Chapter 487: Ascending the Immortal Platform
Whoosh!
A figure shot out from within the Desolate Domain.
With the competition nearing its end, the open space outside the Desolate Domain was now packed with disciples from various sects.
High in the sky, Chu Xiangtian stood atop his Ancestral Dragon, gazing down at the scene below. Behind him, within the drifting clouds, silhouettes of royal princes and princesses flickered like mirages—vague yet exuding an undeniable aura of supreme nobility, making it clear that they stood far above the rest.
Everyone was waiting for the final hour.
From the Desolate Domain, Zhang Xuanyu emerged. His immortal robe was tattered, with torn sleeves and streaks of dried blood across his back and shoulders, making him appear rather battered.
He had barely endured the Twelfth Desolate Domain for two full days, pushing himself to his absolute limit.
But it wasn't without benefits—his fierce battles against ancient immortal arts and domain laws had sharpened his understanding. Once the competition ended, he would enter seclusion, and his strength would see another subtle breakthrough.
"It's almost over..."
The true treasure spirit jade pendant at his waist kept track of time. There was less than an hour left before the conclusion.
He exhaled deeply, feeling a sense of relief as he looked around at the crowds.
Coming straight from the brink of death to this boisterous gathering made for a strange contrast.
Relaxing slightly, he turned his gaze toward the Immortal Monument.
His eyes locked onto the tenth ranking.
996?
Zhang Xuanyu's expression froze, his fleeting relief vanishing in an instant. His pupils dilated in disbelief.
He had used forbidden techniques, severed an ancient immortal bone hidden within his body, and burned through both his sect's immortal arts and his own inheritance techniques just to extend his endurance by one more day…
And yet—he still hadn't reclaimed his spot?
Did that mean... the top ten were already in the Thirteenth Desolate Domain?!
He stood there in stunned silence, a creeping sense of defeat washing over him.
He had pushed his limits within the Twelfth Desolate Domain.
Unless the one who took his place was already an Immortal Lord Third Level, there was no explanation for this outcome.
His gaze slowly swept over the names of Tian Hongyi, Xing Lan, Boya Xuejian…
Zhang Xuanyu knew that within a 3,000-year soul lifespan, reaching Immortal Lord Realm was already a once-in-a-million feat.
But Immortal Lord Third Level? That was almost impossible.
Even within Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty, it was rare—perhaps one per thousand immortal cities…
His eyes dimmed, his breath growing bitter and heavy.
At that moment, multiple figures rushed toward him.
"Senior Brother!"
"Xuanyu!"
"Junior Brother!"
Members of his sect had been closely watching his progress. The moment he entered the Desolate Domain, the news spread throughout his sect.
They knew this wasn't just about personal achievement—this was about the honor of the entire sect.
Several elders turned their gaze toward the Immortal Monument.
But when they saw that Zhang Xuanyu's ranking had not changed, their expressions darkened.
Two days had passed, and he still hadn't reclaimed his place.
That meant the one in tenth place was beyond expectations!
"Xuanyu, don't dwell on it. You did your best!"
A beautiful and ethereal-looking woman with an aura of mist-like immortal energy—Xinyu Shizun—spoke gently. Though her tone was comforting, her eyes revealed a trace of regret.
At this point, no matter how much they felt indignant or frustrated, the result was set in stone.
"I just want to know—who the hell is in tenth place?"
"All the top prodigies from Heavenly Second-Tier Sects are accounted for… but none of them are ranked there."
"Unless… there's someone hiding in the shadows, trying to challenge the dominance of Heavenly First-Tier Sects?"
"Hmph!"
Several elders' eyes turned cold.
A difference of one rank might seem minor, but the implications were vast.
If Zhang Xuanyu had entered the top ten, their sect would have produced two top-ten geniuses, an achievement that would have echoed across all 9,000 immortal cities of Yan Chu Dynasty.
Even the royal family would have been forced to take notice.
"Come, let's return first," said Cui Yuesheng, leading the disciples back.
On the giant sword artifact, Lin Qingying stood quietly at the edge, watching the commotion around Zhang Xuanyu.
She had always known that Senior Brother Zhang was a formidable powerhouse, but now that he had emerged, and the rankings had remained unchanged, she felt a small sense of relief.
Her gaze then shifted toward the Great Dream Nine Abyss Sect.
Amidst the lively cheers and celebrations, a small smile formed on her lips.
That boy...
He never failed to surprise her.
Like a radiant pearl, he shone brighter and brighter.
"Xuanyu was unlucky. If his Water Dao Origin was even half as strong as Boya Xuejian, he would have easily secured a top-ten spot."
A calm voice suddenly descended beside her.
Dressed in snow-white robes, Tian Hongyi had unknowingly approached from behind.
Lin Qingying's gaze flickered.
She turned toward the Bamboo Rain Pavilion, where her thoughts drifted once more.
These past few days, the name Boya Xuejian was the most frequently mentioned by her master and fellow disciples. A chaotic-born spirit, an unparalleled genius, someone even the royal clans struggled to suppress.
Lin Qingying shook her head slightly, neither responding nor inquiring further.
Seeing that she had no interest in his words, Tian Hongyi frowned and said, "Seven years from now, with your progress, you'll also have a chance to make a name for yourself in the Southern Territory Battle. Eventually, you'll cross paths with Boya Xuejian and join our circle. Aren't you even a little curious?"
Lin Qingying gazed into the distance and replied calmly, "Why should I be?"
Tian Hongyi was momentarily stunned before responding, "As cultivators, what we all strive for is to reach the summit. And right now, we stand at the top of the mountain."
"The top of the mountain..."
Lin Qingying's eyes wavered slightly. She glanced at the area filled with cheering and excitement, then smiled faintly.
"Some people climb desperately, while others, standing at the peak, choose to leap off. The scenery you want me to see—someone will eventually show it to me."
"Who?"
Tian Hongyi's eyes grew cold as he immediately pressed for an answer.
Sensing the sudden chill in the air, Lin Qingying's gentle expression faded, and she frowned slightly. She turned to look at the most dazzling figure in Wan Shan Jian Lou, then said,
"Just something I said in passing. The 'mountaintop' you speak of—when people truly reach it, they may find it's nothing special. After all, does one have to stand at the peak to truly live?"
"Your mindset is far too passive for a cultivator!"
Tian Hongyi said sharply.
Lin Qingying ignored him, turned, and left toward her training quarters, not bothering to continue the conversation.
"Hmph. She talks lightly, but she trains harder than anyone else!"
Tian Hongyi's face darkened as he watched her leave.
He had observed her for a while. Despite joining the sect later than others, she trained relentlessly, far more diligent than most.
At first, he thought she shared his desire to reach the peak, that she could become his Dao companion—someone who could walk this path with him.
But to his surprise, she rejected him at every turn, keeping a distance that frustrated him to no end.
"Zhang Xuanyu failed!"
"He's still in eleventh place!"
"It's over now! Haotian is really securing the tenth spot!"
At Great Dream Nine Abyss Sect, excitement surged within the protected domain. The Sword Abyss disciples, including Gu Yan and Yue Xi, were both thrilled and overwhelmed by mixed emotions.
"Damn kid, you really pulled it off! Zhang Xuanyu lasted two whole days in there and still couldn't surpass you!"
Li Tiemu was so elated that he couldn't stop pounding his fists on Li Hao's shoulder, as if he wanted to grab the boy and kiss him.
Seeing how worked up the old man was, Li Hao quickly pushed him away before his spittle could land on his face.
"I stayed in there for three days. He only lasted two—of course, he couldn't make it. Unless he broke through the fog wall."
Li Hao replied casually.
"You stayed three days?"
Li Tiemu's eyes widened in shock before he gritted his teeth and said,
"You mean to tell me, you spent the entire three days in the Twelfth Desolate Domain?"
"Where else would I be?"
"You little brat! You didn't even tell us properly! We've been worried sick for the past two days, thinking you might've dropped out! And you were probably standing there, laughing at us the whole time!"
Li Tiemu was both furious and exhilarated, his emotions swinging wildly thanks to this troublesome disciple.
"You never asked. Besides, where else would I go if not the Twelfth Desolate Domain?"
Li Hao looked at him with an innocent expression.
Li Tiemu rolled his eyes. His gaze swept over the Immortal Monument, noting that aside from the fluctuating ranks near the 900s, most of the leaderboard remained unchanged.
At this point, everyone was merely waiting outside, watching the final moments unfold.
"It should be locked in now. The ones ranked below you didn't enter, and even the royal clans are quiet. Unless someone, like you, comes out of nowhere and jumps straight to tenth, this ranking is set."
Li Tiemu said, his voice still filled with barely contained excitement.
Zhou Qingyun and the old woman looked at Li Hao in astonishment.
Who would have thought that the disciple Li Tiemu brought back three or four years ago would now be one of the top ten in the entire Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty?
Top ten.
Out of the Nine Thousand Immortal Cities.
An Immortal City wasn't like a mortal empire—each city was vast beyond measure, spanning hundreds of mortal kingdoms, with citizens numbering in the billions.
The number of geniuses and prodigies across the land was beyond counting.
To emerge as one of the top ten among all of them meant that Li Hao had already pushed his cultivation to the very limit of his realm.
"With strength like this at the True Immortal Realm, Li Tiemu, just how many flowers does your disciple's Immortal Mark have?"
Zhou Qingyun finally asked.
For a True Immortal Ninth Level to suppress Zhang Xuanyu and secure tenth place was simply unheard of.
"How many flowers does his Immortal Mark have?"
Li Tiemu was momentarily stunned. He turned to look at Li Hao, realizing for the first time that he had never actually seen the boy's Immortal Mark.
"Kid, don't tell me you have a Six-Flower Immortal Mark?"
Li Tiemu asked in disbelief.
Nearby, Gu Yan's eyes flickered as he gazed at Li Hao with a keen glint, while Yue Xi and Murong Qingwu also looked at him in shock.
A Six-Flower Immortal Mark?
Li Hao did not respond. He simply smiled without saying a word.
"Always acting so mysterious, you little brat!"
Seeing his reaction, Li Tiemu rolled his eyes, but he didn't press further. After all, with the Southern Territory Battle approaching, keeping a few hidden cards up his sleeve would only be beneficial.
"A Six-Flower Immortal Mark… Even in the Heavenly Palace, seeking apprenticeship under a Supreme would immediately earn you the rank of an official disciple."
The old woman whispered in awe, looking at Li Hao as if he were a priceless treasure.
Her disciple, Lin Mingrong, stood beside her, feeling somewhat dazed. She had a Three-Flower Immortal Mark, which already placed her among the absolute elites. Her master had even said she could one day become a disciple of a Supreme Immortal Emperor.
Time passed silently.
Across the various immortal sects, bursts of cheering erupted from time to time.
Some disciples pushed into the top thousand at the last moment, securing their entry pass to the Southern Territory Battle, prompting their entire sects to celebrate in joy.
Soon, an hour passed.
A resounding dragon's roar suddenly echoed across the heavens, followed by the deafening boom of a massive war drum. The chatter across the field was instantly silenced.
"The trial is over."
Chu Xiangtian spoke calmly. Though his voice was cold and restrained, it boomed across the battlefield, reaching every corner.
With his cultivation at the peak of the Immortal Lord Realm, only the Immortal Kings in attendance could rival his power. Even among the elite sect elders, including Li Tiemu, none could match this royal prodigy.
"Marshal, please assist in retrieving the remaining participants from the Desolate Domain."
Chu Xiangtian suddenly turned and bowed deeply toward the Desolate Domain, his posture respectful.
His deference was unmistakable.
"Marshal?"
"Which Marshal?"
"You idiot, who else but the Grand Marshal of the Empire?"
A wave of shock spread through the gathered sects as disciples and elders alike turned their eyes toward the depths of the Desolate Domain, only to see nothing.
Li Hao was also a bit surprised. He hadn't expected General Shangguan to still be present in the Desolate Domain.
That meant…
His entire performance had once again fallen under the eyes of the Grand Marshal and Elder Yuan!
As Li Hao pondered this, a vast surge of immortal energy suddenly swept through the Desolate Domain, like a tidal wave washing over every layer from the deepest regions all the way to the outer edge.
Those who had still been struggling within the domain were instantly swept out, forcibly ejected.
"Many thanks, Grand Marshal."
Chu Xiangtian's eyes gleamed, and he bowed once more.
Behind him, the dozen or so hazy figures, veiled in clouds like phantoms, all stiffened for a moment before they hurriedly followed suit, bowing in unison toward the depths of the Desolate Domain.
"Greetings to the Grand Marshal!"
Their voices rang out in unison.
Their expressions, however, were not as composed as before. Instead, there was a trace of unease.
They all shot Chu Xiangtian a glare, annoyed that he had kept this from them.
Even though they were royal princes and princesses, there was only one heir to the throne. To their Imperial Father, they were nothing more than his children—easily replaced.
But the Grand Marshal of the Empire…
There had only ever been one in seventy thousand years.
In terms of importance, the distinction between a prince and the Grand Marshal was as clear as day.
Anyone foolish enough not to recognize this had already disappeared from the political scene long ago.
"Summon the Immortal Platform!"
Chu Xiangtian's voice rang out, commanding the heavens.
Suddenly, in the crimson sky above the Desolate Domain, a swirling vortex of clouds emerged.
From within the mist, an immense, pitch-black platform began to slowly descend.
It resembled a colossal structure of solid iron, forged from the fires of antiquity, its surface lined with towering bronze pillars, each emanating a primal, ancient aura.
The crowd tilted their heads upward, staring in awe, sensing an overwhelming presence radiating from the platform—it almost felt like an artifact infused with the might of an Immortal Emperor.
As the clouds parted, the platform descended, appearing as though it had emerged from primordial chaos itself, slowly settling into place above the Immortal Monument.
"Now, all top one thousand rankers, step onto the platform!"
Riding upon eight ancestral dragons, Chu Xiangtian ascended into the skies above the Immortal Platform, his command resounding like thunder across the heavens.