Days had passed since Shen Yuan's breakthrough.
During this time, he focused entirely on stabilizing his cultivation, adapting to the second stage of the Nether Dragon Scripture, and memorizing every rule of the Sacred Sect Ranking Competition. He learned that the competition was not held on their planet or even in a distant country—but in an entirely separate dimension, one with its own space-time. The implications were immense, but Shen Yuan remained unfazed.
Finally, the long-awaited day arrived.
Shen Yuan, Tang Jiyan, Xiang Xiaoli, Guo Bohai, Shi Meixiu, and Dong Chen stood at the sect's grand gates, their figures imposing beneath the morning sun. Before them stood the two sect masters, Wu Daozhen and Xue Linghun, their expressions serious.
Xue Linghun's piercing gaze settled on the six of them.
"Remember," he said, his voice firm and cold, "you are representing the Twin Soul Sect. Be utmost respectful to the envoy of the World Lord. His power is beyond what you can currently comprehend. Do not embarrass the sect."
Just as he finished speaking, a flash of radiant light descended from the sky, its brilliance so intense that it forced even the sect masters to take a step back.
The light condensed, shifting into the form of an elderly man clad in celestial robes, his long white beard flowing like silk, and his azure eyes sharp enough to pierce through one's soul. The moment he appeared, a suffocating pressure engulfed the entire sect, making even the two Mid-Stage Elysian Realm sect masters bow in respect and submission.
Shen Yuan and his companions, though far weaker, instinctively cupped their fists and lowered their heads, feeling as if a mountain of divine power was crushing them in place.
A long silence stretched before Wu Daozhen finally spoke.
"No wonder Senior is the Envoy of the World Lord," he said reverently. "Your Early-Stage Origin Decent Realm cultivation is like the boundless cosmos before us mere Elysian Realm cultivators."
Shen Yuan's eyes flashed in realization.
"So that's why I couldn't gauge his cultivation…"
Even with his divine sense, he was unable to detect anything from the envoy—because Origin Decent Realm was a realm beyond his comprehension. He now understood that to perceive such power, one had to be at least an Early-Stage Elysian Realm cultivator.
The envoy's gaze slowly swept over them, his expression unreadable.
"Are these the disciples representing the Twin Soul Sect?" he asked, his deep voice carrying an immense authority.
"Yes," Xue Linghun replied without hesitation. "They are the ones."
The envoy's sharp eyes settled on Shen Yuan, studying him for a moment before speaking.
"You. Are you the leader of this team?"
Shen Yuan stepped forward, meeting the envoy's gaze without fear.
"Yes."
The envoy stroked his long white beard. "Then you should know all the rules of the competition, correct?"
Shen Yuan nodded firmly.
"I do."
A flicker of something—approval, perhaps—passed through the envoy's ancient eyes. "Very well."
Without another word, he raised his hand, and space itself trembled as an azure portal materialized beside him. The portal pulsed with divine energy, its surface rippling like a mirror reflecting an unknown dimension.
"Step forward," the envoy commanded. "Enter."
Shen Yuan took a step, but Wu Daozhen suddenly placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Shen Yuan," the sect master said in a rare solemn tone, "be careful. You must win. Lead your team as you have done until now."
Shen Yuan's lips curled into a slight smirk.
"Sect master, no need to stress."
Then, without another word, he stepped into the portal.
The moment his foot touched the shimmering surface, his entire body was pulled forward, as if he had become weightless. His companions followed suit, disappearing into the swirling vortex one by one.
When Shen Yuan opened his eyes, he found himself standing on a platform unlike anything he had ever seen.
It was made entirely of Qi—a solidified energy that pulsed beneath his feet, radiating an ethereal glow. It stretched endlessly, yet felt weightless, as though they were floating in the void itself.
As his gaze swept across his surroundings, realization struck him like a lightning bolt.
They were no longer on their planet.
They were no longer even in the star system at all.
Above them, the sky was not blue—it wasn't even a sky anymore, but an endless abyss of cosmic darkness, littered with distant galaxies and swirling nebulas. Vast Qi platforms extended across the outer-space, each holding other sects and families, their banners fluttering despite the absence of wind. The sheer number of powerful cultivators was staggering—every single one at least in the Nirvana Realm.
A flicker of amusement crossed Shen Yuan's face.
"So this is why Nirvana Realm is the minimum requirement. Anyone weaker would have died the moment they arrived."
Suddenly, a beam of crimson light streaked across the void.
The light condensed, forming the silhouette of a man dressed in shining red robes, his presence domineering and absolute. Beside him, standing respectfully, was the envoy.
Shen Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly.
There was no need for introductions.
This was the World Lord of their planet.