The Domain Lord's Arrangements

Soon, an ancient yet vast divine sense, boundless as a sea of stars, awakened in the forbidden grounds deep within the Domain Lord's Mansion. It swept over the message Bai Li Jing Hong had sent and remained silent for a long while. At last, it sent back a single word: "Approved."

Moments later, Bai Li Jing Hong, Domain Lord of the Central Domain, set out for Azure Firmament Academy, the heart of the Central Domain. With him were three Attendants at the peak of the Sovereign Realm, along with an old man who had emerged at an unhurried pace from the forbidden grounds. He wore a plain gray robe and had unremarkable features, yet somehow seemed to blend into the world around him—the Grand Elder himself. They quietly left Tian Shu City aboard the swiftest void skiff in the Domain Lord's Mansion.

Though their movements were secretive, how could they escape the notice of the other great powers of the Sacred Martial Continent? At once, the Domain Lord's Mansions of the Western, Southern, and Northern Domains, along with the leaders of the top sects and ancient kingdoms, caught wind of the news. Each had their own thoughts, but all turned their eyes toward Azure Firmament Academy.

Azure Firmament Academy, Welcoming Immortals Terrace.

Yun Qingtian stood at the edge of the white-jade-paved plaza, his green robe stirring gently in the breeze. He watched several black specks rapidly growing larger on the horizon, a complex, rueful smile on his face. Beside him, Ice Lotus Fairy, True Man Tian Shu, and the academy's other senior figures stood solemnly, their expressions tinged with both gravity and anticipation.

"What was bound to come has finally arrived," Yun Qingtian sighed under his breath.

The void skiff touched down smoothly, and its cabin door opened. Bai