Chapter 48: Competition? Picking Up the Token!

The speed at which the light screen swept through the crowd grew even faster, and within less than half an hour, tens of thousands had already been reviewed. The cultivators who arrived later had even lower chances of passing; most were simply hoping for luck. In the blink of an eye, three hours passed, and out of the vast crowd of six hundred thousand, fewer than twenty thousand made it through. Night Nine Demon marveled inwardly—this truly felt like the world of cultivation. The ratio was almost one in thirty, so cruel that it needed no further explanation. No wonder everyone here strives to become stronger; without strength, survival is impossible.

Among those six hundred thousand, there were no shortage of highly skilled cultivators, many stronger than Ming Nine Yin and others, yet they too were mercilessly eliminated. This alone showed how brutal the selection was.

Suddenly, the light screen became indistinct, and then the scene shifted like a display screen. A middle-aged man appeared, possessing the air of a true immortal.

"Those who are unqualified, depart!" said the man in a powerful tone. The unqualified candidates shook their heads, sighed, and withdrew some distance.

In an instant, the vast field centered on the remaining twenty thousand. The light screen trembled, spreading like ripples in water, and the middle-aged man stepped out from within.

"I am Elder Sword Cloud of the Heavenly Sword Sect, responsible for this Three Sects selection," Sword Cloud said concisely. Everyone knew why only Sword Cloud was present; the leaders of the Three Sects took turns overseeing the selection. This time, it was clearly the Heavenly Sword Sect’s turn, so only Sword Cloud had come. The crowd regarded him with solemn expressions.

"This year’s selection remains unchanged. The second round is still combat. As for the third round, we’ll discuss it after you pass," Sword Cloud announced with a hint of arrogance. Night Nine Demon smiled among the crowd; the routine was always the same, nothing novel here. However, the third round piqued his interest.

"Enter the light screen. Inside, you need not hold back—even if you have vendettas, no one will know who killed whom. This combat round disregards life and death," Sword Cloud’s tone grew more intense. Many eyed their adversaries—perhaps this was the perfect opportunity for revenge.

Night Nine Demon glanced around and immediately sensed more than ten powerful presences nearby; suddenly, they all revealed murderous intent directed at him. He felt bitter inside, knowing full well who had sent these people. He grumbled inwardly, "What have I done to provoke you all? Are you really willing to risk your lives for money?"

"If anyone has objections, you may withdraw now—no one will force you," Sword Cloud spoke again as everyone pondered. Many, faces dejected, stepped out of the circle, and instantly thousands more left.

Cultivation is about becoming stronger, for only strength offers a chance at survival. Faced with life-and-death combat, some realized they weren’t ready and withdrew. After all, one only has a single life—it must be cherished.

Night Nine Demon glanced at the departing crowd, feeling a stir within, yet people have their own ambitions and cannot be forced. After all, forcibly twisting a melon only makes it bitter.

"Those remaining, enter the light screen and seek the tokens placed by the Three Sects. We will only take the top three thousand with the most tokens," Sword Cloud said, his expression indifferent as he watched those who had left.

"Ah—"

"Why?"

"Isn’t this a life-or-death combat?"

"..."

Immediately, those who had withdrawn protested, criticizing Sword Cloud, but he replied calmly.

"If you cannot hold fast to your pursuit of the Dao, if you dare not face even this difficulty, then when confronted with a life-or-death crisis, you will retreat just the same. Why should our Three Sects nurture the weak?"

"Today is but a test, yet you falter like this. You will never be worthy of responsibility in the future. Do you still complain now?"

Sword Cloud’s words resounded like thunder, and those who had chosen to quit fell silent. Indeed, as he said, if one cannot uphold their own path, what use is there in nurturing them?

A true cultivator must know what to pursue and what to avoid, must face difficulties head on in harsh circumstances, and when danger arises, use every means to solve it, not retreat.

Night Nine Demon understood, and now he knew why Sword Cloud’s expression had seemed different earlier.

"This method is rather bold, but on the path of cultivation, it should be so. Not everyone is a genius like me, able to advance by eating and sleeping," Night Nine Demon mocked inwardly, then stepped into the light screen to begin the second round of selection.

...

Upon entering, Night Nine Demon was astonished to discover the light screen connected to a secret realm. Birds, beasts, insects, and fish were all real, and the air echoed with the roars of beasts—a sign that gathering tokens would not be easy.

After entering, he immediately sensed waves of danger emanating from the depths of the mountains.

"It seems caution is best. Life-and-death crises are no joke," he thought.

Outside, Sword Cloud saw that everyone had entered, and with a gentle gesture, streams of energy flowed from his fingertip. The light screen displayed the scenes within.

Night Nine Demon moved cautiously toward the mountain’s depths. Its peaks soared skyward, like pillars holding up the heavens. Occasionally, he glimpsed flying creatures darting across them.

"Surely there must be treasures here. No matter—robbery brings riches; let’s see if there’s anything valuable. A secret realm like this can’t lack good things," he decided, acting swiftly and heading toward a certain peak, for he had spotted a particular plant.

"Gold and Silver Mist Flower!"

This flower had petals of two colors—gold blossoms and silver leaves. When it bloomed and bore fruit, it was shrouded in mist, hence its name. Its primary use was in refining Thunder Pills, which helped reduce the pain of heavenly tribulation lightning during breakthroughs. Even simply consuming the flower had some effect.

This was what Night Nine Demon sought. Though he was too lazy to refine pills, he didn’t mind making some occasionally to eat like candy.

He wasn’t the only one, though; several figures were racing toward the same flower. This plant was priceless in the outside world, and if one could take it out and sell it, it would be a fine profit.

After all, every cultivator would eventually face heavenly tribulation. Having a Thunder Pill was an extra layer of protection for one’s life; naturally, no one would be foolish enough to refuse.

Night Nine Demon hadn’t yet realized that others had set their sights on the Gold and Silver Mist Flower as well, and were racing toward it with equal fervor.

Outside, the onlookers watched the scenes projected by the light screen, their hearts ablaze. The herbs and elemental beasts appearing in the secret realm were rare treasures outside. Obtaining just one would bring wealth enough to sustain cultivation for a long time.

As the crowd reeled in shock, the first battle erupted within the light screen, and the observers immediately recognized the two participants.