Chapter 229: Chapter 226: The Three Trials, Sword Intent
The Qing Province Convention, a grand event for the younger generation, drew innumerable participants.
But due to the sheer number of people, a preliminary screening was required to weed out those who were merely padding the numbers and leave behind only the true elite, like sifting for gold in a great river.
Only then would the convention truly begin.
This screening consisted of three trials.
All three trials were related to Arrays. The first was an Illusion Array, a test of Willpower.
Those with weak Willpower would be bewildered by the Illusion Array and eliminated on the spot.
For a Martial Artist, Willpower is crucial. Those with weak Willpower are destined for mediocrity.
Thus, this first trial alone could distinguish the caliber of many Martial Artists.
"The first trial begins."
The moment Ge Changming’s voice faded, countless youths scrambled to be first, leaping down from the canyon’s edge.
This Celestial Sword Grand Canyon was a full hundred miles long, and all three trials were set within it.
’Hmph, as if the first trial could stop me.’
’With my Willpower, passing this trial will be a breeze.’
The many youths were brimming with confidence, and the disciples from the Five Great Sects were no exception, all entering the field to face the trial.
Only a few of the top young prodigies had yet to move, watching everything with indifference. Given their status and power, no one would say a word even if they chose not to participate in the three trials.
’I didn’t even pass the first trial at the last Qing Province Convention. This time, I have to at least get through it.’
Some youths had no grand ambitions of winning; they were simply there for the experience and to see how much they had improved since last time.
’Hmm, this year’s younger generation is stronger overall than in the past.’
As the convention’s host, Ge Changming observed everything from above the canyon.
In about the time it takes to burn Half a Stick of Incense, a good number of youths had already passed the first trial, emerging from the Illusion Array.
Without a doubt, those who emerged at the front were all first-tier figures.
"The second trial is a Sword Array established by the Star Sword Sect. To pass this Sword Array is a test of raw power."
To participate in the Qing Province Convention, Willpower alone wasn’t enough; your strength also had to meet the standard. Otherwise, no matter how strong your will, it was meaningless if your Cultivation was too weak to even block a single strike from an opponent.
SWOOSH SWOOSH SWOOSH...
Those first-tier experts paid the Sword Array no mind and charged straight in.
WHIZ WHIZ WHIZ...
Upon entering the Sword Array, they were met with volleys of exceptionally fierce Sword Auras.
’Hmph. A mere Sword Array thinks it can stop me?’
A disciple from the War Elephant Sect, with his hands clasped behind his back, simply barged right through. The Sword Auras struck his body, sending sparks flying.
’That kind of physique is probably second only to Li Kuangba’s.’
Aside from him, several other experts also drew attention. Some were as fast as a wisp of green smoke, weaving through the Sword Array. Others relied on their formidable Cultivation to forcibly blast a clear path forward.
Each of the first-tier experts displayed their Divine Techniques.
This was also where the differences in their power became apparent. Naturally, the stronger a person was, the faster they passed through the Sword Array.
PTHOO.
Unlike these powerful individuals, some of the Martial Artists who followed were unable to withstand the might of the Sword Array and were sent flying, spitting blood.
Fortunately, this Sword Array was not designed to kill. Although it was called a Sword Array, the swords used to create it were unsharpened. Thus, the Sword Auras only carried great Power, inflicting internal injuries through sheer impact.
’Oh well. Passing the first trial is good enough for this year.’
Some Martial Artists began to give up. Knowing their own limits, they left the canyon one after another.
"Generally speaking, the first trial weeds out about twenty percent of the people, and the second trial weeds out about forty percent," Ge Changming said calmly.
Indeed, many of the Martial Artists who had passed the first trial found themselves stopped by the second.
’Those few are so fast.’
Before long, a few Martial Artists took the lead, passing the second trial and arriving before the third.
’Three of them don’t seem to be from the Five Great Sects. It looks like some dark horses have really appeared this year.’
Three people in particular stood out, drawing everyone’s attention. People found it unusual mainly because they were not from the Five Great Sects.
’There are more experts this year than in the past.’
Tang Lin, Zi Yunfei, and Xiang Yinghao also made it through the Sword Array around this time. They finished after the first twenty, so their speed was not considered slow.
But it was important to remember that the Yanyue Sect only had the three of them in its first tier. Compared to the other Sects, they were at a severe disadvantage.
"Yanyue Sect, how about we compete to see who can pass the third trial first?" someone from the Fire Cloud Sect issued a challenge.
"Ignore them."
Although the three from Yanyue Sect were furious, they didn’t let their anger cloud their judgment. Knowing their odds of winning were low, they chose not to act impulsively.
The mark of a skilled Martial Artist is the ability to assess the situation and control one’s emotions.
"Heh heh, it seems the Yanyue Sect is just a bunch of cowards now."
"And where’s your Ninth Elder? How come he’s not here? Is he too afraid to come?" the Fire Cloud Sect members taunted loudly.
"Let’s see if you’re still laughing when the Ninth Elder arrives."
"Hahaha! So what if he does come? Senior Brother Yuwen has already prepared a killing blow for him. If he dares to come, we’ll make sure he dies here."
For a heaven-defying talent like Ning Jiang, the Fire Cloud Sect’s policy was to snuff him out as early as possible.
"Mr. Ge, isn’t the third trial starting yet?"
"The second trial is over. The third trial may now begin."
Ge Changming announced. Those who could pass the second trial had already done so, which was about what he had expected. Roughly forty percent of the people had been eliminated.
The third trial was the real test; the first two were just child’s play in comparison.
This trial was a challenge posed by the Celestial Sword Grand Canyon itself!
Years ago, a Celestial Martial Realm expert carved out the Celestial Sword Grand Canyon with a single sword strike, leaving a lingering Sword Intent throughout the canyon.
This Sword Intent was the very trial they had to face.
"I heard that hundreds of years ago, not even an Earth Martial Realm expert could approach the Sword Intent within the Celestial Sword Grand Canyon. Anyone who tried would die."
"The Sword Intent of a Celestial Martial Realm expert is no small matter. But over these past few hundred years, that Sword Intent has weakened considerably."
"Back then, the Sword Intent permeated the entire canyon, making it a forbidden zone where no one could enter. Now, that Sword Intent has been worn away by Time, leaving only a ten-mile area," the crowd chattered.
The final ten-mile stretch of the Celestial Sword Grand Canyon was the Sword Intent zone.
"The old rules apply. As long as you can make it three miles into the Sword Intent zone, you pass the third trial," said Ge Changming.
Although the Sword Intent in this ten-mile zone was less than one percent of what it was at its peak, it was still incredibly powerful.
Even for some experts at the Primordial Spirit Fourth Tribulation Realm, traversing the full ten miles was an extremely difficult task.
’Last time, I was just a step away from the three-mile mark. This time, I have to reach it!’
’Three miles is nothing! I’m aiming for four miles!’
After the third trial began, even the expressions of the first-tier experts turned extremely grave.
They circulated their Cultivation and slowly stepped into the ten-mile zone.
Within these ten miles, it was eerily calm and utterly barren. No plants could survive in this place, because the Sword Intent would obliterate everything.
The numerous Martial Artists advanced in fits and starts. The deeper they went, the greater the pressure they felt. The formless Sword Intent made their skin prickle, and it even tried to bore its way into their bodies.
’Four miles... must hold on a little longer.’
The three from Yanyue Sect pushed on together, gritting their teeth. At the four-and-a-half-mile mark, Xiang Yinghao was the first to give out.
Zi Yunfei managed another hundred steps beyond him, while Tang Lin went the farthest, reaching the five-mile mark.
And ahead of them, some people were still pressing inward.
"Six miles! This year is truly full of surprises." Above the canyon, the people from the Major Sects were slightly taken aback.
"Five miles is a watershed. Anyone who can reach five miles can rank in the top ten of the first tier. Reaching six miles makes one a half-step young prodigy, and seven miles... that’s the mark of a true young prodigy."
This ten-mile zone served as a very clear and direct measure of everyone’s strength.
Sure enough, three figures were standing within the seven-mile zone.
These three figures were not from the Five Great Sects.
"Tsk, tsk, this year is really getting exciting. Three dark horses emerged at once. If the young prodigies of the Major Sects haven’t improved, they’re going to face a real challenge this year."
Many people grew excited, already anticipating the great battles to come.
"I declare the third trial over."
An hour later, Ge Changming’s voice rang out.
Fewer than ten percent of the Martial Artists had passed the third trial.
"How brutal. Tens of thousands of people participated in the Qing Province Convention, but in the end, fewer than a thousand passed all three trials."
As some lamented, the entire crowd suddenly burst into an uproar.
Several figures had walked up to the edge of the ten-mile zone.
"It’s the Twin Sword Sons, Li Kuangba, Liu Bingxue, and Yuwen Chi! Looks like they couldn’t sit still any longer and want to take on the challenge."
"Heh heh. They could ignore the first two trials, but the third one is too special. Last time, they only made it to seven miles before stopping. I wonder what they can achieve this time?"
Everyone knew that the great young prodigies must have improved since last time.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the prodigies stepped into the zone together.
One mile, two miles, three miles, four miles, five miles—they all passed with ease.
They slowed slightly at the six- and seven-mile marks.
After reaching seven miles, they didn’t stop. They continued to press forward!
’As expected. They’ve all become stronger.’
Most of the prodigies stopped at around the Seven and a Half Miles mark.
"Huh? The Twin Sword Sons are still going. Are they trying to challenge Jian Xinghe’s record?"
Jian Xinghe’s record was the Eight-Mile mark, a feat that had solidified his status as the number one of Qing Province’s younger generation.
The Twin Sword Sons’ gazes were resolute, the Sword Qi erupting from their bodies sharp and incredibly powerful.
"They’ve reached the Eight-Mile mark!"
Finally, under the astounded gazes of the crowd, the Twin Sword Sons stepped into the Eight-Mile zone.
"The Star Sword Sect is truly enviable. Not only do they have Jian Xinghe, but also the Twin Sword Sons."
Just as the crowd was exclaiming in endless wonder, a golden-haired figure with his hands clasped behind his back stepped into the ten-mile zone.
WHOA—
In an instant, the entire crowd was in an uproar. The atmosphere reached its absolute peak!
Never mind the younger generation; even members of the older generation widened their eyes, focusing intently on the man.
Because that man’s name was Jian Xinghe!
One mile, two miles, three miles... seven miles, eight miles...
Once he reached the Eight-Mile mark, countless people stared without blinking. Could Jian Xinghe break his own record?
His pace never faltered. He walked past the Twin Sword Sons and continued onward.
When he finally came to a stop, his position within the ten-mile zone was—
The Ninth-Mile.
The entire crowd was utterly astounded!
PS: Ning Jiang is coming. In the ten-mile zone, how far will he make it?
