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Chapter 224 Tomorrow Mountain, Heavenly Evolution Stage! (Update 15 of 2 words)

The next morning, the bamboo fence gate of Zhuxi Courtyard was pushed open.

Fang Qingyu, dressed in a simple black outfit, led Jiang Wei, who had also changed into a clean, light yellow dress, out.

Sunlight filtered through the sparse bamboo leaves, dancing on his bronze skin. His aura was as deep and profound as a mountain, yet also carried a hint of sharpness, like a blade about to be drawn.

Outside the courtyard, Wei Banmeng and the other two were already waiting.

Wei Banmeng was dressed in pure white, still aloof and cold, but her eyes were deeper than ever before, as if they contained a frozen lake. Her aura blended subtly with the surrounding environment, and she had already achieved the aura of a grandmaster.

Chu Kuanglan and Lu Jiuyuan also changed into brand new combat uniforms.

Although his face still carried the afterglow of the breakthrough, his eyes were much calmer, less playful than before, and more profound and sharp than those of a grandmaster.

"Fang Shen, Xiao Jiang, are you ready?"

Chu Kuanglan grinned, his voice booming, filled with eager anticipation.

Fang Qingyu nodded: "Let's go."

The five of them reunited and walked steadily toward the exit of the blessed land.

The disciples of Longyuan Pavilion they encountered along the way all cast respectful and envious glances their way.

Fang Qingyu, one of the five, represents one of the strongest combat forces in Project Hidden Dragon.

Wei Banmeng's cold voice broke the morning's tranquility, "The location for this battle is the Blessed Land of Tomorrow Mountain, where your friend Zhao Feng is located. It has the most advanced 'Heavenly Evolution Platform' in the entire Federation as its battle platform."

The elevator doors slid open, and five people stepped inside.

Wei Banmeng raised her hand and pressed a special floor button on the control panel.

The elevator started moving, not downwards, but with a slight feeling of weightlessness as if the space was shifting.

“Oh, right,” Wei Banmeng said, turning to Fang Qingyu as if she remembered something, “your friend Zhao Feng has also broken through to the second-tier Chosen One. However, there is very little information about him, and almost no news has come out. He seems to be keeping a low profile.”

Upon hearing this, a look of understanding flashed in Fang Qingyu's eyes.

When I first met him, he was already at the first level. After so much time and with the support of resources, his breakthrough was to be expected.

He nodded and asked, "By the way, which god's legacy is Mount Tomorrow?"

Wei Banmeng was slightly taken aback, then explained, "Mount Mingri is different from us. It doesn't worship a specific deity like aristocratic families, or rather, all the blessed lands of the Taoist lineage are similar. They believe in the pantheon of the entire Taoist system. Within the mountain gate, the deities that disciples worship and communicate with may be different for each one. Therefore, the names of each Taoist family are more like a symbol of the Taoist pursuit of light and the evolution of order."

Fang Qingyu nodded thoughtfully.

It seems that Taoism has a deeper and more complex foundation than I imagined.

The Taoist system is complex, with numerous deities worshipped, and its methods are bound to be bizarre and varied.

hum!
A slight vibration was felt, and the elevator doors slid open silently.

A completely different aura rushed towards us!

It was no longer the tranquil bamboo forest of Longyuan Pavilion, but a grand and open atmosphere, full of vitality and imbued with profound Taoist charm.

The five people stepped out of the elevator, and a bright and open space appeared before them.

Beneath our feet lies a solid bluestone path that stretches into the distance towards a majestic mountain peak that pierces the clouds.

The mountain peak was not isolated; it was surrounded by several smaller floating mountains, connected by rainbow bridges of clouds that emitted a soft white light.

The mountains are shrouded in mist, cranes call out, monkeys climb among ancient trees, and exotic flowers and herbs adorn the banks of waterfalls and springs. The spiritual energy is so rich that it is almost tangible, and a single breath is enough to refresh the mind and spirit.

What a paradise on earth, a Taoist fairyland!

"Is this Mount Tomorrow?"

Lu Jiuyuan couldn't help but exclaim in amazement, his eyes filled with shock.

"As expected of one of the ancestral homes of Taoism."

Chu Kuanglan also clicked his tongue.

This scene, resembling a fantasy world, truly broadened the horizons of all the participants.

Soaring through the clouds and mist, ascending to immortality.
This moment was brought to life before everyone's eyes.

Fang Qingyu looked down at Jiang Wei.

No wonder she was unmoved by those modern buildings that are hundreds of meters tall.

Compared to the mountains in front of us.

Those skyscrapers don't even count as roadside buildings.

The disciple from Tomorrow Mountain who led the way was dressed in a blue Taoist robe and had an otherworldly air. He bowed slightly to the five people and said, "Senior brothers and sisters from Dragon Abyss Pavilion, please follow me. The competition will be held at the 'Heavenly Evolution Platform' on the mountaintop."

The five followed the disciple who was leading the way and stepped onto the stone steps leading to the top of the mountain.

The stone steps are wide, with ancient pines that are thousands of years old on both sides, their branches gnarled and twisted.

Along the way, there were already many disciples or participants from other blessed lands, some traveling in twos and threes, others climbing the mountain alone in silence.

When they saw Fang Qingyu and his group of five.

Their gazes instantly focused, and whispers rippled outwards like pebbles thrown into a lake.

"Look! It's those guys from Dragon Abyss Pavilion!"

"Hiss, is that Fang Qingyu leading the way? The legendary figure who supposedly defeated Grandmasters and clashed head-on with the Chosen One?"

"Is that little girl next to him the unfathomable Jiang Wei?"

"And there's Wei Banmeng, Chu Kuanglan, and Lu Jiuyuan! Five Grandmasters!"

"This is going to be interesting."

"I heard that 'Peerless Sword' Jing Wuyai has arrived, along with Liu Hanyan and Shi Kong. Tsk tsk, they're all formidable characters!"

Various gazes—awe, apprehension, curiosity, and inquiry—were cast upon the five individuals.

Fang Qingyu remained calm, his gaze fixed straight ahead.

Jiang Wei focused solely on the road beneath her feet, as if everything around her was irrelevant.

Wei Banmeng remained aloof, while Chu Kuanglan and Lu Jiuyuan straightened their backs, their sharp eyes sweeping over the whisperers, exuding the confidence and charisma of newly promoted grandmasters.

After enjoying the magnificent scenery along the way, the group finally reached the summit.

The view from the summit is even more breathtaking.

The entire mountaintop seemed to have been flattened by an immense force, forming an enormous platform.

At the center of the platform is a circular platform with a diameter of nearly 1,000 meters!
The platform is constructed entirely of white, jade-like stones with a subtle metallic sheen. Countless intricate and mysterious runes are engraved on its surface. These runes, like breaths, flicker with a faint golden light, forming an enormous, three-dimensional Bagua diagram that slowly rotates, emanating a heart-pounding energy fluctuation and an aura of spatial stability.

This is the "Tianyan Stage"!
Surrounding the platform, the viewing area is arranged in layers, like blooming flower petals.

At this moment, many people were already seated in the seats, each with a different aura and a clear distinction between strong and weak, but without exception, their eyes were all focused on the huge Tianyan stage, and a tense yet excited atmosphere permeated the air.

Fang Qingyu's gaze swept across the entire room, and a slight thought stirred within him.

Level 2!

Looking around, one sees many young faces gathered around the stage, their auras deep and resonant, resonating with the power of heaven and earth.

A rough estimate suggests there are over a hundred people.

This does not include those with even stronger auras, who are clearly protectors or elders.

Martial arts masters and second-tier chosen ones, who are rarely seen in the outside world, are now gathering together like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.

The Hidden Dragon Project, the future pillar that the Federation has been painstakingly cultivating, revealed its true potential at this moment.

Here.

This is the true stage for the top young talents!

The five were led to their seats in the seating area belonging to the Longyuan Pavilion.

The surrounding gazes continued to sweep over them from time to time, especially when they landed on Fang Qingyu and Jiang Wei, their curiosity intensifying.

“Look over there,” Lu Jiuyuan said in a low voice, pointing to a spot not far away. “The one wearing a black outfit, holding a sword, with an aura as cold as a block of ten-thousand-year-old ice, is ‘Peerless Sword’ Jing Wuyai.”

Fang Qingyu looked in the direction he pointed.

He was a young man with a cold and stern face, his figure as straight as a sword. He held an ancient longsword in his arms, and his whole being exuded a lonely and sharp aura that kept strangers at bay, as if he himself was a peerless and ferocious sword about to be drawn.

"And over there," Chu Kuanglan gestured with his chin, pointing to the other side, "that woman in the light blue dress with a gentle demeanor is Liu Hanyan!"

Liu Hanyan sat there quietly, like a secluded orchid in a secluded valley.

"Hey, here comes the bald guy."

Wei Banmeng's cool voice carried a hint of solemnity.

A burly, imposing young man with a bald head, resembling an angry Vajra, strode over.

He wore only a short, ochre-yellow jacket that exposed his arms, revealing his bulging, bronze-colored muscles that looked like they were cast from steel, with a faint golden sheen flowing beneath his skin.

With each step, the ground seemed to sink slightly, carrying an imposing and unyielding pressure.

It is none other than 'Acala', Shakyamuni!
In addition, there were aristocratic scions with a venomous aura, a Daoist genius whose body was wreathed in the power of wind and thunder, and a military representative with eyes as sharp as a hawk.
Each of them exuded a powerful aura and displayed their sharp edge.

"As expected, there are many hidden talents among them."

Chu Kuanglan licked his lips, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

Lu Jiuyuan gripped the hilt of his sword tightly and said in a low voice, "No one should be underestimated."

Fang Qingyu's gaze swept calmly over these formidable opponents, his heart as still as a deep well.

The foundation of a three-star Dragon Fist Grandmaster, and the qualitative change brought about by the transformation of Dragon Blood, give him an absolute sense of superiority when facing opponents of the same or even slightly higher level.

His target was never these people.

Just as everyone was whispering and scrutinizing each other.

hum!
A grand and gentle yet supremely majestic aura swept across the entire summit platform like a spring breeze.

All the discussion fell silent abruptly.

Everyone involuntarily looked up.

Several figures were already seated in the main seat at the highest point of the Tianyan Stage.

The leader was an elderly man dressed in a simple blue Taoist robe.

His hair and beard were all white, his face was thin and refined, and he had an air of otherworldly grace. He held a jade-handled whisk in his hand, and his aura was harmonious and natural, as if he were one with this world and this Tomorrow Mountain.

He is the current head of Tomorrow Mountain.

Master Xuancheng.

However, the moment Fang Qingyu's gaze fell upon the other figures behind this mountain lord, his pupils suddenly contracted!
【？？？】！
It's still those three cold, glaring question marks!
The middle-aged man sitting there, dressed in a federal general's uniform with a resolute, chiseled face, and the beautiful woman in an elegant long dress with a graceful and noble air, both had [???] on their heads!
Fang Qingyu's heart trembled violently!
It should be noted that he is now at the second-tier Grandmaster level, and can already see the titles of third-tier experts.

But these few
This means they are all beings like Hong Qitian, all at least at the third rank!

"It seems the Federation is taking this competition for spots much more seriously than we thought," Fang Qingyu thought to himself with a chill.

Even such a powerful figure, who is usually rarely seen, personally came to oversee the event.

This is enough to demonstrate the importance of the special team in the eyes of the Federation's top leadership!

Master Xuancheng's gaze was gentle and peaceful, slowly sweeping across the entire hall. Everyone whose gaze fell upon him felt a profound sense of tranquility and pressure. His voice, though not loud, clearly reached the ears of everyone present, like the sound of a morning bell and evening drum:
"Distinguished members of the Federation, we have gathered here today at the Heavenly Arena of Tomorrow Mountain for the competition for a spot in the Special Team of Project Hidden Dragon. This battle concerns the future and our very survival. I urge you all to give your all and display the brilliance of the pride of our human race!"

There are three rules.

"Firstly, only those at the second level of transcendence are qualified to take the stage."

"Secondly, the determination of victory or defeat is determined by one side conceding defeat or completely losing the ability to fight. While stopping short of defeat is desirable, the battlefield is ruthless and has no taboos!"

"Thirdly," Master Xuancheng waved his whisk lightly, pointing to the slowly rotating giant Bagua Heavenly Evolution Platform, "to avoid fellow disciples fighting too early, the early matches will try to avoid people from the same blessed land. The first place will be decided first, which will be the first team spot. The second and third will be decided in the form of a ring battle."

The moment the words "no taboos" were uttered, the atmosphere in the room instantly became even more tense and solemn.

This means that any means are acceptable!
This will be a real-world exercise!

"Now, all participants, please come forward and draw lots!"

An old Taoist priest with a profound aura standing beside Master Xuancheng announced in a loud voice.

A stone platform rises in the center of the platform, upon which floats a sphere of light composed of countless runes, with individual points of light representing different serial numbers dancing within the sphere.

The second-tier powerhouses who participated all stood up and walked towards the central stone platform.

Fang Qingyu also stood up and whispered to Jiang Wei, "I'll go draw lots."

Jiang Wei tilted her head up and nodded.

Fang Qingyu chuckled, patted her little head, and strode towards the drawing area.

When it was Fang Qingyu's turn, he reached his hand into the sphere of light.

It feels cool to the touch, as if you're touching flowing mercury.

With a slight thought, a point of light automatically jumped out, fell into his palm, and transformed into a clear numerical imprint.

"Seventeen".

Fang Qingyu glanced at it, then turned and walked back to his seat in the Longyuan Pavilion.

Soon, the draw was completed.

The massive Tianyan Platform was adorned with swirling Bagua runes, projecting information about the first round of matchups.

"First match, Stage 3, Class A: Chen Song, 'Flowing Cloud Sword' of Qingcheng Mountain, versus 'Fang Qingyu'!"

The sound echoed throughout the entire venue.

Instantly, countless eyes were drawn to the seats in the Dragon Abyss Pavilion!

"The first match is Fang Qingyu!"

"His opponent is Chen Song? The one with the highest swordsmanship in this generation of Qingcheng Mountain?"

"This is going to be interesting! I wonder how this legendary jinx will fare against the Taoist swordsman?"

"Chen Song is quite strong, ranking among the top five of the younger generation in Qingcheng Mountain. His Flowing Cloud Sword Technique is superb, combining both strength and gentleness."

"Let's see if Fang Qingyu is really as fierce as the legends say!"

Amidst the murmurs, a figure in cyan light gracefully descended into the massive Tianyantai A-3 area, like a drifting cloud.

It was Chen Song from Qingcheng Mountain.

He was tall and handsome, holding a long sword that shimmered with azure light.

Before the sword was even drawn, wisps of cloud-like energy swirled around him, his aura smooth and long, displaying the aura of a master who combined strength and gentleness!

He looked toward the direction of Longyuan Pavilion, his eyes calm yet filled with solemnity and intense fighting spirit.

Clearly, he was aware of Fang Qingyu's fearsome reputation, but as a sword cultivator, he possessed an unyielding pride.

"Brother Fang, please enlighten me!"

Chen Song's clear voice traveled through the space.

Swish!
All eyes were on Fang Qingyu.

Fang Qingyu slowly stood up, his expression calm and composed.

"Qingzi, be careful of his Flowing Cloud Sword Intent. It has a strong binding force. Don't get dragged into his rhythm."

Wei Banmeng whispered a reminder.

Fang Qingyu nodded and took a step forward.

There was no dazzling light from the Thunderclap Shadow Escape, no earth-shattering power from the Dragon Transformation, and even the fluctuations of blood energy were restrained to the extreme.

It was as if he were strolling leisurely in a garden.

Step by step, they walked calmly towards the enormous Tianyan Stage.

However, these seemingly slow steps covered hundreds of meters in just a few steps, landing steadily a hundred meters away from Chen Song.

This effortless speed made many spectators' eyes narrow.

Chen Song's pupils also contracted slightly, and he gripped the sword hilt even tighter.

Experts will know if there is one as soon as they take action.

Fang Qingyu's strength seemed to far exceed his expectations.

"Fang Qingyu".

Fang Qingyu stood still, his voice calm.

"Qingcheng Mountain, Chen Song!" Chen Song solemnly clasped his hands in greeting.

hum!
The runes at the edge of the Heavenly Evolution Platform instantly lit up, and an invisible barrier rose, isolating this area. The battle begins!
"excuse me!"

Chen Song gave a clear shout, holding nothing back!

Clang——!
The longsword was drawn, its clear and resonant sound like the cry of a crane in the heavens!

With a swift movement, he transformed into seven indistinguishable, flowing cloud figures, drifting towards Fang Qingyu from different directions and angles.

The sword flashes were like a sudden storm or drifting clouds. Each sword strike contained a sword intent that combined strength and gentleness, sealing off all of Fang Qingyu's space to dodge.

The sword energy had not yet arrived.

That gentle force of entanglement, adhesion, attraction, and transformation had already spread out, as if it wanted to drag the opponent into a thick sea of ​​clouds!

Qingcheng Flowing Cloud Sword - Seven Clouds Lock Body!
It was a deadly move from the very first strike!
Clearly, Chen Song knew his opponent was fierce and dared not test him in the slightest!

Faced with this exquisite sword technique that combines both strength and gentleness, they were blocked.

Fang Qingyu made a move.

He simply performed the most basic and simple action.

Sink your waist, step forward, twist your body, and thrust your right fist forward like a drawn bow.

It was not covered by dragon scales, nor was it entangled by tribulation fire and lightning, and it did not even draw upon much of its vital energy.

It is merely the purest physical strength.

Combined with the bone-deep, bone-deep fist intent and power generation techniques of the Nine Prisons Breaking Limit.

boom!
Punch out!

A deafening explosion rang out.

The air in front of us was squeezed out of control!
The ever-changing, unpredictable sword shadows in the sky, the exquisite sword intent that combines strength and gentleness, and the cloud-sea soft force powerful enough to entangle and bind even experts of the same level.
Before even making contact with that punch, it was as if I had encountered an invisible black hole!
Tsk-!
All the sword shadows, sword energy, and gentle force were like paper thrown into a shredder, brutally and ruthlessly torn apart and shredded by an overwhelming, unstoppable, and heavy force as heavy as a collapsing mountain!

Chen Song's true identity was instantly exposed!
His face froze in shock!
His eyes reflected the bronze fist that was getting closer and closer, seemingly filling his entire field of vision, and crushing down with absolute power!

Too fast! Too heavy!

It's impossible to dodge! It's even incomprehensible!
"Flowing Clouds Protect You!"

Chen Song was terrified and frantically urged his sword intent, rapidly drawing circles in front of him with his longsword, drawing up a vast cloud of energy in an attempt to construct the strongest and most flexible defense!

however.

boom--! ! !
A deafening roar, like a drumbeat shaking the heavens!
Fang Qingyu's fist slammed into the center of the rapidly spinning, cloud-shrouded sword circle without any fancy moves!

Click!

A crisp cracking sound rang out!

The high-quality longsword in Chen Song's hand was instantly covered with spiderweb-like cracks centered on the point where his fist struck!

Next!

"puff--!"

Chen Song was as if he had been directly rammed by an ancient giant elephant. His protective energy and the Flowing Cloud Sword Intent shattered like paper!

Like a kite with a broken string, he coughed up blood and flew backward uncontrollably, crashing hard into the invisible rune barrier at the edge of the Heavenly Election Platform!

hum!
The runic barrier fluctuated violently, groaning under the strain.

Chen Song's body slid slowly down the barrier, collapsing to the ground, leaving only half a hilt and a few fragments of the longsword in his hand.

He struggled to lift his head, but everything went black, and he completely lost consciousness.

The entire area around the Tianyantai was deathly silent.

You can hear the needle drop.

Everyone stared wide-eyed at Area A3 in disbelief.

Does the battle last ten seconds from start to finish?

Chen Song, a master swordsman from Qingcheng Mountain, is ranked among the top five of the younger generation and is known for his exquisite swordsmanship that combines strength and gentleness.
He got punched.
Flash sale? !
There were no dazzling martial arts techniques, no violent bursts of energy, and Fang Qingyu didn't even seem to use any true intent domain.
It was just the simplest punch!
Devastating! Overbearing and tyrannical!
"Gulp." Someone swallowed hard.

On the main seat of the high platform, the venerable and otherworldly Master Xuancheng showed a clear hint of surprise for the first time in his gentle eyes.

The federal officer beside him had his sharp gaze fixed on Fang Qingyu as if it were a physical object.

Jing Wuyai's arm holding the sword tensed almost imperceptibly for a moment, and deep within his cold eyes, his fighting spirit, like a flame beneath the ice, suddenly surged!
Chu Kuanglan and Lu Jiuyuan stared wide-eyed.

They exchanged a glance, both seeing extreme shock and a hint of numbness in each other's eyes.

Although I knew Fang Qingyu was very strong, this is just too outrageous!
You must know this is a peerless master!

Instead of the ordinary grandmaster that anyone can kick on the roadside.

Wei Banmeng's usually aloof face was now filled with seriousness. She realized that she had probably underestimated her friend.

Jiang Wei simply sucked on the lollipop in her mouth.

Her little face was expressionless, as if she had known this would be the outcome all along.

Fang Qingyu slowly withdrew his fist, as if he had only done a trivial matter.

Without even glancing at the unconscious Chen Song, she turned around and, with the same leisurely demeanor, took a step and returned to her seat in the Dragon Abyss Pavilion, sitting down peacefully next to Jiang Wei.

Only then did the old Taoist priest in charge of the referee seem to awaken from his daze, his voice slightly hoarse, as he loudly announced:
"Station No. 3, Class A: The winner is Fang Qingyu from Longyuan Pavilion!"

The deathly silence on the stage lasted only a few breaths.

Immediately, a huge uproar erupted like ignited volcanic lava, sweeping across the entire summit platform!
(End of this chapter)