431: The geniuses gathered

"All living beings of Xuanhuang whose skeletal age is under a hundred years, regardless of background or past Karma, may go to the foot of Dao Yuan Mountain in the Central Domain to participate in the academy's entrance trial."

"The academy aims to preach the Dao and does not involve itself in mundane affairs. Entering our gates does not require leaving your original Sect or Family, but while in the academy, you must follow the academy's regulations."

"This term shall last for three years. After three years, you may stay or leave as you wish, and all Karma shall be cleared."

As the voice faded, the Dao Rhyme between heaven and earth slowly receded, but the phantom of the Dao Zang Long River spanning the sky did not dissipate for a long time, serving as the most dazzling lighthouse, guiding the way for the world's talents.

The whole world was in an uproar!

Dao Zang Academy!

The number one orthodoxy of Xuanhuang, once hailed as the cradle of emperors!

Its legends run through the ancient history of Xuanhuang. What people most enjoy talking about is that it once cultivated three Great Emperors who shook the past and present!

And Xing Tianao, who previously failed to charge into the Emperor Realm and caused all living beings to lament, also hailed from Dao Zang!

Its depth of foundation, abundance of resources, and strength of Legacy can be called the greatest in Xuanhuang.

It does not participate in secular struggles and remains aloof from the world, but every time it opens, it means that the most brilliant stars of a golden age will rise here.

And its recruitment conditions triggered a reaction like a mountain-shaking tsunami.

"Under a hundred years old! This is a stage prepared specifically for true peerless Prodigies!"

"No requirement to leave one's original power? Great! Is the academy planning to cultivate talents together with all the powers in the world?"

"Three years! Three years in a place like Dao Zang Academy is enough for anyone to be completely reborn!"

For a time, the entire Xuanhuang Great World was set in motion.

In the Eastern Domain, Great Zhou Dynasty, Ji Xuanye, whose injuries had not yet healed, suddenly opened his eyes in his secluded cultivation place, looking toward the Central Domain with a blazing Battle Intent burning in his eyes.

"Dao Zang Academy, Chu Daolin, the battle between you and me is not over yet! That will be the new battlefield!"

Chu Daolin, who had just defeated Ji Xuanye, stood with his hands behind his back on a mountain peak, his black clothes fluttering.

"Dao Zang, back then when heaven and earth underwent a great change and the emperors path was severed, it could only seal itself.

In this life, I'll see just what is so mysterious about this so-called cradle of emperors."

In the Chu Family's hidden land, several powerful auras also awakened, placing their hopes upon him.

One by one, the contemporary Prodigies who had long been famous throughout the world walked out of their secluded cultivation places, their eyes sharp and their auras majestic.

They either set out alone or were escorted by their Family Elders, all rushing to Dao Yuan Mountain at the fastest speed.

This was the first true gathering of heroes since the beginning of the golden age, and no one wanted to be left behind.

For a time, the Xuanhuang Five Domains were surging with wind and clouds!

In the sky, streaks of light were like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, shooting toward the Central Domain from all directions.

There was Sword Qi tearing through the sky, Demonic Qi rolling like a tide, Buddhist light illuminating the earth, and Devilish Qi looming eerily... contemporary Prodigies, Ancient Freaks, and Yao Race sovereigns were all on the move!

Countless Geniuses among the Loose Cultivators also carried the dream of a carp leaping over the Dragon gate, flocking to Dao Yuan Mountain like a school of crucian carp crossing a river.

The Central Domain instantly became the center of the entire Xuanhuang Great World, where winds and clouds gathered and Dragons and snakes rose from the land.

When the morning sun rose again, the vast plain in front of Dao Yuan Mountain was submerged by a sea of people.

Demonic Qi, Buddhist light, Imperial Dragon Qi, soaring Sword Intent... various powerful auras intertwined and collided, causing this part of heaven and earth to slightly distort.

Prodigies from various Holy Lands, Ancient Sects, Imperial Dynasties, the Yao Race, and ancient aristocratic families, as well as the best among countless Loose Cultivators, gathered here, numbering in the hundreds of thousands!

They were wary of each other, yet they looked toward the end of the plain with excitement they could hardly conceal.

There, which was originally empty, an indescribably magnificent heavenly stairway appeared out of thin air, piercing straight into the clouds!

The heavenly stairway was divided into 9,999 steps, built entirely of Chaos-colored Divine Stones, with each step engraved with ancient Great Dao runes and flowing with the aura of time.

It was not a physical entity but seemed more like a condensation of endless Dao laws and pressure, emitting a majestic pressure that made one's Soul tremble.

The end of the heavenly stairway disappeared into a patch of Chaos mist, connecting to that mysterious academy.

"Dao Zang Heavenly Stairway!"

An Elder from an ancient orthodoxy spoke with a trembling voice.

"Rumor has it that this stairway leads directly to the Great Dao. What it tests is not mere cultivation, but a combination of talent, skeletal structure, perseverance, Comprehension Ability, and even Luck!"

"Those who can climb to the 3,000th step can enter the Outer Academy, the 6,000th step can enter the Inner Academy, and above the 8,000th step... only then are they qualified to see the academy's Venerable Elders and become core True Disciples!"

Just then, that vast and peaceful voice resounded through heaven and earth once more:

"The trial begins. Climb the heavenly stairway. The 3,000th step is the threshold, the 6,000th step can be called an outstanding talent, and only at the 8,000th step can one see their true self. The time limit is seven days."

As the voice fell, the scene first went silent, then erupted into a sky-piercing clamor!

"Charge!"

"The Opportunity is right before our eyes!"

The tens of thousands of Cultivators at the very front could no longer hold back, turning into streaks of light and scrambling to step onto the first step of the heavenly stairway!

However—

Thud! Thud! "Ah!"

Screams of pain rose one after another!

The moment most Cultivators stepped onto the first step, they were struck as if by a heavy blow, their faces turning pale, their legs trembling, and some were even sent flying by that terrifying Dao pressure, their bones broken and tendons snapped!

"What terrifying pressure! It's as if I'm carrying a mountain on my back!"

"The circulation of my spiritual power has slowed down by more than ten times!"

"This is not just pressure; there's also the erosion of Dao laws!"

The crowd instantly sobered up, putting away their contempt and beginning to climb upward solemnly, one step at a time.

Upon the heavenly stairway, light flowed. With every step up, the pressure doubled, and the erosion of Dao laws became even more intense.

Some had their whole bodies radiating precious light, sacrificing Magic Treasures for protection; some recited true scriptures, resisting with their will; some stumbled, finding it difficult to move even an inch.

The truly top Prodigies also began to move.

"Move aside!"

With a cold shout, Ji Xuanye from the Great Zhou Dynasty walked with a dragon's stride and a tiger's pace. Though he had previously lost to Chu Daolin, his steps were steady and his speed was extremely fast, crossing hundreds of steps in the blink of an eye.

He left a large number of Cultivators behind, causing bursts of exclamation.

Almost simultaneously, Demonic Qi soared on the other side as the Golden Lion from the Southern Domain revealed its true form, its speed astonishingly fast as it kept pace with Ji Xuanye.

Wherever Leng Qianqiu from the Northern Plains passed, the steps froze with frost. He ascended gracefully amidst the pressure, his coldness biting.

However, everyone's spotlight was soon overshadowed by a black figure.

Chu Daolin moved.

He did not use any flashy movement techniques; he simply climbed the steps calmly.

His steps were leisurely, yet his speed was incredibly fast. With a few steps, he had already surpassed Ji Xuanye and the Golden Lion ahead of him, leaving everyone in the dust!

Just as the local Prodigies of the Xuanhuang Continent were displaying their Divine Abilities, unusual ripples appeared in the Void Realm at the very top of the sky.

Rip—!

Several streaks of light of different colors, but equally powerful and astonishing, were like comets striking the moon, hurtling down toward Dao Yuan Mountain!

The light dissipated, revealing several figures.

They were clearly peerless heroes nurtured by the Xuanhuang Great Dao in different starry sky domains!

"They are young kings from the depths of the starry sky, from other ancient life planets and even floating continents!"

An older Cultivator's gaze focused as he said in a heavy voice.

"As expected, they also received the induction and have crossed the boundless starry sky to come and pay homage to the Ancestral Land, competing for the fortune of this Central Continent!"