"The Ninth Celestial Palace of the Mystic Sect is finally reopening!"
"It's been over a hundred thousand years. I've missed this so much. To think we'll be walking the path to the Ninth Celestial Palace once again!"
A few Emperor Realm experts exchanged a look.
Aside from the Celestial Secret Elder, the other seven Emperor Realm experts were all born in the same era and hailed from the Mystic Sect.
They had prepared for over a hundred thousand years to return to the Mystic Sect. They had waited far, far too long!
Now…
They were finally going to walk this path once more!
SWOOSH!
The Mystic Sect Spirit appeared before the group, smiling as he glanced at the Asura Blood Emperor and the others.
At that moment, their faces filled with excitement and awe, both the Asura Blood Emperor and the Dragon Emperor bowed deeply to the Mystic Sect Spirit and said, "We pay our respects to the Mystic Sect Spirit!"
"Mm."
The Mystic Sect Spirit gently shook his head and sighed. "To think I would see familiar faces after more than a hundred thousand years. It's a shame, though. In all that time, not a single one of you has even become a Demigod. How truly tragic!"
"Our talents are poor. We have disappointed you."
The Emperor Realm experts replied.
The Mystic Sect Spirit shook his head and chuckled. "It's not that you are untalented. It's just that during the great war in the Ancient Era, our Mystic Sect was annihilated. That person from Zhongzhou also severed the Ancestral Vein of our Eastern Continent. Since you've remained in the Eastern Continent all this time, it was only natural that your cultivation would stall at the Emperor Realm. All right, you all understand the rules of the Ninth Celestial Palace. Go on ahead."
"Yes!"
"We shall go on ahead!"
The Emperor Realm experts immediately walked forward, disappearing into the dazzling portal.
Only then did the Mystic Sect Spirit turn to Jiang Chen and the others, a wistful expression on his face. "I remember the Ancient Era, when our Eastern Continent had hundreds of Emperor Realm experts and even one Demigod. Geniuses were innumerable, and every year, countless prodigies would ascend the Ninth Celestial Palace. To think that after more than a hundred thousand years, only this handful of you remain… It seems our Eastern Continent truly has no worthy successors."
"Senior…"
The group's expressions soured.
They were all considered prodigies in their own right. How could they be happy being told their generation had no worthy successors?
The Mystic Sect Spirit chuckled. "I know what you're thinking. You're all unconvinced by what I said, aren't you? Heh heh. Allow me to explain. In the Ancient Era, this Ninth Celestial Palace was a trial for the disciples of the Mystic Sect. Those who could ascend to the First Celestial Palace qualified as Outer Disciples. Ascending to the Third Celestial Palace…"
As the Mystic Sect Spirit explained, the group began to understand.
Within the Ninth Celestial Palace, every three stages marked a great divide.
In the Ancient Era, reaching the First Celestial Palace was just enough to qualify as the lowest-level Outer Disciple of the Mystic Sect.
Reaching the Third Celestial Palace made one an Outer Door Elite Disciple.
At the Fourth Celestial Palace, one could enter the Inner Sect and become an ordinary Inner Sect Disciple.
Reaching the Sixth Celestial Palace made one an Inner Sect Core Disciple!
Reaching the Seventh Celestial Palace made one an Inner Sect True Inheritor Disciple, and the Eighth Celestial Palace was the level of a Mystic Sect Saint Child!
But…
Even in the Ancient Era, those capable of ascending to the Eighth Celestial Palace were exceedingly rare, and all of them possessed Emperor Realm Cultivation. As for the Ninth Celestial Palace, only one person had ever reached it in the entire history of the Mystic Sect.
That person had been the direct disciple of the Mystic Sect Master, and he was the peak genius in the entire sect with the greatest hope of stepping into the Demigod Realm!
Unfortunately, that person fell during the great war of the Ancient Era.
The Mystic Sect Spirit chuckled. "Among you, I estimate only about two-thirds will be able to ascend to the First Celestial Palace. Of those who remain, perhaps only a dozen or so will reach the Third Celestial Palace. However, you few youngsters are quite good. Reaching the Fourth Celestial Palace shouldn't be a problem for you!"
The Mystic Sect Spirit pointed at Jiang Chen, Zhao Hongluan, and Arhat.
He then looked toward Snow Vajra; Gai Shi; the youth from the Southern Border clad in beast hides, Tuoba Yan; and the handsome, longsword-carrying youth, Jian Lingkong. He smiled and said, "The four of you are the most talented in this group. You should be able to push for the Sixth Stage and become Core Disciples!"
Their faces lit up with ecstasy.
Snow Vajra grinned, casting a mocking gaze at Jiang Chen. He said arrogantly, "Kid, we Martial Artists live for hundreds, even thousands of years. A temporary setback means nothing. Only the one who laughs last is the true victor. Even the senior can see that my talent surpasses yours. My future is limitless! Just you wait. It won't be long before I surpass you and grind you into the dust beneath my feet!"
Jiang Chen glanced at him and said coolly, "Talent and strength aren't proven with words."
"Hahaha, you must be jealous of me! Don't worry. Once I become a Core Disciple of the Mystic Sect and receive my inheritance, I might consider taking you on as my lackey if you get on your knees and beg. I'll even toss you some scraps, hahaha…"
Laughing heartily, Snow Vajra strutted like a victorious rooster, head high and chest out, as he walked toward the Ninth Celestial Palace.
Tuoba Yan glanced at Jiang Chen and said in a sullen tone, "You may have defeated me at the Alchemy Conference, but on the path of the Martial Dao, you are ultimately unworthy of being my opponent!"
"Tuoba Yan is right…"
Jian Lingkong, with the longsword on his back, gave a faint smirk. "I once considered fighting you," he said coolly, "but now it seems you are not even worthy of me making a move!"
The three of them entered the Ninth Celestial Palace one after another.
Zhao Hongluan looked at Jiang Chen with some worry, wanting to comfort him, but not knowing how to start.
Before this…
The talent Jiang Chen had shown was, in everyone's opinion, second to none.
But in the eyes of the Mystic Sect Spirit, Jiang Chen was only considered a second-tier genius? They all assumed this would be a huge blow to his confidence.
Gai Shi walked over, clapped Jiang Chen on the shoulder, and grinned. "Don't pay any mind to those guys!"
"Get outta here," Jiang Chen said with a laugh. "I'm not some delicate flower. Do I look like I need comforting?"
Jiang Chen laughed good-naturedly and waved Gai Shi and the others away. His gaze fell upon the seemingly endless path of the Ninth Celestial Palace. He clenched his fists, his eyes filled with unshakable resolve. 'Talent? After I awakened my Martial Soul, everyone thought I was trash. But didn't I still make it to the peak of the Eastern Continent in the end? The path of the Martial Dao lies beneath my feet. How I walk it and how far I go is not decided by talent!'
At this thought, filled with an indomitable aura, Jiang Chen stepped onto the path of the Ninth Celestial Palace like a Divine Sword soaring to the heavens.
HUMMM…
A light flashed before him.
Before him was a colossal Celestial Ladder with no visible end.
The entire Celestial Ladder soared into the clouds, containing a total of 9,999 steps. Every 1,111 steps marked one Celestial Palace.
The moment he stepped onto the Ninth Celestial Palace, Jiang Chen felt an immense pressure descend from all directions, threatening to grind him into a pulp.
'What terrifying pressure!'
A glint flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes. He looked up and saw that Gai Shi and the others were also climbing ahead.
The Asura Blood Emperor and his group were even faster, having already surpassed the Fourth Celestial Palace. However, they were all Emperor Realm experts; their true goal was the Seventh Stage, or perhaps even the Eighth Celestial Palace.
THUMP!
Jiang Chen was about to step onto the second step of the Celestial Ladder when a dull thud suddenly resounded deep within his heart. He froze, his expression one of utter shock. 'Th-This is…'
Snow Vajra had already climbed over a hundred steps. When he turned and saw Jiang Chen standing dazed on the very first step, a sneer spread across his face. He roared with laughter, "Jiang Chen, are you already stuck on the first step? Hahaha! It looks like the Mystic Sect Spirit really did misjudge you. To think he even ranked you as a second-tier genius! If you ask me, your talent is bottom-of-the-barrel! All that strength you showed before must have been nothing but a lucky fluke!"
Tuoba Yan, Jian Lingkong, and the others all wore mocking expressions.
Facing their ridicule, Jiang Chen remained motionless, as if he truly was unable to go any further…