Great Void Immortal Path.

The starry sky was boundless, and yet this patch of space was crowded with immortal lords.

There were millions of immortal lords crowding tightly in this space.

They were anxious, reckless, and they surrounded a core: the door to the Astral Hell.

The five great tribes had a mere 1,000 immortal lords, who were bitterly defending up till today.

Each of them was parched and drained.

The Gu Yan Immortal Lord looked out at the hordes of immortal lords. His head had been throbbing for a long, long time.

He had not expected them to come this quickly!

He could not even make out their numbers now. Luckily, they had set up their immortal designs early and were holding fast. Otherwise, their defenses would have crumbled a long time ago.

But even so, their situation was dangerous.

The Gu Yan Immortal Lord tapped into the immortal design's power for the 5th time and projected his voice out.

"There are still countless more Marks of an Immortal King more suited to everyone throughout the Great Void Immortal Path, just waiting for you. There is still time. Go find the Marks of an Immortal King that belong to you!

"There are ghostly kings everywhere in the Astral Hell. If so many go in, news of the 10th Grade Mark of an Immortal King will definitely leak to the ghostly immortals. And then the entire Hell will be in an uproar. It might already be the case.

"I dare say that the chances of losing your lives are a hundred times higher in the Astral Hell compared to the Great Void Immortal Path!

"And there is only one Mark of an Immortal King there. Although it is the highest grade, and never seen before, not even our young master stands a good chance of getting it. They might only return, hide, and return empty-handed in 20 years.

"But at least he has already obtained a 9th Grade Mark of an Immortal King. That is why he has chosen to take the risk in the Astral Hell.

"Let me ask you: do you think you're actually qualified to contest for the 10th Grade Mark of an Immortal King? I think many of you couldn't even break the guards around a 3rd or 4th Grade Mark of an Immortal King!

"In order for this unrealistic dream, you would go to Astral Hell and risk your lives? I wager that 9 out of 10 of you would die!

"If you all do not listen to my warning, and insist on dying, it is very meaningless. So many people are gathered here now. I think the truly wise will quickly go elsewhere to search for Marks of an Immortal King. This is a good chance.

"Everyone's goal is to become immortal kings. Before even becoming immortal kings, you all want to become eternal immortal emperors? Isn't that like trying to fly before you can walk?

"If the 10th Grade Mark of an Immortal King is actually obtained, perhaps only those like my Young Master could hold on to it. Many of you have no background. You would probably be killed the moment you leave the Great Void Immortal Path!

"Immortal Lords all, will you not think this through carefully?"

The members of the five tribes shouted, each one taking turns.

They all felt tremendous pressure, but they still had to say this. Because the immortal design's power alone would not be able to hold the tide of immortal lords back. It was their words that caused the immortal lords to waver.

Although many immortal lords were surrounding them, many of them were of two minds. After all, they knew the dangers of the Astral Hell. That at least was not in dispute.

Besides, they indeed stood a chance if they remained here. After all, many had already obtained their Marks of an Immortal King. Once they went in, their lives would be on the line, all for a nigh-impossible shot at getting the 10th Grade Mark of an Immortal King. Those who considered it rationally would indeed deem it hopeless.

The 10th Grade Mark of an Immortal King had indeed tempted many away from reason.

After another round of persuasion, the Gu Yan Immortal Lord and the others heaved a sigh. This time around, they had managed to quieten the rabble a little. But what made them worried was that these immortal lords were not leaving either. They had not yet fully given up on their hopes, and they were waiting for something to change.

They sat here, waiting and watching.

Just at this time, a bunch of golden-robed immortals pushed past the crowd, nearing the Gu Yan Immortal Lord's location. They were an impressive lot with a commanding presence.

"Another bunch of immortal emperor descendants."

Seeing them, those immortal lords who had ascended from the mortal domain said in admiration.

"That's the Culmination Immortal Tribe, the son of the Culmination Honored Sage Great Emperor - he's their leader."

In the middle was a golden-robed youth with a kingly aura about him. He struck an imposing figure, and his pure features were intimidating and yet devoid of anger. He was a natural-born leader, and his every word held great meaning.

Close by, many immortal emperor descendants were already gathered.

For example, the Zhao Immortal Tribe were mostly here. Only their leader, Zhao Yuanchen, had gone ahead into the Astral Hell.

The Eternal Phoenix Tribe was here as well, trying to find out any news they could about the Snow Region Immortal Lord. They guessed that he might be here, and they were as panicky as ants on a hot plate, not yet having found the Dancing Flame Phoenix Lord.

The Chong Yuan Immortal Lord had clearly just arrived from afar.

However, the Culmination Honored Sage Great Emperor was also one of the highest ranked immortal emperors, much higher than Zhao Gongming. He was on the same level as the Ruling Sky Manifesting Sage Great Emperor.

Having been exposed to him since young, his own conduct had the regal bearing of the Culmination Honored Sage Great Emperor.

At this moment, he coughed once, and many people immediately perked up. He then declared loudly, "Actually, I feel that the Gu Yan Immortal Lord and the others speak well. The Astral Hell is indeed very dangerous, and many amongst us are not suited to go in! The 10th Grade Mark of an Immortal King is incredibly rare. We should focus on the Great Void Immortal Path. That is the practical choice."

The Gu Yan Immortal Lord had been worried, but now he relaxed upon hearing his words. But he was a little confused. He knew that the Chong Yuan Immortal Lord wanted to go in. Why would he help him like this? Could it be that he was about to ask to be let in alone? In that case, the others would definitely go crazy.

There was some muttering. Such words were expected from the five great tribes defending the door. But it was not welcomed when they were from the Chong Yuan Immortal Lord.

But at this moment, the Chong Yuan Immortal Lord flipped it around. "On the Great Void Immortal Path, everyone can make their own decisions. Peril or prospect? It is all our judgment. We all acknowledge that the Astral Hell is very dangerous, and we had better not go in. But what gives you, a mere thousand people, the right to decide for us? We have 10 million immortal lords here! Why should we be ruled by you?! None of you are truly concerned about our lives. You just want to see your masters get the 10th Grade Mark of an Immortal King without a fuss!"

These words immediately raised a huge outcry from the gathered immortal lords.

"That's right! We'll decide for ourselves whether it's worth it or not! You don't have the right to obstruct us!"

"Get out!"

Perhaps they had not yet thought through whether they were going in, but they were extremely discontent with these five great tribes. If they left, perhaps a majority of them still would not go in, but people were emotional creatures. Just a mere thousand people, barring all of their way?

This left the Gu Yan Immortal Lord and the others speechless.

The Chong Yuan Immortal Lord said righteously, "We acknowledge that the Astral Hell is dangerous. We have the right to decide whether we're going. The Jade Emperor announced the Great Void Immortal Path to give us the choice to decide. But you lot are stopping us from exercising that right!"

He then raised his voice. "Immortal brethren, there's no need to quibble with them. They are but 1,000, and we will have our rights again if we just chase them away! They have fewer numbers and can't stand against us. Let's fight!"

He used a good blend of logos and pathos to galvanize them. After all, they had the numerical advantage.

"If you resist, you will die! Consider that!"

The situation looked on the verge of spiraling out of control. The Chong Yuan Immortal Lord's exhortations were backed by the Culmination Immortal Tribe leading the attack. They were about 200 strong, and the Zhao Immortal Tribe had about the same. There were also many immortal emperor descendants. This group alone would have been enough. In addition to the masses of immortal lords, the entire situation devolved quickly.

Seeing the flood of immortal lords charging, the Gu Yan Immortal Lord and the others froze in fear!

As the immortal lords charged, they could not help but admit that they had failed in their defense mission!

There was nothing they could do. They were like the proverbial mantis before the wagon. The Gu Yan Immortal Lord led them and raised their hands, not daring to move. They removed the immortal design and declared their surrender at the top of their voices. These 1,000 people were scared and had crumbled of their own accord. They quickly left the Astral Hell vicinity, protecting their lives.

It was over.

The Chong Yuan Immortal Lord had not even needed to act himself. He sniggered and then led the majority of the Culmination Immortal Tribe into the door to the Astral Hell.

"Think well, you all! Do you really want to go in?" he yelled loudly as he entered.

Actually, there were many barkers but not many biters. Now that they had wrested back their right to freedom, many started to think about actually using it.

Of course, some had already made up their minds and they charged into the Astral Hell close on the Chong Yuan Immortal Lord's heels. There was no shortage of brave people.

"Charge!"

Many people hopped on the bandwagon, their impulses taking over as they saw so many others charge in.

"We should go! Maybe there are more Marks of an Immortal King inside! It's easier to kill others and take their treasures inside. Although we might not be able to get the 10th Grade Mark of an Immortal King, we can get Marks of an Immortal King from others. After all, it has been more than 80 years since the Great Void Immortal Path opened. Many people have marks!"

This was the goal for many.

The Gu Yan Immortal Lord hid far away, watching the crowds of immortal lords charge in. He wanted to cry, but the tears would not come.