Chapter 66: Detection of Compatible Marriage Candidates
After easily passing the qualification test, Tuoba Wuliang glanced back with a sneer.
“The restrictions for the Hidden Dragon Tournament were decided after consultation among the major powers and divination by the Pavilion of Fate. Who are you to question them? If you’re weak, blame yourself, not the rules. Pathetic.”
With that, he raised his head proudly, claimed his token, and walked inside.
The crowd was both shocked and furious but powerless to respond.
They hadn’t expected his casual strike to trigger a purple glow, indicating top-tier qualification.
Many had tried and failed unable to even trigger a red glow, and were promptly eliminated.
Just then, more powerful figures descended from the sky, openly releasing their auras and passing the test with ease.
The influx of elite cultivators made the earlier skeptics blush with shame and frustration.
They had assumed the rules were biased against rogue cultivators or those from minor sects.
Now it was clear they were simply too weak.
“I just saw Liu Ziyang, the Water Spirit Physique holder. He’s a top prodigy in our empire, but here he’s barely noticeable.”
“And our sect’s senior brother, with Purple Mansion Level Seven and the Divine Right Hand he was forced back by a peer’s aura!”
“And.”
They realized that the once-distant prodigies they admired were now indistinguishable from the crowd.
“This generation is overflowing with talent. We’ve been frogs in a well.”
Some had to admit their worldview had been too narrow.
“I wonder what those ranked as heroes and elites by the Pavilion of Fate are like.
And the Four Dragon Prodigies, how terrifying must they be?”
“Whatever. We may not qualify to compete, but we can still watch. Let’s stay and observe.”
“Right. Watching true prodigies might inspire us and improve our own cultivation.”
Hearing this, many who had planned to leave decided to stay.
They wanted to witness the legendary top-tier prodigies for themselves.
As time passed, more and more prodigies entered.
Figures like Jiang Luocheng, Chu Taicang, and Mu Xiyao arrived, causing waves of awe.
Unlike them, Ye Wushang’s entrance was quiet.
Aside from the shock during his qualification test, he didn’t draw attention.
He moved only as the selection neared its end.
He didn’t even strike the testing stone, just released a trace of his aura.
The stone trembled, then emitted a dark black glow.
The crowd was stunned.
“What just happened? Did he even strike?”
“I think he just leaked a bit of aura and the stone couldn’t handle it!”
“Unbelievable! Who is he?”
“Black robe, youthful face and already in the Dharma Aspect Realm?”
“In past tournaments, even late-stage Purple Mansion cultivators were rare. This time, there are so many Dharma Aspect experts!”
Ye Wushang ignored the chatter.
Leaving the Great Xia region, he finally understood how vast the world truly was.
In his homeland, Cave Heaven Realm experts were rare.
Here, they were common.
He had even felt the aura of a Star Sea Realm King pass overhead an existence he couldn’t resist.
Scanning the crowd, he saw thousands of cultivators, none of them weak.
Even his system chimed in:
[Ding~! Compatible marriage candidates detected. Begin search?]
[Ding~! Detection continues…]
He ignored it.
What was he supposed to do to collect them all?
Each had powerful backgrounds.
Any one of them could summon a Cave Heaven expert stronger than Tongyun Ancestor.
Unless he could conquer them with strength, there was no chance.
These prodigy women wouldn’t settle for anyone beneath them.
Only someone who could dominate their peers would earn their respect.
Ye Wushang’s eyes lit up.
Maybe he could try.
He wanted to test himself against the top prodigies see where he truly stood.
Though confident in his strength, he never underestimated others.
Power attracts admiration especially from women.
It’s a universal truth.
If he could prove his dominance, even the proudest prodigies would submit.
Just like Sikong Mingyue, a top-tier prodigy who chose to be his concubine.
Or Xia Zixuan, with her Empress Physique and pride yet she bore his child without status.
With this thought, he looked ahead.
Once the qualification gate closed, a powerful aura descended from the sky.
Everyone turned to look.
Ye Wushang felt an unprecedented sense of danger.
He knew he couldn’t defeat this person.
He might not even escape.
Despite his growth, the suppression of higher realms still made him vulnerable.
His pride from slaying Tongyun Ancestor vanished.
This newcomer was Cave Heaven Realm Level Nine, Peak Stage.
One step away from becoming a King of the Star Sea Realm.
“I am Mo Cangfeng, elder of the Pavilion of Fate’s Canglan Division. At the request of the major powers, I will serve as host and referee. I hope you won’t mind.”
The crowd nodded.
The Pavilion of Fate was respected for its fairness.
They often served as neutral arbiters.
Seeing no objections, Mo Cangfeng continued:
“This year’s talent pool is vast. Many Purple Mansion prodigies didn’t even qualify.
So the format will differ from previous one-on-one duels.
See those 108 positions?”
He waved his hand.
A massive arena appeared, shaped like a pyramid.
- Bottom five tiers: Silver, 72 seats
- Upper five tiers: Gold, 36 seats
- Topmost seat: Purple-Gold Throne, radiant and regal
Everyone knew whoever claimed that throne would be the champion of the Hidden Dragon List.
Their eyes burned with ambition.
Cultivators seek longevity but also fame and fortune.
This tournament offered both.
They looked to Mo Cangfeng, eager for the rules.
Tournament Format: Arena Master Challenge
“This is an Arena Master format.
If you believe you’re qualified for a seat, claim it and become its master.
Others may challenge you.
Victory means you keep the seat.
Defeat means you’re ejected and must challenge again.”
“Each seat contains a miniature Cave Heaven world.
Combatants will fight inside.
Losers are expelled.
Winners remain.”
“Important: Each person has only three challenge attempts.
Lose all three, and you’re eliminated with no Hidden Dragon List, no Soaring Dragon Secret Realm.”
The crowd felt the pressure.
108 seats.
Thousands of contenders.
Only three chances.
Faces grew serious.
Some remained calm and confident in their strength.
Mo Cangfeng saw their readiness and didn’t delay.
“You know the rules.
The Purple-Gold Throne is for the champion.
Let the tournament begin!”
He waved his hand.
The 108 seats descended onto the arena.
Mo Cangfeng soared into the sky and vanished.
Outside, countless spectators watched in awe.
The brutal format stunned them.
They waited to see who would claim the seats.
“Hmph! One of those seats is mine. Let’s see who dares challenge me. My sword is merciless!”
With that, Zhang Rangming flew up and claimed a mid-tier silver seat.
He was cautious only at Peak Purple Mansion Realm.
He wouldn’t challenge the Dharma Aspect experts.
Others followed, soaring toward their chosen seats.
Each was a top-tier prodigy, overflowing with confidence.
They believed they were unmatched among their peers.
Soon, the battles began.
A series of earth-shaking duels unfolded before everyone’s eyes.