122: Second level

Xiao Yue's expression remained unchanged as her gaze swept across the Arena Stage below. She said indifferently, "It seems we'll have to wait until the second round to see the true depth of these few individuals."

Pausing for a moment, she seemed to remember something and frowned slightly. "By the way, where is Secluded Moon? Why did she leave halfway?"

Elder Yun Yao smiled, her voice carrying a hint of gratification. "That girl seemed to have had an Epiphany just now and rushed off to enter closed-door cultivation. From the look of it, she's trying to break through to the third level of the Nascent Soul stage."

Hearing this, a trace of surprise finally flickered across Xiao Yue's exquisite and cold face.

"I didn't expect Secluded Moon to be the type to accumulate steadily and break through suddenly. I wonder how Qi Yue will feel when she comes out of seclusion and learns her younger sister has reached the third level of the Nascent Soul stage."

Elder Yun Yao echoed, "That scene isn't hard to imagine."

Above the floating high platform!

Qin Tianxing squinted at Ye Hao and the others, his gaze so fervent it was almost scorching, appearing even closer than if he were looking at his own biological father.

Beside him, Chen Xuan twirled the white jade wine cup in his hand, causing the fine wine inside to ripple slightly. He asked as if nonchalantly, "Fellow Daoist Qin, is this Earth-rank Divine Ability a common item in the Profound Realm? To use such a grand gesture just for a Heavenly Selection Grand Ceremony."

Qin Tianxing waved his hand, his tone becoming serious. "It's not exactly common. While not extremely rare, it's definitely not some cheap junk you find on every street corner."

Chen Xuan continued to ask, "How is the winner determined in this first trial?"

Mu Wanqing and the others hadn't bothered to comprehend this Earth-rank Divine Ability; he wondered if it would affect their later results.

Qin Tianxing took a sip of wine and lowered his voice slightly. "This Heavenly Selection Grand Ceremony has no clear definition of winning or losing. The Prodigies who remain in the end will be chosen by the sixteen of us. Those selected will follow us to the Profound Realm; if no one takes an interest in them, they've lost."

So that's how it is... Everything in the Heavenly Selection Grand Ceremony, from start to finish, is designed to screen Prodigies for the Profound Realm.

Qin Tianxing continued, "If Brother Chen's esteemed Disciples are interested, we can take them directly to the Profound Realm."

Chen Xuan gave a light chuckle and changed the subject. "What is the content of the second trial?"

Seeing that his foster father didn't answer him, Qin Tianxing wasn't disappointed. As long as these few weren't taken away by other Sects, it was acceptable. He took a gulp of flowing sunset drunkenness before continuing:

"The second trial is not held here, but in a canyon called the Myriad Spirit Affinity Realm. This stage tests a Cultivator's ability to adapt in unknown perils and their capacity to survive."

Chen Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly while listening to Qin Tianxing's introduction... The sky gradually darkened. After nearly half a day of comprehension, about forty percent of the Cultivators on the Arena Stage had successfully mastered the basics of the Azure Nether Lightning Summoning Art. Many had faint arcs of azure lightning swirling around their fingertips.

Even more Cultivators looked indignant and panicked, with no spiritual energy fluctuations around them at all, clearly failing to even reach the threshold.

Ye Jing slowly opened her eyes. A faint, hard-to-detect flash of lightning flickered between her fingers; she had clearly entered the threshold.

She turned her gaze toward Ye Hao nearby. Seeing him still sitting cross-legged in silence with his eyes closed and no movement around him, a smile couldn't help but curl onto her lips.

Half a day has passed, and yet there isn't even a sign of entry. With such Comprehension Ability and Aptitude, having the immortal bone on you is truly a waste.

Recalling the scene when she seized Ye Hao's immortal bone, her heart felt even more smug.

Just as Ye Jing's thoughts were churning, a majestic voice suddenly resounded across the entire Arena Stage, breaking all the clamor:

"Time is up!"

Everyone looked toward the source of the sound and saw Fang Wuchang, the Pavilion Master of Tianji Pavilion, walking through the air. His gaze swept over the five thousand plus Cultivators below, his voice clear and powerful:

"The comprehension phase for the Azure Nether Lightning Summoning Art is over. Next, we shall enter the second round of the Heavenly Selection Grand Ceremony."

As his voice fell, the golden scroll formed by condensed light in the center of the Arena Stage completely dissipated.

Many people sighed in regret. The Cultivators watching from outside the arena, seeing that their own Disciples hadn't even produced a single spark, were even more furious, gnashing their teeth.

They wished they could go down right then and there to teach them a lesson to vent their anger.

Mu Wanqing slowly stood up and let out a soft breath. "It's finally over. I wonder what this second trial will be."

Xiao Lingxian looked at the serious-looking Ye Hao beside her and asked curiously, "Senior Brother, what's wrong?"

Ye Hao shook his head. While he was Cultivating earlier, he had constantly felt a sense of malice directed at him. However, there were too many Cultivators on the stage, and he couldn't find the source of that malice.

Li Pingan sighed and said, "We must achieve results in the second trial. We can't let Revered Master down!"

Like an emotionless tool, Fang Wuchang continued to introduce the rules of the second trial in a flat voice.

"The second trial is called the Myriad Spirit Affinity Realm!"

"Each person entering will receive a 'spirit fate crystal.' Every hour, extremely powerful Yao Beasts will appear at the edges of the Myriad Spirit Affinity Realm, accompanied by soul-confusing miasma that obscures vision and perception."

"After three days, those who reach the stone tower in the center of the Myriad Spirit Affinity Realm alive and hold a spirit fate crystal will be considered to have passed. The more spirit fate crystals you have, the better your performance!"

The rules reached everyone's ears clearly. Each person had a different expression; many were rubbing their hands in anticipation, not worried at all.

As Fang Wuchang finished speaking, he slowly raised his right hand.

A ripple suddenly appeared in the center of the Arena Stage. Countless tiny specks of light converged from all directions as if pulled by an invisible force, gradually condensing into a glowing white sphere about a zhang in diameter.

The sphere hovered in mid-air, its surface flowing with a soft yet majestic halo. Looking closely, one could vaguely see mist swirling inside the sphere, as if another world was hidden within.

"This is the 'Domain Light Gate.' Those who wish to continue to the second trial may enter it of their own accord. Note that the light gate will only remain open for half an hour. Once the time is up, those who have not entered will be deemed to have automatically forfeited their qualification."

As the words fell, a slight commotion broke out on the Arena Stage.

Many Cultivators had already lost the desire to continue. They leapt off the Arena Stage one after another and strode away. They had only come for the Earth-rank Divine Ability in the first trial; now that their goal was achieved, they naturally didn't want to risk their lives in the second trial.

The watching Cultivators were stunned for a moment upon seeing this, then immediately began shouting curses.

The nine Holy Lands were accustomed to this. Every Heavenly Selection Grand Ceremony was like this; some would risk their lives for an Opportunity, while others would quit while they were ahead, each making their own choice.

As for the subsequent two trials, they were far too dangerous. Those with self-awareness would choose to give up early, while those who wanted to go to the Profound Realm and leap through the dragon gate would continue.

Chen Xuan found this scene quite interesting.

Li Pingan looked at the rippling sphere of light and said solemnly, "Let's go in!"

"Mhm!"

"Okay, Senior Brother."

Mu Wanqing and the others quickly followed behind Li Pingan and entered.

The five figures stepped into the light sphere one after another. The soft halo rippled like water, instantly swallowing their figures.

In the distance, Ye Jing took in the whole scene. Her tense body suddenly relaxed, and the weight on her heart finally lifted.

She had been secretly watching Ye Hao just now, fearing he would turn and leave the stage like those Cultivators who retreated in the face of difficulty.

If Ye Hao had given up, considering he had just come down from that high platform, the Sect definitely wouldn't help me pull him out by the roots until they figured out his connection with the Mysterious Realm Emissary.

But since he has already entered this Myriad Spirit Affinity Realm, then any accident that happens cannot be blamed on others.

"Let's go!" she shouted to her fellow Disciples and walked toward the light sphere.

This time, she would make sure Ye Hao never walked out of the Myriad Spirit Affinity Realm again.