Chapter 548

Chapter 548: Celestial Platform Mountain

In the blink of an eye, over two years had passed. When the day of the Celestial Platform Competition finally arrived, Fang Lie emerged from seclusion. Accompanied by Mo Lanyun and guided by Mo Qianxun, they set out toward the Celestial Platform.

On this day, they arrived before an enormous mountain. Towering at 108,000 zhang, its snowy-white surface formed a perfect conical shape—clearly not a natural formation.

The wonder lay in its flawless purity. No dust settled upon it, nor did any ice crown its peak. Instead, thousands of auspicious rays shimmered across its surface, radiating immortal majesty.

This was Celestial Platform Mountain, named after the platform atop its summit.

Legends claimed the mountain materialized abruptly over 20,000 years ago. Though the surrounding lands remained sparsely populated, a small town existed a hundred li away. The mountain’s sudden appearance caused immediate uproar.

Its divine appearance drew cultivation families and sects. Each group claimed it as a sacred manifestation of their own ancestors who had ascended to the Immortal Realm.

Disputes erupted into violent clashes. As news spread, stronger sects joined the fray. The conflict escalated until millions perished.

Yet through endless battles and attacks, the mountain remained pristine. Not a scratch marred its surface, even when Semi-Immortals tried destroying it. Some fools attempted stealing the mountain itself, but it stood immovable—rooted deeper than any natural formation.

Greed intensified. The Ten Demonic Sects, Eight Great Righteous Sects, and neutral forces waged war for over a decade. Casualties mounted, including several Semi-Immortals.

Exhaustion forced negotiations. With no side yielding, they agreed to jointly study this Immortal Realm treasure.

After years of research, Semi-Immortals unlocked partial secrets. They activated the Competition Method atop the peak—a platform granting the victor Immortal Energy to forge their Dao foundation. Heaven-defying power, yet safely limited to unleashing its might once every decade.

Thus began the Celestial Platform Competition. Thirty-two major factions qualified: the Ten Demonic Sects, Eight Righteous Sects, and fourteen neutral powers. Each could dispatch one or two disciples.

Most sects barely managed training one worthy candidate. Sending weaker disciples meant certain death. Only the Xuan Sect consistently fielded two—Qing Feng and Ming Yue of each generation claimed victory once every four competitions.

Had the Xuan Sect not remained aloof from worldly affairs, their dominance might have unified the realm.

Mo Qianxun’s Glorious Heavenly Palace hovered among other righteous sects’ treasure ships, facing the Ten Demonic Sects’ vessels across neutral territories. Despite buffer zones, demonic scoundrels often attacked after their disciples’ deaths—provoking brief clashes before being repelled.

The masters arrived precisely on time. Empty skies moments before now hosted thirty-two Eighth-rank treasure ships in perfect formation.

Before Mo Qianxun could steady his ship, four bloodstained challenge plaques materialized before him. Each bore Fang Lie’s name as the target.

The rules remained simple: no lotteries, only battles. Winners advanced, losers fell.

However, there was one rule: challenges must be between equals, and refusal wasn’t permitted.

The "same-level challenge" meant participants without victories were first-level and could freely challenge others. But once someone secured a win, they became one-victory fighters who could only challenge others with equal wins – losing even once meant elimination.

This system continued until the ultimate victor emerged through consecutive wins, proving themselves as undisputed champion. The rule existed because participant numbers fluctuated and lot-drawing invited cheating. Moreover, the Celestial Platform Competition decided one’s Dao path – only an undefeated conqueror could command universal respect.

Typically, challenges occurred between righteous and demonic factions or neutral sects. Righteous and demonic groups naturally opposed each other, while neutral sects avoided taking sides by fighting among themselves first to maintain decorum regardless of outcomes.

Only during final stages when no proper opponents remained would this unwritten rule break.

Yet Fang Lie’s notorious reputation shattered norms immediately. The Ghost Realm Sect, Ten-Thousand Gu Sect, Great Thunder Sound Temple, and East Kunlun – two righteous and two demonic sects – all demanded to challenge him.

Mo Qianxun chuckled bitterly, "How lively our Mo Sect has become! Not only the Demonic Path, but even two Dao brothers insist on trampling this Lackey’s face!"

"This concerns Fang Lie alone!" The East Kunlun’s Sword God ground his teeth. "That natural Star Gold element core was our ancestors’ legacy, the foundation of our sect’s prosperity! Stolen through underhanded tricks, this disgrace makes me unworthy before our immortal ancestors!"

Had East Kunlun possessed suitable candidates, he’d have resigned like Master Bai Quan.

Great Thunder Sound Temple’s Master Tianlong also harbored intense hatred toward Fang Lie. But due to the Green Bamboo Zen Staff affair, he feigned composure: "Settling grudges through combat was our agreement."

Watching semi-immortals exchanged amused glances, content to spectate.

"Enough!" Mo Qianxun yielded. "This confrontation is inevitable. By rules, when facing multiple challengers, Fang Lie chooses his opponent. Moreover, should he win, others must secure one victory before challenging him again. Agreed?"

"Rules are rules," Master Tianlong said lightly.

"I demand first battle!" The Sword God sneered. "Lest I miss my opportunity later!"

"Arrogant fool!" Fang Lie interjected before Mo Qianxun could respond. "Since you’re so eager, I’ll crush your junior first!"

"Bold words!" The Sword God’s killing intent flared. "Dare we wager something?"

"You want your Star Gold core back," Fang Lie retorted.

"Precisely," the Sword God said coolly. "Do you dare grant this opportunity?"

"Even if I agreed, what treasure matches its value?" Fang Lie scoffed. "That core nurtures star gold mineral veins, rivaling Ninth-Rank Treasures! Would East Kunlun stake such a treasure?"

"Indeed." The Sword God produced a foot-wide crystalline disk, paper-thin with a concave center glowing like captured moonlight. "The Ming Yue Disk!"

Gasps erupted. Ten-Thousand Gu Sect’s Semi-Immortal Sect Leader Gu Zhenren roared, "East Kunlun! I’ll never forgive this!"

The Sword God glanced dismissively. "Object? Challenge me."

Gu Zhenren deflated, knowing he couldn’t defeat the world’s strongest.

"Sect Leader, what’s that?" Fang Lie whispered.

"The Ten-Thousand Gu Sect’s inherited Ninth-Rank Treasure," Mo Qianxun explained. "Under moonlight, it condenses legendary lunar essence to enhance poison Gu insects’ spirit. Most Ninth-Rank poison insects owe their existence to this. It vanished when Gu Zhenren’s master died two centuries ago – likely murdered by the Sword God in some Secret Realm."

Fang Lie marveled at the Sword God’s ruthlessness – eliminating a Semi-Immortal Sect Leader without rumors required terrifying prowess.

"But it’s useless to me," Fang Lie frowned. "I don’t raise poison insects!"