Between Wuji Sect and Stone Country, there lies a sealed Spirit Vein. It was sealed by the combined efforts of the ancestors of Wuji Sect and the first head of the academy.
The Spirit Vein nourishes this land, allowing Wuji Sect and Stone Country Academy to flourish for a long time.
The two sides had agreed that every three hundred years, they would hold an appointed battle, each sending out a genius to fight. The winning side would earn the right to enter the Spirit Vein area for cleansing. The losing side, naturally, would gain nothing. This opportunity arose only once every three hundred years, for a single person. Behind this appointed battle, however, lay another layer of meaning related to the Wasteland.
That was an Ancient Battlefield.
Chen Shixian gasped, "Spirit Vein cleansing, the Wasteland, Teacher... why only one person?"
"Nan Zhanbu Province has four Spirit Veins. These are controlled by the Dayu Dynasty, Youming Valley, the Saint Tao family, and our Stone Country Academy and Wuji Sect. There are only twenty spots available to enter the Wasteland, so these four major powers share them," explained the Grand State Master. "Our situation is different from the others; the Spirit Vein is controlled by two parties, and with there being five spots—an odd number—this agreement was formed.
"Furthermore, many years ago during a period of great turmoil, the Spirit Vein was severely damaged and has not yet recovered. Therefore, to avoid harming the Spirit Vein's foundation, our ancestors decided to select only one genius to enter for cleansing."
The winning side would gain three spots to enter the Wasteland, while the losing side, denied the Spirit Vein cleansing, would only receive two spots.
"The purpose of this appointed battle," continued the Grand State Master, "is to enhance this genius's strength and also to select a leader from between the two factions in a manner that convinces all."
That was the significance of this appointed battle.
With a solemn expression, Chen Shixian said, "Teacher, I know what to do now."
A Spirit Vein cleansing is undoubtedly a Great Opportunity for anyone, one not to be missed.
And being the leader to enter the Wasteland, thereby securing three spots, was completely different from the other side receiving only two. This meant that the winning side would determine the fate of the other, and the extra spot would become an additional bargaining chip for their own side.
SNAP!
Guang Xiaoyu slapped the table, her gaze filled with determination. "I will definitely defeat the Divine Body."
This Great Opportunity, I claim it.
Shi Yi, calm and composed, picked up the teacup from the table and said, "Although this Prince is friends with you all, I still hope the Divine Body wins. This way, the Stone Country royal family will also secure a spot. Hmm... Of course, with your current cultivation level, it's impossible for you to defeat the Divine Body."
"Who are you looking down on?" Guang Xiaoyu protested.
Nearby, Chen Pingping was lost in thought.
He seriously doubted that Baili Jiansan knew the details of the appointed battle; otherwise, he wouldn't have sent Guang Xiaoyu. With her mediocre talent and average aptitude, defeating the Divine Body was surely a pipe dream. The challenge was too great.
「...」
Baili Jiansan, the current Sect Leader of Wuji Sect, was instantly overwhelmed with frustration. After discussing the matter with the three Peak Masters, they were plunged into such despair it felt like wanting to die, their faces becoming as strained as if severely constipated.
"I think Mo Wuwei is good. Let him fight the Divine Body!" the Wanjian Peak Master couldn't help but speak up.
"Nangong Jue is the Chosen One," said the master of Ice and Snow Peak.
"You're wrong! Zhuge Wushuang from my Jiuli Peak is the one who can defeat the Divine Body."
HEH! HEH!
Baili Jiansan laughed in anger. "Have my three Junior Martial Brothers truly lost all sense of shame?"
They'd stooped to anything to absorb Qingfeng. They continuously targeted Qingfeng's disciples in the Newcomers' Competition. When they realized that wasn't working, they changed tactics, foregoing first place in the Newcomers' Competition to let Guang Xiaoyu face the Divine Body from Stone Country Academy. And now, knowing the importance of this appointed battle, they want to go back on their word?
With a grim face, Baili Jiansan said, "The candidate has already been decided. You can only pray that Guang Xiaoyu wins!"
The three Peak Masters: "..."
「A few days later.」
Several letters from the three Peak Masters arrived in Chen Pingping's hands.
The master of Ice and Snow Peak wrote: "Chen, how have you been lately? Any news from your esteemed Master? Oh, right, how is Xiaoyu's cultivation progressing? Letting her face the Divine Body from Stone Country Academy is indeed a bit difficult for her. As her Martial Uncle, I have a suggestion: Nangong Jue's cultivation is progressing well..."
There was a lot more written after that.
Chen Pingping ignored it and opened the second letter.
The Jiuli Peak Master's letter began: "The Divine Body from Stone Country Academy is no ordinary matter..."
After a glance, he quickly closed it.
He didn't even bother to open the third letter. He probably understood the three Peak Masters' intentions: they thought Guang Xiaoyu wasn't up to facing the Divine Body and wanted to substitute her with one of their own disciples. Chen Pingping had no doubt that if they were still in the Wuji Sect, these Peak Masters would probably resort to force. Fortunately, he and Xiaoyu were already far away in Stone Country's imperial city.
Chen Pingping whispered, "Want to absorb my Qingfeng Peak? Want to suppress Xiao Yu? Heh! Three Martial Uncles, you've certainly been diligent."
Poor aptitude? Lacking talent? Ordinary comprehension? Can Xiaoyu truly not defeat the Divine Body? I, Chen Pingping, am determined to have her defeat the Divine Body!
Chen Pingping's eyes sparkled as he waved his hand, turning the three letters to ash.
An hour later, he also penned a reply: "Thank you for your concern, Martial Uncles, but I believe Xiao Yu is capable of defeating the Divine Body."
「...」
After the details of the appointed battle were announced, the entire imperial city was abuzz, and people were discussing it again.
Is the Wasteland about to open again? Unknowingly, three hundred years have passed. Have the geniuses who entered the Wasteland last time now achieved Tao Verification and become Divine Kings?
Everyone sighed at the passage of time.
「Yuan Martial Academy.」
Shangguan Yumo spoke up, "She's not up to it. She doesn't have the qualifications to challenge the Divine Body."
Chen Shixian chose to go into secluded cultivation to consolidate his cultivation base.
「At the Prince's Mansion.」
Shi Yi, in an attempt to please the Earth Chicken, had practically squandered his entire fortune, yet the Earth Chicken remained indifferent towards him.
Shi Yi burst out, "Do you believe that this Prince will stew you?"
The Earth Chicken rolled its eyes.
Shi Yi: "..."
The longer he spent with it, the more he realized this creature before him was no ordinary Spiritual Beast. It could disguise itself, express a multitude of emotions, and make numerous provocative gestures, among other things. Of course, during this process, he was surprised to discover that the old yellow ox was also not what it seemed.
WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!
As Shi Yi tried to approach the room, the little black dog beside him started barking loudly.
"You're also not normal," he muttered, staring intently at the little black dog. A terrifying thought flashed through his mind—could it also be a Spiritual Beast?
But he quickly dismissed the idea. Where in the world could so many Spiritual Beasts come from?
「Inside the room.」
Guang Xiaoyu was in secluded cultivation, with the old yellow ox standing guard nearby, protecting her. Strands of Great Tao aura enveloped the room, forming a closed-off miniature world.
If Shi Yi were here, he would witness a shocking scene.
Guang Xiaoyu's entire body was glowing. A sun rose behind her, manifesting the myriad things of heaven and earth, with the Power of Laws intertwining within it. Not only that, but within her body, the roar of the Great Tao was incessant, and various auspicious signs abounded. At a glance, she looked akin to a deity.
During this period of seclusion, her cultivation had progressed rapidly. She had already crossed three minor realms to stand at the eighth layer of Breaking Sun.
But she did not stop there.
Following her Senior Brother's assessment of Chen Shixian, she knew that after the next year, Chen Shixian would step into the Destiny Stage. Therefore, she needed to seize the time to elevate herself further.
(Realms: Breaking Sun, Condensed Soul, Destiny, Supreme Mystery, King Tao...)