Ziwei Immortal Path

Chapter 123 Competition Rules
Among Xu Boyang and his group, except for Zhang Guanzhi who had participated once, the others were participating for the first time. Of course, the reasons for not being able to participate were different. Ding Xuelian was unable to participate because his cultivation level was not high enough, Fei Wenlong, Fei Wenyu, and Lu Yangxian were not allowed to participate because their families were regulated and interfered by the Nanhuai Immortal Sect, and Xu Boyang simply didn't know anything about it. Of course, eight years ago, he was still a fourth-level Condensation Yuan cultivator who knew nothing.

In fact, in order to maintain long-term competitiveness, the four Qingshen sects will control and screen the candidates from the towns under their jurisdiction who participate in the Taihe Jingwu Banquet, so as to gain the opportunity to continuously impact the Tianyuan Liujia.

After all, if one of the six Tianyuan Liujia has someone under their control, the profits will be enormous. Therefore, Fei Wenlong, Fei Wenyu and Lu Yangxian, who were supposed to appear in the previous session, were cut off from the opportunity and were finally adjusted to this session.

As for the competition rules of the Taihe Jingwu Banquet, except for Xu Boyang, most of them had heard about them from their elders, but not in detail. Now, after hearing Chen Yanshu's generous explanation, they all gathered together. Ding Xuelian smiled charmingly and said:

"That's great! Thank you for your guidance, Senior Chen!"

How could Lu Yangxian miss such an opportunity to flatter? He leaned over and grinned, then echoed the flattery:

"Miss Ding is absolutely right. Senior Chen, please give me some pointers."

Chen Yanshu smiled:
"It's not like I can offer any pointers, but the rules of this tournament are transparent and will be posted on the notice boards at the competition venues, 'Disha Jiugongtai' and 'Tiangang Juefenghui'. If I have time, I'll discuss them with you all."

After that, he looked around, lowered his voice, and walked and talked, explaining the rules of the competition:

"I'm sure everyone is familiar with the eligibility requirements, so I won't go into detail here. Let's just talk about the rules of the competition."

"The Di Yuan and Tian Yuan levels are different. I'll start with the Di Yuan level. The Di Yuan level competition begins at Jingzhe and lasts for fifteen days. It's divided into four groups: the Ninth Level Condensation Level 1 Group, the Eighth Level Condensation Level 2 Group, the Seventh Level Condensation Level 3 Group, and the Sixth Level Condensation Level 4 Group. The number of people in each group varies, but they're basically the same. Everyone knows the reason, so I won't elaborate."

"Anyway, the contestants are chosen by each town, usually two to four people. I'll calculate an average of three people per town, so for eighty-one towns, that's roughly two hundred and fifty to two hundred and sixty people."

"Only so few people? That's impossible. There are probably no less than a thousand cultivators on this road right now. How could there be so few? Senior Chen, did you remember it wrong?" Hearing this answer, Lu Yangxian was very confused and couldn't help asking.

"Don't worry, it won't be wrong."

Chen Yanshu smiled and said,

"This Taihe Jingwu Banquet is a grand event for Qingshen. In addition to the cultivators who come to participate, some mortals from prestigious families will also come. Moreover, among the cultivators, these people are not all cultivators who are truly here to participate in the competition."

"Of course, their reasons for coming to Yuchuan are different. Some simply enjoy joining in the fun, being spectators and having something to talk about when they return, or trying their luck and never knowing if they'll get a chance. Some have children participating in the competition, so they naturally come to watch and cheer for their families! Others come to take a look ahead of time to get a better idea of ​​what's going on and get ready for the next competition!"

"To be honest, this number of people isn't that many. Before the border turmoil, every Taihe Jingwu Banquet would cause a sensation in Qingshen, with the streets empty. That's exactly the situation now. With the turmoil in Sishui, the feathered warriors of various sects are away, and the town governors haven't returned. There are very few immortal sect cultivators who can come. Otherwise, according to convention, the town governors of each town would have to attend, and they would have brought a large number of their families with them. Yuchuan City would have been overcrowded long ago."

"Also, due to the unrest on the border, I heard that the audience for this year's Taihe Jingwu Banquet is strictly restricted. Aside from the contestants and the core officers, all other cultivators above the Foundation Establishment stage from all families and clans who have not been conscripted are prohibited from entering Yuchuan City. So, look at the people around you. Apart from a few mortals, everyone, young and old, is just a Condensation cultivator."

When everyone heard what they said, they looked around and found that it was indeed the case. They immediately understood what was going on.

Fei Wenlong recalled that eight years ago, he and Fei Wenyu were supposed to follow Grandfather Fei Xuanzhi to Yunfu City to observe the event. However, due to the unrest in Sishui and the Nanhuai Commandery's border defenses against the Liwu, the event was aborted. He heard that the Taihe Jingwu Feast had also ended abruptly, so he said:
"Yangxian, what Senior Chen said is correct. We have actually calculated the number of people. Most of the audiences here come from various towns and families. It's a pity that you and I couldn't understand it when we were young, and when we finally understood it, we regretted missing it."

Xu Boyang glanced at Fei Wenlong and Lu Yangxian indifferently. He had already learned the identities of the two from Fei Wenyu. He didn't have a good impression of them, but he didn't dislike them either. He just saw that they were both at the ninth level of Condensation Yuan, so he kept a close eye on them.

There is no doubt that both of them came for the Six Dings of the Earth Yuan. With the same cultivation level as himself, they should be competitors for the top three in the first class. However, Xu Boyang observed their words and expressions, compared them secretly, and felt that these two people could not pose a threat to him, so he did not take them seriously.

Ding Xuelian smiled sweetly:
"I see, Senior Chen, thank you for clearing up my confusion. Please continue."

Chen Yanshu nodded with a smile:
"The 250 to 260 Earth-level players will be drawn by lot according to their groups. The preliminary round will be a single-elimination bye system, with four rounds in total. The top six players in Class 1 will be decided. The top four players in each group for Class 2 and Class 4 will be selected, totaling 18 players. These 18 players will advance to the finals."

"The finals will use a timed mixed-base system. Participants in each group will play in a round-robin format, with each match limited to one hour. Winning a match will earn three points, a draw after timeout will earn one point, and a loss will earn no points."

"The final ranking will be based on base points. The top three teams in Class 1A will be selected, and the top teams in Class 2A to Class 4A will be selected. If there is a tie in base points, the two teams will play a rematch to determine the winner."

Xu Boyang listened silently. The rules of this competition were not complicated. The preliminary round would decide life and death, which was straightforward. In the finals, they could assess the situation, take advantage of it, and make appropriate choices. He nodded and asked:
"What about the Tianyuan-level competition?"

Chen Yanshu was a little surprised. He hadn't finished explaining the rules of the Earthly Origin level yet. He didn't expect this newcomer to be more daring than himself and actually think about the Heavenly Origin level competition. He paused and said:
"There are no cultivation level groups in the Tianyuan level. It's a free-for-all competition. The number of participants will only range from 60 to 70. There will also be an indiscriminate draw, with a single-elimination bye system. After two rounds, the top 18 will be selected and enter the ring battle."

"The ring battles have no time limit, and there are only two possible outcomes: win or lose. The first round is decided by drawing lots. After winning three consecutive matches, you can leave the ring. After voluntarily leaving the ring, the remaining players will draw lots again. If they lose, the winner will become the new champion, and the previous champion will be counted in the ranking according to the number of wins."

"After these eighteen cultivators have taken turns to become the champions, the top six will be ranked according to their cumulative wins, and they will become the highly anticipated Tianyuan Six Tops of this Taihe Jingwu Banquet."

"Tsk tsk!"

Lu Yangxian shook his head and smiled bitterly, "I've heard for a long time that this 'Tianyuan Liujia' not only tests one's cultivation strength, but also one's endurance. It turns out to be true. Even a powerful cultivator would find it difficult to withstand the continuous attacks."

Chen Yanshu nodded:
"The Tianyuan level is a competition for the top young talents of Qingshen. If one can successfully enter the top 18, he will be strong enough and will basically be respected by the four sects in the future. As for the lofty Tianyuan First Class, it is indeed as difficult as ascending to heaven."

Zhang Guanzhi was moved and sighed softly. He had been silent until now, but now he also joined in:
"Yes, logically speaking, if one only needs to win seventeen games in a row, one can basically lock up the first-class position in the Tianyuan realm. But who can do that? It is said that since the inception of the Taihe Jingwu Feast, no one in the first-class realm has been able to win seventeen games in a row."

Hearing this, Xu Boyang understood everything. He was only interested in the Diyuan level competition. He had only casually asked about the Tianyuan level competition, as he had a general idea in mind. After a pause, he asked, "Brother Yanshu, what are the rules for winning and losing in the competition? What are the rules for fighting?"

Chen Yanshu said:
"The rules for fighting are different for the Celestial and Divine Element. The Divine Element has more restrictions on its level, which are divided into five categories: magical instruments, talismans, instrument techniques, spells, and formation techniques. You can only use one magical instrument, and it cannot exceed the Condensation Stage. The same applies to talismans, but there is no limit to the type, and you can keep three."

"There aren't many spells in the Condensation Stage, and one can't use Foundation Establishment spells without enough cultivation, so there's no limit on spells. Formation spells are the same level as magic tools and talismans, but they can only be used once. As for weapon spells, they come with the magic tools, and even magic tools in the Condensation Stage can't use powerful weapon spells."

"In addition, there are actually pills, but during the Earth Yuan level competition, it is forbidden to take any pills. All these restrictions will be checked by the verification officer before the competition and supervised throughout the whole process. Those who violate the rules will be eliminated immediately."

"The rules for Tianyuan-level battles are much more relaxed. At the foundation-building level, you can bring two magical instruments. The same applies to talismans and formations. You can keep nine talismans, but formations can only be used once. There are no other restrictions. Of course, because of the arena battle, there are no restrictions on elixirs. As long as you have them, you can use them."

"As for the rules of winning and losing, they are the same for both the Di Yuan and Tian Yuan. Actively admitting defeat, stepping out of bounds, or losing combat effectiveness constitutes betrayal. Furthermore, during a fight, swords and knives are merciless, so injuries are unavoidable. However, they must be kept within the bounds and not fatal. If you accidentally kill someone, even if you win, you will be considered a betrayal."

After Chen Yanshu finished explaining the rules, everyone had a basic understanding of the rules of the Taihe Jingwu Banquet. They all sat in silence and had their own thoughts.

Xu Boyang chuckled bitterly to himself and lowered his head in thought:
"So, since foundation-building magic tools are not allowed in this Earth-level competition, then my own magic tools [Biyouxian] and [Funanyan] are useless. So, don't I have to find a magic tool shop and buy a better Condensation Sword?"

"If I had known this would happen, I should have picked one from my own storehouse at Qinlong Mountain. It was truly unexpected. Man proposes, God disposes."

"We are about to reach Yuchuan City. We will say goodbye now. I wish all my fellow disciples every victory in every battle!" Chen Yanshu took his leave and returned to his own sect's team. Everyone bowed and expressed their gratitude.

Xu Boyang raised his eyebrows and realized that Yuchuan City was already in sight. For a cultivator, a ten-mile journey was just a moment's effort. At this time, he was on the halfway point of the slope, looking down. A huge and magnificent city appeared before his eyes against the backdrop of green trees and red flowers.

The towering city walls are gray and mottled, stretching out and disappearing between the mountains and rivers, and it is impossible to see the end. The majestic and tall city gate is like the huge mouth of a prehistoric beast, with brackets and flying eaves, standing in front of the five peaks.

The five peaks in the city rise high into the clouds, standing in four directions of the city, like five giant pillars supporting the sky of Yuchuan City. A bright and wide stream of blue water meanders through the city in nine bends.

Xu Boyang silently looked up at the four fairy peaks shrouded in clouds in the east, south, west and north, and knew in his heart that they should be the mountain gates and headquarters of the four major families in Yuchuan. As for the majestic mountain in the middle with thousands of strange peaks and ridges and shrouded in clouds and mist, he was probably the location of the Lingxiao School of the Huaiyou Immortal Sect of Yuchuan.

The entire Yuchuan City is extremely vast, with houses connected together, and it is located under the protection of these five mountains.

Many cultivators who came to Yuchuan for the first time were captivated by the majestic Yuchuan city gate and the five towering immortal peaks. They marveled at the sight and could not help but stop to watch.

After a while, they arrived at the city gate. There were monks guarding the gate, checking the identity documents one by one. People lined up in a long queue. At this time, Fei Wenyu came over and asked with his spiritual sense:

"Boyang, do you have a place to stay?"

Xu Boyang smiled, did not respond, and asked with his spiritual consciousness:
"What? Brother Fei, do you have a good place to go? Didn't you say that no one would take care of it and I need to find an inn myself?"

Fei Wenyu's eyes turned and he smiled:

"How could we from Nanhuai ever come to Yuchuan? Why don't you ask your Miss Ding? If it's convenient, we can stay together so we can take care of each other. I'm afraid I'll bother you two!"

"It's not really a bother."

Xu Boyang didn't think much about it and asked, "What about your elder brother and Mr. Lu?"

For Xu Boyang, Fei Wenyu had no bad intentions over the years and could be considered his first good friend since he embarked on the path to immortality. It was not a bad idea for him to stay with him. Maybe he could even help him with something. However, he was followed by two family members who looked like playboys. How should he deal with it?

"I just don't bother to care about them."

Fei Wenyu secretly glanced at the two of them. At this moment, he was very proud and in high spirits. He immediately looked down on Fei Wenlong and Lu Yangxian, and said arrogantly,
"These two are birds of a feather, neither of them is a good person. I came to Yuchuan this time because I received a favor from the Lu family, so I had no choice but to associate with them. Otherwise, Fei Wenlong and I have a great grudge, so why would I collude with him?"

Xu Boyang was clear-headed and knew that the three of them were entangled because of the Taihe Jingwu Banquet. He had important matters to attend to and was too lazy to delve into the reason, so as not to cause any complications. He laughed to himself and said something to comfort them:
"In that case, Brother Fei, it's better for you and me to separate. You're grateful for what you've done. Don't try to steal a chicken but end up losing the rice. You'll regret it later."

Fei Wenyu sighed and nodded.

"My music is too high to be appreciated by many. Being associated with these two people is truly the greatest shame and humiliation in my life..."

Seeing his serious expression, Xu Boyang suddenly felt both amused and annoyed. "That's fine. If you feel bored, Brother Fei, come find me at the Qing Huan Inn in Dongpu Lane in the east of the city when you have time. I'm staying there."

Fei Wenyu nodded silently after hearing this. Xu Boyang thought about it and said:
"Brother Fei, there's one more thing. I'm accompanying the Ding family into Yuchuan this time because I have some personal matters that I don't want their family to know about. If you have nothing to do during this period, why not come to the inn and help me cover up so that I can find an excuse to get away."

Fei Wenyu nodded: "No problem."

The two of them stopped talking, and a moment later, Zhang Guanzhi came over. Xu Boyang smiled and asked:

"What's the matter? Master Zhang, what advice do you have?"

Zhang Guanzhi laughed dryly, presented a token with both hands, and said:

"Boyang, don't joke. We are about to part ways. This is my Nanhuai's order. You and I are close friends. Everything is self-explanatory. If Boyang needs anything, you can send someone with the order to find me at Taiping Post Station in the south of the city. That is the headquarters of my Nanhuai Immortal Sect in Yuchuan. I will be there in a moment."

Xu Boyang took it and said lightly:
"That's fine, as long as Master Zhang doesn't leave without saying goodbye like last time."

Zhang Guanzhi looked embarrassed and nodded:

"How dare I, how dare I, last time... there was a reason, please don't take it to heart, Boyang."

Xu Boyang accepted the token and nodded, saying, "Mr. Zhang, please proceed."

Zhang Guanzhi felt as if he had been pardoned. He casually greeted Fei Wenlong and went straight to the city gate. He was a disciple of the Immortal Sect's branch, and there was an exclusive passage for disciples of the Immortal Sect to enter the city. He did not need to queue. He flashed his token and disappeared into the crowded crowd.

Zhang Guanzhi's action of coming to Xu Boyang left Fei Wenlong, Lu Yangxian, Fei Wenyu and Ding Xuelian standing nearby stunned.

They really couldn't understand why a disciple from a branch of the immortal sect would bow down in front of this person. This person was only at the ninth level of Condensation Yuan, so why did he have such power?

Fei Wenlong thought to himself, "Could it be that my uncle had committed some crime and was caught by this person?"

Ding Xuelian thought to himself:
"Father is right. Both the Jiangzuo and Nanhuai Immortal Sects are trying to please me. I need to work harder to not disappoint my father. But this guy... has been unresponsive the whole way, like a dead person. How about I go to the elixir shop after entering the city and buy two strong love potions to make things right first..."

Fei Wenyu was speechless and thought:

"Isn't it just because of a feathered sword? Why is Zhang Guanzhi so angry? Could it be that he already knows Xu Boyang's true identity? Well, to be honest, that sword was originally mine. One wrong step leads to another, and I have wasted such a great opportunity!"

"Otherwise, I would have been the one to meet Huang Ting Yushi, and I would have been the one to meet Chen Baochong and Zhang Guanzhi. Now, I am the protagonist!"

Lu Yangxian was shocked, feeling mixed emotions.

"How come I've never heard of this person? Could he be the illegitimate son of some Taoist priest who deliberately left him at the Ding family, or is he actually the illegitimate son of a Taoist priest from the Ding family? I've never heard of any great family with the surname Xu."

"What unfortunate luck! When it rains, it pours. When the ship is late, it encounters a headwind. Looks like there are only two remaining spots left for the top spot in this year's Diyuan."

Thanks to book friends Feng Ruobingxin and 1679 for the monthly tickets!
Taihe Jingwu Yan is the end of the first volume. There are many characters and the pace may not be fast enough. I still ask for votes. Thank you!
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(End of this chapter)