Villains Aren't Stepping Stones!

The Shen Clan, a name that has resonated through the eons as a synonym for absolute authority and primordial power, had finally done the unthinkable.

For the first time in a millennium, the invisible barriers that guarded the sanctity of their private dimension were thinned, and the heavy, rune-encrusted gates were swung wide to the gaze of the outside world.

Usually, the Shen Clan was like a ghost in the machinery of the universe—seen only through their actions, their enforcers, and their terrifying reputation.

Even during the Coming of Age Ceremony of their legendary Heir, Shen Haoran, the festivities had been held strictly outside the primary domain.

That event had taken place in the Divine City, a colossal territory owned by the Shen that technically sat within the Imperial Capital’s jurisdiction.

But to call Divine City a "city" was a massive understatement; it was a vast, sprawling territory spanning an entire planet.

The Imperial Capital was able to house such a massive city simply because it is also incredibly massive, spanning several star systems alone.

And the true Shen Clan Domain, an entirely separate dimension brimming with high-density Qi and ancient secrets, was accessed only through a massive, swirling spatial vortex located in the heart of the palace at the center of this planetary city.

That place is guarded by a genuine Heavenly Saint Realm expert, and the spatial gate is only accessible with the permissions of the Shen Clan inside the dimension.

At this moment, the entire Divine City was bustling with an energy that bordered on hysteria.

Normally, the permanent residents of this world-city were the vassal powers of the Shen—people who had ascended from the countless lower realms the clan ruled over, or minor sects and merchant clans that had pledged eternal fealty to the "Shen" name.

It was a place of order and quiet subservience.

But now, the atmosphere had shifted into a chaotic, vibrant tapestry of colors and auras as various powers from all over the Central Region had converged, drawn by the irresistible siren call of the announcement: the Shen Clan would permit outsiders to witness the Heaven’s Choice Tournament.

It was an opportunity to see the inner workings of a behemoth, to witness the combat of "gods" among men, and perhaps, to catch a glimpse of the legendary sisters who ruled the Shen Clan with an iron fist, and had once terrified and suppressed the entire generation of geniuses in the Prime Origin Realm hundreds of years ago.

"So this is the Divine City," a handsome man with flowing, raven-black hair muttered to himself.

He stood atop a raised observation platform, his gaze sweeping across the massive, high-tech and high-magic expanse of civilization that stretched to the horizon.

Buildings of ivory and gold rose into the clouds, and the sky was thick with the silhouettes of flying mounts and luxury vessels.

"As expected, very impressive. Isn’t this more prosperous than the Imperial City itself?"

From the steady, rhythmic pulse of his aura, it was clear he was no ordinary traveler.

He was at the 1st Stage of the Nascent Soul Realm, his foundation as solid as a mountain.

And although such level of power isn’t considered strong in the Imperial Capital, but considering his age, it was shocking that he had reached this level so early.

He is Xu Xiaojun, the Crown Prince of the Tian Yuan Empire, and he is currently thirty years old, and was hailed as the most talented prince of the current generation, a man whose birth had been marked by auspicious omens.

Yet, standing here, he felt remarkably small.

It reminded him, that although the Xu Imperial Family had succeeded in overthrowing the previous Imperial Family and replaced them, none of it was due to their own strength, but with the support of the Shen Clan.

For them, the Imperial Family doesn’t matter, whoever rules the empire is none of their concern.

Three thousand years ago, the reason they helped the Xu Family ascend to the throne was simply because the previous Imperial Family had gotten arrogant and threatened the Shen Clan, something they couldn’t tolerate.

Back then, the Tian Yuan Empire’s Imperial Family had the support of four of the nine Immortal Clans and seven of the 13 Immortal Sects, and can be said to be the strongest Imperial Family in history.

Unfortunately, even with such a line up, they still lost.

"Your Highness, the crowd is growing dense. Let us proceed to the main palace to secure our credentials," an old man said from behind him.

The elder’s voice was raspy but held a vibration of power, and from his aura, he was a 6th Stage Profound Saint, and is acting as the prince’s primary guardian.

"Hm, no. This is the first time I’ve ever stepped foot in this territory," Xu Xiaojun replied, his eyes narrowing as he watched a celestial carriage pulled by four silver-winged horses fly overhead. "I want to look around first. I want to feel the weight of this place. I heard that aside from the other Nine Immortal Clans, the 13—or rather, the 12 Immortal Sects have also sent representatives to observe."

The Immortal Sects were the pillars of the Imperial Capital. They were the strongest and most influential organizations in the region, each guarded by a living Supreme Emperor who had touched the laws of the universe.

The Golden Cloud Immortal Sect had once been the 13th member of this elite circle.

Unfortunately, after they supported the previous Imperial Family and confronted the Shen Clan, they suffered a crushing defeat that they had been in a state of terminal decline until quite recently, when they once again incurred the Shen Clan’s wrath.

They hadn’t possessed a peak Heavenly Saint Realm expert for a century, let alone a living Supreme to deter predators.

Their destruction at the hands of the Shen had served as a grim reminder to the world: in the Central Region, status meant nothing if you lacked the strength to defend it.

Now, only twelve remained.

"The Purple Sky Immortal Sect must have sent their ’Heaven’s Chosen,’ right? The woman they call the most talented and beautiful of this generation—Bai Wenxin," Xu Xiaojun mused. "It is said she broke through to the Nascent Soul realm recently. Isn’t she only twenty-four this year? A truly terrifying pace."

As if summoned by his words, a massive commotion erupted near the city’s primary landing docks as a giant Azure Luan, its feathers shimmering with the light of a thousand sapphires and its wings spanning fifty meters, descended from the heavens.

Its cry was like the ringing of a silver bell, silencing the chatter of the onlookers.

And as the beast landed, two women jumped from its back, moving with a grace that made the air seem to cushion their fall.

One of them was an incredibly beautiful young woman with waist-length purple hair and a pair of striking, piercing red eyes.

She was draped in a black robe accented with intricate purple embroidery, her aura sharp and refined.

Behind her, a woman with long black hair in a pristine white robe followed closely, her hand resting on the hilt of a slender blade.

Xu Xiaojun’s eyes widened, his breath hitching in his throat. "There she is. Bai Wenxin... The ’Purple Pearl.’ She’s certainly as beautiful as the rumors claimed, perhaps even more so."

But she was just the beginning.

As the hours passed, the spectacle only grew.

Several legendary flying beasts, from Crimson Gryphons to Void-Dragons, and dozens of massive, gold-leafed Profound Arks landed outside the city walls.

From these vessels emerged the Heaven’s Chosen of every top-tier sect and clan in the Central Region.

They had been ordered by their respective elders to attend this tournament, not just to watch, but to witness with their own eyes the terrifying gap between the Shen Clan and the rest of the world.

It was a lesson in humility, a way for the various powers to calibrate their own "geniuses" against the true masters of the era.

Xu Xiaojun watched the gathering of legends, and a slow, calculating smirk spread across his face.

His mind was already spinning a web of political intrigue. With all this concentrated talent in one place, he could surely form a connection with at least one or two of these immortal forces.

If he could secure a betrothal or a formal alliance with a powerhouse like the Purple Sky Sect, he could finally get rid of that "trash" 4th Brother of his.

Although Xiaojun was the Crown Prince, his position was far from secure.

In the last two years, his supposedly incompetent 4th Brother had suddenly undergone a transformation, becoming incredibly capable and even winning the personal favor of the King of the Jade Kingdom—one of the strongest sovereign powers in the Central Region.

"Heh, let that trash be happy for awhile," Xiaojun whispered to himself, his fingers tightening on his jade pendant. "Once I have established a connection with even a single one of these Immortal Sects, the throne of the Tian Yuan Empire will be as good as mine. No one, not even my father, would dare to deny the backing of an Immortal Force."

As he turned to head toward the central palace, the ground vibrated with a low, rhythmic thrum.

High above, the clouds began to swirl into a massive vortex, and the golden light of the sun seemed to focus on the palace gates.

The tournament was about to begin, and the world was ready to watch.