"However, all of this must wait until the Mysterious Guide Technique is cultivated to its highest tier..." Fuchenzi stepped forward, placing a hand on Qin Yi's shoulder. "The path of the Great Dao is vast and distant. If you have truly made up your mind, your master can lend you a hand."
Hearing this, Qin Yi clenched his fists tightly and nodded with firm resolve. "I have made up my mind. Moreover, I seem to be showing signs of breaking through to the eighth level of the Mysterious Guide Technique!"
"Oh?" Fuchenzi raised an eyebrow, speaking with considerable surprise. "So fast?"
Qin Yi gave a wry smile. "But there is a strange force within my body fighting against it, which has kept me stalled..."
"The Mysterious Guide Technique was never something an ordinary cultivator could control. The fact that you have managed to practice it to this extent shows that your physique is a complete match." Fuchenzi slightly raised his palm, generating a barrier that sealed the two of them within.
Fuchenzi channeled a gentle force inward, helping Qin Yi regulate his breath while guiding him to circulate the technique. "What you need to do now is follow the method your master has taught you and try to rouse the Mysterious Guide Technique."
"Understood."
Qin Yi cleared his mind and calmed his spirit, urging the power within his body to circulate according to Fuchenzi's instructions. At the same time, his state of mind gradually quieted down, as if blending into the heaven and earth, harmonizing with the surrounding environment.
Then, an extremely faint yet exceptionally pure strand of spiritual energy flowed out from his dantian, traveling along the circulation route of the technique within his body. Without exception, it pierced through any obstacles encountered along the way, ultimately converging into the sea of consciousness and transforming into a grayish-white bead that hovered there.
"This is the Summoning of Spirits." Fuchenzi's voice abruptly rang out in Qin Yi's mind.
Qin Yi suddenly opened his eyes to see a ferocious-looking giant beast roaring up at the sky.
"Master!" Qin Yi's eyes widened as a sudden sense of unease gripped his heart.
"Don't rush. Try channeling the power of the soul essence." Fuchenzi increased the force in his palm, and wave after wave of divine charm continuously poured into Qin Yi's body.
*Whoosh, whoosh...*
The surrounding vegetation stirred up vortexes, sand and stones flew, and a fierce wind and driving rain created an apocalyptic scene.
A steady stream of spiritual energy poured into Qin Yi's body and was thereby channeled into the sea of consciousness.
Qin Yi took a deep breath, cast aside distracting thoughts, and focused entirely on circulating the technique.
As time passed, the originally empty sea of consciousness gradually filled up, and a golden river slowly surged within it.
A moment later, that giant beast suddenly dissolved into thin air.
At the same time, Qin Yi felt a cool and soothing sensation emerge from his dantian, and his body, which had been achy and fatigued from over-cultivation, actually regained its vitality.
Could this be...
The divine power produced by the eighth level of the Mysterious Guide Technique?
Qin Yi felt a surge of secret joy and once again urged the soul essence at his dantian.
*Rumble...*
In an instant, thunderclouds gathered, lightning snakes danced wildly, and dark clouds rolled, resembling the precursor to a violent storm.
Qin Yi immediately withdrew the power of the soul essence and held his breath, barely managing to rein it in.
*Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh...*
The excess power was absorbed by Fuchenzi. Qin Yi closed his eyes once more, a measure of calm settling over his face as he appeared even more serene and peaceful.
"Now that the Grand Competition is imminent, your master cannot teach you much more. Although the Mysterious Guide Technique has many drawbacks, if you calmly and dedicatedly study it, it can also bring you many unexpected gains..."
Qin Yi opened his eyes and pondered for a long time as he listened to the parting words left behind by Fuchenzi as he walked away.
***
A night of cultivation left Qin Yi with substantial gains. Although his internal injuries had not fully healed, they had already stabilized.
The morning light broke through the horizon, illuminating the entire Fifteenth Immortal Prefecture. The gates of the various prefectural mansions swung open one after another, and countless young men and women gathered in the wide streets, bustling with activity.
Beneath the martial arts arena, all the disciples participating in the final trial were full of vigor and fighting spirit, gathering together in groups, while the rest of the disciples prepared to watch the excitement of the grand competition.
"I heard this year's grand competition is the most exciting one in nearly twenty years!"
"It's a pity I missed the earlier rounds."
"Yeah, yeah. Fortunately, I made it to today's final trial, but it's just a shame we won't get to witness Senior Brother Murong Bai's soul essence arts, sigh..."
"What happened to Senior Brother Murong Bai? Why are you all saying that?"
"You must not know. Just the day before yesterday in a match, Murong Bai faced Chen Qingshan and Sun Huayuan of the Second and Third Immortal Prefectures. He fought with all his strength, but in the end, he still failed to secure his qualification for the final trial—his Qi channels were completely destroyed, and he was reduced to a cripple..."
"Sigh, I never thought something like that would happen!"
"I really feel sorry for Senior Brother Murong Bai!"
The disciples discussed animatedly, their tones filled with pity, envy, and anticipation.
"Hmph!"
Suddenly, a cold snort rang out from the crowd: "A bunch of frogs at the bottom of a well!"
The voice was arrogant, carrying a trace of utter disdain.
Hearing this, the surrounding crowd instantly fell silent, and everyone cast sideways glances.
Right in the center of the crowd stood a young man.
With sword-like eyebrows, star-like eyes, and extraordinary handsome features, he possessed a striking demeanor as his robes fluttered in the breeze.
This person was none other than Sun Huayuan, a direct descendant of the Sun family of Tianzhou City. Endowed with natural talent, he had advanced to the Great Circle Peak of Foundation Establishment Realm at the mere age of nineteen. He was one of the most outstanding figures among the younger generation, hailed as the "Immortal Prefecture Prodigy" and viewed as a figure upon whom the Sun family pinned high hopes.
"..."
The crowd fell silent, some perhaps daring not speak further for fear of provoking this talented youth.
Sun Huayuan glanced around the perimeter and, seeing that everyone had quieted down, continued, "If I hadn't accidentally lost my focus that day, how could anyone with the strength of the Seventh Layer of Foundation Establishment ever hope to rival me? Besides, my Tianzhou City Sun family has a heritage spanning a millennium, with a profound foundation and countless clansmen. Which of our family's past clan elders and seniors wasn't a prodigy in their own right? I'll let this pass for today, but if anyone dares to speak wildly about Tianzhou City in the future, I certainly won't spare them lightly!"
"Senior Young Master Sun speaks the truth." An older man in a cyan long gown chimed in with a nod. "The Tianzhou City Sun family is indeed formidable, but compared to the imperial family, I'm afraid it still falls somewhat short."
Sun Huayuan's brow twitched twice as he cast a cold glare at the cyan-robed man beside him. "I was talking about my Sun family. What are you cutting in for?"
"I was merely offering you a reminder," the cyan-robed man said indifferently.
Sun Huayuan let out a cold laugh. "Heh, is that something you need to worry about?"
The cyan-robed man standing beside him was also a prodigy who had emerged from secluded cultivation at the same time: Chen Qingshan, the most favored eldest disciple of the Second Immortal Prefecture. At only twenty years of age, his cultivation had already reached the Great Circle Peak of Foundation Establishment Realm, leaving him just half a step away from the Spirit Crossing Realm.
"Oh?" Chen Qingshan raised an eyebrow. "I thought that with just your Sun family, you actually harbored delusions of seizing Senior Brother Pang's position?"
"You!" Sun Huayuan's expression suddenly turned flustered, and, going against his true feelings, he retorted, "D-Don't you go here fanning the flames..."
The two of them argued back and forth, completely unaware that all of this was overheard by Qin Yi, who was seated on the right rear side.
While everyone only had eyes for the prominent prodigies of ordinary days, none of them had the slightest inkling of the youngest genius who was quietly rising to prominence—Qin Yi.
*Rumble...*
At some unknown point, a ring of deep blue divine charm spread across the dome of the sky, involuntarily inspiring awe in the hearts of observers.
"The swan is simple, the immortal charm is born of the Dao; if we gather in splendor, recite your vows!" An ethereal and distant voice descended from the heavens, carrying with it a thousand strands of immortal spiritual energy that surged forth in abundance.
"Look!"
"What is that?"
"That's the Xishan Dao Bell!"
The crowd chimed in, shouting out everything they laid eyes on.
The Xishan Dao Bell—an entity existing only in ancient texts—had actually manifested directly before the eyes of the mortal world this time.
At this moment, the entire Fifteenth Immortal Prefecture was in an uproar!
Everyone present knew full well what the Xishan Dao Bell was. It was an immortal-grade divine artifact that anchored a region in the Puyuan World, having long existed atop a towering peak north of Tianzhou City. Inscribed upon it were lines of text, every single phrase containing boundless profound arts.
"The Xishan Dao Bell!"
Sun Huayuan was utterly shocked. This item was exceptionally difficult to find; even among the successive generations of clan elders and mighty figures of Tianzhou City, very few had ever been able to lay eyes on it in person.
*Boom—*
At that very moment, another anomaly appeared in the firmament as a towering peak descended from the highest heavens, plunging toward the decisive battle platform.
*Bang!*
With a deafening crash, mountain rocks collapsed, smoke and dust billowed upward, and a figure slowly emerged from the haze—none other than an elderly man dressed in yellow robes.
"Turning a mountain into a human—could this person be the master of this Dao Bell?" Someone in the crowd recognized the newcomer's identity.
"That shouldn't be. The Dao Bell has existed in the world for thousands upon thousands of years, and its Dao charm is profound; it's impossible for it to choose a master!" another person explained.
"Then what realm is this person in?"
"Judging by this momentum, I'm afraid he is on par with the powers of our various prefectural lords!"
"Hiss... Could he be a Reincarnator? Could it be that he comes from the Upper Realm?"
"Who knows? Let's just watch quietly." A young disciple from Tianzhou City shook his head and said, "This grand competition actually moved the Xishan Dao Bell; the process is likely to be unimaginably fierce..."
Amidst the crowd's discussions, the old man who had walked out from the dust and smoke suddenly soared into the air, standing side by side with the previous crane-haired elder. The two of them channeled their cultivation to stabilize the Dao Bell above the martial arts arena, causing it to cast down ripples of rainbow light.
"Now, I announce the commencement of the three hundred and sixty-fourth Immortal Prefecture Grand Competition Final Trial! There are a total of six disciples participating in this final trial: Pang YunCang, Chen Qingshan, and Sun Huayuan from the upper three prefectures, and Qin Yi, Shen Yulin, and Ye Wuli from the lower six prefectures!"
The old man proclaimed in a booming voice. His words pushed this grand feast of the immortal realm to its peak!
*Whoosh...*
The moment his voice fell, six beams of light pierced the heavens, streaking across the firmament like a meteor shower.
The six figures intersected in mid-air—this was the divine statue power bestowed upon them by the Dao Bell. Right in their midst was a woman of breathtaking beauty, her entire body wreathed in a faint rosy glow, resembling a mysterious immortal maiden.
"An immortal fairy!"
"So beautiful!"
Many people couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
"An immortal fairy?"
Qin Yi and the others wore slightly startled expressions, but they quickly reined in their focus and concentrated their attention on the Dao Bell in the sky.
"That is the will of the Dao Bell, not her true physical body."
At some unknown moment, Senior Sister Qiu Ran had appeared behind Qin Yi, carrying a faint fragrance of lavender.
"Her will?" Qin Yi asked, puzzled, as he once again cast his gaze toward the fairy in purple robes. Her temperament was extraordinary, her beauty peerless and nation-shaking, making her look like a banished immortal untainted by worldly dust.
Her posture was graceful and alluring, her slender fingers forming hand seals while she chanted incantations. With her eyes closed, her demeanor was dignified and elegant, her temperament transcending the mortal realm.
*Hum—*
As the incantation ended, the rosy glow surrounding the woman abruptly dissipated. She opened her eyes, her gaze sharp as torches as she swept them across the entire arena.
*Whoosh—*
In an instant, the area beneath the battle platform fell completely silent, everyone captivated by those twin pupils as brilliant as the stars.
"Such powerful divine sense."
Qin Yi was inwardly startled. "As expected of the Xishan Dao Bell; even a mere strand of its will possesses a divine sense that has reached such a realm..."
"Contenders, take the stage!" the crane-haired elder continued in a resounding voice.
*Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh...*
Six orange beams of light instantly locked onto the auras of the six individuals, enveloping them within.
Ye Wuli and the others successively summoned their magical treasures for defense, their expressions alert as they prepared to meet the enemy.
*Swish!*
The six of them ascended to the center of the arena, entering the dueling space.
When Qin Yi took the stage, he recalled Senior Sister's warning to be on guard against Sun Huayuan's tricks in all matters. Yet no sooner had he stepped onto the arena than he encountered the handsome youth with star-like eyes—the eldest son of the Sun family, Sun Huayuan, who wielded the twin Crimson Fiend blades.
"Is there still no avoiding him?" Qin Yi muttered to himself.
"Qin Yi?" Sun Huayuan reacted, his gaze filled with disdain as he gave a low shout.
Qin Yi remained silent, exercising caution as he guarded against him.
"Junior Brother Qin Yi, you don't need to be so overly cautious!" Sun Huayuan said with a wry smile. "It's not like I'm going to deal a fatal blow to you..."
With that, a wave of pressure was felt descending directly from the heavens, bearing down upon Qin Yi. He gritted his teeth and forcefully withstood this first strike.
*Boom!*
The second strike arrived swiftly. Qin Yi's face instantly broke out in cold sweat, and terror gripped his heart—the gap in strength was actually this vast.
*Puff!*
Qin Yi spat out a mouthful of backlash blood, his complexion turning as pale as a sheet of paper.
Although this second strike was powerful, Qin Yi was, after all, an elite of the Fifth Immortal Prefecture. Even though Sun Huayuan was a prodigy of Tianzhou City and the Third Immortal Prefecture, defeating Qin Yi with mere pressure alone would likely prove somewhat difficult.
*Clang—*
A wispy strand of immortal spiritual energy slipped out, guarding before Qin Yi.
"Oh?" Sun Huayuan seemed to notice something. He was well aware that practicing the *Mysterious Guide Technique* could make one's physical strength exceed ordinary imagination; even when facing a full-strength strike from a cultivator of the same realm, one might not necessarily sustain severe injuries.
"Not bad, you've got some skills. I want to see just how many more strikes you can endure."
Sun Huayuan's gaze turned slightly chilly as he flipped his right hand, causing the twin Crimson Fiend blades to appear in his grasp.
The blades of the twin crimson weapons were dark red in color, covered from hilt to tip in strange markings. They looked extremely eerie, giving off a hair-raising sensation.
The fluctuations radiating from the twin Crimson Fiend blades emitted traces of biting chill!
Seeing this, Qin Yi furrowed his brow and shook both arms, causing a phantom of a black dragon to leap out and coil around the bodies of the dual blades.
*Boom!*
The twin crimson blades bloomed with a dazzling blood-red light that shredded and killed the black dragon before the blades slashed down directly toward Qin Yi.
*Clank!*
"This won't do! If this keeps up, I'm bound to lose!" Qin Yi thought to himself. He knew that Senior Sister had told him to preserve his strength, but how was he supposed to extricate himself now?
"When did this start? Weren't they still talking just a second ago?" someone in the audience asked in shock.
"Senior Brother Sun Huayuan is too formidable! I'm afraid that Qin Yi is no match for him!"
Amidst the clamor of the crowd, Qin Yi on the stage seemed to seize an opportunity, sidestepping to break free from Sun Huayuan's binding attack.
*Bang...*
With a sweeping gale of palm force, the air currents surrounding Qin Yi were torn apart, shattering into flying fragments. Qin Yi emitted a muffled groan, retreating dozens of steps before barely managing to steady himself.
"As expected, Senior Brother Sun Huayuan is truly extraordinary! It looks like that kid Qin Yi is going to lose..."
"I wouldn't be so sure!"