The great powers gather!

A month passed in the blink of an eye. Today was the Heavenly Moon Dao Domain's Heavenly Pride Championship.

Three hundred prodigies were participating in this tournament. Every edition attracted countless prodigies to watch, and quite a few secluded prodigies had entered this time as well, hoping to ascend to heaven in a single step through this battle, like carp leaping through the Dragon Gate, and enter the domain city or even the Immortal Domain.

A sea of people had already gathered before the Domain Lord's Manor, bustling with excitement. Most were prodigies from the various provinces, with no shortage of gifted disciples from the major sects among them.

"Look, that's Fang Jiang from the Bootlicking Sect!" He was lavishly dressed, handsome and dashing, with an imposing bearing. His white robes fluttered, and his whole person exuded scholarly elegance. A group of clan elders and sect elders accompanied him, looking insufferably arrogant.

"Last month, this Fang Jiang got slapped in the street while trying to please Yang Linna of the Holy Mother Sect. I nearly died laughing."

"Shh! Are you stupid? Keep your voice down. If Fang Jiang hears you, watch your head," someone said in a lowered voice.

"Uh! Fine. What rotten luck." The other person shook his head.

On the other side stood a young man with a sinister face. He wore black-and-gold python robes with a jade belt at his waist, his gaze sharp and his entire person radiating an icy presence. A group of guards clustered around him. "Th-that's the Lei Family's young master, Lei Hu!!!" a watching martial artist suddenly cried out. Everyone froze at his words. "The Lei Family? The Lei Family of Heavenly Moon City? Rumor has it that a senior from the Immortal Domain took a liking to Lei Hu three years ago and brought him there to cultivate. He must have reached the Reincarnation Realm by now!"

Before long, Murong Fengchen and his party arrived at last. They flew through the air upon auspicious manifestations, looking like immortals with the bearing of the Dao. The man leading them was particularly striking, dressed in white with a jade pendant at his waist and long hair reaching down to his waist. His pitch-black eyes were as deep as secluded pools, and he looked every inch a refined gentleman. Who knew how many girls in the domain city he had captivated?

"Oh! Brother Fang, you're here early. Let's go in together." Murong Fengchen greeted Fang Jiang with a smile.

"Hmph! Where's Linna?" Fang Jiang gave a heavy snort, glaring furiously at Murong Fengchen.

"Oh! Linna is still resting in my room. She'll probably come over with the people from her sect in a little while," Murong Fengchen said indifferently, paying no attention to Fang Jiang's expression. With that, he turned toward the Domain Lord's Manor, a playful curve forming at the corner of his lips.

"You!!!" Fang Jiang clenched his fists, his teeth grinding audibly as a cold glint flashed through his eyes, but in the end, he did not erupt.

"Forget it! I won't hold it against you." Fang Jiang snorted and turned to follow Murong Fengchen.

The enormous arena before the Domain Lord's Manor could hold more than ten thousand prodigies at once, with countless tables and chairs arranged around it.

A melodious bell rang out across the entire square, which instantly erupted with excitement.

On the platform, Li Yunxiao sat in the very center. Four guards clad in silver armor and holding silver spears sat on each side of him. Every guard had a fierce presence and radiated terrifying pressure.

Li Yunxiao was the person in charge of this Tournament of Prodigies.

"Prodigies, please be quiet!" Li Yunxiao declared. In an instant, the vast square fell utterly silent.

"This Tournament of Prodigies has brought together not only geniuses from across the Immortal Domain, but also countless powerful figures. It is truly an unprecedented occasion."

"I will personally preside over this Tournament of Prodigies. I trust I need not repeat the rules. I hope you will bring out your true strength and win glory for the Heavenly Moon Dao Domain. Now, please wait for the prodigies of the various powers to arrive," Li Yunxiao said in a deep, commanding voice.

A long while later, delegations from another five or six powers arrived one after another. When all the powers had gathered, however, the clamor in the square shook the heavens.

"Huh? Those are people from the Heavenly Demon Cult," someone suddenly cried in surprise.

Twelve figures approached from afar. Their leader was short and thin, with dark skin and narrow, piercing eyes. His entire body exuded a sinister, terrifying presence that struck fear into anyone who saw him.

"Is he the Heavenly Demon Cult's Holy Son-Luosha? He really is no ordinary figure," someone murmured, his voice full of wariness.

The Heavenly Demon Cult was a first-tier power in the Heavenly Moon Dao Domain, with deep foundations and more than a hundred thousand followers. Its nine protectors were all peerless experts with Great Saint cultivation. Beyond them, there were also hidden supreme elders, and it was said that they even had an enigmatic cult leader whose strength was unfathomable.

The Heavenly Demon Cult's arrival made the entire gathering grow tense.

"Hahaha, City Lord Li, what a grand display!"

Just then, hearty laughter came from the horizon. An old woman leaning on a cane slowly descended onto the square, followed by a group of beautiful women. Among them was none other than the chief senior sister, Yang Linna. The old woman had white hair and a youthful face, her back perfectly straight. Though she looked old, she remained hale and spirited.

"It's the Holy Mother Sect's supreme elder!" someone who recognized her cried out.

"Hehe, so Granny Yang has graced us with her presence. Forgive me for not coming out to greet you. Welcome, welcome. Please take a seat of honor." Li Yunxiao cupped his hands.

"No need for formalities. Our Holy Mother Sect is a little late for today's Tournament of Prodigies, but we also have some outstanding disciples participating. I hope you won't take offense," the old woman said calmly.

"Hehe, not at all," Li Yunxiao said with a smile.

Rumble~~~ Rumble~~~ Rumble!!!

Deafening thunder resounded through the void. Immediately afterward, an enormous bronze tower ship broke through the clouds and mist, slowly sailing into the square.

The entire tower ship had a bronze sheen. Dragons and phoenixes were carved into its prow, and runes and magical patterns covered its hull, shimmering with dazzling, mysterious light. It was magnificent and majestic, stirring longing in those who saw it.

The bronze tower ship came to a stop above the square. Along its rail stood a group of figures with transcendent bearings, their bodies shrouded in hazy radiance, emanating a piercing

presence, like deities from a heavenly palace.

Whoosh, whoosh~~ Whoosh, whoosh~~

Figures shot down from the tower ship and landed on the arena, forming a single line. Powerful presences filled the entire square, instantly freezing its atmosphere until it was so silent that a falling pin could be heard.

"Where is this power from?" The prodigies whispered among themselves, speculating about those people's origins.

Twelve figures stood in the square, their leader the most eye-catching of all. Her smooth, jet-black hair fell to her waist. Her oval face was incomparably beautiful, with curved dark brows and bright, large eyes that shone like stars with dazzling brilliance. Her skin was translucent, so delicate it seemed a breath could break it, and as soft and pink as a baby's. A red dress set off her perfect figure.

Every frown and smile carried a soul-stealing allure, tempting all living beings.

"Gasp... That's the Misty Rain Pavilion's Holy Maiden, Zi Yan!!! Even she's come!!!" someone shrieked, unable to hide his excitement.

At that moment, Zi Yan, the Misty Rain Pavilion's Holy Maiden, became the focus of the entire gathering. She took a step forward, and a delicate fragrance immediately wafted into everyone's noses, drawing their attention and making them look toward her involuntarily.

With light, graceful steps, she walked toward the center of the square. Cries of astonishment rose along her path. "Heavens, it really is Her Highness the Holy Maiden! I actually get to see Her Highness the Holy Maiden in the flesh!!! Am I dreaming?"

Every woman present paled in comparison to Zi Yan.

In the distance, Yang Linna's pretty face was extremely dark as she stared at Zi Yan with eyes that seemed to spit fire.

Seeing the Holy Maiden arrive, Li Yunxiao hurried forward,

and said respectfully, "Welcome, Holy Maiden, and congratulations on your grand arrival!!!"

"Mm, not bad." Zi Yan offered an indifferent reply and continued toward the platform.

Li Yunxiao gave a bitter smile, inwardly sighing that the Holy Maiden's temperament was as cold and haughty as ever. But even with a hundred times the courage, he would not dare get angry. This was the Misty Rain Pavilion, a superpower of the Immortal Domain. Its very attendance had already brought the Domain Lord's Manor's

rapidly rising standing to its peak, with not the slightest room left to climb. How could he dare slight her?

The Holy Maiden's arrival brought the atmosphere in the square to its peak. Everyone held their breath, quietly watching Zi Yan.

Zi Yan stepped onto the platform and swept her gaze around. "The Misty Rain Pavilion has come uninvited this time. I hope we won't disturb the prodigies' matches. Does anyone have any objections?" she said calmly.

"Not at all," Li Yunxiao said. "It is our good fortune that the Holy Maiden could come to watch our talented young cultivators exchange pointers. How could it be a disturbance?"

Zi Yan nodded slightly, very satisfied with Li Yunxiao's attitude. Then she looked at the crowd below, sweeping her gaze over them. I wonder if that mysterious youth has come. If he has, I can seize the opportunity to capture him. Hmph! He actually dared reject me twice!!!

Crack, crack.

Suddenly, lightning flashed and thunder roared across the sky. Fierce winds sprang up and dark clouds rolled, as though the end of the world had come. The terrifying celestial phenomena made everyone's faces drain of color.

Suddenly, an ancient sword streaked through the void.

"Hmm? This presence...! That sect is here! They're clearly a bunch of straight men! Yet they make such a flashy entrance! And they just have to be so powerful, too. Tch!" Zi Yan said disdainfully as she watched the strange phenomena overhead.

"They're here, they're here." Beside her, Li Yunxiao growled excitedly under his breath, his heart beating faster and faster.