On Mount Wutai, a great stir broke out. The monks who had been performing morning chants all revealed shocked expressions. Their originally tranquil mindsets were instantly disrupted. Even the top-level masters became unsettled. The previously rhythmic sound of wooden fish chanting now carried subtle irregularities. The unified chanting of sutras abruptly ceased.
Soon after, a bell rang out.
Orders were swiftly issued: all disciples were to gather and proceed to the mountain gate.
Even without knowing whether this visit was for a challenge, the words "Holy Court of Great Yi" alone were enough to demand the highest form of reception from Mount Wutai. No level of caution would be excessive. The disciples began murmuring amongst themselves.
"The Holy Court of Great Yi… It's said that their territory borders our Shushan realm, right next door. This time, I fear they've come with ill intent."
"I heard Great Yi already occupies five major realms, with a population exceeding sixty trillion. Their strength is overwhelming. Wherever they strike, it's like an unstoppable force. Now they've risen to the level of a Holy Court… It's almost inconceivable. Compared to that, Mount Wutai might be crushed like an ant."
"Why is Great Yi here? Isn't the Tongtian Pavilion one of their official departments? Are they here to issue a challenge? What are they trying to do?"
Whispers spread as many disciples speculated in silence.
Though they had joined the Buddhist order and practiced meditation and cultivation, the truth was that they hadn't yet reached the realm of the Buddha — the level where the mind is still as water. Even a Buddha wasn't entirely free from the seven emotions and six desires. Emotions and desires still existed in some form.
But when it came to Great Yi, no one dared to utter a single word of disdain.
Even though these monks usually behaved with superiority before common folk, looking down on others with arrogance, that didn't mean they could look down on Great Yi. Perhaps in the past, they may have had such sentiments — but now, with Great Yi having become a Holy Court and occupying five major realms, it would be not just foolish, but outright idiotic to underestimate them.
And now, Great Yi had clearly announced their intention to issue a challenge.
That statement alone was enough to provoke deep thought. This wasn't just about competition — it was a show of force, an act of suppression, even a warning. It was an attempt to trample the face of Mount Wutai underfoot.
Of course, most of the lower-level disciples were simply curious.
They were curious about what kind of powerful figures Great Yi had sent. To dare to challenge an immortal sect — that was a bold and daring move.
After all, on the battlefield, while sects might hesitate to confront imperial dynasties directly, when it came to personal cultivation, sect disciples didn't fear anyone. At the peak, their individual power could destroy worlds with a flick of the wrist — rivaling armies of thousands. Though they walked different paths, the destination was the same.
Great divine powers could roam freely across the world.
All these thoughts raced through their minds, yet the disciples still quickly assembled, ended their morning rituals, and rushed toward the mountain gate.
Before long, a line of disciples stretched from the mountaintop to the base. Elder monks in kasayas, seat-holding abbots, all had grave expressions as they clustered around the abbot, Master Zunsheng, and moved forward. Compared to ordinary disciples, they understood far more. They were much clearer on the true meaning behind this challenge.
Great Yi had set its sights on the Shushan realm.
The Shushan realm was no longer peaceful.
That individual from the Holy Court of Great Yi — he was a figure capable of swallowing the heavens. In recent days, the major sects of the Shushan realm had already secretly convened multiple times. Countless discussions had taken place, but not a single concrete plan had been agreed upon.
It was impossible for Great Yi to ignore a neighboring realm and not incorporate it.
And now, that day had finally come.
What's worse — Mount Wutai was the first target.
Even Master Zunsheng didn't know whether he should feel honored… or terribly unfortunate.
"They didn't come in peace… Great Yi is offering courtesy before force. They want us to recognize the reality,"
he sighed, his brow furrowed with bitter emotion.
"Senior Abbot," said Master Zunyi grimly — one of the other 'Zun'-titled masters, "Great Yi clearly plans to expand into our Shushan realm. According to discussions among the major sects, we can't resist — not with a divided heart. We are sects, not imperial courts. In terms of legitimacy, we have no grounds. Great Yi is a Human-race imperial court, and by its own strength, has seized tremendous fortune and prestige for our race. It has become a spiritual pillar. To oppose them is to stand against the greater good. If word got out, we'd become laughingstocks among the myriad races of the heavens."
This situation was tricky. If they were facing any other imperial court, the Shushan sects wouldn't have flinched — the entire realm was essentially their backyard, their private preserve, a place to gather faith and incense, and recruit disciples and resources.
If foreign races came, they'd all unite to repel them.
But this time — it was Great Yi.
Their power was immense. Their Human race prestige was off the charts. Normal methods were useless. Great Yi's expansion and realm acquisition were standard procedures for growing an imperial court. The sects had no legitimate grounds to object — they weren't a dynasty. They couldn't even find a reason to oppose it.
They were at a natural disadvantage from the start.
"This is Great Yi offering a solution," said Master Zunren with a compassionate look. "They're sending people to challenge our sect. If we lose, we likely won't even get to negotiate terms — we won't even have face left. Most of our benefits will be lost. But if we win, at least our name will be preserved. With that reputation, our sect can continue and might even gain benefits from Great Yi in the future."
There were indeed sects within Great Yi. And they had coexisted peacefully.
But the local humans who had once belonged to independent sects now no longer received their old benefits. If they wanted resources, they had to earn them through personal effort.
Just like the Qingshan Immortal Sect.
Over the years, it had thrived within Great Yi. Disciples could venture into the wilderness to hunt beasts, take on missions at the Hunter Hall, earn bounties, join the Tongtian Pavilion as honored guests, or work for departments like the Six Doors or the Disaster Hall. If talented enough, they could even enter the army or imperial court.
Right now, one outstanding disciple from Qingshan had even passed the imperial exams, become governor of an Immortal City, and brought great benefits to the sect under Great Yi's approval.
Great Yi didn't forbid sect disciples from entering the imperial court.
Instead, it provided them a path to rise.
Other sect disciples were the same — their sects became places of study, and the disciples who entered Great Yi gave back to their roots. Qingshan was now doing even better than before. With its unique products, it traded with Great Yi, utilized its cultivation resources, and rapidly increased in strength.
Now, the sect was tied tightly to Great Yi.
The sects of the Shushan realm were all aware of this. But the masters of Mount Wutai couldn't help but feel pain at the thought of losing billions of followers. That kind of pain was suffocating.
These thoughts were exchanged rapidly as they walked.
Soon, they arrived at the mountain gate.
There, they saw seven figures standing calmly.
At first glance, they were clearly very young — but in the cultivation world, appearance meant little. With age-preserving techniques, even elders could look like youths.
"Amitabha. I am Zunsheng, abbot of Mount Wutai. I humbly welcome the seven envoys from Great Yi. Forgive us for not receiving you earlier. The mountain wind is strong — shall we speak inside?"
Zunsheng spoke with a smile, though his heart was heavy with concern.
"No need," replied a man in a white robe calmly. "We've come to request guidance from the esteemed masters of Mount Wutai. If you can defeat us, we will naturally leave. If not — then please review this document. If you're willing to sign it, all the better. If not, we'll still leave. What happens after — is none of our concern."
His tone was direct and decisive.
With a wave, a document flew into the hands of Master Zunren, who stepped forward to examine it carefully.
"May I ask your names, fellow Daoists?" Zunsheng inquired.
The youngest of the seven stepped forward. He looked like a youth of barely fifteen or sixteen — but a sharp tiger-like aura emanated from him. His gaze was bold and heroic.
"Tongtian Pavilion, Spirit Sea realm, Wang Xiaohu. Here to challenge your sect's disciples in the same realm."
"Tongtian Pavilion, Life Aperture realm, Xueying Jie."
A girl in white smiled gently. She seemed completely harmless, like an ordinary young girl.
"Tongtian Pavilion, Life Diagram realm, Lin Shanhai."
A plain-looking man with a simple aura spoke slowly. His face was so common you might lose him in a crowd — yet no one here dared to ignore him.
"Tongtian Pavilion, Dharma Phase realm, Lei Yao."
A young man radiating powerful pressure spoke slowly. Between his brows was a striking golden lightning mark — unforgettable at first glance.
"Tongtian Pavilion, Nascent Soul realm, Liu Wuhen."
A graceful gentleman with a folding fan smiled and gave a polite wave, oozing charm and elegance.
"Tongtian Pavilion, Yang God realm, Wu Yue."
A man in tight-fitting clothes stepped forward. His eyes burned with intense fighting spirit. When he said his name, it felt as heavy as a mountain.