Knowing the Mandate of Heaven, the Strongest of the Current Era

Xu Baiyang said the Boundless Bright Day Treasure Boat could travel thirty thousand kilometers a day. Lin Shuguang didn't disbelieve him; in less than fifteen minutes, all the participating disciples from the Baojian Sect had crossed half of the Central Continent to reach the competition venue, Jade Void Palace.

"This Jade Void Palace is the Imperial Lineage of the Great Gan Dynasty. Each continent establishes a Jade Void Palace to manage various affairs of the cultivation world," Xu Baiyang and Lin Shuguang conversed quietly as they walked among the crowd after disembarking.

This time, the team was led by Yun Yangcheng, the Seventh Elder from the Main Hall. He had a serious expression and treated Lin Shuguang no differently than the other disciples.

It was precisely because of his stern demeanor that some of the arrogant prodigies within the sect had to tread carefully, fearing they might anger this impartial elder. Luo Zixu, for instance, repeatedly glanced at Lin Shuguang, but ultimately, due to some apprehension, his individual plans came to naught.

Lin Shuguang surveyed the Jade Void Palace, which resembled an immortal realm. "Are they participating?"

Xu Baiyang shook his head, a look of wistfulness on his face. "They are the rule-makers; they won't participate in the competition. This is the Imperial Lineage. Back in the day, our Baojian Sect also..."

Lin Shuguang hadn't realized the word "Imperial Lineage" held such high status in the Great Gan Dynasty. No wonder the people of the Baojian Sect worked themselves to death trying to regain that position.

It was a pity that the Supreme Elder of the Baojian Sect, trapped in the Demon Domain, was far away and completely unaware of his sect's current situation.

Meanwhile, within the forbidden area of the Baojian Sect.

The current Sect Master, clad in a simple, unadorned robe, appeared there without anyone's knowledge.

"Disciple Zhang Wuhao greets the Ancestor."

The dense fog in the forbidden area seemed to respond to his call, rapidly parting to the sides and revealing a bronze floor etched with mysterious patterns.

Sect Master Zhang calmly stepped onto the bronze floor. As he entered, the fog closed in behind him once more.

A world away, in an instant.

In the blink of an eye, Sect Master Zhang found himself in a thatched hut, not within the forbidden area.

A white-browed elder sat cross-legged within, radiating countless rays of light. The suppressed aura emanating from him still commanded respect, making one feel as if they were facing a dormant ancient beast.

Before the Sect Master could speak, the white-browed elder, without opening his eyes, projected his voice throughout the heavens and earth, "I am aware of the matters outside. If he can enter the top ten in the state selection, it means he has the ability to protect himself. At that time, bring him here, and I will make arrangements."

"Your disciple obeys." Although Sect Master Zhang held the highest position in the sect, he was still diligent and obedient before this Supreme Elder.

The white-browed elder slowly opened his eyes, his gaze cloudy yet filled with an infinite tranquility. "I have only five years of lifespan left."

Sect Master Zhang trembled, "Ancestor!"

The current status of the Baojian Sect was entirely propped up by this Ancestor. The reason Xuanyuan City had spared the Baojian Sect back then, allowing them to survive, was also due to this Ancestor.

But if the Ancestor were truly... gone, then their Baojian Sect would be in grave danger.

He was currently only at the peak of the Spirit Transformation Realm. Without entering the True Fate Realm, he wouldn't even catch the attention of those in Xuanyuan City. Leading the Baojian Sect back to glory might be...

The Ancestor spoke again slowly, "The future of the Baojian Sect after five years will depend on whether this person truly possesses the Ancestor's final decree..."

Although this existing Ancestor of the Baojian Sect bore the title of "Ancestor," the gap between him and the Ancestor who had given Lin Shuguang the Supreme Token was immense.

One Ancestor had existed for tens of thousands of years, the other for only a few hundred.

Even though the current Ancestor's cultivation was at the True Fate Realm, in his heart, the Guardian Supreme was still an insurmountable mountain.

"I have consecutively refused invitations from Xuanyuan City for two sessions. They likely have their suspicions. The path ahead for the Baojian Sect will probably not be easy."

These words from the Ancestor caused Zhang Wuhao's expression to change again.

"Ancestor, the Baojian Sect has already been through a life-and-death battle. Do those people... still refuse to let go? What exactly do they still want from our Baojian Sect?" Zhang Wuhao couldn't understand.

The Ancestor sighed softly, "After hundreds of years of development, our Baojian Sect has long since changed from its previous state of decline. We have recruited many disciples over the years, ultimately securing a top position in the Central Continent and seizing much of the resources... If I fall, naturally many people will emerge. If you cannot stop them, some things will be handed over willingly. The path of cultivation is, after all, the survival of the fittest."

"This disciple understands. As long as I have a breath left, I will not let those petty individuals run rampant!" Zhang Wuhao's eyes were filled with killing intent.

The Ancestor said slowly, "Over the years, I have also made friends with powerful individuals on the continent. Those in Xuanyuan City will be wary, and some things will not be done too excessively... But do not let your guard down because of this. Our Baojian Sect holds a great secret. As long as we wait for the arrival of our ancestor, everything will be worth it."

Zhang Wuhao dared not ask more about the ancestor or the secret of the Baojian Sect.

Logically, as the Sect Master of the Baojian Sect, he should have known the sect's secret.

But he didn't.

The Ancestor said faintly, "The coming days will be difficult for you, Wuhao."

Zhang Wuhao bowed respectfully, "It is my duty, Ancestor. You speak too highly of me."

"Wait for his news."

The Ancestor sighed softly.

It was unclear whether he was waiting for news from the Guardian Supremes or for news from Lin Shuguang.

Zhang Wuhao had already been teleported back to the forbidden area shrouded in fog.

He looked calm, gazing at the white mist ahead before silently retracting his gaze and turning back to the sect.

As soon as he entered the main hall, an External Relations Elder hurried over, "Sect Master, this is bad! The merchant associations from the three southwestern continents have announced they are suspending future cooperation. We've maintained very friendly relations with them these past few years, and this change seems too sudden."

Zhang Wuhao did not seem surprised. "The southwest belongs to the Shalong Sect. The Shalong Sect wants to enter Xuanyuan City this time, so their actions are understandable. Issue a notice directly: from today onwards, all cooperation with the merchant associations of the three southwestern continents will be severed. We will cooperate with our own continental merchant associations at a 10% discount."

"Shalong Sect..." The External Relations Elder hesitated, finding the Shalong Sect's reaction a bit extreme, almost arrogant. "Understood."

Zhang Wuhao entered the main hall alone.

Thinking of the Ancestor's words, his heart grew heavier.

It seemed a storm was brewing.

He wondered if they could withstand it at Jade Void Palace.

Jade Void Palace.

After the bone age test, Lin Shuguang and Xu Baiyang parted ways. He was left with a few disciples from the Baojian Sect, but none of them were from Clear Sword Peak, so he didn't have much to say to them.

Apart from Lin Shuguang, they stood around in small groups.

Dozens of large arenas were situated within a vast, open square.

Tall walls surrounded the square, appearing smooth as if to prevent something from escaping.

Compared to the simple viewing platforms for participants like Lin Shuguang, the opposite side had a viewing platform that erupted with brilliant light, made of a special material.

This prevented outsiders from spying on the people inside the viewing platform.

This design inevitably made people feel like it was a form of segregation.

Status, superiority and inferiority were immediately apparent.

"No one has ever known who appears on that viewing platform, but there have been rumors that it's a reserved spot for people from Xuanyuan City."

"If you perform well, you might even gain the appreciation of someone inside, and that would truly be soaring to the heavens."

"Xuanyuan City..."

The crowd buzzed with discussion.

Lin Shuguang casually glanced at the distinctive viewing platform and then dismissed it from his mind.

His original intention was simple.

To seize the best cultivation resources, cultivate the strongest techniques, and imprint more Dao Patterns.

The viewing platform didn't capture Lin Shuguang's attention any further; instead, the disciples from various sects with Core Realm cultivation were more captivating to him.

Dozens of sect disciples were arranged according to their bone age.

Many familiar faces gathered together, whispering to each other.

"The people from Jade Void Palace have arrived."

All at once, everyone turned their gaze.

Many even stood up with a rustle, and some high-ranking members of sects even went to greet them.

"It's Elder Wang from Jade Void Palace, a True Fate Realm expert!"

A gasp came from not too far away.

Lin Shuguang followed everyone's gaze and saw a burly young man, dressed in opulent robes, walking step by step, surrounded by people welcoming him.

"So young?"

Many disciples seeing Elder Wang's appearance for the first time exclaimed in surprise.

"Idiot, the fuller their lifespan, the younger they appear. It means Elder Wang is at his peak."

Elder Wang of Jade Void Palace continued to approach.

The many disciples felt as though this Elder Wang was carved from jade, as if he were the most dazzling existence in heaven and earth, his eyes as bright as the Milky Way.

This was a true True Fate Realm expert.

A true expert who knew the Mandate of Heaven!

Wang Yuanzhi walked to the main seat, and an invisible aura enveloped the surroundings. Being in his prime and having cultivated to the True Fate Realm, no matter how arrogant this Elder Wang of Jade Void Palace was, no one present would harbor any resentment or dissatisfaction.

Countless disciples' gazes turned towards him with fervent admiration.

"Hmm? Who is that person?" Someone noticed a young man in white standing beside Wang Yuanzhi and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

"Who is he? I seem to be meeting him for the first time."

"Senior Brother Luo, do you know?" On the other side, a disciple from Fire Sword Peak asked Luo Zixu.

Luo Zixu had been staring coldly at Lin Shuguang and hadn't paid much attention to the young man in white beside Wang Yuanzhi. It wasn't until he was reminded twice that he impatiently withdrew his gaze, quickly glanced at the young man in white, and frowned, saying, "I don't recognize him."

A trace of doubt arose in his heart.

He had memorized all the young talents from the Central Continent; he was indeed meeting this young man in white for the first time.

"That person seems to be looking at you?" Lin Shuguang raised an eyebrow, looking at Su Beichen, who had approached at some unknown time.

This guy was still as tsundere as ever.

He pushed through the crowd to stand beside Lin Shuguang, but refused to say a word, waiting for Lin Shuguang to notice him and speak first. Only then did he haughtily snort through his nose.

"Huo Yuyang, Elder Wang's personal disciple from Jade Void Palace. I fought him a couple of years ago."

"You lost?" Lin Shuguang hit the nail on the head.

Su Beichen's brow immediately twitched, as if he had been insulted. He glared at Lin Shuguang, "I won!"

"Oh."

Lin Shuguang's indifferent reply made Su Beichen's veins bulge again.

"Hey, if we're in the same group, I won't hold back."

Su Beichen was silent for a moment before speaking again.

"Didn't you say we'd be fighting fierce beasts? We won't even encounter any, so why hold back?" Lin Shuguang looked over strangely, thinking the Jade Void Palace had adjusted the competition content this year.

Su Beichen's face darkened again. He turned his head, seemingly angered to the point of shame by this guy making him lose face.

Lin Shuguang glanced at the guy strangely.

So arrogant.

At this moment, Elder Wang of the Jade Void Palace stepped forward a few paces, looked around, and said loudly, "Everyone, the State Selection is held once every three years, as decreed by the Imperial Dynasty. Its purpose is to train the young prodigies of each sect, allowing them to experience a real fight against vicious fierce beasts before they truly step into the cultivation world, and to truly understand the ferocity of these beasts."

"This time, you will ascend the arena to fight against fierce beasts. If you find yourself unable to resist, you can simply jump off the arena to survive. Killing or repelling the fierce beast from the arena will count as a success. After a successful challenge, you can continue to challenge. Five consecutive successes will result in a perfect score for selection."

"Furthermore, outsiders are forbidden from interfering on the arena. If you are unable to proceed, surrender early. At that point, even death is your fate. These are the rules of the State Selection, and no one can violate them."

Naturally, no one would give up.

This year's State Selection would determine whether they could enter Xuanyuan City in the future, a true holy land for cultivation.

To give up this opportunity would be mocked by the entire Central Continent.

"Thus, this year's State Selection shall begin."

Wang Yuanzhi waved his hand and returned to his seat after speaking.

This year's State Selection officially began.

The gate slowly opened, revealing an ox demon in an upright stance. The ox demon was about two meters tall, covered in developed muscles. Its eyes stared at the many disciples outside the iron gate, filled with hatred and killing intent.

"Roar!"

The ox demon entered the arena and let out an enraged roar.

"The first selection has begun, don't delay." A middle-aged man in charge of supervision urged the young man about to enter the stage.

The young man's legs had already gone soft with fear, and his face was pale.

"A mere ox demon in the Profound Connection Realm can scare you to this state. This is your last chance, or you will be judged as having failed!" the middle-aged man said coldly.

Everyone was watching this young man, unaware that because of his performance, his fellow disciples also felt disgraced.

"I... I... I surrender."

The young man was eventually helped down, and the first match ended without incident.

The second person to ascend the stage was a young man in blue, holding a long sword. Although he also appeared frightened, he ultimately mustered the courage to charge forward.

It took him over ten minutes to barely kill the ox demon.

Following that, a second ox demon ascended the stage.

The competition proceeded step by step.

"Boring," Su Beichen complained from behind Lin Shuguang.

Lin Shuguang didn't turn around.

Su Beichen: "..."

After a moment of silence, he added, "A mere Profound Connection Realm is too weak."

Lin Shuguang still didn't turn around.

Su Beichen couldn't help but lean closer, only to discover that Lin Shuguang had actually fallen asleep. His face immediately darkened.

This guy!!!