Chapter 50: The Immortal Alliance Grand Competition
Changge City witnesses such a bustling scene every fifty years, so it's not surprising. However, merchants and travelers from all walks of life don't miss this opportunity and flock into the city in large numbers. In addition, many people who come to see the excitement have also arrived in Changge City recently.
Thus, the already bustling city of Changge became even more lively than ever before. The golden market and beaded curtains reflected the sunlight, while the silver wine banners fluttered like spring clouds. Tourists thronged the streets, dressed in gold and brocade, exuding extraordinary splendor.
Many disciples who had never been to Changge City were filled with admiration upon seeing this.
As for Song Chi's mood, it was so-so.
She spent a few days traveling around with her master, visiting friends, and her mood was relatively relaxed. After all, completing the mission was ultimately up to fate.
She's already tried her best. Whether it succeeds or not... no, she absolutely has to succeed.
If it doesn't succeed, the first round of toxicity will erupt, so this time... it should be successful.
The original owner of this body, or perhaps in her previous life, also participated in this trial and passed it. However, the book focuses on describing Cui Xue Ruo and her group. The original owner's side is merely a minor character, mentioned only in one sentence: she passed the trial and received a secret sound cultivation technique bestowed by Immortal Lord Liu Yue.
However, the original owner only went to the side hall, while she now has to go to the main hall to obtain the ancient musical scroll and the antidote that temporarily suppresses the medicinal properties.
That means I'll have to choose the main hall trial route just like the female protagonist and the others. And this main hall trial route is full of melodramatic clichés in the book. The more enjoyable it was to read, the more miserable it will be to face it myself.
Most importantly, this main hall trial route has many music cultivation tests. Actually, she wasn't afraid of the music cultivation tests themselves, but the problem was that Immortal Lord Liuyue wasn't a good person. The test pieces were always going to be passionate and emotional.
It's as if it was specifically targeted at her. All these years have passed, and she still hasn't developed any feelings! How is she supposed to get past this?
The only advantage is that you can complete the challenges in pairs, as long as you are someone you have feelings for when you are chosen to team up with her.
There was a hurdle in the book that completely stumped Mo Shubai. It was Cui Xueruo who came to his trial ground and led him through that hurdle.
It was this handshake that made Cui Xueruo's feelings for Mo Shubai, which she already admired, even more unforgettable, and from then on, she truly fell deeply in love with him.
Song Chi's only request right now is that he not team up with Mo Shubai.
I suppose it doesn't matter who else is involved. After all, people who are as devoid of emotion as those two are quite rare in the world.
Amidst such prayers, on a fine autumn day, the Immortal Alliance Grand Competition officially began.
The first day consisted of various sour declarations from the old fogies of the Immortal Alliance, advocating for justice and upholding the rights of all living beings, as well as a ceremony to pay homage to Heaven and Earth.
The event was similar to a school assembly, both dull and boring.
Song Chi spent the next day yawning. The competition officially began the following day.
Although it's called a grand competition, it's not really a ring contest. It's more like the apprenticeship examination for the Azure Sword Sect. The grandmaster probably received his true teachings from Immortal Lord Liuyue, and he loves to hold all sorts of tests and trials. He also likes to test one's luck!
Song Chi used to be terrified of the fortune assessment, but now she's not. If you've got the guts, throw her out and make sure she fails the assessment; let's see how much the world hates her then.
But those trials and tribulations were also quite dreadful.
"Disciples participating in the Immortal Alliance Grand Competition, ascend the Immortal Testing Platform and form ranks!"
A deacon from the Immortal Alliance waved a golden dragon banner, activating the testing platform's array. One by one, Golden Core disciples flew down onto the platform, each brimming with ambition, hoping to pass the trial and receive a secret technique bestowed by the Immortal Lord. Of course, each also hoped to be chosen by Immortal Lord Liuyue and become the inheritor of that ancient melody.
Anyway, Ye Qingyu and the others landed on the Immortal Testing Platform with ease and composure.
Song Chi hesitated for a moment before his master encouraged him, saying, "It's alright. Your senior brother and I are here to support you, so there's nothing to be afraid of. Besides, the Immortal Lord is merciful; only those with impure hearts will be eliminated by her. Most of the other disciples will receive some form of inheritance and spiritual treasures."
Song Chi thought to himself. That was the previous Immortal Alliance Grand Competition; this time it wasn't. The book mentioned that any disciple among this group who harbored evil intentions would be expelled. Expulsion would result in either execution or, at the very least, the abolition of their spiritual root aptitude.
Immortal Lord Liuyue has really used severe punishment this time!
Of course, this also seems to be part of eradicating evildoers who wreak havoc on the world. In fact, the Immortal Alliance Grand Competition has indeed eliminated many wicked individuals over the past 90,000 years. Therefore, anyone with an impure heart dares not participate in the trials, but if you don't participate, like those genius disciples, you will be criticized for your impure intentions for the rest of your life. Such a loss of face will render you invisible within the sect, unable to participate in sect affairs management at all.
This move was absolutely brilliant!
Immortal Lord Liuyue must have received a mission request from that group of immortals from 100,000 years ago, which is why he did this.
It was precisely because of this selection process that the cultivation world hadn't experienced any major upheavals. It was relatively peaceful, so people were so bored that they spent their time reading gossip.
Thinking back to when she was practically the leading lady in the sect's scandals, Song Chi felt speechless.
However, she doesn't need to worry about being eliminated. As for what her master said, her senior brother is also there to support her.
Master, you're probably overthinking it. This time, our eldest brother will be pulled into the Immortal Testing Platform again to participate in the trial.
I just hope I'm not assigned to the same group as them.
Song Chi glanced in Mo Shubai's direction as if praying, then mentally crossed himself out. If God could hear him, please don't put them in the same group. Otherwise, the cultivation world would truly only be able to exist for another ten thousand years.
Mo Shubai hadn't yet figured out Song Chi's gaze when he felt a strange sense of anticipation.
Perhaps he was expecting encouragement, and he was about to say a few words. Suddenly, he was pulled forcefully onto the testing platform.
Two other handsome men were also dragged onto the stage at the same time.
They were Cui Luoying, Cui Xue Ruo's uncle, and Xue Rongzhan, Mo Shu Bai's best friend and a handsome man from the Zi Yan Divine Palace whom Song Chi had met once but did not have a good impression of.
Like Mo Shubai, these two had passed the Immortal Alliance Grand Competition trial fifty years ago.
At this moment, the three of them were clearly pulled onto the Immortal Testing Platform by a gentle immortal force, causing an uproar among the cultivators from various sects who were watching the spectacle.
Then many people couldn't help but laugh.
After all, it was said that Immortal Lord Liuyue was fond of beautiful women, which was initially thought to be just a rumor. Who knew it would actually come true!
They actually dragged the three handsome men back onto the examination platform!
In fact, they were four handsome men. After all, Xie Lanqing, a rising star, was originally going to participate in the trial, so he was dragged into the testing platform almost at the same time as the other three.
Song Chi glanced back at his master. "Look, Master, what kind of formation can our eldest brother suppress?"
The master, looking quite shocked, stroked his beard and secretly waved his hand to calm her down.
"With your senior brother around, it would be easier to take care of you if we were in the same group."
Upon hearing this coded message, Song Chi immediately turned and rushed towards the Verification Platform.
Master, please don't be such a jinx!
She jumped onto the testing platform, quickly keeping a distance from Mo Shubai. He gestured several times for her to come closer, but she ignored him.
"Third Junior Sister?" Mo Shubai asked in a cryptic voice when his hints failed.
Song Chi could only smile at him, his eyes conveying rejection.
Senior Brother, it's not that you're a bad person. It's just that we really can't rely on you for this!
Fortunately, the formation was completed at this moment. With a loud bang of golden weapons opening, celestial music resounded, and mist rose up and surrounded the entire Immortal Testing Platform.
The next instant, the Verification Platform sank into the lake, the mist dissipated slightly, revealing the beautiful scenery of mountains and water.
This viewing platform is built around a large lake, which is actually a small world of immortals.
The Golden Core disciples were scattered to various courtyards or valleys with lush flowers and trees, where everyone on the Viewing Platform could be clearly seen.
The first test is on character and temperament, with two hundred questions. They ask about everything, from the disciples' preferences to the smallest details. The final question, of course, is whether the disciple is willing to give their life for the entire cultivation world.
Song Chi had only one thought while doing these questions: how was this any different from the incredibly complex MBTI test? In her later life, she actually endured and finished that entire test to fit in, arriving at the ISTP answer. It's said that this personality type belongs to high-precision instruments, the progenitor of rationality. A typical human-machine hybrid.
She felt there was some accuracy to it; she was indeed not very emotional.
I never expected Immortal Lord Liuyue to resort to personality tests. As for the last question, in the past she would have hypocritically chosen "yes," but now she has no choice but to agree.
If possible, I'd give my life for her. Just don't let her succumb to the poison and start crying and begging for a hug!
The thought of that makes me feel like it would be better to just die.
She naturally passed the test of character. The second test was the test of destiny. Each disciple had to pass through a garden and pick a few fruits along the way as a test. Picking five fruits was considered passing.
Five or fewer will be dismissed, and two or fewer of them will have damaged spiritual roots.
Those that cannot be picked should be eliminated outright!
The crowd on the viewing platform had initially been leisurely observing, as the Immortal Alliance Grand Competition had once again been held back a thousand years by the elimination of an exceptionally talented disciple—an event still recorded in history. The disciple's relatives and friends all said he was extremely kind and benevolent, and it was impossible for him to be eliminated simply because of a lack of virtue or fortune. However, it was later discovered that he had raped and murdered a female rogue cultivator. The victim's sister, upon hearing of his death, came to the Immortal Alliance and cried out that Heaven had eyes. Only then did everyone realize that this seemingly honest man was actually treacherous and not a good person.
However, it must be said that many people in the cultivation world are not exactly benevolent, especially those whose aptitude is not outstanding. They can evade the Immortal Alliance Grand Competition without being criticized.
Therefore, the Immortal Alliance Grand Competition is called a touchstone for testing the character and fortune of genius disciples! If a genius disciple does not participate in such a trial, he will be criticized to death and will never have the possibility of taking on or participating in important affairs of the cultivation world.
In these 90,000 years, the number of geniuses who were erased recorded in the Immortal Alliance's annals did not exceed ten.
Therefore, everyone remained relaxed and simply enjoyed the spectacle.
To everyone's surprise, one person was quickly killed, causing an uproar. Before everyone could recover, another person died.
Then, one after another, blood mist quickly filled the exit, directly annihilating more than thirty or forty disciples.
Hundreds more disciples were severely injured and expelled, flung across the lake. They were all pale-faced, unable to meet the gazes of their master and his relatives.
They must have done something wrong; they're not exactly virtuous people.
Venerable Xueqiao immediately became anxious. He wasn't worried about Shu Bai, after all, Shu Bai had passed the Immortal Alliance Grand Competition trial fifty years ago.
His main concern was Song Chi. The child seemed quiet and well-behaved, with a sweet smile. But she had already taken a life while still in the Qi Refining stage—a fact he had witnessed firsthand while she was on the Foundation Establishment path.
Of course, it wouldn't be accurate to say that Venerable Xueqiao thought Song Chi was inherently evil. The main reason was that deep down, he felt Song Chi was definitely a lawless individual, and if Immortal Lord Liuyue were to label him a villain… that wouldn't be entirely unreasonable.
However, after watching Song Chi pick four fruits, and finally manage to pick a fifth at the last moment, Venerable Xueqiao silently felt a cold sweat trickle down his back.
That brat's temper is definitely not something to be trifled with.
Look at Cui Xue Ruo, the young lady of the Yunji Holy Land, the hope of the cultivation world. She has successfully harvested ten fruits. Her mind is truly pure and immaculate, which makes all the cultivators nod inwardly with satisfaction.
Look at her again; she barely passed with five "good" fruits. The remaining five that she couldn't reach are probably those that aren't so good.
It passed, at least.
Next came teaming up to participate in various trial levels, and in these 90,000 years, no cultivator had ever been dismissed.
But that's not necessarily true. After all, this might involve the crucial period of the once-in-ten-thousand-years unsealing of the Flying Immortal Platform, and Immortal Lord Liuyue's temper has indeed flared up. It's likely that anyone whose temperament is slightly incompatible will be immediately eliminated to prevent future troubles.
Therefore, despite the numerous deaths and injuries among the cultivators on the viewing platform, not one of them raised any objections.
Currently, the cultivation world is united in its interests, at least regarding the unsealing of the Ascension Platform; they are of one mind. Since the Immortal Lord has eliminated these people, it must be because they hindered the important matter of unsealing the Ascension Platform. Therefore, they deserved to die! They do not deserve sympathy.
The masters and other figures of these disciples also dared not show the slightest displeasure.
This wave of attacks naturally made everyone take notice, and no one dared to say that the Immortal Lord wouldn't be ruthless in the upcoming trials.
However, their worries were somewhat unnecessary, because what followed were all sound training trials.
Even if you are a sword cultivator, alchemist, or a cultivator from the Linglong Sect or Tianji Sect, you must play a song.
However, this time, Immortal Lord Liuyue didn't care whether the melody was pleasing to the ear, only whether the music was full of emotion. These emotions were mostly feelings of joy, anger, sorrow, greed, hatred, and resentment.
This shows considerable leniency. It's likely the Immortal Lord intends to select those of the most passionate and principled character to pass on his mantle and secret teachings, or perhaps some ancient musical formulas.
Everyone immediately praised him in secret. Only someone of such deep feeling and integrity could shoulder the heavy responsibility of restoring prosperity to this realm and enabling ascension to immortality. The Immortal Lord's concerns were far-reaching.
Song Chi first underwent a three-stage music training trial. Immortal Lord Liuyue gave her three pieces, one each of metal, water, and wood elements, which she then played using her spiritual power.
It turned out to be a test of basic knowledge, but Song Chi wasn't intimidated at all. With her exceptionally average spiritual root, playing musical pieces was truly effortless for her, without any hesitation.
It's estimated that in the cultivation world today, only Cui Xue Ruo and her group of main characters have achieved the same level as her.
Therefore, she passed the first three rounds with ease. At the time, she wondered if they had only chosen music disciples this time. After all, these pieces were, to be honest, extremely complex in technique, and even if the other disciples were musically competent, they wouldn't be able to perform them if their spiritual roots weren't properly allocated.
Who knew that the next moment, she entered the fourth level. A screen wall appeared on the east side of the courtyard, which was full of flowers and trees, and the reflection was of Xue Rongzhan, one of the four beauties, the one that Song Chi disliked and Mo Shubai's best friend.
Although this person's musical skills were superb, he was clearly a sword cultivator. The piece he played, which was made of wood-elemental material, had too much sword energy and sounded rather harsh.
But he actually passed through, and when he took a step forward, he actually entered her courtyard.
Song Chi was speechless. He actually teamed up with this guy?
That day at Jade Dew Garden, Song Chi understood Mo Shubai's good intentions; he didn't want her exposed to others. It was Xue Rongzhan's spiritual power that lifted the curtain in front of her, which was imprisoned by Mo Shubai's spiritual power, causing her to be caught red-handed.
Although she herself had the main reason for running away to do bad things, Song Chi still subjectively believed that Xue Rongzhan was not a good person.
"So it's Junior Sister Song." Xue Rongzhan entered the room, dressed in a brocade robe adorned with brocade branches, exuding elegance. His smiling tone suggested he was addressing a close friend's younger sister, displaying the demeanor of an elder brother.
Song Chi then bowed and addressed him as, "Senior Brother Rong Zhan!"
As soon as he arrived, the screen wall immediately became a question board. A line of text was clearly displayed on it.
"Those who can move the person next to them with a song full of deep love can pass the test."
Song Chi: "..." She'd figured it out. These immortals, whether high-ranking or lowly, were all incredibly bored. They just loved stirring up this kind of nonsense!
Let them cause trouble. Then, like a class meeting, the screen wall revealed the appearance of each pair of disciples inside the examination room.
As long as Song Chi's divine sense touched that small scene, it would immediately magnify, and the same was true for the others.
Then, damn it, the small images of everyone else on her screen all switched to hers at the same time.
Including Cui Xue Ruo, she first secretly glanced at Mo Shu Bai. Mo Shu Bai, however, was grouped with another handsome man, Cui Xue Ruo's uncle, Cui Luo Ying. It was unclear how the two men's affections had moved the other…
Then Cui Xue Ruo actually came to see what was going on on her end.
Song Chi pondered, she probably didn't have that kind of fame in the cultivation world. She admitted that she had caused some scandals in her youth, making her a focus of attention within her sect. But in the cultivation world… what kind of reputation could a nobody like her possibly have?
So the possible reason is that the handsome Xue Rongzhan beside her is too famous, which has implicated her.
So Song Chi thought to herself that this person was indeed not her type.
Xue Rongzhan met her somewhat reproachful gaze and was speechless. Song Chi probably didn't understand why her exceptionally evenly distributed spiritual roots after the cleansing were the talk of the town among cultivators. And then there was her reputation as a master musician; although everyone tried to avoid mentioning her name, everyone knew it was all her music.
Not to mention that she did great things twice in the secret realm, specifically robbing the strongest forces.
Her scandals and anecdotes have also become topics of conversation in the cultivation world.
She is truly famous. Her fame far surpasses his reputation as one of the Four Beauties! He's more likely to be implicated by her this time.
But she was unaware of this and even blamed him for his fame ruining her life. Of course, he had indeed 'ruined' her life to some extent, causing her to be exposed at Jade Dew Garden that day and being beaten two miles away by Venerable Xueqiao on the spot... which made her lose face.
Later, he even sent gifts to apologize. However, in his reply, Shu Bai refused to accept Song Chi's gifts. He was probably still holding a grudge!
Not to mention the disciples who were competing and all paying attention to Song Chi's match, most of the people on the viewing platform glanced at Cui Xue Ruo's side first. When they learned that she and Su Yu were assigned to the same group, they all felt that they had it in the bag.
Everyone knows perfectly well why these sons and grandsons of the dragon and phoenix all went to the Azure Sword Sect to become disciples. These people will definitely show their love for Cui Xue Ruo, even if they are unwilling in their hearts, their families will make them happy.
Besides, Su Yu was indeed the one with the most genuine feelings for Cui Xue Ruo. It was Ye Qing Yu, on the other hand, who tarnished his reputation as a protector of the Dao. He actually liked someone else. Although the one he liked was indeed a notorious troublemaker in the cultivation world, someone the big shots would always talk about in their spare time.
In short, things are stable here.
The big shots all turned their attention to Song Chi and his group.
Even Mo Shubai was like that... When he saw that Song Chi was actually paired with Rong Zhan, and even wanted to win him over with a love song, he almost facepalmed.
These two have a minor grudge, especially since Song Chi seems to dislike Rong Zhan quite a bit. Besides, what love could there be in her zither playing...?
As for Rong Zhan, he had never heard of anyone he admired. But he had said that he must find a woman whose beauty was as stunning as his own and whose temperament was gentle and affectionate to be his wife.
In any case, Song Chi was not at all gentle or affectionate.
How can these two express their deep love for each other...?
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Author's Note: [Cat emoji][Cat emoji] I wonder how many people are still here. I wrote 400,000 words in one go, I guess my thought process is a bit different. The following plot was genuinely enjoyable, and I laughed the whole time I wrote it. If you've read this far, I think the following plot is quite interesting.
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