The Observance Selection Begins

The Wangchao Martial Academy was situated in Chongtian City, with the entire Second District serving as the academy's vast domain.

Arriving at the academy's iconic grand red gates, Yang Lingrui caught sight of a familiar figure.

It was Xu Jian'an from North Crow Clearwind Cave, the very man who had purchased the Yang family's talismans at the Dharma Assembly years ago.

He had now reached the ninth level of the Qi Gathering realm and was ranked seventeenth on the selection roster.

Like the Yang family, Clear Wind Cave had been a major beneficiary of the secret treasury incident.

By now, their reputation in the northern region of Wangyue was in no way inferior to the Yang family's influence in the south.

Yet, just like the Yang family, Clear Wind Cave had paid a catastrophic price during that ordeal.

At the time, Clear Wind Cave had sent four disciples into the fray, and only Xu Jian'an had survived. His two junior brothers and one junior sister had all been ruthlessly hunted down and killed by rival sects.

Xu Jian'an was currently walking behind a disciple of the Myriad Transformations Sect, his face looking considerably more weathered than when they had first met at the Dharma Assembly.

It was evident that the tragic loss of his junior brothers and sisters had left a heavy mark upon him.

"Senior Brother Sheng Lai! It has been too long!"

Seeing the two approach, Xiao Yize-the current First Senior Brother of the Myriad Transformations Sect-stepped forward to greet them warmly.

"It has indeed been long. How has Elder Mo been keeping lately?"

"Hahaha, thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Sheng Lai. Master is doing wonderfully, though he often speaks of you."

"Alas... I am currently burdened with too many trivial worldly matters. I shall visit his eminence the moment I find some respite," He Shenglai sighed softly.

Years ago, he had entered the Dao through the Myriad Transformations Sect, training alongside Xiao Yize under the tutelage of Elder Mo.

It was only after his cultivation reached the fourth level of the Qi Gathering realm that he descended the mountain to return to his clan.

Though they shared no formal master-disciple title, they possessed a true master-disciple bond.

Consequently, Xiao Yize addressed him affectionately as Senior Brother Sheng Lai, rather than using a distant formal title.

As the four of them entered the martial academy together, Yang Lingrui and Xu Jian'an followed from behind, nodding to each other in mutual recognition.

Upon passing through the gates, they were immediately separated by guiding cultivators.

He Shenglai and Xiao Yize, both having achieved the Perfection realm, were personally received by a martial cultivator at the early Condensed Origin stage and escorted straight to the core area of the academy.

Meanwhile, Yang Lingrui and Xu Jian'an were led toward the base of a towering structure in the outer courtyard.

"Brother Yang, your disguise technique is truly profound. Even though I know it is a facade, I cannot detect a single flaw."

"Haha, it is the handiwork of my family's ancestor. I possess no such skill myself."

Having arrived at their destination, the two passed the time with idle chatter while they waited.

Xu Jian'an had encountered Yang Lingrui at the Dharma Assembly and had retained a deep impression of him due to his exceptionally striking appearance.

When they met moments ago, he had been slightly puzzled, but a brief reflection allowed him to deduce the truth.

This Fellow Daoist was undoubtedly concerned that his true face would invite unnecessary trouble.

"With Brother Xu's capabilities, securing a placement should be well within your grasp."

"Ah! That is difficult to say. This place is truly a gathering of crouching tigers and hidden dragons. In the end, our backgrounds are too humble. If it truly comes down to an absolute clash of hidden cards and desperate measures, the disparity between us and the disciples of the great clans remains vast."

Xu Jian'an shook his head. "Take the roster for instance. At the ninth level, I am only ranked seventeenth, and there are even two eighth-level cultivators placed above me."

"Furthermore, there is that Slaying Guard from the Demon-Slaying Bureau, Zi He. He is truly a ferocious character. Without even training in the Spirit-Commanding Method, he managed to force his way into the top three. If I can form an acquaintance with him this time, this journey will not have been in vain."

As the two conversed, the crowd gathered beneath the high tower steadily swelled.

The disciples of various powerful factions entered the grounds one after another, including a contingent of thirteen from Chengtian Academy.

The moment they arrived, they became the undisputed focal point of the entire arena.

The reason lay entirely with Li Qingwan and Ye Lan.

Ordinarily, catching a glimpse of even one of the academy's four great beauties was an exceedingly rare privilege. To see two of them appearing together naturally compelled everyone to steal a few more lingering glances.

Ye Lan, attired in a plain, austere robe, walked at the absolute vanguard as the leader of the party.

While a gentle, approachable smile usually graced her features, a subtle shade of melancholy hung between her brows today for reasons unknown.

Li Qingwan followed closely behind her, maintaining her characteristic cold, aloof demeanor. Yet, beneath her frosty exterior, her gaze seemed to quietly sweep across the crowd, as if searching for someone.

After a short while, the sound of laughter and conversation drifted over from the entrance.

Looking toward the sound, the crowd watched three individuals walking shoulder-to-shoulder. They were none other than the top three figures on the selection roster.

Chu Hao of Daoyuan Mountain.

Xia Liheng of the Martial Academy.

Zi He of the Demon-Slaying Bureau.

Let alone young cultivators of Yang Lingrui's generation, even the five individuals ranked directly behind them-who had successfully mastered the Spirit-Commanding Method-displayed visible wariness in their eyes. This alone spoke volumes of the terrifying combat prowess these three commanded.

At this point, all one hundred and twenty-four contestants had assembled.

"Whoosh!"

Amit a sudden surge of turbulent air currents across the courtyard, a burly figure descended from the heavens.

"Fellow young friends, I am Hong Guang, the Chief Instructor of the Martial Academy. I shall serve as your Dharma Protector for this trial."

Hong Guang of the Martial Academy was a cultivator at the late Condensed Origin stage, a renowned figure well-known to the prominent factions present.

After announcing his identity, Hong Guang swept his gaze over the gathered crowd and continued, "Since everyone has arrived, let us commence."

He turned and gestured toward the colossal structure behind him.

"The first round of the selection is straightforward. You are to scale this replica of the Martial God Tower. Those who manage to ascend to the eighth floor within the designated time limit will advance to the next round. Those who fail shall be eliminated."

As he spoke, his gaze drifted toward Zi He and the other top contenders, a faint smile touching his lips. "Naturally, if any among you possess the ability to scale to the very summit at the twelfth floor, you shall directly secure a seat for the Observance."

Hearing those words, the eyes of the young cultivators flared with burning anticipation, each eager to test their mettle.

"Xia Liheng!"

"Student is present, Chief Instructor," the sturdily-built martial cultivator stepped forth from the crowd, cupping his hands in respect toward Hong Guang.

"As a disciple of our Martial Academy, you shall be the first to ascend."

"Understood!"

Xia Liheng turned and offered a polite bow to the surrounding crowd. "Fellow Daoists, Xia shall take the lead to set the benchmark for everyone."

The moment his voice fell, his form blurred. In the blink of an eye, he had already vanished into the isolating barrier of the Martial God Tower.

"Incredible speed!"

This single display caused the hearts of many young cultivators to seize with shock.

They had been entirely unable to capture even a faint, lingering afterimage of Xia Liheng's movement.

"Brother Zi He, if you were to clash with Brother Xia, what would your chances of victory be?" Chu Hao asked in a low voice, having witnessed Xia Liheng's entry.

Zi He shrugged casually. "If he refrains from using the Spirit-Commanding Method, I might hold a slight advantage. But once he activates it, I would have no choice but to flee for my life."

"Hahaha, Brother Zi He is far too modest. Others may be kept in the dark, but I have received word that you recently executed a renegade cultivator of the Wangchao who was at the Perfection of the Qi Gathering realm. I believe his cultivation had reached the eleventh level?" Chu Hao turned his head, asking with a thin smile.

"Merely an exaggerated rumor. That individual was only at the tenth level."

Hearing this response, Chu Hao gave Zi He a profound, measuring look but chose not to press the matter further.

By this time, the radiant glows emanating from the Martial God Tower indicated that Xia Liheng had already reached the eighth floor.

Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, Xia Liheng advanced with unstoppable momentum, breaking through every obstacle as he charged toward the summit of the tower.

Because of the isolating barrier, the contestants could not probe the interior with their Divine Sense. However, they could still deduce the sheer intensity of the trial from the violent ripples of Spiritual Qi surging outward.

"What terrifying physical strength!"

"I am far inferior to this man. If I were to encounter him in battle, I would likely be slain in a single breath."

"He truly deserves his place as the fierce figure ranked second on the roster. Today, I have truly opened my eyes."

Witnessing this spectacle, the young cultivators felt a chill run through their hearts, deeply shaken by Xia Liheng's transcendent combat capability.

Xu Jian'an watched the ascending lights on the tower, shaking his head repeatedly in resignation.

"Brother Yang, compared to these peerless geniuses, the gap between us is simply too vast."

"That is only natural. How long has it been since our respective families rose to prominence? Our true accumulation along the path of cultivation spans less than a century. We naturally cannot compare to these colossal factions."

Yang Lingrui gazed up at the high tower, speaking in a measured, calm tone. "However, just because we cannot achieve it today does not mean our descendants will be unable to do so. Brother Xu need not belittle himself. For you and me to be able to stand here today is already a magnificent Fated Chance that countless fellow cultivators yearn for but can never obtain."

Xu Jian'an turned to look at Yang Lingrui in surprise. He had not anticipated that a cultivator younger than himself would possess such profound breadth of mind and clarity of vision.

"That is profound wisdom. Brother Yang, your words are absolutely correct."

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