The grand battle of the Divine Court during the Ten Thousand Flowers Banquet was about to commence.
The consciousnesses of 1,900 divine-level experts were transported into a vast territory within the Blood Blade Divine Court, where they would engage in the final showdown.
High above the expansive battlefield, a massive crimson ranking list materialized.
**Boom—**
As the crimson list appeared, names began to surface one by one, marking the temporary rankings.
Each of these young divine-level experts sought to secure a place among the top hundred of the 1,900 participants. Those who made it into the top hundred were guaranteed to become disciples of mighty figures. Thus, they either acted alone or formed alliances, each making their own choices.
…
**Main Hall.**
The banquet continued, with Fourth Heaven Realm Gods and mighty figures chatting and feasting. Dongbo Xueying conversed with the Pavilion Master of Longshan and the Monarch of Destruction, while the Blood Blade Divine Emperor dined and chatted with the other three Overlords.
Those of similar strength naturally shared common topics. The lofty Overlords spoke among themselves, their voices sealed away, making it impossible for outsiders to eavesdrop.
Similarly, Dongbo Xueying and his two companions shielded their conversation from prying ears.
“Dongbo, come, let us share a drink,” the Monarch of Destruction said warmly.
“Monarch,” Dongbo Xueying raised his cup in response.
The two clinked their glasses and downed the divine fruit wine—a rare delicacy prepared by the Divine Emperor, though not the most precious.
“To think you’ve attained the initial volume of *The Ten Thousand Demons True Body* in just ten million years of cultivation—truly admirable,” the Monarch of Destruction sighed. “They say achieving it requires one’s state of mind to reach the ‘Heart as Sharp as a Blade’ level. Frankly, I’m ashamed. Among the mighty, I’m one of the oldest, yet my mind hasn’t reached that stage.”
“He’s young, with fewer experiences, making it easier for him to refine his will,” the Pavilion Master of Longshan remarked.
Dongbo Xueying pondered this and found it reasonable.
Younger experts, advancing with unstoppable momentum, could shatter obstacles effortlessly. But once they faltered, regaining that momentum became difficult.
The longer one cultivated, the more burdens and distractions accumulated, making it harder to achieve a “Heart as Sharp as a Blade.”
“I was young once too, but I was nothing special,” the Monarch of Destruction laughed.
“Apples and oranges,” the Pavilion Master of Longshan said dismissively before turning to Dongbo Xueying. “Xueying, you and I should indeed share a drink.”
“Indeed, we should,” Dongbo Xueying raised his cup again.
He and the Pavilion Master were the only two in this cosmic era to have opened their own paths while still Fourth Heaven Realm Gods.
After drinking, the Pavilion Master poured himself another cup and sighed, “The gap between the Creation Realm and the Overlord Realm is vast. I’ve been stuck at the peak of the Creation Realm for eons, unable to break through. You’re different—you opened your path in just a million years, far faster than me. I hope you continue soaring, surpassing even me to become an Overlord!”
“If you become an Overlord, it might reignite my hope for a breakthrough,” the Pavilion Master shook his head lightly. “I’ve been stuck for so long, I’ve begun doubting myself.”
Dongbo Xueying sensed the Pavilion Master’s frustration.
Anyone trapped at a bottleneck for too long would start questioning themselves. Other Venerables had transcended, facing little pressure. But the Pavilion Master bore a heavier burden—if he failed to transcend, he would perish when the cosmic era ended. Dongbo Xueying, still young in cultivation, brimmed with confidence. The Pavilion Master, however, had lived over 500 billion years—an immense span even in cosmic terms.
“Longshan, you’ve reached the peak bottleneck. The final step could come at any moment,” Dongbo Xueying encouraged.
“Exactly! I’ve cultivated longer than you, yet my realm pales in comparison. If I don’t break through soon, I’ll die of frustration,” the Monarch of Destruction chimed in.
The Pavilion Master chuckled.
…
The three conversed freely, with Dongbo Xueying occasionally seeking their wisdom, as their knowledge far surpassed his.
Still, thanks to his master’s vast trove of intelligence, he could hold his own in discussions about cosmic secrets.
Ordinary mighty figures and Venerables, however, couldn’t even follow such conversations—many topics were beyond their awareness.
…
Time flowed.
The young divine-level experts fought fiercely. As they fell one by one, their consciousnesses returned to their bodies, thinning the battlefield’s numbers. Now, fewer than thirty remained, signaling the battle’s imminent end.
Some mighty figures had already begun selecting disciples.
“Go.”
A mighty figure handed his token to an attendant.
The Realm God attendant bowed and carried the token to the outer area, where the defeated divine-level experts watched eagerly. When the token landed in the hands of a young woman in yellow robes, envy and disappointment flickered among the rest as they turned their gazes back to the main hall, awaiting the next token.
“Xueying.”
Among the four Overlords seated high above, the Blood Blade Divine Emperor spoke. “This Ten Thousand Flowers Banquet, the three of you haven’t taken any disciples. My master and Longshan have taken many before, so it’s fine. But Xueying, this is your first time seated here. I won’t force you in the future, but for your first time, you must take at least three disciples.”
Dongbo Xueying was speechless.
He wanted to argue—*This isn’t my first time! Last time, I participated in the Divine Court battle and sat in the outermost ring! This is my second!*
But he kept the thought to himself and obediently replied, “Very well, Master. I’ll take disciples.”
“This lad still seems reluctant,” the Blood Blade Divine Emperor laughed.
Beside him, the Niluo Overlord chuckled, “Dongbo Xueying, your cultivation is astounding. In just a million years, you slew two Matriarch’s Envoys and rendered great service. Of course, you must teach disciples well. Even if they only grasp a fraction of your prowess, they’ll still strengthen our cultivator universe.”
“I’m curious to see Dongbo Xueying’s judgment in selecting disciples,” Pang Yi remarked with a smile.
The mighty figures and Fourth Heaven Realm Gods noticed the Overlords and Three Ancestors conversing but couldn’t hear a word.
“Don’t worry, Xueying. We won’t compete with you,” the Pavilion Master of Longshan assured.
“Neither will I,” the Monarch of Destruction added.
Dongbo Xueying could only sigh and begin reviewing the detailed intelligence on the 1,900 divine-level experts, provided earlier by the Blood Blade Tavern. Every mighty figure received such information to aid in disciple selection.
Fortunately, though he’d been chatting throughout the banquet, he’d occasionally observed the battlefield. With his power, a single glance sufficed to assess all 1,900 participants clearly.
“At least three?”
Dongbo Xueying mused silently. *Fine, I’ll pick three.*
Ordinary mighty figures under the Blood Blade Divine Court were obligated to take disciples—it was their duty. But for the Three Ancestors, it wasn’t mandatory. Yet since his master had personally requested it, Dongbo Xueying wouldn’t refuse.
“Which three?”
Combining the intelligence with his observations, his mind raced, and within moments, he made his decision.
“These three,” Dongbo Xueying finalized his choice.
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