Immortal Starry Sky

At this moment, a voice suddenly came from outside the pavilion.

Wang Xu's spiritual consciousness immediately expanded outward.

"Hmm?"

Standing at the entrance of the pavilion on the ground floor was an elder with seven large transparent beads hanging around his neck.

The elder's hairstyle was quite peculiar, with seven colors like a rainbow. He had a stern face, hands behind his back, waiting outside the pavilion door.

"An inscrutable realm... who is he?"

Though Wang Xu was puzzled in his heart, he moved swiftly, raising his hand to open the defense array that enveloped the pavilion.

"Senior."

Wang Xu came in front of this peculiar elder.

"You are Wang Xu?"

The strange old man looked Wang Xu up and down as if he were examining something, contemplating.

Wang Xu nodded.

"You young man..."

The strange old man explored for a while, then suddenly reached out and placed his hand on Wang Xu's shoulder.

Wang Xu's pupils contracted slightly. This strange old man's movement was so fast that by the time he reacted, the hand was already on his shoulder.

Upon touching Wang Xu's body, the strange old man suddenly realized something, the corner of his wrinkled mouth twitched, revealing a rather interested smile.

Wang Xu felt uneasy all over, as if the strange old man had peered through him inside and out.

But Wang Xu quickly calmed down, realizing that his true realm might have been exposed.

"Even Qing'Er couldn't figure out your background; you've concealed it well... actually a Celestial God Realm!"

The strange old man smiled mysteriously, "Well, I initially wanted to hammer some sense into you, but now it seems unnecessary."

Wang Xu's mind was active, and from the strange old man's few words, he immediately guessed—

The Seven Luminaries Old Man!

The one scrutinizing him before his eyes was Han Qing'Er's master, the sect leader of the Seven Luminaries Star Sect, the renowned Seven Luminaries Old Man of the Red Sun Divine Continent!

The strange old man brushed the Sumeru Gem at his waist, and a white Sumeru Storage Bag appeared in his hand.

"Here, Qing'Er asked me to bring this to you."

What is this?

Wang Xu accepted the Sumeru Storage Bag with doubt, his spiritual consciousness probed inside, discovering a mountain of spirit medicines, including many top-grade spirit medicines!

"This..."

Wang Xu was astonished.

Why would Han Qing'Er give him so many spirit medicines? Could it be she knows about the burning of his soul?

"Qing'Er said you frequently visit the spirit medicine shop and always buy a lot of spirit medicine, so she specifically accumulated a pile to send to you. This little girl, having someone she cares about, even my status as her master comes after yours!"

The Seven Luminaries Old Man said with mock annoyance.

A warm wave inexplicably swept over Wang Xu's heart.

Did she silently accumulate a pile of spirit medicine, knowing he needed it, and have her master send it?

Wang Xu memorized this favor in his heart.

"Thank you."

Wang Xu said softly, putting away the Sumeru Storage Bag.

This was Han Qing'Er's kind intention, providing timely help to Wang Xu, and it happened to contain the one top-grade spirit medicine he lacked!

"If you want to thank someone, thank Qing'Er. In ten days, it will be time for the Celestial Ascension. I'll see what level you'll reach then. If you can't secure a place on the second step, I'll come personally to 'hammer' some sense into you!"

The Seven Luminaries Old Man displayed a sinister smile, then turned around. With a flash of seven-colored light, his figure suddenly vanished from the spot.

Wang Xu took a deep breath, his eyes bright.

"You Ji, it's time to start the soul-burning!"

...

Ten days passed in a flash.

Dong~~ Dong~~~ Dong~~~

The copper bell rang three times, signaling the time for the Celestial Ascension had arrived.

Above the Imperial Extreme Divine Sect, like a swarm of locusts, disciples of the Divine Gate and the Star Sect flew across the sky, heading to the center of the Imperial Extreme Divine Sect, the giant location for this Celestial Ascension——the Saint Emperor's Floating Palace.

The Saint Emperor's Floating Palace has been legendary since the creation of the Imperial Extreme Divine Sect. It was chosen for the sect's foundation by the founding Divine Master of Imperial Extreme Divine Sect, marking the site for the sect's establishment and creation.

Since then, the Imperial Extreme Divine Sect thrived, warring against many dynasties, making countless great dynasties and venerable dynasties its vassals, occupying a third of the Red Sun Divine Continent.

Numerous legends surround its past, with countless versions circulating within the Imperial Extreme Divine Sect alone.

No matter how the versions change, the legendary rise of the Imperial Extreme Divine Sect is inseparable from the Saint Emperor's Floating Palace.

"The ten days have passed."

In the pavilion, Wang Xu opened his eyes. Days of rest left him invigorated, "Let's go!"

Immediately, Wang Xu stood up and stepped into the void.

The Saint Emperor's Floating Palace is located at the highest point of the Imperial Extreme Divine Sect, entirely suspended in the void, an opulent palace with a peculiar design that doesn't fit with the Imperial Extreme Divine Sect.

Countless disciples swarmed in, rushing at once, stopping at a distance from the Saint Emperor's Floating Palace.

Here is forbidden land for all disciples; except for the Star Sect Leader, Divine Gate Elders, and the most mysterious Imperial Extreme Divine Master, no one is allowed to enter.

Wang Xu's figure suddenly appeared, mixed among the crowd, imitating an invincible White Hole Level aura, going unnoticed.

"This is the legendary Imperial Forbidden Land."

Wang Xu mused in his heart.

The Saint Emperor's Floating Palace, the origin place of the entire Imperial Extreme Divine Sect, is also the most mysterious location. Apart from the strongest few figures, no one has seen its true appearance.

Wang Xu passed by here countless times, but each time it brought him an enigmatic feeling that was difficult to see through.

"Everyone!"

A moment later, an aged voice descended from the sky, echoing like a copper bell, deafening.

All the disciples were fully prepared, putting away their usual playful demeanor, and the noisy scene instantly quieted down.

"The Celestial Tier is about to open, I will explain the rules of the Celestial Tier!"

A booming ancient voice resounded, "First, within the Celestial Tier, you are responsible for your own life or death. Regardless of any background, being killed in the Celestial Tier will be considered a natural death, and no responsibility will be pursued!"

"Second, upon entering the Celestial Tier, all disciples will be stripped of their realm cultivation, and your physical body will be the same as a mortal's!"

"Third, occupying the step for three hours will be considered a success!"

"The three rules have been announced, the Celestial Tier is officially open!"

Buzz~~

Suddenly, an overwhelming spiritual consciousness swept out.

In the distance, the door of Saint Emperor's Floating Palace opened, and a pure white door, as flawless as a mirror, emerged.

"It's open!"

"Quick! Compete for the position on the steps!"

"No hope for the position, even touching it is good!"

"..."

At once, all the disciples surged forward, rushing into that pure white door.

Wang Xu was not impatient.

This is the Celestial Ascension; if you can't ascend the steps, it is useless even to rush in first.

"Wang Xu!"

"Wang Xu!"

"Wang Xu!"

Suddenly, three crisp voices called, and Wang Xu turned his head to see three familiar figures.

Han Qing'Er, Rou Lin, Senior Sister Xin Wan.

Any of these three, when placed in a crowd, were dazzlingly brilliant, but when put together, it was Han Qing'Er's extraordinary aura that stood out even more.

"Wang Xu!"

At this moment, another voice called, equally familiar.

Fatty, Shi Yubai.

"Wang Xu, you're amazing, it's only been a few years and you have such strength!"

The fatty flew over, at the strongest White Hole Level, his whole body exuding the scent of elixir.

Seeing Wang Xu, the fatty felt immensely affectionate, but when he saw the fairies beside Wang Xu, including Han Qing'Er, that peerless beauty of the Imperial Extreme Divine Sect, he was immediately captivated.

Fortunately, after practicing alchemy for so many years, although his realm hadn't progressed much, his mind had matured considerably, he quickly withdrew his gaze, and looked at Wang Xu with envy.

"The Celestial Ascension has begun, let's go."

Surrounded by so many people, Wang Xu said nothing, stepping straight towards the Saint Emperor's Floating Palace.

"Wang Xu, wait for me!"

The fatty glanced at the three beauties again, hastily followed Wang Xu.

Han Qing'Er and the other two exchanged glances and smiled slightly, but each saw a hint of hidden rivalry in the other's eyes.

...

The Celestial Ascension, as the name suggests, is climbing stairs.

As soon as Wang Xu entered the Saint Emperor's Floating Palace, his whole body underwent a dramatic change, transforming into a complete mortal body.

All realm power was stripped away.

Wang Xu looked up, seeing a staircase stretching into the sky, its end beyond sight.

Looking around, everything was shrouded in mist, nothing was clear, only the densely packed crowd before him, swarming towards the staircase.

"My heavens, there are so many people!"

As soon as the fatty entered, he felt the overwhelming force of the crowd, and couldn't help exclaiming.

Soon, his eyes lit up, and he pointed with excitement: "That must be the third step!"

Where the fatty pointed, Wang Xu had already seen it.

The third step was less than ten thousand meters from Wang Xu and the others.

There were seventy-two white discs on it, all occupied, but no one could remain seated for long, some were blasted off before they even sat down.

In the Celestial Ascension, the previously seemingly powerless human-wave tactics became the most useful weapon.

With the same power, the same body, in this situation, everyone's strength was the same, thus, the more people there are, naturally the stronger the strength, even the disciples who originally ascended to the third step found it hard to withstand the surge of the crowd.

"Get out of the way!"

"Move!"

"Don't block my path!"

At this moment, the disciples of the Celestial God Realm from the Seven Luminaries Star Sect appeared.

With an overwhelmingly strong posture, they swept away all obstacles before them, treating the third step as nothing, advancing to higher steps.

Seeing this, many disciples hurriedly made way for these Celestial God Realm disciples.

"It's the core disciples, quick! Move aside!"

"Strongmen of the first step, don't block the way, stay away!"

"Oh my god, aren't they the same realm? How can they kill so easily?"

Even more powerful figures than the previous Celestial God Realm appeared.

A man in black with a blood-colored sword on his back, shrouded in murderous aura, stepped onto the stairs, ascending higher.

Wherever he passed, no one dared to block him, avoiding him as much as possible.

Behind him, a handsome young man in white leisurely strolled, wearing a friendly smile, seemingly harmless, but in reality, a ruthless individual.

There were more than thirty such people.

Each one exuded an invisible sense of oppression, even with their realm stripped away, they still made others feel uneasy! (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) and vote for recommendations and monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please read at m.qidian.com.)