Time flows quietly, and thirteen years have passed since the epic battle that swept across the three realms, pitting the side doors against the orthodox sects.

The once formidable side door Venerables, who dominated the scene, have dwindled to a mere fraction, and those mighty side door Major Sects with thousands of years of heritage and sprawling halls now lay in ruins.

Even the five great sects, seated firmly at the pinnacle of the human Cultivation Realm, have suffered heavy losses to their Primordial Qi.

The Spirit Hall dedicated to venerating past Venerables has seen the addition of more spirit tablets in the last two years than in the entirety of the past five hundred years.

Only the path to immortality has become clearer in this world after the calamity.

The number of human Venerables has sharply reduced, making the previously crowded path to Ascension suddenly spacious.

Before the aura of Ling Ruxuan’s daylight Ascension had faded, the Upper Realm achievers from the five great sects followed in quick succession, ascending one after another!

Back then, they gathered around Ling Ruxuan, the child of fortune, sharing his luck, all for the chance of Ascension.

The side doors were also unwilling to miss out on this once-in-a-millennium opportunity, their simple calculations revealing that the luck gap around the two children of fortune spanned an entire century!

The side door Venerables, who had concealed themselves during the great war in Grotto Heaven Blessed Lands, emerged from their seals.

In such a world-altering upheaval, heroes rose from the mortal realm without needing a mastermind like Chen Sheng to manipulate the layout.

In the depths of the Southern Border, within the poisonous mist-laden Valley of Five Poisons, a large bronze cauldron had been boiling for fifty years.

Inside, colorful poisonous lotus, netherworld centipede pearl, Profound Ice toad spirit... many toxic materials were blending and evolving, transforming into strands of mist that wrapped around an elderly man dressed in a dark brocade robe.

The elder’s face was as fair as jade, his hair jet black, only occasionally revealing serpent-like eyes deep within; he was the current leader of the Five Poisons Sect, the Five Poisons Venerable.

On this day, the large bronze cauldron exploded, sending emerald poison mist skyward, staining the Southern Border’s sky a dark purple.

The Five Poisons Venerable rose slowly, his poison arts turning into a spectacle of ten thousand serpents galloping. He looked to the horizon, sensing that the top Venerables of the five sects had already ascended, a faint smile tugging at his lips:

"The time has come."

He lightly touched the ground with his toes, his figure vanishing instantly.

Within three days, he swept through the Southern seven nations, gathering mountain and river Spirit Veins, absorbing the Southern Border’s luck entirely into himself.

Though there were cultivators obstructing him along the way, they were all neutralized by his poisonous resonance, losing either their Divine Techniques or fleeing the Southern Border, not one able to injure him in the slightest.

As he reached the border between the Southern Border and the Central Plains, a silver white light blocked his path.

The Hanging Mountain Venerable Changhe, holding the Hanging Treasure Mirror, stood gracefully in the clouds, the treasure mirror emitting clear radiance, isolating the surrounding hundred miles from toxins.

This newly established Venerable, though young in appearance, possessed a stable demeanor, each ray from the rotating treasure mirror capable of subduing a region.

"Five Poisons Daoist, the Southern Border’s luck is already yours, why reach for the Central Plains?"

Venerable Changhe’s voice resounded like a bell, the air clarified wherever the clear radiance passed.

The Five Poisons Venerable stood with hands behind his back, his dark robe flapping in the wind, his poison technique forming a shadow around him, both displaying the domineering presence of a king of poisons and a detached serenity.

"Daoist, the path to immortality lies before us, and only those with abundant luck can ascend. The luck of the Central Plains is the main artery of luck, and I merely seek a portion to trigger my celestial tribulation."

"I kindly ask you to allow it!"

As his words fell, the emerald light around him surged, rivaling the clear radiance of the Hanging Treasure Mirror.

With mere words, Venerable Changhe naturally would not easily relent, and the two engaged in a contest.

The Five Poisons Venerable’s power reached Perfection, while Venerable Changhe, though possessing the top-tier immortal treasure Hanging Treasure Mirror, could barely contain him, unable to fully subdue him.

He shook his head internally, and with a twist of his wrist, the clear radiance of the Hanging Treasure Mirror withdrew, as he cupped his hands, saying: "Your Divine Techniques are remarkable, I’m not inclined to fight over nothing."

The Five Poisons Venerable laughed heartily: "Thank you, Daoist!"

True to his word, he only took a portion of luck to lead him into immortality, thereafter effortlessly passing through the thunder tribulation!

A golden celestial light descended from the nine heavens, like a suspended river, enveloping the Five Poisons Venerable.

Ethereal immortal sounds echoed, auspicious clouds gathered, revealing faint illusions of Immortal Palace’s jade towers.

The Five Poisons Venerable bellowed skyward, his voice shaking the cosmos, filled with the joy of fulfillment and reflections on the past:

"Back in the day, the side door sages, the peerlessly talented Tiandu Zi, the unchallenged bai dao Blood Shadow Venerable, all have turned to fleeting memories!"

"Who would have thought that in the end, the path to immortality would be tread by one cultivating poison like me!"

His laughter gradually subsided, looking toward Venerable Changhe still standing in the clouds, he solemnly cupped his hands:

"For this Ascension, many thanks to Daoist for ’sending me off’."

Venerable Changhe also returned the salute, his expression calm:

"Congratulations, predecessor, on reaching Primordial Spirit Great Success and Ascending in daylight. Henceforth, the Five Poisons Sect will lead the Southern Border, becoming the first Major Sect of the side doors."

"Thank you for your kind words, Daoist!"

The Five Poisons Venerable laughed again, turning and stepping into the celestial light, transforming into a red light that shot toward the sky, vanishing quickly into the depths of the Cloud Sea.

The golden celestial light slowly withdrew, yet the Spiritual Qi within heaven and earth continued to stir.

Venerable Changhe gazed in the direction where the Five Poisons Venerable disappeared, an unconcealable envy in his eyes, as he gently stroked the Hanging Treasure Mirror, murmuring:

"I’ve only presided over Hanging Mountain for ten years, my Upper Realm is yet to reach Great Success, and there’s still a long road to Ascension."

Suddenly, the Hanging Treasure Mirror emitted a brilliant light of fortune, then transformed into the stance of an Ombra God Above Clouds, its direction pointing to the vast East Sea, with waves seemingly resonating through the mirror, echoing atop the mountain.

A trace of understanding flashed through Venerable Changhe’s eyes, his envy stifled, returning to the Venerable’s consistent calm:

"The overseas side door Ombra God has emerged indeed."

"It is truly an era of great contention, where hidden dragons of all sides will rise."

The Elder beside the Hanging Mountain respectfully asked:

"Sect Master, should we send someone overseas to investigate? With many side door Venerables appearing, it could impact our sect’s fortune unfavorably."

The Venerable Changhe shook his head, his gaze cast towards the East Sea, his tone carried a hint of clarity:

"The next heir of fate will be born in over a hundred years. During this gap in fate, the five sects have already decided, although they can obstruct the path, they cannot reverse the great momentum—this post-catastrophe flood of ascension cannot be stopped."

He paused, gently caressing the Treasure Mirror:

"The foundation of us is to hold the main axis of fate in this realm. A few Loose Cultivator ascensions can stir the clouds and winds. It’s not necessarily a bad thing."

The Elder was enlightened upon hearing this, bowed, and retreated.

Only the Venerable Changhe remained on the mountaintop, the silver brilliance of the Treasure Mirror gradually fading, yet the sound of the waves of the East Sea seemed to linger in the heavens and earth.

...

At this moment, in the depths of the East Sea, it was another magnificent scene.

Beneath the pitch-black surface of the sea, a vast shadow was awakening. Every sweep of its tail lifted immense waves of thousand feet—a Profound Sea Giant Whale!

Upon the broad back of the whale, like a floating island, Chen Sheng sat cross-legged, clad in a dark Daoist Robe embroidered with wave patterns, his long hair unbound, waving freely in the sea breeze.

His eyes were slightly closed, surrounded by three circles of light azure whirlwinds. Within the whirlwinds, faint sounds of clashing soldiers could be heard—that was the Wind Tribulation of the Void Realm, which he was gradually penetrating with the power of his Primordial Spirit.

"Boom!"

Suddenly, an azure wind column descended from the Ninth Heaven, piercing directly towards Chen Sheng’s celestial cap. Within the wind column, countless wind blades formed into shapes of weaponry, slicing towards his sea of consciousness.

Yet Chen Sheng sat firm as a mountain, from his brow sprang a semi-transparent figure, precisely his Primordial Spirit—it wore a Daoist Robe similar to his body, its features elegant, eyes more dignified than its form.

The Primordial Spirit raised its hand and gripped the wind column within its palm. The wind blades cut against it, merely stirring layers of ripples without causing any harm.

"A mere Wind Tribulation dares to hinder my path?"

The Primordial Spirit spoke, the sound unlike human voice, akin more to deep sea whale song, causing the surrounding sea surface to ripple.

It shook its form, transforming into a stream of light rushing toward the heavens, intending to roam the Ninth Heaven amidst the Wind Tribulation!

Hundreds of miles away on a barren island, Li Xuan was being surrounded by three Great Demons in human form. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

These three demons were the Demon Snakes Chen Sheng had subdued in his early years and had now also cultivated their Demon Pills.

Li Xuan had just cultivated his Nascent Soul not long ago, his aura still somewhat fluctuating, yet at this moment he looked at the distant celestial stream of light, trembling with excitement, his voice quivering:

"Senior Brother is indeed extraordinary! Such aptitude might certify him as a Primordial Spirit True Immortal!"

The three demons echoed in agreement:

"The master’s divine power is unmatched; being able to follow him is truly a great fortune!"

"The master has long been strategizing; today’s achievement is merely the natural outcome."

At this moment, the celestial stream of light suddenly turned back, shooting like a meteor towards the back of the giant whale.

Chen Sheng’s Primordial Spirit returned gradually to its position; his tightly shut eyes suddenly opened, two substantive divine lights shot from within, piercing through the sea surface, splitting open a trench several feet deep below.

After a moment, the divine light converged, and the whirlwinds around him completely dissipated, replaced by an unfathomable pressure—the Venerable Primordial Spirit, success achieved!

Li Xuan and the three demons rushed over using Escape Light, landing on the back of the giant whale, and respectfully saluted Chen Sheng:

"Congratulations to Senior Brother (Master) on overcoming the Wind Tribulation, achieving the position of Venerable Primordial Spirit!"

Chen Sheng nodded slightly, his voice calm yet filled with undeniable authority:

"Rise."

His gaze swept over the group, finally settling on Li Xuan, he spoke slowly:

"Today, I have cultivated as a Venerable, the foundation is set. Though overseas fate is dispersed, no one controls it, it is the perfect opportunity to establish a Major Sect."

"I wish to establish a sect here, to gather overseas fate, to serve as capital for ascension."

Li Xuan’s heart rejoiced, he quickly bowed:

"Senior Brother’s foresight is impressive! The overseas is vast with countless Loose Cultivators. If a sect can be founded to dominate them, it surely will amass bounteous fate! But..."

He paused, cautiously asked:

"What about Tianmu Sect, how does Senior Brother plan to handle it?"

Chen Sheng looked at Li Xuan, replied indifferently:

"From now on, Tianmu Sect will be a branch of my sect, for you to preside over. You must quickly return to Tianmu Sect, consolidate forces, eliminate dissent, and keep the sect tightly within control."

"Someday when my cultivation is perfected, I’ll use Tianmu Sect as a springboard to advance into the Southwest, standing against other Venerables in competition!"

Li Xuan’s heart shook greatly, he quickly cupped his hands:

"I will definitely not fail Senior Brother’s trust! I will forge Tianmu Sect into an impregnable entity, awaiting Senior Brother’s arrival!"

"Rise."

Chen Sheng waved his hand, a gentle yet irresistible force lifted Li Xuan.

Li Xuan hurriedly asked: "I wonder what name Senior Brother intends to give this sect?"

Chen Sheng having already made his plans, now slowly spoke; his voice echoed long upon the sea:

"Heavenly Dao is fifty, Heaven generates forty-nine, humans escape one."

"When I establish the sect, it is to seize that line of escape, intercept the opportunity of the Upper Realm! This sect shall be named ’Intercept Sect’!"

"From now on, I am entitled—’Intercept Celestial Venerable’!"

After speaking, Chen Sheng stood on the back of the giant whale, his robes fluttering, his gaze sweeping over the boundless East Sea, as if piercing through time and space, resting on that world of great contention yet to come.

Li Xuan and the three demons quickly offered their congratulations:

"Congratulations to the Venerable on founding the sect! May Intercept Sect’s fate flourish extensively, lasting for ten thousand years!"