"Someone has entered the Celestial Martial List!!"

Someone shouted, and the crowd followed the voice to see, a blazing fire flashed rapidly from the base of the sacred monument straight up, instantly leaping to the top of the monument.

Bang!

A blaze dispersed, and light golden rays eventually transformed into two tiny words – Chu Ming!

"It's Chu Ming, didn't expect he has arrived at the Holy City!"

After seeing the name on the sacred monument clearly, a martial artist couldn't help but sigh lightly. Chu Ming was already ranked seventh on the Transcendence List, so it wasn't surprising for him to enter the Celestial Martial List; if he couldn't get in, that would be odd.

In fact, all top ten prodigies on the Transcendence List have the capability to enter the Celestial Martial List. However, their ranking on the list differs depending on their strength. Emperor Wuji, who is at the bottom, can still enter but only ranks last, whereas Ling Yun, who is first, ranks around 430 on the Celestial Martial List.

"Rank 792, Chu Ming, score 234,000!"

After Chu Ming saw his ranking on the sacred monument, his expression remained extremely calm. He glanced at it before turning and walking toward his residence.

"Sigh, with the imminent War for King, almost half of the continent's powerhouses have come to the Central Divine Domain. In the coming days, the rankings on the Celestial Martial List will surely change frequently!"

A middle-aged man in a green robe sighed lightly, feeling a sense of urgency. The Celestial Martial List is not only an honor but also a symbol of strength, attracting countless martial artists.

He wasn't an unknown figure either, ranked 245 on the Celestial Martial List, an Inner Sect Elder of the Bright Mansion, with cultivation at the late stage of the Ninth Layer in the Realm of Transcendence.

"Chu Ming has arrived. The Western Desert's Soroch, Snow Demon Immortal, Liu Shengchuan, Immortal Changqing, and others will soon follow, heating things up in the Central Divine Domain!"

...

Chu Ming returned to his residence and took out a top grade Spirit Stone, entering a cultivation state. With the War for King approaching, he dared not waste a single moment.

Violent spiritual power poured from the top grade Spirit Stone, flowing through Chu Ming's Eight Extraordinary Meridians into his Sea of Spiritual Power. As he cultivated, he pondered and deduced the Thirteenth Layer of the Pure Essence Sword Qi Technique. If he could deduce it to the Thirteenth Layer, the increase in destructive power would be equivalent to breaking through to the Third Heaven in the Realm of Transcendence.

Since Chu Ming broke through to the Realm of Transcendence, his comprehension had improved tenfold. Furthermore, having once entered the Sword Dao Radiance State, his understanding of the Sword Dao had reached its peak; every sword mark was exceptionally clear in his mind.

...

While Chu Ming was in seclusion, renowned prodigies arrived at the Holy City.

In the western part of the Holy City, a broken hill and ridge stood, with many century-old trees growing amidst it. This area was rampant with demon beasts and rarely visited by people.

Tap, tap, tap...

A young man in a light gold coarse cloth roamed between the trees. With a bald head and a kind face, pride glimmered faintly in his brows.

Roar!

A ferocious roar echoed from the woods, making the surrounding hills tremble. A gigantic serpent, about a thousand meters long, poked its head from the bottom of a cliff, covered in blazing crimson flames, its eyes slightly narrowed, resembling pinholes, and a chilling air filled the space.

A top tier Ninth level demon beast, the Red Fire Divine Python!

While not the most powerful among top tier Ninth level demon beasts, it was still formidable, comparable to a martial artist in the middle stage of the Ninth Layer in the Realm of Transcendence.

Roar!

The Red Fire Divine Python coiled its body, lowering its head to stare at the coarse cloth youth, eyes filled with threatening intent.

The coarse cloth youth remained indifferent, continuing his path toward the Holy City, unheeding of the Python's threat.

Bang!

The Python swiftly contracted its body, even though it was enormous, it moved exceptionally agilely, transforming into a fiery red lightning, charging towards the coarse cloth youth, its mouth emitting an unbearable stench.

The youth's expression didn't change. Only when the Python was within a hundred meters did he slowly raise his palm and gently push forward. The entire world dimmed instantly, as if a terrifying lightning leapt and crashed in the void.

Bang!

Despite the youth's insignificant figure compared to the giant Python, his subtle palm strike hit it like a thunderbolt. The thousand-meter-long body instantly flew back tens of miles, with fine blood threads spreading beneath its scales.

In contrast, the coarse cloth youth remained unmoved, not stepping back even half a pace.

Clap, clap, clap...

From the void, a sound of applause echoed. Then, about twenty meters away in the void, subtle ripples arose, and a slender youth stepped out from the space.

The youth, clad in black robe, had a proud expression, his hair half white, and his eyes pitch black like two black holes, devouring the surrounding space. The applause had come from him.

"Soroch, it's been eight years. I thought your cultivation had declined, but it's still as strong as ever!"

Snow Demon Immortal spoke lightly, his face calm.

"What? Your disappointment that my cultivation hasn't declined?"

Soroch wasn't surprised by Snow Demon Immortal's appearance. In fact, he had already noticed him when he first approached.

"Disappointment? Hahaha, Soroch, you underestimate me, Snow Demon Immortal. If your cultivation hadn't made any progress, then I would truly be disappointed!"

Snow Demon Immortal chuckled lightly as if he heard something funny. He glanced at the distant Red Fire Divine Python; his pupils turned red, making the Python's body tremble, eyes filled with fear.

Soroch restrained his aura, like a top prodigy incognito, while Snow Demon Immortal radiated his presence like a sun, making the Python feel a mortal threat.

"Really?"

Soroch murmured lightly, ignoring Snow Demon Immortal and the Python, continuing his journey toward the Holy City, each step leaving a mark.

Snow Demon Immortal's eyes flashed with anger at Soroch's disregard but was quickly suppressed. Though he wished to fight Soroch now, rationality told him it wasn't the best time.

"Hmph!"

As Soroch's figure faded into a black dot, Snow Demon Immortal coldly looked at the Red Fire Demon Python, eyes dangerous.

"I just happen to need a mount. Are you willing?"

Snow Demon Immortal asked, his right hand clenched tightly, his frightening fist power surging like a small sun, scorching the surroundings.