The Three Thousand Great Daos, the supreme principles of the martial path, the mysteries beyond the Emperor Realm—all of this held an irresistible pull for the Emperor Realm cultivators living in the Void World.
No martial artist did not yearn for a higher realm of the martial path, especially those who had already reached the Emperor Realm.
They had been trapped at this level for years. If the Emperor Realm were truly the end of the martial path, that would be one thing. The problem was that they could all sense it themselves—the Emperor Realm was not the pinnacle. Even more profound and mysterious realms lay ahead. Yet how to break through and comprehend them remained a complete mystery.
There were rumors, of course, that the Grand Elder of the Seven Star Workshop had cultivated to a level surpassing the Emperor Realm. But that figure was as elusive as a dragon—seen only by its head, never its tail. Even the higher-ups of the Seven Star Workshop could hardly meet the Grand Elder, let alone outsiders.
Now, this Void World had suddenly produced a Void Training Ground bestowed by Heaven and Earth itself, one that actually contained mysteries beyond the Emperor Realm. How could these Emperor Realm cultivators not be drawn to it?
But they had all tried. No matter how hard they attempted, they could not ascend to the Void Palace. Only a single person, Miao Feiping, had succeeded.
"Elder Miao, what must one do to ascend to the Void Training Ground?" an Emperor Realm cultivator from another sect asked humbly.
Miao Feiping replied, "Aptitude. Only those with outstanding aptitude can reach the Void Training Ground. It has nothing to do with cultivation."
Immediately, someone protested unhappily, "So Elder Miao is saying your aptitude surpasses everyone here?"
This was, without question, a somewhat provocative remark. After all, everyone standing here was an Emperor Realm cultivator, and each one was supremely confident in their own cultivation aptitude. But if ascending to the Void Training Ground was truly determined by aptitude alone, didn't Miao Feiping's success make them all look inferior?
Shangguan Ji cast a sidelong glance at the speaker. "Elder Miao entered our Seven Star Workshop and reached the Emperor Realm within a hundred years. With that kind of aptitude, which of you can compare?"
His words left the questioning Emperor Realm cultivator speechless. Reaching the Emperor Realm in a hundred years—that was indeed fast. None of the Emperor Realm cultivators present could match it.
Someone else asked curiously, "Elder Miao, how did you learn all of this?"
After all, Miao Feiping had been inside the palace for no more than half the time it took an incense stick to burn. How could he have gathered so much information?
Miao Feiping cupped his fists slightly. "I am humbled to say that the Void Training Ground has recognized me. From this day forward, I serve as the first Hall Master of the Void Training Ground. That is how I have come to know certain details about it."
His words fell, and the entire gathering fell silent. Every single Emperor Realm cultivator stared at him blankly. Even Shangguan Ji and the others wore expressions of shock and uncertainty.
This Void Palace had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, and Miao Feiping claimed it was a Void Training Ground bestowed by Heaven and Earth, containing the Three Thousand Great Daos, supreme martial principles, and mysteries beyond the Emperor Realm. Now he was saying he had been recognized by the Training Ground and appointed its first Hall Master?
The amount of information was staggering—so overwhelming that the assembled Emperor Realm cultivators could not process it immediately.
After a long moment, one of the sect leaders gave a dry laugh. "Elder Miao, you say you are to be the first Hall Master. May I ask what exactly this Hall Master is responsible for?"
Miao Feiping considered briefly. "The Void Training Ground exists to impart the Three Thousand Great Daos. As Hall Master, I will presumably be in charge of guiding the disciples within the Training Ground in their cultivation."
"What disciples?"
"Anyone with sufficient aptitude, regardless of their level of cultivation—even a child who has never cultivated before—may enter the Training Ground to cultivate!" As he spoke, Miao Feiping cupped his fists. "Sect Leaders, Elders—if any of you have disciples with outstanding aptitude, they may all be sent to the Training Ground. Those who pass the Training Ground's trial may enter and comprehend the mysteries of the Great Dao."
The assembled Emperor Realm sect leaders and elders exchanged bewildered glances. One sect leader sneered, "In that case, I understand now. The Void Training Ground... Heh, I'll pass. Farewell!"
With that, he turned and left, his Emperor Realm elder naturally following behind.
With someone taking the lead, several more sects departed in short order.
Others shot parting remarks coldly, "Brother Shangguan, if the Seven Star Workshop wants to recruit the world's greatest talents, there's no need to resort to such crude methods. The Void World is vast, and the Seven Star Workshop alone cannot swallow it whole. I suggest you watch yourself, Brother Shangguan!"
Shangguan Ji's brow furrowed slightly, but he offered no rebuttal.
In truth, he was just as confused. He vaguely suspected that this Void Training Ground had something to do with the Grand Elder, but with so many eyes and ears about, it was hardly the place to ask questions.
The sects that had departed first were all top-tier organizations in the Void World. Their strength was formidable, and naturally they regarded the most powerful Seven Star Workshop as a rival, hoping that one day their own sects might surpass it and become the dominant force of the Void World.
So when Miao Feiping had spoken, everyone had assumed the Void Training Ground was something the Seven Star Workshop had created to recruit talent from all quarters. If all the best prospects were swept up by the Seven Star Workshop, what kind of legacy would the others have left? In a century or two, the Seven Star Workshop would truly rule the Void World.
When the Emperor Realm cultivators from the major sects had gone, those from the mid-sized and smaller sects did not linger either, and soon the area was emptied entirely.
Once only the Seven Star Workshop's higher-ups remained, Guan Qianxing finally spoke. "Feiping, this Void Training Ground..."
Shangguan Ji cut him off immediately. "We'll discuss it when we return."
Guan Qianxing understood—the concern was that someone might be lurking nearby, eavesdropping for intelligence. He asked no further questions.
After the group returned to the Seven Star Workshop, Shangguan Ji looked at Miao Feiping and asked, "Regarding the Void Training Ground—is what you said the truth?"
Miao Feiping nodded solemnly. "It is true. Everything I told those people contained no falsehood."