Overnight, the martial arts world was shaken, and high-speed rail and plane tickets to Feng Province were instantly sold out.
A True King at the Heavenly Realm, the Lord of the Spiritual Domain, capable of altering human limitations and elevating individuals from the peak of the Earthly Realm to the Heavenly Realm.
How many martial artists in the Dragon Country spent their entire lives stuck at the peak of the Earthly Realm, unable to ascend to the Heavenly Realm?
Now, a turning point had appeared!
They were willing to pay any price to ascend to the Heavenly Realm.
Among them were mostly elderly martial artists whose lifespans were nearing their end. The Dragon Country had already descended spiritual rain and secured first place in the Asian Martial Rankings. If they achieved another great victory in the World Martial Rankings competition, the Dragon Country's destiny would soar, and ordinary martial artists would also be permitted to ascend to the Heavenly Realm.
Some could wait, while others could not.
...
Qian King's Mansion.
The mansion was bustling with visitors.
Fully armed guards stood on either side of the entrance.
Inside the mansion.
Chen Biandao and Elder Han had rosy complexions and looked delighted.
Chen Biandao said, "Jiuyang, many people are coming to seek you out, hoping you will use your position as the Lord of the Spiritual Domain to change their destinies."
Chen Jiuyang frowned slightly and replied, "With my current strength, I can only accommodate ten people per month. The World Martial Rankings competition is still three months away."
"I had previously promised the Sword Bearer of Longjing that I would prioritize those who sacrificed and contributed to the country."
"These vested interests will not be considered for now."
"Patriarch, Grandma, no matter what benefits anyone has promised you, please set this matter aside for the moment."
"I will first alter your destinies, elevating you from the Half-step Heavenly Realm to the Heavenly Realm."
Chen Biandao and Elder Han had accompanied him for a long time; both were at the Half-step Heavenly Realm, and their contributions were immense.
Chen Jiuyang raised a finger and, with a slight flick, sent out two drops of vital blood, which landed before Chen Biandao and Elder Han respectively. "Consume my vital blood, and you will be able to break through the bottleneck of the Half-step Heavenly Realm and ascend to the Heavenly Realm."
"Good!"
Chen Biandao and Elder Han nodded excitedly, then accepted Chen Jiuyang's vital blood.
The moment Chen Jiuyang became the Lord of the Azure Bamboo Spiritual Domain, certain secrets of the domain appeared in his sea of consciousness.
Not long after, the Sword Bearer of Longjing, who had departed from Longjing by plane, arrived at Qingzhu Town.
The Sword Bearer of Longjing, sensing the dense spiritual energy and vital energy in Qingzhu Town, was shocked. "A nascent Spiritual Domain, yet its spiritual and vital energy rivals that of secret realms and sacred lands!"
"Remarkable!"
However, without the consent of Chen Jiuyang, the Lord of the Spiritual Domain, no one could absorb the spiritual and vital energy within Qingzhu Town.
"King Qian, congratulations on breaking through to the Heavenly Realm and adding a True King to our Dragon Country!"
Chen Jiuyang nodded slowly. "You are too kind."
"Are you here regarding the matter of altering destinies to the Heavenly Realm?"
The Sword Bearer of Longjing nodded. "Indeed."
"With my current strength, I can alter the destinies of ten peak Earthly Realm or Half-step Heavenly Realm martial artists each month. Two slots have already been used this month for advancements to the Heavenly Realm within Qingzhu Town."
The Sword Bearer of Longjing pondered. "Ten slots per month, that exceeds my imagination."
"We cannot occupy all these slots; you also need to cultivate your own forces."
"Therefore, on behalf of Longjing, I will occupy six slots with you each month until those with sufficient contributions have used them up. How does that sound?"
Chen Jiuyang smiled and said, "Excellent."
"Hahahaha!" The Sword Bearer of Longjing laughed heartily. "You are quite promising, young man. We must celebrate with a drink."
After ascending to the Heavenly Realm, when the Sword Bearer of Longjing stood before Chen Jiuyang, Chen Jiuyang could finally feel the heavy pressure and sense of threat.
The Sword Bearer of Longjing asked, "Now that you have ascended to the Heavenly Realm, how will you arrange your time?"
Chen Jiuyang replied calmly, "I will make a trip to Mount Tai to settle my grievances with the Southern King."
The Sword Bearer of Longjing looked at Chen Jiuyang and asked, "Is this battle unavoidable?"
"It is a necessary battle," Chen Jiuyang replied.
"Alas," the Sword Bearer of Longjing said, "then I shall not try to dissuade you. Although you have ascended to the Heavenly Realm, your time there is still short. The Southern King has been in the Heavenly Realm for decades; you may not be his match."
"This battle is not about victory or defeat," Chen Jiuyang said. "If I cannot fight this battle, I cannot find peace for my fallen brothers."
"Very well." The Sword Bearer of Longjing no longer tried to persuade him. "When will you depart?"
Chen Jiuyang replied, "I will depart today, and I will comprehend martial arts moves as I travel."
The Sword Bearer of Longjing nodded slowly. "That is good. After your battle with the Southern King, I will send someone to you."
Chen Jiuyang asked the Sword Bearer of Longjing, "Will the reincarnation of immortals bring trouble?"
The Sword Bearer of Longjing's expression turned solemn. "The Jixia Academy's calculations suggest that the reincarnation of immortals seems to have a grand scheme and may cause chaos in the future. The Five Great Sacred Lands currently have no clear leads."
Chen Jiuyang frowned. "Are these reincarnated immortals not entirely part of the Immortal Alliance?"
The Sword Bearer of Longjing gave a bitter smile. "Naturally, it is not like that. Most of those who have reincarnated and returned to prominence are from the Immortal Alliance, but there are many reincarnated immortals who have returned to the secular world and have not yet revealed themselves."
"The long-hidden forces within the Dragon Country are lurking beneath the surface, not yet revealed."
Chen Jiuyang asked, "Are they trying to plot for the Nine Cauldrons?"
"The Five Great Sacred Lands each suppress a fragment. I truly cannot fathom what else these people, accumulating power, could be doing besides attacking the Five Great Sacred Lands to steal the fragments of the Nine Cauldrons."
The Sword Bearer of Longjing frowned. "We have considered this, which is why we wish to cultivate more Heavenly Realm Kings through you to accumulate defensive strength."
"The tree wishes to remain still, but the wind does not cease," Chen Jiuyang sighed.
The rise of national destiny is a double-edged sword.
...
Chen Jiuyang's decision to go to Mount Tai to battle the Southern King was met with no opposition from anyone in his household.
Chen Jiuyang had now ascended to the Heavenly Realm, and theoretically, almost no one had the right to reprimand him.
Furthermore, Chen Jiuyang's relatives were all aware of his feud with the Southern King.
"Zixuan, rest assured and take care of your pregnancy. I will return soon after I've handled things."
Yao Zixuan nodded. "Mm." She gently placed a hand on her slightly protruding belly.
This was a new life, the crystallization of her and Chen Jiuyang's love.
Yao Zixuan, having absorbed Chen Jiuyang's vital blood, could now absorb the vital energy and spiritual energy of Qingzhu Town, which was beneficial for her body.
Currently, the Qian King's Mansion's treasury was filled with various precious gifts from dignitaries from all directions.
The outside world was not yet aware that the Qian King's first consort was pregnant. Yao Zixuan was also trying to avoid appearing in public to prevent anyone from noticing and stirring up malicious intentions.
Many people wanted to curry favor with Chen Jiuyang, who was now a Heavenly King, but many also wished to harm him.
For safety's sake, the news of Yao Zixuan's pregnancy was not to be leaked.
After arranging matters at home, Chen Jiuyang, carrying his saber alone, departed Ziyang County discreetly.
This caused many dignitaries who wished to see him to be disappointed.
This journey was like a roc breaking free from the sea, soaring eight thousand miles!