Novel Full Chapter 1277 - 662: Endure It (Part 2)
Chapter 1277 - 662: Endure It (Part 2)
At this moment, the first round of qualification screening was already more than halfway through.
The huge Light Gate in the center of the square was continuously ejecting those who were disqualified.
Those who passed gathered on the other side, their faces showing expressions of excitement or relief.
"At this rate, I estimate the first round will end by nightfall."
Gu Sheng looked at the contestants still lined up in a long queue and murmured to himself.
"There are fewer people this year; it usually takes two days for the first round to finish."
A clear voice came from behind them.
Gu Sheng and Ling Xiao turned around simultaneously to see a tall man sword-bearing, with starry eyes and sword-like eyebrows.
The man wore white clothes, with a smooth as Ruyu Token hanging from his waist, carved with the words "Huatian."
"I am Liang Yu, from the Huatian Sect."
The man clasped his fists in greeting, his movements graceful and natural.
Gu Sheng’s eyes held wariness, but he showed no expression.
"Qing Feng, a Loose Cultivator."
"Ling Xiao, also a Loose Cultivator!"
Ling Xiao enthusiastically extended his hand, almost stuffing the half-eaten Spirit Fruit into Liang Yu’s hand, quickly retracting it, and wiping his hand before extending it again.
Liang Yu was amused by the action and jovially shook his hand.
"Both of you are impressive and will surely make it into Qinghe Holy Land smoothly."
Gu Sheng did not have a good first impression of the friendly Huatian Sect Disciple, but Ling Xiao had already draped an arm over Liang Yu’s shoulder.
"Liang, right? You just said it takes two days in previous years; you must be quite familiar with this place?"
Liang Yu laughed.
"This is my third time participating. The first two times I stopped at the second round, but I’ve prepared thoroughly this time."
As he spoke, he lowered his voice.
"I see you both are unfamiliar faces, probably your first time here? How about I explain the rules and details?"
Gu Sheng was about to politely decline, but Ling Xiao was already nodding repeatedly.
"Sure, sure, I was just worried about having no one to guide me!"
Liang Yu glanced around and led them to a less crowded corner.
"The first round takes the most time and eliminates the most people; the second round requires passing arrays set by Qinghe Holy Land, the ten quickest entrants make it to the third round..."
As Liang Yu explained, Gu Sheng gradually lowered his guard.
This Huatian Sect Disciple was indeed knowledgeable about the competition, even knowing some unknown details thoroughly.
"...the third round is a competition between the three plazas, selecting representatives to participate in the match, and ten spots are distributed based on points."
Liang Yu finished speaking and retrieved two Jade Scrolls from his Storage Bag.
"Here are the notes I compiled, a gift for you both."
Gu Sheng accepted the Jade Scroll, scanned it with his Divine Sense, and found the content detailed, including solutions to various arrays recorded.
His heart moved, and he cupped his hands in thanks.
"Thank you, Liang; we will remember this favor."
Ling Xiao directly gave Liang Yu a bear hug.
"You’re great, Liang! Once we enter the Holy Land, I’ll treat you to drinks!"
Liang Yu felt a bit awkward from his enthusiasm, was about to speak, when his expression suddenly changed, and he swiftly looked skyward.
Gu Sheng and Ling Xiao simultaneously sensed something amiss; they saw a dozen streaks of light breaking through the sky, mighty Spiritual Pressure enveloping the entire square.
"It’s Inner Sect Disciples from Qinghe Holy Land!"
Liang Yu’s voice tightened.
Those figures stood on Spirit Swords, their robes fluttering, arriving above the square in an instant.
Leading them was a man in teal clothing, his face stern, with a Purple Gold Token hanging from his waist, shining brightly in the sun.
"Ordered by the elders, I’ve come to observe the selection."
The teal-clothed man’s voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached everyone’s ears, carrying an indisputable authority.
The square buzzed with astonishment.
These Inner Sect Disciples stood in the air, looking down on the contestants with eyes full of disdain.
One female disciple even pinched her nose and frowned, as if unable to bear the stench below.
"Acting so high and mighty!"
A shirtless man shouted angrily, his muscles bulging.
"Come down and spar if you dare!"
The teal-clothed man coldly glanced at him.
"Are you even worthy?"
"You!"
The shirtless man snarled furiously, leaping several feet, his fist wrapped in fierce wind straight towards the teal-clothed man’s face.
The teal-clothed man didn’t even move, only snorted coldly.
"Boom!"
A terrifying aura exploded suddenly.
The shirtless man was struck as if by lightning, spat a mouthful of fresh blood in midair, and fell heavily to the ground, creating a large pit.
The whole place fell silent instantly, a pin drop could be heard.
Liang Yu’s face turned pale, his voice trembling.
"Half... Half a step to the Earth Palace Realm!"
Gu Sheng’s pupils contracted slightly. This teal-clothed man seemed barely over twenty and had already touched the threshold of the Earth Palace Realm; such talent was indeed terrifying.
Ling Xiao just pursed his lips, secretly transmitting a thought.
"Pretending, with a single finger I could..."
"Shut up!"
Gu Sheng interrupted sternly, afraid that this ancestor might suddenly decide to provoke him.
"Shh!"
Liang Yu’s face worsened, he urgently grabbed Ling Xiao’s sleeve.
"Are you crazy? That’s half a step to the Earth Palace Realm!"
He lowered his voice, full of awe.
"When a Cultivator breaks through from Nascent Soul to Earth Palace Realm, the Nascent Soul in the abdomen transforms into a palace, significantly enhancing their ability to absorb and purify nature’s spiritual energy, and their combat power crushes all Nascent Soul Cultivators!"
As Liang Yu spoke, his gaze involuntarily drifted towards the group of Holy Land Disciples.
"The teal-clothed elder brother reached half a step to the Earth Palace Realm in his early thirties; he’s just a step away from a complete Earth Palace Realm, such cultivation speed is almost catching up with the Holy Land Core Disciples!"
Ling Xiao listened, his mouth twitching uncontrollably, quickly lowering his head, his shoulders slightly shaking—he was about to burst into laughter.
A Heavenly Palace Realm against a half-step Earth Palace Realm? It’s like a dragon watching an ant boast about its strength!
Liang Yu misunderstood Ling Xiao’s reaction, thinking he was frightened, quickly comforting him.
"Don’t worry, they can’t hear us. Holy Land Disciples are strong, but they won’t attack regular cultivators without reason."
At that moment, a hand reached from the side, covering Ling Xiao’s mouth.
Gu Sheng’s eyes carried a warning, secretly transmitting.
"Watch your mouth; if you reveal your identity, watch me throw you back!"
Ling Xiao rolled his eyes but still nodded obediently.
Gu Sheng then released his hand, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over Liang Yu’s face, but spotting in this timid guide’s eyes a barely noticeable yearning alongside his fear as he looked at the Holy Land Disciples.
"Silence!"
A stern command rang out from the high platform, and a black-cloaked elder waved his sleeve, rendering the three plazas instantly silent.
All the cultivators’ eyes focused on the high platform.
"The first round of qualification screening begins now!"
The black-cloaked elder’s voice boomed like thunder.
"Everyone passes through the Light Gate in order; those who can traverse safely pass, those ejected are disqualified!"
As soon as the words fell, three enormous Light Gates rose simultaneously across the plazas, their frames engraved with ancient runes, emitting heart-palpitating vibrations.
"These Light Gates can detect a cultivator’s Spirit Root qualification and potential."
Liang Yu whispered in explanation.
"It’s said they can even detect hidden special constitutions."
Ling Xiao snorted disdainfully, but Gu Sheng stopped him with a glance.
The screening began.
Tens of thousands of cultivators lined up in a long queue, one after another approaching the Light Gate.
Most touched the Light Screen only to be harshly ejected by an invisible force, landing in disarray.
Occasionally, a few managed to barely pass through, immediately attracting envious glances from the surrounding crowd.
"Haha, look at that fat guy; he didn’t even touch the door before flying off!"
"Tsk tsk, this bunch of wastes is truly plentiful!"
The Qinghe Holy Land Disciples sat on special seats, drinking and mocking the failing cultivators freely.
Their laughter was exceptionally piercing, yet no one dared to counter—ordinary cultivators view Holy Land Disciples as lofty beings, even the Outer Sect Disciples are not ones they can afford to provoke.
Ling Xiao’s fists clenched unconsciously.
Gu Sheng immediately pressed his shoulder, warning through a secret transmission.
"Don’t cause trouble. Our goal is to infiltrate the Holy Land for investigation, not to start fights."
"But they—"
"Hold back."
Gu Sheng’s voice was indisputably stern.