Those qualified to participate in the Sword Ruins Seeking the Dao were all outstanding figures from the various sects and factions of the current generation.
The weakest among them had reached the Nascent Soul Realm.
To them, an earth-grade sword technique, while not exactly commonplace, could hardly be considered a particularly rare treasure.
But this was something obtained from an illusion realm—a heavenly opportunity bestowed by the Dao. That made all the difference.
Because it meant that heavenly opportunities had already appeared within Slashing Stars with the Sword.
The earth-grade sword technique might well be only the tip of the iceberg. Who wouldn’t want to go in and try their luck?
What if they happened to encounter a heaven-grade, immortal-grade, or even higher opportunity?
Following the Boundless Sword Sect disciple’s cry of surprise, envious gazes turned toward him from all around.
On the viewing platforms above the Boundless Sword Domain, countless watching cultivators once again witnessed this scene and immediately began discussing it among themselves.
“Just who created Slashing Stars with the Sword? That makes sixteen cultivators who have obtained heavenly opportunities in the past two days, doesn’t it…”
“I heard it was the work of the Illusion Alliance!”
“It’s just a pity that only cultivators participating in the Sword Ruins Seeking the Dao can use this illusion realm… Otherwise, I’d want to go in and try my luck too!”
“How did the Illusion Alliance manage to attract so many opportunities with a single illusion realm? It’s even more outrageous than Palworld!”
“Perhaps it’s because the senior who created this illusion realm has reached the pinnacle of mastery over the Sword Dao?”
“I’m afraid the illusion realm and the Sword Dao have completely merged!”
“That’s very likely!”
“How strange… In terms of strength, True Disciple Li of the Soaring Firmament Sect should definitely be considered one of the outstanding ones. Why hasn’t she found even a single heavenly opportunity?”
“Looks like the Soaring Firmament Sect’s reputation as the home of sword immortals is undeserved after all…”
…
The whispers of those around her reached Li Moran’s ears.
Her heart remained utterly unmoved.
Whether it was the opinions of others or the opportunities they obtained, none of it had anything to do with her.
What concerned Li Moran was that the “opportunities” these people had acquired seemed somewhat different from the heavenly opportunities she knew.
Shouldn’t a heavenly opportunity be a kind of sudden enlightenment?
Even if it took the form of a cultivation method, shouldn’t it be imparted in a manner similar to an inheritance?
Then what was the meaning of these people holding actual cultivation manuals in their hands?
Li Moran frowned slightly but said nothing.
After all, the opportunities she had obtained were all top-tier.
She had never encountered such crude, ordinary opportunities before.
Perhaps this was simply what they looked like?
…
…
Boundless Sword Sect, Heavenly Sword Peak.
The lights shone brightly in the courtyard atop the peak, and the guests drank and reveled in high spirits.
“Boss Heart Demon’s move was truly brilliant!”
Great Elder Chen Yuan, his face flushed from drink, raised his cup and drained it once more.
The cooperation between the Illusion Alliance and the Boundless Sword Sect had proceeded far more smoothly than expected.
The cultivators had been highly receptive to the illusion realm. Almost no one objected to using it as the venue for the sword competition and Dao discussion.
Over the past thousand years, the Sword Ruins Seeking the Dao had gradually shifted from “seeking the Dao” toward “discussing the sword.”
After all, the sword intent contained within the sword ruins had been consumed too extensively and had already been sealed by the Boundless Sword Sect so it could recover.
Thus, the subsequent Sword Ruins Seeking the Dao events mainly focused on competition.
In the years before that, the Boundless Sword Sect had remained the victor.
But ever since the Soaring Firmament Sect produced a Li Moran, the Boundless Sword Sect had been unable to gain the slightest advantage—even on its own home ground.
At the previous Sword Ruins Seeking the Dao, the Boundless Sword Sect had still taken the lead in terms of top-tier combat power.
But among the younger generation, Li Moran had single-handedly crushed them all.
Not a single cultivator of her generation had managed to survive three moves against her.
And now, in this edition…
Li Moran had already broken through to the Void Refinement Realm. Even Great Elder Chen Yuan of the Boundless Sword Sect wasn’t confident he could defeat her!
The thought of the Sword Ruins Seeking the Dao, hosted by their own sect, being won by a junior from the Soaring Firmament Sect while she trampled over them had left the entire Boundless Sword Sect uneasy.
Of course, there were also disciples and elders within the sect who wanted to witness Li Moran’s bearing firsthand—martial fanatics obsessed with pursuing the Dao.
Chen Yuan had quietly removed all of them from the list of participants in the Sword Ruins Seeking the Dao.
The Illusion Alliance’s strategy of discussing the Dao through an illusion realm had undoubtedly resolved the Boundless Sword Sect’s crisis.
When the Dao was discussed through an illusion realm, the person who attracted the most formidable heavenly opportunities would be considered the strongest.
Among those who entered the illusion realm, whoever obtained the most powerful heavenly opportunities would likewise be considered the strongest.
Most importantly, the Illusion Alliance’s illusion realm involved challenging the phantoms at each stage, perfectly avoiding direct combat and sparring!
As long as they didn’t compete against Li Moran, the Boundless Sword Sect could not lose.
“Heh heh, the Soaring Firmament Sect has been acting arrogantly for several years now… It couldn’t be better to temper their spirit a little.”
Chen Yuan set down his wine cup, a cold smile curling across his lips.
With the cooperation of the Illusion Alliance, the Boundless Sword Sect no longer had to worry about Li Moran making them lose face.
Instead, they could step on this once-in-a-thousand-years prodigy and fiercely win back some dignity.
This time, the Sword Ruins Seeking the Dao was a competition to see who could comprehend more opportunities within the illusion realm—and whose opportunities were of a higher quality.
And the so-called “opportunities” in Slashing Stars with the Sword were all being manipulated behind the scenes by the Illusion Alliance!
No one could have imagined that all kinds of rare cultivation methods, sword techniques, heavenly materials and earthly treasures, and even rare magical treasures…
The Illusion Alliance had simply thrown them out without regard for the cost!
By now, among the several hundred cultivators participating in the Sword Ruins Seeking the Dao, half had obtained “opportunities” within the ruins.
Only Li Moran, whose name had been most loudly acclaimed, had gained nothing at all.
Wasn’t that a kind of victory in itself?
“You gain opportunities; we gain fame… A win-win situation.”
Boss Heart Demon raised his wine cup and took a light sip.
He had no interest in the rewards of the Sword Ruins Seeking the Dao.
What he cared about more was using this grand sword-discussion event to raise the Illusion Alliance’s influence.
Heavenly opportunities were naturally one of the best ways to draw everyone’s attention.
“But… what if someone exposes this matter? Wouldn’t we incur the wrath of Heaven and receive heavenly punishment?”
Chen Yuan frowned, suddenly overcome by worry.
The scene of his former friend Jiang Lingfeng having his foundation destroyed by the remnant spirit of Heaven was still vivid in his mind.
That being’s temperament was extremely unpredictable, and it never showed any restraint when it attacked.
“When did I ever say that what they obtained were heavenly opportunities?”
Boss Heart Demon gave a cold laugh and spoke unhurriedly.
Chen Yuan was stunned for a moment before immediately understanding.
“That’s right… That’s right! It was merely a rumor spread by outsiders. Senior Heart Demon never claimed the authority of Heaven for himself… Hahaha!”
Boss Heart Demon had a firm grasp on the matter.
Although the remnant spirit of Heaven appeared unreasonable, every time it acted, there was actually a reason behind it.
He had merely “kindly” hidden treasures within the illusion realm to reward and encourage the cultivators. It was simply that the cultivators had mistaken them for heavenly opportunities…
How could that be called impersonating Heaven?
Thus, Boss Heart Demon felt that the remnant spirit of Heaven would not take action over this.
Even if, in the worst-case scenario, the cultivators discovered that these rewards had not come from Heaven, so what?
To them, anything they desperately desired was an opportunity.
Who had given it to them was unimportant.
“By the way, Senior Heart Demon… about that Three Tribulations Sword Art we discussed last time…”
Chen Yuan gave an awkward smile as he toasted him, hesitating to continue.
“Rest assured. I, Heart Demon, naturally won’t break my word… Tomorrow, when you take the stage to inspect the illusion realm, I will naturally give it to you.”
Boss Heart Demon nodded expressionlessly.
“If that’s the case, then this junior has one more request.”
Chen Yuan’s smile suddenly turned crafty.
“What is it?”
“If everyone present gains an opportunity except True Disciple Li of the Lingxiao Sect, it will inevitably arouse suspicion. How about…”
uld barely embark on the path to immortality. Just as he was on the verge of death, his golden finger awakened. No matter whether it was poison, drained blood and vital energy, diminished lifespan, or any other physical debuff caused by paying a price—once midnight passed, everything would be refreshed. From then on, whenever someone asked what kind of person Chu Ran was, the answer was simple: Forbidden arts that other cultivators dared not learn? Chu Ran would learn them. Prices that even demonic cultivators dared not pay? Chu Ran would pay them. Lifespan that even righteous cultivators dared not burn? Chu Ran would burn it. All the blood essence in his body? Take it. Want both his hands and feet? He would cut them off and send them to you. You say he’s finished? He wasn’t built to sit idle. You think he’s gone mad? No—he was simply waiting for midnight. From that day onward, Chu Ran would respect neither Heaven nor Earth, bow to neither gods nor ghosts. He had only one wish: For midnight to arrive a little sooner.
s the Eldest Princess, renowned for her cold and aloof detachment, became the most docile of lambs, obeying his every command without question. But when the final move was played on the chessboard, as Gu Chenghan seized everything and ascended on the verge of apotheosis, that very Princess suddenly embraced him from behind, her tone carrying a dependence never heard before: "Wait... you haven't yet... commanded me to love you forever." Gu Chenghan froze abruptly. She... hadn't been hypnotized?! ... [The Eldest Princess's Diary] [When my soul was extracted, becoming the sole spectator outside my own shell] [At first, there was overwhelming fury, until I saw] [How he used my sword to effortlessly shatter my inescapable doom] [How he wielded my authority to eradicate fatal conspiracies I had never even detected] [Like a deity, he rescued me from the deep mire I was trapped in] [If not for those annoying vixens, he and I would be a match made in heaven] [I think I am ill, gravely ill] [My deity should belong to me alone] ... "Hypnosis? Oh, it succeeded, my dear Master." "Only this time, it's my turn to hypnotize you."
Cheng's father told him he was getting remarried—to a wealthy woman. Cao Cheng realized his time had finally come: he was about to become a second-generation rich kid. Sure, it might be a watered-down version, but hey, at least he'd have status now, right? The wealthy woman also had four daughters!! Which meant, starting today, Cao Cheng gained four stunning older sisters?? But that wasn't even the whole story... "My name is Cao Cheng—'Cheng' as in 'honest, smooth-talking gentleman'!"
nd fell into a coma while saving his younger sister from an out-of-control car. He became a vegetable. No one knew that his consciousness had crossed into a world of cultivation. Over the course of sixty years, he began as the lowest kind of mine slave, struggling to survive amid mountains of corpses and seas of blood. By sheer chance, he eventually obtained the complete memories of a fallen Immortal King. Alchemy, medicine, formations, feng shui, physiognomy, artifact forging… Every great inheritance of the cultivation world was now his. But when he opened his eyes again, he discovered that ten full years had passed in the modern world. To pay for his treatment, his father had sold the family’s shop and house, leaving himself covered in lasting injuries and illness. His mother had cared for him day and night, and more than half of her hair had already turned white. His younger sister, who had been only fifteen back then, was now twenty-five. To help repay the family’s debts, she had been forced to lower her head and put on a smiling face in places of glittering lights and endless revelry. Only then did Chen Xuan understand that what he had lost was not merely ten years. He had lost the life his entire family was meant to have. The good news was that he had brought back the memories of an Immortal King’s entire lifetime. The bad news was that his soul had returned alone—his cultivation had not come with him. Spiritual energy was scarce, resources were depleted, and the modern world still had firearms, surveillance, capital, and laws. If he wanted to protect his family, break free from everyone’s control, and become truly invincible beneath the heavens, he would have to start all over again.
