573: The struggle for the throne begins.

The sea was turbulent, with surging waves constantly rising. The sky was gloomy, seemingly foretelling that today's Contest of the Imperial Son would not be peaceful, hinting at an impending storm.

The once-in-ten-thousand-years Contest of the Imperial Son, although experiencing twists due to the destruction of the Immortal Great Sects in the Four Great Domains and the fall of several Emperor's Companions, was still not a problem for the Three Saints of the Golden Crow to overcome.

It was merely a matter of releasing this group of Cultivators from the Middle Domain. As long as everything went smoothly, they would certainly be able to satisfy the Dugu Family of the Inner Domain.

However, for the Three Saints of the Golden Crow, the Contest of the Imperial Son was not the most important thing; the most crucial task was to deal with Shen Tianxing and Mo Qi.

Clang!

In the distance, the sound of a bronze bell echoed. After nine chimes, light flashed on the largest platform in the sea.

Three figures appeared on the platform.

These were none other than the Three Saints of the Golden Crow, representing the strongest and most prestigious power in the Five Domains!

"The Three Saints have arrived! The Contest of the Imperial Son is finally about to begin!"

"The aura of the Three Saints is as deep as the ocean. Such a Realm is truly awe-inspiring. I wonder if the Three Saints will expound on the Dao this time?"

"They should, right? After all, every time the Contest of the Imperial Son concludes, the Three Saints choose to expound on the Dao, guiding the many Cultivators of our Five Domains. This has become a custom. Moreover, even if it weren't a grand event like the Contest of the Imperial Son, the Three Saints would still expound on the Dao once every thousand years."

"That's great! I've been stuck in the Heavenly Phenomenon Realm for almost three hundred years. With the Three Saints expounding on the Dao, I might even have an Opportunity to glimpse the Golden Body Realm!"

"Me too! The Golden Body Realm is a formidable chasm for Cultivators of our generation. Without an Opportunity, it's too difficult to step into that level!"

The appearance of the Three Saints of the Golden Crow immediately caused a huge uproar.

Cheers erupted, all flattering the Three Saints of the Golden Crow. After all, at their level, they were already at the pinnacle of the Outer Domain; no one could surpass them. In the Dao of cultivation, they had walked far enough.

Enough to make all Cultivators prostrate themselves in reverence.

"Greetings, Three Saints!"

The leaders of various top forces bowed in salute, their eyes filled with respect.

The Sect Masters of the ten Immortal Great Sects of the Middle Domain were on the same platform as the Three Saints of the Golden Crow, guarding them with utmost deference.

Saint Jin Yang nodded, pleased with everyone's reaction.

Under the cover of his Divine Sense, he didn't detect anyone daring to show dissent, but there was also some disappointment.

His Divine Sense did not find the figures of Shen Tianxing and Mo Qi, nor even the Cultivators around Shen Tianxing. It was as if they hadn't come at all.

"Senior Brother, Liu Ruqing from Dianxing Academy hasn't arrived!"

Saint Fen Yang said in a low voice.

As the only remaining Immortal Great Sect in the Four Domains besides the Middle Domain, Dianxing Academy was naturally on the minds of the Three Saints of the Golden Crow. Most importantly, when Dianxing Academy was in the Northern Wilderness, it had teamed up with Shen Tianxing to destroy the Holy Heaven Demon Sect.

Didn't this indicate that Liu Ruqing had already sided with Shen Tianxing?

That was openly opposing the Three Saints of the Golden Crow!

For such a Sect, the Three Saints of the Golden Crow naturally intended to settle scores later.

"If she didn't come, then so be it. After today, Dianxing Academy will no longer be necessary."

Saint Jin Yang was also someone who tolerated no dissent.

If Liu Ruqing dared to openly oppose the Three Saints of the Golden Crow with Dianxing Academy, she would have to pay the price!

After the Three Saints of the Golden Crow greeted the Cultivators, Saint Xuan Yang stepped forward, stood on the platform, and said in a deep voice.

"The Contest of the Imperial Son, begins!"

"All qualified Cultivators, voluntarily ascend the platform. Life and death are disregarded; fate is your own!"

Saint Xuan Yang's voice, like a tide, swept out, clearly heard by all Cultivators present.

Those Disciples from various forces who had prepared to shine in this Contest of the Imperial Son were already eager, ready to go, their eyes gleaming, prepared to enter the arena.

Compared to the previous Contest of the Imperial Son, this one was much more chaotic.

The strengths were also uneven; not everyone was in the Golden Body Realm.

After all, this was the Contest of the Imperial Son. If a large number of Heavenly Phenomenon Realm experts were to enter, it wouldn't look good.

The Dugu Family would not approve, and the Three Saints of the Golden Crow might even be directly suppressed.

At least Cultivators in the Golden Body Realm were acceptable. Even if they were not as good as true Emperor's Companions, those who could reach this level before the age of one hundred among the younger generation certainly had extraordinary talent and were all exceptionally brilliant individuals.

Boom boom boom!

In the sky, figures stepped through the air, heading straight for the colossal platform erected in the sea.

That platform was the venue for this Contest of the Imperial Son. It looked like an inconspicuous platform, but in reality, it contained its own universe, far from what the naked eye perceived.

Many Cultivators present, most of whom were visiting for the first time, couldn't help but be astonished upon seeing this platform.

"What's going on? So many Cultivators are going to fight on this single platform? Are they crazy? Those are all Cultivators in the Golden Body Realm; if any one of them makes a move, it's unlikely any living creature in this million-mile sea area would survive!"

"It is strange, but the Three Saints of the Golden Crow couldn't possibly make such a mistake, could they? Is there some hidden mystery within?"

"I knew you wouldn't know, young ones. Let me tell you, this platform only appears to be a platform, but it's actually an Emperor-grade Magical Artifact. Rumor has it that it came from the Inner Domain, and it contains its own universe. Any Cultivator who enters it steps into an independent world!"

"Fighting inside won't affect the outside. We can watch the battle here with peace of mind, without having to worry about the Cultivators' actions causing any unpredictable crises."

"Ah? It's an Emperor-grade Magical Artifact? I've only heard of Emperor-grade Divine Weapons. This... this is too Profound Weapon! No wonder, a Magical Artifact that can form its own domain and accommodate so many Golden Body Realm experts fighting. It's truly an eye-opener!"

The origin of this platform was no longer a secret to Cultivators who had witnessed the Contest of the Imperial Son ten thousand years ago.

After all, it was a treasure from the Inner Domain, something that had never appeared in the Outer Domain, and it naturally elicited exclamations from many Cultivators.

In the sky, figures soared, quickly reaching the platform.

Upon contact with the platform, a transparent light membrane shimmered on its exterior. In an instant, those Cultivators easily entered inside.

From the outside, the platform revealed an endless barren plain. All the Cultivators who entered appeared significantly smaller, like towering Divine Beings looking down upon the beings within a Small World.

In reality, the seemingly mysterious Emperor-grade Magical Artifact was far less wondrous than outsiders perceived. It merely utilized advanced refining techniques, incorporating fragments of real Secret Realms within it to form its unique space.