After the spiritual energy was restored: Goddess girlfriends came knocking.

One day later.

The phoenix carriage began to descend.

The clouds parted on both sides, and the scenery on the ground became clearer and clearer.

Lin Chu stood in front of the carriage, her gaze fixed on the towering tree.

It's already shocking from afar, but only upon closer inspection do you realize what true oppression is.

The tree trunk is like a pillar to the sky, over ten thousand feet wide, with no end in sight on either side.

Looking up, the tree canopy had already disappeared into the sea of ​​clouds, its top no longer visible.

Tree roots spread for thousands of miles, arching up vast high slopes.

A giant portal of light stood silently at the base of the tree trunk.

The light inside the door rippled like water, obscuring what was inside.

"Young Master, that is the Gate of Guidance," Liu Ying said softly.

Lin Chu nodded, her gaze shifting to a wide open space in front of the light gate.

A large number of people had already gathered there, dressed in various styles and representing a diverse range of ethnicities.

Some people sat cross-legged to regulate their breathing, some gathered in twos and threes to chat quietly, and many more set up stalls directly on the open ground.

A piece of cloth, a few magical items, spread out on the ground, and that's it for opening a business.

"Green Spirit Fruit, nourishes the spirit and calms the mind!"

"Celestial Sand! A sacred material for weapon refining! Only for trade, not for sale!"

"Scentless grass, sold individually, only if you know what you're looking for!"

"This ancient sword was just brought out of the secret realm. Look at the sword patterns; it's at least of True Immortal quality!"

Shouts and calls rose and fell.

The arrival of Lin Chu and his group silenced the entire open space for a moment.

Without him.

A phoenix of the Xuanxian level and two Vermilion Birds of the Zhenxian level just swaggered down from the sky.

It's hard not to attract attention.

The phoenix carriage landed steadily on the ground, transforming into a golden light which Lin Chu then stored away.

He led the group toward the stone tablet.

The people on both sides stared at them.

"A Mystic Phoenix?"

"I just spotted the emblem of the Taixu Lin Clan."

"Lin Chu?"

"Who else could it be?"

"Wow, what a grand display."

There was a lot of discussion.

But some people were dismissive.

Several cultivators from other spirit realms gathered together, arms crossed, sneering.

"The people of Taixu are all about pomp and circumstance."

"Stop pretending to be a big shot."

"Once you enter the Imperial Road, your family background won't guarantee your survival."

"Just wait and see."

Qi Jun, with his sharp ears, was about to glare at him on the spot, but Lin Chu stopped him with a look.

"Don't cause trouble."

"I haven't even said anything yet," Qi Jun muttered to himself.

Lin Chu looked up at the stone tablet next to the gate.

The stone tablet was enormous, entirely bluish-black, and covered with countless golden names.

On the right side, several large characters are written from top to bottom.

The Land of Nothingness.

Lin Chu stared at those words, her gaze lingering for a long time.

After a while, he turned his head and looked up at the towering tree.

The line from "Free and Easy Wandering" in Zhuangzi came to mind again.

"Now you have a big tree, but you worry that it is useless. Why not plant it in a land where nothing exists, in a vast wilderness?"

It's really hard not to make that connection.

Could it be that Zhuangzi really planted this tree?

But Zhuangzi was only a person from more than two thousand years ago on Earth.

This land of nothingness before us has existed for at least several eras.

Lin Chu snapped out of her thoughts.

This is something I can't figure out for the time being.

Liu Ying stood to the side and spoke softly.

"Young master, this stele is the Imperial Stele of the Imperial Road."

"The most outstanding among the top ten thousand who have gone the furthest."

Lin Chuming understood and looked up.

The names are densely packed, from the top of the stone tablet down to the bottom.

At the very top center, a name is flashing.

[Unborn Person] 46th floor.

It is two floors higher than the second-place forty-four floors.

Qi Jun craned his neck to look.

"Misaengin... that's a strange name."

Liu Ying said, "No one has ever seen this senior before."

"No information was left behind."

"It is said that this name appeared here when Dilu was first discovered."

Lin Chu's eyes flickered slightly.

"That means there are at least forty-six floors..."

It is widely believed that the Emperor's Road is a relic left behind by an ancient immortal emperor, for future generations to train in.

Lin Chu is now certain.

Let alone the Celestial Emperor, even the Primordial Era might not be able to match this level of generosity.

Sweep down along the stone tablet.

Soon, a familiar name came into view.

Jian Li, 38th floor.

Lin Chu's lips curved into a smile.

Thirty-eight stories is already quite high on this stone tablet, and how old is Jian Li? Some of the people on this stone tablet are tens of thousands of years old.

Next, continue.

Lin Yuan, the thirty-second floor.

Lin Che, 28th floor.

Looking at those two names, Lin Chu felt a warmth in her heart.

My two older brothers are also on this path.

"Young Master, the rankings of Young Master Lin Yuan and Young Master Lin Che have risen considerably compared to the information you brought back before."

"Um."

Lin Chu smiled.

On the Imperial Road, each level you cross will refresh your ranking.

Lin Yuan and Lin Che are still on the Emperor's Road, and their rankings will likely change again.

Now that the person I'm looking for has been found, there's nothing else to pay attention to in the other names.

His gaze casually swept backward, then paused briefly at a certain spot—Cang Li, the twentieth floor.

To be honest, he had almost forgotten about this person.

I glanced at the words "unborn" one last time before looking away.

Only then did Lin Chu realize that there was a vacuum zone around him, and he couldn't help but show a strange expression.

Why do I look like some kind of villain?

shook his head.

It's time to get down to business.

He flipped his hand and took out the jade tablet.

Ji Ning's senses were completely severed after entering this area.

In other words, she has already entered the gate of reception.

"Let's go."

A large crowd gathered in front of the reception gate.

As Lin Chu and his group approached, the people in front automatically moved to the sides, making way for them.

The crowd whispered amongst themselves, but Lin Chu pretended not to hear.

Fireflies followed beside him and whispered:

"Young Master, the entrance test for the Imperial Road varies from person to person."

"Those who enter the gate at the same time will not meet inside the gate. The Imperial Path will generate a unique trial path for each person."

"The first level of trials is said to be determined based on one's character, talent, and path in cultivation; there is no fixed pattern."

Lin Chu nodded without asking any further questions.

It's just the first layer.

It shouldn't be too difficult for the people around him.

Yu Sheng's talent was already quite good.

Although Qi Jun is usually quite unserious, it's no problem that he's cultivated to the level of an Earth Immortal at this age.

Moreover, this guy has a bunch of life-saving items on him.

Needless to say, the four sword attendants were all True Immortals, and they had grown up in a top-tier family like the Lin Clan. They had previously served under their mistress, Ji Muwan.

Each of them could stand on their own.

"Let's go."

"Yes, young master."

Qi Jun rubbed his hands together, eager to try.

Lin Chu turned to Ao Tianxin and tightened her grip on her hand.

Ao Tianxin looked up at him, a hint of a smile hidden in her eyes.

"What, worried about me?"

"I'm afraid you'll chop anything you encounter."

"That depends on what happens."

Lin Chu chuckled and released her grip.

"Walk."

He took the lead and stepped through the welcoming gate.