I Can Fix My Talent in Hundred Lives-Chapter 396 - 323: Venerable Wuyue
Through the passage of time, the Spirit Vein aura of the Celestial Capital grows increasingly agitated, with a tense and combative atmosphere pervading the air.
The first round of the Three Extremes Dao Assembly, the Prefecture Competition, has finally arrived as scheduled.
On this early morning, outside the Sword Observation Pavilion of Chen Xihua’s residence, three figures ascend simultaneously into the sky, their Daoist robes of azure grey, moon white, and crimson red stretching in the morning light, precisely Chen Xihua, Chen Sheng, and Miao Shan.
Three years ago, they had already completed their registration through the Cultivators’ Alliance of Jiuli Mansion, and at this moment, they are flying towards the Jiuli Tower at the center of the Prefecture City.
The closer they get to the city center, the denser the assemblage of cultivators in the sky becomes.
From all directions, streams of light converge, with Sword Cultivators commanding Flying Swords beneath their feet flashing with Spirit Light, Magic Cultivators, and even cultivators riding Spiritual Birds...
The brilliance of various Magical Treasures interweaves, flowing together like a sky full of stars, all moving in the same direction.
Chen Sheng’s gaze sweeps across the surroundings, clearly perceiving the oscillations in cultivation of these cultivators, all in the Divinity Transformation Realm, including quite a few in the Late-stage and Perfection of Divinity Transformation.
However, at this Divinity Transformation Realm, Magic Power Cultivation is not the sole measure of superiority; more crucial is the depth of Dao comprehension.
However, Dao is something that unless voluntarily revealed by the other party, is difficult to discern, so he cannot determine the strength and weakness of these people.
...
Within the Prefecture City, countless cultivators gaze at the streaming light across the sky, engaging in lively discussions.
"There are truly a lot of Venerables of Divinity Transformation!"
"Indeed, this is a grand gathering of a Prefecture’s Divinity Transformation Cultivators. Under Jiuli Mansion, there are seventy-seven Immortal Cities, and not one city has fewer than a thousand in the Divinity Transformation Realm, plus those cultivators arriving early for certainty, naturally the numbers are significant."
A yellow-faced cultivator chimed in upon hearing this:
"Not only the local cultivators of Jiuli Mansion, our Jiuli Mansion ranks in the middle to lower tier of the four hundred and eight Prefectures in the domain, but all Prefectures have the same quotas."
"Cultivators from neighboring Mansions such as ’Quicksand Mansion’ and ’Danxia Mansion’ often come to compete, seeking to seize spots from our Prefecture because the competition pressure is relatively lower the weaker the Mansion."
...
The trio of Chen Sheng hastens toward the city center.
As they draw nearer, the silhouette of a towering structure capable of shaking one’s Divine Soul becomes increasingly distinct.
Upon slowing their pace, the treasure tower known as "Jiuli" fully occupies their view.
This tower is by no means constructed from ordinary bricks and stones, but crafted from the core of a fallen star by an Integration Dharma Master of ancient times.
The entire body is dark gold, covered in ancient star rune engravings, with a faint Star Power flowing between the runes, still emanating a majestic force capable of subduing the world after countless ages.
The tower stands ninety-nine stories high, like a colossal sword piercing the heavens, with each exterior wall carved with an ancient mythical beast.
From the grotesque Taotie and Qiongqi on the lower levels, to the scaled and clawed Yingselong and Zhulong on the middle levels, and further to the Kirin and White Tiger exuding intimidation on the upper levels, the carvings of the beasts become more dynamic and their oppressive presence increasingly fierce the higher one ascends.
Beneath the tower lies a vast plaza resembling a lake, its surface paved uniformly with deep blue Star Stones, fine Star Patterns etched across its expanse.
Around the plaza stand a hundred Dragon Coiling Stone Pillars, inscribed with intricate Defense Runes, which form an invisible grand net that envelopes the entire plaza.
An ordinary Void Refining Cultivator at full exertion can’t budge the plaza a bit.
By now, the plaza is already crowded with a sea of people, with cultivators of various Daoist robes densely gathered, their breath interwoven with countless Divinity Transformation Realm auras.
Gathered in groups of three to five, the cultivators whisper in conversation, their topics invariably revolving around the popular contenders of this Prefecture Competition.
A green-robed cultivator speaks with a voice full of apprehension:
"Have you heard? Venerable Shang from Quicksand Mansion has really come!"
"That’s a formidable character at Divinity Transformation Perfection, majoring in High Grade Cold Star Dao Principle, already cultivated to the Third Realm, surely coming to our Jiuli Mansion to secure a spot!"
His companion, a red-faced cultivator, eyes gleaming with fervor, quickly added:
"What of Venerable Shang! Fairy Taiyin from Danxia Mansion is here as well! I heard from a senior brother at the Mansion that she cultivates the top-level Grand Yin Dao Principle! Her ’Taiyin Su Xin Sword’ is also..."
"Boosting others’ prestige while extinguishing our own spirit!"
A cultivator in Jiuli Mansion’s blue standard attire immediately snorts, retorting in defiance:
"They don’t dare contest in their own Mansion and come running to Jiuli to pick up benefits, which proves they lack courage!" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦
"I say, the chief this time will undoubtedly be Venerable Wuyue of Jiuli Mansion."
These words instantly ignite the enthusiasm of the local cultivators, as a stout cultivator slaps his thigh in agreement:
"Exactly! Venerable Wuyue has been at Divinity Transformation Perfection for many years, cultivating the top-tier Space Dao Principle, reached Third Realm Perfection!"
"He’s also been noticed by an Integration Dharma Master, bestowed with Secret Techniques, maybe after this Dao Assembly ends, he’ll become a Direct Disciple of the Dharma Master!"
As the clamor arises and falls in succession, three streams of light slowly alight on the plaza’s edge, none other than the trio of Chen Sheng.
"It’s him! Xihua Sword Cultivator!"
In the crowd, a low exclamation echoes, as a cultivator who had witnessed the spar between Chen Xihua and Venerable Wuyue points at Chen Xihua with a face full of excitement:
"Decades ago at Yunmiao Dojo, he and Venerable Wuyue battled for three days and nights, rendering the world discolored, and they remained evenly matched!"
"Is it really him? I’d thought it was just a rumor!"
"It’s said he also cultivates a top-level Dao Principle, reaching Third Realm Perfection, he’s certainly occupying a spot in the top ten this Prefecture Competition!"
"That woman in red beside him should be his Dao partner, with cultivation at Divinity Transformation Early-stage, her strength should be ordinary, but that white-robed cultivator, with a late-stage Divinity Transformation aura, looks quite unfamiliar, who knows how strong he is..."
The surrounding discussions clearly reach the ears of the trio, as Chen Sheng turns to Chen Xihua, a slight smile tugging at his lips:
"Fellow Daoist Xihua has quite a reputation, so many of these Jiuli Mansion cultivators recognize you."
Chen Xihua laughs heartily:
"It’s just some minor fame earned back during my sparring with Fellow Daoist Wuyue several decades ago. After today’s Prefecture Competition, it will surely be Fellow Daoist Life-Annihilating’s name that resonates through Jiuli Mansion."
He wasn’t speaking in false modesty.
Over these years of daily sword duels, he has personally witnessed how Chen Sheng transformed from being unable to withstand his deadly moves, to barely managing to withstand them.
Later, he could easily dissolve his "Void Annihilation Slash", and counter-suppress him, eventually defeating him.
Such progress is indeed terrifying, and even the core disciples of major sects may not compare.
As the two converse, a heavy yellow light suddenly descends from the sky, stirring golden ripples upon landing, and when the dust disperses, a tall cultivator twelve feet in stature is revealed.
This individual is clad in the purple Daoist robes of Jiuli Mansion, with broad shoulders and a sturdy back, a bright smile on his face, a faint blue Space Rune etched between his brows, none other than Venerable Wuyue.
As soon as he steadies his form, he casts his gaze across the crowd, instantly locking onto Chen Xihua, and strides forward with ringing laughter:
"Fellow Daoist Xihua, it’s been decades! How have you been?"
Chen Xihua promptly steps forward, clasping his hands and smiling:
"Ah, it’s Fellow Daoist Wuyue. I’ve long heard you’ve been in seclusion for decades, comprehending the Secret Technique bestowed by the Integration Dharma Master. Now that you’ve emerged, I’m sure you’ve made further progress and your strength has greatly increased!"
In his eyes, a hint of envy is unmistakable, as back when they sparred, Venerable Wuyue’s Space Dao Principle was already at Third Realm Perfection, and now, enhanced by a top-level Secret Technique, his strength is surely elevated further.
Venerable Wuyue pats his chest, laughing heartily:
"Whether I’ve made progress or not, we’ll see the truth at the Prefecture Competition later! But for you, surely you haven’t let your Sword Dao slip over these years, right?"
His gaze sweeps over Miao Shan beside Chen Xihua, nodding slightly—during their sparring years ago, he had met Miao Shan and knew she was Chen Xihua’s Dao partner.
As his gaze lands on Chen Sheng, a faint hint of surprise flickers in his eyes.
This white-robed cultivator appears ordinary, yet he somehow feels a vague sense of oppression, as if within him lurks a giant beast capable of devouring the void.
Venerable Wuyue asks curiously:
"And this is?"
Chen Xihua steps aside, introducing with a smile, a subtle tone of pride in his voice:
"This is my cousin, Life-Annihilating. His strength surpasses my own."
"Oh?"
Venerable Wuyue is immediately intrigued, a strong battle intent flashing in his eyes:
"To meet such a Fellow Daoist today is truly a fortune! During the Prefecture Competition, if there’s a chance, I hope you won’t hesitate to enlighten me!"
Chen Sheng nods slightly: "There will be opportunities."
