CHAPTER 1213: CHAPTER 1152: WHO DARES TO STEP FORWARD?

Ye Chen gazed at the nine esteemed thrones above Void Heaven, countless thoughts flashing through his mind.

In front and behind Ye Chen, countless others also looked up at these nine thrones, whispering and discussing among themselves.

Even those entering this first Demon Domain were immediately drawn to the nine thrones above Void Heaven, with all eyes fixed on those positions.

Everyone was waiting, waiting for the moment the nine thrones would release their seal.

Meanwhile, as billions flowed into this first Demon Domain, the crowd on the ground grew denser and denser.

When Ye Chen sensed that the number of people entering the first Demon Domain exceeded four billion, and the crowd ceased to increase, he had a vague premonition that something might change with the nine thrones above Void Heaven.

Not only Ye Chen speculated this way, everyone had the same feeling.

"The crowd gathered outside, apart from those who fell at the entrance from the Primordial Spirit Slash, have all probably entered the first Demon Domain."

"Calculating this number, the deaths at the entrance from the Primordial Spirit Slash should be in the millions."

"Millions died at the entrance, a daunting number. However, compared to the gathered crowds exceeding four billion, that number seems minimal."

"With everyone entering the first Demon Domain, perhaps the secret of this first Demon Domain is about to be unveiled!"

At this moment, over four billion people gathered in the first Demon Domain, densely occupying the vast land.

Yet, compared to the divine light emanating from the nine thrones above Void Heaven, the crowd of over four billion was still like dust.

Those thrones, as if divine deities, gazed down upon the masses.

Among the crowd, whether the five Star Lords or the five mysterious elders, the Island Masters of the three palaces and four islands, countless Cosmic Emperors, as well as the numerous Masters, Divine Masters, and Divine Venerables that broke into the first Demon Domain...

Everyone looked up at the nine thrones above Void Heaven, all sensing that they were about to unseal.

Finally.

Just after the crowd stopped growing, when everyone sensed the seal was about to be lifted, the nine thrones in the void suddenly emitted Supreme Divine Light.

The nine thrones emitted nine beams of Supreme Divine Light, shooting straight towards the Supreme Heavens.

As the divine light of the thrones blossomed, a voice devoid of any emotion finally echoed across this realm.

"Treasure Light Dais, the opportunity site of the first Demon Domain in the Nine Bends Demon Realm."

"In this realm, there are nine Treasure Light Daises. Anyone who can seat themselves on these will be purified and elevated supremely."

The initial words spoken by this voice caused everyone, including the five Star Lords, to be overjoyed internally.

The nine thrones above Void Heaven turned out to be the Treasure Light Daises; merely sitting on them grants supreme elevation.

Just observing the dazzling divine light of the thrones, the over four billion powerhouses present understood that this supreme elevation was definitely an extraordinary opportunity, helpful even to the Star Lords, not to mention those below them in rankings.

Ascend the Treasure Light Daises, seize supreme elevation!

This was the great opportunity of the first Demon Domain!

"How many can sit atop these nine Treasure Light Daises?"

"What is required to sit atop them?"

Countless people’s thoughts dwelled on these questions.

At this moment, the emotionless voice, as if aware of the crowd’s queries, continued: "The nine Treasure Light Daises permit only nine individuals to sit upon them."

"These nine must be the most gifted among all present to ascend."

"If anyone not among the nine most gifted attempts to ascend these daises, they will be expelled by the Treasure Light Daises and face severe punishment."

"Remember, if you believe you are one of the most gifted nine, then ascend the Treasure Light Dais. Otherwise, refrain from forcefully ascending; the punishment will outweigh the benefits!"

"Ultimately, the nine who ascend and seat on the Treasure Light Daises will receive the greatest opportunity reward of the first Demon Domain."

"Additionally, depending on the varying talents among the nine, the opportunities rewarded differ—the higher the talent, the greater the reward."

"As for the remaining individuals, they may choose to settle beneath the nine thrones and accept the divine light shed by the throne’s master. The more talented the master, the greater the divine light bestowed, and the more benefits those below receive. Additionally, any benefits gained by those below will feedback to the master above."

"Now, with the Treasure Light Daises unsealed, the most talented nine among you, choose to ascend the thrones!"

Upon the conclusion of this voice, over four billion people present were stunned.

Only the nine most gifted could ascend the Treasure Light Daises?

Attempting to ascend these thrones without belonging to the top nine would lead to severe punishment?

Among the crowd of over four billion, who could be sure they were among the top nine most gifted?

If they didn’t forcefully attempt to ascend the Treasure Light Dais, they might miss the greatest chance to become the throne’s master; if they did try, they might face severe punishment.

What a dilemma.

Countless individuals looked at the nine Treasure Light Daises in the void, yet took no action.

No one dared to be the first to step up and test if they were among the most gifted nine.

After all, if they weren’t and still tried to ascend, not only would they face embarrassment in full view, but they would also incur severe punishment—who knows if the first Demon Domain’s punishment might cost their lives.

They dared not test it!

Just as countless individuals hesitated to advance, the first Star Lord to break into the first Demon Domain, Star Lord Ning Luo, stepped forth.

With unparalleled beauty and charming allure, Star Lord Ning Luo blinked her mesmerizing eyes, gazing at the nine Treasure Light Daises, smiling as she spoke: "The nine most talented can ascend this Treasure Light Dais? Sit on it?"

"Interesting, interesting."

"I don’t know about others, but for me, achieving Star Lord is not something ordinary people can compare. No one among the nine can surpass my talent here."

"Since no one dares to act, I’ll lead and first challenge this Treasure Light Dais!"

As she spoke, Star Lord Ning Luo’s graceful figure gently flashed, and she flew toward the throne at the center of the nine above Void Heaven.

All eyes were focused on Star Lord Ning Luo.

Including the other four Star Lords.

In almost an instant, Star Lord Ning Luo flew to the center beneath that throne. Then, under countless gazes, it was seen that the throne neither emitted any repulsive force nor delivered any punishment. Star Lord Ning Luo easily passed over the throne, directly flying onto the throne, finally seated at its very center!

Star Lord Ning Luo was the first to ascend one of the Nine Supreme Thrones!

"It seems I am indeed one of the nine most gifted!"

After ascending the Treasure Light Dais, Star Lord Ning Luo’s face was incredibly excited. She happily spoke downwards, her tone filled with immense pride.

Star Lord Ning Luo succeeded!

This outcome excited countless people, and at the same time, a heavy burden was finally lifted from their hearts.

These Nine Esteemed Treasure Light Daises indeed allowed entry based on talent.

And indeed, talent has its traces.

Those who can cultivate to the level of a Star Lord, not to mention among these 400 million people, are such rare existences even among countless universes and even in the very center of the Cosmic Sea.

Such existences naturally have unparalleled talent.

There were only five Star Lords present; indeed, they are qualified to ascend the Nine Esteemed Treasure Light Daises!

With Star Lord Ning Luo leading, the situation ahead should be easier, either a powerful figure of the highest realm could become one of the throne holders, or a young genius with unparalleled talent might ascend the throne.

Others who progress slowly in cultivation basically have no chance!

"Daoist Ning Luo has taken the first step again, it seems we must act too."

Seeing Star Lord Ning Luo taking the lead again and succeeding smoothly, the remaining Star Lords couldn’t afford to lag behind: Star Lord Fang Chong, Star Lord Qian Lin, Star Lord Chi You, and Emperor Yan Star Lord, almost moved simultaneously, flying straight toward the remaining eight Treasure Light Daises in Void Heaven.

Whish! Whish! Whish! Whish!

Everyone saw that these four Star Lords also encountered no obstruction, smoothly ascending the other four thrones and sitting upon them!

Star Lord.

Indeed, they are supreme existences.

Even within this Nine Bends Demon Realm, they lead the crowd!

However, while the five great Star Lords smoothly sat on five Treasure Light Daises, there are a total of nine Daises. Who should sit on the remaining four?

Aside from the five Star Lords, the remaining individuals could not be entirely confident their talent would secure the remaining four slots!

After all, besides the five Star Lords, several Peak Cosmic Emperors were present, none daring to claim who had the highest talent.

"I’ll go."

During a moment of hesitation, another person took action.

Amidst the five elders, who had long remained hidden and were exceptionally formidable, one stepped forward.

"Elder Dugu is the youngest and fastest in cultivation among us hidden retreaters, deserving to take a position."

As this elder stepped forward, the other four elders beside him spoke.

Evidently, the four knew, among them, the one with the strongest talent had to be none other than Elder Dugu.

Elder Dugu nodded to the four elders and then directly flashed his figure toward the dais.

All eyes were on him.

Then everyone saw this elder also successfully ascend one of the Nine Supreme Thrones, becoming the sixth person to be seated on the Treasure Light Dais.

Three Treasure Light Daises remain!

"I’ll go too!"

Seeing Elder Dugu successfully ascend the Treasure Light Dais, another of the four hidden elders stepped forward.

"Zhao, we wish you success!"

The remaining elders said to Elder Zhao, and in the empty void, the five Star Lords and Elder Dugu, seated on the thrones, also looked toward Elder Zhao.

Elder Zhao flew directly to the seventh throne.

Countless eyes below watched him.

At this moment, a shocking event unfolded.

Elder Zhao had just reached the area beneath the seventh throne, and before he could ascend, the throne suddenly unleashed numerous dense purple lightnings!

This purple lightning struck from a clear sky, arriving in an instant, directly striking down onto Elder Zhao from overhead!

Boom!

The purple lightning unexpectedly struck Elder Zhao, a Peak Cosmic Emperor, directly to the ground from the void, leaving his body charred!

"Ah!"

Elder Zhao screamed pathetically, ultimately crashing heavily onto the ground, triggering numerous screams from the crowd.

"He failed."

"This elder also failed!"

"Fortunately, it seems he did not receive a life-threatening punishment. Though his body is charred, his life is unharmed."

Countless discussions ensued.

Amidst the discussions, everyone suddenly heard an emotionless voice from Supreme Heavens: "Talent ranked fifteenth forcibly attempting to ascend the Treasure Light Dais failed. With a difference under ten, the punishment level is a one-star penalty."