Reborn as a Hatrack in the Mystical Land-Chapter 771 - 21: Xuyang Trial

As the competition in Geyue Town was in full swing, Yue Minzhi, far away in Wo Hua Imperial City, was still busily preparing for the Xuyang Trial.

He did not know that during this time, Yue Jinghua had discovered the siblings’ origins.

He was even less aware of the dramatic changes that would occur to him in just six months.

Now, Yue Minzhi only knew one thing: he was busy, very busy, extremely busy.

As one of the two major powers on the continent, the Dragon War Empire was home to numerous Dark Practitioners.

This time, the Xuyang Trial even relaxed the age restrictions, which led to a peak in the number of participants registering.

Every day, the registration point established at the Military Department was surrounded by people, including Dark Practitioners coming to participate in the elimination rounds and parents eager to see their children succeed.

Fortunately, Princess Long Xue had anticipated this scenario. She dispatched Peng Bo, Little Jin, and Yue Minzhi to handle the selection process, generously approving the deployment of the former Imperial Guards as well as two fire-breathing Sub-Asian Dragons for security, which calmed the ardor of the empire’s citizens blinded by fame and profit.

The division of tasks was well-coordinated, with several Major Generals from the Imperial Military Department mobilized, quickly bringing order to the organization of the competition.

While organizing the selections, Yue Minzhi also witnessed numerous competitions, gaining a wealth of experience.

By mid-September, the Xuyang Trial’s elimination phase was drawing to a close. Just when Yue Minzhi and Little Jin thought that they could successfully fulfill Princess’s task, the Military Department delivered unexpected and almost overwhelming news.

"Among the fifty participants recommended by the empire, over a dozen have not registered yet?" Yue Minzhi heard this news with only two days left before the end of registration for the Dragon War Empire’s Xuyang Trial.

The current Xuyang Trial, open to the whole continent, was also the first time combined with the Mercenary Newcomer King Competition.

According to the organizer’s demands, the final trial of the Xuyang Trial would involve five hundred participants.

There were two methods for contestants to participate: one was a public selection through elimination rounds to select two hundred fifty contestants; the other was a recommendation system, where each country or organization directly nominated their candidates to participate.

The two main nations, the Dragon War Empire and Ruison Federation, each were allotted one hundred spots, other minor city-states and territories had another one hundred, and the Mercenary World accounted for one more hundred; the remaining one hundred were selected by several major organizations including the Divine Court, Danlu, and Assassin Alliance.

Since its announcement, the Dragon War Empire’s elimination rounds had been conducted smoothly, and all the selected Dark Practitioners were amongst the best of the best.

Unexpectedly, the participants produced by recommendation, whom everyone thought wouldn’t pose any problem, did not arrive as planned, which was also unforeseen by Yue Minzhi and the Imperial Military Department.

It was only after Yue Minzhi and Little Jin looked into it that they discovered it was not only the Dragon War Empire, but other powers including the Ruison Federation and the Mercenary Guild also faced similar situations, which somewhat relieved them.

However, as the registration deadline approached, despite massive efforts to locate these missing talented young Dark Practitioners, no information could be found from their families or friends.

Initially, this situation did not attract attention from the Imperial and Federal authorities, given that apart from mercenaries, many adventurers especially talented young Dark Practitioners often journeyed to increase their cultivation.

Whether it was their family or their affiliated states or city-states, everyone just assumed they had gone on travels and would return before the deadline of the Xuyang Trial.

Unexpectedly, these individuals did not return even during the last three days of the Xuyang Trial.

"The Geyue Mercenary Association responded quickest, collecting information on the missing mercenaries and organizing a challenge competition few days before. The news from Geyue Town up to yesterday was that they had filled all missing spots by selecting a hundred elites for this Xuyang Trial," Little Jin had to admire the discipline and efficiency of the Mercenary Association. On the imperial side, the only option now was to follow suit, extend the deadline by three days, and also increase the duration of the elimination rounds to select around a dozen more Dark Practitioners in readiness for the Xuyang Trial.

"I’ll handle the final registration affairs; the additional elimination rounds will be handled by Brother Jinuo," under tremendous pressure, Yue Minzhi and Jinuo had to divide the tasks again.

Fortunately, on the last day, five young Dark Practitioners scheduled on the recommendation list gradually returned.

Rushing back, each carried a recommendation ring, heading to their respective city-states and capitals to register for the Xuyang Trial.

"Duke Yue Xiao, where exactly will this Xuyang Trial be held? I want to head there in advance," a latecomer young Dark Practitioner named Meng Baifang asked after registering.

"On that point, I am also unclear. The imperial side hasn’t received any specific information. When you submitted your recommendation ring, the organizing committee also issued an additional entry ring. Reportedly, in a month, when the venue is finally confirmed, the location will be displayed on the ring. What you need to do is conserve your strength this month and wait for the commencement of the competition. Fight for the empire, fight for glory," Yue Minzhi said kindly.

"Thank you, Duke Yue," Meng Baifang repeatedly expressed his gratitude.

As dusk fell that day, when Yue Minzhi closed the registration point, Little Jin hurriedly arrived with the list of winners from the past few days’ elimination rounds.

"Six more people rushed here today, now we are just short of seven. Along with the seven winners from your elimination rounds, we now have enough participants," Yue Minzhi sighed in relief, he finally could report back to Princess Long Xue.

"The numbers are complete, but... I still feel that this Xuyang Trial has been too rushed, and I’m not sure if these are the best selections," Jinuo looked troubled, occasionally sneaking glances at Yue Minzhi’s expression.

The latter, however, did not notice his fluctuating gaze, simply comforting, "Don’t worry, in this Xuyang Trial, the empire’s performance will not be inferior. It’s getting late, let’s head to the Imperial City and report the list of hundred participants to the princess."

Upon Yue Minzhi’s arrival in the Imperial City, when he submitted the list of participants to Princess Long Xue, she rewarded the two of them briefly before taking over the list. After scanning the list, her eyes paused at the last few names, she seemed surprised, "Why are Long Rui and Ji Yun participating in this Xuyang Trial?"

When Yue Minzhi heard these familiar names, especially upon hearing Long Rui’s name, he sharply raised his head, a look of unmistakable astonishment in his eyes.