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Chapter 382: I Choose, Chu Ning of the Jiuhua Zong
Chapter 382: I Choose, Chu Ning of the Jiuhua Zong
"Most of the participants are actually late-stage Golden Core cultivators." Inside the dojo, as the crowd watched the cultivators stepping forward to have their bone age tested, whispers and discussions erupted.
"That's not surprising. With so many late-stage Golden Core cultivators here, mid and early-stage cultivators don't stand much of a chance. They might as well not participate."
As the crowd chatted, Chu Ning surveyed the other cultivators who had joined him on the high platform for the bone age test. He recognized a few of them. For instance, He Feng from Guiyuan Zong and Cai Yongbin from Yuhuizong, whom he had met at the Jinling Zhong Lingyu. He Feng had been the leader of the Yunxia Alliance back then. After Chu Ning and Shi Surong passed through the spirit mist on the mountain peak with the spatial rift, he had taken the opportunity to introduce them to each other.
As for Cai Yongbin of Yuhuizong, he was the late-stage Golden Core cultivator who had accompanied Chu Ning through the spirit mist on that occasion. However, when they had parted ways and taken different routes, only Chu Ning, Shi Surong, Yuan Zhuo, and Jia Yumin had emerged successfully. Cai Yongbin and the three other cultivators with him had not all made it out.
There was also Rong Daoping from Daruo Zong, whom Chu Ning had met upon arriving here.
At that moment, Chu Ning's gaze landed on another late-stage Golden Core cultivator from Guiyuan Zong. "This person must be Jiang Cheng, who is on par with the sect master. He's at the peak of the late-stage Golden Core realm. I guess he hasn't found the right opportunity yet, which is why he hasn't been able to condense his Yuan Ying. I didn't expect him to participate in this trial again."
Chu Ning wasn't the only one observing; many other cultivators were also casting covert glances at Jiang Cheng. Although he hadn't advanced to the Yuan Ying stage yet, which came as a surprise to the cultivators of the Yunxia Alliance, he had already been a late-stage Golden Core cultivator a hundred years ago and had won first place in the previous trial. Naturally, he was one of the top contenders for the top spot this time around.
Next, the crowd turned their attention to the other cultivators at the peak of the late-stage Golden Core realm. This trial wasn't just about the allure of the spiritual fruit from the Myriad Laws Tree; it was also an opportunity for the sects to showcase their strength. A cultivator under five hundred years old who had reached the peak of the late-stage Golden Core realm had an incredibly high probability of breaking through to the Yuan Ying stage. In a way, it represented the potential of their sect's future.
Among this group, Chu Ning's late-stage Golden Core cultivation wasn't particularly remarkable, but he still drew attention due to his youth. The reason was simple—he looked too young. While a cultivator's appearance aged very slowly after the Foundation Establishment stage, they didn't stop aging entirely. Most of the late-stage Golden Core cultivators on the platform had middle-aged faces. Based on their appearances alone, the crowd could roughly estimate their ages.
In contrast, Chu Ning looked to be only around twenty years old, and the crowd couldn't immediately discern if he was genuinely young or if there was some other special reason for his youthful appearance.
As for He Feng and Cai Yongbin, who had met Chu Ning in the Jinling Zhong Lingyu and knew that he had only been at the early-stage Golden Core back then, they were astonished by his current cultivation level.
Soon, it was Chu Ning's turn to have his bone age tested. Since Guiyuan Zong had arranged for their disciples to participate in the trial, they provided three Yuan Ying cultivators for the bone age test, including one from their sect and two from other sects. The sect's elder, Qin Changkong, who was also the leader of the Yunxia Alliance, did not make an appearance. All three cultivators were at the mid-stage Yuan Ying realm.
The first to test Chu Ning's bone age was a Yuan Ying cultivator from Guiyuan Zong named Lu Yuezhang, who was in charge of this trial. He grasped Chu Ning's arm, and his eyes widened in surprise before he calmly uttered two words: "Qualified!"
The actual bone age of each cultivator wouldn't be revealed during this test. However, Lu Yuezhang was astonished to discover that Chu Ning was only over a hundred years old.
The other two Yuan Ying cultivators were from Tianyinge and Taihe Yuan, both influential sects within the Yunxia Alliance. After testing Chu Ning's bone age, they, too, were equally surprised. A late-stage Golden Core cultivator who was just over a hundred years old was unique within the Yunxia Alliance.
However, they didn't show any expression on their faces and merely declared him qualified.
The bone age test for the thirty-nine participants was completed swiftly. All of them met the requirement of being under five hundred years old. This wasn't unexpected, as they were all from the same alliance, and the cultivators generally knew each other's backgrounds. Those who didn't meet the age requirement wouldn't have participated, as it would be embarrassing if they were found to be ineligible.
Next was the drawing of lots to determine opponents, and the rules were simple. The participants' names were written on bamboo slips and placed within a restriction set up by several Yuan Ying cultivators.
"Oh, Chu Ning's quite lucky. He drew a blank this time," Tang Xuan commented with a smile to Cen Zijin.
Cen Zijin nodded slightly. Drawing a blank meant that Chu Ning would have one less fight to contend with.
On the other side, a few of the Daruo Zong cultivators, excluding Ao Xuan, also wore expressions of delight.
Since the viewing platforms of each sect had restrictions in place, Ao Xuan directly asked Du Xianming, "Elder, why are you happy that Chu Ning didn't draw a lot?"
"Ao Shizi, you weren't here earlier, so you're unaware of the rules," Du Xianming replied with a hint of mirth in his eyes.
"According to the rules, the first three ranked cultivators can only choose one of the last three ranked cultivators as their opponent.
While Chu Ning can rest during the first round since he drew a blank, in the next round, anyone can choose him as their opponent.
If Rong Daoping wins his first match quickly and ranks high, he can directly choose Chu Ning as his opponent when it's his turn.
That's a higher probability than the normal match-up."
Ao Xuan nodded slightly, but still looked worried as he asked, "But what if one of the Guiyuan Zong's late-stage Golden Core cultivators wins first and chooses Chu Ning? Especially Jiang Cheng, he's quite strong."
"They won't choose him," Du Xianming shook his head.
"I inquired about it these past two days and found out that this fellow from Jiuhua Zong was actually teleported with Guiyuan Zong's Shi Surong.
Although I couldn't find out the specifics, it seems that Shi Surong was able to return to her sect safely thanks to Chu Ning's help.
Just based on this, the cultivators from Guiyuan Zong won't directly choose Chu Ning as their opponent."
Upon hearing this, a glint of joy flashed in Ao Xuan's eyes.
Everyone turned their attention to Rong Daoping, hoping that he would win his match quickly and rank higher than everyone except Jiang Cheng.
Meanwhile, Chu Ning, who had drawn a blank in the first round, returned to Jiuhua Zong's viewing platform, where Tang Xuan informed him of this rule.
"Oh, there's such a rule?" Chu Ning was a little surprised.
Before the draw, the Nascent Soul cultivator from Guiyuan Zong had only briefly mentioned that they would follow the old rules, and it was up to the cultivators from each sect to inform their own disciples of the details.
So, Chu Ning only knew that each round of the competition would be ranked according to the speed of victory, followed by group matches.
He hadn't learned about the specifics, such as what would happen if someone drew a blank.
However, Chu Ning didn't worry too much about it.
With his current strength, he wasn't too concerned about who his opponent would be.
At that moment, Chu Ning turned his attention to the ongoing duels between the late-stage Golden Core cultivators.
Although the Yunxia Alliance discouraged excessive force or killing, they encouraged the participants to showcase their best techniques.
Thus, the rule was that a winner had to be decided within the time it took for an incense stick to burn.
As Chu Ning watched the duels, he noticed that each cultivator unleashed powerful attacks from the start.
After observing more than ten matches, he concluded that among the group, Jiang Cheng was the strongest.
Jiang Cheng wielded a brush-shaped treasure and practiced water-attribute techniques.
In his duel, he overwhelmed his late-stage Golden Core opponent, leaving them no opportunity to fight back. The match ended in just a few exchanges.
Another cultivator who surprised Chu Ning was Rong Daoping from Daruo Zong.
He turned out to be a mutant ice spirit root cultivator, and his attack power was second only to Jiang Cheng.
In fact, his attacks were even stronger than He Feng's, whom Chu Ning was familiar with.
It was worth noting that He Feng specialized in metal-attribute techniques and was known for his offensive prowess.
Aside from these three, the other cultivators were also quite formidable.
In particular, Chu Ning paid attention to a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator named Zhuang Zhong from the Xuanhuo Sect within the Yunxia Alliance.
As his sect didn't have any Nascent Soul cultivators, they weren't well-known in the alliance.
However, Zhuang Zhong's fire-attribute techniques were exceptional, and he managed to defeat a late-stage Golden Core cultivator.
Moreover, from Chu Ning's perspective, it seemed like Zhuang Zhong hadn't even used his full strength.
Upon hearing the name, Chu Ning immediately committed Zhuang Zhong to memory.
In fact, it wasn't just Chu Ning who had taken note of this person.
After all, those present were the cream of the crop in the Yunxia Alliance in terms of experience and cultivation.
And under the watchful eyes of so many, Zhuang Zhong himself remained remarkably calm.
He merely returned to the Xuanhuo Sect's viewing platform.
The duels proceeded swiftly, with each round rarely taking the time it took for an incense stick to burn. After more than ten matches, only half a day had passed.
Soon, several Nascent Soul cultivators from the Alliance announced the results of the first round.
As expected, Jiang Cheng ranked first, and Rong Daoping of Daruo Zong ranked second.
A late-peak Golden Core female cultivator ranked third, and He Feng ranked fourth.
Zhuang Zhong, who had caught Chu Ning's attention, ranked thirteenth, a relatively modest position.
However, he still made it to the list of nineteen.
Together with Chu Ning, they formed the list of twenty for the second round.
"In the second round, opponents will be chosen according to the ranking from the first round," Lu Yuezhang announced, holding the list.
"Guiyuan Zong's Jiang Cheng."
Jiang Cheng stood up from the Guiyuan Sect's viewing platform and flew back to the dojo.
"Qingying Zong's He Ligan."
Jiang Cheng slowly announced his choice, opting for the last of the nineteen, as expected.
Upon hearing Jiang Cheng's decision, the Daruo Sect members showed hints of smiles on their faces.
"Brother Rong," Ao Xuan immediately turned to Rong Daoping with a hateful look.
"Don't hold back on that Chu kid later. We've been waiting for this day for decades!"
Rong Daoping nodded slightly.
"Rest assured, if he steps into the arena, I won't give him any chance."
As the four of them conversed, Jiang Cheng and his opponent had already begun their duel on the stage.
Although the Qingying Sect's late-stage Golden Core cultivator seemed stronger than the previous round's opponent, he still paled in comparison to Jiang Cheng.
Jiang Cheng wielded his brush-shaped treasure, dominating his opponent from start to finish, leaving him no opportunity to fight back.
It only took a few exchanges for Jiang Cheng to emerge victorious.
He then calmly returned to the Guiyuan Sect's viewing platform, as if the previous duel hadn't exhausted him at all.
His performance didn't spark much discussion among the spectators, as everyone seemed to find it unremarkable.
Lu Yuezhang, from the Guiyuan Sect, didn't stand up either. He simply announced, "The second-ranked cultivator, Daruo Zong's Rong Daoping."
As he spoke, Rong Daoping, with his medium build and cold demeanor, flew up from the Daruo Sect's viewing platform and landed on the high platform of the dojo.
At the same time, he directed his gaze toward Chu Ning and the others from the Jiuhua Sect.
Many within the Yunxia Alliance were aware of the enmity between the Jiuhua Sect and the Daruo Sect.
Seeing Rong Daoping's action, the crowd immediately buzzed with speculation.
"It looks like the Daruo Sect intends to pick the young cultivator from the Jiuhua Sect."
"It's not surprising, given the longstanding discord between the Jiuhua and Daruo Sects."
Indeed, Rong Daoping's cold voice soon confirmed their suspicions.
"I choose, Chu Ning of the Jiuhua Sect!"
Upon hearing this, Chu Ning stood up immediately and flew to the high platform without hesitation.
When Rong Daoping had secured the second spot, Chu Ning had already anticipated that he would most likely be Rong Daoping's choice.
Thus, he wasn't surprised at all.
Chu Ning's actions were swift, leaving Tang Xuan and Cen Zijin little time to express their concerns.
However, having witnessed Chu Ning's strength before, they weren't overly worried.
Tang Xuan had personally exchanged blows with Chu Ning, and Cen Zijin had seen him in action, so they both had full confidence in his abilities.
But the others weren't as informed.
As Chu Ning took the stage, whispers of discussion arose from various viewing platforms.
"That cultivator from the Jiuhua Sect is incredibly young. It's rare to see such a talented cultivator who has reached the late Golden Core stage at such a young age.
However, Rong Daoping is at the late-peak Golden Core stage. If it were Gong Yuyuan or Yuan Zhuo, they might stand a chance.
Chu Ning is still young and likely newly advanced to the late Golden Core stage, so he probably won't be a match for Rong Daoping."
"That's true. It seems like Rong Daoping intentionally chose him to humiliate the Jiuhua Sect."
(End of Chapter)
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