The Celestial Sage Academy was located atop Celestial Sage Mountain.

It stood alone between two great domains, with a long history and a powerful background.

Throughout the Mortal Ascension Heaven, the academy’s name carried weight, but few people willingly came here. Everyone knew that beneath it lay the Blue-Parasol Ancient-Abyss, a place as dangerous as a dragon’s den or a tiger’s lair.

After Chaos had flown without rest for over a month, the two finally left the North Sea and saw the faint outline of Celestial Sage Mountain on the horizon, its towering silhouette shrouded in distant mist.

For millions of miles around, there was nothing but wilderness. No life stirred, only that single mountain rising proudly toward the heavens.

“We’ve arrived,” Xie Changliu said.

“This academy sure looks desolate,” Xu Zimo remarked with a smile.

“As expected,” Xie replied. “But don’t underestimate it. The academy’s backing is powerful, so much so that few dare to provoke it.”

“What kind of backing?” Xu Zimo asked curiously.

“You’ve heard of the Ghost God Heaven, one of the Nine Heavens, right?” Xie asked.

Xu Zimo nodded slightly.

“In the Ghost God Heaven, there are nine great Ghost Gods. Among them, the first, called Kui, was once the most sinister and malevolent of all. Children cried at the mention of his name; even the most ruthless of villains trembled in fear and dared not offend him. But three million years ago, Kui suddenly changed. To atone for his countless sins, he founded the Ghost God Collegium. The Celestial Sage Academy is its only branch.”

“Was that Ghost God really that strong?” Xu Zimo asked.

“They say the nine Ghost Gods were beings second only to the End of Calamities itself,” Xie replied. “But I’ve never been to the Ghost God Heaven myself, so I can’t say for sure.”

As they spoke, Chaos descended slowly before Celestial Sage Mountain and then returned to the Divine Continent.

Xu Zimo looked up. The vast mountain was shrouded in a faint gray mist.

The mountain stretched so high he could not see the peak.

Its ridges rose and twisted endlessly, as if propping up the heavens themselves, wrapped in clouds and fog.

Beside the path stood a massive stone monument inscribed with words.

Celestial Sage Mountain – Height: 8,888,800 meters.

Total Steps: 18,600,000.

Among all the mountains of the Mortal Ascension Heaven, this one stands supreme.

Reading it, Xu Zimo glanced upward again, the endless staircase stretched toward the clouds. Anyone with a fear of heights or confined spaces would faint at the sight.

“Let’s go. We’ll see what’s at the top,” Xu Zimo said.

The two shot up the mountain steps, sometimes leaping like great roc birds, sometimes stepping lightly through the air. Their speed was astonishing.

Before long, they reached halfway up the mountain, where a bustling town came into view.

“This is Azure Dragon Town,” Xie Changliu explained, clearly familiar with the place from his student days. “If we want to enter the academy, we have to register here first. Don’t be fooled by its small size, it’s full of hidden experts. Even emperors have been known to pass through.”

“You were once a student here. Can’t you just walk in?” Xu Zimo asked.

“For former students, yes,” Xie replied. “We only need to register our identity tokens. But you’ll have to officially apply to join the Celestial Sage Academy. Strangers aren’t allowed to enter otherwise.”

The two stepped through the town gates. Though called a town, it was larger than many cities.

Under a large sign carved in the shape of a coiling azure dragon, the streets were vibrant with color and noise.

“Sky Lake Flowers! Finest quality! Don’t miss out!”

“Ghostwood logs! Tenfold purity! Come and see for yourself!”

Street vendors shouted from every corner.

But Xu Zimo noticed that despite their humble appearances, these sellers were anything but ordinary, their bodies radiated powerful spirit energy.

“The Celestial Sage Academy keeps the Blue-Parasol Ancient-Abyss open,” Xie explained. “That’s why this place is rich in soul-related herbs. People from outside risk their lives to gather them, the trade is thriving. The only problem is, it’s extremely dangerous. When the Abyss erupts, almost no one returns alive.”

Xu Zimo nodded slightly. “So, how do I join the academy?”

Before Xie could answer, a figure came running from ahead and crashed hard into Xu Zimo.

“Ah!” a startled cry followed.

Xu Zimo didn’t move an inch, but the figure fell to the ground.

It was a young woman, though she was dressed as a boy. Xu Zimo recognized it immediately despite the disguise, her face was smeared with black charcoal, and her hair was neatly tied into a small braid.

“I’m sorry!” she said quickly, before running off in panic.

“Catch her!” someone shouted from behind.

A group of servants came charging down the street, weapons in hand.

“There she is!” one of them yelled.

It seemed like a trivial incident, but Xie Changliu’s expression grew serious.

“Did you feel that?” he asked quietly.

“Feel what?” Xu Zimo frowned.

Xie slowly drew his sword. The blade trembled in his hand, its tip pointing in the direction the girl had fled.

“My sword only reacts like this in two situations,” Xie said gravely.

“The first is when it senses someone whose sword intent surpasses mine.”

“And the second?” Xu Zimo asked.

“When it encounters one of the Ten God-King Physiques, the Eternal-Sword God-King Physique,” Xie replied solemnly.

“The Ten God-King Physiques…” Xu Zimo murmured. He had heard of them long ago, but never seen one with his own eyes.

“You mean that girl?” he asked.

“Let’s follow and find out,” Xie suggested.

Xu Zimo smirked. “You’re interested in her physique, aren’t you?”

“Every swordsman would be,” Xie replied. “Effort matters, yes, but some people are simply born as heaven’s chosen. Those with the Eternal-Sword God-King Physique are born understanding the Eternal-Sword God-King Intent. They don’t even need to train, their sword heart and sword soul awaken on their own. They’re one in a billion.”

“Then let’s go see for ourselves,” Xu Zimo said. “I’ve always wanted to witness one of these legendary physiques.”

The two followed behind the group of pursuers.

The young woman darted through the streets of Azure Dragon Town, heading down toward the base of Celestial Sage Mountain.

But perhaps she was too frantic, her foot slipped, and she tumbled down the stone steps.

She rolled several times before crashing hard into a boulder.

She tried to stand, but her right leg was clearly broken; even standing was a struggle.

“Run! Why aren’t you running anymore?” one of the servants sneered as they caught up.