The Finals Begin

The final round of the elimination tournament had officially begun.

There was little suspense, as Yan Yun, Jiang Yao, Xie Yuyan, and Yang Lu all successfully advanced.

Among the five hundred participants, more than twenty were from the Yunhua Sect, including Lin Mo.

Aside from Yan Yun, all other disciples from Purple Abyss Pavilion were eliminated in this round, failing to reach the finals.

Moreover, the vast majority of the five hundred participants were disciples from various sects.

Secular cultivators like Yan Kun were a rare sight, indeed.

Cultivators from Jiang Country comprised nearly half of the remaining participants, with over two hundred and thirty successfully making it to the next stage.

This clearly demonstrated the high caliber of their disciples, as all two hundred and more were in the Spirit Transformation Realm.

Conversely, Jiang Country also had a number of Cavern Heaven Realm cultivators, though their count was not particularly high, perhaps only twenty or thirty including Yan Yun and the others.

This was undoubtedly a cause for celebration.

As soon as the event concluded, Fairy Yunshuang and her companions gathered the cultivators who had successfully advanced to the finals.

“You have all performed admirably; this marks the highest number of disciples from our Yunhua Sect to ever qualify for the Immortal Dao Assembly’s finals,” Fairy Yunshuang announced.

“I wish you all excellent results, and rest assured, upon your return to the sect, you will be amply rewarded.”

“Your ability to enter the top one hundred is not the most crucial aspect.”

“More importantly, you must give your utmost performance in the upcoming arena battles.”

“This time, the Dao Alliance has granted our Jiang Country ten Immortal Seed slots and twenty Provisional Immortal Seed slots, which will be personally selected by Elder Dou Ke of the Dao Alliance.”

“Those chosen will be granted the opportunity to cultivate for one hundred years in the Dao Alliance’s Dao Palace after the Immortal Dao Assembly concludes.”

Fairy Yunshuang proceeded to elaborate on the benefits of cultivating within the Dao Palace.

The Dao Alliance’s Dao Palace was considered one of the finest cultivation sanctuaries in the entire Dao Alliance, and indeed, across the entire Tianchen Continent.

Disciples selected as Immortal Seeds would receive the full support and cultivation resources of the Dao Alliance.

Fairy Yunshuang herself had been an Immortal Seed of the Dao Alliance in her youth; she had reached the Divine Soul Realm by the age of one hundred and the Divine Venerable Realm by two hundred.

Now, in her early four hundreds, she was already a Great Perfection Divine Venerable.

While she was merely an ordinary Divine Venerable, not an Earth-tier Divine Venerable, her age indicated a strong potential to advance to the Divine Fire Realm and ascend to the Upper Realm.

Her current achievements were inextricably linked to her one hundred years of cultivation in the Dao Palace.

Upon hearing Fairy Yunshuang’s detailed account, the twenty-odd qualifying cultivators couldn’t help but reveal expressions of anticipation and yearning.

Even if they couldn’t secure an Immortal Seed slot, merely obtaining a Provisional Immortal Seed position would still grant them far better treatment than they could ever receive in Jiang Country.

These candidates selected as Provisional Immortal Seeds would still require further observation and needed to demonstrate their capabilities once more within the Dao Palace.

The upcoming arena battles were expected to be the most time-consuming stage.

Over five hundred cultivators would engage in one-on-one arena duels, with a strict prohibition against using treasures that vastly exceeded their own cultivation level.

To ensure the fullest display of a cultivator’s inherent potential, the use of all consumable artifacts and external items was completely forbidden.

Only low-grade Divine Mark Realm artifacts were permitted; no higher-tier treasures could be used.

Consequently, these arena duels carried a degree of uncertainty, primarily due to the participation of Ji Country cultivators, which necessitated setting the artifact restriction at the Divine Mark Realm.

Ji Country genuinely possessed cultivators in the Divine Mark Realm.

With varying realms and foundations, competing in a single arena meant that an unlucky Cavern Heaven Realm cultivator matched against a Divine Mark Realm cultivator from Ji Country would find it impossible to win relying solely on their own strength.

Therefore, the Jiang Country Immortal Dao Alliance still needed to manually intervene in the matching process, striving to avoid pairing individuals with overly disparate cultivation levels.

For instance, Cavern Heaven Realm cultivators would certainly not be matched with Divine Mark Realm cultivators.

However, Spirit Transformation Realm cultivators were highly likely to be matched with Divine Mark Realm cultivators, especially those who had reached Great Perfection in the Spirit Transformation Realm.

The top one hundred positions were not ranked.

Five hundred cultivators would gradually be eliminated until only two hundred remained, who would then compete again, with the victors entering the top one hundred.

The top one hundred would receive generous rewards from the Immortal Alliance, though the rewards for all within the top one hundred were identical; only the final top ten would receive more substantial prizes.

This event was estimated to take some time, perhaps even more than a week to complete.

The arena area was located on the Dao Discussion Platform, a venue specifically designated by the Immortal Alliance for sparring.

This Dao Discussion Platform was protected by powerful arrays and restrictions, eliminating the need for referees.

The restrictions would automatically monitor the cultivators’ life fluctuations; should their lives be threatened or they face an irresistible attack, the restrictions would immediately activate, sending the defeated combatant off the arena.

Furthermore, due to Ji Country’s involvement, the Immortal Seeds and Provisional Immortal Seeds for this Immortal Alliance Assembly would be selected from among the Jiang Country disciples in each match.

This meant that even Ji Country cultivators, as long as their performance earned Dou Ke’s approval, could still be chosen.

Thus, everyone had an opportunity.

As for Yan Yun, she harbored no desire to cultivate in the Dao Alliance.

She understood perfectly well that even if her performance was exceptionally brilliant, the Dao Alliance would not select her.

The reason was simple: for the sake of the alliance’s unity, Yan Lingyun had offended too many factions.

In truth, the list already contained predetermined individuals, with Dou Ke currently discussing it with Shangguan Jinyang.

Before them lay a list, bearing the names of over two hundred Jiang Country disciples.

“Elder Dou, based on your observations, which individuals do you believe can be pre-selected?” Shangguan Jinyang inquired.

Dou Ke gazed at the list, picked up a pen, and first marked Jiang Yao’s name.

“Firstly, it is naturally Jiang Yao,” Dou Ke stated without hesitation, giving Jiang Yao a high evaluation. “This Jiang Yao possesses limitless potential; I have a feeling she will become the most dazzling cultivator of the next era.”

Jiang Yao’s talent was beyond doubt.

“What about Su Muyu, then? Her cultivation isn’t particularly outstanding.”

“However, her Primordial Spirit Physique is also an excellent constitution, and she has performed very well,” Shangguan Jinyang added.

Dou Ke pondered for a long time.

“This girl, well, let’s put it this way: if she hadn’t lost her virginity so early, she would undoubtedly be an Immortal Seed, but her future cultivation path will be somewhat narrower.”

“It’s not entirely without hope, though; I believe we can grant her a Provisional Immortal Seed slot.” Having said this, Dou Ke drew a red circle around Su Muyu’s name.

Next was a highly controversial individual.

“What about Yan Yun, then? From the strength she has demonstrated, she is certainly destined for great heights in the future,” Shangguan Jinyang reminded him.

Regrettably, Dou Ke directly drew a line through Yan Yun’s name.

This action immediately puzzled Shangguan Jinyang.

“This? Elder Dou, you, you’re not considering her at all?”

Dou Ke sighed.

“She is the least likely candidate. No matter how good her talent, it won’t do.”

“You should understand that sending her to the Dao Palace would be detrimental to internal unity. Don’t forget, the Heavenly Poison Maiden’s enemies are not limited to Jiang Country.”

“If she were to go to the Dao Palace, wouldn’t she turn the entire Dao Alliance upside down?”

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Jinyang realized the truth.

“Alas, you’re right. She has already thrown the Jiang Country cultivation world into disarray; going to the Dao Palace would indeed cause even greater problems.”

After speaking, Dou Ke crossed off another name.

Shangguan Jinyang looked, and this time, he couldn’t comprehend.

“Him? Elder Dou, you must have made a mistake. Why did you also cross off Lin Mo?”

Dou Ke narrowed his eyes, delivering his conclusion.

“This child possesses an overly malicious heart, and he has also cultivated the Heavenly Poison Sutra of the Heavenly Poison Maiden. Therefore, he is also not being considered; the reason is the same as for Yan Yun.”

Upon hearing the explanation, Shangguan Jinyang had no recourse.

Dou Ke continued his selection, and the second person he checked off took Shangguan Jinyang completely by surprise.

“Her? Xie Yuyan? Can this girl truly become an Immortal Seed? She doesn’t seem to have displayed anything particularly outstanding, has she?” Shangguan Jinyang asked, bewildered.

Dou Ke smiled and shook his head.

“You can’t tell, can you? I specifically looked up her information.”

“This Xie Yuyan should possess the legendary Battle Saint Physique, a constitution exceptionally skilled in close-quarters combat.”

“Her physical strength is formidable; she can overpower a Minor Spirit Cultivator with her body alone. There’s absolutely no mistake.”

“Battle Saint Physique? But can you be certain?” Shangguan Jinyang questioned, somewhat skeptical.

Dou Ke chuckled.

“Whether it can be confirmed will naturally be revealed during the arena matches. We shall wait and see.”

Soon, Dou Ke and Shangguan Jinyang finalized three Immortal Seeds and six Provisional Immortal Seeds.

As Yan Yun had anticipated, she was indeed excluded.

After three days of rest for the participants, the finals commenced.

Everyone gathered at the Immortal Alliance’s Dao Discussion Platform, including not only the participants but also a vast number of spectators.

Of course, only those who had entered the top six thousand were permitted to attend and watch live; everyone else could only view projections in the Immortal Alliance Plaza.

“The Immortal Dao Assembly of Jiang Country, the final competition, officially begins today!”

Shangguan Jinyang represented the Jiang Country cultivation world.

The Immortal Alliance’s Dao Discussion Platform was truly magnificent, situated atop a peak on Mount Liuyang.

Here, a vast platform stretched out, surrounded by numerous stone platforms floating in the air, all controlled by arrays.

These platforms were already packed with people.

“Hahaha, these finals are certainly different; competing in a place like this is truly grand!” Many people appeared incredibly excited.

Yan Yun and Jiang Yao sat together, conversing in low tones.

“I haven’t seen you perform in the last few matches, my dear wife, but this time I’ll finally get to watch,” Yan Yun teased.

Jiang Yao slightly tilted her head.

“Just wait; I guarantee I’ll surprise you.”

As they conversed, a Divine Venerable cultivator appeared on the arena stage.

“The event is about to begin. Those whose names are called, please ascend the stage.”

At the announcement of the start, the participants’ attention immediately sharpened.

To be honest, being the first to ascend the stage carried a certain pressure.

‘Please don’t call my name; I really don’t want to be the first one up,’ someone silently prayed in their heart.

“First match: Xie Yuyan of Yunhua Sect versus Li Sinan of Ji Country’s Imperial Sword Sect!”

As the names were announced, Xie Yuyan, seated beside Yan Yun, immediately gasped.

“Ah? I’m first?” Xie Yuyan looked utterly bewildered.

Glancing at her opponent, Imperial Sword Sect, one of Ji Country’s top ten sects, and her opponent was a Great Perfection Spirit Transformation cultivator, the pressure instantly became immense.

“Old Xie, you’ve won the lottery! Go on, finish early, end early,” Yan Yun chuckled.

Xie Yuyan, grumbling about her bad luck, took her long spear and flew onto the arena.

The moment she ascended the stage, a flash of sword light shot from the adjacent arena where Ji Country cultivators were, landing before Xie Yuyan in an instant.

“Tsk, I actually ran into a soft persimmon. How boring.”

“Woman, admit defeat. You are no match for me,” the Imperial Sword Sect disciple from Ji Country declared to Xie Yuyan as soon as he stepped onto the stage.

Upon hearing these words, Xie Yuyan’s face twisted in anger.

“Don’t speak so arrogantly, or I’ll beat you into a dead dog!” Xie Yuyan retorted, pointing her spear at him with clear displeasure.

‘Just for that remark, she absolutely had to teach this arrogant fellow a good lesson.’