Fantasy: I, the Great Celestial Venerable of the Dao

After a brief silence, deafening cheers and unparalleled pride erupted!

The sect leader is the number one Taiyi master in the world!

What an honor!

Every Qingyun disciple felt a sense of pride, stood up straight, and their enthusiasm for cultivation soared to unprecedented heights.

When Dao Xuan's familiar figure appeared silently in front of the Jade Purity Hall.

Wan Jianyi, Tian Buyi, and fourteen other Taiyi masters were already waiting there.

Along with numerous core disciples, they all bowed deeply, their voices filled with excitement:

"Welcome back, Sect Leader! Congratulations on reaching the top of the Taiyi Ranking!"

Dao Xuan's gentle gaze swept over the crowd, and seeing their improved demeanor and high spirits, he nodded slightly.

"It has been many years since we last met. Your cultivation has improved significantly, and the sect has taken on a new look. This is excellent."

He paused and looked at Wan Jianyi.

"Junior Brother Wan, thank you for your hard work while I was away. How is the situation outside?"

Wan Jianyi hurriedly stepped forward and explained the "Ancient Alliance" controversy, the joint "Central Continent Martial Arts Tournament" organized by the three major sects, and the special invitation extended to Qingyun.

He briefly reported on Qingyun's acceptance of the invitation.

Dao Xuan listened quietly, his expression unchanged. Only after Wan Jianyi finished speaking did he slowly say:

"The matter of the 'Ancient Covenant' concerns the very foundation of humanity, and we must proceed with utmost caution and continue to investigate it, but we must not lose our composure."

A martial arts competition... could be an opportunity.

He cast his gaze into the distance, toward the place where the world's events converged, a place called "Tianyantai" (Heavenly Evolution Platform).

"Since all eyes are on this place, I, Qingyun, should naturally attend."

Let the world see the brilliance of the new generation of Qingyun.

"Sect Leader, those who have grudges against Qingyun, such as Youming Valley and Tianjian Sect, will probably not behave themselves in this martial arts competition."

Master Cangsong reminded him.

Dao Xuan smiled faintly, a smile that carried the composure of someone looking down upon the world:

"A clown jumping around, not worth mentioning."

We, the disciples of Qingyun, have endured bloodshed and fire, honing our skills for a century; now is the time to test our mettle. Order:

Starting today, the sect will begin selecting disciples to participate in the martial arts competition.

Principles: Applicants must be under 300 years old, apply voluntarily, and be selected based on merit.

The selection process must be fair and transparent.

"Yes!" the crowd responded in unison, their eyes filled with excitement.

The news of Dao Xuan emerging from seclusion and topping the Taiyi Ranking spread far and wide.

With the "Central Continent Martial Arts Tournament" approaching, the entire Qingyun Mountain has entered a tense and excited state of preparation.

The selection competition was held in full swing among the seven peaks, with young disciples eager to represent their sect.

On the "Tianyan Stage" that everyone is watching, he will show his talent and brilliance.

A time of great turmoil is also a time to make a name for oneself.

Three months passed quickly amidst the intense and well-organized preparations and selections at Qingyun Mountain.

Ultimately, after rounds of competition and comprehensive consideration of factors such as cultivation level, combat strength, temperament, and on-the-spot adaptability, the final results were determined.

The Qingyun Sect has selected a list of disciples to participate in the "Three Sects Tournament of Central Continent".

There are a total of 36 people, covering all groups from Human Immortal to Grand Golden Immortal.

Among them, the Taiyi Golden Immortal group has the fewest members, only a few, but each one is a leader among the younger generation of the sect, including:

Xiao Yicai, Lu Xueqi, Zhang Xiaofan, Lin Jingyu, Li Xiaoyao, Zhao Ling'er, Zeng Shushu.

They will be the most dazzling swordsmen of the Qingyun Sect in this martial arts competition.

On this day, at the gate of Qingyun Mountain, the sun rose in the east, and the sea of ​​clouds surged.

Led by Dao Xuan, the group included Wan Jianyi, Tian Buyi, Cangsong, Zeng Shuchang, Shuiyue, and Zhou Yixian.

Seven high-ranking Taiyi officials stood solemnly before them.

Behind him were thirty-six spirited and focused disciples, and further back.

Then came hundreds of elite disciples and deacons from various peaks who came to see them off.

"Let's go." Dao Xuan didn't give a long lecture; he simply uttered two words calmly.

With a wave of his sleeve, a blue-green warship appeared, far larger and more magnificent than the "Sky-Breaking Ship" of yesteryear.

It appeared out of thin air, hovering above the sea of ​​clouds.

This ship is over three hundred feet long and its entire body resembles a piece of carved jade.

The ship's hull gleamed with a warm luster, its superstructure towered high, and its banners fluttered in the wind, embroidered with the sword-shaped cloud patterns unique to Qingyun Mountain.

This was made during Dao Xuan's seclusion, combining some of his gains with the Qingyun weapon-refining secrets.

The newly refined flying magical artifact – "Azure Cloud Imperial Boat".

Not only is it extremely fast and has amazing defense, but it also contains profound secrets.

It can accommodate a thousand people and sails smoothly, unaffected by turbulent air currents.

The group boarded the ship one by one.

As Dao Xuan's thoughts stirred, the Azure Cloud Imperial Boat emitted a clear, melodious hum.

The runes on the ship's hull lit up one by one, transforming into a soft cyan light shield that enveloped the entire ship.

It then slowly rose into the air, changed direction, and headed towards the central region of the Central Continent.

The direction where the "Tianyantai" is located disappears into the clouds.

The boat moved smoothly and swiftly like a flash of light.

The cabin is spacious and bright, divided into different areas such as a quiet room, a council hall, and a drill ground.

Dao Xuan resides in a quiet room on the top floor, where he spends most of his time meditating and contemplating.

Summarize the findings.

Wan Jianyi and others took turns presiding over affairs or guiding the participating disciples in making final adjustments and preparations.

The entire process was solemn and orderly, revealing the composure and demeanor befitting a major sect.

Along the way, you can often encounter other sect flying boats, cloud chariots, or cultivators' escape lights heading to the "Heavenly Evolution Platform".

When I saw that magnificent, azure-colored warship with its distinctive azure cloud emblem,

Regardless of their sect or school of origin, the cultivators all held them in the highest esteem.

They either paid their respects from a distance or voluntarily gave way to the waterway.

The news of Dao Xuan's ascension to the top of the Taiyi Ranking had already spread throughout the world.

At this moment, the prestige and power of the Qingyun Sect can be described as being at their zenith.

Seven days later, the Azure Cloud Imperial Boat traversed thousands of mountains and rivers and arrived at its destination.

In the heart of the continent, on a vast, boundless plain.

A magnificent and imposing stone platform rises abruptly from the ground, piercing the clouds.

The stone platform is circular, with a diameter of over a hundred miles, and its surface is covered with patterns and battle marks that cannot be erased by wind and rain erosion.

It exudes an aura of vastness, weight, and solemnity.

This is the "Tianyantai," where, according to legend, the ancient sage emperor once performed martial arts and established his dynasty.

It is also a sacred place for major gatherings and the resolution of disputes in Central China throughout history.

At this moment, the area around the Tianyan Stage was already packed with people, bustling with activity.

Cultivators from various counties, sects, families, and independent cultivator alliances in the Central Continent.

Like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea, they all converge here.

In the sky, all kinds of flying magical artifacts covered the sky, and banners fluttered in the wind;

On the ground, makeshift viewing platforms, tents, and shops stood side by side.

The crowd was full of people.

A fervent atmosphere, a mixture of excitement, anticipation, tension, and competition, permeated the space between heaven and earth.

When the unique azure light of the Azure Cloud Imperial Boat appeared on the horizon.

The previously noisy scene suddenly fell silent!

Countless gazes were cast in unison toward the majestic ship that was breaking through the clouds.

He turned his gaze toward the figure standing with his hands behind his back, dressed in white as white as snow, at the bow of the ship.

"It's the Qingyun Sect!"

"Dao Xuan Zhenren! Number one on the Taiyi Ranking!"

"What a magnificent sight! Is that the Azure Cloud Imperial Sky Ship?"

"Look! Those young disciples disembarking from the ship, each one exudes a calm and collected aura, with sharp eyes—truly worthy of being called the outstanding talents of Qingyun!"