I gain ten years' worth of cultivation every day, and even geniuses will only see my doorstep!

Inside Tianxuan City, the streets are wide enough for ten carriages to travel side by side. The ground is paved with smooth, mirror-like green jade bricks, and the buildings on both sides are lined up one after another, with flying eaves and brackets, decorated with dazzling gemstones and runes.

The air was filled with a rich spiritual energy, more than ten times richer than that of the outer battlefield. It was also mixed with the strange aromas of various pills, spiritual materials, and delicacies, as well as the strong or weak fluctuations of aura emanating from the cultivators.

The crowds were dense and bustling, with Golden Core cultivators as numerous as hairs on a cow, Nascent Soul cultivators everywhere, and occasionally one could even sense the unique and subtle powerful aura of a Deity Transformation cultivator.

Qin Yuan didn't linger too long on the street scene. He found a four-story inn that looked quite popular and had a sign that read "Guests from All Directions" and went inside.

The inn was indeed bustling with activity. The lobby on the first floor was extremely spacious, with dozens of tables and chairs, and almost all of them were occupied.

Groups of monks of all kinds gathered, talking loudly, clinking glasses, and making a ruckus that almost lifted the roof off.

There were muscular, powerful cultivators drinking heavily; scholars in Confucian robes discussing Daoist principles in hushed tones; veiled, alluring female cultivators sipping wine in a corner; and even more remarkably, at the far end of the hall, a half-person-high wooden platform stood where an elderly man with a goatee and a storyteller's robe was eloquently recounting anecdotes from some unknown Heavenly Pride Gathering, drawing cheers and exclamations of amazement.

"Back then, there was Li Chengfeng, known as 'One Sword Startles the World,' who, on the final stage, faced a siege from three top masters, yet didn't draw his sword, relying solely on his sword intent..."

Qin Yuan glanced around and sat down at an empty table in a relatively quiet corner.

Immediately, a quick-witted waiter ran over. Although he was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, he was all smiles and moved nimbly: "Senior, would you like a meal or a room? Our inn has the finest 'Hundred Spirits Brew,' and our signature spiritual dish, 'Eight Treasures Stew,' is also exceptional!"

"A pot of tea and a few snacks will suffice. Also," Qin Yuan tossed over a few mid-grade spirit stones, "I have something to ask you."

The waiter took the spirit stone, his eyes lighting up, and his attitude became even more attentive: "Senior, please ask away! I've been in Tianxuan City for over ten years. I wouldn't dare say I know everything, but I do know a bit about what's going on in the streets."

"Regarding this Grand Gathering of Prodigies, who are the key figures to watch? Are there any detailed intelligence reports available for sale?" Qin Yuan asked directly.

Upon hearing this, the waiter gave him a "you've come to the right person" look and lowered his voice, saying, "Senior, you've come to the right place! Information about this grand event is sold by various places, but it's a mixed bag, and it's hard to tell what's true and what's false. Our 'Guests from All Directions' backer has some connections and managed to get a relatively reliable 'Chronicle of Prodigies,' updated every half month. It records information on the most promising geniuses from all sides who are currently known to have a chance to stand out in this grand event, or even break into the top 100 or top 50, including their background, approximate cultivation level, preferred techniques, known achievements, and even some hidden rumors. The price... is a bit high, fifty low-grade spirit stones a copy."

Fifty low-grade spirit stones would be a huge sum for an ordinary Golden Core cultivator, but it was nothing to Qin Yuan. He nodded and took out the corresponding number of spirit stones.

The waiter happily pocketed the item, then quickly ran behind the counter. A short while later, he returned with a pale blue jade slip and respectfully handed it to Qin Yuan: "Senior, this is the latest issue, delivered just half an hour ago. Please take your time reading it; tea and refreshments will be here shortly!"

Qin Yuan took the jade slip and immersed his consciousness into it.

The information within the jade slip was indeed quite detailed and well-organized. First, there was a brief introduction to Tianxuan City and the Heavenly Pride Gathering, including the event's history, basic rules, and main rewards, giving Qin Yuan a clear overall understanding.

Next came the main event—the ranking and introduction of geniuses. This wasn't an official ranking, but rather a "potential list" and a "predicted strength list" based on a comprehensive assessment of information from various sources. The jade slip listed the top fifty.

The number one ranked one is none other than—

Name: Li Han

Title: Ice Demon

Cultivation level: Mid-stage Nascent Soul (potentially approaching late stage)

Origin: Suspected to be a rogue cultivator, with an ambiguous relationship with the Tianxuan Sect.

Specializes in: the extreme cold demonic art "Xuanming True Scripture", and supernatural abilities such as "Frozen Thousand Miles", "Mysterious Ice Demon Claw", and "Nine Netherworld Cold Soul". Possesses unpredictable movement techniques and extremely rich combat experience.

Battle record: A hundred years ago, he fought three early-stage Nascent Soul demonic beasts alone in the Northern Plains, freezing and killing them all; fifty years ago, he fought fiercely for half a day with the peak Nascent Soul rogue cultivator "Old Man of Dry Bones" and escaped unscathed; in recent years, he has made fewer moves, but every time he appears, a cultivator of the same level will fall.

Assessment: Widely recognized as the top disciple in the lower sects, decisive in killing, and cold-blooded, he is the biggest favorite to win this grand event. Weaknesses unknown.

Recent rumors suggest that he appeared at "Cold Crow Ridge," located three thousand miles northeast of Tianxuan City, half a month ago, seemingly searching for something. He clashed with a local sect, a mid-level sect, and froze their mountain gate with a flick of his finger before disappearing.

Looking at Li Han's information, Qin Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly. A mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, nearing the late stage, with a formidable battle record, he was indeed a strong opponent. Retrieving the iron fragment and settling the score wouldn't be easy.

He continued reading.

The second to eighth place winners are all direct descendants of top affiliated sects, with cultivation levels ranging from the early to mid-stages of the Nascent Soul realm. Each has an amazing lineage and outstanding achievements, and a profound background.

It mentions the Holy Son of the "Tianxuan Sect", the Daoist Son of the "Wanfa Sect", the Buddhist Son of the "Jingang Temple", and so on. The titles are more impressive than the last, and the descriptions are more exaggerated than the last, such as "Foundation Building at the age of three, Golden Core at the age of ten, and Nascent Soul at the age of thirty", "Having received the inheritance of ancient cultivators", "Possessing a special spiritual body or Dao embryo", and so on.

Until ninth place.

Name: You Wuying

Title: Young Master of the Netherworld

Cultivation level: Early stage of Nascent Soul (possibly consolidated and progressing towards the middle stage)

Origin: Young Master of the Netherworld Palace Sect's "Nine Netherworld Sect". His father is the Sect Master of the Nine Netherworld Sect. It is rumored that he has a close relationship with a powerful elder of the Netherworld Palace Sect.

Specializes in: the Netherworld Palace's secret ghost cultivation technique, "Nine Netherworld Yellow Springs Scripture," and is proficient in ghost control, soul refining, curses, and shadow escape techniques. Possesses a counterfeit of the "Ten Thousand Souls Banner," a magical artifact allegedly bestowed by the Netherworld Palace. Deeply calculating and ruthless.

Battle Record: Three years ago, with peak Nascent Soul cultivation, he killed a veteran early-stage Deity Transformation cultivator, even though he was of a higher level, and refined the cultivator's soul into his banner. Recently, he swept away several unruly affiliated sects within the Nine Nether Sect's territory without encountering any adversaries.

Assessment: Exceptionally talented, with a sinister and ruthless nature, he will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Backed by the Netherworld Palace and possessing abundant resources, he is one of the most dangerous figures in this grand event. Many cultivators would rather face a stronger opponent than become his enemy.

Recent rumors suggest that he has arrived in Tianxuan City, acting clandestinely, and is suspected of collecting certain special souls or materials. His accompanying elder, 'Yin Gu,' is also no benevolent individual.