Chapter 353 – Why are you sitting on the judges’ platform?


Proofreader & Editor: Lotas


The grand ceremony in Qingzhou officially commenced, with the most eye-catching event being the competition among the younger generation.

 

Each year, the competition would bring forth young cultivators of immense potential, leaving those who had spent their lives in obscurity feeling inferior and sighing to the heavens.

 

Indeed, the potential of these cultivators was proven time and again. Apart from those who met with unexpected demise, the majority achieved fame and success, either becoming sect leaders or founding their own sects.

 

Not only did the Qingzhou authorities place great importance on these young cultivators, but many sects were also present, hoping to recruit new talents.

 

Perhaps due to the impending major era, the young cultivators participating in recent years were extraordinary, continually breaking records of the past.

 

"Look over there, isn't that Li Shaoyang from the Dingfeng Sect? I heard he's reached the Great Perfection of Qi Refining. He once encountered bandits while traveling and with a single spear thrust, he pierced through three bandits at the ninth level of Qi Refining!"

 

"What? He's reached the Great Perfection of Qi Refining at such a young age? That's enough to rank in the top eight!"

 

At the ninth level of Qi Refining, one can attempt Foundation Establishment. To increase the success rate, cultivators meticulously polish this stage, also known as the Great Perfection of Qi Refining.

 

Most of the cultivators spectating were in the Qi Refining stage, aiming for the Great Perfection as their ultimate goal.

 

The five great immortal sects didn't bother with such distinctions. Whether one was at the first level of Qi Refining or the Great Perfection, it made no difference to them.

 

"And that exceptionally beautiful female cultivator next to him, Qiao Hongye from the first-rate Wuxiu Sect, is also at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining, with dual spiritual roots of wood and fire. She ranked first in the Wuxiu Sect's internal competition, which included several at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining!"

 

"Great Perfection could rank in the top eight in previous years, but it's hard to say this year. Rumor has it that there are several at the Foundation Establishment stage participating!"

 

"Foundation Establishment before eighteen? And there are several of them?"

 

A companion whispered mysteriously, "Have you heard of Gu Qisheng from Changhong Palace? Born at an inauspicious time, with the Xuan Yin physique, he faced a great calamity at birth. If not for the palace master's rescue, he might not have survived."

 

"The Xuan Yin physique attracts heavenly jealousy. Surviving birth is a calamity. If one overcomes it, cultivation goes smoothly; if not, they perish midway."

 

"Some saw Gu Qisheng here yesterday. He's already at the initial stage of Foundation Establishment."

 

***

 

"Hello, we're here to register for the competition."

 

The yamen clerk was registering names not far away, the area quiet.

 

Most would register in advance, but there were always a few who decided to compete on a whim.

 

The clerk glanced at the two men with friendly smiles, unable to discern their cultivation levels. He wasn't too concerned, as it was common for cultivators to carry artifacts that concealed their power.

 

Pointing to a stone beside him, he said, "This is the lowest quality Xuan Iron Stone. Only those in the later stages of Qi Refining can break it. Go ahead, break the stone."

 

To the two men, the Xuan Iron Stone was no different from tofu. With a gentle slap, the stone shattered into pieces.

 

"It seems you're at the Foundation Establishment stage. This year is truly full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers."

 

"This is the Year Ring Stone. Place your hand on it and channel your spiritual energy."

 

Another stone, similar in appearance but with concentric circles, was used in the cultivation world to test one's age.

 

The two placed their hands on the stone and channeled their spiritual energy. The rings lit up one after another, stopping at the seventeenth ring.

 

"Under eighteen, you're eligible to compete."

 

"Your name?"

 

"Lu Yang."

 

"Sect?"

 

"Seek Tao Sect."

 

"Huh?" The clerk looked up sharply, scrutinizing Lu Yang as if he'd seen a ghost.

 

Lu Yang puzzled, "Is there a problem?"

 

The clerk recalled the governor's words: Encourage participation in the competition, the more the better. Don't fear those with impressive backgrounds; fear that they won't compete.

 

The governor would surely be pleased with two Seek Tao Sect disciples competing.

 

"No, no problem. You can participate in the competition. And you, what's your name?"

 

"Meng Jingzhou, also from the Seek Tao Sect."

 

"Here are your numbers. In a quarter of an hour, we'll draw lots to determine the battle order. Be prepared."

 

"No problem!"

 

***

 

"Strange, the first match of the competition is about to start. Why haven't we seen Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou?" Lan Ting sat in the judges' seats, puzzled.

 

"Perhaps they encountered some mishap on the way and got delayed," Bai Ming speculated, a common occurrence during his own travels.

 

"Wait," Yan Tianzhi said, ever so sparing with words.

 

Lan Ting, not yet familiar with Yan Tianzhi, was informed by Bai Ming that Yan Tianzhi was always reticent, so expecting him to comment was unlikely.

 

Lan Ting sighed, realizing the burden of commentary would fall on her.

 

The crowd noticed the three young judges and began to whisper.

 

"Who are these three? They look so young, are they qualified to be judges?"

 

"Especially that girl, she's pretty, but she doesn't seem to have much combat experience."

 

"That's where you're wrong. These three are disciples of the immortal sects, the pride of the heavens. I've heard they're the most outstanding among their peers in their sects!"

 

"More than that, someone from my family works at the yamen. He said all three are at the Golden Elixir stage!"

 

"Golden Elixir stage?!"

 

"Now you see the gap in talent, right?"

 

The highest level among the competitors was Foundation Establishment, so Golden Elixir stage judges were more than sufficient.

 

Lan Ting glanced at the data for the first match's participants and said in a gentle tone, "The first contestant is Feng He, a direct disciple from the first-rate Seven Emotions Sect. Recently, without relying on Foundation Establishment pills and based on his foundation in Qi Refining, he broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage and is now at the initial stage."

 

"The Seven Emotions Sect expresses their understanding of emotions and desires through the path of music. Feng He has mastered their teachings, specializing in the way of music. His piece 'Parting Sorrow' can make birds pause and flowers bloom!"

 

"Feng He is also a seeded contestant in this competition. Let's look forward to his performance!"

 

Feng He's lips curled into a confident smile. With his initial stage of Foundation Establishment, he was sure to shine in this competition.

 

In the martial world, one relies on strength and the other on fame.

 

This competition was his starting point for fame!

 

"Feng He's opponent is a cultivator who registered on the spot. The opponent is… from the Seek Tao Sect, Lu Yang?!"

 

Lan Ting nearly lost her composure mid-sentence.

 

She put down the information in her hand and looked towards the arena, her expression turning peculiar upon seeing the familiar figure.

 

She turned to Bai Ming beside her, who wore a similar expression.

 

Lu Yang, spotting Lan Ting and Bai Ming on the judges' platform, waved and then scratched his head in confusion.

 

What's going on?

 

Wasn't this supposed to be a competition? Why are you sitting with the judges?


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