Chapter 264

Chapter 264: The So-Called Opportunity

"Are you okay?" You You glanced at Hong Fei who had flown back to the main hall. She instinctively reached for a healing pill, then remembered lower realm medicine wouldn’t work on an immortal.

"Just a minor injury. It’s nothing. Thank you, sect master!" Hong Fei waved carelessly, casting a cleansing celestial technique that erased all bloodstains. The gentle-looking sister reappeared, none of her hammer-swinging ferocity remaining.

The Ninth Heavenly Emperor beside them fidgeted, repeatedly glancing at Hong Fei. After long hesitation, he produced a talisman. "I… happen to have a celestial talisman for stabilizing energy. You could… borrow it."

Hong Fei turned. "Unnecessary." She resumed her seat.

"…" The Ninth Heavenly Emperor slowly withdrew the talisman. You You thought his shoulders slumped slightly.

"The Divine Descent Platform appears!" Shouts erupted below. Every immortal on the Floating Island converged toward the center, faces alight with anticipation.

Golden light pierced the sky above the island’s heart. The ground trembled as a flat White stone platform rose – dozens of square meters wide, etched with familiar patterns matching Old Divine Thought’s Divine Calling Order. You You understood: this Qian Sheng Ceremony’s "opportunity" also connected to Divine Thought. But unlike the Order’s active summoning, this Divine Descent Platform awakened only every three millennia, choosing recipients randomly.

"Since the platform’s manifested, fellow Heavenly Emperors should lead the way." The Ninth Heavenly Emperor stood. "Which layer’s cultivators will gain this becoming a god chance this time?"

Though the Ceremony’s selection was random, earlier ascendants had better odds. As layer rulers, Heavenly Emperors traditionally went first – though few ever received the divine chance. Having attended multiple ceremonies without success, Ninth still harbored hope. But when he rose…

"I need recovery, not opportunities." Seventh Heavenly Emperor stayed seated.

"My cultivation’s too new." Sixth Heavenly Emperor shook his head.

"Recently learned techniques can’t be changed." Fifth Heavenly Emperor declined.

"Not interested in non-sister opportunities." Fourth Heavenly Emperor crossed arms.

"Then I won’t go either!" Second Heavenly Emperor shrugged.

Ninth Heavenly Emperor: "…"

This universal exclusion… were they all conspiring against him?

He searched their faces. No hidden motives – just genuine disinterest. Since when did Heavenly Emperors scorn godhood? Weren’t they supposed to unite against him? Was this a trap?

"You… truly relinquish this?" His voice wavered.

Sixth smiled: "Proceed freely."

Fifth nodded: "May you succeed."

Fourth snorted: "Go already. Others won’t start without you."

Second gestured: "After you."

Seventh rolled eyes: "Your choice."

You You added: "Still doing immortal cultivation here."

He turned to his stolen seat’s occupant –

Feng Rong arched a brow: "Do I look like I need godhood?"

(They all had personal Divine Thought grandpas anyway.)

Ninth Heavenly Emperor: "…" Now he really didn’t want to go.

Yet ascend he did – alone. Not for opportunity, but duty. If the highest ruler didn’t commence, others would dither endlessly.

Standing bewildered on the platform, he pondered why godhood’s allure had vanished for fellow emperors. More crucially: why exclude him?

It… stung.

———————

All knew the Divine Descent Platform bestowed opportunities invisibly. Unless recipients revealed themselves, none could tell who got chosen – a safety measure. Weaklings flashing divine chances risked deadly envy. Hence the month-long Ceremony: winners needed time to discreetly exit.

Heavenly Emperors rarely received the boon. Ninth had never succeeded despite multiple attempts. This time he merely opened proceedings, expecting nothing. Others’ refusal perplexed him.

After ceremonial remarks, Ninth stepped into the platform’s golden light. Nothing happened, as usual. Still brooding over his isolation, he turned to leave.

One step. Two. Three. Yet golden radiance still surrounded him. Wait – hadn’t the light pillar been narrower?

Shouts exploded below:

"OPPORTUNITY!"