The Grand Ceremony Begins, Raising the Stakes

Three days later.

The Cangyun Immortal Palace welcomed numerous distinguished guests, and the training grounds were already packed with spectators.

Over a thousand inner disciples had all gathered, standing in formation at the periphery of the grounds. Clad in snow-white robes, their demeanor was extraordinary, and prodigies were abundant among them.

Behind the inner disciples stood tens of thousands of outer disciples, solemn and silent in their gray robes, exuding an immortal aura. To mortals, these were the very embodiment of immortal ascendants.

Any one of them could be called an unparalleled genius, far beyond ordinary reach.

A lone rogue cultivator here would likely find it hard to even lift their head, overwhelmed by the sheer presence of these elites. Merely standing among them would evoke a sense of inadequacy.

This was the might of the Cangyun Immortal Palace—the heritage of a top-tier sect.

Yet today, even these tens of thousands of prodigies paled in comparison.

All eyes were fixed on the two figures standing calmly at the center of the training grounds.

Zhong Limeng, as the current senior sister, stood on the right, while Fu Haotian, holding a cloud-patterned fan, faced her with unshakable confidence on the left.

This man and woman drew the gazes of all. The future chief disciple of the Cangyun Immortal Palace—and by extension, its future master—would emerge from between them.

They shone like the sun and moon, eclipsing the starlight behind them.

Even before the ceremony began, countless eyes were riveted on them, and an oppressive yet electrifying tension silently permeated the grounds.

Mist curled lazily, and radiant light shimmered in the air.

Despite the serene surroundings, the disciples behind them held their breath, their hearts pounding with anticipation.

After a long wait, a young disciple finally tore his gaze away and nervously whispered to his senior brother beside him.

"Senior Brother, do you think Senior Sister Zhong Limeng can defeat Fu Haotian?"

The middle-aged man frowned, not daring to speculate.

"The outcome is uncertain..."

"We brothers have given our all, risking our lives to hunt demons in scattered groups. But Fu Haotian enlisted the help of many experts—far beyond our means. We can only do our best and leave the rest to fate."

Hearing this, the young man's expression darkened, worry creeping into his eyes.

"Senior Brother, we weren’t afraid to die. Those top-tier experts might not have dared to split up for the hunt. I believe our results are no worse than theirs!"

"What I fear is that Fu Haotian, that hypocrite, might have pulled some underhanded tricks again."

The middle-aged man nodded grimly.

"That is possible."

"But today, the Palace Master is present, along with other high-ranking elders from major sects. No matter how influential Fu Haotian’s family is, he can’t control everything."

"Victory or defeat—justice will prevail!"

"Everything will be decided by the number of demon corpses!"

The young man clenched his fists inside his sleeves, steeling himself.

As they whispered, several figures emerged from the void, their overwhelming auras instantly intensifying the solemn atmosphere!

The esteemed guests took their seats on the elevated platform, exuding an air of profound mystery. Their faces were veiled in mist, making them impossible to discern clearly.

Their mere presence was like that of deities, their gazes instilling awe and dread.

Instantly, the disciples erupted in hushed excitement.

"That elder in fiery robes, radiating the Power of the Great Dao—could that be the legendary Nine-Fire Master?"

"Rumors say the Nine-Fire Master reached the second-tier Heavenly Realm ten thousand years ago and ruled the Lihuo Heavenly Sect, dominating the Nanli Heavenly Region. To think even he has come!"

"And that peerlessly beautiful senior beside him—could she be Longyue Xuanji, the strongest expert in the Nanli Heavenly Region?"

"Look! There’s also Yuan Zhenzi, the sect master of the Wanhai Dao Sect!"

"And that must be Jiang Xuran, the grand elder of the Qianyuan Heavenly Sect—a true Heavenly Realm expert!"

"Seven major sects of the Nanli Heavenly Region are all represented! This is a gathering unseen in millennia!"

The outer disciples buzzed with excitement, unable to contain their awe.

Though they were disciples of a top-tier sect, their cultivation and experience were limited. Normally, even meeting an elder from their own sect would leave them awestruck.

Now, witnessing the legends of the cultivation world in person, their reverence overflowed.

In contrast, the inner disciples remained composed, their excitement restrained. They stood like unshakable pines, maintaining the dignity of their sect.

A few even cast cold glances backward, whispering sharply.

"With esteemed guests present, how can you act so disgracefully? Have you no regard for our sect’s reputation?"

"The Cangyun Immortal Palace has stood for tens of thousands of years. It’s only natural that our Chief Disciple Ceremony attracts such guests. Why the fuss?"

Their haughty words immediately silenced the outer disciples.

Though the crowd settled, the excitement remained palpable.

Tens of thousands of prodigies turned their expectant gazes toward the platform.

The seven guests stood unmoving, yet their oppressive auras were overwhelming. Even the elders of the Cangyun Immortal Palace stood respectfully below the jade steps, not daring to stand on equal footing.

Suddenly—

The seven experts looked up in unison as the radiant light in the sky thickened.

Ripples spread through the void, and the shimmering light parted like a lake’s surface.

Witnessing this phenomenon, their eyes gleamed with astonishment.

The fire-robed elder stroked his beard and laughed heartily, his Power of the Great Dao surging like tidal waves!

"Hahaha!"

"To think that in just a thousand years, Palace Master Nanli’s cultivation has advanced to such heights! Such talent truly puts this old man to shame."

His casual laughter sent shockwaves through the crowd.

Tens of thousands of disciples paled, swaying as if caught in a storm. Only a few hundred elite disciples managed to remain steady.

Zhong Limeng and Fu Haotian merely had their robes flutter slightly, their expressions grave.

Their composure earned approving glances from the seven experts, who then turned their attention skyward.

Finally, the ripples in the void subsided.

A middle-aged man in white robes stepped out, hands clasped behind his back.

His features were strikingly handsome, even younger-looking than some of the experts present, yet his calm demeanor betrayed no pressure.

One step—

He traversed the void effortlessly.

Two steps—

He ascended the platform, then clasped his hands in greeting.

"Esteemed guests, it has been too long."

His tranquil voice instantly stilled the surging Power of the Great Dao, as if dispersing it like mist.

The fire-robed elder’s eyes flickered with wariness as he returned the gesture.

"Palace Master Nanli, it has indeed been too long."

Longyue Xuanji gave a faint nod, while the others also bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Palace Master Nanli."

In the world of cultivation, strength commanded respect.

Though Nanli Qingming was barely ten thousand years old—practically a junior compared to these ancient experts—his power placed him on equal footing, even surpassing some.

With a composed smile, Nanli Qingming took his seat as the host, then gestured graciously to the others.

"Please, be seated."

"Today marks the Chief Disciple Ceremony of our sect. I’ve taken the liberty of inviting you all to bear witness. If there are any shortcomings in our hospitality, I hope you will forgive them."

His words were gentle, his demeanor refined, exuding an air of effortless grace.

The seven sect leaders responded with polite formalities, exchanging pleasantries to maintain decorum.

"The Palace Master of Nanli Palace is too kind. It is our great honor to witness your esteemed sect's grand ceremony."

"Indeed, the Cangyun Heavenly Palace has profound heritage. The two disciples of your sect possess extraordinary talent—both are outstanding figures among men!"

"Truly, witnessing this grand ceremony will surely become a celebrated tale!"

"Well said. In my opinion, Fu Haotian's cultivation is profound, truly a rare genius."

"Absolutely, Fu Haotian's future is boundless!"

These few words carried deep implications.

Even before the Chief Disciple Ceremony's competition had begun, some among the seven great sects' distinguished guests had already shown favor toward Fu Haotian. Such an overt stance was undeniably thought-provoking.

Outside the martial arena, the disciples' expressions shifted subtly, their faces betraying a mix of emotions.

Nanli Qingming's eyes gleamed with a sharp light, though he merely smiled faintly and nodded in acknowledgment.

At the foot of the jade steps, the elderly Great Elder Mingwu bowed solemnly before turning to announce in a resonant voice:

"The Chief Disciple Ceremony begins now!"

"Today, under the witness of the Palace Master and the esteemed elders of the seven great sects, the competition for the Chief Disciple position shall be held in the martial arena. Victory shall be determined by the number of demon corpses hunted!"

"The three-day period has concluded. Fu Haotian and Zhong Limeng, present your hunting achievements!"

"If there are no objections, you may now proceed!"

His voice echoed across the grounds, and the entire crowd held their breath, their gazes fixed intently on the arena.

Just as Zhong Limeng bowed solemnly, Fu Haotian suddenly spoke with unwavering confidence.

"Hold!"

"Great Elder Mingwu, this disciple wishes to add a wager!"

His deep voice resounded, stunning the entire assembly.

The seven great experts on the platform watched in silence, their attention drawn to his proud figure, while the disciples around the martial arena tensed even further.

Zhong Limeng also looked up in shock, an ominous premonition flashing in her eyes.

A wager?

The Chief Disciple Ceremony was already brutal—once the winner was decided, the fates of the two competitors would diverge drastically, and the consequences for the loser were unimaginable.

Yet in the face of such a high-stakes trial, he dared to propose an additional wager?

Such audacity was nothing short of madness!