The Feixian Sect.
It was located on a majestic mountain that had only recently emerged from the earth. The mountain was magnificent, with stunning natural beauty, rare trees growing everywhere, glowing vines hanging from the cliffs, and silver waterfalls cascading down, emitting a faint, ethereal light.
It was like a paradise.
Atop the mountain stood numerous grand halls, resplendent in gold and jade, exuding an imposing and domineering aura, as if capable of swallowing the heavens and earth.
Rumble!
Whoosh!
In the sky, clouds swirled as the sound of thunder echoed. From all directions, figures arrived, riding on chariots or various mounts.
Dressed in robes woven from rainbow-colored clouds, these powerful figures were the extreme powerhouses of the Nine Firmaments Realm.
In recent days, many peak-level Martial Emperors had broken through their limits and stepped into the extreme realm, so the number of these powerhouses was quite substantial.
Moreover, those who had already been in the extreme realm had ascended from the "True Self" realm to the "Forgotten Self" realm, raising the bar for everyone.
In theory, the cultivation levels of all the experts in the Nine Firmaments Realm had been elevated by a whole tier. Of course, some beings were so dense that, even as the water level rose, their boats remained anchored.
Take Qin Chuan, for example.
"I am Feng Huzizi, here to pay respects to the Feixian Sect."
"I am Ling Xuzi, here to pay respects to the Feixian Sect."
"I am King Qiongqi, here to pay respects to the Feixian Sect!"
"I am Grandmother Tree Demon, here to pay respects to the Feixian Sect!"
These extreme powerhouses hovered outside the mountain, their declarations solemn and dignified as they announced their arrival.
As extreme powerhouses, they could not afford to lose face!
Though there was a certain amount of caution in their actions, they were also curious to probe the strength of the Feixian Sect.
If the sect turned out to be all smoke and mirrors, they would destroy it without hesitation!
"Since you've come, you may enter."
A calm voice rang out at that moment.
Whoosh!
Everyone focused their attention.
On one of the smaller peaks among the hundreds that dotted the larger mountain, a man in white stood calmly. This mountain was one of many, with peaks scattered like the buds of a tree.
The man's skin was slightly yellow, his features sharp, and a short stubble on his chin added to his stern appearance.
"Who are you?" King Black Dragon of the Beast Clan asked in a deep voice.
"My specific identity is beyond your concern. You only need to know that I am the envoy of the Feixian Sect," the man in white responded coolly.
"Where is the Feixian Sect located?" another Beast Clan king asked.
"Here, within this mountain," the man in white replied. "Everyone else is still in slumber. Only I have awakened, so I currently represent the Feixian Sect."
"Why did you call us here?" an elder from the Demon Clan asked coldly.
"I have tasks for you to complete," the man in white said, scanning the crowd with an air of natural authority. "You are all the most powerful figures of this era, controlling the world's forces. I need you to command your people to build temples for the Feixian Sect, to burn incense, and from now on, to make the Feixian Sect your faith."
Whoosh!
Upon hearing this, everyone's faces changed drastically. An elder exclaimed in alarm, "You intend to seize control of the Nine Firmaments Realm's fortune?!"
Faith was deeply connected to fortune.
The will of the people was the mandate of heaven!
"Smart," the man in white nodded in approval.
"I urge you to reconsider carefully. Throughout history, no one has ever succeeded in doing such a thing," said an elderly expert.
"Indeed, no one has done it before," the man in white agreed. In fact, not even in the ancient Xuanhuang Heaven had anyone achieved this.
But then he took a step forward, filled with confidence, and said, "However… just because it couldn't be done before doesn't mean it can't be done now! In this era, the mandate of heaven belongs to me!"
Boom!
As he spoke, an overwhelming aura erupted from his body, vast as the ocean, as though it could drown the entire world.
Dark clouds gathered in the sky, lightning flashed, and thunder roared. This celestial phenomenon enveloped half the Nine Firmaments Realm, resembling the end of the world.
"What terrifying power!"
"How is this possible?!"
"Ah!"
The extreme powerhouses in the sky were shocked, feeling as though they were but tiny boats in a stormy sea, ready to be capsized at any moment. They had never experienced such a sense of insignificance before.
Fortunately, the oppressive aura faded as quickly as it had appeared.
In no time, the sky returned to its former calm.
The extreme powerhouses, pale-faced and breathing heavily, were still visibly shaken, their faces filled with fear.
They had never imagined that someone could be so powerful. Not even the legends of the "Selfless Realm" were this overwhelming!
"What… what level of cultivation are you at?" an elder from the Demon Clan asked in terror.
"Not too high. Just the True God realm," the man in white said casually. "You're all at the Half-God realm, so I'm only one level above you."
"What?!"
"Half-God?!"
Everyone was left in doubt and uncertainty.
The man in white smiled faintly and said, "What you call the extreme realm was referred to as the Half-God realm a long time ago."
The crowd fell silent.
The realm they had believed to be unparalleled throughout history had already existed long ago, and it seemed that it wasn't even the highest level.
The realization hit them like a hammer, devaluing their greatest achievements, leaving them with a deep sense of loss.
Seeing their reaction, the smile on the man in white's face grew even more relaxed. "I've made my request clear. Now, tell me—who agrees, and who opposes?"
"This…"
The crowd exchanged uneasy glances.
If they opposed, they would likely die here. But if they agreed, they would lose their dignity.
Suddenly, King Black Dragon of the Beast Clan spoke up, "We do not oppose this matter, but… we are not the ones in charge."
"Hmm?" The man in white frowned.
King Black Dragon hurriedly explained, "Although it may appear that we control the Nine Firmaments Realm, the true ruler is a supreme demon lord who dominates the realm."
"A demon lord?" The man in white's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Yes, this person is called Qin Chuan, from the Human Clan. He is currently the strongest in the Nine Firmaments Realm, and his vicious reputation is unmatched," added an elder from the Demon Clan.
"Indeed, this demon lord is incredibly cruel and tyrannical. At the slightest provocation, he slaughters thousands. We once banded together to attack him, but he severely injured us, and since then, we have been at his mercy," another hidden expert chimed in.
The crowd joined in, exaggerating their descriptions.
They were setting Qin Chuan up for a fall.
Many of them had grudges against Qin Chuan, and now that they needed a scapegoat, they eagerly offered him up.
The man in white swept his gaze over the crowd with a piercing glare. "So, this Qin Chuan… didn't show up today?"
"Exactly," said King Black Dragon. "This demon lord is arrogant and contemptuous of everything. He likely didn't think much of the Feixian Sect and is probably mocking us from the shadows right now."
The man in white's face darkened.
He knew the king was trying to fan the flames, but it wasn't far from the truth. Qin Chuan clearly hadn't taken them seriously.
"To think there is someone who dares to ignore my words. Very well. Let the world witness the power of the Feixian Sect!"
The man in white turned his gaze to the crowd and asked coldly, "Where is Qin Chuan now?"
"This…"
The group exchanged uncertain looks. Qin Chuan was a wanderer; not everyone knew his exact whereabouts.
Besides, no one wanted to risk becoming a "traitor." If Qin Chuan survived, they would face an unrelenting grudge.
"Does no one among you know where he is?" the man in white asked, his brows furrowing, his aura growing heavier, pressing down on everyone like a mountain.
"White Crane King surely knows! He has close ties to Qin Chuan. Last time we attacked him, it was at his White Crane Heavenly Palace!" King Black Dragon quickly pointed out.
Whoosh!
Instantly, all eyes turned toward the White Crane King.
The White Crane King had been trying to stay silent throughout, not even speaking up when others were slandering Qin Chuan, hoping to avoid attention.
But now, King Black Dragon had thrown him under the bus, pushing him right into the spotlight!
"Do you know where Qin Chuan is?" the man in white asked, his gaze sharp as a blade, cutting straight into White Crane King's soul.
"I don't know," White Crane King tried to remain composed, but in front of someone far stronger, it was impossible to stay completely calm.
He gave himself away.
Hmph!
The man in white snorted coldly, and the pressure of his True God realm suddenly exploded forth, crushing White Crane King under a mountain of power.
Pfft!
White Crane King spat out a mouthful of blood, stumbling backward, his face pale, clearly suffering internal injuries.
Gritting his teeth, he took a deep breath and said, "I truly don't know."