"In other words, this banquet marks the final grand feast on the Battlefield of Gods and Demons. Who will rise and who will fall into the abyss—it all depends on their strength and the heritage of their respective races. Let's hope the proud elites of each race will bring unexpected surprises to all the cultivators on the battlefield."
Hei shouted aloud.
This truly was a feast—the final one of this cycle on the battlefield. Whoever could stand out here would undoubtedly make a name for themselves across the Eternal Continent. Their names and deeds would be recited by countless mouths, becoming legends admired by all.
This was a stage belonging to heaven's chosen—proud elites.
It was destined that this banquet of spirit fruits would be remembered for eternity, a story passed down for generations, even tens of thousands of years—a legend revered by all.
"Alright then, let's all watch this Spirit Fruit Banquet together. Everyone can now see what's happening atop Spirit Mountain," Xiaosa Ge said with a smile.
As his voice fell, the scene atop Spirit Mountain began to appear vividly on the floating platform in the sky. The images were so lifelike, it felt as if one were truly there. Every blade of grass and tree appeared as though they were right before one's eyes.
"What a magnificent Spirit Mountain! Is that the famed Solitary Peak? Towering above all other peaks, standing in proud solitude! Bathed in glorious light, radiating auspicious energy, and spiritual qi as thick as waterfalls nourishing eight floating islands—unbelievable!"
"I can feel it—this mountain is infused with immense Dao-rhythms. Cultivating here would be like riding a rocket, breakthroughs inevitable!"
"Look! Up there! That's the Stone Emperor, seated on the throne at the summit. Below him are tiered seats and thrones extending all the way down to the foot of the mountain—it looks just like a pyramid. Even seats are placed at the base. Isn't this blatantly inciting conflict? The guests are all proud elites—who'd be willing to sit at the bottom and look up at others? Those seats… are prizes to be fought over, the very spark of conflict."
Among the elites of various races, it wasn't easy to achieve parity. Everyone was proud. No one believed themselves inferior to others. Now, with a pyramid-like seating arrangement made so overt, it clearly showed who stood where. Being at the bottom meant being beneath others—trampled upon. This was intolerable.
Anyone who could tolerate it wasn't worthy of being called a heaven's chosen.
This was the origin of conflict, and its inevitable conclusion.
There was no way this could be resolved with a few words.
"What a cunning Stone Emperor! A mere seating arrangement is enough to make elites from all races fight tooth and nail, shedding blood just for a chair. Yet he sits calmly, fishing in troubled waters, watching the storm unfold, judging the talents of all without getting involved himself. This level of scheming is truly chilling."
Jia Xu observed the scene, his face growing somber.
Who sat where would have to be determined by merit. This was going to be a very different kind of banquet.
Even those from peaceful races might not be able to endure this slight. This wasn't just about personal pride—but the honor of their entire race. One might be willing to lose face personally, but could they really let their people be shamed?
The logic was simple.
The Stone Emperor's grasp of human nature was frighteningly precise.
He wouldn't be satisfied unless the heaven's chosen clashed like titans.
"Interesting. The Stone Emperor's intentions are unreadable—his motives clearly impure. He wants to remain above it all, safe and untouched, while the rest of us dance in the storm. Does he think he's some god-king, peerless and supreme?"
This image was also visible to Yi Tianxing and his companions.
Not far from Spirit Mountain, the Nine-Dragon War Chariot had stopped in midair, hidden among the clouds, invisible to others. But the image of Spirit Mountain was laid bare to them.
Seeing it, Yi Tianxing gave a cold smile.
"Husband, even the two dragon eggs have stirred from their slumber. This banquet will be seen across the entire Battlefield of Gods and Demons. Be on guard for Liu Bei and Guan Yu—we might really lose one of our generals."
Yao Yue said solemnly, glancing at the projection in the sky.
If they did appear, whether or not Zhang Fei came too, the moment Guan Yu and Liu Bei were seen, things could spiral out of control.
It might truly become a losing deal.
"Don't worry. Since this banquet marks the end of the battlefield, once it concludes, the Battlefield of Gods and Demons will most likely shut down again. Even if they want to reunite, it won't be so easy. At least for now, Yide can't leave. His comrades and his cause lie in Great Yi. In time, he may not be willing to give it all up."
Yi Tianxing shook his head. It was a difficult issue, but one that had to be faced head-on.
When the boat reaches the bridge, it will naturally straighten—nothing was truly insurmountable.
Swoosh!
At that moment, just as the sun was rising, a silver moon suddenly appeared in the sky without warning. Bathed in moonlight, a young man dressed in silver beast-hide, with long silver hair, walked out from the void, stepping on moonbeams. The silver moon hung in the sky, shining alongside the sun. Under its glow, the youth appeared almost nobly divine—like a noble of the moonlit night.
It was breathtaking.
He walked straight toward Spirit Mountain.
"Lu Beiyue of the Werewolf Race has come to attend the banquet."
The newcomer announced himself. His voice echoed through the void, sending chills down the spines of those who heard it. Though noble in appearance, he exuded an air of undeniable danger.
"Halt! Please step onto the Dragon-Suppressing Platform. If you can endure for three breaths, you may ascend Spirit Mountain and join the banquet. If not, you must leave."
Just as Lu Beiyue was about to set foot on the mountain, a beam of light flashed at its base, and a massive figure clad in battle armor emerged—a Yellow Turban Warrior.
But this was no ordinary Yellow Turban. It was a true Dao Soldier, forged through a unique method. Connected to the very essence of the mountain, it radiated a sense of invincibility.
At the foot of the mountain stood a platform forged from Xuanhuang Stone, with a massive divine pillar rising from it, bound by coiling chains.
The pillar was no ordinary post—it was a rare treasure called the Dragon-Suppressing Pillar (镇龙桩). Once activated, it would unleash immense dragon-suppressing force upon the challenger. It was said that, at its peak, even a true dragon could be pinned beneath it.
One could imagine its terrifying might.
"They want to test our strength using that hunk of metal?"
Lu Beiyue snorted disdainfully, casting a glance at the Stone Emperor atop the summit. Still, he said nothing more. This moment was being watched by all on the battlefield—it was the perfect opportunity to demonstrate his power and show the strength of the Werewolf Race.
Bang!
In a flash, he landed squarely atop the Dragon-Suppressing Platform.
"The Dragon-Suppressing Platform, the True Dragon Platform—if you can endure, you're a true dragon, worthy of attending the banquet."
The Yellow Turban Warrior spoke loudly.
Roooar!!
The Dragon-Suppressing Pillar shone with mystical yellow light, enveloping the entire platform. Chains of divine light appeared in the air—each one a shackle of suppression.
As they descended, Lu Beiyue immediately felt a crushing weight—like mountains pressing down on him.
One shackle = 10,000 jin.
In the blink of an eye, ten shackles descended upon him—100,000 jin in total, pressing down on every inch of his body. Worse, the pressure suppressed internal energy, making it nearly impossible to summon spiritual power—only brute flesh could resist.
It was a torment of both body and will, whispering:
Submit. Kneel.
"This much pressure won't bring me down."
Lu Beiyue remained composed. The werewolf race was famed for their powerful bodies and close combat. He stood his ground with ease.
Three breaths passed.
"You may enter the Spirit Mountain and join the banquet."
The Yellow Turban Warrior stepped aside. The pillar's glow faded.
This test was just a gatekeeper—meant to weed out the unworthy. Those who passed it were recognized as true heaven's chosen.
"Let's see what secrets lie within this Spirit Mountain."
Lu Beiyue said as he stepped off the platform and strode toward the mountain. This time, the Yellow Turban Warrior did not stop him.