The news of the selection did not remain within the grounds where it had taken place. Before the sun had completely descended beyond the distant mountains surrounding Emerald City, the events of the day had already begun spreading through its streets. By nightfall, there were very few places where people were not discussing what had happened.
The selection itself had already been important. Major powers had gathered within the city, sect representatives had arrived from different places, and the younger generation of the Northern Territory had been allowed to compete for a place in the coming Martial Intake Challenge. However, what had happened during the selection was far more extraordinary than anyone had expected. A talent-measuring platform had failed, lightning had descended from the sky, and a young boy from the Feng Clan had entered the Illusory Mind Test before emerging ahead of everyone else after the illusory space itself collapsed. Then, when a powerful elder had attempted to attack him, a disciple from the Myriad Dao Sect had appeared and stopped the attack.
By the time the people learned that Feng Li had accepted an invitation to join the Myriad Dao Sect, the story had already become the subject of countless conversations. Of course, as news travelled through the city, the truth gradually became mixed with imagination. Some claimed that Feng Li had destroyed the talent measuring platform with a single glance, while others insisted that the lightning had been summoned by him. There were even those who claimed that the heavens themselves had rejected the platform because it was not worthy of measuring his talent.
The truth was far less clear. Even those who had personally witnessed the event could not completely explain what had happened, and that uncertainty only made the rumours grow.
Within the restaurants and teahouses of Emerald City, cultivators spoke in lowered voices while ordinary citizens listened with curiosity. The name Feng Li had already become familiar to many people, but after the events of the selection, it had begun carrying an entirely different meaning. The younger generation discussed him, the older generation discussed him, and the different families discussed him. Yet within several places where the powerful gathered, the conversations surrounding his name were much quieter.
Those conversations were also far more dangerous.
The residence where the representatives of the Black Jade Sect had temporarily remained was unusually silent. The elder who had been stopped by Yun Li stood near a window with a dark expression, while the city beyond the residence remained illuminated as people continued moving through its streets, completely unaware of the cold atmosphere contained within the room.
Several disciples stood behind him, yet none of them spoke.
The events of the selection had not only prevented the Black Jade Sect from achieving what it wanted, but they had also created a situation where the entire city had witnessed one of their elders being stopped from attacking Feng Li. More importantly, the person who had stopped him was Yun Li, a disciple of the Myriad Dao Sect Master. The presence of the Myriad Dao Sect had immediately changed everything.
The elder slowly clenched his hand. He had been angry when Feng Li refused to allow himself to be suppressed, but now that anger had become something more difficult to define. Feng Li had received the Myriad Dao Sect's insignia, and whether the matter had been formally announced throughout the cultivation world or not, anyone with sufficient intelligence would understand what the sect had done.
The Myriad Dao Sect had placed its name upon him.
The elder's eyes became colder. He could no longer casually act against Feng Li, at least not openly.
A disciple standing behind him finally gathered the courage to speak. "Elder, should we report everything that happened to the sect?"
The elder did not immediately answer. He continued looking through the window for a long moment before finally replying, "Report it."
The disciple lowered his head slightly. "Everything?"
The elder slowly turned around, and the disciple's expression tightened beneath his gaze. "Everything."
The disciple immediately bowed before withdrawing. The elder then returned his attention toward the window, his expression remaining dark. The matter was no longer as simple as a conflict with a young boy from Emerald City. Feng Li had now entered the sight of something much larger, and that meant the Black Jade Sect would eventually need to decide how they intended to treat him in the future.
***
Far beyond Emerald City, the results of the regional selections were also beginning to travel. The five regions had completed their own selection processes, and the names of those who would represent their respective territories were gradually being recorded and sent toward the Capital.
Some names carried the weight of powerful families, while others belonged to disciples of sects. There were also a few names that had begun attracting attention simply because the circumstances surrounding them were unusual.
The Northern Territory was ranked fourth among the five regions. For a long time, that ranking had caused many people from the stronger territories to view it with little interest. The Central Region naturally occupied a position above the others, while the Southern and Western Regions had also produced generations that frequently overshadowed those from the north. The Eastern Region remained at the bottom.
Because of this, few people expected the names coming from the Northern Territory to create much discussion.
Yet one particular piece of news caused several reports to pause in places far beyond Emerald City.
A superior talent measuring platform had failed after lightning descended, while the participant standing upon it had received no measurable result.
The name attached to the report was simple.
Feng Li!
Not everyone cared, and not everyone believed it. However, there were always people who paid attention to unusual things.
The Western Region had already begun preparing its selected geniuses for the journey toward the Capital. Outside a large city surrounded by mountains, a white crane descended slowly through the sky, its enormous wings creating a powerful current of wind as it approached the ground and causing the robes of several people standing below to move gently.
A young boy sat calmly upon its back.
His hair was completely white, and despite his young appearance, his expression was remarkably composed as his gaze travelled across the people waiting beneath him. He wore simple robes that moved gently with the wind, and there was nothing particularly extravagant about his appearance. Yet no one standing below treated him casually.
The crane eventually landed, and the boy stepped down from its back.
"White Crane Fen."
An older man approached him, causing the white-haired boy to look toward him calmly. "The preparations are complete?"
The older man nodded. "The representatives have confirmed that we will leave for the Capital soon."
White Crane Fen did not immediately respond. His gaze instead moved toward the distant horizon. The Western Region's selection had produced several powerful geniuses. Fang Lingxuan had displayed the strength expected of a ninth-rank Soul Transformation Realm cultivator, while the others had also demonstrated why they had been selected to represent the region. White Crane Fen himself had secured his place without difficulty.
The older man hesitated before speaking again. "There is something else."
White Crane Fen looked toward him.
"A report arrived from the Northern Territory."
The older man briefly explained what had happened. A failed talent platform, lightning descending from the sky, and a young boy named Feng Li.
White Crane Fen listened without interrupting. When the explanation ended, he remained silent for several moments before simply saying, "Interesting."
The older man's expression changed slightly.
That was all White Crane Fen said. He turned and walked back toward his crane, while the great bird lowered its head slightly as though understanding his intentions. The journey toward the Capital had not yet begun, yet somewhere far away, paths that had never crossed before were already beginning to move toward the same destination.
***
The atmosphere in another part of the Western Region was completely different.
A young girl stood alone beside a quiet river. The water moved gently past the stones while the sounds of distant birds occasionally broke the silence. She wore dark clothing, and her expression remained cold. There was no sect insignia upon her robes, no family symbol, and no group of companions waiting nearby.
She stood alone.
Miao Er!
At fifteen years old, she had already entered the Nascent Soul Realm. Her presence during the selection had caused many people to pay attention to her, not only because of her cultivation but because no one had been able to immediately connect her to any powerful family or sect.
People had attempted to speak with her, but most received nothing in return.
A messenger eventually approached from behind. "Miss Miao."
She did not turn around.
The messenger stopped several steps away before continuing carefully. "The preparations for the journey have been made."
Miao Er remained silent, and the messenger waited. After a long moment, she finally asked, "When?"
"Three days."
She nodded once.
That was enough.
The messenger immediately understood that the conversation had ended and quietly withdrew. After he left, Miao Er continued standing beside the river as the water reflected the darkening sky. Her expression did not change, and whatever thoughts existed within her mind remained entirely her own.
***
The Eastern Region was preparing in a far noisier manner.
A young boy sat outside a large building with several pieces of food placed before him. His cheeks were slightly round, and his expression revealed absolutely no concern about the serious atmosphere surrounding the other selected participants.
Fatty Chen took another bite.
Then another.
A young cultivator standing nearby finally could not tolerate the sight any longer. "We are preparing to travel to the Capital."
Fatty Chen looked up, his mouth still full.
The other young cultivator frowned. "Do you understand how important this is?"
Fatty Chen swallowed before nodding seriously. "I understand."
The other person waited, only for Fatty Chen to lower his gaze toward the food before him and continue, "That is why I am eating."
The young cultivator's face immediately became dark.
Fatty Chen appeared completely confused by the reaction. "You cannot fight properly when you are hungry."
Several people nearby became silent, while the young cultivator eventually turned away and decided not to continue the conversation. Fatty Chen then returned to his food peacefully.
However, when the conversation around him eventually turned toward the different regions and the people they would meet in the Capital, his movements gradually slowed. He had heard some of the names. Powerful geniuses, children from great families, and disciples of major sects would all gather there. The Capital would contain people he had never met.
Fatty Chen's eyes gradually brightened.
He had always enjoyed fighting strong people, not because he hated them, but simply because he wanted to know how strong they were.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
The food suddenly seemed less important.
Only slightly less important.
***
The Southern Region did not share the same relaxed atmosphere.
A young man stood in the centre of a damaged courtyard. The ground around him had been broken in several places, while one of the stone walls nearby contained deep cracks. No one approached him.
Bi Fan slowly lowered his hand.
The person lying several metres away struggled to rise but eventually remained on the ground. The surrounding people watched silently, and no one needed to ask what had happened. The young cultivator had challenged Bi Fan.
Now everyone had seen the result.
Bi Fan looked toward him without emotion. "You should have stayed down."
The young cultivator's face changed, but Bi Fan had already turned away. He did not wait to see whether the other person would respond, and his robes moved slightly as he walked away from the damaged courtyard.
Several people instinctively stepped aside.
There was no need for anyone to describe Bi Fan as ruthless. The way people avoided him was enough.
A short distance away, Chen Xiao watched silently with a serious expression. The journey toward the Capital would bring together the strongest geniuses of the five regions, and the Southern Region had confidence in its younger generation. However, confidence and certainty were different things.
Chen Xiao's gaze followed Bi Fan.
The Capital would decide many things.
***
The Central Region was already familiar with extraordinary geniuses. There, powerful families and sects were not distant names carried through rumours. They existed openly, and their influence could be felt throughout the cities, mountains, cultivation lands, and countless territories that made the Central Region the strongest among the five.
Within one of its great cities, a young girl walked through a courtyard surrounded by members of a powerful family. No one spoke loudly around her.
Chen Li'er moved calmly through the courtyard while several elders watched her from a distance. At fifteen years old, she had already reached the second rank of the Nascent Soul Realm. Her cultivation alone would have made her exceptional, while her family background made her even more noticeable.
Yet Chen Li'er herself appeared unconcerned with either.
A woman eventually approached her. "The Red Phoenix Sect has confirmed your arrangements."
Chen Li'er stopped and turned her eyes toward the woman. "And the Martial Intake Challenge?"
"Everything is proceeding as expected."
Chen Li'er nodded slightly before continuing on her way. That was enough.
The woman watched her leave before quietly releasing a breath.
Elsewhere within the Central Region, another name was also preparing to move.
Xiao Ling.
A fourteen-year-old who had already entered the Nascent Soul Realm. Within the same powerful family stood another young genius whose reputation had begun spreading among the younger generation.
Red Blade Xiao.
At eleven years old, he had reached the ninth rank of the Soul Transformation Realm.
The Capital was already his home, yet soon people from every region would arrive there. The Martial Intake Challenge would bring them together.
***
Within the Misty Blood Sect, the atmosphere was calm.
The sect stood among mountains covered in a faint layer of mist. Streams flowed through the valleys while numerous buildings could be seen rising between the mountain paths. The name of the sect carried weight throughout the Northern Territory, and its disciples had travelled to Emerald City for the selection with confidence.
Wan Lin had proven why he was considered one of the sect's most outstanding geniuses.
Now he had returned.
Wan Lin stood within a quiet courtyard while an elder sat several metres away. The elder looked toward him before saying, "The selection is complete. You finished third."
Wan Lin nodded calmly. There was no disappointment upon his face.
Feng Li had completed the Illusory Mind Test first. Feng Xue had followed after two incense intervals, while Wan Lin had emerged after them.
"You encountered two people worth remembering," the elder continued, his expression revealing a faint smile.
Wan Lin's eyes moved slightly.
"Feng Li and Feng Xue."
Wan Lin did not deny it.
"The boy called Feng Li is unusual."
"That is obvious."
Wan Lin remained silent, causing the elder to continue. "The report concerning his talent examination has also reached us."
Wan Lin thought about the lightning. He had witnessed the confusion surrounding the platform, and no one had been able to explain what happened. Then he remembered the Illusory Mind Test and the moment Feng Li's illusion collapsed, leaving an impression upon everyone present.
Wan Lin slowly said, "I do not know what he is."
The elder laughed quietly. "You are not required to."
Wan Lin looked toward him.
"The Capital will answer some questions."
"And create more."
The elder's smile widened slightly, and Wan Lin did not disagree. The Martial Intake Challenge would bring together people from every region. Some would become rivals, some would become enemies, and some might become allies.
Wan Lin did not know what Feng Li would become.
But he knew one thing. When they met again, the circumstances would be different. The Northern Territory would no longer be standing within a selection ground in Emerald City. They would be standing before the entire younger generation of the five regions.
***
By the following morning, Emerald City had still not become quiet.
The discussions continued, and the Feng Clan began receiving visitors. People who had not previously shown much interest in the clan now suddenly wished to establish relationships. Some came carrying gifts, while others arrived with polite words and hidden intentions.
The Feng Clan elders quickly understood that Feng Li's acceptance into the Myriad Dao Sect had changed the way Emerald City viewed them. Whether that change would last forever remained unknown, but for the moment, no one could ignore it.
Feng Li himself had little interest in the visitors. He remained within his residence, allowing the others to deal with the matters of the clan. The Myriad Dao Sect insignia was no longer something he needed to think about constantly. He had accepted Yun Li's invitation.
The decision had been made.
Now another journey waited.
Feng Xue visited him later that day and entered the courtyard, where she found Feng Li sitting quietly beneath a tree.
"You are avoiding everyone."
Feng Li looked toward her. "They are not here to see me."
Feng Xue raised an eyebrow. "They are definitely here because of you."
"They are here because of the Myriad Dao Sect."
Feng Xue could not immediately argue with that. Feng Li was not completely wrong. The people of Emerald City respected power, and the Myriad Dao Sect represented a level of power far beyond anything the city could offer.
After a brief silence, Feng Xue sat nearby. "Three days."
Feng Li nodded.
"You are going to the Capital."
"So are you."
Feng Xue smiled faintly. "That does not mean I am not going to remind you."
Feng Li looked at her calmly. "You are nervous."
Feng Xue immediately frowned. "I am not."
"You are."
She stared at him while Feng Li's expression remained completely calm. After several moments, Feng Xue finally looked away.
"Perhaps a little."
The Capital was different. They had heard about it for years, but now they were actually going there.
Feng Xue lowered her gaze. "There will be people stronger than us."
"Yes."
"You don't sound concerned."
"I am concerned."
Feng Xue looked at him in surprise, causing Feng Li to continue calmly, "Being concerned and being afraid are different things."
Feng Xue remained silent for a moment before a faint smile appeared on her face. "You always make things sound simple."
"They usually are."
She gave him another look, but Feng Li ignored it.
The second day passed quickly.
The excitement surrounding the selection gradually changed into preparation. Those chosen to represent the Northern Territory began arranging their belongings and preparing for the journey. Families visited their children, sect elders gave instructions, and the major powers that had remained in Emerald City continued making their own arrangements.
Yun Li remained within the city, and his presence had not gone unnoticed. However, unlike the representatives of several other powers, Yun Li did not spend his time openly involving himself in the affairs of Emerald City. He appeared only occasionally. Sometimes people saw him walking through the streets, while at other times he disappeared for most of the day.
No one knew exactly what he was doing.
Feng Li did not ask.
Yun Li was not someone Feng Li had known for long. The invitation had been accepted, and that was enough for now.
Later that evening, Feng Li returned to his room and entered the Nine Floor Divine Pagoda. The mysterious space remained quiet for several moments. Then the old man's voice appeared.
"You have become rather busy."
Feng Li looked into the darkness. "You have become rather talkative."
The old man snorted. "You should appreciate it while it lasts."
Feng Li remained silent.
"You are leaving Emerald City," the old man continued.
"I know."
"Good. At least one of us is paying attention."
Feng Li's expression did not change, while the old man gave a faint laugh before continuing, "The world beyond this place is larger than you currently understand. You have spent enough time fighting people whose limits you can already see."
"The Capital will be different."
"Yes."
The old man's voice gradually became calmer. "There will be people there whose foundations were built differently from yours. Some have received resources since birth. Some possess inheritances. Some have bloodlines. Some have physiques."
Feng Li listened quietly.
"And some will be stronger than you when we talk about cultivation, that means you need more than that to prevail."
"I know."
"Good."
The old man sounded satisfied, but his voice immediately changed again. "It would be troublesome if you suddenly became arrogant because you managed to make a few elders unhappy."
Feng Li's face darkened slightly.
The old man laughed. "If you become too arrogant, perhaps I should seal you inside the second floor for a few years." He joked again about this.
"You cannot."
The old man suddenly became silent.
Then he asked, "Are you willing to test that?"
Feng Li stared into the darkness. Then he smiled, they have gotten so close that they joked casually.
The old man laughed again.
For a while, neither of them spoke. Eventually, Feng Li asked, "Do you think I should hide my strength?"
The mysterious elder became quiet before replying, "That depends on the situation. You are entering a place where you know almost nothing about the people you will face. Revealing everything immediately would be foolish."
Feng Li waited.
"That does not mean you should always hide."
The old man's voice became serious.
"A blade that remains permanently hidden will eventually become useless."
Feng Li understood.
The Capital would require him to find balance. He could not reveal every secret, but neither could he allow himself to be endlessly suppressed. He would need to decide when to advance and when to remain silent.
On the third morning, Emerald City woke before the sun had fully risen.
The city had known that this day would come.
The selected geniuses would soon depart.
Representatives from the different sects and powers gathered as preparations were completed, while the young cultivators chosen during the selection gradually arrived with their families or elders. The atmosphere was different from the excitement of the first day. It had become quieter and more serious.
The journey ahead was no longer an idea.
It was beginning.
Feng Li and Feng Xue stood together among the selected candidates, while Wan Lin had also arrived. The other geniuses of the Northern Territory gradually gathered around them. Some were familiar, while others had only briefly encountered each other during the selection.
Soon they would travel together.
They would represent the Northern Territory.
Not all of them would remain together afterward. The Martial Intake Challenge would eventually determine their paths, yet for now, they were heading toward the same destination.
Feng Li looked toward the distant horizon.
Somewhere beyond the mountains stood the Capital, the strongest region, the home of the greatest sects and most powerful families, and the place where the younger generation selected from all five regions would eventually gather.
Yun Li eventually appeared, immediately causing several people to look toward him. He wore ordinary clothing rather than robes that would openly announce his identity, yet the people who knew who he was still treated him with respect.
Yun Li walked toward Feng Li.
"You are ready?"
Feng Li nodded.
Yun Li smiled faintly. "Good."
His gaze briefly moved across the gathering young cultivators before he continued, "The journey is long, and when you arrive, do not expect the Capital to care where you came from."
No one spoke.
Yun Li's words remained calm. "The Northern Territory is ranked fourth. Some people will look down on you because of that."
Several expressions changed.
Yun Li smiled slightly. "You may decide for yourselves whether that matters."
Feng Li's gaze remained fixed ahead.
The ranking of the Northern Territory did not concern him. The people of the Capital could think whatever they wanted. Sooner or later, they would meet him.
And when they did, their opinions would no longer matter.
The final preparations were completed, and the selected geniuses began moving forward.
Behind them stood Emerald City.
Ahead of them waited a world they had not yet seen.
Far away, in different regions, other young geniuses were also preparing to move. White Crane Fen, Miao Er, Fatty Chen, Bi Fan, Chen Li'er, Xiao Ling, and countless others whose paths were slowly converging.
None of them knew what awaited them. None of them knew which friendships would be formed, which rivalries would begin, or which enemies they would create.
But the five regions had completed their selections.
The chosen geniuses were beginning their journeys.
And soon, they would all arrive in the same place.
The Capital awaited.