"The competition ends here!"
As Li Tieyi's voice echoed, Li Mingkai, who was holding Nangong Xue Rui, also stopped. Nangong Xue Rui, nestled in his arms, buried her head in embarrassment, her face flushed.
Clearly, Nangong Xue Rui felt the attention of the crowd and became shy. Seeing this, Li Mingkai gently patted her back, then, holding her hand, walked towards Li Xuan.
"According to the previous rules, three people will not be able to enter the top fifty-six. Based on our discussions and the points you winners have accumulated, Liu Mingfeng, Ding Yongning, and Gao Tianzong, the three of you still haven't accumulated enough to enter the top fifty-six."
Li Tiejun paused and continued, "However, you three can still enjoy the same privileges as them and enter the Tianji Pavilion to cultivate with them. The duration will be for half a year. Do any of you have any objections?"
After speaking, Li Tieyi's gaze fell upon the three figures in Luoyang Square.
"We have no objections," the three men, addressed by Li Tieyi, immediately bowed in response.
After all, among the fifty-nine people present in Luoyang Square, their strength was mediocre. To win the competition and gain the opportunity to cultivate in the Tianji Pavilion for half a year was already an excellent outcome for them.
"Good. Since there are no objections, please wait a moment. We will depart for the Tianji Pavilion!" Li Tieyi nodded slightly upon hearing their response and then turned to walk towards Gu Zhengqi and Nangong Shang and the others.
"Congratulations, Brother Li." As soon as Li Tieyi finished speaking, Li Xuan, with a smile, said to Li Mingkai, who had walked up to him. He then gave a slight nod to Nangong Xue Rui as a gesture of politeness.
Li Mingkai was also exceptionally happy. Clasping Nangong Xue Rui's small hand, he said, "Xue Rui, let me introduce you. This is Li Xuan, a good friend I met in Danyang City."
"To be frank, if Brother Li hadn't encouraged me to confess, we would still be hesitating now. Brother Li, I believe Xue Rui doesn't need an introduction from me, right?"
Li Xuan chuckled wryly at this and nodded, "Indeed, there's no need. I've heard you mention Miss Xue Rui's name countless times. However, Brother Li, you must treat Miss Xue Rui well, or the consequences will be severe."
Li Mingkai glanced around the viewing stands and indeed saw countless pairs of hostile eyes watching him.
However, Li Mingkai showed no fear. Instead, he provocatively held Nangong Xue Rui tighter and said, "If I can spend the rest of my life with Xue Rui, I, Li Mingkai, will have no regrets. No one can separate us."
"You, you still haven't changed at all. You're not even ashamed in front of Brother Li," hearing Li Mingkai's words, Nangong Xue Rui shot him a glance. However, a look of happiness appeared on her face.
Then, Nangong Xue Rui broke free from Li Mingkai's embrace and seriously bowed to Li Xuan, saying, "Xue Rui greets Brother Li. Thank you, Brother Li, for your encouragement. Otherwise, this blockhead would still not know when he would finally speak."
Li Xuan chuckled and said, "Miss Xue Rui, please rise. It's not a big matter. I originally thought Brother Li was just pining away in unrequited love, but I didn't expect that you two already had feelings for each other. It seems there must have been a story between you two before."
As Li Xuan's words fell, both Nangong Xue Rui and Li Mingkai blushed deeply. After exchanging a glance, they both looked embarrassed.
*Buzzzzz.*
Just then, a buzzing sound rang out. Li Xuan, Li Mingkai, and Nangong Xue Rui all looked up simultaneously. Their gaze landed on a spiritual boat that had appeared on the high platform.
"Thank you all for attending the Tianji Divine Ranking competition. We apologize for any oversights. Contestants who have entered the top fifty-six of the Tianji Divine Ranking, please board the boat!"
With the appearance of the spiritual boat, Li Tieyi reappeared on the high platform and cupped his hands towards the surrounding audience.
As Li Tieyi's voice faded, the fifty-nine people in Luoyang Square, including Li Xuan, all moved simultaneously, shooting towards the spiritual boat in the air.
"Everyone, please be seated. When we reach the Tianji Pavilion, your rewards will be distributed. Now, we head to the Tianji Pavilion!"
As Li Xuan and the other fifty-nine people landed on the spiritual boat, Li Tieyi, who had also flown onto the boat, spoke.
With his words, Li Tieyi lightly stomped his foot, and the spiritual boat instantly shot towards the distance like a drawn sword.
"Brother Li, it should take about half an hour to reach the Tianji Pavilion. There will be a small test there as well," Li Mingkai quietly said to Li Xuan as the spiritual boat set off.
Li Xuan's eyes showed a hint of surprise, but he glanced at Li Tieyi, who had already turned his gaze towards them from the front of the boat. Li Xuan nodded slightly and then slowly closed his eyes.
The Tianji Pavilion was a jointly constructed site by the Six Great Families and Four Hidden Sects. Its location was on the Central Tianji Mountain Range, from which it derived its name.
The Six Great Families and Four Hidden Sects were not far from the Tianji Mountain Range, with the distance to the mountain range being within a thousand li for almost all of them. This was why the Tianji Pavilion was built there.
However, it must be admitted that the Tianji Mountain Range possessed extremely dense spiritual energy and was a flat terrain. In the depths of the mountain range, there was a bowl-shaped basin. The Tianji Pavilion was built in this very location.
Approximately half an hour later, Li Xuan felt the spiritual boat's speed slow down.
As the mist gradually thinned, the scenery below entered his view.
The winding mountain range lay like a coiled dragon. At the head of the mountain, a pavilion piercing the clouds appeared before Li Xuan.
"This is the Tianji Pavilion," Li Xuan exclaimed, watching the spiritual boat descend and the pavilion below grow larger. It occupied an area of one hundred mu.
A mere pavilion was built on such a grand scale. However, Li Xuan then sensed ten powerful auras around the Tianji Pavilion that made him tremble, clearly indicating the strong guardians stationed there.
"Brother Li, this is the Tianji Pavilion. We will be cultivating here for the next year," Li Mingkai explained to Li Xuan as the spiritual boat landed.
Li Xuan nodded slightly and said, "I never imagined the Tianji Pavilion would be so magnificent and spectacular. The Six Great Families and Four Hidden Sects must have put in a lot of effort."
Upon landing, Li Xuan also sensed that besides the ten guardians, there were ten innate spiritual treasures of almost peak quality.
From his senses, these ten peak innate spiritual treasures served as the core for nearly a hundred defensive and offensive formations. Once the formations were activated, these ten peak innate spiritual treasures would unleash powerful attacks to eliminate any external threats.
"This Tianji Pavilion was built by our ancestors. We have passed it down for countless generations," Nangong Xue Rui nodded in agreement.
"Brother Li, not just anyone can come to the Tianji Pavilion. Even the outer areas of the Tianji Mountain Range are guarded by personnel from our Six Great Families and Four Hidden Sects. Therefore, the only way to enter the Tianji Pavilion is through the Tianji Divine Ranking competition."
Li Mingkai paused and continued, "Even disciples from our families cannot enter the Tianji Pavilion without the family head's order. In all these years, I've only entered twice. But if I have the chance, I will definitely take you around properly."
Li Xuan nodded slightly and said, "Then I will have to trouble you, Brother Li."
"Everyone, according to the competition rules, all contestants who have entered the top fifty-six of the Tianji Divine Ranking will receive generous rewards. Here are fifty-six spatial rings, containing your prizes for winning."
As Li Xuan finished speaking, Li Tieyi emerged from the Tianji Pavilion and said.
With his words, spatial rings flew towards the fifty-six participants, including Li Xuan.
Li Xuan received the spatial ring and casually scanned it with his divine sense, his eyes widening in surprise. This spatial ring contained not only two billion high-grade spirit stones but also an innate spiritual treasure.
In addition, there was a cultivation manual.
However, from its surface, it was difficult to discern its contents. Due to the large number of people present, Li Xuan did not take it out to examine it immediately.
"Alright, the rewards for the Tianji Divine Ranking competition have been distributed. Next, everyone will begin their cultivation in the Tianji Pavilion," Li Tieyi said with a smile, seeing the excitement on everyone's faces.
After a slight pause, Li Tieyi continued, "However, the Tianji Pavilion has six floors. Which floor you can cultivate on will depend on your own fortune."
Everyone looked surprised, and even Li Xuan's heart stirred. When they boarded the spiritual boat, Li Mingkai had mentioned a small test, which Li Tieyi was now referring to.
"You don't need to worry too much. With your strength, it should be possible for you to reach the third floor. Now, you can experience the rest for yourselves," Li Tieyi said reassuringly, seeing the slight tension on everyone's faces.
"Thank you, Family Head Li, for your guidance." Everyone breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this and then bowed in unison to Li Tieyi.
Li Tieyi nodded and said, "Your strengths are all extraordinary. We hope that through cultivation in the Tianji Pavilion, you will reach even greater heights. Now, begin ascending the pavilion."
Everyone nodded in agreement. With a wave of Li Tieyi's hand, the grand doors of the Tianji Pavilion slowly opened. After a brief pause, everyone quickly surged forward, heading straight for the Tianji Pavilion.
"Brother Li, let's go in too," Li Mingkai said to Li Xuan as the crowd entered.
Li Xuan nodded and glanced around before slowly walking towards the entrance with Li Mingkai and Nangong Xue Rui.
*Buzz.*
As the three reached the doorway, accompanied by a buzzing sound, Li Xuan and the other two vanished instantly.