3,000 seats, who can take the lead?

3,000 seats, who can take the lead? . . . 

The phenomenon was not exclusive to Qin Wentian's academy; it had rippled across all the sacred academies.

As the sonorous drumbeat resounded across the Sky Connecting Altars, every expert, whether soaring in the heavens or seated on their respective platforms, was abruptly jolted back to reality. Their collective gaze was drawn to the distant horizon, their curiosity piqued by a singular proclamation.

"The sacred academy will open its doors..." The words echoed like an ancient incantation, stirring the hearts of all who heard them. Was this the long-awaited unveiling of the genuine sacred academy, concealed from their view until now?

It appeared that the newly manifested sacred academy existed within a supplementary space, a realm parallel to their current dimension.

Scores of figures soared through the skies, their trajectory converging upon the celestial academy perched high above the clouds. It radiated an otherworldly brilliance, casting an iridescent veil that gradually enshrouded the expansive expanse. The experts, propelled by a shared fascination, journeyed together toward this ethereal institution.

"Will there be someone expounding on the Great Dao within the sacred academy?" mused Nanfeng Shengge, her eyes alight with curiosity.

"Interesting," chimed in Little Rascal, his voice tinged with excitement.

"We have spent a dozen years within the immortal sea since our entry. This twelve-year cycle for the sacred academy's 'opening' promises something truly extraordinary. Let's venture forth and explore," proposed Qin Wentian. Nanfeng Yunxi concurred, and their group joined the collective flight toward the academy.

In the boundless sky, myriad figures from diverse directions converged upon the suspended sacred academy. Their eyes gleamed with anticipation.

This revelation unveiled the sacred academy only once every twelve years. With the prospect of Dao exposition looming, those who had lingered upon the immortal sea wondered whether they might be denied this extraordinary opportunity. Would the academy vanish or persist? Thus far, only a fraction of the experts adrift on the immortal sea had successfully arrived at one of the four sacred academies.

Golden streaks of light sliced through the heavens as sky rocs took to the wind, propelled forward by sheer momentum. More than twenty sky rocs, revered as a royal race among demons, had succeeded in entering this dimension. A testament to their celestial favor.

Among the assembly, Qin Wentian's gaze landed upon a particular figure surrounded by the sky rocs—a demon king of the Sky Roc Race, Jia Nantian, the golden-winged great roc. Renowned for his victory over Huang Wudi in the Sky Connecting Realm, he exuded an aura of formidable might.

The experts from various academies soon congregated outside the sacred academy. Nanfeng Yunxi was enveloped by a growing contingent from the Southern Phoenix Clan, numbering just over ten, yet being eclipsed by the sky rocs in terms of sheer presence. These maidens, holy figures of the Southern Phoenix Clan, had managed to secure their place.

In stark contrast, the White Tiger Race exuded a malevolent aura that sent shivers down the spine. They occupied a sizable territory, and apart from White-eye, two other individuals with equal status stood tall, all kings among the White Tiger Race.

And then there were the formidable representatives of the Heavenly Scorpion Race, a palpable sense of danger emanating from their ranks.

A resonant voice swept through the assembly, granting permission for their entry. In response, the gathering of figures proceeded toward the sacred academy, their footsteps echoing with anticipation. The edifice exuded a dazzling radiance, its entrance framed by a grand staircase ascending into the heavens. An aura of divine potency cascaded like a celestial blessing, filling the hearts of all with reverence.

Upon the Sky Connecting Stairway, thousands of experts converged. With four academies and numerous individuals having crossed the immortal sea, the total headcount easily reached five to six thousand.

"It appears that everyone has gathered," observed Qin Wentian. His perceptive gaze scanned the surroundings, and a revelation struck him. A significant proportion of those practicing demonic techniques or hailing from greater demon races had chosen this sacred academy.

Sky Roc Race, White Tiger Race, Heavenly Scorpion Race, and others—these formidable entities, each representing a distinct demon race, were well-represented. The Sky Demon Palace had also dispatched its disciples.

Amidst this varied assembly, another group of individuals drew Qin Wentian's attention. Clad in unadorned beast hides crafted from the skins of greater demons, they emanated an aura of formidable might. These were his fellow cultivators from the Eastern Regions of the immortal realms, hailing from the easternmost realm—Greatsnow Mountain, a sect affiliated with the Beast God Sect.

Furthermore, his keen insight revealed that many individuals in this gathering harbored abundant demonic energy within them. Possessing fearsome physiques, they were likely demons in human guise, concealing their true forms as demonic dragons.

Legend had it that the western sea beyond the Nine Tripod City housed Dragon Island. While the veracity of this tale remained uncertain, demonic dragons undeniably existed in the vast immortal realms. Qin Wentian found no reason to be startled by this discovery.

"Saint Lord, many greater demons are present," the experts from the Battle Saint Tribe communicated discreetly with Qin Wentian. The members of his tribe clustered around him, their divine ape totem emblematic of their cultivation in the Battle Saint Art. Their discerning eyes could discern the true identities of certain human-like figures who were, in fact, greater demons assuming human form.

"I've noticed them as well," Qin Wentian responded through mental communication. These individuals represented the initial wave of those who had crossed the immortal sea. While not necessarily the most formidable in combat, their aptitude for comprehension was unparalleled. It came as no surprise that greater demons from various regions had chosen this sacred academy as their destination.

"Incidentally, a significant number of experts from the Skymist Immortal Empire are also present," Nanfeng Yunxi murmured softly. Qin Wentian nodded, acutely aware of the unfriendly gazes directed toward him. Among the crowd, one person seemed particularly familiar—a face he had encountered during their visit to the Evergreen Immortal Empire.

Ascending the stairway, they encountered an unusual sensation— their immortal senses were constricted. With uncertainty shrouding their ascent, they took each step cautiously.

Upon reaching the summit, a grand vista sprawled before them. A vast expanse of flat terrain held 3,000 open seats, clearly intended for those seeking enlightenment. Each immortal seat emitted a soft glow and bore intricate runic patterns, exuding an aura of profound mystery. The arrangement of these 3,000 seats resembled prayer mats.

At the forefront of this arrangement stood a palace, accessible through a lengthy corridor. Within the palace, an immense figure sat cross-legged, eyes closed, appearing both lifelike and, paradoxically, statue-like. However, given the academy's opening and the forthcoming discourse on the Great Dao, it was reasonable to assume that this figure possessed corporeal existence.

Every member of the academy had gathered here, the sheer spectacle awing them. Strangely, the layout of the 3,000 seats was unconventional. The front row accommodated a solitary seat, while the second had two, and the pattern continued to expand row by row, culminating in the 3,000th row boasting the most seats.

A silent tension hung in the air as all present contemplated who among them would claim the coveted seat at the forefront.

"The Sacred Academy's discourse on the Great Dao has only 3,000 seats available," the ethereal voice reiterated. Its source remained elusive, and the lifelike statue gave no indication of animation.

"The Sacred Academy's discourse on the Great Dao has only 3,000 seats available," the voice reiterated once more, sending tremors through the hearts of all. The question that had silently pervaded their thoughts was now answered. Among these brilliant minds, with their numerous talents and diverse backgrounds, only the top 3,000 would secure an immortal seat. The race to occupy the prized first row was a subject of intense contemplation.

In this assembly of thousands, the diversity was staggering. Among the demon races alone, representatives hailed from the Western Sea Dragon Race, White Tiger Race, Sky Roc Race, as well as phoenix-blooded maidens and the disciples of the Beast God Sect. Among this array of talent, who would prove worthy of the distinguished front row, poised to absorb the wisdom of the Sacred Academy's discourse on the Great Dao?

"I shall give it a try," declared a gruff voice. A figure of immense stature, standing three meters tall, strode forward from the crowd. He exuded raw power, his limbs thick and robust, his crimson eyes intense to the point of being terrifying. Possessing an impressive cultivation at the eighth level of the immortal foundation realm, this demon appeared to belong to the ape-type demonic beast category, though his specific race remained a mystery. He seemed to be the sole representative from his race to gain admission to the sacred academies.

"This demon likely belongs to the ape-type demonic beast category, but we have no way of determining his specific race. He appears to be the only one from his racial background to enter the academies, unaccompanied by fellow members of his race," Qin Wentian commented in hushed tones. Nanfeng Yunxi's gaze flickered as she pondered this revelation. Just then, Nanfeng Shengge, who stood beside her, added insightfully, "Our clan's ancient records mentioned that although the majority of greater demon races inhabit the Western Regions, another region, known as the Land of Desolation, within the Ten Thousand Mountain Range in the westernmost part of the immortal realms, is teeming with demonic beasts even more diverse than those in the Western Regions."

"I've heard whispers about that place," Qin Wentian replied with a nod. "But I've also heard that the Ten Thousand Mountain Range is an immense and perilous expanse, akin to the Myriad Devil Islands. It's a treacherous territory for human cultivators, and venturing too deep can spell certain death. Demons inhabiting that region seem to live in relative isolation from the rest of the immortal realms. Conflicts with other factions are rare. The immortal realms possess limited information about the Ten Thousand Mountain Range, even less than what's known about the Myriad Devil Islands. So, even with the sacred academies' appearance, we might not see many demons from the Ten Thousand Mountain Range here."

"Indeed," chimed in an expert from the Southern Phoenix Clan. "If hordes of demons from that place were to converge, it would surely mirror the chaos unleashed when the Myriad Devil Islands dispatched their forces. However, we can't rule out the possibility of no demons from the Ten Thousand Mountain Range participating. Take this greater demon, for example; its red eyes resemble the legendary Fiery-eyed Berserk Ape. Aside from the Ten Thousand Mountain Range, there's no other known origin for this particular race of greater demons."

The individual in question strode toward the foremost open immortal seat and, with an air of menace, set foot upon it. In that moment, the immortal seat erupted in radiant brilliance, projecting a vivid scene into the air.

"ROAR!" The expert unleashed a furious bellow. In an instant, with a resounding thunderclap, the demonic ape underwent a staggering transformation. It grew into an immense and violently ferocious demonic beast, towering over ten thousand meters in height within the astral projection. Its fiery red eyes smoldered like burning embers, and flames erupted around it, casting the beast into a berserk state. Raising its head, the colossal ape unleashed a roar that shattered the very heavens and earth. Yet, despite its formidable might, an overwhelming pressure descended upon it, emanating from the supreme power of the Great Dao.

"Fiery-eyed Berserk Ape!" Gasps of astonishment rippled through the onlookers as they beheld the true form of the individual who had aspired to claim the foremost seat.

"BOOM!" A deafening explosion reverberated. The human-like ape was forcibly ejected from the immortal seat and slammed brutally onto the ground. The earth trembled upon impact. Struggling to rise, the ape's crimson-red eyes remained fixated on the lead seat, its aura poised to erupt into berserk fury at any moment.

"Three thousand immortal seats, but who will occupy the foremost one? It's clear that claiming that seat won't be a simple feat," murmured those present, their hearts quaking. The Fiery-eyed Berserk Ape's expulsion was a stark reminder that attaining the lead seat would be no easy task, even in the face of numerous supreme experts from both humanity and the demon races.