The next day, after distributing the rewards, Ling Luoyi went to the training grounds.
Although the Ling family members had been moving recently, they had only put their belongings into storage rings and then used teleportation talismans in their sea of consciousness to travel to the small world. After that, they took out the items from their storage rings and arranged them according to their habits. This process did not take much time, so most of the family members in the Ling mansion had already moved. Ling Luoyi had told them yesterday that their rapid cultivation advancement would affect their foundation, and instructed them not to cultivate in the cultivation tower for a few days, but to consolidate their cultivation in the training grounds.
Therefore, when Ling Luoyi arrived, she saw that the Ling family disciples were all practicing martial arts in the training grounds, with various colored spiritual powers surging, making the training grounds very beautiful.
Upon seeing Ling Luoyi arrive, the disciples greeted her with utmost sincerity.
"Greetings, Eldest Miss!"
Ling Luoyi nodded approvingly as she looked at their current cultivation levels and said, "It seems I made the right decision to place the cultivation tower. Your cultivation has improved severalfold."
"This is all thanks to Eldest Miss; otherwise, we wouldn't have achieved our current results!"
"If you lacked determination and did not work hard yourself, no matter how much I helped you, you would not have reached this point. Alright, I'm not here to flatter each other." Ling Luoyi paused and said, "I have just placed a trial tower in the courtyard next to the cultivation tower for you to consolidate your cultivation. However, it is very dangerous inside, just like when you are adventuring outside. Go there now, prepare plenty of food, as you will be staying inside for a long time. Also, there will be rewards for those who pass."
Ling Luoyi led them towards the trial tower.
The disciples looked at the three-story wooden building before them, feeling puzzled. What kind of trial could this offer them?
However, because Eldest Miss had said so, they dared not disbelieve her. The items Eldest Miss had previously produced were all extraordinary, so this one must also be no ordinary building.
"Once this trial tower is closed, you can only come out by passing the trial, unless I open it. Now, I will give you time to prepare your things. I will close it precisely at noon today and open it precisely at Shenshi three days later. Do not try to deceive me; I will know everyone who enters and passes. If I find anyone who has not entered, then do not blame me."
Ling Luoyi admired their expressions and suddenly thought of something. She said, "Oh, I forgot to mention, you cannot use teleportation talismans to go to the small world inside. Good luck, everyone."
After saying that, Ling Luoyi left.
Before noon, in the Qingyin Pavilion, Ling Luoyi leisurely looked at the jade slip in her hand. As the names on it disappeared one by one, with none left, Ling Luoyi smiled.
It seemed that these disciples were quite obedient, and not a single one had escaped.
After seeing the last name disappear, Ling Luoyi asked Guanyue to close the entrance to the trial tower, put down the jade slip, stretched, and then collapsed onto the bed.
Now, she should properly enjoy her leisure time, because after the genius selection, there would likely be no more such leisurely days.
While Ling Luoyi was enjoying her leisure, Ling Huayu and Ling Li were quite busy.
With the genius selection imminent, participants from various cities were basically arriving these two days, as were the branches of the Ling family. Ling Huayu had to inform them about the Ling family's reclusive matters and prepare them, while Ling Li had to place teleportation talismans for them. Therefore, this father and daughter were the busiest people in the Ling mansion, apart from the disciples in the trial tower and Ling Qi.
Especially after knowing that Ling Luoyi was taking a nap, they looked at the things in their hands and felt extremely frustrated.
The father and daughter sighed in unison, their hands not stopping.
Time passed slowly, and in the blink of an eye, it was the day of the genius selection.
The genius selection was an annual grand event for the entire Tianwu Kingdom, lasting for ten days, and any cultivator between the ages of fifteen and twenty-five could participate.
Each time, various forces would come to watch and select disciples.
The ten people finally selected would be granted the title of genius and go to the Longqing Kingdom to compete with geniuses from the Longqing Kingdom's affiliated countries, to showcase the strength of the Tianwu Kingdom and their respect for the Longqing Kingdom.
Today was the first day of the genius selection.
Early in the morning, Ling Luoyi was forced to wake up early and gather at the training grounds.
Ling Luoyi observed that those gathered here were the ones who would be competing soon. The Ling family currently did not have many disciples, with a total of about fifteen hundred people able to participate. This number was rather small for the family.
Ling Luochen and Ling Luoyi, as the eldest grandson and granddaughter of the Ling family's direct line, would be leading the team for this selection.
Ling Huayu and the Ling family elders, as seniors, were also required to be present.
"It's almost time, let's go," Ling Huayu ordered.
"Yes, Patriarch!"
Ling Huayu and his four sons led the way, with the five elders walking at the back of the procession to prevent any attacks.
Since everyone knew it was the day of the genius selection, even when large processions appeared on the road, the common people did not feel surprised.
The genius selection began precisely at Shenshi, and disciples from other families arrived one after another.
As this was the best moment to showcase the new appearance of the Ling family disciples to everyone, Ling Luoyi did not use the teleportation array but walked with the procession.
Furthermore, the Ling family disciples had not appeared in the public eye since Ling Luoyi led them back from their adventures.
Therefore, when the Ling family disciples reappeared, everyone was stunned.
The Ling family disciples of the past knew they were weak, so they were timid and afraid of causing trouble for the family, not daring to cause trouble outside.
But the current Ling family disciples held their heads high, walked with imposing auras, and their eyes revealed confidence and pride, completely unlike their former selves.
However, upon seeing Ling Luoyi walking in the third row, they understood. Then, upon seeing Ling Luofu behind Ling Luoyi, doubts arose in their hearts. Everyone in the Tianwu Kingdom knew that Ling Luofu had no spiritual roots and could not cultivate, so why was she standing in the participant team?
The selection venue was the largest martial arts arena in Yunyuan City, which was some distance from the Ling family.
Two quarters of an hour later, the Ling family entered.
Upon seeing the Ling family enter, all eyes turned towards them.
Ling Huayu remained composed and led his disciples towards the Ling family's designated area.
Below the Ling family's viewing platform were the resting places for the Ling family participants.
Ling Huayu was not a participant, so he sat on the viewing platform with Ling Qi and his four brothers, as well as the five elders. Ling Luochen and Ling Luoyi led the participating disciples to the resting area.
After the Ling family disciples were seated, it was precisely Shenshi.
The Emperor, seated on the high platform, breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Ling Huayu leading the Ling family disciples in.
The middle-aged man sitting next to the Emperor saw this and asked, "Tianwu Emperor, are those who just entered the Ling family?"
His tone was filled with arrogance, but the Tianwu Emperor did not mind. This middle-aged man was an elder from the outer court of the Gu Ling Academy in the Longqing Kingdom, who had come to the Tianwu Kingdom to see if there were any talented disciples he could take back.
"Yes, Elder Qu. The two leading the team are the Ling family's eldest young master, Ling Luochen, who is twenty-four years old this year, and the Ling family's eldest young lady, Ling Luoyi, who is eighteen years old."
"Ling Luoyi? That is the rumored fourth-grade alchemist, the one who can refine top-grade pills?"
"No," the Tianwu Emperor shook his head.
This statement drew questioning glances from the nine people beside him.
Amidst their questioning gazes, the Tianwu Emperor said, "She should be a fifth-grade or higher top-grade alchemist."
"What?!" The nine people were shocked.
Someone recalled something and asked, "Elder Qu, what is your opinion on the rumors from the outside world?"
Elder Qu glanced at the person and said, "I am merely an elder of the outer court. What opinion could I possibly have?"
The person was disappointed, having hoped to get something from Elder Qu, but there was nothing.