On the vast Luojia Plaza before the City Lord's Mansion, countless figures stood in neat formation.
Around the perimeter of the plaza, dense crowds had gathered to watch. Murmurs arose from everyone, their eyes fixed on the figures standing on the plaza, filled with a mix of excitement and admiration.
Those still able to stand on the plaza were the contestants who had successfully passed the preliminary selection and were eligible to proceed to the first round of the Buddha Son selection.
"Heh heh, young friend Li Xuan has arrived." In the first-floor hall of Leiyin Pavilion, as soon as Li Xuan entered, Jiang Shang's voice reached him.
Due to the Buddha Son selection competition, Leiyin Pavilion's business had experienced a slight downturn, with very few people in the hall. Otherwise, if any busybodies had seen Jiang Shang personally and solemnly hosting a young man, they would have been utterly astonished.
"Greetings, Senior Jiang Shang." Upon hearing this, Li Xuan immediately stopped and bowed to Jiang Shang, who was rapidly approaching. His gaze, however, shifted to Shu Qian, who was also appraising Li Xuan.
Seeing this, Jiang Shang let out a hearty laugh, "Allow me to introduce, this is He Shu Qian, a prodigy from Zhenyin Continent. And this is young friend Li Xuan."
"You two are the candidates recommended by our Leiyin Pavilion for the Buddha Son selection competition. I hope you both will give your utmost effort to contend for that Snow Ganoderma Nine Lotus. As per the promises made to you both, I, on behalf of Leiyin Pavilion, will surely fulfill them."
"Pavilion Master Jiang, with a strength at the intermediate level of the Realm of World Creation, let alone entering the top ten, it would be difficult to even break into the top one thousand. For the grand Leiyin Pavilion to invite someone like this is too frivolous. With his strength, he probably couldn't even withstand three moves from my junior brother."
After glancing at Li Xuan, He Shu Qian said dismissively.
Li Xuan smiled. He Shu Qian possessed a high-level Divine Enlightenment Realm strength, so his arrogance was understandable.
Of course, Li Xuan also sensed the hostility in He Shu Qian's words towards him. Firstly, it was due to He Shu Qian's strength, and secondly, it was likely that the reward Jiang Shang had promised He Shu Qian was substantial, which was why He Shu Qian harbored such animosity towards him upon their first meeting.
With this thought, Li Xuan smiled slightly and his gaze moved further back to a man standing behind He Shu Qian.
With a single glance, Li Xuan could tell that this man was likely He Shu Qian's junior brother. Judging from the subtle aura emanating from him, he had already reached the intermediate level of the Divine Enlightenment Realm. It was no wonder He Shu Qian was so hostile; to any discerning observer, Li Xuan was indeed inferior to his junior brother.
"This... young friend Shu Qian, the recommendation slots were reported half a month ago and are difficult to change now. Although young friend Li Xuan's strength is slightly weaker, it doesn't mean he won't have a chance. Besides, even if it comes to that, won't there still be you, young friend Shu Qian?"
Jiang Shang looked at Li Xuan with some difficulty and explained patiently.
"Fine, fine. With me here, the top ten spots will be as easy as taking something from my pocket. I'm not deliberately targeting you, Pavilion Master Jiang, I'm just expressing a bit of dissatisfaction." Sensing the hint of displeasure in Jiang Shang's tone, He Shu Qian immediately replied.
Then, He Shu Qian's gaze shifted to Li Xuan, "Kid, today is the day of the preliminary round, don't disappoint Pavilion Master Jiang's choice."
After speaking, He Shu Qian strode out of the hall, followed by the man behind him, who gave Li Xuan another look before silently following.
"Young friend Lin, I... I am truly sorry. Young friend He Shu Qian comes from a top power on Zhenyin Continent, and a certain degree of arrogance is understandable. I hope young friend Lin can bear with it."
As He Shu Qian and his companion departed, Jiang Shang clasped his hands in apology and smiled wryly at Li Xuan.
Li Xuan waved his hand with a smile, "It's nothing. With high-level Divine Enlightenment Realm strength at such a young age, a bit of arrogance is to be expected. Senior Jiang Shang, since it has already begun, let's move as well. Otherwise, that prodigy might become impatient again."
"Good, good. I didn't expect young friend Lin to be so magnanimous." Jiang Shang was taken aback. He had initially expected Li Xuan to be displeased, but to his surprise, Li Xuan was so understanding. With a swift movement, he began to lead the way.
"I didn't expect the number of people who passed the preliminary selection in our Luojia City to reach thirty thousand. Everyone, regardless of your sect or if you are a lone cultivator. Since you have participated in the preliminary selection for the Buddha Son competition within Luojia City, let us proceed to Dongxu Mountain for the first round from this base in Luojia City."
"I hope all of you will successfully pass the first round and advance to the semi-finals, and even the finals!"
"If any of our Luojia City participants can enter the top thousand, they may serve in Luojia City. This City Lord looks forward to your performance!"
As Li Xuan and the others followed Jiang Shang and his entourage into Luojia City Plaza, a middle-aged man in a purple-gold robe on the high platform of the plaza was speaking loudly.
"This is the City Lord of Luojia City, Luojia Ye. Luojia City is named after him. Furthermore, this person was one of the Ten Great Buddha Sons a thousand years ago."
"Additionally, you two will later travel to Dongxu Mountain through Luojia City's teleportation array to participate in the first round. City Lord Luojia Ye will personally lead the team to observe at Dongxu Mountain." Jiang Shang explained as Li Xuan looked on in confusion.
Upon hearing this, Li Xuan's eyes showed a hint of reverence. Being one of the Ten Great Buddha Sons a thousand years ago, one could imagine the immense power of Luojia Ye.
However, Li Xuan was also curious about Luojia Ye's words. With his strength, why would he personally extend such an invitation? Were the Buddha Sons who entered the top thousand so sought after?
"Senior Jiang Shang, isn't the first round held here? And what is Dongxu Mountain?" Li Xuan asked with some curiosity.
"Hmph, I truly don't know where you came from. Dongxu Mountain is one of the Three Pure Lands of the Bliss Continent. Participating in the Buddha Son selection competition at Dongxu Mountain might even attract the attention of the Buddha, Shakyamuni, or even the Twelve Venerable Buddhas."
"However, they won't show themselves for the first round. Kid, work hard and don't let Pavilion Master Jiang waste a spot for nothing." He Shu Qian snorted coldly upon hearing this.
Li Xuan frowned slightly. He Shu Qian was too arrogant. While it wasn't enough to make Li Xuan angry, he found it rather displeasing. However, considering Jiang Shang, Li Xuan didn't quarrel with him. Besides, he had obtained the information he wanted, which was sufficient.
"I didn't expect young friend Shu Qian to know so much about our Bliss Continent. Dongxu Mountain is indeed one of the three pure lands of our Bliss Continent. Both of you, let's go. The City Lord has already begun activating the teleportation array." Jiang Shang said and then led the way towards the side.
Two rows of uniformly dressed guards stood there. Upon seeing Jiang Shang's arrival, the leading general nodded in acknowledgment and cleared the way.
"Now, all of you follow behind this City Lord and head to Dongxu Mountain!" As Luojia Ye's voice fell, he waved his hand, and a massive teleportation gate instantly rose.
As Luojia Ye stepped into the teleportation array first, a flash of spiritual light emanated from Jiang Shang. A powerful force enveloped Li Xuan, He Shu Qian, and his junior brother, instantly shooting them into the portal and making them disappear.