Chapter 1194: Reward of Nine Shores Heaven!

Chapter 1194: The Reward of Jiuan Heaven!

From the Origin Lands, where countless vessels vie for supremacy, ascending into Xian Capital—this is the age-old tradition and glory of the Four Cardinal Star Domains.

Not all within are ignorant of the true secrets. The immortals of the Four Orthodox Sects, or those quasi-immortals who have brushed against the core truths—they all understand well enough.

Xian Capital is merely a plan, initiated long ago when cultivators from the Fifth Star Ring first took dominion, and it has continued ever since.

A plan to nurture true heirs.

This endeavor has persisted through the past and shall endure into the future.

For in the eyes of the Fifth Star Ring’s highest echelons, cultivators are never reared like tender blooms in sheltered gardens; they are forged only through relentless competition, surging against the tide, carving their paths through blood and battle.

Just as in the ancient days when the Fifth Star Ring was ruled by deities, they rose from humble minor worlds through sheer struggle.

That spirit must never be lost!

Thus, what they seek are not delicate flowers nurtured in greenhouses, but fellow travelers steeped in killing intent and unyielding resolve.

Only such cultivators deserve to be counted among the true heirs—only they can shoulder the burdens of the future and survive amidst the celestial ascent surrounded by gods.

Only they are worthy of recognition.

As for loyalty of heart—low-tier cultivators may require subtle guidance to ensure fidelity, but those who have ascended need no such measures.

Any cultivator who reaches this stage is inevitably resolute, possessing their own understanding and convictions.

If your path aligns with ours, walk together. If not, none shall force you to stay.

The Fifth Star Ring possesses such confidence. Yet across the entire Ascendant Realm of thirty-six star rings, nearly all other territories belong to the gods. Those whose paths diverge—if they refuse to transform into deities—where else could they possibly go?

Factions have long been set in stone.

Hence, time and again, the trials of Xian Capital recur. Hence, too, does Jiuan Immortal Sovereign speak of “ascension”!

Those who rise from their native lands are deemed to have ascended.

And according to the customs of the Fifth Star Ring, whichever Immortal Sovereign serves as the Epochal Regent during a given era claims all ascended cultivators of that epoch into their immortal palace.

Now, it is the Jiuan Epoch.

Thus, including Xu Qing among the hundred chosen ones, their bodies were drawn forth by the resonant, boundless voice of Jiuan Immortal Sovereign, lifting them from their respective high platforms—

Straight toward… Jiuan Immortal Sovereign’s transcendent realm beyond heavens, woven from infinite stars, galaxies, vortexes, star domains, and universes!

The moment they entered, countless stars and unfathomable star charts flooded their vision.

Boundless, beginningless, endless.

Compared to this vastness, they were insignificant—as ants stepping into a giant’s world.

“This,” boomed a majestic voice echoing through the void, “is Jiuan Heaven—one-tenth of the Fifth Star Ring’s domain!”

But this was no longer the voice of Jiuan Immortal Sovereign.

Before Xu Qing and the others, the void parted, and an elder emerged.

Clad in white Daoist robes, holding a fly-whisk, his entire being radiated ethereal grace and transcendent purity. Treading upon starfields and cosmos alike, he appeared before them.

“I am Xu Daoyun, Receiving Elder of Jiuan Immortal Palace. I shall guide and instruct you.”

The elder spoke calmly, his tranquil gaze sweeping over the assembly. Each cultivator trembled inwardly.

Those bearing constitutional treasures found their artifacts instantly dimmed, suppressed without resistance.

Even those possessing innate constitutions fared only slightly better—relatively speaking—for under that gaze, their constitutions were utterly stifled, unable to function even a fraction.

Both Xu Qing and Xinghuanzi felt their very souls shudder the instant the elder’s eyes fell upon them, stirring an overwhelming sense of helplessness.

Xu Qing had felt something similar before!

Back in Wanggu Continent, standing beside the Sword Emperor, he’d glimpsed a lower-tier immortal attempting to enter Wanggu—and experienced a comparable sensation.

But now, it was far more intense.

“An immortal…” Xu Qing drew a deep breath.

Beside him, Xinghuanzi lowered his head. He, too, felt as though facing his own master.

As the two strongest among the hundred, if even they were so affected, the others were naturally overwhelmed.

One by one, they swiftly bowed in reverence.

The elder’s expression remained unchanged as his voice continued to resonate.

“Within Jiuan Heaven, stars are infinite—new ones constantly born, old ones perpetually fading. Stellar vortexes are not eternal; star domains shift ceaselessly. Even the universes within undergo cycles of rise and fall.”

“Barring unforeseen calamities, this shall be your future abode for cultivation.”

“And as cultivators who have ascended from your native lands, you shall each receive due rewards!”

“Every one of you shall be granted an entire universe within Jiuan Heaven as your personal sanctuary! All its star domains, vortexes, galaxies, and every single star therein shall belong solely to you!”

At these words, excitement surged anew among the crowd.

Xu Qing’s eyes gleamed with astonishment—he sensed both the grand scale of the Fifth Star Ring’s generosity and the profound value placed upon ascended cultivators!

To nourish a single person with the resources of an entire universe!

Even the most barren cosmos teems with vast quantities of immortal qi.

Moreover, all living beings and myriad things within shall serve as resources.

In essence, the moment one receives this reward, they become the supreme sovereign of their allotted universe!

Such a reward left even Xu Qing deeply moved.

His anticipation swelled further.

For in any ranking, the first-place victor could never receive the same reward as the rest.

And indeed, reality proved no different.

The white-robed elder’s voice now echoed like heavenly decree:

“The universe is your first reward. As for the one ranked first…”

His gaze settled upon Xu Qing.

“Within Jiuan Heaven exist certain special universes—each a strategic asset of immense value. This epoch’s first-place victor… shall be awarded the First-Class Mo Yang Universe!”

“As for its unique qualities—you may discover them yourself upon arrival.”

“As for your second reward…”

“All of you shall receive one opportunity for a Constitutional Baptism of your magical artifacts. Those without constitutions may use this chance to imbue them; those already possessing constitutions may enhance their power—or even choose to strip the artifact’s constitution and merge it into yourselves!”

“How you utilize this privilege is entirely your choice.”

“And for the top ten among you—beyond this reward—you shall each gain one opportunity to have a Lower Immortal personally forge an artifact for you. At any time, you may journey to the Dao Refinement Universe!”

“This is an exceedingly rare boon—cherish it well.”

The elder’s gaze swept once more over Xu Qing and the other nine top-ranked cultivators before returning firmly to Xu Qing.

“And for the first-place victor—a single opportunity to enter the Yingxian Mausoleum for enlightenment!”

“The Yingxian Mausoleum is the eternal resting place commemorating all Lower Immortals of Jiuan Heaven who perished in battle throughout history. Within lie constitutional providences and immortal relics left behind. What you gain—and how much—depends entirely on your fortune.”

As the elder finished speaking, Xu Qing felt the weight of numerous gazes from his peers settle upon him.

Those looks brimmed with profound envy.

Especially Qian Jun Biyi and others—former luminaries of the Eight Great Stars—for whom guidance from Lower Immortals and personally forged artifacts were commonplace.

After all, their masters or elders included Lower Immortals themselves.

Thus, aside from the universe itself, the earlier rewards stirred little desire in them.

Yet upon hearing the elder’s words—upon learning of the chance to gain enlightenment within the Perseus Tombs—they could not help but be stirred.

For even if one had a Lower Immortal as master, what that master imparted would inevitably be legacies they themselves no longer needed.

The treasures bestowed would surely not be their sharpest or most prized possessions—after all, they were still alive.

But the Perseus Tombs were different. There lay the bones of fallen Lower Immortals, their legacies abandoned, masterless.

Any treasure left behind—if it had survived the cataclysm of its owner’s death—must surely be extraordinary.

So too with heavenly fortune—it followed the same principle.

Thus, the opportunities within the Perseus Tombs amounted to nothing less than an inheritance. Even Xing Huan Zi sighed inwardly at this truth.

Naturally, Xu Qing understood the rarity of such fortune. He lowered his head and bowed deeply.

The elder withdrew his gaze and spoke once more.

“Jiuan Heaven is not only where your future abodes shall lie—it is also your place of appointment. Use well the rewards granted you, for your period of rest lasts but one year.”

“One year from now, you shall be summoned together to the Guiding Universe, where designated individuals will assign your duties.”

“Now, disperse.”

With a flick of the elder’s hand, countless slips carved from immortal wood flew toward the crowd.

Most received two: one was a teleportation talisman to their reward universe; the other, eligibility for the Dharma Baptism of Treasures.

Only a few received three—the third granting them a chance to forge artifacts under a Lower Immortal’s guidance.

And only Xu Qing received four!

Having distributed the slips, the elder fell silent. His form blurred, then gradually faded away.

After his departure, excitement surged among those present—but few departed immediately. Instead, they flew toward Xu Qing.

Though their future assignments remained unknown, they belonged to the same cohort and would likely serve together. And since Xu Qing ranked first, his starting point would undoubtedly be higher.

To forge connections now was clearly the wisest course.

Not everyone shared this sentiment, however. As most exchanged pleasantries with Xu Qing, Xing Huan Zi’s expression remained impassive. Without hesitation, he shot off alone—a solitary rainbow streaking into the distance—vanishing via teleportation moments later.

Yuan Shan Su hesitated briefly, but ultimately chose to leave as well. As for Qian Jun Bi Yi—there was no need to elaborate. The two brothers practically fled the moment the chance arose, terrified that lingering too long might draw Xu Qing’s attention… and another utterance of “Come.”

They couldn’t bear the thought of revealing, before so many witnesses, that irrepressible eagerness surging within them. Merely imagining the scene made their skin crawl.

So they bolted—swiftly, desperately.

Xu Qing paid them no mind. After exchanging courtesies with the others and exchanging spirit-message jade tokens, these newly ascended cultivators each took their leave.

As for Zhou Zheng Li and Xie Ling Zi—their relationship, once as hostile as fire and water in the lower star realms, seemed to have softened since arriving in Jiuan Heaven.

Though they did not stand side by side, the mere fact that both lingered spoke volumes.

“Brother Xu,” Xie Ling Zi said, clasping his fists, “see you in a year!” With that, he turned and departed.

Zhou Zheng Li and Li Meng Tu were the last to remain. The former wore his usual humble smile.

“Young Master,” he ventured, “I suspect that in a year’s time, we’ll all be assigned to the same post.”

Having spoken, Zhou Zheng Li bowed respectfully and withdrew.

Li Meng Tu, meanwhile, gazed at Xu Qing with quiet emotion. After a moment’s silence, he too chose to leave—but not before leaving behind a final remark:

“If ever you need me, just speak. My life remains yours—and now, even more so.”

Alone in the void, Xu Qing watched as the others vanished one by one. Then he smiled, eyes alight with anticipation, and strode toward the horizon.

His divine sense merged with the teleportation talisman—and in an instant, his figure disappeared.

Bound for his own…

Mo Yang Universe!

(There’s still more to come!)

Haven’t finished writing yet.

Heading to Guangxi today for a Writers’ Association meeting—back Saturday. Sigh.

Too lazy to move, but can’t skip it.

Didn’t finish this chapter—gotta catch my flight. I’ll keep writing once settled.

Will update today; I’ll try squeezing in some writing during the conference, though my head’s pounding.