144: Meeting

"Waiting for me?"

"Yeah, I came here specifically to find you. Let's go."

Ji Zhiming pulled Xiao Weiqing to a massive conference room filled with thousands of people.

The two headed straight for the center, where a circle of long tables formed nine seats.

Seated there were representatives of the Eight Great Academies, along with Luo Dechang.

"Xiao Weiqing is here."

"Xiao Weiqing, you really act like the protagonist, don't you? The relic assessment starts tomorrow, and you've only just arrived," Luo Dechang joked.

Originally, there were only eight seats, but this year, an extra seat was added specifically for Luo Dechang due to his Level 6 Extraordinary Talent and his own strength.

Xiao Weiqing nodded to Luo Dechang and Ren Jie as a greeting.

Seeing Xiao Weiqing enter, Qin Tian waved at him.

"Xiao Weiqing, come, sit here."

Xiao Weiqing didn't refuse and walked over to the seat Qin Tian had vacated.

At that moment,

Ji Zhiming stepped forward.

"Everyone is here, so let's discuss. I'll start by explaining the current situation."

"A total of 9,528 geniuses from our Great Xia entered Civilization Relic No. 1 this time. Currently, 7,242 have arrived at Xinhuo Base, which is quite a bit fewer than in previous years.

According to current confirmations, 428 geniuses have died, and another 1,024 are injured and cannot participate in tomorrow's assessment.

The rest are likely scattered across various bases and will not participate in the final assessment."

Ren Jie remarked, "The casualty rate this time is significantly higher than in previous years."

Ji Zhiming nodded. "Yes, the places where elemental stones appear are mostly dangerous, and conflicts with others can easily lead to casualties."

"Let's talk about tomorrow's assessment."

With a wave of Ji Zhiming's hand, a holographic 3D map appeared.

"Everyone, please look."

"According to the rules, this is the assessment site at the center of the ruins. There are three stages in total. You must possess 100 elemental stones to participate. There are rewards for passing, but if you fail even the first stage, the elemental stones you lost will not be returned."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire room erupted in an uproar.

"If we can't pass the assessment, won't this whole month have been for nothing?"

"Exactly! I worked myself to death just to get 108 elemental stones."

"It's a personal choice. 100 elemental stones are worth at least 10,000 points; that's no small amount."

"Then I won't take the test. I know my own limits."

"You can't say that. Take a gamble, and a bicycle might turn into a motorcycle."

Most people began to back down; they mostly had Level 4 Extraordinary Talents and had only recently opened their Dantians. However, some held onto a glimmer of hope, thinking they could give it a shot.

Ji Zhiming offered no opinion on this.

"Those are the rules. Decide for yourselves."

"Next is the second stage of the assessment. Based on past experience, those who can pass the second stage are basically at the Second Realm with Level 6 Extraordinary Talent."

"I don't believe it. I believe I'm that exception."

A chuunibyou youth with a large saber on his back stood up and shouted. Everyone turned their gaze toward him.

"Sit down."

A soft shout rang out.

Xiao Weiqing felt a strong surge of Mental Energy.

The speaker was Ding Chuanze from Tiansheng Academy, a Spirit Cultivator with Level 6 Extraordinary Talent.

The youth with the large saber's eyes grew vacant as he sat down uncontrollably.

Ji Zhiming shook his head slightly. "It seems you are not."

"Continuing from before, there are a total of 47 individuals with Level 6 Extraordinary Talent from the four nations this time. We have 11, the Vermilion Bird Empire has 7, the Tianlang Empire has 14, and the Xuanwu Kingdom has 15."

"So, I'll say it again: I hope you few do not engage in internal strife and let others benefit for free. After all, one should keep the benefits within the family."

Ren Jie nodded. "I have no objection."

Luo Dechang also chimed in, "Agreed."

The several Level 6 Extraordinary Talents all nodded, though no one knew what they were truly thinking.

At this point, Lü Heguang of Qingyu Academy spoke up. "I have no objection, but if someone overestimates themselves when the time comes, don't blame me."

Luo Dechang sneered. "Lü Heguang, with your level of strength?"

Slam!

Lü Heguang slapped the table, his eyes cold and grim.

"Luo Dechang, you think you won last time? If you've got the guts, let's try again."

Luo Dechang stood his giant hammer upright with one hand, causing the ground to tremble.

"Even if we fight again, you're still no match for me."

"Is that so?"

The corners of Lü Heguang's mouth curled up. "If you're so capable, come out and practice right now."

Luo Dechang's eyes narrowed. 'This is Lü Heguang... how did he become so confident in just one month?'

'Wait! His sword.' Luo Dechang didn't see Lü Heguang's sword.

He stood up abruptly.

"Your sword! You've integrated it into your Dantian?"

At those words, everyone looked at Lü Heguang.

Lü Heguang and Luo Dechang were the only two among the Level 6 Extraordinary Talents who possessed companion weapons.

companion weapons appear after the Extraordinary Awakening. Only after the host opens their Dantian can they be retracted into the body for nurturing. At that stage, the strength of those with companion weapons increases rapidly.

Lü Heguang didn't answer, merely glancing sideways at the crowd, but the answer was obvious.

The conference room suddenly grew noisy.

"This is getting interesting. The top rankings on the Heavenly Ladder are about to see a major shift."

"Yeah, no wonder Lü Heguang is so confident."

"Although I don't like the guy, his Extraordinary Talent is undeniable."

Luo Dechang didn't ask further. Compared to Lü Heguang, his Heaven-Shaking Hammer would still take some time to be integrated into his Dantian. Even if he didn't want to admit it, he was currently no match for Lü Heguang.

Ji Zhiming suddenly pulled out a notebook and pen and started recording something.

Then he said, "In that case, if there's a dispute later, everyone should yield a bit to Lü Heguang."

"Also..."

"Ji Zhiming, I'm not finished yet."

Lü Heguang interrupted.

Ji Zhiming frowned and looked at Lü Heguang, wondering what kind of trouble he was going to stir up now.

"Go ahead."

"According to what you said, those who pass the second stage of the assessment are Level 6 Extraordinary Talents, yet there's a Level 5 Extraordinary Talent sitting here."

As soon as he said that,

everyone looked at Xiao Weiqing.

Xiao Weiqing also raised an eyebrow. This Lü Heguang... was he getting cocky?

Back on the Heavenly Ladder, the second Level 6 Extraordinary Talent he had defeated was Lü Heguang, but at that time, Lü Heguang hadn't opened his Dantian yet.

Did he think he was capable again now?

Lü Heguang stood up and said, "All of us sitting here are Level 6 Extraordinary Talents. Some possess powerful Innate Skills, others have companion weapons. A Level 5 Extraordinary Talent..."

"Hmph!"

"Xiao Weiqing has absolutely no right to sit here and participate in this meeting!"

At this moment, Lü Heguang wasn't hiding anything; he was clearly targeting Xiao Weiqing.

"This Lü Heguang is really petty. Being defeated by Xiao Weiqing on the Heavenly Ladder caused quite a stir back then, and now he's clearly trying to embarrass Xiao Weiqing."

"Exactly."

"Why didn't we see him being so arrogant before? What a petty person."

Many people scoffed at Lü Heguang's actions. A month ago, why didn't you see him provoking Xiao Weiqing like this?

Xiao Weiqing's expression turned cold. He was certain Lü Heguang was getting cocky.

No, he was getting overinflated.

However,

before Xiao Weiqing could speak,

Luo Dechang slapped his thigh and burst out laughing.