Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint

Chapter 456: Chapter 203: True Inheritance (2)

These influential figures, accustomed to having the final say in their own domains, had now mostly tempered their imposing auras. Some gathered in small groups, exchanging hushed pleasantries, while others stood alone, observing in silence.

The auras within the hall were a chaotic yet magnificent blend. Masters of Astral Force were everywhere. A few auras even felt particularly obscure and profound, far surpassing their peers—these were clearly masters who had touched the threshold of the True Essence Realm.

Sang Yanping entered the great hall, his gaze sweeping across the room. He soon spotted several familiar figures in the crowd.

Granny Hanzhuang of Cold Jade Valley was conversing with an elderly man in a water-blue robe. Sensing his gaze, she turned and gave Sang Yanping a slight nod. Sang Yanping returned the gesture with a cupped fist salute.

Not far away, a familiar Elder from the Haisa Sect and Fu Shoushan of the Fiery Sun Sect also spotted him. With a shared understanding, they all began to move toward one another.

Here in the vast and unfamiliar Celestial Treasure Upper Sect, the Sects from the four prefectures surrounding the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp naturally formed a small clique. Though they were rivals, there was a greater sense of affinity at this moment, a hope that they could look out for one another during the coming selection.

"Younger Brother Sang, you’ve arrived."

Fu Shoushan patted Sang Yanping on the shoulder. "Quite a spectacle, isn’t it?"

"Brother Fu, Elder Shi."

Sang Yanping greeted each of them in turn. "Indeed. A true gathering of talents."

As he spoke, Sang Yanping felt an icy gaze pierce him.

He followed the gaze to its source. On the other side of the hall, Ruan Wenju of the Chaoyang Sect was chatting and laughing with several Elders from what were clearly allied Sects, yet her eyes kept sweeping, either intentionally or not, in their direction.

Sang Yanping’s expression remained placid, as if he hadn’t noticed Ruan Wenju’s provocation. He simply lifted the fragrant tea offered by a nearby attendant, took a delicate sip, and turned his serene gaze toward the head of the hall, quietly awaiting the arrival of their host.

Just then, a side door of the great hall opened. An immense pressure, like a silent tide, spread through the room, instantly quelling all the noise within.

Everyone felt it. They all stopped talking, their gazes snapping to the doorway as one.

An elderly man walked in at a measured pace.

He had a full head of white hair and a gentle, peaceful gaze. He wore a dark Daoist robe with wide sleeves, exquisitely embroidered with patterns of clouds and crane feathers, giving him an otherworldly and transcendent air.

His gait was unhurried. Each footstep seemed to fall in sync with the very breath of the great hall. The aura around him was harmonious and natural, yet so profound it was unfathomable, inspiring a deep sense of reverence in all who beheld him.

’The True Essence Realm!’

A jolt went through Sang Yanping, and his pupils contracted.

In his youth, he had heard of this Elder’s name—Deng Ziheng, one of the Main Peak Elders of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect!

He was a master of the True Essence Realm, famous for many years. It was said he had already extended his life by several decades, and his power was unfathomable.

Only now, seeing the man in person, could he truly appreciate the majestic and boundless aura. It made someone like him, who had been trapped in the Astral Force realm for many years, feel a surge of endless envy and admiration.

Deng Ziheng walked to the front of the hall’s main seat and stopped. His gentle gaze swept over the crowd. Though he did not intentionally release his immense pressure, the entire hall had already fallen so silent you could hear a pin drop.

He smiled faintly, his calm, clear voice reaching every ear. "I am Deng Ziheng, a Main Peak Elder of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect. By order of the Sect Leader, I will be presiding over this selection of talents from the Hundred Sects of Xu Wang Mountain. You have all traveled a long way, and I thank you for your efforts."

Everyone in the hall, regardless of their Cultivation level or the strength of their Sect, bowed and saluted in unison. "Greetings, Elder Deng!"

Deng Ziheng gave a slight nod, accepting their respects, and continued, "I imagine you have all heard the rules for this selection, but allow me to confirm them. The selection will be held inside the Celestial Treasure Tower and will last for two days."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd before he spoke again slowly. "The Celestial Treasure Tower is a place of profound mystery. For the sake of fairness, the order of participation for each Sect will be determined by drawing lots. The slips come in two colors. Those who draw a ’one’ will have their disciples enter the tower tomorrow as the first group. Those who draw a ’two’ will enter the day after tomorrow as the second. Furthermore, to increase the selection’s efficiency, ten people can enter the tower for the trial at the same time."

As he finished, a faint stir of commotion and murmuring rippled through the crowd.

Going first certainly had the advantage of learning the rules early, but it also meant providing valuable experience and a baseline for those who followed. It was difficult to say which was better.

Still, the vast majority hoped to draw a later slot, which would give them more time to gather intelligence and prepare accordingly.

As if he hadn’t heard the subtle stirrings below, Deng Ziheng gave a light flick of his sleeve. A Steward Disciple walked forward, holding a drawing cylinder covered with a red cloth.

"Now, I invite the representative from each Sect to come forward and draw a lot," Deng Ziheng’s voice remained calm.

Hearing this, the Elders came forward with solemn expressions, each drawing a Jade Slip from the cylinder in turn.

Sang Yanping, who was near the front of the line, took a deep breath and stepped forward.

He reached into the cylinder, casually drew one, and held it in his palm without immediately looking at it.

He stepped to the side and saw that Fu Shoushan, who was next to him, had already impatiently glanced at the Jade Slip in his hand. Fu Shoushan’s face fell instantly, and he couldn’t help but curse under his breath, "Goddammit... The first day!"

"Looks like your luck isn’t the best, Elder Fu."

Granny Hanzhuang, having drawn her lot, now walked over. She glanced at the Jade Slip in her hand, a faint smile on her face. "My Cold Jade Valley drew the second day."

Just then, Shi Ziyu of the Bitaomen Sect came over. He glanced at his slip and let out a relieved sigh. "I also have the second day."

He then turned to the calm-faced Sang Yanping beside him and asked, "Elder Sang, which day did you get?"

The gazes of Fu Shoushan, Granny Hanzhuang, and the others all fell on Sang Yanping. Seeing his placid expression, they assumed he had also drawn the unfavorable first day and were about to offer a few words of comfort.