Far beyond the lands surrounding Silent River Hill, beyond the territories controlled by the Cleaving Heaven Sect and the Nether Corpse Sect, beyond the smaller continents that viewed Soul Transformation cultivators as supreme existences, the strange phenomenon created by the crystal had already begun spreading across the cultivation world like an invisible storm.

At first, only those nearest to Silent River Hill had sensed it.

Then the nearby sects noticed it.

Afterward, Soul Transformation cultivators awakened from centuries of secluded cultivation.

Now, even the hidden old monsters who rarely cared about worldly affairs were beginning to open their eyes.

The reason was simple.

The spiritual fluctuations radiating from the direction of Silent River Hill had become too outrageous.

The spiritual energy being gathered was no longer merely a phenomenon.

It was beginning to resemble a natural disaster, it resembled a star being born, it resembled an immortal treasure awakening, and it also resembled something that should not have existed in the lower cultivation world.

The closer one was to Silent River Hill, the more terrifying the sensation became.

Countless cultivators felt as though an invisible vortex had appeared somewhere in the world and was slowly pulling heaven and earth toward itself.

Even the clouds were moving, even the winds were changing direction, and even spiritual energy that had remained motionless for centuries had begun flowing toward a single destination.

Naturally, such a phenomenon could not remain hidden.

...

On one of the oldest continents in the cultivation world stood the Illuminating Sun Sect.

The sect had existed for countless generations.

Its history stretched so far into the past that many disciples could not even remember the name of its founder.

Its territory spanned thousands upon thousands of miles.

Sacred mountains rose endlessly into the heavens.

Golden rivers flowed through valleys overflowing with spiritual energy.

Ancient beasts wandered peacefully through forests where every tree was capable of producing spirit fruits.

Above the mountains floated countless islands connected by bridges made from condensed sunlight.

Everywhere one looked, cultivators could be seen pursuing immortality.

Some practiced sword techniques while standing atop cliffs overlooking seas of clouds.

Some refined pills within enormous alchemy halls filled with spiritual flames.

Others meditated beside sacred waterfalls while absorbing the spiritual essence of heaven and earth.

The atmosphere throughout the sect was peaceful, orderly, and prosperous.

The disciples moved with confidence because they belonged to one of the strongest righteous sects in existence.

For countless years, life within the Illuminating Sun Sect had continued in this manner.

Then suddenly—

The Heaven-Sun Bell rang.

The sound spread across thousands of mountains.

Every disciple froze, every elder opened their eyes, and every beast lowered its head.

The bell rang once, then twice, and then a third time.

By the time the third ring echoed throughout the continent, panic had already begun spreading through the sect.

The Heaven-Sun Bell was never rung casually, not once, absolutely not ever.

The bell only rang when the sect faced an event capable of determining its future.

Either catastrophe was approaching.

Or a supreme opportunity had appeared.

Both possibilities were enough to make the entire sect mobilize.

Countless disciples immediately rose into the sky.

Core disciples abandoned their cultivation.

Elders flew toward the central halls.

Even reclusive cultivators hidden within forbidden lands began emerging.

Then a voice appeared, it was ancient, majestic, and absolutely powerful.

The owner of the voice had clearly lived for countless years.

When he spoke, even the sunlight seemed to pause.

"All elders report immediately."

The command echoed throughout the heavens.

Every elder immediately complied.

"Open the treasury vaults."

The disciples became shocked.

Many treasure vaults had not been opened in centuries.

"Awaken the guardian beasts."

Shock turned into disbelief.

The guardian beasts were ancient creatures capable of protecting entire continents.

Many disciples had never even seen them.

"Prepare the war fleets."

The entire sect erupted into chaos.

Questions appeared everywhere.

What happened?

Why was the sect mobilizing?

Had enemies invaded?

Had some ancient demon awakened?

The voice continued.

"A great opportunity has appeared."

Excitement immediately spread throughout the disciples.

Yet before they could celebrate, the voice continued.

"Many powers have already noticed it."

The excitement immediately vanished.

"Every major force will seek it."

The atmosphere became heavy.

"Many cultivators will die."

The disciples fell silent.

"Many sects will disappear."

The elders exchanged grim looks.

"Prepare yourselves."

The voice paused.

Then its final words echoed through the continent.

"The coming conflict may surpass every war witnessed within the last ten thousand years."

Silence followed.

Nobody doubted those words.

Because the speaker was one of the oldest ancestors of the Illuminating Sun Sect.

If he deemed something worthy of such attention, then the situation was undoubtedly terrifying.

Across the entire continent, ancient formations began activating.

Flying ships emerged from hidden hangars.

Beasts larger than mountains awakened from their slumber.

The peaceful sect transformed into a military fortress preparing for war.

...

On another continent, where endless thunderstorms permanently covered the sky, stood the Thunder Spark Sect.

Unlike the elegance of the Illuminating Sun Sect, this place resembled a battlefield created by the heavens themselves.

Lightning continuously struck the mountains.

Thunder roared without pause.

Entire valleys were filled with rivers made from electrical energy.

The disciples cultivated by enduring heavenly lightning.

The stronger the thunder, the stronger they became.

Every cultivator of the Thunder Spark Sect possessed a fierce temperament.

Their sect valued strength above all else.

Weakness was despised.

Cowardice was mocked.

Battles occurred daily.

Even greetings between disciples occasionally ended in duels.

At that moment, countless cultivators were training within a valley surrounded by storms.

Lightning repeatedly struck their bodies.

Some laughed, some screamed, and some challenged the heavens while enduring the punishment of thunder.

Then suddenly—

The thunder stopped.

Every disciple froze, every elder became serious, and the sky became unnaturally quiet.

A moment later, a roar exploded from the deepest forbidden region of the sect.

The voice sounded like countless thunderbolts crashing together.

Mountains shook.

Valleys trembled.

Several weaker disciples fell directly onto their knees.

"Prepare for departure."

The command swept through the continent.

No explanation followed.

No discussion occurred.

The entire sect immediately moved.

Ancient thunder beasts emerged from caves.

War chariots covered in lightning appeared from hidden dimensions.

Formation masters began activating defensive arrays.

Thousands of disciples armed themselves.

One elder finally gathered the courage to ask.

"Ancestor, what has happened?"

The answer came immediately.

"A fluctuation capable of shaking the world has appeared."

The elder’s expression changed.

The voice continued.

"It has already attracted countless predators."

Lightning exploded across the heavens.

Thunder illuminated the clouds.

"It may determine the future balance of power."

The elder inhaled sharply.

That statement alone revealed how serious the situation had become.

Soon, the entire Thunder Spark Sect began mobilizing.

Not a single disciple dared question the order.

...

On another continent stood the Jade Phoenix Palace.

Unlike the previous sects, this place was renowned for its beauty.

Spiritual flowers covered every mountain.

Sacred lakes reflected the heavens.

Countless palaces floated among colorful clouds.

The entire sect resembled a paradise descended from immortal realms.

Most of the cultivators here were women.

Their cultivation methods emphasized elegance and refinement.

Yet beneath that elegance was terrifying power.

At that moment, disciples practiced among flower gardens and sacred lakes.

Then a phoenix cry suddenly echoed throughout heaven and earth.

Every cultivator looked upward.

A beautiful woman appeared above the clouds.

Her appearance was flawless.

Her presence caused space itself to distort.

Even Soul Transformation cultivators respectfully lowered their heads.

She was one of the ancient ancestors of the Jade Phoenix Palace.

An Ascendant Realm existence.

Her eyes remained fixed toward a distant horizon.

A rare seriousness appeared upon her face. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

After several moments, she finally spoke.

"The world is changing."

Her voice was calm.

Yet every word carried immense pressure.

"A treasure has appeared."

The disciples became excited.

Then the ancestor added another sentence.

"A treasure capable of attracting every major force in existence."

The excitement immediately turned into unease.

The ancestor slowly raised her hand.

Behind her, countless phoenix phantoms appeared.

"The Jade Phoenix Palace will participate."

The atmosphere immediately changed.

Orders began spreading.

Ancient fleets awakened.

Formation arrays activated.

Elite disciples gathered.

The peaceful paradise transformed into an army preparing for war.

...

Meanwhile, near the smaller continents surrounding Silent River Hill, a far more terrifying scene was unfolding.

The oceans began churning violently.

Massive whirlpools appeared.

Ancient creatures sleeping beneath the seabed slowly opened their eyes.

Forests that had remained untouched for thousands of years suddenly trembled.

Gigantic trees swayed.

Beasts hidden within their depths began emerging.

Across endless deserts, sandstorms rose into the heavens.

Within ancient caves, forgotten monsters awakened.

One by one, powerful beings appeared.

A serpentine creature larger than a mountain emerged from a black ocean.

A giant ape carrying an entire cliff upon its shoulders stepped from an ancient forest.

A skeletal giant climbed from beneath a forgotten battlefield.

A golden-winged beast erupted from a volcano.

An ancient turtle emerged from beneath a continent-sized lake.

None of them spoke.

None of them hesitated.

Every single one moved toward the same destination.

Their eyes were filled with greed, curiosity, desire, and of course, caution.

Because from the direction of Silent River Hill, a spiritual fluctuation unlike anything they had ever sensed continued spreading throughout heaven and earth.

And as more powerful beings awakened across the cultivation world, an invisible storm was gradually forming around Silent River Hill. Every expert could feel it.

Something unprecedented was about to happen. Every powerful existence capable of sensing spiritual energy had already begun moving toward the source.

And with each passing moment, more terrifying figures joined the journey.