Stunning News

“First, anyone who registers for the competition must have reached at least the seventh layer of a basic Five Elements cultivation technique. That is the minimum requirement for taking a Foundation Establishment Pill. Second, the registrant must be under forty years of age. Anyone older need not bother trying to slip through; the officials in charge of registration use the Bone Observation Art to verify each person’s true age.”

“As long as you meet those two conditions, anyone can register—no other restrictions. But that is precisely what makes these arena battles so brutal.”

“Do you think it’s normal for so many people to be in Tainan Valley right now? Most of them are here for the Ascension Assembly. You have to understand: our Tainan Gathering was originally just a trading meet for young cultivators from Lan Province. In previous years, only a few hundred people attended. But look at it now—there are already over a thousand gathered in this valley. In the last few days, people from even farther away will arrive one after another. That will be the peak of trading at this Tainan Gathering.”

“The reason these people come to our Tainan Gathering first is partly to trade for needed items, but also to observe their future opponents in the Ascension Assembly. They want to know their enemies and know themselves!”

Hu Pinggu finished speaking with a bitter smile.

Wu Jiuzhi’s face changed dramatically. “According to what Lady Hu says, those experts at the tenth layer I saw in the valley… are they also here for the Ascension Assembly? Then what’s the point of competing? Wouldn’t anyone of lower rank just be throwing their life away?”

“Not necessarily. Who says a higher-layer cultivator will definitely win? If a weaker cultivator uses a powerful talisman or carries a formidable magical tool, they can still beat a stronger opponent to a pulp.” Hei Jin, who had been silent since entering the room, suddenly spat out these words, drawing everyone’s attention.

“That’s right. Brother Hei Jin speaks the truth. In our kind of immortal cultivation combat, depth of magic power is not the most important factor. What matters most is the power of the spells one can wield, how flexibly one can use them, and the strength of the tools one carries!” Blue-Robed Taoist agreed heartily.

“Brother Hei Jin and Taoist Blue-Robed have hit the nail on the head. Otherwise, the Ascension Assembly wouldn’t need to be held at all—everyone could just stand in a line and compare who has deeper magic power,” Hu Pinggu said with a laugh.

Hearing this, Wu Jiuzhi did not cheer up. Instead, he frowned and muttered to himself.

“Powerful magical tools… powerful talismans…”

Hu Pinggu ignored Wu Jiuzhi this time and continued:

“Because there are so many participants, the Ascension Assembly sets up seven arenas simultaneously, each representing one of the seven great immortal sects of Yue Kingdom. Anyone who wants to become a disciple of a particular sect goes to that arena to compete. The arena selection uses an elimination-by-pairing system: two people fight, the winner advances to the next round, the loser is eliminated immediately. Then another pair takes their place. This continues until the entire arena announces that no one else wishes to compete. Then the next round begins among the winners. The cycle repeats. In the end, the ten remaining victors become the new disciples of that immortal sect. Without having to endure the equally fierce competition within the sect, they earn the right to take the Foundation Establishment Pill. It’s a shortcut to heaven. That’s the basic flow of the Ascension Assembly arena battles. But don’t think it’s simple just because I describe it lightly. The actual carnage on those stages is beyond description.”

As Hu Pinggu spoke, a note of lament crept into her voice.

“I recall that in the last arena battle, over a dozen cultivators at the tenth layer died. There was even a pair of great experts at the eleventh layer who ran into each other and ended up killing one another. As for ninth- and eighth-layer cultivators, even more died on the platforms—I heard no less than a hundred. By the final rounds, no one was willing to give up the path to becoming a dragon, so casualties were even worse.”

Hu Pinggu sighed as she finished.

“Cultivators who have trained their basic technique to the eleventh layer still need to compete? I’ve heard that the immortal sects automatically recruit such talented prodigies. Why would those two fight to the death?” A female voice suddenly rang out. It was the usually silent young woman, Red Lotus Sanren, speaking for the first time.

Hu Pinggu smiled at this.

“Sister Red Lotus’s question was once my own. I puzzled over it for years. Then I met an old senior who was also a rogue cultivator, and with a little guidance, I suddenly understood.”

“Brother Wu and Brother Han probably have the same question, don’t you?”

“Not just them. Even we brothers find it strange. Why would an eleventh-layer prodigy choose the single-plank bridge when a broad, bright path lies ahead? One misstep and you fall to your death!” Black Wood knitted his brow, also confused.

“I think Taoist Blue-Robed looks quite composed. He must have already figured this out. Perhaps the Taoist could explain it to us!” Hu Pinggu chuckled lightly, tossing the question to the Taoist.

The Blue-Robed Taoist was a little surprised but silently acknowledged. He pondered for a moment, then spoke: “Those two were actually from cultivation clans. Their eleventh-layer achievement was probably forced up by a great many pills.” He shook his head, clearly disapproving of the method.

“Isn’t it normal to use pills to raise one’s cultivation? Couldn’t they still join an immortal sect?” Wu Jiuzhi’s eyes widened in confusion.

“Brother Wu has forgotten one thing. To us, reaching the eleventh layer before forty might be a sign of a prodigy, but in the eyes of the great sects that have been passed down for countless years, such people are merely of average talent—barely meeting the entry requirements for a reserve disciple. Otherwise, they would have been accepted as formal disciples in childhood. The reason their clans kept them behind and gave them special training is that they had little hope of earning the right to take a Foundation Establishment Pill in competition with far more talented disciples within the sect. They lay low for decades, just for this one chance to shine in the Ascension Assembly and directly seize the Foundation Establishment Pill. It’s another way to take a shortcut. Unfortunately for their clans, it happened that two people with the same plan ran into each other and killed one another. Otherwise, they would surely have succeeded.”

The Blue-Robed Taoist spoke with a constant sigh. Wu Jiuzhi and the others were already staring in disbelief.

“No wonder the Ascension Assembly has become more and more brutal in recent years—experts at the tenth and eleventh layers, unheard of in the past, are appearing one after another,” Black Wood murmured.

The young woman and Wu Jiuzhi were both silent, obviously taken aback by this intelligence.

“Think about it: on one side are highly trained and fully equipped experts from cultivation clans; on the other side are rogue cultivators like us, poor and lacking resources. How many rogue cultivators do you think will succeed in capturing a seat?”

Hu Pinggu’s expression turned cold, tinged with self-mockery.

“If that’s the case, then the stories about the immortal sects being overjoyed to get outstanding disciples from the Ascension Assembly… are they all lies? Just saving face?” Han Li rubbed his nose, looking thoughtful.

“Brother Han has hit the mark. In this world, there are hardly any perfect outcomes where everything goes right. It’s good enough if you can get two out of three!” Hu Pinggu glanced sideways at Black Wood, who reddened slightly.

“Are rogue cultivators really inferior to disciples of cultivation clans? Even those rejected by the sects are that much stronger than ordinary rogue cultivators?” Red Lotus Sanren asked, unwilling to surrender.

“I hate to admit it, but the chances of a rogue cultivator becoming a true expert are indeed far lower. What’s more, as individuals, we can’t compete with an entire clan in terms of manpower and material resources. From the very start, our external conditions are far worse,” the Blue-Robed Taoist said with a bitter tone.

“I’ve heard from friends that even if rogue cultivators are lucky enough to become sect disciples, after taking the Foundation Establishment Pill, the number who successfully establish their foundation is pitifully small—barely a handful,” Black Wood added gloomily.

“Alright, don’t all look so dejected! We are still young. If we fail this time, there will be another chance ten years from now. Maybe the status of a sect disciple is waiting for us in the future! For now, let’s talk about traveling together after the gathering.”

After giving the room a bit of encouragement, the Blue-Robed Taoist changed the subject.

“There’s nothing much to say. I’ll go with everyone. After hearing about so many powerful figures in the cultivation world, I really don’t dare travel alone anymore!” Wu Jiuzhi still sounded dispirited.

The Blue-Robed Taoist shook his head helplessly and glanced at Red Lotus Sanren.