Chapter 50: Immortal Sect Competition (II)
The stadium quieted down after the introduction of all the sects. This allowed the disciples to look around at their competition. Naturally, the most eye catching were the Glacier Sect's female disciples. There were many dishonest pairs of eyes that looked over in their direction. Chen Wentian's disciples barely received any attention except for some from the Tower of Swords and He Xuange. He Xuange, in particular, stared at Lin Qingcheng like a stalker. She even had to hide behind Chen Wentian to avoid that pervert.
Then all the sudden, the entire stadium seemed to be pressed down by an almighty force as four figures with billowing and majestic auras descended from the sky. Everyone's eyes followed these new arrivals as they flew down.
The announcer's voice boomed out, "Please pay your respects to our judges for this competition!"
"Immortal Lion of Fortitude, He Zicheng!"
A roar came from one section of the stadium containing his faction as He Zicheng, one of the lords of the Beast God Sanctum, took his seat at the judge's table. He looked surprisingly spry and youthful for an old monster over a thousand years old. He wore rich golden furs and looked very similar to his son He Xinghan.
"Immortal Crimson Eagle, Qu Shen!"
Another round of screams and applause of equal strength erupted from another section in support of another lord of the Beast God Sanctum. Qu Shen flew down, using two almost corporeal eagle wings that grew out of his back.
"Representing the Immortal Association, Immortal Solemn Duke Huang Wuji!"
"Also representing the Immortal Association, Immortal Gentle Lotus Gong Liyun!"
A smattering of polite applause greeted the other two judges. They were both venerable Spirit Monarch Realm cultivators and were here to maintain fairness and order for the weaker sects competing within Beast God Sanctum's territory. The third lord, Immortal Mamba of Shadow, wasn't expected to attend in the first place. Otherwise the Immortal Association would have sent another Spirit Monarch to balance out the judging.Chen Wentian felt a sinking unease. Immortal Gentle Lotus was not gentle at all. His buttocks felt a phantom twinge from the painful slaps he had received in the past. That grandma was very lecherous!
With the competitors and the judges assembled, the Immortal Sect Competition formally started. The announcer explained the format. There will be three competition groups; the junior group limited to 21 years or younger, the lower group limited to the Mind Focusing Realm, and the main group limited to the Spirit Initiate Realm.
The junior group was new for this year's competition and it was the first event. There was an exciting buzz in the air as this was announced as it seemed there would be some supremely talented youngsters in this generation!
The announcer continued on to explain the rules. There would be no unreasonable killing or maiming, though accidents could be expected. The competitors could surrender at which point the winner would try their best to pull back their attack. The last rule was no immortal items or physical assistance from the immortal masters to their disciples. These rules left wide gaping loopholes, seemingly by design.
Lin Qingcheng and the other two glanced at Chen Wentian in concern at this but he put them at ease, "Don't worry, my dears. Just continue to use your items, they won't be a problem. I have my tricks!"
He was drowned out by the eager roars of the crowd as the junior group competition finally started. The applause and cheering continued as a large platform was raised in the middle of the arena. In a flash, the four Spirit Monarchs and their table disappeared and reappeared on the platform.
A new deep voice sounded in the stadium. It was not like the bright excited tone of the announcer and instead carried a powerful dominance.
"Quiet! The junior competition will now commence! All sects, those that qualify and are brave enough to showcase themselves to the world, ascend this stage now!" He Zicheng commanded.
Several members from the Beast God Sanctum were already prepared and launched themselves onto the platform to loud cheers from their supporters.
"Ziyun, do you're best!" Chen Wentian gave her a gentle nudge.
"Yes, master!" Zhou Ziyun said, full of confidence. With her gains in the last year, she was not weak at all. She jumped onto the platform, joining the other competitors.
The junior group was very challenging but every sect still sent at least one member forward. If a sect didn't send one, it would be an embarrassing admission of their future prospects. The finally tally was seventeen competitors. The group of young men and women stood in the center of the platform, attracting the attention of all the spectators. Each of them were excellent specimens of youth and talent.
He Zicheng continued his explanation, "The rules are the same as the tournament rules. For the junior group, there will only be one reward. For the 1st place winner, a tiny camouflaging spacial bag!"
The crowd went wild with envy. A camouflaging spacial bag was a priceless treasure. It could transform into any shape and prevent from being stolen. Even though it was the smallest size, it could still carry precious items and small weapons. Even Spirit Lord Realm immortals would be incredibly lucky to obtain one.
Chen Wentian saw Lin Qingcheng wanted to say something but quickly covered her mouth.
"Mmm!" Lin Qingcheng glared at him.
"Shh! Don't say anything, you silly girl." He admonished her while Wu Qianyu let out an uncharacteristic giggle beside them.
"The junior competition will a simple tournament, the winner will be crowned the most talented in the Eastern Sanmu Subcontinent!" He Zicheng said. "Now, first things first, we want our audience to meet our talented competitors! One by one, come forward and state your sect and name, we will then judge your talent for all the world to see!"
Most of the competitors were hesitant at first but a male Beast God Sanctum disciple immediately stepped forward.
"Beast God Sanctum, Ji Ming!" The youth declared before bowing to the judges.
All the immortals could sense the young man's age and cultivation but it was better to give the audience a little suspense so they didn't immediately blurt out his talent level. He Zicheng finally spoke up after a few seconds. "Age twenty one, 4th Level of the Mind Focusing Realm, good job!"
His voice carried throughout the entire stadium and it erupted into conversation and cheers. That youth was a great talent! The genius level cultivator would be able to reach the peak of the Mind Focusing Realm by the age of twenty five. Looked like this Ji Ming was in that worthy category!
Several competitors from other sects stepped forward after Ji Ming but they weren't able to beat his talent. All of them could only reach the 2nd of 3rd level of the Mind Focusing Realm by the age limit.
The Beast God Sanctum supporters got rowdier as even more of their own geniuses appeared. Yuwen Bing and Yuwen Tian, the two disciples of He Xinghan, showed off their progress within the last year. They were both also at the 4th Level of the Mind Focusing Realm.
The other sect's competitors were already despairing when the Beast God Sanctum flipped over their final ace in the hole. It was like they wanted to completely wipe out all doubt as to who would win the coveted prize for 1st place.
A tall handsome man with wavy golden hair and rich clothing stood before the judges. "Beast God Sanctum, He Guxie!"
"Age twenty, 6th Level of the Mind Focusing Realm. Hahaha! Great!" He Zicheng couldn't help but laugh and gloat. He Guxie was the most talented cultivator within the last few generations, perhaps even better than He Xinghan. The crowd cheered the loudest for the prince of the He clan. All the other competitors were at the maximum age while He Guxie was even one year younger, that was simply beyond genius level.
Eventually the rabid fans of He Guxie stopped screaming as they realized there was still one last competitor to be judged. It was a rather stunning woman who seemed very young.
"Ten Thousand Flower Valley, Zhou Ziyun!" Zhou Ziyun bowed as she ignored the looks from her competitors.
Yuwen Bing and Yuwen Tian sent her death glares, having remembered her from their previous meeting. He Guxie also glanced at her in mild interest, mostly due to her beauty.
"Age nineteen and a half, 5th Level of the Mind Focusing Realm!" Immortal Gentle Lotus Gong Liyun declared her talent to the world.
The entire stadium was shocked into silence! Another genius beyond all geniuses, and it was a beautiful woman! The male fans of He Guxie immediately betrayed him and started yelling and cheering for their newfound goddess.
Gong Liyun looked over at He Zicheng's ugly face and laughed. "Hehe, old lion, I told you to not get too happy so soon." She was quite satisfied that her cute little dragon had found such an excellent disciple.
"Who cares, she won't win the tournament!" He Zicheng answered gruffly, pissed off at his limelight being stolen.