Over the next month, Li Yan scaled back his assignments at the Spirit Plant Garden. Instead, nearly all of his waking hours were dedicated to meditating on his cultivation techniques and refining his immortal arts. He was well aware that having only recently entered the late stage of the Seventh Level of the Condensation Stage, climbing to the Eighth Level within a short span of time was simply impossible. The only shortcut would be if he were gifted an extraordinary treasure or rare natural resource—something akin to the miraculous chance the village's old scholar once spoke of. That tale described how a scholar who had failed the imperial examinations, wandering through a dilapidated temple, had an unexpected encounter with a fox spirit and thereby received a miraculous opportunity. Or it might speak of a youth who, following a near-fatal tumble over a cliff, was saved against all odds and later discovered an enchanted peach fruit that boosted his cultivation for decades. Yet Li Yan knew these were mere fabrications. In the world, immortals and fox spirits did exist—and there was no shortage of exotic fruits either—but such luck was reserved for those wandering the wild lands. For one who remained confined within the sect, someone who even hesitated to leave Little Bamboo Peak, the possibility of encountering these rare treasures was extremely remote. Even if the sect did keep some of these exotic fruits, they were likely interred deep underground—thousands or even tens of thousands of feet down. After all, with so many Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivators roaming the sect (not to mention a few Nascent Spirit Ancestors), the divine senses that had swept over every inch of the sect's territory would have already captured every trace of such treasures. And as for fox spirits—the only exception might be a fourth-tier fox spirit—but in this region even those had long been classified as sacred spiritual objects not meant for common usage.
One day, as Li Yan sat cross-legged in his chamber, deep in meditation, a burst of white radiance suddenly erupted from the talisman hanging at his waist. Slowly, he opened his eyes. As his spiritual sense receded into the quiet depths of his inner focus, he murmured, almost to himself, "So… it's beginning." There was a subtle mix of anticipation and resignation in his tone, as if he knew that the turning of events was inevitable.
High atop the Old Lord Peak the summit had already disappeared into the soaring clouds. Midway up the mountain, a vast platform sprawling across a distance of one hundred thousand zhang had been prepared. Today, right in the center of that expansive platform, ten tall stages began to rise. Between every pair of stages there lay a gap of nearly twenty li. Each stage soared about three zhang high and extended roughly fifty li in length. Arranged in the shape of a diamond, these ten stages faced outward toward a sprawling area at the center spanning over a hundred li. Above the platform's rear and upper side, a pavilion adorned with carved railings hovered mysteriously in mid-air. Before the pavilion's spacious balcony, a dozen or so seats had been arranged in neat rows. Already, a number of handsome and beautiful young disciples flitted among these seats, some setting out displays of sumptuous and rare fruits while others artfully presenting small plates of delicately seasoned delicacies.
Within the diamond formation fashioned by the ten stages, the central region teemed with constant movement. Despite the sheer number of people—heads merging into a bustling crowd—everything was arranged in meticulous order. The hundred-li expanse had been divided into five segments, each stretching twenty li wide. Standing there on the platform, Li Yan glanced about at the lively scenes unfolding several dozen li away, then shifted his gaze back to his own small group. On their side, there were only eleven people. In this enormous arena, his group's mere eleven individuals were scattered almost a thousand meters apart along the fringe of their allotted area.
A clear, crisp voice then rang out beside Li Yan: "Senior Brother, shall we move and cluster along one side? Our Little Bamboo Peak section is just too few—standing right in the center of this vast area makes us too conspicuous." The speaker was Lin Da Qiao. His eyes darted left, right, front and back as if seeking a natural cover, as though the entire area were awash with an unsettled wind. "Absolutely not," came a firm retort. "A peak's honor is not something to be compromised by inching up against another's territory. Do you wish to forsake Little Bamboo Peak entirely?" "Please, please don't, Senior Brother!" Lin Da Qiao stuttered, immediately raising his hand in protest. "I'm merely offering a suggestion—if nothing else, we could at least stand together on this side." A faint smile crept along Li Wuyi's lips as he glanced over at his own companions. Internally, he sighed. "Master, could you not extend your benevolence for once? Every time a major sect event comes around, you always make sure we stand out in such an obvious way."
At that moment, aside from Li Yan and three of his junior nephews who peeked around with curious expressions, everyone else maintained a serious demeanor. Some sat cross-legged in deep meditation; others huddled in pairs, murmuring softly among themselves.
For Li Yan, this was his first time partaking in a major sect event, and upon his arrival he had been utterly awestruck. He'd never witnessed such a grand scene before—ten towering stages rising up to dominate an expanse covering hundreds of li. Compared to the immense, organized formations surrounding the peaks—where disciples of each mountain, ranging from Foundation Establishment to Condensation Stage, stood in impressive numbers (with each peak fielding well over a thousand cultivators within its twenty-li zone, arranged in tight ranks that exuded vigorous energy)—Li Yan's group, comprised of just eight senior brothers plus three junior disciples, appeared pitiably isolated. Standing alone in the center, they made a striking impression. Fortunately, the perceptive vision and ears of cultivators were extremely acute in this unimpeded space; even over several dozen li, every detail was visible.
High above in the sky the rosy glow of dawn had already hinted at the coming arrivals. Soon, a succession of newcomers would step out from the edge of the clouds, for it was evident that disciples from the other four peaks were still on their way.
Just as Li Yan was absorbing the sights and sounds, Li Wuyi's warm and clear voice rang out, "Dear junior brothers and sisters, please lend me your ears." At that, all present turned their gaze toward him.
"Today, for this Foundation Establishment Contest, you all know that there are only forty-nine spots available. All you need to do is give it your all. Seize this opportunity to grab a great chance at destiny. But be aware—there are a few individuals you must take care to avoid. I know that some of you have prepared well ahead of time or have learned from your years as disciples in other peaks. Allow me, in light of my past experiences, to share some advice as a point of reference."
At these words, everyone immediately understood that Senior Brother Li Wuyi was drawing on his previous contest experiences to impart wisdom—especially to those who were participating for the first time. Wen Xin Liang and Lin Da Qiao exchanged eyes filled with gratitude and respect; both had never participated in the Secret Realm Gathering Trial before. Even Miao Wang Qing, known as someone who was not particularly fond of combat, was eager to hear the insights. In this exchange the information was meant also to instruct Li Yan and the three junior nephews—as newcomers, they needed to hear exactly what to expect.
"Take a look over there—the Four Symbols Peak. In the front row, there is a formation consisting of three men and one lady," Li Wuyi said casually while letting his gaze drift to the left. He did not raise his hand to point out the figures explicitly, for among cultivators even a simple glance could be perceived by those attuned to subtle spiritual signals.
From their position in the diamond-shaped area, they could only see three of the five designated sectors. That was because Little Bamboo Peak's section was only one of the diamond's sides; the entire arena was divided into five portions—four along the periphery, with the center reserved for the disciples from the Old Lord Peak. Thus, Li Yan's group could only see the two flanking sides and the central area, while the section diagonally opposite was hidden behind the central group of Old Lord Peak's disciples.
Following Li Wuyi's gaze, Li Yan and the others looked over toward the Four Symbols Peak region. There, in the front three rows, were Foundation Establishment Stage disciples—over fifty of them arranged in a triangular formation. At the very front stood three men and one woman. The tall man among these appeared exceptionally imposing—one man with a stature over one zhang, broad face and thick ears, his muscles well-defined, and his golden-cropped hair standing on end like spikes, exuding the aura of a revered golden statue of a deity.
The other two, slightly shorter men, were clearly a pair of twin brothers. Their robust builds underlined their strength, and at that moment they were intermittently glancing around, occasionally gesturing and pointing. The young woman, perhaps around twenty years of age with skin as smooth as polished jade and a delicate waist hinting at a graceful curvature of her hips, carried herself with an extraordinary poise. Her long black hair was elegantly tied up, and sensing someone's gaze on her, she turned toward the group. With a subtle upturn of her lips—a gentle, cherry-like smile—she acknowledged Li Wuyi and his companions before turning away once more. This slight gesture caused the two twin brothers beside her to also smile broadly in his direction, though the imposing, statue-like man barely gave a glance.
At that moment, Li Yan heard a cold snort from beside him. Looking up, he discovered it was his Third Senior Brother issuing the sound—though it was unclear whether he was addressing the tall man or some of the other three figures around them.
Li Wuyi, having noticed the exchange, withdrew his gaze momentarily and continued speaking, "The tall, yellow-haired man is called Gan Shi. He is a late Foundation Establishment disciple from the Four Symbols Peak. Gifted with a rare 'Heavenly Spirit Root' that bears both earth and metal affinities—a combination seldom seen in ordinary practitioners—Gan Shi is known for his balanced offense and defense. His mastery in combined assaults is extraordinary. Once he refines his Golden Core, he is expected to become a candidate for the next peak leadership, for he stands as one of Four Symbols Peak's most formidable Senior Brothers. Expert in both attacking and defending within array formations, he is said to have refined the art of array defense to the point where his entire being exudes the defensive formation. When his technique is unleashed, enemies are defeated in an instant. He is truly a formidable opponent—one you all must be especially cautious around." Although Li Wuyi's tone was matter-of-fact, there was one additional comment he refrained from mentioning out loud. In his mind, only the Second Junior Brother might be capable of matching someone like Gan Shi; for the rest, it would be nearly impossible to pose any serious threat. (He recalled having once dueled with Gan Shi himself and only managed to subdue him by sheer force of cultivated realms—a victory that came at a tremendous cost.) However, this contest was overseen by a Golden Core Peer, ensuring that no lives would be unnecessarily risked. Thus, Li Wuyi allowed the junior brothers and sisters to observe and learn from this exchange—a valuable chance for cross-peak communication.
He continued, "Next, observe the twin brothers Chu Wei Xiong and Chu Wei Li. Both are late Foundation Establishment disciples, blessed with a Heavenly Spirit Root of the earth and fire dual system. They are celebrated for their mastery of the famed Four Symbols Formation of Four Symbols Peak. Typically, such a formation might be arranged with groups numbering eighteen, thirty-six, seventy-two, one hundred and eight, three hundred sixty, or even seven hundred and twenty cultivators to lock in the 'Sky-Locking Chain Array.' However, these two have displayed an innate gift in the ways of array formation. In fact, when they were in the Consolidation Stage at the eighth level, they received special permission from one of the Four Symbols Peak elders to even contact the formation. After three years and seven months of painstaking refinement, they succeeded in forming a rudimentary 'Small Four Symbols Array.' Although it still had significant loopholes, it was enough to leave one in awe. After decades of diligent study, their small array has now steadily come into shape. In their path to immortality, these two are known to ascend to the late Foundation Establishment Stage by integrating array formation into their techniques. Truly, they have become living embodiments of destiny's call. It is said that when they join forces, they can rival the combined might of seven or eight disciples of the same stage. While today's contest will be held separately for each competitor, their mastery of array techniques still makes them exceedingly hard to contend with."
A silence fell over the crowd as his words sank in. Even Yun Chun Qu, who usually maintained a reserved demeanor, fell quiet. Although the Chu brothers did not possess the same lofty cultivation as Gan Shi, or the renown that accompanied him, their skill in array techniques – employing formation as a means of cultivating one's power – was superior. Ordinary array masters, known for their relatively low defenses and fragile constitutions when erecting their arrays (often requiring seasoned protectors on hand), were a far cry from these two. The Chu twins had integrated the array into their very spirit; in their practice, the array and the technique were one and the same. In battle, they could wear an enemy down until that foe's energy was completely exhausted. Not to mention, the Dark Sect was famed for their adept use of poison—so much so that poison and array were often intermingled in their strategies.
Li Wuyi then spoke of another competitor. "Now, take note of that young female from Four Symbols Peak, named Wei Feng. She is a mid-stage Foundation Establishment disciple nearing the peak of her level. Her divine sense is extremely acute, and she is blessed with a Heavenly Spirit Root that combines earth and water affinities. Renowned for her mastery of an illusionary poison array, with a mere wave of her hand, she can generate an entire realm in which poisonous mists swirl about. These mists might be entirely colorless and odorless, or at times possess an alluring fragrance and enticing flavor capable of enchanting her opponents, or even leading them to a death-like stupor. I've heard that her illusionary array has now fully integrated with eleven distinct deadly toxins. It is rumored that during a trial against the Chu brothers, she nearly suffered defeat—only to be contained within the dual arrays they constructed. It goes to show just how formidable her talents are. Aside from these four individuals, it's estimated that Four Symbols Peak might have no fewer than five other competitors who, while not matching these four in every facet, are still formidable by any standard."
When Li Wuyi finished speaking, apart from Wei Chi Tuo, Yun Chun Qu, Miao Wang Qing, and Gong Chen Ying—four disciples who already understood the ins and outs of these competitions—the rest of the group looked on with a mixture of awe and apprehension. Even Wen Xin Liang, who had gathered some preliminary details from past Foundation Establishment contests and from exchanges with disciples of other peaks, felt unsettled by the comprehensive survey that Li Wuyi had just provided. Li Yan himself watched with an expression of keen curiosity, while Lin Da Qiao, usually so buoyant, now frowned as he calculated in his mind just how far he might go. In the end, his face betrayed a hint of dejection: unless he managed to avoid crossing paths with some of these prodigious competitors, he would be forced to concede on the spot. In such a case, victory would be nothing more than a roll of the dice.
Before the group could indulge in further debate, Li Wuyi shifted his gaze to the right—toward the section designated for those hailing from Spirit Insect Peak. This was by far the most awe-inspiring region; myriad types of demonic beasts were arrayed along every edge. Although each creature maintained a respectful distance from one another, the cacophony of roars, shrieks, and low growls resonated continuously across the area. Their masters, relaxed and in no rush to break the subtle balance, observed with quiet amusement as their beasts glared and bared their teeth in mutual defiance. They did not attempt to restrain the provocations—such was futile at the moment, for it was not yet time for the official contest to begin. Instead, this was the time for each to display their unique aura and skills. One could almost sense that while the beasts and their masters exchanged fateful stares, their expressions confessed anticipation mingled with a sense of leisure.
But as Li Wuyi surveyed the bustling crowd in the Spirit Insect Peak section, it appeared that the very person he was looking for was nowhere to be seen. He contemplated shifting his gaze away when, just then, several bands of radiant light began to stream in from the horizon, heralding the imminent arrival of a chosen few.
This marks the end of the provided passage. The narrative continues to build suspense with the arrival of mysterious light from the horizon—a subtle prelude to further developments on the grand stage of the sect contest.
In the scene depicted, every detail—from Li Yan's personal struggle and introspection over his cultivation prospects to the overwhelming grandeur of the sect's ceremonial arena—is conveyed with palpable emotion and rich descriptive detail. The audience is led through the complexities of the sect's competitive structure, the interplay between different peaks and their signature skills, and the inherent tension among those who, by sheer chance, have been pressed into the center of such a momentous occasion. The meticulously detailed portraits of formidable opponents such as Gan Shi, the Chu twins, and Wei Feng are not merely introductions to characters but serve as vivid warnings of the challenges that await even the most determined cultivators.
What emerges is a layered narrative where ambition, pride, and the pragmatic understanding of one's limitations merge with the overarching drive to seize fate by one's own hand. Li Yan's quiet acceptance of the discipline—despite knowing that his ascent to higher realms might require more than mere chance—contrasts vividly with the dazzling pageantry and lethal prowess on display from other peaks. It is a world where every glow of spiritual light, every carefully prepared formation, and every whispered piece of tactical advice carries the weight of life and death.
Even as the candles of hope and struggle flicker in the hearts of these practitioners, a subtle, omnipresent tension marks the air. The looming arrival of the radiant beams hints that destiny is not something kept at a distance. Instead, it is about to descend upon them like a gentle yet inexorable force, ensuring that each participant is tested both physically and spiritually. In that moment, as Li Wuyi and his companions brace themselves for what lies ahead, the scene is set for not only an arduous contest but also for an exchange of fates that will forever alter the trajectories of those involved.
As you continue to follow Li Yan's journey, remember that each major event – whether it manifests in radiant beams from the horizon or the quietly muttered words of a discerning master – invites us to reflect on the balance between destiny and free will. The stage has been set, and the next wave of arrivals promises to complicate the interplay of ambition, strategy, and spirit even further.