Under the crowd's astonished gazes, Long Aotian stood on the raised platform and slowly began to speak.
"This stone bridge was left behind by the Pill Sect's first sect master. It is one of our greatest treasures, the Proof-Seeking Bridge. Today, it will serve as the test for the preliminary round. All Inner Disciples will enter the Proof-Seeking Bridge at eight o'clock sharp."
"Whoever reaches the far end of the Proof-Seeking Bridge fastest will take first place in this preliminary round. The first ten to reach the end will be the top ten, and so on, until the top hundred have been determined."
As his voice echoed across the square, the disciples' minds reeled. They gazed solemnly at the Proof-Seeking Bridge, their faces filled with focus and tension.
Long Aotian had not spelled everything out. In other words, this Proof-Seeking Bridge would test many different abilities.
The most prominent was their ability to compete. Without some real strength, breaking free of a thousand-strong pack would be utterly impossible.
Put simply, as long as they did not take anyone's life, those on the bridge could use any means to reach the end—even underhanded ones.
Likewise, the Proof-Seeking Bridge would certainly not offer smooth sailing. There were bound to be obstacles.
Breaking into the top ten would not be easy.
The atmosphere fell silent for a moment before the eight o'clock bell suddenly rang.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...
Almost at that very instant, one rush of wind after another sounded as over a thousand disciples shot forward like arrows loosed from their bows, charging onto the Proof-Seeking Bridge.
The sight of a thousand people racing onto the bridge was truly spectacular.
Just then, someone flew past on a sword and took the lead.
Everyone was startled. Looking closer, they saw that it was