“In the Ancestral Heart Realm, not far from Heart City, there is a place called Chaos Valley. Inside it lies a planar rift. Stepping through that rift leads to a realm we call the Chaos Realm. It is an extremely peculiar place with no living creatures whatsoever. Comprehending the Dao there offers some assistance in breaking through to the Supreme realm,” Zou Dongsheng explained.
He continued, “Of course, it only aids comprehension. Entering does not guarantee you will break through.”
“How does one enter?” Lin Yun asked eagerly.
Any help at all was valuable. Even a spark of inspiration or a new direction would be priceless.
“Young Master, entering the Chaos Realm is no simple matter. The rift in Chaos Valley only appears once every hundred thousand years, and each time it permits just one person to enter,” Zou Dongsheng said.
“So every hundred thousand years, only one person may enter?” Lin Yun exclaimed in surprise.
He understood perfectly well that if that were the case, securing a slot would be extraordinarily difficult. Every major power would naturally want their own candidate to go in.
“Exactly. Because only one person can enter every hundred thousand years, everyone covets that single spot. In the past, the major powers even waged war to monopolise Chaos Valley. Yet no single great faction could hold it alone. Trying to do so would only invite encirclement and attack from every other major power!” Zou Dongsheng said.
Lin Yun naturally grasped the logic. Even mighty forces like the Nether Palace, the Heavenly Fire Divine Temple, or the Twin Sovereign Pavilion could not withstand the combined assault of all the other great powers.
“If no one dares monopolise it, how was the matter settled?” Lin Yun pressed.
“Eventually, rules were established. Before the rift appears every hundred thousand years, a Human Peak Tournament is held in Chaos Valley. Any Harmonisation Realm cultivator may register. The one who wins the championship earns the right to enter the Chaos Realm for comprehension. All the major powers accept this arrangement, for it gives each of them a fair chance at the opportunity,” Zou Dongsheng replied.
“The Peak Tournament… that is bound to be an event of the highest calibre,” Lin Yun marvelled silently.
Such a system did indeed prevent the major powers from fighting over Chaos Valley with brute force.
Since no one could claim sole ownership, deciding it through competition was the fairest solution. The capable enter.
“Precisely. The standard is extremely high. Whenever the Peak Tournament begins, every major power sends participants. Each faction pours every resource and form of support into their contestants to help them take the crown. The battles are therefore unbelievably fierce!” Zou Dongsheng sighed.
“Zou Dongsheng, you are also at the Harmonisation Realm and exceptionally strong. Have you ever taken part?” Lin Yun asked curiously.
“No. The six great powers that destroyed our Infinite Heavenly Palace also send contestants. Many of my techniques belong to the Infinite Heavenly Palace. I feared exposing our identity,” Zou Dongsheng answered.
“Then does that mean I cannot participate in the future either?” Lin Yun asked.
“Not at all. Most of your techniques, Young Master, do not originate from our Infinite Heavenly Palace. Even the sword art you cultivate is one I obtained from the outside world; it is not ours. Only the divine veins inside your body are the hallmark of our palace, and those are very difficult for others to detect,” Zou Dongsheng explained.
He went on, “Yet even if you participate, Young Master, taking first place would be incredibly difficult. The Peak Tournament is simply too brutal. For example, the Twin Sovereign Pavilion possesses an Origin artefact that normally only the Pavilion Master may wield. During the tournament, however, they will even lend that Origin artefact to their contestant to help secure victory.”
The person who wins the Peak Tournament is essentially acknowledged as the strongest human beneath the Supreme realm.
The difficulty is obvious.
Moreover, the great powers spare no effort in supporting their contestants!
“If that is the case, then yes, the challenge is immense,” Lin Yun nodded solemnly.
Then his tone shifted, his eyes burning with excitement. “But I happen to love this kind of challenge!”
“One more thing, Young Master. Entering the Chaos Realm to comprehend does not guarantee a breakthrough to Supreme. On average, only one champion out of several dozen tournaments actually steps into the Supreme realm,” Zou Dongsheng added.
One tournament cycle is a hundred thousand years. Several dozen cycles mean millions of years before a single success.
