The Celestial Master selection is open to the entire Cloud Capital. To ensure fairness throughout the competition, a huge crystal is placed in front of each of the four palace gates to publicly display everyone's trial process. This crystal comes from Jiangnan and is a type of image jade that is currently very popular.
This model excited all the people of Cloud Capital. Originally, these matters between sorcerers were none of their business; they could only watch from the sidelines. Now that they could witness the drama up close, they were naturally happy.
As a result, the four palace gates were already completely blocked from the morning of the competition day.
At this time, the most discussed topic was the number of applicants from the four major palaces.
Some storytellers from Cloud Capital started their performances early in the teahouse.
Early in the morning, Chen Qing also arrived at the top of the Vermilion Bird Gate. As a person invited by the Celestial Master Mansion, he naturally had a good seat. The group sat directly above the Vermilion Bird Gate, in the best position with the best view. They could not only see the contestants entering, but also see the huge floating crystal from the best angle.
" Lord Chen, you've arrived early."
Chen Qing was somewhat surprised, because he had always thought that only his own faction was interested in the Vermilion Bird position, but he didn't expect Chen Baifeng to come as well.
His son wouldn't have chosen this major, would he?
"The Minister is here, could it be..." Chen Qing walked over, a look of doubt on his face.
Chen Baifeng immediately saw Chen Qing's doubt and stood up with a smile to greet Chen Qing, leading him to a seat beside him. " Lord Chen, you're overthinking it. We all know the reputation of Lord Ziyue, how could we dare let a junior provoke her? I was just curious about Lord Ziyue's methods, so I thought I'd come and see. As for my brat, participation is what matters, I didn't have much confidence anyway, so it doesn't matter whether I watch or not, hahaha."
"You're too kind, sir." Chen Qing smiled and sat down to the side. "Your son, Chen Ye, has golden eyes and carries the unique Southern Brightness Li Fire aura of the South Sea. He must be exceptionally talented. Even if you don't go to see him, you must know that no matter which gate he enters through, it's impossible to stop him in this first test."
"Not at all, Lord Chen overestimates my son."
Chen Baifeng quickly waved his hand and smiled, but there was a hint of pride in his eyes. Although he spoke modestly, he was thinking the same thing Chen Qing had said. He knew Chen Ye's current level. The Celestial Master selection had three stages. The first stage, being the first stage, was certainly significant, but it wouldn't be too difficult. Otherwise, there would be no one left to continue, and how could the second and third stages proceed?
Unless he was being targeted, but he felt there was no need for the Celestial Master Mansion to target him.
"Your King of Qin, the goods from Jiangnan are selling very well! Such a large image crystal must have fetched a considerable sum, right?"
Chen Qing glanced at the floating crystal below and shook his head slightly. "In Jiangnan, there is no crystal this large. It seems that Cloud Capital bought the goods from Jiangnan, cracked the method, and made such an enlarged crystal. Jiangnan's image jade could not possibly be this large."
"I see." Chen Baifeng nodded. He had also felt that the huge crystal and the image jade were made of different materials. The Celestial Master Mansion's technology was indeed extraordinary; they had managed to create something like this so quickly.
As they were talking, the number of applicants for the four major sects was announced on the crystal.
At Black Tortoise Gate, in the main north hall, there were thirty-two people who had registered. The gatekeeper Murong Ziyi.
At the Northern Tiger Gate, in the West Hall, there were twenty-one people registered. The gatekeeper was Zhang Zhiyun.
Azure Dragon Gate, East Hall: 91 applicants, gatekeeper: Zhang Xiaoyun
Looking at the data displayed on the crystal, Chen Baifeng stroked his beard and nodded slightly. Zhang Zhiyun and Murong Ziyi had great reputations, and only a few dared to go after them. Although Zhang Xiaoyun seemed like a trap, most locals in Cloud Capital knew him well. Compared to the renowned Zhang Zhiyun, even if Zhang Xiaoyun was a bigger trap, there would definitely be quite a few lucky people who signed up.
The key is the last one.
Vermilion Bird Gate, South Hall: 310 registered students, Gatekeeper: Perfected Ziyue!
The release of this data caused an uproar among the people, who began discussing who Ziyue was and why so many people had signed up for this sect.
Beneath the palace gates, several storytellers hurriedly cleared their throats and began their introductions.
"This Perfected Ziyue has quite an extraordinary background!"
"What's the deal with this guy?"
"That's right, that's right, I've never heard of it."
"Please allow me to tell you the story slowly," a storyteller said smugly. "This Perfected Ziyue has a mysterious background. It is said that he has always been one of the most mysterious sorcerers in the Great Jin Imperial Palace, and is even ranked first among the top ten sorcerers in the palace. Later, he went to Jiangnan and, for some reason, became the dean of the West Sea True Dragon Academy under His Highness King of Qin. Today, the Celestial Master Mansion has nominated him as one of the four candidates."
"Oh, that sounds really impressive."
"Impressive my foot! It's all just hype from outsiders. If it really had that kind of reputation, would so many people have signed up?"
"That makes sense. If he were truly the greatest sorcerer, why was he previously unknown?"
"Listen to me, everyone," the storyteller continued, "This Perfected Ziyue has earned such a reputation in the Great Jin Dynasty for twenty years, which is naturally extraordinary. He is now quite famous in Jiangnan. However, Yun Cloud Capital is the true lineage of the Celestial Masters. This Ziyue has neither family background nor illustrious battle record, so he is truly unconvincing. No wonder many people want to challenge for the title of the Great Jin's number one sorcerer."
" Zhang Zhiyun and Murong Ziyi are renowned figures. Back then, Zhang Zhiyun single-handedly quelled the warlord rebellion that attempted to invade our Cloud Capital. The Zhang Family family's reputation as the strongest in the world is well-deserved. In the past century, the most powerful move was made by Lord Zhang Zhiyun. No one can question his achievements. It's normal that few dare to challenge him, don't you all agree?"
"That's for sure."
A group of people nodded repeatedly, their faces full of pride. In the past, when the Central Plains were in turmoil, only Cloud Capital remained peaceful for many years, living a life like a paradise. The Zhang Family was everyone's talisman. And Zhang Zhiyun, who single-handedly repelled the warlords thirty years ago, making all forces afraid to touch Cloud Capital again, naturally became an idol in the hearts of all Cloud Capital people. He was highly respected and was the only candidate in everyone's mind for the new Celestial Master.
Let alone the Celestial Master, in the hearts of many people, he could be the emperor. The reason why that boy from the Xiao Household could become emperor is simply because our Zhang Family was unwilling to compete.
"Lord Murong Ziyi is the direct disciple personally selected by the Old Celestial Master, and is hailed as the most talented sorcerer in a thousand years. This evaluation comes from the Old Celestial Master, so it's clear that even if Lord Ziyi is not as good as Lord Zhang Zhiyun, he won't be too far behind. However, the phrase 'most talented' can easily arouse dissatisfaction among exceptionally talented young people. It seems that those who dare to challenge Lord Ziyi are all arrogant and proud, but they should all have a solid foundation."
"As for Lord Zhang Xiaoyun," the storyteller chuckled, "Everyone has watched Lord Zhang Xiaoyun grow up. He's of the same generation as Lord Zhang Zhiyun, but much younger. Since his birth, our Cloud Capital has enjoyed twenty years of good weather and abundant harvests, making him the Old Celestial Master's favorite auspicious omen. Perhaps the Little Celestial Master Master's strength is still quite immature, but he must have some real skills. However, his reputation can't compare to his elder brother's. Anyone with a shred of self-respect and confidence would probably not go through the Little Celestial Master's door."
"If you ask me, those who choose Black Tortoise Gate are people who lack self-confidence, want to take shortcuts, and try their luck."
"That's true," many people nodded in agreement, "If someone had any ambition, why would they choose the path of Little Celestial Master?"
"But why are so many people choosing the Vermilion Bird Gate?" A question suddenly arose in the crowd.
"Ah, that gets to the point." The storyteller closed his fan and chuckled, "The character of Perfected Ziyue is actually the most hateful."