng’s figure moved. He glanced over and saw Panwu step forward first.

Wang Dao Yi smiled, his figure appearing right beside Panwu.

Like a peerless Divine Sword, the white-robed Jian Zongyuan appeared with an indifferent expression.

The dashingly handsome Shenxiu appeared, dressed in a golden robe that was neither a kasaya nor Battle Armor, holding a string of purple sandalwood Buddhist Beads.

The next moment, a black shadow flashed. Dressed in black robes with black hair draping over his shoulders, Qin Feng stepped out and appeared beside Shenxiu.

Behind them, Ye Ding gave a cold snort and appeared at almost the exact same time as Xingzhou, Dongfang Qingyun, and Gongsun Hong.

The nine of them had extraordinary auras. They instantly became the center of attention before the Demon Refining Ancient Tower, shining like brilliant pearls that captured everyone’s gaze.

"Very good. The nine of you have not disappointed the five of us!" the serene voice spoke again from the Void.

"True Monarch, you flatter us. Our performance today is entirely thanks to the sect’s generous cultivation and resources!"

Panwu, who stood at the head of the group, cupped his hands in a salute.

He was a tall and heroic youth. His skin was bronze-colored, and his jet-black hair hung down like a Demon Dragon, giving him a wild and barbaric aura.

Lianmo True Monarch’s eyes flashed with a hint of a smile. He swept his gaze across the nine, and then across all the youths present, saying, "There is no need for modesty. The fact that you nine were able to come here, to stand in this very spot, out of tens of thousands of Martial Artists, is a testament to your excellence and effort. The Star Sect has always bestowed the title of True Inheritance upon the most outstanding. You have defeated all your fellow disciples present, and you are worthy of this honor!"

His gaze fell upon the many dejected youths from the Inner Sect.

"The rest of you disciples need not be disappointed. Simply being able to come here makes you the elite of the elite, the best of the best. For us Martial Artists, the path to the great Martial Dao is not always smooth. You must face adversity head-on, crush all obstacles, and remain unyielding through a hundred setbacks. Only then can you be considered true, indomitable Martial Arts Practitioners!"

Hearing this, the many disciples brushed away their disappointment and said respectfully, "We will remember the True Monarch’s teachings and will certainly not fail to live up to the sect’s nurturing!"

"Good! That is the proper spirit for a Martial Arts Practitioner!"

Lianmo True Monarch’s gaze fell upon the Hall Masters, the Peak Elders, and the True Disciples. "Everyone, thank you for attending this session of the True Inheritance Ceremony. On that note, this Monarch will take his leave now to bring these disciples to report to the Sect Leader and the Head Elders of the peaks!"

"Not at all, True Monarch. You are too courteous!"

The many Hall Masters and Elders quickly returned the salute.

Behind them, many of the sect disciples wore looks of envy.

However, many others revealed looks of disappointment.

The most dejected of all were Chunyu Fengshen, Gongyang Zi, Ye Guangji, Ling Weiyang, Red Flame Crossbow, Taishu Fengyun, Zhi Yao, and Yang Changsheng.

As fellow members of the "Twelve Prodigies," four of their number had advanced while they were eliminated. The gap was truly difficult for them to accept.

This was especially true because five of the promoted disciples were Martial Artists from the Sea of Reincarnation Realm.

Many Martial Arts Giants were also unconvinced by the results.

During the trial in the Demon Refining Ancient Tower, there was a part of their strength they couldn’t even use.

For example, their Grotto Heaven Power.

A Martial Arts Giant’s greatest strength is their Grotto Heaven Power. But inside the Demon Refining Ancient Tower, their Grotto Heaven Power was almost completely sealed, making it impossible to use!

Zhi Yao was one of them.

Ever since being pushed out of ninth place, Zhi Yao’s expression had been frighteningly grim. ’If I could have used my Grotto Heaven Power,’ he thought, ’I could have suppressed those few Sea of Reincarnation Martial Artists with a single blow.’

’The sect is so unfair!’ he ground his teeth, his heart filled with resentment.

In the Void, the five Saints acted in unison, enveloping Qin Feng and the other eight in a radiance of Martial Dao light.

"Do not resist!"

He instinctively tried to break free when a clear and pleasant voice sounded in his ear.

Then, a stream of light shot into the depths of the Demon Refining Ancient Tower.

The Void was torn open, and countless streams of light flew past.

In the blink of an eye, the nine of them found themselves plunged into darkness.

An unknown amount of time passed!

RUMBLE!

In an instant, it was as if they had broken through a thick layer of clouds. The nine of them then witnessed a grand and mesmerizing sight.

A colossal tree appeared before their eyes.

𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

It was a gigantic, silver ancient tree. Its branches and leaves blotted out the sky, soaring high into the endless depths. It was rooted in the darkest corner of the Void, resisting the corrosion of Chaos from the endless gloom. Its roots connected to a boundless, silver starry sky, gathering starlight and blooming with immeasurable silver radiance.

"What a huge ancient tree! To think there’s such a massive tree in the depths of the Endless Void! Could this be the legendary Star Element Divine Level Spiritual Root, the Star Ancient Tree!"

Beside him, a youth with the immeasurable bearing of an Emperor couldn’t help but reveal a look of mesmerized astonishment.

"It’s not an ancient tree!" Qin Feng could tell with a single glance that this was not a real Spiritual Root.

Dongfang Qingyun said, "Gongsun Hong, you’re mistaken. This isn’t some Spiritual Root ancient tree. This is our Star Sect’s Star Realm!"

"What? This tree is the place where our Star Sect is located!"