Chapter 473: Preparations of All Parties

The news of the grand tournament organized by the Imperial Court quickly spread across the entire continent. Since the final stage was chosen to be held at the Single-Minded Sect, coinciding with the grand celebration of their one hundred and twenty thousandth anniversary, the competition was officially named the Single-Minded Assembly.

Countless sects rumbled with excitement, eagerly preparing to dispatch their most formidable and prideful disciples into the fray.

A great era was dawning, and geniuses were bursting forth in torrents. Many major powers had taken into their folds extraordinary talents far surpassing any previous generation, keeping them hidden away in secret to await the perfect moment to stun the world with a single brilliant stroke.

Now, that long-awaited opportunity had finally arrived!

"The sect masters of the Five Great Immortal Sects will serve as the judges. Bestowing supreme techniques, natural treasures, the cultivation insights of a Half-Immortal, countless entries into secret realms, ancient archives... Even I find myself deeply enticed by such bountiful rewards. If I were but still a youth, I would certainly charge forward to contest for it!"

The Master of the Sword Pavilion sighed in deep regret. Why had he not encountered such a magnificent opportunity in his youth, to battle against the most preeminent talents of the entire continent? Not to mention, such generous rewards would be considered a profound gift even if they were bestowed directly upon a sect, let alone given to a lone disciple.

"Mingtai, you are the one possessing the greatest innate talent within our Sword Pavilion, the sole individual in a millennium to receive the true inheritance of the Sovereign. You shall certainly be able to stretch your wings at the Single-Minded Assembly, making your name resound beneath the heavens and establishing your lasting renown!"

"Mingtai will surely not disappoint the high expectations of the sect!"

"Though our Waterfall Sect is merely a second-grade sect, and in previous times we would not even possess the qualification to participate in the final matches, this time is different. Kong Hao, with you here this time, your talent is by no means inferior to the core disciples of first-grade or even supreme-grade sects!"

"I know you have always conducted your affairs in a low-profile manner, unwilling to show off. Even after becoming a true disciple and a core disciple, you did not win over people's hearts or establish your own small faction like the others. Instead, you immersed yourself entirely in cultivation, oblivious to worldly matters."

"Master, I..." Kong Hao hesitated. He had chosen the Waterfall Sect precisely because he wished to remain low-profile and avoid trouble. He never expected that while he sought no trouble, trouble would find its way to his doorstep, leaving him unable to push it away.

"If it were any other competition, it would not matter if you chose not to participate. But this tournament is organized by the Imperial Court. Master does not expect you to become the ultimate champion. Even if you merely advance into the final rounds, securing an invitation for the sect to enter the Single-Minded Sect to attend the grand ceremony will bring immense benefits to our sect!"

"Furthermore, the judges for this tournament are the sect masters of the Five Great Immortal Sects. If you can obtain even a word or two of guidance from them, it will be of monumental assistance to your cultivation!"

"Very well," he agreed, forcing himself to accept.

"The cultivation insights of a Half-Immortal? To think that the Great Xia Empire is actually willing to bring out such an exquisite treasure. Its value is simply immeasurable. I have sold my life for the Great Yu Dynasty, slumbering until now, yet they refused to grant me even the cultivation insights of the Tribulation Transmutation Stage. Since they would not give it, they cannot blame me for taking it from the hands of Great Xia!"

"With the cultivation insights of a Half-Immortal, combined with the other rewards and my Single Spiritual Root constitution, my certainty of cultivating to the Tribulation Transmutation Stage in the future will be even greater!"

"In the future, there shall rightfully be a place for this True Monarch!"

"Heh, the location for the final matches is at the Single-Minded Sect? How coincidental. I was just pondering how to infiltrate the Single-Minded Sect, and now the opportunity presents itself."

"Oh, Single-Minded Sect, if some chaotic mishap occurs during your grand celebration, do not blame me. If you must blame someone, blame the decision of your Imperial Court!"

"However, because of this, the Single-Minded Sect and the Imperial Court will definitely invite mighty experts to oversee the event, which makes things a bit tricky. I wonder what level of cultivation those overseers will possess. Never mind, to be safe, I shall bring everyone along."

The Laurel Immortal Palace.

"Lanting, the sect needs to select a disciple at the mid-stage of the Golden Core Realm to participate in the finals. Master has decided to choose you to fight. What are your thoughts?"

"Your disciple obeys the command!"

After accepting the order, Lanting furtively glanced up at her master. For some unknown reason, her master was wearing a veil, obscuring any hint of emotion beneath it. After a moment of deliberation, she boldly inquired.

"Master, will I be able to see Lu Yang when we go to the Single-Minded Sect this time?"

The corners of Luo Hongxia's eyes twitched slightly, and she spoke with a hint of gnashing teeth: "You will. Most certainly. Even if others cannot see him this time, you definitely will!"

The Five Elements Sect.

"Bai Ming, our Five Elements Sect must put forth a representative at the mid-stage of the Golden Core Realm to compete. You must absolutely bring glory to our Five Elements Sect at the assembly."

"I guarantee the mission will be accomplished. However, your disciple still has one question."

"Speak."

"What happened to the injuries on your face?"

"Do not ask about things you shouldn't be asking about."

The Hell-Suppressing Sect.

"Tianzhi, for this competition, Master has no other requirements. If you happen to encounter anyone from the Five Elements Sect, thrash them mercilessly. There is no need to give them any face!"

"Yes."

Seeing Yan Tianzhi turn to leave, Yang Ding called out to stop him: "Wait a moment. Aren't you going to ask how Master obtained these injuries on my body?"

"In any case, it wasn't me who inflicted them."

The Slaughterhouse.

"Master, please speak up. Even if our Buddhist path emphasizes understanding through intuition rather than words, you cannot simply give me a look and expect me to comprehend it entirely on my own!"

"Master, why on earth did you choose to practice the Vow of Silence out of nowhere? Now you cannot speak words, you cannot transmit divine sense, and you cannot even write letters."

Master Jie Sha remained utterly silent.

Shi Chan was left speechless. He put down his butcher's cleaver and pondered deeply on what exactly his master's gaze was intended to signify.

The Hanging Temple was excellent in every aspect—the fellow disciples lived in perfect harmony, the entire sect was united as one, resources were abundant, and they were instructed by a mighty expert of the Tribulation Transmutation Stage.

The sole issue was their fondness for speaking in riddles.

Shi Chan used to frequently complain that when his master spoke, it was no different from saying nothing at all. Now it was just perfect; his master simply stopped speaking altogether.

"Forget it, I should just return to slaughtering pigs."

Meng Jingzhou arrived at Heaven Gate Peak. Upon entering the immortal cave, he saw Lu Yang leaning lazily against the back of his chair, with his hands crossed neatly over his stomach.

The Eldest Senior Sister was not present.

"Why did you call me over?" Meng Jingzhou found Lu Yang completely disagreeable no matter how he looked at him. How was it that you, kid, were acting as the Acting Sect Master yet again?

In accordance with their agreement, Qiu Jin'an had taught Meng Jingzhou a secret technique belonging to the Five Elements Sect. Just as he returned from the Five Elements Sect, he received a transmission from the Acting Sect Master summoning him over.

"Little Meng, come, take a seat, don't be polite," Lu Yang said with a beaming smile.

Meng Jingzhou scanned the immortal cave. In the entire cave, there was only a single chair, and Lu Yang was currently sitting on it.

Am I supposed to sit on your head, kid?

Lu Yang automatically ignored Meng Jingzhou's rolled eyes and spoke in a leisurely tone:

"You should have also heard that the Imperial Court has organized a grand assembly to be held concurrently with our sect's celebration. The divisions of the assembly are categorized very meticulously, with every minor realm forming its own group. The sect attaches great importance to this assembly. After multiple consultations with the various elders, the participating disciples for the other minor realms have all been decided. Only this slot for the mid-stage of the Golden Core Realm has remained undecided for a long time, causing much dilemma."

"The one who can represent the sect to participate in the assembly must surely be the most outstanding disciple. I have pondered deeply on this, and overriding all objections, I have decided to let you participate in the competition."

Meng Jingzhou's eyes lit up, and the corners of his mouth curled up involuntarily. Hearing these words made him feel comfortable, and a wave of warmth washed through his entire body: "So you finally admit that I am stronger than you?"

The smile on Lu Yang's face grew even more radiant: "I am a judge."

He had endured hardships and bided his time, working like an ox and a horse for the Immortal Immortal, bearing all complaints without a word, precisely for this very moment.

"Fuck!"