Reincarnated into World of Nine Heavens and Ten Earths

Just as the mood settled into a serene atmosphere, a sudden chime rang out from the jade pendant that Xiao Hua wore around her neck. The soft sound broke the silence, and all eyes turned toward her. She reached for the pendant, an expression of concentration on her face.

"What is it?" Long Chen asked, his curiosity piqued.

Xiao Hua glanced at the pendant, her face becoming serious. "It's a message from the Skywood Palace. I need to return."

Chu Yao's pendant chimed at the same time, and her face mirrored Xiao Hua's. "It's the same for me. My master has called for me to return. The Skywood Palace is just beside the 108th Xuantian Monastery, but I have my duties to attend to."

Long Chen's brows furrowed slightly, but he didn't show any sign of frustration. "You two will be leaving? Then what about returning to home?"

Chu Yao nodded, her expression softening. "We want to go home but the matter of Skywood Palace, we must attend. But we will return soon, Long Chen. Please don't worry."

Xiao Hua added, "The elders in the Skywood Palace need us for an important meeting. I must go with her. But I'll return before you know it."

Long Chen smiled, his tone light, though there was a flicker of reluctance in his eyes. "You both do what you must. I will be here when you return. Just be careful. The road is never without danger."

The two women nodded, exchanging glances. The next moment, both Xiao Hua and Chu Yao stood up, preparing to leave. Their figures were graceful as they walked toward the gates of the Xuantian Monastery, where a carriage awaited them. Long Chen, however, wasn't ready to let them go just yet.

"Hold on," he called out, standing up with a determined expression. "I'll go with you. To the Skywood Palace, I mean. I've been curious about that place for a while now. It's just beside the monastery, so why not take the chance?"

The women turned back in surprise, their eyes wide. "You're coming with us?" Chu Yao asked, her voice both amused and slightly concerned. "But the Palace is on top of the Skywood Mountain, over fifty miles high. The journey isn't easy, and it's..."

Long Chen's lips curled into a confident grin. "A challenge? I never back down from one. Besides, I've been climbing mountains since I was a child. Fifty miles will be a walk in the park."

Xiao Hua raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical, but she didn't argue. "You're certainly determined, Long Chen. But we won't stop you if that's your choice. Just don't push yourself too hard." Afterall they all knew what Long Chen was capable of.

Meng Qi, who had been watching the exchange, leaned toward Tang Wan'er and whispered, "Do you think Long Chen will really climb it?"

Tang Wan'er smiled, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Knowing him, he'll definitely do it. He's not one to back down from a challenge."

Long Chen turned to them, giving them a wink. "What's the point of having a Dragon Blood Legion if I can't push myself to the limit? I'll make it to the top of Skywood Mountain before any of you can blink."

The group laughed, their spirits lifted by Long Chen's ever-confident attitude. But as the laughter faded, the realization dawned on them that this was a significant challenge. Skywood Mountain was no small feat. It was one of the highest peaks in the region, towering above even the monastery itself. The path to the top was treacherous, with harsh winds, gravitational forces, and intense suppression. Many who had tried before had failed.

As the two women prepared to leave, the news spread like wildfire. The Jade Pendants of both Xiao Hua and Princess Chu Yan blinked with a soft glow as the message was broadcasted to the Xuantian Monastery and the Skywood Palace, signaling the departure of two important figures.

On the other side of the monastery, the elders and Dragon Blood Legion were preparing for their own tasks when the news reached them, watched the event unfold through a holographic screen, which showed the figure of Long Chen setting out to climb the towering mountain, his silhouette cutting through the evening light.

The footage was broadcasted to every corner of the Skywood Palace and the Xuantian Monastery, showing Long Chen in action. He moved with grace and determination as he began his ascent, his figure small against the towering height of Skywood Mountain.

The winds howled around him as he climbed, his Star Battle Armor shimmering under the setting sun. Despite the intense pressure, the gravitational forces, and the constant barrage of astral winds, Long Chen continued upward without hesitation. He was the embodiment of perseverance, each step taking him closer to the peak.

As he climbed, the image on the screen became more dramatic, with Long Chen battling the elements. The sky darkened, and the winds grew fiercer, but he refused to stop. His Dragon Blood Legion watched with a mix of awe and respect, knowing that this climb was not just a physical feat—it was a display of his strength, willpower, and determination.

As he reached the final stretch, his breath was heavy, but his resolve remained unbroken. The Skywood Mountain had been a test, one that only a few could hope to pass. And now, Long Chen was proving himself to be more than just a leader—he was a true force of nature.

Finally, after Three Days and Three Nights of grueling effort, Long Chen reached the summit. The moment his feet touched the peak, a wave of energy surged through his body, empowering him with the very essence of the mountain itself. The Dragon Blood Legion, watching from below, erupted into cheers, their morale soaring as they saw their leader stand triumphant on top of the mountain.

Long Chen raised his arms high, his voice booming across the land. "This is a challenge for every member of the Dragon Blood Legion!" he called out. "No one is exempt! You will all climb this mountain and temper your bodies and techniques! Only those who have conquered it will truly understand the strength it takes to lead and also it is a must requirement for obtaining the Jiuli Secret Realm Quota."

The message was clear: crossing the Skywood Mountain was not just a physical challenge—it was a test of their spirit, and every member of the Dragon Blood Legion would have to face it. Only those who could endure would truly earn their place.

As Long Chen stood at the peak of Skywood Mountain, his chest rose and fell with steady breaths. The battle against the mountain's elements had been fierce, yet he had emerged victorious. The winds howled around him, but they no longer seemed hostile—instead, they carried a certain reverence, as if the mountain itself acknowledged his strength.

The Skywood Palace, perched atop the mountain, had long been a place of discipline and tradition, a sanctuary where only the most devout and powerful disciples were allowed to step foot. Yet today, the palace elders, seated in their grand hall, had witnessed something they never thought possible. The holographic projections, imbued with spiritual energy, had transmitted Long Chen's feat in real-time, allowing every single elder, disciple, and even the palace's leader to watch in astonishment.

Elder Hua Yu, tapped the armrest of her wooden throne, her expression unreadable, though the depth in her gaze showed her thoughts ran deeper than the ocean.

"He has done it," one elder murmured, still in disbelief.

"Without using external assistance, no talismans, no formations to counter the suppression," another added. "That climb was pure willpower and technique."

"A mortal ascending a nearly-divine peak with nothing but his own strength. This is unheard of!" Elder Fei Lian exclaimed.

Beside them, the Master of Skywood Palace, an elegant woman in flowing green robes named Li Qiuyue , remained silent. She had been watching closely, her mind replaying every moment of Long Chen's ascent. His control over his body, his adaptability to the shifting pressures, and his sheer refusal to yield—it was something only a being of immense fortitude could achieve.

Finally, she spoke, her voice carrying a depth of respect, "Summon him."

A disciple immediately rushed to deliver the order, and soon, Long Chen was escorted into the grand hall. His robes were still rippling from the mountain winds, but his expression remained calm and unshaken. Xiao Hua and Chu Yao followed closely behind, concern flashing in their eyes, but they knew better than to speak out of turn before the elders.

Long Chen stepped forward and cupped his fists in salute. "Junior Long Chen greets the esteemed elders of Skywood Palace."

For a moment, there was only silence.

Then, Elder Hua Yu let out a soft chuckle. "To think you would have grown to this point, a young warrior such as yourself would prove the worth of his words with action. It has been centuries since anyone has conquered Skywood Mountain unaided, let alone in mere hours."

Elder Fei Lian nodded. "Many cultivators have attempted to do what you have done, yet all failed. Those who reached the halfway point either collapsed from exhaustion or required assistance to be carried down."

The elders exchanged glances, as if silently deliberating on something.

Finally, Li Qiuyue spoke again, her gaze steady upon Long Chen. "Long Chen, you have demonstrated remarkable fortitude and willpower. The Skywood Palace values strength, but more than that, we value character. So we approve of you and the two kids. Now, moving on to matter, do you know why we summoned Xiao Hua and Chu Yao?"

Long Chen's eyes flickered as he nodded. "They said it was an urgent matter concerning the palace."

Li Qiuyue continued, "Indeed. But not that great to be exact we are in that very meeting. It's just teaching my two disciples, the Skywood Palace's divine technique—Skywood Sacred Cannon as reward for being the greatest contributor among healing warriors in the recent Righteous Path and Corrupt Path War."

She leaned forward slightly, studying Long Chen. "After what we have witnessed today, it would be a shame to not allow you entry."

Long Chen raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying...?"

Elder Mu Qiyi smiled. "Yes, we extend an invitation for you to have a token to freely enter and exit the Skywood Palace as a normal disciple."

There was a ripple of shock among the younger disciples in the room. Outsiders were almost never allowed to enter Skywood Palace. Yet Long Chen's strength had won them over.

Long Chen, however, remained composed. "I appreciate the invitation. If I can be of help ever, I will do my best."

Elder Fei Lian chuckled. "No need for humility. You have already proven yourself, and we elders are not blind. You will be permitted to enter, and following that, you may take Xiao Hua and Chu Yao back with you for a month."

Chu Yao and Xiao Hua's eyes widened in surprise. "Truly?" Xiao Hua asked.

Li Qiuyue gave a small smile. "Yes. While you both are invaluable to the Skywood Palace, we also acknowledge that strength is not just cultivated within our halls but through experiences beyond them. Consider this a rare opportunity, a gift earned by Long Chen's actions today."

The two women exchanged glances before bowing respectfully. "Thank you, Master."

Long Chen, too, offered his thanks, though his eyes held an amused glint. "Looks like my climb up the mountain wasn't for nothing after all."

The elders laughed lightly, their earlier solemnity fading into something more relaxed. Though Long Chen's presence was unconventional, they could not deny that he had earned their respect.

With the matter settled, the meeting was adjourned, and Long Chen, along with Xiao Hua and Chu Yao, was led into the inner chambers of the Skywood Palace. The elders watched them go, each of them pondering what the future held for this young warrior who had shaken even the mightiest of mountains that many experts even in Peak of Xuantian Realm couldn't

As they walked away, Xiao Hua nudged Long Chen. "You really do know how to turn the impossible into reality."

Long Chen smirked. "That's just how I operate."

Chu Yao sighed, shaking her head with a fond smile. "You'll never stop surprising us, will you?"

"Would you want me to?" Long Chen teased.

Xiao Hua and Chu Yao exchanged knowing looks before both of them shook their heads with a laugh. "Not at all."

Just ten a void split open and Sect Leader Ling appeared and told Long Chen to leave Chu Yao and Xiao Hua on Skywood Mountain as they have around only a month of time for an upcoming event after which the entire Dragon Blood Legion i.e. all members of 108th Xuantian Monastery can go for a relatively long Vacation as the event was a decision made up in the gathering of all 108 Xuantian Monasteries in the 36th - Xuantian Super Monastery.

To Be Continued...