Simulation becomes reality, have I ever looked down upon the eternity?

Chapter 553 Zhou Jing, you stay on for the ten spots at Xiao Qingfeng!

The morning mist lingered in the bamboo forest, and the boy's words drifted faintly into the distance.

"No need to name it; once I become famous, someone will naturally name it."

[Lü Qingyu said in a low voice, "I think it's not as good as Yu Jing."]

Xiao Wan'er's eyes flickered slightly, her gaze somewhat infatuated.

You urged, "Let's go, today's matter concerns the Eighteen Families."

"Xiao Jing, are you participating too?"

【"nature."】

【Lü Qingyu said, "This isn't like you, Junior Brother. You always try to avoid things that bring you fame, as if you want to stay far away from them. This time, the sun has risen in the west."】

"There's a reason for this; how could we miss the grand gathering of the Eighteen Families?"

Lu Qingyu asked suspiciously, "Is it that simple?"

She sighed, "However, this time it might be a bit difficult for Xiaoqing Peak. Among the eighteen peaks, Xiaoqing Peak has only been established for four years."

"Xiao Qingfeng used to win first place."

"Right now, countless eyes from all factions are eager to see Xiao Qingfeng humiliated."

[Think about it, it makes sense. The decline of Xiaoqing Peak was ultimately due to the massacre committed by the previous peak master, who slaughtered the entire family, sealed the mountain for a hundred years, and turned a thousand years of accumulated wealth into nothingness.]

Of course, this is no one else's fault; it's a case of cutting off one's own arm.

[Lu Qingyu said, "Currently, there isn't a single disciple on Little Green Peak who has broken through to the Heavenly Gate Realm. Meanwhile, the other seventeen branches... each have at least one Heavenly Gate Realm expert in charge."]

Both Lü Qingyu and Xiao Wan'er were at the late stage of the Dao Embryo realm.

You comforted her, saying, "It's alright, there are still two months left. Things might turn around. I believe in your senior sister."

[Lu Qingyu glanced at you, a half-smile on her face, and said, "Junior brother, you should break through to the Dao Embryo stage first."]

[You're a bit embarrassed, aren't you? For the past six months, you've been too focused on cultivating the *Seven Treasures Mystic Manual*, neglecting to improve your outward cultivation level.]

[On the surface, he is still at the late stage of the Solidifying Spirit realm.]

You have arrived at the back of Little Green Peak after your long journey.

As you speak, you have reached the back of Little Green Peak. The morning mist is gradually dissipating, and a familiar thatched cottage appears at the end of the mountain path.

[Nie Qingzhu had given instructions earlier that we could enter without prior notice.]

Outside the thatched hut, besides Qi Ling who had just entered and those who had arrived before you, there were six other people waiting quietly; all of them were familiar faces.

Standing in the front row was a short, stout Taoist priest; this was none other than You Sanfeng, the senior disciple of Xiao Qingfeng.

[Among them, the tallest and most imposing, resembling a bear, was the "hero" encountered during his first trial upon descending the mountain.]

[There are four others, two women and two men, all disciples who will join the sect the following year.]

[This also shows that your first year's disciples are truly terrible, almost like those selected by various lineages.]

Of the two women, the one with a charming and lovely appearance, resembling a girl next door, is Shen Qingxue. You have secretly and diligently taught her for some time, and you even gifted her a "Purple-Gold Heavenly Horned Ant" larva as a protective spirit beast.

Shen Qingxue has been practicing for three years and has reached the mid-stage of the Dao Embryo realm. She is only one step away from entering the late stage.

She only dared to steal a glance at you when you entered. After all, they had already agreed on three rules: when there were outsiders present, she was not allowed to speak to you unless you took the initiative to greet her.

[The other woman, dressed in a palace gown, is Shang Fang, a close friend of Shen Qingxue. She was also involved in the Ant Daoist incident.]

From then on, she became one of your students, just like Shen Qingxue.

The two girls also stood out among Xiao Qingfeng's peers.

Of the remaining two men, the one in black was handsome, with a touch of arrogance. This was Kou Sen, the most outstanding disciple among those who entered the sect in the second year.

Kou Sen's gaze swept over Lü Qingyu and Xiao Wan'er, a glint of greed flashing in his eyes. As for you, you're merely at the Solidified Spirit Realm; in his eyes, you don't even deserve a second glance.

The last man, like you, wore a blue robe reminiscent of Xiao Qingfeng. He was of average appearance but possessed a friendly demeanor; his name was Wen Lou.

[These are the most outstanding disciples of Xiaoqing Peak after four years of training; their lowest cultivation level is at least the mid-stage of the Dao Embryo realm.]

Qi Ling, You Sanfeng, Lü Qingyu, and Xiao Wan'er were all at the late stage of the Dao Embryo realm.

The six people seem a bit surprised by your arrival. Today, we've come to prepare for the Eighteen Veins Star-Picking Gathering.

[How could someone at the Solidified Spirit Realm be involved in such an important matter?]

You Sanfeng's gaze shifted between you and Lü Qingyu, a hint of gloom flashing in his eyes, but he ultimately remained silent.

After exchanging greetings, the group stood quietly.

Among the group, Qi Ling was the most composed, and her extraordinary aura made her impossible to ignore.

Several people sensed that Qi Ling was just one step away from breaking through to the Heavenly Gate.

However, you know that Qi Ling has already reached the Heavenly Gate Realm.

Not long after!

Suddenly, the bamboo curtain rustled softly, and two figures emerged from behind the thatched hut. Everyone bowed in unison.

"Greetings, Peak Master, Elder Nie."

"Master, are you well, Elder Nie?"

The one in white is Jiang Yingxue. This peak master is rarely seen as she is in seclusion most of the time. Even Lu Qingyu's four disciples rarely see her, let alone Shen Qingxue and the others. Their tone is somewhat excited.

After scanning the crowd, Nie Qingzhu's gaze fell on Zhou Jing at the back, and she glanced at him again.

Jiang Yingxue lightly raised her hand, and ten streams of light landed before the crowd, transforming into ten jade bottles that hovered in the air.

The bottle's surface subtly displays cloud patterns, and a delicate fragrance wafts from it, invigorating the senses.

"This is a Dao Embryo Pill. There are one hundred pills in total. Taking them continuously for one hundred days will increase the probability of breaking through to the Dao Embryo realm."

This Nascent Soul Pill is a priceless treasure of Fangcun Mountain. It's extremely rare, given the many disciples at the Nascent Soul stage on the mountain. Whenever the alchemy room has some being refined, it's immediately snatched up.

Everyone was overjoyed. "Thank you, Peak Master."

"Thank you, Master!"

Jiang Yingxue's eyes, clear as water, swept over the crowd: "The path of cultivation values ​​perseverance. Do not waste your youth, do not betray the Great Dao."

Before the words were even finished, the figure in white had vanished.

After saying this, he left, leaving only Nie Qingzhu behind.

Elder Nie, dressed in a bamboo-green long dress, solemnly said, "Peak Master is at a critical juncture in his breakthrough, and his special appearance today to meet you demonstrates the importance he attaches to this Eighteen Veins Star-Picking Competition."

"You are also the most outstanding disciples of my Little Green Peak. You should all prepare yourselves well and not embarrass Little Green Peak."

Everyone agreed.

As you watched Jiang Yingxue leave, the brilliance in your eyes slowly faded. Two years had passed, and the aura above Jiang Yingxue's head had transformed into a crimson glow piercing the sun. That red light, like a sword being drawn from its sheath, wasn't some ominous calamity, but clearly a sign that she was about to break through to a higher realm!

This peak master is a Great Dao Golden Core cultivator with sixty years of experience, and only passed the Nine Heavenly Tribulation of the Great Golden Core realm six years ago.

[Normally, the Second Nine Heavenly Tribulation requires at least a hundred years of accumulation, yet it's only been a few years before it's already upon us?] [Is the Seven Killings Sword Manual truly so heaven-defyingly profound? You couldn't help but ponder to yourself, the previous peak master had suffered a qi deviation while practicing this technique and betrayed the sect.]

At this moment, even you can't resist the urge to glimpse the legendary forbidden sword manual.

Nie Qingzhu said, "This time, each of the eighteen sects will send nine disciples to the Star-Picking Competition."

【Nine disciples! 】

[The tall, imposing figure observed that there were ten people here. Perhaps one more should be eliminated?]

[Unanimously, we all thought of you; among the ten, your cultivation level is the lowest.]

Coulson looked at you with a half-smile.

[Nie Qingzhu's tone softened at this point, "In such a grand event, just being able to show one's face is an immense opportunity. As long as one can make it into the top 100, the mountain will bestow treasures and cultivation techniques upon them. If one were in another branch, they would inevitably have to compete fiercely for a spot."]

"However, there are indeed too few disciples at Xiaoqing Peak... This is also an opportunity. Based on your performance in the trials and your cultivation levels, a list of candidates has been drawn up."

Nie Qingzhu's gaze first fell on Qi Ling, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes. This disciple, whom she had taken in four years ago when the sect was established, was now undoubtedly the leading figure among the younger generation of Xiaoqing Peak. The rankings for Xiaoqing Peak this time would most likely fall to her.

"Qi Ling, You Sanfeng, Lü Qingyu, Xiao Wan'er, the four of you are only one step away from the Heavenly Gate. You must do your best to break through in the next two months."

Upon hearing this, You Sanfeng's eyes instantly burned with fervor, as if flames were raging within them.

[You also noticed that among these four, apart from Qi Ling, You Sanfeng is the one closest to the Heavenly Gate Realm.]

The others had anticipated this, as these four possessed the highest cultivation levels, already reaching the late stage of the Dao Embryo realm.

[Nie Qingzhu scanned them one by one, "And Haojie, Shen Qingxue, Shang Fang."]

The three people who were mentioned caught their breath. Haojie, in particular, could hardly contain his excitement.

"Kou Sen, Wen Lou."

"The five of you should aim to break through to the late-stage level within the next two months."

"Yes, Elder Nie!" everyone responded in unison.

Nine spots have been filled.

Coulson turned to look at you, his eyes filled with a condescending pity, and a hint of schadenfreude playing on his lips.

[Shen Qingxue's eyes held worry. If you hadn't given her prior instructions, given her personality, she probably would have blurted out, "Let Senior Brother Zhou go for me." Her clear, autumn-like eyes were filled with concern, and she hesitated several times before speaking.]

Shang Fang, however, was much calmer. After all, Nie Qingzhu had gathered all ten of you for a reason; she must have made some arrangements. From her observation, Elder Nie had always been very kind to Senior Brother Zhou.

[Lü Qingyu, knowing the truth, remained calm and composed.]

"This competition among the eighteen sects is related to the Heavenly Emperor's Treasure Vault six months from now," Nie Qingzhu continued.

"The top nine in the competition will travel to the East Sea."

This matter had already become the talk of the sect, making this grand competition of the Eighteen Sects unprecedented in a century.

[The Heavenly Emperor's Treasury is connected to ancient legends, and the opportunities within point directly to the path to immortality. Who wouldn't yearn for it?]

[Some people who previously didn't care about fame are now determined to win.]

Rumor has it that Sun Miao, the senior disciple of Qi Yunfeng, who is hailed as the reincarnation of the "Heavenly Star," will also participate in this Star-Picking Gathering.

According to the old rules of the Star-Picking Competition, participants must be no older than thirty, regardless of their cultivation level.

In the cultivation world, the sexagenary cycle (甲子) has always been used as a dividing line; those who have exceeded this period are no longer considered to be of the same generation.

[Throughout the previous martial arts competitions, the highest cultivation level achieved was never more than the mid-stage of the Heavenly Gate realm.]

[It should be understood that the first five years of cultivation in this blessed land are a period of rapid progress, during which one cannot yet reveal one's full potential; the path ahead will likely be even more difficult.]

The renowned elders of each lineage today, and even the lords who govern a peak, all shone brightly at this Star-Picking Gathering back then.

[It can be said that this grand gathering to pick stars has always been the first "dragon gate" for novice disciples.]

More importantly, the Star-Picking Ceremony directly impacts the resource allocation within the Eighteen Meridians.

Qi Yunfeng has consistently topped the "Star-Picking Gathering" for hundreds of years. These two factors complement each other, ensuring his strength remains firmly at the top of the eighteen sects, demonstrating the depth of his foundation.

[Nie Qingzhu's gaze sharpened slightly as she looked at you, and she slowly said, "This year's Star Picking Competition is different from previous years. In addition to the top nine, the tenth and eleventh seats will remain vacant."]

"These two spots will not be contested through combat, but rather determined by skills such as array formation, artifact appraisal, chess, calligraphy, painting, and music. The top two winners will automatically fill the vacancies, leaving the tenth and eleventh spots open."

"Go with the first nine to the Eastern Sea Heavenly Emperor's Treasury."

Upon hearing this, the others showed expressions of surprise.

The Eighteen Meridians Star-Picking Society, with its thousand-year history, has never seen anything like this before. Who could have imagined that Fen Cun Mountain would go to such lengths for the Heavenly Emperor's treasure trove?

It seems that Fangcun Mountain's expectations for this trip to the East China Sea far exceed their own.

Upon hearing this, Qi Ling's eyes flickered slightly, as if she were deep in thought.

However, Lü Qingyu, Xiao Wan'er, and You Sanfeng remained calm, clearly already aware of the inside story.

Shen Qingxue's eyes lit up, and the others seemed to have realized something as well, their expressions varying.

Seeing this, Nie Qingzhu solemnly said, "The sect attaches great importance to this matter and has strictly ordered all branches to send someone to participate in this competition."

She turned to you, her tone serious: "I originally planned to select more people, but most of the disciples who have already entered the sect are unqualified. Sending them would only make us look foolish."

"Zhou Jing, you've always been reliable and steady. We trust you with our affairs within the peak."

[You had already planned this out; a year ago, you learned from Yang Chen of Qi Yun Peak that this year's competition would be subject to change.]

The two newly added slots will not be used for magical combat, but will instead test the ability to identify formations and objects. In reality, this is a precautionary measure for the trip to the Heavenly Emperor's Treasure Vault.

After all, if one enters a treasure vault but lacks the cultivation to break the formation, or enters a mountain of treasures but fails to recognize its precious artifacts, wouldn't that be a pity?

This arrangement bears a striking resemblance to the civil service examinations in the mortal world. Besides sutra interpretation and essays, there are separate examinations on Dharma and current affairs, selecting those with practical knowledge. Isn't this newly added competition a kind of "special examination" for the cultivation world?

You immediately responded, your voice clear and bright: "Zhou Jing will certainly not fail in his mission!"

Upon hearing this, Wen Lou, one of the nine, looked surprised, clearly not expecting his senior brother to possess such abilities.

Wan Sen, standing to the side, had a slightly somber expression, a hint of gloom flashing in his eyes.

Seeing this, Nie Qingzhu nodded slightly and said, "The reason I summoned you ten people here today is to finalize the selection of participants for this Star-Picking Gathering."

Her gaze swept over the crowd, her tone turning serious: "The Star-Picking Festival will begin on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. You all need to prepare well over the next two months."

At this point, her tone softened slightly: "The peak doesn't have any strict requirements regarding your rankings; it only hopes that you will do your best and have no regrets afterwards."

[The tone shifted abruptly, "However, Xiao Qingfeng's reputation must never be tarnished!"]

"There are still two months left. You cannot slack off in your training. The competition is just around the corner. Breaking through a realm will naturally lead to a better ranking."

The disciples responded in unison, "We will heed the Elder's teachings!"

Nie Qingzhu nodded slightly and said, "You may all leave now. Go back and focus on your cultivation."

"Zhou Jing, you stay."

(End of this chapter)