Chapter 418 - 424: The Competition Begins

Most Loose Cultivators were short on resources and had to rely on themselves for everything, making them relatively less competitive. However, that didn’t rule out the existence of exceptionally talented individuals.

After all, the Cultivation World was full of hidden experts, and Song Wanning didn’t dare to be the least bit careless.

As the group waited, several figures descended into the square from above.

Song Wanning looked up, and her attention was immediately drawn to the figure in the very center.

The man had white hair and an otherworldly face. His aloof aura was like the bright moon over a mountain, making everyone around him seem unbearably mundane.

He was flanked by several others, each with a stern expression, their presence naturally imposing.

Even without any deliberate display, their extraordinary bearing and confidence were still plain to see.

It was obvious that these people were from the Central Domain, and their statuses were likely quite high.

This was especially true of the man in the center.

Song Wanning’s gaze lingered on him for an extra second before falling upon the person to the far left.

That person was none other than the City Lord of Wuyang City, a true powerhouse at the Body Integration Realm.

But she was very low-key, with an unremarkable aura. It was difficult to even notice her if you didn’t look closely.

Song Wanning’s brow furrowed. This was her first time seeing an Integration Stage Cultivator.

The other onlookers shared Song Wanning’s thoughts. Everyone’s expression shifted slightly at the sight of the newcomers. Their gazes toward the City Lord, in particular, were unconsciously filled with reverence.

Cultivators in the Mahayana Realm were exceedingly rare in the Cultivation World, making the Body Integration Realm the de facto pinnacle of power. No one would dare to lightly provoke such an existence.

Furthermore, the entire, vast Wuyang City was under the City Lord’s control. Everyone had to show her some deference.

"Welcome, everyone. It is an honor to have you travel so far to be here, gracing Wuyang City with your presence."

The City Lord descended from the sky, a polite smile gracing her lips.

"These individuals beside me are Cultivators sent from the Central Domain."

With that, she pointed to the white-haired man. "This is Mr. Huo Jinchuan, from the Huo Family of the Central Domain."

The Central Domain was different from the Four Domains. While they weren’t particular about species or cultivation schools, the major powers were all structured around family clans.

Sects like the Dan Sect were nowhere near as powerful as the great clans; some even existed as vassals to them.

And the Huo Family was one of the seven great clans of the Central Domain, possessing immense power.

"Gasp... He’s actually from the Huo Family? Why can’t I discern his Cultivation?"

"I can’t either. He’s so mysterious..."

"As expected of someone from the Huo Family. What a remarkable individual!"

A buzz of discussion erupted. To the Cultivators of the Four Domains, the Central Domain was a sacred land of cultivation that many yearned to reach.

The Spiritual Energy there was abundant and resources were plentiful, allowing one’s Cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds.

Unfortunately, the Central Domain was protected by a prohibitive Space Barrier that could not be freely opened by outsiders.

This only added to the Central Domain’s mystique.

Song Wanning knew a little about this. The Central Domain was somewhat similar to the Secluded Land in the Lower World, as both were rich in resources and abundant in Spiritual Energy.

The difference, however, was that people from the Central Domain could ascend to higher realms and could also come and go as they pleased. It was only outsiders who were barred from entering.

’No wonder so many Cultivators are envious.’

"Alright, I’m sure you’ve all been waiting for quite some time, so I won’t keep you in suspense!"

The City Lord smiled and, with a casual wave of her hand, caused more than three hundred stone platforms to appear in the square.

The Medicinal Herbs for the first round of the competition were already laid out on each platform.

"All medicinal ingredients for this competition are provided by Wuyang City. Therefore, any Elixir Pills refined will also belong to Wuyang City. If anyone objects, you may withdraw from the competition now."

The ingredients required for the Alchemy Dao competition were extremely precious; Wuyang City was certainly not running a charity.

Seeing no objections, the City Lord continued, "The refined Elixir Pills will be judged by our friends from the Central Domain to ensure fairness!"

"In this competition, every process and result will be transparent and verifiable. Cheating or attempting to pass without the requisite skill will not be tolerated!"

Her sharp gaze swept over the crowd, and an immense pressure instantly washed over everyone.

For a moment, Song Wanning felt as if she’d been stripped bare and scrutinized. A dark glint flashed in her eyes.

’The power of the Body Integration Realm is truly something else.’

Thankfully, the pressure lasted only for a breath before dissipating. The crowd breathed a collective, silent sigh of relief, not daring to harbor any ulterior motives.

"Alright, let the competition begin!"

The City Lord waved her hand, then led the group from the Central Domain to their seats of honor on the high platform.

The subsequent proceedings would be hosted by the Manager from the City Lord Mansion.

"All participating Cultivators, take your places immediately! Anyone who is late will be disqualified!"

At his command, the competing Cultivators leaped onto the stone platforms.

Song Wanning and Lu Yi chose adjacent platforms. To ensure fairness, the platforms had not been assigned; the Cultivators were free to choose whichever they wished.

But once everyone was on their platforms, Song Wanning’s expression suddenly changed.

’The Young Master of the Demon Clan is competing in person?’

The primary purpose of the Alchemy Dao competition was to select talented Alchemists, so there were certain conditions for entry. One had to be either under three hundred years old or have a Cultivation that did not exceed the Soul Division Realm.

’The Young Master of the Demon Clan happens to qualify...’

’It seems he’s aiming for the Central Domain!’

Song Wanning quickly grasped his motive and pulled her gaze back, focusing on the medicinal ingredients before her.

But Xiao Heyun’s voice kept echoing in her mind.

’System, I have to surpass that Young Master of the Demon Clan!’

’I’ll show him! He was just born lucky, he can’t have everything go his way!’

What followed was a tirade of insults, revealing a deep-seated loathing for the Young Master of the Demon Clan.

Song Wanning decided to just sever the Three Lives Mirror’s connection to Xiao Heyun for the time being, saving herself from his pointless tirade.

She had a pretty good read on Xiao Heyun by now. He was arrogant and cynical, someone who wanted to have his cake and eat it too...

"The first round of the competition now officially begins! Please use the provided materials to refine a Seventh Grade Soul Nourishing Pill!"

As soon as the Manager finished speaking, the contestants sprang into action.

Starting with a Seventh-grade Elixir left no room for anyone to skate by.

Song Wanning sized up the ingredients and swiftly began to sort and process them.

Refining a Seventh-grade Elixir was quite simple for her. Her main focus was controlling the quality and quantity of the pills to ensure she didn’t fall behind.

From the very beginning, she had no intention of hiding her abilities or staging some dramatic, last-minute comeback.

She was going to power her way straight to the finals.

As for the final result, she wasn’t fixated on it. But she would absolutely not let the people from the Medicine King Sect have their way.

A slight smile touched Song Wanning’s lips as she threw herself wholeheartedly into the Alchemy.

Down below the platforms, Wu Qingfeng stared intently at Song Wanning, inwardly praying for her to be eliminated in the very first round.

But for some reason, ever since he’d laid eyes on her, an inexplicable panic had taken root in his heart. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen.

He gripped the armrest tightly, the murderous intent in his eyes growing ever stronger.