The celestial staircase spiraled into a sea of stars, each step resonating with power ancient and unfathomable. Tianming and Yuelan ascended in silence, their breath steady despite the crushing fatigue etched into their bones. The void trial had nearly consumed them, but they had emerged not only intact—but transformed.
Above, the sky parted.
Not a sky of clouds and sunlight, but a dome of astral flame and floating cities shaped like lotuses of gold and jade. Towering spires pierced the heavens. Rivers of pure qi flowed through the air. At the center, suspended in an orbit of light, hovered an immense platform carved with runes too ancient for even the system to translate.
> [System Alert: Realm Ascension Successful — Location: Heaven's Vault] [Cultivation Limit Lifted — Tier Cap Removed] [System Upgrade Complete: Version 7.0 — Apex Sovereign Mode Enabled]
Tianming's eyes widened. He felt it immediately—the infinite flow of power pressing against his core. It wasn't invasive. It was an invitation.
"This..." Yuelan whispered. "Is this where the ancient Immortal Emperors came from?"
"No," Tianming murmured. "This is where they fell from."
---
I. The Vault of Heaven
As they stepped onto the platform, a chorus of whispers filled the air. Ancient cultivators—projections of those who had ascended in the past—hovered like faded ghosts, their voices etched into the light.
One projection, an old man with nine dragon halos, turned.
"Another mortal dares enter the Vault," he said.
> [Initiating Heavenly Judgment Protocol]
The runes on the platform ignited. Tianming and Yuelan were suddenly encased in spheres of crystalized intent—visions played across their minds.
Tianming saw the world aflame. Cities turned to ash. Friends, lovers, even Yuelan—dead.
> [Judgment: Would you burn the world to ascend?]
He stared into the inferno. "Only if I can rebuild it stronger."
The sphere shattered.
Yuelan saw her clan restored, her ancestors resurrected.
> [Judgment: Would you trade your soul for your people's return?]
Her breath caught. Then she raised her sword. "The dead belong to the past. I fight for the living."
Her trial ended.
The projections bowed.
"Worthy."
The light coalesced and opened into a path leading deeper into the floating lotus city.
---
II. The Divine Citadel
As they walked the streets of Heaven's Vault, they passed beings who had long shed mortality. True Celestials. Some had bodies of flame, others made of crystal, void, or storm. Most ignored them—but a few paused to watch.
Tianming could feel the pressure. These beings radiated power leagues above even his most dominant state.
> [Warning: Entities Detected — Class: Celestial Lords. Host advised to maintain discretion. Initiating Passive Cloaking Mode.]
A palace stood ahead—gilded in starlight, with a roof of flowing silk cloud.
An official greeted them, clad in robes that shimmered like moonlight.
"You bear the mark of the Vault," the official said. "Then you are granted entry into the Celestial Selection. Pass it—and you may earn a Divine Title."
"Selection?" Tianming asked.
"A tournament of inheritance. Only those deemed 'Heavenworthy' may ascend to rule a starfield."
> [System Notice: Optional Quest Unlocked — Celestial Selection. Rewards: Divine Title, Planetary Dominion, Legacy Skills. Difficulty: Mortal-Celestial Grade. Estimated Competitor Count: 1272.]
Tianming grinned. "Looks like the fun never ends."
Yuelan raised an eyebrow. "Or the danger."
---
III. The Arrival of the Heavenborn
The selection was held in the Grand Pavilion—a coliseum of nebula glass, where stars hovered as spectators. They joined thousands of cultivators, all radiating immense power.
Some wore robes of ancient sects. Others were draped in cosmic armor, weapons forged from dead suns or abyssal bones.
A voice rang out:
"Welcome, aspirants. I am Lord Xuantai, Warden of the Vault. Today begins the Selection."
He floated above the arena, surrounded by golden dragons made of light.
"Our first test is one of mind and will. You will enter the Astral Maze. Survive it. Conquer it. Become it."
The arena warped. Tianming and Yuelan were separated.
---
IV. The Astral Maze
Tianming found himself in a labyrinth of glass and fire. Mirrors reflected not his body, but his spirit—flaws, doubts, ambitions.
Each corridor twisted logic. Some paths repeated endlessly. Others reversed time. He encountered trials where he had to kill illusions of his allies. At one point, he saw a future self—a tyrant emperor burning planets for defiance.
> [System Alert: Synchronizing alternate timeline probabilities. Warning: Host ego integrity at 71%. Initiating stabilizers.]
He sat in meditation and began using Mind-Root Sutra, a technique from one of the ancient legacy tombs he'd explored.
His breath slowed. Doubts faded.
He stood and continued.
---
V. Yuelan's Descent
Yuelan's version of the maze was darker.
She faced choices designed to rip apart her ideals. Save an innocent child or slay a corrupted elder to end future wars? Defend a sect of the weak, or ally with demons to slay a greater evil?
Each step tested her values. Her ice essence fractured. Her emotions were manipulated.
But she held on.
"Power without integrity is rot," she whispered.
At the heart of the maze, she faced a frozen mirror—her future self, devoid of emotion, ruling a frozen empire.
With a scream, she shattered the mirror.
---
VI. Reunion and Revelation
Tianming emerged into the central sanctum of the Pavilion. Bloodied but unbeaten. A moment later, Yuelan stepped from another gate, her eyes resolute.
They embraced—wordless, but whole.
> [Stage One Complete. Current Ranking: Tianming (15th), Yuelan (18th)]
Cheers rang from above.
The Celestials began to take notice.
Lord Xuantai smiled. "You two will be interesting."
Tianming looked to the next gate.
"Then let's give them a show."
---
[End of Chapter 17: Heaven's Vault]