Deep within the Northern Star Sea of the Luotian Grand Universe, lies a boundless ancient battlefield. This place has been dormant for far too many years, an endless span of time during which no living beings have dared to appear in this region.

This place is extremely dangerous. Even cultivators at the Supreme Realm may easily meet their demise here. Moreover, the peril often lurks in shadowed corners, beyond the reach of even the divine senses of Supreme cultivators. It could be just a fragment of a broken blade or sword; when a living being passes by, it may suddenly erupt with an acute killing intent so potent that it slays even a Supreme expert.

Within this Star Sea, many enormous heads drift suspended in space—each head thousands of miles in diameter, appearing unnervingly lifelike. Below each head, blood continues to flow from the neck. These haunting remains represent the deadliest threats upon this ancient battlefield.

Each of these heads once belonged to beings whose cultivation had reached at least the pinnacle of the Great Saint Realm. The aura they emanate is unfathomably powerful and terrifying. Even cultivators of the Saint Realm cannot approach them.

Rumor tells of a Great Saint from the ancient clans who ventured into this battlefield in search of divine materials. Relying on his profound cultivation, he forged ahead but, upon nearing one Great Saint's head, the severed head abruptly opened its eyes, unleashing two beams of divine light. The Great Saint's body was pierced on the spot, narrowly avoiding death.

Upon his return, he shared what had transpired, warning future generations to never step lightly into this foreboding battlefield.

And yet... this still isn't the most terrifying aspect of this ancient battleground. Allegedly, even figures in the ancestral realm—those unparalleled, supreme beings—dare not enter lightly, for merely setting foot here would burden them with unknown, immense karmic consequences.

The origins of this ancient battlefield remain subject to speculation and debate, with no definitive answer. This battleground predates even the Ji Clan's Imperial lineage by countless years.

Many believe it to be the remnants of a battlefield from the preceding civilization.

But when did that civilization arise, and when did it meet its end? No records remain to explain.

This place has become one of the forbidden zones of the Luotian Grand Universe. Few are even aware of its existence, and those who do possess such knowledge never venture near, not even its outskirts. Most within the universe remain oblivious to the fact that such an ancient battlefield exists.

The universe is infinite in its vastness, with mysteries beyond measure. Not even the unparalleled titanic beings dare to claim omniscience.

Perhaps, only those who reach the level of "God"—immortal and unperishable—can truly grasp all truths.

Still, just recently, a resounding drumbeat suddenly emerged from the depths of this ancient battlefield. The sound echoed throughout the battlefield, reverberating across the entire Luotian Grand Universe. The war drum's pounding filled listeners with heated passion, as if someone truly were striking upon an old drum.

This was all too strange! Too uncanny!

The war drum's sound from the ancient battlefield alarmed many.

Even the Luotian Imperial Clan, engaged in a conflict with certain supreme family clans, dispatched envoys to investigate.

Many of the Imperial Clan's enemies also sent representatives to this location, temporarily laying aside their mutual grudges to uncover the truth behind this event.

Days later, under the watchful eyes of countless mighty cultivators from the Luotian Grand Universe, an incomparably ancient war chariot slowly emerged from the depths of the battlefield. Pulling the chariot was a cyan-colored bull. This bull possessed an awe-inspiring appearance and an unassuming size, resembling an ordinary bull in stature. Yet its fur was inexplicably smooth and lustrous, while its horns resembled fine jade, and its ancient eyes held endless tales of the ages—suggesting it had traveled distances unthinkable.

The ancient war chariot appeared to be wooden, though worn over immeasurable spans of time. Its surfaces bore damage in numerous places, marked by the scars of blades and axes. In some spots, decay had taken root.

Sitting atop the chariot was a headless corpse.

The corpse was clad in bronze armor, holding the reins in its left hand and a rust-covered spear in its right. Though headless, it radiated an omnipresent awareness, as though capable of perceiving all existence!

Though the corpse emitted no tangible aura of power nor unleashed any domain, it inspired an irresistible urge to kneel in reverence among spectators.

Even the weakest among them—a match for early-stage Saint Realm cultivators—found themselves unable to maintain their footing upon witnessing the chariot's emergence. Straining their inner energy, they struggled to stand and, ultimately, retreated several steps back.

Those at the Great Saint Realm showed signs of distress.

The scene was too eerie, too unfathomable!

At their level of cultivation, most mystical events ceased to astonish, for they had witnessed far stranger occurrences. Yet what unfolded here left even them without the faintest grasp.

One Great Saint from the Primordial Chaos Ancient Clans stepped forward respectfully, bowing towards the chariot. "Senior, may I ask your intent?" he inquired.

The cyan bull, as if hearing the question, came to a gradual halt. Its ancient, dilapidated war chariot stilled alongside it, ceasing all movement. Upon the chariot, the headless corpse remained silent.

The void of the universe grew stiflingly dense with tension. The Great Saint froze in his bow, unable to rise or remain bowed, his expression steeped in discomfort. He sensed an overwhelming pressure, equal to what he had only experienced in the presence of his clan's Primordial Chaos Patriarch.

A shudder ran through his heart as he contemplated, Could it be that this headless corpse... has retained the level of the ancestral realm even without a head?

"The Investiture of the Gods emerges; the ancient battlefield will open in three years. In the end, fifty may ascend the Investiture of the Gods—becoming gods." As the Great Saint reached the brink of collapse under mounting strain, a primordial divine sense emanated from the headless corpse upon the chariot.

Upon hearing this, all present stood dumbfounded, exchanging looks of disbelief. Was it true?

The Investiture of the Gods emerges? What does this mean? Could the legendary Investiture of the Gods be appearing at last?

But why would such news come from a headless corpse? What was its origin? And the ancient battlefield's opening... what did that entail? Fifty chosen individuals for the Investiture of the Gods—was this suggesting that only fifty survivors of the ancient battlefield would be granted entry onto the list?

In that moment, unfathomable questions surged through everyone's minds. These were cultivators whose intelligence matched in prowess their strength—all far from simple-minded individuals. Yet nearly no one believed the headless corpse's proclamation.

"Those who do not enter the ancient battlefield shall forever lose eligibility for the Investiture of the Gods." The primordial divine sense of the headless corpse conveyed this second pronouncement. Without delay, the cyan bull turned, pulling its ancient, broken chariot deeper into the battlefield.

To observers, the speed of the bull pulling the chariot was indeterminable. Mere moments later, the chariot vanished from sight.

It was at this point that all present finally understood. A matter destined to reshape the entire Luotian Grand Universe was on the verge of unfolding!

Three years hence, right here, this ancient battlefield—forgotten through ages unknown—would reopen!

And it would be here that those eligible to ascend the Investiture of the Gods would be decided!

The Investiture of the Gods! That Investiture of the Gods!

Heavy breaths escaped from all gathered. If there existed a matter capable of stirring even the titanic beings among the epoch's supreme clans, the Investiture of the Gods would surely be one of them.

But was this truly real?

Those present were individuals privy to the myriad legends of the Investiture of the Gods.

The mythical list that, once someone's name was inscribed upon it, granted transcendence beyond the Three Realms, liberation from the Five Elements. Immortality. A true godhood.

After exchanging glances, the assembled cultivators chose to depart. None sought to instigate any conflict for the time being. The time was not yet ripe!

Each hurried to relay the news to figures of higher standing within their respective factions—supreme leaders who alone could deduce the veracity of this revelation.

Infinite distances away from the ancient battlefield, in the Southern reaches of the Luotian Grand Universe, two armies clashed amid the starry rivers of the cosmos!

One army hailed from the Luotian Imperial Clan. Discipline was strict, armor gleamed, and formations were flawless—an unstoppable wave of killing intent.

The opposing force belonged to the Nine Nether!

This army consisted entirely of the progeny of the Nine Nether Saint Lord—a legion ferociously embroiled in fatal combat against the Luotian Imperial Clan's warriors.

The two sides had waged war here for countless years.

Previously, Luotian Imperial forces had marched out on multiple campaigns, targeting various regions; one such army had directly aimed to conquer Nine Nether.

This long-standing war had claimed the lives of countless soldiers on both sides. Legion upon legion of cultivators had perished here. Yet the battle raged on unresolved.

Ji Qingyu and Chu Tianji now commanded at this very battlefield.

In regions even farther away from Nine Nether, the rippling shockwaves of battles occasionally reached here, emanating from clashes between Great Saint Roc, Great Saint Sea Dragon, and the Nine Nether Patriarch!

The Nine Nether Patriarch—a supreme and unparalleled figure, a living titanic presence of the Luotian Grand Universe!

Long ago, wielding supreme divine abilities, he slaughtered the supposedly ancestral-bound Cat Great Saint—thereby sowing enmity with the seven Great Saints led by the Monkey Saint. This feud, spanning ten thousand ages, had yet to find closure.

Thus, even as the Luotian Imperial Clan battled fiercely against the Nine Nether Saint Lord's Ancient Nine Nether Clan, the Nine Nether Patriarch refrained from intervening, preoccupied as he was with entanglements involving Great Saint Roc and Great Saint Sea Dragon.

In a manner of speaking, the remaining five of the seven Great Saints had, to some degree, allied with the Luotian Imperial Clan!

Within the chaos of battle, cries of slaughter reverberated to the heavens.

At the rear, Chu Tianji had just retreated from the front, his injuries severe. Ji Qingyu tended to his wounds with a face full of concern.

Several of Chu Tianji's wounds brimmed with the power of the Great Dao, making them difficult to neutralize. Yet his expression betrayed no sign of pain—merely furrowed brows and a soft murmur: "The Ancient Nine Nether Clan... they're no easy foe!"

-------------

Delivered at the third night watch!

Requesting a monthly vote!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.