Chapter 907: The Sacred Land's Cultivation

Wanggu Continent, Liaoxuan Prefecture.

In ancient times, this prefecture belonged to the human race and was one of the outer prefectures of the Human Imperial Capital Region. It was once renowned on Wanggu for its abundant production of Liaoxuan Fruit, which significantly aided in comprehending laws.

However, with the arrival of the Remnant Face, the descent of catastrophe, and the invasion of divine aura throughout the land, everything changed. Not only did the Liaoxuan Fruit become extinct, but for unknown reasons, this prefecture was also severely ravaged. The foreign matter within it was several times more concentrated than elsewhere, rendering it unsuitable for native populations, and it gradually became a desolate place.

Only alien beasts born from the foreign matter and other bizarre entities would inhabit this place. The original inhabitants migrated to surrounding areas, where they were constantly harassed by these strange beasts and entities. It wasn't that they didn't want to leave, but the world was vast, and for these small ethnic groups, there was nowhere else to go. Places with less foreign matter were already claimed. Paradoxically, despite the inherent dangers here, there was less intrigue and deception; facing only alien beasts and strange entities, they could barely protect themselves. Moreover, the prefecture's unique location, bordering Yan Yue Xuantian and the human race, naturally made it a buffer zone between the two, allowing these smaller groups to gain certain advantages in this precarious position.

At this moment, in the western part of Liaoxuan Prefecture, amidst an endless range of desolate mountains, three figures—one male and two female—emerged. These three were not human but bore similarities to humans, each possessing fleshy wings on their backs and a third eye on their forehead. The leading figure was a young man clad in a black robe embroidered with gold threads. As he walked, his robe billowed, its golden threads shimmering, passively tearing minute cracks in the surrounding space! This indicated the robe's extraordinary quality. His passage was accompanied by icy winds, as if he were an emissary from a dark abyss. His physique was tall and robust, far exceeding that of an ordinary person, like a towering mountain, exuding an oppressive presence. His face was stern, his jawline sharply defined as if carved by a knife, highlighting immense resolve and coldness. His eyes were deep, like the dark night sky, yet in their depths, a cunning, cruel, and ruthless glint flickered, making one hesitate to meet his gaze directly.

As he advanced, he toyed with a red eyeball in his hand. The eyeball was bloodshot, struggling fiercely, continuously emitting a red glow and sharp wails. Yet, in the young man's grip, it couldn't escape even slightly. Had any cultivators living nearby been present, they would have instantly recognized this eyeball as belonging to the notorious Aberrant-Eyed Demon of this region. This demon specialized in evasion and had an unpredictable presence, along with a powerful soul-targeting innate ability that would even cause a Guixu cultivator to frown. But now, in the young man's hand, it was so miserable. After a few wails, it was crushed by him.

"The stench of this filthy wasteland is sickening. I can hardly believe this is where our Holy Land's ancestral origins lie. I suppose the races living here are nothing but a bunch of filthy insects, not much different from livestock." The young man, seemingly in a foul mood, spoke with a chilling tone. However, no sooner had he spoken than a clear, cold voice came from behind him.

"Friend Feng, your words are excessive. You know very well that this place is like this because of the Desolate Upper Realm. The various Holy Lands' departure back then was a last resort, and most of the races here can trace their bloodline origins to the Holy Lands. It's just that they are inherently isolated and struggle to survive. Your condescending remarks are a bit much."

The speaker was the woman on the young man's right, behind him. This woman had a graceful figure, with silver wings on her back. Her skin was flawless and fair, like jade, revealing a faint pink luster. The same black robe embroidered with gold thread looked uniquely elegant on her, complementing her ethereal beauty, like a celestial being from a painting, as if wreathed in smoke and mist. Her eyebrows were delicate and long, like distant mountains, and her eyes were clear and bright, like pools of water, radiating a serene glow. Her appearance evoked both affection and a sense of awe, making one dare not harbor covetous thoughts.

As soon as she spoke, the young man seemed about to say something, but he clearly held some apprehension towards this companion and ultimately remained silent, merely glancing up at the Remnant Face high in the sky. However, the other woman, positioned to his left, chuckled softly at this moment.

"Friend Ming Dong, your words are mistaken. Although the Great Emperors and Sovereigns of various races departed back then, all those with proper qualifications accompanied them. The ones left behind were merely servants of ordinary aptitude or criminals. And servants are ultimately servants. It's quite interesting that they could still proliferate for generations despite tens of thousands of years of divine aura invasion. If you feel pity, why not find a servant here for dual cultivation and leave behind more descendants? That would truly fulfill your wish, 'Winter Immortal'."

The speaking woman's face was as beautiful as a lotus, and her long, black hair flowed smoothly like water. Most striking was her waist, slender and soft, like a delicate willow branch, light and graceful. Her jade-like legs, subtly visible beneath her dark robe, added a touch of allure. Yet, her words were filled with sarcasm.

The woman named Ming Dong, hearing this, narrowed her eyes coldly. "Lan Yao, do you wish to die?" A wave of Concealed Divinity power surged from her, and the woman named Lan Yao also radiated killing intent from her eyes, her cultivation bursting forth—she was also at Concealed Divinity! However, it was somewhat peculiar; both seemed to be in one realm yet not entirely, as if they had been sealed.

Seeing the two women confront each other sharply, the young man frowned, looked at Ming Dong, and spoke coldly. "Friend Ming Dong, this descent is a joint effort of multiple Holy Lands. You are here to execute the Holy Lord's command, along with the other Holy Land descenders, who are each setting up reception nodes in different areas. By instigating trouble like this, do you harbor some ulterior motive? Don't blame me for not warning you in advance. If you behave like this again on the path ahead, Friend Lan Yao and I might have to apprehend you."

As his voice rang out, a chilling coldness spread, transforming into illusory small banners all around, causing the sky and earth to change color—a clear sign of a divine ability restriction forming. Meanwhile, Lan Yao smiled, raised her hand, and, with a grasp in the void, a sheet of seven-colored sand appeared out of nowhere, forming a vortex that spiraled in the sky above. Its momentum was like a rainbow, affecting tens of thousands of feet, seeming ready to pour down at any moment.

Seeing this, Ming Dong, targeted by the two, narrowed her eyes and spoke blandly. "Since our paths diverge, let us each carry out the Holy Lord's command. I will complete my part myself." With that, Ming Dong's figure blurred, appearing in the distance the next instant, then vanishing in a flash.

Glancing in the direction Ming Dong had departed, the young man surnamed Feng and Lan Yao exchanged looks.

"She's sensible enough to leave on her own. It saves me some trouble, otherwise, with her personality, she would certainly obstruct my future plans." The young man surnamed Feng sneered.

"Friend Feng, I've cooperated with you to force Ming Dong away. If what you told me before coming here turns out to be false, this little lady will not be pleased!" Lan Yao smiled sweetly at the young man surnamed Feng. But her eyes were full of indifference.

"You can rest assured. Had I not learned this secret from an ancient family heirloom, I wouldn't have actively joined the Holy Lord's mission this time. After all, there are deities here." The young man surnamed Feng looked up, once again at the Remnant Face, then glanced at the woman in front of him. "Besides, I've shown you the evidence. And given your Dao companion's status in my clan's Holy Land, how could I dare deceive you?"

Lan Yao's smile remained, and she nodded upon hearing this.

"Alright, let's depart quickly. I've already obtained some external information through this 'miscellaneous beast,' learning that there are some low-level human groups nearby. The task we need to accomplish would proceed more smoothly with a blood sacrifice." The young man surnamed Feng gazed into the distance and spoke in a low voice.

"Blood sacrifice? Friend Feng, you don't truly look down on Wanggu Continent so much that you think there are no powerful cultivators here, do you?" Lan Yao said, a faint, unreadable smile on her face.

"Of course, I wouldn't be so foolish. My words to Ming Dong were merely deliberate. Necessary caution will naturally be exercised. However, the few small groups recorded by the 'miscellaneous eye' do not possess Concealed Divinity." Speaking of this, the young man surnamed Feng took a few steps forward, then suddenly turned back, his eyes glinting. "By the way, if Ming Dong secretly follows and obstructs us, Friend Lan Yao, you know what to do."

"I'll handle it myself." Lan Yao smiled, took light, graceful steps, and soon both figures vanished.

Simultaneously, across Wanggu Continent, identical meteorites, numbering over a hundred, had each fallen in different regions. Varying numbers of cultivators emerged from them, immediately dispersing to fulfill the commands of their respective Holy Lands. Of course, some among them harbored other intentions, but regardless, completing their Holy Lands' commands—setting up multiple reception points to ensure the success of future endeavors—was a task they absolutely had to achieve. After all, this concerned whether they could leave the Divine Restriction, which allowed entry but no exit! However, it was clear that those daring to come had their backing, and it was unknown whether some tribes had already known about these matters and secretly assisted them. In short, with the descent of these hundred meteorites, like an advance guard, the entire Wanggu Continent began to seethe with undercurrents.

However, these undercurrents did not, at this moment, affect the grand ceremony held by the Yan Yue Xuantian clan. As rumbles echoed and countless auspicious omens blossomed across the sky, the divine mountain suddenly shone brightly. Bell chimes resounded, and cheers erupted from all directions, signaling the official start of the ceremony. The three Arch-Authorities floated before the three divine statues on the divine mountain, exuding immense power. Behind them, arrayed in a vast expanse, were the formidable members of the Yan Yue clan. These clan members were divided into three factions, ranked by cultivation and status, each with their own kings and marquises, and powerful cultivators as numerous as clouds. This demonstrated the terrifying depth of Yan Yue's foundation as a powerful clan on Wanggu. The outer circle held an even larger crowd, comprising all the high-ranking and core members of affiliated tribes, who had arrived solemnly. The combined aura they generated caused the sky and earth to change color, and winds to stir the clouds. Further out were the observing cultivators. They weren't qualified to approach too closely, but watching the grand ceremony from afar, each felt that their journey had been worthwhile. This was the Yan Yue Grand Ceremony: there were no complex rituals or lavish offerings; everything was primal and domineering.

At this moment, a divine official first recited words of worship, followed by a herald representing the royal authority, who proclaimed the Arch-Authorities' edicts, his words carrying encouragement and echoing throughout heaven and earth. Meanwhile, Xu Qing and Captain, who had altered their appearances and hidden among the observing cultivators, were gazing at the distant ceremony. As they listened to the Arch-Authorities' edicts, they communicated with each other.

"Little Ah Qing, have you made up your mind?"

"Yes, I must acquire the Great Xuantian, no matter what." Xu Qing's eyes gleamed as he calmly replied.

On the way here, he had already devised a plan. At this moment, he was about to make his move when the herald proclaiming the Arch-Authorities' edicts suddenly changed his tone.

"Next, for this grand hunt, the Xuantian category."

"First phase of the hunt, 'Moving Mountains': Xu Qing of the human race takes the top position."

"Second phase of the hunt, 'Mountains and Seas': Xu Qing of the human race takes the top position."

"Third phase of the hunt, 'Divine Realm': Xu Qing of the human race takes the top position."

"By the approval of the High Divinity, the title of Great Xuantian is bestowed!"

"Xu Qing, come forth now to meet our clan's three Arch-Authorities!"

As these words were spoken, an uproar erupted from all directions. Although everyone knew about the first and second phases, the specific details of the 'Divine Realm' phase were not universally known. Therefore, hearing these pronouncements naturally caused a sensation.

Xu Qing blinked.

"It seems your hairpin has quite a significant effect." The Captain chuckled mischievously.

Handsome lads and beautiful ladies, happy holidays!