Conclusion of the Cloud Prefecture’s Selection Test

Conclusion of the Cloud Prefecture's Selection Test . . .

A palpable tension gripped the spectators as they collectively sensed the seismic shifts within Qin Wentian's aura. His very being seemed to thrum with an otherworldly energy, casting a mesmerizing display of astral light that danced around him, accompanied by a deep, rumbling resonance that reverberated from the core of his being.

"Did you hear that? Something extraordinary is happening. Qin Wentian is on the cusp of a breakthrough," someone exclaimed, their voice tinged with awe.

The crowd was abuzz with speculation and whispers, gradually piecing together the remarkable sequence of events that had unfolded before their eyes. Qin Wentian, who had maintained an enigmatic silence for some time, had embarked on a daring journey of challenges. He had engaged fifth-level ascendants in fierce combat and swiftly dispatched them. But it didn't stop there; with unbridled determination, he had ascended to the sixth-level and crossed swords with the formidable Li Yu. And now, in a breathtaking crescendo of audacity, he had faced off against the seventh-level powerhouse, Gu Zhantian.

But it wasn't a quest for mere battle qi accumulation that drove him, despite the tantalizingly easier path that lay before him in the form of Zhuge Yue. Defeating her would have allowed him to claim an additional 50,000 meters of battle qi, catapulting him ahead of Gu Zhantian's initial 200,000-meter lead. No, Qin Wentian's motivations ran far deeper—he was in pursuit of a higher calling, a breakthrough to the next level of cultivation.

It was clear to him that he had reached the pinnacle of his current cultivation level. All that remained was a final push, a surge of external stimuli to propel him beyond his limits. And with unwavering determination, he had achieved precisely that.

Only afterward had he claimed Zhuge Yue's battle qi, a calculated move to secure his place among the top 1,000 contenders, ensuring his advancement to the next round. For Qin Wentian, gathering battle qi was as effortless as breathing; he possessed the power to accumulate it at will.

Yet, in the face of an impending cultivation breakthrough—the sacred path of stellar martial cultivation—he had willingly relinquished the security of his hard-earned 180,000-meter battle halo. His resolve was unwavering, his choice made without a moment's hesitation, all in pursuit of a tantalizing opportunity, albeit one that offered no guarantee of success.

From this perspective, was Qin Wentian truly the loser?

Though Gu Zhantian's resplendent 380,000-meter battle halo once gleamed with unassailable brilliance, Qin Wentian had achieved his breakthrough, a feat of incomparable significance. Both were victorious in their own right, but seen through this lens, Gu Zhantian's halo lost some of its luster.

Jun Mengchen, his gaze unwavering, addressed Gu Zhantian with conviction. "Senior Qin possesses not only courage but a profound understanding of the path he treads. When measured against him, there is a glaring disparity."

Gu Zhantian's countenance darkened, but he couldn't help but laugh bitterly. "I emerged victorious and nearly claimed his life, yet in your eyes, I pale in comparison to him? What a preposterous notion. If fate affords us another bout, I will leave him with no chance to survive."

With that declaration, Gu Zhantian soared toward another battle platform, launching his formidable Wargod Fist at an eighth-level ascendant, effortlessly ejecting his opponent from the platform while plundering their battle qi. Such displays of dominance had become second nature to him.

With the remarkable augmentation granted by his 380,000-meter battle halo, Gu Zhantian's supremacy was undeniable. On the Cloudheaven Arena's battlegrounds, he was an indomitable force, a living testament to invincibility.

"As time continues to pass, the opportunities on the Cloudheaven Arena are dwindling," murmured the crowd, their voices hushed with anticipation and caution. The arena was teeming with formidable experts, each accumulating an astonishing reservoir of battle qi. To engage in plunder now would undoubtedly mark you as a target, and once your own cache swelled to a certain threshold, you'd become the prey.

Gu Zhantian reveled in his victory, his arrogance palpable. However, his triumphant moment was short-lived. Jun Mengchen, his fellow sect brother, couldn't resist a taunt. With a sardonic laugh, he strode toward a platform, challenging an opponent who stood a level above him. In a blaze of rage, Jun Mengchen transformed into an ancient wargod, unleashing a fist of desolation that obliterated everything in its path. His adversary, too, was sent hurtling from the platform in a single devastating strike. It was a clear message to Gu Zhantian: boasting about a battle halo of 380,000 meters meant little when a 100,000-meter halo could achieve the same feat.

The audacity of these two sect brothers soared to new heights as they openly provoked Gu Zhantian. Their boldness eclipsed the competition, casting an indomitable radiance over the Cloudheaven Arena. The other participants, no matter their achievements, could not outshine Qin Wentian and Jun Mengchen.

Qin Wentian, however, chose not to step onto another battle platform. Instead, he sat cross-legged, quietly consolidating his recent breakthrough to the fifth level of Celestial Phenomenon. His presence exuded an air of calm determination, a stark contrast to the fiery battles unfolding around him.

Amid the throng, those participants endorsed by the Idlecloud Immortal King excelled. A few other chosen individuals also distinguished themselves, each radiating their unique brilliance. Yet, none could surpass the resplendence of Gu Zhantian and Jun Mengchen.

The two rivals engaged in a relentless contest, relentlessly siphoning battle qi from defeated opponents. Jun Mengchen, never one to miss an opportunity, laced his victories with acerbic taunts aimed squarely at Gu Zhantian. Their fiery competition turned them into the standout participants of the selection test.

Claiming the third position was none other than Mu Yun, a descendant of the Idlecloud Immortal King. He shared the same seventh-level Celestial Phenomenon cultivation base as Gu Zhantian, yet Gu Zhantian intentionally refrained from challenging him throughout the entire test. Mu Yun ultimately garnered a battle halo exceeding 200,000 meters, a testament to his formidable strength. Some spectators speculated that, in a face-off without the influence of battle halo augmentation, the outcome between Gu Zhantian and Mu Yun might be uncertain.

Following the top three, participants with battle halos ranging from 100,000 to 200,000 meters emerged. Their numbers were scarce, totaling just over ten.

The majority of participants who had demonstrated above-average prowess now sported battle halos ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 meters in size. Indeed, during the eighty-one days of fierce competition, many had settled for a modest 10,000-meter halo and withdrawn from the battles.

In this charged moment, even Qin Wentian paused his cultivation, joining the other participants in casting their eyes skyward. The arena was filled with participants, all eager to showcase their dazzling battle halos.

The Idlecloud Immortal King, rising from his throne, announced with a hearty laugh, "To those who believe they've earned a spot in the top 1,000, step onto the battle platforms and let your brilliant battle halos shine for all to see."

As his words echoed through the arena, several participants soared into the air, each landing on one of the eighty-one platforms. Their battle halos emitted a brilliant, radiant glow that illuminated the entire sky.

Qin Wentian ascended to a platform alongside Jun Mengchen and Zi Qingxuan. In mere moments, more than 3,000 participants had claimed their platforms. However, some couldn't help but feel overshadowed by their peers and chose to descend, a sense of self-awareness guiding their decisions.

After a brief adjustment period, approximately 1,000 participants remained, with those sporting 50,000-meter battle halos or larger standing out as the most dazzling among them. Their battle qi surged, and the intensity of their halos' radiance was nothing short of awe-inspiring.

"Pay close attention to the size of your battle halos. A single meter can be the difference between advancement and elimination. Currently, there are 1,070 participants. The final 70 contestants, please step down voluntarily," an expert beside the Idlecloud Immortal King announced. With a sense of resignation, the participants ranking at the tail end of the group reluctantly exited the platforms until only 1,000 remained.

"Congratulations to all of you," the Idlecloud Immortal King congratulated them warmly. "The Eastern Sage Immortal Sect is hosting a grand banquet for the geniuses from the thirteen prefectures. Take a seven-day break before returning here. I will personally escort you to the Eastern Prefecture, where you'll meet the geniuses from the other twelve prefectures. The competition there will be even more intense, and I hope you will continue to shine, bringing glory to my Cloud Prefecture."

The spectators below were impressed by the Idlecloud Immortal King's graciousness.

"Before we conclude, there's something crucial I must address. During the eighty-one days of this selection test, conflicts may have arisen, with some geniuses even causing the demise of participants from major powers. It is essential to understand that in battle, life and death are predetermined. No one should take it upon themselves to seek revenge for those who have perished. Such actions will be considered an affront not only to me, the Idlecloud Immortal King, but also to my Eastern Sage Immortal Sect. For those harboring ill intentions, consider the consequences carefully."

The Idlecloud Immortal King's demeanor took on a serious tone, causing the representatives of the major powers to wear expressions of gravity. It was clear that his words were directed at them.

Despite their prestigious status within the Cloud Prefecture and their seats alongside the Idlecloud Immortal King, they knew that they held no sway over his decisions. This event was organized by the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect and involved all thirteen prefectures. The 1,000 geniuses selected from the Cloud Prefecture were under the personal scrutiny of the Idlecloud Immortal King. If any of them were to be harmed, it would be a direct affront to his authority. They had to put aside any personal grudges for the time being. If they sought revenge, they would have to wait until the event was concluded.

Otherwise, it would tarnish the reputation of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, the organizer of this grand event.

"Next, I will present you with your ranking medallions," the Idlecloud Immortal King announced. Immortal-foundation characters soon appeared before the battle platform, each holding a medallion engraved with characters.

Qin Wentian received his medallion, which bore the word 'Cloud' on its back, representing the Cloud Prefecture. On the front, his name and the number '27' were etched, signifying his rank among the 1,000 participants.

Beside him, Jun Mengchen's medallion displayed his name and the number '2,' while Zi Qingxuan's bore her name and the number '5.'

These numbers represented their rankings among the elite participants.

"In seven days, gather here again with your medallions as we embark on our journey," the Idlecloud Immortal King's voice resonated through the air. With these words, the selection test of the Cloud Prefecture came to a close.

"It's over," the spectators mused as they gazed at the 1,000 participants in the sky. Among them, a few individuals had left an indelible mark that would not soon be forgotten.