First Immortal of the Sword

The stele was buried in the rubble of the collapsed mountainside. Only a portion was visible.

Fan Zhui pulled it out of the rubble. It was over ten feet long, and after he wiped away the dust, its surface was inky black and covered in the intricate glyphs of the Dragon Palace.

Su Yi and Xi Ning walked over to examine it.

“This is indeed the preeminent trial grounds of the Dragon Palace, the Dragon Ascension Platform. The stele is carved with some of the Dragon Ascension Platform’s secrets,” Su Yi said after a moment. “According to the stele, the trial of the Dragon Ascension Platform is divided into eight stone steps. They represent what the Dragon Kings saw as eight barriers standing in the way of their cultivation. Each step is emblazoned with the unique Grand Dao source power of the dragon race.”

“Those who overcame all eight steps were like dragons breaking free of their fetters to ascend into the heavens. Only after climbing all eight steps could they step onto the Dragon Ascension Platform and acquire a Grand Dao Dragon Vein’s source power to temper their bodies and their Daos.”

“Only Immortal Kings of the dragon race are qualified to undergo the trials of the Dragon Ascension Platform. Those of other races are highly likely to encounter grave misfortune should they make the attempt.”

When Xi Ning heard that, she looked at Su Yi. “It seems this good fortune isn’t fated for you, Fellow Daoist.”

Su Yi laughed. “Perhaps, but don’t you think that makes the trial all the more interesting?”

Xi Ning was unwittingly stunned, and she couldn’t help but be a bit impressed. 

Sometimes, little details could reveal a whole awful lot, and some people exuded confidence with every gesture. Xi Ning sensed an altogether unique, unparalleled spirit in Su Yi’s seemingly casual words. After all, when she learned the rules of the Dragon Ascension Platform’s trial, even she subconsciously assumed the trial would be far too difficult. But when Su Yi heard the same thing, it only made him all the more eager!

When she compared herself to him, she couldn’t help but be rueful.

Even Fan Zhui couldn’t help but take another look at Su Yi. The more time he spent with Su Yi, the more keenly he sensed how extraordinary he was. His respect—and astonishment—only increased over time.

When they first met, he even put on the airs of a senior, dismissing this young man of the Immortal Realm entirely. He wouldn't dare do that now!

But Su Yi’s thoughts were nowhere near so complicated. He just formed a hand seal and spoke in the strange, inscrutable language of the dragons.

An invisible energy fluctuation spread from his fingertip, spreading out in all directions. An intense spatial ripple suddenly appeared above the severed, collapsed mountain, and an unbelievable scene unfolded. A platform fully eight thousand feet tall appeared out of nowhere!

It was pitch black throughout, and it had eight steps leading to the top. Each of the steps was a thousand feet tall, the height of towering city gates, and all were carved in intricate, mysterious dragon markings and totems. All of them emanated an ancient and grand draconic presence.

Xi Ning could tell at a glance that the Dragon Ascension Platform was extraordinary. It occupied its own independent space, and although it looked close and hand, those of insufficient strength couldn’t even touch it!

However, if someone whose strength was too great attempted to draw near, the Dragon Ascension Platform would disappear back into that independent space.

No wonder this trial is only suitable for those about to prove their Daos and enter the Great Realm. It’s set up in such a way that others are turned away at the door, thought Xi Ning.

She couldn’t help but find it a bit of a pity. When Su Yi told her that those who passed all eight trials could temper themselves with a Grand Dao Dragon Vein, even she was tempted.

A Grand Dao Dragon Vein! This was a first-rate, unparalleled source power of the Grand Dao, a rare and precious type of good fortune even in the God Domain!

Rumor had it that Grand Dao Dragon Veins arose in stretches of chaos created by the progenitors of the dragon race. They were inestimably useful for tempering the blood, qi, and flesh.

Such good fortune was enough to make even Great Realm experts red-eyed with greed. 

After all, long ago, dragons were the rulers of all living things! At the same level of cultivation, dragons could crush experts of other races due to the terrifying power of their bloodlines. Their foundations were incomparably terrifying!

“If anything happens, act in accordance with our plan,” Su Yi reminded.

Xi Ning inclined her head. “Got it.”

She then turned and said, “Fan Zhui, get ready. Let’s see if we have to cut down any ill-advised fools this time.’

“Yes, Young Leader!” Fan Zhui solemnly assented.

On the way here, they’d analyzed the situation and concluded that all of their enemies—Qing Xiao and the other divine children, the Giant Whale Spirit Race, and the experts of the six factions of the Immortal Realm already working with them—had suffered massive setbacks at Su Yi’s hands. They wouldn’t dare act recklessly.

But that didn’t mean they’d let this go, either. It was no exaggeration to say that the moment they seized an opportunity, they would strike to kill without the slightest politeness!

If Su Yi underwent trials on the Dragon Ascension Platform, it would give their enemies a perfect opportunity to exploit!

Su Yi and Xi Ning both understood this farewell, but neither was concerned. On the contrary, they wanted to use this opportunity to see if they could lure any big fish out of hiding!

Without any further delays, Su Yi leaped into the air and shot toward the first of the eight stone steps of the Dragon Ascension Platform.

Boom!

The platform rumbled and boomed, and the markings covering its surface lit up. A resplendent rain of light surged forth, and the boundless cry of a dragon filled the air. It was like a sacred phenomenon.

In the blink of an eye, Su Y disappeared into the rain of light.

“He vanished?” Fan Zhui narrowed his eyes.

“In trials like these, every step is like entering a new hidden realm. Thus, those outside of the trials cannot see what happens inside.”

“So that’s it.”

……

Meanwhile, Su Yi appeared in a murky gray world of chaos.

A boundless draconic roar rang out.

“Outsider, leave at once. Otherwise, the heavens shall strike you down!”

The voice resounded through the air, shaking the soul.

Su Yi smiled and disregarded it.

A moment later, a streak of golden light flashed into being, like wind and lightning sweeping toward him through this world of chaos. 

Upon closer inspection, the golden light was actually a man in golden robes, his entire body swathed in golden electric light. He was tall and grand, with a single draconic horn sprouting from his forehead. When his eyes opened and closed, they seemed to contain the enormity of outer space and shine with the light of trillions of stars!

A strange look appeared in Su Yi’s eyes.

The golden-robed man was no living person. Rather, he was an avatar of will that had survived the passage of the ages, and he was condensed out of this hidden realm’s chaos power.

Even so, his aura was no weaker than the peak Miracle Realm Immortal Kings of the present day!

“Who are you? How dare you trespass on the Dragon Ascension Platform?” asked the man in golden robes, his voice booming like thunder and churning the currents of chaos energy.

“Me? I’m a trial-taker who passed by this place by chance,” Su Yi said calmly. “What about you? Which ancestor of the dragon race are you?”

He spoke in the language of the dragons.

The man in golden robes was instantly stunned. “The secret language of our race is seldom taught to outsiders. Exceptions are made only for those outsiders who receive our elders' unanimous approval. No one else is permitted to learn the secrets of our language. Tell me, who taught you our secret language?”

Something occurred to Su Yi, and he said, “Li Fuyou.”

He wasn’t exactly lying, either. He’d learned the secret language of the Dragon Palace from the Combat Soul Puppet, Lei Ze, and Lei Ze had accompanied and attended to Li Fuyou.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

“Li Fuyou…” The golden-robed man furrowed his brow. “Who is that?”

Su Yi was instantly disappointed. And here he’d planned to see if the golden-robed man knew his fifth incarnation. If so, he might well be able to get some secrets out of him. Alas, the golden-robed man obviously didn’t know anything about Li Fuyou.

Even the sword-bearing ape only knew of Li Fuyou from rumors, and Xi Ning had merely heard about him from her grandfather, and all she really knew was that he’d acquired the Sword of Proximity.

This golden-robed man was obviously a dragon race expert’s imprint of will, and he’d undoubtedly been an extraordinary figure during the Primeval Era. Yet he hadn’t even heard Li Fuyou’s name before. All of this only served to make Li Fuyou seem all the more mysterious.

Before Su Yi could respond, the golden-robed man continued, “Forget it. That doesn’t matter right now. Since you’ve mastered our secret language, I suppose you’re qualified to undergo trial here.”

Boom!

He attacked without warning, lightning surging around his fist. The electricity condensed into an enormous dragon claw and reached for Su Yi.

He attacked, just like that? Su Yi was stunned, and he dodged. “Wait! I still have things I’d like to talk about!”

The golden-robed man said expressionlessly, “The Dragon Ascension Platform shows no mercy, so don’t even try to ‘seek friends in high places.’ If you want to pass the trial, give it everything you’ve got. Otherwise, you’ll die here today!”

Kaboom!

Before his voice had even finished echoing through the air, the golden-robed man’s aura grew incomparably terrifying, and he leaped explosively toward Su Yi. Explosive electric power ran rampant around him, full of draconic majesty.

It was indistinct, but an illusory giant dragon appeared behind him. It wandered the starry skies bathed in endless lightning, making even the stars themselves tremble!

Su Yi’s opponent was merely an avatar of will, but he was fiercer than even true peak Immortal Kings of the present day!

When Su Yi saw the force and momentum of his attacks, he couldn’t help but feel that the man had been an unparalleled powerhouse of the dragon race in life. His true cultivation was undoubtedly far beyond the Miracle Realm!

Even as his mind raced, Su Yi’s movements never slowed. He charged directly into the fray.

Kaboom!

In the blink of an eye, the two of them clashed over a hundred times, the impact throwing the chaos space into upheaval. Currents of destructive power swept outward.

It seems that this is all the first trial amounts to… Su Yi thought to himself. 

When he reached this conclusion, he no longer held back. He’d decided to end the battle.

Boom!

He shot ahead, and his hand pressed down on the air. Unstoppable force erupted from his palm, seemingly overturning both heaven and earth. Just like that, he suppressed the golden-robed man’s offensive.

A muffled impact rang out, and the golden-robed man was forced to the ground, completely bound and unable to move a muscle.

A single palm strike, and Su Yi had suppressed a mighty dragon!

“Now can we have ourselves a proper chat?” asked Su Yi. 

The golden-robed man said expressionlessly, “Little fellow, you’ve only overcome the first trial. Do you really think you’re in any position to act arrogantly in front of me? Juvenile.”

Su Yi’s eyebrows rose.

The golden-robed man continued, “I’ll wait for you on the eighth floor. If you can suppress me in a single strike then, I wouldn’t mind having a conversation with you.”

“???” Su Yi looked baffled. Did this guy’s true body leave an imprint of will in the eighth trial too?