Over the following days, events unfolded exactly as Su Min had anticipated. Various sects sent delegations to attend the conference. However, due to the threat of the Fallen, most only dispatched one Divine Transformation expert to lead their group, while another remained behind to guard their sect's treasures.
Those with only one Divine Transformation expert had no choice but to leave a Nascent Soul cultivator in charge. But the moment these Divine Transformation experts arrived, their first move was to bring gifts and seek out Su Min—only to be intercepted by the four major sects, their expressions strained.
They knew full well they were being used as shields, but what could they do? They had no choice but to endure it. The only consolation was Su Min's promise to handle all requests collectively rather than individually, meaning the pressure would be shared among the four sects.
Outside Great Luo Tian City, a ghostly procession arrived.
They were the Netherworld Cult, one of the two super sects in the current era. Their foundation was so profound that even the three great Buddhist sects paled in comparison. Their forces dominated an entire super-realm.
Leading the delegation was Han Chaoyan, who had once competed with Su Min for supremacy. As a super sect, they had sent a half-step Dao Comprehension elder—similar to Monk Liaochen—while Han Chaoyan himself, bolstered by immense resources, had reached the Divine Transformation stage, making him a prodigy of his generation.
But...
"Sigh… She's already a sixth-grade alchemist, reached Divine Transformation, and even refined the Northern Water's Profound Origin."
Han Chaoyan gazed at Great Luo Tian City with melancholy. He was undeniably gifted—having refined the Nether Ghost Water, a unique divine artifact, during the Golden Core Avenue. In any other era, he would have been the undisputed champion.
But this time, he had run into four freaks.
Even ignoring Yao Xian'er, the other three were beyond his reach. Worse, his elimination match had pitted him directly against Su Min, denying him even a top-five finish.
Now, not only had she matched him in cultivation, but she had also refined the Northern Water's Profound Origin. With three of the Five Elements now integrated, her Holy Body was even more formidable.
Their previous battle had been partly his own fault—overcomplicating things—but the outcome was inevitable. At best, he would have lasted ten minutes before defeat. Instead, his blunder had led to an instant loss.
And since that day, he had found himself inexplicably haunted by thoughts of her.
Yet she had never spared him a second glance.
After the Golden Core Avenue, everyone had gone into seclusion. Those who had reached this level prioritized cultivation above all else. Only those who knew they could progress no further bothered with distractions.
"Put those thoughts away. Cultivators of her caliber have long cast aside trivial matters like romance. Throughout history, those who surpassed Mahayana stage and became Emperors or Saints were all prideful beyond measure. To earn their regard, you must possess overwhelming strength—something no one in this era can claim."
The elder glanced at his sect's youngest Divine Transformation expert. Though Han Chaoyan hadn't made the top five, his talent still held the potential for Mahayana.
But the other four were all candidates for Emperorhood.
The struggle for supremacy would be brutal—this world could not sustain too many Transcendence-stage experts. Once one ascended, the path would be closed to others.
In the previous era, the Spirit Emperor and the Lunar Sovereign wielder had clashed for a millennium. One had reached the pinnacle; the other had fallen into demonic cultivation and perished in the icy wastes.
This era was no different. With four such figures emerging so soon after the world's reopening, the outcome was unpredictable. But one thing was certain—everyone else would have to step aside.
"Understood."
Han Chaoyan could only sigh in resignation.
Soon, under the guidance of their hosts, they entered Great Luo Tian City. Before long, nearly every sect had gathered.
Meanwhile, in a secluded chamber…
"The pills are done. The conference is about to begin. No matter what, we must secure as many sealing crystals as possible—the rest can wait."
With a thought, Su Min stored the freshly refined pills in her spatial ring. Truthfully, these hadn't taken her long at all.
Hiding here was simply for peace and quiet.
Cultivation wasn't just about battles—it was also about politics, compromises, and endless social maneuvering.
Once she emerged, she was met with several resentful gazes. The four sects had borne the brunt of the pressure, fending off petitioners from both ordinary sects and the two super sects.
But their expressions quickly brightened when Su Min handed over the pills.
"As expected of Lady Su. These pills are flawless—perfectly rounded, brimming with potency. Absolutely worth the cost."
The elders beamed as they examined their prizes. Though Su Min's fees were steep, the quality was undeniable.
"I'll take my leave now. We'll meet again at the conference."
A faint arc of lightning flickered, and Su Min vanished, leaving the elders exchanging bewildered glances.
"Was that… a lightning-type heavenly treasure just now?"
"Uncertain. The aura was faint but incredibly refined—though incomplete. The mysteries of the Five Elements Holy Body are beyond us."
"She'll undoubtedly dominate the conference. Even those ancient Divine Transformation monsters won't be her match."
They shook their heads. None of them stood a chance against someone who had integrated three heavenly treasures. Only the Five Elements Holy Body could achieve such a feat—anyone else would have exploded trying.
Back at the sect's encampment…
Su Min found Tian Yinzi. Though not the strongest, he handled most administrative matters.
"The conference begins in ten days. How are the events structured?"
She had little prior knowledge but understood that the allocations depended on performance across numerous categories. Individual strength alone wouldn't suffice—this system had been designed to prevent the bloodbaths of past sect wars.
"Around a hundred events, but only a few offer significant shares."
Tian Yinzi smiled wryly. Despite their recent growth, their sect's foundation was still shallow compared to the ancient powers.
"No matter. Continue."
Su Min was philosophical—what they gained would be a bonus; what they missed, no great loss.
"Each participant can choose two events. We've registered you for alchemy—based on our intelligence, no one can challenge you there. As for the second…"
He hesitated, uncertain how to proceed.
"Speak."
"For Divine Transformation, there are two categories: the 'New Blood' division, limited to those who reached Divine Transformation after the world's reopening. Given your high-profile performance in the Golden Core Avenue, you qualify. The other is the 'Unrestricted' division, which includes late-stage Divine Transformation experts and even half-step Dao Comprehension powerhouses from the super sects. Which… would you prefer?"
"Which offers more shares?"
"The Unrestricted, without question. But the competition is terrifying."
Tian Yinzi studied Su Min carefully. If only Xie Yingying were here, they could have split the categories for maximum gains.
But with Su Min as their sole pillar, he had to rely on her judgment. While her combat prowess was legendary—she had slain Divine Transformation experts as a Nascent Soul—this was a different league altogether.
"I'll take the Unrestricted division. Last time, a half-step Dao Comprehension expert chased me like a dog. It's time to return the favor."
Su Min grinned, choosing the hardest path without hesitation. Back in the Weak Waters, she had fled like a rat from the black serpent. If not for Ao Xue's timely intervention, things might have ended badly. But now, at Divine Transformation, she no longer needed to cower.
As for staying low-key? Impossible. From the moment she topped the Golden Core Heavenly Rankings, subtlety had ceased to be an option.
"Very well."
Tian Yinzi accepted her decision without argument. True experts needed unshakable confidence, not hesitation. Besides, Su Min's authority within the sect was absolute. No one would dare question her.
News of Su Min's choice spread rapidly.
"Heavens, is she already on par with the old monsters? This isn't the Golden Core Avenue—every late-stage Divine Transformation expert here left their mark on history!"
"She's only at the early stage. Is this confidence or arrogance?"
"Fools. You clearly didn't witness her battle with the Great Desolate Holy Body. At Golden Core Avenue, their clash could maim even Nascent Souls. Now, with the Northern Water's Profound Origin, if she joined the 'New Blood' division, I'd lose all respect for her."
The crowd murmured. Most present had only reached Golden Core after the world's reopening—far removed from the monstrous talents of the Avenue. Their limited perspective shackled their understanding.
"With no true Dao Comprehension experts present, even those half-step powerhouses with fragmented Dao insights won't be her match."
"Wha—?!"
The listeners were stunned. Dao Comprehension was a distant dream for them—even Divine Transformation seemed unreachable. The absence of true Dao Comprehension experts was deliberate—they were needed to guard against the Fallen. As compensation, they would receive shares after the conference.
Yao Xian'er's presence alone ensured Great Luo Tian's safety. Without her, the province would have long since fallen to chaos.
While the masses speculated, the elders of various sects wore complicated expressions.
"Hmph. Arrogant whelp. She could easily claim first place in the 'New Blood' division yet dares compete with us for scraps?"
"Ancestor, calm yourself. With just two heavenly treasures, she was nearly invincible at Golden Core. Now, with the Northern Water's Profound Origin, she's even more formidable."
Disciples who had participated in the Avenue hurried to temper their elders' anger. Su Min's acquisition of the Northern Water's Profound Origin was common knowledge, thanks to Ao Xue's exposure of Future Maitreya Mountain's misdeeds—including the colossal Black Tortoise statue.
Anyone with eyes knew why Su Min had clashed with those two powerhouses. Her safe return and subsequent breakthrough to Divine Transformation could mean only one thing—success.
Three heavenly treasures in one body—a feat only the enigmatic Five Elements Holy Body could achieve. And precisely because it was so mysterious, no one could gauge Su Min's current limits. Regardless, the Divine Transformation elders felt slighted.
Back before the world's sealing, their sects had boasted dozens of Divine Transformation experts. Only the elite had been chosen for hibernation—proud, peerless geniuses. For a junior who had just broken through to dare challenge them so soon was nothing short of an insult.
But their disciples saw things differently. Su Min was known for her prudence—she only fought when necessary. If she was confident enough to take this step, she must have absolute certainty.
"Don't forget—the black serpent was likely at Dao Comprehension, but Monk Liao Jie of Future Maitreya Mountain was only half-step. And she survived his pursuit."
"That was only because of the Dragon Princess. A five-clawed golden dragon is a peak divine beast, with a complete bloodline legacy. To kill her would require at least a peak Dao Comprehension expert, if not Body Unity."
"But the fact that she attracted such pursuit speaks volumes…"
Silence fell.
The elders knew that at Nascent Soul, none of them would have warranted attention from a half-step Dao Comprehension expert—let alone two. Merely being hunted by such beings was an honor in itself.
Among the crowd, a group of familiar faces gathered.
"To think the woman I once fought over the Eastern Azure Wood now stands toe-to-toe with our ancestors. Half-step Dao Comprehension… Will I even reach that stage in a thousand years?"
Han Chaoyan drank with his peers—all Divine Transformation experts now, and all top-ten finishers from the Golden Core Heavenly Rankings. These were the six strongest aside from the four freaks—each a genius in their own right, blessed with talent, heritage, and fortune.
Yet they couldn't even glimpse Su Min's shadow.
"At least she let bygones be bygones. That fool Wood Madman brought his sect's downfall upon himself."
Chang Lu sighed. Alongside Han Chaoyan and Wood Madman, they had been mockingly dubbed the "Free-Trio" after Su Min's infamous taunt: "Three against one and still losing—can't you even play properly?"
The phrase had become legendary.
But once the rankings were finalized, the mockery ceased. It wasn't that they were weak—Su Min was simply inhuman.
"Well, with her out of the picture, I'm aiming for first place. Gu Yan, you lucked out last time—that won't happen again."
Han Chaoyan stood, locking eyes with a young man who had made the top five by avoiding the four monsters. The gap between the top four and fifth had been vast, but Gu Yan's position had been more contentious.
"Bring it on. Let's see how your Nether Ghost Water fares."
The gathering soon dissolved into competitive tension.
With Su Min absent, each saw a chance to claim the crown.
And so, the race was on.
~
At last, the day arrived.
For the occasion, Su Min donned formal attire—a flowing, intricately embroidered gown that accentuated her ethereal beauty.
Normally, she preferred practical, androgynous clothing. But today, with minimal effort, her natural grace and cultivation-enhanced presence made her the center of attention.
Yet, no matter how splendid her robes, she couldn't quite mask her casual demeanor—currently lounging with one leg crossed over the other, observing the proceedings with amusement.
The conference resembled the Olympics, albeit on a grander scale. Instead of stadiums, entire pocket dimensions served as arenas.
The highest platform, where Su Min sat, was reserved for the elite—her sect, despite its youth, now stood alongside the two super sects.
Below, a massive Earth-grade artifact contained countless miniature battlefields. While they might not withstand Divine Transformation clashes, they were more than sufficient for Golden Core and Nascent Soul bouts.
As with any tournament, the heavyweight events would come last. Su Min's turn was still weeks away—the conference would run nonstop for a full month.
For cultivators, sitting through it was trivial.
"The Golden Core survival challenge is starting. Go on—if you're outmatched, surrender. No deaths or irreversible injuries are permitted."
Su Min glanced at her disciples—a dozen elite Golden Cores, including one nine-nine tribulation survivor and three six-nine tribulation veterans.
In this reopened world, three-nine tribulation cultivators might be common, but six-nine and nine-nine standards remained unchanged.
Many sects couldn't even field a single nine-nine tribulation participant. As her team descended, envious eyes followed.