Li Hao followed the Dream Master, cultivating the Painting Dao in the Langya Painting Realm, while the others continued their training there, consolidating their gains and seeking their final insights.
The other heavenly sects of the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty refused to fall behind either. Knowing that the Southern Region Assembly Battle would determine their sects' rankings, they opened every sacred land and secret realm within their sects, giving their disciples one last chance to make a final push.
Within the Divine Crow Secret Realm of the Imperial Clan, in the imperial capital of the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty.
A gigantic golden tree stood there, with ten golden crows perched upon it. Like ten suns hanging in the sky, they shone brilliantly, illuminating the entire secret realm.
The flowers, grasses, and earth throughout the secret realm gleamed gold, as regal as though they had been gilded.
Beneath the golden tree flowed the Divine Crow River. Golden ripples shimmered across its surface as it stretched toward a mysterious end, where countless shadows seemed to rise and sink. Compared with the golden sanctity beneath the tree, that place was utterly different-dark, desolate, and deathly still.
"You must give your all in this Southern Region Assembly Battle as well. As members of the Imperial Clan, you must never lose to the imperial families of other immortal dynasties. We of Yan-Chu inherited our ancestors' royal souls. We once battled across the Eight Wastelands, fought the six dynasties, and traversed the Immortal Forbidden Imperial Zone. Even if you lose, you must fall standing. You must never disgrace our ancestors' divine might!"
Emperor Chu's expression was calm, yet his words carried an immense pressure. Even the other princes beside him, who had long since achieved success in cultivation, dared not speak, lowering their heads in silence.