The Prodigies War-Chapter 2688 Absolute Sunder Sword Palace
In Thousand Star Sea, where the waves seemed to billow endlessly, billions of stars were embedded in the clear sky. Under their gorgeous shine, the region looked as though an eternal paradise.
Virtually a forbidden zone all year round that was covered by an unknown law power, its veil was only lifted to the world when the Origin Sect Ancestral Court decided to hold its grand successor selection event here.
Whoosh!
The treasure ship carrying Lin Xun and Jun Huan shuttled through the air. All around were dazzling rainbows and teleportation lights of traveling cultivators. They rode divine birds, treasures, auspicious clouds, bronze chariots... They formed a colorful meteor shower, painting a lively picture over the mysterious sea.
Most of these cultivators weren’t qualified to participate in the Origin Sect’s successor selection. They were merely going to join the bustle as part of the audience.
“Wow! Is this the Thousand Star Sea?!”
“My goodness, guys, look at the thousands of stars in the sky! Their starlight is condensed from the purest dao essence!”
“Shush! Can’t you keep your voice down? We look like country bumpkins thanks to you!”
Along the way, the clamor never ceased. The vast majority of cultivators were visiting the Thousand Star Sea for the first time, so one could imagine how shaken they would be by the sight of this magical zone. It was the first time for Lin Xun and Jun Huan as well, but they didn’t let that delay them.
After the time it took to burn an incense stick, a massive ancient city came into view. Suspended between the sea and the sky, it resembled a floating continent. The city wall looked like one stretch of cemented divine gold in the clear starlight, emanating a solemn, sacred aura.
Such was Absolute Sunder City, the majestic, towering, divine, and ancient city where the Origin Sect was holding its selection.
“It’s said that Absolute Sunder City was built by the very founder of the Origin Sect, using nearly ten thousand different types of immortal matter alone, not to mention other materials. This city is considered the number one city in the Seventh Heaven Domain. From what I’m seeing right now, its reputation is truly deserved,” lamented Jun Huan.
Putting away the treasure ship, she and Lin Xun flew toward the city beneath the sky dome. The moment they passed through the city gates, they were greeted by a stream of dense crowds flowing along the streets, a bustling sight of vibrant prosperity.
Beautiful sunlight cascaded down from the sky with a glow so intense that it lit up the entire city. Basked in this glow, every breath one took was filled with the pure, thick, and primordial energy of the dao!
Everything here seemed to belong to a prosperous mortal city, but in fact, it was the best cultivation paradise in the Thousand Star Sea. Even with Lin Xun's experience, he was astounded nonstop, for the simple reason of how extraordinarily grand the atmosphere was.
More importantly than that, he had sensed at least a hundred obscure and terrifying auras, all at the Immortal Stage, the very moment he stepped inside the city!
This was merely what Lin Xun could currently perceive. If one accounted for the Immortals who were concealing themselves, the number would be even greater.
This will be where I, Lin Xun, begin establishing myself in the Eternal True Realm!
Looking at the crowded streets and feeling the powerful auras from all directions, Lin Xun’s gaze became profound, and he silently clenched his fists.
“We’re pretty much in the territory of the Origin Sect Ancestral Court here, so no one will dare to attack us here even if we reveal our identities. Let’s head to the central area, we must first obtain a credential there in order to enter the selection,” Jun Huan whispered and led Lin Xun forward.
“Holy, if I’m not wrong, then that over there should be the legendary golden qilin! A body that looks like it’s cast from gold, a glorious sacred glow that illuminates everything... What a powerful aura too!”
“Rumors say that the golden qilin is the guardian beast of the Donghuang Clan in the Eighth Heaven Domain. Never thought I’d see it here...”
In the void, a qilin caused quite a stir as it galloped by. It was as big as a mountain with smooth and soft fur. Emitting a glow one hundred thousand feet in diameter, it dispensed a rain of light.
“The Donghuang Clan...” Lin Xun looked up and saw a group of figures on the golden qilin’s back. They were clearly experts of the Donghuang Clan.
Suddenly, there was a terrifying fluctuation spreading through the air. It came from a beautiful, sacred-looking bird with striking feathers who was gliding across the sky with a group of people on its back. The sight of the bird immediately raised a hubbub.
“A Vermillion Bird! Heaven, a pure-blooded Vermillion Bird divine beast, a natural born fire god!”
“That’s the guardian bird of the Immortal Giant Qi Clan!”
“Roar~”
A thunderous roar shook the skies shortly after the Vermillion Bird faded from view. This time, it was a divine beast who was pure white except for its four black hooves. It had the head of a lion and the whiskers of a dragon, radiating countless auspicious lights as it tread the air.
“That...that’s a Pixiu!?”
“It must be. It’s the Zhongli Clan’s guardian beast.”
The streets erupted once more.
The Pixiu was an auspicious beast birthed by nature with the ability to maintain good fortune for a clan. Yet, it was currently being reduced to a mount, racing away with a group of people on it.
Before coming here, Lin Xun had already learned that the four Immortal Giants of Donghuang, Qi, Zhongli, and Mu would send their members to take part in the Origin Sect’s successor selection. Therefore, he calmly watched the scene unfold with little emotion on his face.
As he and Jun Huan continued forward, the number of celestial steeds they saw also grew. All of them were incredibly terrifying, with some so powerful that their mere auras sent shivers down one's spine.
Compared to cultivators who had arrived on the backs of these so-called divine creatures, the duo seemed utterly inconspicuous without even a beast for transportation. However, they weren’t the type to care about such matters.
After the time it took to savor a cup of tea, a unique sword-shaped building came into view as they approached the city center.
From afar, the building resembled a divine cloud-piercing sword. The lower structures were packed side by side like a broad sword hilt, on which floor upon floor of pavilions were stacked straight upward like the blade.
Absolute Sunder Sword Palace!
Every Emperor Ancestor who wished to participate in the selection needed to register there and receive a certificate first.
At the moment, the spacious training ground in front of the palace was empty, but the area around it was completely crowded. The divine steeds earlier were all present among them, including the Donghuang Clan’s golden qilin, the Qi Clan’s Vermillion Bird, and the Zhongli Clan’s Pixiu.
Looking around, the best positions in the area surrounding the training ground of Absolute Sunder Sword Palace had all been occupied by renowned immortal powers.
Putting aside the four Immortal Giants from the Eighth Heaven Domain, top-tier powers such as the Donghuang’s Four Clans, the Dugu, the Zhou, the Liu...etc. Immortal forces from the twelve grotto heavens or the thirty-six blessed lands like the Zhuang Clan, could be seen everywhere.
Their parties were all guarded by Immortal experts, whose auras alone deterred other cultivators from getting close.
As soon as Lin Xun and Jun Huan arrived, an old voice rang out, “The disciples of Fangchun Mountain, who used to hide around like rats, actually have the courage to show themselves here in Absolute Sunder City. Cannot say I expected this.”
The voice was not loud, but it reverberated clearly throughout the crowd and put a stop to all the chatter. The entire central area lurched into silence.
Then, everyone looked in its direction and found that the speaker was a tall, old man. He had snow-white hair and beard, and was dressed solemnly in a high crown and official attire. He was standing right next to the golden qilin.
He was Donghuang Qiong, a peak Nirvana Spirit relic of the Donghuang Clan! Following his gaze, the crowd saw Lin Xun and Jun Huan.
“Lin Xun! He’s really here! The audacity of this criminal!” The area grew restless as countless people looked shocked and disbelieved. Even those from the Immortal Imperial Clans were visibly affected, their eyes flickering nonstop.
Any other supreme Emperor Ancestor wouldn't have attracted so much attention because they were everywhere around Absolute Sunder Sword Palace right now. There were even several handfuls of Immortals present as well, so who would care too much about one particular supreme Emperor Ancestor?
Lin Xun, however, was the exception. This young man was a living legend who had first made a name for himself in the Great Thousand Battle Domain. By now, he had fought his way to the Seventh Heaven Domain, miraculously surviving time and time again and throwing the Eternal True Realm into numerous uproars.
Three years ago, his appearance in the Seventh Heaven Domain and news of his intention to participate in the Origin Sect’s successor selection had gathered the attention of the entire world, but no one had expected this Fangchun Mountain disciple to dare to actually come!
The place erupted into a commotion, with nearly every eye fixed on Lin Xun and Jun Huan.
“Who’s the one next to him?”
“The path becomes empty in an instant, the path of the sword is the most elegant. Who else could it be if not Jun Huan of Fangchun Mountain?”
Jun Huan was immediately recognized by the cultivators from major powers, which also caused quite a stir. The two remain composed despite suddenly having the spotlight of the entire venue. This was within their expectations.
In fact, since their departure from Cold Moon City to their arrival at Absolute Sunder City, the duo had never tried to hide their identities, not even altering their appearances. There was no other reason: It was unnecessary.
By participating in the Origin Sect’s successor selection, their identities were destined to be exposed. Why go to the trouble of concealing themselves if that was the case?
“Junior Brother, that old thing over there is Donghuang Qiong. His cultivation is at the peak of the Nirvana Spirit Realm. Once, our master blew off the head of a clan ancestor of his with a single punch.” Jun Huan glanced at Donghuang Qiong, her voice echoing in the whole field, “But he has the audacity to call us rats. How funny is that?”
Lin Xun chuckled, “Yeah, very funny.”
Donghuang Qiong frowned, his expression darkening.
The spectators looked at each other in shock. Donghuang Qiong represented the Donghuang Clan, an Immortal Giant of the Eighth Heaven Domain, so he was always one of the most eye-catching and intimidating experts present.
Despite that, not only had he been mocked, but even the Donghuang Clan behind him had also been ridiculed!
“The Master of Fangchun Mountain is dead, and you, his disciples, are but lost remnants who wander the world aimlessly. Had you not been cowering in some dark place all these years, how could you have lived until now?” a voice suddenly resounded, misty and cold with an overwhelming sense of authority.
It belonged to a black-clad woman who stood next to the Vermillion Bird. She had her white hair tied up in a bun and a face that was absolutely stunning yet icy.
