Chapter 824: Wang City Trial, Winds and Clouds Gather

A few days passed in the blink of an eye.

Before long, the day arrived for the Wangcheng Trial to begin.

In these past few days, Xu Xiaoshou had stayed quietly at Tian Shang First Tower, using the tower pearl to observe the changes in Dongtian Wangcheng.

It was abundantly clear that as more and more "trial participants" flooded into the city, the atmosphere in Wangcheng had become oppressively tense.

Various conflicts had erupted across different areas in just a few days.

Without exception, they were swiftly suppressed by the Sheng Shen Guards of the Sheng Shen Hall.

With the Wangcheng Trial approaching this critical juncture, even the slightest disturbance could draw the attention of countless people.

In contrast, Tian Shang First Tower had kept a low profile. Apart from the initial fanfare upon arrival, it had been overshadowed by news of conflicts among the emerging forces in recent days, dropping to the bottom of the Wangcheng Fengyun Bang.

If not for Xu Shao's previous notoriety, it might have been completely forgotten by now.

"So many big shots..."

Emerging from the tower pearl, Xu Xiaoshou sighed with a mix of awe.

The predecessor of Tian Shang First Tower was the Chao Sheng Tower, which allowed a panoramic view of the entire city. In just these few days, he had observed no fewer than several thousand auras at the Wangzuo level or above entering the city.

There were over a hundred at the Zhan Dao level alone.

And this was only counting the big shots who had entered under the pretext of protecting the trial participants. It didn't include those who couldn't get in and were left outside, yet still eyed the Void Island covetously.

"What a gathering of storms!"

The intrigue in Wangcheng was as turbulent as swirling clouds, and Xu Xiaoshou deeply realized the immense allure of Void Island. Just the mention of it had drawn so many heavyweights from the Five Domains.

Zhan Dao experts, no less.

In a place like Tian Sang City, they would be dominant forces.

Yet here in Dongtian Wangcheng, they were sprouting up like bamboo shoots after rain.

As for Taixu...

Xu Xiaoshou hadn't sensed any Taixu auras.

But he believed that both inside and outside Dongtian Wangcheng, quite a few must have gathered in these days.

After all, the ones truly coveting the "Feng Sheng Dao Ji" were the existences at the pinnacle of Taixu!

From the 108 realms of the East Domain and the Five Domains of the continent, far too many forces had come.

All because of one Void Island, Xu Xiaoshou was witnessing for the first time such a convergence of top-tier power.

It was truly...

Wangzuo experts as common as dogs, Zhan Dao masters everywhere!

"I'm floored."

Xu Xiaoshou could hardly imagine how the participants, limited to Xiantian cultivation, could make any waves in such a grand scheme.

Returning to the first floor.

Several people were already seated at the hall table—all the old and young from Tian Shang First Tower were gathered there.

"Xu Shao!"

As soon as Xu Xiaoshou came downstairs, Mu Zixi waved enthusiastically. "Tomorrow is the Wangcheng Trial. We'll assemble at Chao Sheng Plaza. Trial participants will use their trial jade pendants to enter a large teleportation array, which will send us directly to the Yunlun Mountains. The trial details will be announced on the day."

"You're quite well-informed." Xu Xiaoshou smiled.

"Of course! Just look at how I've been running around these past few days for the Wangcheng Trial." Mu Zixi wrinkled her small nose smugly.

These days, she and Hua Ling had been having a great time.

But with her senior brother's strict orders, they hadn't caused any major trouble—they'd just seen plenty of strong experts and felt a bit intimidated by the Wangcheng Trial and Void Island.

"You're just there to play, aren't you!" Xu Xiaoshou teased.

Xin Gugu's expression was serious as he interjected, "Xu Shao, I've circled around inside and outside Wangcheng a few times. There are way too many people! Zhan Dao experts, Taixu masters... It's like an airtight net, suffocating. These days, Dongtian Wangcheng has been packed to the brim with Ling Shi experts."

"No need to worry too much." Xu Xiaoshou remained nonchalant. "For the trial participants, the Yunlun Mountains are the battlefield. For the Wangzuo and Zhan Dao experts, they're after Sky City. The two are unrelated, and the latter probably has no intention of interfering with the Sheng Gong Trial preliminaries."

Xin Gugu wasn't as relaxed.

That might be true for other participants.

But he knew full well why they were at Tian Shang First Tower!

This was one of the secret bases of the Sheng Nu. If Void Island really appeared during the Wangcheng Trial, would Xu Shao just sit back?

Impossible!

None of them cared about the Wangcheng Trial anyway.

They were all here for Void Island!

"In the world of big shots, there are big shots watching us. We just need to do our part." Xu Xiaoshou walked over and patted Xin Gugu on the shoulder.

Xiao Wanfeng picked up the teapot and poured tea for Xu Shao.

As one of the only two in Tian Shang First Tower unaware of the inside story, he wasn't concerned about Void Island at all. With a slightly excited expression, he said, "Xu Shao, am I going to the Wangcheng Trial too? I'm just a mortal..."

"Of course you're going!" Xu Xiaoshou glanced at him with a smile, knowing Xiao Wanfeng had a trial jade pendant. This guy was an adventurer at heart. "Stick with me, and you'll be safe. If anything happens, just forfeit. No one will target you—they probably wouldn't even bother."

Xiao Wanfeng's hand froze mid-pour, his expression turning awkward.

Well, that might be true, but it still hurts...

Xiantian experts wouldn't take a mortal seriously, and Wangzuo or Zhan Dao masters would have even less interest in him.

So, for outsiders, the Wangcheng Trial was incredibly tough, but for Xiao Wanfeng, it was just a golden opportunity to follow Xu Shao and gain experience.

Xu Xiaoshou picked up his teacup and took a sip, then said slowly, "Tomorrow, we'll go according to the trial rules. Mo Mo, Xiao Wanfeng, Mu Xiao Gong, and I—we're the four participants. As for you two..."

He looked at Xin Gugu and Liu Changqing.

These two—one a Wangzuo, the other a Zhan Dao—clearly didn't meet the participation standards.

"You two wait at the entrance of Chao Sheng Plaza tomorrow. If the situation allows, come in as my guardians. If not, we'll figure something else out."

Come in?

Xiao Wanfeng was startled.

Xiao Xin and Senior Liu's cultivations were way too high—how could they enter?

What did "if the situation allows" even mean?

Liu Changqing smiled and said, "Xu Shao, don't worry. I've already scouted it out. The teleportation array at Chao Sheng Plaza does have a Tian Ji technique restricting entrants' cultivation, but that's not set up by the Dao Hall Master. Tomorrow, the Wangcheng Trials will start simultaneously across the Five Domains' major cities, and the Dao Hall Master won't have time to handle arrangements for Sheng Gong. It's just some minor work by the Dao Department's underlings."

He raised an eyebrow, implying everything without saying more.

Xu Xiaoshou also smiled.

Before coming, he never imagined they'd encounter someone like Liu Changqing.

And he certainly didn't expect that inside Liu Changqing, there lived Wu Ji Old Ancestor, a master of Tian Ji techniques second to none.

This was basically a cheat code—how could they not use it?

Mo Mo, Mu Zixi, Xin Gugu, and the others exchanged knowing smiles.

They all understood that even if cheating failed, they could still enter Xu Xiaoshou's Yuan Fu as another way in.

Only Xiao Wanfeng was still in shock. "Xu Shao, are you thinking of cheating? That won't work! If you're caught, it's the Hong Yi or Bai Yi judgment—that's Hong Yi and Bai Yi we're talking about!"

Hong Yi and Bai Yi?

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled. His conflicts with those two organizations weren't from yesterday or today.

With his identity as a Sheng Nu and a cat in his Yuan Fu, he was destined to stand against them.

"Xiao Wanfeng!"

Xu Xiaoshou patted him on the shoulder and said earnestly, "In this world, you have to understand that rules only bind the weak."

Xiao Wanfeng fell silent for a long time.

Is this what it means to be a Ban Sheng successor?

Xu Shao doesn't even take the Sheng Gong rules or Hong Yi and Bai Yi seriously!

Are we really here for the Wangcheng Trial? With a Wangzuo and a Zhan Dao in tow, this is basically just bullying others!

"What about me?"

Hua Ling, standing at the back, had waited from the beginning to the end without hearing Xu Shibo mention her name.

Her mood had gone from excited anticipation to calm, then disappointment, and finally utter despair...

"Xu Shao, don't you want me anymore? I want to join the Wangcheng Trial too!" Hua Ling's eyes welled up with tears; she felt abandoned by the world.

"Uh, you're here?" Xu Xiaoshou looked toward the back, momentarily speechless.

He hadn't included Hua Ling in his plans at all. The girl had shown up on her own, and she was from Sheng Gong...

Wait a minute!

From Sheng Gong?

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly realized and broke into a sweat. He'd completely forgotten that Hua Ling was from Sheng Gong, and here he was openly discussing how to ignore the Wangcheng Trial rules...

"You wouldn't report me, would you?" Xu Xiaoshou wiped his brow.

Hua Ling's eyes lit up as she quickly caught on, exclaiming excitedly, "Xu Shao, if you take me to the trial, I won't report you."

Xu Xiaoshou: ???

From your expression, it seems you hadn't even thought of reporting me until now!

"I can't take you." Xu Xiaoshou's face turned serious.

Hua Ling was from Sheng Gong, a direct descendant of the Jin Zhao lineage, with her own position and identity.

If he went to the Yunlun Mountains and got involved in the Void Island conflict, he'd be acting as the Sheng Nu Xu Xiaoshou. How could he drag Hua Ling into that?

Hua Ling's face fell in disappointment.

Before she could speak, Xu Xiaoshou smiled and said, "But you're from Sheng Gong. The Wangcheng Trial is basically for selecting people for Sheng Gong. Wouldn't it be easy for you to get into the Yunlun Mountains?"

Hua Ling was stunned, then clenched her fist.

That's right.

She was from Sheng Gong, so why bother with the Wangcheng Trial?

She could just confirm her identity as a Sheng Gong envoy and go along to supervise the trial participants.

"I get it." Hua Ling figured it out and immediately turned to leave, calling back, "Xu Shao, see you later. I have something to take care of." With that, she vanished from Tian Shang First Tower.

What do you get? Xu Xiaoshou was at a loss for words. He hadn't even finished his sentence, and his suggestion was only half-formed. Where did this girl think it was going?

But as a member of Sheng Gong's Jin Zhao lineage, and after glimpsing just a corner of her abilities, Xu Xiaoshou wasn't worried about her safety at all. Let the girl do as she pleased.

Back at the table.

The group of ghost beasts and his half-shidi were all lost in their own thoughts.

Am I really taking this crew in? This is basically crashing the party... Xu Xiaoshou thought, shaking his head with a sigh. "Everyone, get ready and rest up. Tomorrow's the Wangcheng Trial—do your best."

The next morning.

At Chao Sheng Plaza, the crowd was massive.

Leading his small team out the door, Xu Xiaoshou was startled by the sheer number of people at the entrance.

It was a sea of heads, bustling and packed—probably tens of thousands at a glance!

Setting aside the onlookers, just the ones at Xiantian Upper Spirit Peak level numbered no fewer than ten thousand, based on Xu Xiaoshou's quick scan.

"Is it this spectacular?" He paused, his eyes filled with shock.

Behind him, Mu Zixi, Xin Gugu, and the others had never seen such a crowded scene either.

And it wasn't just the crowd—these young talents were all at Upper Spirit Peak, with some having suppressed their realms for who knows how long for the Wangcheng Trial. Any one of them could probably break through to Zong Shi Peak in an instant.

Now, they were all jammed together at the entrance and on Chao Sheng Plaza.

Mu Zixi stared in a daze and murmured unconsciously, "If someone threw a Ling Ji into Chao Sheng Plaza, would the East Heaven Ling Realm set back thirty years?"

Xu Xiaoshou jumped in fright.

Was his shimei a little devil?

He could already picture it—like dropping a nuclear bomb into this crowd, wiping out all the East Heaven Realm's hundred counties' geniuses?

"Hiss!" Xin Gugu sucked in a sharp breath and silently stepped a few paces away from Mu Zixi.

"Let's go!"

Xu Xiaoshou focused his gaze, released his aura, and the crowd parted to make way. He led his group toward the center of the plaza.

"Xu Shao! It's Xu Shao—fresh from Tian Shang First Tower!"

"Who's Xu Shao?"

"Heh, must be an outsider. Never heard of Xu Shao from Tian Shang First Tower? He's a Ban Sheng successor, one of the top figures in this trial."

"Ban Sheng successor? Doesn't look all that special. I know there are tons of big shots here from the Five Domains—Taixu families, Ban Sheng families. They've been popping up left and right these days."

"So what if they're Taixu or Ban Sheng successors? Within Xiantian, it's all about who has a deeper grasp of the Dao. Let me tell you, the ancient Jian Xiu from the East Domain have been amazing these days. I've even seen a few Jian Dao Wangzuo experts!"

"Hiss, Jian Dao Wangzuo? That's insane—I'm still just at Xiantian."

"Heh, in this Wangcheng Trial, any normal Xiantian expert is just cannon fodder. This is where the Five Domains' top prodigies gather. In other Wangcheng cities, they'd be championship material."

"No doubt, these guys are here for that thing in the sky. It's outrageous—they're after Sky City but stealing our East Heaven Wangcheng Trial spots and making it harder. Despicable!"

The noisy chatter rumbled like thunder.

As Xu Xiaoshou entered with his group, his "perception" scanned and picked up many familiar faces.

Rao Yin Yin, Tan Ji, Su Qianqian, Zhou Tian Can from Tian Sang Ling Palace... The first two were at Xiantian Peak, and the latter two had clearly had some lucky breaks to reach Upper Spirit Peak.

The three Jian Ke from Zang Jian Zong... Those brothers had come too? Wait, no! Their auras had changed—they must be the Jian Dao Wangzuo experts people were talking about?

Luo Lei Lei from Sheng Nu... Damn, how dare that girl stand here so openly? She's already at Zong Shi, so why only show Xiantian aura? And that one next to her with the hat and cane...

Lei Shuang Xing?

Is he crazy?

That guy is here too?

He's way beyond Xiantian, right?

Xu Xiaoshou was shocked.

He saw so many familiar faces, some vaguely recognizable but unidentifiable.

On second thought, those auras belonged to elders from major forces, didn't they?

They'd all rejuvenated, from Zhan Dao down to just Xiantian, all trying to sneak into the Yunlun Mountains?

"This is madness!"

Xu Xiaoshou was floored. He'd thought the Wangcheng Trial and Void Island would be completely separate paths.

But right from the start, his "perception" had uncovered this massive secret.

These people weren't planning to take it slow at all!

"Get in first and figure it out later?"

"Aren't they afraid of being exposed?"

Xu Xiaoshou pondered, then looked toward the center of the plaza.