Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension

In the southeast of the Central Continent, nearly seven thousand miles from the Heavenly Burial Plain, there is a mountain range called the Yunhuang Mountain Range.

This area was traditionally the domain of the Weaver Dong Family, abundant in Spiritual Energy and sparsely populated. However, over the past six months, large Cloud Boats filled with Cultivators have secretly retreated here from the front line.

Cloud Boats came and went, and after several trips, the number of Cultivators congregated in the depths of the Yunhuang Mountain Range reached over a hundred thousand.

Despite such a large number of Cultivators, the Weaver Dong Family has organized them in an orderly manner, without any signs of chaos.

Vast, endless camps were quickly constructed to accommodate the army of Cultivators.

Everything seemed orderly, as if it had been prepared long ago.

On this day, an Azure Mist Cloud Boat, over ten feet long, was slowly flying around the edge of the mountain range.

A twenty-man patrol team was aboard the Cloud Boat, led by a rugged elder at the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment.

Although there were no abnormalities around, the rugged elder's gaze remained alert, scanning the surroundings, while his Divine Sense spread out, constantly sensing the movements below.

No one knew better than Qiu Xinzong the heavy responsibility the patrol team bore!

If the enemy discovered the secret here, it would bring an irreparable disaster to the front line army.

Suddenly, the rugged elder's expression changed, and he looked up into the distant sky.

The team members beside him also looked up into the distance.

"Senior Qiu, did you notice something..." a black-armored youth at Qi Refining Late Stage asked.

Before he could finish his sentence, a speck of red light appeared in the distant sky, and within a few breaths, it had flown close.

The red light turned out to be a three-hundred-foot tall, seven-story tower ship, its scarlet hull engraved with a blue bamboo scroll, with spirit light flowing continuously on it.

The tower ship stirred up a strong air current and flew past the patrol Cloud Boat at a swift pace, heading towards the depths of the Yunhuang Mountain Range.

"Oh, it's someone from Lingyun Academy, so grandiose! It's a pity we didn't see what those pedantic scholars look like," a middle-aged man in a blue robe said with envy, though his words were sour.

Qiu Xinzong watched the tower ship, showing a hint of annoyance on his face:

"In recent days, the Eight Major Sects have been continually pulling their disciples back from the front line. The reduction of military strength on the front line is not a good thing! Additionally, Lingyun Academy acts so ostentatiously, not understanding the importance of secrecy. I'm afraid trouble is not far behind!"

Hearing the captain's worrying complaints, the black-armored youth couldn't help but comfort him, "The Central Continent Eight Sects have profound foundations and immeasurable strength. The way these Major Sects operate is not something us minor Loose Cultivators can fathom. Don't worry, Senior Qiu. We should just do our duties faithfully."

"Indeed, two years ago, when I first arrived at the Golden Jade Great Wall Defense Line, I was fortunate to witness a reinforcement from the Sky-splitting Sword Dao, deploying over a hundred Foundation Establishment disciples and more than ten Golden Core Elders leading them... the scene was truly astonishing," a bald, strange-eyed old man in a green robe marveled.

"There's nothing surprising about that. The Ghost God Tribulation has spanned hundreds of years, and over ninety percent of the Cultivators in this realm have trained more than once at the Heavenly Burial battlefield. Nowadays in Yunhuang Mountain, not to mention Nascent Soul Ancestors, but even Divinity Transformation True Monarchs have likely arrived," Qiu Xinzong said in a calm tone.

"I wonder if I'll have the chance to witness the true form of a Divinity Transformation True Monarch," the black-armored youth said with some longing.

"When the great battle arrives, the Divinity Transformation True Monarchs of this realm will definitely all take action. Okay, that's enough idle talk. Everyone, continue patrolling!" Qiu Xinzong waved his hand to stop his subordinates' discussions, speaking in a deep voice.

The squad members in the boat quickly responded in unison, and the Azure Mist Cloud Boat proceeded slowly along the patrol route.

...

The red tower ship from Lingyun Academy stopped in the sky above a gigantic city within the mountains, where many Cultivators from Weaving Phoenix City had already come to welcome them.

One after another, three or four dozen Confucian Scholars in green robes flew down from the tower ship.

These individuals all had cultivation levels above the Foundation Establishment Realm, each one with restrained aura and extraordinary demeanor, clearly representing the elite among the same rank disciples of Lingyun Academy.

This group of Foundation Establishment Scholars was quickly led into the city and arranged in a bustling workshop with nearly a hundred exquisite courtyards.

At this moment, Weaving Phoenix City was gathering nearly twenty percent of the Central Continent Alliance's high-level combat power, and due to the impending great battle, the atmosphere in the city was somewhat grim.

At this moment, in the depths of the City Lord Mansion, a lavish and elegant palace hall was shielded by multiple Formations.

In contrast to the luxurious exterior, the interior of this hall was quite spacious and simple, with all unnecessary furnishings and decorations removed, save for cushions placed on the floor. The only other feature was a large three-dimensional light screen, displaying detailed terrain of the Heavenly Burial Plain and its surrounding areas for tens of thousands of miles.

Among the cushions in the hall, twenty-six imposing figures were currently seated, led by the Nine Chimeras Demon Lord of the Primordial Demon Sect and the Heavenly Termination Immortal, both Divinity Transformation True Monarchs.

The other twenty-four were all Nascent Soul Ancestors. Apart from nine from the Central Continent, the remaining fifteen Nascent Soul Ancestors hailed from other continental oceans.

This included top-tier forces with Divinity Transformation True Monarchs like Ancient Buddhism, Shui Mu Palace, Jiao Long Clan, and the Eastern Demon Alliance, all of which had sent Nascent Soul Ancestors to sit here.

Additionally, Zhao Jingheng, the City Lord of the Mountain City, who represented the Southern Sky Zhao Family, was also present in the hall at this moment.

Seeing the rare sight of the two Divinity Transformation True Monarchs, Zhao Jingheng's expression was exceptionally grave.

"As of today, the bets have been conducted exactly ten times. Our side has suffered more losses than victories. To maintain our morale, it's highly probable that the betting can no longer continue.