I made the entire cultivation world cry

Chapter 229 Demon-Fighting Ceremony (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

The year of Gengchen, the day of Jingzhe (Awakening of Insects).

Before the morning mist had dissipated, bursts of beast roars echoed from the ancient forest east of the Shen family's city, their sounds reverberating across the surrounding area.

A colosseum built of black iron rock stands in a forest clearing, shaped like a crouching beast. Dark red bloodstains remain on the spiked fence with its fangs, which gleam coldly in the morning light.

Cultivators from all over flocked to the arena, holding gilded invitations, and took their seats in the stands.

Some people chatted and laughed loudly, looking relaxed, while others nervously gripped the sleeves of the people next to them, their eyes scanning the surroundings warily, fearing that a monster might suddenly attack and hurt them.

Female cultivators from both the main and collateral branches of the Shen family can register to participate in this Demon Fighting Ceremony. They will be divided into groups of two or four, and the elders of the Shen family will score them based on their performance from the stands.

All ten scorers will receive a reward, with the top three receiving the most generous prizes.

The first-place prize is a Xuan-grade martial arts technique, top-grade magic weapon-level armor and weapon, and three late-stage Foundation Establishment demon spirit seeds.

The second reward is a Yellow-grade martial arts technique, a high-grade magic weapon and armor, and two late-stage Foundation Establishment demon spirit seeds.

The third option is either a high-grade magic weapon or armor, or a demon seed from a late-stage Foundation Establishment demon spirit.

Within the Northern Xuan territory, although the nine major immortal sects are unparalleled in overall strength, the Shen family is undoubtedly the best when it comes to body tempering.

On the high platform, Shen Hongxiu, dressed in a black animal skin outfit, sat in the main seat, exuding majesty. Beside him, Mu Yanping stood with his hands at his sides, exchanging pleasantries with Zhu Mingzong's Golden Core elder.

Behind the elder stood two Foundation Establishment stage disciples, a man and a woman, both with the arrogant expressions of sect disciples, looking down at the arena from their high vantage point.

The Hu family members were invited to sit on the lower-level stands. Hu Mingyuan stood by the railing, preparing to carefully observe the Shen family's battle against the demon below, in order to learn about their future opponents in advance.

Behind her, Hu Mingye's face was gloomy, as if he was secretly expecting something.

"Clan Chief Shen, what skill! Your disciples managed to capture the Mountain-Splitting Beast alive!" Elder Zhu Mingzong stroked his beard in admiration, his gaze sweeping towards the center of the arena.

The iron gate burst open with a roar, and a three-zhang-tall mountain-splitting beast charged out! Its back was covered with bone spurs, and sparks flew as its sharp claws dug into the ground.

A female cultivator from the Shen family, at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, leaped onto the battlefield, unarmed, dressed in simple clothes, without weapons or armor, and without even a single demon spirit.

Roar--

The Mountain-Splitting Beast lunged forward, but the female cultivator did not retreat an inch. She threw a punch, using the power of her savage bones to directly confront the beast's claws!

Click!

With a loud cracking sound, she grabbed the beast's wrist and swung it around, smashing the giant beast into the rock wall!
Taking advantage of the giant beast's fall, he leaped into the air, stomped on the mountain-splitting beast's head with his toes, and used the momentum to flip onto its back.

The Mountain-Splitting Beast swung its body in a rage, but she remained rooted to the spot, running up and slamming down with a powerful punch.

boom!
Half of the Mountain-Splitting Beast's head exploded, creating a bloody and stimulating scene, full of wildness and ferocity.

"The Shen family's daughter lives up to her reputation!" Cheers erupted from the stands.

This first match was specially arranged so that everyone present could see the aura of the Shen family's female cultivators.

Before long, a new battle had begun in the center of the arena, with the female cultivators of the Shen family in the Foundation Establishment stage fighting in pairs against four different demonic beasts at the same time.

Blood mist mixed with sand and dust rose up, and Shen Hongxiu's lips curled up slightly.

This grand ceremony is meant to let these people see clearly the power of the Shen family's barbarian bones.

……

In the dungeon below, Shen Jingshuang was chaining up a blue-scaled python.

The python's tail swept across her cheek, and she pulled back, unleashing her savage strength. The iron chain embedded itself three inches into the python's scales. A moment later, the green-scaled python gave up struggling and obediently lay motionless on the ground.

Shen Jingshuang loosened the chains, clapped her hands, and instructed the guards around her, "Today is Ning'er's first time participating in the Demon Fighting Ceremony. Be careful, and don't give these demon beasts too much of the Frenzy Powder before they go on stage."

"Yes!"

As Shen Jingshuang left the dungeon, she passed by the cart transporting the beast meat. Just as she was about to check the quality of the meat used to feed the monsters, she suddenly heard Shen Puning's voice.

Shen Puning rushed over, her round cheeks flushed from running. Today she was wearing a dark red animal skin soft armor, with a black iron buckle belt around her waist. Her high ponytail swayed with her movements, making her look less charming and more dashing and powerful than usual.

"Third sister, something terrible has happened! Tianqiao suddenly had excruciating abdominal pain and was sent back to see a doctor. There will be no one to accompany me on stage later. I'm the last one to go on stage, so I can't just pick anyone."

Shen Jingshuang frowned and subconsciously said, "Then how about I accompany you..."

"No, no, no, absolutely not!" Shen Puning waved her hands repeatedly. "We have to find a new face. If you, Third Sister, go on stage, it will become your exhibition match. Everyone knows how capable you are, Third Sister."

"That's troublesome." Shen Jingshuang put her hands on her hips, quickly searching her mind for a suitable candidate.

Shen Puning chuckled inwardly, but her expression remained serious. "How about we let Ayi accompany me? She's a magic cultivator, and look how thin and frail she is. She can't compare to us physical cultivators. When we compare, I'll definitely stand out more. What do you think?"

“But her cultivation level is higher than yours, which is against the rules.”

Shen Puning tugged at Shen Jingshuang, "Then go ask Mother, see what she says. If it really doesn't work, I'll go alone. Everyone else takes on four monsters in two, but I'll take on six by myself."

"If you reduce the number here now, your intention to 'slack off' will be too obvious. Even if I get first place, my subordinates won't respect me."

"Alright, I'll go ask Mother first." Shen Jingshuang smiled helplessly, nodded, and went to consult Shen Hongxiu.

In the stands, after Shen Jingshuang finished speaking to Shen Hongxiu, Shen Hongxiu's eyes flickered, and he immediately realized that this was all Shen Puning's doing.

Shen Puning wouldn't dare to lose on purpose.

Was it to secure a reward from the Shen family for her senior sister?
Or does this little devil have other plans?

For the past two weeks, she has been practicing diligently, going to the training ground every day. She must have taken those words to heart.

After careful consideration, it's a good thing to let everyone present see the difference between Dharma cultivation and physical cultivation.

Most cultivators who practice magic do not cultivate themselves, resulting in insufficient physical defense and strength. When facing large, agile, and thick-skinned monsters, they are not as advantageous as those who cultivate physical strength.

Jiang Yi seems to be a smart person, and she certainly wouldn't do anything to usurp the host's position.

Shen Hongxiu finally nodded, agreeing to let Shen Puning bring Jiang Yi onto the field.

The stench of blood in the arena grew ever stronger.

As the sun climbed to noon, the scorching sunlight baked the battlefield until it was scorching hot, and the rising blood mist distorted in the air, reflecting a crimson glow.

The deafening roar of the iron gates opening and closing, accompanied by the howls of the monsters, caused the stands to tremble slightly.

"it is good!"

The throat of an iron-backed bear was ripped open by the female cultivator from the Shen family, and blood gushed out like a waterfall, splashing onto the sand.

A deafening cheer erupted from the stands, and someone laughed wildly as they threw spirit stones, which landed at the female cultivator's feet.

"Next one! Next one!"

The crowd screamed wildly, their voices sweeping across the entire area like a tidal wave; the bloody scene always ignited primal human impulses.

However, the next game did not go smoothly.

The Iron-Beaked Thunder Eagle took flight, its sharp beak piercing a female cultivator's shoulder blade like a blade. Another companion tried to help but was violently blown away by the eagle's wings, crashing heavily against the rock wall and spitting out blood.

Boos erupted from the stands. The elders of the Shen family immediately rushed into the arena with iron chains, subdued the demonic bird, and rescued their defeated disciple.

"Next group!"

Before the deacon's shout had even faded, the iron gate burst open once more.

Two thick, green-scaled pythons, each as thick as a water bucket, coiled together, their tongues flicking in and out, dripping venomous saliva, instantly corroding the sand into charred pits.

The fighting on the field grew increasingly fierce, and time passed amidst the bloodshed and clamor. Every moment seemed to be stretched out, or compressed into a life-or-death confrontation.

By noon, a small mountain of animal carcasses had already piled up on the sidelines.

The Shen family servants dragged heavy iron chains to clear away the wreckage. Some licked their lips, their eyes gleaming with bloodlust, while others gripped the railings tightly, their knuckles turning white, as if they too were caught up in the carnage.

Finally, the butler's hoarse voice tore through the noise.

"In the final match, Shen Shi Pu Ning, together with Jiang He Ying from the Cang Ling Sect, will face off against the Six Fierce Fiends!"

"Ningning! Ningning, you are the strongest!"

Lin Nuanyang's scream suddenly pierced the dome. She was still clutching half a piece of candied fruit cake in her hand, and half of her body was almost hanging out of the stands. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement, and Lin Fenfen at her feet was kicking and barking wildly.

At the gate, six pairs of scarlet beast eyes lit up in the shadows, their killing intent surging out like a tide.

Roar--

The first to pounce was a Mountain-Splitting Beast in the late Foundation Establishment stage, its spine bristling with ferocious spines, and a low roar rumbling from its throat.

Closely following was the two-headed blood hyena, both heads baring their teeth simultaneously.

The Iron-Beaked Thunder Eagle took flight, its wings like knives, stirring up a fierce wind.

The swollen venom sac of the Corrupt Toad King gleamed with a ghostly green luster, and each leap brought forth a cloud of corrosive poisonous mist.

The two blue-scaled pythons had their scales standing on end, their eyes were icy cold, and their strangling power was enough to crush rocks.

They were all the fierce masters who had torn apart the most opponents and caused many of the Shen family's female cultivators to lose during the battle against the demons!

The stands fell silent instantly, all eyes fixed on the two girls on the sidelines.

Some held their breath, some clenched their fists, and even the usually arrogant Zhu Mingzong disciples leaned forward slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in their eyes.

Six ferocious beasts, six times the killing intent!
Shen Hongxiu was really ruthless to her fourth biological daughter, showing her no mercy whatsoever!
If Shen Puning wins this match, she will surely become the most dazzling new star in the Shen family, meeting everyone's expectations.

But if they lose, the Shen family will lose all face.

(End of this chapter)