Chapter 22: Almost Came to War
As the former number one Daoist sect in the spiritual cultivation world, Dingsheng Sect has declined in recent years, but it still has a variety of strange rules that match its long history and set it apart from other sects.
For example, in the entrance examination, participants are free to do as they please, except they are not allowed to harm anyone. Those who complete the examination become outer disciples, and the top ten can enter the inner sect.
The inner disciples are directly taught, and the inheritance they receive is far superior to that of the outer disciples.
Therefore, the participants in the competition were mainly divided into two groups: one group consisted of those who had not yet entered the sect, and the other group consisted of outer disciples who had already entered the sect. Both groups were either highly skilled in cultivation or possessed many spiritual treasures.
For example, the sect entry competition is only held once every twenty years.
However, accepting apprentices depends on timing; one cannot wait twenty years before accepting an apprentice.
Therefore, among the non-initiated disciples participating in the test, there were quite a few "registered disciples" who had been registered under the personal names of cultivators of the Dingsheng Sect and were just waiting to obtain the status of formal disciples of the Dingsheng Sect through the competition.
Naturally, in the process of acquiring this identity, becoming an inner disciple in one fell swoop would be the best outcome.
As a result, most of the participants were eager to try their best, aiming for the top ten rather than just making it into the final round.
This is the real highlight of the competition.
Some have argued that this rule is unfair, but the patriarch of the Dingsheng Sect retorted with a punch, "In a life-or-death situation, who cares about fairness?"
From then on, no one dared to object.
Those who stand out in the competition are often outer disciples or nominal disciples.
The disciples who were watching the drama unfold had a general idea of who would become inner disciples.
However, this competition coincides with the opening of the Heavenly Gate and the arrival of those who transcend the world, which may cause some changes to the expected outcome.
This made it even more interesting than previous trial teaching sessions.
Thinking of this, everyone's attention shifted from the top two to the mirror image marked "Fifty" which is now ranked third.
Her stunningly beautiful face was as cold and aloof as frost. Her red dress fluttered in the wind, and the white horse she rode galloped away, closing the distance between her and the top two.
"Who is that? I've never heard of someone so young possessing such cultivation. Is he a transcendent being?"
"Look at those clothes, they have the Shen family's mark on them!"
"The Shen family? The Shen family of Yanzhou? Why don't the Shen family members go to the Tiangang Sect when they go out to cultivate?"
"What's so surprising about this? Right now, the number one spot is also held by a member of the Zhu family, and he hasn't gone to the Baiyang Sect."
"This competition is quite strange. Why have so many clan members come, and even the Jin family members have come?"
"Where is he? Where is he?" The disciples of Dingsheng Sect searched the mirror image, but could not find the person from the legend.
"Hey." The disciple who recognized the Jin family stretched out his hand and pointed to the mirror image marked "Eleven" and "Twelve," which was now third from the bottom. "What's next? I think they're just here to play. They even want to catch up with that girl with the hidden illness who's at the bottom."
Upon hearing this, the disciples' gazes all fell on the mirror images marked "Eleven" and "Twelve".
"Wow, what are they dressed like? It's blinding!"
"The Jin family has always been like this, notorious for their arrogant and domineering behavior. I've heard they'll stop at nothing for rare treasures, and these two are especially notorious little devils. Why would they set their sights on our sect?"
Some people also looked at the last mirror image, number "Fifty-Three".
"The last place winner is quite patient. He was unhurried all the way, and even brought his own food. He ate and drank well before continuing his journey. He was so leisurely that he didn't seem like he was there to compete."
"She's not in a hurry, but she won't stop until she reaches the finish line, and the competition won't stop either."
"I feel sorry for the senior brothers and sisters who are guarding the competition."
"Oh no!" a disciple cried out in despair, "These two groups of people who were just playing around have run into each other."
Unaware that he had once again attracted everyone's attention, Ji Mingran was calmly strolling forward.
She looked up and gazed into the distance.
The stone steps seemed endless, and the dense forest on both sides remained unchanged.
Even though I walked for three days and three nights, it felt as if I had been standing still the whole time.
It only says "arrival" but doesn't specify a time limit.
In other words, it might take a year, two years, or even longer to climb.
With her limited cultivation level, using the teleportation array without restraint when the destination is unknown would only blindly harm herself.
Since there's no time limit, let's just start walking!
However, Ji Mingran narrowed his eyes.
What are those two glittering, dazzling lumps in front of you, almost as bright as the sunlight?
"You've rested for two days already, get up quickly, everyone else has already caught up." A childish voice rang out.
"I'm tired." The girl's voice, equally childlike, was full of refusal, then she asked in surprise, "Huh, who are you?"
The boy, who was bending over and pushing the girl who was lying on her back to get up, also turned his head to the side.
The two were dressed in brocade robes, and the strings of gold and jade ornaments, talismans and gemstones around their waists jingled as they moved.
This flamboyant and luxurious outfit is truly eye-catching.
They have two cute faces with similar eyebrow and eye contours, and still look quite young.
Ji Mingran suddenly remembered the golden boy and jade girl in the New Year picture that he had carefully treasured in the apocalypse.
Both are round and smooth.
She couldn't help but laugh: "I am Ji Mingran. Are you here to participate in the sect competition?"
“Yes.” The girl, who was complaining of being tired, looked at Ji Mingran’s upturned eyebrows. She sat up and answered in a good-natured manner, “My name is Jin Yu, and his name is Jin Lü.”
No longer needing to push the girl, Jinlu breathed a sigh of relief. He stood beside the girl and looked at Ji Mingran with a beaming smile: "Sister, are you also here to participate in the sect competition?"
Ji Mingran recalled her journey and ran a hand through her hair: "It was all by chance. But..." She looked around, the lush greenery reflected in her clear eyes, and smiled gently: "The mountains and trees here are beautiful, I like it too."
Jin Yu met Ji Mingran's gaze and nodded repeatedly: "Indeed, Hongqi Sect is on a cliff, Baiyang Sect is in the middle of the endless desert, Tiangang Sect is in the extremely cold northern region, and the remaining major sects are either in caves or in damp places, so we don't want to go there."
Jinlu, standing beside him, stared wide-eyed in bewilderment: "Didn't you say that it's better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix, and that since Dingsheng Sect is weak and poor, we can do whatever we want, that's why we came?"
Jin Yu stared wide-eyed: "That's just one of the small reasons." She pinched her index finger and thumb together, emphasizing again, "A small reason."
"The main reason is... I like to collect rare little trinkets, and I get unhappy if I can't get them." Jin Yu seemed to remember something and pouted unhappily, but she quickly smiled and said, "I've seen the Destiny Jade Pendant that the disciples of Dingsheng Sect wear. It's very beautiful, and I want that."
"A jade pendant?" Ji Mingran looked puzzled, observing their attire. "Can't we buy one?"
Jinlu explained, "Those are the destiny jade tokens given to the disciples of Dingsheng Sect by the ancient spirit stones that guard the sect's territory. The jade tokens contain the power of the ancient spirit stones and are in harmony with the souls of the disciples of Dingsheng Sect. Once separated, they are even less valuable than ordinary jade." He concluded, "You can't buy them."
"You've come to join the Dingsheng Sect just for a jade token?" Ji Mingran was surprised for a moment, then smiled and praised, "Your execution is truly impressive."
Her gaze fell again on Ji Mingran's clear eyes, and her voice was childish and soft: "Sister, your clothes are all tattered, but those eyes are really rare." She said in a coquettish tone, "Why don't you give them to me?"
Jinlu was taken aback, glancing at his younger sister with apparent surprise. Seeing that his sister's expression didn't seem to be joking, his憨厚 smile froze, and the corners of his mouth gradually turned downwards. He turned his head, his eyes fixed on Ji Mingran, his voice deep and cold: "Since my sister wants it, I'll give it to her."
"Huh?" Ji Mingran was stunned, staring at the identical sinister expressions on the brother and sister's faces, and didn't react for a long time.
How come the festive New Year picture dolls just now suddenly changed style and turned into ghost dolls?
Ji Mingran touched his eyes and was astonished: "My eyes are this beautiful?" It made one want to gouge them out and treasure them.
"Like a summer stream, clear, clean, warm and gentle. It's wonderful." Jin Yu covered her mouth and smiled, but her words were cold and indifferent: "It perfectly conceals the deathly stillness and ruthlessness beneath. You really can't tell unless you look closely."
The girl spoke in a roundabout way, but Ji Mingran could tell that she wasn't saying anything nice.
"You..." Ji Mingran crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow: "Are you talking about me?"
Jin Yu smiled without saying a word, while Jin Lu, who was standing beside her, spoke coldly: "My sister was born with keen eyes. She has discovered no less than ten spiritual veins at the bottom of the mountain with just her naked eyes. What she said must be true."
On a clear, sunny day, amidst the rustling of the forest, the two sides stood facing each other on the stone steps, with no one else around.
In contrast to the Jin siblings, who were full of treasures and determined to win, Ji Mingran was dressed in rags, as thin as paper, and looked like a beggar.
The two men stared coldly at Ji Mingran, like ferocious beasts eyeing a rabbit.
"Alright, here you go," Ji Mingran said. The two siblings immediately stared greedily at Ji Mingran, eager to snatch the eyeballs they had their eyes on. However, Ji Mingran changed his tone and stuck out his tongue, making a face, and said, "Yeah, right."
Jin Yu's smile vanished, a hint of annoyance flashing in her eyes: "Sister is only at the Qi Refining stage."
Ji Mingran looked pleased and relaxed, as if they were discussing a common fruit rather than his own eyes: "My eyes only look good when they're hanging here. If they were cut off, they'd be like that jade pendant, dull and lifeless. It's better to leave them on my face. If you ever want to see them again, I can just stroll over to your place and relax, it'll be the same."
"Heh." Jin Yu laughed.
"Hey." Ji Mingran's eyebrows curved into a smile.
The atmosphere, however, quietly became tense and solemn.
"Attention all contestants."
"Attention all contestants."
A clear, melodious female voice, like the gentle murmur of a spring, echoed in Ji Mingran's mind:
"In this competition, the patriarchs of each peak will select disciples from the top ten. I wish you all the best."
Ji Mingran's gaze then turned to the two people opposite him.
The Jin siblings' expressions tightened, and they exchanged a glance.
Jinlu said, "Sister, we shouldn't delay any longer."
Jinlu pondered for a moment, then glanced at Ji Mingran with regret. "My sister's cultivation is low, but she's not easy to handle. It takes a while to cut off her eyeballs. Oh well, as my sister just said, Xu Yin is my sister, that's why her eyes are that color." She sighed, "How far are we from reaching the sect level?"
“About four thousand miles.” Jinlu stretched out her hand to Jinyu, raising her fleshy palm. He smiled again, his round face chubby and adorable, and politely said goodbye, “Goodbye, sister.”
"Let's meet at the sect level." Jin Yu also extended her hand, clasped her hands with Jin Lü's, looked at Ji Mingran, and smiled sweetly, "Sister."
Before Ji Mingran could make a move, a gust of wind swept up, and the two disappeared.
The realm of sects.
In an instant, a gust of wind swept across the open stone ground, and when the wind dissipated, a pair of exquisitely beautiful twins appeared.
"Is this the place?" a childish voice asked.
No one answered.
The twins looked around and saw that all around them were Dingsheng Sect disciples staring at them expressionlessly.
Their gazes immediately fell on the surrounding mirrors, and they realized that their every move had been seen by these disciples.
The disciples of Dingsheng Sect were also filled with mixed feelings.
The ancient divine stone, which was originally plain and dull, was now completely white and translucent, with pure radiance flowing within it. Then, two round plaques with white jade carvings separated from it and floated into the hands of the dragon and phoenix twins.
The jade plaque is carved with patterns, five peaks forming a star, surrounded by cloud patterns, two rivers intersecting, and radiance flowing between them, as if there were green seas and forests among the mountains, and water flowing between the rivers.
The disciples of Dingsheng Sect saw it all clearly and sighed inwardly.
They have been recognized by the spirit stone, and it is a foregone conclusion that they are now one of their own.
Rules are rules.
One of the disciples of Dingsheng Sect stepped forward and announced, "You are the fifth and sixth place winners. Follow me; the Ancestor is waiting for you at the Yujing Hall on Quanfeng Peak."
One after another, the seventh and eighth place finishers arrived, and the ninth and tenth place finishers were not far behind.
With the inner disciples' fate largely decided, the remaining seventeen outer disciples of Dingsheng Sect, who knew they had no hope of being selected as inner disciples in this round, chose to withdraw from the competition and return to continue their cultivation.
The remaining part was the competition for the new disciples. It wasn't interesting anymore, and the disciples lost interest in watching the competition. Except for the disciples who stayed to watch the competition, the rest dispersed.
Within the sect's territory, there are fifty-three mirror images; eight are frozen in time, while seventeen are dim and lifeless.
There are still 28 mirrors, and the images continue to be projected.
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