Chapter 874: The Divine's Consent

Above the three cities of God Mountain, the sky churned with an endless, rumbling vortex, accompanied by arcs of lightning, creating an anomalous celestial phenomenon.

The sound echoed in all directions, shaking the hearts and minds of the cultivators present.

In particular, the fluctuations in their bloodlines intensified at this moment, coinciding with the thunderous explosions.

The vital energy of all the cultivators from the native Yan Yue clan surged, their expressions changing instantly. As for the allied tribes, although they didn't feel the pull of their bloodlines, they were filled with surprise and doubt upon witnessing the fluctuations in the native Yan Yue cultivators' aura.

High above, not only did Tian Mozi bow in reverence, but Fan Shishuang, who was beside him, also lowered his head in worship. As the figure emerged from the vortex, more than half of the participants in the second stage instinctively bowed their heads.

This was true for Tuo Shishan, as well as for all the other prodigies.

Even Yan Xuanzi's expression shifted as he gazed towards the vortex.

Er Niu, seeing the scene unfold, sighed inwardly. A hint of bitterness welled up within him, yet this sight was also somewhat incredible, leaving the cultivators of the three cities deeply shocked.

They immediately understood that the participants who had emerged from the void had been waiting for the figure now approaching from within the vortex.

So, they all gazed intently. Under the gaze of countless eyes, the vortex seemed to slow its rotation, and the figure within became increasingly clear with each step.

Gray mist, like a churning sea, surged outwards, engulfing the void and spreading across the heavens and earth. It contained an ancient, primeval essence, stirring up great winds that caused the world to change color. Furthermore, due to the bloodline pull from all directions, roars like those of deities emanated from within the gray mist.

The Nine Heads of Jiuli.

They manifested faintly around the figure, peering through the mist and gazing down at the earth.

On the ground, the bloodline fluctuations of all native Yan Yue cultivators grew even stronger at this moment. Regardless of their cultivation level, as long as they were of the native clan, they could not control this deep-seated pull from their bloodline.

Among them, some elder Yan Yue powerhouses were stunned when they saw the form of the Nine Heads amidst their surging emotions.

Their hearts then trembled, and instinctively, looks of disbelief appeared on their faces. "That is..."

Within the Yan Yue allied tribes, some also saw the Nine Heads in the mist. As their expressions changed and countless speculations arose, an unbelievable answer formed in their minds.

Before this answer could be confirmed by anyone, the vortex roared again. The mist within it rapidly spread outwards, enveloping all directions, and then the Nine Heads, with their dark visages, instantly burst out of the vortex, appearing between heaven and earth.

Qiuniu, Yazi, Chaofeng, Pulao, Suanni, Baxia, Bi'an, Fuyi, Chiwen—the Nine Heads moved and roared, their voices shaking the heavens.

Jiuli, after being isolated for countless ages, had finally reappeared!

The aura of the Ancestral Witches, the sense of origin formed by the Xuantian Great Witch bloodline, immediately reached its peak.

Immediately, the souls of all native Yan Yue cultivators trembled, and their bloodlines surged. The pull from the depths of their bloodlines and their clan's perception caused all native Yan Yue members to instinctively bow down and worship the Nine Heads.

As for the allied tribes, though they felt no such bloodline pull, they were terrified by this scene, and their internal speculations became immediate reality.

An unimaginable sense of wonder exploded within them. Coupled with the legends of Jiuli and the worship of the native Yan Yue clan around them, they too chose to bow their heads in extreme shock.

At this moment, regardless of cultivation level or status, everyone was bowing. It was precisely at this time that the figure within the vortex stepped out, standing atop the firmament.

Amidst the widespread worship, his appearance was fully revealed: long hair, like a river of time, flowed behind him.

His eyes were like spirits of the starry sky, containing countless stars. His countenance seemed to represent the pinnacle of life, stirring bloodlines to an astonishing degree. It was Xu Qing.

The instant he appeared, the roars of the Nine Heads of Jiuli grew even mightier. They moved swiftly towards Xu Qing, circling him and forming nine lanterns of flesh and blood!

Feeling the shared origin between the Nine Heads and himself, Xu Qing did not look towards the ground but turned back to gaze at the vortex behind him.

As he stepped out, the vortex was dissipating.

Through this vortex, Xu Qing could sense the Mountain and Sea Domain and the beasts within it, which sparked an idea in his mind.

"If I were outside and unleashed the full aura of Jiuli, would it be able to summon..."

Xu Qing pondered, but it was clear that doing so within the Yan Yue Xuantian clan would have extremely severe consequences. So, he buried this thought deep in his heart.

At this moment, to outsiders, the sky had changed color, and the void was blurred. Only Xu Qing's figure, along with the nine lanterns, clearly emanated a vast power.

Yan Xuanzi's heart roared, and his breathing grew hurried. He did not want to bow, but the pull from his bloodline caused veins to bulge on his forehead, forcing him to submit.

Heaven and earth became relatively quiet at this moment, with only silent thunder exploding within the hearts of all the worshipping cultivators.

Not only were the cultivators present shaken, but at this moment, with the spread of the Jiuli aura, the bloodlines of all native members of the Yan Yue Xuantian clan, no matter where they were, surged violently.

Thus, outside God Mountain, the moment Xu Qing stepped out, amidst the universal worship, three illusory figures of overwhelming presence simultaneously descended upon the scene.

They were three immensely magnificent great tents, each like a city. One emanated astonishing flames, imbued with the power of the sun, and was surrounded by a sea of fire. Through the flames, a golden tent, like a palace, could be seen deep within.

The second was permeated by moonlight, emitting an icy aura. The moonlight, like a veil, was mysterious and unpredictable, shrouding everything in a haze. Deep within this haze was a great tent resembling a moon palace.

As for the third, it shimmered with brilliant starlight and sparkling constellations. The void where it stood seemed to have been transformed into a starry sky.

At the end of this starry sky, countless stars converged to form a palace. These three palace-like structures were precisely within the Yan Yue Xuantian clan.

They were the great tents where the three Overseers, who held imperial authority beneath the deities, resided!

They represented the pinnacle of royal power within the Yan Yue Xuantian clan: the Tianyun Overseer under the Sun Flame God, the Yinxi Overseer under the Moon Flame God, and the Chenling Overseer under the Star Flame God.

The moment they appeared, the clan members and allied tribes, who were already worshipping all around, bowed even lower.

Although what descended were only projections, the simultaneous appearance of the three Overseer's great tents was extremely rare, occurring only during grand ceremonies.

Yet now, these three tent projections descended together, and the moment they formed, three terrifying gazes pierced through the void from within their respective tents, converging on Xu Qing with an air of scrutiny.

Xu Qing looked up towards God Mountain.

He understood that while the outside world might not know about his acquisition of Jiuli, the Three Gods certainly did. Yet, from beginning to end, the Three Gods had not intervened.

Even his emergence at this moment followed the same pattern. Combined with the layout beneath Jiuli, this made Xu Qing even more certain of his inner judgment.

The Three Gods tacitly approved of Jiuli's emergence; to a certain extent, they might even have hoped someone would bring Jiuli forth.

Although he didn't know the reason, the subsequent actions of the three Overseer's great tents further confirmed Xu Qing's judgment.

The first to change was the Chenling Overseer's great tent under the Star Flame God. Starlight fluctuated outside it, and the gaze emanating from the star palace within deepened from scrutiny. A calm voice echoed across heaven and earth: "Jiuli Beast, a sacred being of our Yan Yue Xuantian Clan, I bestow upon you the Starlight Robe of my tent!"

As soon as this voice rang out, a long robe shimmering with starlight drifted from within the projection of the divine tent, landing before Xu Qing.

The robe was exquisite, hovering in mid-air like a window to the starry sky, revealing countless stars sparkling within.

All cultivators on the ground, whether from the native clan or allied tribes, had many thoughts arise. The Starlight Robe of the Chenling Tent held immense symbolic significance.

Whoever wore this robe had the right to meet the Chenling Overseer at any time. Furthermore, few individuals within the Yan Yue Xuantian Clan had ever been bestowed with this robe.

Each one was a person who had achieved great merits!

Xu Qing bowed with clasped hands.

He understood his own strength and the formidable power of the Yan Yue Xuantian clan, so he naturally wouldn't become arrogant because of Jiuli.

Immediately after the Star Flame Chenling Overseer, a clear, cold voice also emanated from the Yinxi Overseer's great tent under the Moon Flame God.

"I bestow upon you the Yinxi Moon Spirit Tablet!"

As the voice turned, a gray token flew out from within the Yinxi tent. Its appearance stirred the moonlight, creating an aura of mystery.

And their speculation was indeed correct; it had a mysterious aura. It was a bone tablet.

The moment it appeared, Er Niu's eyes in the crowd suddenly widened. He stared blankly at the bone tablet, his breathing quickening slightly.

Xu Qing clasped his hands and bowed once more.

Then, from the Yuntian Great Tent under the Sun Flame God, flames surged and spread outwards. Several wisps converged to form a short sword.

The sword glowed dazzlingly, fiery light flowing from it as it floated before Xu Qing.

Next, a voice like a great bell resonated across heaven and earth from within the Yuntian Great Tent.

"I bestow upon you the Yuntian Yang Flame Sword."

A robe, a tablet, a sword.

Each item held immense symbolic significance, and their simultaneous appearance now made their collective meaning self-evident.

As for who ranked first in this second stage, there was no longer any need to sort it out. Both the emergence of Jiuli and the actions of the three Overseers had made everything clear.

At this moment, the projections of the three Overseer's great tents gradually blurred, finally vanishing between heaven and earth.

And at this moment, a divine voice finally emanated from God Mountain: "In seven days, the final stage of the Great Hunt will commence. Divine Card II."

The voice echoed, the celestial vortex dissipated, and the second stage of the Great Hunt came to a complete end. Simultaneously, high above the Yan Yue Xuantian clan, a vast suspended city slowly revealed itself from afar, following a ripple in the void.

Within it were no less than ten thousand cities, each shimmering with starlight like individual constellations. Countless beings resided within, emanating terrifying fluctuations.

Some, merely by their aura, could dim the heavens and earth and seize one's mind.

Surrounding these stars was a great tent made of starlight, which was precisely the Chenling Overseer's tent under the Star Flame God.

At this moment, within this great tent, a vast figure sat cross-legged. Its eyes slowly opened and closed as it gazed towards God Mountain, murmuring softly.

"Jiuli has finally appeared."

"The Three Gods have tacitly approved this; this child is connected to a great karma."