The vast sky was clear, with white clouds gently floating.
On the main square of the Heavenly Yi Pavilion's central headquarters, the scene was bustling with activity. Courtyards and towers floated in the air, and forces from all sides had already taken their positions.
On the high platform, thirteen banquet tables were set up diagonally.
Five sub-pavilion masters were in one row, with the Grand Pavilion Master Deng Lun above them. In another row, led by Lin Yunyun, followed by Bai Suxin, the White Venerable.
Below them were Jin Guangshuo the Supreme, Mulan Xin the Supreme, Zhang Chao the Supreme, and Chen Peng the Supreme. In the center sat the Great Venerable's wife, Mo Ningxiang.
On the square, disciples from the five pavilions stood in formation. Above each pavilion, several elders stood. Geng Tian the Elder stood with the disciples of Li Xuanmu Pavilion.
"Today, the Pavilion Master Selection Competition officially begins. I, Zhang Chao, the Supreme, greet all the sect leaders." The scorching sun climbed high, accompanied by the sound of six chimes. Zhang Chao the Supreme immediately stood up from his seat, cupped his hands, and looked around, speaking loudly.
"The purpose of changing the five pavilion masters of our Heavenly Yi Pavilion this time is to better promote the traditions established by our Heavenly Yi Pavilion. Secondly, it is to show everyone the development of our Heavenly Yi Pavilion over the past century. The rules for this Pavilion Master Selection Competition are the same as usual. I will not elaborate further here."
"Disciples who have registered for this competition, step forward!"
As Zhang Chao the Supreme finished speaking, the registered disciples from each pavilion immediately moved and landed in the front ranks of the square.
As Li Xuan settled down, he discovered that there were actually one hundred participants in this Pavilion Master Selection Competition. Among these one hundred people, there were nearly thirty with the aura of the Years Realm.
"I didn't expect to see so many disciples of the Years Realm today, as they are rarely seen normally. It seems that today's competition for the Pavilion Master will be quite difficult," Li Xuan mused inwardly, but his gaze was firm as he looked towards the high platform.
"A total of one hundred and eight disciples have registered for this Pavilion Master Selection Competition. Among them, the Golden Pavilion has twenty-eight, the Wood Pavilion has twenty-six, the Water Pavilion has nineteen, the Fire Pavilion has twenty-one, and the Earth Pavilion has fourteen. The participants from the five pavilions will undergo a three-round trial. The top five winners will then be able to choose which sub-pavilion they wish to lead."
"Now, the first round of assessment begins!"
Zhang Chao the Supreme said, then waved his hand, and five floating platforms appeared in mid-air. The platforms were very large, and streams of spiritual light flickered and floated around them.
Clearly, the defense of these platforms was extremely strong. After all, with a Supreme intervening, there would be no sign of the platforms being damaged.
"You all, draw lots to choose your opponents." The platforms slowly descended. Besides the participating disciples from the five pavilions, the disciples from the other five pavilions also moved to the viewing area to watch.
Zhang Chao the Supreme waved his hand, and one hundred and eight spiritual light glazed balls floated in mid-air. As Zhang Chao the Supreme spoke, the participants all waved their hands towards mid-air, drawing one spiritual light glazed ball into their hands.
"Fifty-three... I wonder who it will be." Li Xuan glanced at the mark on the spiritual light glazed ball in his hand, then raised his head to look at the other participants.
The first round of assessment was a one-on-one duel.
If the number of participants was odd, one person would receive a bye. Of course, this also required good luck to draw the spiritual light glazed ball with the bye mark.
If it was an even number, then all would have to fight to determine the winners. Although there would inevitably be disparities in strength, one must be mentally prepared for this once they chose to participate. After all, the word "fairness" never existed among Spiritual Masters.
Moreover, this was only the first round of assessment, and participants would not be eliminated even if they lost. Therefore, the difference in cultivation levels did not seem so unbalanced.
"Competitors with numbers one to five, step onto the stage!"
Seeing that everyone had received their spiritual light glazed balls, Zhang Chao the Supreme waved his hand and said. As soon as the words fell, ten figures instantly shot towards the five platforms.
"Seven participants of the Years Realm have come to the stage for the first round. This luck is truly something," Li Xuan muttered, sighing slightly.
If he hadn't obtained sixty percent control in the Forge of Creation, he probably wouldn't have been able to break through to his current strength. And facing these Years Realm cultivators with only the Divine Transformation Realm strength would undoubtedly be seeking humiliation.
As time passed, even among disciples of similar strength, there were still significant differences in the Years Realm. After all, the difference would increase proportionally with the addition of one or two rounds of Heavenly Yang support.
As for the three participating disciples of the advanced or peak Divine Transformation Realm, they were quickly defeated. In less than five minutes, all five duels had concluded.
Watching the next batch of contestants take the stage, Li Xuan felt a bit bored. At this rate, it would probably take more than half an hour before it was his turn.
Moreover, among these one hundred and eight people, Li Xuan had already noted those he felt threatened by. With nothing to do, Li Xuan simply closed his eyes to rest and wait.
"Venerable Yun, if my memory serves me correctly, Li Xuan's strength was only at the quantitative change realm before entering the Forge of Creation." As the duels continued on the five platforms, Jin Guangshuo the Supreme on the high platform suddenly turned to Lin Yunyun the Venerable and said.
As Jin Guangshuo the Supreme finished speaking, the gazes of everyone on the high platform also fell upon Li Xuan, who was waiting on the square.
Although Li Xuan was not making any moves or revealing any aura at the moment, for existences like them, they could naturally sense Li Xuan's strength. Ten years of secluded cultivation in the Forge of Creation had actually led to a full major realm increase.
This was truly extraordinary compared to other disciples. For a time, everyone's gaze turned towards Lin Yunyun the Venerable.
"Venerable Jin, are you implying that I secretly assisted this person?" Lin Yunyun the Venerable calmly retorted.
Jin Guangshuo the Supreme smiled slightly upon hearing this: "If he could receive Venerable Yun's guidance, it would indicate that this young man's talent is exceptional. Moreover, speaking of which, this is also his fortune. Old man merely feels that Venerable Yun has not taken any disciples for many years; have you taken a liking to this young man?"
"Venerable Jin is joking. Although this young man is extraordinary, he will not be my disciple. Moreover, during his secluded cultivation in the Forge of Creation, I have not offered him any guidance. Perhaps this young man's current strength is due to his profound foundation and deep heritage," Lin Yunyun the Venerable replied.
"This young man is a disciple of my Wood Pavilion. When he first broke through to the initial stage of the quantitative change realm and fought with Zhang Xu, he revealed a foundation of nine hundred and fifty star spiritual pearls. Speaking of which, he is a disciple of such high caliber that our Wood Pavilion has not seen in many years."
"His current rapid progress is naturally due to his profound foundation and heritage," Mulan Xin the Supreme, who was sitting nearby, interjected directly before Jin Guangshuo the Supreme could speak.
Jin Guangshuo the Supreme smiled upon hearing this and did not speak further. After all, they had all witnessed the number of star spiritual pearls Li Xuan had displayed in that battle.
"Competitors fifty-one to fifty-four, step onto the stage!"
As time gradually passed, and Zhang Chao the Supreme's voice rang out, Li Xuan slowly opened his eyes.