[I revised some content in the previous chapter. It focused on fighting Mid-Rank Dao Monarch's Dharma Body (less than three-tenths of their true strength). I felt that since those people possessed Dharma Bodies, it was impossible for them to descend to the mortal realm in their true forms; this made more sense.]
"My elder brother."
Yu Xi was taken aback, then said, "Does my brother think I would be no match for a True Saint?"
"Don't underestimate him. He has Chaos Body, and not the extreme kind like Lei Fang's. Like your brother, he also pursues balance, two sides of the same coin."
Hearing this, she scoffed, "Two-faced, how dare you! Even my brother, with his talent, struggles to cultivate. What makes him so special?"
At the entrance to the battlefield, Jiang Ping turned and left, not intending to go in.
Since I've been directly invited, I can only be a spectator. I might as well go and see how the qualified group fares.
Yes, he's very curious about the laws of other races.
However, Jiang Ping's children were very interested in the battle between Dao Monarch and excitedly followed Lei Fang and the others into the battlefield.
In response, he had no choice but to arrange for his Past Self Dharma Body to follow behind him.
Towering peaks, gleaming with Dao Light, teem with life. Flocks of terrifying birds occasionally leap across the sky, while Dragon Carp swim in the vast lake that stretches from north to south, sometimes leaping out of the water and creating huge waves.
Plots of medicinal fields have been cultivated, nurturing all kinds of Divine Medicine and precious herbs, including many legendary ones.
Some of these towering mountains are extremely dangerous, shrouded in Sha Qi, so much so that even Venerable are afraid of them, and they remain completely dark year-round.
This is a treasure trove of resources in the Kaiyang Sacred Land, which made Jiang Ping somewhat alarmed.
As far as he knew, there were two or three such places in Kaiyang, some of which could even nurture Great Dao Rare Treasures.
Of course, Kaiyang Sacred Land has its reasons for daring to open up to outsiders.
A colossal figure stood high in the heavens, and all things changed with the rise and fall of this figure. The Order of the Great Dao was like God Chain interwoven in the sky, with Xingluo scattered everywhere and the aura soaring to the heavens.
This is Ling Qinghe, born in the Kaiyang Sacred Land. She is Fate Child born to face calamity. Although she has descended in her Dharma Body, she is still terrifyingly powerful and has few rivals in this world.
Clearly, she was in charge of overseeing this qualification selection process.
Jiang Ping glanced at it briefly, then continued on his way, following the group of powerful individuals who had come to join the fun towards the selection site.
It was an extremely magnificent peak, piercing through layers of clouds and mist, seemingly reaching the sky.
The Heavenly Ladder stretches upwards from the foot of the mountain, seemingly endless.
"It's authoritative!"
Many people gathered in front of the ladder, their expressions slightly changed.
"This mountain is quite special. It is said to be the place where the Kaiyang Patriarch secluded himself, and it has become extraordinary by absorbing the aura of the Dao Ancestor."
"The residence of the Dao Ancestor is absolutely rare in the world; we must take a good look around and take a picture."
Upon hearing this, everyone excitedly climbed the ladder to heaven one after another. However, after climbing for a short while, some people's faces turned red and their expressions became somewhat ferocious.
"What's going on? I'm wandering in spirit, and even climbing a mountain is so difficult?"
Some people were taken aback.
They were under immense pressure; their clothes were soaked with sweat, and they felt as if a huge rock was pressing down on their chests.
"If you've never been here before, that's how it is. I've already said that this mountain has its own significance; it's a wonderful place to test an individual's potential. The more profound your background, the more likely you are to climb it."
"Such a claim is actually made?!"
Everyone was shocked.
Some looked grim. "Doesn't this mean that if we can't climb the mountain, we can't observe this selection process?"
Witnessing the grand gathering of geniuses is one thing, but the key talent group also has the opportunity to glimpse the Wonderful Method of other races, which is a great opportunity for them as well.
"Hmph, I know what you're thinking, but if you can't even climb this mountain, how can you be worthy of learning that Supreme Method?"
The one who spoke was a tall young man dressed in feathered robes. He was very famous and was also one of the most outstanding talents participating in this talent selection.
What kind of potential is needed to reach the top?
Some people couldn't help but ask, wanting to know the result in advance.
"Dao Ancestor."
The moment the young man spoke, everyone was stunned and deeply shocked.
They are also known as Close to the Dao Seed, possessing some potential to become Dao Monarch.
To even be a spectator at this selection event, one must possess the qualifications of Dao Ancestor?
"Are you joking, sir? Even if you possess the bearing of Dao Ancestor, you wouldn't dare say such a thing, would you?"
A Peak True Saint immediately questioned him.
If it weren't for the other party's status as an unparalleled genius, he would have cursed out loud.
To be a spectator requires the potential of Dao Ancestor? Damn it, if you have that kind of talent, why bother being a spectator?
The young man in feathered robes sneered, "You're asking about reaching the summit, but this selection isn't about that."
Everyone: "..."
Although the selection venue wasn't on the mountaintop, they understood that this selection was not only for choosing talent for the Initial Land, but also for selecting the audience.
Only truly gifted geniuses can stand by and watch.
What qualifications are required to observe and learn?
"Dao Monarch."
"That's all."
We are all Close to the Dao Seed, and we still possess the potential to become Dao Monarch. We have that much confidence.
However, reaching the selection point is not Close to the Dao Seed can achieve, and people are always falling behind.
Many people regretted it, thinking that if things were like this, they should have just watched Dao Monarch fight.
"Those who are said to be Close to the Dao Seed, how many of them can truly attain enlightenment?"
The young man in feathered robes looked at the group of Close to the Dao Seed beside him who were gritting their teeth and persevering, and shook his head slightly.
He seemed relaxed and not under much pressure.
With a loud bang, a streak of light leaped past him, as fast as lightning.
The young man in feathered robes' expression changed slightly. He climbed the mountain with ease, but someone else did it even more easily—a monstrous genius.
"It's Jiang Yourong from the Destiny Hall. This fairy is already at the Dao Monarch level, yet she's come to the aptitude group."
Many people are excited. The Combat strength group has formidable figures like Yu Xi and Jiang Ping, and the talent group is also quite impressive. Both groups are full of hidden talents.
With a whoosh, another beautiful woman climbed up; it was Ren Ran from the Ziwei Sacred Land, a name whose fame was even more widespread.
"My ideal woman, she's here too!"
Some of the most promising talents were in an uproar, their minds in turmoil.
"Hmm? The two fairies have gone too far, exceeding the selection threshold."
Many people noticed that the two Dao Monarch were climbing rapidly without stopping.
"Yes, this mountain climbing is very likely part of the selection process, which involves assessing candidates' aptitude and potential."
The selection venue had already attracted a large number of curious onlookers.
They watched from the sidelines; the selection process had already begun the moment they started climbing the mountain.
Cui Yue looked up and saw his younger family members working hard to climb to the top.
Fang Xin Zhu Xuan were among those listed, as were Li Li Daozhen and others from the Jade Palace Prefecture.
Their progress was different; Daozhen was in the lead, while the others lagged behind.
However, at this moment Daozhen was drenched in sweat. She had already climbed seven or eight tenths of the way, but every step from now on was extremely difficult.
Having climbed more than 90% of the way, she chose to give up.
Call out!
At that moment, a streak of light leaped down from below, much more easily than her, and was able to ascend at an extremely fast speed.
Daozhen frowned slightly. That was Ren Ran, a prodigy who was on par with Jiang Ping.
Ren Ran remained aloof and expressionless as she swiftly surpassed Daozhen, still possessing the strength to do so.
However, they slowed down before reaching the thousand steps to the top.
In the end, Ren Ran also felt immense pressure, her face heavy, and she realized that she seemed unable to reach the top.
She found it unbelievable that she didn't even possess the qualities of Dao Ancestor?
"It's just a mountain; how can it accurately reflect everyone's potential? In reality, if one can climb eight out of ten, one already possesses the potential to become the Dao Ancestor."
In the sky, Ling Qinghe watched these climbing geniuses and spoke softly.
Opposite her, a similarly powerful and handsome young man nodded and said:
"Yes, reaching the summit is very difficult. Many prodigies have tried in the past few days, but often only those of Fate Child can do it easily. Take Yu Xi, for example; she was soaked in sweat when she reached the top."
Then, he glanced at Ren Ran and smiled:
"This woman is highly talented and has great potential to become Dao Ancestor; she can join our ranks."
Ling Qinghe glanced at the young man but remained silent.
She felt that the other party was attracted to Ren Ran's beauty.
That's the white moonlight in many people's hearts.
However, there are also beings of her caliber in the Ziwei Sacred Land, so why would Ren Ran join them?
Da da da.
Near the summit, another young man appeared, whose potential was no less than Ren Ran's, but he ultimately failed to reach the top.
"This young man is no less capable than Ren Ran; we can recruit him."
The youth in the sky spoke again.
There are quite a few strong contenders in the qualification group.
"Those are Xu Yuan's clansmen."
Ling Qinghe said.
Upon hearing this, Zhan Yin felt even more regretful. Xu Qing was truly remarkable; she had climbed more than ten floors higher than Ren Ran.
Immediately afterward, his eyes lit up as he saw another prodigy climbing up the mountain, even surpassing Xu Qing and ascending directly to the top.
At the mountaintop, Xie Wen's face was flushed, he was drenched in sweat, and his legs felt weak.
However, he still reached the summit and accomplished this feat.
Xie Wen struggled to stand, leaning against the rock, and looked down at his fellow disciples who were still trying, as well as another equally renowned genius, and couldn't help but smile.
He's unparalleled!
However, Xie Wen's smile quickly vanished, and his face stiffened.
A figure swept through like a hurricane, surpassing all others, and swiftly stood before him.
"Jiang Ping!!"
At the selection site, everyone also spotted the mountain climber.
Unlike other mountaineering enthusiasts, this one Galloping Ahead, leaving others far behind.
With a whoosh, Jiang Ping overtook Ren Ran and passed Xu Qing in the blink of an eye.
He was spotless, his face was free of sweat, and his breathing was long, steady, and without any fluctuation.
Ren Ran stared at that figure, somewhat lost in thought.
The Zhan Yin Celestial Person almost made their jaw drop.
Who is this?
He was stunned; the other person's climbing speed was comparable to his own.
This mountain tests potential, and this boy's potential definitely surpasses Yu Xi's.
Of course, Zhan Yin didn't think the other person could compare to him.
The mountaintop can only measure the potential of the Dao Ancestor, not the potential of the Fate Child.
After a moment, Zhan Yin learned about Jiang Ping's background and immediately smiled:
"So he's Chaos Body, and he has a connection with Lei Fang of your Kaiyang Sacred Land. Absorbing him is just right. He's a rare and valuable general, qualified to assist you and me."
"You should extend the invitation later; he will surely agree."
However, when he looked up, he saw that Ling Qinghe was somewhat silent and did not say a word.
Thank you to the boss [Mo Sheng Honghou] for the great god certification gift.
I'm having some writer's block, and revising the previous text took some time. Today's draft is a bit shorter, but I'll keep trying tomorrow.