Dao Sheng Tian.
On the square where Mountain and Sea Prohibition trial participants were received, dense crowds gathered on all sides, seemingly arguing about something. The most noticeable were the angry shouts from some of the prodigies’ parents:
“We’re not intentionally causing trouble for Dao Sheng Tian. It’s just that too many of our disciples’ life tokens have shattered. After checking with several fellow cultivators, we found that out of so many who entered, nearly sixty percent died in less than three months. While there have been losses in previous trials, it’s never been this devastating. We respect you as a master, but we must ask—is there truly no other secret within this mystic realm?”
The Six Yuanshi Master tapped his cane and replied, “Dao Sheng Tian has always treated people with sincerity, considering the nurturing of talents our duty. We’re deeply saddened by the fall of these prodigies. However, exploring mystic realms has always been a life-risking endeavor. If you’re convinced that Dao Sheng Tian is responsible for these deaths and injuries, why not let the survivors speak for themselves about the details?”
At these words, the young cultivators who had been teleported out early from the mountain and sea realm trembled in fear, each reluctant to speak.
…A ghost-like creature resembling the Dao Zun was roaming the realm, slaughtering and devouring cultivators. Without concrete evidence, speaking of such things would be highly disrespectful to Dao Sheng Tian. Not just them, but even their backing States wouldn’t dare to expose this truth.
Seeing the silence, the Six Yuanshi Master continued, “The Mountain and Sea Prohibition has existed for hundreds of years. The spirits of emperors past are enshrined in the Mingquan Great Hall. There has never been any behind-the-scenes manipulation. If anyone has doubts, they’re welcome to step forward and discuss.”
At this moment, Yun Nian pushed past his fellow cultivators who were restraining him and spoke up, “Respected Master, normally life and death in the mystic realm are a matter of fate, and I shouldn’t speak out of turn. However, my fellow cultivators and I saw that the creature guarding the crown of mountains, rivers, and seas atop Ten Karma Mountain… took on the appearance of Dao Zun. Moreover, it was incredibly vicious, like a demon, resulting in the tragic deaths of our fellow disciples. Please, Master, give us an explanation!”
A hush fell over the crowd. The Six Yuanshi Master’s aged face turned cold. “How dare you! Our Dao Sheng Tian’s Dao Zun is pure and sacred. How can you compare him to demons?”
Other cultivators from Shen State quickly tried to dissuade Yun Nian: “Yun Nian, stop talking! This is highly disrespectful.”
Yun Nian gritted his teeth and continued, “Even if we’re not supreme talents, we know what illusions are. The reason that the demon with Dao Zun’s appearance caused such heavy casualties is that it could trigger our Great Dao resonance… at least within the Dao paths permitted by Dao Sheng Tian. Our fellow cultivators were almost powerless before that stone statue.”
There are forty-nine Great Dao paths in the world, and Dao Sheng Tian can teach most of them. Apart from these, only a few sects from Yin, Mao, and Chen States, also descended from the Six Venerable Ones who created the realms, retain their unique Dao lineages.
In other words, except for these few sects, all cultivators practicing Dao paths recognized by Dao Sheng Tian were affected by that Dao Zun statue.
Amidst the sudden fearful glances, a smile appeared on the Six Yuanshi Master’s face. “I see. Actually, in previous Mountain and Sea Prohibition trials, cultivators have had various strange encounters. Our sect’s disciple Mo Xing Zhi should know that in the last trial, children even saw Xuan Zai’s shadow in the final illusion. These are all tricks by spirits to confuse cultivators and have nothing to do with us. Isn’t that right, disciple?”
“…”
Mo Xing Zhi had returned to Dao Sheng Tian as soon as he escaped, searching for Ying Ze Wei. But disciples said Xuan Zai had left for Wei State upon hearing of disturbances in the ghost abyss beneath Tian Qiao Peak and would return in three to five days. Unable to do more, Mo Xing Zhi made what preparations he could and came to the square daily to wait for survivors.
—After returning to Dao Sheng Tian, don’t say anything, don’t ask anything. Asking would only harm us.
Not daring to be presumptuous, although the image of the Dao Zun statue tearing at cultivators’ corpses still lingered in his mind, Mo Xing Zhi suppressed his inner turmoil and said, “Indeed, spirits are well-versed in illusions. Using them to confuse cultivators is not uncommon.”
Yun Nian frowned. “Senior Brother Mo, even you—”
The Six Yuanshi Master knew the truth about the Mountain and Sea Prohibition but feared the situation might become uncontrollable before Ying Ze Wei’s return. He said, “However since everyone has doubts, to be cautious, I will work with the sect elders to temporarily seal the passage to the mountain and sea realm. This will prevent the demons you speak of from discovering the void realm leading to the human world.”
His words caused an uproar. “But what about our disciples still inside?”
Mo Xing Zhi also quickly said, “Master, there are at least a dozen prodigies still inside. Isn’t sealing the space too…”
The Six Yuanshi Master gave him a strange look and replied, “Don’t worry, everyone. As long as they’re still wearing the jade rings we gave them, we’ll naturally bring the trial participants back after we join forces to activate the formation and confirm the situation inside.”
Mo Xing Zheng asked, “But the position of Emperor hasn’t been decided yet. Wouldn’t it be biased for the High Master to act this way?”
The more he spoke, the stranger the Six Monarchs’ High Master felt. Just as he was about to notify the other High Masters about potentially sealing off the area, half the sky suddenly darkened. A cold voice echoed:
“My child hasn’t emerged yet. Who dares to seal off the Mountain Sea Forbidden Path?”
…
Moments later, a flash of brilliant light filled the air. When Hu Rui found himself in the square of Dao Sheng Tian, his anxious heart finally settled. He had already envisioned what would happen next: his coronation as Emperor, his proclamation before his clan, enemies, and the world—he, Hu Rui, had trampled over all geniuses and snatched the Mountain River Sea Crown from the hands of formidable opponents!
As expected, the light from the teleportation array quickly drew the attention of others in the square.
“Look! Isn’t that Mu Zhanting?! He made it out alive! And in his arms… could it be?”
From afar, an elderly and slightly flustered voice said, “Dragon Lord, I wouldn’t dare deceive you. The Emperor’s trial was established by you and Xuan Zai years ago. It has never failed in hundreds of years, and this time is no different.”
Everyone cleared a path. Hu Rui, wearing Mu Zhanting’s face, felt uneasy. He clutched the Mountain River Sea Crown tightly, about to announce his name proudly when he saw Ao Guanghan’s frost-like face at the end of the crowd.
“Just you alone?” asked Ao Guanghan, the Dragon Lord of Chen State, known throughout the world for his fierce temper—even beating his disciples half to death when angered.
Faced with his murderous gaze, Hu Rui’s earlier bravado instantly evaporated. Trembling, he stammered, “I-I obtained the Mountain River Sea Crown. I…”
Ao Guanghan, his face ashen, demanded, “I asked if you came out alone.”
Hu Rui’s composure crumbled completely. Shaking, he replied, “T-Ten Karma Mountain was about to collapse. I… I barely escaped with my life.”
The Six Monarchs’ High Master interjected, “Dragon Lord since the Chen State’s Imperial Son has claimed victory, we should proceed with the coronation ceremony as usual. We still need to investigate what happened in the Mountain Sea Forbidden Path—”
“Wait,” Ao Guanghan interrupted. His pupils narrowed to dragon-like slits as he reached out, grabbing Hu Rui by the collar. “Who are you?”
Realizing he couldn’t fool a Huashen cultivator, Hu Rui blurted out before he could be strangled, “I’m Hu Rui, a cultivator from Shen State! I have the Mountain River Sea Crown! I won the Mountain Sea Forbidden Trial!”
The crowd looked at him in surprise. Ao Guanghan frowned, dispersing his energy and slapping Hu Rui, shattering the insect shell disguise and revealing his parasite-infested face. Everyone recoiled in shock.
Some with weak stomachs retched on the spot. “What kind of monster is this?! I refuse to acknowledge this thing as the Cultivation World’s ruler!”
The people of Dao Sheng Tian looked uncomfortable. The Six Monarchs’ High Master said, “Oh, so it’s a cultivator from Shen State, seemingly from a notable family… This appearance must be due to some peril in the secret realm. We can have a physician treat him later. Dragon Lord, would you mind releasing the future Emperor?”
Emboldened by the support, Hu Rui regained some confidence and hurriedly said, “That’s right! I’m the Cultivation World’s Emperor. Even though you’re the Lord of Chen State, it’s disrespectful to grab me like this!”
Ao Guanghan stared at him for a moment before sneering and tossing Hu Rui to the ground. “High Master, are your eyes failing you? The Mountain River Sea Crown hasn’t resonated with him. He merely picked it up without passing its trial. Tell me, how did you take on my disciple’s appearance?”
Panicking, Hu Rui clutched the crown tightly. “What do you mean I didn’t pass the trial?! I have the Mountain River Sea Crown, so I’m the rightful Emperor of the Cultivation World! Your Imperial Son just wasn’t capable enough. Persisting like this just shows you’re a sore loser!”
The Six Monarchs’ High Master’s lips twitched slightly. He hadn’t expected such a person to obtain the crown and was about to persuade Ao Guanghan to calm down when Hu Rui suddenly began to shake uncontrollably. His skin split open, and all his blood, flesh, and bones started to separate from his body.
“No, no…” he cried out.
Before everyone’s eyes, the Mountain River Sea Crown in his arms transformed into a terrifying monster, absorbing Hu Rui’s blood, flesh, and bones in succession.
“…The Dragon Lord was right. This is the fate of one who hasn’t been acknowledged by the Mountain River Sea Crown,” the Six Monarchs’ High Master sighed. “But who is the true Emperor then?”
At that moment, the teleportation array lit up again. The Mountain River Sea Crown flew up and landed on the head of a figure emerging from the light.
“Who said I’m a sore loser? Who?” the real Mu Zhanting shouted as he stepped out of the array. His first reaction was to look back into the array to see if anyone else was coming. Then, adjusting the crown on his head, he realized he was surrounded by people, especially Ao Guanghan, whose presence sent a chill down his spine.
“Dragon… Dragon Lord, did you come to take me back?” he asked nervously.
Ao Guanghan’s divine sense crashed into Mu Zhanting’s mind like a mountain: “Get lost. I couldn’t care less if you died. Where’s Nan Yan?”
Mu Zhanting replied hesitantly, “…Well, I saw her. I think she left with Song Zhu in the end.”
Ao Guanghan grabbed Mu Zhanting and growled, “Song Zhu returned before you. Why hasn’t Nan Yan come back?!”
Frightened, Mu Zhanting quickly checked Nan Yan’s life jade and sighed in relief. “It’s fine. The third senior brother is watching over her. No other scoundrels should dare to make a move on her.”
Ao Guanghan pressed, “And if they do?”
Mu Zhanting assured him, “Impossible. The third senior brother is reliable. He taught Ah Yan and me to read and write when we were young. If something happens to her while he’s around, I’ll cut open my skull for you to use as a wine cup.”