World's Strongest Martial Warrior

Before their eyes, two figures gradually materialized on the altar.    

These figures were the renowned Luo Shock Scale and Yi Qiankun, the most formidable prodigies among the 18 branch palaces of the Nameless Immortal Palace.    

A collective shiver ran through the onlookers at the sight.    

It was clear that these two had been ousted from the mystic realm, having failed to conquer the Gold Immortal Phoenix-Tailed Bird and secure the coveted King Grade Immortal Herb, the Vermilion Bird Immortal Fruit, within the phoenix nest.    

Yet, this outcome was not entirely unexpected.    

Despite being exceptional talents of the Nameless Immortal Palace, Luo Shock Scale and Yi Qiankun's cultivation levels were confined to the Third or Fourth Stage of the Heavenly Immortal Realm, a considerable distance from the Golden Immortal Realm.    

Their combat prowess was extraordinary, capable of transcending several levels, but even so, challenging a Golden Immortal was a formidable task.    

"Shock Scale, why have you also emerged from the mystic realm?"    

In the first hall, a robust middle-aged man clad in a lightning-patterned robe, exuding an air of gravitas, furrowed his brow as he regarded Luo Shock Scale approaching him.    

This imposing figure was none other than the Thunder Prison Immortal Venerable, the hall master of the first branch palace of the Nameless Immortal Palace.    

Luo Shock Scale's strength, at its zenith, could rival that of a peak ninth-grade Heaven Immortal, making a duel with a Golden Immortal Phoenix-Tailed Bird a daunting challenge.    

However, Immortal Venerable Thunder Prison was well aware of the lightning talisman in Luo Shock Scale's possession, a gift from his own hand.    

Should Luo Shock Scale unleash the power of the lightning talisman, it would pose a significant threat even to an ordinary Golden Immortal.    

Could it be that the Phoenix-Tailed Birds they faced in the phoenix nest were far more formidable than the typical Golden Immortals?    

With a wry smile, Luo Shock Scale recounted the events within the phoenix nest, omitting no detail.    

Learning that the Phoenix-Tailed Bird had risen from its ashes after Luo Shock Scale and his companions had dealt it a severe blow using their ultimate techniques, Venerable Thunder Prison could only shake his head in silent resignation.    

It appeared to be destiny's design that Luo Shock Scale and his companions were not meant to possess the king-grade immortal medicine, the Vermillion Bird Immortal Fruit.    

"Hold on... You mentioned that three of you joined forces to take on the Golden Immortal Phoenix-Tailed Bird. Where's the third member of your team?"    

In that instant, Mu Ziqian, the deputy hall master of the Nameless Immortal Palace and overseer of the immortal gathering, had his eyes light up with surprise, and his face mirrored the shock.    

As Mu Ziqian's question hung in the air, a wave of murmurs swept through the plaza. Luo Jinglin and Yi Qiankun, the two most formidable prodigies among the Nameless Immortal Palace's eighteen branch palaces, had been bested. Who then could possibly stand against the Gold Immortal Phoenix-Tailed Bird?    

"The one from the eighteenth sub-palace, Peter Parker," Yi Qiankun revealed through clenched teeth. "That kid has been biding his time, keeping his ace up his sleeve. That's the only reason he could contend with the Golden Immortal Phoenix-Tailed Bird when it mattered most!"    

The mention of Peter Parker from the 18th branch palace caused a collective gasp.    

Peter Parker, the unexpected prodigy of the 18th branch palace, had made waves even before the Immortal Gathering commenced. He had repelled Yan Li, the gifted contender from the Third Sub Palace, with a single punch outside the city walls, ensuring his reputation would spread far and wide.    

Once the Immortal Gathering was underway, many promising youths from the 18th branch were quickly eliminated, most with ties to Peter Parker. Even Yan Li fell to him in combat and was expelled from the secret realm by Parker's hand.    

And yet, against all expectations, no one had foreseen that Peter Parker would outlast both Luo Shock Scale and Yi Qiankun in the battle with the Golden Immortal Phoenix-Tailed Bird.    

It was possible that this kid might just pull off a miracle and lay claim to the legendary king-grade immortal medicine, the Vermillion Bird Immortal Fruit.    

"We may have seriously underestimated Peter Parker," was the consensus.    

Back in the eighteenth palace, even the Silver Moon Immortal Venerable was left reeling from the revelation.    

Despite being aware that Peter Parker would perform well at the Immortal Gathering, it came as a surprise that he managed to outshine Luo Shock Scale and steal the spotlight as the event's most impressive figure.    

"Do you believe Peter Parker has a chance at securing the king-grade immortal medicine, the Vermilion Bird Immortal Fruit, Palace Master?" Liu Wucheng inquired, his voice barely above a whisper as he turned to Silver Moon Immortal Venerable.    

"It's a tall order," Silver Moon Immortal Venerable replied, a hint of concern in his voice. "The Phoenix-Tailed Bird possesses the might of a Golden Immortal. Following its nirvanic rebirth, it would rank at least as a Second Grade Golden Immortal. With Peter Parker's mere Fourth Grade Heaven Immortal cultivation, defeating it seems nearly impossible."    

"Yet, there's something extraordinary and enigmatic about that young man. He may just have a shot at claiming the king-grade immortal medicine, the Vermilion Bird Immortal Fruit."    

Silver Moon Immortal Sovereign couldn't help but express his worry with a wry smile, "I just hope he doesn't actually bring the King Grade Immortal Herb, the Vermilion Bird Immortal Fruit, back with him."    

Liu Wucheng felt a shiver run through him at the thought. The King Grade Immortal Herb, the Vermilion Bird Immortal Fruit, was coveted even by Immortal Kings. Should Peter Parker reveal possession of the immortal herb, the Great Luo Immortal Venerable from the Nameless Immortal Palace would undoubtedly cast a greedy gaze upon him.    

At that juncture, not even Silver Moon Immortal Venerable could ensure Peter Parker's safety.    

Amidst their conversation, a buzz filled the air as spatial waves emanated from the altar. Moments later, Peter Parker's form gradually emerged from the formation.    

It was evident that he had been unable to best the Golden Immortal Phoenix-Tailed Bird and had been compelled to exit the secret realm prematurely.    

Yi Qiankun looked up at Peter Parker with a sneer. "No matter your efforts, Peter Parker, you were still ousted from the secret realm by the Phoenix-Tailed Bird!"    

Peter Parker cast a final glance at Yi Qiankun before rejoining Silver Moon Immortal Venerable and the others. Yi Qiankun's face darkened further as he realized Peter Parker had simply disregarded his presence.    

Due to some unique circumstances, all the young prodigies at this Immortal Gathering have been prematurely eliminated from the secret realm. Consequently, the first phase of the Immortal Illusion has concluded ahead of schedule.    

"Now, I call upon the geniuses from the eighteenth branch of the Immortal Gathering to surrender the Dark Pearls you've collected within the secret realm."    

"Disciples of the first branch palace, it's your turn to submit the Underworld Pearls!"    

Mu Ziqian's voice, soft yet clear, echoed across the plaza.    

Following this announcement, the young prodigies of the first branch palace, with Luo Shock Scale at the helm, stepped forward to present the Nether Beads they had gathered.    

Luo Shock Scale, renowned as one of the top ten prodigies of the Northern Frost Immortal Domain, demonstrated his formidable strength. Upon entering the secret realm, he vanquished a legion of Ancient Underworld Immortals. His impressive tally stood at 1,100 Underworld Pearls, placing him at the forefront of his group.    

Moreover, the collective haul of Underworld Pearls amassed by the first palace amounted to an impressive 1,900. Such a feat was regarded as an exceptional achievement in the annals of past Immortal Gatherings.    

It's worth noting that this time around, all participants in the Immortal Assemblies were forced to exit the competition prematurely, leaving them with significantly less time to collect Underworld Pearls than in previous years.    

Barring any unforeseen events, the First Division Palace was poised to clinch the top spot in this initial stage.    

Once the first branch palace concluded their count, Yi Qiankun led the second branch palace's young prodigies to tally the Nether Pearls they had secured.