Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 1430 - 1429 - New Face

A sprawling city of pristine white towers and walls covered a massive area in the 4th layer. Well organized streets and maintained buildings were lively with people moving or trading openly in the markets between them.

While there were still a few thieves or other normal crimes, the vast city was generally one of the safest known in all layers. It had been founded epochs ago but none knew the full truth aside from one clear fact.

A sect had been founded at its heart with the purpose of tapping into the gender most abused by the vicious side of the cultivation world. Many had likely scoffed or underestimated them long ago but those were all gone or dead by the hand of the very sect they ignored.

They became an unrivaled power locally before the Sovereign Tiers finally carved out more space for them and the success made many flock to them for protection.

A massive mountain range was at the heart of it all but it was not visible from the border of the city. The natural parks and beast areas inside the walls allowed lower realm cultivators to progress while not risking their lives outside the city.

The mountains held ancient citadels and towers that were emblazoned with a golden symbol on the white background. The supreme sect of legend was founded there.

The Heavenly Maiden Sect.

They had actively sent out envoys to the lower layers and built up a foundation few could mimic. Their close allies, the Divine Sword Sect, were the only comparable power with an older history, but even then, that sect only cared about the sword.

Outside of that, many powers hated or loved them, but the sect mostly did not care. They stuck to their ideals and burned any bridge that violated them.

In that same mountain range was an ancient platform. It was mostly made of golden metal inlaid with crystals and jewels but it spanned a massive area for being on a mountain.

It would be mistaken for a plateau if not for the artificial supports underneath. It was built between peaks!

The resources needed were insane but for the Heavenly Maiden Sect, it was well worth it.

A group of women all at the peak Sovereign Tier were currently waiting as the inlaid lines began to light up.

Thunder rumbled but no one even looked up as the sky was torn open. The pressure of the Heavens came down on them all but the women were long used to it.

Lighting slammed into the platform but was easily dispersed as formations activated. Tribulation lighting was power without comparison most of the time but the ancient platform safely distributed it.

The power was not wasted as it was channeled into artifacts or other receptacles for later study and use.

A figure fell out of the sky in a ragged state but all the women finally reacted and glanced upward. They waited until some frowned. A strange feeling filled the air as golden energy emerged from the figure.

Their tumbling fall slowed and they gently landed on their right knee with their left foot flat on the ground. The robes were damaged by tribulation but they seemed very small on the person for some reason.

That was–odd.

"Sister, welcome to the 4th layer. You have come to the ancestral home at last." A young woman with dark hair stepped forward. She was a low Sovereign Tier but it was long ago decided to welcome new Sisters that way.

The woman at the heart of the platform did not respond but that was normal. Ascension through tribulation was not an easy thing for anyone even when the destination was set.

The slim woman waited patiently as her pristine white robes shimmered in the sunlight revealed by the departing black clouds.

The object of their attention finally flinched and slowly straightened up. Her robes barely covered her in their current state but again, they were oddly not the right size. They could tell it was not a matter of style but like they were meant for someone a good 30 centimeters shorter and less voluptuous.

Her hair was also strangely pristine. It was a dark violet as her pale skin contrasted against it sharply. Her elegant fingers flexed slowly and she stood up as if unsure how to.

She then did something very odd.

"Hmmmm, huuuu, aaaaaaaaah. Testing, testing, and ah, yes, not bad." Confusion went through the group but the woman did not seem inclined to explain as she then looked down and sighed.

"Damn it. I liked the old way better. It was so much easier to move! So this is my final form, eh?" The words only deepened the mystery but the slim girl coughed and the woman looked up and jumped.

"Oh my! My apologies, Senior Sisters. It takes some time for me to adjust afterwards but it has become much easier. I had a lot of enlightenment in the Divine Inheritances. I am not like little Fey, but she is a Goddess now I suppose." The woman bowed low in respect and the older women nodded in approval.

"Induct her on the expectations and get her new robes." The oldest of them had pure white hair neatly tied back in a braid down to her waist. A massive sword was strapped to her back but just before they left, the woman paused with a smirk.

"Forgive me, junior Sister, but the Endless Branch did not have time to pass on your name. It seemed you reached the last step unexpectedly." The voluptuous woman nodded as she scratched the side of cheek.

"Ah, yes, I suddenly crossed the last threshold while in the Inheritance but held it off until I could reach the sect." That was normal if possible to achieve.

The women waited but their target seemed to pause as she suddenly looked up.

A familiar pressure returned but now shock crossed their faces. It was Heaven and Earth but why? It was not a tribulation so what was it?

{Conditions met.} A chorus of voices made them all jump. The oldest, however, smiled wide.

A beam of pure light slammed into the platform but none of the formations reacted. It was not lightning but something else.

The voluptuous woman was shocked at first but then became serious. She cupped her hands and bowed low.

"I accept." Thunder rumbled as the power dispersed.

The old woman's fingers glowed as golden sigils appeared. A dome snapped into place around her and the newly ascended Sister.

"What title did you get?" The voluptuous woman was no longer acting silly but became serious.

"Technically, I kind of knew this was coming with my physique but if not for that boy, I would have died so long ago. Anyway, I am the Samsara Goddess." The old woman's silver eyes went wide.

A Goddess Dao title from Heaven and Earth directly!

It was worth celebrating but it was not one she knew of. Suddenly, the raggedly dressed woman conjured water Qi into a reflective surface. She then did something very strange.

She poked her cheeks and rotated her head before smiling.

"Well, not the best I have had but an improvement over the rest. I will need to train my new body well." The words made the old woman nearly stumble. Surely not?!

Such a physique was so rare and deadly that it had never reached the Immortal Realm in written record!

"I am pleased to be here, Sect Master." The old woman snapped back as she found the woman bowing again. "My name is Romana."

The Sect Master nodded but then froze. Romana. She knew that name! She had been a rising star in many ways but the most important part was she came from the same mortal realm as Lind Frey!

The further issue was the description did not match anything she knew of. She really changed bodies to advance her cultivation!

It was absurd!

Yet, it was a gift! She looked at life from all aspects by changing everything about herself. Her title was well deserved, it seemed.

"You are entering the tournament, Sister?" Romana looked up and smiled wide.

"I would not miss it for the world! I have not had a chance to fight in a long time like that!" An approving nod came from the Sect Master as she dismissed her weaving.

"Give her the token for combat. She will fill one of our 10 slots." The group looked shocked but none more than the young woman next to Romana. No objections were given as an elder produced the emerald token, yet Romana held up her hand.

"There is no need. The True Lord already invited me." She summoned an emerald token but all were even more surprised as it seemed different from the others.

The Sect Master leaned close and smiled.

"So, you will enter with us but not take up a slot. I am sure that will cause a stir." Romana shrugged but offered nothing else.

The group left the platform to head for the dormitory tower for the Sovereign Tiers. Only 30 thousand years remained and time waited for no one.