Chapter 108: A Flawlessly Tight Contest

A quarter of an hour later, an elder in the early Tribulation stage of the Asura Mansion suddenly appeared without a sound. The entire Spirit Artifact City, which had been buzzing with noise, instantly fell into a pin-drop silence.

“I am Xiu Xuantian, Deputy Chief of the Asura Mansion. I thank all fellow cultivators for your enthusiastic participation in this grand competition,” he announced.

“I will preside over and judge this event. Now, I shall declare the rules of the competition.”

“First round: all participating disciples must withstand the self-generated pressure of the early Golden Core stage within this Spirit Artifact City for the duration of one incense stick. Those who fail will be directly eliminated.”

“Second round: those who endure the early Golden Core pressure will face the mid-stage Golden Core pressure test, again lasting one incense stick.”

“Third round: late-stage Golden Core pressure.”

“Fourth round: pressure from the Golden Core Great Perfection.”

“Fifth round: early Nascent Soul pressure.”

“And so on. If conditions permit, the highest pressure in this competition may be raised up to the late Nascent Soul Great Perfection realm.”

“Disciples eliminated within each tier will be arranged for a martial contest to determine their rankings within that tier.”

“The first-place disciple in each tier will have a chance to challenge the last-place disciple of the next higher tier.”

“The final overall rankings of all participants will be publicly announced on the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion’s Southern Domain Heavenly Mechanism Rankings for all to see.”

“Now, all contestants please ascend the stage.”

Though these rules were unilaterally established by the Asura Mansion, no faction or individual dared voice any objection. The collective strength of the younger generation from various sects, as well as the prowess of individual disciples, would be thoroughly exhibited under these rules. No one could cheat midway, and all luck was eliminated.

Upon Deputy Chief Xiu Xuantian’s declaration, over two thousand elite disciples from the Southern Domain eagerly took to the stage. The circular battle platform measured merely three thousand meters in diameter, but under these special rules, the space above was more than sufficient. With two thousand people standing upon it, it didn’t feel crowded in the slightest.

“Now, the first round of selection begins.”

“Early Golden Core pressure activated! Incense lit!”

Suddenly, a faint golden translucent dome enveloped the circular battle platform in the center of the Spirit Artifact City. Within moments, an evenly distributed pressure characteristic of the early Golden Core stage radiated outward, directly pressing down on all participants.

Countless spectators outside the platform, along with elders and family heads of the contestants, watched the unfolding scene with intense focus.

One breath, two breaths, three breaths… the strengths and weaknesses were laid bare.

On the platform, most disciples faced the pressure with impassive expressions, barely acknowledging its weight.

Yet a small group—around two hundred—began to sweat coldly, their bodies swaying slightly from side to side or back and forth.

“These youngsters this generation are stronger by more than a tier compared to when we were their age.”

“Indeed.”

“Many of them are in the late Foundation Establishment stage, Foundation Establishment Great Perfection, or even the Quasi-Golden Core realm. To endure the pressure of early Golden Core at this level is no easy feat.”

“Not to mention that some disciples’ faces remain utterly unchanged even now.”

Time passed swiftly, yet for many on the stage, each second felt agonizingly long.

Halfway through the incense stick, some could no longer resist and fainted, collapsing on the spot.

As time wore on, more and more fell.

By the time the incense burned out, only fifteen hundred of the original two thousand still stood. The over five hundred who collapsed lost their rankings and were eliminated.

Among the survivors, many trembled or convulsed, clenching their teeth to endure. Though they advanced to the second round, it was clear to all that many would not progress further.

“Second round of selection begins.”

“Mid-stage Golden Core pressure activated! Incense lit!”

The faint golden dome shifted, and though only rising from early to mid-stage Golden Core—a mere step—the difference between these two realms was vast and well understood by all cultivators.

One breath, two breaths. By the third breath, some disciples could no longer withstand the pressure and collapsed.

Twenty breaths later, nearly two hundred had fallen.

Some maintained calm expressions, while many clenched their jaws so tightly their molars ground audibly.

Spectators recalled their own younger days, wondering if they could have withstood mid-stage Golden Core pressure for an entire incense stick.

It was universally recognized that those able to endure now possessed the power to fight beyond their realm.

The Asura Mansion truly lived up to its status as a foremost sect; its disciples exuded pride and superiority.

When the second incense stick burned out, not a single Asura Mansion disciple had fallen; all had earned qualification for the third round.

Other sects, royal courts, and families had suffered losses—Misty Sect and Purple-Gold Royal Court among them.

From the fifteen hundred survivors of the first round, eight hundred remained after the second.

“Third round of selection begins.”

“Late-stage Golden Core pressure activated! Incense lit!”

The seven hundred disciples within the pressure dome met the late-stage Golden Core pressure with unyielding determination.

“The eliminations are happening so fast.”

“But isn’t that clearer and more straightforward?”

“True.”

“How many do you think will reach the fourth round?”

“Hard to say.”

“Notice some disciples’ expressions remain unchanged even as the pressure intensifies?”

All watchers, including previously indifferent senior experts, now observed the contestants with utmost seriousness.

On the platform, under late-stage Golden Core pressure, some grimaced and wailed, others sweated profusely, their bodies emitting faint wisps of steam.

After thirty breaths, over a hundred fainted.

By forty breaths, another two hundred collapsed.

When the incense burned out and the pressure dissipated, several staggered, swaying forward, backward, or sideways, but ultimately remained standing.

Only one hundred remained.

The third round had eliminated six hundred, including Li Haisong—a brutal culling.

Though the Asura Mansion disciples were strong, they had lost two-fifths of their number.

Below the platform, some factions were completely wiped out; others had only a handful of survivors, while some held on with around a dozen.

“Fourth round of selection begins.”

“Pressure of the Golden Core Great Perfection activated! Incense lit!”

Of the one hundred disciples remaining, dozens decisively ingested spirit-recovering pills and breathing tablets. Once their energies stabilized, the referee’s voice rang out again.

The pressure next rose by dozens or even hundreds of times compared to the previous round.

Immediately, over twenty fainted as the pressure was unleashed.

Another thirty to forty showed bulging veins and bloodshot eyes.

The rest began sweating coldly, trembling as they swayed and staggered.

This was true for Asura Mansion disciples, the Misty Sect’s nominal first disciple Zhao Xianyun, as well as those from the Crouching Tiger Sect and Qingyun Sect—none were exceptions.

Only Gu Xiaopang remained calm with closed eyes; faint golden radiance flickered over his powerful frame.

Countless spectators marveled at this elite group still standing.

“Impressive. If nothing unexpected happens, these disciples can fight two or even three tiers above their rank.”

“I dare say they will secure their place in the Southern Domain and possibly the entire Wind God Continent.”

“Old Li, I envy you. Your prized disciple is still on the stage, isn’t he?”

“Look at my side—90% fell in the second round, and the entire first round lineup was wiped out.”

“Brother Nangong, your sect’s disciples are impressive, with over a dozen still holding strong.”

“My Crouching Tiger Sect has only six left; Qingyun next door only eight. I wonder if any can advance further.”

“Hmph.”

At this, Master An Ran of the Anran Sect spoke. Nangong Kang’s pride was unmistakable, while Wenyiyi, leader of the neighboring Wenyiyi Sect, scoffed coldly without a glance.

When the incense burned out, only fifteen of the one hundred elite remained standing—eight from Asura Mansion, three from Misty Sect, one each from Crouching Tiger, Qingyun, Crescent Moon Sect, and Red Flame Royal Court.

The Misty Sect’s leader Nangong and other elders were satisfied with this outcome.

Watching Gu Xiaopang, Zhao Xianyun, and Lin Shiyin on stage, the three silent Grand Elders finally took up the role of protective guardians. How the remaining duties would be assigned awaited their final rankings.

“Fifth round of selection begins.”

“The pressure of early Nascent Soul is no trivial matter. I hope you all have self-awareness. If you feel unable to endure, you may temporarily exit the battle circle now.”

“Good. Since no one steps down, pressure activated! Incense lit!”

Those who remained were the proudest and most resolute of their generation.

Knowing the mountain harbored a tiger, yet choosing to enter the tiger’s den, they braced for further trials.

The pressure surged by at least one hundred eighty times previous levels.

In an instant, over ten disciples’ bones cracked audibly like roasted beans.

One breath, two breaths…

After fifteen breaths, over ten finally could no longer endure; their blood vessels burst, blood spraying as they collapsed unconscious.

Among the four remaining Asura Mansion disciples, seeing Gu Xiaopang still persevering, they clenched their teeth, fists cracking the air.

“Look, the one in the blue robe must be Gu Changqing, right?”

“Yes, that’s him. I happened to witness the grand celebration hosted by the Purple-Gold Royal Court.”

“He truly lives up to his reputation—or rather, the reality surpasses the rumors by far.”

“Notice that he has shown no reaction at all throughout.”

“The pressure has reached Nascent Soul stage now, yet he remains seemingly unaffected.”

Though the Misty Sect had long known of Gu Xiaopang’s strength, they couldn’t help but draw a sharp breath now.

Seeing Gu Xiaopang’s nonchalant composure on stage shattered their previous estimations of his power.

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