The First

The First . . .

As the drama unfolded before their eyes, the various geniuses watched in stunned silence. Nanfeng Yunxi, Qing'er, and Qin Wentian, three formidable talents, had banded together to confront Mo Xie. Even though Mo Xie held the prestigious rank of #2 on the Immortal Ascension Rankings and had already acquired a portion of the Brahma Heavenly Emperor's inheritance, their combined forces had managed to wound him.

This triumvirate possessed extraordinary individual strength, each of them capable of earning a spot among the top six on the Immortal Ascension Rankings. Mo Xie's audacity in attempting to monopolize the inheritance was met with rightful defiance. His proclamation that only with his presence could the inheritance be claimed was not only arrogant but utterly delusional.

Mo Xie had initiated hostilities earlier, targeting Qin Wentian as he approached the golden body. In response, Qing'er had exacted retribution. Nanfeng Yunxi had amplified the pressure on him, and finally, Qin Wentian's God's Hand had delivered the decisive blow that left Mo Xie staggering, his pallid countenance marred by the traces of blood at the corners of his lips. Despite the protection afforded by the devilish tribulation force, the injuries were substantial. His sinister gaze bore into the trio, gleaming with an unsettling determination as he grudgingly acknowledged, "Impressive, your strength is formidable indeed."

"The inheritance is open to all contenders. Do you truly expect everyone to step aside so you can seize it for yourself? In that case, your aspiration is nothing more than a foolish fantasy," Nanfeng Yunxi retorted, her voice laced with icy disdain. The golden body held the potential to resonate with one's physique and aid in the establishment of a supreme physical form. Mo Xie's desire to monopolize such a treasure was simply untenable.

"Very well, Nanfeng Yunxi. I pledge that I won't attack any of you until one of us obtains the inheritance. Let's see who will be the first to establish the supreme physique among us," Mo Xie reluctantly conceded. He was fully aware that fighting against the three of them alone would be an uphill battle. Their earlier skirmish had already revealed their exceptional capabilities, and he wasn't inclined to underestimate them.

"Then we hope you'll honor your word," Nanfeng Yunxi replied coolly. With that, she rejoined Qing'er and Qin Wentian. Qin Wentian, who had remained silent throughout, turned away and ventured once more toward the region of golden light. For him, the establishment of his physique took precedence over all else. Engaging in combat with Mo Xie at this juncture would only serve as a needless distraction. As powerful as the trio was, Mo Xie had demonstrated formidable resilience earlier, and his defeat would not come easily.

Drawing a deep breath, Qin Wentian closed his eyes, allowing the power of his blood to surge within. With measured steps, he advanced toward the golden body. Soon, the golden figure materialized in his perception. In this pivotal moment, he experienced a revelation—perhaps his previous approach had been erroneous. Perhaps, the golden body was not meant to be seen with the naked eye.

Everything perceived with the naked eye was but an illusion. It occurred to Qin Wentian that the golden body might not exist in this realm or any other. It was a product of imagination, an illusion. A perfect physique could only manifest within one's perception, and no matter how one walked, the distance to the golden body would seem insurmountable. Only perception had the power to bridge that gap, bringing one closer to the illusory form.

Taking a deliberate step forward, Qin Wentian felt a surge of energy coursing through him once more. His body underwent a profound transformation as he sensed the overwhelming might residing within the golden body. Through the lens of perception, he found himself standing right before the golden figure.

—BOOM-BOOM-BOOM!— Within the depths of Qin Wentian's being, terrifying reverberations echoed, causing him to tremble uncontrollably. An overwhelming surge of energy enveloped him, circulating endlessly as it ignited the very resonance of his body.

In his perception, Qin Wentian stood mere inches from the golden body, close enough to reach out and touch it. At this intimate proximity, the aura of a perfect, supreme physique emanated from the golden figure. Its boundless power seemed inexhaustible, as if the body itself were eternal and invulnerable.

Astonishment seized the various geniuses observing from outside the region. Qin Wentian had somehow traversed the distance and arrived right before the golden body. It appeared as though he had taken a single step and instantaneously reached his destination, defying the laws of spatial reality.

The experience was utterly mystifying, defying explanation.

But could Qin Wentian truly establish the supreme physique?

Mo Xie, present in the same region, witnessed this spectacle without agitation or envy. He watched Qin Wentian closely, his dark eyes narrowing in contemplation. There was neither anger nor jealousy in his demeanor; he was content to observe.

"This indestructible body... To obtain it, one must have encountered good fortune on numerous occasions. I must acquire it at all costs," Mo Xie resolved with unwavering determination. He had used the devilish tribulation force to forge a calamitous devil physique, toughening his flesh to an unyielding degree. If he succeeded in establishing the indestructible physique as well, he would be unmatched in terms of sheer physical might within the same realm.

Both the inheritance of the Brahma Heavenly Emperor and that of this ancient emperor were intended for his claim. Once he secured these inheritances, he would establish his immortal foundation in the City of Ancient Emperors and embark on his path to conquest, striving for ultimate supremacy.

Mo Xie remained motionless, observing Qin Wentian. Since Qin Wentian had accomplished this feat before him, there must be valuable insights to be gleaned from his actions. Mo Xie intended to study Qin Wentian's approach, hoping to replicate his success.

After an extended period, a radiant gleam flashed in Mo Xie's eyes. He, too, closed his eyes, allowing the energy within him to surge. Spectators watched in astonishment as Mo Xie's figure flickered, and before long, he stood before the golden body, mirroring Qin Wentian's position.

The sight left the crowd breathless. Mo Xie's remarkable comprehension abilities were apparent. He had quickly grasped the secret after Qin Wentian's entry into the region, replicating the feat in record time. Ordinary individuals would not dare to attempt such a daring feat even if they understood the secret, as their bodies could hardly withstand the crushing force of the energy, potentially leading to their demise.

Xuan Yang's eyes held traces of envy as he gazed upon the two figures flanking the golden body. Ranked fourth in the Immortal Ascension Rankings, he had found himself overshadowed by Qin Wentian's meteoric rise in the City of Ancient Emperors. In this instance, once again, the spotlight was on Mo Xie and Qin Wentian, while he remained a mere bystander.

Qin Wentian, it seemed, inevitably attracted attention wherever he ventured, captivating the gaze of onlookers.

Xiao Lengyue, too, regarded the situation with frustration, standing beside Xuan Yang. When Qin Wentian first arrived in the City of Ancient Emperors, he had been an inconsequential newcomer. Now, he had ascended to unparalleled prominence, casting a shadow over her own accomplishments.

However, in the face of this competition for the ancient emperor's inheritance, both Xuan Yang and Xiao Lengyue unleashed their attacks. They refused to accept that they fell short in comparison to Qin Wentian.

First, it was the God's Hand, and now the inheritance of the ancient emperor.

The crowd's gaze shifted to Xiao Lengyue. Just as with the God's Hand, Qin Wentian had prevailed through his own skill and talent, not merely by luck.

Nanfeng Yunxi, Qing'er, Hua Taixu, Jun Mengchen, Zi Qingxuan, and others exerted themselves in their quest to establish a supreme physique. There were no rules limiting success to only one contender. Everyone was entitled to make an attempt.

As time flowed by, the majority of those who had ventured into the Underworld Mountains now occupied this space. Only three individuals remained in the adjacent cavern, engrossed in comprehending the Brahma Heavenly Emperor's inheritance. The Underworld Mountains had returned to a state of tranquil silence.

The mysterious gray-robed old man had vanished completely, leaving no trace of his enigmatic presence. The female apparition had also faded into obscurity. The eight immortal emperors lay in peaceful repose within their coffins, the passage of time slipping away unnoticed.

In the proximity of the golden body, it wasn't just Qin Wentian and Mo Xie who stood before its radiance. Nanfeng Yunxi, Qing'er, and Jun Mengchen had also reached this hallowed ground. While it was expected that Nanfeng Yunxi and Qing'er could achieve such heights, Jun Mengchen's presence surprised many. As one of Qin Wentian's friends, Jun Mengchen hadn't always had the chance to shine in his own right. He was often overshadowed by the brilliance of Qin Wentian.

In an intriguing twist, the individuals ranked #4 and #6, Xuan Yang and Xiao Lengyue, had both fallen short of this milestone.

Qin Wentian closed his eyes, fully immersed in the moment, undistracted by external forces. Despite the relentless rumblings within his body, the energy now flowed with a sense of purpose, following its own harmonious laws. It no longer felt as chaotic and untamed as before. His entire being emanated a formidable light, and his aura expanded, exuding a profound sense of strength. Runic patterns danced around him, creating the impression that his corporeal form had gained an incredibly potent defense.

Suddenly, beams of light radiated from the golden body, enveloping Qin Wentian in a radiant cocoon. While he could sense the energy within, a subtle feeling nagged at him, suggesting that the complete fusion with the golden body's energy might prove elusive.

"Look over there!" Exclamations rang out.

"Mo Xie!" Beyond the confines of this sacred space, many geniuses shot to their feet, their faces registering shock.

"How formidable! Has he succeeded?" Hearts raced as everyone watched Mo Xie's body suspended in mid-air, seemingly without any exertion. He hovered before the golden body, harmonizing with it on a profound level as golden rays enveloped him completely. Intense flashes of light emanated from his form, signaling the initiation of the supreme physique establishment process.

"Mo Xie, the last to arrive here, is now comprehending this before Qin Wentian! Could he truly be on the verge of establishing his supreme physique?"

"Mo Xie is already a monstrous talent. If he succeeds in establishing his physique, he will have inherited the legacies of two emperors. How much more formidable will he become? It's almost unimaginable!" A shiver of apprehension coursed through everyone, contemplating the sheer potential of Mo Xie's future prowess.