Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Behind Wu Daoyuan were seven other Heavenly Palace disciples, each with a powerful aura.

Among them were even two Nascent Soul stage cultivators.

Their overall strength was significantly greater than that of the cultivators from the other three major grotto heavens who participated in the trial.

Currently, on the surface, the Dao Alliance is the weakest.

None of the eight cultivators participating in the trial were Nascent Soul cultivators.

One person from the desolate region, two from the immortal sect, and three from the heavenly palace.

Of course, this is only apparent.

People like Feng Lan and Yan Yutian already possess the combat power of the early Nascent Soul stage.

However, the age requirement for this trial is under forty years old.

Therefore, the fact that someone can reach the Nascent Soul realm at such a young age speaks volumes about their terrifying talent.

Upon seeing the arrival of the Heavenly Palace cultivators, City Lord Xin and the others went over to exchange pleasantries.

At this moment, the high-ranking officials of Yunhai Immortal City also entered the main hall.

They were two Nascent Soul cultivators with astonishing auras.

Ahead stood a white-browed Taoist priest with an air of otherworldly wisdom.

Behind her was a woman in palace attire, with an extremely beautiful face, delicate eyebrows, and captivating charm.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Qingxiao."

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Hongluan."

Upon seeing the two arrive, Lord Xin and the others stepped forward to greet them.

The two were the city lords of Yunhai Immortal City.

Chen Qingxiao and Ye Hongluan.

One original and one deputy.

"I am Chen Qingxiao, the deputy city lord of Cloud Sea Immortal City!"

"Welcome everyone to the Youyun Starfield to participate in the human race's war of expansion."

After taking his seat at the head of the table, Chen Qingxiao's gaze swept across everyone like lightning, and he spoke solemnly.

Everyone present listened with solemn expressions.

"Our human race has been developing in the Youyun Starfield for hundreds of years, establishing ten immortal cities and relocating hundreds of millions of people. The situation is thriving."

"This was achieved through the combined efforts and enormous sacrifices of the four great grotto-heavens of our human race."

"You are all rising stars of the Four Great Grotto-Heavens. I hope that you will make greater contributions to the survival and development of our human race in the future."

Chen Qingxiao said a few encouraging words.

Everyone listened with great enthusiasm.

"Next, I will explain the specific rules of this trial to you all."

"Currently, there are several desolate stars in this star field, where we only have outposts."

"There are many alien races on the desolate planet. Your mission is to reclaim the land and eliminate these alien races."

"In this process, whoever defeats the most alien races will get more points."

"The person with the most points at the end will be the champion of this trial!"

Chen Qingxiao said loudly.

He then glanced at everyone and continued, "Now our main target is the Desolate Rock Star, which has several alien tribes."

"Your goal is to clear the nebula, expand your stronghold, and make it possible to establish a celestial city."

"You four captains, now begin choosing your trial locations."

As he finished speaking, four jade tablets appeared in front of him.

"These four jade tablets mark the location of our human race's stronghold on the desolate planet of Shiyan."

"Whichever one you choose, you will proceed to that stronghold."

Chen Qingxiao continued.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling and the other three stood up and walked to the front.

"Junior Wu Daoyuan of the Heavenly Palace pays respects to the City Lord!"

"Junior Qin Yi from the Desolate Region pays respects to the City Lord!"

"Junior Xia Ruohe of the Immortal Sect pays respects to the City Lord!"

"Junior Dao Alliance member Zhou Ling greets the City Lord!"

Zhou Ling and the other three bowed to Chen Qingxiao.

Under the [Intermediate Observation], Zhou Ling could not sense Chen Qingxiao's cultivation level, indicating that his realm had probably already surpassed the Nascent Soul realm.

A great cultivator at the Refinement of Emptiness realm.

Given the vastness of the Youyun Starfield, it certainly requires cultivators at the Void Refinement stage to oversee it.

"No need to be polite!"

Chen Qingxiao nodded slightly, then smiled and said, "Let's begin the selection."

"Let's start by selecting based on the rankings from the previous trial."

"The Heavenly Palace, the Immortal Sect, the Dao Alliance, and then the Desolate Domain."

Upon hearing this, Wu Daoyuan immediately reached out and took the jade tablet on the far right.

Xia Ruohe glanced at the remaining three jade tablets, then reached out her jade hand and took the leftmost one.

Zhou Ling then took the jade tablet on the right.

The rest is Qin Yi's.

"Alright, you shall head to the Desolate Star of Stone Rock tomorrow."

"Remember, exploring a desolate planet is quite risky, so be careful!"

After giving a few words of advice, Chen Qingxiao said no more.

All four bowed and agreed.

Afterwards, each of them led their teammates, bowed to Chen Qingxiao and the others, and then left the main hall.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, since you have some time today, let's have a friendly spar."

As soon as they stepped out of the main hall, Qin Yi smiled at Zhou Ling.

We're heading to the Stone Rock Starfield tomorrow.

So they can rest for another day today.

As for where they would land, it was on their respective warships.

Upon hearing this, the disciples from the other two grotto-heavens, who were about to leave, all stopped.

They also wanted to know the exact strength of these two cultivators who were ranked in the top four.
"Okay, I'd rather obey than be disrespectful!"

Zhou Ling glanced at Qin Yi and nodded with a smile.

Then, changing the subject, he said, "However, it seems a bit lacking, a little incomplete, for our competition to proceed without a prize!"

Zhou Ling couldn't tell whether the other party was intentionally provoking him or genuinely wanted to have a spar.

But regardless, I actually accepted it.

We can't let all this work go to waste; we have to do something meaningful.

In particular, Qin Yi's main cultivation technique is lightning-attribute.

They definitely have lightning-attribute spirit stones in their possession.

I really need this.

After all, cultivating the Purple Heaven Emperor Form consumes a lot of energy and requires lightning-attribute spirit stones to recover quickly.

"Oh, what kind of prize does Fellow Daoist Zhou want?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Yi asked with a look of surprise.

"Does Fellow Daoist Qin possess any lightning-attribute spirit stones?"

Zhou Ling smiled.

"I do have some lightning-attribute spirit stones. What's your take on that?"

Qin Yi nodded and said.

"Fine, if you lose, then you'll have to give me all the lightning-attribute spirit stones you possess!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling's eyes lit up, and he smiled and said.

Lightning-attribute spirit stones are the fastest way for lightning-attribute cultivators to restore their mana.

If Qin Yi loses all his Thunder Spirit Stones to me, it will definitely have a significant impact on his combat strength.

This can be considered a lesson for the kid.

Will I dare to challenge myself again in the future?

"this!"

“I have ten top-grade Thunder Spirit Stones, which I prepared for this trial. They are quite valuable. I wonder what other prizes of equal value Fellow Daoist Zhou can offer.”

Qin Yi raised an eyebrow and spoke up.

He couldn't gauge Zhou Ling's true strength, nor was he certain he could defeat him.

Therefore, we remain somewhat cautious.

"I have ten bottles of Haoyuan Pills. Do you think that's feasible?"

Zhou Ling licked his lips and said with a smile.

Haoyuan Pill is a pill taken by Nascent Soul cultivators.

These were all things he had prepared for this trial.

Since the desolate planet lacks sufficient spiritual energy, elixirs are definitely indispensable.

"hiss!"

"hiss!"

"Ten bottles of Haoyuan Pills, such a generous gesture right off the bat!"

The other cultivators around were all surprised when they heard this.

Ten bottles of Haoyuan Pills is no small amount.

That's enough for a Nascent Soul cultivator to consume for several years.

"Okay, ten bottles it is!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Yi immediately nodded.

"Let's go to the arena!"

Qin Yi then pointed to the competition arena not far away and said with a smile, "The cultivators of Cloud Sea Immortal City are known for their fierce style, and their competition arenas are quite common."

"it is good!"

Zhou Ling nodded with a smile.

The two then headed towards the competition arena.

The other cultivators immediately followed suit.

"boring!"

Wu Daoyuan shook his head, his tone quite disdainful.

"Fellow Daoist Wu, who do you think will win between the two of them?"

At this moment, Xia Ruohe said with a smile not far away.

"I have no interest in who wins."

Wu Daoyuan glanced at Xia Ruohe and said calmly.

"How about we take a gamble?"

"I'll also contribute two bottles of Haoyuan Pills."

Xia Ruohe blinked her beautiful eyes and smiled.

"Am I the kind of person who lacks Haoyuan Pills?!"

Wu Daoyuan glanced at Xia Ruohe and said arrogantly.

"Then what do you lack?"

Xia Ruohe didn't seem to give up and continued to ask.

"I do need a sword attendant."

Wu Daoyuan smiled slightly.

Upon hearing this, Xia Ruohe paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Alright then!"

"I'd better go and see for myself!"

Afterwards, Xia Ruohe followed the other cultivators toward the competition platform.

"Senior Sister Xia, who do you think will win?"

A pretty female cultivator standing nearby couldn't help but ask.

"I don't know either. I just thought it looked funny and wanted to trick Wu Daoyuan."

Xia Ruohe said with a smile.

"Senior Sister Xia, people over there have already started placing bets!"

"Since you're interested, you can place a bet."

Another young man in a white robe also spoke with a smile.

The cultivators of the immortal sect seemed to know something about Xia Ruohe.

Upon hearing this, Xia Ruohe glanced over.

Sure enough, in front of the arena, a cultivator dressed in a gray robe from the Dao Alliance was shouting, "Fellow Daoists, those who are interested, come and have a game!"

"This bet only accepts spirit stones, and will be paid out on the spot after the competition ends!"

This person was none other than Qi Jianzhi.

How could he possibly let such a good opportunity slip by?

Although Qin Yi appears powerful, it is absolutely impossible for him to defeat Zhou Ling.

So he followed Zhou Ling's example and tried to make a quick buck.

Xia Ruohe immediately walked over, looked at Qi Jianzhi, and said with a slight smile, "Fellow Daoist, how would you like to place your bets?"

"It depends on who you bet on to win. The odds are currently 50 to 50."

"It all depends on who you bet on. If you bet right, you win; if you bet wrong, you lose!"

Qi Jianzhi immediately explained.

Why are the odds 50/50?

Are there any references?

Xia Ruohe asked curiously.

"Because right now, our Dao Alliance has bet 100 high-grade spirit stones on Boss Zhou, and the Desolate Region has bet 100 high-grade spirit stones on Fellow Daoist Qin."

Therefore, the odds remain the same for now!

Qi Jianzhi explained with a smile.

"Oh!"

Xia Ruohe nodded with a look of realization.

"Senior Sister Xia, I think Qin Yi is ranked second and has the Divine Ape Thunder Body, so his chances of winning are probably higher."

The young man in white robes beside him spoke up.

"Yes, that's what I think too."

Xia Ruohe nodded, then looked at Qi Jianzhi and asked, "Could we use pills, or other forms of betting?"

"But I don't have any pills to compensate you!"

Qi Jianzhi shook his head.

"If you lose, you can have this pill; if you win, you can exchange it for spirit stones. What do you say?"

Xia Ruohe said this.

Qi Jianzhi hesitated for a moment, then nodded and smiled, "Alright then!"

"I'm betting my two bottles of Haoyuan Pills on Qin Yisheng!"

Xia Ruohe took out two pill bottles and spoke.

"okay!"

Qi Jianzhi nodded.

Seeing Xia Ruohe place her bet, several other cultivators from other immortal sects followed suit.

They all bought Qin Yisheng's products.

After all, Qin Yi's Divine Ape Thunder Body is absolutely amazing in combat.

Moreover, he was only at the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm.

Compared to him, Zhou Ling was rather unremarkable.

Although everyone knew that Zhou Ling had killed two fifth-tier Star Sea aliens.

However, the information also states that it was borrowed from the fifth-tier Sunlit Immortal Sword.

Under such circumstances, Zhou Ling wouldn't risk exhausting himself by using the Sunlit Immortal Sword, would he?

Of course, even if he used the Sunlit Immortal Sword, he might not be able to defeat Qin Yi.

Then several Heavenly Palace disciples also placed bets, all betting on Qin Yi to win.

What are these little guys doing?

As Chen Qingxiao and the others walked out of the main hall, they noticed that none of these prodigies had returned to their warships to rest.

Instead, they gathered in front of the competition platform, and Chen Qingxiao couldn't help but ask.

"City Lord, don't you understand yet? Qin Yi from the Desolate Region and Zhou Ling from the Dao Alliance are about to have a contest!"

"I am speaking up," said Ye Hongluan, the deputy city lord, from the side.

"Isn't this nonsense?"

"We're heading to the desolate planet tomorrow, and instead of resting properly, you're wasting your magic power?"

"They haven't yet grasped the terror of the alien races on the desolate planet."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qingxiao was taken aback.

“City Lord, these are all geniuses from the four great grotto heavens, and their positions are all quite high. They must know this.”

"We don't need to worry about them!"

Ye Hongluan smiled faintly.

Lord Xin and the others on the side also looked curiously at the competition stage.

"Let's go take a look. If something goes wrong, my Cloud Sea Immortal City won't be able to explain itself!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Qingxiao and the others walked towards the competition stage.

Meanwhile, on the competition stage.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, let's begin!"

Qin Yi looked at Zhou Ling, and with a slight movement of his hand, a faint bolt of lightning tore out, flashing with violent arcs of electricity, which looked extremely astonishing.

Sensing the terrifying power of the lightning arc in Qin Yi's hand, Zhou Ling was about to activate the Purple Heaven Lightning Technique.

But then, a system notification suddenly sounded.

[Growth Talent, Thunder Amplification: Thunder Amplification increases Thunder attack power. Requirement: Survive three Thunder attacks in total.]

"Thunderous amplification?"

"It's been a long time since we've seen a new talent emerge."

Upon seeing the system notification, Chen Ling was overjoyed.

Since the last new talent, "Like to Teach," was created, there haven't been any new talents for several years.

His reappearance this time is likely due to the amplification effect of the Divine Ape Thunder Body on Qin Yi's body.

"However, to activate this talent, one must endure three lightning attacks."

Zhou Ling thought to himself.

He then looked at Qin Yi and said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Qin, we still need to set some rules."

"Otherwise, if we continue like this, the consumption of resources will be too great, and we may not be able to determine a winner."

"What rules are needed for this competition?"

“You use the Sunlit Immortal Sword, I use the Divine Ape Fist. If we have a contest, we can decide the winner.”

Qin Yi spoke up.

"This won't do! My Sunlit Immortal Sword is meant to protect the Great Wall of Sword Qi, how could I use it to deal with human cultivators!"

Zhou Ling shook his head with an upright and dignified expression.

This is naturally just his excuse.

If he really disliked Qin Yi, he wouldn't care about anything else.

Of course, comparing the Sunlit Immortal Sword in this way would be making a mountain out of a molehill. (End of Chapter)