Chapter 1 The Most Exhausting Ascent

Climbing to the top of the Fengshen Stage was the most exhausting experience Lin Ming had ever had. The time alone took seven days and seven nights. Lin Ming couldn't even remember how he got down from the Fengshen Stage. As soon as he descended, he fell into a deep sleep of extreme exhaustion...

But during his slumber, his name resounded throughout the God Realm. Billions of viewers, from these hundred great worlds, as well as countless middle and small worlds, were either sect elders, wise hermits, or young talents.

Their ability and speed in spreading news were far beyond ordinary people. In an instant, Lin Ming's name directly resounded in all directions, and his past was known by more and more people.

Especially when they learned that he had relied on his own strength and talent to step by step from the lower realm to his current state, it made countless geniuses and monstrous talents admire him.

Of course, also becoming famous with him was Jiang Boyun, who had traveled with him and ultimately stopped at the thirty-second level of the Fengshen Stage. Although Jiang Boyun had lost to Lin Ming on the Fengshen Stage, no one dared to underestimate him, especially the disciples of Haoyu Heavenly Palace. They knew the difficulty of the Fengshen Stage and would treat these monstrous talents who could climb above the thirtieth level with caution, even if they were true disciples of Haoyu Heavenly Palace.

Chiguang Realm, the headquarters of the Ancient Phoenix Clan – the Ancient Phoenix Clan was originally a very good power in the Chiguang Realm. Usually, the Ancient Phoenix Clan headquarters was bustling with people, but now it could be said to be at its zenith.

Several Supreme Elders, and even the Ancient Phoenix Clan leader, were personally receiving guests, all in a state of fluster. Although those guests were there to befriend and show goodwill to the Ancient Phoenix Clan, they were all important figures from various realms, so they naturally couldn't be neglected.

Here, one could even see many World Kings, which would have been impossible for the Ancient Phoenix Clan in the past.

And what brought all this was Lin Ming and Jiang Boyun. Two great monstrous talents had emerged, ranking first and second in the Muyue Star division of the semi-finals, overshadowing the limelight of many Great World Kings. Such strength naturally attracted attention.

The number of forces wanting to recruit them was countless, and almost all of them were holy lands with Great World Kings sitting in charge, only slightly inferior to the Heavenly Venerate forces in the entire God Realm.

"Taixuan Heavenly Palace, Holy Master Ling Yu has arrived!"

The Ancient Phoenix Clan headquarters was already a gathering of many strong individuals from all sides, wanting to recruit Lin Ming and Jiang Boyun into their sects. However, at this moment, another voice came.

The crowd of strong individuals who had been arguing endlessly fell silent at the same moment. The entire Ancient Phoenix Clan was silent.

"Taixuan Heavenly Palace, a Heavenly Venerate... force!"

Someone said with difficulty. A Heavenly Venerate-level force had actually entered the arena. Even the recently established Taixuan Heavenly Palace was by no means comparable to other holy lands. Especially the scene of Jiang Xuan's tribulation, they had all seen it. It could be said that Jiang Xuan was the first Heavenly Venerate to successfully transcend the tribulation in this era, and even some old Heavenly Venerates were wary of his power.

"Taixuan Heavenly Palace was newly established, and Lin Ming and Jiang Boyun don't have powerful masters. It seems this trip will be in vain." A World King sighed and shook his head, but he didn't plan to leave immediately, still wanting to see how things would develop.

Moreover, they all knew Ling Yu's identity. He was the chief disciple of Taixuan Heavenly Venerate and held a very high position in Taixuan Heavenly Palace. It was difficult to see him even once in the past. Now that he appeared here, it might not be a bad opportunity.

The Ancient Phoenix Clan leader was equally delighted and didn't dare to be negligent in the slightest. Leading several elders, he hurriedly went to greet him. Before long, they accompanied a young man as he walked over.

At this moment, the Ancient Phoenix Clan leader and several elders were all smiling at his side. They all understood that even if Ling Yu, a chief disciple of a Heavenly Venerate, was no good, he could still become a World King in the future, and even a Great World King was not impossible. If they could befriend him at this time, it would be beneficial to the Ancient Phoenix Clan without any harm.

"Fellow Daoist Ling Yu, are you also here for Lin Ming and Jiang Boyun?" The Ancient Phoenix Clan leader was also a Holy Master, but he didn't dare to show the slightest disrespect in front of Ling Yu.

"I'm only here for Jiang Boyun." Ling Yu smiled. He had only learned from Jiang Xuan's order that Jiang Boyun, who ranked second on the Fengshen Stage and whose name as a genius had spread throughout the God Realm, was actually his junior brother.

This time, he was also here to receive Jiang Boyun according to Jiang Xuan's decree and give him special training in the year before the finals.

"Here for Boyun?" Huo Lieshi, a Supreme Elder of the Ancient Phoenix Clan, asked in confusion. If it was only because of the Fengshen Stage, then Lin Ming should definitely be the first choice. But Ling Yu's target was Jiang Boyun, which was a bit strange.

Ling Yu glanced at Huo Lieshi and said with a faint smile, "Please bring Boyun here. You will naturally know the reason later."

"Alright!" The Ancient Phoenix Clan leader responded and then ordered someone to lead Jiang Boyun to the main discussion hall. During this period, they accompanied Ling Yu. After all, Ling Yu's identity was special. Even the World Kings who had originally wanted to recruit Jiang Boyun and Lin Ming didn't dare to put on airs in front of Ling Yu.

After a while, they also arrived at the main discussion hall. At this time, a young man was already waiting here. He carried two divine swords on his back. Those who had seen him take action knew that he was not a dual-wielder, but when his second sword was unsheathed, it meant that he was going to go all out.

When Ling Yu walked into the main hall, he was also sizing up this future junior brother. On him, he seemed to see the figure of a Sword Immortal, drawing his sword from the vast void, his sword intent cutting open the immeasurable universe.

"What a strong sword intent!" Even Ling Yu couldn't help but be shocked at this moment. Although he had never cultivated the sword path, he could still feel the sharp edge on Jiang Boyun's body. Among the warriors of his generation that he had seen, there were very few who had such sword intent, and all of them were disciples of Heavenly Venerates.

Although Jiang Boyun was also a disciple of a Heavenly Venerate, Jiang Xuan had briefly told him before he came that Jiang Boyun was only a disciple that Jiang Xuan had accepted when his mind clone descended to the lower realm. Even the cultivation techniques he had taught him were not very rare in the upper realm. Any ordinary World King holy land could take them out.

More of it was a review of the Great Dao. Jiang Xuan had also experienced this after becoming a Heavenly Venerate, so he felt it more directly. He also knew that seeing it didn't mean understanding it thoroughly, it was just an understanding. But if you want to understand the Dao and Dharma in it, you still need to cultivate it yourself.

Moreover, these things were originally commonplace for Heavenly Venerate disciples. Some Heavenly Venerate disciples that he knew had received ten or a hundred times the benefits that Jiang Boyun had received when they first entered the sect.

More importantly, he knew Jiang Xuan best. Although he had entered his sect, he would never restrict the cultivation of his disciples. He would always give guidance and guide them to embark on the Great Dao that was most suitable for them. After that, it would all depend on their own understanding and practice.

But even so, Jiang Boyun could have reached his current level in the sword path, and his sword talent did indeed surprise Ling Yu.

"Fellow Daoist Ling Yu, this is Jiang Boyun." The Ancient Phoenix Clan leader introduced Jiang Boyun to Ling Yu, and then looked at Jiang Boyun, "Boyun, this is Holy Master Ling Yu of the Taixuan Heavenly Palace, and also the direct disciple of Taixuan Heavenly Venerate. He has come here specifically for you."

"Specifically for me?" After Jiang Boyun paid his respects, he couldn't help but wonder. He understood the meaning of this sentence, but like other people's doubts, why not choose Lin Ming, but come specifically for him?

Involuntarily, he also looked at Ling Yu, as if waiting for him to give an answer.

"Hehe..." Ling Yu chuckled softly, and then said, "Junior Brother Boyun, do you still remember that Sword Dao Divine Mountain?"

When Jiang Boyun heard this, his eyes widened suddenly, as if he had heard something incredible: "Could it be..."

Ling Yu nodded, and then said: "Master has ordered me to take you back to the Taixuan Heavenly Palace and officially enter the sect."

The other powerhouses also understood. It turned out that Jiang Boyun was originally a disciple accepted by the Taixuan Heavenly Venerate. This was big news, and looking at Jiang Boyun's appearance, he didn't know about it at all.

"Is it really... Master?!" Jiang Boyun couldn't believe it. He couldn't imagine that the master he had worshiped in the past was actually the most top-level powerhouse in the God Realm, the Heavenly Venerate known as the peak of martial arts!

Now, he was no longer a newbie who had just entered the God Realm. He knew very well what the Heavenly Venerate's status was, but now, he had suddenly become a Heavenly Venerate disciple, which was indeed a bit dreamlike.

"That's natural." Ling Yu smiled peacefully, but this smile also made everyone else completely believe it. No wonder Ling Yu came specifically for Jiang Boyun.

"Phew~"

After being stunned for a while, Jiang Boyun finally calmed down and looked at Ling Yu and said: "... Senior Brother, can we go back later? My junior brother Lin Ming is still in a coma, and I'm a little worried."

Ling Yu waved his hand and said: "Don't worry, Lin Ming has his own opportunities. This coma is beneficial and harmless. He should wake up in a few days."

He had actually asked Jiang Xuan about this. After all, Lin Ming had reached the thirty-third level of the Fengshen Stage. As the first place in the semi-finals, his talent was beyond doubt. Jiang Xuan asked him to pick up Jiang Boyun, and he thought of Lin Ming.

But Jiang Xuan said that Lin Ming had his own opportunities, and there was no need to worship under any Heavenly Venerate, although he didn't understand what it meant specifically, it was impossible for him to violate Jiang Xuan's orders.

"This... alright." Although Jiang Boyun was still a little worried, Ling Yu couldn't possibly lie to him, so he immediately put away his thoughts and said goodbye to the Ancient Phoenix Clan leaders.

During his days after entering the God Realm, the Ancient Phoenix Clan powerhouses had indeed helped him a lot. He was not an ungrateful person. If there was a chance in the future, he would also help the Ancient Phoenix Clan within his capabilities.

…

In an independent Great Thousand World, there was a special area, with singing birds and fragrant flowers, like a wild grassland, with fairy cranes carrying ganoderma and white apes offering fruit. Clear springs flowed everywhere, like fine jade nectar. An ordinary person would extend their life just by drinking a mouthful.

In the void, there were fairy palaces and holy halls suspended in the air, as well as isolated islands and flying rocks, hanging down waterfalls, like the Milky Way falling from the Ninth Heaven, which was breathtakingly beautiful.

When Jiang Boyun first arrived here, he was attracted by everything here. This was a true holy land for cultivation, with all kinds of good fortune.

Ling Yu looked at Jiang Boyun's appearance and did not disturb him, letting him immerse himself in this wonderful scenery.

However, soon, he had to "wake up" Jiang Boyun, because they had reached their destination - a suspended fairy palace, every inch of which was cast from divine materials and precious materials. There were also traces of formations, with infinite power, and the value was immeasurable.

"Master!"

Walking into it, Jiang Boyun also saw the mentor he had been searching for for a long time, who had guided him on the true path of the sword.

After more than ten years of separation, he had grown into a genius who had become famous in the God Realm, but Jiang Xuan was different, as if there was no change at all, dressed in white, with a faint smile on the corner of his mouth, and a pair of sharp eyes, as if he had experienced the passage of time and seen through the mortal world.

"After more than ten years of separation, you have not disappointed me." Jiang Xuan said indifferently. Jiang Boyun could get to this point, even with some of his past guidance and teachings, it could be said to be a monstrous talent.

"Thank you, Master, for guiding your disciple, so that your disciple can set foot on the true path of the sword!" Jiang Boyun said respectfully. Without Jiang Xuan's guidance in the past, how could he have today's achievements?

Jiang Xuan nodded with satisfaction. He valued the character of cultivators the most. Jiang Boyun had today's achievements, and he could still not forget his gratitude and grudges, and his Dao heart was flawless, which made Jiang Xuan more satisfied than how strong he was.

"Before the finals, you will follow the teacher to cultivate. A year later, you will participate in the First Martial Arts Tournament as a true disciple of my Taixuan Heavenly Palace." Jiang Xuan said, Jiang Boyun's current strength is considered to be strong among his peers, even if he participates directly, he can enter the top twenty.

However, his strength has not yet reached the extreme at this stage. For other things, just the cultivation method of the Juyuan system was created by Jiang Xuan at random, and it cannot be compared with the Supreme Divine Martial Art at all.

A year is enough for him to cultivate stronger techniques and make up for the gap between the Juyuan system and other Heavenly Venerate disciples.

"Yes!" Jiang Boyun was naturally happy about this. He also wanted to become stronger. Being able to cultivate with a Heavenly Venerate was an opportunity that others could not ask for.

In the next period of time, Jiang Boyun followed Jiang Xuan, listening to him expounding on the Dao from time to time, and Jiang Xuan's way of expounding on the Dao was also varied, sometimes reciting scriptures, sometimes tasting tea and playing the zither, sometimes transforming martial arts into true meaning, and sometimes evolving a chaotic space…

During this period, Jiang Boyun was almost always in an environment of "Dao". Jiang Xuan also gave him a Supreme Divine Martial Art of the Juyuan system, called "Nirvana Heavenly Art". Once cultivated, he could transform like a phoenix in nirvana over and over again, up to nine times.

If it can be cultivated to perfection, just the purity of spiritual power alone can be directly compared with the Heavenly Venerate, and the increase in other aspects is not weak. Among the Supreme Divine Martial Arts of the Juyuan system, it is definitely not weak.

Under Jiang Xuan's guidance, Jiang Boyun gradually had some charm, and successfully completed the first Nirvana of the "Nirvana Heavenly Art", and his strength was more extraordinary than before.

In addition, he has also made considerable progress in the sword. After a year, his strength has obviously transformed.

As the God Realm First Martial Arts Tournament was approaching, Jiang Xuan also took Jiang Boyun and headed towards the final venue unhurriedly. The finals will be held in the Haoyu Realm of Heavenly Venerate Haoyu, which will also be the final battle to decide who is stronger or weaker among the geniuses of the God Realm!