Celestial Refining Divine Scripture

After the passing of Starry Extreme Night, the entire world brimmed with flourishing vitality and exuberant life.

It was nearly impossible to find a single barren place.

This earth-shattering opportunity granted by the heavens had ended, yet its aftereffects lingered far from fading away.

Countless treasured lands nurtured astonishing Spiritual Objects, heavenly materials, and myriad Immortal Elixirs. Especially some of the higher-grade ones would, in the coming years, rapidly thrive and ceaselessly advance.

Even certain supreme Immortal Elixirs, originally with no chance to be conceived, now broke ground and sprouted under this baptism, needing only the accumulation of time henceforth.

It was said even among infants born during this period, many would display inborn prodigious talent.

Xu Yang left the Ancient Shadow Gold Mine with three treasured pills, speeding directly toward Black Fire Immortal Mountain.

Along the way, everywhere was inundated with Immortal Spirit Qi that had multiplied severalfold. Signals of recent battles could be seen all about as well.

In some places, there were stretches of ravaged terrain spanning thousands of zhang—at least the handiwork of Peak Celestial Immortal clashes.

In places where Golden Immortals clashed, it was even more harrowing to behold.

One day later.

Xu Yang finally saw the gate of Black Fire Immortal Mountain before him.

The originally black flame-shrouded mountain range now burned even more fiercely; amidst the billowing fire surged mighty immortal spirits in their wake.

Ink-black flames soared high, with immortal auras entwining like delicate rainbows—wondrously resplendent.

"The immortal sect sits where many spiritual veins converge; its Spirit Fire is astounding. It was already the foremost treasured land in Northern Continent. After this event, it shall be an unparalleled place for cultivation for the next decade or more."

Xu Yang sighed inwardly. It was predictable that in the coming years, disciples entering the sect would see their strength advance at a shocking pace.

He sped through the air toward the entrance.

Drawing near, several figures flashed forth from the shadows like lightning.

"Who goes there?"

Xu Yang cast a glance and saw that several of these guards were actually Celestial Immortals.

"I am Xu Yang."

Xu Yang quickly produced his Token.

"So, it’s Mr. Xu!"

The leading Celestial Immortal at once waved his hand, signaling the others to stand down.

Xu Yang surveyed him. The man looked to be around thirty; likely an Inner Sect Disciple of a previous generation. Xu Yang greeted him as ’Senior Brother’ and asked, "Why is there so much more security? There shouldn’t be anyone coming to cause trouble for the immortal sect, right?"

The Celestial Immortal gave a wry smile. "Indeed, no one would dare cause trouble. But with the Starry Extreme Night, the land around the sect underwent massive transformation. A lot of people nearby came to join the excitement."

"Fortunately, no major incidents have happened."

Xu Yang nodded thoughtfully, then clasped his fists and headed inside.

Just then, several beams of rainbow light approached from the distance.

Even from afar, one could sense waves of Celestial Immortal power.

Xu Yang turned back, momentarily pausing.

"What a coincidence."

Among them were Ji Hong and Zhou Tai.

As they landed, Ji Hong and Zhou Tai caught sight of Xu Yang as well.

After greeting the Celestial Immortal guard, they hurried over.

"Mr. Xu, you just returned?"

"Just arrived."

"I even ran into Mr. Ji along the way... It seems Mr. Ji and Mr. Zhou have made quite the progress." Xu Yang’s eyes flashed, brow slightly arched.

Ji Hong and Zhou Tai had both reached the Late Stage of Celestial Immortal, their auras rather astonishing.

As top Core Disciples of Black Fire Immortal Mountain, their talent was indisputable.

In just seven days, they had clearly obtained extraordinary opportunities.

A complete transformation, inside and out.

Just from this, one could imagine the bigger picture.

In every immortal sect, and even among the powerful clans and factions, those with greater strength would reap ever more miraculous fortunes.

All their powers would surge to new heights.

Now, the true contest of genius and splendor was about to begin.

Ji Hong and Zhou Tai exchanged glances, unable to conceal the excitement and thrill upon their faces.

"In the Starry Extreme Night, opportunities lay everywhere. The only pity is that we didn’t obtain an Ancient Star. Of course, such prizes aren’t things we can get easily. Once, an Ancient Star even fell not far from me, but as I arrived, a group of Golden Immortals were already locked in a chaotic battle."

Ji Hong sighed, "Only now do I realize how many Golden Immortals were hiding in Northern Continent."

Though Xu Yang had not encountered many himself, he resonated with this sentiment.

Usually, aside from the few Golden Immortals well-known or in prominent factions, the rest rarely appeared, roaming the world incognito and difficult to come across.

But during Starry Extreme Night, they all emerged at once.

"Yang Yuan obtained an Ancient Star," Xu Yang reminded them.

"What?"

"That guy really got one?"

Zhou Tai’s eyes widened in utter shock.

Ji Hong sucked in a breath, deeply shaken.

"I saw it with my own eyes—also nearby. The Yang Clan Ancestor was present. Once Yang Yuan acquired the Ancient Star, his immortal foundation transformed, reaching the eighth grade." Xu Yang said blandly, "I fought him and lost."

Ji Hong and Zhou Tai exchanged bitter smiles.

An Eighth-Grade Immortal Foundation!

That fellow has now thoroughly surpassed the two of them.

Indeed, they barely had any hope of catching up to him anymore.

"Wait, you fought him, lost, but your strength..." Ji Hong suddenly realized something, recalling Ji Mengshan’s earlier message, and quickly asked in alarm, "Peak of Celestial Immortal?"

"More or less."

Xu Yang nodded lightly.

Hiss—

Zhou Tai pinched himself hard. "Compared to Yang Yuan, you’re even more of a monster."

"Late Stage True Immortal cultivation, yet Peak Celestial Immortal might..."

"Enough of that—let’s go in first."

Xu Yang waved his hand.

The three entered the immortal sect together.

"What astonishing Immortal Spirit Qi—there’s no need to cultivate within a cave dwelling now! The immortal sect’s aura everywhere is many times richer than before."

"Though the Starry Extreme Night lasted only seven days, the immense transformation it brought will persist for years."

"I can’t imagine how many geniuses and monsters will emerge next."

Ji Hong sighed in awe, his expression growing solemn. "Catching the Starry Extreme Night was an extraordinary fortune for us—but also a misfortune."

"Indeed."

Zhou Tai echoed with a wry smile.

So many geniuses, monsters arising in droves.

Those without outstanding talent would very easily be drowned among the masses.

Even the two of them might become unremarkable amid the crowd.

"You two underestimate yourselves; no matter what, in the Northern Continent for decades to come, both of you will still hold a place." Xu Yang replied with a smile.

Ji Hong and Zhou Tai were far from weak.

At such a young age, possessing such cultivation and strength, throughout all Northern Continent, at worst, only three or five could surpass them.

"Trust you to say just the right thing,"

"If it were Yang Yuan, he’d probably say you two need to work harder to catch up to me." Zhou Tai slung an arm around Xu Yang, grinning widely.

Xu Yang’s mouth twitched. "That’s exactly what he told me at the time."

The three looked at each other, then all burst out laughing together, unable to restrain themselves any longer.

Xu Yang kept shaking his head, overcome with mirth.

"By the way, I heard Liou Xueyan went to the Eastern Continent before the Starry Extreme Night,"

"She probably gained even greater fortune. What plans do you have now?"

Ji Hong gradually restrained his smile, gazing at Xu Yang.

Xu Yang made no attempt to hide it: "I’ll rest a few days, then head for the Eastern Continent."

"With a contract to Liou Xueyan, and besides, I want to witness for myself the geniuses of Eastern Continent."

Eastern Continent!

Ji Hong and Zhou Tai’s expressions both turned solemn.

"I’d like to go as well, but I fear my state of mind might collapse as soon as I arrive," Zhou Tai sighed.

"Let’s hold off a bit longer,"

Ji Hong glanced at Zhou Tai as he spoke.

It’d be a lie to say they weren’t tempted.

After all, the Eastern Continent houses the Black and White Star Heaven Sacred Land—the strongest of all, where geniuses gather and monsters abound.

To contend with them would be a tremendous honor.

"Fair enough—if we do go, let’s go together," Zhou Tai said with a broad smile.

Xu Yang watched from the side, realizing that despite the rivalry between Zhou Tai and Ji Hong, once first and second place, their private friendship was truly genuine.

Whoosh!

The three turned together to look behind them.

A rainbow light shot over from the distant sky, descending swiftly.

"Yang Yuan!"