Chapter 1018: Chapter 1012: Mocked All the Way Promising you boundless brilliance?! The most update n0vels are published on novelFirｅ.net Hearing Lin Tian’s seemingly relaxed yet assertive and domineering words, Yun Qingwan trembled all over, lifted her small face, and her beautiful eyes sparkled: “First place? Second Master, is it really possible?” Ye Lan, who originally looked regretful and gloomy, suddenly raised her head, casting a hopeful glance, staring intently at Lin Tian, an inexplicable sense of hope rising in her expression. But soon, she couldn’t help but shake her head, smiling bitterly, “Daoist Lin, it’s not that I don’t believe you, but the gap between Qingwan and them is just too great! She’s only at Qi Refining Fifth Level now, and it was a breakthrough overnight. Compared to those who are mostly at Qi Refining Sixth Level, it’s quite hard to advance! Let alone the likes of Bu Sheng, those geniuses of the rising stars! I’m afraid even the first round’s comprehension test, Qingwan might find it hard to pass! After all, Qingwan has never been able to even get started with cultivation battle technique…” “That was before, now is now!” Lin Tian shook his head at Ye Lan and spoke calmly, with full affirmation in his words: “Since you asked me to guide Qingwan, then let Qingwan do everything I say later. Overcoming these so-called geniuses is a piece of cake!” Upon hearing these words, Ye Lan wanted to say something, but she opened her mouth and finally nodded silently. Since Lin Tian said so, all she could do was harbor hope and anticipation. Sitting on the side, Yun Qingwan pursed her lips, showing a solemn expression on her face, thinking about something, perhaps encouraging herself. “Those should be people from Dragon Cry City, right? What are they here for?” Lin Tian’s eyes fell on another group of people, among them stood some familiar faces, including Long Ziyuan and Chen Mei, who had previously crawled away after being beaten by him, and then Long Teng, whom he had met in Cold Mountain Valley. They stood respectfully behind the leading young man. “Daoist Lin, those are people from Dragon Cry City! They’re here supposedly for a collaborative exchange, hoping to collaborate in talents, recruiting some talented juniors!” Ye Lan raised her gaze again, the awe in her expression undiminished, and she whispered, “As one of the overlords of the East Sea Cultivation World, Dragon Cry City has a stature comparable to Sword Saint Mountain! We don’t know the young man in the lead, but we got news earlier that it’s the ninth young Dragon Ditian from Dragon Cry City, whose talent and strength are extremely terrifying, even Ye Qianli might not be his match! The young man behind the ninth young dragon, I can’t discern his specific cultivation, but he’s said to be the first personal guard Long Teng of the ninth young dragon…” The ninth young dragon? It seems this person holds an extraordinary status within Dragon Cry City! Lin Tian thought secretly. At this time, Ye Qinghou and others from Sword Saint Mountain had already led Long Ditian and his group through the middle aisle to the main viewing platform at the very end of the arena. The facilities there were the most luxurious and spacious. Once they arrived, the hosts and guests took their seats accordingly, seated in positions befitting their status. In front were Ye Qinghou and the high-level members of Sword Saint Mountain, and Long Ditian’s group. Following them were Ye Qianli and Xiao Changkong, then the geniuses on the new talent list of the East Continent. After these people took their seats, the others around the arena dared to sit back down. Ye Qinghou, the Family Head of the Ye Family, waved to Huang Jiannsheng from the main seat and said in a deep voice. In response, Huang Jiannsheng hurriedly stood up and stepped onto the platform. Below the platform, the people from various sects and family forces instantly quieted down. “This year marks the time again for our East Continent Cultivation World’s once-every-five-year Martial Arts Conference competition! I, Huang Jiannsheng, as many of you may know, have been hosting this conference for several years!” Huang Jiannsheng looked around the platform, speaking loudly, “As for the younger generation, many might not have seen me before. Yes, I am from Wenxin Valley, where I serve as an Elder! Those interested in learning about Wenxin Valley, you’ll need to succeed and enter Sword Saint Mountain! It’s gratifying to see so many young talents here, indicating the East Continent Cultivation Realm is getting stronger!” “Without further ado, let us get straight to the point! Quotas were allocated earlier to the major sects in the East Continent, as well as the Southern Continent, the western edge of the East Sea, and the surrounding mortal world! Altogether, it should account for a thousand participants! The number of attendees should be about right as well!” After saying this, Huang Jiannsheng paused before continuing: “Before you come up with the Sword Saint Token to collect your number plate, I’ll brief you on the competition content and rules!” “The martial conference is divided into two parts: the first is the comprehension test, and the second is the actual combat on the platform!” “The comprehension test is simple, you attack the four stone pillars around the platform to test your comprehension of battle techniques! Those with the worst comprehension will show red and orange colors, which means you haven’t met Sword Saint Mountain’s standards for apprenticeship! Only those who reach Yellow Grade will be eligible to become disciples of Sword Saint Mountain Sect…” Then, Huang Jiannsheng explained the role of the Eastern Emperor Pillar and the rules for testing comprehension before continuing: “Of course, before the test, when collecting your number plate, we will provide you with the simplest basic battle technique—the Yellow Spirit Palm! You will have an hour to comprehend it, after which, when your number is called, you will proceed with the test! If you pass, you will move on to comprehend an entry-level combat technique, with just fifteen minutes given!” “The four Eastern Emperor Pillars accommodate one thousand participants, with each pillar assigned 250 people, numbers 1 to 250 at the first pillar… and so on!” “We will keep eliminating participants until the top fifty are left, followed by each group’s arena battle! Simply put, it’s a one-round elimination match drawing lots, progressing through, until we determine the top fifty, top twenty, top ten, and finally the champion! Based on rankings, Sword Saint Mountain will provide corresponding rewards! Lastly, to join Sword Saint Mountain Sect, you must be at least in the top fifty!” “Did you all understand?” Huang Jiannsheng’s words brought a moment of silence among the many young people below. However, quite a few looked expectant and excited, while some were so nervous they seemed a bit lost, leading to incessant discussions. Only Bu Sheng, Qin Hongluo, Wu Qingchuan, Moo Hen, Leng Wuming, Lee Dangxin, Muu Qianshan, Lu Zhan, Yu Qiunian, and Sikong Ping, these top ten among the rising stars, remained calm and composed. They were determined to become core disciples of the major sect, Sword Saint Mountain! Once becoming core disciples of Sword Saint Mountain Sect, it would be akin to a dragon leaping to the Dragon Gate, ascending to the skies in a single bound! Both their status and future achievements would be incomparable to the past. By then, they could gaze down upon their contemporaries, like Xiao Changkong! “Alright, those who want to participate in the martial arts conference, come up with the Sword Saint Token and exchange it for a number plate!” Huang Jiannsheng paused for a moment, then waved to those below before speaking in a deep voice. As he finished speaking, someone had already come up carrying a large box filled with number plates and placed it next to the platform. Following Huang Jiannsheng’s words, some young juniors from various sects eagerly stepped forward. Seeing people approaching, others also stood up, queuing up in order, with no one daring to make a fuss. “Qingwan, go ahead! With your master, you’ll surely make it through!” Lin Tian patted Yun Qingwan’s shoulder, offering words of encouragement. Yun Qingwan twisted her small hands, displaying a face of nervousness, before finally standing up hesitantly, nodding earnestly at Lin Tian, and heading towards the platform. “Haha… Does that waste girl from the Tianlan Sect really dare to participate?” “No way, wasn’t the shame from five years ago enough, and now she’s here to disgrace herself again?” “What’s the Tianlan Sect thinking, sending someone up who can’t even cultivate the most basic battle techniques? They should have sent another junior instead!” “Another junior? The Tianlan Sect only has so many people, who else could they use?” “True, they can only use this little waste!” Seeing Yun Qingwan walk up, the entire audience around the platform, as well as the queuing young disciples, burst into laughter and mockery, completely indifferent to the fact they were ridiculing a teenage girl. Halfway there, Yun Qingwan’s small body trembled fiercely, her eyes turning red, tears welling up, but recalling Lin Tian’s words and her master’s expectations, she finally bit her lip, ignoring the harsh words from around her, and continued onward.