Chapter 17: A Thousand Years Have Passed

Mangya Kingdom, Imperial Palace.

On the thirteenth throne of the void, the Great Ruler gazed at the sixty-seven suspended scenes and said softly, "A thousand years have passed."

The twelve golden-armored mighty ones, who had been chatting leisurely, meditating with closed eyes, or quietly drinking, all perked up.

"Ruler, how do we select the strongest?" The twelve golden-armored mighty ones all looked at the Great Ruler.

These World-level cultivators, recognized by the ancient tower, were all extraordinary and possessed many means. How could they fairly choose the top four?

The Great Ruler's beard was as white as snow. He gently stroked it and said with a smile, "Let them challenge the Dao Lord Cloud Realm. They must finish within three days. The four who advance the farthest in the Dao Lord Cloud Realm will receive this opportunity."

"Challenge the Dao Lord Cloud Realm?" The twelve mighty ones understood.

...

Sword Palace, within the ancient Sword Tower Forest, Ji Ning sat cross-legged in the Time Grass Hut.

"Beiming, come to me quickly." A voice sounded directly in Ji Ning's ear.

"Hmm?" Ji Ning opened his eyes, a hint of sharpness in his gaze. "A thousand years have passed. It seems it's time for the final battle."

Ji Ning's swordsmanship had improved considerably since he had comprehended the 'Reincarnation Style' and 'Heart of Heaven and Earth'. In fact, his swordsmanship was still improving without hitting any bottleneck, but time was limited. The Great Ruler had only given a thousand years.

Whoosh.

Putting away the Time Grass Hut, Ji Ning flew away from the Sword Tower Forest toward where Woodflower Palace Master was.

...

Woodflower Palace Master sat cross-legged on a golden-red cushion. Before him sat seven cultivators, some children, some youths, some young adults, and even an old man. Their sword auras were all distinct. The age and even the mindset of cultivators could not be judged by appearance; some cultivators might reach old age before suddenly bursting forth and embarking on the path of cultivation.

"A thousand years have passed." Woodflower Palace Master's gaze swept over Ji Ning and the others. "You are the only seven World-level cultivators from our Sword Palace recognized by the ancient tower. Now, across the twelve palaces, there are sixty-seven at your level, all desperately striving for this opportunity."

"Sixty-seven contenders, four will succeed."

"The Great Ruler has decreed that you will challenge the Dao Lord Cloud Realm. You must finish within three days. The four who advance the farthest in the Dao Lord Cloud Realm will ultimately receive the opportunity." Woodflower Palace Master said.

Instantly, the auras of Ji Ning, Flame Mad Sword Immortal, Wuxiu Sword Immortal, and the others changed. They would all give their all. Those who cultivated the sword way always pressed forward with indomitable will.

"Among the twelve palaces, the Blade Palace has the strongest World-level cultivators, and the Heartforce Palace and Time-Space Palace also have profound foundations." Woodflower Palace Master's gaze fell on the seven sword immortals before him. "I hope... that our Sword Palace can obtain one slot. It would be too regrettable if we got nothing."

"Yes."

Ji Ning and the others all became solemn.

They would not be agitated by Woodflower Palace Master's words. Having cultivated to this level, they were all extraordinary and also knew to respect their opponents. Those opponents were all recognized by the ancient tower; some were special lifeforms, some had great opportunities. None could be underestimated.

"I will do my utmost." Within Ji Ning's heart, his battle intent was boiling. Competing with this group of World-level cultivators recognized by the ancient tower, even without actual combat, still stirred his battle intent.

...

"Palace Master Li Xing is the undisputed strongest Dao Lord among the twelve palaces, and even among the various forces of the endless territories, he ranks second among Dao Lords. He personally guided you for so long. If you only obtain one slot this time, I would be ashamed for you." Yin Feng Dao Lord's voice was cold and arrogant; it was in his bones.

In his mortal youth, he had been captured by an extremely powerful evil sect, where everyone was wicked. Of course, for Yin Feng Dao Lord, that was a very long time ago. Now, a single breath from him could annihilate that sect. He was now the vice palace master of the Blade Palace, and his reputation... held immense deterrence across the endless territories.

"Rest assured, Palace Master."

"Let alone two, we will strive to seize all four this time."

The few blade lords of the Blade Palace were all full of confidence.

...

The World-level cultivators recognized by the ancient tower, who had been waiting in the twelve palaces, all received notifications from their respective mighty ones. Some then headed directly to the Dao Lord Cloud Realm, while others first calmed their minds, intending to challenge on the last day.

The Dao Lord Cloud Realm, once challenged, could be completed quickly; half a day was enough.

...

Heartforce Palace.

The Heartforce Palace was silent. Whether World-level cultivators or Dao Lords, their numbers were pitifully small. Among them, only one World-level cultivator had been recognized by the ancient tower—Feng Yi Xin Lord.

"Only me in the Heartforce Palace. How lonely."

A thin, young man with a shaved head and red robes, strange red divine patterns on his face, smiled and murmured to himself, "Little sister, watch your brother challenge the Dao Lord Cloud Realm."

He strolled along, and with each step, fiery red divine birds appeared beneath his feet, blending illusion and reality. He was clearly cultivating even while walking. He was renowned throughout the twelve palaces for no other reason than that he came from the Heartforce Palace. Although the Heartforce Palace had pitifully few members, each one was terrifying.

Beta Leo primarily cultivated the Dao of Light, with heartforce as a supplement.

But Feng Yi Xin Lord devoted all his efforts to heartforce cultivation. In terms of heartforce cultivation achievements alone, he far surpassed Beta Leo. Beta Leo had only reached the pinnacle of the World level in the Dao of Light.

...

"The Great Ruler personally guided me. This time, he has presented a great opportunity... I, Qing Huan, will surely obtain it." This was a young man wearing a strange black imperial robe and a tall crown. He was the strongest World-level cultivator in the Time-Space Palace, calling himself 'Prince Qing Huan'. Although he appeared natural and easygoing on the surface, he was actually extremely wild at heart.

"Challenge the Dao Lord Cloud Realm?"

"Hmph." Prince Qing Huan flew directly toward the Dao Lord Cloud Realm of the Time-Space Palace.

...

On the very day they received the news, more than half of the World-level cultivators headed to the Dao Lord Cloud Realm. Each of the twelve palaces had a Dao Lord Cloud Realm, all with the same difficulty.

Swoosh.

Sword Palace, Divine Weapon Valley. Ji Ning descended from the sky.

"Beiming." The two guards of Divine Weapon Valley, Sword Five and Sword Six, looked at Ji Ning.

"Sword Five, Sword Six." Ji Ning said humbly, "Having been recognized by the ancient tower, I should be able to choose any treasure worth no more than a million cubes within Divine Weapon Valley, right?"

"Yes." Sword Five nodded. "For World-level cultivators recognized by the Sword Tower, the Sword Palace naturally offers preferential treatment."

"Sword Five, would you accompany me inside?" Ji Ning asked.

"Alright." Sword Five nodded. He guessed that this Beiming probably had a big plan, otherwise he wouldn't have asked him to come in.

Inside the Divine Weapon Valley building, there were countless treasures, but Ji Ning headed straight for a corner in the back.

On one of the shelves lay a seemingly ordinary black bottle, but its price tag was a full one million five hundred thousand cubes! This bottle was the divine treasure 'Seven Flags of Divine Water Bottle', containing seven types of Dao Divine Water, forming a great Seven Flags of Divine Water Formation that could easily annihilate enemies.

"Can I take this Seven Flags of Divine Water Bottle?" Ji Ning asked.

Sword Five shook his head slightly. "You can only choose something worth no more than a million cubes. If you insist on this, you'll need to pay an additional five hundred thousand cubes."

"Alright." Ji Ning nodded.

Within Divine Weapon Valley, there were several treasures containing Dao Divine Water, usually refined from Dao Divine Water. Choosing this 'Seven Flags of Divine Water Bottle' was relatively the most cost-effective.

"Anything else?" Sword Five had heard that Ji Ning had previously sold the Bloodblaze Firefruit for one million eight hundred thousand cubes.

"Also some Dao Divine Thunder." Ji Ning smiled.

...

Ji Ning left Divine Weapon Valley, transforming into a streak of light and flying back to his immortal mansion.

"Master." Su Youji and World God Dan Bao came to greet him.

"Don't disturb me. No matter who comes, ignore them." Ji Ning instructed and then entered his meditation room.

Inside the meditation room, Ji Ning sat cross-legged. Before him were placed a black bottle, a green cauldron, and a gray gourd.

This time, he had purchased seven types of Dao Divine Water and five types of Dao Divine Thunder, costing two million one hundred thousand cubes of chaos nectar! If counting the one million cubes gifted by the Sword Palace, these Dao Divine Water and Dao Divine Thunder had actually consumed over three million cubes!

"With this, my strength will surely increase greatly." Ji Ning calmed his mind, and the techniques of Nine Source Divine Thunder and Nine Source Divine Water appeared in his thoughts.

...