“Shi Yi appears! The rumors are true! He arrives in such a majestic manner, directly entering the sacred gate, leaving people astounded!” Even some of the elders from great clans squinted their eyes, radiating piercing light. A gigantic descendant of ancient times spread its twin wings like hanging clouds, creating terrifying gales that stung the faces of all on the ground as they swiftly disappeared into the depths of Butian Pavilion’s sacred gate, leaving behind tens of thousands of stupefied youths. Shi Yi, hailed as a god-like boy, has shined remarkably since childhood, enveloped in divine halos, bright as a rising sun illuminating countless mountains and rivers, leaving numerous legends in his wake.
“Only Butian Pavilion’s Ancient Divine Court could attract him. His coming will certainly stir great ripples!” People knew it wouldn’t be long before news would spread across the land, shaking the entire kingdom.
Many young ones clenched their fists with boiling blood, excited by the opportunity to cultivate alongside this god-like youth and challenge him personally.
“Decades later, when they look back, perhaps this will become a legendary honor — once daring to challenge the young Sovereign, while sharing brotherhood in the same hall. Mentioning this experience would become an impressive brag.”
“As long as you are strong enough, and within the age limit, you too can enter the Divine Court,” the elder sitting at the mountain entrance finally spoke, glowing entirely with radiant power; his voice thunderous.
The gathered youths were exhilarated, filled with fervor and battle-ready spirit. Their eyes burned with amazing light. A group of elder chieftains sighed quietly, looking disapprovingly at their tribes’ youths. What kind of place was the Divine Academy? One recruit per several decades sufficed already.
“Mmm. Fellow Daoists, what is your purpose, assembling at our Butian Pavilion’s sacred threshold?” The elder on the threshold spoke again. His gaze opening and closing flashed glyphs like an ocean — booming and resonating until everyone’s ears rang and vision swam.
Too many had arrived today—Not only aspiring disciples gathered here, but lords and spies from major powers searching for one particular child.
“We seek merely to witness the ceremony, venerable master,” someone replied.
Everyone knew what was truly happening, yet no one exposed the obvious lies.
Sitting still atop a large stone before the gateway, the elder said no more, yet it was clear: should troubles arise, he would intervene without hesitation.
All mighty clans know of the virtual spirit world, thus Butian Pavilion fully comprehended recent happenings therein.
“Flash!” Gleaming light burst through, revealing a five-colored immortal phoenix entwined in mist, emanating spiritual brilliance, upon which sat clad-in-golden-armor woman: her brows painted delicately, face crystal-clear. Golden plating barely masked her stunning silhouette — curves elegant, tresses dancing — she resembled a beautiful goddess of war!
“She’s the female warrior of Zhu Lu Institute!” gasped the crowds.
Her gaze swept over tens of thousands of observers with lightning sharpness, clearly scanning and seeking specific clues.
“Zhu Lu Institute wastes no time indeed, coming right here to steal recruits!”
“It seems our young friend crosses boundaries,” warned the old sage guarding the gate.
“Wise one worries needlessly.” Calmly replied the girl-warrior cloaked in gold armor, ample chest, delicate waist, flawless ivory face exuding unique beauty.
In this moment, faction upon faction began action—led by the warrior-girl, other great forces joined efforts searching frantically.
This location remained outside the sacred gateway proper — delaying entry ensured opportunities slipped away after trials ended.
“The test begins now!” commanded the elder, offering swift solutions: initiate gate-trials immediately to exclude interference.
From crowd’s midst emerged leaders—the same elite warriors who brought them here, standing either hovering glyphic bones or levitating rocks. Dividing 80,000–90,000 youths into eight groups.
“Forward, to the Primeval Battlefield,” they declared, leading westward—not inside the sacred halls. Dense forests flanked their path becoming wilder step by step. Sacred mists faded into toxic fogs and twisted ancient woods replaced earlier luxuriant scenery.
Westwards lay remnants of an enormous celestial battlefield turned wasteland controlled entirely by Butian Pavilion, dangerous beasts well-mapped making this the trial field.
“Our Eight Divisions are safeguarded by inscribed glyphs—keeping monstrous threats at bay.”
They weren’t to confront creatures themselves—a rule meant preventing bloody casualties among these hopefuls.
Success depended solely upon navigating encoded glyph zones.
“Fought those glyphs thrice and failed every time,” groaned one teen aged seventeen or eighteen.
Prominent within his tribe, each gathering selected him—but failures haunted his arrival here.
“Those sufficiently strong may pierce glyph defenses gaining access deeper layers—offering surprises, however thick danger resides therein—choose wisely.”
Though unclear further, listeners grasped inner-zones screened regular candidates whereas secondary battleground judged prodigies’ mettle alone.
“Now! Enter the zones!”
Command given, all dispersed into allocated divisions, sprawling space allowing no concerns over overcrowding.
Eager military officers rushed frantically trying to isolate a lone target within masses—scrambling desperately at entry points till last second despite slim hope.
Little Zhi Niu’s cheeks looked like huge apples, chubby and irresistible to pinch.
“Why so dawdle, small fatty? Move ahead!”
Playfully another girl pinched his cheek.
Depressed—he’d just stared twice at Pavilion’s pretty female apprentices. Hadn’t delayed much—yet got squeezed anyway?
“Lose weight little fatty—it hampers cultivation,” joked another apprentice while tweaking his round rosy cheek before battlefield access.
“I’m not fat,” muttered the little boy indignantly as strode through glowing rune arch disappearing forthwith.
News stirred rapidly through Virtual Spirit World about Pavilion events.
“You bet—Shi Yi made it. Butian gains unprecedented glory. Another Holy Man likely walks amongst us?”
“The Princes’ Military wasted no effort—dispatching a primeval descendant to ferry him directly into gates—indicative of extravagant investment in cultivation efforts!”
“With Wu Prince Clan’s Thirteenth Master missing fate unknown and genius Shi Zi Ling vanished years ago—training must center on the Cyclops Seer; upon adulthood giants shall fall to his sweep.”
Virtual Spirit Worlds exploded spreading rumors quickly reverberating throughout ancient kingdoms. All tongues carried “Shi Yi’s” name.
Soon attention redirected toward Little Fatty whose whereabouts stayed uncertain—”Has that brat even reached Butian? Still unseen!”
“Suspicious indeed—I suspect according his mischievous character; most probably pulling a grand stunt, teasing us deliberately!”
“A high probability,” grumbled many impatient souls increasingly dark faced convinced trickery transpired.
“Yet refined Uncle Bei swore solemn oaths under penalty—how dare deceive royal daughters?”
“That being truth then why no appearance? Neither seen arriving here nor at Zhu Lu Temple.”
Universally they hoped Little Zhi Niu attended, especially since breaching record rivaling Shi Yi. Encounters between rivals ignited excitement unparalleled.
Inside Butian, Primeval Battlefield Sector Eight, Xiao Tian tread carefully watching forward closely until sudden eruption surged from glyphs toward him.
No beasts existed here. Instead infinite arrays challenged minds similar to ascending heavenly passes.
Obviously Xiao Tian stood far removed.
With heavy footfall cracking ground and flying boulders, he smashed everything head-on obliterating all magical formations instantly. No interest in intricate solving occupied his mind—he bulldozed through violently.
Despite complexity arrays held little challenge. Already deeply explored beyond comprehension, hence the brute force shortcut through.
“Large territory indeed granting three days’ worth.”
Marching straight to deepest Sector Eight, intensity increased drawing greater interest. Slowed pace slightly.
“This method of breaking formation tiresome,” muttered the frustrated child.
Unbeknownst, fellow candidates lagged behind exhausted from ages seven to twenty-three, near collapse.
“Got to kidding me! Butian rejecting applicants en masse?! Why inscribe impossible runes? How few could actually pass?”
Sigh lamented:
“All Genius Woes! First came illustrious names: Shi Yi, Empress Candidate—and elusive brat sparking prodigy stampede forcing higher barriers accordingly.”
Complaints echoed loudly from struggling aspirants.
Deeper inside eighth zone Xiao Tian strolled considering matters until gleaming grin lit up clenching fist tightly.
“Glyph-inscriptions underground mean buried treasure bones!”
Eyes glimmered greedily; body darted like ghost searching wildly hoping acquire primitive treasures.
“Sure thing hidden there!” Finally stopped beside small rocky hill ten meters tall. Examining it attentively before releasing high pitch whistle rushing headlong unleashing ultimate strength plus secret arts.
BOOM!
Dust erupted sky-high as rock crumbled revealing descending gem-like treasure-bone. Rush grabbing prize, eyes nervously checked surroundings before stuffing securely within robe—vanished quicksilver-style.
“In such grand terrain multiple bone deposits expected!”
Viewed entire region akin harvesting vegetables—”ready for pickin.”
“Boom!!”—Second target identified. Direct attack this time—a kick demolishing dam triggering blinding glyph lights revealing bone fragment.
“Still decent, though less exceptional.”
Gleefully smiled exposing dimpled cheeks showing tiger-tooth charm.
Progress ensued relentlessly—smashing barriers digging furiously amassing over a dozen treasure-bones wrapped in leather tied neatly upon back.
“Hey lighter resistance now. Perhaps I regained energy?” Suddenly all ten thousand entrants across Sector Eight realized difficulty dropped dramatically igniting collective adrenaline surges. Everyone sprinted enthusiastically anew fueled optimism soaring.
Time ticked anxiously affecting waiting outsiders particularly tribal clan elders who escorted children wondering outcomes grim-faced anticipating bitter disappointment.
“This year proves excessively challenging—I foresee many tribes left disappointed with low retention rates,” murmured one Pavilion elder.
Nearby dignitaries nodded gravely. “Numerous talents congest slots—what else could we do?”
“Wondering which sector succeeds best producing most breakthroughs?”
“Some should’ve finished soon enough; prepare at exits welcoming triumphers home.”
A troubled elder added: “Worried some areas fail entirely—last hurdles specially forged for geniuses alone remain daunting obstacles.”
Nevertheless preparation ensued—hurrying outward expecting successful returners. Eager elders tagged along anxious yet hopeful offspring survival odds improved.
Meanwhile unrest brewed in virtual spirit world discussions. Many eagerly anticipated prankster appearance—to no avail deepening frustration.
“What if the brat fooled even us?”
Frowning, hammer uncles frowned pondered possibilities.
“Doubtful.” Birdsage retained calm composure.
But Jade refinement Elder offered mysteriously:
“Something monumental brews—I bet mischief unfolds shortly, wait see outcome.”
Thus continued turbulent times…
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