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Chapter 2160: Anxious Zhang Xuan

"It is said that the divine energy of God Mountain is also categorized into different levels!"

After a satisfying meal at the City Lord's Mansion, several powerful individuals, representing the highest echelons of Nightfall City, sat together, chatting over tea.

"That seems to be the case. Higher-grade divine energy is difficult to tame, but also purer and more potent. Upon absorption, it can temper one's power more effectively, laying the best foundation as soon as one breaks through!"

"Higher-grade divine energy is specially refined by the Nine Heavens and Nine Emperors. While powerful, it contains their unique might. If one's physique or cultivation technique doesn't align with it, success is impossible. Those who succeed are invariably the most exceptional geniuses of the God Clan."

"That's true. The spiritual energy tides have been appearing for nearly forty years. God Mountain opens once every six months, and it has opened a total of 79 times so far. Those truly valued by the Nine Heavens and Nine Emperors, geniuses who make the King Sealing Bell ring, number no more than three!"

"And it seems they are all disciples of Emperor Tianzong..."

"I wonder if a similar genius will emerge this year!"

"Definitely no hope. Those who can be crowned as kings in the God Realm almost always possess incredibly potent bloodlines, meaning their achievements are predetermined from birth. It's simply not something ordinary people can achieve!"

"Bloodline determines everything. If one's bloodline isn't strong enough, no matter how gifted they are, their accomplishments will be limited..."

The group conversed, interspersed with sighs of lament.

Listening to their conversation, Zhang Xuan, slightly puzzled, turned to look at Wu Fangqing, who was not far away. "Is bloodline really that important?"

"Of course!" Wu Fangqing said without reservation. "Below the God-King realm, cultivators can achieve progress through talent or fortunate encounters. However, once you cross that threshold, it becomes difficult. Those with strong bloodlines have a success rate more than a hundred times higher than ordinary people. To my knowledge, there are over a hundred God-King level experts in the Nine Heavens. The only ones who broke through purely through cultivation, without relying on bloodline, are Emperor Tianzong and three of his disciples!"

"Emperor Tianzong's disciples?"

"It seems they were brought from the lower realms. I'm not entirely sure about the specifics. This newly ascended Emperor has too many secrets; it's not something common folk like us can casually discuss," Wu Fangqing shook his head.

Had it been anyone else asking such questions, he would have surely rebuked them. However, because the other party was very likely a descendant of an Emperor, he deliberately explained, and also took the opportunity to observe his reaction.

However, the person before him wore a blank expression, making it impossible to discern any emotion.

Not pressing further on that topic, Zhang Xuan continued, "What do you mean by different types of divine energy?"

He had initially thought that the divine energy was identical to what he had obtained in the Firmament. He didn't expect there to be a difference.

"I'm not entirely sure about the specifics. It's more of a rumor in the God Realm. It says that divine energy is also categorized by levels. Only those with truly exceptional talent can acquire higher-grade energy and become more powerful..."

Wu Fangqing chuckled. "These are just rumors, not to be taken seriously. Don't pay them any mind..."

As they were speaking, the gateway on the square in front of the City Lord's Mansion shimmered, and a figure suddenly appeared.

"How long has it been? Why is someone coming out already?"

Stepping out of the courtyard, Zhang Xuan was puzzled.

"Wasn't it supposed to be one day?"

"It hasn't been that long, yet someone's already out."

"One day is the duration God Mountain is open. During this period, those who haven't reached the God realm can continue searching inside. If the time runs out and they still haven't succeeded, they will be teleported out. And those who successfully break through before then will also be teleported out!"

Wu Fangqing explained.

Zhang Xuan realized.

"Haha, it's my son! He broke through to the God realm in just over an hour!"

A middle-aged man in the crowd laughed loudly, filled with excitement.

Everyone has the same opportunities in God Mountain. To find divine energy and successfully break through in just over an hour is absolutely a sign of extraordinary talent.

Precisely for this reason, each time God Mountain opens, someone specifically records the rankings and order of those who emerge. Similar to the top scholars in the imperial examinations, their names are carved on stone tablets and widely circulated.

"Congratulations! With your son's talent, it seems your Hu clan is about to rise!"

"Brother Hu Xu, I've thought it over, and it's best if your family handles that business deal for me. Although we haven't collaborated before, I've long heard about your character, Brother Hu. I'd feel at ease entrusting it to you!"

"Your son and my daughter are both of marriageable age. Brother Hu, shouldn't we arrange their wedding soon?"

Soon, everyone gathered around, their expressions fervent.

To obtain divine energy and successfully break through in just over an hour—such high talent is considered top-tier even in Nightfall City. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, his future is boundless.

Naturally, people sought to curry favor with the father of such an individual.

It was a source of immense pride and prestige, like a child getting into a top university.

After responding to the enthusiastic crowd, the middle-aged man's gaze fell on Zhang Xuan, and he let out a sneer.

Earlier, his son had been defeated by this person's student. Now, his son had quickly broken through to the God realm, but what about the other person's students?

It seemed there was no sign of them yet!

He had thought they were true geniuses. But now, it appeared that once an age was past, it was past, and their potential was limited.

"Young Master Zhang Xuan, it seems my son was luckier and succeeded first... I wonder when your students will be able to break through to the God realm?"

Unable to restrain himself, he walked up to Zhang Xuan.

If one doesn't boast when they have the chance, what's the point?

He had lost face and honor earlier, so naturally, he wanted to find a way to reclaim it.

Facing the other's sarcasm, Zhang Xuan frowned.

According to the cultivation method he had taught them, as long as they found divine energy, they should be able to break through very quickly. It definitely wouldn't take more than an hour. Yet, none of his many disciples had emerged. Could it be... they encountered some danger?

That shouldn't be the case!

He knew a bit about the strength of Zhao Ya and the others. Even Sun Qiang could easily defeat ten individuals like the one who just emerged. If Sun Qiang was fine, how could the others have problems?

"They must have been delayed by something," Zhang Xuan said.

This was the only explanation now.

Due to the spatial separation, he was unaware that the Heavenly Dao true qi in his pills had been used.

"Delayed? Haha, then I wish Young Master Zhang's students a speedy resolution to their troubles..." Seeing his discomfiture, the middle-aged man was inexpressibly delighted, raising his head even higher.

So what if their strength in the Pseudo-God realm was great?

If they couldn't break through to the God realm, they were essentially useless.

As the middle-aged man gloated, the gateway shimmered again. More people emerged, and they came out one after another, over a dozen of them.

Zhang Xuan looked. None of his students, subordinates, or parents had emerged either.

"Young Master Zhang, it seems my child has also emerged!"

"Your students clearly entered first, and went to the place on the mountainside with the most divine energy. They shouldn't be unable to emerge, right?"

"Could it be that breaking through to the God realm is so troublesome for them? If so, their talent might not be that high..."

The parents who had been lectured by Zhao Ya and others earlier now approached with smiling faces.

At that time, the City Lord was protecting them, and their own descendants were indeed disappointing, so they dared not say much. But now, they all felt vindicated, swaggering triumphantly.

"Look how well my son performed!"

"What does it matter if your students were strong in combat as Pseudo-Gods?"

"Aren't they still slow at becoming Gods?"

"If they can't become Gods, it would truly be embarrassing..."

"Young Master Zhang, don't mind them..." Wu Fangqing said. "Whether one finds divine energy also depends on luck. Perhaps... they will be the next to emerge!"

Seeing the attitude of the crowd, Wu Fangqing found it difficult to explain and looked embarrassed.

"It's alright..." Zhang Xuan shook his head.

Although he didn't know why none of Zhao Ya and the others had emerged, he trusted their strength, and he had also specifically left them pills. There shouldn't be any problems.

In the blink of an eye, two hours passed. Over three hundred of the twelve hundred cultivators who entered God Mountain had already emerged. Yet, none of Zhao Ya, Sun Qiang, or the others had appeared.

The people who had been sarcastic earlier now looked disdainful.

To not have broken through after such a long time, their lack of talent was evident. And to think the City Lord still treated him as a distinguished guest. Now, it seemed he was utterly useless.

"Something's wrong..." Zhang Xuan frowned.

If his students hadn't emerged within an hour, he would have thought something unexpected happened, which would be understandable. But... it had been over three hours now, and not a single one had become a God. This clearly defied common sense!

Cultivating the simplified Heavenly Dao art, combined with divine energy, to break through to the God realm was even faster than his "If Heaven Has Sentience" cultivation art. Even if it couldn't be completed in an hour, it definitely wouldn't take two...

Why was there still no sign of them?

"City Lord, is there any way to check if something has happened to those who entered God Mountain?"

A hint of worry in his voice, Zhang Xuan looked over.

"Check if something happened?" Wu Fangqing paused for a moment. "It is possible to check, but the cost is considerable. Each check requires a hundred God Coins!"

God Mountain is inherently dangerous. Normally, checking is not permitted. However, some individuals, concerned for their descendants, wish to investigate. Thus, this rule was established: checking is possible, but at a high price.

A single entry slot only costs one God Coin. Yet, a check costs a hundred, a hundredfold increase. The vast difference was hard to believe.

"I'd like to check," Zhang Xuan said after a moment's thought.

These students had traveled with him all the way from the Master Teacher Continent. He had long regarded them as his closest kin. They absolutely could not be in danger.

"This way, please..."

Wu Fangqing nodded and began walking back towards the City Lord's Mansion.

"Let's go take a look!"

"They definitely haven't broken through. What's there to check?"

"He has money and wants to check. What's it to you?"

"It costs nothing to go and see. If his students found divine energy but didn't break through, that would be amusing..."

"Indeed..."

The middle-aged men who had been mocking earlier, upon hearing their conversation, all smiled slightly and followed closely.

Since he wanted to check, they might as well go and watch. After all, it would be this fellow who lost face. They might as well go and enjoy the spectacle.

Entering the City Lord's Mansion, they soon arrived at a spacious hall.

"You can make inquiries here," Wu Fangqing said, pointing to a wall in front of them. "By inputting the name and appearance of the person you wish to check, along with a hundred God Coins, you can find out the result."

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