507: disuse

The mountain sea pearl is a sixth-rank supreme treasure containing an inner cave heaven with infinite wondrous uses; using it as the venue for the Clan Competition for the younger generation of Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment Cultivators is undoubtedly overkill.

Hum~

The mountain sea pearl, radiating infinite Dao, emerged from the Void Realm.

Above and below the martial arts platform, every face—whether it be a Golden Core Elder, a Foundation Establishment Deacon, or a Disciple of the Xing generation—was filled with extreme reverence.

The clan possesses two great sacred artifacts; one is the clan-guarding divine stele suppressing the summit of Qingyang Peak, upon which their names are branded, though they have only seen it from afar and do not know its wondrous uses.

As for the other sacred artifact, the mountain sea pearl, most Disciples of the Xing generation know even less about it, having never even seen it with their own eyes, knowing only that it is the Old Ancestor's supreme treasure with peerless power.

Only the Zhou Family Disciples who came from the Mingyang Realm have experienced its wondrous uses.

Now, seeing one of the clan's sacred artifacts, the mountain sea pearl, with their own eyes, the young Disciples of the Xing generation were stirred with excitement.

At this moment, the outcome of this Clan Competition seemed unimportant; being able to personally experience the clan's sacred artifact was a major gain in itself.

"Within the sacred pearl, there are no restrictions on methods, and there is no need to hold back. If there is danger, the sacred pearl will automatically transport you out."

"The longer you remain, the more points you earn; the more opponents you eliminate, the higher your points will be."

In the air, after bowing respectfully toward the massive mountain sea pearl, Zhou Leyi spoke slowly to the Xing generation Disciples below.

"We obey the Clan Head's order!"

The spirited Xing generation clansmen replied in unison, their voices resounding across the sky.

"In that case, let us begin."

Zhou Leyi's gaze swept over the Disciples below, taking in the various attitudes of the younger generation. He nodded slightly, descended, and sat cross-legged behind the central Dao platform.

At the same time, divine light surged from the mountain sea pearl that had emerged from the Void Realm.

An azure blue light swept across.

On the martial arts platform, one figure after another disappeared abruptly.

Zhou Xingnian did not have time to investigate why Li Li had arrived with Zhou Xinghu; he only had time to glance at Zhou Xingqun beside him before disappearing into the azure blue light.

After all the Cultivators participating in this Clan Competition disappeared from the martial arts platform.

The figures sitting on the martial arts platform turned their gazes toward the massive azure blue pearl in the air.

They saw that the pearl, which had originally been a chaotic expanse with only faint shadows, now had streams of light flowing within it. A moment later, four distinct, clearly defined projections appeared inside the pearl.

As these four different realms appeared, figures began to scatter throughout the four major domains.

In the center of the head of the martial arts platform, Zhou Leyi watched the ever-changing mountain sea pearl and the figures appearing within it, feeling a bit puzzled: "Strange, why is the Old Ancestor paying attention to the Xing generation's Clan Competition this time?"

Zhou Leyi thought for a moment but reached no conclusion, so he stopped thinking about it and looked at the four different domains within the precious bead.

These four different domains were the venues for the Clan Competition for the Xing generation Disciples of different cultivation levels.

Just after these figures were revealed.

Within the four major domains, Disciples had already encountered one another. Spells, Magical Artifacts, and Talismans clashed, all with impressive power, and it only took a moment.

On the martial arts platform, figures who had disappeared reappeared, their faces filled with annoyance, some not daring to look at the Clan Head and the Elders on the platform.

After all, they had been eliminated after only a moment; it was truly quite embarrassing.

Fortunately, they were not the only ones.

Various thoughts crossed the minds of these eliminated Disciples.

These Disciples did not leave directly; they all sat cross-legged and looked up at the massive precious bead in the air.

Either wanting to feel the Dao of the mountain sea pearl or watching the projections in the four different domains to observe the battles and enhance their own strength.

Sitting behind the head Dao platform, Zhou Leyi watched the actions of these Disciples below and nodded slightly, his expression unchanged.

A temporary failure is nothing; talent determines the lower limit, but one's own will and devotion to the Dao determine the future upper limit.

Inside the mountain sea pearl, in the four domains of Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain—within the Forest domain, amidst a jungle towering into the sky.

A delicate figure was hidden beneath a giant tree, consciousness cautiously spreading out to scout the surroundings.

Zhou Xingnian's thoughts were somewhat chaotic, and the more he thought, the more uneasy he felt. A moment later, Zhou Xingnian chose a direction, climbed up the giant tree beside him, and then sped away along the branches in the chosen direction.

He wanted to find Li Li and ask her about what happened earlier.

Having made up his mind, he still did not forget his goal for this Clan Competition, which was why he was traveling along the giant trees—first to hide his figure, and second, to have a clear line of sight.

Whoosh!

There was a light rustle of leaves.

Zhou Xingnian's figure suddenly paused, and he looked to the left.

He saw a young figure hiding on the branch of a giant tree several hundred zhang away.

"Zhou Xingnian!"

Just as Zhou Xingnian's figure paused, the young figure hiding there turned pale. He had intended to hide until the end, but who knew that this Zhou Xingnian would suddenly appear and disrupt his plans.

"Go!"

The young figure made a decision in a flash and quickly retreated backward.

"Zhou Xingqian?"

Watching the figure rapidly retreating through the branches, Zhou Xingnian recognized the person's identity.

Without hesitation, Zhou Xingnian sped in pursuit.

"He's chasing me?"

Zhou Xingqian, sensing the figure rapidly approaching from behind, was shocked. He knew Zhou Xingnian's strength and was certain he was no match for him.

As his mind raced, just as Zhou Xingnian was about to enter within a hundred zhang, Zhou Xingqian shouted backward.

"Zhou Xingnian, I just saw Li Li go to the west. She is being chased by someone; aren't you going to save her?"

"Hmm?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xingnian's figure paused. His expression shifted, and he stopped chasing, changed direction, and headed toward the west.

"Whew~"

Sensing that Zhou Xingnian, who had been chasing him, had gone far away, Zhou Xingqian felt slightly relieved. He hadn't actually seen Li Li; it was just a random lie, and he hadn't expected Zhou Xingnian to actually fall for it.

"Hehe~"

Zhou Xingqian chuckled.

Just at this moment.

Beneath the giant tree, a vine wound its way up the tree. Hidden beneath the dense green leaves, it suddenly moved, sweeping toward Zhou Xingqian's figure.

"Who!"

Damn it, I was careless...

Zhou Xingqian was terrified, but no one answered; there were only more vines sweeping toward the caught-off-guard Zhou Xingqian.

A moment later.

A figure sighing and lamenting appeared on the martial arts platform.

Zhou Xingqian was on the verge of tears; he had finally managed to shake off Zhou Xingnian, only to be eliminated anyway.

However, seeing that there were already quite a few figures on the platform, Zhou Xingqian felt a bit better.

He sat cross-legged and watched the various encounters and counter-encounters within the precious bead with composure.

Zhou Xingnian was unaware of Zhou Xingqian's encounter.

Anxious after learning that Li Li was in danger, he could no longer care about hiding his figure; he descended from the giant tree and rushed toward the west.