Selection of the Marriage Candidate

Selection of the Marriage Candidate...

The demon sword, a symbol of defiance, loomed outside the Pill Emperor Hall. News of this audacious move quickly spread throughout the Moon Continent, leaving those in the know awestruck and moved by the tale.

This story of love and courage touched the hearts of many—a young man had dragged a colossal sword across a hundred thousand miles, all the way to the Moon Continent, and boldly planted it in front of the Pill Emperor Hall's doorstep.

He, Qin Wentian, was announcing his return to the world. He vowed to make Luo He pay for her actions. But most believed it was an impossible endeavor. Despite Qin Wentian's undeniable talent, his current strength, at the first level of the Heavenly Dipper, was perceived as too feeble to challenge the mighty Pill Emperor Hall.

Within the Pill Emperor Hall, experts abounded, hidden from the world's view. What people saw was just the tip of the iceberg; if the Pill Emperor Hall's pillars were summoned, Qin Wentian's fate would be unimaginable.

Qin Wentian had no way to wield the demon sword; he could only drag it. If circumstances pushed him to the brink, even if he borrowed the sword's immense power, he would likely meet his end.

He was up against one of the top-tier transcendent powers, ranked in the top five in all of Grand Xia—the Pill Emperor Hall.

Qin Wentian harbored dreams of defying the heavens, but with his meager strength, could he truly rock the Pill Emperor Hall's Heaven Ascending Hall at the pinnacle of the ninety-nine flights of steps?

The Pill Emperor Hall's marriage candidate selection event for Mo Qingcheng had already sent shockwaves throughout Grand Xia. People flocked to the Moon Continent to either participate or witness the grand spectacle. With Qin Wentian's audacious display before Luo He and the towering demon sword outside the Pill Emperor Hall's entrance, the commotion reached a fever pitch.

Today, the day of the selection had finally arrived.

At the entrance to the Pill Emperor Hall, below the ninety-nine flights of steps, a sea of people congregated on the ground. However, everyone avoided a particular area where a colossal, imposing sword stood. None dared to approach it.

At the peak of the ninety-nine flights of steps, the Pill Emperor Hall's experts observed the crowd. In the center, Luo He stood, her expression icy as she stared at the massive demon sword right at their doorstep.

Qin Wentian dared to slap her figurative face, and she was eager to see if he had the audacity to show up today.

"If he dares to come, I'll ensure he never leaves," Luo He vowed, her eyes sharp and unwavering.

She turned her gaze toward the crowd, her voice commanding, "Ladies and gentlemen from our esteemed transcendent powers, please ascend the ninety-nine steps. We extend our warmest welcome to you as witnesses of this selection."

As her words faded, figures in the crowd ascended the heaven-ascending steps and settled into the seats prepared for them at the summit.

"For those participating in the selection, please stand on the ninetieth step and below," Luo He continued. Whistles echoed through the air as numerous silhouettes filled the ninetieth step. It was packed to capacity, leaving no room for anyone else. Anyone else who wanted a spot would have to displace someone already standing there.

"It's a crowded field," someone remarked. "All these participants are Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns under thirty, not to mention their striking looks and exceptional talents. For those at the Yuanfu level, dreaming of marrying Mo Qingcheng is, well, a pipe dream."

"I mean, the Pill Emperor Hall is choosing a son-in-law, and Mo Qingcheng is the bride. No wonder so many top-notch contenders have shown up. Even the second-tier powers are sending their best. If one of them actually marries Mo Qingcheng, the status of that power will skyrocket."

But winning this selection wouldn't be a cakewalk.

Luo He declared, "You have the duration of an incense stick to prove your worth on the ninetieth step. This is merely a preliminary test to eliminate the weak. Let the selection commence."

With her words, the atmosphere grew tense. Luo He had set her standards—only those who maintained their position on the ninetieth step by the time an incense stick burned completely would advance to the next round.

Participants on the ninetieth step felt immense pressure weighing on them. Astral Souls and Novas emerged in a brilliant display as battle intent and formidable auras filled the air.

The ensuing chaos was more brutal and swift than anyone had anticipated. Not even half a second had passed since Luo He's declaration before a frenzied combat erupted. There was no mercy, no restraint.

As they watched the terrifying battle unfold before their eyes, the spectators' hearts pounded violently. Blood sprayed like rain, and screams and agonized shrieks mingled into a painful cacophony. In the blink of an eye, countless participants lay dead or gravely wounded. It was a cruel spectacle.

Luo He, the Pill Emperor's daughter, was no advocate of kindness. She had chosen the most direct and brutal method for this selection, sparing no one in her quest to find the strongest contender.

"Some of them are incredibly powerful. No one seems to displace them from the ninetieth step," remarked a spectator.

Quickly, the crowd began to identify participants who stood out. They possessed cultivation bases roughly at the second or third level of the Heavenly Dipper.

Young cultivators under thirty with a third-level Heavenly Dipper cultivation base were already considered exceptionally talented. Even within transcendent powers, only the most elite, demon-level individuals achieved such heights.

As for those under thirty at the fourth level of Heavenly Dipper, they remained elusive. Not even Hua Taixu had reached that level. The idea of a fourth-level Heavenly Dipper Sovereign was almost unimaginable.

Thus, those with third-level Heavenly Dipper cultivation bases were already deemed the cream of the crop in this selection.

On the other hand, those at the first level of Heavenly Dipper faced the harshest challenge. They belonged to the weakest category and were often knocked down the steps by stronger contenders. Many suffered injuries from these collisions, lacking the power to ascend the ninetieth step.

"Most of those on the ninetieth step come from transcendent powers. Chen Lie from the Chen Clan is here too. He was quite famous in his day and is the elder brother of Chen Wang. While not as outstanding as Chen Wang, he has surpassed him in terms of cultivation. He was also among the top-ranked on the Heavenly Fate Rankings three batches ago. The Chen Clan has chosen him as their representative."

"Hua Cheng of the Hua Clan is participating as well. Though overshadowed by Hua Taixu, he's considered one of the more powerful young talents in the Hua Clan. It seems there are plenty of cultivators vying for the belle. The competition is fierce indeed."

"Look, that's Wang Yifei from the Wang Clan in the War Continent. His combat abilities are said to be extraordinary. Rumor has it that Wang Jue was slain by Qin Wentian while he was pulling out the demon sword not long ago. I wonder if it's true; if it is, the Wang Clan must hold a deep grudge against Qin Wentian. If Qin Wentian shows up today, I wonder if he'll make it out alive. The Chen Clan, Hua Clan, and Wang Clan all wish for his demise, not to mention the Pill Emperor Hall and the Star-Seizing Manor, who also have their grievances."

"Qin Wentian does deserve some admiration. Who else would dare to take the risks he has? Sadly, it seems his fate is sealed today. Just like the Azure Emperor back then, he's surrounded by overwhelming enemies he can't handle."

Conversations among the spectators returned to Qin Wentian. His recent feats had made him the center of attention, and today, he might disrupt the marriage selection entirely with his sword planted outside the Pill Emperor Hall.

"Hey, check out that guy. He's rather good-looking, and despite only being at the first level of Heavenly Dipper, he managed to stand on the ninetieth step," someone in the crowd remarked, pointing to a figure on the ninetieth step. This individual held an ancient halberd, exuding an aura of unparalleled dominance. Anyone who tried to challenge him met the fierce end of his halberd; no one had succeeded in knocking him down so far.

At that moment, a cultivator at the second level of Heavenly Dipper rushed toward him, wielding a lightning-attributed sword. As he closed in, a surge of lightning power surged forth, and his Astral Nova emitted a blinding light, enhancing his attack. However, the crowd witnessed the ancient halberd thrust out, carrying a surreal and eerie fluctuation like a phantom. This halberd strike didn't appear real, but when it collided with the sword, an irresistible force pierced through, neutralizing the sword's power and sending the attacker tumbling down the steps with a blow to the chest.

An incense stick's worth of time passed swiftly, and when Luo He announced that the first round had concluded, only forty-eight participants remained on the ninetieth step.

"You are all qualified to proceed," Luo He declared, waving her hand before returning to the host's seat.

The forty-eight participants ascended the ninety-nine steps and reached the summit where the Pill Emperor Hall was located. Surrounding them were people from various transcendent powers who had come to spectate. Those without such backgrounds were not qualified to be there.

Though only around ten to fifteen minutes had passed, the remaining forty-eight participants were truly elite among elites, extraordinary individuals.

Many among them were representatives of the younger generations from various transcendent powers, and the spectators from their respective factions wore smiles. If their chosen representative could marry Mo Qingcheng, marrying into the Pill Emperor Hall didn't seem like a bad deal. It would only strengthen their ties with the Pill Emperor Hall.

Luo He occupied the host's seat. As Mo Qingcheng's mentor, she was overseeing the selection event today. Her gaze was locked onto the demon sword standing outside their sect. Even from her elevated position, the sword still towered above her. Her eyes gleamed with a hint of coldness as she stared at it.

Luo He's anticipation was palpable. She was eager to see if Qin Wentian would indeed have the audacity to appear and disrupt the selection.

However, shifting her attention away from the demon sword, she addressed the forty-eight participants. "You all possess good looks and above-average strength. We won't need a ranking system for this groom selection. Our goal is to identify the top three among you. The rules are straightforward. Each of you will choose your opponent. The loser will be eliminated, and the winner will advance to the next round."

As she finished speaking, the participants wasted no time and began selecting their opponents.

Knowing there were more challenges ahead, the participants naturally aimed for the weaker ones in this preliminary round. Han Qing, a member of the Swallow Swordsmen from Yan Continent, chose an opponent at the first level of Heavenly Dipper. This opponent wielded an ancient halberd and exuded an air of tyranny. However, with only a first-level cultivation base, how formidable could he be?

Han Qing faced his opponent confidently and introduced himself, "I am Han Qing of the Swallow Swordsmen. Please guide me."

As he spoke, his sword buzzed to life, and a sly smile played on Han Qing's lips. Despite his polite words, his tone carried a clear trace of disdain.