CHAPTER 70: CHAPTER 70 GATHERING_1

As an upper immortal sect in Red Flame Country, Riverside Sect had gathered many prodigies, especially those who managed to enter the Inner Door. Many of these disciples came from profound backgrounds and were not to be underestimated.

Although he was quite satisfied with his progress over the past few months, he didn’t believe that his current strength could make him invincible among his peers.

There are only three days left. It’s hard to make any significant improvement in other areas.

I might as well create some talismans for defense. They might come in handy on the platform.

「Three days later, inside the cave mansion.」

Shen Mo placed the roasted meat in front of the Spirit Storage Rat, fulfilling his daily ritual of feeding the creature.

Then, he turned his gaze towards the pavilion.

Today, a visitor had come to his cliff-side cave mansion. It was Cao Ren.

With the New Talents Competition approaching, Cao Ren had specifically invited Shen Mo to accompany him to the Yuxu Altar.

"It’s almost noon. The New Talents Competition is about to begin. Let’s hurry to the Yuxu Altar."

"A little delay won’t matter."

Shen Mo was in no rush, unlike Cao Ren.

According to the procedure announced by the sect, this New Talents Competition was to be held at the Yuxu Altar, with high-ranking figures from the Riverside Sect in attendance. When it was time to gather the disciples, they would use the Sun Moon Bell, which was specifically used in the sect to announce major events. It would not be too late to go when the bell rang.

"You don’t look nervous at all."

Cao Ren found Shen Mo’s calm demeanor quite strange.

"There’s nothing to be nervous about. It’s just a competition." Shen Mo shrugged. "Just do your best. As for the result, let fate decide."

He was cautiously optimistic about his own strength and estimated that advancing to the top ten shouldn’t be difficult. But if he didn’t make the cut, he wouldn’t be too disappointed. After all, he now had the Destiny System on his side. As long as he could survive, he was confident he could overtake the others in due course.

"Sigh, I’m not as lucky as you..." Cao Ren sighed. "My father never pushed my cultivation before. But since I entered the Qi Gathering Realm, he seemed to change and issued me a strict order: I must advance to the top fifty in this New Talents Competition and not dishonor our Cao family."

"But I’m not capable of doing that."

The number of inner disciples participating in the New Talents Competition usually exceeded two hundred. Reaching the top fifty required at least two victories.

This requirement might seem ordinary to Shen Mo. But Cao Ren didn’t have Shen Mo’s deep accumulation. Among the disciples who had just entered the Inner Door, he was considered to be of lower-middle standing at best.

"I’ve prepared some talismans these past few days. They might come in handy when we reach the Yuxu Altar."

Seeing his distraught look, Shen Mo took out some from his robes and handed them to Cao Ren.

"I’ll give you some."

"Thank you..." Cao Ren was overjoyed, his heart deeply moved.

"What’s there to thank me for? We’re friends," Shen Mo said. "Just pay me back at market price for these talismans once you receive your monthly sect allowance."

While they were talking, the bell within the Riverside Sect suddenly rang.

DONG!

DONG!

The sound of the grand bell reverberated throughout the Inner Door area of Riverside Sect.

Following the bell, a powerful voice boomed, "The New Talents Competition is about to begin! Newly promoted inner disciples, quickly gather at the Yuxu Altar and await further instructions!"

"It’s starting!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Mo and Cao Ren immediately set off on their flying swords towards the Yuxu Altar.

「In front of Yuxu Altar.」

A middle-aged man in a purple robe stood proudly. This man was none other than Elder Chu Chen, who was in charge of the Inner Door affairs of the Riverside Sect. He was the one presiding over this New Talents Competition.

Behind Elder Chu, there was a raised platform. The location of the platform was excellent, allowing for a panoramic, bird’s-eye view of the entire Yuxu Altar. It was where the sect elders would observe the competition.

The platform was divided into three sections, occupied respectively by people from Rising Sun Peak, Bright Moon Peak, and Stars Peak.

At this moment, quite a few people had already gathered in the stands for each peak. The three leading figures were Tang Lv, the Peak Master of Rising Sun Peak; Yuan Jing, the Peak Master of Bright Moon Peak; and Zhou Shili, the Peak Master of Stars Peak. All three of them possessed cultivation at a half step to the Golden Core Realm. They were the true figures of power in the Riverside Sect. Aside from the Law Master and the elusive Supreme Elders, the Riverside Sect was effectively their domain.

This New Talents Competition was also an event for the three Peak Masters to absorb fresh blood and select talented individuals.

In addition to the Peak Masters, some elders from each peak, as well as interested disciples from within the peaks, were also present in the stands to observe.

Of course, the spectators were not limited to the powerful figures from each peak. Rogue cultivators from the Inner Door who hadn’t joined any of the peaks were also allowed to watch the New Talents Competition and observe this year’s newly emerged prodigies. However, they would not have prime viewing spots like those on the raised platform. These individuals could only stand at a great distance from the arena, watching quietly.

Although the conditions were not ideal, it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the sect disciples. As soon as the summons for the new inner disciples was announced, many inner disciples had gathered, forming a circle around the Yuxu Altar, both inside and out.

Among the spectators, some came for the excitement, while others had friends or relatives participating in this New Talents Competition and came to cheer them on. This group included Cao Shanyue, Chen An, and others.

"Shen Mo, do your best!"

When Shen Mo and Cao Ren arrived at the site and entered the Yuxu Altar, Chen An waved and greeted him from afar.

"Mm." Seeing Chen An had also come to watch, Shen Mo felt a warmth in his heart and nodded.

Cao Ren, on the other hand, couldn’t help but feel anxious upon seeing his father there to supervise. He was terrified of being reprimanded by his father if his performance was subpar and could only pray silently for an Immortal’s blessing.

Shen Mo and Cao Ren were among the earlier arrivals. After they took their places, newly promoted inner disciples continued to arrive by Flying Escape in an unceasing stream.

The venue was buzzing with whispers and chatter.

Shen Mo stood in the queue, waiting for Elder Chu Chen, who presided over the New Talents Competition, to announce its start. At the same time, he listened to the numerous discussions among the crowd.

"This batch of new inner disciples is truly glittering with talent! It’s much more lively than the previous two years. I believe this New Talents Competition will be quite fierce."

"Indeed! Lv Xu, Xu Longxiang, and Liu Qing are all famous figures among the outer disciples, and all of them successfully advanced this year."

"Who do you think will win the top spot in this year’s New Talents Competition?"

"That’s hard to say. There might be an upset; an unexpected dark horse could emerge."

"You’re right. There are a full two hundred new inner disciples, so there are bound to be some unassuming yet powerful individuals among them."

Lv Xu, Xu Longxiang, Liu Qing?

Shen Mo raised an eyebrow, carefully rummaging through the original host’s memories. He had a vague impression of these names.

The individuals mentioned by the crowd were all prominent figures among the outer disciples. After all, to have one’s name known even within the Inner Door while still an outer disciple meant they were truly the cream of the crop.

However, although Shen Mo had heard of their reputations, he had never actually interacted with them.

They weren’t in the same circle.

During his time as an outer disciple, the original host had always been an inconspicuous figure, never having the chance to befriend these prodigies. After transmigrating, Shen Mo had been preoccupied with cultivation and hadn’t socialized much with other outer disciples either.

Today, I’ll see just how capable these elites from the outer disciples truly are.

This was the first time Shen Mo was participating in a competition among sect disciples since he had transmigrated.

There was little fear or hesitation; instead, he felt an eager excitement, a desire to test his mettle.

He was feeling more and more at home in this world.