A palpable energy surged through the very fabric of the Celestial Nirvana, as if the heavens themselves were simmering with astonishment. The Celestial Sovereigns present were utterly dumbfounded. They had believed they had foreseen the extent of Wang Lin’s power, but his conquest of the thirteenth level exceeded even their loftiest estimations.

“Thirteen levels! What reserves of strength does Wang Lin still possess? Could it be that he intends to ascend all the way to the nineteenth level this very day?” one whispered, his voice laced with awe.

“This individual has ascended to prominence in a single day, his name etched into the annals of legend!”

The Ascended Celestial Sovereigns, each a titan of their own right, fixed their gazes upon the heavens with eyes full of astonishment. They had ample reason to be amazed by Wang Lin’s astonishing display.

In the wake of the golden radiance that erupted from the thirteenth level, a shift rippled through the crowd. As if guided by some unseen hand, the gazes of the assembled immortals turned towards the inscrutable figure of the Sovereign of the Underworld, Ming Dao. A silent challenge hung in the air. Wang Lin’s triumph was a gauntlet thrown before the might of Ming Dao!

Ming Dao gazed upon the heavens, his expression an unreadable mask. Yet, a frigid aura emanated from him, as if a tempest were brewing within his very being. As this chilling wind spread, the murmuring throng was abruptly silenced.

Above, outside the grand hall of the thirteenth level, Wang Lin’s form materialized. His face was ashen, marked by the arduous trial he had endured. Instead of pressing on to the fourteenth level, he began a slow, deliberate descent.

The surrounding silence grew heavier as all eyes followed his every move.

“Why does he not continue?” The question, sharp and laced with frost, cut through the air, issuing from the lips of Ming Dao himself.

The words reverberated throughout the Celestial Nirvana, sending shivers down the spines of those who heard them. Their eyes glinted with anticipation, sensing that a storm was about to break.

The Great Celestial Sovereign Dao Yi remained impassive, offering no comment. Beside him, the Great Celestial Sovereign Wu Feng smiled faintly, as if an idle observer. He watched these two exceptional talents of the Immortal Clan, curious to see what transpirations would follow.

To many of the onlookers, this unfolding drama held even more allure than Wang Lin’s ascension through the Celestial Nirvana.

Even on the Immortal Continent far beyond the Celestial Nirvana, those who watched the events unfold were captivated. Upon Emperor Mountain, the venerable Great Celestial Sovereign Jiu Di gazed intently at the falling autumn leaves before him, his eyes gleaming with intrigue.

“To conquer thirteen levels is an achievement worthy of recruitment. Now, with Ming Dao’s provocative words, things become interesting. I wonder how Wang Lin will respond. He seems to have been taxed greatly by the thirteenth level… but even so, this is enough to cause his name to echo across the realms.”

Within the Imperial Palace of the Central State, the Immortal Emperor, enthroned in majesty, observed the illusory projection before him, a smile slowly blooming on his lips.

“Thirteen levels are not a cause for alarm! Ming Dao is of an arrogant disposition, and cannot abide another Ascended Celestial Sovereign surpassing him, even in their initial attainment. Such a nature is not ideal, but he has learned to incorporate it into his path of cultivation, so it is tolerable. Let Ming Dao instruct Wang Lin, to remind him that even having conquered thirteen levels, he must bow his head upon entering my Imperial City!”

In the Eastern State, within the Purple Sun Sect, a middle-aged cultivator furrowed his brow as he studied the reflection in a mirror.

“Ming Dao… his actions are unbecoming. To speak in such a manner before the assembled Celestial Sovereigns is blatant contempt!”

Back within the Celestial Nirvana, Wang Lin, descending through the ninth level, halted abruptly. His gaze fell upon the black-clad youth staring at him with cold disdain.

“Who are you?” Wang Lin asked, his voice measured. He readily perceived the hostility emanating from the figure before him.

“Ming Dao!” the youth replied, his voice frigid and laced with arrogance.

“I ask again, why did you cease your ascent?”

Wang Lin frowned. After a moment of contemplation, he understood the other’s motivation. He had surpassed Ming Dao’s own accomplishments.

‘It is rare to encounter such a personality among Ascended Celestial Sovereigns,’ Wang Lin mused. He cast a brief glance at Ming Dao, his eyes flashing almost imperceptibly.

“His path is woven with arrogance. He cultivates with a pride that brooks no rival… This arrogance permeates his very being. No wonder he became the foremost among the Ascended Celestial Sovereigns. It is likely he will sequester himself from the world, dedicating himself entirely to the Path of Pride!” With a faint smile, Wang Lin turned his back on the black-clad youth. He transformed into a streak of light and shot towards the location of the Great Celestial Sovereigns Dao Yi and Wu Feng.

“Wang Lin greets the two Great Celestial Sovereigns. I have brought my trial to a halt, as I have other matters to attend to. I must take my leave.” He gave a respectful bow to Dao Yi and Wu Feng, pointedly ignoring Ming Dao.

“To conquer thirteen levels marks you as one of the foremost Ascended Celestial Sovereigns of my Immortal Clan. Wang Lin, I will seek you out!” Great Celestial Sovereign Wu Feng said with a smile, giving a slight nod of his head.

“Ha ha, young friend Wang Lin, since you remember the agreement from days past, this old one shall also seek you out. We shall discuss the specifics when we meet.” Great Celestial Sovereign Dao Yi replied with a smile, his eyes expressing admiration.

Wang Lin bowed once more to Dao Yi and Wu Feng, then turned and strode towards an ancient teleportation array, his back still turned towards Ming Dao.

He believed he had accomplished his aim of making a grand impression, of alerting the Great Celestial Sovereigns to his potential. He realized that even the thirteenth level had only been cleared by using a sliver of his Emptiness-based avatar. He suspected he could not have cleared it with just his Soul Armor against the nine extraterrestrial spirits.

Thus, he planned to stop there. Thirteen levels was enough to garner the attention of the Great Celestial Sovereigns.

The surrounding cultivators followed Wang Lin’s actions with their eyes, but a tinge of disappointment flickered within them.

“It seems Wang Lin is afraid to confront Ming Dao,” one whispered.

“He is wise to know his limits. He conquered only thirteen levels, while Ming Dao is the foremost Ascended Celestial Sovereign, having conquered fifteen!”

“But even so, Ming Dao has been far too aggressive. His words were delivered without any trace of respect, as if he were issuing an interrogation.”

“What aggression are you speaking of? We cultivators revere the strong, and Ming Dao is the first among those beneath the Great Celestial Sovereigns. It is only proper. It is Wang Lin who has been arrogant, blatantly ignoring him.”
The murmurs that had previously floated through the air as whispers of the mind suddenly coalesced into a tangible buzz, a deliberate and purposeful hum. The sound swelled, escalating into a din that pursued Wang Lin even as he reached the ancient teleportation array.

A frown etched itself upon his brow. He turned, casting a gaze upon the assembled cultivators behind him. His eyes, cold and sharp, instantly silenced the cacophony. Turning his back once more, Wang Lin prepared to depart this Land of the Celestial Venerate’s Nirvana.

But fate, or perhaps spite, decreed that he would not leave so easily.

“Leaving so soon? I have asked you twice already!” The icy voice of the dark-clad youth, the venerable Ming Dao, cut through the air from above. His words, devoid of warmth, hung like a shroud.

Wang Lin paused, considering. Turning, he faced Ming Dao. “Indeed, I no longer seek to challenge. I depart. What is it you require?”

“I require nothing more than for you to attempt the Fourteenth Level. Should you fail, then you may leave,” Ming Dao replied, his arrogance radiating like a palpable force.

A mirthless smile played upon Wang Lin’s lips. Ignoring the dark youth, he stepped back towards the array. Immediately, its runes began to glow with otherworldly light. But then, with a chilling flash, killing intent ignited in Ming Dao’s eyes.

“Insolence!” he roared, raising his right hand. A single finger, magnified to colossal proportions, manifested in the sky, its tip aimed directly at the teleportation array. The very air of the Land of Nirvana seemed to shudder beneath its oppressive weight.

Combat within the Land of Nirvana was forbidden, a law etched into the fabric of existence. Yet Ming Dao brazenly defied this ancient edict. While this prohibition was not decreed by the Immortal Ancestor himself, but by those who came after, it was nonetheless rarely violated.

The colossal finger drew upon the power of the surrounding heavens, causing the gathered cultivators to gasp in horror and retreat in disarray.

“He dares to attack here!”

“Truly, he is worthy of being called the first beneath the Great Celestials! To violate the very laws of this place!”

“This law was set by the Great Celestials themselves! What audacity!”

With a thunderous roar, the spectral finger hurtled toward Wang Lin, trapped within the teleportation array. If he offered no resistance, his divine sense would be irrevocably damaged during transit, perhaps even shattered entirely. But if he dodged, he would be forced from the array, his escape denied!

This act was calculated, a blatant attempt to crush Wang Lin’s hard-earned momentum before the assembled crowd. It was intended to tarnish his burgeoning reputation, born from conquering thirteen levels, and simultaneously reinforce Ming Dao’s own dominance. Ming Dao knew that conflicts between Sky Sovereigns, though rare, were often tolerated so long as they remained within certain bounds. The Great Celestials would rarely intervene.

Great Celestial Dao Yi and Great Celestial Wu Feng both frowned. Dao Yi hesitated, remaining silent, but Wu Feng snorted with displeasure.

“Ming Dao, you presume too much! To attack here!” He raised his right sleeve, preparing to unleash his own power. But then, a burst of laughter echoed from the crowd below. A Celestial Venerate cultivator erupted in golden light, his form enveloped by a spectral figure wearing regal robes and a jeweled crown. It was the Immortal Emperor himself!

Through some arcane art, the Immortal Emperor had manifested his presence. He raised his right hand, deflecting Wu Feng’s incoming blow.

Within the array, Wang Lin’s head snapped up, his eyes flashing with a cold, hard light. He had sought to avoid conflict, to simply leave this place. But Ming Dao’s audacity had ignited a chilling resolve within him.

He would not allow his hard-won victory to be so casually stolen.

With a blur of motion, Wang Lin stepped out of the teleportation array, just as the gargantuan finger rushed toward him. As he cleared its path, the spectral appendage dissipated, as if its sole purpose had been to mock and belittle, not to kill.