288: Sit with me on both sides! It's like I'm here in person!

The next morning, a certain martial arts training ground in Tiandu was already bustling with activity.

In the center of the massive training ground, a wide arena was tightly enclosed by fences, surrounded by countless densely arranged seats.

Although dawn had just broken, the venue was already packed.

The crowd sat down in an orderly fashion, according to their pre-assigned positions.

At this time, the training ground was a hubbub of voices, with most people dressed in luxurious brocade robes, showcasing their respective identities and statuses.

Almost all the well-known major forces of the Great Xia Imperial Dynasty were gathered here, and there were even many court officials seated, creating a lively and tense atmosphere.

Amidst the crowd, discussions rose and fell.

"Sect Head Huang, have you heard?"

A middle-aged man in a green robe whispered to the person beside him.

"Heard what?" Sect Head Huang frowned slightly, evidently intrigued by the other party's words.

"It seems this Martial Arts Competition isn't being overseen by the Director of the Heavenly Rites Directorate," the middle-aged man lowered his voice, a hint of confusion in his tone.

"Oh?"

"That's rather strange."

Sect Head Huang stroked his chin, thoughtfully saying, "According to past practice, the Martial Arts Competition has always been presided over by the Director of the Heavenly Rites Directorate, one of the Six Great Directorates."

"Why is it that this Martial Arts Competition has not only been moved up but also had a temporary change of chief examiner?"

"Yes, indeed!"

Another elderly man in a purple robe chimed in, "However, we don't need to concern ourselves with these matters."

"Anyway, our Azure Jade Sect is determined to secure a spot among the top hundred in the Lingxu Land!"

Sect Head Huang smiled slightly upon hearing this, a glint of confidence flashing in his eyes.

"You're right, no matter who the chief examiner is."

"Our Cangshan Sect is also determined to get a spot in the Lingxu Land!"

With that, Sect Head Huang looked at his three Disciples beside him, all aged between 28 and 29, with particularly extraordinary bearing!

The Cangshan Sect is located in Yuxu State, Eastern Region, and Sect Head Huang is an Inner Energy Realm Perfection existence.

Therefore, these few Disciples of his are the most outstanding Disciples in the sect.

Every one of them, at an age under 29, had already Broken Through to the Blood Refinement Realm, fully qualified to contend for a place among the top hundred.

Because all contestants participating in the Martial Arts Competition must have a bone age under twenty-nine.

Anyone who falsely claims their bone age will be severely punished by the Great Xia Dynasty.

Minor offenses result in the abolition of martial arts cultivation, while severe offenses lead to immediate execution, with their backing forces also held accountable.

"Lingxu Land!"

"That truly is an unforgettable place!"

"It's a pity, even this Sect Head back then only barely managed to squeeze into eighty-ninth place."

"I could only stay in the Lingxu Land for five days."

"If I had been given more time, perhaps I could have Broken Through to the Martial Dao Grandmaster Realm in my lifetime!"

The Lingxu Land is filled with all sorts of mysterious Heavenly Spiritual Objects.

Of course, danger and Opportunity coexist; in the Lingxu Land, there will also be some very strange ghostly things.

Simply put, it's like randomly entering a certain illusion, killing monsters to drop various rare treasures!

However, such a magical place actually has time restrictions.

The Lingxu Land opens once every ten years, and it only remains open for one year.

Therefore, this short period of one year has become an unparalleled Opportunity for people all over the world to contend for.

However, the resources of the Lingxu Land are limited; it's impossible for everyone in the world to enter together.

In that case, there wouldn't be enough to go around.

The first batch of people to enter, in addition to those from the Great Xia Imperial Dynasty, the Eight Great Families, and the Five Transcendent Forces,

also includes the top 1-3 ranked individuals from the Martial Arts Competition.

Their duration is ten months!

The second batch of entrants, ranked 4-10, will stay for 30 days!

The third batch, ranked 11-20, will enter the Lingxu Land for 15 days.

The fourth batch, ranked 21-50, will enter the Lingxu Land for 10 days.

The fifth batch, ranked 51-100, will enter the Lingxu Land for 5 days.

As for the first batch of people who entered, if they don't come out at the appointed time, someone will naturally make them understand.

Whose Heaven the Great Xia Imperial Dynasty is!

When the Lingxu Land closes, everyone who entered will be expelled from it.

By then, if you violated the time limit, you'd better have overwhelming power.

Otherwise, just prepare to be executed!

As daylight became clearer, the atmosphere in the training ground grew tenser.

Disciples from various major forces were eager to showcase their skills in the upcoming Martial Arts Competition.

The outcome of this competition would determine who could enter the Lingxu Land and obtain immeasurable Opportunity.

A thousand meters away from the training ground, a majestic staircase stood tall.

The staircase was layered, with exquisite tables placed on each tier, draped with luxurious brocade, appearing solemn and dignified.

These seats were arranged from low to high, seemingly indicating the official ranks of Great Xia Dynasty officials.

At the very bottom of the staircase, the seating was denser, prepared for low- and mid-ranking court officials.

As the staircase ascended, the number of seats gradually decreased, and the decoration of the tables became more luxurious.

And at the very top of the staircase, three most prominent seats stood conspicuously, high above, overlooking the entire training ground.

These three seats were precisely prepared for the chief examiner and two vice examiners of this Martial Arts Competition.

The chairs were entirely crafted from precious, top-grade red sandalwood, carved with intricate Xuan Bird patterns, reflecting a subtle luster.

Behind the chairs hung the black Xuan Bird emblem of the Great Xia Imperial Dynasty, representing the image of the Great Xia Emperor.

At this moment, the seats on the staircase were still unoccupied, but many court bailiffs were already busy setting things up.

They carefully arranged tea sets, fruit platters, and the four treasures of the study, ensuring everything was in order.

The crowd in the training ground occasionally cast their gaze towards the towering staircase, their hearts subtly filled with anticipation and reverence.

They knew that when the chief examiner and vice examiners took their seats, it would be the moment the Martial Arts Competition officially began.

And the outcome of this Martial Arts Competition would determine the fate and future of countless individuals.

"It seems the chief examiner and vice examiners haven't arrived yet," Sect Head Huang whispered, a hint of solemnity in his gaze.

"Indeed, but it's almost time."

The purple-robed Elder nodded, his gaze sweeping over the three seats at the top of the staircase, a hint of anticipation in his tone.

"I wonder which important figure will be presiding over this Martial Arts Competition?"

"To be able to make the Director of the Heavenly Rites Directorate step aside, their background must be extraordinary."

Sect Head Huang smiled faintly, a profound glint in his eyes: "No matter who the chief examiner is, we just need to give our all."

"The quota for the Lingxu Land is our true goal."

The next moment, a sudden clamor erupted at the entrance of the training ground, breaking the previous solemnity.

Everyone's gaze simultaneously turned towards the source of the sound.

A procession of attendants in splendid official robes entered, announcing loudly, "Right Prime Minister Bi Zhengzhi and Left Prime Minister Chang Mingsheng have arrived!"

This announcement, like a thunderclap, exploded among the major forces, instantly stirring up a thousand waves.

Almost every Sect Head, Elder of the major forces, and even the court officials already seated in the viewing area, couldn't help but be stunned.

A look of disbelief slowly appeared on everyone's faces.

"What?"

"Both Left Prime Minister Chang Mingsheng and Right Prime Minister Bi Zhengzhi are here?"

Sect Head Huang shot up, his eyes filled with shock!

"This... how is this possible!"

The purple-robed Elder beside him also widened his eyes, the sword sheath he held almost dropping to the ground.

The entire training ground instantly erupted into a frenzy, discussions rising and falling: "Left Prime Minister Chang Mingsheng and Right Prime Minister Bi Zhengzhi appearing at the same time?"

"This once-in-a-decade Martial Arts Competition has never had such a grand display before!"

"Is there something special about this Martial Arts Competition?"

"Or is the Great Xia Dynasty going to announce something major?"

"Even the Left Prime Minister Chang Mingsheng and Right Prime Minister Bi Zhengzhi of the Imperial Dynasty are personally present; could they be the chief examiners this time?"

"Or is it that one from the Imperial Palace has personally graced us with his presence to oversee this Martial Arts Competition!"

Everyone's hearts were filled with doubt and speculation, their gazes fixed on the entrance, awaiting the appearance of those two powerful figures who held sway over the court.

Not long after, two figures, surrounded by a retinue of court guards, slowly walked into the training ground.

The one on the left was dressed in a purple-gold Xuan Bird official robe, with a dignified countenance and piercing eyes; it was none other than the Left Prime Minister of the Great Xia Imperial Dynasty, Chang Mingsheng.

The one on the right also wore a purple-gold Xuan Bird official robe, with an extremely calm expression; he was precisely the Right Prime Minister of Great Xia, Bi Zhengzhi!

As soon as the two appeared, the atmosphere of the entire training ground instantly became extremely solemn.

Whether it was the Sect Heads of the various major forces or the numerous court officials.

They all involuntarily held their breath, their hearts filled with reverence.

"Left Prime Minister!"

"Right Prime Minister!"

As the two approached, the crowd in the training ground rose to bow, their voices uniform and exceptionally solemn.

Left Prime Minister Chang Mingsheng nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and he said faintly, "You all need not be so formal!"

A perfectly appropriate gentle smile now appeared on Right Prime Minister Bi Zhengzhi's face.

"You all need not be so formal."

"This Prime Minister and Left Prime Minister Chang Mingsheng are here by Your Majesty's decree to temporarily serve as the vice examiners for this Martial Arts Competition."

"Please, everyone, take your seats!"

These brief words, with a strange power, pierced through the clamor and spread throughout the entire training ground.

Even those sitting in the farthest corners could hear clearly.

Upon hearing this, everyone promptly took their seats!

The previously noisy training ground instantly fell silent, and everyone's gaze focused on these two highly influential figures.

Right Prime Minister Bi Zhengzhi's words, though brief, stirred up a tremendous wave in the hearts of everyone present.

By His Majesty's decree!

Sect Head Huang and the purple-robed Elder exchanged glances, a hint of solemnity flashing in their eyes.

It seems this competition is not as simple as merely contending for a spot in the Lingxu Land.

Sect Head Huang thought to himself.

Any place that could make both the Left Prime Minister Chang Mingsheng and Right Prime Minister Bi Zhengzhi of Great Xia appear simultaneously must hold significant deeper meaning.

As Great Xia's Left Prime Minister Chang Mingsheng and Right Prime Minister Bi Zhengzhi took their seats, the atmosphere in the entire training ground reached its peak.

The atmosphere in the training ground grew quieter, and everyone's gaze focused on the very top of the towering staircase—the empty chief examiner's seat.

At this moment, that seat became the center of the entire venue, attracting countless curious, reverent, and even uneasy gazes.

"Both Left Prime Minister Chang Mingsheng and Right Prime Minister Bi Zhengzhi are here, but the chief examiner's seat is still empty..." Sect Head Huang murmured softly, his brows tightly furrowed, his eyes filled with confusion.

"Indeed, who exactly is this chief examiner?"

"To be able to have Left Prime Minister Chang Mingsheng and Right Prime Minister Bi Zhengzhi personally sit beside them!"

The purple-robed Elder also couldn't help but sigh softly, a hint of disbelief in his tone.

It wasn't just them; the hearts of all the Sect Heads, Elders, and even court officials from various major forces throughout the training ground were in an uproar.

Left Prime Minister Chang Mingsheng and Right Prime Minister Bi Zhengzhi!

They were existences second only to the Emperor in the Great Xia Imperial Dynasty, wielding immense power, beneath one person and above ten thousand!

Yet now, these two powerful Prime Ministers could only sit in the vice seats, while the chief examiner's seat remained empty.

Who exactly was this chief examiner?

"Could it be... some important figure from the Imperial Family?" someone whispered, guessing.

Suddenly!

A sharp, piercing sound cut through the silence of the training ground.

Everyone's gaze was instantly drawn to it, only to see a group of eunuchs in Imperial Palace Inner Attendant Directorate attire entering in single file.

The leading eunuch was the Chief of the Inner Attendant Directorate, whom Lu Xuan had met several times.

Grand Eunuch Leng!

Grand Eunuch Leng's face was stern, and he held a dark black scroll tube in both hands, with intricate Xuan Bird patterns carved onto it.

The next moment, Grand Eunuch Leng shouted loudly:

"Imperial Edict arrives!"

As soon as these three words fell, everyone's expression instantly became extremely solemn.

Almost at the same time, the crowd in the training ground knelt on one knee, bowing their heads, respectfully welcoming the Great Xia Emperor's Imperial Edict.

"We respectfully welcome Your Majesty!"

However, there were still six or seven people standing in the training ground, including Left Prime Minister Chang Mingsheng and Right Prime Minister Bi Zhengzhi.

As Immortal Master of the Divine Palace Realm, they did not need to kneel; a simple bow was sufficient.

"Today, our Great Xia Imperial Dynasty prospers, and the Martial Dao flourishes, to select the most outstanding talents in the world."

"We hereby command Deputy Commander of the Xuan Niao Guard Lu Xuan to serve as the chief examiner of the Martial Arts Competition; he needs no prior consultation for any matter, as if We Ourselves are present!"

"In this Martial Arts Competition, all who enter the Lingxu Land shall be the pillars of our Great Xia, and the Imperial Dynasty shall heavily reward them, bestowing upon them supreme glory."

"May all talented individuals strive their utmost, living up to Our expectations!"

"By Imperial Order!"

After the Imperial Edict was read, Grand Eunuch Leng closed the scroll tube, his gaze sweeping over the entire venue, and he said faintly, "Everyone, please rise."

In an instant, everyone present was deeply shaken!

No one had ever expected that the chief examiner of this Martial Arts Competition.

would actually be that renowned Deputy Commander of the Xuan Niao Guard, Lu Xuan!

And those four bold characters specially written by the current Emperor even astonished Left Prime Minister Chang Mingsheng and Right Prime Minister Bi Zhengzhi.

As if We Ourselves are present!

This...

His Majesty truly values this Lu Xuan!

"Eh?"

Grand Eunuch Leng subconsciously let out a soft exclamation, his voice tinged with confusion.

He followed everyone's gaze and looked towards the chief examiner's seat.

Grand Eunuch Leng's originally indifferent expression instantly froze, as if it had been fixed in place.

"Where is Lord Lu?"

He murmured to himself, his brows furrowing slightly, a hint of imperceptible surprise flashing in his eyes.

This Lord Lu, he actually hasn't arrived yet!

Just as Grand Eunuch Leng was at a loss for what to do.

The Imperial Edict he held high was, in the blink of an eye, swept by a faint, dark light.

The dark light was so fast that people couldn't catch it, and then, the Imperial Edict disappeared without a trace, leaving only an empty palm.

This sudden change caused a low gasp from the surrounding people, who all looked towards the chief examiner's seat.

There, a very young man was seated steadily.

He wore a black brocade robe, with subtle patterns flowing on the fabric, exuding elegance.

His ink-black long hair was neatly tied behind his back, swaying gently with the breeze.

On his well-defined face, his sword-like eyebrows slanted towards his temples, and his eyes were as deep as an abyss, constantly radiating a calm and composed, extraordinary and transcendent aura.

And the Imperial Edict that Grand Eunuch Leng had just held was now in the young man's hand.

After Grand Eunuch Leng clearly saw who it was, his tense heart slowly relaxed.

He had thought it was some reckless scoundrel who dared to snatch His Majesty's Imperial Edict.

It turned out to be Lord Lu!

"This Lord announces, the Martial Arts Competition begins!"

Without any hesitation, the first thing Lu Xuan did after sitting down was to announce the start of the Martial Arts Competition.

Lu Xuan's brief sentence clearly reached everyone's ears!