Chapter 179: Let the Battle Begin!

Chapter 179: Let the Battle Begin!

A grand Ascension Gate towered before the palace of the Divine Dawn Empress. A gateway that guarded the fate of the nation! Majestic and dominant, it set the tone for the four corners of the realm.

In front of this gateway lay an expanse of open ground, the very site of the War of Immortals. This was the most revered place in the Immortal Empire, only opening its gates for solemn occasions like today.

The area surrounding the gateway was bustling with businesses. Inns, taverns, tea houses, and flower shops lined the streets, experiencing their most profitable day in history. They had been fully booked for days!

Rooms and spectator seats were being sold for exorbitant prices. Without status or wealth, one didn't even have the privilege of watching.

Even though it was still afternoon and torrential rain was pouring, hundreds of thousands of spectators had already taken their seats!

This was the liveliest day in the Heavenly Realm in millennia, all thanks to the Divine Dawn Empress's spousal selection. Wealth was just one part of the grand gains from this event.

At that moment, all eyes converged on the towering Ascension Gate. Erected around it were various towers and honored seats. A radiant barrier of magic power hovered above these structures, shielding them from the rain.

"Both Demon Emperors, the five Immortal Empire Emperors, 108 Saints of the Demon Clan, officials from various Immortal Empires, have all taken their seats!" The peak powers and rulers of both the Divine Continent and Demon Continent were essentially all gathered together. A spectacle not seen in ten thousand years! How could the War of Immortals not be a sensation?

HUM! When a figure in golden-red dragon robes appeared atop the highest seat of the gateway, the hundreds of thousands present saluted in unison, chanting together, "Long live our Empress!"

Such a fervent and robust roar instantly shook the entirety of the Heavenly Realm!

The demons from the Demon Continent and the guests from the other Immortal Empires felt a tingling down their spines.

From this chant alone, it was clear. The Divine Dawn Empress's reputation soared, casting a shadow over the entire nation with her might. Thinking they could easily overthrow her? Laughable!

"Humans, such a fickle bunch!" a cunning demon commented. "They'll lift you to the heavens when you're in favor, but won't hesitate to crush you underfoot when you're not, each eager to add their weight. Let's see how the Empress fares in the end," he snickered with disdain.

There were many conflicting motives at the Ascension Gate, an undercurrent of tension bubbling below the surface. Yet, the Divine Dawn Empress remained unfazed.

She stood proudly in her elevated position, her red lips parting slightly: "By the decree of the heavens, I've summoned the elite to gather for this battle, to determine the top Immortal!" Her voice resonated like thunder, shaking the Heavenly Realm, echoing with the sound of claps and rumbles.

Then, she pointed her elegant finger towards the open ground before the Ascension Gate and declared, "Activate the War of Immortals battleground!" At her command, a massive, perfectly square battlefield formation materialized in the open space.

For a moment, blinding brilliance filled the sky! The entire battleground was divided into two sections. To the left, there were sixteen golden arenas, spaced apart. To the right, it resembled a checkerboard of black and white squares. Though referred to as squares, each was more than three thousand feet in both length and width, spacious enough for dozens to duel within.

On the left—the Arena Champion Battle!

On the right—the Cycle Battle!

To the left, countless challengers locked their eyes on the sixteen gleaming golden arena stages, itching to topple the prodigies and leap to immortal fame in a single bound. The bigger the grudge one drew and the more they endured, the more War of Immortal Jades they'd earn!

To the right, teams of five fought in tandem, conquering one small square after another, expanding their battleground. The more consecutive victories one achieved, the richer in War of Immortal Jades they became!

BOOM BOOM BOOM! The grandest battlefield in history unfurled in all its glory. This entirely enclosed and fair arena, with its vastness and prestige, elicited cheers from hundreds of thousands. The battle hadn’t even begun, but just witnessing this magnificent battlefield set hearts aflame!

Such a place of honor made even the Star Scholar Platform of the Grand Temple seem dim in comparison.

After the battlefield was set, the Divine Dawn Empress turned to her esteemed guests seated on either side, declaring, "I've arranged the Immortal Banquet at the palace. Two Demon Emperors and Five Emperors, please attend."

To her left were Red Lotus and Xiao Tian—a radiant woman surrounded by blossoms, exuding allure, and a chilling young man with hair cascading to the ground. To her right was Emperor Violet, accompanied by the Emperors of the other four Immortal Empires. Including the Divine Dawn Empress, these were the eight monarchs of both the Divine Continent and Demon Continent!

The Feast of the Immortal Empire was an exclusive banquet for these seven rulers. Even Ye Qingtian wasn’t worthy of an invite. This clarified that during the Cycle Battle and Arena Champion Battle of the first day, neither the Divine Dawn Empress nor the seven rulers would be watching. Their true battleground for the day would be the high-stakes Feast of the Immortal Empire.

The atmosphere vibrated with anticipation.

Eight imposing figures broke through the curtain of rain, entering the palace of the Divine Dawn Empress under the reverent gazes of thousands. Their entrance brought a palpable sense of relief to the spectators, alleviating the tension they felt.

Soon after, from the second tier of the Ascension Gate, a figure from the Heavenly Realm emerged to represent the Divine Dawn Immortal Empire. A middle-aged man in a regal blue robe stood tall, his long hair neatly pulled back, emanating authority and grace. This was Prime Minister You Fengya.

In the Heavenly Realm, right beneath the Divine Dawn Empress, four paramount leaders held sway—the Head of the Ancestral Temple, Ye Qingtian; the Supreme Marshall of the Nine Heavens Immortal Army, Chen Xiao; the Sage of the Grand Temple; and, of course, You Fengya. Their duties spanned clans, military affairs, legacies, and governance. The Grand Temple Sage, having been executed for his blunt advice, had been temporarily replaced by his son, Mu Tianshi.

While the Divine Dawn Empress hosted the Immortal Banquet, You Fengya, Ye Qingtian, Chen Xiao, and Mu Tianshi stayed behind to oversee the War of Immortals. And their presence alone was a powerful statement.

To their left sat the 108 Demon Saints, their figures shrouded in a chilling mixture of dark and blood-red mists. These malevolent beings brought dread to the hearts of all human onlookers from the Heavenly Realm.

"Reading too many books can grease up one's brains," Chen Jin muttered, choosing to ignore them. He never quite fit in with that lot, anyway.

Night fell, and almost all competitors had arrived, when Yun Xiao, Zhao Xiaotang, and Stray Dog finally strolled in, fashionably late.

"What took you?" Chen Jin inquired.

Zhao Xiaotang hopped up, pointing at Yun Xiao, "Chen Jin, your brother-in-law is absolutely mad!"

"Quiet! Who's the mad one here?" Chen Jin retorted, rolling his eyes.

"He's nuts, for real. He bet on himself to win the whole thing—100,000 Saint Stones!" Zhao Xiaotang exclaimed, eyes wide in disbelief.

"Damn! Saint Stones? Not Spirit Stones?" Chen Jin's eyes nearly bulged out, his voice rising.

"Indeed, 100,000 Saint Stones," Stray Dog confirmed with a resigned chuckle.

"And the odds?" Nangong Xu asked, curiosity piqued.

"One to a thousand!" Zhao Xiaotang shuddered, "That's the highest our Spirit Treasure Palace offers. Given his skills and level, even one to ten thousand would've been fair game."

"Is he the underdog in the betting pool then?" Chen Jin asked, a bit dazed.

"Obviously!" Zhao Xiaotang chuckled, "Only a hundred people are listed in the betting odds. He's only on the list because of his special status."

"Did anyone else bet on him?" Nangong Xu probed.

"Yes," Zhao Xiaotang replied with a mischievous grin, "Seeing him bet 100,000 Saint Stones, I thought he might be playing a trick. So I thought why not and followed with a bet of 10,000 Saint Stones."

"I tossed in 5,000," Stray Dog added.

Chen Jin and Nangong Xu shared a look of disbelief.

"Speaking of which, do you guys want to place a bet? I can arrange it for you," Zhao Xiaotang winked.

Chen Jin looked at Yun Xiao, hesitating, "Look, brother, you know I'm a bit strapped for cash..."

"Just do it," Yun Xiao replied with a smirk.

Stunned, Chen Jin turned back to Zhao Xiao Tang, "Arrange it. I'm in for 10,000 Saint Stones."

"I'll put in 5,000," Nangong Xu added sheepishly.

The camaraderie amongst the group was undeniable, even if they were skeptical deep down. After all, Yun Xiao was only in the Immortal Meridian Realm. Where did such confidence come from?

Just as they mused, a hauntingly beautiful voice called out, "Betting on yourself to win?"

Yun Xiao turned to find Chen Xi, clad in an ethereal white gown, arms folded, glaring at him.

"Yes," he simply replied.

"Do you even take me seriously?" she snapped, her eyes shining with challenge. She had just bet 50,000 Saint Stones on herself!

"You're always in my heart," Yun Xiao teased.

"Ha!" Zhao Xiaotang burst into laughter, followed by Chen Jin. The latter knew his younger cousin had always been a force to be reckoned with. Only Yun Xiao dared to flirt with her so audaciously.

Chen Xi, flustered, pulled Yun Xiao aside, "You dare challenge me, you shameless ruffian?"

Yun Xiao blinked, replying calmly, "You can always turn around and leave."

Chen Xi's confidence wavered. She was about to represent the Divine Dawn Immortal Empire in the contest. She couldn't afford to lose her nerve now.

Suddenly, Yun Xiao reached out, pulling her close, whispering, "How about we make a personal bet between us?"