183: Chapter 183 Outside the Heavenly Sword Sect's Mountain Gate, First Hearing of the Assessment Rules

After leaving Biluo City, Ye Qing flew westward for about ten days and finally saw the gate of the Heavenly Sword Sect from afar.

It was a vast, towering mountain range that seemed to reach straight into the sky.

Within the mountain range, countless peaks pierced the clouds like sharp swords. Amidst the swirling clouds and mist, one could faintly see exquisite pavilions and flowing waterfalls. Furthermore, countless powerful streams of Sword Qi crisscrossed between the peaks, forming a natural sword domain that emitted a heart-palpitating, sharp aura.

In the deepest part of the range stood the highest and most perilous giant peak, which seemed to pierce the firmament, looking down upon the vast earth like a towering giant.

That giant peak was the main peak of the Heavenly Sword Sect—Wenjian Peak.

Before the mountain gate lay a plaza paved with massive bluestone slabs.

At this moment, hundreds of young Cultivators from all over the Canglan Domain had gathered on the plaza, bustling and lively.

These Cultivators were all at least at the Soul Transformation Early Stage, with many at the Void Refinement Realm. Each of them had a steady aura and sharp gaze, clearly the top talents from their respective regions.

Ye Qing blended into the crowd, appearing unremarkable.

While waiting in line to register, he pricked up his ears to catch the conversations of the surrounding Cultivators, attempting to gather more information about the Heavenly Pride Tournament assessments.

"...Have you heard? The first round of this year's Heavenly Pride Tournament has changed! It's no longer just a simple test of bone age and cultivation level; instead, we have to clear the 'Sword Heart Illusion Array' set up by the Heavenly Sword Sect!"

"Sword Heart Illusion Array? What is that?"

"It's said to be an illusion array personally set up by an Elder at the Dao Integration Realm of the Heavenly Sword Sect. It can manifest different illusions based on each person's state of mind and obsession, thereby testing whether the challenger's Dao Heart is firm! If one's Dao Heart is not firm, it is easy to get lost in the illusion array; the light consequence is returning empty-handed, and the heavy consequence is damage to one's mind and spirit!"

"Hiss! That brutal? What about the second and third rounds of the assessment?"

"The second round seems to be a test of sword Dao talent and Comprehension Ability, though the specific testing method is unclear. The third round is arena combat to determine the final rankings!"

Listening to these discussions, Ye Qing gained a general understanding of the Heavenly Pride Tournament assessments.

"Sword Heart Illusion Array... testing the Dao Heart? Sword Dao talent and Comprehension Ability... arena combat..."

He quickly calculated in his mind, feeling that these three rounds of assessments should not be too difficult for him.

His Dao Heart, having been tempered through countless life-and-death trials, was already as firm as a rock.

His sword Dao talent and Comprehension Ability, having undergone Fusion with the Chaos Dao and the Law of Dragon Race, far exceeded those of his peers.

As for combat... he had even slain the Heavenly Demon Emperor of the Void Refinement Realm, so would he fear these peers?

Soon, it was his turn to register.

The person in charge of registration was an Outer Sect Disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect at the Nascent Soul Stage.

He glanced at the identity jade token handed over by Ye Qing, then took out an ancient bronze mirror and shone it on Ye Qing.

On the bronze mirror, a clear line of small text appeared: "Bone age, less than two hundred years. Cultivation level, Lianxu Initial Stage."

Seeing this line of text, the Outer Sect Disciple's eyes flashed with surprise, and he couldn't help but look at Ye Qing twice more.

A Cultivator at the Void Refinement Realm under two hundred years old could be considered rare, even in the Canglan Domain where Geniuses gathered.

"Fellow Daoist, please keep your jade token safe. This is your proof of participation. Please gather at the 'Sword-Testing Plaza' under Wenjian Peak three days from now with this token to participate in the first round of assessments."

The Outer Sect Disciple's tone was significantly more polite than before.

Ye Qing took the jade token, nodded, and turned to leave the registration area.

Not far outside the Heavenly Sword Sect gate, he found a simply constructed Immortal Cave, rented it, and waited quietly for the assessment to begin in three days.