The golden light curtain at the top of the Jiuli Tower gradually dimd, announcing the official conclusion of the one-day Prefecture Tournant.
However, the crowd in the viewing stands did not disperse; instead, they grew even more crowded and noisy.
Cultivators gathered in groups of three or five, eagerly discussing today’s thrilling scenes, reluctant to leave even as they stepped away.
Everyone’s face was filled with excitent—the visual impact of this day surpassed months of previous competitions, igniting their passion.
A middle-aged Divinity Transformation Cultivator with a dicine basket smacked his lips, his tone full of satisfaction:
"Though we didn’t see the geniuses fight each other, this trip to the prefecture city was worthwhile!"
His companion nodded repeatedly, holding a crystal recording Chen Sheng’s swordsmanship:
"Isn’t that right! In previous tournants, it took ten days or half a month for geniuses to duel, and they kept their skills hidden. They only revealed a fraction of their ultimate moves, fearing their subsequent opponents would find out."
"But this ti, the Daoist Soldiers forced each genius to reveal all their cards; it was srizing!"
The surrounding cultivators agreed, and a cyan-robed Confucian Cultivator adjusted his jade-rimd glasses, speaking eloquently:
"These Nine Refinent Daoist Soldiers are truly formidable! Late-stage Divinity Transformation with a High Grade Dao Principle couldn’t withstand three moves. In the past, we never had the chance to see so many geniuses’ trump cards at once."
"Venerable Wuyue’s Bell Shattering Void, Venerable of Life-Annihilating’s Sword Slash Daoist Soldier...such ultimate moves are rarely shown in the Prefecture Tournant."
A nearby black-robed cultivator raised the Spirit Crystal recording in his hand:
"Exactly! Look at Venerable of Life-Annihilating’s swordsmanship, Yin Yang Transformation with Five Elents, a seamless series of ninety-nine moves, as beautiful as a painting, yet it cuts the Daoist Soldier’s Vajra Body like tofu!"
"Who had heard of the na ’Life-Annihilating’ before? After today, no one in Jiuli Mansion will be unaware of him! That’s what it ans to beco famous overnight!"
These words were t with a wave of agreent, as an old man with white hair stroked his beard, his eyes filled with contemplation:
"Among the six geniuses who defeated the Daoist Soldiers, Bai Feng, Cheng Kong, and Shang Yuan are all Daoist of major sects, famous geniuses. Venerable Xihua once fought Wuyue for three days and nights, earning a respectable reputation."
"But this Venerable of Life-Annihilating seems to have appeared out of nowhere. So say he ca with Venerable Xihua, interesting, indeed. To be able to call Venerable Xihua a brother, he can’t be an ordinary person!"
A gray-robed cultivator, his heart surging, exclaid:
"Venerable of Life-Annihilating is indeed impressive, but the most outstanding is still Venerable Wuyue!"
"Seventeen moves! Just seventeen moves to shatter the Nine Refinent Daoist Soldiers! When that Bronze Bell tolled, I felt my Divine Soul tremble, and bone-deep chills!"
"These are Daoist Soldiers that even those with High Grade Dao Principle Perfection can’t break defenses against! Venerable Wuyue effortlessly broke through; no wonder the Integration Dharma Master sees him as a peerless genius!"
"With such strength, not only is he first in the Prefecture Tournant, but he would definitely secure a top ten spot in the State Tournant as well!"
"That’s an exaggeration!"
Just as these words fell, a steady voice of rebuttal ca from behind.
Everyone turned towards the sound, seeing a Divinity Transformation Venerable in a purple robe step forward, his hair and beard slightly frosted, with a jade token inscribed with ’Yunlu’ hanging from his waist, indicating he was a cultivator from an external mansion.
The purple-robed Venerable stroked his beard, eyes carrying a hint of disdain, speaking clearly:
"Perhaps you’ve been in Jiuli too long and haven’t seen true top-tier geniuses? In the thirteen mansions of Yun State, there’s always been a pattern of ’One Three Nine’; do you know what this pattern signifies?"
The gray-robed cultivator glared and replied: "How could I not know? But Venerable Wuyue’s strength is evident!"
"What you know is but the surface."
The purple-robed Venerable smirked, waving his hand in the air, spiritual power forming the outline of a simple map:
"This ’One’ is Yun State Prefecture, the administrative center of the state, where the core branch of the Immortal Mansion is rooted. The Prefecture has no fewer than ten direct disciples of Dharma Masters, not to ntion Inner Sect Disciple and Nad Disciples."
"In past State Tournants, more than fifty percent of the top hundred were from Yun State Prefecture, with more than half of the top twenty!"
He pointed to three glowing points on the map:
"Then look at this ’Three’: Jiuxiao, Yunlu, and Bai Lei mansions. Though they lack the profound heritage of the Prefecture, they are branches of the Dao Vein of the Immortal Mansion, with geniuses as nurous as clouds."
"Just look at Fairy Qinglan from my Yunlu Mansion, bestowed with the ’Primordial Wind Treasure Record’ by the Dharma Master, she defeated an early-stage Void Refining cultivator last year. Such a person could confidently say they can secure a spot in the top ten of the State Tournant."
The surrounding cultivators nodded in agreent, a cultivator from Bai Lei Mansion added:
"Indeed! Our Bai Lei Mansion’s ’Thousand Extres Saint Master’ is even more terrifying, having already comprehended a top-level Dao Domain, ready to advance to Void Refining at any ti. Compared to these figures, Venerable Wuyue’s Space Dao Principle falls short."
The purple-robed Venerable continued:
"Together, these four mansions almost take up eighty to ninety percent of the top hundred spots in the State Tournant."
"The remaining spots are contested by top-tier geniuses from the other nine mansions. Venerable Wuyue’s talent is phenonal, breaking into the top hundred I believe, but saying top ten is as hard as ascending to the heavens!"
The gray-robed cultivator remained unconvinced, stepping forward to argue:
"Venerable Wuyue’s ’Void Suppressing Realm Technique’ is a secret technique taught directly by the Dharma Master. Those seventeen moves were not his full strength! Once his secret technique reaches Great Success, he can surely defeat them!"
The purple-robed Venerable scoffed:
"Secret technique reaching Great Success? Easier said than done!"
The two argued fiercely, their faces flushed and saliva flying.
The surrounding cultivators also split into two factions, so agreeing with the purple-robed Venerable’s practicality, others supporting the gray-robed cultivator, standing by the local genius, with the clamor growing louder.
A dark-skinned strong man suddenly slapped his thigh, eyes filled with longing:
"I think this Prefecture Tournant is just a prelude; the State Tournant will be the real event!"
"The gathering of the thirteen mansions’ geniuses at the Yun State Prefecture will be the true pinnacle showdown! I’m planning to go to the state myself and witness it!"
As these words were spoken, the surrounding discussions quieted down sowhat.
A plump cultivator shook his head with a bitter smile, "Go to the prefecture city? Easier said than done! From our Jiuli Mansion, teleporting there costs ten Tier Five Dao Crystals each ti!"
He counted on his fingers, "That’s enough to buy a Tier Five Dao Pill, and just to watch a competition, it’s way too extravagant!"
The excitent on the burly man’s face faded a bit, yet he remained undeterred:
"But this is a chance to witness the top young talents in action! If I miss this ti, I might not live to see the next one."
Soone nearby was moved by his words, quietly echoing:
"Why don’t we go together? Maybe there’s a group discount for the teleportation array!"
"You’re purely dreaming!"
...
"This way, please!"
The Black Armor Commander sidestepped and raised his hand, a faint golden guiding spiritual light erging from his palm.
Chen Sheng and Chen Xihua walked side by side, following the path paved with entire slabs of star jade, reaching the end of the stairs.
A jade gate engraved with the pattern of a Kunpeng spreading its wings slowly opened, with light shimring behind it, revealing vague silhouettes inside the hall.
Before stepping in, Chen Sheng sensed four powerful yet restrained auras.
They were none other than Venerable Wuyue, ranked first in this mansion competition, and Venerables Bai Feng, ranked third, Cheng Kong, ranked fourth, and Shang Yuan, ranked fifth.
"Greetings, Fellow Daoists!"
Venerable Wuyue was the first to cup his hands in salute, looking at Chen Sheng with a gaze filled with fighting spirit and admiration—with his score of half an incense stick’s ti and twenty-eight breaths, just behind him, this level of strength was enough to command respect.
Venerables Shang Yuan and Cheng Kong also cupped their hands in unison, the forr holding a duster with a Dao robe embroidered with the Eight Trigrams pattern, while the latter wore a purple robe and clasped his hands together.
Their eyes full of curiosity as they looked at Chen Sheng and Chen Xihua.
Chen Sheng and Chen Xihua returned the salute, "Greetings, Fellow Daoists."
Venerable Bai Feng said with a light laugh:
"Fellow Daoist Life-Annihilating has erged beyond expectation, that set of Five Elents Annihilation Swordsmanship indeed stunned the entire audience, I admire it trendously."
Beside him, Venerable Cheng Kong nodded in agreent:
"Fellow Daoist Xihua’s Void Tide Sword is equally extraordinary."
Amid their brief exchange of pleasantries, most of the gazes inside the hall were focused on Chen Sheng, as he was previously unknown yet managed to surpass many veteran talents.
As the Black Armor Commander retreated to the outside, the six stepped into the grand hall.
Inside, the dod ceiling embedded with the Circulation Star Map, with three gilded thrones situated at the true north, behind which hung the black flag of the Antarctic Immortal Mansion, embroidered with the characters "Antarctic," exuding an aura of dominance over the universe.
On either side were rows of thrones, upon which the Refining Void Great Powers sat, all casting their scrutinizing, yet mostly approving and hopeful, gaze.
The ability to defeat the Nine Refinent Daoist Soldiers suggested the potential of reaching the Void Refining Realm and beyond in the future, naturally earning them a distinguished recognition.
Chen Sheng quickly swept his gaze, combining the intelligence he had previously gathered, instantly discerning the hierarchical structure within the hall.
Mansion Master Bai, General Tu Lie, and Inspector Guan He on the northern thrones had the most formidable presence, like three immovable mountains, embodying the absolute authority of the Antarctic Immortal Mansion in Jiuli Mansion.
The four pear blossom wood chairs before the thrones seated four sect leader-level Great Powers in the late-stage of Refining Void, slightly inferior in status to the three great figures, yet representing the top four major sects of Jiuli Mansion.
Three of these sect leaders looked at Bai Feng, Cheng Kong, and Shang Yuan with satisfaction, giving a slight nod.
These three were their direct disciples, who secured spots in the top six, undoubtedly bringing honor to their sects.
Only the sect leader at the leftmost seat looked slightly serious, as his most promising disciple, despite giving his all, ended up in seventh place, failing to step into the hall.
The other three sect leaders noticed his expression, casting looks of subtle mockery yet refraining from making it explicit.
Mansion Master Bai’s voice broke the silence within the hall:
"Very good!"
"The six of you, having managed to defeat the Nine Refinent Daoist Soldiers, exhibit strength that clearly represents the pinnacle of the younger generation in our Jiuli Mansion."
He paused, scanning Chen Sheng and Chen Xihua, his tone laced with comndation:
"Especially Fellow Life-Annihilating and Fellow Xihua, erging suddenly, all the more remarkable."
With that, he nodded slightly to Inspector Guan He, who promptly took out five tokens from his storage ring, sending them towards the other five, besides Venerable Wuyue:
"These are tokens for the Yun State Daoist Academy, should you wish, you may join the academy for cultivation in the future."
Upon hearing this, Chen Sheng and Chen Xihua exchanged glances, maintaining their composure yet feeling excited inside.
They hadn’t expected to achieve their previous goal so swiftly.
The Yun State Daoist Academy, unlike the Jiuli Mansion Academy, is one of the twelve academies affiliated with the Immortal Mansion, with Integration Dharma Masters stationed year-long, even serving as a springboard to join the Antarctic Immortal Mansion.
With their ntors erging from the academy, later establishing sects also affiliated with the Immortal Mansion, Bai Feng and the other two were naturally thrilled, having no reason for disdain.
anwhile, Venerable Wuyue remained quite calm, knowing the token wasn’t for him, as he had long been apprenticed under the academy’s Integration Realm headmaster.
General Tu Lie added in a deep voice:
"In half a month, you will proceed to the prefecture city, during this ti, you may cultivate on the top floor of the Jiuli Tower, with the Star Power within fully opened to you all."
"You may also invite friends or family, for whom I will grant access to the lowest level."
The six accepted the tokens, thanking in unison: "Thank you, three esteed lords!"
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