Journey to the head

The three immortal lords who had perished were speechless for a moment.

This has indeed been a rule for millennia. The opportunities in the Dragon Palace are first-come, first-served; once someone has taken them, others can only watch helplessly. When the Dragon Palace was forced to open to cultivators who had fallen from grace, this conflict intensified. Therefore, the Dragon Clan, the Sea Clan, and the cultivators who had fallen from grace reached an agreement: before the Dragon Palace opened, the hundred heroes who would enter would first compete to determine their order of entry.

However, a battle involving a hundred people is extremely time-consuming and can easily cause injuries, so a rule was established seven thousand years ago. The dragon and sea races are on one side, and the immortal cultivators are on the other. Within each side, the order in which the heroes enter the palace is arranged in advance. Before arriving at the Dragon Palace, each side sends three representatives to compete in a best-of-three contest to determine which side goes first.

Bixi was certainly right, but in previous years, both sides maintained a facade of politeness, first determining the order of combat upon meeting. Now, however, tensions were high, with all their attention focused on the standoff; a single spark could cause the heavens and earth to shatter. The immortal cultivators, predicting that the dragon race would prevent them from entering the Dragon Palace, had prepared for a fierce battle, but who knew that just as their swords were about to be drawn, Bixi would bring up the matter of the duel again.

After a brief discussion, the three immortal lords, Yaoshu, Tianmen, and Basuo, all felt it was highly suspicious, but could not find any problems.

A sea creature cultivator scoffed, "If you don't dare, then return those twenty Ascension Vouchers! We still have allies who want to enter the Dragon Palace this time, and we don't have enough spots to begin with."

Allies?! Upon hearing this, the Immortal Fallen cultivators all felt a chill in their hearts.

Which continent have the Dragon Clan and the Sea Clan allied with? And why are they being allocated quotas? Is it the Tian Shu or Yao Guang continents, which were already on good terms with the Dragon Clan?

Private interactions are one thing, but open alliances are quite another. Even if there are some disagreements between continents or between continents and archipelagos, those are internal conflicts within the human race. This is now a racial conflict, and the human race should not be so short-sighted as to think this way!

The Eight-Stranded Immortal Lord roared, "What allies? Anyone who dares to divide the human race will become the target of everyone's wrath!"

“Our allies are not human, so Fellow Daoist Basuo need not worry,” Bixi said slowly. “Therefore, this time it’s not just the dragon race, the sea race, and the human race that are going to enter the Dragon Palace. The rules of the competition need to be changed.”

As soon as it finished speaking, the enormous shadow cast by its mountain-like body suddenly began to flow like a river.

Immediately, the viscous, pitch-black stream of shadows rose up like a waterfall, and then parted like a curtain to the sides, and a group of ten people emerged from the shadows.

These ten individuals were all at the Nascent Soul stage, which was inconspicuous in the current Great Ocean Abyss. However, they made no attempt to conceal their spiritual pressure, releasing a unique and diverse bloodline aura that was completely different from that of humans.

There were ten human figures, including men, women, and children, but it was clear in an instant that they were not human.

"Demons?" Immortal Lord Yao Shu frowned, immediately realizing, "The hundred races of the underworld!"

The demon races on the ground have long been fragmented and no longer a force to be reckoned with. The only ones who can become allies of the dragon race are the underground demons—the Hundred Races of the Underground—whose civilization still exists and who are constantly accumulating power!
The three immortal lords' expressions darkened slightly, while most of the fallen immortal cultivators were filled with shock and anger.

The demon chaos that broke out on the Yuheng Continent more than ten years ago brought the underground races, which had disappeared for tens of thousands of years, back into people's sight.

There was also that mysterious and highly skilled "Demon Master" who successfully reduced the conflicts between the hundred races and reunited the underground demon race under the Fifth Heavenly Lord, the Boundless and Limitless Houtu Heavenly Lord.

This war, which did not fully erupt, ended with Taiyi Paradise ceding territory and making concessions. Although there were many factors involved, it also demonstrates that the strength of the underground races should not be underestimated.

It can at least rival a continent, and if all the underground races beneath the continents were to unite, their strength would probably be several levels greater!
Now that the Dragon Clan has formed an alliance with the various races of the underworld, they have initially acquired the qualifications to challenge the Human Clan's dominant position!

"Troublesome, how did they all get together?" Hai Yiwei frowned. "If the underground tribes have experts to support us, our disadvantage will be even greater if a real fight breaks out."

The stronger the Dragon Clan becomes, the greater the likelihood that they will break the Gui Mao Agreement and prevent the Immortal Fallen cultivators from entering the Dragon Palace. Conversely, the Immortal Fallen cultivators themselves are less likely to act rashly.

Jiang Qingfeng strained his eyes to look at the teams of the hundred races underground: "Since the Bixi Dragon Ancestor proposed the competition, he shouldn't be planning to turn against us, right? Otherwise, what's the point of the ranking? It's just to stall for time—wait, what?!"

The ten heroes sent by the Hundred Races of the Underworld were indeed extraordinary. Facing the impenetrable encirclement and scrutiny of a million dragons, sea creatures, and immortals, and with so many immortals and true lords recklessly unleashing their spiritual pressure, they remained calm and composed as they slowly walked to the vicinity of the Dragon Palace entrance.

Among the ten people, a woman seemed to be the leader. She was lifted into the air by the shadows, and Jiang Qingfeng could hardly believe his eyes.

She was a stunningly beautiful woman with fair, delicate, and plump skin. Her hair was styled in a high bun, and her lips were bright red and luscious.

Ji Yunrou! It's the Jade Dragon Fairy, Ji Yunrou!

My junior brother did say that in order to prolong her life, she transformed into a demon and became a saintess of the Blind Serpent Clan. But how many years have passed, and she has already gone from Foundation Establishment to the current Nascent Soul Perfection?!

What a joke!
Could it be that underground resources are so abundant that innate spiritual energy can be eaten?

There was only one possibility. Suddenly, a person came to Jiang Qingfeng's mind: Tan Yunxing, the traitor from Yunshan. He, too, had regained his primordial spirit cultivation after disappearing and reappearing—a feat achieved by the Sixth Heavenly King, the Great Black King.

Could Ji Yunrou's growth to this point be the work of the Fifth Heavenly Lord?
Jiang Qingfeng immediately raised her vigilance to the highest level. Even though she had previously learned that there might be a major battle between the Dragon Clan and the Immortal Fallen cultivators, in her opinion, it was not as dangerous as the appearance of Ji Yunrou.

Because Ji Yunrou is very likely related to the Fifth Heavenly Lord! Anything involving the Ten Heavenly Lords is a terrifying disaster that could cause billions of deaths!
Thinking of this, Jiang Qingfeng felt a strong urge to abandon the trip to the Dragon Palace altogether.

However, my junior brother isn't here. He doesn't know what happened, and he might still be on his way!

At this moment, Ji Yunrou spoke, her voice still soft and gentle, so alluring.

"This humble woman, Ji Yunrou, pays her respects to all the immortal lords."

With a slight bow, her voluptuous and alluring curves were fully revealed, making it hard to look away.

"I have been entrusted by the Demon Master to lead a group of ten people from our underground tribes."

"In the upcoming battle rankings, I will also be participating. I ask all fellow Daoists to show mercy."

Ji Yunrou covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her eyebrows curving into a smile, the beauty mark at the corner of her eye incredibly alluring. But Jiang Qingfeng noticed that she wasn't using her seductive arts as before. Was it because she knew that facing so many top experts would only backfire?

“Since friends from the various races of the underworld are participating, the rules of this competition will need to be changed,” Bixi continued. “Then each of the four races—the Dragon Race, the Sea Race, the Hundred Races, and the Human Race—will send one representative to draw lots and fight in pairs. The winners will advance, and the final rankings will determine the order in which they enter the Dragon Palace. What do you three fellow humans think?”

Inside the Hai family's warship, Jiang Qingfeng had already told Hai Yiwei all his suspicions about Ji Yunrou, hoping that he would pass them on to the Hai family's Void Refining cultivators, and ultimately present them to the three Immortal Fallen Dao Integration cultivators.

Hai Yiwei nodded, but said, "Lord Liquan, the fact that Ji Yunrou is suspected of being related to the Fifth Heavenly Lord is probably not enough to influence the decisions of the three Immortal Lords." "In fact, the island's overlords and the sea prodigies who have grown to this level, when traced back to their lineage and methods, are more or less related to the inheritance of the Heavenly Lord or to opportunities."

"Take the two Celestial Lords who came to the Tian Shi Yuan Dou Palace this time. They are the direct descendants of the Nineteenth Celestial Lord's lineage and represent the Xuan Chen Celestial Lord on earth."

"The Bixi in front of us is directly a general under the command of the True Dragon Heavenly Lord, and the dragon sons they send out are basically all direct descendants of the Nine Sons."

"Therefore, the connection with the Heavenly Lord is nothing in the vast ocean abyss today. I'm afraid the speculation about Ji Yunrou will not cause much of a stir."

Jiang Qingfeng smiled helplessly: "It's just a small token of my appreciation. If nothing changes, and if I still want to enter the Dragon Palace, I must stay far away from Ji Yunrou."

Her next sentence was an instruction to Hai Shuangyao. Hai Yiwei immediately left the cabin and relayed the instruction, but only said that Hai Shuangyao had seen Ji Yunrou while traveling on the mainland.

A moment later, as expected, the three immortal lords, Yaoshu, Tianmen, and Basuo, agreed to Bixi's plan.

"Our representative from the Immortal Fall Islands is Lord Xinghan Xuanjun of my palace."

The sun hung high in the sky, the clear sky suddenly darkened for a moment. A brilliant Milky Way of stars suddenly streaked across the sky.

A patch of starlight coalesced and transformed into a proud-looking, slender young man.

"I am Xinghan, and I greet all the esteemed immortals."

Although he referred to himself as "this humble one," he showed no signs of humility. Instead, he stood with his hands behind his back, head held extremely high.

And coincidentally, a glimmer of starlight had not yet dissipated on the tip of his high, straight nose, making it appear from below as if he were holding up a ball of light with his nose.

Coupled with his proud expression, Hai Shuangyao burst into laughter.

"So it was the Sea Lion Balancing the Ball Mystic Lord, my apologies for my overconfidence."

Fortunately, she was still in the Hai family's cabin, far away, and the cultivators above couldn't hear her laughter. Otherwise, this Star River Mystic Lord would have been furious.

Jiang Qingfeng couldn't help but chuckle: "This Xuanjun has reached the peak of the Nascent Soul realm and comes from the number one sect in the Immortal Fall. His methods must be extraordinary. No wonder he was sent out as a representative. However, he is a bit too arrogant."

As they were talking, the sea creatures also sent out a Nascent Soul cultivator at the peak of his cultivation. He was a giant with a tall stature, and even in human form, he was five zhang tall. His upper body was bare, covered with rough totem patterns, and his muscles bulged like rocks.

Her lower body was simply wrapped in a large circle of cloth, which made a rumbling sound as she walked on the sea. Some body parts could be vaguely seen as the cloth swayed.

"Shenjian of the Sea Clan greets fellow Daoists and pays respects to all the Supreme Immortals."

Hai Shuangyao covered her face, peeking through her fingers: "Oh dear, oh dear! Tsk tsk tsk... This is indecent, indecent!"

This time, due to the appearance of the Hundred Races of the Underground, ten spots were taken away, and only ten people from the Sea Race could enter the Dragon Palace. Therefore, they had to select the best of the best, choosing ten people who were all talents of the Primordial Spirit.

They naturally dared not vent their resentment on the dragon race, but were even more furious that the human race had taken away twenty spots from the Guimao Agreement.

Ji Yunrou, Xinghan, and Shenjian had arrived at the Dragon Palace passage when they suddenly heard Bixi let out a low shout, like thunder.

"Ao Ti!"

In an instant, a dragon's roar resounded throughout the heavens and earth!
A dense swarm of dragons parted to make way, their silvery light dazzling. The giant dragons, their bodies covered in thick silver scales, cleaved through the waves and emerged.

Wherever it passed, the army retreated and the dragons bowed their heads.

The silver dragon's head was square and fierce, with a hint of tiger-like features in its dragon form. Its golden eyes shone brightly and were as sharp as lightning. Its thick, sharp horns resembled a crown, with dense silver lightning crackling around them.

Its lower jaw has thick, powerful whiskers, and its long, silver mane flies like angry flames behind its neck and along its back.

It swam to the front of the formation, its body long and agile, its four claws outstretched, the dragon claws exceptionally large, the tips gleaming coldly. It also possessed a long tail with a blade-like tip, which, when swung, pierced the air like thunder, producing a deafening roar.

The silver dragon soared, its silver scales gleaming and its golden eyes shining brightly, naturally exuding a cold, murderous, and inviolable aura of majesty. Even the human immortal lords couldn't help but secretly admire it.

What a dragon prodigy! What a true descendant of the Bixie!
The silver dragon's body spun, transforming into a magnificent and exceptionally handsome young man in silver armor. He bowed to the surroundings in greeting, then hovered in front of the formation, his body swirling with gale-force winds and water thunder, repelling the surrounding seawater.

"Dragon Clan, Ao Ti. Esteemed Immortals and fellow Daoists, please forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality as we have traveled from afar."

Behind Ao Ti followed dozens of dragon sons with extraordinary auras, each with pure bloodlines and cultivation levels ranging from Golden Core to Nascent Soul.

The dragon team finally made its appearance, with the dragons and sea creatures shouting in unison, their voices shaking the heavens and earth. Their momentum was like a sharp spearhead, aimed directly at the fallen immortal cultivators, openly boasting the power of the younger generation of the dragons.

Throughout the vast ocean abyss, ten thousand dragons stood solemnly, sea creatures formed a forest, and the overwhelming pressure of the Dao-Merging Realm was like the collapse of the heavens, while Refined Void Primordial Spirits were scattered like stars across the sky. The roars of dragons and the howls of sea beasts echoed, and the chilling aura froze the boundless waves. The ancestral Bixi stood like a mountain guarding the central core, while the prodigy Ao Ti led his dragon sons, displaying their full might.

At this moment, the immortal cultivator understood the unspoken subtext of the dragon race.

This place is the sacred land of the Dragon Palace, and this sea is ruled by the Dragon Clan! Either submit to the Dragon's might, or turn to dust before this abyss where ten thousand dragons roar and immortal lords surround you!
Inside the Hai family's warship, Jiang Qingfeng gazed at Ao Ti, Shen Jian, Ji Yunrou, and Xing Han, who were standing in one place. They had already begun drawing lots.

These four individuals each represent a clan and are all peerless geniuses and outstanding figures of their time. Their spiritual pressure is immense and their aura is dazzling, and they are not overshadowed even in front of immortal lords and true lords.

Talented people emerge in every generation, and even my junior brother is still far behind them.

But where is my junior brother now? (End of Chapter)