Side Story - The Heavenly Imperator And Tian Xu

Long before Wu Yuan's ascension, in an era shrouded in antiquity, Heavenly Imperator Jin Yi had already become a Dao Zenithel. His name echoed across the cosmic sea as he led the Immortal Court in their ongoing confrontation with the Eldritch Court.

Yet in this distant age, the Heavenly Imperator still stood far below the might of Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu.

The Immortal Court Universe—the foundation of the Immortal Court—had spawned countless gifted cultivators throughout several samsara cycles. Many had stepped into eternity since its creation. Over the long eons, brilliant cultivators from other universes flocked to the Immortal Court Universe, seeking the best guidance offered within its domain.

...

In the depths of the dark void, a battleship sliced through space at breathtaking speed. Hundreds of figures sat within—humans, humanoid beings of flesh and blood, stone-based lifeforms, and even several sentient plant beings who had awakened to intelligence. Despite their racial diversity, all meditated quietly aboard the vessel.

I only ranked twelfth in the selection battles in the Violet Night Universe.

Worried Dong Huo, a slender human youth.

Will I be worthy of becoming an Overlord's disciple?

Born in a primitive world in the Violet Night Universe where myriad races coexisted and humans were merely an insignificant race, Dong Huo had changed everything. From his earliest years, he displayed remarkable talent, rising methodically to defeat countless enemies in his world, establishing the foundation for humanity's powerful rise. Eventually, they dominated the star.

He had cultivated to the level of "flying through the heavens and burrowing through the earth" and "achieving longevity beyond his domain."

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Then everything changed.

An Archimmortal of the Immortal Court, passing by his world, sensed Dong Huo's presence and removed him from his primitive homeland.

The so-called 'flying through heavens and earth' of my homeland was merely Shambhala phase.

Dong Huo reflected.

In the Violet Night Saintdom, I rank among the top-tier geniuses of this generation. I only lost to Luo Yu and the others because I've had less time to cultivate.

After tens of thousands of years cultivating in the Violet Night Saintdom, Dong Huo had reached the High Deity phase. His Dao cultivation level now rivaled many Astral Monarchs.

We're almost there.

A streak of light flashed through the battleship's hall, and a black-robed figure materialized from thin air.

"Sovereign," the hundreds of figures bowed respectfully in unison. Though from different races, all served under the Immortal Court's banner, their talent undeniable—each had emerged victorious from among hundreds of thousands of peerless geniuses in the Saintdom.

"We approach the Immortal Court headquarters," the black-robed figure announced, gazing down at those assembled. "I've just received word that the great and supreme Heavenly Imperator will appear at this selection gathering. This is your opportunity."

Reverence gleamed in the black-robed figure's eyes. "Remember! It's the Heavenly Imperator! The supreme leader of our Immortal Court."

"What?"

"The Heavenly Imperator?"

"The supreme Heavenly Imperator?"

Shock rippled through the peerless geniuses. Many began breathing rapidly, their composure shattered.

The Heavenly Imperator!

As members of the Immortal Court's core, how could they not know of him? He was their greatest leader, who had guided the Immortal Court from obscurity to glory, reportedly slaying countless supreme beings along the way.

Yet these peerless geniuses had considered becoming disciples under an Overlord to be their best possible future. They hadn't dared dream of supreme beings. Even Supreme Geniuses rarely became disciples under such existences.

And the Heavenly Imperator stood as the Immortal Court's supreme powerhouse. His existence had elevated the Immortal Court to the second largest power in the entire river of space and time, surpassed only by the Eldritch Court.

...

The Immortal Court had established Saintdoms across more than twenty universes, its strength steadily approaching that of the Eldritch Court. Peerless geniuses from the Violet Night Universe and various Saintdom branches had gathered—over ten thousand brilliant cultivators assembled in a temple suspended in outer space.

Silence reigned.

"Do you see the spacetime passage above?" An immense figure stood at the temple's end, pointing toward the vast spacetime vortex swirling overhead. "The supreme Heavenly Imperator has created a trial within. Those who pass will receive his personal guidance."

"Go forth!"

"Give it your all!" The towering figure's voice thundered. "Burn your blood, for yourselves and for the glory of our Immortal Court." His words carried a special magic that ignited the blood of all ten thousand figures.

Though extraordinarily talented, they remained mortal lifeforms in a broad sense, not yet having become sempiternal lifeforms. Even those with iron will like Dong Huo unknowingly fell under the spell of the Overlord's secret art.

...

Ten years later.

"First place, Bai Bing, selected!"...

"Seventh place, Dong Huo, selected!"

I've succeeded!

Dong Huo, who had been struggling in a desolate world, remained vigilant of his surroundings.

Though only ten years had passed outside, in this special realm created by the Heavenly Imperator, Dong Huo had struggled for ten thousand years. Only upon hearing the voice from the void did he finally exhale in relief.

I've finally succeeded. Will I meet the Heavenly Imperator?

Excitement flickered in his eyes.

After ten thousand years of trials, he truly understood the Heavenly Imperator's painstaking efforts. This decade had yielded greater cultivation gains than his previous tens of thousands of years combined.

...

Beyond infinite spacetime, atop a towering, endless mountain, radiant light shone in all directions while the peak remained faintly shrouded in mist. Countless rare beasts and creatures roamed the mountain, but phoenixes were undoubtedly the most numerous.

The Mountain of Myriad Beasts.

This holy land of the Immortal Court served as the Heavenly Imperator's dwelling place.

"Nine." A golden-robed figure strolled along the mountain peak, his gaze effortlessly penetrating infinite spacetime to observe the young geniuses in various worlds.

Suddenly, he stopped.

"Hmm?" The golden-robed figure halted and looked into the distance. "Senior Tian Xu, there’s no need to act so mysteriously."

"Haha, impressive!

"Impressive indeed." Laughter echoed as countless streams of light and shadow converged, forming the ethereal figure of an elderly man in azure robes. He smiled at the golden-robed figure. "Jin Yi, it's been a while since we last met. Your power has grown stronger. You sensed me before I even manifested."

"Only you, Senior Tian Xu, could infiltrate my universe undetected and approach the Mountain of Myriad Beasts," the golden-robed figure smiled.

"You're kind-hearted indeed, still finding time to guide these little ones," the azure-robed elder chuckled. "Even if you guide a hundred thousand or a million, you might not produce a single Dao Zenithel, I fear."

"In the workings of the Primordium, there's always a glimmer of hope," the golden-robed figure replied. "What I give them is but a chance. Whether they seize it depends on themselves."

"Mm. All beings are dragons. Your philosophy isn't wrong, but alas! Alas..." the azure-robed elder sighed with regret.

The golden-robed figure simply smiled, offering no rebuttal.

"Very well."

"You remember our last agreement, right?" The azure-robed elder grinned. "Help me obtain the Samsara Sword, and I'll tell you the whereabouts of the Imperator Mountain."

"Agreed," the golden-robed figure nodded. "Please wait a moment, Senior. I'll be at Yonder Cliff shortly."