What surprised Jiang Yun was not that people had come to watch the battle, but how many had come. Several hundred had gathered for the spectacle—an enormous number.
After all, every person here was a protagonist in their own domain, an elite among elites without exception. Several hundred had gathered in this place alone; there might be even more before the ancient city.
From what Jiang Yun knew, a group of two or three hundred had been considered large in the past. But because of Di Tian and Fairy Qing Shi, the First Pass had not opened in over four years, and so many cultivators had gathered here.
For some, the difficulty had suddenly multiplied several times over. More people meant fiercer competition. Whether they hoped to stand out or seize opportunities in the trials ahead, both had become harder.
They had yet to enter the pass, and many were eager to gauge the strength of those undertaking the trials alongside them.
Nine Yin Youxuan, hailed as a seeded contender, rarely made a move. That was why so many had gradually gathered to watch.
Most held their own ground, with few forming groups. Their gazes were deep as they quietly watched the battle in the Star Sea, privately astonished that Nine Yin Youxuan's opponents were formidable too.
Jiang Yun swept his gaze across the surroundings. Cultivators sat among roaring ancient beasts and circling exotic birds. Some beasts had bodies like great mountains and wings that blotted out the sky, forming a scene from an ancient, mysterious world of cultivation.
Once he opened the Source Heaven Divine Eye, no one could hide.
After looking everyone over, Jiang Yun could only conclude that not one of them could give him a fight. His opponents were not among these people. If he wanted