Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

Chapter 518 Seeds of the Holy Land

"...The team battle 'Small Universe Realm' lasts for thirty days. Players earn points by capturing tokens, exploring areas, collecting resources, and defeating opponents. These points account for 40% of the final ranking."

"Life-or-death battles are not prohibited within the boundary, but the use of external forces exceeding the Golden Core level is strictly forbidden, as is malicious torture and humiliation. Leaving the boundary or crushing a life-saving talisman will result in elimination, with points halved. Injuries or deaths are the sole responsibility of the individual..."

"...The individual battle is divided into Foundation Establishment and Golden Core groups, with an elimination system. The use of forbidden drugs that temporarily boost cultivation or have serious side effects is strictly prohibited. The use of single-use, high-powered talismans or forbidden artifacts beyond one's own capabilities and control is also strictly prohibited. Violators will be disqualified, rewards revoked, and in severe cases, their cultivation will be abolished..."

"...The newly added projects 'Celestial Deduction,' 'Demon Suppression and Evil Extermination,' and 'Mysterious Realm Exploration' have different focuses and their scores are calculated separately, but they are included in the total score. For these three projects, in addition to the regular rules, participants must sign a risk disclosure document, and they are solely responsible for their own safety and the opportunities they encounter..."

"...The top ten in the final overall ranking will receive priority exploration and partial mining rights for three newly discovered medium-sized spirit stone veins, two Class B secret realms, and five Class C secret realms in the Eastern Wilderness over the next thirty years."

"You will receive a special contribution certificate jointly issued by the three holy lands and the Sky Patrol Pavilion, which entitles you to certain preferential treatment and conveniences in their subordinate institutions."

"The top three will also receive a three-day opportunity to enter the 'Inquiry Pavilion' for enlightenment, or a personal guidance from an elder of the Holy Land..."

Each rule and reward resonated with the emotions of the countless cultivators below, causing them to breathe heavily.

The rewards are far more generous than ever before, especially the spirit stone mines, the right to explore secret realms, and the opportunity to enter the "Inquiry Pavilion" or receive guidance from the elders of the holy land, which is enough to make any sect or cultivator envious.

However, the cold terms of "at one's own risk" and "at one's own risk of life and death" were like a bucket of cold water, instantly sobering up many people and making them feel the biting chill and cruelty hidden beneath the glory of this grand event.

Shen Mo listened attentively, his divine sense filtering every piece of information like the finest sieve.

He noted that while the rules emphasize individual strength, they also show a clear bias towards "teamwork" and "specialized talents" (such as formation masters, alchemists, earth spirit masters, and those skilled in reconnaissance and infiltration).

Team battles have a very high weight, and the newly added events seem to place more emphasis on comprehensive abilities and special expertise.

This may mean that a strong individual who goes it alone may not necessarily make it to the end, while a well-coordinated team with complementary strengths may have a greater advantage.

This might be good news for him and the Qingyun Sect.

After the rules were read aloud, the middle-aged deacon put away the jade book and stepped back.

Daoist Xinghe stepped forward again, his gaze sweeping across the dense crowd below like the starry sky, and slowly spoke: "The rules are clear, and the opportunity lies ahead. I hope you all will act accordingly. Now, the Tianyuan Assembly officially begins!"

"Thump! Thump! Thump!"

Three louder and more stirring chimes resounded through the sky, as if announcing the beginning of a new era.

As the lingering echoes of the bell faded, the figures of the five representatives on the high platform, along with that area, were slowly shrouded in rising mist and disappeared from sight.

But the overwhelming pressure and solemn atmosphere lingered for a long time.

The opening ceremony concluded. However, the crowd in the square did not disperse immediately.

An invisible, more subtle, and more tense atmosphere began to quietly permeate the air.

In the core area, the most eye-catching teams did not leave immediately.

Among the Taishangdao group was a young cultivator dressed in a moon-white Daoist robe, with an ordinary face but an ethereal and otherworldly aura, as if he might merge into the world at any moment.

He slowly opened his eyes.

His gaze was calm, devoid of joy or sorrow, as he lightly swept across the square. Wherever his gaze touched, the noise subsided unconsciously.

It was Xuan Chen, the current Dao Child of the Supreme Dao. He did not release any aura, but the charm of being in harmony with the Dao and almost "unity of heaven and man" made his fellow cultivators feel an invisible pressure.

Before the Nine Heavens Sword Pavilion's procession, a cold and aloof young man, dressed in snow-white robes, with a tall and straight figure and carrying a sheathed longsword, slowly raised his head. His gaze was like lightning; wherever it swept across, invisible sword energy seemed to arise in the air, causing a faint stinging sensation on the skin.

It was Jian Zi Lingxiao. His gaze lingered briefly in a few directions, including the area where the Qingyun Sect was located. The sharpness and scrutiny in his eyes were undisguised.

Among the ranks of the Desolate God Temple, the giant man, nearly ten feet tall, with muscles like cast iron and blood surging to the sky—the Holy Son Manshan—snarled, revealing a set of white teeth, his eyes scanning the surroundings with burning intensity, making no attempt to conceal the fighting spirit and disdain in his eyes.

His gaze lingered a moment longer on the groups with strong physical cultivation auras, as well as on Shi Tie from the Qingyun Sect, and a wild smile spread across his lips.

The geniuses of these three holy lands remained silent, but simply by standing there, an invisible aura of collision and competition was formed between them and the geniuses of the surrounding top forces.

The air seemed to freeze, and countless cultivators held their breath, sensing the silent yet intense clash.

Yan Lie of the Lieyang Sect also put away his smile at this moment. He stood in front of his own team, with faint red flames flowing around him. His aura was scorching and arrogant. He was talking in low voice with several of his friends from the Central Region. His eyes occasionally swept over the three holy lands. Deep in his eyes was undisguised ambition and fervor.

Ling Wufeng of the Heavenly Sword Sect stood coldly at the front of the line, arms crossed.

His gaze, like the coldest ice and the sharpest sword, slowly swept across the entire area, finally settling on the direction of Qingyun Sect and on Shen Mo.

Two gazes, separated by the bustling crowd, collided silently.

There were no sparks, no bursts of energy, but in that instant, Shen Mo clearly felt the undisguised cold killing intent, scrutiny, and a condescending indifference in the other's eyes, as if looking down at prey.

Shen Mo remained calm and indifferent. He met Ling Wufeng's gaze for a moment, then, as if he had merely glanced at an insignificant scene, he naturally looked away and gazed elsewhere.

Ling Wufeng narrowed his eyes almost imperceptibly, a faint, cold smile curving his lips. He withdrew his gaze, turned around, and silently led the Heavenly Sword Sect team away from the plaza.

"Hmph, what's with the arrogance!" Shi Tie couldn't help but snort as he felt the cold gaze from before.

"Ignore them." Shen Mo's calm voice came through. "They're just clowns. Cheer up, it's our turn now. Qingyan, Xiaocao, Su Xiao, A Tu, you guys go back and prepare. We can't afford to fail in the preliminary skills competition this afternoon."

"Shi Tie, Wang Hu, come with me to the drawing area. The draw for the individual matches should be ready by now."

"Yes, Sect Leader!"

The crowd agreed, split into two groups, and merged into the slowly dispersing flow of people.

On the Dao Asking Square, the crowd gradually thinned out, but the complex atmosphere—a mixture of the tolling bells, the oppressive aura, the brilliance of the prodigies, the cruel rules, and the rewards—that was both exhilarating and heart-pounding, seemed to have been deeply imprinted in the hearts of every participating cultivator.

The Tianyuan Tournament, a storm sweeping through the younger generation of the Eastern Wilderness, has officially arrived.