The core disciples are doing one final practice before setting off for the competition.
After the competition, it will be the recruitment season for every sect. Thus, the competition is mostly for people to decide which sect they want to join. Needless to say, each sect has its requirements. Heavenly Divine Dragon used to take anyone that joins but considering our current reputation, Gaoming came up with several ways to test new candidates.
I visit the Alchemy pavilion and Inyoung cheerfully welcomes me.
She has taken in 2 disciples from the sect. Both of them are the weakest outer disciple, the bottom of the bottom.
"Their talent shines in Alchemy, not martial arts," Inyoung says as two disciples bow at me. Both are young girls. "Oh yes, and this is the man I want to bring in."
Inyoung guides me to the back of the sect, where fields of crops are planted.
?!
This wasn't here before.
"It was set up by him yesterday, he did it from day till night," Inyoung added. A bearded man resting under a tree beside the field looks in our direction and jumps up.
"Greetings Patriarch, I am Jun Huan." He says with a smile. "Don't worry about herbs, I have 20 years of cultivating experience."
Afterwards, he went on to specifically say which plot belongs to what, what is the best condition for herb farming, and even the best types of herb for alchemy.
"Ahem." Inyoung stops him.
"A-Ah. My apologies, the patriarch is busy." Says Jun Huan.
"It's alright, nice to meet you Jun Huan," I reply.
"The pleasure is mine."
After the tour, Inyoung passes me a bag of elixir pills for "emergencies".
"Good luck! I will be here if you need me." Says Inyoung.
I nod, it is time to set off.
The Core disciples and Li Ye have gathered at the front gate, awaiting me. Disciples are lined up at both sides and bow at my presence.
"We wish the Patriarch and seniors the best of luck!" They say in unison.
Outside the sect, a white Phoenix lands, casting waves of wind that expel everyone away.
??
"H-He is back?!" Zhong Han exclaims.
Zhong Han runs out and as expected, it is the old man from before that brought us to the tomb.
"I'm sorry! Please forgive me!" Says Zhong Han.
...
?
"Pfft...Hahahaha!!"
The old man laughs out.
"I don't care about that. Do you think I was serious? Why would I kill a friend?" He says.
"Hahaha..." Says Zhong Han whose entire face has turned pale.
"I'm here for the patriarch this time." He says. "This is the start of Heavenly Divine Dragon's return. Don't you think you need a powerful first impression?"
"How much do you need?" I ask.
"Money? I will accept only 1 silver coun on the condition that you accept my daughter into your sect." The old man says.
"I can prioritise her in admission but she still must be eligible and stand out," I say.
"Don't worry about that. The patriarch will be shocked by her performance. Get on!"
We jump onto the Phoenix and it soars into the air.
The competition takes part next to Lou Ping, on the stage set up on the Flower Goddess island.
It was named that way due to the birth of a flower empress on that island who ascended millions of years ago.
From the above, we can see the entire island and swarms of boats clouding the dock.
A beautiful island painted purplish-pink by the unique colour of nature. The extensive rivers of water and majestic mountains forming at the edge of the island are a sight to behold.
The Phoenix screams as it circles the island.
"Alright let's see." The old man attempts to find a spot for landing.
A cultivator jumps up into the air and greets us. "We are the Heavenly Divine Dragon sect," I say.
"Ah! Please follow me." The cultivator says.
We land in an area that people have cleared out.
"It's Patriarch Wang! This is similar to his majestic entrance to the tomb." A man says.
"Wait..."
!!!!!!
Everyone has their eyes wide open. Even mortals can feel the energy emitting from my body, it is condensed energy that a peak Core Formation radiate.
"Patriarch Wang is an unbelievable genius!!!" A woman gasps.
"2 months and he already broke through to the peak Core Formation?!"
I look around and saw the elder from the Eight Trigrams sect, mouth wide open.
He is probably stunned by my growth speed. After all, we just met a week ago and I have already broken through 2 stages.
Now, that reminds me. I can feel several glares of death directed at me, they are in the direction of the arena shimmering from the Patriarchs and elders of different sects.
This year, the profound poison sect has retreated because of the death of their young master. They are still hell-bent on finding Xie Mo. The other top two sects have been called to another country to aid in fighting an impending war.
"Patriarch, you may go ahead. I have to meet my daughter, we will be spectating the matches." The old man says.
"Ah, right. I forgot to ask for your name." I say.
"This old one will tell you my name later. Go on."
...
I nod and left for the arena.
Many people made way for us and step aside.
The gazes of awe, covetousness, jealousy, and even killing intent. This kind of attention isn't bad once in a while.
The arena is a large platform on flat ground with many seats erected around, forming a concave structure of an auditorium. the north and south of the arena have an empty portion for people to enter.
At the top of the auditorium is a row of lavish seats with tables and a shelter above. The area where patriarch and elders seat. Even the Jade emperor is present.
"They are here!"
"Ack! Ack!"
Most of the spectators are infected with only some showing symptoms.
Looks like the Heavenly Divine Dragon sect is the last one to arrive. We quickly take our seats in the only empty top row.
The murmurs quiet down when the Jade emperor stands up. "With everyone present, the competition will begin." He says.
"Yeah!!"
The crowd cheers.
Suddenly, the arena rumbles and splits into four and each is separated by a barrier.
"Li Ye, what is the lineup?" I ask.
Li Ye passed to me a slip of rolled-up paper.
Let's see...
!
All of my disciples are up against Core Formations?!
No, the subsequent rounds of my disciples are facing increasingly stronger opponents. This cannot be a coincidence.
I throw a glance at other Patriarchs and elders. They avoid eye contact while some smirk at me.
...
I return a taunting smile and waved at them.
Visible veins appear on their face as they narrow their eyes.
From the corner of my eyes, I glimpse at the Jade Emperor, who happens to be looking at me as well.
?!
A surge in pain hit my mind. What happened? I touch the back of my head but nothing is there, it felt like a needle piercing itself into my head. Did the emperor...?
The emperor looks away.
...
Back to the topic, almost every organisation here have collided and attempted to sabotage me. I should expect unpleasant events.
---------------
The Jade Emperor smiles when he gazes at Wang Ji. "He is here." The emperor mumbles.
When their eyes meet, he takes the chance to peek into Wang Ji's body.
No demonic Qi.
No forbidden techniques learnt.
All of the Qi in Wang Ji's body is pure Qi, something impossible to achieve as atmosphere Qi are naturally polluted.
In addition, Wang Ji's physique is special and it's not as if Wang Ji has a superior spiritual Qi.
Thus, many questions remained unanswered. Exactly how is he cheating his way against Dao? Or is this the will of heaven?
The more the Jade Emperor speculates, the more mysterious Wang Ji gets.
The Jade Emperor knows that everyone is going against Wang Ji. He wants to step in to protect such a gifted genius. Yet he wants to see what Wang Ji will do in this situation...
At the same time, Shao Hui has met up with the Patriarch of the Profound Poison sect underground.
"I found Xie Mo." Says Shao Hui.