Chapter 104: Qianlong Ancient City: Gathering of Geniuses, Dragon Vein Energy

As time passed, fewer and fewer geniuses who had passed the Three Dragon Gates reached the southern gate of Qianlong Ancient City; those remaining had slim chances and could only keep pondering various methods.

Until the last person moved forward and failed at the third trial, the examination of the Three Dragon Gates finally ended.

Boom—

The Three Dragon Gates quickly sank into the ground; the cracks on the surface sealed shut, and the southern gate of Qianlong Ancient City slammed shut, trapping all the geniuses inside.

Soon after, the side gates on either side of the main gate opened—these were the entrances for others with cultivation above the Baoyuan realm to enter Qianlong Ancient City.

The main gate belonged to the Dragon Gate; only young geniuses who had passed the Three Trials could enter, while anyone else wishing to watch the competition had to use the side gates, even the leaders of the Liupin Sect.

With the gate closed, only seven hundred or so young geniuses could enter Qianlong Ancient City through the main gate and compete in the Qianlong List—less than three-tenths of those who had attempted the Three Dragon Gates.

Yet none of the geniuses who passed the Three Dragon Gates were overly elated, for the real competition had not yet begun; only those who successfully broke into the top seventy-two would gain the auspicious energy of Zhenlong Ancient Land.

This year's Qianlong List competition was the most prosperous in a thousand years, with geniuses emerging endlessly.

Aside from a few exceptionally powerful geniuses, most had no absolute certainty of breaking into the top seventy-two until the very last moment.

Soon after, everyone from outside entered Qianlong Ancient City, and Lu Qingshan quickly reunited with Ye Chen and the others.

After choosing the same courtyard in the central region as the Liuyun Sect members, Lu Qingshan's group began touring Qianlong Ancient City.

Seeing this, Luo Xinglie quickly ordered Xu Jing, Zhu Mei, and Luo Hanshan of the Liuyun Sect to follow them.

Along both sides of Qianlong Ancient City's streets stood rows of screen walls, carved with strange murals.

The murals depicted warriors wielding power to uproot mountains and reverse rivers and seas; some warriors flew through the sky, binding monstrous beasts with long chains…

"These murals must depict scenes from ancient times on the Zhenling Continent, when powerful figures battled the extraterrestrial demon clans! Too bad we won't get to see those extraterrestrial demon gods this time!"

Pang Bo looked at the murals on both sides of the road and said to Ye Chen: "Brother Ye Chen, when extraterrestrial demon gods descend again, be sure to notify me—I'll come join the fun and help you slay some demons!"

"No problem!" Ye Chen nodded quickly.

Although he had successfully resolved the demon invasion in the original plot, many powerful figures on the Zhenling Continent had perished in that great battle.

Though his current strength far surpassed that of his peers from that era, he wasn't certain he could protect those who fell defending the Zhenling Continent during the demon catastrophe.

If Pang Bo was willing to join the battle then, it would be perfect!

Meanwhile, Luo Hanshan and the others listening to Ye Chen's conversation were utterly bewildered.

Extraterrestrial demon gods? Demon gods descending? Slaying demon gods?

Had Pang Bo and the others not passed the Three Dragon Gates with astonishing speed, they might have thought the group had gone mad.

Thinking of this, Luo Hanshan couldn't help saying: "It's said that Life-and-Death Realm kings can live a thousand years, experiencing more than any ordinary person could in ten lifetimes—but even they may not know the origin of these murals, since Qianlong Ancient City has stood in Zhenlong Ancient Land for at least hundreds of thousands of years!"

Hearing this, Pang Bo and the others couldn't help laughing.

【Pang Bo: Ye Chen, your senior brother probably thinks we were just bragging just now?】

【Tianmeng Ice Silkworm: Hundreds of thousands of years? I used to sleep for tens of thousands of years at a time!】

【Xiao Yan: Exactly! This Luo Hanshan is just naive—never mind the group leader, even Tianmeng's age likely predates this Qianlong Ancient City!】

【Ye Chen: Don't mind them—my senior brother means no harm, he's just inexperienced!】

【Pang Bo: Don't worry, we won't hold it against him. Once we all break into the top ten of the Qianlong List, we'll tease him and see how dumbfounded he gets!】

【Han Li: Brother Pang, you call that not holding a grudge?】

…

Soon, Lu Qingshan's group arrived at a crossroads.

Many people had gathered around a stone pillar about one zhang tall and three chi wide.

On this stone pillar were eight rows of crystals, ten in each row—a common facility in Qianlong Ancient City for testing attack power.

Generally, Qi Condensation realm cultivators corresponded to the first two rows, Ningzhen realm to the third and fourth, and Baoyuan realm to the fifth and sixth.

At this moment, many cultivators were testing their attack power; some Baoyuan realm cultivators had already achieved fifty-nine crystals—a very respectable result even among Baoyuan realm peak experts!

"I'll give it a try!" Seeing this, Luo Hanshan stepped forward immediately.

He ultimately scored forty-five crystals—a fairly average result for a Baoyuan realm beginner.

Next, Cao Cao stepped up and tested, but only scored forty-four crystals.

Seeing this, Luo Hanshan felt a pang of frustration.

After all, this man's attack power was lower than his own, yet he had successfully passed the Three Dragon Gates.

After Cao Cao finished, Yue Buqun stepped forward to test.

Though he was only equivalent to a Baoyuan realm mid-stage cultivator, he ultimately scored fifty-three crystals—a very strong result even among Baoyuan realm late-stage experts!

At that moment, a super-genius approached.

He was Gan Yun, the second disciple of the Luoxia Sect, a sixth-rank sect; since the sect's eldest disciple had exceeded twenty-four this year, Gan Yun had received heavy cultivation support over the past three years and was unquestionably a genius capable of contending for the top ten of the Qianlong List.

"I didn't expect there'd be an attack pillar here—I'll give it a try too!"

No sooner had he spoken than Gan Yun punched the stone pillar.

Bang!

The crystals lit up—sixty, full score!

And after the sixtieth crystal flickered briefly, it turned crimson, indicating Gan Yun's power had reached the sixty-crystal limit—but not yet the sixty-one-crystal standard!

This attack-testing pillar had special properties at the last crystal of every two rows; the sixtieth crystal, when lit, could appear in three colors: crimson, representing attack power surpassing most Baoyuan realm peak cultivators and capable of confronting a Level Six beast lord; purple, indicating the ability to kill a Level Six beast lord; and black, signifying effortless one-hit kills of Level Six beast lords!

In the entire Nan Zhuo Region, fewer than ten Baoyuan realm cultivators could reach the black level—all were the strongest under the Star Level realm!

While the crowd was still stunned by Gan Yun's overwhelming attack power, another genius stepped forward to test—but no one else could reach sixty crystals, let alone turn the sixtieth crystal crimson.

Gan Yun crossed his arms, smiling as he watched—clearly enjoying the adulation.

"Let's go—show these people what real power looks like!"

Among Lu Qingshan's group, the first to lose patience was Pang Bo; he strode forward to the testing pillar and slammed his fist into it with full force.

Whoosh!

All sixty crystals lit up instantly; the sixtieth turned crimson, then immediately shifted to purple.

The onlookers nearby were shocked upon seeing this, and even Qian Yun's expression turned somewhat grim.

"Let me try too!"

Xiao Yan also stepped forward two paces, then casually pulled a black iron ruler from his storage space and quickly struck the testing Shi Zhu with it.

Whoosh!

The sixtieth crystal soon lit up, finally turning crimson.

Ye Chen stepped forward, and the sixtieth crystal turned crimson once more.

Meng Huan stepped forward, and the sixtieth crystal quickly turned purple.

Finally, Han Li stepped forward; the sixtieth crystal lit up, but did not change color.

Watching the test results of Pang Bo and the others, all the onlookers around were completely stunned.

They had originally thought the strength of the younger generation would not be too great; merely lighting up the sixtieth crystal was enough to qualify for the top ten of the Hidden Dragon List, and Qian Yun, who had turned the sixtieth crystal crimson, was undoubtedly one of the top contenders among the top ten.

But now, several people appeared in succession, all achieving a score of sixty crystals.

Among them, two people's attack power was completely equal to Qian Yun's, and even two others' attack power surpassed Qian Yun's by a margin!

"How is this possible?"

"No wonder everyone says this Hidden Dragon List competition will be the most prosperous one in a thousand years; it is truly unbelievable!"

"I recognize them; they were the ones who broke through the three gates of the Dragon Gate together back then. Their speed was not in the slightest inferior to the super geniuses who ranked in the top ten of the previous Hidden Dragon List competition!"

The crowd of experts around discussed heatedly, their gazes upon Lu Qingshan and his group filled with awe.

At this moment, the smile on Qian Yun's face, who was standing aside, had long since vanished, and his eyes were filled with Solemnity!

Although he had held back some strength when he attacked the testing Shi Zhu earlier, even if he had gone all out, it would have been impossible for him to make the sixtieth crystal turn purple.

That is to say, among Lu Qingshan's group, at least two people's attack power must exceed his, and another two people's attack power is comparable to his.

"Interesting!" A hint of fighting spirit rose secretly in Qian Yun's heart: "However, the outcome of a battle is not determined solely by attack power. If we meet in the competition, I will definitely defeat each and every one of you!"

At this moment, the chat group had already exploded.

【Pang Bo: @Xiao Yan, you actually held back your strength?】

【Xiao Yan: Brother Pang, did you not hold back your strength either? And why don't you mention Han Li and the other two? Those three definitely held back their strength too!】

【Pang Bo: This is Ye Chen's world, and his two wives are present; it is only right for him to hold back his strength and reveal it step by step! As for Han Li, this fellow has always had this kind of personality; I have long since grown used to it. Just wait and see; even in the final match, he will absolutely hold back his strength!】

【Pang Bo: I did hold back my strength, but I already made a demonstration earlier. Brother Meng Huan came along with me, but with so many Strange Flames on your body, I never expected you to unleash the Buddha's Nether Fire Lotus right now, but what is the meaning of you bringing out the Profound Heavy Ruler?】

【Xiao Yan: Hehe! I was just afraid that revealing my strength early would give Brother Pang you time to prepare!】

【Pang Bo: You brat, am I that kind of person?】

【Xiao Yan: Yes!】

【Han Li: Yes!】

There were many testing Shi Zhu in the Hidden Dragon Ancient City; just as Pang Bo and the others were teasing each other in the chat group, other geniuses had also tested their attack power.

Among them, Mo Yan and Murong Qingcheng of the Flying Heaven Sect, Bing Ling, the eldest disciple of the Ice Absolute Sect, Li Daoxuan, the eldest disciple of the Heartless Sect, and the young giant who suddenly appeared in this year's genius battle, Tuoba Ku, all made the sixtieth crystal turn purple;

while 'Fire Spirit Crown Prince' Yan Chihuo and Lin Yun of the Sky Fall Sect both made the sixtieth crystal turn black with a casual strike;

and the most terrifying was the first place winner of the previous Hidden Dragon List, the eldest disciple of the Hanging Void Mountain and owner of the King's Bloodline, Sikong Sheng; when he attacked the testing Shi Zhu, he actually lit up the sixty-first crystal!

It must be known that this was something only a Star Extreme Realm expert could achieve; although only one crystal in the seventh row was lit, it was enough to prove that Sikong Sheng's attack power had reached the Star Extreme Realm level!

After this news spread, except for a few super geniuses who still had trump cards, such as Yan Chihuo and Lin Yun, all the other geniuses had already lost all hope, having not a shred of intention to challenge Sikong Sheng.

At this moment, Lu Qingshan and his group had already returned to the courtyard; upon learning this news, Pang Bo and the others showed no surprise on their faces.

"This Sikong Sheng is indeed a good opponent!"

Pang Bo said directly with a smile: "I wonder which of us will meet him first?"

"Who cares!"

Xiao Yan said with a smile: "Anyway, we will meet sooner or later!"

At this time, besides the people in the chat group, there were also Xu Jing and the other two whom Ye Chen had brought along in the room.

Upon hearing Pang Bo and Xiao Yan's words, the expressions on their faces were much calmer than before.

After all, Pang Bo and the others had already said many unbelievable things before, so they had long since grown used to it.

On the other side.

While the many geniuses were testing their attack power, in a huge building in the central area of the Hidden Dragon Ancient City, the sect masters of the various sects of the Southern Zhuo Domain had already gathered; at the head were naturally the seven sect masters of the seven Liupin Sects who had entered the Spirit Sea Realm.

Under the presiding of the seven Spirit Sea Realm experts, the crowd soon selected some highly reputable martial artists without sect affiliations from the Star Extreme Realm to serve as referees, and the head referee continued to be Luo Jiacheng, the extremely fair and iron-faced Star Extreme Realm martial artist who served as the head referee of the previous Hidden Dragon List competition.

Of course, the Hidden Dragon List competition was inherently very sacred and solemn; even these Spirit Sea Realm experts dared not engage in favoritism or fraud, let alone the Star Extreme Realm referees.

Besides the head referee, the crowd also selected twelve Star Extreme Realm experts with extremely high strength and very fair handling of affairs to serve as referees.

Thus, under the anticipation of the masses, the Hidden Dragon List competition finally officially began on the third day.

On the morning of the third day, just as the sky was beginning to lighten, the countless martial artists gathered in the Hidden Dragon Ancient City all headed towards the central area.

There was a vast flat ground in the central area of the ancient city, sufficient to accommodate the many participants, while dense spectator stands surrounded it on all sides.

Those who could enter the Hidden Dragon Ancient City were mostly experts of the Embryonic Origin Realm and above; sitting in the spectator stands, even at a relatively far distance, they could easily take in the entire competition scene.

After most of the audience took their seats, the many geniuses all stood at the very front of the spectator stands.

Naturally, Pang Bo and the others gathered together, and at this time, Qin Yulian, the eldest disciple of the Southern Luo Sect, came over and asked with a smile: "Do you mind if I stand with you?"

"Of course not!"

Ye Chen said with a smile: "We are all people of the Tianfeng State; naturally, we should be more united here!"

Just then, the flat ground ahead suddenly cracked, and soon twelve square-shaped fighting platforms rose from underground; ink-blue light emanated from the Shi Zhu around the fighting platforms, quickly forming a light curtain that completely covered each fighting platform.

At the same time…

Roar!

A dragon's cry rang out from underground, startling everyone within the Hidden Dragon Ancient City.

Lu Qingshan's mind stirred, and a wisp of dragon vein energy had already appeared in his hand, though the others around him could not see any movement from him at all.

"This dragon vein energy is rather interesting!"

After briefly probing the dragon vein energy, Lu Qingshan shook his head and sighed: "It's just a pity it's of no use to me!"

One had to remember, he was already a Marquis-rank Immortal now; even if all the dragon vein energy within the Hidden Dragon Ancient City belonged to him, it still wouldn't have any effect!

Before long, the Chief Referee Luo Jiacheng arrived before the group of geniuses who had passed the three trials of Dragon Gate, and as was customary, began explaining the competition rules.

The competition rules were actually very simple: first, only low-grade treasure artifacts were permitted; pills and other lethal items like Silver-Glare Thunder Bombs were forbidden. Violators would at minimum be judged defeated, and in severe cases stripped of their competition eligibility outright;

As for the more than seven hundred participants, they were divided into twelve groups for elimination rounds. After ten rounds, only twelve people from each group could advance; then every two groups would be merged into one for another elimination round, with again only twelve from each group advancing;

After the two rounds of elimination concluded, the geniuses who advanced successfully would be the listed contestants of this edition of the Hidden Dragon Ranking competition, and then the third stage—the ranking tournament—could begin;

In the ranking tournament, every genius had to face off in turn against the other seventy-one geniuses; this was also the process for contending over the dragon vein energy, and from it the final overall ranking would be decided!

After explaining these rules, Chief Referee Luo Jiacheng once again said loudly: "You may now take a look at the jade tokens you snatched from the Token-Seizing Trial; they bear your group numbers."

Hearing this, the geniuses quickly took out their jade tokens from their storage spirit rings.

"I'm in Group Three!" Ye Chen was the first to speak up.

"I'm in Group Seven!" Xiao Yan said likewise.

"I'm in Group One!" Han Li also quickly spoke up.

"Hahaha, Han Li, you brat can't run this time!"

Pang Bo laughed heartily: "I'm also in Group One, so this time the two of us can have a proper sparring match!"

Hearing Pang Bo's words, Han Li said with a smile: "Brother Pang, the first elimination round only has ten matches; I'm not necessarily going to run into you!"

Han Li's main purpose in participating in this Hidden Dragon Ranking competition was still to witness the combat methods of these Hidden Dragon Ranking geniuses.

As for victory or defeat, he didn't really care too much!

(End of this chapter)