Tianluo Realm.

A well-known first-tier plane in the Bahuang System.

Now it was even more famous, because the eleventh Universal Holy War would hold its final showdown here.

At this very moment, competitors harboring dreams surged in from all directions. As they entered the main city, they were greeted by the sight of a massive bronze cauldron engraved with the word “Champion” standing tall in the central area.

That’s right.

This was the trophy for winning the Universal Holy War grand finals.

“Senior Brother!”

A competitor exclaimed excitedly, “Seeing this bronze cauldron, I feel like my blood is boiling!”

The man addressed as Senior Brother clenched his fist and said, “It’s truly too exciting!”

Quite a few competitors entered Tianluo City, and they all unconsciously stopped in their tracks, their gazes burning hot as they looked toward that champion trophy, fantasizing about successfully claiming the crown!

“Wu~oh~oh.”

“Wu~oh~oh…”

Just as everyone was concentrating intently on gazing up at the bronze cauldron, a strange melody suddenly came from behind them, causing them all to turn around in bewilderment.

At the city gate.

Ye Xingchen, wearing sunglasses and shouldering a modified speaker, walked in first, standing proudly like a professional bodyguard.

“I’m still that same young man from before, haven’t changed one bit. Time is merely a test, the faith planted in my heart hasn’t diminished in the slightest…” To this pleasant song, Li Qingyang, Xiao Zuiji, and the others emerged one after another. They wore second-generation school uniforms, sported sunglasses, and displayed utterly serious expressions.

Everyone’s mouths twitched.

Were these odd people mentally ill?

“Swish!” Just then, a cloak swept across the frame, and Jun Changxiao strode in with a gait that showed no respect for anyone, even family. He stood before his disciples, pointing toward the bronze cauldron standing in the central area, and declared, “This trophy—the Eternal Sect claims it!”

His voice, his tone.

Extremely arrogant.

Various forces and competitors all cast contemptuous looks his way.

You couldn’t blame them—you had to blame Dog Sheng for being too much of a showoff. If this didn’t provoke public outrage, there would truly be no justice.

“…”

Jian Guixu, following behind, looked completely devastated.

Making an entrance is one thing, but making it so flashy and ostentatious—it’s really asking for a beating!

Regarding this, Gu Tianxing indicated he had already grown accustomed to it.

“Eternal Sect?”

“The sect with dozens of disciples advancing?”

“I heard the Heavenly Demon Emperor has been targeting the Cangyun System lately. Didn’t expect they’d still dare to participate in the Universal Holy War grand finals.”

Some big shots familiar with the recent situation discussed among themselves.

Honestly speaking.

If this were in the Cangyun System.

The Eternal Sect would absolutely be highly respected—after all, in the previous ten Universal Holy Wars, no sect had ever managed to get so many disciples into the grand finals.

However.

Outside the Cangyun System.

Even though some people had heard of the Eternal Sect’s achievements, they didn’t take them to heart. They even suspected whether there was a lack of talent, which would result in one sect monopolizing all the qualification slots.

One star system, one plane.

A hundred flowers blooming in competition was proof of strength.

Being monopolized by one sect was absolutely lamentable.

“Let’s go.”

Jun Changxiao snapped his fingers.

“I’m still that same young man miya…” The beautiful melody rang through the city until they entered a certain inn and it stopped.

…

Jun Changxiao’s flashy entrance was just a minor interlude. Everyone didn’t take it to heart and instead each sought lodging, quietly waiting for the day the grand finals would begin.

Meanwhile.

More and more competitors entered Tianluo City.

No wonder Jian Guixu dared to assert that the Heavenly Demon Emperor wouldn’t come to cause trouble—because millions of strong cultivators had gathered in the city. Never mind half-step Heaven’s Mystery Realm—even Heaven’s Mystery Realm cultivators could be seen everywhere. It could be said that the upper cosmic layers’ various top forces had all assembled here.

Unless his head had been kicked by a donkey.

Or he truly wanted to make an enemy of the entire upper cosmic layers.

Otherwise, no matter how foolish the Heavenly Demon Emperor was, he wouldn’t dare cause trouble at this critical juncture.

“Senior.”

Jun Changxiao leaned against the guest room window, from where he could just see the bronze cauldron in the central area. He asked, “This trophy seems quite ordinary.”

Taking disciples to participate in this type of genius competition was partly for reputation, partly for rewards.

“The more ordinary something appears, the greater the secret it hides,” Jian Guixu said.

“Oh?”

Jun Changxiao asked in surprise, “This cauldron has a secret?”

Jian Guixu poured a cup of tea and said, “Sect Master Jun, do you know the origins of how the Universal Holy War came to be held?”

“I don’t.”

Jun Changxiao seemed to realize he was about to receive an explanation, so he sat down properly and then perked up his two dog ears.

“Hundreds of thousands of years ago.”

Jian Guixu took a sip of tea and said, “A legendary figure, Senior Qixuan, stepped onto the path to eternal life.”

Jun Changxiao, who had been secretly grumbling about starting with something from hundreds of thousands of years ago, immediately became serious upon hearing about the Qixuan Holy Venerable.

“From then on.”

“He never returned.”

“Many people speculate he has entered the land of eternal life.”

“And then?” Jun Changxiao asked curiously.

Jian Guixu set down his teacup and said, “Some years later, someone brought forth a bronze cauldron with strange characters inscribed on it.”

“What did it say?”

“‘This bronze cauldron is forged from my life’s work. If later generations explore its mysteries, they can step onto the path to eternal life, follow my tracks, and pursue eternal life.’ At this point,” Jian Guixu paused, “The signature read: Qixuan Holy Venerable.”

“There’s such a thing?” Jun Changxiao exclaimed in surprise.

Jian Guixu said, “That person claimed to be Qixuan Holy Venerable’s servant and united various forces to hold the first Universal Holy War, stipulating that only the final victor could explore the mysteries within the bronze cauldron. Up to this day, ten competitions have been held.”

“Did no one try to seize it?”

A cauldron hiding secrets to entering the path of eternal life would definitely drive the strong cultivators of the upper cosmic layers mad.

“People tried.”

Jian Guixu said, “But they all failed.”

“Failed? What do you mean?” Jun Changxiao asked, puzzled.

Jian Guixu looked toward the window, toward the bronze cauldron standing in the central area, and said, “This object only exists in a fixed location. No person, no method can move it, unless one wins the championship and gains a hundred years to comprehend it. Once the time limit arrives, it returns to its original location.”

“That mystical?”

“Someone’s seizing the cauldron!”

Suddenly, a loud shout came from outside.

Jun Changxiao released his spiritual sense and discovered dozens of masked black-robed figures carrying the cauldron as they flew toward the city outskirts. The martial artists standing in the streets were shouting chaotically but no one gave chase, as if they were just eating watermelon and watching the show.

“In broad daylight, they actually dare to steal…” Jun Changxiao was about to spring up and rush out, but the next scene truly left him somewhat unable to believe his eyes.

“Buzz!”

Just as the dozens of black-robed figures were about to fly out of the city, the cauldron they were dragging suddenly trembled, then vanished into thin air and reappeared on the platform in the central area.

“Holy crap!”

Jun Changxiao exclaimed in surprise, “It really does automatically return to its position!”

Jian Guixu shook his head and said, “Over these years, there have always been people who don’t believe it and repeatedly attempt to steal it, but they all end in failure.”

“Can’t it be put in a spatial ring?”

“No.”

“Use an array formation to seal it and take it away?”

“No.”

“…”

Jun Changxiao fell silent, muttering to himself internally, “Too bad the bronze cauldron hasn’t appeared in the system shop. Otherwise, I’d make sure it never comes back.”

“The Heavenly Demon Emperor is here!”

Suddenly, someone else shouted at the top of their lungs.

Jun Changxiao’s consciousness spread to the city gate and saw a group of martial artists with sinister auras walking in. He immediately roared at Jian Guixu, “Senior, didn’t you say he wouldn’t dare come!”

“…”

Jian Guixu said, “Did I say that?”