A few minutes later, under the fervent gazes of everyone, the most sacred moment finally arrived.
The mountain-opening ceremony officially commenced.
"It's starting! It's finally starting! I've been preparing for this day for three whole years!"
"This time, no matter what, I have to be one of those who ascend the mountain."
"Look quickly! The elders of Wushen Mountain have appeared."
"That's the Fourth Elder, Inoue Masatsune. I've heard his swordsmanship has long reached a state of perfection. I wonder if we'll be fortunate enough to witness it."
"Heavens! The Third and Second Elders have also appeared. This is the first time I've seen so many god-level powerhouses."
"Huh? Why isn't Lady Shagong here? Isn't she presiding over this mountain-opening ceremony?"
"Yes! Lady Sha… she's here! Lady Shagong has arrived."
"..."
Under the gaze of countless eyes, a graceful figure bathed in a crimson glow slowly ascended through the air. With each step she took, the entire space seemed to tremble slightly.
Accompanying the alluring crimson light, ripples spread through the air like waves.
At this moment, everyone seemed to have forgotten to breathe, frozen in place.
Nogawa Shagong, her face veiled in a blood-red silk, her exposed beautiful eyes exuded a sharp dominance. Every movement she made was like a queen looking down upon the mortal world, allowing no one to defile her.
"Greetings, First Elder!"
Upon Nogawa Shagong's appearance, the other elders of Wushen Mountain saluted her with clasped fists.
In terms of seniority, each of them was above her. However, on Wushen Mountain, it was strength that mattered.
Even though Nogawa Shagong was the junior, none of the elders dared to be negligent.
"Mm!"
Nogawa Shagong merely nodded faintly, revealing no discernible emotion.
"Begin!"
Upon her command, the responsible individuals immediately became busy, initiating the grand event according to the established procedure.
At the foot of the mountain, Ye Ming looked at the crimson figure that seemed to survey all beings and a complex expression appeared on his face.
Beside him, Nangong Qianyu seemed to share the same sentiment.
Whether it was her illusion or not, the Nogawa Shagong she saw now seemed to have undergone some subtle changes compared to when she first met her.
As for the origin of these changes, she couldn't quite articulate it.
It was quite mysterious!
"She has indeed stepped into the Origin Realm!"
After a brief observation, Ye Ming ascertained Nogawa Shagong's current cultivation realm.
With the cultivation techniques and resources he had provided, her achievement was not surprising.
Just as Ye Ming was about to withdraw his gaze, Nogawa Shagong, whether intentionally or unintentionally, met his eyes.
"Uh!"
This time, Ye Ming felt a little flustered.
After all, there was someone standing beside him, eyeing him intently.
Fortunately, Nogawa Shagong's gaze did not linger for long before moving away from him.
However, it then shifted to Nangong Qianyu.
In response, Nangong Qianyu met her gaze without any sign of retreat.
This scene truly startled Ye Ming greatly.
Finally, after the two women stared at each other for nearly half a minute, they each withdrew their gazes.
Ye Ming breathed a sigh of relief.
"I know what the change is now."
At this moment, Nangong Qianyu suddenly said something perplexing.
"Ah! Wh—what change?"
Ye Ming was utterly bewildered.
"Hmph! It has nothing to do with you!"
Whether it was the encounter or something else, Nangong Qianyu did not give him a pleasant look.
"I…"
Now Ye Ming truly felt like crying without tears.
As time passed, the mountain-opening ceremony was nearing its end. Next was the thrilling part.
The assessment for ascension!
This was the reason why the vast majority of people had gathered here.
"I announce that the assessment for ascension for this session officially begins."
The Second Elder of Wushen Mountain proclaimed.
As his words fell, the atmosphere of the venue instantly ignited.
The assessment for ascension consisted of three rounds.
Based on past experience, the first round alone might eliminate over eighty percent of the participants.
"First round: Those who can endure my pressure for a quarter of an hour without collapsing will pass the assessment!"
The moment the Second Elder finished speaking, without giving the crowd any time to prepare, a pressure like a surging tide descended from the heavens, directly striking everyone.
This was the pressure from a god-level powerhouse.
"Ah!"
"No! I... I haven't prepared... Ah!"
"This... it's too terrifying! I can't take it!"
"My waist feels like it's going to break!"
"..."
As expected, the instant the pressure descended, waves of cultivators collapsed one after another, groaning in pain.
Among everyone, only a small portion could cope with it.
"This pressure is quite interesting!"
Ye Ming felt the oppressive force acting upon him and seemed somewhat surprised.
"Is something wrong?"
Nangong Qianyu asked, puzzled.
"Yes!" Ye Ming explained, "This pressure isn't something one can overcome simply by having stronger cultivation. To pass this stage, it primarily depends on one's state of mind."
"Those with resolute, unyielding, and pure hearts can truly pass this stage," Ye Ming said with a smile. "Only by selecting talents through such means can one find truly gifted individuals."
If one could simply resist this stage solely based on their own strength, why not simply set a requirement based on combat power?
Clearly!
This assessment was definitely not as simple as it appeared on the surface.
On Wushen Mountain, the Second Elder, who was releasing the pressure, watched the endless stream of people falling and shook his head with some disappointment, sighing, "Young people today are too impetuous. They pay no attention to their state of mind."
It was said that the process of cultivation was a tempering of one's state of mind.
However, seeing the cultivators who collapsed after only enduring for half a quarter of an hour, the Second Elder's brow furrowed.
This round might break previous records.
At least ninety percent of the participants would be eliminated.
"Huh!"
At this moment, perhaps sensing something, the Second Elder couldn't help but exclaim.
"Their breathing is steady, their expressions calm, and they are seemingly unaffected by my pressure." The Second Elder fixed his gaze on a young man and woman, his eyes burning with intensity. "This state of mind is truly terrifying."
He had never encountered such monstrous geniuses before.
Although in previous sessions, there had been one or two exceptionally outstanding individuals. However, individuals as composed as that young couple had never appeared.
"I've struck gold this time!"
At this moment, the Second Elder secretly decided:
"These two are mine."
However, the outstanding performance of the couple naturally attracted the attention of other elders.
Unbeknownst to them, a battle that had not been foreshadowed had quietly begun.