Before Tang Xiao Qi couldcarefully pondered Tianji Zi's talisman and riddles, before he could explore further, a new, more grand and hidden wave had begun quietly stirring in the Central Plains cultivation world's undercurrents. Initially it was merely secret movements of ancient classics in some old sects or a few reclusive old monsters emerging from seclusion. But soon, rumors about "Heavenly Dao Palace" spread withastonishing speed through the cultivation world's high-level and elite circles.
This rumor was not baseless. Its source traced to several nearly isolated, extremely ancient sacred places and some reclusive forces skilled in divination who could glimpse a corner of heaven's secrets. They almost simultaneously, through different methods, captured an extremely faint yet incredibly clear "variation" in heaven's trajectory.
The rumor centered on an almost mythical existence: Heavenly Dao Palace.
According to those vague ancient fragments and prophet prophecies, the Heavenly Dao Palace was not created in this realm but originated from an unknowable place. It was one of the Dao fields where ancient Dao Ancestors, during their world-touring and Dao-preaching, briefly paused. Within the palace were contained supreme Dao rhymes left by the Dao Ancestor's lectures, treasures pointing directly to immortal Dao origins, and countless long-lost ancient divine abilities, pill formulas, artifact techniques, and even law fragments!
It was not fixed in one place but followed some mysterious pattern, drifting in endless spacetime gaps. Only every ten thousand years (or longer) did it briefly intersect with this world and manifest. Each appearance meant a huge opportunity and turmoil sweeping the entire cultivation world. It was a key node where geniuses rose and forces reshuffled!
Records of the Heavenly Dao Palace's last appearance were already blurry, existing only in the most ancient sect secret histories. Even their authenticity was hard to verify. Yet now, signs that the ten-thousand-year period was approaching (or had arrived) were already emerging!
Rumors grew more intense, details richer:
Some said when the Heavenly Dao Palace appears, there must be a "Ten Thousand Stars Salute"strange phenomenon, where starlight from all celestial bodies would guide its location;
Some said before the palace gates existed a "Path of Asking the Dao" staircase,unclimbable unless one's Dao heart was firm andextraordinary aptitude;
Some said the palace interior divided into areas like "Ten Thousand Techniques Pavilion,""Comprehension Cliff,""Samsara Mirror," each with unpredictable opportunities and trials;
Some evenasserted that this timeHeavenly DaoPalace opening,might reveal secrets concerning immortality'sultimate inheritance!
These rumorslike the most tempting'spoison, stimulating all who heard them. Especially those old monsters stuck at Nascent Soul peak whose lifespan was ending, desperately seeking to break through to Spirit Transformation or higher realms; those ambitious young geniuseslonging to soarshooting into the sky; and those force leaders intending to use this opportunity to strengthen their sects and establish eternal foundations.
The cultivation world that had been peaceful for a long timesecretly beganwinds rising and clouds gathering.
Many old hermits long out of seclusion werestartle,,broke through their seclusion one after another, beginning to mobilize resources and gather all clues related to the Heavenly Dao Palace. Major top sects and cultivation families also secretlytook action, sending elite disciples to scout everywhere, selecting their most promising disciples, pouring resources into training them, to gain advantage in the coming contest.
In Tianshui City, discussions about the Heavenly Dao Palace had already become the hottest topic in taverns, auction houses, and intelligence agencies. Although most low-grade cultivators were not yet aware of details,that feeling of an impending storm'stense atmosphere was already pervasive.
Even within the Three Realms Sky-Patrol Alliance, several high-level secret meetings were held. The Heavenly Dao Palace's appearance affected not just personal opportunities but the entire cultivation world's power balance and even the situation against the demonic path. The Alliance had to plan ahead.
Black Rock Fortress, Tang Xiao Qi's temporary residence.
He naturally also heard these intensifying rumors. When the three characters "Heavenly Dao Palace" first entered his ears, his heartsuddenlytrembled, immediately recalling the mysterious talisman Tianji Zi gave him and the words "When the Heavenly Dao Palace opens, it may be useful."
"So that's how it is..." Xiao Qicaressing the warm'sgrayish-white jade talisman in his bosom, his gaze profound. "Senior Tianji Zi had already foreseen this. He gave me this talisman,wanted toletI am atHeavenly Daocompeting for opportunities in the Palace? Or... something else?"
He cross-referenced Tianji Zi's hints with current rumors. "Star-falling land, origin of the Dao" these eight characters also seemed related to the Heavenly Dao Palace. Was Star-falling land where the Heavenly Dao Palace would appear this time? Did "origin of the Dao" refer to the source of the Dao Ancestor's lectures?
Clues were still fuzzy, yet direction was clear.
He knew this upcoming ten-thousand-year event was something he absolutely could not sit out. Whether for his own cultivation breakthrough, to find methods to completely destroy the demonic entity, or to deal with potential competitors who would also vie for it (including demonic path forces), he must prepare thoroughly before the Heavenly Dao Palace appeared.
"It seems Northwest matters are settled. It's time to return to Alliance headquarters to learn details in detail and prepare for the Heavenly Dao Palace journey." Xiao Qi planned in his heart.
He gazed out the window. His eyes seemed to penetrate endless void, seeing that ancient palace floating above the river of fate, attracting countless gazes. A storm sweeping the entire cultivation world was brewing. And he would, like during the Northwest demonic disaster, be pushed by this huge vortex to the forefront of the era's tide.
The rumors of the Heavenly Dao Palace appearing, like a stone dropped into a calm lake, completely shattered surface tranquility, foreshadowing a magnificent, opportunity and danger coexisting great era, about to begin.