As seats were taken, people began to arrive at the grand plaza one after another.
The various sects were fortunate, with designated seating areas.
For us rogue cultivators, however, our seats depended on arriving early.
Due to the sheer number of people and the issue of claiming seats, arguments broke out.
Some were loudly declaring they would settle matters on stage after the competition began.
We also noticed special seating areas set up by the stage.
These included four seats designated for guests from the Western Realm Papacy, Nepalese Tibetan Buddhism, the Japanese Nine Chrysanthemum School, and the Southern Ocean delegation.
These were the foreign guests invited by the Dao Alliance.
Because of our previous encounter at the hotel, we paid extra attention to the Japanese Nine Chrysanthemum School. There was a new group: one elder and two younger individuals.
They were likely related to the Nine Chrysanthemum School Yin-Yang Masters I had dealt with.
However, we didn't dwell on it. As long as they provoked us, we would kill them.
Before long, Chen Yao also arrived.
We had seats available, so she sat right beside us.
Glancing at the time, it was 9:50.
Most people had arrived. The grand plaza was filled with people.
At least over six hundred individuals, all Daoists and monks. The scene was truly magnificent.
It was undoubtedly the grandest Dao Alliance gathering in a century.
"It's starting!"
"I'm so excited!"
"I heard that this time, anyone who wins a match on the stage will receive a reward, and consecutive wins will double the prize."
"..."
The surrounding people murmured amongst themselves, filled with anticipation.
Just then, the Wudang Mountain bell was suddenly struck.
"Dong..."
"Dong..."
The deep, resonant sound of the mountain bell echoed throughout Wudang Mountain.
Upon hearing the sound, the grand plaza erupted in excitement.
"It's starting!"
"It's starting, it's starting!"
"..."
Shouts of fervor rose one after another.
The drummers on one side of the plaza began to beat the war drums.
"Dong dong dong..."
This further amplified the boisterous and energetic atmosphere.
At this moment, a large banner was raised towards the sky, then planted firmly on the flag platform before the stage.
With a muffled thud, a gust of wind swirled as the banner was lodged into the stone platform's groove.
The banner was yellow, with a powerful, bold black character "道" (Dao) written on it.
This was the Dao Alliance's banner.
The banner rustled in the strong winds.
The atmosphere was immediately pushed to its peak.
Furthermore, a robust voice, carrying a hint of depth from an elder, resonated at this moment:
"Heaven above, bright mirror hangs high.
Governing the seasons, pitying all lives.
Punishing evil, rewarding good, benevolence comes first.
We cultivators, must protect the human way—entirely."
The voice, though not loud, permeated the entire grand plaza.
The surging Daoist energy indicated the speaker's profound cultivation.
Many recognized the speaker's identity.
They called out in unison:
"Alliance Leader!"
"It's Alliance Leader Cangsong!"
"Alliance Leader's power is immense!"
"His cultivation, perhaps it has reached the realm of transformation?"
"..."
Amidst the discussions, an elder in purple robes slowly emerged from the main palace opposite the grand plaza.
He held a whisk, wore a purple coronet, his temples were streaked with white, exuding an immortal aura.
It was none other than the current Alliance Leader of the Central Plains Alliance, the sect leader of Wudang, True Person Cangsong.
As soon as the Alliance Leader appeared, he flicked his whisk.
He formed a sword-finger mudra and, facing the hundreds of Daoists in the plaza, loudly proclaimed:
"Fu Sheng Wu Liang Tian Zun!"
The Alliance Leader's voice remained moderate, yet it pierced through the entire grand plaza, heard by everyone amidst the clamor.
Upon hearing the Alliance Leader's address, all the Daoist friends present responded in unison:
"Fu Sheng Wu Liang Tian Zun."
The inclusion of "Fu Sheng" signifies a blessing, akin to "Gong De" or "Du Ren."
After the unified greeting,
True Person Cangsong smiled and signaled for quiet.
The crowd immediately fell silent, all eyes on him.
Then, True Person Cangsong began to speak:
"Sun and moon bright, we bow to the Three Pure Ones: good and evil, life and death, rewarded by Heaven's ear.
Though the Dao lineage may not flourish as in ancient times,
We cultivators should strive for self-improvement.
Let us carry forward the glory of the Dao lineage.
Today, the talented youths of the world gather here.
Let us seize this fine occasion for mutual discussion and exchange.
May each of you reach new heights and comprehend the ultimate secrets of the Dao.
This humble one declares:
The Dao Alliance Youth Challenge Tournament now commences!"
With True Person Cangsong's declaration, he simultaneously waved his whisk.
Immediately thereafter, the mountain bell from the back mountain rang out with a "dong."
The sounds of war drums and horns joined in.
The grand plaza erupted in cheers.
"Ah!"
"Let's start quickly!"
"Can't wait!"
"..."
The excited clamor continued for several minutes.
Then, four middle-aged individuals, two men and two women, walked onto the stage.
They wore robes of four different sects.
These were from Wudang, Qingcheng, Longhu, and Shaolin.
These were likely the referees.
I recognized three of them.
Daoist Liuyun from Wudang, the one who greeted us at the entrance.
Nun Yunxia from Qingcheng Mountain, whom I knew well.
Daoist Qingshi from Longhu Mountain, the chubby Daoist who was saved by my martial uncle in front of the Black Demon Palace.
Only the last middle-aged monk was unfamiliar.
At this moment, the four referees bowed their hands to the assembled Daoists below the stage.
Then, Daoist Liuyun of the Wudang Sect spoke:
"This humble one, Liuyun, serves as the head of the referee panel for this tournament."
As soon as he finished speaking, Nun Yunxia and the others introduced themselves.
"This humble one is Yunxia from Qingcheng Mountain."
"This humble one is Qingshi from Longhu Mountain."
"Namo Amitabha, Jing Ye."
"..."