I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors? Chapter 657 657: Entering the Divine King Realm!

"This... this is..."

Upon beholding the sight unfolding before him, Ji Jiuwu found himself rooted to the spot in an instant. He muttered under his breath: "Could Master be about to break through?"

The Wendao Sect's disciples shared his astonishment, standing there in complete bewilderment.

Qing Song and Yun He, stationed beyond the mountain gate of the Wendao Sect, were likewise drawn by this radiant beam. Exchanging a quick look, they swept their broad palms through the air, etching a message across the heavens.

Anyone who comes to bow to the master and enters the Wendao Sect within three days will have passed the first test.

Those from the hundred clans gathered for the examination stared in shock at the massive inscription hovering above. The sheer simplicity of the Wendao Sect's trial had caught them off guard. In a flash, hordes of beings rushed toward the sect's domain.

Making their way uphill, Yun He and Qing Song conversed as they ascended: "Did you lower the intensity of the mist array guarding the mountain entrance?"

No sooner had the question hung in the air than both halted abruptly. Clearly, neither of them was responsible. Luckily, each possessed a token to command the gate's defenses. Once they adjusted it, they pressed onward up the slope.

The celestial glow intensified steadily, piercing the firmament and mingling its brilliance with the sun's fiery glow above.

All those gathered held their breath, anticipating Chu Feng's exit from closed-door cultivation. Xiao Chen and Cao Youqian, too, paused their activities, lingering silently amid the peaks.

As twilight descended, the wondrous visions faded away. Chu Feng then emerged, the dying sun casting its glow at his back. In that instant of his arrival, he commanded the undivided attention of the entire realm. Every ray of sunlight seemed to gather upon his form.

No action was required from him, nor any words uttered. His mere presence established him as the unparalleled sovereign of this domain.

The disciples assembled there, catching sight of Chu Feng's emergence, dropped to their knees in reverence.

Chu Feng's advancement to the Divine King stage spared the descent of heavenly tribulation, yet it summoned the Heavenly Dao's favor instead. As he manifested, a cascade of nine-hued auspicious clouds enveloped the whole Wendao Sect. Each disciple basked in this divine luster.

In a calm tone, Chu Feng declared: "Everyone, sit cross-legged on the spot and listen to me expound the Dao."

His words resonated across every inch of the Wendao Sect. The handful of fortunate souls who had recently navigated the mist barrier, upon recognizing that voice, lit up with immense delight. Little did they imagine that their inaugural day in the Wendao Sect would grant them the privilege of the Dao Ancestor's teachings on the Dao.

Suddenly, Chu Feng's discourse filled the air of the Wendao Sect. All disciples attuned themselves to the profound echoes of the Great Dao.

Nine days passed before Chu Feng concluded his sermon on the Dao. Ripples of breakthrough auras began to surge through the Wendao Sect.

Cao Youqian and Xiao Chen plunged into deep enlightenment. Mere inches from the Saint realm, the insights from Chu Feng's Dao lecture propelled them toward that breakthrough in a single bound.

Observing their meditative breakthroughs, Chu Feng refrained from interrupting. He summoned the other disciples to his side and inquired: "In all these years I've been in seclusion, has anything happened in the Wendao Sect?"

A few were on the verge of claiming all was uneventful when a crucial detail flashed in their minds.

Stepping forth first, Ji Jiuwu owned up to the oversight: "Master, we overlooked that the disciple recruitment assembly occurred just days ago. Those prospective disciples remain at the base of the mountain."

Chu Feng responded with a gentle smile, offering no reprimand. Grinning lightly, he replied: "No matter. Those fresh recruits who absorbed my Dao exposition clearly share a bond with me. Given their current cultivation, they'll remain immersed in enlightenment for some time. Head down the mountain and choose the disciples on your own."

With that, he pivoted and vanished in place. The group chorused: "Yes."

Ji Jiuwu then guided his junior brothers swiftly down the path. Confirming that the young hopefuls were still lost in enlightenment as Master described, they exhaled in relief.

Qing Song inquired: "Senior Brother, how do we evaluate these disciples' potential?"

Grinning, Ji Jiuwu responded: "Didn't Master already provide the key?"

It dawned on Qing Song at once—if Master's words held true, the earliest to awaken possessed the greatest aptitude.

The group lingered for days until the first youth stirred from his trance.

The young man blinked open his eyes to find the mighty figures of the Wendao Sect beaming down at him. He sprang up promptly and saluted: "Disciple Li Mu pays respect to all seniors."

"Rise."

Ji Jiuwu instructed with a warm smile.

Li Mu never anticipated the Wendao Sect's elites to be so welcoming—utterly unlike his preconceptions.

Back in his city, the lofty elites would never address him so kindly. This was truly the ideal haven. Li Mu resolved to demonstrate to all that he was no jinx!

He advanced eagerly and posed: "Seniors, are there any further trials?"

Noting no others had roused yet, Ji Jiuwu grinned and announced: "Now, I'll pose a few questions. Respond honestly."

"Please ask, Senior."

Li Mu replied courteously.

"I already know your name. Tell me about your life experiences."

From his two senior brothers, Ji Jiuwu had already acquired the clandestine technique for identifying prodigies. This stood as the utmost secret of their lineage.

Li Mu blinked in surprise once more—the Wendao Sect's evaluation felt remarkably laid-back?

From what he recalled, urban clans rigorously tested physique, lineage, aptitude, and more. So why did the assessment of the supreme Wendao Sect appear so...

Despite his confusion, he narrated his tale from youth to present. At last, he whispered: "Senior, am I a bane star and jinx? Everyone associated with me..."

Li Mu trailed off, glancing furtively at the seniors' faces.

Much to his astonishment, far from displaying scorn after his story, the elders regarded him with fervent intensity.

???

A bewildered look crossed Li Mu's features.

Ji Jiuwu and his companions noticed their enthusiasm had been overly apparent. They hadn't foreseen this youth aligning so perfectly with Master's description. Was a true genius emerging so soon?

"What technique do you wish to cultivate at my Wendao Sect?"

Ji Jiuwu queried, tempering his grin.

"This... I haven't thought about it. After all, what I learned before was all stolen—I've never formally cultivated anything."

Li Mu admitted sheepishly, rubbing his head. Amid the seniors' eager stares, determination welled within him: I must strive harder.

"No matter. Once you join the sect, we'll determine what suits you." Ji Jiuwu remarked casually.

"Senior, does that mean I've passed?"

Li Mu exclaimed with thrill.

"That's right. Go sit on the stone steps first."

Just as Ji Jiuwu finished speaking, a growl echoed from Li Mu's stomach.

Li Mu's cheeks flushed crimson. He bowed his head shyly, mumbling: "Strange, I clearly ate my fill before coming, and one meal keeps me full for seven days—why am I hungry again?"

"Hahaha..."

Ji Jiuwu chuckled heartily and explained: "That's because you haven't eaten or drunk anything for ten days. Fortunately, the spiritual energy in these mountains is abundant, and the morning dew each day can sustain ordinary people. That's why you didn't starve to death, kid."

With a casual flick from Qing Song at his side, a droplet of spiritual dew darted toward Li Mu. Instinctively, the youth parted his lips.

As the single drop of spiritual dew settled in his belly, Li Mu sensed warmth flooding his frame, banishing the gnawing hunger entirely.

He bowed deeply to Qing Song: "Thank you, Senior, for bestowing me spiritual liquid."

Qing Song offered a silent smile, anticipating the awakening of the next recruit.

Time elapsed, and eight more beings roused one after another. Among these eight were four humans and four from the hundred clans' cultivators. One particularly striking was the child forged from pure jade essence.

At first glance, Ji Jiuwu and the rest discerned the child's exceptional nature from the ethereal glow emanating from him. Yun He openly acclaimed the youth as carrying the poise of a Saint.

On the inaugural night, the nine young prospects trailed Ji Jiuwu up the mountain to offer homage to Chu Feng.

Confronted with the world's foremost legend, awe filled their expressions, causing them to overlook the formal bow.

Chu Feng regarded the young ones' stares and chuckled: "What, you see me and don't want to bow?"

The nine then snapped to attention, dropping to their knees: "We pay respect to the Dao Ancestor."

"Rise."

In an even tone, Chu Feng continued: "From now on, you don't need to call me Dao Ancestor. Just call me Sect Master. If you can become disciples under my nine disciples, then address me as Grandmaster."

In harmony, the nine declared: "We will follow the Sect Master's command."

"You may all withdraw."

Chu Feng instructed with a sweep of his hand.

"Yes."

The nine affirmed before trailing Ji Jiuwu from the grand hall.

Seven days onward, the Wendao Sect's recruitment rite concluded. Over five hundred individuals ultimately joined the Wendao Sect. Against the vast throng of hundreds of thousands who vied for entry, this figure seemed woefully scant.

Beings everywhere grasped that gaining admission to the Wendao Sect proved no simple feat. Before long, recollections surfaced of the Nameless Sword Sacred Land and Tyrant Fist Sacred Land's founders hailing from the Wendao Sect. Consequently, numerous failed aspirants resolved to seek tutelage at those twin sanctuaries through homage and study.

The influx of fresh disciples breathed boundless energy into the Wendao Sect. As Chu Feng observed the newcomers diligently pursuing cultivation within the sect, he nostalgically recalled his time at the Wendao Academy. Longing stirred for his kin and pupils there. All that remained was awaiting Xiao Chen and Cao Youqian's ascent to the Saint realm, enabling them to unfurl the fresh standard.

Several months hence, Chu Feng detected two distinct aura surges emanating from the Wendao Sect's rear mountains...