Chapter 1 Opening

Hoo~

The bright moon hangs high, and the 1.8 million *li* expanse of the 'Guanghai' (Vast Sea) is veiled in hazy mist. Countless fish and dragons dance within its depths.

Lights flicker, and many cities drift with the waves, rising and falling in this sea.

Zhong Prefecture, since the age of mythology, has been the origin of humanity.

It is also the only place where the myriad races can freely enter and exit without fear of reprisal, even with a massive army.

This is because it is the location of the Dao lineages of various Emperors and honored ones, the most prosperous and flourishing land of humanity. To this day, it remains the gathering place of the world's heroes.

This 1.8 million *li* 'Guanghai' is said to be the birthplace of the Guanglong (Vast Dragon) Supreme, who was born holding the sun and moon tens of thousands of years ago.

It is also the ancestral land of the currently hegemonic Imperial Court.

Above the sea of clouds, the Imperial Court towers over Zhong Prefecture. Below, the 1.8 million *li* Guanghai gathers the world's fortune.

Whoosh~

A lone boat sails within the Guanghai, drifting between several cities, arriving before a palace that is half above and half below the sea, resembling a crystal palace.

Only a single person stands with hands clasped behind their back on the boat.

He wears a blue robe, his hair is black and thick, and his face is handsome, yet without any hint of effeminacy. The wind blows, causing his robe to dance, revealing his masculine aura.

Wherever the boat passes, a warm wind caresses the sea, like a gentle palm smoothing out the waves that occasionally rise in the inner sea.

As the boat approaches the crystal palace, two golden-armored guards before the palace announce in unison:

"Halt!"

Their voices are like thunder, stirring ripples in the sea, and the sound waves reverberate, audible for hundreds of *li*.

It is both a warning and a notice.

"The Golden Armor Guards of the Imperial Court are becoming more and more human-like."

The man in blue speaks, his voice as warm as the rising sun, without any hint of hostility, yet filled with a positive energy that suppresses the shouts of the two Golden Armor Guards.

These two Golden Armor Guards are naturally not human, nor are they demons, dragons, or living beings. In essence, they are not living beings at all.

They are 'divine weapons' forged by the Imperial Court to maintain order in the world.

Each Golden Armor Guard is refined by the Imperial Court using the essence of the five metals of heaven and earth, combined with secret methods. Their strength is comparable to that of a Dongtian (Grotto-Heaven) cultivator.

Because the core of each Golden Armor Guard is a Dongtian.

Moreover, they are infused with the battle techniques of the Imperial Court, and their combat instincts are in no way inferior to those of Dongtian cultivators. They don't even have a concept of life and death. Once they engage in battle, their ferocity is even greater than that of ordinary Dongtian cultivators.

"This place does not welcome outsiders. If you have trespassed by mistake, please retreat immediately!"

The two Golden Armor Guards raise their swords and sabers, their aura沉凝 (chénníng - heavy and restrained).

"I heard that the Third Young Master comes to this crystal palace every full moon night to tryst with a dragon girl. I have come from afar, how could I have trespassed by mistake?"

The man in blue speaks unhurriedly, his gaze constantly scrutinizing the two Golden Armor Guards.

His 'Dingyuan City' also has similar 'divine weapons,' but they are far inferior to these Golden Armor Guards.

This is because these Golden Armor Guards originate from the Guanglong Supreme. Their design, formation, and refining methods are all Supreme inheritances.

Other sects and sacred lands cannot compare.

Legend has it that the Guanglong Supreme once extracted the blood, souls, essence, and Dongtian of the Ten Kings, wanting to forge a 'Supreme' level Golden Armor Guard...

The man in blue muses in his heart.

He then hears a voice that is neither too high nor too low, but carries the energy of the great sun crashing down:

"So it's Zhao Zhen of Dingyuan City. Brother Zhao, I didn't know you were coming, please forgive me for not welcoming you from afar."

As the voice trails off, a figure emerges from the crystal palace.

He is tall and upright, wearing a black robe embroidered with dragons, with a crown on his head and a face like jade. Although his eyes are slightly narrow, they do not carry a hint of coldness. His whole body is filled with extremely masculine vitality.

This person is none other than the Third Young Master of the current Imperial Court.

"The Third Young Master knows my purpose."

Zhao Zhen's gaze shifts imperceptibly.

The Imperial Court passes on its legacy every thousand years among eighteen sons. These eighteen sons compete for the 'throne' of the Imperial Court. This person ranks third, partly due to his powerful strength and supernatural abilities.

But a bigger reason is his younger sister, Chu Mengyao, the current Empress of the Imperial Court!

"The changes in Eastern Prefecture have spread so widely, this Young Master has naturally heard of them."

The Third Young Master's expression is calm, neither pleased nor angry: "But you want to borrow the domain gate. This matter is not something this Young Master can decide."

Thirty years ago, strange events occurred in Eastern Prefecture, and almost all Dongtian cultivators suffered calamities, suspected to be a sign of天地异变 (tiāndì yìbiàn - the world changing drastically).

This news has naturally spread to Zhong Prefecture, and even the Nine Prefectures and Four Seas.

Unfortunately, the only four domain gates in Eastern Prefecture, the one in the Butian Pavilion, is suspected to be sealed, and the other three great sacred lands have long severed contact with other major prefectures.

Those who want to cross the prefectures, besides crossing the sea, can only rely on the domain gate in the Imperial Court.

The Imperial Court's domain gate is different from the domain gates of the various clans and sacred lands in the Nine Prefectures and Four Seas. The latter still needs to connect with other forces that have domain gates.

The former, however, does not need to.

"The Third Young Master should not deceive me."

Zhao Zhen shakes his head slightly: "With your status, is there anything in the Imperial Court that you cannot do?"

"In the past thirty years, all the prefectures have taken action. Eastern Prefecture will inevitably become a place where winds and clouds gather in the future. Although Brother Zhao has great powers, it is best not to go."

The Third Young Master shakes his head.

Since ancient times, more than ten thousand years have passed?

There are too many people looking forward to this day. Even if Eastern Prefecture only shows some signs, it will inevitably trigger huge waves.

Why wade into troubled waters?

It has long been the practice for Zhong Prefecture cultivators to go to other major prefectures, all to hone their xinxing (heart-nature) and cultivate their invincible momentum.

Like some sacred sons of the Butian Pavilion before, they all planned to do so.

But after the great changes in the world, Eastern Prefecture will inevitably become a more terrifying purgatory than Zhong Prefecture. Going there at this time is naturally not suitable.

"With the impending天变 (tiānbiàn - cataclysm), one must enter it to ride the waves! In the cultivation world, if you don't ride the wind, you will never get the top spot. The Third Young Master's talent is no less than the Empress', don't you want to go further?"

Seeing that the Third Young Master's expression does not change, Zhao Zhen takes out a porcelain bottle:

"If the Third Young Master opens the door of convenience, this treasure can be given to the Third Young Master."

"Eh?"

The Third Young Master did not pay attention at first. What treasures does the Imperial Court not have? Why would he care about other people's treasures?

But at this glance, his heart skipped a beat.

The porcelain bottle is jade green but not transparent. On it, countless complex紋路 (wénlù - patterns) with a life of their own constantly wriggle, sealing the porcelain bottle.

But even so, one can vaguely see a stream of light flowing within.

Sometimes it turns into a dragon, sometimes into a phoenix, seemingly changing into a divine beast every moment, ever-changing.

"千变万化皆天机 (qiān biàn wànhuà jiē tiānjī - A myriad of changes reveal the heavenly secrets), this pill, is it the 'Tian Yuan Da Dan' (Heaven Origin Great Pill)?"

The Third Young Master's expression becomes serious, somewhat surprised: "You are willing to part with it?"

There are countless pills in the world. The most well-known are naturally the pills used for cultivation by those in the Nine Realms, the 'currency' that is common to all clans in the Nine Prefectures.

But通行天下 (tōngxíng tiānxià - commonly used everywhere) means that these pills are not very precious.

Whether it is the Zhenxing Dan (True Form Pill), the Wanfa Dan (Myriad Laws Pill), or the Guiyi Dan (Return to One Pill), they are ultimately just pills for cultivators in one realm to cultivate.

But this Tian Yuan Da Dan is different.

This pill has the effect of cleansing bloodlines, forging divine bodies, breaking through realms, stabilizing foundations, healing injuries, saving lives, and replenishing the source.

Legend has it that its main ingredient is the 'Chang Sheng Ling Gen' (Longevity Spiritual Root) that has long disappeared from the world!

"What's there to be unwilling to part with?"

Zhao Zhen's expression does not change.

In fact, he is naturally a little reluctant, but this pill can only be taken once, and the extra is useless. It is definitely a blood loss to use it to exchange for domain gate passage.

But if he can grasp the first wisp of opportunity in the天地剧变 (tiāndì jùbiàn - drastic changes of the world) in Eastern Prefecture, it will be worth a thousand times more.

"In that case..."

The Third Young Master pondered for a moment, and finally nodded and agreed: "Okay."

This pill is not of great use to him, but it is of great benefit to the dragon girl in this crystal palace.

......

Among the clouds, palaces upon palaces, an unknown number.

Immortal light swirls everywhere, divine light overflows, and spiritual mist and pill aura float here like solid clouds.

Two figures, one in front and one behind, arrive before a tall and extremely magnificent divine gate.

"Hoo~"

The Third Young Master exhales slightly, stopping Zhao Zhen:

"Don't move rashly. The South Heaven Gate was left by the Ancestor. Although it is not a supreme treasure, it has the aura of a Supreme. Moving it without authorization will lead to certain death."

Zhao Zhen naturally has no objections, nods, and looks up and down at this towering and sacred gate:

"South Heaven Gate..."

The South Heaven Gate is the number one domain gate in Zhong Prefecture. Legend has it that it was cast by the Guanglong Supreme to commemorate an old friend. It has no other supernatural powers.

But it has the divine power to connect to other prefectures.

Buzz~

The Third Young Master arrives here, and does not dare to be negligent. His ten fingers change, pinching tens of millions of beast incantations, and his blood surges like a vast ocean. In an instant, a buzzing sound resounds through the clouds.

The domain gate, wide open!

"Go quickly!"

At this moment, the Third Young Master's expression changes, and he urges urgently.

Zhao Zhen's heart also turns cold.

Just as he takes a step, he hears a light rebuke:

"You have some nerve!"

This voice is as clear and cold as the moon, falling like a waterfall, spreading like a hurricane. The moment it sounds, it makes both of their hearts turn cold.

"Not good..."

"Little sister!"

As their scalps explode.

They feel the world turn black, followed by endless light and heat rolling down, divine light dazzling, and the air as hot as lava.

Zhao Zhen barely raises his head.

He sees a fair and crystal-clear hand, with slender fingers, carrying the domineering flames of ten suns rising, rumble down.

They only have time to let out a muffled groan.

Before being slapped into the domain gate by a palm, spinning, in less than a fraction of a moment, they disappear without a trace.

Ding~

With a soft chime, the domain gate is closed again.

The fair hand also slowly retracts. In a fleeting glance, one can see that on the perfect hand, which does not seem to be made by human hands, a white bracelet is constantly turning,

Emitting bursts of buzzing sounds.

Hoo~

The air currents surge wildly, rushing towards the place that was previously shattered by the great force.

As the gale howls, a woman dressed in men's clothing appears before the South Heaven Gate. She carries her hands behind her back, and the tassels under the crown sway, unable to hide the eyes as brilliant as the rising sun.

"Your Majesty, there is movement in the starry sky, suspected to be a large force coming. Eastern Prefecture is the first to bear the brunt. Are you letting the Third Young Master go like this?"

An old woman follows silently, her voice hoarse, her expression respectful, her figure hunched, and her face expressionless.

"If he wants to go, let him go."

The Empress stands before the South Heaven Gate, replying casually, a trace of漣漪 (liányī - ripples) flashing in her eyes like golden suns burning:

"What is it that caught the Vajra Bracelet's attention..."