64: Shock the heroes

Qingxuan Mountain, the most towering and majestic peak in the Qingxuan Domain.

Its elevation surpassed the sea of clouds, as if one were in the firmament itself, and the summit was vast enough to accommodate millions of people.

At its center stood a colossal sword reaching the heavens. Its bronze blade was covered in shattered stones and iron filings, appearing ancient and imbued with the aura of time.

Even after countless ages, the faint aura it emitted caused one's soul to tremble, making it impossible to gaze upon for long. It surely possessed an extraordinary origin.

It is said that tens of thousands of years ago, the Qingxuan Domain was governed by a sword dao sect called the Qingxuan Sect. At that time, it dominated the surrounding realms, shining with immense brilliance, unlike its current desolate state.

It was renowned across dozens of surrounding realms, and no one dared to challenge its might.

Yet, for unknown reasons, this sect with such a glorious past vanished into thin air in a single day, as if it had never existed.

The sect's former site was on the summit of Qingxuan Mountain, with only a giant sword remaining, plunged into the peak.

Today was the day of the Qingxuan Grand Competition, and countless streaks of light flew to the summit. Figures intertwined, making it exceptionally lively.

Groups of cultivators chatted amongst themselves, discussing animatedly. Those who arrived first were merely spectators, as none of the sects participating in the Competition had yet appeared.

Suddenly, waves of oppressive aura emanated from the distant sky, and flying boats, pavilions, or monstrous beasts appeared in everyone's sight.

The true protagonists had arrived. A total of fifteen top sects had reached the summit, and the powerful individuals aboard the flying boats or riding on the backs of the monstrous beasts exuded terrifying auras.

Everyone on the summit showed reverence in their eyes. These sects represented the pinnacle of the Qingxuan Domain, with each having a Spirit King Realm peak expert overseeing it, dominating their respective regions.

These top forces exchanged glances, descending to the summit without a word. The Four Great Continents were not amicable, and there were still distinct factions.

In previous Competitions, the top sects within a single continent would often unite to eliminate the sects from other continents.

They would then compete for victory to claim the title of the strongest continent in the Qingxuan Domain.

This also concerned the prestige of the factions; whoever was eliminated first would naturally be looked down upon.

Subsequently, the top sects of the Four Great Continents established their positions in four different directions, looking at each other from afar, with unseen sparks flying.

"Eh, it seems like a few major sects haven't arrived yet?"

Someone in the crowd voiced a question.

"That's right, the Huangji Sect, the Ji Ye Sect, the Bingjing Palace, and the Tianxuan Sword Sect—the strongest top sects of these continents—haven't arrived yet."

"However, four of the five top sects from the Eastern Continent have already arrived. Only the Chixue Sect is missing. Could it be that they're not participating this time?"

Many such voices arose from the crowd.

Except for the Eastern Continent, the other continents all had their respective strongest overlord-level sects. Only the Eastern Continent was in a state of rivalry, not yet unified.

"You wouldn't know this, but the Eastern Continent now only has four top sects. As for the Chixue Sect, hehe!"

A small portion of first-rate sects from the Eastern Continent had also come to observe and cheer. A powerful individual immediately responded.

"What happened to the Chixue Sect? Fellow Daoist, don't keep us in suspense!"

Someone eagerly inquired.

Upon hearing this, the person who had just spoken cleared his throat, then stated indifferently, "The Chixue Sect is finished; not even a trace of them can be found!"

"What?!"

Many exclaimed in shock. A perfectly fine top sect had vanished just like that.

One must know that it was impossible for top sects to eliminate each other relying solely on their own strength, unless?

Unless the four top sects had jointly targeted the Chixue Sect, only then would it be possible to annihilate it. But normally, this probability was not very high.

Who knew if the opponent, in its dying struggle, would heavily injure one of the sects? No one wanted to take that risk, which was why the situation had remained as it was.

Just as everyone was surprised, several incredibly powerful auras once again appeared in the sky, even more terrifying than the sects that had appeared earlier.

Four forces appeared in the sky: one riding a golden long saber artifact, with dozens of figures standing on it, clad in golden sect robes.

One was an ice crystal palace pulled by two flying monstrous beasts. At the palace entrance, graceful women in snow-white fur coats had their dark hair fluttering.

One was a black crow monstrous beast surrounded by black flames, constantly flapping its wings, its eyes cold as it stared at the summit, with a group of black-clad figures standing on its back.

Lastly, one was riding a giant orange-yellow gourd, with a group of white-robed swordsmen carrying long swords standing proudly on the gourd, their sword intent awe-inspiring.

These were the four top sects that people had mentioned had not yet arrived, the overlord-level forces of the various continents.

These four top sects were the hot favorites to win this Competition. They slowly descended under everyone's gaze, their expressions calm.

In the Eastern Continent's camp, the Sect Leader of the Golden Sword Sect and others were somewhat puzzled. Why hadn't the Upper Sect arrived yet? They were the only ones left.

An immortal-like old man stood on an artifact high platform. He was the host of previous assemblies, and his cultivation was also at the Spirit King Realm peak level.

He was a reclusive rogue cultivator, highly respected and renowned throughout the Qingxuan Domain, possessing great prestige.

After seeing the four top sects arrive, he scanned the area and found that, apart from the Chixue Sect, which people said had been annihilated, everyone who should have come had arrived.

Clearing his throat, he was about to begin the procedures of the Qingxuan Grand Competition when a luxurious flying boat arrived late in the sky, attracting countless gazes.

Question marks appeared on everyone's foreheads. All the sects participating in the Competition had already arrived, so who were these people?

The old man hosting the Competition was also a bit bewildered. Under everyone's gaze, a total of thirteen figures appeared at the front of the flying boat's deck.

The leader was a Middle-aged man of extraordinary temperament, with a powerful and profound aura.

These were the Chang Sheng Sect's people. It wasn't that they deliberately displayed their strength by appearing last.

It was because Wei Shengjin and the grayish-white kitten by the old ancestor's side had gone missing, and they only rushed to Qingxuan Mountain after their return.

When they asked Wei Shengjin, he stammered and refused to say. Everyone was helpless and didn't press further, but they all secretly muttered that this guy must have done something bad.

Seeing everyone's gaze fixed on them, Nangong Xiaotian felt a little uncomfortable. He cupped his hands and said, "We are the Chang Sheng Sect from the Eastern Continent, and also one of the sects participating in this Competition. We were delayed by some matters, and we hope you will forgive us!"

Upon hearing this, many powerful individuals from the top sects looked at them with somewhat solemn expressions.

They felt a strong threat from this group of people. This so-called Chang Sheng Sect was probably not simple.

The spectators, on the other hand, were puzzled. Chang Sheng Sect? Why had they never heard of this name?

The Eastern Continent cultivator from earlier in the crowd spoke again, slowly saying, "Aren't you curious why the Chixue Sect suddenly vanished?"

He deliberately paused for a moment before continuing, "That's because of the Chang Sheng Sect!"

Someone immediately asked, "Could it be that the Chang Sheng Sect annihilated them and took their place?"

The person shook his head like a storyteller, uttering a sentence that sent a chill down everyone's spines:

"That's because the Chang Sheng Sect unified the entire Eastern Continent. The Chixue Sect was jointly annihilated by the other four top sects, and now they are also affiliated with the Chang Sheng Sect!"

Hiss, hiss, hiss!

Countless gasps of cold air echoed one after another across the mountaintop.