Chapter 1782: Absolute Star Peak

The imperial palace was always resplendent, but this particular area felt especially desolate. Despite countless guards and stringent security, it still exuded a chilling, somber atmosphere.

Qingya quickly felt uneasy here. Fortunately, Xu Yang's aura was exceptionally powerful, helping him resist most of the auras emitted by other martial artists.

Before long, escorted by special personnel, Xu Yang and his two companions arrived at the grand hall of the imperial palace. Standing on either side were about a dozen individuals, a mix of men and women, old and young. Yet, every single person present possessed formidable strength that could not be underestimated.

Among them, the younger martial artists were all representatives of the Spirit Void Realm, considered the most talented prodigies in the entire imperial martial arts cultivation world. They were either noble descendants of the imperial family with prestigious bloodlines. In such a distinguished gathering, Xu Yang and his two companions, as so-called commoner martial artists, appeared somewhat unique.

However, even under the guise of commoners, the demeanor exuded by Xu Yang and his companions was far beyond what these individuals could match. Particularly Xu Yang, even without unleashing his true Human Emperor Domain, radiated a dignified and noble aura with every movement, an aura that even the most exalted emperor could hardly rival.

"Your Majesty, the three individuals have been brought in. The one in the middle is the martial artist who shattered the giant cauldron with a single palm strike in the training grounds," the Golden-Armored General reported, then respectfully stepped aside.

Before the esteemed emperor could speak, the prominent figures standing on either side began to voice their thoughts.

"Indeed, every generation produces new talents. To shatter our nation's treasured cauldron with a single palm, your strength must surely have reached the late Spirit Void Realm. Yet, for some reason, I cannot sense even a trace of martial aura from you."

The speaker was the white-haired elder standing at the very front on the right side. Xu Yang met his gaze and immediately clearly observed the surging flow of martial essence within the elder's meridians. The martial power contained within this old man's meridians was far stronger than that of ordinary martial artists; by estimation, it had likely reached the mid-Dao Integration stage! This was truly a top-tier legendary martial artist in the entire empire. To stand in such a position, his status and title must certainly be extraordinary.

Unbeknownst to many, this elder was none other than Qin Zhao, the Grand Martial Venerable, protector of the empire. Although it was Qingya's first time witnessing the Grand Martial Venerable's presence, he had heard the name from his father, and the elder's cultivation journey was quite legendary. His formidable position today was the result of the elder's step-by-step cultivation. Consequently, he held an unparalleled esteemed status among all martial artists in the empire, and his current mid-Dao Integration strength nominally made him the strongest martial artist in the entire empire.

Of course, behind every major empire lay "living fossil" level foundations, individuals who typically would not emerge from seclusion. Only when the empire faced an existential crisis would these old figures reveal themselves.

As the Grand Martial Venerable, Qin Zhao, upon discovering such an exceptionally talented and powerful individual suddenly appearing within the empire, couldn't help but want to quickly ascertain Xu Yang's true strength. He personally stepped forward, approaching within ten paces of Xu Yang. It was well known that on countless battlefields, maintaining such a close distance to Xu Yang was extremely dangerous, but this was the imperial grand hall after all. Xu Yang still had his own plans to complete and absolutely could not expose his true strength so prematurely. So, he utilized his profound cultivation foundation and a few martial arts techniques he had temporarily learned in the Heavenly Battle Pavilion to simulate a pure martial aura, protecting his physical body. In reality, he was merely putting on a show to deal with the current situation.

"Venerable, you aren't planning to spar with me here in the grand hall, are you?" Xu Yang asked with a smile. Others couldn't discern anything from Xu Yang's smiling demeanor, but the Grand Martial Venerable, upon hearing the subtle yet potent undercurrent in Xu Yang's words, immediately halted his steps. He had successfully perceived the hidden threat.

The Grand Martial Venerable furrowed his brow slightly, but then his expression quickly smoothed out, leaving others greatly puzzled.

"Hahaha, I never imagined such an unheralded prodigy would emerge within our imperial family. It seems that for this Hundred Martial Arts Alliance, you are undoubtedly the strongest contender during the imperial selection phase. I hereby formally inform you that you have qualified as one of the two hundred participants, and your two companions have also been selected. There's no need for any further selection tests. From now on, the three of you will be esteemed guests of the imperial family, enjoying all the privileges of nobility, until you depart with all two hundred participants in three days."

Hearing the Grand Martial Venerable's words, Long Kun, standing nearby, couldn't help but ask: "Sir, are we not holding the martial arts competition within the empire's borders?"

Grand Martial Venerable Qin Zhao shook his head. "That was the original plan, but this time, the Profound Feather Empire proposed expanding the scale of the martial arts competition. To extend the competition period as much as possible, we must choose a larger, more open battlefield for actual combat. Therefore, we have changed the previously designated competition venue. The specific location is on Juexing Peak, situated on the border between the two empires!"

Upon hearing the name "Juexing Peak," Qingya, who was most familiar with this continent, was the most astonished. In her eyes, an incredulous light immediately appeared.

"Dare I ask, Grand Martial Venerable! Is Juexing Peak the place where the strongest martial artists of previous imperial dynasties left their cenotaphs?"

The Grand Martial Venerable nodded gently. "Indeed, that's the place. It's also regarded by our imperial martial artists as a sacred mountain for martial arts. Therefore, this year, within our imperial family, we will bestow a special reward upon the ultimate victor of the Hundred Martial Arts Alliance. The one who emerges victorious on Juexing Peak will have their own exclusive cenotaph-totem erected there. In simple terms, if one achieves victory in this year's alliance, they will prematurely receive the title of 'Legendary Martial Artist,' enjoying the same honor as past martial arts luminaries."

Hearing the Grand Martial Venerable's explanation, Xu Yang finally revealed a satisfied smile. "Very well, I am satisfied with such treatment."

Unexpectedly, no sooner had Xu Yang finished speaking than a young martial artist, splendidly dressed and standing in another row, spoke up with a mocking tone.