Chapter 181:
The Immortal Martial Forbidden Domain was an area enclosed by nine Martial Boundary Monuments.
The entire region was shrouded in a massive grand formation. Now, as the Grand Sixty-Year Competition began, the sealing formation was lifted, revealing the entire region from the void before the world. Normally, this place was nothing more than an ordinary mountain range. But once the competition ended, it would be sealed once again, disappearing into the void.
However, this domain was far larger than people imagined. From outside the Martial Boundary Monuments, it did not seem particularly vast. Yet, once inside the Immortal Martial Forbidden Domain, everything changed. Some claimed it was a remnant of an ancient world, sealed away by someone with supreme divine power. Such a grand feat could only be accomplished by the legendary ancient immortals.
Even though this was Xiao Yang’s second time entering this place, he was still in awe. The ancient yet refreshingly clear aura that filled this world surged toward him. He climbed a towering mountain and looked around, seeing endless rolling mountain ranges stretching into the distance. Towering ancient trees, over a hundred meters high, were scattered everywhere. Strange flowers and exotic herbs were countless. From time to time, beastly roars echoed through the mountains, warning all who entered that this place was far from safe.
Ancient ruins were scattered throughout this land. Hidden within them were countless ancient secrets, along with tombs of ancient powerful figures.
For the martial cultivators of the Northern Territory, the Grand Sixty-Year Competition was an opportunity to change their fate. At the very moment when the bell atop Yuanwu Mountain rang, all martial cultivators across the Northern Territory would instinctively converge toward it.
True Immortal Martial inheritance was in the Yuanwu Immortal Domain. But within the Immortal Martial Forbidden Domain, there were also countless opportunities and fortunes awaiting those with fate on their side. Some fortunate individuals might obtain ancient martial techniques, peerless spiritual treasures, or even long-lost divine medicines that had vanished from the outside world.
Others relied on luck.
But Xiao Yang, having lived a second life, relied on his past memories. Ordinary treasures no longer interested him. With Liu Qingyun and Ling Xian’er, he plunged into the depths of a mountain range.
In this place, no one could fly.
Everyone who entered the Immortal Martial Forbidden Domain had to traverse it on foot, no matter their status. Even the great figures of the Northern Territory’s top ten factions were no exception. No one was exempt.
Even the successor of the Soaring Sword Sect was bound by this rule.
"The multitudes of living beings seek only longevity."
Atop Yuanwu Mountain, two figures stood.
The speaker was a woman in white. She stood quietly, as though existing in her own separate world. Her figure was hazy, and no one could see her face clearly.
Beside her stood a Daoist, exuding an immortal aura. His presence seemed to merge seamlessly with the surrounding heavens and earth.
This was the Saint Martial Realm, where one achieved unity with heaven and man.
Two Martial Saints overlooked the martial cultivators entering the Immortal Martial Forbidden Domain.
"Longevity is also my aspiration," the Daoist said indifferently.
"The world speaks of the wonders of immortals, but who truly understands how difficult it is to become one? It is as hard as ascending to the heavens," the white-clothed woman sighed.
"You are the Soaring Sword Master. After cultivating in the Immortal Domain for a thousand years, you must have glimpsed the secret to sainthood by now," the Daoist said with a smile.
The white-clothed woman was none other than the Soaring Sword Sect’s Sword Master—the Sword Saint of the Soaring Sword Sect.
"And you, Supreme Dao Master, are only a step away from reaching the Saint Martial Realm, aren't you?" the Soaring Sword Master looked at the Daoist and said.
"Haha! Once my Supreme Dao Sect claims first place in the Grand Sixty-Year Competition and gains control of the Immortal Domain, perhaps I will finally take that step and truly transcend into sainthood," the Supreme Dao Master laughed.
"Is that so? Then I shall see if your Supreme Dao Sect has the ability to achieve that."
With a sweep of her sleeves, the Soaring Sword Master turned and stepped onto the Ascension Platform, vanishing from sight.
"Yuanwu Immortal Domain…"
The Supreme Dao Master gazed at the portal atop the Ascension Platform. That was the Immortal Gate.
At present, only the Soaring Sword Sect’s genius disciples could freely enter and exit the Yuanwu Immortal Domain.
Unless the Soaring Sword Master personally opened the Immortal Gate, even someone as powerful as the Supreme Dao Master could not force his way in. He would have to wait three months until the Immortal Gate opened on its own.
"This time, it will be my Supreme Dao Sect’s turn to take control of the Immortal Domain."
With those words, the Supreme Dao Master sat down cross-legged.
From the moment the first bell rang atop Yuanwu Mountain, all martial cultivators under sixty years old across the Northern Territory were eligible to climb Yuanwu Mountain within three months and enter the Yuanwu Immortal Domain to participate in the true Grand Sixty-Year Competition.
Xiao Yang knew the rules of the competition.
Everyone knew the rules.
The Grand Sixty-Year Competition was held once every sixty years. Only martial cultivators under sixty could participate. Those older than sixty lost their eligibility.
Thus, this was a grand event for young martial cultivators.
However, anyone could enter the Immortal Martial Forbidden Domain. Anyone could compete for the cultivation resources within it.
As a result, people from every sect across the Northern Territory gathered here, along with formidable cultivators from beyond the Northern Territory.
This was a grand event of unparalleled scale. Heroes from all corners of the world assembled, and countless geniuses gathered.
However, entering the Northern Territory was no easy task for outsiders.
…
At this moment, Xiao Yang had already arrived near an ancient ruin.
He climbed a low mountain beside the ruins. From this vantage point, he could take in the entire site at a glance.
Collapsed pavilions and broken alchemical furnaces lay scattered everywhere. Fragments of bricks and tiles inscribed with runes were strewn across the ground.
This was once the site of an ancient alchemy sect.
An ancient alchemy sect was incomparable to the present-day Pill Cauldron Sect or the current Heavenly Medicine Sect.
Modern alchemy sects could no longer refine the legendary divine pills of ancient times.
For example, the recipe for the Nirvana Pill had long been lost in the outside world.
"This place is…"
Liu Qingyun looked at Xiao Yang with confusion.
Why had Xiao Yang brought them here?
"Just watch the show," Xiao Yang said with a smile.
"A show?" Liu Qingyun was even more puzzled.
What kind of show could there be in this desolate place where not even birds would stop?
This ruin before them was already in ruins—could there really be anything valuable left behind?
"They’re here," Xiao Yang suddenly said.
Liu Qingyun and Ling Xian’er quickly turned to look and saw a figure rushing toward the ruins from the distance.
"Tang Chen?"
Both of them recognized him.
He was none other than Tang Chen, the senior disciple of the Heavenly Medicine Sect.
As a senior disciple of the Heavenly Medicine Sect, Tang Chen was a Sixth-Gourd Heavenly Physician at the Heavenly Martial Realm.
Soon, several disciples of the Heavenly Medicine Sect arrived as well.
They moved swiftly, clearing out the collapsed structure ahead.
It was an alchemy chamber.
"Could there really be a treasure here?"
Liu Qingyun grew excited.
Ling Xian’er also stared at Tang Chen and his group with anticipation.
Xiao Yang was planning to reap the rewards without lifting a finger.
"Senior brother, is there really a treasure here?"
Inside the ruins, the collapsed alchemy chamber had already been cleared.
All the disciples of the Heavenly Medicine Sect looked at Tang Chen.
Tang Chen remained silent.
After a moment of contemplation, he walked to the center of the chamber and suddenly slammed his fist into the ground.
Boom!
A dull sound rang out as cracks began spreading outward from where his fist had landed.
"This…"
The other disciples of the Heavenly Medicine Sect were startled and quickly stepped back.
Tang Chen leaped away as well, landing several meters away.
In no time, cracks covered the entire ground.
Then, he lifted a massive stone statue of an unknown divine beast that had fallen nearby and hurled it straight at the cracked ground of the alchemy chamber.
BOOM!
With a loud crash, the heavy statue smashed into the ground, causing it to collapse completely.
Everyone was stunned by the sight.
A massive opening appeared before them.
"There’s actually a hidden chamber underground?"
The disciples of the Heavenly Medicine Sect were in utter shock.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yang remained calm as he observed the scene from the low mountain.
Liu Qingyun and Ling Xian’er, however, looked at him with curiosity.
How did Xiao Yang know there was treasure here?
Tang Chen was extremely cautious.
He caught a large rooster from somewhere and tossed it into the hole.
When the rooster did not trigger any traps or restrictions, he carefully approached the opening.
After glancing inside and confirming that it was safe, he jumped in.
The other disciples of the Heavenly Medicine Sect followed him and leaped into the underground chamber as well.