"The future… The scope is too vast. The future is full of variables—utterly unpredictable. How do you write about something so undefined?""Is this meant to be a vision of the future from the present? The future of the Human Race, or the Great Yi Dynasty? Or even the Eternal World? The future of all races under the heavens?"
As soon as this topic was revealed, countless examinees in the Imperial Academy immediately changed expressions. Undoubtedly, this was an open-ended essay prompt, one without limits—but also one of the most difficult to address. If one could seize the core thread, the essay could flow with ease. But if one picked the wrong direction, the result would be disastrous.
Naturally, this was a test of a candidate's thinking ability. Whether one was a pedantic scholar or someone with unrestrained imagination, this essay would reveal all.
However, some already began to contemplate deeply, with calm and confidence showing in their expressions.
"I wonder how many talents will distinguish themselves this time,"murmured Huang Chengyan, who stood beside Yi Tianxing in the palace.
The imperial examination was like ten thousand people crossing a single-log bridge. Even though the Great Yi Dynasty had relaxed the selection criteria—allowing all schools of thought, as long as there was true ability—those eliminated still far outnumbered those who advanced. Great Yi lacked talents—especially practical ones—people capable of managing affairs independently.
In Yi Prefecture, a shortage of talent remained. Many Immortal Cities still had temporary city lords. And with a large-scale expedition about to begin, new territories would need a vast influx of officials. The demand for capable individuals in Great Yi was ceaseless, unending.
"With over two billion new people, even one in ten thousand would give us a considerable number of talents. The problem is, can we find any true ministerial-level geniuses among them?"Yi Tianxing spoke calmly.
Such talents were rare. Even average talents were welcome. But those who could govern a region and assist a king—that was a luxury. If none were found this time, there would be another chance in the future. Eventually, a surge of talent would arise.
An imperial dynasty was built on accumulation.
Yi Tianxing was well aware that when the Myriad Realms fused, many chose to start fresh and reincarnate directly into the Eternal World. As long as a stable environment was provided, these reincarnated talents would appear in waves. A new generation would soon be born.
With Great Yi being the most stable human dynasty, its people enjoyed peace and prosperity—ideal soil for reproducing and nurturing new life. Naturally, the chances of reincarnated beings landing within Great Yi were higher.
This gave Yi Tianxing confidence.
And the more territory Great Yi conquered, the stronger this advantage became. All they needed to do was keep expanding, growing, and offering boundless fertile land for the Human Race to thrive.
Suddenly, without warning, a vast, indescribable pressure descended from the void.
The heavens seemed to collapse.
Nine cold, enormous eyes appeared above the sky, each glowing with a different color: yellow, gray, green, white, black, blue, gold, red, and purple. Each eye emanated an overwhelming force, rendering any resistance futile. It was Heaven's Might.
Even Nascent Soul realm cultivators were like slightly larger ants in front of these eyes.
"It's the Nine Heavens. Why would they appear now?"
Yi Tianxing looked toward the void. Though he had reached the level of Tribulation Nascent Soul, he was still powerless before the Nine Heavens. They weren't even on the same plane. These were the Ninefold Heavens, avatars split from the Will of the Myriad Realms, each holding a portion of Heavenly Dao authority—true sovereigns of existence.
Xuan Tian, Jun Tian, Mo Tian, Xie Tian, Xue Tian, Qing Tian, Huang Tian, Ming Tian, and Cang Tian—nine supreme beings. If not for the actual Heavenly Dao suppressing them, they would have acted long ago.
But now, just a year later, it seemed they were restless again—no longer content to remain in silence. As if they wished to proclaim their supreme will to all life under the heavens.
"This world is too boring," said Xuan Tian calmly."Even with the fusion of worlds and the clash of myriad races, it's only the tip of the iceberg. The true Heaven's Chosen haven't had the chance to battle. What a pity," added Jun Tian."We should give them a chance. Let them dance with their equals—that is their rightful destiny," said Mo Tian coldly."The masses should be grateful for our mercy," laughed Huang Tian."Want to understand the meaning of life? We can show them," said Ming Tian with a smirk."How about we each choose a race—or a Heaven's Chosen—and see who survives till the end?" proposed Xie Tian.
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
"Very well!!"
In that brief conversation, it seemed they had already decided the fates of all living beings.
But these words existed only among the Nine Heavens. No lifeform or cultivator could perceive them. Yet, without knowing it, they had already become playthings—fodder for the Nine Heavens' amusement.
The price… was life!
Countless beings gazed into the sky, terrified and confused, unsure why these nine sovereigns had suddenly appeared. Some understood that the Nine Heavens were partial incarnations of the Heavenly Dao, formed by the collective will of the Myriad Realms.
They weren't as impartial or fair as the true Heavenly Dao. They were more akin to innate divine demons, wielding partial dominion over Heaven itself.
Then, the nine colossal eyes vanished without a trace.
Suddenly, an invisible force emerged.
Yi Tianxing instantly felt a mysterious power wrapping around him. Even he, with all his strength, couldn't resist it. He was being forcibly transported somewhere unknown.
"Not good."
He reacted swiftly. With a flicker of thought, he swapped his position with Yi Tianxie, his shadow clone. The transition was seamless—even Huang Chengyan, standing beside him, didn't notice.
Yi Tianxie now stood in his place, his face cold, his heart filled with killing intent.
"Damn it. The true body better be alright. What are those monsters trying to do?"
Yet, in front of beings like the Nine Heavens, even Yi Tianxie was but a powerless insect. Weaklings had no say in their fates. This was the sorrow of the weak—the paradise of the strong.
Yi Tianxing felt as if he had entered a spatial tunnel. In the blink of an eye, he found himself in a completely different place.
A sealed chamber. Enormous in size. And he was alone.
"This is the sorrow of the weak: no right to choose your fate—only submission to the whims of the strong. And today, I am still weak."
Taking a deep breath, he tried to calm himself.
The Nine Heavens had snatched him away effortlessly. Not even the Heavenly Emperor Pagoda could resist them. In the past, the pagoda could crush almost anything, but that was against opponents of a similar level. Against the Nine Heavens, they could crush it with a single finger—destroying even its inner dimension.
In that moment, he gained a far deeper understanding of true power.
"One day, I'll show the Nine Heavens that even the weak—if their will is strong enough—can stand shoulder to shoulder with the heavens."
But now was not the time to say it aloud. To speak such words prematurely would only invite ridicule—or worse, instant death. In this world, threats were eliminated in the cradle.
Cruelty here wasn't just a concept—it was a way of life.
Brush!!
Suddenly, ancient blood-colored runes appeared on the walls.
"This is a game… and a life-and-death trial."
"Heaven's Chosen from the ten major races will be randomly selected. They will fight to the death. The surviving race shall claim ultimate glory. The losers… will face annihilation."
"This is a death maze, testing strength, luck, and wisdom. Within it lie both deadly traps and treasure chambers. The treasure rooms hold untold wonders. The traps… mean certain death. To escape is nearly impossible. But those who succeed will earn the greatest rewards."
"Struggle… strive… survive!!"
The glowing blood-red text radiated a terrifying aura of danger. A battle between the top Heaven's Chosen of all races was about to unfold—a slaughter with no middle ground. Every encounter meant life or death.
There could only be… one survivor.