Chapter 605: Chapter 604: Opening of Mount Wanxiang (Part 2)
Mount Wanxiang, though not the largest mountain in Tian State, is surely the most famous one. Among every ten people in the Martial World, at least nine have heard of it.
Legend has it that this mountain was once ordinary until one night, the peak was suddenly surrounded by phenomena of wind, rain, thunder, and lightning.
In retrospect, many claimed to have seen Exotic Beasts flying across the sky, running thousands of miles across the wilderness. It seemed as though they were witnessing images from a mythological scroll, embodying myriad manifestations.
And thus, Mount Wanxiang got its name.
Later, a mysterious family took up residence on the mountain, spent a hundred years, and set up a grand Array System that became famous throughout the Flying Horse Dynasty. It was said to be capable of measuring the talent of all the young prodigies in the world!
At that time, many were skeptical and went there to test it out. As a result, the qualifications they tested out at Mount Wanxiang were continually confirmed in the ensuing years.
Thus, more and more prodigies and brilliant youths began to flock there. With the passage of time, Mount Wanxiang itself became a sacred site for talents of the Tian State. The qualification levels tested out there are unquestionably accepted by everyone.
"Mount Wanxiang is only open seven days a year. During these seven days, numerous newcomers, or those who have been preparing for some time, all flock there, wanting to see what ratings they can achieve."
In the inn, Sun Wei was meticulously explaining all this to Shi Xiaole.
"It is said that halfway up Mount Wanxiang, there is a Ten Thousand Forms Stele. Only those who have passed the test of Mount Wanxiang have the privilege to engrave their names. Since the establishment of the Flying Horse Dynasty, generations of prodigies have emerged, and to this day, the Ten Thousand Forms Stele only bears the sparse number of 762 names."
Li Changde supplemented on the side.
"762?"
Shi Xiaole was amazed.
The Flying Horse Dynasty has been established for more than 600 years, which roughly means that only slightly more than one person per year leaves their name on the Ten Thousand Forms Stele.
This is Tian State, where countless talents emerge every year. Many of them, if placed in other states, would be considered unparalleled!
"In the eyes of the young people of Tian State, it’s unimaginable the position Mount Wanxiang holds. If someone can engrave their name on the Ten Thousand Forms Stele, they will immediately become famous throughout Tian State and become the focus of everyone’s attention. Scoring one’s reputation across the world in a single day, this is precisely how it’s like."
As they uttered these words, both Sun Wei and Li Changde had wistful expressions.
They were once young too and naturally had similar dreams. Unfortunately, while dreams may be pleasant, reality is often cruel.
Back then, neither of them even made it past the first stage. Among their contemporaries, it was said that only seven people made it to the third stage, two to the fourth stage, and in the end, only one person successfully entered the fifth stage to engrave their name on the Ten Thousand Forms Stele.
But that name was just ranked at the bottom, greatly outshone by the many names above it.
People who haven’t been to Mount Wanxiang will never know how intense the tests there are. That’s why, when the Four Monstrous Talents created the best record in Mount Wanxiang, it caused an uproar throughout Tian State.
Of course, with the advent of the Martial Gathering, not only Tian State, but the entire Martial World of the Flying Horse Dynasty pays particular attention to Mount Wanxiang. Countless young people gaze in its direction, fantasizing about the sensational scenes.
"The opening of Mount Wanxiang this time is said to be of an unprecedented scale and will set a record for the past hundreds of periods! This is the first time after the establishment of the Martial Gathering. Apart from Tian State, the young people from various states of the dynasty who took pride in their talent have set out ahead of time."
Li Changde mentioned the news he had heard, unable to resist stealing glimpses of Shi Xiaole’s expressions. From his eyes, Li Changde saw a rare passion, involuntarily leaving a smirk on his face.
This is how young people should be.
Honestly speaking, to Sun Wei and Li Changde, Shi Xiaole is great in every way, but he’s just too calm, sometimes cold as ice, devoid of emotions, inevitably creating a sense of distance.
The emotions he was showing now made him seem a bit more normal.
Shi Xiaole was completely oblivious to their thoughts. After listening to their detailed explanation about Mount Wanxiang, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of eagerness to put himself to the test.
He wasn’t really a man of simple desires. Although he didn’t particularly crave fame, he was indeed curious to know where his talents ranked among the great surprises of the Flying Horse Dynasty over the past six hundred years.
Moreover, listening to the two of them, only those under thirty years old were eligible to enter Mount Wanxiang. This period also happened to be quite lively, making it a rare occasion.
"Xiaole, if you participate, your name will certainly be inscribed on the stele."
Sun Wei laughed heartily, very optimistic about Shi Xiaole.
The deeper his interaction with Shi Xiaole, the more amazed Sun Wei was at his talent. Even if you compare him to the brilliant youth of his generation, who eventually got his name inscribed on the stele, the latter was far inferior.
As for how high Xi Xiaole’s ranking would be, Sun Wei wasn’t so sure.
Hearing is not as good as seeing. The legends about the prodigies on the stele vary, with many having been exaggerated beyond recognition and are unable to serve as a basis for judgement.
Furthermore, fighting strength is an important criterion for judging a person’s talent, but it’s not the only one. Just because Shi Xiaole swept the Limit Supreme Lords doesn’t mean his talent is invincible in the world.
With Tian State being so vast and producing all sorts of magical talents, who can be sure of his invincibility among the Limit Supreme Lords?
Some people may seem ordinary at the beginning but may fly high later on. Some people may make a lot of progress at the beginning but blend in with the rest as time passes.
In general, unless someone really attains a ranking on Mount Wanxiang, it’s hard to determine who’s higher and who’s lower amidst a sky full of prodigies.
"It’s a pity we won’t be able to witness this personally."
Li Changde shook his head regretfully.
Any person over the age of thirty is forbidden from entering Celestial Phenomenon Mountain or even stepping within a thirty-mile radius. This rule is in place to prevent individuals from seeking vengeance out of envy or past grievances and bringing harm to the gifted talents in Celestial Phenomenon Mountain.
In the past, there were several instances of breaches, even perpetrated by Terrestrial Immortals of the Divine Barrier Realm. However, the mystic families of Celestial Phenomenon Mountain enforced the rules without exception.
These Terrestrial Immortals were obliterated to ashes by the Array System of the Celestial Phenomenon Mountain as soon as they stepped within the thirty-mile radius, offering no chance for resistance.
Afterwards, no one dared to defy the rules of the Celestial Phenomenon Mountain anymore.
Naturally, this concerns the open period. Ordinarily, as long as one does not enter Celestial Phenomenon Mountain, nothing untoward happens regardless of any disputes or grudges.
...
As Sun Wei and Li Changde were explaining about the Celestial Phenomenon Mountain to Shi Xiaole, the foot of the mountain was already swarming with people.
The Celestial Phenomenon Mountain, vast in area, tapered from the base to the apex. From a distance, it appeared as a cone piercing through the clouds. The top half was entirely shrouded in clouds, a sight of exceptional grandeur.
Observing keenly, none of the people at the foot of the mountain were ordinary. They either exuded spirited vitality, emanated icy ferocity, flaunted unorthodox energy, or displayed composed steadfastness...
Though young, they radiated a charm far beyond their peers.
Even individuals of the right age would not dare to participate in the test at Celestial Phenomenon Mountain, for they knew they were no match to others.
Forget about being adventurous and emphasizing participation. Standing amidst a crowd of extraordinary talents has your spirit crushed. Participating would not only serve no purpose but might also create mental blocks that hinder securing one’s own potential.
Sun Wei and Li Changde were among the least skilled participants in the past.
"I’ve been in isolation for three years, and I’m in my best condition. I will make my mark on the monument this time!"
"People say that the test at Mount Wanxiang is extremely challenging, I am eager to put this to the test."
"This time mustering more than forty percent of the outstanding talents from the whole dynasty. How exhilarating it would be to succeed by defeating them!"
Some clenched their fists, whispering to themselves, while others gave out cold laughs while looking at the surrounding people.
In the sky, petals suddenly descended, and a palanquin came flying, to land steadily on the ground. The curtains were first lifted by a pair of slender, jade-white hands, then a graceful figure emerged.
Even though the people present were the best from all regions - well-traveled and with a high level of discernment – they could not help but gasp collectively.
The woman stepping out of the palanquin was dressed in a pink swath pleated skirt. Despite being draped in a voluminous skirt, her enchanting figure was not hidden. The lofty peaks, the voluptuous hips, the slender waist, every part of her was perfect – there was so much beauty beyond man’s imagination. Moreover, her breathtakingly beautiful face outshone all the other ladies, causing the elite gentlemen to lose their breath.
"Who is this woman?"
A young man from a foreign state asked, his face flushed.
The man standing next to him was from Tian State. He swallowed hard and laughed, saying, "Don’t you know her? She is the Tianya Saintess from Sky Edge Pavilion, one of the top ten beauties in the world."
The "World’s Ten Top Beauties" was a list created by the Martial World that featured different magnificent pearls stunning enough to overturn a country. The order in the list was not ranked.
The Tianya Saintess was one of them.
"Yuchu, you’ve arrived."
A handsome young man immediately greeted her.
The Tianya Saintess, whose real name was Qiu Yuchu, was welcomed by the young man, implying his close relationship with her.
Qiu Yuchu smilingly said, "Young Master Wu, addressing me directly by my name might lead to misunderstandings."
The handsome young man was no ordinary talent; he was the grandson of the Grand Protector of Dragon View Ridge from the Seven Sects of the Mundane World. He was also an extraordinary elite of this generation, just a step below the Four Grand Demon talents.
To many, Wu Siming and Qiu Yuchu looked like a perfect match. However, there were also many who had cunning glints in their eyes.
As one of the ten most beautiful women on earth, Qiu Yuchu naturally had numerous suitors. There was another person among the top elites who was not inferior to Wu Siming.
"Wu Siming, keep your distance."
Indeed, a cold reproof resounded with a razor-sharp tone.
It was a young man, eight feet tall with a resolute face. He wasn’t carrying a sword at his back, but anyone who saw him would know he was a swordsman because he himself was like a peerless treasure sword.
"Huan Yundu, where I stand has nothing to do with you, right?" Wu Siming retorted with a cold smile.
Huan Yundu stood as firm as a mountain. Suddenly, a strong force of vigorous valor, like a warrior’s sword aura, descended from the sky and slashed fiercely towards Wu Siming.
Invisible ripples radiated outwards, but were blocked by Wu Siming. The sword aura struck on it, causing continuous tremors as if a giant hand was squeezing the hearts of many elite talents nearby.
This unsettling sound didn’t last long. As many of them found it hard to endure, it suddenly dispersed.
