Chapter 825: Examination Rules, Transmission Begins

At the center of Chao Sheng Guang Chang.

The traces of the Lian Dan Da Hui had long been cleared away.

Now, the entire square featured only one large, close-range teleportation array.

On the high platform stood a single figure: Cheng Ji, the hall master of the Wang Cheng Sheng Shen Dian Tang branch hall.

The appointed time had arrived. Those who were supposed to come had come, and even those who weren't had shown up.

Cheng Ji gazed down at the crowd below and smiled faintly. As soon as he spoke, his voice suppressed all the noisy chatter.

“Everyone!”

“I know you've all been waiting for this day for a long time, so I won't waste words. In half an hour, the teleportation array beneath your feet will transport you to the Yun Lun Shan Mai for the Wang Cheng Shi Lian.”

“Before that, I need to explain the rules of this Wang Cheng Shi Lian.”

Everyone held their breath in anticipation.

Even the spectators who weren't involved were eagerly listening.

Cheng Ji smiled calmly and raised three fingers, speaking slowly:

“The Wang Cheng Shi Lian consists of three rounds of assessments, all conducted in the Yun Lun Shan Mai. The locations are the outer and inner peripheries, the core area of Ji Long Mai, and the final battleground of Pi Xiu Shan.”

“After entering the teleportation array, participants will be randomly sent to the outer periphery of the Yun Lun Shan Mai. You must steadily advance toward the inner areas.”

“Ten days later, the barrier around the core area's Ji Long Mai will be lifted. Within one day, you must enter the Ji Long Mai region; failure to do so will result in elimination.”

“After ten days of competition in Ji Long Mai, the barrier around Pi Xiu Shan will be lifted. Participants must immediately head to the final battleground of Pi Xiu Shan, with a one-day time limit. Failure to arrive on time will also mean elimination.”

A slight murmur arose in the venue.

Some people began discussing it, but no one voiced any objections. Clearly, Cheng Ji's explanation was straightforward, and no one was foolish enough to misunderstand.

On the high platform, seeing that the crowd had no doubts about the basic rules, Cheng Ji paused briefly before continuing:

“The entire Wang Cheng Shi Lian lasts one month and operates on a points system.”

“During the trial period, the Yun Lun Shan Mai will be enveloped by the Tian Ji world known as 'Yun Jing'. Within Yun Jing, 'Yun Zhu' and 'Yun Shou' will be scattered randomly.”

“Digging up a Yun Zhu grants 100 points; slaying a Yun Shou grants 10,000 points.”

“Once you enter Yun Jing, the trial jade pendant in your possession will serve as your qualification token. You need to bind it with a drop of blood, after which it will display various information. You can experiment with the details once you're inside Yun Jing.”

Upon hearing this, everyone quickly pulled out their trial jade pendants.

Previously, no one knew the purpose of these pendants, and since they hadn't been bound, whoever seized one could claim it.

They had thought it was just a symbol of qualification, but now it turned out to be a key item once inside the Yun Lun Shan Mai.

Cheng Ji watched as some people below started experimenting and said with a smile: “Dropping blood now won't work. The trial jade pendant, also known as 'Yun Lun Yu', will only activate its Tian Ji array and related functions once you're in the Yun Lun Shan Mai, thanks to the presence of Yun Jing. So, save your experiments for after you enter.”

“It's worth mentioning...”

As he spoke, a sly smile appeared on Cheng Ji's face: “Points aren't limited to just those two sources—there's one more: plunder!”

Everyone was stunned.

Cheng Ji explained: “When two trial jade pendants come into contact, it triggers a 'plunder' and 'being plundered' mechanism, allowing the plunderer to seize half of the victim's points.”

“Each trial jade pendant has three opportunities to be plundered. If it exceeds three times, the holder will be judged as having failed the trial by the Yun Jing world and will be directly expelled from the Wang Cheng Shi Lian.”

“Similarly, as your identity token, if the trial jade pendant shatters—whether intentionally or not—the holder will be expelled and teleported out of the Yun Jing world, which also means trial failure!”

The venue erupted in an uproar.

This essentially encouraged fighting, didn't it?

Others might work hard digging for Yun Zhu or slaying Yun Shou, but if you just found someone to defeat, you could plunder half their points in an instant—which was faster than earning them through effort!

The commotion in the venue only lasted a moment before subsiding.

“Interesting.” Someone laughed.

Everyone present consisted of innate supreme experts from Dong Tian Jie and even the five domains—who would fear opponents at the same level?

In fact, those standing here were basically prominent figures from various regions, so how could they be afraid of a little combat?

On the contrary, these rules ignited their fighting spirit.

“Three opportunities, huh?”

Beside Xu Xiao Shou, Mu Zi Xi narrowed her eyes and counted on her fingers, lost in thought. “Does this mean that if I plunder someone's points but don't eliminate them, I can follow them and keep plundering to drain their points completely?”

“Hiss!”

Several innate talents nearby were startled and jumped.

“Where did this little girl come from?”

“This is downright devilish!”

“Damn, she immediately thought about draining someone's points three times? That's a bit twisted, little girl!”

Even Xu Xiao Shou glanced at his junior sister in surprise. She might look young, but her grasp of the rules was surprisingly sharp...

On the high platform, after explaining the points system, Cheng Ji changed the subject.

“Due to special circumstances, the intensity of this Dong Tian Wang Cheng Shi Lian might only be comparable to places like Zhong Yu Jing Du or Si Ling Cheng among the five domains.”

“So, at the end of the final battle, the top 36 participants on the points leaderboard will qualify for the Sheng Gong Shi Lian.”

“In other words, this trial has secured 36 spots for the Sheng Gong Shi Lian from Dong Tian Wang Cheng!”

As soon as he said this, even Xu Xiao Shou was shocked.

Thirty-six...

Only 36 spots?!

He was truly taken aback.

Dong Tian Jie had over a hundred counties, each with dozens or even hundreds of cities, and various Ling Gong and major factions had varying numbers of Wang Cheng Shi Lian qualifications.

Generally, only the top talents were sent here to participate.

Outside, there were countless innate peak experts who hadn't even obtained a trial jade pendant.

In this fierce competition, every participant was already a genius from their domain.

Yet, among the tens of thousands of contestants here, the Sheng Gong only wanted 36?

Crucially, these 36 wouldn't directly enter the Sheng Gong—they'd have to compete again against talents from Dong Yu's 108 realms and the geniuses of all five domains in the Sheng Gong Shi Lian, with only the outstanding performers gaining entry.

“What an insane elimination rate!”

Xu Xiao Shou's heart was in turmoil.

No wonder the Sheng Gong was hailed as a training ground for saints.

Only the most exceptional talents in a billion from the Lian Ling Jie could qualify to set foot in the Sheng Gong, and with time, how could they not soar to greatness?

The crowd in the venue was equally astonished.

“Thirty-six spots—terrifying! This is going to be a bloodbath.”

“This is actually pretty good, all thanks to Tian Kong Zhi Cheng. Without it hovering over Dong Tian Wang Cheng, we'd normally be lucky to get ten spots among the five domains.”

“Still, this elimination rate is brutal.”

“Exactly, but after all, only one in a billion might have a chance at sainthood, right? The fact that you exist is because you fought and won against billions of others!”

“...You're right.”

The contestants and spectators buzzed with excitement.

On the high platform, Cheng Ji ignored the reactions and waited a moment before raising his hand to quiet the crowd.

A slight smile played on his lips: “I know that many of you have suppressed your cultivation for this Wang Cheng Shi Lian—some for too long, to the point where you can't act freely, and others might break through with just one move.”

“But that's not a problem!”

Cheng Ji flung his sleeve with a surge of momentum.

“The Yun Lun Shan Mai has been set up with the Yun Jing world, which will limit your senses to the maximum of Zong Shi level. At the end of the trial, the Yun Jing world will consolidate all the spiritual essence, Dao realm insights, and abilities you've gained over the month into a single 'Yun Jing Yuan Jing'.”

“But that 'Yun Jing Yuan Jing' can be consumed during the Sheng Gong Shi Lian to restore you to your peak state in an instant!”

“This is the greatest benefit I've secured for this year's participants!”

The moment he finished, the entire venue shook with excitement.

Stripping away cultivation and Dao realm insights, sealing them into a “Yun Jing Yuan Jing”, and then using it for the Sheng Gong Shi Lian?

This method was incredibly profound!

Some participants' eyes lit up with eagerness, and one urgently asked: “Cheng Ji, does that mean we can temporarily break through to Zong Shi level in the Yun Lun Shan Mai and fight at our full strength?”

Everyone looked up expectantly, their eyes gleaming.

Cheng Ji shook his head lightly: “Not quite. What I mean is, only those who complete the trial normally, leave the Yun Jing world, and rank in the top 36 on the points leaderboard will receive the 'Yun Jing Yuan Jing'.”

“In other words, if you want to fight at Zong Shi level in the Yun Jing world, you must ensure your final points place you in the top 36 and that you aren't eliminated early by others in the three rounds!”

“Otherwise, for the Sheng Gong Shi Lian, if you're still at innate level and break through to Zong Shi without a 'Yun Jing Yuan Jing' to seal it back... heh.” Cheng Ji chuckled without elaborating.

It was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over everyone, sending chills down their spines.

Ultimately, the Wang Cheng Shi Lian was just a stepping stone to the Sheng Gong Shi Lian.

If you broke through to Zong Shi in the Yun Lun Shan Mai and fought your way to the top 36, only to be eliminated prematurely...

That meant, even if you were number one, you couldn't participate in the Sheng Gong Shi Lian as a Zong Shi.

What a waste!

“What an impressive Tian Ji technique...” Xu Xiao Shou wasn't too concerned about reaching Zong Shi—he was already cheating the system, after all.

But the ability of the Yun Jing world to strip and seal cultivation and insights into a “Yun Jing Yuan Jing” left him in awe.

This was no small feat!

Nearby, geniuses from the other five domains were equally amazed.

“Impressive—the 'Yun Jing Yuan Jing' and its Tian Ji capabilities aren't something an ordinary Wang Cheng could pull off.”

“Dong Tian Wang Cheng is playing a strong hand here. I thought it couldn't compare to Zhong Yu Jing Du or Si Ling Cheng, since only those true hubs of the Lian Ling world have this kind of power.”

“Who knew a modest Dong Tian Wang Cheng could produce something like 'Yun Jing Yuan Jing'?”

“I've only heard of similar things in places like Zhong Yu Jing Du-level Wang Chengs before. Weaker ones couldn't manage it.”

“It must be because of Tian Kong Zhi Cheng...”

“Yeah, that's definitely it!”

The geniuses from the five domains, with their vast knowledge, were still stunned by the “Yun Jing Yuan Jing”.

On the high platform, Cheng Ji smiled slightly, feeling a sense of pride.

This Dong Tian Wang Cheng Shi Lian was unprecedented—even the Seven Sword Immortals, like Rao Yao Yao, were overseeing it fully, which was more attention than Zhong Yu Jing Du got.

A mere “Yun Jing Yuan Jing” was just a small perk he'd arranged for the participants.

There were plenty more opportunities waiting in the Yun Jing world for these youngsters!

“I won't say more.”

Cheng Ji quelled the discussions and finally cautioned: “Remember, entering the Yun Lun Shan Mai marks the start of the trial. During the trial, any power exceeding Zong Shi level will be locked by the Yun Jing world... and you know the consequences.”

His last words carried a warning glance toward the crowd, as if targeting those with ulterior motives, though he didn't elaborate.

With a final flick of his sleeve, he declared:

“The one-month Wang Cheng Shi Lian begins now.”

Cheng Ji infused his words with aura to motivate them: “Try to survive to the end, little ones—your glorious future starts here!”

The contestants in the venue grew excited.

At that moment, the large teleportation array covering Chao Sheng Guang Chang began to glow faintly.

Cheng Ji's expression turned calm as he said indifferently: “All trial participants, grip your trial jade pendants tightly and raise them high.”

The tens of thousands in the crowd extended their hands as if reaching for the sky.

“Special trial participants, please have your two guardians place their hands on you.”

Special participants referred, of course, to those in fields like Lian Dan or Ling Zhen, who were allowed two guardians due to their lower strength.

“Come on.”

Xu Xiao Shou smiled and extended his hands, one on each side.

The disguised Xin Gu Gu and the younger version of Liu Chang Qing smiled and placed their hands on his.

After close observation, Xu Xiao Shou had already received Liu Chang Qing's signal.

This teleportation array did have a high-grade Tian Ji array for verifying cultivation, but nothing could surpass Liu Chang Qing, the spokesperson of the Wu Ji Old Ancestor.

“Teleportation, commence!”

Cheng Ji waved his hand.

A massive pillar of light shot up from Chao Sheng Guang Chang, piercing the clouds.

In the next breath,

The once-crowded square was suddenly empty in the center, leaving only a few bewildered individuals who plopped down on the ground in confusion. “Huh?”

The spectators nearby shouted:

“Look, something's wrong with the teleportation array—these people have trial jade pendants but didn't get teleported!”

“What now? Should they fly over to complete the trial?”

The remaining contestants were already panicking.

Cheng Ji listened to the spectators' comments and sneered, scanning them before raising his hand: “Seize them all and throw them in prison. Interrogate them harshly about their origins and motives.”

“No, please!”

Desperate cries rang out: “Cheng Ji, I'm a trial participant! I'm only eighteen and at the peak of Shang Ling Jing!!”

The others wailed in panic as well.

“Tricks and schemes!” Cheng Ji snorted coldly. “If you don't have the ability, don't try to sneak in like this. It's embarrassing even for me to see you attempting it in front of everyone!”

“Take them all away!”