The Mountain of Fallen Stars, situated at the junction of the Hu Di Temple's and the Tian Fu Alliance's territories, has witnessed numerous battles between the two powers over the years—fierce and back-and-forth in nature.
The name "Falling Peaks" traces back to ancient times, when it was said that several Supreme Combatants perished here. Though this legend caused many explorers to meticulously search the mountain range without finding a single trace of a Supreme Combatant's relics, it did not diminish the mountain's renown across Zhongzhou—especially when the decisive battle between the Spirit Palace and the Heavenly Court Alliance was held here, instantly elevating the Falling Peaks to widespread fame. The news naturally spread, yet perhaps both parties underestimated the profound impact and ripple effects it would generate. Within just three days, the once-relatively tranquil Falling Peaks was swiftly and astonishingly transformed into a bustling hub, crowded with figures and forces from all directions. The epic struggle for dominance among Zhongzhou's leading powers clearly proved far more captivating than anticipated.
It seems that the various powers and elite figures on the Central Plains are deeply curious—when the venerable army, the Soul Pavilion, finally collides with the rising celestial alliance, who will emerge as the clear victor? Within just three days, the foot traffic in the Fallen Mountain Range has reached an astonishing level, to the point where the native mountain beasts have suffered greatly. Some once-thriving beast clans, which had long prospered in the region, have been forced to relocate urgently, fearing they might be swept away in the upheaval and face complete extinction. Once the mountain's capacity for visitors begins to reach saturation, the hearts of the onlookers suddenly surge with excitement. They are certain that this time, they will not leave empty-handed—this decisive clash will surely be nothing short of extraordinary.
… Over three days, it seemed to slip away almost amidst the universal acclaim. When the dawn of the fourth day pierced through the clouds and poured down upon the earth, the atmosphere within the mountains instantly warmed, growing vibrant. A constant rush of wind echoed overhead, and figures surged forth like locusts, all heading toward the same destination—the Apex of the Fall. The Apex of the Fall was the most majestic and imposing peak within the mountain range, soaring to heights of ten thousand paces. Some of its paths were so steep they appeared nearly vertical, rendering it completely inaccessible by any climbing route.
At the summit of the Mountain of Fall, the terrain is smooth and mirror-like, reflecting the sunlight with an even more brilliant intensity. From afar, a radiant column of light rises straight into the clouds, majestic and imposing, stirring a surge of boldness within the hearts of onlookers. The presence of countless figures floating around the summit further amplifies the atmosphere—many feel a subtle, almost boiling surge in their veins. To live once and face a complete, unreserved battle under such universal attention, truly, is a life well-lived, without regret. The sky surrounding the summit is crowded with people. All those with the ability to fly now spread their qi-wings, hovering in the air, some even floating effortlessly. Closer to the summit, one can also spot hidden masters and the supreme elders of various sects—clearly, even these venerable elders are deeply intrigued by today's extraordinary confrontation.
Yet though the entire mountain range was crowded with activity, the Peak of the Fallen remained untouched—no one dared venture near it, even the ancient masters whose mere movements could collapse the surrounding space, had to halt their bodies a thousand zhang beyond the peak. As time passed, the sunlight in the sky grew increasingly intense, and when the brilliant sun gradually rose high in the heavens, the towering light beam rising from the Peak of the Fallen reached its most dazzling peak, shooting straight into the sky so vividly that it appeared to merge seamlessly with the sun itself, creating a magnificent sight. At the height of this beam, the space atop the Peak of the Fallen suddenly began to warp rapidly, and then, under the watchful eyes of countless onlookers, a spatial passage slowly took shape. "Shh—shh—"
As the spatial channel took shape, a deluge of cold, dark mist surged forth from within it, carrying with it a faint, piercing cry. The sound caused many nearby observers to shift in their seats, their expressions now a mix of distaste and apprehension as they gazed upon the mist. "The Hún Palace delegation has arrived," the crowd immediately understood upon seeing this opening scene. Everyone quickly straightened up and became alert.
With the arrival of these seven figures, the temperature of the world instantly grew cold, and even the sunlight pouring down from the sky seemed to carry a chill. "The strength of the Spirit Palace has reached such a level—remarkable indeed," remarked several senior elders from the major sects, their expressions grave as they witnessed the scene. Having seen firsthand the Spirit Palace's formidable lineup, they now fully grasped the vast gap between their own sects and the Palace. "The representatives from the Heavenly Treasury Alliance—let them now make their appearance," said the senior master of the Spirit Palace, who merely glanced briefly at the dense crowd around him before lifting his gaze toward a distant mountain peak. His quiet voice resonated like thunder, echoing powerfully across the entire Yulin Mountain Range.
"Indeed, the Master of the Soul Palace has excellent discernment." As soon as the Soul Palace Master's words settled, a warm, unhurried laugh followed, and then the space on the opposite side of the precipice began to warp swiftly. Within moments, ten figures materialized directly above the mountain peak. With their arrival, the heavens—once cooled by the overwhelming aura of the Soul Palace's attendees—gradually warmed once more. Only then did the gathered crowd quietly exhale, relieved. Such a confrontation was truly formidable; even a mere leakage of power could significantly alter the temperature and climate of the world. "The Heavenly Treasury Alliance has ten Stellar Saints!" After the initial astonishment, the crowd carefully examined the figures now present from the Heavenly Treasury Alliance, and several gasps of awe escaped. Some seasoned elders even showed signs of visible surprise. Ten Stellar Saints!
This time, the Tianfu Alliance pulled out nearly all of its top-tier warriors, adding the Fire Cloud Elder, the Qinghua Deities, and one star-level Battle Saint who had joined the Alliance over the past two years. As a result, the number of Battle Saints within the Tianfu Alliance unexpectedly surged to an astonishing ten—such a lineup was truly comparable to that of some ancient races!
A quiet stillness pervaded the heavens, clearly struck by the magnitude of the Alliance’s grand gesture. Even the seasoned elders and Supreme Elders of various sects were filled with astonishment—none of them had anticipated that, without any prior notice, the Tianfu Alliance’s strength had grown to such an extent.
"You're indeed still alive..." The Master of the Soul Hall did not appear particularly stunned by the天府 alliance's display of strength, as their intelligence network had long since uncovered many of the alliance's key details. His gaze swiftly shifted to the young black-robed figure standing first. When he first heard the news, he had been deeply astonished—having personally witnessed the power of Jinglian Demon Fire, it was hard to believe that Xiao Yan could have escaped unscathed. "Thanks to the Master's continued concern, otherwise we wouldn't have made it," Xiao Yan smiled, his eyes fixed upon the Soul Hall Master. Back then, in his mind, this figure was no different from a legend. When he first encountered such a person, he had felt like a mere insect. But now, under the watchful eyes of all, he could speak to this once-dominant figure of the Central Plains with a sense of equality.
All of this speaks volumes about the astonishing pace of his growth. For the soft, delicate remarks that Xiang Yan often makes, the Hall Master of the Spirit Palace remained unmoved. "The Azure Flame is in your hands," the Hall Master said after a brief pause. Xiang Yan smiled, but said nothing. While Xiang Yan's reserved demeanor remained unchanged, the Hall Master slowly nodded, his eyes finally growing serious. "The fallen Xiang Clan has produced someone like you—your accomplishments are truly on par with Xiang Xuan. Yet, while I was able to see the first Xiang Xuan fall, I can also bring down the second." Xiang Yan's dark eyes narrowed, a hint of coldness shimmering within them. "In today's battle, your Tianfu Alliance has only one chance. Should you fail, you will face utter ruin. Xiang Yan—will you dare to accept?"
The spirit hall's master gazed at Xiao Yan with impassive composure, his voice resonating like a thousand bells ringing in unison, carrying an overwhelming surge of soul pressure that poured forth in waves upon Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan stepped forward with a single footfall, his aura flowing smoothly and harmoniously as one, undeterred by the fierce, tidal waves of soul pressure. He lifted his face and spoke calmly, "Receive it."