Chapter 825: Assessment Rules, Transmission Begins

In the very center of Pilgrimage Square, all traces of the Pill Refining Assembly had long been cleared away. At this moment, the entire square contained only one large-scale short-range teleportation array.

On the high platform stood a man, Cheng Ji, the Head of the Holy Temple branch in the Royal City. The appointed time had arrived; all who were meant to be there were present, and even those who weren't expected had shown up.

Cheng Ji gazed at the crowd below, a faint smile playing on his lips. With a single word, he silenced the boisterous chatter. "Distinguished guests!"

"I believe many of you have been looking forward to this day for a long time. I won't waste any more breath. In half an hour, the teleportation array beneath your feet will transport you to the Cloudridge Mountain Range for the Royal City Trial."

"Before that, I will explain the rules of this Royal City Trial to everyone."

Everyone held their breath in anticipation. Even curious onlookers who had no stake in the matter leaned in to listen intently.

Cheng Ji smiled calmly, raised three fingers, and slowly began: "The Royal City Trial is divided into three rounds of assessment, all conducted within the Cloudridge Mountain Range. The locations are the outer and inner perimeters of the Cloudridge Mountain Range, the core area of the Nine Dragon Veins, and the final battleground, Pixiu Mountain."

"After entering the teleportation array, trial participants will be randomly transported to the outer perimeter of the Cloudridge Mountain Range. You will then need to continuously advance towards the inner perimeter."

"After ten days, the barrier around the Nine Dragon Veins core area will be lifted. You must enter the Nine Dragon Veins region within one day; those who fail to do so will be disqualified."

"Ten days after the Nine Dragon Veins competition, the Pixiu Mountain barrier will also be lifted. Trial participants must immediately proceed to Pixiu Mountain, the final battleground, within one day. Those who exceed this time limit will also be eliminated."

A slight murmur spread through the venue. People began to discuss, but no one voiced any doubts. It was clear that Branch Head Cheng's words were easy to understand, and no one present was foolish.

On the high platform, seeing that no one in the arena had any questions about the basic trial rules, Cheng Ji paused for a moment before continuing: "The entire Royal City Trial will last for one month and will operate on a point system."

"During the trial period, the Cloudridge Mountain Range will be enveloped by the Heavenly Mechanism World, 'Cloud Realm'. Within the Cloud Realm, 'Cloud Orbs' and 'Cloud Beasts' will be randomly scattered."

"Digging up a 'Cloud Orb' grants 100 points; slaying a 'Cloud Beast' awards 10,000 points."

"Once you enter the Cloud Realm, the trial jade pendant in your possession will serve as your symbol of qualification. You must bind it with a drop of blood, after which it will display various pieces of information. You can experiment with it after you've entered the Cloud Realm."

Upon hearing this, everyone promptly took out their trial jade pendants. Previously, no one knew the purpose of the trial jade pendants, and they hadn't been bound to an owner, meaning whoever took one possessed it. They had initially thought it was merely a symbol of qualification, but to their surprise, it would turn out to be a crucial item once they entered the Cloudridge Mountain Range.

Cheng Ji watched as some below began to experiment and said with a smile, "Dropping blood now is useless. The trial jade pendant is also known as the 'Cloudridge Jade'. Only after you enter the Cloudridge Mountain Range will the presence of the 'Cloud Realm' activate the relevant Heavenly Mechanism Array and its corresponding functions. So, if you want to test it, wait until you're inside the Cloudridge Mountain Range!"

"It's worth noting..." Cheng Ji said, a strange smile suddenly appearing on his face, "Points don't just come from the two sources I've mentioned; there's a final method: plunder!"

Everyone froze.

Cheng Ji explained, "When two trial jade pendants come into contact, it will trigger a 'plunder' and 'being plundered' mechanism. The plunderer will seize half of the plundered person's points."

"Each trial jade pendant has three opportunities to be plundered. If it is plundered more than three times, the Cloud Realm will deem the jade pendant holder to have failed the trial and they will be directly expelled from the Royal City Trial."

"Similarly, as your symbol of identity, if a trial jade pendant is shattered, whether actively or passively, its holder will be expelled and teleported out of the Cloud Realm. This also signifies... trial failure!"

The arena immediately erupted in an uproar. Didn't this rule essentially encourage fighting? Others would toil hard digging for Cloud Orbs and slaying Cloud Beasts, but if you simply hunted down another participant, you could plunder half their points in one go. Wasn't this far quicker than diligently earning points?

The commotion in the arena lasted only for a moment before subsiding. "Interesting," someone chuckled. Everyone present was an innate grandmaster from the Eastern Heavens and even the Five Domains. How could they fear opponents of the same realm? One could say that almost everyone standing in the arena was a prominent figure from various regions. How could they be afraid of mere combat? On the contrary, such a rule system ignited their fighting spirit.

"Three opportunities, huh?" Beside Xu Xiaoshou, Mu Zixi narrowed her eyes, counting on her fingers as she fell into thought. "Does this mean that if you 'plunder' someone's points but don't kill them, you can follow them and continue to 'plunder' them until all their points are completely drained?"

"Hiss!" Several innate prodigies nearby gasped in shock upon hearing this.

"Where did this little girl come from?""She must be a demon!""Damn, she's already thinking about draining someone's points three times right off the bat? Little girl, you're a bit twisted!"

Even Xu Xiaoshou glanced at his junior sister in surprise. Though she was small, her understanding of the rules was quite profound...

On the high platform, after Cheng Ji finished explaining the point rules, he shifted his tone. "Due to special circumstances, the intensity of this Royal City Trial in the Eastern Heavens might only be comparable to places like Central Domain's Imperial Capital or Siling City among the Five Domains."

"Therefore, by the end of the final battle, the top thirty-six participants on the scoreboard will qualify for the Holy Palace Trial."

"In other words, for this trial, the Holy Palace has opened up thirty-six slots for the Holy Palace Trial to the Royal City of the Eastern Heavens!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Xiaoshou was astonished. Thirty-six... Only thirty-six slots?! He was truly shocked.

The Eastern Heavens had over a hundred prefectures, each with dozens or hundreds of cities. The Royal City Trial qualifications obtained by various Spirit Palaces and major powers in each city varied. Essentially, only the most elite prodigies were sent here to participate in the Royal City Trial. Outside, countless innate peak cultivators hadn't even acquired a trial jade pendant for the Royal City Trial. Under such fierce competition, every participant in the trial was already a genius from their respective domain. Yet, even so, out of tens of thousands of participants in the arena, the Holy Palace only wanted thirty-six?

Crucially, these thirty-six chosen participants wouldn't directly enter the Holy Palace. Instead, they would undergo another Holy Palace Trial alongside geniuses from the 108 realms of the Eastern Domain and all Five Domains of the continent. Only those who performed exceptionally would be granted entry into the Holy Palace.

"What a high elimination rate!" Xu Xiaoshou's heart surged with emotion. No wonder the Holy Palace was known as a training ground for saints. Only one in a billion exceptional spiritual cultivators could gain the qualification to enter the Holy Palace. How could they not soar to great heights with time?

The crowd in the arena also marveled in unison. "Thirty-six slots, that's terrifying. Won't there be a bloodbath?""This is already good. It's thanks to Sky City. Without it floating above the Royal City of the Eastern Heavens, our Royal City wouldn't even rank among the Five Domains in the past. Getting ten Holy Palace Trial slots would have been considered excellent.""But even so, this elimination rate is truly frightening.""True, but only after millions of failures is there a tiny chance of becoming a saint, isn't there? The very reason you came into being from nothing is because you fought with all your might and triumphed over millions of your peers!""...You're right."

Both participants and spectators were in an uproar. Cheng Ji on the high platform paid no heed. After waiting for a moment, he raised a hand, and the entire venue quieted down once more.

A slight smile appeared on his lips: "I know that many of you have suppressed your cultivation for too long, even too much, for this Royal City Trial!"

"Some of you cannot easily make a move, while others might break through with a single action when facing combat."

"But none of this is a problem!" Cheng Ji flicked his sleeve, his aura soaring. "The Cloudridge Mountain Range has already been set up with the 'Cloud Realm' world. Within it, you can sense cultivation up to the Grandmaster level. After the trial, the 'Cloud Realm' will collect all the spiritual essence, insights into the Dao, and various abilities you've gained over this month, consolidating them into a 'Cloud Realm Source Crystal'."

"However, that 'Cloud Realm Source Crystal' can be consumed during the Holy Palace Trial, allowing you to instantly recover to your strongest realm!"

"This is the greatest benefit I have secured for you, the participants of this trial!"

As he finished speaking, the entire venue was shaken. Stripping away cultivation and insights into the Dao, sealing them into a "Cloud Realm Source Crystal," and then consuming it during the Holy Palace Trial? Such a method seemed too fantastical!

Some participants' eyes immediately lit up, and they eagerly asked, "Branch Head Cheng, do you mean we can temporarily break through to Grandmaster cultivation in the Cloudridge Mountain Range and fight with our strongest abilities?"

Everyone simultaneously looked on with anticipation, their eyes gleaming.

Cheng Ji shook his head faintly: "Not quite. What I mean is, only those who finish the trial, successfully exit the 'Cloud Realm' world, and rank among the top thirty-six on the scoreboard will receive a 'Cloud Realm Source Crystal'."

"In other words, if you wish to fight with Grandmaster cultivation in the 'Cloud Realm' world, you must ensure your final points place you among the top thirty-six on the scoreboard, and that you are not prematurely eliminated by others in any of the three rounds of assessment!"

"Otherwise, the Holy Palace Trial only accepts innate cultivation. If you break through to Grandmaster cultivation but do not have a 'Cloud Realm Source Crystal' to seal your cultivation back... heh heh." Cheng Ji chuckled, leaving the rest unsaid.

Everyone felt as if they had been doused with cold water, a chill running down their spines. Ultimately, the Royal City Trial existed for the Holy Palace Trial. If one were to break through to Grandmaster cultivation in the Cloudridge Mountain Range, rely on their abilities to climb into the top thirty-six on the scoreboard, but then be prematurely eliminated at the last moment... That would mean, even if you were ranked first... your Grandmaster cultivation would prevent you from participating in the Holy Palace Trial. All efforts would be in vain!

"What incredible Heavenly Mechanism Arts..." Xu Xiaoshou wasn't particularly concerned about being a Grandmaster or not; he was already a cheat. However, he was amazed by the Cloud Realm's ability to strip cultivation and insights into the Dao, sealing them into a "Cloud Realm Source Crystal." This was certainly a grand feat!

Other geniuses from the Five Domains nearby also expressed their astonishment. "Incredible. Such a Heavenly Mechanism ability as the 'Cloud Realm Source Crystal' is not something an ordinary Royal City can achieve.""The Royal City of the Eastern Heavens has pulled off something truly impressive. I originally thought this Royal City couldn't compare to places like Central Domain's Imperial Capital or Siling City, as only truly prosperous world-class spiritual cultivation centers would possess such capabilities.""Who would have thought that even a small Royal City like this in the Eastern Heavens could produce something like a 'Cloud Realm Source Crystal'?""I've only heard of Royal Cities of the Imperial Capital's caliber in the Central Domain being able to do similar things before; weaker Royal Cities simply couldn't.""Perhaps it's because of Sky City...""Yes, it must be because of that!"

The various geniuses from the Five Domains were well-informed. However, the appearance of the "Cloud Realm Source Crystal" still left them feeling astounded.

On the high platform, Cheng Ji smiled faintly, a sense of pride swelling within him. This Royal City Trial in the Eastern Heavens was unlike previous ones; even the Seven Sword Immortals' Rao Yaoyao was monitoring it throughout. Such a level of importance surpassed even the Central Domain's Imperial Capital. A mere "Cloud Realm Source Crystal" was just a small benefit he had secured for the participants of the Royal City Trial. There were still plenty of opportunities awaiting these young ones in the Cloud Realm world!

"I won't say more," Cheng Ji suppressed the discussion throughout the venue and finally cautioned, "Remember, entering the Cloudridge Mountain Range signifies the start of the trial. During the trial, if any power exceeding the Grandmaster level appears, it will be locked onto by the 'Cloud Realm' world... and you know the consequences."

As he spoke his last sentence, his gaze swept across everyone in the arena, seemingly warning those with ill intentions, but ultimately, he didn't elaborate further. With a final flick of his sleeve, "The one-month Royal City Trial now begins."

Branch Head Cheng used his imposing aura to encourage everyone: "Try your best to survive to the very end, young ones! Your glorious future begins here!"

The participants in the arena began to stir with excitement. At this moment, the large-scale teleportation array covering the entire Pilgrimage Square began to glow softly.

Cheng Ji's expression returned to normal, and he said indifferently, "All trial participants, firmly grasp your trial jade pendants and raise them high." Tens of thousands of people instantly stretched out tens of thousands of hands, as if reaching for the sky.

"Special trial participants, please have your two guardians beside you place their hands on you." Special trial participants naturally referred to those specializing in pill refining, spirit arrays, and similar disciplines. Because they were too weak, they were allowed two guardians.

"Come on." Xu Xiaoshou smiled and spread his hands, one on each side. The disguised Xin Gugu and the younger version of Liu Changqing smiled and placed their hands on him. After observing closely, Xu Xiaoshou had already received instructions from Liu Changqing. This teleportation array indeed possessed a Heavenly Mechanism Array for verifying cultivation, and its grade was quite high. But no matter how high its grade, it couldn't surpass Liu Changqing, the spokesperson for Ancestor Wuji.

"Teleportation, commence!" Cheng Ji waved his hand. A magnificent pillar of light shot up from Pilgrimage Square, reaching towards the sky.

A breath later, the once bustling Pilgrimage Square instantly had a large empty space in its center. Only a few bewildered individuals tumbled to the ground with a thud, utterly lost. "Huh?" they muttered.

Spectators nearby cried out. "Look! Something went wrong with the teleportation array! These people clearly have trial jade pendants, but they weren't teleported!""What now? Are they supposed to fly there to complete the trial?"

The few remaining participants on the platform were now trembling with fear. Cheng Ji listened to the audience's comments, sneering repeatedly. He swept his gaze across them, then raised a hand: "Arrest them! Send them all to prison, interrogate them severely, and find out their origins and motives."

"No, don't!" A voice of terror suddenly rang out: "Branch Head Cheng, I'm a trial participant! I'm only eighteen, and I'm at the peak of the Upper Spirit Realm!!" The others also cried out in panic.

"Cheap tricks!" Cheng Ji snorted coldly. "If your abilities aren't up to par, don't try to sneak in like others, alright? With you few standing here under the gaze of tens of thousands, even I feel embarrassed for you!"

"Arrest them all!"