In the distant west, on the White Tiger Continent, nestled among a range of undulating mountains, stood several enormous wooden palaces. These palaces, all built from massive logs, imparted a profound sense of awe to onlookers.

At the moment the Demon Lord ascended, people emerged from these wooden palaces.

Some of them were young, while others were old.

In every individual, however, there was an air of transcendence. A few of the elderly, in particular, had eyes brimming with the wisdom and vicissitudes of life.

Upon gazing at the endless firmament above, an elderly man remarked quietly, "Someone has ascended... Moreover, he appears to be incredibly powerful. Not even the Heavenly Tribulation could stop him."

"Could it be that person?" asked a man who seemed to be in his thirties with a grave voice.

Upon closer inspection, the eyes of this man also held signs of life's weariness, hinting that his actual age might be significantly more than he appeared.

"Most likely," replied the feeble old man after coughing twice, "notify Qin Xiao. Tell him that 'the person' has ascended."

"Wouldn't it..." The young man's eyes flickered with a hint of anxiety.

"Not at all, I believe he will work harder," the old man reassured him, the wrinkles on his face morphing into a faint smile. "It's been too long since we from Lonely City have participated in worldly affairs. While informing, let the youngsters know that they should also strive harder. The sect conference, which happens once every fifty years, is only a few years away. This time, both the Lone City Sword and the Beyond Heaven sects will send representatives."

"Are we participating in the world again?" asked the young man.

The aged man shook his head slightly: "No, we are exploring the mysteries."

"Could the young disciples of those lower-ranking sects endure it?" The younger man furrowed his eyebrows.

The old man wore a thin smile, "Never underestimate the world. Besides, the disciple of the one who just ascended is still here, isn't he?"

The young man left, seemingly lost in thought.

As for the others, they all squinted in the direction of the remote vast sky. Many of their eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Ascension... it is the sole motivation that has kept them cultivating until now!

......

Southwards, on the Vermilion Bird Continent.

A very secluded place.

That's not entirely accurate because the place just seemed like an ordinary small mountain village.

Thatched-roof houses, trailing cooking smoke, children chasing each other playfully through fields.

What was extraordinary, however, was that there was no human settlement within tens of thousands of miles from this small village.

This was the location of 'One Sword.'

Even the sects on Vermilion Bird Continent hardly knew that the esteemed 'One Sword' seemed at first glance just like a mundane village.

At the very moment when the Demon Lord ascended, the village, which was initially bustling with crowing roosters, barking dogs, and playful children, suddenly quieted down.

Even the children, as young as seven or eight, raised their heads, gazing at the void in the remote direction.

Although they couldn't see anything, the seriousness in their expressions suggested that they saw something monumental.

Many people came out of their houses and unanimously looked towards the north.

"Someone has ascended." A middle-aged man with a full beard solemnly declared, "It's been a long time since someone last ascended. This time, it's someone from Azure Dragon."

"Have you heard? A very remarkable figure has emerged from Azure Dragon." A young woman, seemingly in her twenties, wearing a very rustic floral dress spoke up; her only notable feature was her face — devoid of any makeup but as tender as a just hatched egg.

"I heard that that guy slapped an innate cultivator of Lonely City into the air with a single palm." A woman apparently in her forties, of ordinary appearance, also wearing a rustic floral dress, spoke with a beaming smile.

"Don't rejoice in the misfortune of others. The innate cultivators of Lonely City may not be necessarily weaker than you," the bearded middle-aged man declared in a grave voice.

The farming woman seemed somewhat defiant, "I'm at the seventh level of the innate state; I could beat the crap out of that kid!"

With an eye roll, the bearded man sneered, "I think you're itching for a beatdown!"

"Uh oh, He Feng, are you itching for one yourself?" The farming woman furrowed her thick eyebrows, "Want to spar?"

"Me? Scared of you? Hua Sanniang, don't assume that just because you're my wife, you can act arrogantly!" The bearded man scoffed.

"Dad, Mom, can you stop already? Is this fun for you?" chided the young woman in her twenties.

"Hmph!" He Feng snorted, turned around, and walked away.

"Hmph!" Hua Sanniang also snorted, turned, and left.

Others around twitched at the corners of their mouths, their faces void of any visible expression, seemingly habituated to this peculiar couple.

An old woman, who had been silent this whole time, said gravely, "Hua Xiaoya, prepare yourself. You will go into secluded cultivation for a few years."

"Why?" The young woman widened her almond eyes, looking at the old woman, "Granny, didn't you say that I could go out and play?"

"The sect conference, held every fifty years, is starting soon. This time, you're representing 'One Sword,'" said the old woman in a flat tone.

"What? Am I attending their conference? Is it even fun?" Hua Xiaoya's handsome face projected a somewhat disdainful expression, "Isn't it a mere bullying if I attend?"

"Do you really think there is no one as powerful as you in this world?" The old woman tapped her dragon-headed walking stick on the ground and shot a glare at the young woman, "This time, the Lone City Sword, and the Beyond Heaven sect, both will send representatives."

"Why?" Hua Xiaoya seemed to show interest, "Could I have the opportunity to thrash the kids from those three sects?"

The old woman glared at the young woman sharply, "Hua Xiaoya!"

Hua Xiaoya shrunk her neck and put both hands within her sleeves, rolling her spirited eyes, trying to look obedient. But her rolling eyes belied her.

"Remember this! In this world, not everyone is weaker than you. The disciple of the ascended one may not be inferior to you," the old woman's eyes flicked back and forth. She returned to her room, leaving a phrase behind, "You've learn nothing good from your parents, always looking to thrash here and there. Don't go crying when you get thrashed in return…"

"Hey, Granny, don't underestimate me. At that time, I'll thrash a round for you!" Hua Xiaoya declared defiantly.

"If you're that capable, come out alive from Gui Xu, then you can brag," the old woman's voice resounded through the closed door.

Someone nearby joked, "Hua Xiaoya, go thrash everyone in Gui Xu, I support you!"

"Uh huh, we also support you thrashing everyone at Gui Xu!" A crowd of people made fun on the side.

Hua Xiaoya coldly rolled her eyes, "I will go! What's the big deal? Hmph, at that time, I'll beg granny to take you all along!"

Boom!

Immediately, a group of onlookers, who had been enjoying the scene, scattered like birds and beasts.

Gui Xu —

It was a place that was considered forbidden in all of the Lone City Sword and Beyond Heaven sects.

Even the most talented youngsters would hesitate to claim that they could return unscathed from there.

However, without exception, anyone who had ever entered Gui Xu and survived managed to reach a very high level of cultivation in a short period!

There were great dangers and massive opportunities there!

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The third night watch! (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it on qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)

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