Chapter 545: The Second Round of Training Commences
Chapter 545: The Second Round of Training Commences
January 8th, 2025
Su Chen returned to his small courtyard.
His mind was still replaying the day's trial.
The water behind Celestial Vortex Town seemed to have some peculiarities.
Many warriors who entered the pits felt an immense pressure.
Without experiencing it, it was hard to tell what was unusual about the water.
However, the training in Celestial Vortex Town seemed to be related to this water.
Su Chen's doubts remained unanswered, and he couldn't ask Peachwood, his attendant.
Although Peachwood had lived in Celestial Vortex Town for many years, he might not have much insight into these martial arts-related matters.
After a night's rest, the second round of trials began in the afternoon.
This timing seemed to allow more time for those who participated in the first round.
The first round had exhausted their energy and strength.
Having an extra half-day to recover was undoubtedly beneficial.
However, compared to those with middle-rank invitations, Su Chen's disadvantage was still evident.
The second round of trials took place below the Celestial Vortex Waterfall.
There was a suspension bridge where only a small stream of water usually flowed.
For the second round, the participants had to stand on this bridge.
As the competition began, the water on the bridge surged.
The warriors standing on it had to endure, and the last one standing would be declared the winner.
The rules were simple, almost identical to the first round.
The winner of the day would qualify for the final training.
Unlike the previous day, those who made it to the second round were not willing to give up easily.
Whether they advanced from the first round or held middle-rank invitations, everyone valued this opportunity.
It wasn't easy to let go.
Su Chen watched the raging waters rushing down the bridge.
For warriors, the impact of such water currents should be negligible.
But the water in Celestial Vortex Town was indeed different.
Su Chen noticed the endurance on the warriors' faces as they struggled against the water, as if facing countless trials.
When Su Chen first arrived in Jin State, he had visited the Sand Treasure Ground in Heavenly Wind Valley.
There, he didn't see others showing such difficulty against the sand.
The younger generation of Heavenly Dark Valley, their top disciples, were only at the initial stage of the Fifth Rank.
They were considered a middle to lower-tier sect in Jin State.
Clearly, the turbulent water on the bridge posed a greater threat than the sand.
The difficulty might require some advance preparation.
The upper-rank invitation allowed direct participation in the final training.
However, poor performance in the final training might result in minimal benefits.
Advance preparation was indeed wise.
The second round of trials lasted nearly two hours.
Everyone present wanted the final training qualification.
No one was willing to yield.
Eventually, many exhausted themselves and were swept away by the raging currents.
Some even reached out to grab others as they were swept away.
The smarter and more experienced ones avoided such situations early on.
In the end, only thirteen participants remained in the second round, including Su Chen and six other warriors invited by various forces with upper-rank invitations.
A total of twenty people would participate in this year's Celestial Vortex training.
Before returning to the courtyard to rest, Su Chen learned more details from Peachwood.
Although Peachwood didn't fully understand the intricacies of the training, he shared his experiences and offered advice on what to watch out for.
He also informed Su Chen about the process and where to go first.
This information was valuable, saving Su Chen from potential troubles.
The training was scheduled to start at 2 PM the next day.
With twenty participants, it was a sizable group, so an early start was necessary.
The entire training should conclude before nightfall, lasting over three hours.
Su Chen felt that the entire process seemed rushed.
However, this wasn't surprising.
The Celestial Vortex Town training only occurred once a year.
To activate the treasure ground, some sacrifices were required.
These sacrifices dictated the urgency of the training.
Time was precious, and Celestial Vortex Town couldn't afford to delay.
Scheduling it for the next afternoon was already pushing their limits.
The night passed in a flash.
After resting, Su Chen arrived at the Celestial Vortex Waterfall once more.
He didn't visit the grandstand this time.
For the formal training, he stood directly beneath the waterfall.
When Su Chen arrived, many people were already waiting there.
Those who held lower and middle-rank invitations but didn't qualify for the training stood at a distance, observing.
This should be considered one of the benefits of obtaining an invitation.
Although he didn't pass the trial, he can still watch and learn from the experience.
Many of those here will seek another opportunity to come next year.
There are many people present, forming small groups of three or four.
They chat among themselves, and even those who came alone are drawn into conversations.
Those who managed to obtain an invitation to Celestial Vortex Town are not without some background.
Getting to know each other can't be a bad thing.
However, upon arriving, Su Chen encountered numerous whispers and stares from behind.
No one approached him to initiate a conversation.
Instead, he became the subject of others' discussions.
They must have known how Su Chen obtained the Upper Invitation.
His status and position were completely different from those who received the same invitation.
Others mocked Xu Qiming, and Xu Qiming, in turn, harbored more resentment towards Su Chen.
In this situation, anyone with eyes could see that getting close to Su Chen would bring no benefits and only drawbacks.
During the waiting period, Xu Qiming stood not far away with a sullen expression.
Beside him was a middle-aged woman.
If Su Chen's guess was correct, she should be Xu Shengying from the Golden Bell Society.
The person Qiu Xiyu wanted him to find in Celestial Vortex Town was likely her.
It seemed that Qiu Xiyu had always believed that the Upper Invitation she received came from the Golden Bell Society.
In reality, Xu Shengying had her own agenda and persuaded Xu Qiming to give away his jade token.
Xu Shengying's expression didn't reveal any anger, but her heart was filled with discomfort.
During these few days of Xu Qiming being ridiculed, she, as a high-ranking member of the Golden Bell Society, also endured some playful teasing.
The high-ranking members were all intelligent individuals.
They could see through Xu Shengying's intentions—to get closer to the Qiu family and their geniuses.
Such thoughts were understandable.
However, the outcome of her plans was a complete failure.
As fellow high-ranking members, they maintained each other's face within their inner circle.
They could joke and tease one another, but they wouldn't embarrass Xu Shengying in front of the younger generation.
No one can have a smooth life forever.
When encountering such a situation, one shouldn't be too harsh, or else they might face harsh retaliation when they find themselves in trouble.
The appointed time had arrived.
An elderly man, slightly aged, stepped forward at the Celestial Vortex Waterfall.
"Welcome, everyone, to Celestial Vortex Town. Today, as the final day of the Celestial Vortex training, I, an old man, will provide a brief introduction."
The old man's words didn't offer much valuable information.
The rules of the Celestial Vortex Waterfall training were, in fact, quite simple.
It involved climbing from the bottom to the top, step by step.
Along the way, on the steep cliffs hanging over the waterfall, there were numerous traps.
After triggering all the traps, one had to reach the top of the waterfall.
At the top, one could see the source of the Celestial Vortex Waterfall.
The warriors needed to face the turbulent waterfall and venture into it.
Beyond the source lay the true treasure ground that could benefit the warriors.
The Celestial Vortex Waterfall training occurred once a year.
Su Chen learned from the elder that the waterfall was usually dry, and it only formed during this period.
The traps on the steep cliffs would only become active during this time, allowing entry into the treasure ground.
Therefore, it wasn't that the organizers in Celestial Vortex Town intentionally packed the schedule.
They were concerned that the Celestial Vortex Waterfall might dry up at any moment.
After listening to the explanation, Su Chen turned to Tao Mu beside him and asked for more details.
He wanted to know how many people could enter the treasure ground during the Celestial Vortex Waterfall training each year.
Hearing Su Chen's question, Tao Mu smiled awkwardly.
"Young Master, you're joking. To traverse half of the Celestial Vortex Waterfall is already an exceptional feat for a highly talented individual.
Reaching eighty percent would earn praise from countless people.
To reach the very top and enter the treasure ground, one would have to wait for three to four years to see someone succeed."
Upon hearing this, Su Chen looked up at the top, wondering about the mysteries hidden within the turbulent waterfall.
By his side, Tao Mu noticed that Su Chen's gaze remained fixed on the highest point.
Peachwood couldn't help but speak up, offering advice to Su Chen.
"Young Master, last year, someone from Celestial Vortex Town managed to reach the very top of the Celestial Vortex Waterfall."
As per the usual pattern..."
Su Chen felt like laughing at Peachwood's words.
"A warrior who can reach the top only appears once every three or four years. So, since someone succeeded last year, does that mean no one can reach the top this year?"
Peachwood didn't respond, but his expression clearly conveyed that this was indeed the case.
Su Chen wanted to tell him that probability didn't work like that, but after hesitating, he merely smiled.
The elder standing below the waterfall had almost finished his pleasantries, and the official training at the Celestial Vortex Waterfall was about to begin.
As the elder had said, coming to Celestial Vortex Town and experiencing this journey was a training opportunity in itself.
Not participating in the final climb was a valuable training experience, and even if one attempted it and fell midway, it was still a precious lesson.
For the vast majority, the process of climbing was a test of endurance, and through this, they would refine their skills.
Only a select few could reach the top and enter the final treasure ground.
This training opportunity was already a significant gain for everyone involved.
With the pleasantries concluded, the real challenge of the Celestial Vortex Waterfall began.
The most anticipated competition was about to unfold.
The previous two days had lacked some excitement.
Watching warriors climb up and then lose their strength and fall was oddly satisfying.
Seeing those who had bested them in the previous training sessions now tumbling down one by one was indeed an entertaining sight.
As the training was about to commence, it was time to organize the participants into a queue.
The six factions of Celestial Vortex Town had invited their guests, who now stood behind their respective factions.
Reluctantly, Xu Qiming walked up to Su Chen.
"Please stand over here."
They had to follow the established rules, and the Golden Bell Society dared not defy them.
Su Chen didn't waste words with them and directly positioned himself with the Golden Bell Society.
The noble guests who had received the Upper Invitation could choose their order of ascent.
Su Chen, of course, opted for the rear, wanting to observe others' performances and identify any potential challenges.
The first to attempt the climb was a member of Shore Pavilion.
The Celestial Vortex Waterfall had a swift current, and after witnessing the previous two days' trials, Su Chen believed the water here might also possess special properties.
Previously, they had struggled to maintain their balance while standing in the water.
Climbing upwards while withstanding the forceful current was even more challenging.
As the first climber made contact with the water, his expression changed.
Without hesitation, he began his ascent.
Below him, a bodyguard was already preparing to catch him if he fell.
This first climber seemed to possess some skill, starting with a steady pace.
He resisted the water's pressure with each step, slowly making his way upwards.
He seemed to be doing well, but his performance didn't match what was expected of a Fifth Rank Warrior.
If not for external factors, a Fifth Rank Warrior should have been able to climb effortlessly, without relying on any special techniques.
The entire waterfall was approximately a hundred zhang tall, and in this complex mountainous terrain, it barely qualified as a waterfall.
Yet, the first climber couldn't even reach a quarter of the way up before falling directly.
It appeared as if he had lost his grip.
The bodyguard below caught him and then escorted him back.
Falling from the middle of the waterfall, he was drenched from head to toe, looking rather disheveled.
The first climber's failure was quickly followed by the second.
Seeing the poor performance of the first climber, many in the crowd wore smiles of disdain.
It was evident that the first climber's display was subpar.
Some of the younger members from the six factions began to offer their critiques.
They did so right in front of the climber who had just attempted the climb, not holding back their comments.
"His fundamentals are lacking. The moment the water hit him, his mind went blank.
It's not that he didn't hold on tight; his mind was clouded, and he could only rely on instinct to climb."
"That's about right. His abilities are far too inadequate.
He had good intentions, but he couldn't put them into practice.
The vast gap between reality and fantasy makes one's thoughts wander.
It's no surprise he failed."
Many of those offering critiques were from the younger generation of the six factions, the same ones who had mocked Xu Qiming upon Su Chen's arrival.
(End of Chapter)
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