All Things Are Contracts

Chapter 166: The Twelve

Countless powerful auras approached from all directions. Thunder Lord looked at the Jade Family Ancestor with some apology.

“I’m afraid I won’t be able to entertain you separately. Please, let’s move to the Sacred Banquet Hall,” Thunder Lord gestured invitingly.

“We cultivators need not bother with such formalities. Xuanyi, let’s go,” Yu Zhitian led Yu Xuanyi away, heading directly to the Sacred Banquet Hall that Thunder Lord mentioned.

“Ruler Mu, please go there first. I’ll go greet the guests,” Although Mu Fanchen was no longer the Empress of the Thousand Beauties Kingdom, Thunder Lord still habitually addressed her as Ruler.

Mu Fanchen nodded and went to the Sacred Banquet Hall. After some thought, she decided not to seek out Baizhi. Let that girl decide for herself whether to come or not.

The Sacred Banquet Hall was the largest and most magnificent hall within the Academy, specifically used for hosting grand ceremonies. At the moment, there weren’t many people in the hall, only forty or fifty, but each exuded a powerful aura. Various forces had sent their young prodigies, naturally accompanied by strong protectors.

“Madam Huang, long time no see,” a man in white approached a beautiful middle-aged woman.

“Master Li from the Moon Reflection Pavilion?” The beautiful woman greeted the newcomer. Both were deputies, the second-in-command of the Moon Reflection Pavilion and the White Cloud House respectively.

Beside the white-robed Master Li was a young man of extraordinary bearing, none other than Gongsun Taoli of the Moon Reflection Pavilion. Gongsun Taoli’s gaze, however, fell on the woman behind Madam Huang. That woman was coldly beautiful and otherworldly, with unparalleled beauty. Most eye-catching were the pair of small white feathered wings on her back. Her expression was neither sad nor happy, and unlike others, she didn’t curiously survey her surroundings, but just stood there calmly.

“I didn’t expect both of White Cloud House’s outstanding disciples to come. I hope you can take the top spot,” Master Li said politely, aware of Yunyao’s strength.

“How come I don’t see that little girl Nangong Weilai?” Madam Huang asked, puzzled.

Master Li smiled, “It seems Madam Huang doesn’t know yet. Little Weilai was granted Wind Lord’s recommendation spot for her meritorious service in protecting the Holy Maiden. Weilai has already been guaranteed admission and doesn’t need to compete for a spot.”

“Ah,” Madam Huang was taken aback, then smiled awkwardly, “Congratulations to your Moon Reflection Pavilion then.” The relationship between the Moon Reflection Pavilion and the White Cloud House couldn’t be described as good or bad, after all, their leaders were fellow disciples, but competition and comparison were inevitable. Now that Nangong Weilai had been guaranteed admission, the Moon Reflection Pavilion had taken a step ahead.

“It’s alright, Senior Aunt Huang. I can secure a spot,” Yunyao said calmly.

Remembering Yunyao, Madam Huang felt relieved. She had full confidence in Yunyao’s abilities.

While they were chatting, two other forces also came together.

“Valley Master Yan? I didn’t expect you to come personally.” The speaker was a white-haired elder. Despite his white hair, his skin was as soft as a baby’s. This was the Deputy Sect Master Liu of the Changtian Medicine Sect. The young man behind him was also extraordinarily handsome with an otherworldly aura. His eyes seemed unmoved by glory or disgrace – this was the unparalleled genius of the Changtian Medicine Sect, Jiang Licheng. He also noticed Huang Xueqing behind Yan Baifeng, but at the moment, Huang Xueqing’s eyes were darting around, seemingly searching for someone in the hall.

“Deputy Sect Master Liu, long time no see. I brought Xueqing here to broaden her horizons,” Yan Baifeng said politely.

“Valley Master Yan coming personally shows how much you cherish Xueqing,” Deputy Sect Master Liu hadn’t finished speaking when his entire face froze, “You… you… you’ve reached the peak of Sun Profound Realm!”

Deputy Sect Master Liu’s tone was very excited, and his words immediately drew attention. All eyes were instantly attracted, making Huang Xueqing the absolute focus. Although the elders could see through the juniors’ cultivation levels before, it wasn’t very polite to do so. Now, however, they all probed, regardless of etiquette, and showed expressions of disbelief.

“Bone age just over twenty, peak of Sun Profound Realm… there’s a faint Spirit God aura, should be half a step into Spirit God Realm. How is this possible!” Everyone exclaimed. This was a height that even the Illumination Goddess couldn’t reach in her youth.

Huang Xueqing felt a bit depressed. She didn’t like this feeling of being the center of attention. She tugged at her master’s clothes, and the two found a secluded spot to sit down.

“Disciple, your talent and strength will be exposed sooner or later. I know you don’t like interacting with people, and I’m the same, but living in this world inevitably requires dealing with others. Having more friends will give you more opportunities in the future,” Yan Baifeng said.

Huang Xueqing nodded, taking off the flower crown on her head to play with. The flowers on the crown were not ordinary ones, they hadn’t withered yet.

Soon after, Thunder Lord arrived, and everyone stood up to greet him.

“Please, everyone, no need for formalities. Sword Lord has gone to handle the important matter of restoring inter-city communications, so he will likely miss this grand gathering. I don’t like unnecessary formalities either. The competition for spots will officially begin tonight. That’s right, the competition will be held at night,” Thunder Lord smiled, “This competition will be open for outsiders to watch freely. You young ones better show your true abilities, don’t embarrass your elders.”

Holding the competition at night and opening it for public viewing was undoubtedly Thunder Lord’s plan to boost the morale of the human race, letting the common people know the current strength of humanity, dispelling the previous atmosphere of despair. Night City now had a large number of experts stationed, and the representatives from various forces were either the leaders or deputies, plus the three elders – Alchemy Daoist, Storyteller, and Ascetic. Even if Strategist came personally, he absolutely couldn’t escape. Academy Town could now be considered the safest place in the entire world.

Soon after, Alchemy Daoist also entered, followed by several young disciples – Zhanyue, Baizhi, Holy Maiden Lixi, and Nangong Weilai. Zhanyue was holding the hand of a little girl, the one with the special constitution he had saved before, Meng Xiaodie, now renamed Mi Xiaodie. That’s right, she had been adopted by the Eastern Kingdom’s Emperor as his goddaughter, becoming the little princess of the Eastern Kingdom, showing how much the Eastern Kingdom valued her.

As Alchemy Daoist approached, everyone fell silent. Many eyes held a trace of fervor. This was a legendary figure, with strength surpassing Thunder Lord, a reclusive expert. It was said that all four Grandmasters of Alchemy had received his guidance. Although many were seeing Alchemy Daoist for the first time, no one dared to disrespect him.

Alchemy Daoist’s gaze first fell on Mu Fanchen, then quietly moved away. He addressed everyone: “Time is pressing, so I won’t waste words. The Heaven Book Trial has twelve spots in total, and eight suitable candidates are needed to initiate the trial. They each have one recommendation spot. According to the discussion results, six people have already been guaranteed admission. The remaining six spots are open for competition among outstanding youths under thirty.”

After he finished speaking, someone asked, “Elder Alchemy Daoist, we have no objections to the guaranteed admissions, but shouldn’t we know who they are?”

Alchemy Daoist nodded. The Heaven Book world was shared by all of humanity. Although they had set the rules, they should let everyone know the results.

“There are six guaranteed admissions: Holy Maiden Lixi from the Rising Sun Kingdom, Little Princess Mi Xiaodie from the Eastern Kingdom, Princess Baizhi from the Thousand Beauties Kingdom, Yu Xuanyi from the Azure Wind Realm, Nangong Weilai from the Moon Reflection Pavilion, and… Zhanyue from the Imperial Academy.” Alchemy Daoist didn’t publicly announce Zhanyue’s identity, as per Zhanyue’s request. He didn’t want to bear the title of the Illumination Goddess’s disciple and be watched by everyone.

The crowd had no objections, knowing that Thunder Lord and the others must have reasons for choosing these six. They didn’t dare to question easily, even if they felt unsatisfied in their hearts.

Alchemy Daoist waved his hand, and a hidden door opened in the hall.

“Those participating in the competition, enter this door. Those who can come out of this door in half an hour will be eligible for the subsequent competition,” Alchemy Daoist said. This was a preliminary selection. Only those who could endure the trial behind the door for half an hour would be qualified for the subsequent competition.

One by one, the prodigies from various forces entered the door. Everyone outside waited nervously. About thirty people went in, but when the stone door opened again, only twelve people came out. The rest were teleported outside the hall, meaning they were eliminated.

“Very good, I didn’t expect as many as twelve people to pass the test, competing for the remaining six spots,” Alchemy Daoist was very satisfied with this result. “Very well, please everyone move to the next venue. Tonight, when the moon rises, the competition will officially begin. The competition will use a double elimination system. Those who achieve two victories will advance, those with two defeats will be eliminated.”

“That burly guy looked pretty strong, but he didn’t even pass the preliminary selection. Looks like this competition is at maximum difficulty,” Zhanyue muttered to himself, grateful that he had a guaranteed spot and didn’t have to compete with these monsters.

Soon, he received a list in his hand, showing the twelve people who passed the preliminary selection and would compete for the six spots.

“Zi Xionxin, the Golden Lion Cub from Rising Sun Kingdom

Liu Zhaoran, the Spear King from Fierce Earth Realm

Song Yuxian, the Xiaguang Sword from Jade Glow Kingdom

Jiang Licheng from Changtian Medicine Sect

Huang Xueqing from Green Crane Valley

Fan Longyu from Sleeping Dragon Kingdom

Yunyao and Meng Huyue from White Cloud House

Feng Bulang and Huan Xiaoyao from Eternal Night Kingdom

Tai’e from Ancient Sun-Chasing Kingdom”

(Place your bets now! Based on the previous descriptions, which six will get the spots? Come and guess!!!)