Chapter 323: Chapter 215: Prelude to the Great War of the Hundred Dynasties! Internal Selection, Dark Assassination Intent!_2
Luo Yu had not yet finished speaking when the Seventh Prince, as if sensing something, turned his head toward Jiang Shu and gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.
"You see," Luo Yu said, "the Seventh Prince’s spiritual power must have reached the Middle Stage of the Detachment Realm. That’s why he could sense us with just a glance. However, his nod of recognition was certainly out of respect for you, Brother Jiang. After all, your Realm has also reached the Middle Stage."
Luo Yu couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy as he spoke.
Under the rules of the Da Jing Dynasty, the system was somewhat unfair to ordinary geniuses. Being of humble origin and without powerful Treasures, they were unable to pass through the channels at top speed and defeat all the Mutant Beast illusions.
In contrast, the scions of great houses like themselves were each equipped with one or two Treasures—some for protection, others for offense—all to ensure they would be among the twenty who successfully advanced.
Yet, there were always exceptions. Jiang Shu, for example, with his Middle Stage Detachment Realm cultivation, could directly sweep away all Mutant Beast illusions. He would undoubtedly advance successfully.
I really don’t know how he cultivated.
With these thoughts, the two gradually retracted their gazes and composed themselves.
The atmosphere on the entire field grew increasingly oppressive. In this internal selection, everyone was an adversary.
Only those who advanced to the top twenty would be considered allies, eligible to participate in the Hundred Dynasties Battle together.
As each genius sized up the others, a eunuch at the Acupoint Passage Realm shrieked, "The auspicious time has arrived! Activate the Formation!"
The ground trembled slightly, and a powerful Primordial Power erupted from the mountain range.
Flickers of light emanated from the cave entrance. Instantly, figures shot out, transforming into streaks of light as they entered the cave.
Fifty orbs of light, matching the number of participants, floated within the cave. Jiang Shu and Luo Yu exchanged a glance, each casually selecting one and entering directly.
The Vermilion Palace Thunder Technique and the Heaven and Earth Void Thunder Soul Refining Chapter were instantly pushed to their limits.
Upon entering the passage, Jiang Shu immediately unleashed a punch.
The first to materialize—a mere Fifth Rank Mutant Beast illusion—was instantly shattered by the force of his punch.
Now that he was here, he had no intention of concealing any of his strength. His goal was to break through the passage at the fastest possible speed.
One Mutant Beast illusion after another was shattered by Jiang Shu’s punches and kicks. Compared to the favored scions of heaven, he possessed no Treasures for protection or offense. Yet, his cultivation of Martial Arts from the Two Realms meant that even ordinary punches and kicks became devastating killing blows in his hands.
The mountain range, though seemingly vast, was only a little over three hundred li long.
For Jiang Shu, deploying the Thunder Peng Netherworld Wings would allow him to cross it in a mere dozen breaths.
However, at this moment, although he was in the cave, he was actually within a Formation. The passage seemed endlessly long, and only by slaughtering all the Mutant Beasts could one successfully exit.
One after another, Sixth Rank Mutant Beasts materialized, emitting a terrifying aura.
Jiang Shu flipped his palm and, with an ethereal force, unleashed the Heavenly Gang Dragon Capturing Hand.
Waves of Primordial Power and spiritual power surged around him, shattering all the encroaching illusions.
This Formation is not simple, Jiang Shu mused. Some of these illusions are outwardly strong but inwardly weak; even ordinary punches and kicks can completely shatter them. Others are the opposite; if one isn’t careful, they can suffer a major setback.
What’s being tested here is not only a genius’s discernment but also their ability to rationally manage their Primordial Power and spiritual power. After all, even for Martial Artists at the Detachment Realm, both Primordial Power and spiritual power are finite.
If one overexerts themselves and only narrowly passes through the passage, they won’t be able to survive the subsequent encirclement by other geniuses to emerge as one of the top twenty.
If I had only cultivated the Martial Arts of the Da Jing Dynasty, this might be somewhat troublesome. I would need to spend more time observing these Mutant Beast illusions to discern their true nature from their false appearances. But now...
Jiang Shu thought inwardly as he pushed out with his hand. After his Holy Embryo had formed, his speed of absorbing Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi and recovering spiritual power far surpassed that of other Martial Artists at the same Realm.
The surging Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi was drawn into his body and, through the respiration of the Holy Embryo, transformed into Primordial Power within his acupoints.
He grew increasingly valiant in battle. His Heavenly Gang Dragon Capturing Hand was used so frequently, almost like a common martial art, that he unleashed it every few breaths.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
With overwhelming force, after a quarter of an hour, Jiang Shu had nearly exterminated the Mutant Beast illusions within the passage, leaving no possibility for them to reconstitute.
BANG!
With one final palm strike, the seemingly endless passage suddenly filled with light. Jiang Shu stomped his foot, and his figure shot forward, leaping out from one of the orbs of light.
Simultaneously, from a corner, a figure in a python robe—the Seventh Prince—also burst forth.
"Eh? You’re even a bit faster than me! I didn’t expect that in this internal selection, Jiang Shu, you would be the biggest dark horse."
Seventh Prince Xue Xuan was somewhat surprised. He didn’t hurry out of the cave entrance but instead turned to Jiang Shu and greeted him.
"Seventh Prince, you flatter me. It was just good luck," Jiang Shu politely cupped his fists in response to Seventh Prince Xue Xuan. After confirming that the remaining forty-eight orbs of light were still lit, he didn’t rush to be the first to advance, instead waiting for Luo Yu.
Although Luo Yu was still only in the Early Stage of the Detachment Realm, the Golden Ape Meditation Mat ensured his spiritual power was exceptionally focused and not superficial. As the only genius from the Luo Family eligible to participate in the Hundred Dynasties Battle, he possessed two Treasures.
One for attack and one for defense, they were sufficient to handle any illusions. He had a strong chance of finishing in the top twenty.
A few breaths later, a figure rushed out from an orb of light at the center. This was a genius from the Zhang Family of the royal city. Upon seeing Jiang Shu, he couldn’t help but frown. It was only when he saw Seventh Prince Xue Xuan that he relaxed. After a brief exchange of pleasantries with the Prince, he became the first to exit the cave entrance.
Subsequently, some geniuses, like Jiang Shu, remained in place, waiting for someone. Others, after greeting Seventh Prince Xue Xuan, successfully exited the cave.
Seventh Prince Xue Xuan began to convey his message via spiritual power: "The treasury within my imperial palace boasts numerous Treasures. But in reality, for those Disciples who can enter a Sect, there isn’t much of value to choose from.
"Cultivation Techniques, Martial Arts, even Treasures, can all be exchanged for superior versions within the Sect.
"The truly precious items in the treasury are actually the specialized classical texts, like those on Alchemy or Artifact Refining. Once we join the Sect as servant disciples, we’ll have many tasks. If we can learn Alchemy and Artifact Refining beforehand, we might even get the chance to assist the Sect elders.
"With some luck, even small rewards from them could surpass the Treasures from this treasury visit.
"Furthermore, earning an elder’s praise could allow one to soar like a dragon, potentially gaining the privileges of an Outer Disciple ahead of schedule."
Although there are twenty contestants from the Da Jing Dynasty, not all are guaranteed to successfully join a Sect.
Moreover, even if some manage to join a Sect, their Talents might appear quite average among Sect Disciples, making it extremely difficult for them to advance to Outer Disciple status.
Such geniuses aren’t worth cultivating a relationship with.
But Jiang Shu is different. He not only has the potential to distinguish himself in the Hundred Dynasties Battle, but he will also progress far within the Sect.
Coming from a humble background, his advancement to this point is solely due to his pure Martial Arts Talent.
More importantly, his gesture of waiting for Luo Yu indicates his character is also commendable.
"Thank you for the advice, Seventh Prince," Jiang Shu naturally reciprocated Seventh Prince Xue Xuan’s goodwill, thanking him via spiritual power. He truly hadn’t known where to begin with his choice from the treasury. With the Prince’s suggestion, his thoughts became much clearer.
The two continued to converse using spiritual power, sharing insights into Martial Arts and Seventh Prince Xue Xuan’s analysis of geniuses from some powerful Dynasties.
After a short while, Luo Yu leaped out from his orb of light. Compared to Jiang Shu and Seventh Prince Xue Xuan, he appeared somewhat disheveled, his robes showing signs of being torn.
His internal Primordial Power was somewhat chaotic. Clearly, he had endured one fierce battle after another.
"Brother Jiang, you’re still a step ahead," Luo Yu glanced back at the sixteen now-darkened orbs of light and sighed in relief, knowing that both he and Jiang Shu had undoubtedly advanced.
"Not by much," Jiang Shu ended his conversation with Seventh Prince Xue Xuan and responded with a smile. Suddenly, he sensed something, his gaze darting sharply towards a corner.
From that corner, a Swordsmanship technique as swift as lightning, as if lying in wait for a long time, thrust out from the shadows!
A chilling killing intent struck directly at Luo Yu, who had yet to react.
The fluctuations of Primordial Power and spiritual power were familiar.
Instantly, a figure flashed through Jiang Shu’s mind.
It’s... Tu Yuan!