Chapter 211: Auction Finds and the Wuhua Dharma Assembly

Southern district marketplace of the Imperial City.

After the hour of chen, it was already shoulder to shoulder crowded.

On both sides of the bluestone-paved road, the medicinal fragrance from pill shops, the smell of copper rust from artifact workshops, and the sweet aroma of vendors hawking spirit fruits intertwined, while the sounds of cultivators haggling rose and fell.

The young disciples of the Xu and Zhou families strolled together leisurely.

"Truly worthy of being close to the 'Wuhua Grand Assembly,' it's several times livelier than when I came with Father years ago."

Xu Mingxian glanced around and spoke calmly.

"Indeed lively. Looking around, almost all are late-stage Qi Refining cultivators," Xu Mingqing said.

"Look around casually. You can buy whatever you want, but if your judgment is poor and you get cheated, you're responsible for it yourself," Xu Mingwei said, also addressing the other ordinary Xu family disciples, "The same goes for you all."

"Thank you, Elder Mingwei." They all cupped their fists, surprise flashing in their eyes.

"Xuehua, we truly have a spiritual connection, both taking a liking to the same thing. If you want it, then..."

Xu Mingxuan walked over, "Fellow Daoist, what's the price for this item? I'll take it."

"Fifty spirit stones!"

Seeing multiple people interested, the stall owner had originally planned to sell it for only twenty or thirty spirit stones.

In his eyes, this item was merely some spirit herb's rootlet, quite difficult to keep alive and not very valuable but with multiple bidders, he immediately doubled the price.

Without a word, Xu Mingxuan immediately produced the spirit stones and completed the transaction for this rootlet.

"Third Brother, why did you intercept it!" Xu Mingqing said indignantly.

"Fairy Xuehua, you won't blame me for acting quickly, will you? My father is skilled at cultivating spirit herbs. I want to bring this back for the old man to see if he can keep it alive."

Mentioning Xu Chuan, Xu Mingqing immediately fell silent.

"Fellow Daoist Mingxuan is too polite. Xuehua was merely curious to look. Unfortunately, my knowledge is limited and I cannot identify what spirit herb this is. Giving it to Senior Xu couldn't be better."

Xu Mingxuan nodded slightly, "Thank you, Fairy Xuehua."

Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingxian walked over.

Xu Mingshu shook her head speechlessly, "I didn't expect our exceptionally gifted younger brother to grow up and become love-struck."

Then she turned to look at Xu Mingwei, "Big Brother seems to be the same. Could it be they both inherited this from Father?"

"You're overthinking it!" Xu Mingxian said lightly.

Xu Mingwei looked at Xu Mingxuan questioningly, "You snatched this rootlet because you had a premonition?"

"It feels that way, but I'll need to bring it back for Father to see to be certain," Xu Mingxuan said.

Xu Mingwei nodded slightly.

The group continued browsing.

Quite a few people purchased one or two items.

Before long, they saw a wooden platform two zhang high, where a middle-aged cultivator was saying, "My master has set up this arena here. You only need to pay five spirit stones to mount the platform.

Anyone who wins three consecutive matches will receive fifty spirit stones!

Five matches, one hundred stones!

Ten matches, two hundred!

All below Foundation Establishment may take the stage.

Stop at first contact, no taking lives!"

Xu Mingwei looked and said, "Deheng, Deyue, Mingqing, you should try the stage later to increase your practical combat experience.

Remember not to use superior-grade magical artifacts.

Stop after winning three matches."

At this moment, people were competing on the arena but in just a short while, one of them, a yellow-robed middle-aged man, was blasted off the platform.

"Fellow Daoist Liu wins this match. Congratulations to Fellow Daoist Liu for two consecutive victories. One more match and you'll achieve three consecutive wins and receive fifty spirit stones."

The middle-aged cultivator smiled and cupped his fists, then turned to scan the others, "Are there any other Fellow Daoists who wish to challenge on the platform?"

"Not yet forty, close to Qi Refining perfection in strength, with a Liu family jade token on him. Looks like it's the Longjiang Liu family," Xu Mingwei said. "Which of you will go try?"

"Big Brother, I'll go!"

After speaking, Xu Mingqing leaped up and arrived on the platform.

"May I ask where Fellow Daoist hails from?" the middle-aged cultivator asked.

"Yuehu Commandery, Xu family." Saying this, he patted his storage bag, and five spirit stones flew out, landing in his palm.

The middle-aged cultivator put them away and smiled, "Then you two may begin."

"So it's the Xu family. I was wondering why we hadn't seen you all these past days, thought you were hiding somewhere not daring to come out.

Now it seems you've arrived fashionably late."

"So much nonsense."

Xu Mingqing formed a hand seal with one hand, instantly releasing a middle-grade wood-element spell. Three vines shot forward like spears, straight at the Liu family cultivator's chest.

The Liu family cultivator stroked his short beard beneath his chin, his eyes sharp as an eagle's.

With a flick of his long whip, like a spirit snake, he immediately shattered the three vines that were hard as iron and traced a cunning trajectory as the whip wandered toward Xu Mingqing's body.

Xu Mingqing's figure rapidly retreated while quickly forming hand seals.

In one breath, spiritual light surged before him, and over a dozen similar vines appeared, three intertwined together, divided into four groups, instantly wrapping around the Liu family cultivator's iron whip.

At the same time, his other hand formed seals simultaneously.

Several vines appeared beneath the Liu family cultivator's feet, attempting to bind him.

He leaped up by the narrowest margin, but the vines followed closely.

With a pat on his storage bag, he sent out a superior-grade flying sword, gripping it in his hand.

Head down, he swung the flying sword repeatedly, severing all the vines but at this moment.

A giant tree slammed viciously toward the Liu family cultivator. In a moment of carelessness, it directly blasted him off the platform.

"How can you cast spells so quickly?!" The Liu family cultivator was utterly shocked, loudly questioning.

Xu Mingqing said disdainfully, "If you're incompetent, go back and practice more."

"You!" The Liu family cultivator's face flushed with shame and anger. He retrieved his iron whip and immediately left, still dropping a line, "If you dare, wait here!"

"Little brother, let me exchange moves with you!"

An old man at Qi Refining perfection mounted the platform.

He appeared to be a rogue cultivator, with only superior-grade magical artifacts in hand.

Though his realm was slightly higher than Xu Mingqing's, facing Xu Mingqing's barrage of middle and upper-grade spells, he was defeated in just moments.

After this match ended, Xu Mingqing's spiritual power was considerably depleted, so he immediately took a superior-grade Essence Restoration Pill.

"Is there anyone else who wishes to challenge this Fellow Daoist Xu?"

The middle-aged cultivator spoke. After a moment, another person mounted the platform.

This time, Xu Mingqing employed a superior-grade magical artifact, using the artifact to attack while simultaneously forming one-handed seals to instantly cast middle-grade spells for interference.

This person was defeated even faster!

"Congratulations to Fellow Daoist Xu for three consecutive victories. Would you like to continue? If you win two more matches, you can obtain one hundred spirit stones."

Xu Mingqing shook his head, "No need."

"Then please accept these fifty spirit stones."

Xu Mingqing received the fifty spirit stones and immediately descended from the platform.

Following this, Xu Deheng, Xu Deyue, and two Zhou family members at Qi Refining perfection also went up to try.

Apart from one Zhou family elder who was defeated, the others all achieved three consecutive victories.

Ye Xuehua did not participate.

They were preparing to leave when the Liu family middle-aged cultivator from before returned, bringing quite a few Liu family members with him.

"Brother Mingwei, you're here too."

Walking at the forefront was the Liu family genius, Liu Wuqing.

"Young Master Wuqing has arrived. Could he be referring to the Xu family's Arrow Demon, Xu Mingwei?"

Xu Mingwei glanced coolly at Liu Wuqing, "Are you looking for trouble?"

"Liu does indeed wish to battle Brother Xu again. Unfortunately, you're too old and can no longer participate in the 'Wuhua Dharma Assembly,' otherwise I would definitely compete with you to determine superiority."

"No need for such grandiose words. If you want to fight, then fight!"

Liu Wuqing immediately felt the impulse to battle Xu Mingwei on the spot but he knew Xu Mingwei's strength. Even though his own abilities had advanced considerably, facing Xu Mingwei would certainly require revealing all his strength.

After a moment, he exhaled a breath of turbid air and smiled faintly, "Brother Xu needn't provoke me. At the 'Wuhua Dharma Assembly,' if your Xu family disciples have the opportunity, they'll naturally see this young master's abilities."

"Let's go."

The Liu family cultivators were dumbfounded. He had thought Liu Wuqing came to back him up, but it turned out he merely came to talk tough in front of Xu Mingwei?

What kind of routine was this?

Had they fought once and developed special feelings?

"Xu family brat, you remember this. My name is Liu Wufang. Don't let me encounter you at the Wuhua Dharma Assembly, or I'll definitely show you my full strength!"

Xu Mingqing smiled contemptuously.

"Is there anyone else who wants to try?" Xu Mingwei said. "If not, we'll go browse elsewhere."

Xu Mingqing looked at Ye Xuehua, "Xuehua, why don't you go up and try? It's fifty spirit stones for free."

The Zhou family members also urged her.

After thinking it over, Ye Xuehua finally mounted the platform. However, she didn't just win three consecutive matches, but five.

Almost no one could withstand three of her sword strikes.

Xu Mingwei said in a low voice, "Such pure sword qi. What do you all think?"

"In the secret realm, she could be an ally," Xu Mingxuan said.

Xu Mingshu and Xu Mingxian also nodded.

After five matches, Ye Xuehua didn't want to continue and descended from the platform.

Just as she was about to leave, several young cultivators suddenly blocked her way.

"I am Wang Zhonghua, a direct descendant of the Imperial City Wang family. Seeing two cultivators of such exceptional grace, I wonder if we might find a place to chat leisurely?"

Xu Mingqing said coolly, "The Wang family may be strong, but my Xu family fears them not."

Only then did Wang Zhonghua notice the jade pendants at these people's waists, marked with the characters "Xu" and "Zhou" respectively.

"The Yuehu Commandery Xu family?!"

Wang Zhonghua had heard the family elders mention them.

Not long ago, the Xu family had even conducted a transaction with their Wang family.

With the Lei family serving as intermediary.

Having formed a marriage alliance with the Tongshan Cao clan and being on good terms with the Lei family, plus Xu Chuan's reputation as a top-tier pill refining grandmaster.

The Wang family had long since instructed family disciples to be courteous when encountering the Xu family.

"I see, no wonder the fairy has such beauty. Then this one must be the Zhou family fairy. May I ask how the two cultivators are addressed?"

"Xu Deyue."

"Ye Xuehua."

"Surname Ye?" Wang Zhonghua asked in surprise.

Xu Mingqing said, "Xuehua is the personal disciple of a Zhou family Foundation Establishment cultivator."

As for the Zhou family Foundation Establishment cultivator, Wang Zhonghua clearly didn't regard them as highly. Compared to his Wang family, their strength was far inferior but the Xu family, in just over a dozen years, had successively produced three Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Coinciding with the 'Wuhua Grand Assembly,' if they could obtain Foundation Establishment Pills in this grand assembly, they might produce one or two more Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Even the Wang family, a third-rank aristocratic family, had to be wary.

Wang Zhonghua appraised Ye Xuehua, thinking in his heart that perhaps he could use the Wang family's prestige to pressure her into marriage.

Xu Mingqing disliked his gaze and immediately moved, standing in front of Ye Xuehua, "Surnamed Wang, have you seen enough?"

"So Brother Xu is also interested in Fairy Xuehua." Wang Zhonghua chuckled, "Why don't you and I compete, and whoever loses withdraws from pursuing Fairy Xuehua? How about it?"

"Why should I listen to you? But..." Xu Mingqing then said, "I find you truly unpleasant, so I don't mind teaching you a lesson."

Wang Zhonghua sneered inwardly.

Though he wasn't the strongest genius of this Wang family generation, he could still rank in the top three.

His strength had long reached Qi Refining perfection.

"Ignorant fool. So what if you're from the Xu family? Today I'll use you to establish my authority!"

Wang Zhonghua smiled slightly on the surface, "Good, then let's battle on the platform!"

Xu Mingshu was about to intervene when Xu Mingxuan said, "Little brother should also experience some setbacks."

"Third Brother, you also think he's not weak?"

"Should be one of the core members of this Wang family generation.

Of course, if Mingqing uses the Azure Jade Sword, he would certainly be superior."

Xu Mingwei and the others quietly watched from the platform.

"Take this!"

Before his words fell, Wang Zhonghua's figure darted forward, his long sword bringing frigid air as it pierced straight at Xu Mingqing's heart.

Xu Mingqing remained calm, forming seals with his left hand to create a Verdant Wood Shield for defense.

At the same time, his right hand made sword fingers, and a superior-grade artifact flying sword flew from his storage bag, also shooting toward Wang Zhonghua's chest.

"Such strong control ability."

From Wang Zhonghua's sleeve robe, a bronze mirror engraved with turtle patterns blocked in front of him.

"Clang~"

The flying sword collided with the Mystic Turtle Mirror, bursting forth myriad sparks. After a moment, the flying sword was deflected.

But in the next instant, under Xu Mingqing's control, the flying sword flew back and continued entangling.

Wang Zhonghua also fully controlled the Cold Edge Sword, but Xu Mingqing's spell control was too strong, continuously using Wood Shields or vines and other spells to obstruct, preventing the flying sword from getting close at all.

Before long, he cast Wood Thorns that shot forth like a rainstorm.

This forced him to defend with all his might, unable to remain as composed as Xu Mingqing.

Fortunately, the Mystic Turtle Mirror had extremely strong defense and could hold for a while without problem.

But constantly turtling up would damage the Wang family's reputation.

Gritting his teeth, Wang Zhonghua patted his storage bag and withdrew a crimson flying sword that radiated an aura far superior to the previous Cold Edge Sword.

He formed sword seals, and flames rose around the crimson flying sword, actually transforming into a three-zhang fire serpent that burned all nearby vines to ash and swept Xu Mingqing's flying sword away.

The fire serpent opened its mouth to bite at Xu Mingqing.

Xu Mingqing flicked his sleeve robe, and while dodging, a spirit wood shield flew from his sleeve.

He used the shield for defense and the flying sword for control.

Pushing both to their limits, he barely managed to resist the fire serpent.

That crimson flying sword was clearly a superior-grade magical artifact, and it seemed to harmonize with the cultivation method Wang Zhonghua practiced, increasing its power by another fraction or two.

Within two moves, Xu Mingqing was suppressed.

Xu Mingqing seemed unwilling and wanted to use his superior-grade magical artifact, but Xu Mingwei's voice entered his ear, "Don't forget Father's words."

Xu Mingqing's body trembled, and he had no choice but to give up.

As expected, after six or seven moves, Xu Mingqing was forced off the platform by the fire serpent.

Wang Zhonghua also breathed a sigh of relief, secretly amazed by Xu Mingqing's strength.

"This youth is not old, hasn't even reached Qi Refining perfection, yet has such ability. Especially in spell mastery and artifact control, it's simply rare.

He must be one of the Xu family's candidates for participating in the 'Wuhua Dharma Assembly.'"

"But with the Xu family's foundation, how could those sent to participate not have superior-grade magical artifacts?"

"Could he be hiding his true strength?"

Wang Zhonghua felt this was very likely, and he glanced at the other Xu family members, thinking inwardly, I wonder how this youth ranks among the Xu family?

After a moment, Wang Zhonghua cupped his fists toward Ye Xuehua, "Fairy Xuehua, would you now honor me by going to the adjacent wine house for a simple meal?"

"If you can receive three of my sword strikes, I'll agree!"

"Haha, then please enlighten me, Fairy!"

Ye Xuehua was annoyed beyond measure and finally decided to take action.

Moreover, she planned to return directly afterward and cultivate quietly in her courtyard until the grand assembly began.

"First sword, Giant Tree Reaching Heaven!"

Ye Xuehua held her azure flying sword, and spiritual qi surged in the sky above. In an instant, it formed a ten-zhang giant tree that not only contained abundant wood-element spiritual qi but also extremely condensed sword qi.

The two perfectly combined!

Wang Zhonghua's expression changed drastically. He again condensed the fire serpent and protected himself with the Mystic Turtle Mirror.

However, the fire serpent was torn apart by the sword qi, the crimson flying sword was sent flying, and the remaining power was blocked by the Mystic Turtle Mirror.

"Second sword."

The giant tree suddenly transformed, becoming a ten-zhang azure wood sword, its sword qi rising another thirty percent.

Wang Zhonghua rapidly formed seals, and the crimson flying sword transformed into a fire flood dragon, its power also surging dramatically, but he no longer had the capacity to control the Mystic Turtle Mirror.

Boom!

The fire flood dragon met the azure wood giant sword.

The two were evenly matched.

"Third sword!"

Ye Xuehua's hand gestures continuously changed. In just a breath or two, the azure wood giant sword split into three, their edges pointing directly at Wang Zhonghua.

Wang Zhonghua's eyes widened as he stared at the giant swords in the sky. His Adam's apple bobbed, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. He immediately spoke, "Fairy, please show mercy. I... I concede!"

Ye Xuehua's eyes glanced at him, and with a wave of her elegant hand.

The azure wood giant swords suddenly dissipated, and the Azure Wood Sword also flew into her storage bag.

"I yield."

Ye Xuehua descended from the platform and said to Xu Mingwei, "Fellow Daoist Mingwei, Ye is somewhat tired and plans to return first. You all continue browsing."

Xu Mingwei cupped his fists in return, "Fairy is too polite. Please do as you wish."

The Zhou family members raised their heads slightly, quite proud, and also followed Ye Xuehua.

"Truly a genius." Xu Mingshu praised lightly, then patted Xu Mingqing's shoulder, "Little brother, if you want to pursue her, the difficulty won't be small."

Xu Mingqing felt that using the Azure Jade Sword, he could resist Ye Xuehua's third move but he believed Ye Xuehua certainly had more than just this much strength. He felt somewhat defeated in his heart, but then rallied, "From now on, I must cultivate even harder!"

Xu Mingwei shook his head with a smile, "Let's go, we'll browse some more."

Ye Xuehua became famous in one battle.

In just two days, all the aristocratic families knew of her, and everyone called her the 'Azure Wood Fairy.'

Xu Deyue was called the 'Cold Moon Fairy.'

The two were jointly called the 'Yuehu Twin Beauties.'

Besides this, there were also many aristocratic family geniuses renowned throughout the Imperial City, not inferior to some geniuses from the capital itself.

Apart from her first day outing, Ye Xuehua never left her courtyard again.

Xu Mingqing also cultivated day and night without rest.

He was not far from Qi Refining perfection.

…

Xu family courtyard.

Zhou Qingfang came to visit.

"Brother Zhou, why do you look so troubled?"

"Ai, Xuehua is still too young and inexperienced. That day she easily defeated the Wang family genius and has been noticed by various aristocratic families.

These past two days, many third-rank families have come to propose marriage, even second-rank and first-rank families.

How can I not be troubled?"

"Unless you want to hide her abilities, with Xuehua's talent, she'll eventually stand out.

Brother Zhou, you need to consider this carefully."

"If I must choose, I'd rather let Xuehua and young Mingqing become Dao companions."

"That would be wonderful." Xu Chuan smiled slightly, "However, I also respect Xuehua's own wishes. After all, if I'm not mistaken, when she emerges from the secret realm, she'll be a Foundation Establishment cultivator."

Zhou Qingfang didn't refute but said, "I imagine it won't be long for Mingqing either. With his talent and your Xu family's cultivation, he won't be much slower than Xuehua."

The two smiled at each other.

The two families reached an agreement and arranged a marriage contract.

Xu Mingqing was overjoyed upon learning this news, though Ye Xuehua remained calm, her attitude toward Xu Mingqing still lukewarm.

Hearing that Ye Xuehua had already become engaged to the Xu family, the other families had no choice but to give up.

The current Xu family was not to be trifled with.

Their influence was enormous!

First-rank and second-rank aristocratic families didn't want to easily offend them either.

Of course, if they knew Ye Xuehua had earth spiritual root aptitude, they definitely wouldn't give up.

Several days later at eastern district marketplace.

The Treasure Pavilion held an auction, presided over by the Cao clan.

Xu Chuan attended with Xu Mingxuan.

The unidentified spirit medicine rootlet that Xu Mingxuan had brought back last time turned out to be a rare spirit herb called Heaven Whisker Grass, with over four hundred years of age.

It happened to be one of the three main ingredients recorded in the Spirit Cleansing Pill formula.

The other two were respectively Pure Water Lotus and Heavenly Fragrance Flower.

Though the other supplementary materials were also precious, Xu Chuan already had a complete set in hand.

This auction was far livelier than the trading assembly in Tongshan Commandery, with much richer items as well. However, unless it was something he was determined to obtain like the Heavenly Fragrance Flower, he didn't plan to bid on anything else.

"The previous Void Breakthrough Pill, and now this top-tier magical artifact, the Cao clan is truly wealthy."

Xu Chuan quietly watched as many Foundation Establishment cultivators argued until their faces turned red.

Soon it was the next auction item's turn.

"This is a second-tier earth-element material, the size of a human head, sufficient to refine four or five top-tier flying swords. The starting price is six hundred spirit stones.

If any Fellow Daoist can refine it into a top-tier magical artifact, that would be a huge profit."

Xu Chuan had originally been indifferent.

Suddenly, a voice sounded in his mind.

"Boy, bid on that thing."

Moyue's voice carried some surprise and urgency.

"Isn't it just ordinary earth-element material? What's special about it?"

"Of course you can't see it. Even ordinary Golden Core cultivators probably couldn't see it. That earth-element material is merely the outer shell. What's inside is the real treasure."

"Something that can surprise you, Moyue, could it be that the item inside the earth-element material is related to flood dragons?"

"Damn, how did you know?!" Moyue was greatly shocked.

"So what exactly is it?"

"If this seat isn't mistaken, it should be the dragon pearl of a Golden Core stage earth-attribute flood dragon. You must know that not all Golden Core stage flood dragons can produce dragon pearls.

Only those with sufficiently concentrated bloodlines can. However, this dragon pearl should have very little energy remaining, otherwise the earth-element material wrapping it wouldn't only be at this level."

"What benefit does it have for you?"

"Refining it, though it can't restore this seat to Golden Core stage, can allow me to burst forth with Golden Core initial stage power three or four times."

"That indeed has great utility!"

Xu Mingxuan also reminded, "Father, I feel this piece of material seems quite good."

Xu Chuan nodded and immediately participated in the auction.

"Eight hundred fifty spirit stones!"

He raised fifty spirit stones in one breath. Previously, they had basically been increasing by ten or twenty at a time.

"Eight hundred sixty spirit stones!" a top-tier artifact refining grandmaster spoke.

"Eight hundred eighty spirit stones!"

"Eight hundred ninety spirit stones!"

After reaching eight hundred, the number of bidders suddenly decreased.

"Nine hundred forty spirit stones!" Xu Chuan spoke again.

Many people looked toward Xu Chuan.

Compared to others increasing by ten at a time, Xu Chuan raised by fifty each time he spoke, truly drawing attention.

"Nine hundred sixty spirit stones!" The artifact refining grandmaster hesitated for a moment, then raised the price by another twenty.

"One thousand spirit stones!" Xu Chuan said again.

This time, there were completely no more bidders.

"Are there any more bids?"

"One thousand spirit stones once, one thousand spirit stones twice, one thousand spirit stones... three times!"

"Congratulations to Fellow Daoist Xu Chuan for obtaining this material."

Xu Chuan immediately paid the spirit stones, completing the transaction.

Many of the subsequent items were spirit herb transactions, but none were what Xu Chuan wanted, so he didn't bid.

The auction's finale items.

The first was Blood Jade Fungus with nearly three thousand years of age, effective for breaking through to Foundation Establishment.

The second was a talisman treasure with four uses remaining.

The final item was a top-tier magical artifact set, the Red Thread Flying Escape Needles, stored in a case, thirty-six in total, suitable for sneak attacks.

Xu Chuan was also tempted, but he didn't want the Xu family to draw too much attention.

Therefore, he casually bid a few times and then gave up.

After returning, Xu Chuan handed the earth-element material to Moyue.

He spat out true fire, melting the earth-element material to reveal a stone sphere inside, then swallowed it in one gulp.

"Xu Chuan, this seat will refine it with full power. Don't disturb me for two months."

"Refine it at ease."

After speaking, Moyue returned to the spirit beast bag.

Five days after the auction ended.

The 'Wuhua Dharma Assembly' officially began.

The assembly's venue was at the convergence point of the Imperial City's eastern, southern, western, and northern districts.

This place had a massive plaza covering a thousand mu.

Surrounding the plaza stood forty-eight blue-white stone pillars, each exceeding five zhang in height.

The pillar bodies were carved with patterns of sun, moon, stars, and auspicious dragons and phoenixes, with fist-sized luminous white crystals embedded at the tops.

At the plaza's center, three square arenas were arranged in a triangular formation.

Each arena was constructed from black-veined stone, two zhang high, twenty zhang in length and width, with first-tier superior-grade arrays arranged.

At the center of the triangular formation of arenas was an even more magnificent circular arena, eighty zhang in diameter, paved with azure steel stone.

At this moment, the plaza was already filled with voices.

Four hundred eight participants gathered on the bluestone plaza north of the square.

The eastern side of the plaza was the audience seating, all Qi Refining stage cultivators, constantly whispering to each other, discussing the participants' strength.

Or which aristocratic families would occupy the top ten positions in this Wuhua Dharma Assembly.

The third quarter of the hour of chen.

A bright yellow figure slowly walked out from the high platform on the southern side of the plaza.

The person wore brocade robes embroidered with five-clawed golden dragons, his features dignified, three strands of long beard beneath his chin. He was precisely a disciple of the imperial Cao clan.

"I am Cao Jinde, host of this dharma assembly."

He stood at the center of the high platform, infusing his voice with spiritual power, and proclaimed loudly, "In this year, Wuhua opens. The top one hundred in this dharma assembly will proceed to the Wuhua Secret Realm to participate in trials and compete with cultivators from other nations."

Cao Jinde's aura was profound, clearly possessing cultivation at the peak of the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment.

"Four hundred eight people are participating in this 'Wuhua Dharma Assembly.' Each arena will be overseen by a Foundation Establishment cultivator from my Cao clan. Matches stop at first contact.

After the top one hundred are determined, they will compete for rankings on the circular arena. The top ten will each receive a bottle of superior-grade pills from my Cao clan, including detoxification, healing, and essence restoration types.

The top three will additionally receive five superior-grade talismans.

I hope you all will strive for excellence and fight with the glory of Great Wei!"

As his words fell, a cultivator walked out beside each of the three square arenas.

One wore crimson robes, one wore blue robes, one wore black robes, all second layer of Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"Now, please all participants draw your number bamboo slips."

Cao Jinde flicked his sleeve robe, and a large number of bamboo slips flew out, wandering randomly above the participants.

One by one, the participants raised their hands, condensing spiritual power to grab a bamboo slip. In just over ten breaths, all the bamboo slips were taken.

"Third Brother, what number are you?" Xu Mingshu asked.

"Thirty-six, what about you all?"

Xu Mingshu, Xu Mingxian, Xu Deheng, Xu Deyue, and Xu Mingqing also successively revealed their bamboo slip numbers.

"Fortunately, none are too close in number, so we won't face each other," Xu Mingshu breathed a sigh of relief. "If we can't even make it into the top one hundred, that would shame Father."

Xu Mingqing smiled lightly, "It won't come to that. At worst..."

"Father said there's no need to show off too much at the 'Wuhua Dharma Assembly.' The real life-and-death struggle comes after entering the secret realm.

The more trump cards you have, the higher your chances of survival.

Moreover, don't forget our main purpose for entering the secret realm."

The several people looked at each other and all nodded slightly.

A moment later, the Foundation Establishment cultivators beside the three arenas spoke, "Will those with bamboo slips numbered one and two please come to my First-Cycle Arena."

"Numbers three and four to the Second-Cycle Arena."

"Numbers five and six to the Third-Cycle Arena."

As soon as the words fell, six people from the crowd leaped toward the arenas, then two by two mounted an arena.

Following this, the crimson-robed, blue-robed, and black-robed cultivators spoke, "The matches begin!"

The two people on each arena all withdrew their magical artifacts, either wielding them to sweep toward their opponents or forming seals to cast spells.

On the western side of the plaza was a Condensed Fragrance Pavilion.

Inside were arranged banquet tables, each displaying treasures like spirit wine and snow lotus soup, with silk paintings depicting immortal cultivation scenic views hanging all around.

The attendees were all Foundation Establishment cultivators from various families.

Seated in the main position was the Cao clan's family head, at the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment.

Below him were first-rank aristocratic families, followed in order by rank.

The Xu family occupied first position among fourth-rank families.

"In the blink of an eye, another first-cycle has passed. Among those present are familiar faces and some new ones." The Cao family head smiled faintly, his gaze falling on Xu Chuan.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, your Xu family became fourth-rank in just over a dozen years and is now not far from being a third-rank aristocratic family. Might you share some experience with everyone present?"

Xu Chuan smiled, "Brother Cao jests. What experience could there be? Nothing more than producing a few juniors with some potential in the clan.

Fully cultivating geniuses, waiting for them to grow, then having them drive the family's overall development.

I imagine all families do the same.

In Xu's view, the improvement of overall strength is what truly constitutes a family's real growth."

Xu Chuan's answer was conventional and proper.

"The Xu family truly proceeds steadily and methodically," the Cao family head said. "It seems it's all due to Brother Xu's excellent guidance."

The Cao clan was watching not only the Xu family but also several other families with notably bright development.

"In the previous 'Wuhua Trial,' our Great Wei ranked last. The time before that was the same. If we're last again this time, we Great Wei cultivators will forever be mocked by Great Liang and Great Jin."

"So this time, let's have less internal conflict and focus our energy on dealing with the Great Liang and Great Jin cultivators or demonic cultivators. What do you all think?"

"My Cao clan disciples are willing to take the lead."

"Family Head Lei, what do you think?"

The Lei family head said, "Forming an alliance is good, but gathering too many people isn't conducive to searching for Foundation Establishment materials. Increasing our Great Wei's Foundation Establishment cultivators would also enhance our foundation.

Of course, acting alone is also too dangerous.

Small teams of around ten people should be just right."

"Exactly. As for how each family chooses, it's entirely up to their own will," the Jiang family head said.

"I agree as well," the Lin family head also concurred.

Clearly, the three families had already coordinated beforehand.

The Cao clan's intention was to make the Cao family take the lion's share while having the other families serve as labor, but how could the families easily comply with his wishes?

Wang Zhonghua appraised Ye Xuehua, thinking in his heart that perhaps he could use the Wang family's prestige to pressure her into marriage.