The Eastern Desolation returned to stillness. The outstanding heirs of the supreme great sects had all journeyed away, and this vast land seemed to have lost its vitality — a certain quiet weight had settled over it.

Ye Fan had cried out his world-shaking declaration, then likewise turned and departed that very same day, leaving behind a legend.

Many people were intensely frustrated. No trace of him remained — no one could find him alive or dead. Their teeth ground together in anger.

When many cultivators saw that he had made his bold declaration, they assumed a great battle was about to unfold. Instead, he made a graceful exit, vanishing from this land entirely.

They had thrown their full strength at empty air. They had power but nowhere to direct it — seething with anger, with no way to do anything about it. Ye Fan was simply gone.

The Central Province. The Northern Plains. The Eastern Desolation. The Western Desert. The Southern Ridge. The five great domains stretch boundlessly. If one were to travel only by flight, even between neighboring domains, the journey would generally take more than a decade.

One can only imagine what kind of vast land this truly is — incomprehensibly immense. The more you contemplate it, the more staggered you become.

The Central Province represents the ancient and the mysterious, home to endless legend.

It is said to be connected to other ancient stars, with inter-domain portals sealed within it, guarding the secrets of an immortal realm…

Another ten thousand years had turned, and the Extraordinary Masters’ Hall of the Central Province had once again opened its doors. The impact was immense. The younger generation from all five great domains was in motion — heroes from across the land were converging.

Some came from lands of spiritual beauty and natural grace; others from harsh and desolate wilderness. Some carried an air of transcendence; others were wild and unbridled. Each carried their own unique aura and presence.

Entry was not restricted to sacred grounds and undying imperial dynasties. The various supreme great sects could also send their heirs. And even those without any sect or lineage could come — so long as their strength was sufficient.

There was only one prerequisite: Holy Son-level combat power. Strength would speak for itself.

The Extraordinary Masters’ Hall was nestled among peaks of spiritual mountains. Silver dragon waterfalls plummeted into the valleys below. Scarlet cliffs and strange rocks stood in soaring grandeur. Undying sacred trees towered overhead. Ten-thousand-year-old spiritual herbs filled the air with fragrance.

On the stone platforms, pristine and dustless, qilin beasts lay alone at rest, spiritual grasses growing alongside them. On the cliff walls, purple energy rose in plumes as orchid and iris spread their perfume, and multicolored luan birds wheeled and danced.

The mountain itself was full of life. Divine blossoms were in bloom. Strange trees swayed gently. Long-lived deer and immortal foxes drifted in and out of sight. Spiritual birds and dark cranes wheeled and flashed in and out of view.

Where ten thousand veins of energy converged, where the ancestral dragon made its nest — auspicious mists drifted, clouds billowed and rosy auroras spread, a land apart from the world of dust, inspiring wonder and awe.

On the very first day, more than ten thousand people arrived at the Extraordinary Masters’ Hall, gathering outside the mountain gate — each of them a figure of extraordinary bearing, shoulder to shoulder, the crowd overwhelming in its density.

One could imagine that in the days to come, even more would arrive. Yet not all of them could be accepted. Throughout history, only a few hundred had ever gained entry.

According to records from the ancient texts, the Extraordinary Masters’ Hall had at most eight hundred disciples, and at its least, five hundred — the numbers generally fluctuating within that range.

Yet those with the confidence to come here, those who had crossed tens of millions of miles across great domains, were every last one of them heroes. Not one of them was willing to concede to the others — battles were inevitable.

On the very first day alone, a young powerhouse at the fifth transformation of the Dragon Metamorphosis made his appearance, hailing from the Southern Ridge. He swept aside every challenger; no one could stand against him. He became the first to enter.

The world was in an uproar. Even elders of the older generation were stirred. No one could say what manner of heaven-defying genius would emerge next.

When the people of the Eastern Desolation saw this, they all felt the pressure — only Holy Son Yao Guang and Ji Haoyue remained unmoved, facing it with calm.

On the second day, another monstrous existence appeared — slapping a Divine King Body to death with his bare hand, and without expending much effort at that.

The world was stunned. One slap to kill a Divine King Body — such a prodigy had rarely been seen even in ancient times. People sighed inwardly that a great age had truly arrived.

On the third day, a child appeared — no older than nine years — yet he overpowered all opponents and successfully entered the Extraordinary Masters’ Hall, completing the challenge.

This feat dropped jaws across the board. Every single person found it impossible to believe. This was a child of monstrous talent — rarely seen throughout all of history.

The Extraordinary Masters’ Hall’s gates were open for a single month, and nearly every day brought a stunning new figure.

Across the five great domains under heaven, there was no shortage of extraordinary individuals. Those who had been instructed by supreme masters carried exceptional gifts, and in recent days they had rendered one person after another speechless with astonishment.

Over the course of nearly a month, many powerful elders sighed with admiration, feeling deeply that their own era was drawing to a close. This generation, if they were to mature, would without exception be kings among men.

During this time, several monstrous talents emerged who left people deeply shaken.

People witnessed what it truly meant to be blessed by heaven from birth, what it meant to be unmatched among one’s peers. Even the elders of the older generation could not help but marvel.

“To rival the prodigies of ancient times — such beings have appeared again in this age, and not just one or two of them…”

There was also a small episode during this period: a monstrous existence entered the Extraordinary Masters’ Hall while crossing a heavenly tribulation at the same time, drawing dropped jaws from everyone who witnessed it.

“What in the blazes — how many people cross a heavenly tribulation while still in the Dragon Metamorphosis secret realm?!”

“What an absolute prodigy — and he didn’t look the least bit strained. He just walked right through the mountain gate like that…”

“Such people are extraordinarily rare throughout history — every last one of them is beyond human in their existence!”

“They say that in ancient times, even holy men in their youth were prodigies — all of them were decidedly ‘beyond human’!”

Many people couldn’t help but grumble, and this in turn made them think of another figure from the Eastern Desolation.

“Do you know — the Eastern Desolation also has a prodigy who called down a heavenly tribulation to break out of a death trap and slaughtered a whole group of powerful masters, including a great elder!”

People from other domains had also heard rumors — vague whispers about Ye Fan’s exploits — and now they spoke of him here.

“Really? He struck down even a great elder with a heavenly tribulation? Just how terrifying must that heavenly calamity have been?!”

Many people were stunned. Quite a few refused to believe it. Even some beautiful young women couldn’t help but turn their heads, listening carefully.

Any prodigy of this caliber was someone every person present had to pay attention to and keep in mind — for they would surely become among the most formidable rivals of their generation.

“What a shame though. I heard that the prodigy from the Eastern Desolation won’t be coming to the Extraordinary Masters’ Hall — he apparently refused the invitation outright.”

“What is going on? So proud and unconventional — does he actually look down on the Extraordinary Masters’ Hall?”

“Last time, during the Jade Pool’s Immortal Peach Banquet, three of the Extraordinary Masters’ Hall’s great figures attended and formally extended him an invitation — and he shook his head and declined.”

Someone revealed this piece of insider information, setting off another wave of commotion. Everyone was deeply surprised — to not even care about an opportunity like this.

At this moment, Ye Fan had not come. Yet he had become a subject of conversation among certain people nonetheless.

“I’d like to meet him — I want to see exactly how remarkable he is. When I go out to train in the future, I’ll definitely seek him out for a match!”

“Within the Extraordinary Masters’ Hall you can meet all the heroes of the same generation. He’s the only one who didn’t come. When we go out, it’s only natural to see what he’s really made of!”

The Extraordinary Masters’ Hall’s gates stood open for one month. Each day more than ten thousand heroes poured in, yet in the end only seven hundred and twenty were kept.

Every last one who came here belonged to the pinnacle of their generation — and in the end it came down to selecting from among the best, kings among kings. Relative to the enormous number who attempted entry, those who remained were pitifully few.

Elders of the older generation were astonished to find that quite a few Holy Son-level figures had not been enough — they were defeated and forced to withdraw in humiliation.

One roaring month finally drew to a close. They had witnessed the emergence of several monstrous talents. Some felt the weight of pressure; others were filled with boundless excitement.

To contend as equals in the same generation — the Extraordinary Masters’ Hall of the future would without question be a place where dragons leap and phoenixes soar, certain to ignite the most brilliant sparks of this entire age!

“What a pity — the prodigy from the Eastern Desolation really didn’t come after all.” Someone expressed their regret; to have lost such an opponent was a mark of confidence that only the strong could feel.

“The deadline has passed and he never arrived. It seems he has no intention of showing up. Truly one of a kind.”

Many people were deeply disappointed. Whether they were heaven-blessed beauties or powerhouses carrying the blood of kings, every last one of them had wanted to see this prodigy — after all, he was the only person who had refused the invitation.

“The Eastern Desolation’s contingent this time around doesn’t seem particularly impressive. Aside from that prodigy, are there really no other exceptional individuals among them?” Someone remarked with a hint of contempt.

“That’s where you’re wrong. Do you see that brilliant man who left just now? That’s Holy Son Yao Guang. The story goes that he also crossed a heavenly tribulation when he advanced — he simply doesn’t make a show of it at the moment.”

“Exactly. And that young man in purple — he’s the Divine King of the Eastern Desolation. You must have heard of that physique. When he unleashes his power in full, his combat strength defies all reason.”

“And there’s an Innate Dao Embryo as well. Once she enters the Sage Master realm, she will command divine power that floods the heavens. Body and Dao will merge as one — at that point she will likely look down upon all kings.”

Ten thousand years make one cycle — and the heroes of this cycle surpassed all expectation in their power, leaving even the Extraordinary Masters’ Hall greatly surprised.

Once the thirty days were up, the rest could only withdraw in disappointment. They had no right to enter.

Yet on the thirty-first day, something unexpected happened. A wild man arrived in a rush — a wolf-fang club in hand, wearing animal-skin clothes — and tried to force his way in through the mountain gate.

“This one definitely came from some remote and desolate wilderness — clearly he lost track of time and arrived late. Does he still think he can get in?”

Clang!

The wild man, gripping his wolf-fang club, smashed the Extraordinary Masters’ Hall’s mountain gate wide open — leaving every single person there struck dumb with shock.

“What audacity — this fellow has the nerve to act so outrageously here…”

“Why did you destroy the mountain gate?” A great elder from within the Extraordinary Masters’ Hall appeared, standing in the void and demanding an answer.

“I arrived late. Please give me a chance…” His voice was low and rumbly, like the sound of a great jar. He planted the wolf-fang club into the ground — boom — and the vibration rolled through the surrounding mountains.

“How much raw strength does this brute have? I feel like he could uproot a great mountain!”

“This…could it be that the prodigy from the Eastern Desolation has arrived in the final moment? Is it him?”

Many people were shaken. The hundreds who had already been selected were watching from inside the mountain gate, and every last one of their expressions had changed.

“Rules exist for a reason. You arrived late — you cannot enter.” The great elder of the Extraordinary Masters’ Hall shook his head.

“I live deep in the mountains and forests, far from everything. When I heard the news, it was too late.” The wild man said anxiously.

“Very well. I can give you a chance — but you must be strong enough, truly exceptional.” The great elder of the Extraordinary Masters’ Hall nodded. He was not without reason or compassion.

“What do I need to do?” the wild-haired young man asked — primitive-looking, clad in animal skins.

“Attack me with everything you have. If you satisfy me, I will let you stay.”

“Sure thing!” The wild man asked no more questions. He drove his wolf-fang club into the stone ground and swung one massive fist straight at the elder.

Bang!

The great elder raised a hand to meet it. A tremendous sound erupted — a purely physical clash, like divine thunder falling from the sky, deafeningly loud.

Retreat, retreat, retreat… The great elder was actually pushed back. Blood poured from the flesh between his thumb and forefinger. The hand trembled faintly.

Everyone erupted in shock. No one could believe what they had just seen. How staggeringly powerful was this wild man’s physical body?!

“Holy— this brute could probably pick up a mountain and throw it!”

“He could uproot a great peak with his bare hands, no question. Is this even a person? He cracked a great elder’s palm open!”

“Yet another prodigy — a physically monstrous prodigy whose body has crossed into the realm of the truly monstrous!”

Everyone was slack-jawed, every single person shaken to the core. A body like that was far too terrifying — even a great elder could not withstand it.

“Could it be — has the prodigy from the Eastern Desolation truly arrived at the last moment? Is it him?” Someone ventured this guess.

“Exactly — I’ve heard that Eastern Desolation prodigy also has an impossibly powerful physical body. The two are far too similar.”

“No, no. From what they say, the Eastern Desolation prodigy is actually quite refined-looking — harmless in appearance. Not a wild man like this.”

“Oh please, ‘harmless in appearance’ — I’ve heard about that kid all the way in the Southern Ridge. He’s anything but harmless. He summoned a heavenly tribulation and wiped out all his enemies with it.”