Heaven-Surpassing Divine Emperor

The Saint Martial Sword Sect.

It was located on Martial Saint Mountain, east of the Imperial Capital. The entire mountain range coiled across the land like a great primordial python, guarding the capital’s eastern flank.

This was the Martial Arts Holy Land of the Saint Martial Dynasty!

Today!

It was the Saint Martial Sword Sect’s grand, annual recruitment day for the Imperial Capital. From early in the morning, countless prodigies flocked to Martial Saint Mountain from all directions.

Jiang Chen’s carriage came to a stop outside Martial Saint Mountain.

The driver looked at Jiang Chen and said respectfully, "Young Master Jiang, ahead is Martial Saint Mountain. You can only proceed on foot."

"Thank you for your trouble. You may head back now," Jiang Chen said as he stepped out of the carriage.

The driver watched respectfully as Jiang Chen departed before steering the carriage back toward the Imperial Capital.

As soon as he entered Martial Saint Mountain, a vast and powerful aura washed over him. The majestic mountain range was immense, its edges disappearing into the distant horizon.

It soared into the clouds, its true height impossible to gauge!

"Jiang Chen, have you noticed anything unusual about this Martial Saint Mountain?" the Black Emperor asked, perched on his shoulder.

Jiang Chen paused. He squinted at the majestic peak, thinking that the more he looked, the more it resembled a finger. He voiced his thoughts, "The shape of this mountain looks a lot like a finger. Could someone have deliberately carved it to look this way?"

A powerhouse at the Heavenly Destiny Realm could part rivers and sunder mountains.

A powerhouse at the Union Palace Realm possessed the ability to topple mountains and overturn seas.

If such an expert were to act, never mind shaping a mountain into a finger; even carving it into a massive relief sculpture would be effortless.

However, the Black Emperor shook his head and chuckled. "You’re only half right. The mountain does indeed have the shape of a finger. But it wasn’t carved—it’s a real finger... or rather, it was formed from the finger of a Demigod Powerhouse!"

Jiang Chen gasped, staring at Martial Saint Mountain in disbelief. "Little Black, are you sure this was formed from a person’s finger?" he asked, seeking confirmation.

Even the giants of legend were only a thousand feet tall.

But the Martial Saint Mountain before him was a full hundred thousand feet high!

And the Black Emperor was saying it was formed from a human finger? It was simply unbelievable!

"What’s so strange about that? A Demigod Powerhouse has already transcended worldly Law and risen above the Ten Thousand Spirits. The very essence of their life has transformed. They can grow as large as the heavens or as small as a speck of dust. An exhale can become a world-destroying storm, and an inhalation can drink rivers dry. A mere finger transforming into a mountain a hundred thousand feet high is nothing incomprehensible!"

The Black Emperor shrugged and continued, "It’s just that the Saint Martial Dynasty is merely a Lower-Class Dynasty within this region, yet it has traces of a Demigod. That’s what’s truly baffling!"

As the two were talking, several figures appeared ahead of them.

It was a group of three men and two women, all around twenty years of age. Each of them was brimming with vitality, all powerhouses at or above the True Martial Realm!

They noticed Jiang Chen as well.

One of them, a young man in fine clothes with a commanding presence and a hint of arrogance in his eyes, took the initiative to walk over. His condescending gaze swept over Jiang Chen as he said coolly, "Kid, are you also here for the Saint Martial Sword Sect’s assessment?"

"Er..."

Jiang Chen was taken aback and replied, speechless, "What if I am?"

"Very good!"

The well-dressed youth nodded, his expression full of pride. "I am Nalan Qiantian, the Young Mansion Master of Cangyun Mansion. I’m also joining the Saint Martial Sword Sect today. You probably don’t know this, but the internal competition in the Sword Sect is incredibly fierce. Without enough strength and a powerful backer, you won’t be able to compete for any resources. As long as you follow me, I will naturally protect you!"

Nalan Qiantian looked at Jiang Chen with a confident expression.

Cangyun Mansion was the most powerful prefecture under the Saint Martial Dynasty’s rule, second only to the Imperial Capital in its number of geniuses. As someone from Cangyun Mansion, Nalan Qiantian indeed had the right to be arrogant.

The two men and two women beside him also wore confident expressions.

The weakest of the four had a cultivation at the True Martial Realm Third Stage, while the strongest had even reached the Seventh Stage Realm of the True Martial Realm.

Nalan Qiantian’s aura, in particular, fluctuated intensely; he had already stepped into the True Martial Realm Eighth Stage. Among the younger generation, he was truly a prodigy.

The two young women were twin sisters. The older one was named Chen Huan, and the younger was Chen Xiao.

The two spoke in perfect unison, "Young Master Nalan is a true prodigy. His goal is to break into the ranks of the Outer Sect’s ten great prodigies within two years. To be able to follow Young Master Nalan is a tremendous blessing. Kid, you’d better not miss out on such a great opportunity!"

The other two young men nodded in agreement.

Jiang Chen had been planning to refuse Nalan Qiantian directly, but upon hearing the sisters’ words, he paused and asked, "The Outer Sect’s ten great prodigies?"

"You don’t know?"

The group was taken aback.

Jiang Chen gave an awkward smile. "I’m not very clear on that!"

Chen Xiao glanced at Nalan Qiantian, and only after he nodded did she begin to explain, "The Saint Martial Sword Sect is divided into the Outer Sect and the Inner Sect. Powerhouses below the Heavenly Destiny Realm can only be Outer Sect Disciples. Once you advance to the Heavenly Destiny Realm and become a True Disciple, you can enter the Inner Sect to cultivate. And within the Outer Sect, there are ten supreme prodigies."

Chen Huan continued, "The ten great prodigies of the Outer Sect are all experts in the top ten of the Spirit List. First is the number one on the Spirit List, Li Yunlong. Second is the Prince, Yuwen Xunyi. Third is the genius of the prestigious Luo Family, Luo Qing. Fourth is one of the four great beauties of the Outer Sect, Lin Feifei. Fifth is Qiu Yunbo, sixth is Ruan Lingyun, seventh is Hex Junchen, eighth is Sunx Yang, ninth is Zhong Yi, and tenth is Lu Jie! All of them have cultivation at or above the True Martial Realm Ninth Stage. The top three prodigies, in particular, are all experts at the Half-step Heavenly Destiny Realm!"

The top ten on the Spirit List were all disciples of the Saint Martial Sword Sect.

From this, it was clear that the Saint Martial Sword Sect’s title as a Martial Arts Holy Land was well-deserved!

Nalan Qiantian said, "Kid, follow me! Within a year, I will definitely claim a spot among the ten great prodigies. When that time comes, you will be the founding members of my faction. Under my protection, you’ll be able to get whatever you want in the Outer Sect!"

Chen Huan added, "That’s right! Following Young Master Nalan only has benefits, no downsides!"

"You’ll have a hard time getting by on your own in the Saint Martial Sword Sect. You should join us!" the other three also urged.

Jiang Chen pondered for a moment.

’I know very little about the Saint Martial Sword Sect. If I let Nalan Qiantian lead the way, it could save me a lot of trouble.’

With this in mind, Jiang Chen smiled and said, "Alright, I’ll join you!"

A satisfied smile spread across Nalan Qiantian’s face. He patted Jiang Chen’s shoulder. "Good. Don’t you worry. Once I ascend to the ranks of the ten great prodigies, you’ll be glad you made this decision today. Oh, right, I don’t know your name yet?"

"My name is Jiang Chen!"

Jiang Chen said with a smile.

Nalan Qiantian nodded and began the introductions. "Jiang Chen, let me introduce you. You’ve already met the Chen Huan sisters. This simple-looking, big oaf is Niu Geng, from Luoyang Prefecture. This monkey-like fellow is Sunx Peng, who’s from Cangyun Mansion like me. One day, I will be like the Saint Child, Lan Haichen, and establish my own faction in the Saint Martial Sword Sect! When that happens, you will all be the founding members!"

At the mention of Lan Haichen, his eyes filled with longing and adoration.

The others reacted the same way.

The Chen Huan sisters said in unison, "We sisters will follow Young Master Nalan closely!"

"I, Niu Geng, ain’t much of a talker, but Young Master Nalan’s talent and strength have won my respect. I’m willing to follow you!" Niu Geng said with a simple-minded grin.

Sunx Peng said, "Young Master Nalan, we’ll be counting on you from now on!"

"Don’t worry, you definitely won’t lose out by following me!" Nalan Qiantian laughed heartily and waved a hand. "It’s getting late. Let’s travel together and get to Martial Saint Mountain quickly!"

The group quickened their pace and headed toward Martial Saint Mountain.

Jiang Chen clasped his hands behind his head, a faint smile on his lips, and quickened his steps to keep up.

「Not long after...」

They arrived at the foot of Martial Saint Mountain...