The Pagoda Climbing Ceremony was inherently a challenge of opportunity, so it surely wasn’t prepared to harm the disciples, but rather to create many paths to survival.
Moreover, for Ling Xiao, possessing the Mountain and River Martial Soul and having insight into everything, was it so easy for him to be eliminated?
Suddenly, a figure of peerless grace appeared midair.
It was the Moon Lady!
Her powerful aura enveloped the entire Inner Gate Square, even wrapping around all fifty disciples.
"We greet Her Highness Moon Lady!"
Under the leadership of Sect Leader Chang Yueying and Inner-door Hall Master Skyeye Celestial, all fifty participants of the Pagoda Climbing Ceremony bowed in respect.
The Moon Lady nodded slightly without speaking. Her eyes fixed on the top of the Moon Blossom Pagoda, as if she could see through the layers of mist to whatever lay at the very top.
After a mont, the moonlight in the sky suddenly beca extrely bright, countering the daylight, as if golden threads enshrouded the Moon Blossom Pagoda.
Amid the faint visibility, one could see a majestic palace floating in the moonlight.
This scene, steeped in mystery and an ancient aura, made all the disciples involuntarily swallow hard.
"Moonlight eclipses the day, Divine Palace erges, Treasure Pagoda opens!"
The Moon Lady murmured softly, yet the sound was very clear due to the powerful force infused within it.
Then, she pointed her hands to the sky, and a True Essence shot through the Yun Xiao, entering the mysterious palace.
At that instant, a voice ca from within the palace—
"Granted!"
As this voice sounded, the moonlight surrounding the Moon Blossom Pagoda gradually changed, creating an entrance-like gap, and at the sa ti, the pagoda’s tal doors began to open slowly.
While everyone was focused on the Moon Blossom Pagoda,
Ling Xiao’s gaze remained fixed on the sky.
Perhaps he was the only one present who could see that within the palace, vague figures flickered, but they were too far away and obstructed by layers of energy to be seen clearly.
One thing he was certain of, however, was that these beings were extrely powerful, perhaps able to kill the Moon Lady with a re sneeze.
Not to ntion the high-ranking mbers of the Moon Hua Sect and these disciples who were still oblivious to the world’s secrets.
"The Moon Blossom Pagoda has opened!"
The exclaims of the disciples forcibly pulled Ling Xiao back from his thoughts.
He had a vague feeling that this world might be far more complex than he had imagined.
He must continue to grow stronger!
And then explore the mysteries of the entire world!
What was the deal with that palace, and who were those people? He needed to find out!
With these thoughts, he clenched his fists and then tried to calm his emotions, looking towards the opened doors of the Moon Blossom Pagoda.
Nothing could be seen inside but blinding light — he guessed that only upon entering could he see everything clearly.
At this mont, the Supre Head Teacher, Elder Jin, Golden Light Heavenly Lord, Skyeye Celestial, Venerable Pure Sky, Guanghan Celestial Venerate, and many other high-ranking mbers of the Moon Hua Sect were watching the Pagoda Climbing Ceremony from not too far away.
What seed like a matter concerning the fate of the disciples was, in fact, a hidden power struggle among the higher-ups.
Whichever disciple received great opportunities, their master could gain a higher status within the Moon Hua Sect!
Standing in front of the Moon Blossom Pagoda, Ling Xiao could feel a strong force pulling him in, urging him to enter quickly.
Behind that blinding light lay a world where opportunity and danger coexisted.
He didn’t care about the squabbles among the higher-ups, and actually found them laughable and ignorant.
A bunch of ants fighting endlessly for power and profit, yet unwilling to look up and see how magnificent the outside world was.
Before entering the Moon Blossom Pagoda, Chang Yueying had so words to impart to everyone.
And just at that mont.
Among the crowd, Bai Feifei and Shen Tian Lin could no longer contain their strong anticipation and glanced back at Ling Xiao standing behind them.
Bai Feifei’s eyes were filled with resentnt and anger.
Shen Tian Lin, on the other hand, displayed scorn and impatience, as if eager to prove himself to his master, eager to accomplish a feat.
Tantai Lingzi, however, was smilingly watching Ling Xiao.
This woman’s thoughts were sothing Ling Xiao could not fathom for the ti being.
Because he did not understand why she was targeting him, nor did he have the spare ti to investigate.
In any case, he just needed to be careful.
All three of them were very clear in their minds that once they entered the Moon Blossom Pagoda, even the Moon Lady would no longer be able to control them, even though it was said that no one would truly die inside the Moon Blossom Pagoda.
However, there were plenty of ways to kill soone, as long as they could bind the soul before Ling Xiao was transported out.
Not to ntion, each of the three of them held a special Secret Scroll that could disregard the laws of the Moon Blossom Pagoda.
Although the three had different thoughts, the idea that "Ling Xiao must die" was absolutely unanimous.
"All right, I have finished what I had to say. Now, enter the Moon Blossom Pagoda in order!"
At that mont, Chang Yueying stepped to the side and spoke.
Everyone nodded and then, in order, they walked towards the unknown white light and entered into the Moon Blossom Pagoda.
The Pagoda Climbing Ceremony of the Moon Festival had officially begun!
Ling Xiao stepped into the Moon Blossom Pagoda, and at that instant, transitioned from the blinding white light into darkness, nearly everyone’s eyes suffered from varying degrees of discomfort.
But not Ling Xiao.
Upon entering the Moon Blossom Pagoda, he imdiately closed his eyes, released the "True Essence Ball," and sensed everything around him, which was even more sensitive than using his eyes.
When he felt it was about right, he slowly opened his eyes.
What appeared before him was not the ordinary floor of a pagoda; instead, they were standing on a steel cable bridge.
The length of the bridge was unknown, for the other side was not visible.
The bridge was only about two ters wide with no wooden planks, just so steel cables linked together.
Below the steel cable bridge were raging river waters, surging violently.
The very mont he opened his eyes, Ling Xiao heard several screams.
"Fifty disciples participated in the Pagoda Climbing Ceremony, five have been eliminated, leaving forty-five remaining!"
It was a cold, chanical voice, almost like that of a chanical Puppet.
"What? Eliminated just like that?"
The remaining disciples were equally shocked.
They hadn’t even done anything yet, and already five people were eliminated. The Pagoda Climbing Ceremony of the Moon Festival was indeed proving to be very difficult.
"This is the first obstacle and also the easiest one. Once you cross the steel cable bridge, the things you encounter may beco progressively harder, and each person’s experience will change differently."
The chanical, detached voice continued.
"The Moon Blossom Pagoda will record your performances—the longer you remain inside, the higher your score. Of course, the fortunes you encounter, your responses to danger, and so on, are also part of the evaluation standards. However, I must emphasize once more, survival is the key task! Survive, and you will gain more!"
No one moved while this cold chanical voice was speaking.
Because everyone wanted to listen carefully to the rules.
But the mont that voice ceased, Ling Xiao suddenly felt a strong sense of danger coming from behind him.
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