The city of Qingyuan loomed in the distance, its towering jade walls bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. Even from afar, the vibrant spiritual energy radiating from within was overwhelming. It was a place where legends were forged, where only the strongest cultivators left their mark.
For the Wen Clan, this was not just another tournament. It was a battlefield—a proving ground where they would announce their resurgence to the world.
At the head of the convoy, Wen Wuxing gazed at the city with unreadable eyes. His aura, though restrained, carried an unmistakable edge. He had already tasted the dangers that awaited them. The Crescent Moon Society's ambush was only the beginning.
Someone wanted them gone.
But they had failed.
Now, the Celestial Ascension Tournament awaited.
The Arrival at Qingyuan
The Wen Clan's arrival did not go unnoticed. As their armored carriages and spirit beasts passed through the Celestial Gate, all eyes turned toward them.
Whispers spread.
"The Wen Clan? I thought they were declining..."
"Their forces seem... stronger than before."
"Did you see their vanguard? That young man... he radiates something dangerous."
Wuxing ignored the stares, but he felt the scrutiny of several powerful forces observing from the shadows. The tournament was not just about skill—it was also a battlefield of political maneuvering and hidden agendas.
Inside the city, massive banners adorned the streets, bearing the insignias of the greatest clans and sects. The Zhao Clan's emblem, a golden dragon wrapped around a burning sun, was displayed most prominently, a reminder of their dominance.
But Wuxing's gaze locked onto another symbol—a black obsidian veil, simple yet unsettling.
"The Obsidian Veil," he murmured.
The mysterious faction that had entered the tournament under an imperial decree. No one knew their origins, but their sudden emergence had caught the attention of even the royal court.
Wuxing's instincts told him—they were dangerous.
The Tournament Grounds
The Celestial Arena was vast, built from ancient jade and spirit-infused stone, capable of withstanding even the mightiest cultivators. Thousands of spectators filled the stands, while dozens of participating sects and clans gathered near the central platform.
At the very center stood the Tournament Overseer, an elder dressed in golden robes, flanked by imperial guards.
"The Celestial Ascension Tournament will now commence!" his voice boomed, infused with spiritual energy. "Over the next three days, the strongest cultivators will rise, while the weak shall fall! Glory awaits only the victors!"
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Then, the overseer raised his hand, and the first phase was revealed.
Phase One: The Trial of the Nine Heavens
A massive array formation ignited, illuminating the sky with golden runes. Suddenly, the arena trembled, and the very ground beneath them shifted.
In a flash, all participants vanished—teleported into a vast illusory battlefield.
Wuxing found himself standing on an enormous floating platform, suspended in an endless sky of swirling clouds. Similar platforms stretched across the horizon, each occupied by combatants from different factions.
A voice echoed from the heavens.
"The Trial of the Nine Heavens has begun. Only those who survive the descent shall qualify for the next round."
Wuxing's eyes narrowed. He understood immediately—
They were going to fall.
A powerful force pulled them downward, dragging the combatants toward the abyss below. The only way to survive was to defend against the fall or fight for higher ground.
All around him, cultivators reacted. Some summoned flight talismans, others activated protective barriers, while the boldest engaged in aerial combat.
A smirk touched Wuxing's lips.
"Interesting."
With a flick of his sleeve, his spiritual energy surged, and his body stabilized midair. The real battle had begun.
The First Battle
Wuxing's platform was not empty. A group of five Qilin Sect disciples had landed there as well. Their leader, a sharp-eyed young man wielding a spear, sneered.
"Leave now, and we won't break your bones," he said.
Wuxing didn't even blink. Instead, he vanished—reappearing in front of the speaker in an instant.
BAM!
A single palm strike sent the Qilin disciple crashing through the platform, his body plummeting toward the abyss below.
The remaining disciples paled.
"He—he's too fast!"
Before they could react, Wen Ruoyan and Wen Ming landed beside Wuxing, their auras burning with battle intent.
"We don't have time for trash," Wen Ruoyan said coldly.
Wen Ming cracked his knuckles. "Let's clean this up quickly."
The battle erupted.
Blades clashed, qi surged, and explosions of energy tore through the air as the Wen Clan disciples dominated the battlefield.
One by one, their enemies fell into the abyss, disqualified from the tournament.
Then, as Wuxing prepared to move to the next platform—
A new presence emerged.
A figure cloaked in black, their face hidden beneath a hood, landed silently before him. Unlike the others, this person radiated no discernible aura.
A faint chuckle escaped the figure's lips.
"Interesting," they murmured. "The Wen Clan has truly returned."
Wuxing's gaze sharpened.
This wasn't an ordinary opponent.
A Battle Yet to Come
The first trial was still far from over, but Wuxing knew—this moment was different.
Whoever this person was, they were watching him specifically.
As the floating platforms continued to descend, combatants fought, fell, and struggled for survival. The Trial of the Nine Heavens had begun, but the real war was yet to come.
And as Wuxing stared at the figure before him, he knew—
His greatest challenge was still ahead.