A day passed, and Li Xuan and Xi Chuyun exchanged an awkward glance.
They sat openly on the mountain top, even leaving the golden seal on the giant rock. Hundreds, if not thousands, of contestants had passed by during the day, yet none had made a move to snatch it.
It had to be said, their fishing plan had failed.
Of course, Xi Chuyun was a cultivator at the advanced stage of the Dao Integration realm, while Li Xuan appeared to be only at the intermediate stage of the Dao Origin realm. The fact that these two, who shouldn't have been together, were there undoubtedly made outsiders feel something was amiss.
"Based on our current rankings, if we continue like this, we'll be out of the top three thousand within another day. Are you still able to sit still?" Xi Chuyun withdrew his gaze and looked at Li Xuan with a smile.
Li Xuan shrugged helplessly and replied, "If we don't make a move soon, I fear our chances of entering the Six Peaks and becoming inner disciples are quite slim. Brother Chuyun, since that's the case, shall we aim for the top thousand first?"
*Humph.*
As soon as Li Xuan finished speaking, before Xi Chuyun could reply, a humming sound suddenly emanated from the light screen high in the sky. Both Li Xuan and Xi Chuyun looked up in unison at the sound.
"The rules remain unchanged. Those in the top three thousand can freely choose a peak and pass the trial of each peak's Saint Child. Those who enter the top five hundred will not need to undergo any trials!"
As this voice faded, Li Xuan and Xi Chuyun immediately looked at each other. In their eyes, there was a shared look of shock.
According to the newly announced rules, the next four days would likely erupt with incredible battles. After all, participants ranked in the top five hundred could directly choose to join a peak without undergoing the trials of the Saint Children.
Although those who entered the top three thousand could still join a peak after passing the trials, no one knew what kind of trials each peak's Saint Child would set.
Furthermore, there were only five hundred spots available.
If one failed the trials, they could not enter the inner sect. Moreover, each peak's Saint Child possessed cultivation at the peak of the Dao Integration realm. Compared to the participants on the spiritual road, facing a cultivator at the peak Dao Integration realm was a more suitable challenge for them.
"Looking at this, our idea of staying within the top three thousand seems unlikely. Brother Chuyun, do you have any thoughts on securing a spot in the top five hundred?" Li Xuan said with a smile, looking at Xi Chuyun.
"Haven't you been making all the decisions on this journey?" Xi Chuyun replied with a smile.
Li Xuan smiled and nodded, as if filled with heroic spirit, "Since that's the case, then a spot in the top five hundred shall be ours!"
On the summit of Mount Da Cang, Yue Mingchi and the other ten individuals were also looking at Elder Qing Xuan, their eyes filled with a hint of doubt.
"Elder Qing Xuan, according to the previous rules, there was no qualification for direct entry into a peak. With this change, I fear it will trigger many battles. After all, many participants on the spiritual road will be future disciples of my Xuan Sect. If there are many casualties, it will likely be of no benefit to our Xuan Sect," Zhang Hongbao, unable to hold back any longer, bowed to Elder Qing Xuan and spoke.
"Although the participants who reach the top five hundred on the spiritual road are all quite strong, granting them the right to directly choose a peak so easily does seem a bit rash. Elder Qing Xuan, if the Sect Master asks about this, it will be difficult for us to explain."
"Also, if spies from other Sacred Sects manage to infiltrate, they could enter my Cang Sect too easily."
The man in the green robe and jade attire nodded slightly and then also spoke.
Following the questions from Zhang Hongbao and the man in the green robe, Yue Mingchi and the others also looked at Elder Qing Xuan. Although they didn't speak further, their expressions clearly conveyed their thoughts.
Elder Qing Xuan smiled and said, "Your concerns are well understood by this old man. If not for the recent movements of the Sacred Sects, why would our Cang Sect be recruiting disciples in such a manner?"
"However, regarding your concerns, this old man has already secretly discussed them with the Sect Master. This method is feasible. As for whether they genuinely wish to join my Cang Sect, I have my own means. Before the Soul Lamp of the Heart, nothing can be faked."
"The Soul Lamp of the Heart? Elder Qing Xuan, do you mean that the newly recruited disciples will all undergo the baptism of the Soul Lamp of the Heart? If so, then any hidden intentions for entering the sect will be revealed. Furthermore, implanting the soul can also be considered a form of protection for disciples who genuinely wish to join my Xuan Sect." Yue Mingchi's expression shifted slightly upon hearing this, and he looked at Elder Qing Xuan.
Elder Qing Xuan nodded and said, "This method was also discussed between this old man and the Sect Master. Do any of you have further concerns?"
"We have no objections," Yue Mingchi and the others replied in unison, bowing.
Elder Qing Xuan nodded and continued to look at the light screen, a trace of helplessness flashing across his face.
Within the spiritual road displayed on the light screen, countless small images appeared. These images depicted participants on the spiritual road engaged in battles. Clearly, with the new rules, all those who felt they were strong enough had begun to strive for a spot in the top five hundred. The initial thousand participants had naturally become targets for challenges.
It could be said that from this moment on, the true prelude to the battles on the spiritual road had begun.
"Li Xuan, who do you want to challenge for the golden seal?" Xi Chuyun asked Li Xuan with a hint of curiosity, looking at the rankings on the light screen.
Li Xuan immediately pointed to a name on the light screen and said, "At this moment, the contestants from all sides must have already started moving. Those ranked within the top one thousand are currently the most troubled. They are very likely already engaged in combat."
Li Xuan finished speaking and pointed to a name, saying, "There isn't much time left, so we can only choose the fastest and most effective opponent. This person will be my chosen opponent."
Xi Chuyun also looked up and a hint of surprise flickered in his eyes. "Qu Daoshi, ranked ninety-ninth, with peak Dao Integration realm strength. Brother Li, are you confident?"
Li Xuan smiled at Xi Chuyun's gaze and replied, "As long as it's not the Dao Sovereign realm, I have no worries."
"In that case, I will choose this person," Xi Chuyun nodded slightly and then also pointed.
"Ming Wen, ranked one hundred and fifty-first, with peak Dao Integration realm strength. Brother Chuyun, your chosen opponent seems to be quite strong," Li Xuan said, a slight surprise in his eyes upon seeing this.
"Looking at you, it seems you don't quite believe me?" Xi Chuyun said indifferently.
Li Xuan spread his hands and replied, "Of course not. Then I wish Brother Chuyun victory in advance!"
"Your words are a good omen," Xi Chuyun smiled and then moved, heading straight for his target.
Watching Xi Chuyun fly off towards the location of the top three thousand ranked participants displayed on the light screen, Li Xuan's face also broke into a smile. He then moved and quickly followed Xi Chuyun's speed.
They flew side by side, instantly vanishing from their original positions.
With the exemption from trials to choose a peak, Li Xuan and Xi Chuyun naturally did not want to miss this opportunity!