Chapter 54: All-Participant Trial

Dusk, Zashi Building, Foundation Establishment Comprehensive Service Center.

Zhang Yunlu handed a completed form to the clerk behind the window.

Soon, identity verification passed; the staff handed her a card the size of a palm, its surface bearing an interlocked pattern of two small golden-red swords.

“Your application for access to the Foundation Establishment cultivation platform has been approved. We recommend you arrive before ten p.m. tomorrow. If you wish to purchase nursing services, select a package at window three.”

“Thank you.” Zhang Yunlu bowed her head and took the card.

The Foundation Establishment Comprehensive Service Center offers the most complete equipment and most professional nursing services.

Any cultivator who reaches Qi Refining ninth layer may, if they wish to use a spiritual energy pod, bring their own purified Foundation Establishment spiritual fluid and pay just one spirit stone here.

If one wishes to forge a Heaven-Born Dao Foundation and practice the Cultivation Method, this place also provides the venue; the arrays installed can somewhat enhance the efficiency of “guiding,” at a price of ten spirit stones.

Both are benefits offered to Qi Refining ninth-layer cultivators, so each person gets only one chance—if they wish to use them again, they must pay the regular price.

As for whether someone might alter their appearance or disguise their spiritual aura to exploit this multiple times…

As always: the Sword Sect welcomes such behavior.

“Passed, brother.” Zhang Yunlu waved the card at Zhang Xiu, who sat in the lobby. “Let’s go.”

Zhang Xiu walked over: “Buy a nursing package. The cultivation process is excruciating—having someone monitor you will help.”

“No need.”

The package wasn’t cheap.

As someone who “died” many times every night, Zhang Yunlu felt her pain tolerance was sufficient—no need to waste money.

“Many people are just as confident before it begins,” Zhang Xiu said, voice grave and serious. “But when the moment comes, they realize such pain isn’t easily endured.”

Many can’t even bear it at the start.

Those who reluctantly endure usually display a series of humiliating reactions.

Rolling on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably is still the best case—severe cases end in incontinence, utterly grotesque to witness.

Only then do people realize the importance of nursing staff.

“So buy one anyway—it’s a form of assurance.”

Zhang Xiu insisted; Zhang Yunlu no longer refused: “Alright.”

The two walked toward window three; Zhang Xiu glanced at his sister.

‘Little Lu has become much quieter.’

Since receiving the elder’s guidance, her temperament has grown colder.

But given how brutal the trials are daily, wouldn’t it be strange if she hadn’t changed?

Sigh~ I hope she recovers in time.

…………

On the other side, Xiao Fan swallowed the Yang Jing Dan Xi and began cultivation.

Bearing even a trace of Cang bloodline, he need not, like ordinary cultivators, slowly refine starlight, condense moon essence, or gather solar essence.

As time passes, merely supplementing his foundation with Yang Jing Dan Xi and Su Po Zhen Hua will naturally allow him to forge a Heaven-Born Dao Foundation.

As a celestial-favored clan, the Cang clan is born perfect—emerging into the world already with a Heaven-Born Dao Foundation body.

Meanwhile, the immortal sect disciples who arrived in Xuanjian City have checked into hotels, coincidentally all staying at the same one as Jiang Yujiu.

Lingyin Workshop, Jishi Valley, Shenji Treasure Refining Pavilion, Longxiang Qingtian Sect.

Including the Hehuan Sect’s Meixiu Jiang Yujiu and several Yuan Ying disciples of Taishang Dao Sect who didn’t leave with Xiao Ning True Person, all seven immortal sect disciples in Xuanjian City have gathered.

“It’s about time.”

Xu Xing stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing into the distance.

Everything has now officially begun—who will come out on top?

Will it be those immortal sect disciples, Zhang Yunlu, who received his small gift, or Xiao Fan, whom Huo supports?

Or some unknown genius who rises unexpectedly? “Uncle, what did you say?” Chi Jiu Yu tilted his head curiously.

“None of your business.”

This guy is off-scale—not included in consideration.

“Oh.”

Xu Xing now slightly understood Huo’s earlier mood.

…………

Si Law Hall prison, Lin Qiu Xian sat in meditation, his aura deep and still.

His cellmate across from him cast him an admiring glance.

Lin Qiu Xian had been locked up before he was; at first, he paid no mind.

After all, Lin Qiu Xian had seemed restless, like most others thrown into prison.

But after being taken out several times, Lin Qiu Xian grew much quieter, as if accepting his fate. Yet later, he realized this man hadn’t given up—he cultivated at least twelve hours daily; the rest of his time was spent either refining sword techniques or discussing cultivation questions with him.

Though Lin Qiu Xian was Yuan Ying and he himself only Jin Dan, every question he asked, Lin Qiu Xian would seriously consider and answer.

Sometimes, Lin Qiu Xian would ask him questions too—not questions designed to spare his face or mock him, but genuine inquiries.

He answered, but even he wasn’t sure if his answers were right or wrong.

Yet Lin Qiu Xian would still, after careful thought, say, “I’ve learned.”

He once asked why; Lin Qiu Xian replied:

“Since you gave an answer, it proves you thought deeply—your answer must contain your own understanding. Perhaps I can learn something from it.”

Such a man was locked up for speeding?

Isn’t that strange? The world is vast—anything is possible.

Meeting such a person, perhaps after I’m released, I’ll have something to boast about.

He lay down, hands behind his head, eyes closed; for some reason, sleep came quickly tonight.

As soon as he closed his eyes, he felt himself sinking, sinking…

Thud! He crashed onto the ground.

It didn’t hurt.

But he still woke up startled, blinking in confusion—above, below, left, right—all was gray haze.

As he puzzled over this, a line of golden text slowly appeared.

【First Trial Round Begins】

【Name: Wang Yu】

【Realm: Jin Dan Mid-stage (suppressed to Qi Refining ninth layer)】

【Current Rank: None】

This… what’s going on? Tap! Tap! Footsteps approached from afar; a blurred figure emerged from the gray mist.

This situation wasn’t unique to Wang Yu.

Throughout Xuanjian City, every cultivator below Soul Transformation would enter this space upon falling asleep or meditating.

So Lin Qiu Xian, also in the prison, naturally encountered it—he stood in the gray haze, body trembling slightly, staring at the golden text before him.

【Name: Lin Qiu Xian】

【Realm: Yuan Ying Mid-stage (suppressed to Qi Refining ninth layer)】

【Current Rank: None】

Of course!

Just as I thought!

What a figure the elder is.

Everyone has a chance to compete!

【First Trial Round Ends. Top 3,000 Ranked Advance to Second Round.】

Thud! Thud! Heavy footsteps echoed; a towering figure emerged from the gray mist.

【Enemy: Qi Refining ninth-layer Body Cultivator, Introduction to The Da Classic, Minor Mastery of Shaking Mountain Fist】

【Objective: Eliminate】

The Da Classic—the supreme secret transmission of Longxiang Qingtian Sect, comparable to the Sword Sect’s Grand Void Sword Scripture.

“Come!”

Without hesitation, Lin Qiu Xian let out a roar, drawing his sword and charging forward.

Unlike his excitement, most others remained stunned.

The alchemist who broke down on the airship at noon was one of them.

Gulp!

Watching the towering figure approach, he nervously swallowed.

Of all things, he’d drawn another body cultivator.

Introduction to The Da Classic, Minor Mastery of Shaking Mountain Fist.

He wanted to cry—what could an alchemist possibly do against this?

Dammit, am I cursed against body cultivators today?

Please collect, please follow! Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

(End of Chapter)