The 66th Qualifier

Xifeng gracefully moved through the lively crowds of the disciples present in the Cloud Soar Arena, her white robes flowing elegantly as she walked.

The golden flame embroidery on her attire glowed in the ambient light, making her stand out like a celestial being among the masses. Whispers and intrigued gazes followed her every step, but as the spectators recognized her as the young lady of the Yin family and Xin Jianyu's fiance, they backed off to create a path for her.

Xifeng continued her search for Jianyu with a determined yet composed expression, her light makeup emphasizing the natural radiance of her features. She had put her utmost effort into her appearance today, she had even created a meticulous plan to mend her relationship with Jianyu.

As she spotted him in the distance, standing stoically amidst the bustling arena, with a warm smile breaking across her face, Xifeng quickened her pace and approached Jianyu.

"Jianyu!" she called out, her voice cutting through the ambient noise.

Jianyu turned towards her, his expression unchanged, and offered a simple nod in acknowledgment. "Xifeng," he greeted monotonously. Just like always, he acknowledged her greetings in public and didn't run away!

Undeterred, Xifeng maintained her cheerful smile and demeanor, "It's quite lively here, isn't it?" she remarked, gesturing towards the disciples present in the Cloud Soar Arena.

"Hmm," Jianyu responded, his attention seemingly divided between the ongoing events and Xifeng's presence.

Noticing the lack of enthusiasm in Jianyu's response, Xifeng decided to press on, "I was thinking we could chat for a bit before the trials started."

Jianyu's gaze remained impassive, but he then reached into his robe and retrieved a small, ornate box. Without a word, he opened it to reveal a bracelet.

"Xifeng, this is for you," Jianyu emotionlessly passed on a golden bracelet with red runes etched upon it, "This will let me know of your well-being and location inside the secret realm."

An artifact that let him know of her location... from an uninvolved party's viewpoint might look like a show of affection and care; however, Xifeng knew that it was the farthest thing from that...

'He has finally decided on getting rid of me...' That must be how it is. Jianyu waited till she entered a place hidden away from any outside intervention and gave her this "bracelet"...

It all made sense. After all, any cultivator would spare no effort to remove his inner devil. But what should Xifeng do? Should she try to fight against Jianyu? Oppose him? Or perhaps tell this to her grandmother?

Xifeng was at a loss, but she still put on a bright smile and accepted the artifact, hoping that she was just overthinking and it was just her pessimistic thinking.

"Thank you, Jianyu!" Xifeng spoke cheerfully, completely hiding away her gloomy thoughts.

"Mhm," Jianyu nodded and left for the place where Mo Suyin and the rest were. There he also gave them similar-looking artifacts, making Xifeng feel a bit hopeful...

But deep inside, she still felt like it was all just hope-filled lies she was telling herself.

...

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...

The Cloud Soar Arena buzzed with anticipation as the presiding elder, an imposing figure with a long, flowing beard, stepped forward. His voice echoed through the arena, commanding attention.

"Disciples of the various sects and clans of the central continent, ready yourselves for the first selection trial!" He declared, his voice carrying a weight that silenced the murmurs among the spectators and participants alike. "This trial will test your strength, agility, and perseverance."

This elder was actually quite the famous one... He was the head elder of discipline hall of the Profound heavens sect after all. He was known to be a grumpy old man who's quite harsh with his punishments and well... he with his rather undescriptive words wasn't the best host for the trials, not that anyone would say that to his face.

"In the hidden realm, survival will be the key to your success. The strong ones are those who survive. All of you shall battle with each other in a free-for-all until only 66 of you are left!"

The elder raised his hand, and the nine floating platforms, each suspended by chains adorned with glowing runes, began to lower. As they descended, the disciples hurriedly climbed aboard, finding their places. The atmosphere grew tense, and Xifeng found herself standing on a platform adjacent to Jianyu's, the golden bracelet glinting on her wrist.

Jianyu stood stoically at the center platform, his gaze focused and unwavering. The disciples exchanged cautious glances, sizing up the competition around them.

"Well then, prepare yourselves!" proclaimed the elder, his voice echoing with authority. As he spoke, the chains tightened, causing the platforms to draw closer to each other. The intertwining of the platforms began, creating a colossal, interconnected structure that floated in mid-air.

While the platform was large enough to maintain the distance between disciples to about 10 meters, for cultivators such as them, this was a very close distance. The disciples, now sharing a precarious proximity, eyed one another warily, some already calculating strategies to outlast their rivals. The intertwining platforms presented both an opportunity and a threat, as space became a limited resource, and clashes were inevitable.

"May the Trial of Soaring Chains commence!" The runes on the chains began to flare up at the elder's declaration, a mystical aura enveloped the Cloud Soar Arena as the disciples from all over the central continent felt as if they were chained down by an unknown force.

Everyone's minds and physique felt suppressed by the aura. The whole situation was at a standstill as everyone eyed their targets. However, before anyone could make a move, the platform under their feet began to crack, very fine cracks spread across the platform like a spider's web.

While most did not notice it, the cracks were not natural at all as they drew various symbols and runes... this was, in fact, an Array!

As all eyes converged toward the source of these "cracks," the amethyst eyed boy who had embedded his sword deep into the arena grounds simply shook it as fiery red-black flames crept away from his hands to the sword. Soon the array was no longer hidden as various runes on the platform glowed with the black-red flames. The various participants hurriedly backed off... However, it was too late.

It all happened in an instant, an ominous, dreadful aura pulsed through the arena, the smoky flares carried by the winds brought silence to all. In that very instant, more than half of the participants fell to the ground, their eyes rolled upwards with foam coming out of their mouths.

Out of the original 174 participants, only a grand total of 67 were left.

However, while everyone was looking at the individual who accomplished such a feat, the person in question, Jianyu, had a slight frown as he looked towards a certain someone quizzically.

...

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...

'FUCK!!!'

Long Zedong swore in his mind as he began to sweat buckets. To begin with, this whole situation was ridiculous! This formation seemed to test one's talent, stability of mind, and adaptability, however, that was definitely just a load of bullshit!

Long Zedong didn't have even the 10th of the talent or adaptability that his Junior sister Qi Bi possessed, and she was unconscious!

Rather, while it seemed like it was due to a faulty array, however, this formation had exerted extra force on certain individuals and all of these individuals just so happened to be those that Long Zedong remembered to possess greater perception...

However, due to sheer coincidence, Long Zedong had something that opposed this array's power!

'FUCK!!!' He panicked as he sensed those amethyst eyes frown upon him, 'This bastard plans on murdering someone in there!'

It all made sense; he sneakily removed all eyes that could find out about his actions while acting as a youth showing off his talents, and now he could easily hunt in the hidden realm that was hidden from any outside eyes or dangers!

'Alright!' Composing himself, Long Zedong resolved himself. He would do what any righteous soul in his position should do! 'Let's get the fuck out of here!'

Long Zedong had it all planned out— he would use the comet dash technique, that he learnt from elder dreamwalker and dash at the person closest to the edge of the platform and act as if he slipped and fell down the arena platform... However, Long Zedong was a truly ill-fated individual...

He tripped over the body of a person who had fallen unconscious and went flying straight at an unsuspecting victim, launching his victim straight out of the arena platform.

Securing Long Zedong a place in the 66 Qualifiers...

'I'm Fucked...'

Long Zedong felt tired at the inquisitive stares from across the arena... especially the one of that amethyst-eyed devil!