Translator: CinderTL
Onboard the Golden Crow Battleship, Li Chunjun held the Grotto-Heaven Key in his hand.
Finally, I've truly arrived in the Profound Yellow Great World, he thought to himself.
He immediately summoned Zuo Cheng and instructed him to settle the battleship's occupants. Apart from his affiliated races, the Wood Spirits and Jade Mounds, the ship also carried numerous disciples from the Taixu Sword Sect. Li Chunjun directed all but a select few of these disciples to report directly to the Taixu Sword Sect's main branch.
Zuo Cheng, a Primordial Spirit True Monarch, was a formidable figure even within the Profound Yellow Great World, considered one of the most capable among his peers. Through Li Chunjun, he contacted Qian Feng, the president of the Creation Fortune Merchant Guild of Canghai Mountain.
President Qian Feng had been keenly following news of Li Chunjun. Having previously assumed Li Chunjun had perished in the Starquake that had devastated much of the Azure Wave Domain, he was overjoyed to learn of his survival. Upon learning of Li Chunjun's needs, Qian Feng personally oversaw all the arrangements.
When the Golden Crow Battleship emerged from the Star Gate into the Canghai Mountain region of the Profound Yellow Great World, President Qian Feng himself led a delegation to welcome Li Chunjun's group, escorting them to the majestic Cloud Surge Mountain range.
Although Cloud Surge Mountain was tens of millions of li from the Canghai Mountain Star Gate, making transportation somewhat inconvenient, this was precisely what Li Chunjun desired.
Moreover, the mountain range spanned nearly a hundred thousand li in all directions, more than sufficient to accommodate both the Wood Spirit Clan and the Jade Hill Clan.
As for the rental fee for Cloud Surge Mountain...
When Li Chunjun offered to sell thirty Heart Demons through the Creation Fortune Merchant Guild, President Qian Feng immediately waived a century's worth of rental fees for the mountain range.
Within a single day, the Creation Fortune Merchant Guild dispatched over a dozen specialized merchants, including a Void Refining Great Power, to Cloud Surge Mountain to finalize the transaction with Li Chunjun.
The guild purchased all thirty Heart Demons at full market price, paying a total of thirty million Spirit Crystals.
Typically, the Creation Fortune Merchant Guild's acquisition prices for Heart Demons were slightly below market value. The thirty million Spirit Crystal offer clearly demonstrated their genuine sincerity.
After completing the transaction, Qian Feng earnestly stated, "Sword Prodigy Li, although you have weathered multiple Thunder Tribulations and reached the mid-stage of the Primordial Spirit Realm, the entire Creation Fortune Merchant Guild firmly believes that your innate talent remains undiminished, despite this temporary stagnation. Therefore, we wholeheartedly extend our invitation for you to join us, offering you a Tier 12 compensation package..."
"There's no need to rush," Li Chunjun said, waving his hand to interrupt Qian Feng. "I'm about to challenge the Cosmic Light List. Let's discuss everything after my results are revealed."
"The Cosmic Light List?!" Qian Feng paused, momentarily taken aback. Li Chunjun was actually confident enough to challenge it already?
The strength of the Star Brilliance First Rank was often comparable to that of a Nine Tribulation True Monarch. Even generously overestimating Li Chunjun's current abilities, he would only be at the Perfected Primordial Spirit stage. Considering his recent breakthrough to the True Monarch Realm, the absolute limit of his potential would be that of a Prodigy-level genius within the Primordial Spirit Realm.
To even qualify for the Cosmic Light List, he would need to bridge a two-tier gap!
Li Chunjun actually...
However, seeing Li Chunjun's unwavering confidence, Qian Feng hesitated to voice his doubts. After all, a strong showing on the list would only increase his market value.
With a smile, he said, "Then we eagerly await Sword Prodigy Li's glorious triumph."
Li Chunjun nodded. Qian Feng quickly excused himself and departed.
At that moment, Zuo Cheng, who had been busy settling the Wood Spirit Clan and Jade Hill Clan, approached Li Chunjun and handed him a file. "Sword Master, this contains detailed information on the top ten contenders on the Cosmic Light List, recently compiled by General Xuan Mi. Please review it at your convenience."
Li Chunjun glanced at the Cosmic Light List, his gaze immediately drawn to Lu Jiuyang, the top-ranked cultivator.
After a moment, his attention shifted to the figure standing behind Lu Jiuyang—Donghuang Zhongyuan, the Heavenly Palace Dharma Aspect Venerable!
"A Dharma Aspect Venerable from the Heavenly Palace," Li Chunjun murmured.
Quite a coincidence.
Zuo Cheng lowered his voice to explain, "The Heavenly Palace is one of the Immortal Alliance's core sects, governed by three Dao Unification experts known as the Great Heavenly Venerables: Wuwei, Wujin, and Wutian. However, these three have always remained in secluded cultivation, indifferent to worldly affairs. The true power within the Heavenly Palace lies with its Heavenly Emperors, Great Emperors, and Imperial Lords, with Royal Sovereigns ranking below them."
"Donghuang Zhongyuan is said to be the reincarnation of a Heavenly Emperor who failed to attain Dao Unification, with only a remnant of his True Spirit surviving. He reached the Dharma Aspect realm in just 3,600 years of cultivation. Of course, speculation suggests he inherited a legacy from that Heavenly Emperor, combined with his own extraordinary talent, to achieve such rapid progress."
After speaking, Zuo Cheng added, "Three thousand years ago, he even ranked third on the Cosmic Light List!"
"Heavenly Emperor, Great Emperor, Imperial Lord..." Li Chunjun murmured, frowning at the hierarchy. "Is there any connection between the Heavenly Palace and the Heavenly Court of the Immortal God Race?"
"There is some," Zuo Cheng replied. "Legend has it that the Wuji Great Heavenly Venerable of the Heavenly Court was the first to enter the Divine Race. He persuaded a branch of the Immortal God Race to split off, which is why their initial frameworks were so similar to the Heavenly Palace's."
Zuo Cheng continued, "Of course, by now, the Immortal God Race has formally declared its independence from the Heavenly Court's control and established strong ties with many council-level sects of the Immortal Alliance. The Heavenly Palace's influence over them has diminished significantly."
Li Chunjun nodded slightly.
At that moment, a group of people approached.
He quickly scanned them.
Qin Zhou, Jiang Yuxue, Zhang Weiqian, Zhou Yuechen, and others were among them.
In addition to these familiar faces, Jiang Yuqiu led a group that included Jiang Yuliu, Jiang Renwang, Zuo Tian, Jun Zhou, and Yi Feng.
Especially...
Li Chunjun also noticed Jiang Wanyu among the crowd.
At that moment, Jiang Yuqiu stepped forward. "Although the Blue Star Taixu Sword Sect is a branch of the Taixu Sword Sect Main Branch, the Main Branch has countless such branches—tens or even hundreds of thousands—scattered across the Lesser Thousand Worlds."
The Peak Lord of Flaming Phoenix Peak spoke up. "While they've achieved some success within their branch sects, they likely wouldn't even qualify for registration at the Main Branch. Rather than be reassigned to other branches later, they, and we, have decided to follow you."
"Very well," Li Chunjun nodded.
Zuo Cheng, standing nearby, wasn't surprised by the choice of these members from the Taixu Sword Sect's branch sects. Being assigned to frontier development in a mere ordinary-grade Lesser Thousand World like the Azure Star Minor Realm clearly marked them as peripheral members of the Taixu Sword Sect. Such marginal talents could hardly dream of reaching the Void Refining stage in their lifetimes; even attaining the Primordial Spirit Realm was doubtful. The less ambitious among them might only aspire to become Nascent Soul True Lords.
But Li Chunjun's potential...
It was clear to anyone with eyes that Void Refining was by no means Li Chunjun's ultimate destination. His future held the promise of Dharma Manifestation, perhaps even sagehood.
For such a peerless prodigy, joining his side early would make achieving a Perfected Primordial Spirit, if not Void Refining, an attainable dream.
And the Primordial Spirit...
It was the ultimate goal for ninety-nine percent of cultivators across the realm. Many small cultivation clans would consider the emergence of a Primordial Spirit cultivator among their members a great honor to their ancestors.
For cultivators from Lesser Thousand Worlds, achieving the Primordial Spirit Realm could propel their clans to become the overlords of their respective worlds, even ruling an entire Lesser Thousand World in the future.
Therefore, anyone with a shred of intelligence could see that following Li Chunjun to the Taixu Sword Sect Main Branch offered a far brighter path to advancement.
At that moment, Li Chunjun flicked his fingers. Two hundred points of light shot forth, landing on two hundred individuals.
"I'll select fifty members from the Jade Hill Clan, one hundred from the Wood Spirit Clan, and fifty more from the Taixu Sword Sect. These two hundred will join me in entering the Profound Yellow Grotto-Heaven!"
Li Chunjun announced, "In the future, you will cultivate within the Profound Yellow Grotto-Heaven, while also cultivating Heavenly Treasures to support your training."
The others looked bewildered. Their cultivation levels were too low to have ever heard of the Profound Yellow Grotto-Heaven.
But Zuo Cheng watched with undisguised envy.
The Profound Yellow Grotto-Heaven!
It was said to be a sacred grotto-heaven personally crafted by the Profound Yellow Supreme Sovereign for his disciples. Each Nominal Disciple was granted only one of a thousand slots, so precious that others would gladly exchange tens of thousands of Spirit Crystals for a single one.
Yet here, such an invaluable opportunity was being casually distributed by Li Chunjun.
"Gather your preparations," Li Chunjun instructed. "In three hours, I will activate the Grotto-Heaven Key and lead you inside." He glanced at Zuo Cheng. "You will brief them on the Profound Yellow Grotto-Heaven."
"Yes, sir," Zuo Cheng replied respectfully.
Turning to the assembled Third and Fourth Tier cultivators, as well as the few Fifth-Tier experts from the Wood Spirit and Jade Hill Clans, Zuo Cheng declared, "You have been granted an extraordinary opportunity..."
Three hours passed quickly.
When Li Chunjun returned to the two hundred cultivators after reviewing the information gathered by General Xuan Mi, he found their gazes filled with joy and reverence.
The primary reason for this transformation was the profound significance behind the Profound Yellow Grotto-Heaven: it represented a nominal discipleship under the Profound Yellow Supreme Sovereign!
A Supreme Sovereign!
A being far greater than those who had attained Dao Unification!
Although the Taixu Sword Sect revered the three Dao Unification experts—Taixu, Flaming Phoenix, and Source One—as their founding ancestors, these patriarchs might not have held the sect's affairs particularly close to their hearts.
In a sense, the Sect Master and Supreme Elders of the Taixu Sword Sect were likely viewed by the three ancestors as little more than "nominal disciples" themselves. As the first generation of disciples with close ties to the founders passed away, the bonds had long since faded.
At the very least, if a force of comparable strength were to destroy the Taixu Sword Sect and offer adequate compensation, the three Dao Unification experts would never fight to the death as if their legacy were being severed.
Li Chunjun observed the change in everyone's demeanor and realized further explanation was unnecessary.
"Let's go," he said.
He produced the Grotto-Heaven Key and activated the power of the Profound Yellow Grotto-Heaven.
In the next instant, with him at the center, all two hundred cultivators bearing the mark were drawn into the swirling distortions of space and transported to another realm entirely.
The moment Li Chunjun appeared in the new realm, Butler No. 11 of the mountain materialized before him.
"Welcome back," the butler greeted him with a respectful bow, completely unaware of the profound changes Li Chunjun had undergone.
Li Chunjun nodded curtly. "Settle them in. Those skilled in cultivation should focus on that, while those proficient in planting should cultivate the land. Let each utilize their unique talents."
"As you command," Butler No. 11 replied.
With a flicker of motion, the surrounding space warped. Three majestic peaks materialized before him: the Star Glory List, the Star Brilliance List, and the Cosmic Light List.
As he appeared, Liu Yu, the Profound Yellow Ranking Spirit, swiftly materialized beside him.
She looked surprised. "Li Chunjun? I saw reports from the Azure Sea Domain and feared you had met with misfortune."
"I'm fine," Li Chunjun assured her.
"Then, what brings you here?" Liu Yu inclined her head slightly, about to speak, when she suddenly sensed something amiss. Her gaze sharpened, locking onto Li Chunjun.
"Wait... your mental state... Heart-Burning Flames?! That's the fiery power of Heart-Burning Flames!"
(End of the Chapter)
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