Golden Phoenix Plaza was filled with outstanding talents.
A high platform had been erected at the very center of the plaza, jointly constructed by earth- and wood-element spiritual cultivators from the Holy Palace.
Though it was only temporary, the platform had been built with extraordinary care.
Against the backdrop of the Golden Osmanthus sculpture renowned throughout the Central Region, luan and phoenixes coiled across its surface. The platform rose from this, its base colors blue and white, magnificently grand.
A closer look revealed array patterns and Heavenly Secrets Dao Runes etched into the surrounding wood and stone.
Clearly, a specialized protective spiritual array had been installed here, carrying hints of the Heavenly Secrets Art as well, in preparation for any eventuality.
In the skies around all four sides of the platform, within laws of the Great Dao perceptible only to a select few, the auras of multiple Holy Palace Dao Protectors were concealed.
For this trial announcement, the Holy Palace had made thorough preparations well in advance.
Beneath the Golden Osmanthus sculpture, Hua Xiang sat cross-legged atop her pill cauldron.
The cauldron was covered, and turbulent movement came from within. Anyone unaware of the truth might have thought she was refining pills, when in fact it merely contained a few people.
"How lively..."
The last place she had seen this much bustle was the Yunlun Mountain Range in East Heavenly King City.
Of course, the quality of the Royal City Trial participants back then could not be mentioned in the same breath as those now.
After all, the geniuses before her had been selected as the top-ranked, or among the top few, or in very rare cases among the top several dozen, from the major Royal Cities across the Five Domains.
Even so...
"I wonder whether I'll be able to