The area around the Heavenly Mystery Tower was already packed with academy disciples. At the very front, Mu Yuyi stood proudly alone in white robes, clearly serving as Heavenly Mystery Academy's leader for this Five Academies Grand Competition.
Before the disciples, all of Heavenly Mystery Academy's powerful elders had arrived. Nearly a hundred of them sat cross-legged in orderly rows around the Heavenly Mystery Tower.
The distant, ethereal tolling of bells still echoed through the sky. The sound was not limited to the five great academies—cultivators across the entire Southern Bright Continent who had reached the Nascent Soul stage or above could hear it. At that moment, countless gazes turned toward the five academies. They knew that the Five Academies Grand Competition they had awaited for so long was finally about to begin.
This was a grand event for the Southern Bright Continent. Though every opening inevitably brought unexpected incidents and the deaths of prodigies, no one's enthusiasm for it had ever diminished in the slightest.
Especially the continent's major powers. Whether or not they had disciples participating in the competition, they would all follow it closely. Experience from the past showed that the future leaders of major sects and heirs of great clans were very likely to emerge from this competition. Learning more about these people meant learning more about the continent's future. No one would let such an opportunity pass.
"The trial space for the Five Academies Grand Competition is about to open. Last time, our Heavenly Mystery Academy ranked fifth—the very last place. This time, what rank do you think we'll take?"
Lu Boyue floated in the sky, still in the form of a spiritual body. Though his eyes were cloudy, sharp glints occasionally flashed within them. His gaze swept down upon the disciples, making them feel