The One Who Wants to Wear the Crown has to First Bear its Weight

The One Who Wants to Wear the Crown has to First Bear its Weight . . .

In the hushed confines of the chamber, Nanfeng Yunxi's words reverberated, casting a spell of intrigue over the gathered geniuses. Among them, those with prior knowledge of the enigmatic Casting Body couldn't help but nod in silent agreement. The palpable phenomenon before them bore all the hallmarks of this extraordinary occurrence.

"If indeed it is a Casting Body, then that celestial figure..." The collective gaze of the geniuses remained riveted on the golden body suspended in mid-air, their hearts racing.

"This golden figure represents the ultimate form—the very physique you aspire to craft, using the Casting Body as a divine mold. For those extraordinary talents capable of forging a heaven-defying physique, need we say more?" Nanfeng Yunxi's voice resonated with reverence. "This ancient emperor must have been a paragon of supreme authority. The fact that he provides the conditions for the creation of future Casting Bodies suggests that his own physique was unparalleled. Furthermore, he once stood on equal footing with the legendary Brahma Heavenly Emperor. It appears that these two titans regarded each other as worthy adversaries. By leaving their legacies here, could it be their way of inviting future generations to carry on their eternal rivalry?"

The hearts of the geniuses present quivered at the thought. The Brahma Heavenly Emperor was a force of nature—an entity capable of single-handedly vanquishing eight immortal emperors. His power was nothing short of earth-shattering, his might enough to shake the very heavens. In the annals of the immortal realms, he reigned supreme, untouchable by any challenger. Yet, here before them stood an entity who could stand toe-to-toe with the Brahma Heavenly Emperor, an ancient emperor who had bequeathed his legacy to await a worthy successor.

As this realization sunk in, a fervent anticipation ignited within their hearts. The Brahma Heavenly Emperor had divided his inheritance into nine parts, and those who inherited it were merely one among nine fortunate souls. However, this particular inheritance held a promise—once an individual successfully forged their physique, they would stand alone as the sole inheritor. How could their hearts not race with excitement?

With clenched fists and unwavering resolve, they fixated their gaze upon the golden figure, their eyes aflame with a burning eagerness. Succeeding in forging their physiques was their paramount goal, for it would elevate them to the echelons of supreme beings, akin to the illustrious golden body before them.

With such heaven-defying physiques, their path to establishing an immortal foundation would be paved with certainty. Stepping into the immortal foundation realm, their combat prowess would transcend all boundaries, surging ahead of their peers. They would retain their status as geniuses, standing at the pinnacle of the Celestial Phenomenon Realm, leading the vanguard among all immortal foundation experts.

However, the prerequisite for this ascension was success in the Casting Body endeavor.

"Is there a secret to establishing such a physique?" Jun Mengchen's eyes were alight with curiosity as he addressed Nanfeng Yunxi. His excitement was palpable, for the noble and regal power exuding from the golden body resonated perfectly with his original emperor king's physique. He had already sensed the incredible potential contained within that golden form.

Within this sacred chamber, the concept of forging one's physique seemed to transcend the boundaries of legend, a realm of myth rarely traversed. The prospect of encountering a successful instance in a thousand years appeared as elusive as chasing a fleeting comet. Nanfeng Yunxi's eyes held a glacial edge as she directed a pointed look toward Jun Mengchen. His expression shifted from nonchalant to sheepish acknowledgment. Indeed, she was right. Even if Nanfeng Yunxi possessed the elusive knowledge, what motivation would there be to impart such a closely guarded secret freely?

"Seems like our understanding must be earned through our own efforts," Qin Wentian mused quietly. His curiosity, ignited by the cryptic words of the enigmatic gray-robed elder, burned brightly as he contemplated the mysterious ancient emperor, a figure whose very title remained a veiled mystery.

"I must forge an unparalleled physique," declared Xuan Yang, ranked fourth among the elite. His fists clenched with unwavering determination as a luminous spark danced in his eyes. Zi Daoyang and Mo Xie had each encountered their own fortune, Nanfeng Yunxi possessed a unique physique, and Qing'er bore an innate immortal king's physique. Despite his cultivation of the Heavenly Mystic Mirror Art, Xuan Yang remained at a disadvantage. His only hope to contend against such formidable peers lay in attaining an unmatched physique. The memory of his clash with Qing'er at the Xiao Sect's headquarters still echoed painfully in his mind.

Beside him, Xiao Lengyue's eyes blazed with fervor. She and Xuan Yang shared a deep-seated enmity toward Qin Wentian, yet, for the moment, they pretended to ignore his presence. They recognized their current inability to defeat him. With Nanfeng Yunxi's alignment with Qin Wentian and Qing'er, the power of the Qin Sect had surged dramatically. As its leader, Qin Wentian wielded unparalleled authority, and Xiao Lengyue, ranked sixth in the Immortal Ascension Rankings, faced mounting skepticism among the residents of the City of Ancient Emperors. Many questioned her worthiness of her rank. Now was her opportunity to prove them wrong.

Each genius harbored their unique aspirations and convictions, but a shared determination to forge an unparalleled physique fueled their ambitions. They were resolute in their pursuit of the ancient emperor's inheritance.

The geniuses stepped forward, one by one, determined to unlock the mysteries of the Casting Body and establish their own physiques. Time was of the essence, and even failure was considered a valuable learning experience.

"Let us not delay further. Even if we fail, every attempt brings us closer to understanding," Qin Wentian urged. His comrades nodded in agreement as they approached the radiant region of golden light together.

The scenes from their prior attempts played out once more. They entered a unique space where only one entity held significance—the awe-inspiring ancient golden body, an embodiment of boundless power.

With each advancing step, the golden figure's luminous beams penetrated their bodies, infusing them with remarkable energy. Their comprehension of the golden body deepened with each attempt, and this newfound insight would grow more profound with time.

Qin Wentian continued his measured advance, surging with determination. He surmised that success would grant him access to the golden body's side.

With every step, relentless beams of light assailed him, their harmonic hum growing stronger as the resonance intensified. An ancient, primordial force bore down upon him, and his heart pounded in response. He meticulously observed the changes unfolding within, a tempest of transformation threatening to rend him apart.

"The power is astonishing," Qin Wentian marveled, sensing his energy reach its peak. His blood surged, harmonizing with the resounding rumble of his heartbeat. A supernatural connection linked him and the golden body, their hearts pulsating in unison. A tempest raged within him, threatening to rupture his veins and spill his life force.

With unwavering resolve, Qin Wentian pressed forward, advancing step by step, forging a deeper understanding of the secrets held by the golden body. In the absence of a foolproof technique, persistence was their only recourse.

Pure-white flames swirled around him, offering a futile attempt to quell the explosive energy surging within. The storm raged unabated, a cataclysmic maelstrom poised to consume him whole.

—ROAR!— A formidable beast of the demonic realm, conjured from his bloodline's protection, emerged. Qin Wentian's robes lay in tatters, his stature exceeding a towering 100 meters as his aura intensified. With each step, he rattled the heavens and earth, causing his comrades to cough up blood as they were forcefully expelled from the region, unable to endure the overwhelming pressure emanating from him.

With unyielding determination, Qin Wentian took yet another resolute step forward. A thunderous boom reverberated, signaling his advancement closer to the enigmatic golden figure. It was an indescribable sensation, akin to the discovery of a hidden treasure. The golden body exuded an aura of pure and unadulterated king emperor force, endowing one with unparalleled dominion over all beneath the heavens.

As Qin Wentian's senses sharpened, the celestial pressure he bore grew exponentially more overwhelming and terrifying. The torrent of energy surging into him defied his constraints, spiraling uncontrollably. It mimicked the energy's circulation within the golden body, allowing Qin Wentian to grasp the very essence of "establishing a physique."

With each revolution, Qin Wentian's corporeal strength experienced incremental growth. After countless iterations, he reached the limits of his concentration and physical endurance. Then, with an earth-shattering detonation, his body convulsed violently, and he was forcibly ejected. In an instant, the sublime sensations dissipated, replaced by a repulsive force that propelled him away from the golden light's embrace.

Close to Qin Wentian stood Xuan Yang, observing with a smirk as Qin Wentian was ruthlessly expelled. Regardless of his bravado, Qin Wentian's cultivation remained at the eighth level, relying heavily on the formidable might of the God's Hand for his combat prowess. This was hardly sufficient to establish a physique, a truth Xuan Yang found gratifying.

Among the other geniuses within the golden light's domain, smug smiles concealed their internal mockery at Qin Wentian's plight. Though they too had been ejected, their exits were decidedly less ignominious than Qin Wentian's. Evidently, his strength was inadequate to withstand the relentless pressure here, and his reckless endurance had culminated in this pitiful display.

Indeed, Qin Wentian's expulsion had been more intense this time. His body felt as though it had been pierced by the repulsive force, rendering his flesh a canvas of bloody lacerations. After the brutal impact against the ground, he coughed up a steady stream of blood. Gradually, with considerable effort, he managed to sit upright, commencing the arduous process of recuperation by regulating his breath and harnessing his qi.

Onlookers exchanged quizzical glances, their collective doubt evident. Among those who had been expelled, Qin Wentian was the most severely battered. Did his reputation outshine his capabilities?

Yet, Qin Wentian remained unfazed by their opinions. He reveled in the progress he had achieved during this attempt. The energy within the golden body had become more discernible, its rhythms even attempting to harmonize with his own. This marked the nascent stages of physique establishment. Although he could not endure the pressure for an extended duration, Qin Wentian held unwavering conviction that persistence would yield success. As for those who derided him, their condescending smirks stemmed from their ignorance. None had achieved the same degree of progress, and while they silently belittled him, they remained oblivious to the arduous path he had chosen. In the end, they would come to understand that greatness required the endurance of weighty trials.