The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

To the east of Ascension City, there was a massive elevated platform, as if the top of a mountain had been cleanly sliced off.

Atop this vast platform lay the Martial Arena, which was nearly as large as Broken Mountain City itself — and the arena occupied only a portion of Ascension City, a testament to the city's enormous scale.

Thus, even with a population in the hundreds of millions, there was still no need to worry about overcrowding.

At the center of the Martial Arena stood two giant jade pillars of a rare material.

The left pillar, 300 feet tall and 30 feet in diameter, recorded the names of those ranked on the True Dragon List.

The right pillar, equally tall but only 10 feet in diameter, displayed the names on the Flood Dragon List.

Since the Great Qian Dynasty's announcement of the two rankings, the number of cultivators visiting the Martial Arena had skyrocketed.

Currently, the area was packed, with no less than several million people present.

The arena contained:

10 duel platforms for Saint Realm cultivators,

and 100 platforms for cultivators below the Saint Realm.

Now, nearly every sub-Saint platform was occupied by dueling cultivators, with crowds of spectators watching closely. Some had even started placing bets, though the Great Qian government didn't run the wagers — they were all handled by private bookmakers.

The Flood Dragon List was constantly updating with new names, creating a lively and electric atmosphere.

However, the ten Saint-level platforms remained completely empty.

In truth, many Saint Realm experts were present — they were simply observing and hesitating, waiting for others to act first.

This frustrated the crowd, who had come hoping to witness battles between true powerhouses.

"What's going on? This is already the second day — why hasn't a single Saint Realm cultivator stepped up?"

"If this continues, the True Dragon List might flop completely."

"That would suggest the Great Qian's influence isn't strong enough."

"No way. The rewards include the Heaven Spirit Pill. Which Saint Realm expert could resist such a rare and valuable elixir?"

The reason no names appeared on the True Dragon List was simple: the true powerhouses had yet to arrive, while the average Saint Realm cultivators feared becoming stepping stones and losing face.

As a result, the stage remained empty.

When Bai Qingxue and her party of great demon youths arrived, they were visibly stunned by the massive crowd.

But upon seeing the blank True Dragon List, several demon elites who had never been convinced of the Fang Clan's power began mocking privately.

"Tsk tsk, I thought the Fang Clan had overwhelming influence. Not a single Saint Realm expert has stepped up so far."

"Plenty of people here, but they're just spectators."

Seeing this, Bai Qingxue turned to the Saint-level demon representatives from the nine tribes.

"Which of you would like to go first?"

Her mission, personally authorized by the Demon Emperor, was to support the event and boost its presence. Now was the perfect opportunity to do so.

The Saint from the Mighty Ox Demons laughed dismissively.

"There's no one else. Who are we supposed to fight — each other? We could've done that back in the Northern Region. Why bother coming here?"

"Exactly. We're not unwilling; there's just no one to fight."

The Golden-Winged Tiger Saint added indifferently.

Their words were not without reason — fighting among themselves onstage would indeed look awkward. Bai Qingxue was at a loss. She couldn't very well have the Nine-Tailed Foxes and Skyfire Flame Beasts fight each other, could she?

Just then, a moderate voice rang out across a hundred miles:

"Since no one else is willing, this You shall take the stage first."

A figure appeared above one of the Saint-level duel platforms.

It was Yóu Chengwu, Fang Chen's father-in-law and head of the Yóu Clan.

When Fang Chen and his wife first met, Yóu Chengwu had only been at the Phenomenal Manifestation Realm. After allying with the Fang Clan and reaping its many benefits, his cultivation had soared.

Now, he had reached the Second Layer of the True Saint Realm.

Though barely at the minimum threshold for the True Dragon List, it didn't stop him from being the first to break the ice.

The True Dragon List accepted any Saint Realm cultivator under 500 years old, whether True Saint, Grand Saint, or Saint King — even Fang Ting, an Emperor-level cultivator, was technically eligible.

Given his early-stage cultivation, if Yóu Chengwu didn't act now, he might miss his only chance.

He stood calmly, hands behind his back, and gazed down.

"If none of you intend to take the stage, then I suppose this Heaven Spirit Pill reward will be mine."

A simple and direct approach — but effective.

"Whoosh!"

A gray-robed Saint Realm expert flew onto the platform to oppose him — the ancestor of a local faction within the city.

In bustling Ascension City, cultivators and factions were as numerous as the stars, but under Great Qian's control, they kept to themselves and behaved carefully.

Some had even risen quickly after relocating to the prosperous city.

Yóu Chengwu raised a hand.

"Please."

"Please."

Their clash signaled the opening salvo of the battle for the True Dragon List.

At that moment, Bai Qingxue glanced at her tribal uncle, who nodded in understanding and leapt onto another Saint-level platform. His Ninth Layer True Saint Realm aura was fully unveiled.

"I am Bai Si of the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan of the Northern Region. I've long heard tales of the Eastern Domain's experts. Today, I come to test their mettle."

Moments earlier it had been a mere Second Layer Saint — now a Ninth Layer Saint stepped forward.

Previously hesitant Saint Realm cultivators now found no excuse to remain idle.

This had now become a matter of face between the demon and human races. They couldn't allow the demon race to believe humans had no worthy warriors.

"Quick! Notify the patriarch! A demon expert is challenging us!"

"True Saint Ninth Layer! Strong, yes — but not unbeatable! I'll go get someone!"

Bai Si waited about the time it took for a cup of tea before his opponent arrived — not alone, but joined by others.

As they began battling, Bai Qingxue turned to the Skyfire Flame Beast Saint beside her. He nodded, then followed Bai Si's lead and ascended another stage.

This prompted a surge of Saint Realm cultivators to jump onto the platforms without hesitation.

The previously deserted Saint-level arena suddenly came alive with battle.

Normally, Saint Realm experts were lofty figures, rarely seen by ordinary cultivators — and even more rarely seen fighting.

Now, however, there were three simultaneous Saint-level duels, all at once.

Thanks to the multi-layered defensive formations surrounding the arena, spectators didn't need to fear being caught in the crossfire and could approach safely for a clear view.

The already packed Martial Arena now welcomed another massive influx of spectators.

Those who arrived late found themselves unable to secure a good spot.

At this point, the number of spectators in just this one arena had surpassed the entire population of most Cangzhou cities.