Chapter 122: A Rising Star

"How can I motivate the clan members to practice earnestly?" Zhou Yi thought to himself.

Zhou Yi understood that everything requires time and patience, and only through prolonged effort will humanity's strength gradually increase.

But he also knew that although humanity needs time to grow, the strong in the Vast Wilderness World will not grant humanity much time.

As he was deep in thought, an idea suddenly flashed in his mind.

So Zhou Yi discussed his plan with Sui Huang and three others. To spark the entire Human Race's enthusiasm for cultivation, Zhou Yi decided to hold the inaugural Human Genius Selection Competition.

Anyone who belongs to the Human Race, regardless of cultivation level, may register for the contest. The winner will receive an extremely generous reward.

In this competition, Zhou Yi placed a heavy bet, not only specially preparing the Nine Secrets as one of the prizes, but also exchanging many sources and heavenly materials and earthly treasures.

Ultimately, after detailed discussions with Sui Huang and three others, Zhou Yi decided that all participants who rank within the top one hundred will receive corresponding rewards.

According to the rankings, contestants from 100th to 50th may cultivate for ten years beneath the Bodhi ancient tree, with unlimited supply of spirit medicine and sources; those from 50th to 30th may cultivate for thirty years; those from 30th to 10th may receive a fifty‑year cultivation opportunity.

Among the top ten, contestants ranked 10th to 4th may cultivate for a hundred years beneath the Wudao ancient tea tree and may choose one Nine Secret; the third place will receive five Wudao ancient tea tree leaves, one million catties of source, and two Nine Secrets.

The second place will win ten Wudao ancient tea tree leaves, five million catties of source, and three Nine Secrets; while the first‑place human genius will obtain twenty Wudao ancient tea tree leaves, one Bodhi seed, ten million catties of source, and four Nine Secrets.

To truly ignite humanity's cultivation enthusiasm, Zhou Yi deliberately scheduled the competition to be held a hundred years later.

For the Vast Wilderness World, a hundred years is but a blink of an eye, but for humanity, that span is enough for many geniuses to, through diligent cultivation, reach higher realms.

Upon hearing Zhou Yi's plan, Sui Huang and the three others were delighted, swiftly preparing the matter and spreading the news throughout the entire Human Race.

Such enticing rewards naturally caused a sensation across the clan, and countless human geniuses could not wait to join the grand event.

It was against this backdrop that a cultivation boom surged within the Human Race, and many geniuses threw themselves into rigorous practice.

Those who stand out in the Human Genius Competition not only obtain generous rewards and achieve a leap in development, but also, for countless others, it represents the highest honor.

Who does not dream of becoming the top genius of the Human Race under everyone's gaze? Once they display extraordinary talent and aptitude, they will inevitably become the clan's primary focus for cultivation.

Any person with a modicum of reason can see how crucial this Human Genius Selection Contest is. Even if some geniuses currently have shallow cultivation, after a hundred years of preparation they too have a chance to emerge. This is what Zhou Yi hopes for: by stimulating these geniuses' potential, encouraging them to break their own limits, turning the impossible into possible, thereby truly deserving the title of genius.

Time flies; in the blink of an eye a hundred years have passed, and in a few days the Human Genius Competition will open.

Those geniuses who wish to shine in this contest are now poised, with everything ready.

Zhou Yi has already built the stage for them; now it remains to see how these geniuses perform.

Just as the Human Genius Battle was about to begin, Zhou Yi sensed a familiar aura rapidly approaching. He smiled and stepped out of the crowd to welcome the incoming guests.

"Hou Tu Ancestor Shaman graces our clan; we could not receive you from afar, please forgive us!" Zhou Yi shouted.

As soon as the words fell, two graceful figures appeared before him.

The figure on the left still retained the unique aura from a hundred years ago, while the one on the right added a hint of mischief, "Hmph! You're only busy welcoming Hou Tujie, did you not see that I'm also here?" the right‑hand figure pretended to be angry.

"Xuan Ming Zu Wu, I hope you have been well; your arrival makes me very happy!" Zhou Yi replied with a smile.

The visitors were not only Hou Tu Ancestor Shaman, but also the youngest, lively Xuan Ming Zu Wu among the Twelve Ancestral Witches.

"Hmph! Your heart only has Hou Tujie, where could there be room for me?" Xuan Ming Zu Wu said, slightly displeased.

"Xuan Ming, stop messing around," Hou Tu Ancestor Shaman gently rebuked; Xuan Ming Zu Wu immediately fell silent, though still made a goofy face at Zhou Yi.

"May I ask whether Hou Tu Ancestor Shaman has any business on this trip?" Zhou Yi inquired.

"I just wanted to get out, wander around, and happen to visit the Human Race," Hou Tu Ancestor Shaman replied. Upon close observation, Zhou Yi noticed a faint melancholy hidden in Hou Tu Ancestor Shaman's brows.

The fairy slightly furrowed her brow, a expression that involuntarily evoked pity; what trouble could cause this celestial maiden such a frown?

Zhou Yi felt a stir; if his conjecture was correct, the time until Hou Tu Ancestor Shaman's reincarnation would not be far off.

"Coincidentally, our clan is holding a talent battle now, and the arrival of the two ancestor shamans is perfect for us to watch together!" Zhou Yi invited with a smile.

"The Human Race's talent battle? What kind of event is that?" Xuan Ming Zu Wu asked curiously.

Zhou Yi gave a detailed explanation, and as he spoke, Xuan Ming Zu Wu's interest grew, while even Hou Tu Ancestor Shaman showed a look of surprise.

"I didn't expect the Human Race to have such a grand gathering; it's truly worth seeing!" Hou Tu Ancestor Shaman whispered.

"Since the two ancestor shamans grace us with their presence, we will naturally extend our hospitality," Zhou Yi said warmly.

The three conversed while walking toward the crowd. Delving deeper, Hou Tu and Xuan Ming grew increasingly astonished.

What they saw along the way revealed that the Human Race's strength completely overturned external rumors. Cultivated humans were everywhere, and many had cultivation levels even surpassing the celestial realm.

What amazed the two ancestor shamans most was that every face radiated vibrant vitality and full confidence.

"Is this the emerging Human Race? Is this the weak, bullied clan the outside world speaks of?"

Hou Tu and Xuan Ming's gazes were drawn to the strange, exquisite architecture, scenes never seen in the Wu Clan but commonplace among the Human Race.

When they saw the Human Race dressed in green, unusually delicate garments, they could not look away. The love of beauty exists in all things; the Wu Clan has always been rugged—when have they ever seen such refined attire?

Upon reaching the Human Race's core area, the two ancestor shamans were even more shocked to find a considerable number of beings who had reached the Golden Immortal level.

Due to the talent battle's influence, over the past hundred years countless exceptionally gifted humans have emerged, their cultivation aptitude far beyond the ordinary.

During this period, many have elevated their cultivation to the sixth heavenly perfection, equivalent to the Golden Immortal Realm.

Moreover, with the aid of the Zhetian Imperial Method, these Human Golden Immortals have nearly reached the threshold of the Great Luo Golden Immortal, and with the method's formidable combat power they can even challenge weaker Great Luo Golden Immortals across levels.