The journey took a few days. During that time, Sheng Tian could sense that the atmosphere on the flying ship was tense. The disciples only had so much power and are indeed aware of the fact that they are severely lacking compared to the other sect.
"We've arrived"
Sheng Tian looked out and saw that they had stopped above a huge plaza. He and the others left the ship and descended to the ground, allowing Long Chen to put away the flying ship.
There seems to be thousands of humans along with a myriad of races. Each party had a designated place to wait based on their sect's strength and Sheng Tian's group made their way to the third area.
Long Chen's face darkened and the temperature seemed to plummet once they got to their usual place. Another group had taken initiative to stand in their place.
Although this was a small matter and there was no written rule of where one has to stand, it is a matter of a power's face and another power taking their place is akin to a slap to the face and saying they were weaker.
They were a group of youths along with an elder wearing bright purple robes with a tiger embroidered on it.
"Violet Tiger Sect. I don't remember you being here last time" Long Chen said through gritted teeth.
The elder stepped forward "ah if it isn't the sect master of the Sky Sword Sect. You can't blame me for bringing my talents here. After all there are so many people here"
He pointed to an empty space several meters away. If one counted it would mean the power that stands there will be in last place.
Everyone stared at Long Chen. If he took that spot then it would be akin to saying the Sky Sword Sect had declined. If he didn't and insisted on staying in spot number three, he would need proof to back it up or he would be called unreasonable and attract ire from the other powers.
"There's no need"
One voice broke through the silence and everyone turned their attention to an otherworldly handsome youth that stood next to Long Chen.
Sheng Tian stepped forward "I hope the Violet Tiger Sect would kindly move away. Old habits don't die easily so please don't make things hard for us"
He then clapped his hands as if he thought of something "I know. How about we have a quick match. Your... 'talents' against me"
Everyone knew what he was saying. The loser will move away and the winner will stay. However the various powers were more appalled at the youth who had dared to brazenly speak up. Sheng Tian hadn't given The Violet Tiger Sect's Master any chance to retort nor face and turned to tables in their favor.
If he didn't accept the challenge then he would attract the scorn of the other powers as that would mean he had no confidence in the strength of his talents against a single person.
The Violet Tiger Sect's Master harrumphed and looked at Sheng Tian "how brazen. Since the Sky Sword Sect is so confident in your strength then I will oblige. Lets see if the Sky Sword Sect raised true experts or pretty greenhouse grasses"
He hooked his finger and ten young men stepped forward.
"Cripple him and ruin his face"
The hot headed young men were more than happy to oblige to their sect master's voice transmission. Sheng Tian was truly too handsome and they watched with bloodshot eyes as countless maidens turned their starry eyes towards him.
"Die!"
They rushed towards Sheng Tian in pairs.
"Oh?"
Sheng Tian looked at them with slight interest "a battle formation"
The Violet Tiger Sect's Master felt a slight chill down his spine "how did he know?"
"Albeit a trash one" Sheng Tian said after.
As soon as he said that he raised his finger and rays of golden qi shot out. They shattered their Earth ranked weapons and pierced through the shoulders of the youths. As they fell forward, Sheng Tian raised his other hand and slapped their faces with pinpoint accuracy.
PAH!
They flew into the air spewing blood and landed with a dull thud on the spot reserved for last place.
Sheng Tian cupped his hands and faced the Violet Tiger Sect's Master "It seems your disciples went easy on me"
He then moved to the side and gestured for his group to do the same.
The Master of the Violet Tiger Sect's face turned red with rage and indignation. Veins appeared on his forehead and he looked as though he might explode.
"Old men shouldn't get angry too much or you might die of a heart attack"
That was the straw that broke the camel's back. Their sect master coughed a mouthful of blood and fainted right then and there. The youths scrambled to pick him up and drag him to another spot.
Long Chen smiled. Sheng Tian's actions had shown everybody that the Sky Sword Sect hasn't declined yet. His actions serve as a deterrent and to attract potential allies and Long Chen wholeheartedly approved of them.
He looked at the sea of people and the many innocent maidens that were smitten by Sheng Tian. He sighed and thought about how unlucky the men of this generation were and what kind of woman or women would attract Sheng Tian's attention.
A man suddenly appeared in the center of the gathering place dressed in gold embroidered robes.
Long Chen leaned over and whispered to Sheng Tian "that person is the representative of the Xia Empire that resides in the Central Continent. They pretty much rule the place and hold most of the authority"
Sheng Tian nodded and turned to the man. The Gathering Of Geniuses was about to begin and Sheng Tian could not help but clench his fist not in fear but in excitement at the prospect of a good fight.
"Hello everyone. I am the envoy sent by His Majesty the Emperor to oversee the competition"
His voice traveled far and wide to ensure everyone heard him.
"Within your residences is a jade slip containing all the information you need. You are dismissed"
Sheng Tian jumped back and flew to their sect's temporary residence. The competition had officially begun.