I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors? Chapter 657 657: Entering the Divine King Realm!

"This... this is..."

Seeing the scene unfold before him, Ji Jiuwu stood completely still. He whispered to himself: "Is Master on the verge of a breakthrough?"

The Wendao Sect disciples were equally stunned. They remained rooted to the spot in shock.

Qing Song and Yun He, stationed outside the Wendao Sect's mountain entrance, couldn't ignore the piercing beam of light. They exchanged a look before sweeping their hands through the air, etching a message across the heavens.

Those who arrive to pay homage to the master and join the Wendao Sect in the next three days shall pass the initial trial.

The participants from the hundred clans gaped at the massive inscription hovering above. No one had anticipated such straightforward entry into the Wendao Sect. In an instant, throngs of beings rushed toward the sect's gates.

Yun He and Qing Song ascended the mountain path. Midway, they conversed: "Did you lower the intensity of the fog array at the entrance?"

Upon hearing this, both halted abruptly. Clearly, neither had made the adjustment. Luckily, they possessed the tokens to manage the gate's defenses. After activating them, they pressed onward up the slope.

The celestial glow intensified steadily, piercing the clouds and merging its brilliance with the sun overhead.

All those gathered held their breath, anticipating Chu Feng's exit from retreat. Xiao Chen and Cao Youqian paused their activities too, lingering silently amid the peaks.

As twilight descended, the extraordinary signs faded away. Chu Feng emerged then, silhouetted against the dying sun. His presence instantly commanded the world's attention, drawing every ray of light to envelop him.

He required no action or words. Merely his stance proclaimed him the unparalleled ruler of this realm.

The assembled disciples, upon witnessing Chu Feng's arrival, dropped to their knees in reverence.

Chu Feng's advancement to Divine King spared him heavenly tribulation, yet it summoned the Heavenly Dao's favor. As he stepped forth, nine-hued auspicious clouds enveloped the entire Wendao Sect, bathing every disciple in their glow.

Chu Feng declared calmly: "All of you, sit in meditation where you stand and heed my lecture on the Dao."

His words resonated across the Wendao Sect. The handful of newcomers who had just navigated the mist barrier recognized the voice and lit up with delight. They hadn't dreamed that their debut day in the sect would grant them the Dao Ancestor's teachings.

Suddenly, Chu Feng's discourse filled the air throughout the Wendao Sect. Every disciple attuned themselves to the profound echoes of the Great Dao.

Nine days passed before Chu Feng concluded his sermon. Ripples of breakthrough auras soon stirred within the Wendao Sect.

Cao Youqian and Xiao Chen slipped into deep enlightenment. Mere moments from the Saint realm, Chu Feng's guidance propelled them toward that breakthrough in a single stride.

Noticing their immersion in seclusion, Chu Feng left them undisturbed. He summoned the disciples to his side and inquired: "During my long retreat these years, has anything noteworthy occurred in the Wendao Sect?"

A few were on the verge of reporting all was calm when a crucial detail flashed in their minds.

Ji Jiuwu stepped up first to confess the oversight: "Master, we overlooked the disciple intake ceremony a few days back. Those prospective disciples remain at the base of the mountain."

Chu Feng responded with a gentle smile, offering no rebuke. He remarked warmly: "It's fine. These fresh recruits who absorbed my Dao lecture must share a bond with me. At their current levels, enlightenment will hold them for some time yet. Head down and choose the disciples on your own."

With that, he vanished in a swirl. The group chorused: "Understood."

Ji Jiuwu then guided his junior brothers swiftly down the path. Observing the young hopefuls still lost in their trance as Master predicted, they exhaled in relief.

Qing Song questioned: "Senior Brother, how do we evaluate these candidates' potential?"

Ji Jiuwu grinned and replied: "Hasn't Master provided the method already?"

Qing Song grasped it at once—if Master's words rang true, the earliest to awaken possessed the greatest aptitude.

The group lingered for days until the first youth stirred from his trance.

The boy blinked open his eyes to find the Wendao Sect's mighty figures beaming down at him. He rose hastily and saluted: "Disciple Li Mu greets the seniors."

"Stand."

Ji Jiuwu instructed with a kind smile.

Li Mu hadn't foreseen the Wendao Sect's elites being so welcoming—far removed from his preconceptions.

Back in his hometown, the lofty elites never addressed him so kindly. He knew he'd chosen wisely. Li Mu vowed to demonstrate to all that he wasn't cursed!

He advanced eagerly and inquired: "Seniors, are there more trials ahead?"

With no others yet roused, Ji Jiuwu nodded amiably: "Now, I'll pose a few questions. Respond honestly."

"Of course, Senior."

Li Mu answered courteously.

"I know your name already. Share your background with me."

Ji Jiuwu had received the clan's hidden technique for spotting prodigies from his senior brothers. This was their most treasured legacy.

Li Mu blinked in surprise—the Wendao Sect's evaluation felt remarkably laid-back?

He recalled how city clans scrutinized physique, lineage, insight, and more. Why did the supreme Wendao Sect, pinnacle of the world, approach it so...

Though baffled, he narrated his life from youth to now. At the end, he whispered: "Senior, am I truly a harbinger of doom? Everyone close to me..."

Li Mu trailed off, glancing warily at the seniors' faces.

To his astonishment, instead of scorn, their eyes gleamed with intense interest after his tale.

???

Li Mu wore a perplexed look.

Ji Jiuwu and his companions noticed their enthusiasm was over the top. They hadn't anticipated this youth fitting Master's description so perfectly. Was a true genius emerging so soon?

"What cultivation path do you aspire to pursue in our Wendao Sect?"

Ji Jiuwu inquired, tempering his grin.

"Well... I haven't decided. Everything I picked up before was makeshift—I've never truly practiced any art."

Li Mu admitted sheepishly, rubbing his head. Amid the seniors' eager stares, resolve surged within him: I have to give it my all.

"Don't worry about it. Once you're in the sect, we'll find what suits you." Ji Jiuwu assured casually.

"Senior, does that mean I've succeeded?"

Li Mu pressed, thrilled.

"Indeed. Take a seat on the stone stairs for now."

Ji Jiuwu's response prompted a loud growl from Li Mu's stomach.

Li Mu flushed crimson, ducking his head in shame as he muttered: "Odd, I ate plenty before arriving, enough for seven days—why the hunger now?"

"Hahaha..."

Ji Jiuwu chuckled and explained: "You've gone ten days without food or water. The peaks' rich spiritual energy and daily dew kept you alive, young one."

Qing Song at his side flicked a finger, sending a droplet of spiritual dew toward Li Mu. The boy instinctively parted his lips to catch it.

Once the dew settled in his belly, warmth flooded Li Mu's frame, banishing the emptiness entirely.

He bowed deeply to Qing Song: "Gratitude, Senior, for the spiritual essence."

Qing Song offered a silent smile, eyes on the next to rouse.

Hours turned to days, and eight more beings emerged one by one. This group comprised four humans and four from the hundred clans. A jade-spirit child among them drew special notice with his innate glow.

Ji Jiuwu and the rest instantly recognized the boy's exceptional nature from the aura he exuded. Yun He openly commended him as carrying the poise of a Saint.

On the inaugural night, these nine young prospects trailed Ji Jiuwu up the mountain to honor Chu Feng.

Beholding the world's foremost figure in the flesh, awe filled their expressions, momentarily eclipsing their manners.

Chu Feng regarded their stares and chuckled: "What's this? You meet me and forget to pay respects?"

The nine snapped to attention and prostrated themselves: "We pay homage to the Dao Ancestor."

"Rise."

Chu Feng stated evenly: "Henceforth, address me not as Dao Ancestor, but as Sect Master. Should you train under my nine disciples, then call me Grandmaster."

The nine chorused: "As the Sect Master decrees."

"You are dismissed."

Chu Feng gestured lightly.

"Yes."

The nine affirmed before following Ji Jiuwu from the hall.

After seven days, the Wendao Sect's recruitment concluded. Over five hundred individuals joined the ranks. Against the hundreds of thousands who vied for entry, five hundred seemed a mere fraction.

Beings everywhere grasped that gaining admission to the Wendao Sect demanded true fortune. Whispers soon spread of the Nameless Sword Sacred Land and Tyrant Fist Sacred Land's founders hailing from the Wendao Sect. Thus, many failed hopefuls turned toward those sects to offer obeisance and seek instruction.

The influx of fresh disciples breathed new life into the Wendao Sect. Observing their diligent practice, Chu Feng felt a nostalgic pull to his time at the Wendao Academy. Longing stirred for his kin and pupils there. He merely awaited Xiao Chen and Cao Youqian's ascent to the Saint realm to unfurl the new standard.

Months onward, Chu Feng detected two distinct aura surges from the Wendao Sect's rear peaks...