On this day, the Prodigy Tournament grandly commenced at the crack of dawn atop Yunyin Peak. Amidst overlapping peaks and swirling clouds, as if a corner dropped from the celestial realm, a most mystical stage was laid for this gathering of brilliant talents. The organizer's resonant and powerful voice echoed through every inch of the air, proclaiming the solemnity and fairness of the tournament rules: "The Prodigy Tournament is a grand annual event in the cultivation world, aimed at uncovering peerless geniuses hidden among the populace and jointly building a glorious future for the cultivation world. The tournament is divided into six rounds, starting today, lasting six days, passing through preliminary rounds and advancements until the peak showdown, to decide the ultimate King of Prodigies."
As the voice fell, under the gaze of multitudes, surging waves of spiritual energy converged from all directions, as if even heaven and earth changed color. Among the contestants were both children of destiny from prestigious backgrounds who had been bathed in sect resources since childhood, and rogue cultivator prodigies like Haofeng and Limo who had fought their way up through the cultivation world by their own strength and finally stood out. In their eyes flickered the yearning for victory and the fearlessness of unknown challenges.
Then a plump-figured person introduced:
Beiling Province · Qingyang Sect · Yunche
Beiling Province, as a behemoth in the cultivation world, naturally became the focus of everyone's attention with its top sect, the Qingyang Sect. And Yunche, a peerless genius only sixteen years of age yet already stepped into the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, made countless cultivators look sideways. The cultivation method he practiced was the Qingyang Sect's unpassed secret—the Nine Suns Incinerating Heaven Scripture. This technique took the power of the nine suns as its foundation, could summon the fire of heaven and earth, and incinerate all things in the world. Yunche had shown astonishing cultivation talent since childhood; in just a year's time, he leaped from the Qi Condensation Stage to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, and such rapid cultivation speed was truly rare in the cultivation world.
Yunche had an upright posture, his azure robe fluttering gently in the wind, and a transcendent temperament revealed between his brows. Standing in the crowd, he was like the brightest star in the night sky, attracting everyone's gaze. Regarding the upcoming match, a faint smile hooked the corner of his mouth, and confidence and anticipation flashed in his eyes: "The Prodigy Tournament is nothing more than a touchstone on my path of cultivation."
Luling Province · Hanyue Sect · Hanyue
Meanwhile, the Hanyue Sect from Luling Province also brought a striking prodigy—Hanyue. Hanyue, true to her name, was as cold and clear as the moon, with skin like congealed fat and pupils like cold stars. The technique she practiced was the Hanyue Sect's supreme treasure, the Mysterious Ice Nine Transformations Scripture. This technique could transform spiritual energy into the ultimate icy cold force, freezing all things and even briefly sealing space. Hanyue had shown amazing affinity for ice-attribute spiritual energy since childhood, and after years of arduous cultivation, she finally broke through to the Foundation Establishment Realm Mid-stage at the age of sixteen, becoming the new generation's leading figure of the Hanyue Sect.
Unlike Yunche's flamboyance, Hanyue had an introverted personality and kept a low profile, but her cold temperament and extraordinary strength made her stand out among many prodigies. Regarding the competition, there were not many ripples in her heart; she only said indifferently: "The path of cultivation is long and lonely; only by constantly challenging oneself can one break through limits."
Xunyang Province · Yanlong Sect · Chiyan
Over in Xunyang Province, the Yanlong Sect presented their pride—Chiyan. Chiyan, a name as blazing as fire, practiced the Yanlong Sect's heritage technique, the Blazing Flame Incinerating Heaven Art. This technique shared wonders with the Nine Suns Incinerating Heaven Scripture, both focusing primarily on fire-attribute spiritual energy, but the Blazing Flame Incinerating Heaven Art focused more on the manipulation and enhancement of flames, able to stimulate the most violent side of fire. Chiyan, only seventeen years of age, had already stepped into the Foundation Establishment Realm Peak, and the might of his fire-attribute spiritual energy was enough to make cultivators of the same rank feel awe.
Chiyan had a bold and forthright disposition and carried out matters with thunderous speed. Standing in the crowd like a burning flame, he emitted a radiance that could not be ignored. Regarding the competition, he declared with full passion: "I will use these rolling flames to ignite the entire stage of the Prodigy Tournament!"
Besides the three aforementioned prodigies, there were many other geniuses from different sects who were equally not to be underestimated. For instance, the Bibo Sect from the shores of the East Sea dispatched Shuiling'er, who excelled in water-attribute spiritual energy; the Bibo Rippling Scripture she practiced allowed water flows to follow her will and transform into countless illusions. The Huangsha Sect in the western desert had Shawuhen, the son of sandstorms; the Quicksand Escaping Shadow Technique he practiced allowed him to move like a fish in water within the desert and leave without a trace. And the Youying Sect in the southern frontier had its prodigy Youying, who excelled in concealment and assassination; the Shadow Secret Tome he practiced made him like a phantom in the dark, impossible to guard against.
"Betting has started!" With a shout, the roar of the crowd was instantly ignited, as if the entire venue were boiling. Colorful spirit stones drew gorgeous trajectories in the air, and everyone calculated in their minds, trying to reap the greatest profit in the betting of this Prodigy Tournament.
Bystander A was a middle-aged cultivator with a weathered face yet sharp eyes shining with shrewdness. He glanced at Yunche, a trace of imperceptible a smile at the corner of his mouth: "I bet on Yunche. This kid has astonishing cultivation speed and such heaven-defying techniques as the Nine Suns Incinerating Heaven Scripture, so he will surely shine brightly in the tournament. Furthermore, his confidence and composure show he is no ordinary person; he is worth a gamble."
Bystander B was a young female cultivator with a delicate face and eyes flashing with worship for the strong. Her gaze lingered on Hanyue for a long time before she finally made up her mind: "I bet on Hanyue. Though she keeps a low profile, her cold temperament reveals a firm belief in victory. Moreover, I have long heard of the mighty reputation of the Mysterious Ice Nine Transformations Scripture, and she will surely overcome toughness with softness and win by a surprise move in the competition."
Bystander C, a burly man, was evidently straightforward. He patted his chest and shouted loudly: "Chiyan! I bet on Chiyan! Look at his momentum, just like a wild horse breaking free of its reins, unstoppable. Besides, who doesn't know the power of the Blazing Flame Incinerating Heaven Art? I believe he can definitely whip up a firestorm in the arena!"
Bystander D, an ordinary-looking elder with deep eyes, seemed capable of insight into human hearts. He spoke slowly: "This old man bets on Shuiling'er of the Bibo Sect. Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it; Shuiling'er's water-attribute spiritual energy is unpredictable and hard to fathom. In a competition, such ability can often catch opponents off guard and turn the tables."
Bystander E, a merchant from the Western Regions, showed considerable interest in Shawuhen: "I bet on Shawuhen. That kid's ability in the desert is simply like a god's. In complex combat environments, his Quicksand Escaping Shadow Technique allows him to move freely, evade all attacks, and find the opponent's flaws. Such ability is definitely a major lethal weapon on a stage like the Prodigy Tournament."
Bystander F was a mysterious Man in Black Robe who whispered to the person beside him: "Youying, I bet on Youying of the Youying Sect. Assassination and concealment are the most fatal weapons in combat. Youying's Shadow Secret Tome has been cultivated to the realm of perfection. He is in the dark while the enemy is in the light; in such a battle, victory or defeat is already determined."
As the betting deepened, the atmosphere in the crowd grew increasingly tense and enthusiastic. Everyone was searching for the most reasonable reasons for their own choices while secretly observing the movements of others, trying to capture a sliver of useful information. Just then, an elder dressed in gorgeous robes walked slowly up to the high platform. He was none other than the host of this Prodigy Tournament and a respected senior in the cultivation world—Feng Wuhen.
Feng Wuhen coughed lightly, and the venue instantly quieted down, all gazes concentrating on him.
"Everyone, thank you for your enthusiastic participation. The Prodigy Tournament is not only a contest of strength, but also a game of wisdom and luck. No matter which prodigy you bet on, please trust your own choice. Now, I declare the Prodigy Tournament officially begun!"