Chapter 743

"Alright, everyone!"

Above, the Golden Immortal Emperor finally waved his sleeve and spoke again: "This gathering of yours is not only for the Talent Meeting, but also to announce something important!"

"That is, the competition rules and schedule for this Stone Platform Assembly!"

"Let me first explain the competition events!"

"According to the calculations of the Black Tortoise Immortal Emperor, this Stone Platform Assembly is a once-in-ten-millions-of-years gathering of talents—today's young geniuses of the Spirit Realm will determine the future direction of the entire Fire Heaven Continent and even the whole Spirit Realm!"

"It is more important than ever before!"

"These talents are far more extraordinary and remarkable than those of any past Stone Platform Assembly!"

"Therefore, after consultation among myself and many Immortal Emperors, we have decided to expand the competition events to cover all aspects!"

"That is, this Stone Platform Assembly will not only test spiritual power and combat strength, but also spiritual sense, comprehension, and fortune…"

"There are five events in total!"

"The first event is called 'Three Dreams of the Mortal World,' lasting three days, testing our cultivators' inner state regarding worldly attachment and detachment, as well as personal fortune!"

"The second event is called 'A Century of Enlightenment,' where you will cultivate beneath the Stone Platform Staircase for a hundred years, testing the depth of your comprehension!"

"The third tests spiritual sense through alchemy!"

"Of course, if someone is not skilled in alchemy, they may substitute it with talisman crafting, artifact forging, or array formation…"

"The fourth tests spiritual power and divine techniques!"

"By this point, you should understand: testing spiritual power and divine techniques means combat!"

"It tests combat strength!"

"Finally, the fifth event is ascending the Stone Platform Staircase!"

"Of course, not every genius can participate in the fifth event—this is what I mean. Do you understand?"

The Golden Immortal Emperor looked at the crowd.

All the geniuses rose together and bowed to the Golden Immortal Emperor.

"We understand!"

"Good, good, good!" The Golden Immortal Emperor nodded. "The specific rules for each event will become clear to you later. Tomorrow, you may spend one day observing the Stone Platform Staircase up close. The day after tomorrow, the first event—'Three Dreams of the Mortal World'—will officially begin!"

"Continue, everyone!"

Hummm… hummm… hummm…

With that, the Golden Immortal Emperor waved his hand and vanished entirely.

He did not disappear—he left the hall directly through spatial laws.

Hummm… hummm… hummm…

One by one, the other Immortal Emperors departed.

"Dear geniuses!" After all the Immortal Emperors had left, the woman in black robes stepped onto the stage again, smiling at the countless geniuses below: "We have prepared a lavish banquet for you—feel free to enjoy it here!"

"And feel free to make friends with those you wish to know!"

"Help yourselves!"

With that, the woman also left.

Then, maids arrived with rings, placing pre-prepared food before each person.

Everyone received one portion.

It was certainly lavish, but most had little interest in eating.

At the Void Refinement stage, who still cares about sensual pleasures?

Simply absorbing spiritual energy or immortal dew is enough to satisfy hunger.

Take He Pingsheng—he hadn't eaten a proper meal in centuries.

Though few ate, the desire to socialize was unstoppable; many rose from their seats to seek out those they admired or old acquaintances to converse with.

He Pingsheng glanced around and found no one worth speaking to.

So he stood gently, bowed to Nan Qiqi: "Holy Maiden, I'll take my leave…"

"Alright," Nan Qiqi nodded. "Go ahead."

He Pingsheng then greeted Wang Dun and departed with Zhou Qingmei.

"How was it?" He Pingsheng asked Zhou Qingmei. "Seeing your old lover—what did you feel?"

Zhou Qingmei shook her head: "Nothing… Before, I worried seeing him would disturb my heart, but now that I've seen him, I'm even more disappointed."

"Huh…"

"From now on, I'll have no further dealings with him."

"But his heart is narrow and petty—Young Master must think carefully about how to leave safely after the Stone Platform Assembly!"

"Don't worry," He Pingsheng said. "I have my own plan."

He already had an immature scheme in mind.

That was: leave early!

If worst comes to worst, I'll open a spatial passage and return to the Zhu Que Imperial Palace—what can you do to me?

Of course, if this bastard insists on chasing me relentlessly, then there's nothing to be done.

"When we return, take off your armor, wait for me…" He Pingsheng turned, gazing coolly at Zhou Qingmei. "To avoid letting Zhao Xiangdu kill me later, I won't let this bastard get the upper hand—I'll deal with you first, before he does."

Zhou Qingmei's face flushed crimson. "This… this… this…"

He Pingsheng asked: "What?"

"Don't find me worthy?"

"No," Zhou Qingmei said. "I am honored to serve Young Master, truly delighted—but I fear my body will sully your sacred form!"

"No issue," He Pingsheng waved his hand.

"Mm…" Zhou Qingmei accepted it calmly.

As they walked out, speaking as they went, they had barely left the hall when they saw two people.

Tian Yao!

Beside Tian Yao was another: Kongkong Crown Prince!

Well, well!

Enemies gathered in one place.

He Pingsheng's pupils narrowed.

He realized these two had somehow become close.

Tian Yao was clinging to Kongkong Crown Prince's arm, and they appeared extremely intimate.

Well, how quickly—Tian Yao had already attached herself to Kongkong Crown Prince?

Could it be she noticed my feud with Kongkong Crown Prince, so she deliberately sided with him to oppose me?

"You're He Pingsheng, right?" Kongkong Crown Prince stared at He Pingsheng. "I admit I can't beat Wang Dun… Wang Dun is one of your human race's rare geniuses!"

"But you… without this woman beside you, hehehe…"

"Guess what will happen when you face me in the combat arena?"

He Pingsheng looked at Kongkong Crown Prince, then at Tian Yao!

Tian Yao's eyes flickered away.

Clearly, though she appeared intimate with Kongkong Crown Prince, she had not revealed He Pingsheng's true strength.

Why?

There was only one explanation: Tian Yao didn't care for Kongkong Crown Prince at all—she only wanted to use him.

To stir up conflict between He Pingsheng and the Kongkong Beast Clan.

Though He Pingsheng and the Kongkong Beast Clan were destined to remain hostile, and his feud with Kongkong Crown Prince could not be resolved,

He Pingsheng certainly did not want Tian Yao's scheming to succeed.

"Kongkong Crown Prince," He Pingsheng smiled. "I have a saying for you."