The cultivator descending from the sky, though a member of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, was not a Nascent Soul cultivator but a Golden Core cultivator. However, as he landed holding the Golden Stele, his aura subtly resonated with the Heavenly Secrets Tower and even the Star River Garden, faintly hinting at the majesty of a True Monarch.
Simultaneously, throughout the vast Star River Garden, spirit light flickered to life from all directions. This was the activation of the sect's protective formation, deployed by the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion:
The Fourth-Tier Supreme-Grade Formation, the Myriad Phenomena Star River Spirit Formation.
This formation had been personally designed for the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion by Duke of Anguo, one of the Three Great Ministers of Great Qian. When activated, anyone who stepped into the formation would feel as if they had plunged into a cosmic river, witnessing the myriad phenomena of the universe and becoming utterly disoriented.
According to Duke Anguo, the formation could repel any cultivator below the Transformation God realm. Even Transformation God cultivators could be temporarily restrained for a breath or two.
If someone were to look down from a height far greater than the Heavenly Secrets Tower, they would see starlight streaming out from the tower's pinnacle, cascading in all directions like an unfurled umbrella. The tower formed the umbrella's spine, while the shimmering Spirit Light of the Myriad Phenomena Star River served as its canopy, enveloping the entire Star River Garden.
Near the base of this celestial umbrella lay the Star River Plaza.
On the plaza, Han Yi rose with the crowd, his gaze fixed on the Heavenly Secrets Tower a kilometer away. As he scanned his surroundings, his eyes narrowed slightly. Though the Yi Yao Secret Technique was unusable, his years of cultivation had granted him an intuitive understanding of fortune and peril. He instinctively recognized the grave danger posed by the descending starlight.
This was the true foundation of a Nascent Soul Great Sect. The Profound Pill Sect, still in its infancy in such matters, was vastly outmatched.
Han Yi settled back into his seat with the others.
The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion's Golden Core cultivator, who had landed at the plaza's center, lightly tossed the golden stele he held. With a thunderous boom, the stele expanded rapidly, growing to a height of approximately ten meters in an instant.
Bang!
The golden stele landed on the ground with a resounding thud, shaking the entire Star River Plaza.
Han Yi's heart skipped a beat.
A Spirit Treasure.
This was the legendary Heavenly Secrets Stele, one of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion's three renowned Spirit Treasures.
Of course, the pavilion publicly claimed to possess only three such treasures, but in reality, only the two True Monarchs atop the Heavenly Secrets Tower knew the true extent of their hidden reserves. This Nascent Soul Sect, backed by such profound foundations, remained shrouded in mystery.
The Heavenly Secrets Stele transformed into a colossal ten-meter-tall monument, its golden light overflowing and sweeping across the plaza.
Swish, swish, swish...
A series of names and information materialized on the stele's surface.
True Person List - First Place
Li Qiushui, Heavenly Qin True Person of Jade Capital Mountain. Thirty years ago, on Mount Yuanlao, three Nascent Soul cultivators perished beneath the earth-shattering melodies of his Heavenly Qin. That single battle etched his name into legend.
True Person List - Second Place
Gu Rufeng, Overturned Waters True Person of the Myriad Stars Sea. Eleven years ago, at the Mountain and Sea Gathering of Immortals, he led the East Sea Demon-Slaying campaign, obliterating two Nascent Soul demon cultivators. From their remains, he forged the Overturned Waters Sword, a Spirit Treasure crafted from a demon's flesh and soul.
True Person List - Third Place
Pang Wuyou, eighth-generation descendant of the Great Qian Emperor...
True Person List, 32nd Rank:
Jiang Jiuge, Blood River True Person of the Southern Dipper Divine Palace. Ten years ago, he annihilated four late-stage Golden Core Robber Cultivators with a single sword strike.
True Person List, 36th Rank:
Yu Yan, True Person Jade Heart of White Jade Tower. Twenty-nine years ago, within the Demon Cave, she single-handedly slew three Heavenly Demon Kings in a single battle.
True Person List, 88th Rank:
Qin Wuxian, Immortal True Person of the Profound Pill Sect. Four years ago, outside Qiming Immortal City in Shu Prefecture, he eliminated two Golden Core cultivators from the Blood God Sect and the Heavenly Soul Sect.
Golden light shimmered as characters materialized one by one, as if someone privy to Heavenly Secrets were frantically inscribing them onto the Heavenly Secrets Stele.
In a mere ten breaths, the True Person List was fully displayed, detailing the rankings of a hundred True Persons with varying degrees of elaboration—some entries concise, others meticulously detailed.
Han Yi focused intently, sensing a profound divine intent emanating from the ancient seal script. The Heavenly Secrets Stele truly seemed to steal Heavenly Secrets, ranking Great Qian's Golden Core cultivators based on their combat prowess, from highest to lowest.
His gaze lifted to the towering Heavenly Secrets Tower, a kilometer beyond Star River Plaza. How had this mysterious Nascent Soul Sect managed to steal Heavenly Secrets? Their cultivation techniques must be vastly superior to the Yi Yao Secret Technique.
Han Yi refocused his attention as the Qian Dragon List began to materialize beneath the True Person List on the Heavenly Secrets Stele.
The Qian Dragon List ranked the hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators in Great Qian with the greatest potential, regardless of their current cultivation realm.
Qian Dragon List - First Place:
Zhang Beihe, Jade Capital Mountain, Mid-Foundation Establishment Stage.
Qian Dragon List - Second Place:
Xing Zhen, Myriad Stars Sea, Early Foundation Establishment Stage.
Qian Dragon List - Third Place:
Pang Chengyu, Great Qian, Late Foundation Establishment Stage.
Qian Dragon List, Ninth Place:
Han Yi, Profound Pill Sect, Mid-Foundation Establishment Stage.
Qian Dragon List, Thirty-Seventh Place:
Shen Ping, Profound Pill Sect, Late Foundation Establishment Stage.
Qian Dragon List, Sixty-Third Place:
Xie Jingshan, Spirit Battle Sect, Mid-Foundation Establishment Stage.
Qian Dragon List, Eighty-Eighth Place:
Fu You, Southern Dipper Divine Palace, Mid-Foundation Establishment Stage.
Han Yi focused intently, scanning the names one by one. Over the past year, he had become familiar with most of them.
For instance, Zhang Beihe of Jade Capital Mountain, a Heaven's Chosen prodigy, whom Han Yi had once encountered in the True Dawn Grand Void Heaven.
Jade Capital Mountain, Myriad Stars Sea, Grand Void Sect, Southern Dipper Divine Palace, Scarlet Cloud Sword Sect, Spirit Battle Sect, White Jade Tower, Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, Heaven's Will Sect, Ten Thousand Methods Sect...
Over ninety percent of the cultivators listed on the Heavenly Secrets Stele hailed from Great Sects with Nascent Soul experts or higher. More than half of the remaining ten percent belonged to other Golden Core Sects, leaving only a handful from Cultivation Clans and Rogue Cultivators.
As the last name materialized on the stele, a sudden surge of blinding golden light erupted, forcing Han Yi to shield his eyes momentarily from its intense radiance.
When Han Yi opened his eyes again, the Golden Stele had lost its mystical aura, now appearing plain and ordinary as it stood in the center of Star River Plaza. However, the True Person List and Qian Dragon List inscribed upon it remained unchanged.
The Qian Dragon List section of this ranking would be updated every ten years, but the Heavenly Secrets Grand Assembly itself would never be held again.
A century later, the once-in-a-millennium True Monarch Ranking would take place. That grand assembly would be even more magnificent, with the Heavenly Secrets True Monarch, Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, personally attending. This time, instead of Golden Core True Persons from various sects, True Monarch cultivators would be in attendance.
Being ranked on the Heavenly Secrets Stele wasn't merely about gaining empty fame; it also granted significant influence over resource allocation and decision-making power. Han Yi wasn't entirely clear on the specifics of this allocation power, having only heard Liu Ruyan mention it.
His participation in this event was primarily due to the Profound Pill Sect's need to assert its authority. Otherwise, Han Yi truly cared little for such hollow recognition.
On the plaza, the golden light had dissipated. Golden Core cultivators from the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion stood before the Heavenly Secrets Stele, surveying the assembled crowd. The seats closest to the stele in Star River Plaza were reserved for cultivators invited by the pavilion, while the outer rings were occupied by cultivators who had come independently to attend the grand assembly—members of Great Qian's cultivation clans, rogue cultivators, and representatives from sects that hadn't received official invitations.
The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion welcomed all cultivators who had come to the Star River Garden.
"Esteemed guests, the Heaven's Secret Ranking has been revealed."
"Next, we will commence the Heaven's Secret Dharma Display."
"For this event, the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion has prepared numerous spiritual objects. Any cultivator who wins a martial display on this stage will receive a spiritual object, distributed by the Heavenly Secrets Stele itself. Even I do not know what they are."
"However, the Pavilion Master mentioned that he has placed seven Magic Treasures among them."
"Esteemed guests, this is a rare opportunity. Please, step forward."
A Golden Core True Person from the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion soared to the edge of Star River Plaza, landing in the pavilion's designated seating area. The entire plaza fell into sudden silence.
In the next instant, a figure flashed onto the central stage, standing beside the Heavenly Secrets Stele.
"I am Han Tianci of the Blazing Fire Han Clan. I humbly request your guidance."
The cultivator stood tall, gripping a black spear that glinted coldly. He planted the spear firmly on the ground, his face etched with defiant pride and an unyielding spirit.
Han Yi watched the fellow clansman, a nod of approval forming involuntarily.
In Qian Capital, thirty-four cultivation clans bore the Han surname. The Blazing Fire Han Clan, led by Liehuo Han Yi, was a Golden Core-level cultivation clan whose influence centered around Liehuo Workshop, earning them the title "Blazing Fire Han Clan."
Han Tianci, who stood on the platform, exuded an aura only at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. However, his solid foundation and steady presence hinted at formidable strength.
As a member of the main clan, Han Yi watched the proceedings with keen interest.
Less than three breaths passed before another cultivator calmly ascended the platform, emerging from behind the seats reserved for the Nascent Soul Great Sects.
The Starmoon Sect.
!
Han Yi's gaze sharpened as he glanced at the Star River Sect's seating area, his eyes narrowing slightly.
The Starmoon Sect was also a Nascent Soul Sect.
In Great Qian, aside from the One Nation, Two Sages, and Three Great Sects, the eight other Nascent Soul Great Sects were:
Jade Cauldron Sect, Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, Spirit Battle Sect, Heaven's Will Sect, White Jade Tower, Starmoon Sect, Ten Thousand Methods Sect, and Profound Pill Sect.
These sects were also ranked, with Jade Cauldron Sect holding the top position and Profound Pill Sect, the newest Nascent Soul Sect, naturally occupying the bottom rung.
Among them, Jade Cauldron, Heavenly Secrets, Spirit Battle, Starmoon, and White Jade Sects were based in Qian Prefecture, while Heaven's Will, Ten Thousand Methods, and Profound Pill Sects hailed from Shu Prefecture.
The cultivator who had stepped forward was indeed a member of the Starmoon Sect.
"Starmoon Sect, Luo Mao, seeks your guidance."
"Please proceed."
Han Tianci clasped his hands in a respectful salute. His eyes suddenly flashed with piercing light as he released his spear. With a gentle tremor, the weapon transformed into a colossal thirty-meter-long spear, arcing through the air like a massive dragon seized by the tail and hurled downward by a cultivator.
Bang!
A thunderous explosion shattered the air as the colossal spear struck only a lingering afterimage. Thirty meters away, Luo Mao of the Starmoon Sect materialized. With a delicate gesture, he drew down a starlight thread into the compass in his palm. The starlight infused the compass, unleashing a brilliant and arcane star chart.
The star chart pulsed, expanding rapidly until it enveloped both combatants in its celestial glow.
Han Tianci, who had just retrieved his spear, froze mid-motion, a flicker of horror in his eyes.
Dozens of meters away, Luo Mao casually extended his palm forward. His arm vanished halfway through the motion. Yet before Han Tianci, within the starlight's embrace, a disembodied forearm materialized. With a gentle slap, it sent the Foundation Establishment cultivator flying backward.
Thud.
Han Tianci crashed onto the ground dozens of meters away, spitting blood. His face contorted in shock as he struggled to his feet. After a hasty, silent salute, he retreated swiftly, keenly aware that Luo Mao had shown him mercy.
The Heavenly Secret Dharma Display contained no prohibition against killing. Cultivators, by their very nature, sought to seize the Heavenly Secrets and ascend the Immortal Path. This pursuit often led to the descent of Heavenly Demons during cultivation, and upon reaching the Nascent Soul stage, they faced the trials of Heavenly Tribulations.
In the heat of battle, accidental deaths were inevitable. Even the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion refrained from imposing such naive restrictions on the Heavenly Secret Dharma Display.
However...
Cultivators deeply understood the principle of Causality, especially those of higher cultivation realms. Killing inevitably carried karmic consequences.
On the arena, as Han Tianci retreated in defeat, a Magic Artifact flew out from the Heavenly Secrets Stele. It seemed as if the stele contained its own hidden realm, defying even Han Yi's Divine Sense to discern how the artifact had materialized.
The artifact landed in Luo Mao's hands. After examining it, his eyes blazed with intensity, and his body trembled with excitement. It was clear how deeply this artifact mattered to him.
From the Great Sect seating area, Han Yi's gaze settled on Luo Mao of the Starmoon Sect, and he nodded slightly.
Although Luo Mao was only at the Mid-Foundation Establishment stage, his compass artifact was remarkably powerful. It could create a special domain of starlight, within which he could launch attacks that bypassed spatial barriers.
However, while such attacks might be effective against cultivators of the same cultivation realm, they would prove insufficient against those of higher cultivation.
Han Yi's gaze shifted to the Heavenly Secrets Stele and the Qian Dragon List. He scanned the list but couldn't find Luo Mao's name. It seemed that while Luo Mao's combat prowess was decent, his potential hadn't ranked high enough for the stele to record him.
His eyes moved again, landing on his own name:
Ninth Place: Han Yi, Profound Pill Sect, Mid-Foundation Establishment Stage
The Qian Dragon List only recorded sect and cultivation realm, lacking the detailed biographical entries of the True Person List. Han Yi stared at his "Mid-Foundation Establishment Stage" ranking, deep in thought.
This Heavenly Secrets Stele is clearly outdated, he realized. The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion must have compiled this ranking independently, based on their own intelligence on the cultivators of Great Qian.
The more he pondered, the more it made sense.
If the Heavenly Secrets Stele could truly peer into the mysteries of fate and spontaneously rank the potential of every cultivator in Great Qian, it wouldn't merely be a Spirit Treasure. It would be the stuff of legends—an Immortal Artifact wielded only by true Immortals, imbued with boundless and profound mysteries.
Han Yi withdrew his gaze and refocused on Star River Plaza.
After the first Martial Display, the other cultivators grew restless, eager to test their mettle.
Some sought the magic artifacts listed on the Heavenly Secrets Stele, others craved fame, and still others, resentful of their absence from the ranking list, aimed to prove their worth by issuing direct challenges to those already present.
The Heaven's Secret Dharma Display had no fixed structure; it was more like a stage for cultivators to showcase their abilities.
As the duels grew increasingly intense, the enthusiasm of the cultivators surrounding Star River Plaza reached a fever pitch. Cultivation clans, rogue cultivators, small Foundation Establishment sects, Golden Core sects, and great Nascent Soul sects all threw their hats into the ring. Even cultivators from the Qian Dragon List gradually joined the fray.
Han Yi had initially intended to stay out of the duels, but when someone challenged him and he recalled Liu Ruyan's words, he rose to his feet. Before him, one of the top ten cultivators from the Qian Dragon List had already entered the arena, further piquing the crowd's curiosity about the list's elite members.
Among the rogue cultivators surrounding Star River Plaza, Dou Yu watched Han Yi step forward, a peculiar glint in his eyes. Suddenly, he turned to the cultivators around him with a smile and announced:
"Fellow cultivators, the one entering the arena now is none other than Han Yi of the Profound Pill Sect, ranked ninth on the Qian Dragon List!"
"Though my own strength is modest, I have friends across the realm and am quite familiar with Fellow Daoist Han. However, he has a peculiar preference—disliking male cultivators and favoring female cultivators exclusively. If any female cultivators here wish to become his follower, I'll arrange an introduction for just one hundred mid-grade spirit stones. What do you say?"
Around Dou Yu, the male cultivators shook their heads in disappointment, while the female cultivators' eyes lit up as they crowded around, eagerly peppering him with questions.
Dou Yu's heart leaped with delight, but he composed himself with a solemn expression. "However, Fellow Daoist Han has exceedingly high standards. I can only recommend one person to become his attendant."
"To become the follower of a future Golden Core True Person, or even a Nascent Soul True Monarch—such status is beyond the reach of ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators. If they're fortunate enough to receive even a sliver of his Immortal Opportunity, his attendant might even break through to Golden Core themselves. That would be an immeasurable honor."
"This is a rare opportunity! Sign up quickly, and no pushing! I'm only accepting ten applicants. If you aren't selected, you'll receive a refund of ninety Spirit Stones—fair dealings with young and old alike. My integrity is well-known among the rogue cultivators of Luo Xia Mountain. You won't find anyone to doubt it."
Meanwhile, Han Yi remained unaware that Dou Yu, whom he had only met once, was now using his name for business.
His gaze was fixed on the lone cultivator standing in the arena.
His challenger wasn't Fu You from the Southern Dipper Divine Palace.
It was Ding Jiansheng from the Scarlet Cloud Sword Sect.
Qian Dragon List, Rank 56: Ding Jiansheng, Scarlet Cloud Sword Sect.
Han Yi had seen him once before at the Jade Pavilion Precious Jade Grotto-Heaven, though they had never sparred.
He was an aloof young man, his face, bearing, and very essence radiating an unyielding pride that wasn't a deliberate affectation but rather the natural manifestation of his cultivated Sword Dao, a Sword Intent forged in solitude and self-reliance.
He was a true Sword Cultivator.
As one of the Three Great Sects of Great Qian, the Scarlet Cloud Sword Sect possessed unquestionable strength. Moreover, as a sect dedicated to the Sword Dao, their combat prowess was particularly remarkable. If forced to rank them, the Scarlet Cloud Sword Sect would undoubtedly claim the top spot among the Three Great Sects.
The Grand Void Sect had once held that undisputed position. However, twenty-nine years prior, the Demon Cave had descended, its landing site tragically near the Grand Void Sect's territory. In the ensuing Immortal-Demon War, two of the sect's Nascent Soul True Monarchs perished. Since then, the Scarlet Cloud Sword Sect had quietly risen to become the perceived strongest among the Three Great Sects.
Of course, harmony between the Three Great Sects was a myth. Conflicts were commonplace. The Southern Dipper Divine Palace remained active, while the Scarlet Cloud Sword Sect stood steadfast, and the Grand Void Sect bided its time in obscurity. The undercurrents of these power struggles remained largely unknown, even to Han Yi, who was only privy to the most superficial aspects.
"Scarlet Cloud Sword Sect, Ding Jiansheng, invites you to spar."
Ding Jiansheng's aloofness persisted, but now it carried a weight of solemn formality. Behind him, three sword artifacts—bronze, snow-blue, and fiery red—hummed with restrained Sword Qi, ready to unleash their lethal power.
"Profound Pill Sect, Han Yi, please."
As this was a friendly spar, Han Yi naturally reciprocated the courtesy of his opponent's introduction.
The word "please" had barely left his lips when Ding Jiansheng launched his attack.
Ding Jiansheng's eyes widened as he sensed Han Yi's aura, which was far more formidable than it had been two years prior—an overwhelming power that made him profoundly wary.
Two years ago, during the Emperor's Birthday Celebration at the Jade Pavilion Precious Jade Grotto-Heaven, the stronger cultivators had obtained Spirit Jade Gui. With the aid of these spiritual objects, they had broken through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.
However, two years was barely enough time for them to stabilize their newfound cultivation, leaving them at the very beginning of the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.
Yet, Ding Jiansheng sensed that Han Yi's aura dwarfed his own, clearly indicating late-Foundation Establishment cultivation. Moreover, Han Yi had progressed significantly within that stage.
This disparity shocked Ding Jiansheng, intensifying his apprehension.
Clang!
The bronze ancient sword at the center instantly tore through space, moving with ruthless efficiency and unwavering purpose as it reached Han Yi in a mere kshana.
The other two sword artifacts—one snow-azure, the other fiery red—followed closely, flanking the bronze blade from the left and right.
Crimson Cloud Sword Art.