Chapter 121: Seed Selection
As the black mountain slowly rose, the surrounding misty elemental energy rapidly retreated, seemingly afraid to approach the black peak.
Lin Dong couldn't help but exclaim, "This treasure is definitely stronger than the other four Heaven-ranked spiritual treasures!"
Xiao Tian said, "Lin Dong, while it's still weak, take this opportunity to make it yours!"
Lin Dong hesitated and asked, "Brother Xiao Tian, don't you want it?"
"It doesn't have much use for me," Xiao Tian shook his head. If he were still at the Dou Zong level, he might need such a treasure. But now, having reached the Dou Zun level, a Heaven-ranked spiritual treasure wasn't as valuable to him as a powerful martial art.
Hearing this, Lin Dong bit the tip of his tongue and sprayed a mouthful of blood onto the mountain. However, the mountain emitted a strange force that resisted the invasion of the blood.
"Hmph!" Xiao Tian snorted coldly, and the Devouring Ancestral Symbol transformed into a black hole, enveloping the mountain. The terrifying devouring power absorbed all the strange energy from the mountain. Feeling the strength of the Devouring Ancestral Symbol, the mountain stopped resisting.
Finally, Lin Dong's blood invaded the mountain, leaving a blood imprint deep within.
The black mountain hummed and then flew into Lin Dong's hand. Surprisingly, Lin Dong felt no weight from it.
He examined the small mountain and exclaimed, "Heavy Prison Peak! What a treasure!"
He tried to test its power but found he couldn't activate it.
Xiao Tian explained, "The Heavy Prison Peak can only be activated with essence energy. Once we leave, I'll help you convert some."
"Thank you, Brother Xiao Tian!"
Lin Dong nodded.
"For now, use the elemental energy here to enhance your cultivation," Xiao Tian suggested. "When you reach the same level as Lin Langtian, he won't stand a chance against you. But beware, Lin Langtian harbors the spirit of a strong warrior. If that spirit intervenes, you might still lose."
"Spirit of a strong warrior?" Lin Dong frowned, realizing for the first time that Lin Langtian had such a secret. It explained why Lin Langtian had risen so quickly.
Lin Dong sat cross-legged, and under Xiao Tian's control, the Devouring Ancestral Symbol transformed into a black hole, wildly absorbing the surrounding elemental energy and channeling it into Lin Dong's body.
With this immense energy influx, Lin Dong's cultivation began to rise rapidly. However, it was still insufficient to reach the advanced Creation stage.
Xiao Tian then produced hundreds of thousands of Pure Yuan Pills, which the Devouring Ancestral Symbol also absorbed.
Finally, Lin Dong's cultivation advanced. After breaking through, Lin Dong exited the clan treasury.
Alongside Lin Fan and Xiao Tian, they rode a beast toward the capital of the Great Yan Empire.
The capital was the most prestigious city in the Great Yan Empire, with the royal family as its rulers. Consequently, major powers had a presence in the capital, and many high-ranking members often stayed there, as decisions made in the capital affected the entire empire.
After spending a few days in the capital, the seed selection tournament began in the depths of the imperial palace.
When Xiao Tian and his group arrived, many other factions were already present.
A clear bell rang out, and numerous palace guards arrived. A middle-aged man with black and white hair, dressed in dragon robes, appeared in the sky. He exuded a powerful aura that surpassed even Lin Fan's. This was the imperial tiger, Mo Jingtian.
"We greet Your Majesty!" Everyone, including Lin Fan, bowed. Only Xiao Tian and Queen Medusa remained standing, not bowing.
This caught Mo Jingtian's attention, but he sensed that Queen Medusa's aura was stronger than his own.
"With such a strong protector, it's no wonder they could kill Wang Lei!" Mo Jingtian thought, then withdrew his gaze.
"Ha ha!" Mo Jingtian laughed and waved his hand, "Everyone, rise!"
A gentle force lifted everyone who had bowed, surprising the onlookers.
Mo Jingtian descended and looked at Xiao Tian, saying with a smile, "You must be the famous Xiao Tian?"
Xiao Tian smiled back, "Famous is an exaggeration. I've only made a small name for myself."
"Xiao Tian is too modest," Mo Jingtian observed Xiao Tian for a moment, then exclaimed, "You've reached the Nirvana stage?"
"I recently had a breakthrough," Xiao Tian replied with a smile. He had revealed this deliberately to secure a spot without having to compete with the younger participants.
"What?" "Xiao Tian has reached the Nirvana stage?" The surrounding crowd buzzed with shock. A Nirvana stage expert was a dominant force in the Great Yan Empire. The royal family and the four great clans held their high status primarily because they each had Nirvana stage experts.
Now, they looked at Xiao Tian with reverence. Even the royal prince, Huangpu Jing, took a deep breath, thinking, "No wonder Sister Qingzhu holds him in such high regard!"
Huangpu Ying gritted his teeth, thinking, "Damn it, how did you reach the Nirvana stage?"
Lin Langtian snorted coldly, "Nirvana stage? I'll reach that after the Hundred Empire War."
"Since Xiao Tian has reached the Nirvana stage, he will be granted a spot directly," Mo Jingtian announced. "The rest of you will compete for the remaining four spots. You all know the rules, so there's no need for me to elaborate. Now, draw lots and enter the passage according to your numbers."
The crowd breathed a sigh of relief. The gap between the Creation stage and the Nirvana stage was immense. Facing Xiao Tian would have meant certain defeat. Now, they only had to compete among themselves, which seemed fairer.
They each confidently believed they could secure a spot.
Mo Jingtian waved his hand, and a bunch of bamboo slips enveloped in light appeared. He flicked his wrist, and the slips flew into the air. The crowd surged forward to draw their lots.
(End of Chapter)
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