Ten Thousand Mountains

In the realm of the Immortal World.

Within the borders of East Jia State.

Since the emergence of the Ten Thousand Mountains in East Jia State several thousand years ago, an increasing number of cultivators have been drawn to this region, all eager to catch a glimpse of the legendary Ten Thousand Mountains.

They have seen them, but what lies beyond the surface remains a mystery. The sky within the Ten Thousand Mountains is perpetually dim, with no sunlight ever piercing through. The region is teeming with ferocious beasts, and rumors abound that within its deepest reaches reside beasts of the Saint level.

But what of the opportunities?

This remains unknown, as the Ten Thousand Mountains are strictly off-limits to cultivators, with a prohibition order issued by the most powerful faction in East Jia State, the Eighth Mountain.

As a result, no cultivator dares to defy this order, contenting themselves with merely observing from a distance.

However, a millennium ago, this prohibition was amended, allowing cultivators below the level of Semi-Saint to enter and explore, but only on the condition that they do not venture too deep.

When this order was first announced, cultivators in East Jia State were both astonished and hesitant, unsure whether to take the plunge.

Some bold individuals, unafraid of the risks, formed the first wave to enter. All other cultivators waited anxiously for their return.

About twenty years later, the first group of cultivators who had ventured into the Ten Thousand Mountains emerged.

One such cultivator, who had entered at the mid-stage of the Great Completion realm, emerged as a Peak-level cultivator, a progression so rapid it left everyone in awe.

Other cultivators rushed to question him, "What lies within the Ten Thousand Mountains? Are there opportunities? Is it perilous?"

The now Peak-level cultivator nodded and replied, "It is indeed perilous, and opportunities are scarce. I barely survived. I advise you not to enter lightly."

With that, he departed, leaving behind a group of cultivators half-convinced, half-doubtful.

The real uproar began three months later.

A cultivator witnessed this Peak-level cultivator stealthily returning to the Ten Thousand Mountains.

If opportunities were indeed scarce and the journey perilous, why would he risk it again in less than three months?

This revelation sparked a wave of excitement among the cultivators, who now understood that the Ten Thousand Mountains likely held great opportunities. They flocked to the region, eager to seize these opportunities.

Word spread rapidly, and more and more cultivators rushed to the Ten Thousand Mountains, each hoping to claim their fortune.

For cultivators below the Semi-Saint level, the opportunities within the Ten Thousand Mountains were truly abundant.

Many low-level cultivators who entered the Ten Thousand Mountains emerged decades later, having broken through their realms. The dangers within were not as numerous as feared; while the beasts were indeed ferocious, their numbers were limited. The natural treasures and spiritual herbs were more than sufficient for all, and they grew at an astonishing rate.

In no time, the Ten Thousand Mountains became the ultimate proving ground for low-level cultivators in East Jia State.

Almost all low-level cultivators in East Jia State sought opportunities within the Ten Thousand Mountains, and even those from other states were drawn by its reputation, venturing inside to seek spiritual treasures.

As time passed, the experience of training within the Ten Thousand Mountains became a rite of passage for cultivators in East Jia State. Those who survived and emerged were guaranteed to have broken through their realms and obtained valuable opportunities.

To ensure that the opportunities and spiritual herbs within the Ten Thousand Mountains had time to regenerate, the factions of East Jia State, led by the Eighth Mountain, coordinated to regulate the entry times, setting a fifty-year cycle for access.

The current year marked the fiftieth.

Low-level cultivators gathered outside the Ten Thousand Mountains, some having arrived early and prepared for the journey.

Young cultivators made up ninety percent of the crowd, with the most prominent standing at the forefront. These were the elite disciples of various sects, not just from East Jia State but from other states as well.

Among the front-runners were six particularly dazzling individuals, known as the Six Talents of East Jia State. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, they were all destined to reach the Saint level, and some even had the potential to touch upon the realm of the Emperor.

These were the so-called "Emperor seedlings" often mentioned by cultivators.

The Six Talents hailed from different sects, each vying for supremacy. This time, they were all sent into the Ten Thousand Mountains to compete and determine their rankings among the Six.

The group consisted of four males and two females, each unwilling to yield to the other, engaging in casual banter as they stood at the forefront.

"This time, I will claim the top spot in the Ten Thousand Mountains trial. If you know what's good for you, stay away from me, lest I shatter your dao hearts with a single blow," chuckled Yin Hu, the talent on the far left, wearing a white dragon and purple gold mask.

"Your words are bold, but I wonder if your abilities match your bravado. My master says that the Daoist Mountain sect is the most arrogant and overbearing, and even your leading Emperor is no different," retorted the woman on the right, her expression cold, her waist adorned with three flying swords.

"Heh, you all are quite skilled at bickering. We six have never truly competed. Once we enter the Ten Thousand Mountains, we will naturally determine who is superior," added a man in a black robe with a straw hat, turning to look at the last member, a plump little girl, and asked with a smile, "Little Guang, how did your exalted Emperor allow you to come out for this trial?"

Little Guang crossed her arms, her expression serious, but she remained silent.

"Hey, I'm talking to you, Little Guang. Is it customary for the Wuxi Sect to be so impolite?"

"La la la, I can't hear you, Wangba chanting," Little Guang shook her chubby cheeks, adopting a stance of absolute defense.

The man had no choice but to wait patiently.

Fortunately, they didn't have to wait long. The Ten Thousand Mountains soon opened, and with a command from the Eighth Mountain, countless cultivators surged in, fervently seeking opportunities.

At the same time, deep within the Ten Thousand Mountains.

A figure with crimson eyes descended.

The Heart Demon had returned to the Immortal World.