Warrior’s Promise

“The gate to Firmament Divine Realm had not appeared for close to a thousand years. Never could I have imagined that it would be opened in this Top 100 Talents competition!”

“This is all thanks to Su Mo. If it wasn’t for him, it might not have opened!”

“All who made the List of Top 100 Talents will be able to enter the Firmament Divine Realm. This fortune is enough to turn people green with envy!”

While everyone chattered excitedly, an elder with grey hair in the referee’s seat slowly rose to his feet. This man was Secondary Pavilion Leader Zhuang from Sky-sea Pavillion.

“The gate to Firmament Divine Realm will establish a link to the Vacant Small World. The gate will stablize in 30 minutes, and those talents who made the List of Top 100 Talents will all be able to pass through. You have 30 minutes time to prepare!” The secondary pavilion leader, Zhuang, announced.

He surveyed the crowd, and then added “This Top-100-talent competition has successfully come to an end. The detailed rankings will be published in the next issue of the ‘Legend of Firmament’ in two weeks and will be sold across all branches of the Sky-sea Pavilion.”

As secondary pavilion leader Zhuang wrapped up his announcement, those talents who made it onto the List were all buzzing with excitement.

Those who didn’t make the List were filled with gloom.

“Wushuang, with only 30 minutes to prepare, utilize this time to heal yourself and enter the Firmament Divine Realm in the best condition!”

Heaven Sect’s elder hurriedly advised Ao Wushuang.

Ao Wushuang nodded, then sat cross-legged where he was. He swallowed a healing elixir, and started the healing process.

Those sects whose disciples made the List also rushed to tell their disciples all they knew about the Firmament Divine Realm.

“Qingtian, Qingxuan, you both must proceed with extreme caution in the Firmament Divine Realm. As you know, we are not the only domain who have opened the gate to the Firmament Divine Realm. Many other domains across the East Continent would have opened the gate as well, which would inevitably lead to clashes within the realm!”

Prince Rong from the imperial family informed Hong Qingtian and the ninth princess.

Both nodded, and ninth princess added, “Perishing within the Firmament Divine Realm does not equate death. As long as a drop of blood remains, it will be transported out, and you will be resurrected here. Therefor, it isn’t as dangerous within the realm!”

…

“Young master, the moment you enter Firmament Divine Real, you must first find a way to reach out to the members from the other side halls. Once you form an alliance with them, you can run wild within the realm!”

A Cold-blood Hall elder passed this message to Mo Yue using his Genuine Vitality.

“Uncle Bo, don’t worry! With Cold-blood Hall’s strength stretching across the East Continent, many of us will be able to pass through the gates of the Firmament Divine Hall. Who will be able to stop us then?”

Mo Yue smirked, as his gaze fell on Su Mo still standing in the fighting ring, a violent look flashed across his eyes.

“Su Mo, you may be strong, but the Firmament Divine Realm will be where you die without a burial place!”

“Yes, our side hall in Hong Domain is growing rapidly and will start preparations to attack the other six forces soon, uniting Hong Domain. This will happen really soon!”

This burly elder said with a nod.

…

In the fighting ring, Su Mo looked up at the rapidly solidifying multicolored light gate, and many thoughts crossed his mind.

Over the past few days, he had heard others making reference to the Firmament Divine Realm, but he really did not know much about this realm.

Then he flew back to the spectators stand.

Crash!

Everyone from Gale Island rose to their feet upon Su Mo’s return, including Elder Wei, the First Elder, and the Second Elder.

“Su Mo, this is…you…..”

Elder Wei and the rest were very emotional, momentarily at a loss for words.

Naturally, Su Mo knew why everyone was reacting that way and did not make any further response. Instead, he asked the elders directly, “Master, Second Elder, what do you know of this Firmament Divine Realm?”

Elder Wei replied, “Su Mo, the Firmament Divine Realm is an ancient relic of the past. Many secrets to the ancient martial arts can be found within. With great fortune and opportunity, you may receive these secrets and greatly increase in strength. You must seize this opportunity.”

“Oh!”

Su Mo nodded gravely. The secrets to ancient martial arts would definitely be powerful.

“Su Mo, one thing to note s that not only talents within Hong Domain will be able to pass through the gate to the Firmanent Divine Realm, but many other domains across East Continent will be able to do the same as well.”

The Second Elder added.

“Talents from other domains?”

Su Mo frowned upon hearing this. There were 108 domains across the East Continent, and if every domain had managed to open the gate to Firmament Divine Realm, this would mean over 10,000 people would pass through.

Moreover, talents from larger, stronger domains would definitely be more powerful.

This would invariably mean that he would face clashes with other amazing talents from other domains.

“Yes!”

Elder Wei nooded, then added “Fortunately, the Firmament Divine Realm works in mysterious ways. Perishing within the realm does not mean true death. You will be able to resurrect here, but you won’t be able to re-enter the realm!”

“I’d still be able to resurrect here!?”

Su Mo was shocked that such a strange place existed. “To be able to resurrect even after death!”

“It would seem like it isn’t too dangerous within the Firmament Divine Realm.” Su Mo said.

“Indeed so!”

The Second Elder continued with a nod, “However, that isn’t to say that no danger lurks within. If you are attacked and killed within the Firmament Divine Realm, and your blood is completely destroyed, you will lose the chance of resurrection. This would mean true death.”

Comprehension dawned on Su Mo, as he made the link between resurrection and the blood that ran in his body.

Once a martial artist attained the True Spirit Realm, if he killed someone way weaker than him in terms of strength, he would indeed be able to instantly destroy his opponent’s blood.

However, achieving this was not so straight-forward.

First, one would need to be extremely strong, and second, his opponent would need to be far weaker than him.

After exchanging a few more words with the Second Elder, Su Mo gained a better understanding of Firmament Divine Realm. He then took his seat in the spectators stand, calming his breath in meditation.

Su Mo’s Genuine Vitality was extremely deep and full, and he had not exhausted much of it during his duels. Most importantly, he had already exhausted six strands of his Nirvana Sword Qi, with only three remaining.

He intended to replenish his Nirvana Sword Qi in the shortest possible time, as to him, this was an extremely powerful hidden card.

Time flew by, and 30 minutes soon passed.

The multicolored light gate above the fighting ring had already solidified, no different from a real multicolored stone gate.

In the referee’s seat, the Secondary Pavilion Leader Zhuang rose to his feet once again, and announced, “The gate to the Firmament Divine Realm has now completely stablized. The top hundred talents in Dragon Luck may now proceed to enter!”

Swish! Swish! Swish!

As soon as he finished, many figures were seen rushing towards the multicolored light gate.

Leading the pack were Ao Wushuang and Mo Yue.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

One by one, these figures entered the light gate and then promptly disappeared.

Ah!

Just then, there was a sudden shout, as everyone saw the figure of a young talent attempting to pass through the gate explode, and instantly evaporate.

“If you try to pass through the gate to Firmament Divine Realm without actually making it to the List of Top 100 Talents, only death awaits!”

Secondary Pavilion Leader Zhuang shook his head as he said coldly.

Everyone quaked in their boots, as indeed, there were many who had thought of forcing their way through. They quickly dispelled that idea.

“Master, Second Elder, there is no need to wait for me. Please feel free to return!”

Su Mo rose and turned towards Elder Wei and the rest.

After speaking to the elders, he already knew that those talents who entered Firmament Divine Realm would be able to stay within the realm for a month as long as they do not perish within.

Everyone nodded. A month would not be considered short, and they did not have the luxury of spending one month here.

“Su Mo, please always be on high alert within the realm!”

Elder Wei warned.

“Noted!”

Su Mo nodded and then turned, his figure transforming into a ray of light heading towards the multicolored gate, then disappearing from view.

Not long after, all hundred talents on the List had entered the Firmament Divine Realm.

The multicolored light gate then turned into a million multicolored spots of light, disappearing from view.

The moment all hundred talents disappeared within, the crowd burst into a roar, everyone chattering excitedly.

They were all discussing who had the highest chance to receive martial arts secrets within the realm.

Admidst the chatter, many people rose and started to leave.

Within the hour, only a few people remained in the Archean Fighting Ring.

These people were all from sects which had disciples entering the Firmament Divine Realm. They had chosen to wait.

Everyone from Gale Island had left, their hearts full of anticipation, returning gloriously back to Gale Island.

In the referee seat, those from Sky-sea Pavilion had yet to leave.

“Elder Zhuang, who do you think has a chance of receiving the secrets to martial arts among the hundred that had entered?”

The middle-aged man who had previously presided over the talent test asked Secondary Pavilion Leader Zhuang.

Secondary Pavilion Leader Zhuang thought for a while, then shook his head, sighing, “They are all too weak compared to the top 100 talents from Dark Domain, Thunder Domain, Blackdragon Domain, or even the other larger domains. The difference in their strength is too great. It’s hard to tell who stands a chance!”