These two figures, dressed in yellow, looked down with arrogance, their gaze akin to deities viewing mortals, overlooking the martial artists below.

"Silence, everyone."

As the white figure spoke, an intangible pressure swept over, causing all the martial artists to hold their breath.

The noise gradually dwindled.

"Today marks the opening day of the summit; I invite the talents from the Sixteen Main Cities."

This white figure was none other than the City Lord of Beiyuan Giant City, "Bei Kongshi."

As the Giant City Lord spoke, applause thundered, and one hundred sixty talents from the Sixteen Main Cities successively ascended the Battle Peak.

Among the crowd, Wang Xu spotted Liu Rumi, Lin Shangyu, Fan Qing, and several other prodigious youngsters from the inn that day.

At the same time, he also saw prodigious youths from other Main Cities, eyes blazing with spirit and combat intent surging.

"Huh? Isn't that the City Lord's daughter, Bei Xinsi? She's attending the talent summit too!"

Someone on the viewing platform exclaimed.

Wang Xu looked over.

In the distance, among a group of advancing prodigious youths, was a woman in a beautiful green shirt.

Unlike Liu Rumi's elegant and dignified demeanor, Bei Xinsi had a graceful figure, a determined look, with a long ponytail tied at the back, a few strands of hair sticking to her flawless forehead.

Her eyes brimmed with a surging battle intent.

If Liu Rumi was a white lotus, viewed from afar but not to be desecrated, then Bei Xinsi was a green rose with thorns, intoxicating yet dangerous.

Not only did the Sixteen Main Cities have prodigious youths, but Beiyuan Giant City also had its share.

They stood out distinctly, with twenty participants alone attending the summit.

The talent summit officially began.

One hundred eighty prodigious youths stood ready, drawing lots to choose their opponents, divided into eighty groups, fighting twice, with only forty-five progressing to the second round.

Many martial artists watched the matches intently, while Wang Xu focused on the actions of two sect members on the main platform.

After a moment of observation, Wang Xu noticed the two sect members' gazes lingered on several prodigious youths.

These youths, who caught the attention, displayed extraordinary strength, easily defeating their opponents in the first round.

With the first round concluded, only ninety prodigious youths remained on the field.

The matches continued.

The remaining prodigious youths were formidable, with some matches ending in draws; in such cases, the match would pause briefly and continue until one side conceded or was forced out of the ring.

Eventually, Liu Rumi, Bei Xinsi, Lin Shangyu, and Fan Qing all successfully defeated their opponents, advancing to the second round.

The second round began, where the young talents would face not peers of their age...

But rather Mortal Level Ninth Layer martial artists who were older than them.

The youngest of these Mortal Level Ninth Layer martial artists were at least thirty, with the oldest over fifty.

To progress to the third round, they had to defeat these Mortal Level Ninth Layer martial artists.

Forty-five Mortal Level Ninth Layer martial artists stepped forward, exuding powerful energy and fierce gazes, causing many prodigious youths to grip their weapons tightly.

"The second round begins!"

With a command, another wave surged on the Battle Peak.

Similar to the sect members, Wang Xu also paid close attention to the slightly outstanding prodigious youths.

Liu Rumi's attacks were methodical; her body technique, power, defense, and martial techniques were impeccable, a true all-around talent.

However, because of her versatility, she lacked standout techniques, unable to quickly resolve battles.

In contrast, Bei Xinsi's attacks were fierce; her longsword was like a phantom, piercing through the air, forcing the Mortal Level Ninth Layer opponent to repeatedly retreat.

Lin Shangyu wielded a fan as a weapon; with movements, the fan revealed sharp spikes, catching opponents off guard and proving his cunning.

Yet, more dazzling than them was another green-clad youth wielding a stone hammer.

This youth, named "Shi Jiu," initially seemed inconspicuous during selection but erupted with unprecedented strength against the Mortal Level Ninth Layer opponents, attracting frequent looks from the sect members.

Finally, as time for a single incense stick passed, the results emerged.

Only eight prodigious youths managed to defeat the Mortal Level Ninth Layer opponents.

Liu Rumi, Bei Xinsi, Lin Shangyu, and Shi Jiu were prominently among them.

Among these eight youth, none hailed from Flame Fire Main City.

"According to your battles, the ranking evaluation has been completed."

"First place: Fu Zixiao."

"Second place: Bei Xinsi."

"Third place: Zhang Zhuo."

"Fourth place..."

The rankings of the eight youths were announced, with Liu Rumi in fifth, Lin Shangyu in seventh, and Shi Jiu in eighth.

"Fu Zixiao, so it's him, the top talent from Xunzi Main City, only seventeen years old, yet the best among the Sixteen Main Cities, unmatched!"

"I've heard of him; his father is also the only Celestial Level martial artist among the Sixteen Main Cities!"

Martial artists on the viewing platform discussed among themselves.

The only Celestial Level martial artist.

Wang Xu cast a sideways glance.

Thus, the first place surely belonged to the City Lord of Xunzi Main City.

However, Wang Xu didn't care; he only needed to secure a top three position to gain a recommendation for sect qualification.

"According to the rules, each of you eight has two challenge opportunities; once both are concluded, the ranking will be fixed, with no further challenges allowed."

With each rule announced, the expressions of the eight prodigious youths grew tense.

The challenges began.

The first challenger is Shi Jiu, ranked eighth, attempting to challenge Zhang Zhuo, ranked third.

Only by entering the top three can one enter the Sect.

A pair of Stone Hammers and Flaming Greatsword clashed with a roar, creating a tempest of wind and fire atop the Battle Peak; for a moment, stones flew into the sky, leaving the Martial Platform in a pitted state.

Though Shi Jiu's assault was domineering and fierce, his Power surpassing even Zhang Zhuo.

Yet Zhang Zhuo's understanding of Martial Techniques was exceptionally profound, striking from an extremely tricky angle to defeat Shi Jiu by a hair's breadth.

Shi Jiu failed in his first challenge and still had one more chance, but given the current situation, even if he challenged Zhang Zhuo again, Shi Jiu stood no chance of winning.

Lin Shangyu continued to choose Zhang Zhuo, ranked third.

Zhang Zhuo took a brief moment to adjust his breath and faced Lin Shangyu.

Lin Shangyu's lips curled up with confidence, and he looked towards the stands, nodding to his father Lin Fenglang.

Only then did Wang Xu notice that, on the other side of the stands, fourteen City Lords from the Fourteen Main Cities were seated.

However, it was understandable that Wang Xu hadn't noticed them.

Among these fourteen City Lords, the weakest was a second-class Earth Level Martial Artist, and the strongest, like him, a first-class Earth Level Martial Artist.

The Celestial Level Martial Artist City Lord from Xunzi Main City did not appear to be present.

The battle between Lin Shangyu and Zhang Zhuo officially began.

Both had a deep comprehension of Martial Techniques, fully focused during the duel, with neither able to gain the upper hand.

However, it seemed Lin Shangyu had already mastered Zhang Zhuo's attacks, slowly starting to gain the upper hand.

This situation persisted until the match ended; Zhang Zhuo's Primordial Power could no longer continue, leaving him with no option but to concede.

For the first time, the crowd was in an uproar.

Zhang Zhuo's strength was evident to all, while Lin Shangyu had remained relatively unknown, yet unexpectedly managed to defeat Zhang Zhuo.

Lin Shangyu seemed to thoroughly enjoy the surprised exclamations, his expression quite pleased, as his gaze turned towards Liu Rumi, smiling broadly.

On the stands, Lin Fenglang also had a cheerful smile, with City Lords beside him offering congratulations.

Next, Liu Rumi challenged Bei Xinsi, who was ranked second.

This battle attracted the gaze of every Martial Artist present.

Both Liu Rumi and Bei Xinsi were renowned beauties across the Sixteen Main Cities.

Everyone was eager to see which of the two beautiful women would come out on top.

Liu Rumi's weapon was a section of a red ribbon, flexible and elusive; its attacks were unpredictable and erratic, easily ensnaring opponents unprepared and putting them at a disadvantage.

Bei Xinsi's attacks were swift and fierce; though her Longsword couldn't pierce the assault of the red ribbon, she maintained an orderly composure, unfazed by the opposing forces.

Suddenly, Bei Xinsi's Longsword twisted, its fierce power surging abruptly, breaking through the red ribbon's attack and rapidly closing in on Liu Rumi.

Liu Rumi's gaze turned flustered as she hurriedly used the red ribbon to block.

However, the sword's Speed was just slightly faster than her ribbon.

In that slight moment, the Longsword was already pressed against her throat.

"Sister Xinsi, your strength is extraordinary; I concede," Liu Rumi said with a smile.

This smile left many of the talented young men watching entranced.

Bei Xinsi won.

Immediately after, the fourth-ranked unexpectedly chose to challenge the first-ranked Fu Zixiao.

Fu Zixiao stepped onto the Martial Platform, his gaze was always icy, looking indifferently at everything.

The duel began.

Fu Zixiao's figure moved.

Sizzle!

Before anyone could react, the fourth-ranked talent revealed a look of terror, his body frozen in place.

Somehow, a sharp slit had been cut through his outer garment, splitting it in two.

"I concede."

The speed of this duel was unprecedented.

In the following battles, no one dared to challenge Fu Zixiao.

All the young geniuses used their second challenge opportunity, but ultimately, the outcomes did not change much.

In the end, the top three were set.

First place, Fu Zixiao.

Second place, Bei Xinsi.

Third place, Lin Shangyu.

"Good, these three geniuses are qualified to enter our 'Kunlong Martial Sect'!"

A member of the Sect in a yellow robe stood up, his gaze directed at the three with a hint of admiration.

Obviously, their strength had been recognized.

"Ladies and gentlemen, in two days, the Main City Summit will be held here, and I hope that Mortal Level Seventh Layer and below Martial Artists do not come to watch," said Bei Kongshi.

A duel among Earth Level Martial Artists could easily result in mortals below the Seventh Layer being killed by a stray stone.

But at this moment, Wang Xu had already left the stands, returning to his room at the inn.

This time, Wang Xu had learned about the strength of the other City Lords from the Sixteen Main Cities, easily securing a spot in the Sect.

This was different from the qualification for the Talent Summit.

The three geniuses born from the Talent Summit would enter the Sect's Inner Layer directly and become inner disciples.

However, the recommendation quota from the Main City Summit only allowed entry into the Outer Layer, becoming outer disciples. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)

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