Chapter 655: Lingbao Palace

“Is this the Lingbao Palace?”

On the day the mountain gate opened, the exterior of the Lingbao Palace was already a clamor.

Crowds surged back and forth—besides wandering cultivators and mortals seeking a master, there were also envoys from major factions bearing tribute.

After much contention among the Celestial Immortals and Celestial Demons of Wuji Mountain, Ao Xin ultimately secured this task through old favors from years past.

She stood on the deck of a white jade flying vessel, gazing toward the Lingbao Palace.

Although called a “palace,” the Lingbao Palace, to outsiders, resembled more of a floating island.

Vast torrents of dark water qi swirled around the floating island, making it appear like a colossal black tortoise gliding across an endless ocean.

“This imperial weapon seems even stronger than the former Qingdi Palace…”

Ao Xin sighed, sweeping her divine sense—and immediately spotted many fellow cultivators.

“So the Yuanmo Sect’s envoy is this one? Qi Sha Dao Ren?”

“It’s said the Black Dragon Emperor originated from a secret realm within the Qi Sha Demon Palace—quite a fated connection…”

Ao Xin glanced again and saw the tribute processions of the Wa Huang Palace, San Ye Sect, and Gui Ling Sect.

Virtually every Chaos Realm power in the Qingyuan Great Realm had arrived.

As for Celestial Demons and Celestial Immortals, countless had come.

Most rode magical artifacts, palaces, or flying vessels, or mounted immortal beasts—each exuding an aura of celestial grace or demonic might, utterly unlike mortals.

On the ground below, countless wandering cultivators and mortals thronged densely.

Most weren’t even at the Soul Formation stage, yet their eyes burned with fervor as they gazed at the jade palaces in the heavens.

“One day, I too shall become one of these lofty immortals!”

A boy clad in animal hides murmured this in envy from the ground.

“Him… Dongshan Ao, the young master of the Dongshan clan—they say he can withstand Soul Formation experts with sheer physical strength alone!”

In truth, mortals utterly devoid of cultivation, even if they heard the news, rarely made it this far.

Those here seeking to become disciples mostly had at least some meager cultivation.

Or else they were mortals living nearby who, upon hearing the news, had crawled here—kneeling every three steps, bowing every nine.

“The Lord of the Lingbao Palace, the Black Dragon Emperor, has declared: ‘Teach without discrimination!’”

“The Qingdi Palace is gone. Though we bear no sins, we are adrift in turmoil—we must join and gain protection.”

A group of foxes had quietly arrived nearby, chattering among themselves.

They were a clan of demons, known as the Baishan Clan, but had always been in dire straits.

Even during the Qingdi Palace’s reign, they were oppressed—and even hunted as prey.

For carnivorous demons like tiger demons and wolf demons, human flesh was no different from deer, rabbit, or fox meat.

Thus, even when the Qingdi Palace still existed, most of these Baishan foxes were targets of hunting.

“Clan Chief, I will become a disciple of the Black Dragon Emperor—even if only as a servant or slave!”

A pure white fox, without a single stray hair, nudged her paws forward, emitting a young but resolute voice.

Dang! Dang! Dang!

At that moment, a series of bell tones emerged from within the Lingbao Palace.

The bells and drums rang together, mingled with other celestial music.

All cultivators who heard this sound instantly felt their minds purified, as if cleansed.

Many below the Soul Formation stage—and even some Soul Formation cultivators—abandoned all decorum, sitting cross-legged on the spot, then rejoiced wildly: “I’ve broken through!”

“To hear this celestial music in a single moment equals three months of arduous practice? This is the Sound of Awakening the Dao!”

“So profoundly mysterious—it even purifies the spirit and dispels inner demons?”

…

Amid the chaos, Fang Xing’s clear, jade-like voice rang out: “Today, the Lingbao Palace opens its mountain gate, teaching without discrimination… Those who wish to become my ‘Black Dragon’ disciples, ascend the Tongtian Platform—within lie many trials; those who pass may become disciples!”

“As for the envoys from all factions, please enter the Lingbao Palace directly.”

No sooner had he spoken than the tortoise-like Lingbao Palace halted its movement, and a series of seals opened.

Boom!

A jade-like small mountain emerged, settling firmly upon the earth.

Upon it lay countless staircases, dense and uncountable, ultimately leading to the mountain gate of the Lingbao Palace.

“Thank you, Emperor!”

The cultivators bowed respectfully, then launched their flying vessels and palaces toward the Lingbao Palace.

As for the greater number of wandering cultivators and mortals—they surged en masse toward the white jade mountain and the Tongtian Staircase.

Though the white jade mountain appeared small, it was in truth immense, having been refined with spatial mysteries, capable of accommodating all aspirants simultaneously for their trials.

“Huh?”

At that moment, Ao Xin’s demonic sense swept across—and she spotted several streaks of light, pausing in surprise: “It’s understandable that so many Soul Formation cultivators seek to become disciples… but is this one really here too?”

“Him!”

“Yi Ling San Ren? I thought this Soul Formation overlord had come merely to pay tribute—yet he’s here to become a disciple?”

“He’s a wandering cultivator, possessing the strength of a Soul Formation overlord, yet always lived freely… yet now he’s decided to join the Lingbao Palace? Likely seeking an opportunity to break into Celestial Immortal… but Soul Formation overlords find breakthroughs even harder…”

Celestial Immortals and Celestial Demons exchanged divine sense messages.

The Lingbao Palace was a Chaos Realm power; it was perfectly normal for Soul Formation cultivators—or even Celestial Immortals and Demons—to seek to join.

A Soul Formation overlord was rarer than Celestial Immortals or Demons, but only caused mild surprise.

Moments later, inside the Lingbao Palace’s grand hall. Fang Xing sat cross-legged, clad in black robes.

“Wuji Mountain’s Ao Xin, respectfully congratulates the Emperor on founding this sect, offering three ‘Ten Thousand Spirits Fruit,’ ten ‘Chaos Crystals,’ and ninety-nine ‘Water-Fire Fluid’ cauldrons…”

Ao Xin stepped forward first, bowing respectfully and reciting her tribute list.

Fang Xing smiled faintly: “Friend Ao Xin, long time no see. Many old friends have passed. Seeing you ascend to Celestial Demon, I am deeply pleased…”

The envoys from other factions exchanged glances, silently murmuring within.

Rumors claimed the Black Dragon Emperor was arrogant and heartless… yet this didn’t seem accurate?

Moreover, Wuji Mountain had once been enemies with the Qingdi Palace. Now that the Qingdi Palace is gone and the Lingbao Palace has replaced it, they’ve instead become allies.

This shift has greatly strengthened Wuji Mountain’s power!

Many faction representatives were already secretly pondering how to respond to these two powers.

“Yuanmo Sect’s Qi Sha Dao Ren, congratulates the Emperor on establishing his hall.”

After Ao Xin stepped back, Qi Sha Dao Ren stepped forward, head bowed: “Presenting ten ‘Chaos Crystals’ and one ‘Qi Sha Sword’…”

“Qi Sha Sword? Has Qi Sha Dao Ren changed his ways?”

!

“That’s his Dao-attaining treasure! Is he truly abandoning his path?”

“Heh, rumors say he once settled karmic debts with the Black Emperor. You know Qi Sha Dao Ren’s temper—if he doesn’t abandon his path now, he’ll die…”

A wave of smug glances fell upon Qi Sha Dao Ren.

Fang Xing took the Qi Sha Sword, gave it no more than a passing glance, and tossed it back: “Young Qi Sha, you overstate it. My karmic ties with the Yuanmo Sect were long ago resolved… keep your sword.”

This wasn’t generosity—it was truth.

Besides, unless he demonstrated trustworthiness, how could the great powers feel secure? How could the Wa Huang Palace willingly send resources?

What did Qi Sha Dao Ren matter? The Wa Huang Palace’s compensation was the real prize!

“Thank you, Emperor!”

Qi Sha Dao Ren clasped the Qi Sha Sword, gave a simple bow, and stepped aside.

“Wa Huang Palace envoy, presents…”

“San Ye Sect envoy, tribute…”

…

One envoy after another stepped forward, respectfully presenting tribute—though only powers of the Fourteenth Level enjoyed such honor.

Those of the Thirteenth Level, whose highest ancestor was merely a Celestial Immortal or Celestial Demon, could only register outside and join the banquet line.

“Good.”

Fang Xing quickly finished receiving gifts and smiled: “Since today the Lingbao Palace opens its gates widely to take disciples, you may all bear witness.”

He flicked his finger—and countless mysterious light mirrors appeared, each showing the scenes of talented youths ascending the Tongtian Staircase.

…

The Tongtian Platform was extraordinary.

Even with over a million cultivators flooding in, each was assigned to separate spaces.

Dongshan Ao looked around and found himself alone—only a white jade staircase stretched ahead, leading straight into the heavens.

“I’ve been moved into a solitary space—this completely prevents interference from others… the Lingbao Master, the Black Dragon Emperor… truly far kinder than the Qingdi Palace.”

Dongshan Ao knew well the cruelty and bloodshed of the Qingdi Palace’s selection.

In fact, he was human—and had never even qualified to join the menial trials.

Yes, the sole purpose of his Dongshan Clan had once been to serve as livestock—and occasionally supply elite disciples as opponents for demon trials.

Just as major human sects sent disciples into secret realms to kill demons,

demon trials meant sending disciples into secret realms to kill humans.

As the young master of the Dongshan Clan, Dongshan Ao was a rare physical cultivation prodigy; with only crude methods, he taught himself to forge his body, reaching a level comparable to Soul Formation Third Stage.

“To become an Immortal! I will become an Immortal!”

The boy in animal hides touched the white-bone greatbow on his back, his steps firm: “No matter what trial awaits, I will pass it.”

Step!

He stepped onto the first tier, his expression shifting slightly: “The force pressing on me has increased by ten jin? Is this a trial that continuously intensifies?”

Dongshan Ao stepped onto the second tier, feeling the heavier pressure, further confirming his suspicion.

Whoosh!

In the next instant, he unleashed his full speed, his form blurring into a trail of afterimages as he shot straight toward the heavens.

“One thousandth tier!”

Step!

His foot landed on the thousandth step, his expression suddenly changing.

A pressure increase of an entire order of magnitude slammed into him at once—and worse, a hallucination formed!

In a space unseen by Dongshan Ao, a snow-white-furred fox had already stepped onto the two-thousandth tier.

This was a platform, and across from it stood a golem, its eyes glowing red, radiating soul energy.

“Soul golem?”

Baishan Hu was startled.

“Defeat me to proceed.”

The golem spoke in a mechanical voice; its battle blade instantly blurred into a trail of afterimages.

“Damn it...”

Baishan Hu gritted his teeth: as a beast clan from the former Qingdi Palace territory, even in their worst suffering, they fared far better than humans—they still had cultivation techniques passed down.

But even the most gifted fox among them, lucky enough to have formed a Nascent Soul, was still terrible at combat...

(End of Chapter)