"Truly worthy of being the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb." Xiao Yi’s expression was one of surprise, yet also of delight.

The stars in the sky are far beyond what human power can control.

However, the methods here at the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb can cause the celestial bodies to form formations at specific times, stirring some Heaven and Earth Power.

These bits of Heaven and Earth Power, in turn, activate various Ancient Restriction Formations below.

The chain of transformations brings about an astonishing qualitative change.

From the front, a terrifyingly majestic ancient aura rushes forth.

Xiao Yi couldn’t quite accurately describe this aura.

He only knew that it was the most ancient, majestic, and awe-inspiring aura he had ever seen or sensed.

Even those Inheritance Lands of the Eight Palaces could not compare.

The age of this ancient tomb, its existence unknown to anyone, certainly surpasses tens of millions of years.

This eternal tomb spanning the long river of time is filled with mystery and the unknown.

The ancient aura that rushes forth seems almost overwhelming, sweeping through the depths of Extreme East.

Among the martial artists present, those slightly weaker in strength could barely stand and had to rely on Primordial Power to resist it.

The Ancient Emperor’s Tomb, yet to truly emerge, already exhibits such majesty.

Time gradually passed.

When the sweeping force dissipated, the ancient aura, like Heaven and Earth’s Power, firmly suppressed everyone present.

Yet, the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb, or the flow of Cave Mansion graves, still has not been seen.

Instead, within countless Ancient Restriction Formations surrounding us, pathways of starlight suddenly appear.

Whoosh... whoosh... whoosh...

One after another, eighteen restrictions appeared before everyone’s eyes.

Whoosh... whoosh... whoosh...

Ao Donglou, the Five Great Academy Elders, elders from Heavenly Spear Mansion, Heavenly Star Prefecture, Arrow Star Mansion, swiftly leaped forward, guarding the eighteen restrictions.

"If not now, then when?" Ao Donglou shouted loudly.

Whoosh... whoosh... whoosh...

Xiao Yi, Ye Liu, Ran Qi, and others with quotas swiftly dashed forward.

Guu Feifan, Golden Dawn, and others also swiftly emerged.

Before the eighteen restrictions, twelve Heavenly Talents stood proudly.

Whoosh... whoosh... whoosh...

At that moment, from afar, three figures sped towards us.

Within a few breaths, three martial artists of immense aura descended from the sky.

They were Hua Ruolian, First Yun, Zhangsun Chilie.

"Fortunately, we barely made it." The three exchanged smiles, then swiftly appeared before the eighteen restrictions.

Ao Donglou nodded, and loudly declared, "The fifteen of you, each choose a restriction to enter."

Xiao Yi, Ye Liu, Ran Qi, Lingg Hong, Ao Yinfeng, Chief of the Five Great Academy, Mo Youu, Zhang Nanfeng, totaling twelve people.

Plus, the now-just-arrived Hua Ruolian and the three others.

Totaling fifteen people.

The fifteen of them nodded, already understanding.

Previously, Ao Donglou had already informed everyone about matters concerning the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb.

Though Hua Ruolian and the three had only just arrived, it was evident they were already aware of these matters within the Main Hall.

The Ancient Emperor’s Tomb has indeed already emerged.

However, in the eyes of all the martial artists present, the surroundings are completely empty.

All that can be seen is a brilliant celestial curtain.

In reality, the eighteen restrictions are the ’passage’ into the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb.

The reason the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb has eighteen quotas is not anything else; every time it opens, exactly eighteen restrictions appear, no more, no less.

Thus, the quota only amounts to eighteen.

The Ancient Eight Halls, holding a transcendent status, naturally solely possess eight quotas. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Of course, the remaining ten are evenly divided among major Martial Arts Academies and influences.

However, not every time the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb opens, eighteen Heavenly Talents appear.

The ten quotas for each major force and Martial Arts Academy are usually fully assigned and finalized with certainty.

Yet, the quotas for the Eight Palaces aren’t always this way.

Sometimes, the palaces might not send Heavenly Talents to participate.

Like this time, considering everyone present, there are only fifteen people, not fulfilling the eighteen.

Perhaps some palaces have their Heavenly Talents in closed cultivation and therefore cannot come.

Or certain palaces might feel that over countless years, no one ever breaks the tomb fully, so coming or not is irrelevant.

Of course, this situation generally occurs in the Eight Palaces.

The quotas for various academies and major forces have never been vacant.

This situation isn’t too surprising.

After all, certain excessively arrogant Heavenly Talents are indeed unpredictable.

Like the time Asura Two Halls continuously sent ten summons to Xiao Yi to undergo assessment at the Main Hall, yet never saw Xiao Yi.

Even with the Eight Palaces’ quotas, while they might have been finalized early, the expected Heavenly Talent might not show up due to last-minute setbacks.

Indeed, like now...

"Wait." Ran Qi suddenly shouted fiercely.

"There are others yet to come, the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb cannot open yet."

"Yet to come? Who?" Ao Donglou frowned.

"Yi Xiao has yet to arrive." Ran Qi retorted coldly.

"Vice Hall Master Yi Xiao?" Ao Donglou immediately furrowed his brows.

"Nonsense." One of the Five Great Academy Elders snapped sharply, "This grand event of the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb, since Yi Xiao is so arrogant and doesn’t show up, are we expected to wait for him?"

"Every age of the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb, within the Eight Palaces, there are always those arrogant individuals who consider themselves invincible, thus they do not come."

"Hmph, clearly their quotas come too easily, hence they do not cherish them."

"This..." Ao Donglou furrowed his brows, looking at Xiao Yi.

"Vice Hall Master Xiao Yi, do you know if something has happened to Vice Hall Master Yi Xiao?"

Everyone gazed at Xiao Yi in unison.

After all, in their eyes, Xiao Yi was another Dualborn Twin.

"Um, about that." Xiao Yi awkwardly scratched his nose, "A few days ago, before I came to this Extreme East, I encountered him."

"He seemed to have fought a battle at the Heavenly Hidden Academy, gaining some Martial Arts Insights, and went into seclusion."

"I’m not sure if it is due to entering closed cultivation state, that he missed this grand event."

"Went into seclusion?" Hearing this, everyone looked enlightened.

Indeed, martial artists generally don’t wake easily from seclusion.

Especially when they gain significant insights in Martial Arts, it’s difficult to leave the state of seclusion easily.

Yi Xiao, having defeated all academy strongmen at the Heavenly Hidden Academy single-handedly, gaining insights is rather normal.

"Why choose this time for seclusion?" Ao Donglou furrowed his brows deeply.

"He should know there’s scarcely any time left until the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb opens, yet specifically chose this moment to go into seclusion?"

Just then from within the Five Great Academy, a voice spoke contemptuously.

"Perhaps, someone thinks that after defeating the Heavenly Hidden Academy, they boastfully believe they can control everything."

"Even if they’ve gone into seclusion, they believe they can wake timely."

"No matter how great the Martial Arts Insights are, they assume that with such immense talent, they’ll fathom it all quickly."

"But obviously, he failed, and now he’s still trapped in seclusion."

"The Ancient Emperor’s Tomb outing, is now without Purple Flame’s presence."

"This fellow." Ran Qi gritted his teeth.

"There’s no need to worry about him." Xiao Yi chuckled lightly, "His actions are always cautious, always well-judged."

"He has reasons for choosing seclusion."

"Just so." Ran Qi’s eyebrows suddenly relaxed, "That fellow is no fool, but those believing him arrogant are the true fools."

Ran Qi spoke while glancing at the Five Great Academy’s people.

"If he would rather go into seclusion than come, undoubtedly it means there’s an immense gain in Martial Arts."

...

Second update.