Chapter 657: Success is a stunning achievement; failure leads to death and the end of the path

As his thoughts drifted, the formation palace gradually became lively, filled with the sounds of introductions. Chen Xun's gaze suddenly fixed on Shan Zhuo, who was slightly lowering his head.

He turned to Que Yan and said, "Guardian Que Yan."

"Fellow Daoist Chen Xun."

"When we returned, we realized there was some misunderstanding. I hope you won't make things difficult for Shan Zhuo. At the time, he wasn't aware of our strength."

Chen Xun descended the steps, cupping his hands with a smile, "He's a cultivator who's quite proud of the Celestial Path Track, and our family has benefited from his care."

Que Yan was slightly taken aback but then smiled, "Ah, it's just a small matter. Shan Zhuo has made significant contributions to our Yellow-tier formation base and deserves a reward."

"Senior Chen Xun!"

Shan Zhuo suddenly looked up, staring at him in disbelief, his voice trembling, "I..."

"Hehe, it's nothing," Chen Xun chuckled lightly, "We've caused you some trouble. Let me add, our family is quite fond of the Earth Mountain Clan."

Shan Zhuo gave Chen Xun a deep look, imprinting his appearance in his memory. He solemnly cupped his hands without saying a word.

Que Yan's eyes also flashed with a peculiar light, taking another look at Chen Xun. This person was somewhat subconsciously overlooked, not for any particular reason, but because of his ethereal aura.

Some people shine brightly among tens of thousands, making it impossible to ignore their presence at a glance. This person was the exact opposite, blending into the crowd.

"No, in such a situation, only someone whose realm and power of the Great Dao far exceed mine could be like this. The list of prodigies on the Chaos Immortal Spirit List has never mentioned a human like Chen Xun."

Que Yan's heart surged with great caution. Such individuals are often the most dangerous, especially with a kind and gentle demeanor devoid of any hostility, making them even more enigmatic.

Chen Xun had no idea what Que Yan was thinking. Suddenly, he raised an eyebrow and whispered, "Guardian, where do we collect the spirit stones? Do you give them to us now?"

"Huh?"

"The spirit stones for the forty thousand Dao length, forty billion mid-grade spirit stones. Just give us thirty billion, and we'll convert the rest into contributions."

Chen Xun's expression turned somewhat shrewd, beaming with a smile, "We won't ask for more. The Yellow-tier jade token has records."

"...Oh, Fellow Daoist Chen Xun, you are no longer under the jurisdiction of the Yellow-tier formation base," Que Yan's face twitched, but he patiently explained, "For other major matters, you'll have to discuss them at the Celestial Palace."

"Thank you for the guidance, fellow Daoist." Chen Xun cupped his hands in realization, "Then I won't disturb you further. I'll go and meet some other fellow Daoists."

"Alright." Que Yan's massive body shifted a bit, unable to see through this person at all.

Chen Xun mingled with the cultivators in the formation palace, full of confidence and laughter, "I am Chen Xun, Ximen's inspector is my brother, we'll be colleagues in the future, please take care of me."

He was quite sociable, even holding a cup of health tea as he moved around, as if he were at home.

Even Cang Xinyun couldn't escape his grasp, smiling awkwardly yet politely. This Fellow Daoist Chen was truly unconventional, able to chat with any clan as if he understood them well.

Little Chi hid behind Black Bull, frowning deeply. Ten thousand top-grade spirit stones seemed like a lot, but when converted, it was just a hundred million mid-grade spirit stones! Wasn't this a huge loss?!

A rise in name but a fall in reality, it would have been better to build the Dao track.

"Brother Bull, Sister Crane, I sense something's off here."

"Moo~"

"Fourth brother, what's wrong?"

"Do the math..." Little Chi began calculating with his claws, looking very serious, and they started whispering among themselves, amusing Little Crane.

Fourth brother thought too simply. Such matters couldn't be measured by spirit stones alone. No amount of spirit stones could necessarily get one into a circle of such powerful formation Dao experts.

Time ticked away, and cultivators from various clans began to bid farewell to the formation palace.

Chen Xun and his group were no exception, but Que Yan personally saw them off, saying that if there was a chance in the future, they could visit the Rosefinch Clan's territory in the Great Desolate to discuss Dao.

He also left a divine sense imprint on a transmission disk, and Chen Xun sighed deeply, realizing that his network had unknowingly expanded once again. A good thing!

……

The next day, at the Celestial Palace.

The place was heavily guarded, with grand formations stretching in all directions. A massive black hole was devouring all the magical energy in the Void Land, like an endless abyss. Standing nearby, one might even feel their soul ascending.

Chen Xun stood at a distance from the boundless black hole, gazing at its operation, lost in thought.

"Moo~" Black Bull nudged Chen Xun, what are you thinking?

"Bull, I'm just looking, haven't thought of anything yet..."

"Moo moo."

"Alright, let's go."

A group of figures flew toward the Celestial Palace. Little Chi was completely wrapped in a tattered blanket, his lion head appearing calm and majestic, but his body was trembling like a leaf.

In the world of immortals, it is said that one's knowledge should match their strength, not just focus on cultivation. But now, his knowledge far surpassed his own realm and clan legacy!

He had witnessed too many extraordinary events, encountered too many senior immortals, and now he was about to participate in the discussion of the Celestial Path Track of the three heavenly regions. Who could believe this?!

"I can't embarrass Brother Xun... Flaming Red Ancient Lion, it should be a high-level spirit beast, not a low-level one..."

Little Chi kept comforting himself, even planning to imitate Brother Bull later, just roaring without speaking, pretending to be a high-level spirit beast!

Half an hour later, in front of the Celestial Palace.

The palace stood majestically in the void, exuding a vast aura. The entire formation palace was built from pale celestial stones, giving a sense of solemnity and antiquity.

The outer walls of the palace were intricately carved with formation patterns, complex and interwoven, containing endless formation Dao mysteries.

These formation patterns faintly glowed, as if the power of the heavens flowed within.

There were no cultivators guarding the palace entrance, not even a single being, filled with an extreme solemn atmosphere.

At this moment, a white light path extended from inside the palace, the formation fluctuations exceptionally strong. Chen Xun and his group exchanged a glance, immediately understanding that they could step on it.

"Let's go." Chen Xun's expression was solemn, unable to probe the situation inside the palace. The celestial stone material shielded all investigative methods, comparable to their bandit suit.

They stepped on it, and the path instantly contracted. In a flash, they found themselves inside the Celestial Palace.

The floor inside the palace was paved with shimmering blue jade, presenting a pattern of the heavens, like a star river extending infinitely.

The ceiling was a grand celestial tapestry, depicting stars, clouds, and celestial phenomena, like a living world, constantly evolving!

Such a breathtaking scene left Chen Xun and his group momentarily stunned. Even he and Black Bull felt an itch to explore and touch everything, but a celestial voice echoed.

"Ximen Inspector, please take your seat."

As the voice fell, seats appeared in the void, spaced far apart, each figure exuding a powerful aura, radiating the dignity of long-standing authority, even members of the ancient immortal clan were present!

A gentle breeze from the palace ceiling seemed to lift them with clouds, exceptionally soft, placing them in their seats, except for Chen Xun, Little Crane, and Little Chi, who had to stand.

Only Black Bull was qualified to sit, not to disrupt the order.

"Wow, what a scene." Chen Xun looked around curiously, "Bull, you have to work hard, get a position like a Heaven-tier formation master, and directly challenge the Xuanwei Celestial Palace."

"Moo!" Black Bull nodded seriously, he believed it, he must sit on the position of the twelve Heaven-tier formation masters!

An hour later, the powerful figures from all sides finally gathered, their demeanor outstanding, calm and composed, eyes focused on the center of the Celestial Palace, the atmosphere heavy.

The strong figures seated here were renowned in their respective heavenly regions, their presence imposing. Venerable Qi Ying was among them, giving Chen Xun and his group a faint smile.

Such a terrifying and oppressive atmosphere made Chen Xun clasp his hands behind his back, remaining silent, just observing.

Buzz—

A grand hum echoed in the center of the Celestial Palace, a slender figure slowly appeared, long hair cascading like a waterfall to her waist, faintly shimmering with a silvery light.

But her figure was dreamlike, seemingly veiled, indistinct, her long sleeves fluttering like white clouds, giving an otherworldly feeling, unlike any being of the mortal world.

Especially her dignified demeanor, like moonlight pouring down, as if a celestial maiden from the Nine Heavens descended, untouched by worldly dust, her presence made the entire Celestial Palace seem serene and solemn.

This scene made Chen Xun's eyes widen slightly, was this... a law?!

Little Crane couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, such an exquisite senior, this was the supreme aura brought by transcendent immortal strength, unrelated to appearance.

"Greetings, Ling Feng Heavenly Venerable."

"Greetings, Ling Feng Heavenly Venerable!"

"Fellow immortals, today's gathering is like the return of all phenomena to the primordial clarity, breaking the shackles of ordinary worldly dust."

"Now the world is vast and boundless, we, the predecessors, only wish to open an unprecedented grand era of immortality, the Great World of Taiyi, with the Celestial Path Track to stabilize the grand world of chaos and void, the moment is imminent."

"The great clans and forces of the Three Thousand Great Worlds are journeying with us, success will be a world-shaking feat, failure will mean the end of our path and demise."