232: Chapter 241 A Prosperous Era

First, he destroyed the Daming Dynasty, and then he humiliated the heir of the Dragon Clan.

After this battle, the name of the Exotic Beast Mansion and the might of Yuan Chen were deeply branded into the hearts of every faction in the Eastern Wasteland. The entire Eight Domains of the Eastern Wasteland were shrouded in an atmosphere of trepidation and silence.

Just as the entire Eastern Wasteland remained in a state of shock and undercurrents, a grand, vast, and far-reaching sound transmission suddenly echoed across the mountains and rivers.

It fell into every Sect Secret Realm, aristocratic family hall, Yao Race Immortal Cave, and outpost in the outer domains.

"For a thousand years, the Eight Domains of the Eastern Wasteland have been divided, with deep barriers between them. The various Sects fight for themselves, the younger generation rests on their laurels, the Immortal Dao is gradually declining, and all living beings are drowning in comfort."

"To break these barriers, facilitate communication, encourage new talent, solidify the Luck of the Eastern Wasteland, and prepare for the chaos of the coming age, the esteemed Emperor Yuan Chen of the Daming Dynasty will host the 'Eastern Wasteland Youth Immortal Dao Assembly' outside the capital of the Daming Dynasty. Younger generation Golden Core and Nascent Soul Cultivators may participate. There are no restrictions on background, Sect, race, or region; all may sign up to compete."

"All those who qualify will receive high-level Cultivation resources, supreme Treasure Artifacts, and other rewards. All Sects, aristocratic families, and tribes in the six domains of the Eastern Wasteland must send eligible Disciples to attend the event, to participate in this great Immortal Dao gathering and promote the prosperity of the Eastern Wasteland."

After finishing the script, Fortune Spirit finished her work and melancholically crawled back into her little nest. She never expected that she, the dignified Fortune Spirit, would actually be used as a loudspeaker. It was truly too much.

After the words of Fortune Spirit ceased, the Eastern Wasteland, which had been silent with undercurrents, instantly boiled over, and the entire Eight Domains were in an uproar.

Countless Cultivators in seclusion broke through their barriers, and the leadership of countless factions gathered overnight to discuss.

Anyone with a shred of foresight could understand the true meaning behind Yuan Chen's layout.

What "revitalizing the Immortal Dao"? Isn't it just wanting to annex the entire Eastern Wasteland?

Using supreme treasures as bait and the Immortal Dao as a medium, he aimed to gather all the top powerhouses of the new generation from the six domains into Daming Imperial City.

First, he could gather the hearts and Opportunity of the younger generation of the Eastern Wasteland, allowing thousands of Prodigies to owe him a favor. Second, he could use the grand event to inspect the factions of the six domains and control the overall situation. Without a drop of blood, without fighting to subdue the enemy, he would completely end the thousand-year pattern of division and separate governance in the Eastern Wasteland, firmly establishing himself as the undisputed ruler of the Eastern Wasteland.

In the Yellow Domain of the Eastern Wasteland lies the Rift Sky Sword Sect.

This is the premier ancient Sword Dao Sect of the Yellow Domain, established for nearly ten thousand years. It has a profound Foundation and a transcendent Sword lineage. It has always been aloof and self-reliant, disdaining to attach itself to any faction. Even toward the Daming Dynasty, it has always been superficially submissive while secretly holding its own territory. It is the most unruly and exclusionary top Sect among the six domains.

At this moment, inside the Sect Master's hall of the Sword Sect, the Sword Qi was piercing, and Spiritual Qi swirled. Several white-haired Sword Dao Old Ancestors sat in high positions, while the heads of each peak and Core Elders stood on both sides, their expressions solemn and the atmosphere tense.

On the main seat, Ling Canglan, the Sect Master of the Rift Sky Sword Sect, wore a green robe with a long sword on his back. His face was cold, and his brows carried the aloofness and sharpness of one who has held a sword for years. He tapped his fingertips on the jade desk and spoke in a deep voice: "Yuan Chen's decree reveals his ambition clearly; it is already out in the open. Everyone, speak your minds. Should we go or not?"

An Old Ancestor of the Sword Dao on the left, who had been in seclusion for a thousand years, slowly opened his eyes. A cold glint flashed in his pupils, and his voice was old and harsh: "We Sword Cultivators establish ourselves with the sword and forge our Dao with pride. Throughout our lives, we act with a clear conscience toward heaven and earth. Why should we care about anyone else's face?"

"Yuan Chen uses the name of the Immortal Dao to carry out the reality of unification. It looks like he is tempting us with generous rewards, but in reality, he wants the various Sects to bow and submit. The Rift Sky Sword Sect will never do such a thing as deliberately fawning and lowering ourselves to enter his game! Even if the other party's power is overwhelming, we must never blunt the sword edge in our hearts or extinguish the ambition in our chests."

Someone's expression changed, and they couldn't help but want to speak, but just then, the Old Ancestor changed his tone: "But then again, the progress of the Disciples' strength has indeed been a bit slow these years. They do need to communicate and spar more with their peers. The Immortal Dao is supreme, and the heart of seeking the Dao must not be broken. So, Sect Master, you should take twenty or thirty thousand Disciples to join in the fun."

The Sect Master was slightly stunned. Are there even that many suitable Disciples in total?

Before he could speak, the Elders all cupped their hands: "The Old Ancestor is wise."

"Hmm." The Old Ancestor nodded with satisfaction: "Remember, do not be like other Sects, fawning over power. Do not tarnish the prestige of our Sword Sect."

... In the Universe Domain, the Myriad Beast Ancient Sect.

"Hey, Valley Master Qing! Are you going? Our Myriad Beast Ancient Sect is not going!" The Sect Master spoke with full confidence and pride.

"Afraid? Ridiculous. He, Yuan Chen, is strong, but I am not made of mud."

The Sect Master's tone was extremely tough, without any concession: "My Myriad Beast Ancient Sect has been passed down for eons, establishing its own Dao lineage, and we do not attach ourselves to any faction! For Yuan Chen to want to unify the Eastern Wasteland, it is too wishful thinking! Does he really take our ancient Sects of the Eastern Wasteland for spineless cowards?"

"He wants to hold a martial assembly, that is his business! Our Myriad Beast Ancient Sect will not join in the fun! I want to see if Yuan Chen dares to use this as an excuse to mobilize troops and trample our Myriad Beast Ancient Sect!"

"You aren't going either? That's right. As long as we stand together, no one can do anything to us... Uh-huh... Right... No problem... That's it then, I'm going into seclusion."

After the Spirit Message ended, the atmosphere in the hall, previously full of domineering aura, suddenly fell silent.

The Law Enforcement Elder spoke first, his tone worried: "Sect Master... are we really not going?"

The Sect Master waved his hand: "If you want to die, I don't."

Although everyone knew Yuan Chen had ill intentions, who dared not to go?

Once the factions of the other six domains all attended the meeting, and only they closed their doors to refuse the summons and acted against the trend, they would be completely standing on the opposite side of Yuan Chen and the prevailing trend.

Yuan Chen might not know who went, but he would be crystal clear about who didn't.

He stood up and looked toward the distant Daming Imperial City, his tone extremely heavy: "The gargantuan Daming was destroyed by him in an instant. No matter how strong our Myriad Beast Ancient Sect is, can we be stronger than Daming?"

"Then you just now..."

The Sect Master curled his lips in disdain: "Words are for outsiders to hear; the path is for us to walk ourselves. It's good that Qingfeng Valley isn't going; they are right next to our Sect. Perhaps when the time comes, we can divide up their territory."

The hall full of Elders cheered: "Sect Master is brilliant!"

Ling Canglan waved his hand: "Pass down the order: all Golden Core and Nascent Soul elite Prodigies in the Sect are to prepare their bags and resources. Three days later, they will descend the mountain in batches and head to Daming Imperial City to compete."

"We obey the Sect Master's decree!"

The same scene played out among various Sects. In the Extreme Cold Domain, Savage Domain, and Cloud Sea Domain, all major factions were the same. For a time, the entire Eastern Wasteland began to bustle.

The silent sky began to fill with numerous Prodigies on their way, with various flying Treasure Artifacts emerging one after another. Besides the Sect factions, Loose Cultivators from all over, upon receiving the news, also crossed thousands of miles of mountains and rivers, gathering toward the Daming Dynasty.

They did not have as many concerns as the Sects; they only knew that Yuan Chen had mountains of treasures in his hands, and obtaining just one would allow them to soar directly. Especially since this event spanned the entire Eastern Wasteland, the rewards Yuan Chen brought out would certainly not be simple.

The one-month period passed in the blink of an eye, and soon it was the day the Immortal Dao Assembly opened. A floating island stood horizontally outside the capital of the Daming Dynasty, grand and magnificent, clearly the venue for the competition.

In just a few dozen days, the Daming Dynasty was completely packed. Prodigy Disciples from the eight domains, Sect Elders, aristocratic nobles, and Yao Race powerhouses densely covered the inside and outside of the Imperial City. Spiritual Qi steamed, Sword Qi crisscrossed, and Yao power was faintly visible. New talents from all paths gathered here, bustling and prosperous, unprecedented in history.

And this was only because the time was short; there were still many Cultivators who hadn't arrived. Countless small and medium-sized factions, as well as Loose Cultivators and rangers, stood on the streets, watching the powerhouses gathering from all directions, unable to help but sigh with emotion. "So many people~"

The East Gate of the Imperial City was the most bustling and congested, with various luxurious carriages, treasure chariots, and flying Magical Artifacts arriving one after another, endless in stream.

Just as the crowd was noisy, a sharp and vast Sword Dao current broke through the air, and the clear sound of swords resonated through the sky, instantly attracting the attention of the whole scene.

Thousands of young Cultivators dressed in green sword robes, with upright postures and cold temperaments, stepped on Flying Swords and arrived in formation through the air. Their Sword Intent was pure, their Foundations solid, and every single one was a top Prodigy of the Golden Core or Nascent Soul Realm. They were the Core Disciples of the Rift Sky Sword Sect.

At the very front of the team, wearing a green robe with a long sword on his back, with an aloof and cold aura, was the Sect Master of the Rift Sky Sword Sect. He led the Sword Sect Prodigies, looking down at the people on the street. The surrounding factions were dumbfounded. Has the Rift Sky Sword Sect moved its entire home here?

"Descend, walk on foot!" At the city gate, the guard pointed his spear upward and shouted. "Right, right." The Rift Sky Sword Sect Master smiled awkwardly and waved his hand, hurriedly telling all the Disciples to land.

Not far away, the group from the Myriad Beast Ancient Sect couldn't help but sneer. Keep pretending! "Follow me quietly. After entering the city, remember not to cause trouble. Be careful." The Myriad Beast Sect Master shook his head and greeted his Disciples.

Just as he turned his head, he locked eyes with another group. Both sides were stunned, and then the Valley Master of Qingfeng Valley darkened his face: "Chen? Didn't you say you weren't coming?"

The Myriad Beast Sect Master's expression did not change; his look remained aloof and cold. He calmly raised his hand to return the salute, his tone composed and calm: "Didn't you also say you weren't coming? My Disciples said you were two-faced and a sinister villain who would definitely come secretly. I didn't believe it, so I brought people to check. I didn't expect the Disciples to be right. Valley Master Qing, I am so disappointed in you."

The Valley Master of Qingfeng Valley snorted coldly: "Bullshit!"

At the same time, a rapid sound of breaking through the air rushed from the end of the horizon. Three black dragon-patterned figures tore through the clouds, carrying the dust of the journey and extreme anxiety, and hurriedly landed outside the main gate of the Imperial City.

The person at the head was none other than Clan Leader Ao Yi of the Dragon Clan. His brows were tightly locked, his expression extremely heavy, and his aura was chaotic. He had been traveling for days without a moment's rest. His robes were messy from the strong winds, and his eyes were filled with lingering urgency.

Following closely beside him were two young Dragon Clan juniors, both elites carefully cultivated by the Dragon Clan. They followed along the way, their expressions restrained and solemn, not daring to breathe too loudly.

Ever since he had previously used cross-domain sound transmission to plead with Yuan Chen to spare Young Master Ao Xing's life, Ao Yi had not had a moment of peace.

He knew clearly that although Yuan Chen had temporarily spared Young Master Ao Xing from death, his attitude remained indifferent and distant. Therefore, he dared not delay for a moment. He quickly arranged the affairs of the clan and, taking two juniors, traveled day and night, crossing tens of thousands of miles of territory, just to rush to Daming Imperial City to offer an apology, sincerely apologize, and bring Young Master Ao Xing safely back to the Dragon Clan.

From afar, Ao Yi discovered that this place was too lively. Those coming and going were all Cultivators with extraordinary auras. The Spiritual Qi fluctuations of Golden Core and Nascent Soul Cultivators rose and fell, and an endless stream of practitioners gathered here from all directions. Ao Yi frowned slightly, his heart filled with doubts.

His ears twitched slightly, and he understood the reason from the snippets of conversation. His heart sank; if only that incident hadn't happened back then.

Ao Yi suppressed the shock in his heart, steadied himself, and instructed the two juniors in a deep voice: "Enter the palace immediately and sincerely apologize to Yuan Chen."

Just as he was about to step into the Imperial City, at that moment, an area on the side of the city gate inadvertently entered his line of sight. It instantly locked his gaze, causing his feet to freeze in place, unable to move another inch.

On the open ground next to the Imperial City gate stood a statue that was grayish-white all over and looked unremarkable. The surface of the statue had rough patterns, but it was tightly wrapped in a faint layer of silver light, firmly imprisoning its whole body, attracting countless Cultivators to stop and watch, becoming the most special scenery at the city gate.

But as a high-ranking member of the Dragon Clan, Ao Yi was proficient in the Dragon Clan's Bloodline aura and familiar with the Origin of his kin. The moment his gaze fell upon it, his blood almost froze instantly, and his limbs felt icy cold. An extreme sense of bitterness, humiliation, anger, and heartache instantly swept through his entire body, churning and colliding wildly in his chest, almost breaking through his ribcage.

This is no ornamental statue! This is Young Master Ao Xing, completely sealed and solidified by Yuan Chen's Turning Stone into Silver secret technique!

Ao Yi's pupils trembled violently, his breathing stopped instantly, and his fingertips trembled uncontrollably. "You beast!" Ao Yi couldn't help but shout angrily.

Then, remembering where he was, his expression changed, and he added in a low voice: "Ao Xing, you beast, arrogant and unruly, you brought this upon yourself!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a chuckle sounded from the side: "Clan Chief is still so strict." Ao Yi turned his head and didn't know when Yuan Chen had already stood beside him.

He felt a wave of relief; thankfully he had hurriedly added that sentence, otherwise, it would have been embarrassing. Yuan Chen looked at Ao Yi with interest; he had sensed the other party's presence the moment he entered the city. Yuan Chen was quite respectful toward Ao Yi, so he did not deliberately make things difficult for him again.

He waved his hand: "Clan Chief, please. Let's go to the palace to sit for a while; Elder Hei Yan and the others also miss you quite a bit."

A wry smile appeared on the corner of Ao Yi's mouth. In just a few short years, things had changed when they met again. He shook his head secretly and pointed to the statue of Young Master Ao Xing: "Didn't you promise to let him go? Why use this trick again?"

Yuan Chen didn't even turn his head: "If he comes and goes as he pleases every time, wouldn't that make him think I'm easy to talk to? Giving him another lesson, the next time won't be so simple."

"Sigh~" Ao Yi shook his head helplessly and took the statue of Young Master Ao Xing back into his sleeve. He followed Yuan Chen's footsteps, looked around, and after discovering there were no other statues: "Where is the Second Elder?"

"He's dead!" Yuan Chen replied casually. "What?" Ao Yi's footsteps paused, his mind shaken. "What's wrong? You didn't ask me to spare his life, so I took the liberty of killing him!" Ao Yi's lips trembled, unable to speak for a long time: "You... you..."