003: The warm spring and white snow give birth to the rainbow bridge, where thousands of Immortal Qi gather at the Divine Peak_1

It was the twilight hour, the setting sun washing over mountain ranges and casting a brilliant glow across ten thousand hills.

In a majestic and stately mountain close to the Ice Wind Forest, two groups of people had gathered together. The two leaders sat opposite each other on the cliff, watching the sunset and engaging in pleasant conversation.

"Brother Shaoyu, have you been able to investigate the origins of that group of individuals?"

"Investigation is still ongoing. One of my skilled men died a tragic death during the process, possibly due to snake venom. The nature of the attack was reminiscent of the Five Poison God Sect..."

"The Five Poison God Sect? Ever since the Five Poison God King's death, hasn't the sect been reduced to just a handful? Are you saying they possess an invitation?"

"It's not necessarily the Five Poison God Sect..."

"Oh?"

A spark shone in the eyes of one of the men, an elderly man with a goat beard. He turned to Shaoyu Feng, a man with thinning hair but handsome features, and lightly chuckled, "In the rivers and lakes of Nanxun Kingdom, when it comes to gathering information, only the Lone Forest Villa established single-handedly by you, Brother Shaoyu, is unparalleled. It seems you already have suspicions about the origins of this group?"

Shaoyu Feng, ever so debonair, casually shook the feather fan in his hand and responded, "Two months ago, Chen Dengming, the head of the Chen Family, vanished without a trace.

Before that, a group of highly skilled people who had never previously appeared in the martial world suddenly emerged in the vicinity of the Ice Wind Forest. All of these individuals were from the south. Among the many martial factions in the south, there are only three that are capable of grooming such skilled individuals.

One is yours, Brother Nangong. I have a good understanding of the other. The only one left is the Chen Family..."

The elderly man narrowed his eyes, "Eighth in the world, Chen Dengming..."

Shaoyu Feng lightly laughed, "The one ranked first might not be the real number one. The one ranked eighth might not be the true eighth.

People often say that Chen Dengming was honored by the emperor and granted the title of Nanxun Blade King. He was the imperial tutor, at the apex of his career. Little do they know that even a hidden dragon can despise being at the dragon's mercy?

Reaching the pinnacle yields a view of all mountains. Silent he remains until his voice shatters the stillness.

Chen Dengming has kept a low profile over the years, rarely engaging in fights and even when he does, he tends to just edge out his opponents. Although he is known as the Nanxun Blade King, mastering the sword, his application of martial arts is extremely diverse, which makes him hard to predict..."

The old man, astonished, laughed, "Not many people in this world can earn high praises from you, Brother Shaoyu. Even fewer are the ones you don't understand fully. It seems that this eighth in the world is no simple character. If he indeed has an invitation, it's best we don't target him."

"That doesn't necessarily have to be the case."

Shaoyu Feng sighed, "If he really has an invitation, it seems our only choice is to target him. Besides you and me, among the other five, we have already defeated the Arctic Old Man together, yet he did not have an invitation. Who among the other four can be considered easy?

The only one left is this 'Old Eight', not only a newly minted Innate, but someone who only entered the Innate realm at the age of sixty-five, implying that his martial prowess is not that strong and the Chen Family's background is the most humble..."

"Well then!"

The elderly man dismissively shook his head, followed by a nod, chuckling, "The true immortals descend, an event that occurs once in a hundred years, even the king would give up his two princes, how can you not try? Unfortunately, I no longer have many years left to live, my martial arts foundation has been damaged. If Brother Shaoyu succeeds, don't forget our agreement."

Shaoyu Feng, "Brother Nangong, you need not worry, if I enter, I will definitely look after your younger generations. If I truly achieve immortality, the next round of invitations will involve the Nangong Family. If I fail to enter the Dao of Immortality, the various properties of the Shaoyu Family have already been partly handed over to you."

Nangong laughed heartily, his mood greatly uplifted.

He did not have many years left to live, and his martial arts foundation had been destroyed. Even if he had an invitation, he would only be able to support his younger generations to participate in the Immortality Conference. Although he was willing to risk his life for their well-being, giving up his invitation directly for a trade was impossible.

Therefore, he agreed to help Shaoyu Feng snatch others' invitations. In return, Shaoyu Feng would ensure the well-being of his family's disciples and seek benefits for his family.

The Shaoyu Family used to be a brotherly family to the Nangong Family, still maintaining close ties today, and therefore trustworthy.

...

Two and a half months later.

It was the height of summer.

Ten million rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds, shining upon the Ice Wind Forest and the mountains within.

For a moment, the far mountains and near hills covered in swathes of ice and snow, shone bright and clear, like forests sculpted from immaculate, crystalline snowflakes.

On this day, in the depths of Ice Wind Forest, an extraordinarily uncanny change took place.

On countless mountaintops, as if caused by the touch of sunlight on ice and snow, reactions resembling the melting of winter's end occurred. A layer of mist-like smoke hovered, enveloping each peak in an ethereal combination of fog and rainbows, akin to the arrival of a fairyland.

Such a magnificent scene had occasionally happened in the summer days in Ice Wind Forest.

But this was unmistakably unique. All the floating smoke eventually gathered in one direction, gradually forming a siphoning effect akin to a dragon sucking water, ultimately creating a colossal pillar connecting heaven and earth.

This towering pillar, formed by smoke and illuminated by sunlight, was enveloped in a mysterious glow. It seemed to extend to the clouds, forming what looked like a massive cliff.

"The Misty Cliff!?"

"Ice Wind Forest, Misty Cliff?"

"Seeking the cliff daily but finding no trace, today I look up and see the Sky Dragon. The melting snow births a rainbow bridge, thousands of Immortal Qi gather at the divine peak. So, this is the Misty Cliff"

Within the Ice Wind Forest, many figures leaped out from all corners, gazing up in awe at the towering Misty Cliff, disbelieving.".

Then, someone realized. Were they expected to climb up this mist-constructed mountain peak?

How utterly challenging, and how was that even possible?

Even with the greatest Qinggong riding the wind, the chilling Gang winds in the high sky, the slightest mistake would send one plummeting to a bone-shattering fall.

Is the path to Immortality this challenging for us mortals, more difficult than ascending to heaven itself?

Even the Grandmasters of Martial Arts present, couldn't help but tremble at the thought, their faces draining of color.

Nevertheless, after their initial shock, a majority regained their resolve quickly, their determination unwavering. They activated their Qinggong and swiftly made their way towards the highest peak under the Misty Cliff.

Having an invitation might grant one entry into the Ascension Convention, perhaps it doesn't require such a Herculean task. Could the invitation have some magical power to guide them?

...

A few days later.

Tens of people had reached the mountain peaks beneath the Misty Cliff.

Many of them were among the greatest masters in the world. Some came alone, while others brought along their family's younger disciples.

Three of these were Innate Grandmasters of the previous age, so old that their teeth were almost all gone.

Many believed they had died of old age in some remote mountain or forest; their reappearance was a huge threat, even to Nangong Shuo, the head of the Nangong family.

At 102, he had thought he was the oldest and most accomplished among the eight Innate Grandmasters of this era.

Who would have thought that the veterans of the previous era were still alive? One of them, whose exploits Nangong Shuo had heard about since childhood, was at least over 130 years old.

He wished to test these Immortals, to aid Shaoyu Feng in obtaining the invitation, and to see if these old Immortals had lost much of their strength. But the cold glances he received silenced his dare.

The two of them discussed in hushed voices, considering the possibility that these Immortals had joined forces and didn't have much time left. The Ascension Convention was their only chance; they would fight to the death if anyone tried to take their invitation.

"Chen Dengming hasn't shown up yet; let's wait a bit longer. Let's first test the others to see if their skills have deteriorated..."

Nangong Shuo whispered to Shaoyu Feng. His gaze swept across the other Grandmasters, keen to test them.

Although Nangong Shuo considered himself the most powerful among the Innate Grandmasters, he dared not underestimate the others. Testing them was crucial before making a move. He had to allow himself a margin for error and room for maneuver.

...