The Holy Land of the Immortal River

Han Ming looked at his five disciples as they sat in a circle, sharing a meal together. Although their level of cultivation had long since rendered food unnecessary, none of them could resist the dishes personally prepared by Han Ming. The rich aroma that wafted across the mountain stirred their senses, making it impossible to hold back.

Su Baining, who usually wore a cold and indifferent expression, couldn't help but smile faintly as she tasted her favorite dish. Hao Yang, chewing a piece of meat with great delight, looked up and spoke with an unusually serious tone.

"Master, may I learn cooking instead of talisman crafting?"

Han Ming smiled knowingly, already expecting such a question from his mischievous disciple. His voice was calm and casual as he replied, "If you can clear the fourth level of the Battle Hut, I'll allow you to study cooking. But you'll still need to study the five basic auxiliary professions."

Hao Yang, who had just taken a sip of water, choked in surprise and exclaimed, "The fourth level!? I'm still stuck on the third! And I haven't even beaten the hardest difficulty yet!"

He let out a deep sigh and added jokingly, "Looks like I won't be learning to cook in this lifetime."

Laughter broke out among everyone. Even Feng Huangjun smiled. It had been a long time since he had experienced such warmth. He had grown up in loneliness, never even knowing who his parents were. But now, seated around a meal with his master and fellow disciples, he felt the warmth of family once more.

After the meal, Han Ming spoke in a more serious tone. "Alright. Today is the day you'll put your week of training to the test. Show them everything you've got. Hold nothing back. The old relics in the sect love nurturing powerful disciples, and this is your chance to earn a vast amount of resources not just from the Holy Land, but beyond."

The eyes of all five disciples sparkled. They had trained with everything they had for the past week, and now was the time to prove themselves before their master.

Han Ming glanced at each of them before continuing. "And remember if any of you end up facing one another in the tournament, fight with everything you have. Don't hold back. Just don't kill each other, and that'll be enough."

"Understood, Master!" the five disciples answered in unison. They knelt to pay their respects, then rose and prepared to depart for the main arena of the Holy Land.

To help them become familiar with the various locations within the Holy Land, Han Ming appointed a guide to lead his disciples. The one entrusted with this task was none other than Li Fu, the disciple who had previously delivered news about the revised selection rules to Han Ming.

Li Fu guided the five of them on a tour through the remaining nine peaks of the Holy Land of the Immortal River, explaining the details of each one thoroughly so they could understand the unique characteristics of every location.

The First Peak, the Peak of War, is governed by Master Bai Li. This peak serves as the training ground for warriors and those who seek supremacy in martial strategy. To be accepted as a disciple here, one must pass through a brutal 99-tier combat trial to prove their worth. It is not merely cultivation power that matters, but true combat skill. The disciples of this peak are trained in a wide variety of martial disciplines, including swordsmanship, spear arts, fist techniques, physical conditioning, and even battlefield tactics.

The Second Peak, the Peak of the Sword Emperor, is led by Master Chen Xingtian. This peak is the sacred ground for those who train in the way of the sword. Any disciple who wishes to enter must possess at least First Level Sword Intent; otherwise, they will be unable to withstand the omnipresent sword aura that permeates the entire peak. The sword techniques practiced here are immensely powerful and highly diverse. Master Chen Xingtian himself, known as the third greatest swordsman in the world, is said to possess such terrifying pressure that even with his sword sheathed, he could sever his enemy's body with a mere glance.

The Third Peak, the Pure Light Peak, is under the governance of Master Han Ming. It was once a center for the study of healing arts, including treatment of minor wounds, severe injuries, body reconstruction, curse dispelling, and more. Disciples here are taught not only the arts of healing and restoration but also defense and related support techniques.

The Fourth Peak, the Peak of the Five Sacred Elements, is overseen by Master Fu Yuechan. Though this peak is primarily a training ground for mastery over the five basic elements Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and Metal it also includes training in rarer elemental forces such as Ice, Lightning, Blood, and more. Disciples wishing to join must have at least a fundamental understanding of one element or possess a natural talent in elemental control. Many of the disciples here are blessed with special physiques aligned with the forces of nature.

The Fifth Peak, the Peak of the Medicine King, is governed by Master Luo Yunhai. It is the gathering place for experts in medicinal arts and herbal alchemy. To become a disciple here, one must show talent in the use of fire or possess elemental attributes conducive to refining pills. This peak serves as the main production center for high-grade elixirs and is one of the sect's key sources of income, alongside the Spirit Stone Mines and Spirit Veins.

The Sixth Peak, the Heavenforge Peak, is led by Master Zhao Honglong. It is home to the greatest blacksmiths and weapon forgers in the Holy Land. Disciples aspiring to enter must have an affinity for the fire element or other elements suitable for forging. This peak is also a major economic pillar of the sect, responsible for crafting the highest quality weapons and armaments.

The Seventh Peak, the Peak of Immortal Formations, is governed by Master Bai Jingsen. It serves as a sanctuary for formation masters and experts in energy arrays. Disciples of this peak specialize in constructing defensive barriers, traps, and enhancing formations capable of altering the tide of battle. Some of these formations hold the might of an Emperor and can transform entire landscapes into impenetrable strongholds.

The Eighth Peak, the Hidden Heaven Peak, is overseen by Master Yun Zhenying. This peak is home to prophets and those who comprehend the flow of fate. Disciples here possess the ability to glimpse into the future, foresee destinies, and manipulate the power of fortune itself. It is said that those who reach the peak of this path can not only see what lies ahead but even alter the fate of themselves and others.

The Ninth Peak, the Divine Talisman Peak, is governed by Master Ling Ruhe. Disciples of this peak cultivate the art of talismans, crafting powerful symbols imbued with destructive, defensive, restorative, or sealing effects. Talismans can serve as weapons or hidden tools to eliminate enemies. The practitioners of this peak wield them with lethal precision.

The Tenth Peak, the Celestial Bamboo Peak, is led by Master Ji Yiren. This peak focuses on inner cultivation and mental discipline, teaching all forms of art and technique. The disciples here are famously eccentric some are musicians, some poets, some swordsmen, and there are even tales of a duck becoming a disciple. Most of the disciples here are women, with only one recent exception, a newly joined male disciple.

Li Fu continued leading the five disciples through the important areas of the Holy Land of the Immortal River. Their next destinations were places brimming with dense spiritual energy and hidden treasures. Each area had been carefully designed to allow disciples to fully develop their abilities.

The Sect Master's Peak stood at the heart of the Holy Land and served as the administrative center. It is the residence of Mu Nansi, the supreme sect master of the Immortal River. At its core lies the Heavenly Assembly Platform, a place where major matters are discussed among the peak masters and high-ranking elders. Every important decision concerning the Holy Land is made here. The entire peak is shielded by the most powerful defensive formations in the entire sect.

The Law Enforcement Hall this place serves as the very heart of discipline and justice within the Holy Land of the Immortal River. It is governed by seven Peak Half-Emperors who possess the highest authority to pass judgment and mete out punishment. Any disciple who violates the sect's rules will be sent here to receive their sentence. Within the Law Enforcement Hall lies the Heavenly Dimension Prison, a facility reserved for the most severe offenders. This prison is forged from indestructible Spirit Metal, a material so resilient that not even a Great Emperor could escape once confined. Additionally, the Mirror of Truth resides within, capable of revealing all truths about the accused. Lies and concealments are utterly useless before its gaze.

Afterward, Li Fu continued guiding them through various key locations, including the Holy Land's Dining Hall, the Sacred Treasure Pavilion, the Boundless Scripture Hall, the Sacred Arena, the Advancement Grounds, the Mission Hall, the Ascension Tower, the disciples' quarters, the elders' residences, the Peak Masters' abodes, the Spirit Spring, the Gravity Tower, the Stairway of the Mind, the Dreamfall Waterfall, the Spirit Beast Sanctuary, the Dimensional Tower, the Soul Tower, and many other mysterious places.