Star Blossom Alp Trial

Redcloud District, Testing Square 11

"You passed." That immortal supervisor signalled for someone to keep the puppet as he spoke.

Meanwhile, the several heaven chosen of the Sky Pill World were fiercely battling their respective puppets, nevertheless some had already been defeated but a few were gaining the upper hand. This scene caused the gazes of the majority in the surroundings to widen as their eyes glimmered with sharpness. Which power did these few belong to? They were few but actually all so powerful.

The most visually impressive fighters amongst them was without doubt the lean yet muscular Shi Bai and the n999 ranker, Kang Tian.

The former, a 3rd level ascendant, had transformed into a 9 feet tall giant with white hair; his body now radiated immense fluctuation of the devil and demon attribute. A domain type constellation manifested all around the puppet in which mandates of suppression, force and cold could be felt, it was obviously meant to restrict his enemies. Shi bai had transformed the puppet into his own punching bag, it was a sight to behold. After tens of punches the puppet cracked and his victory was announced.

Kang Tian was already a 2nd level ascendant. He was standing upright in a peculiar stance, akin to a pillar supporting the heavens, facing the puppet. In his hands was a thin sabre with a somewhat golden blade that boasted incredulous sharpness and he had deployed a Yin-Yang diagram constellation that amplified every of his sabre strikes. The constellation converged several of his every strike into singular, much more powerful ones. Each sabre slashes were filled with sabre, gold and destruction attributes.

Kang Tian stepped out, his entire person transformed into a streak of sabre light instantly arriving before the puppet as he slashed out with his blade. The Yin-Yang diagram constellation of his flashed as a 100 metre sabre beam tore apart the void, arcing through the skies. The beam landed and without any suspense cleaved the puppet into two. The ruthlessness of a loose astral cultivator could be felt through his means, Kang Tian was the winner.

Also at almost the same instant, Di Yan, the two Ji cousins, Gu Qingge and Xi Wenling all respectively defeated their opponents. On the other hand, all of the others were defeated. This was the cruelty of the path to immortality.

Di Yan was the oldest of the four young lunatics. He said no word to his eliminated junior brother, they were from the Skyflame sect and defeat was only a minor obstacle on their path. This was nowhere near enough to stop his junior brother, at least he hoped.

"Okay, bring them to the side." When Ji Bolin and his friends gathered together with those who had passed earlier, an immortal-foundation expert led them directly into a large plaza, bypassing the guards. Within the Cloud Plaza, there was also someone responsible for receiving those who passed.

"The tens of you have successfully passed this round but obviously more are to come. His eminence, the Marquis, will personally assess you in the coming days but in the meantime you are free to enjoy the city. This is all." That expert spoke.

The group of low level ascendants dispersed to re-join their respective group; the qualified and surviving non-qualified Sky Pill youngsters met again and went back to Senior Tan.

The ecstasy of the immortal could be read all over his face. He could never have hoped that a full bundle of 8 heaven chosen would succeed. For the whole 1300 years where he presided over the selection, only 3 candidates had ever succeeded.

"Ha ha ha ha ha!!! The five leaders will be so happy to hear about this. I'll send a message back immediately. As for those who couldn't qualify, you may choose to go back or choose to roam within the immortal realms searching for more opportunities! The choice is yours to make." Senior Tan explained.

𝛀 𝛀 𝛀 𝛀 𝛀 𝛀

Yuan District.

During the second day after his qualification, Ji Bolin and his group left their inn and were roaming through the Yuan district of the immortal city.

Alongside them was this beautiful serving girl from the inn who had a cultivation base at the Heavenly Dipper realm and was very young too. If Zi Zi was from the Sky Pill World, she would definitely be an extremely dazzling character but in Redcloud Immortal City, she actually was only a serving girl. This was the difference in worlds, the disparity was so great that one doesn't dare to imagine.

All of the 8 Heaven Chosen felt somewhat surreal. When they had chosen to participate in the Dao Conference Festival then, they were only in the Heavenly Dipper realm as well.

"Sir Ji, where do you wish to tour?" Zi Zi smiled at Ji Yuan. From the start to the end, she gave off a sense of amicability. Although her beauty could not be compared to neither Meiling, nor the others, she still looked really nice when she smiled.

"Yesterday, you were tempting us purposely by hinting at the divine weapons and accessories?" Kang Tian replied instead and smiled at Zi Zi.

"Oops, my intentions are exposed." Zi Zi revealed a mischievous smile.

"Sir Kang, the vast majority of those who could bear to spend immortal-ranked meteor stones to enjoy a feast in the inn aside from our regular customers are usually outsiders who came here to participate in the Immortal Ascension Selection. They are people who are more willing to spend. Furthermore when I saw your cultivation bases and that you were in no hurry, I immediately knew that you must have successfully passed the preliminaries. I instantly thought that our esteemed guests might have needs in these aspects so I intentionally said that. Doing so will enable me to earn some small commission as a guide as well. After all, Zi Zi isn't a cultivator with an impressive background, I can only depend on myself to earn cultivation resources. Please don't blame Ye Zi, alright?"

"If we blame you for that, we wouldn't have come today." Ji Meiling smiled. The people behind her all silently sighed. Seems like it wasn't so easy to be non immortal here. Zi Zi was only doing this so she could continue to advance in her martial path.

"Many thanks for your understanding. You can find all sorts of divine weapons belonging to different ranks here in Redcloud City. For the lot of you, what you all need should be immortal-ranked weapons, right?"

"Mhm." Ji Bolin nodded. Although his clan had vassals that were proficient in weaponsmithing, they still didn't have the capabilities to forge really impressive immortal-ranked special treasures such as clothing and accessories.

Only immortals who had immersed themselves in weaponsmithing for long periods of time would be able to do so.

"In that case, let me bring you guys to the Star Parasol Pavilion. There are many beautiful and exquisite divine weapons and treasures there." Zi Zi spoke.

"Just lead the way then." Everybody nodded as Kang Tian then asked, "Zi Zi, how many ascendants will there be participating in the true selection?"

He was filled with anticipation for this. Zi Zi was a cultivator that has lived here for quite a long time and would surely know of much information. She should be much more familiar with the selection than them.

"For the Immortal Ascension Selection, the Dynasty would issue invitations to the whole Northern Immortal Region as well as hundred thousands particle worlds under the heavens. The heavens here specifically refers to our Northern region in the Azure Mystic. The myriad ambitious ascendants under a 100 year old of these territories would all come if they managed to secure a spot. Zi Zi knows that only a hundred cities host the final rounds of preliminaries and they each have 1000 spots readily available which would mean 100,000 ascendants can qualify by this specific means." She stopped and looked at the eight prodigies before continuing with something even more shocking.

"However, Immortal Kings' pupils from all the other regions inside the Azure Mystic would also participate provided they have good relationship with the Dynasty, and there are often many unaffiliated cultivators as well. Those are lucky ascendants who find the thousands of much rare Immortal Ascension tokens. Not only them, those experts from major powers or those who control endless territories would send their ascendant disciples here too as a tempering expedition. If we included these 'seeded contestants' then every 100 years, about 120,000 ascendants would enter the Immortal Ascension melee!!!"

Zi Zi's tone turned solemn.

Ji Bolin, Kang Tian and the others could understand why as well. All these hundred thousand ascendants could be considered genius amongst genius, they were an elite.

This was simply unimaginable.

As they travelled, Ji Bolin asked many questions and then at times Kang Tian would or even the less talkative Di Yan and Shi Bai. Zi Zi naturally satisfied their curiosity the best she could, gradually allowing all of them to have a deeper understanding of the Northern Region of the Azure Mystic Immortal Realms. This was one of the reasons why they hired Zi Zi as a guide. They needed to know this information.

Asking from someone who knew them was the simplest method for him to learn the info.

The eight of them wanted to know too many things. And unknowingly, a long time passed and they had arrived at their target destination, the Star Parasol Pavilion.

To gain entry into the Star Parasol Pavilion, one has to pay an immortal meteor stone first for each person that enters. This was to guarantee that not everyone can enter freely. There were simply too many people in Redcloud City. If there were no restrictions, a place like this would be packed to the brim, how would they do any business then? The vast majority of people would only be here to window-shop.

Only those who could disregard the cost of one immortal meteor stone would have the ability to transact in the Star Parasol Pavilion.

After they entered the Star Parasol Pavilion, they were swiftly shocked by the dazzling line-up. Only the word 'luxurious' could describe this place and it was extremely gigantic, with all sorts of treasures. In addition, all these treasures were specially well crafted.

One of the first treasures the group caught their eyes on were pristine armours.

There were different styles of immortal armour, all of them extremely magnificent. Bolin, Kang Tian, Ji Yuan, Shi Bai and Di Yan usually wouldn't admire these. But now, they were all attracted by these treasures. After all, which male didn't like to be and look more grandiose? Even the three females were attracted.

The group had been granted tons of meteor stones by their clans so as to strengthen themselves before the selection so they were more than happy to go on a buying spree.

"Esteemed customers, I see that these several armours have caught your eyes. Then may I introduce you to some of them." A middleman with a sly yet welcoming smile approached the group.

"We are headed to the Immortal Ascension Selection so we would like to buy appropriate defensive and offensive treasures. Your insight is welcome" as always Kang Tian spoke before anybody else.

The group then went on to explain their needs and wants. The shopkeeper as a peak ascendant was obviously the disciple of some power, the Star Parasol Abode to be exact. He was most definitely here on a sect mission to earn some resources. He had inside news about the selection that a simple service girl like Zi Zi wouldn't, which he appropriately shared with the group.

"Unfortunately for the selection, Immortal weapons are forbidden so at best you can bring peak 5th level treasures. I have selected several ones following your criteria and this rule." the shopkeeper spoke.

Ji Bolin chose a peak 5th ranked sword alongside a bronze battle armour. The sword matched his demon attribute perfectly and the armour could fuse with his flesh to strengthen his defence. Despite refining his body to be his sword, Bolin was not crazy enough to disregard the amplification the sword would provide.

Di Yan chose a pair of vermillion gloves as well as a pair of fiery rings that most assuredly would be used to increase his fleeing speed aka survivability. (A/N: Check out Ne Zha for the rings/wheels)

Kang Tian already had an appropriate sabre, unknown to anybody else it was a broken immortal treasure from an ancient transcendent Immortal Emperor. It was so heaven defying that even a modern immortal emperor wouldn't find its secret and ironically even Kang did not know of it yet. If he achieved immortality then the sabre would reveal itself. Unfortunately in another time he died well before that but all had changed now. He ultimately opted for a pristine golden armour as well as a flying boat, obviously for defence and fleeing respectively.

Shi Bai would choose a pair of clubs which matched his attributes perfectly as well as a silver chest protector which only appeared to shield his heart but obviously as a 5th ranked divine treasure it assuredly does more. (A/N: See Aobing from Ne Zha to see the clubs).

Ji Yuan chose peculiar treasures as always; a dark hooded cloak that can mask his presence completely and a circular crown quite similar to the one worn by the Monkey King as depicted in several fanart of Bolin's previous world. The crown main purpose was to protect his mind and soul. Ji Bolin immediately thought of Mo Xie who was not yet born as soon as he saw the cloak and its function.

Ji Meiling had chosen a bronze mask that hides her face as well as a bronze glaive for her spear techniques. A masked maiden wielding a giant glaive is nothing but beautiful. Using her heavenly eyes to see through the enemy, her mirage to cloud herself and her spear to cleave them; she could be a truly frightening foe.

Gu Qingge chose divine weapons in the form of a flute as well as high heeled metallic boots. She was obviously not a close range fighter but excelled at long range bouts. So she could use her flute for surprisingly large distance to launch hypnotic music followed by tangible sonic attacks; she was a vicious foe as seen when she had beheaded her puppet previously. The boots would allow her to flee at the first sign of danger, a true hit & run maiden.

Lastly Xi Wenling had bought an azure colored divine armour with scale-like patterns, it was most probably made from the scale of some flood dragon. When she channelled any elemental attributed astral energy into the armour, wings of said elements would popup. Though slightly weaker in both defence and fleeing capabilities, the armour matched perfectly with her five elemental astral souls (Lightning/Thunder - Wind - Fire - Water - Earth). She already had her sceptre for offence thus she opted for some auxiliary treasure. Thus she bought a spatial treasure, an amulet, that could store millions and millions of astral energy, a perfect auxiliary treasure.

Thinking of Xi Wenling, Bolin couldn't but think she unconsciously took the road of the Dao of Heavenly Calamity. Many of the numerous Xianxia and Xuanhuan novels that Bolin read in his past life had heavenly tribulation incidents all involving these several elements where the MC would either valiantly overcome them or cheaply survive to them.

After the group had superbly geared up despite not knowing if they could overcome the Redcloud Marquis final test, they left the Star Parasol Pavillion happily. After several hours of touring through the Yuan district, they headed back to the inn where they would continue their cultivation whilst waiting.

𝛀 𝛀 𝛀 𝛀 𝛀 𝛀

Yuan District, Golden Asura Inn.

About six month had gone by since the Star Parasol Pavilion, each one in the Sky Pill group had successfully advanced their realms by two with the numerous resources gifted to them by their particle world forces via Senior Tan.

The still nineteen year old Bolin was already a 4th level ascendant just as were Kang Tian, Gu Qingge and Xi Menling whilst all the others were 5th level ascendants.

In his room, Bolin was busy digesting several insights gained after a previous spare with one of Senior Tan's avatars. The arduous journey of fighting, cultivating, resting then repeating a cycle comprised of these three things had been the daily routine of all of our eight heaven chosen.

Abruptly throughout the entire Redcloud Immortal City, a disturbance occurred; it was the echo of the voice of the infamous city lord.

"To Me! To Me! To Me!" the oppressing voice reverberated over the entirety of the otherworldly city.

All of the qualified contestants silently vanished from where they were and appeared on a mystical mountain floating high above the clouds.

Imagine a mountain so huge that a mortal could never hope to even reach the midway mark to the peak even if they sprinted at all time perpetually till the moment of their death. The mountain was covered with a magnificent forest all around and several patches of colourful blossom trees could be observed placed willy-nilly; buildings were also incorporated into the mountain symbiotically so much so that it did not disturb the beauty of it.

One would think of it as a simple floating mountain yet they could be more wrong, this entire mountain was the natal immortal weapon of the Redcloud Marquis, a mobile fortress. His eminence had used it to infiltrate enemy lines more than once and won numerous crucial battles for his liege lord.

Indeed the Redcloud Marquis was a fearsome spatial law expert.

"Climb my Star Blossom Mountain using the stairs with the help of only your cultivation prowess and no treasures. No violence is permitted. The first 1000 to reach the peak where the palace where I await is, will be qualified. The others will not. Start!" The calm yet overbearing voice sounded once more. The crowd immediately obeyed and rushed.

A young man in white robes tried to use his spatial astral soul to break through space but how could he; akin to a toddler using the tiniest wooden splint trying to poke open a metal pillar, he was severely unsuccessful.

Only the most observant contestant caught eye of that and did not try any foolishness but activated their several movement innate techniques, they were obviously at the forefront. Yet as soon as they touched the stairs, their mind and soul were attacked. Immeasurable pain was the product of this psychic attack, no illusion or mirage but simply soul-piercing pain that would only grow.

A few contestants fell down like broken kites and then went on to continuously twitch on the pain inducing white stairs.

"Unsightly!! Greenhouse Flowers!!" The voice sounded once more but this time filled with disappointment.

Obviously those very few who could not bear that minimum amount of pain did not deserve a spot for the selection no matter how high their talent was. They were silently expelled from the mountain forever missing the opportunities atop of it.

The leaders of the forces behind those few were seated next to his eminence and could not help but feel ashamed at the Marquis words.