On this day, the plaza outside Guhua Hall was packed almost to the brim.

Up front, there were more than ten True Monarchs!

Behind them, nothing but Late Stage of Myriad Manifestation Realm and Manifestation Perfection!

Compared to the True Monarchs, those at Manifestation Perfection weren't rare; not only in all of Daqian, but just within the capital you could find a pile of them—their numbers were astonishing.

There were several hundred people altogether. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Among them were experts from major powers who'd heard the news, loose cultivators, and even some with special status in the capital.

Not to mention others, even the True Monarch Gu Hong was unmistakably here.

Because he'd acted as vanguard before, he'd destroyed his own foundation, but his strength still remained.

But Xu Yang didn't know if Gu Hong came here on his own this time or if Can Sutian had given the orders.

Still, he felt the former was more likely.

Who knew—maybe, once in the Spirit Realm, he could restore his damaged foundation.

Xu Yang stood off to one side, completely inconspicuous!

Yet, among those present, not a single person dared underestimate him.

Leaving aside his 'Can Clan' identity, his strength alone made him unrivaled among his peers.

This point was beyond question in the hearts of Daqian's martial artists!

He was simply too strong.

Xu Yang scanned the crowd and spotted some familiar faces.

Talents like Yie Vajra, Yang Ziye, and Qin Yuan; when he caught sight of Dong Xiuling, Xu Yang couldn't help but be startled—the Dong Clan's and the capital's number one genius was coming here too?

Wasn't she always with Can Yunwu?

Secretly muttering, Xu Yang let it go and whispered, "Mr. Ning, you and Yang Ziye…?"

"Don't talk nonsense, there's nothing between us."

"Wait, she's going to the Spirit Realm too?"

Ning Wuyang's voice sank slightly at last.

"Yes, I saw her."

Ning Wuyang was silent for a while, then murmured, "If there's danger, please help her out."

"And you say there's nothing?" Xu Yang smirked.

Ning Wuyang didn't reply at all.

Suddenly.

A few figures approached.

Xu Yang's eyebrows lifted.

"Huangfu Qing!"

The newcomers were from Wuhou Hall.

Not many in number—Gon Lang led them, seven in all. The only young one was Huangfu Qing; the other six, including Gon Lang, were all elder, high-ranking members of Wuhou Hall.

"That's Wuhou Hall's Vice Hall Master, Gon Lang."

"And Huangfu Qing, damn, they're coming too?"

"Didn't think Wuhou Hall would dare join such an expedition."

"Don't even start, Wuhou Hall's been full of drama these past two years."

...

The crowd murmured in hushed voices upon seeing Gon Lang and his group.

Huangfu Qing walked up with Gon Lang, spotted Xu Yang, hurried forward two steps, then bowed respectfully, "Greetings, Your Highness!"

Xu Yang stared deeply at Huangfu Qing and said blandly, "I'm not the Crown Prince anymore."

Huangfu Qing was taken aback, then said, "Mr. Xu, with the Spirit Realm emerging, I wish to venture in—please grant me permission!"

"It's got nothing to do with me!" Xu Yang replied lightly.

"Thank you, Mr. Xu!"

Huangfu Qing was overjoyed, bowed respectfully, and returned to his group.

Watching Huangfu Qing and the others settle on one side, a cold light flashed in Xu Yang's eyes.

Huangfu Qing looked so obedient and respectful it was almost suspicious, but Xu Yang felt it wouldn't be that simple.

But honestly, Huangfu Qing wasn't even worth his attention now.

When they entered the Spirit Realm, if Huangfu Qing really tried anything, Xu Yang wouldn't hesitate to kill him outright.

Elsewhere, Huangfu Qing kept his head slightly bowed, a trace of barely visible venom flickering in his eyes.

Imagine, a top-tier genius now forced to act like a servant before Xu Yang—how could his pride endure that?

"You didn't witness that battle between him and Song Yuanhao; Song Yuanhao's strength could match a True Monarch, but he lost—all Xu Yang used was a single blade!" Gon Lang suddenly murmured.

Huangfu Qing's body trembled ever so slightly. Without betraying emotion, he said, "Hall Master, I gave up any thoughts of revenge long ago!"

Gon Lang glanced deeply at Huangfu Qing, then smiled earnestly, "Perhaps so."

"Just reminding you—sever ties with the past, and maybe you'll find a new world to be free in!"

"Thank you for the advice, Hall Master. I'll remember it!"

Huangfu Qing replied solemnly.

Whoosh!

A surge of turbulence suddenly erupted from inside Guhua Hall.

Next, the great doors swung open, and Can Sutian strode out slowly.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

All the experts spoke as one, bowing in respect.

Can Sutian's complexion glowed; his wounds seemed almost fully healed.

He swept his gaze over the crowds, then said indifferently, "You all know the rules and have maps. This journey to the Spirit Realm will be fraught with danger, with little chance of survival. If you regret coming, now is still not too late to turn back!"

As his words fell, the whole place went dead silent.

Before coming here, everyone had been fully prepared!

No one here was a child or youth—none of the Manifestation or True Monarchs would disgrace themselves by backing out now.

After a few seconds.

Can Sutian swept his sleeve.

Whoosh!

Everyone vanished on the spot.

In the endless void above.

With Can Sutian's protection, the group sped forward at staggering speed.

The Spirit River started as a thin line, then slowly broadened in their vision. Its dazzling spiritual brilliance tore through limitless dark void.

Those martial artists who'd never seen the Spirit River were all left in awe, tingling with shock.

Huangfu Qing was dazed, his mind completely still, his whole body trembling uncontrollably.

The majestic, vast Spirit River was simply beyond words.

As they neared the Spirit River—

A giant vortex appeared before them.

"Is this the gateway?"

Xu Yang mused.

Can Sutian led everyone directly into the vortex.

Whoosh!

A heavy pressure surged all around, but just as quickly vanished without a trace.

A sensation of solid ground underfoot—Xu Yang snapped his eyes open for a look.

What lay before him was a desolate plain—at first glance, no different from Great Qian Heaven and Earth.

But quickly Xu Yang noticed the differences.

The gap between sky and earth was far vaster; just by eye, it was tens of times further than in Daqian!

Space and the world's order were immensely firm, too!

Xu Yang sensed that—even your average True Monarch couldn't easily break it!

"Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi?"

"Damn!"

Xu Yang's whole body shivered, eyes wide in shock.

"My God, so this is the Spirit Realm? What terrifying Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi!"

"After Daqian's transformation, its spiritual qi increased tens of times, but this place is dozens of times stronger than even that!"

"Can't imagine how wondrous the Spirit Realm's Grotto Heavens must be."

"Damn, I'm about to break through."

...

Exclamations spread; everyone was buzzing with excitement and awe.

Boom!

Amid the surging strong auras, Xu Yang's expression grew strange.

Because among the arrivals, almost half of those in the late Myriad Manifestation Realm immediately sat cross-legged, faces flushed, as massive Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi was drawn to them, forming clouds.

They were about to break through!

This scene was truly unexpected.

Even Xu Yang was surprised.

But as he felt the True Essence inside his body speeding up, and his Spiritual Power growing ever more lively, he understood.

After years of suppression in Daqian, entering the Spirit Realm triggered a chain reaction!

Just the quality of spiritual qi here was leagues above Daqian!

With the Spirit Realm illuminated by the source of the Spirit River, its spiritual qi, space, world order, mountains and rivers, every aspect surpassed Daqian by countless times!

"It's clear—if this batch survives, in just one year, even the True Monarchs will see huge breakthroughs!"

Xu Yang's eyes lit up with excitement; the Spirit Realm truly lived up to its name!

Boom!

Boom!

The thunderous roars echoed in the surroundings.

Dozens were on the verge of breaking through; clouds of pure spiritual qi swirled above, stirring a mighty force.

From afar, it was as if a vast Grotto Heaven was about to be born.

Other Manifestation Perfection martial artists were also absorbing qi, getting used to the Spirit Realm.

"Haha, I've broken through! Just arrived and shattered a bottleneck that plagued me for years!"

"The Spirit Realm—a land of treasures!"

"Unbelievable how powerful martial artists who've cultivated here for years must be."

"Their foundations, battle strength, divine techniques…"

Some were ecstatic, while others looked gravely serious.

"Can Sutian, you've finally come."

A solemn voice suddenly rang out, shaking heaven and earth.

Everyone quickly looked up.

From the distant skyline, a point of spiritual brilliance appeared, followed by dozens of black dots shooting in like thunder.

Boom!

One person stamped his foot and snorted coldly, "Hmph!"

Just as the snort sounded, the clouds of spiritual qi above were struck as if by lightning, all shattering at once!

The spiritual qi of this world didn't just dissipate—it instantly turned chaotic and violent.

"Ah~~"

"No, damn it, my breakthrough was interrupted."

"Who did that?!"

"Bastard! Is this the Spirit Realm's oppression?!"

Pfft, pfft, pfft!!

Everyone coughed up blood at once, pain and screams filled the air—all those sitting to break through were interrupted and suffered heavy damage.