The sound of a hum echoed, and both Li Xuan and Qiu Jiqian's bodies lit up with a white light. In the next instant, they both vanished.
"Congratulations to all who have successfully entered the next round of assessment. You have a quarter of an hour to prepare. The next round is the Purgatorial Crown. I assume everyone has heard of its existence, so I shall not elaborate further."
"The Purgatorial Crown will determine the top thousand spots. I hope you will all unleash your full strength."
As the white light dissipated, Li Xuan, Qiu Jiqian, and the other top twenty thousand finishers appeared on the Cloud Ladder.
Jin Guangshuo Zhizun, standing on the high platform, glanced at the crowd and then spoke with a smile.
"The Purgatorial Crown?! Isn't that the trial ground Tianyi Pavilion uses to assess its formal disciples? I've heard that even those in the Transformation Realm can only barely achieve a lower B-rank. If we go in, we'll likely only get a C-rank, or even lower C-rank."
"If we can even manage a lower C-rank, it would be considered good luck. I just hope the teleportation location won't be too dangerous. I don't want to be eliminated the moment I step in."
"Alas, it's no wonder. With twenty thousand participants and only a thousand spots, the Purgatorial Crown seems to be the only fair way to decide."
"As for luck, it depends on individual destiny. With this quarter of an hour, it's best to find some allies."
...
As soon as Jin Guangshuo Zhizun finished speaking, the expressions of everyone on the Cloud Ladder changed. Discussions erupted, all about the Purgatorial Crown.
Meanwhile, Li Xuan frowned slightly, having never heard of this Purgatorial Crown before.
"Um, Daoist Friend Li Xuan, could you take me with you? Rest assured, Daoist Friend Li Xuan, although I am not your match, I have the ability to protect myself. Now that the Purgatorial Crown has opened, having more friends increases the chance of survival. Would you agree?"
Just as Li Xuan was lost in thought, a voice reached his ears. Looking over, he saw it was Gong Hanfeng, who had been defeated by him in the Luo Guang Illusion.
"It's you? You mean you want to form an alliance with me?" Li Xuan looked at Gong Hanfeng in surprise. He had somewhat understood the previous discussions and realized Gong Hanfeng was here with the intention of an alliance.
"Precisely. Daoist Friend Li Xuan, though your strength is extraordinary, the Purgatorial Crown is no safe haven. Traveling together can provide mutual support. If we pass the assessment, we will be fellow disciples in the future." Gong Hanfeng nodded in response.
"Is the Purgatorial Crown truly that terrifying?" Li Xuan pondered for a moment before looking up at Gong Hanfeng and asking.
"Daoist Friend Li Xuan..."
"The Purgatorial Crown is the assessment ground for formal disciples of Tianyi Pavilion. It's a nightmare for them, and it will naturally be even more difficult for us. As far as I know, no one has ever received an A-rank evaluation before reaching the mid-level of the Divine Transformation Realm."
Just as Gong Hanfeng began to speak, another voice cut in. Li Xuan looked to see it was Qiu Jiqian.
"Daoist Friend Li Xuan, what this Daoist friend said is what I intended to convey." Gong Hanfeng immediately added. Qiu Jiqian's interjection clearly indicated he was also preparing to join forces with Li Xuan. Moreover, Gong Hanfeng could tell that Qiu Jiqian's strength surpassed his own.
"So, it seems to be quite troublesome indeed. By the way, he came to propose an alliance. What is your purpose?" Li Xuan nodded slightly and then smiled at Qiu Jiqian, asking.
"I don't have absolute confidence, but if you and I join forces, we should be able to pass the assessment," Qiu Jiqian stated his intentions directly.
"Daoist Friend, Daoist Friend Li Xuan was the one I approached first," Gong Hanfeng said, becoming anxious.
"The two of us are enough," Qiu Jiqian said, glancing at Gong Hanfeng with a calm expression.
"You..." Gong Hanfeng's face flushed with indignation.
"Alright, alright. Since the Purgatorial Crown is as terrifying as you say, then the three of us will go together." Seeing the signs of an argument between Gong Hanfeng and Qiu Jiqian, Li Xuan waved his hand to stop them.
"Thank you, Daoist Friend Li Xuan." Gong Hanfeng's face lit up, and he cupped his hands in gratitude.
"Since you've agreed, it's up to you. However, I still believe the two of us would have been sufficient," Qiu Jiqian ignored Gong Hanfeng, and after speaking, he sat down cross-legged to recuperate.
"Daoist Friend Li Xuan, look..." Gong Hanfeng said, turning to Li Xuan.
Seeing this, Li Xuan shook his head with a wry smile and said, "Alright, we still have time. Let's adjust ourselves to the optimal state." After speaking, Li Xuan also sat down cross-legged and began to cultivate.
Time passed, and the quarter of an hour vanished in an instant. Li Xuan and Qiu Jiqian opened their eyes simultaneously, a sharp glint flashing within them. They both appeared to have recovered.
"Alliance, manifest!" Qiu Jiqian and Li Xuan exchanged a look and then formed hand seals, unleashing an incantation.
"Alliance, manifest!" Gong Hanfeng saw this, quickly formed the same hand seals, and looked at Li Xuan.
"This... I don't know how," Li Xuan said, looking at Qiu Jiqian and Gong Hanfeng with an embarrassed expression, shaking his head.
"Daoist Friend Li Xuan, this Oath of Alliance is very simple. Once the oath is formed, it will bind us together during the teleportation. Daoist Friend Li Xuan, I will share it with you." Qiu Jiqian and Gong Hanfeng were stunned for a moment, then quickly spoke.
As their words fell, Gong Hanfeng pointed a finger towards Li Xuan. Li Xuan closed his eyes, perceived it for a moment, and then nodded.
"Alliance, manifest!"
As Li Xuan unleashed his spiritual light incantation, the three incantations merged. In the next moment, they were connected by a faintly visible rope-like tether.
Dong!
At this moment, a bell chimed, and Jin Guangshuo Zhizun reappeared on the high platform under the sound of the bell.
"Time is up! The Purgatorial Crown assessment officially begins!"
"The duration is one hour. Those who achieve a B-rank or higher will be appointed as leaders of our Tianyi Pavilion. A C-rank will qualify you as a disciple. If the number of participants exceeds the available positions, selection will be based on the time taken to achieve your evaluation and individual strength."
"Now, enter."
As Jin Guangshuo Zhizun finished speaking, he waved his hand, and the Cloud Ladder on which Li Xuan and the others stood began to move rapidly. A golden wheel spun up on the peak of the Heavenly Peak, instantly absorbing everyone on the Cloud Ladder into it, and they vanished.