“This Star Conference, the rules remain as usual.” The Blade Emperor calmly glanced at the other four. “The issue now is that each of our five factions must nominate one candidate, and the candidate must receive approval from more than half of those present. After all, they will be representing us in selecting talented cultivators with sufficient aptitude and insight.”
The Star Conference.
It is a grand event jointly held by the Sevenstar Sea Sacred Realm and the Donglin Sacred Realm, occurring once every trillion years! Any cultivator who has trained for no more than two trillion years and reached the Unity Realm is eligible to participate.
The purpose of holding it…
Is to discover talented cultivators from the vast Sacred Realm. Although the sacred lands usually recruit disciples, the threshold is high, and the Sacred Realm is simply too vast. Many weaker cultivators from remote regions have no chance to traverse the great distances to join the sacred lands. Among them, some possess extraordinarily stunning and monstrous talent.
Take the Sword Master, for example. Initially, he received no training at all, yet he reached the Chaos Realm within a single epoch in his home universe! Upon entering the Tai Void Heavenly Palace and studying countless scriptures, he swiftly ascended to the Cosmic God Realm.
There are many similar examples.
These overlooked geniuses scattered across the realms, even if they lack favorable conditions or proper training, can still achieve significant breakthroughs once they enter the sacred lands—provided they overcome countless hardships to reach the Unity Realm. As for those who “fail to reach the Unity Realm within two trillion years,” even if their cultivation environment is poor, they cannot be considered geniuses and are unqualified to participate in the Star Conference!
The selection mechanism of the Star Conference is divided into two types.
One… involves various competitions of strength to determine rankings—this is purely merit-based.
The other… is where the Conference arranges five experts to observe the entire selection process and pick out those worthy of cultivation.
After all, the Conference itself aims to select monstrous geniuses. For instance, a cultivator who has trained for a hundred million years versus one who has trained for a trillion years—even if the former is slightly weaker in combat, their potential is undoubtedly higher.
This kind of selection is purely based on the experts’ subjective judgment, granting them immense authority. Thus, the candidates nominated by the five sacred lands must receive approval from the Cosmic Gods.
“Haha, that kid Jiang Fu has been wandering around. I asked him, and he’s willing to serve as a mentor for this Star Conference.” The Primordial Demon Mountain, the most massive figure present with a pitch-black exoskeleton and blood-red eyes, boomed, “Any objections?”
“Palace Master Jiang Fu?”
“Of course not.”
“No objections.”
“His participation is rare indeed.”
The Cloud Serpent Emperor, Void Primordial, Tianyu Patriarch, and Blade Emperor all nodded with smiles.
Among the six sacred lands, those who have reached the ninth level of the Star Tower are few and far between. For instance, the Tai Void Heavenly Palace has only one Chaos Hall Master, while the Primordial Island also has only one—Palace Master Jiang Fu! For a Chaos Realm cultivator to reach the ninth level is no less difficult than for a Unity Realm cultivator to reach the seventh… These individuals can unleash power nearly on par with Cosmic Gods despite being in the Chaos Realm. Clearly, they have delved deeper into certain aspects than even Cosmic Gods themselves.
Even Cosmic Gods hold great respect for these Chaos Realm experts who have conquered the ninth level of the Star Tower.
Though the Star Conference is of great importance, having a figure like Palace Master Jiang Fu as one of the five mentors is a rare privilege.
“My disciple Qing Qu is also quite interested in serving as a mentor for this Star Conference,” the Cloud Serpent Emperor spoke up.
“Qing Qu? She’s a bit weak, no?” The Blade Emperor frowned. “I suggest another candidate.”
“Island Master Qing Qu has a decent reputation, at least she’ll be fair,” countered the Void Primordial.
“Her judgment might not be sharp enough,” the Tianyu Patriarch added.
“Change it,” the Primordial Demon Mountain shook his head.
With three out of five opposing, the nomination was clearly rejected.
Island Master Qing Qu, a disciple of the Cloud Serpent Emperor, was a Chaos Realm powerhouse skilled in musical arts, with strength at the seventh level of the Star Tower.
The Cloud Serpent Emperor paused briefly before conceding, “Then, Island Master Zi Tu.”
“Agreed,” the Tianyu Patriarch nodded.
“Fine,” the Primordial Demon Mountain said bluntly.
“Island Master Zi Tu is acceptable.”
“Good.”
…
The nominations were swiftly approved: Palace Master Jiang Fu from the Primordial Island, Five Marsh Serpent Ancestor from the Void Temple, General Tian Guang from the Blade Emperor City, and Island Master Zi Tu from the Cloud Serpent Emperor.
Among them, Palace Master Jiang Fu was at the ninth level of the Star Tower. The Five Marsh Serpent Ancestor, General Tian Guang, and Island Master Zi Tu were all at the eighth level!
Typically, mentors for such conferences were at the eighth level. Having Palace Master Jiang Fu participate this time was a rare exception.
“Tianyu, who will represent your Tai Void Heavenly Palace this time?” The others turned to the Tianyu Patriarch.
“I have a candidate,” the Tianyu Patriarch said. “He might be slightly weaker, but I believe he’s quite suitable.”
“Who is it?”
“Out with it already.”
“Stop being cryptic,” the others urged.
The Tianyu Patriarch replied, “Among the inner hall elders of my Tai Void Heavenly Palace, the strongest is… Dongbo Xueying. When he challenged the seventh level of the Star Tower, he slew eight Annihilation Demons, coming within a hair’s breadth of clearing it.”
“Dongbo Xueying? A Unity Realm cultivator?” The Blade Emperor frowned slightly. “Isn’t he a bit too weak? The Star Conference is a grand event, and the participants are all Unity Realm cultivators. The five mentors wield immense authority—having a Unity Realm cultivator among them feels lacking.”
“I think he’s quite suitable,” rumbled the Primordial Demon Mountain, his massive form seated imposingly as his blood-red eyes fixed on the Blade Emperor. “This Dongbo Xueying’s strength is half a step into the seventh level of the Star Tower. In terms of understanding the Unity Realm, even some eighth-level Chaos Realm powerhouses might not match him. His judgment is undoubtedly sharp. Moreover, he’s only trained for a few hundred million years. As a genius cultivator himself, he might be better at identifying others like him.”
“Half a step into the seventh level? That still means he hasn’t fully crossed it!” The Cloud Serpent Emperor shook his head. “If he had cleared the seventh level as a Unity Realm cultivator, no one would object. But since he hasn’t, his qualifications as a mentor are still lacking. The Unity Realm geniuses participating in the Conference might show surface respect, but deep down, they likely won’t hold Dongbo Xueying in high regard. Void Primordial, what do you think?”
Now, two opposed—the Blade Emperor and the Cloud Serpent Emperor.
Two agreed—the Tianyu Patriarch and the Primordial Demon Mountain.
The final decision rested with the Void Primordial!
“His judgment is sufficient. He’s versed in multiple disciplines and has deep understanding across systems. I think he’s suitable,” the Void Primordial said, willing to lend support to his disciple’s disciple.
The Cloud Serpent Emperor was taken aback.
Approved?
“Fine, since you all choose him, it’s settled,” the Blade Emperor conceded, though he still frowned. “But I suspect some cultivators might protest.”
“What does it matter if they protest our decision?” The Primordial Demon Mountain snorted.
“Very well, the five mentors are now decided,” the Blade Emperor nodded, saying no more. Though he anticipated some dissent, the Star Conference was held once every trillion years and had occurred many times before. This was just one instance. With three of the five sacred lands in agreement, there was no reason to oppose further.
Thus.
The list of five mentors responsible for selecting talents at this Star Conference was finalized: Palace Master Jiang Fu, Island Master Zi Tu, Five Marsh Serpent Ancestor, General Tian Guang, and Dongbo Xueying.
The Tianyu Patriarch smiled faintly. “Cultivating oneself and mentoring others are different. This will be a rare opportunity for Dongbo to gain experience.” He held Dongbo Xueying in high regard—after all, the young man was already half a step into the seventh level of the Star Tower. He had fought hard to secure this chance for Dongbo Xueying, believing such experience would greatly aid his growth.
…
The news spread quickly.
Blade Emperor City.
Within a resplendent golden palace, the most dazzling hall stood.
Seated cross-legged on a stone bed at the center of the hall, a golden-robed man exuded a faint glow, his body seemingly cast from pure gold. He looked down as he imparted cultivation insights to several disciples below. This was General Tian Guang, a figure of considerable status within Blade Emperor City.
“Hmm?”
General Tian Guang frowned.
He had just learned of the five mentor selections for the Star Conference. He had volunteered for the role, hoping to select one or two disciples for himself.
“A Unity Realm cultivator, standing alongside us?” A trace of anger flickered in General Tian Guang’s eyes. In his view, the mentors of the Star Conference—the supreme event for selecting genius cultivators across both sacred realms—held exalted status. Having a Unity Realm cultivator share that honor displeased him greatly. Yet, this was the decision of the highest Cosmic Gods, and he had no right to oppose.
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