Chapter 354: Chapter 353: How did you guys end up on the judge panel?_1

The grand ceremony in Qingzhou officially kicked off, with the most eye-catching event being the grand competition among the younger generation.

Every year, young cultivators with great potential were featured prominently in the competition, causing those cultivators who had wasted their lives in obscurity to feel shame and sigh deeply.

In fact, the potential of these cultivators has been proven. Aside from those who tragically fell, most of them achieved fame and success, either taking up leadership roles or establishing their own sects.

Not only the Qingzhou government office but numerous sect powers also placed great importance on these young cultivators, hoping to recruit them.

Perhaps because a Great Era was on the horizon, the young cultivators who participated in the grand competition in recent years were increasingly extraordinary, continually setting new records.

“Quick, look at that one. Isn’t that Li Shaoyang from the Wind Stabilizing Sect? I’ve heard that he’s reached Consummation of Qi Refinement. During his travels, he was once ambushed by bandits. But he had a spear that pierced through three bandits who were at the Ninth Level of Qi Training!”

“What? He’s so young yet he’s already achieved Consummation of Qi Refinement? His level is enough to rank in the top eight!”

Ninth Level of Qi Training was the stage at which one could attempt Foundation Establishment. Those aiming for a successful Foundation Establishment would carefully refine this stage, also referred to as the Consummation of Qi Training by others.

Most of the cultivators observing here were at the Qi Refinement stage, so Consummation of Qi Training was their greatest aim.

The Five Great Immortal Sects did not use this terminology. They didn’t even bother to differentiate the levels within the Qi Refinement stage. For them, there was no difference whether one was at the initial stage of Qi training or had reached Consummation of Qi Training.

“Also, look at that strikingly beautiful female cultivator next to him called Qiao Hongye. She’s from the No Sleeves Sect, a First class sect. She has also achieved Consummation of Qi Training and possesses both wood and fire Dual Spirit Roots. In a sect-wide competition held internally by the No Sleeves Sect, several participants had achieved Consummation of Qi Training, but Qiao Hongye took first place in that competition!”

“Achieving Consummation of Qi Training would have been enough to rank in the top eight in previous years, but it’s hard to say for this year. I’ve heard a rumor that several participants who have reached the Foundation Establishment stage will be joining this year!”

“Foundation Establishment stage before the age of eighteen?! And there are several of them?”

His companion spoke mysteriously: “Have you heard of Gu Qisheng from Changhong Palace? He was born at an inauspicious date and has the Profound Yin Body. He experienced a catastrophe at birth and would have died prematurely if it wasn’t for the help of the palace master.”

“The Profound Yin Body attracts the envy of heaven, making birth a catastrophe. If one can overcome it, they will make smooth progress in Cultivation. But if they can’t, they would die halfway.”

“Some people saw Gu Qisheng here yesterday. He’s already at the early stage of Foundation Establishment.”

…

“Hello, we’re here to sign up for the competition.”

A bailiff was registering names in the distance, quite chilly in demeanor.

Normally, people would register for the competition in advance, but a small portion would just suddenly decide to participate.

The bailiff took a glance at the two amiable-looking individuals. He was unable to discern their Realm, but he didn’t pay it much thought, as many people would bring Artifacts to conceal their Cultivation Level when heading out, which was quite common.

He pointed to a stone next to them and said, “This stone is the lowest quality Black Iron Stone. Only those at the late stages of Qi Training can shatter it. Shatter the stone.”

The Black Iron Stone in front of them was no different from tofu. A light strike of the palm, and the stone shattered into several pieces.

“It seems like they are at the Foundation Establishment stage. They are indeed hiding their strengths this year.”

This is the Year Ring Stone. Place your hand on it, and pour in your spiritual energy.”

On the other side of the bailiff, there was a stone that looked like several rings tied together with each one representing a year. It was specifically used in the Cultivation World to test one’s age.

The two put their hands on the stone and infused it with spiritual energy. The year rings lit up one by one, finally stopping at the seventeenth circle.

“You are not yet eighteen years old. You can participate in the competition.”

“Name?”

“Lu Yang.”

“Sect?”

“Seek Dao Sect.”

“Huh?” The bailiff suddenly looked up, examining the other party as if seeing a ghost.

Lu Yang felt confused. “Is there a problem?”

The bailiff recalled words from the governor: Encourage participation in the grand competition. The more the merrier. Don’t be afraid of those with powerful backgrounds participating in the competition. Instead, fear those with powerful backgrounds not participating.

The governor would probably be happy if two Disciples from the Seek Dao Sect participated.

“No, nothing. You can participate in the grand competition. And you, what’s your name?”

“Meng Jingzhou, also from the Seek Dao Sect.”

“Here are your numbers. In a quarter hour, we’ll start the draw to determine the fight match-ups. Be ready.”

“No problem!”

…

“Strange. The first round of the grand competition is about to begin. Why haven’t we seen Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou yet?” Lan Ting sat in the judge’s seat, somewhat puzzled.

“Perhaps they ran into some unexpected issues on their way, causing a delay.” Bai Ming speculated. This was a common occurrence; he often encountered unexpected situations when he was out for experience and training.

“Wait.” Yan Tianzhi was as always, sparing with words.

As Lan Ting had just gotten to know Yan Tianzhi and was not familiar with him, Bai Ming told her that Yan Tianzhi was always a man of few words and that hoping he could give remarks was rather unlikely.

Lan Ting could only sigh in helplessness. It looked like the heavy responsibility of giving remarks rested on her.

The spectators below noticed the three people sitting in the judges’ stand and began murmuring quietly.

“Who are these three people? They look very young. Can they be judges?”

“Especially that little girl, she is pretty, but I’ve never seen anyone so beautiful. But she doesn’t seem to have much battle experience.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. These three are Disciples of the Immortal Sects and are regarded as favored sons of heaven. I’ve heard that they are all outstanding among those of the same age within their Sects!”

“More than that, I have someone in my family who works in the government office. He said all three of them are at the Golden Core Stage!”

“Golden Core Stage?!”

“Now you know how big the talent gap is, right?”

Those participating in the competition are only at the Foundation Establishment stage at most. For the Golden Core Stage to give evaluations to those at the Foundation Establishment stage is more than enough.

Having glanced at the information of the cultivators participating in the first round, Lan Ting spoke in a soft tone, “The first competitor is Feng He, a true disciple of the Seven Emotions Sect, a First Class sect. Not long ago, Feng He successfully broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage without relying on a Foundation Establishment Pill. He relied on the foundations he laid during the Qi Refinement stage. He’s now a cultivator at the early stage of Foundation Establishment.”

“The Seven Emotions Sect’s approach to Cultivation involves expressing insights into the seven emotions and six desires through the path of rhythm and melody. Feng He, who has grasped the true teachings of the Seven Emotions Sect, is skilled in the way of rhythm and melody. When he plays the piece “Distance from Joy,” birds pause in flight, and flower buds bloom!”

“Feng He is also a seeded player in this grand competition, so let’s look forward to his performance!”

Feng He’s mouth curled in a confident smile. With his status at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, he was certain to stand out in this grand competition.

Traveling through the world, one relied either on power or reputation.

This grand competition was the starting point for him to gain a reputation!

“The competitor against Feng He is a cultivator who signed up on the spot. He is… Lu Yang from the Seek Dao Sect?!”

Midway through her announcement, Lan Ting almost lost her composure.

She put down the file in her hand and looked towards the stage. Upon seeing the familiar figure, she made a very peculiar expression.

She turned her head to look at Bai Ming, whose expression mirrored hers.

Seeing Lan Ting and Bai Ming on the stage, Lu Yang first waved at them, then scratched his head in confusion.

What’s going on?

Wasn’t it said that we were participating in the grand competition? Why are you two sitting in the judges’ seats?