Who Let Him Cultivate?! (WX)-Chapter 353: Why Are You All Sitting at the Judges’ Platform?

As the Qing Province Grand Ceremony commenced officially, all eyes were drawn to the centerpiece event—the tournament for the younger generation.

Every year, the tournament would bring forth young cultivators brimming with immense potential, making those average cultivators sigh toward the heavens in inferiority.

History had also proven their worth. Excluding accidental deaths, most attained fame and success, became sect leaders, or founded their own sects. In addition to the Qing Province’s authorities, numerous sects and factions would watch closely, hoping to poach promising talents.

Perhaps due to the imminent arrival of the Great Era, participants in recent years had been even more outstanding, shattering records from previous years.

“Look! Isn’t that Li Shaoyang from the Wind-Stabilizing Sect. I heard he has already reached the Great Perfection Qi Training Stage. When he left the mountains for travels and encountered bandits, he pierced through three Level Nine bandits with a single thrust of the spear!”

“What?! He’s already at the Great Perfection Qi Training Stage at such a young age? His cultivation realm is guaranteed to rank among the top eight!”

While one could already attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage at Level Nine Qi Training Stage, to improve the chances of a successful breakthrough, most would conscientiously polish their cultivation realm to achieve what outsiders called “Great Completion Qi Training.” Most cultivators in the audience were at the Qi Training Stage, with the Great Perfection Qi Training Stage representing their greatest goal.

On the other hand, such a concept didn’t exist in the Five Great Immortal Sects. They weren’t even interested in distinguishing between the levels of the Qi Training Stage. In their eyes, there was no difference between the Level One and Great Perfection Qi Training stages.

“And that especially beautiful female cultivator over there! She’s Qiao Hongye from the Sleeveless Sect, a first-class sect. She is also at the Great Perfection Qi Training Stage and has Wood-Fire Dual Spirit Root. During their sect’s internal tournament, she secured first place among several Great Perfection Qi Training disciples!”

“Great Perfection Qi Training cultivators might have been able to rank among the top eight in previous years, but it’s hard to say this year. Rumors say that several Foundation Establishment cultivators are competing this time!”

“Foundation Establishment cultivators under eighteen?! And there are even several of them?!”

His companion acted all mysterious. “Have you heard of Gu Qisheng from the Rainbow Palace? Born at a Yin hour of a Yin month in a Yin year with a Mystic Yin Body. If it weren’t for the palace leader, Gu Qisheng would have died as a baby.

“Heaven envies those with a Mystic Yin Body. They face a great tribulation at birth. If they can overcome it, their cultivation will be smooth. But if they can’t, they will die prematurely.

“Someone saw Gu Qisheng here yesterday, and he was already at the Basic Foundation Establishment Stage.”

~~~

“Hello, we are here to register for the tournament.”

The yamen bailiff at the registration area looked up with a cold demeanor. Most participants registered in advance, but a few would decide to participate at the last minute. Briefly glancing at the two smiling young men, he couldn’t discern their cultivation realms, though he didn’t care much about that. It was common to carry cultivation-concealing magical artifacts when outside.

He pointed to a stone nearby. “This is the lowest-grade black iron stone. Only Advanced Qi Training cultivators can shatter it. Try breaking it.”

The dark iron stone was no different from a block of tofu before the two. With a gentle smack of their palms, the stone split into pieces.

“Foundation Establishment Stage then. This year’s competition seems to be full of hidden talents.

“This is a Growth Ring Stone. Place your hand on it and infuse it with spirit qi.”

On the other side of the bailiff sat a similar stone with multiple ring patterns, specifically used by the cultivation world to assess one’s age.

The two placed their hand on it and infused it with spirit qi. The growth rings lit up one after another before stopping at the seventeenth ring.

“Under eighteen. Eligible for the tournament.

“Name?”

“Lu Yang.”

“Sect?”

“Dao-Seeking Sect.”

“Hmm?” The bailiff’s head snapped up, examining the two as if he had seen ghosts.

Lu Yang was puzzled. “Is there a problem?”

The bailiff remembered the provincial governor’s instructions. “We must encourage more people to participate in the tournament—the more the merrier. Don’t fear notable figures joining; only fear them not joining.”

Having two Dao-Seeking Sect disciples participating would surely make His Excellency very happy.

“No, it’s nothing. You can participate.

“And you, what’s your name?”

”Meng Jingzhou, also from the Dao-Seeking Sect.”

“Here, these are your serial numbers. In just fifteen minutes, there will be a lottery to determine the combat matchup and sequence. Prepare yourselves.”

“No problem!”

~~~

“Strange... the first match of the tournament is about to begin. Why are there still no signs of Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou?” Lan Ting mused while sitting upright at the judges’ platform.

“Maybe they were delayed by unforeseen circumstances on the way,” Bai Ming speculated. That’s a common occurrence. I always run into unexpected situations when I leave the mountain for my own travels and training.

“Wait.” Yan Tianzhi was as terse as usual.

Lan Ting had just gotten to know Yan Tianzhi, and Bai Ming told Lan Ting that with Yan Tianzhi’s laconic nature, it would be hard to count on him for commentaries. She could only resign to her fate. Looks like the important responsibility of providing commentaries has fallen to my shoulders.

Below the judges’ platform, spectators noticed the three of them and whispered among themselves.

“Who are these three people? They look so young. Can they really act as judges? Especially that girl! I’ve certainly never seen someone as beautiful as her, but she just doesn’t seem experienced in combat.”

“That’s because you don’t know. These three are disciples of the Immortal Sect and incredible prodigies. I heard they are the most outstanding among their peers in the sect! And that's not all! Someone in my family works at the administrative office and said they are all at the Golden Core Stage!”

“Golden Core Stage?!”

“Now you know how big the gulf in talent is, don’t you?”

With the cultivation of participants capped at the Foundation Establishment Stage, Golden Core cultivators were enough to serve as judges.

Lan Ting briefly reviewed the details of the cultivators in the first match and announced gently, “Our first contestant is Feng He, true lineage disciple of the first-class sect, Seven Emotions Sect. Not long ago, he broke through to the Foundation Establishment Stage in one go without the aid of Foundation Establishment Pills, instead relying on the foundation he built during the Qi Training Stage. He is now at the Foundation Establishment Stage.

“The Seven Emotions Sect conveys comprehension of the seven emotions and six desires through music, and Feng He has obtained the true legacy of the Seven Emotions Sect. He is proficient in the Dao of Music, and his rendition of the melody Parting Joy made birds halt and flower buds blossom.

“Feng He is also a seeded contestant in this tournament. Let us look forward to his performance!”

The corners of Feng He’s mouth curled into a confident smile. With my Basic Foundation Establishment Stage, there is no doubt I will shine in this tournament.

When one roams the jianghu, strength comes first, and fame comes second.

This tournament is my starting point to attain fame!

“Feng He’s opponent is a cultivator who registered at the last minute...Lu Yang of the Dao-Seeking Sect?!” Lan Ting almost lost her professional composure in the middle of the announcement.

She placed the documents down and looked toward the arena stage. Seeing a familiar figure standing there, her face morphed into an odd expression. She turned to look at Bai Ming and saw that he had the same expression.

When Lu Yang saw Lan Ting and Bai Ming, he first greeted them, but he soon scratched the back of his head in confusion.

What’s going on?

Aren’t we supposed to participate in the tournament? Why are you all at the judges’ platform?

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