The eleventh day of the seventh month.

The mighty river, surging forth from the western reaches, carves its path to this very place. Having traversed the Tianma Plateau, shedding its mud and sand, it forms this stretch of turbulent water.

Upon the River-Watching Platform, those gathered observe the ever-rising level of this segment of the Yellow River.

The ancient and imposing Suan Ni Bridge, tall and wide enough for dozens of war chariots abreast, usually spans the chasm like a bridge of the heavens, with the river flowing gently dozens of *zhang* below. But now, the water’s surface draws near the bridge itself.

Angry waves pound against the bridge day and night, emitting a thunderous roar, as if a terrifying beast bellows incessantly. Even the sturdy Suan Ni Bridge feels dangerously close to being rent asunder.

Those who have not witnessed this sight firsthand can scarcely imagine it.

More relentless than the river’s surge is time.

Today, the Yellow River Assembly formally commences. All participating Heavenly Chosen, all observers, all gather and enter the confines of the Six Directions Pillars.

Generations of repair and refinement have elevated the ancient arrays, which continue to serve their purpose even today.

The circular viewing platform, possessing seemingly infinite seats, is already densely packed with people, yet still holds a vast surplus. Jiang Wang, Chong Xuan Zun, and Ji Zhao Nan, as the participating Heavenly Chosen from the Qi country, occupy the foremost positions on the platform. Only Cao Ji accompanies them. Two squads of Tian Fu Army soldiers stand guard as ceremonial protection.

Chong Xuan Sheng, Li Long Chuan, and the others are seated in the observing area further back. Naturally, they are not in the same section as Wang Yi Wu.

“Today’s main competition will likely begin with the Outer Building stage,” Cao Ji stated beforehand. “Chong Xuan Zun, make your preparations.”

Jiang Wang understood the reason.

Yesterday’s unrestricted competition for those under thirty was fiercely contested. The first participant to secure a spot in the main competition was the Song country’s Heavenly Chosen, Chen Si Wu, known as “master of the six arts.”

The issue arose with the second main competition spot. It wasn’t that the selection match itself was rigged; rather, it… lasted far too long.

The final selection began in the afternoon. Chen Si Wu’s match concluded within the span of one incense stick. However, the other match continued until early this morning, only deciding victory and defeat as the main competition was about to commence.

A Strong practitioner of the Divine Soul realm, their life force far surpasses that of mortals, and their defensive capabilities are even more terrifying. When two practitioners of equivalent strength, who are also cautious and steady, meet in battle, it is not uncommon for them to fight for several days and nights.

Zhang Xun of the Dan country fully ground down his opponent for six hours before claiming victory with a slight advantage. Had the main competition not been about to start, forcing a decision to be rendered, this selection match might have continued.

As a result, both the Inner Mansion stage and the unrestricted competition for those under thirty, specifically the latter, entered the main competition, much to the excitement of the Dan country’s populace. How rare is a Divine Soul cultivator under thirty? The Dan country not only produced one, but he also entered the main competition of the Yellow River Assembly. He can be considered one of the eight strongest young Heavenly Chosen under the heavens. One can truly call such a Heavenly Chosen a True Person without drawing any doubt.

For the Dan country, which has long faced pressure from the Qin country, this is undoubtedly a piece of inspiring news. The lamentations of the river valley plains still linger. If the Dan country does not strengthen itself, how can it continue to exist?

Undoubtedly, Zhang Xun and Xiao Shu have shown them hope. These two Heavenly Chosen have undeniably become the pride of the Dan country.

However, the consequence of the unrestricted competition for those under thirty extending into today is that the final spot for the Inner Mansion stage could not be decided.

According to traditional rules, the Inner Mansion stage, Outer Building stage, and unrestricted competition for those under thirty all determine their lists separately. Originally, the plan was to hold the selection matches for Bai Yu Xia and the others after Zhang Xun’s battle concluded. But with the former extending until early this morning, there was simply no time for the latter.

With the final list for the Inner Mansion stage undecided, the main competition naturally could not begin with that stage. Fortunately, such situations have precedent. It merely requires adjusting the sequence of the main competition and does not affect the Yellow River Assembly itself. In past sessions, there have even been instances where various emperors, on a whim, allowed the unrestricted competition for those under thirty to be the first stage.

To Cao Ji’s reminder, Chong Xuan Zun merely smiled. “My preparations were completed in Linzi.”

Cao Ji also smiled. “Then I shall look forward to it.”

And not just Cao Ji. Jiang Wang himself eagerly anticipated Chong Xuan Zun’s battle. He truly wanted to see if this young master in white, who had seized the glory of all his peers, could still overshadow everyone on this River-Watching Platform, where Heavenly Chosen from various countries gathered.

At this moment, they were comrades-in-arms. He also regarded Chong Xuan Zun as a future opponent.

Ji Zhao Nan sat to Jiang Wang’s left, expressionless, quietly observing the martial arts platform.

The people on the viewing platform discussed and buzzed with excitement for their respective close Heavenly Chosen. And then, in a certain moment, the surrounding horizontal surfaces of the Six Directions Pillars, those misty, unclear surfaces, suddenly solidified, becoming clear, clean, and transparent. Like massive mirrors spliced together, they formed this cylindrical wall connecting heaven and earth.

Rumbling!

The sound of surging waves rolled in.

Jiang Wang looked up and saw the vast Yellow River, its turbulent flow rapid, reflected on the “mirror curtain” above. The four surrounding mirror curtains reflected the long river below the River-Watching Platform!

The water level was rising madly. The great river, spanning tens of thousands of *li*, was like a giant dragon flipping its body! It seemed as if the “vast ocean” was pouring back, submerging the world it had nourished for countless years. That feeling of swallowing everything, of world annihilation, is something one cannot truly experience without witnessing it in person. Even those possessing superhuman power feel a deep sense of powerlessness and panic in the face of such a spectacle!

The Suan Ni Bridge and the Ba Xia Bridge, these ancient and powerful bridges anchoring the two ends of this section of the Yellow River, were finally submerged by the roaring Yellow River. The bridge surfaces and the water surface were already level!

Just at this moment, all the mirror curtains disappeared.

The viewing platform behind was now completely empty. The distant sky, the flowing clouds, the roaring turbulent waves of the Yellow River… Everything spread out within their vision. The people seated on the viewing platform seemed to feel the river wind blowing from all directions.

The six towering ancient stone pillars each had six sections. They were like “windows” framed by these Six Directions Pillars between heaven and earth. The Heavenly Chosen from various countries, all observers, and all the soldiers from various countries were inside the “windows,” while outside the windows was the entire present world.

And what Jiang Wang saw next, in the position directly opposite him, within the “window” that encompassed an entire piece of heaven and earth and corresponded to him, a colossal figure appeared.

What kind of grand, enormous figure was this? It almost reached heaven and stood on the ground, level with the Six Directions Pillars! Even with his utmost visual effort, Jiang Wang could only see half of its body. He could only see the purple dragon robe, hanging down like a celestial curtain.

Cao Ji immediately rose to his feet. Jiang Wang, Chong Xuan Zun, and Ji Zhao Nan also did not dare to neglect, and together they rose and bowed deeply in ritual: “Emperor Lord!”

It was not just the “window” they faced; within all six “windows” surrounding the Six Directions Pillars, such a colossal figure appeared. Their grand faces were indistinct, only a corner of their dragon robes could be seen. There were red, red-white-blue mixed, profound, mixed with red-orange-yellow-green-blue-indigo-purple and inlaid with thirteen stars, and sky blue robes.

They represented the Chu Emperor, the Jing Emperor, the Qin Emperor, the Jing Emperor, and the Mu Emperor respectively.

Within the entirety of the Six Directions Pillars, everyone completely rose to their feet. Regardless of whether or not they were directly ruled by these six great existences, all bowed their bodies.

Together they uttered the ritual—

“Emperor Lord!”

Space seemed to solidify. The angry roar of the Yellow River also fell silent. An ancient power was reviving. That mysterious and distant aura made everyone present feel the impulse to prostrate and worship. It was as if eternal years flowed through the present world. And the six great emperors, the highest powers governing the present world, had descended!

Genius in a second: m.173kxs