In the blink of an eye, sixty years passed.
During this time, Chen Yang had remained in a state of enlightenment, chiefly comprehending divine abilities, spells, and other offensive techniques.
At this moment, a figure suddenly appeared before Chen Yang.
It was none other than Duobao.
"Disciple..."
Chen Yang awoke from his enlightenment, somewhat startled. "Eh... Master, why are you here?"
"A thousand years have passed. The Three Sects Tournament is drawing near; it is time for us to go to Kunlun."
Duobao spoke calmly.
Chen Yang came to a realization.
After making some simple preparations, he followed Duobao toward Biyou Palace.
At this time, on a square outside Biyou Palace.
This was usually where Tongtian preached the Dao, but now countless prayer mats had been laid out. Though each mat was small, each contained a small world of its own.
Such were the means of a Sage.
The Jie Sect disciples had been waiting for quite some time. Upon seeing their eldest senior brother Duobao, they all stepped forward to salute him. "Greetings, Eldest Senior Brother Duobao!"
Duobao flicked his whisk and smiled. "No need for such courtesy, junior brothers and sisters. Disciple... come, greet your martial uncles and aunts."
Chen Yang immediately stepped forward. "Chen Yang greets all martial uncles and aunts."
Seeing this, everyone smiled and nodded, not treating him as an outsider.
Over these past thousand years, they had become exceedingly familiar with Chen Yang—especially with the commotions he had stirred up, waking them from seclusion again and again.
Moreover, they all knew that Lord Tongtian had bestowed the Slaying Immortals Sword upon him.
Naturally, they had all been paying attention to this martial nephew of theirs.
Just then, Duobao spoke aloud once more. "Disciple... come and greet your Martial Uncle Zhao Gongming, as well as your three martial aunts, Yunxiao, Qiongxiao, and Bixiao."
Following his instructions, Chen Yang saluted again. "Chen Yang greets Martial Uncle Zhao Gongming and the three martial aunts."
Following Duobao, Chen Yang became acquainted with quite a few members of the Jie Sect.
The disciples also held considerable goodwill toward this martial nephew.
As everyone conversed, a trace of profound Dao charm quietly emerged, instantly making every Jie Sect disciple fall silent without realizing it.
A Daoist in a green Daoist robe emerged from the void, a Green Peace Sword strapped across his back and a whisk in his hand. Dao charm coiled around him, while golden lotuses spread in every direction.
Seeing this, everyone hurried forward to pay their respects.
"Disciples greet Master."
"Granddisciples greet Grandmaster!"
Tongtian waved his hand and asked with a solemn, treasure-like countenance, "Are you all prepared?"
"Master, everything is ready," Duobao stepped forward and said.
"Mm. Let us go..."
Tongtian swept his whisk, and a white cloud immediately rose beneath them, carrying the Jie Sect group toward Kunlun Mountain.
The Kunlun Immortal Realm was breathtakingly beautiful.
Immortal mountains wound and stretched endlessly, spiritual energy rose into the air, immortal herbs and exotic blooms flourished, immortal cranes flew in flocks, and divine rainbows formed bridges...
Countless dreamlike immortal scenes appeared here all at once. Kunlun truly lived up to its name.
Tongtian led his disciples down upon Kunlun Mountain, before Yuxu Palace.
At this time, the Exposition Sect disciples had long been waiting here.
Guangchengzi, the Exposition Sect's eldest senior brother, wore a Daoist robe and gently waved his whisk as he respectfully said, "All disciples of the Exposition Sect welcome Martial Uncle and all Jie Sect senior brothers and junior brothers!"
"Welcome, Martial Uncle! Welcome, Jie Sect senior brothers and junior brothers!"
The Exposition Sect disciples behind him spoke in unison.
Tongtian swept his gaze over them indifferently, gave a slight nod, then said, "Duobao, make the arrangements..."
With that, Tongtian vanished, heading toward the cave abode where Yuanshi Tianzun resided.
Duobao said nothing further and respectfully accepted the order.
The Jie Sect disciples had long grown accustomed to this. After all, among them disciples, Eldest Senior Brother Duobao was the one who usually managed most matters.
With a solemn expression, Duobao looked toward the Exposition Sect disciples. "Junior Brother Guangchengzi... we have not met for several epochs. Your cultivation has improved considerably..."
Guangchengzi did not stand on ceremony and laughed aloud. "It is all thanks to Master's guidance. Senior Brother Duobao, how about we exchange insights on the Dao?"
Duobao glanced at the eager Exposition Sect disciples and shook his head. "There is no rush to discuss the Dao. First, arrange lodgings for us."
Guangchengzi nodded, then suddenly changed the subject. "Senior Brother Duobao... there have been some slight changes to this Three Sects Tournament. I hope the Jie Sect brothers and sisters will be mentally prepared."
Duobao looked at him in surprise. "What do you mean, Junior Brother?"
Guangchengzi smiled. "Senior Brother Duobao... when Master last discussed the Dao with the two Sages of the Western Sect, he happened to mention the Three Sects Tournament. The two Martial Uncles were very interested after hearing of it and said they would bring their disciples to participate."
Duobao understood and flicked his whisk. "That does make things rather interesting."
Duobao did not particularly care about the Western Sect joining.
Just then.
Beyond Kunlun, Buddhist light resounded, and Sanskrit chants echoed through the air.
Within the Buddhist light, two figures bathed in radiance slowly descended onto Kunlun Mountain.
Duobao stepped forward and saluted neither humbly nor arrogantly. "Duobao of the Jie Sect greets Sage Jieyin and Sage Zhunti."
In the blink of an eye, more than ten years passed.
After the five Sages gathered at Kunlun Mountain, waves of Dao sounds began to spread through the air.
The five Sages seemed to be discussing something.
The disciples of the four sects also seized this chance to comprehend the heavenly voices of the Sages and gain insight into the Grand Dao.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
On this day, a golden bell rang, waking everyone from seclusion. Then, as though by unspoken agreement, they all headed toward Yuxu Square.
The bell signified that the tournament was about to begin.
At this time, Duobao was also leading Chen Yang toward Yuxu Square.
Along the way, Duobao instructed him, "Disciple... you are now a Golden Immortal, and your strength is outstanding among the disciples. I have asked you to participate in this tournament, firstly to temper you, and secondly because I hope our Jie Sect will have someone who can hold up the scene. Your Grandmaster... he sorely needs a victory!"
Chen Yang nodded. "Master... will you not be participating in this tournament?"
Duobao was already a Daluo Golden Immortal. If he participated, the Jie Sect would stand a great chance of winning!
"Of course I cannot participate. If a Great Luo participates, then the tournament would lose all meaning. Besides that, the other four direct disciples of the Jie Sect will not participate either." Duobao shook his head as he spoke.
"What about the Exposition Sect disciples?" Chen Yang asked again.
"Martial Uncle Yuanshi teaches his disciples very strictly. Golden Immortals who have not reached the Undying Realm may not break through to Grand Unity; those in the Grand Unity Realm who have not reached the Ultimate Realm may not break through to the Great Luo Realm. Therefore, most of the Exposition Sect junior brothers are still in the Great Unity Realm, and none are Daluo Golden Immortals."
Duobao spoke slowly.
Chen Yang nodded and said nothing more.
Before long, everyone arrived at Yuxu Square.
The five Sages also arrived quietly.
Seeing them, the many disciples all paid their respects.
Laozi sat in the seat of honor and spoke indifferently to the disciples. "This tournament differs from the arena battles of the past. Each of you will receive a token, then enter the 'Skyland Landscape Painting'! The Skyland Landscape Painting is a high-grade spiritual treasure, and within it lies a world.
"In the world within this painting, we five Sages have placed many opportunities. Once you enter, you may seek opportunities, or you may seize the tokens of others. Whoever has their token taken will be eliminated at once and transported out of the Skyland Landscape Painting..."
Laozi explained the tournament rules simply and clearly.
The disciples looked at one another in dismay after hearing this.
Yuanshi continued, "There will be only one victor in this tournament, with no rankings for the rest. Thus, even fellow disciples may become opponents! Furthermore, restrictions have been placed within the Skyland Landscape Painting. No magical treasures may be used. You may rely only on your own cultivation and divine abilities."
The time limit was one thousand years, and everyone would enter the Skyland Landscape Painting to fight and slaughter!
And there could only be one victor?!
Even fellow disciples might have to come to blows!
Before you continue