Starting as the heir of a marquis's mansion, I gained access to a summoning system.

three days later.

The voice of the World Spirit resounded once more, ancient and majestic, echoing in every corner of the entire small world:

"First round complete. The top 100 have been determined; the rest are eliminated."

As the voice faded, the restrictions on the outer area slowly dissipated, and those geniuses who failed to make it into the top 100 were gently pushed off the track by a force. Some beat their chests in frustration, some sighed in despair, and some felt a great weight lifted from their shoulders.

"It's finally over..." A rogue cultivator, covered in wounds, slumped to the ground, gazing at the figures continuing their journey in the distance, his eyes filled with envy and resentment.

Dongfang Weiwo stood in front of the inner entrance, adjusting his breathing.

Surrounding them were a hundred prodigies who had passed the first stage. Some were smug, some had solemn expressions, and some exuded murderous intent. Each of them was sizing up the others, secretly assessing their opponent's strength.

He looked up and saw that the inner area was a continuous mountain range with towering peaks that reached into the clouds. Mist swirled around the mountainside, and the faint roars of demonic beasts could be heard from within the mountains, rising and falling, shaking the soul.

"The second stage, the inner perimeter." The World Spirit's voice rang out again, this time with a more serious tone. "One hundred monster lairs have been set up, each guarded by a monster. Slaying the monsters will yield the treasures they guard. Each monster can only be killed once. Only those who pass the second stage can enter the core."

It paused, then added, "Note that the strength of the demonic beasts varies, and the value of the treasures they contain also differs. From the early stage of a Grandmaster to the second level of a Great Grandmaster, from low-grade Earth Rank to high-grade Heaven Rank, it all depends on your discernment and strength. You may choose your targets yourself."

"Now, the second stage begins!"

The moment the words fell, a hundred prodigies moved simultaneously, like a hundred arrows released from a bow, rushing towards the continuous mountain range.

Chu Yunxiao was the first to rush out, his figure as fast as lightning, heading straight for the highest peak of the mountain range. That peak pierced the clouds, and flames faintly shot into the sky from its summit, clearly the lair of some powerful demonic beast.

"The strongest demonic beasts and the best treasures are all mine." His arrogant voice drifted in the wind.

Li Tianxing followed closely behind, his long, half-black, half-white hair dancing wildly in the wind, his purple pupils gleaming with excitement: "No matter how fast Young Master Chu runs, he may not be able to catch up with me."

He grinned wickedly, his speed suddenly increased, and the distance between him and Chu Yunxiao kept closing.

The four sword disciples of the Four Extremes Sword Sect traveled together, their four figures moving in perfect unison, and chose a mountain peak of medium height.

Xie Changkong said as he hurried along, "We don't need to compete for the strongest; just choose one that we're sure to win. As long as there are enough treasures to go around, that's fine."

Ye Guhong nodded: "Senior Brother is right. The real contest begins once we enter the core area; it's not advisable to expend too much energy here."

Ouyang Xue said with a grin, "I'd like to see what the strongest one is, but unfortunately Senior Brother won't allow it."

"Shut up and follow me," Meng Hanshuang coldly uttered four words.

The four of them disappeared into the mountains and forests like a gust of wind.

Ye Xingchen traveled alone, at a moderate pace. He closed his eyes, and the old man's voice echoed in his mind: "On the third mountain peak to the left, there is a Grandmaster-level Frost Giant Wolf. Its treasure is a low-grade Heaven-rank spiritual herb, suitable for you."

"Okay." Ye Xingchen opened his eyes, turned around, and rushed towards the mountain peak.

Wu Zetian, sword in hand, strode confidently to a steep peak on the eastern side of the mountain range. Her eyes blazed with fighting spirit, and a slight smile played on her lips: "I hope this monster will warm me up, and not be as boring as those outer barriers."

Dongfang Mingyue glanced at Dongfang Weiwo, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Little brother, are you really not coming with me?"

Dongfang Weiwo shook her head and smiled, "Sister, you go first. I want to train alone. I can't keep hiding behind you."

Dongfang Mingyue frowned: "Are you sure you can manage alone? This isn't the outer perimeter; the monsters here are far more ferocious than the barriers."

Seeing the worry in her eyes, Dongfang Weiwo felt a warmth in his heart: "Don't worry, sister. Haven't you heard that I can kill a Grandmaster at the peak? That's not a rumor."

Dongfang Mingyue felt slightly relieved when she recalled the news that Dongfang Weiwo had killed a peak Grandmaster with a single punch, but she still retorted, "Alright, but remember this: if you encounter a Grandmaster-level monster, don't fight it head-on, run! If you can't outrun it, shout. Your voice should still be okay."

Dongfang Weiwo was both amused and exasperated: "I know, sister, hurry up, or all the good monsters will be snatched up by others."

Dongfang Mingyue nodded and patted his shoulder: "Be careful." After saying that, she flew away, her red outfit fluttering in the mountain wind, and disappeared into the woods in the blink of an eye.

Dongfang Weiwo watched her retreating figure, smiled slightly, then suppressed his smile and swept his gaze across the entire mountain range.

He observed the destinations of those prodigies—most flocked to the prominent peaks in the center of the mountain range, where the monsters were of high level and the treasures were of great value, but the competition was also the fiercest.

"I won't go to crowded places," he murmured, his gaze falling on an inconspicuous valley in the southwest corner of the mountain range, a place rarely visited by people, with only a few scattered cultivators heading in that direction.

He chose that direction and flew away.

Dongfang Weiwo arrived at a secluded valley.

The valley entrance was narrow, flanked by steep cliffs covered in moss and vines. Trees were sparse in the valley, the ground was covered with gravel and dead leaves, and the air was filled with the stench of wild animals.

At the very center of the valley entrance, a huge black bear monster squatted there.

It stood two zhang tall, its body resembling a small mountain, covered in black, needle-like fur that gleamed with a cold, eerie light in the sunlight. Its eyes were bloodshot, and drool dripped from its mouth. With each breath, it exhaled two plumes of white vapor, carrying a strong, bloody stench.

A demonic beast at the peak of the Grandmaster level.

Beneath the black bear lay a stone box, its surface engraved with ancient patterns, from which a faint light shone through the cracks—that was the treasure guarded by the demonic beast.

Dongfang Weiwo hid behind a boulder outside the valley entrance, carefully observing the black bear.

"Large size, thick limbs, sharp claws... a typical earth-attribute strength-type monster." He quickly analyzed in his mind, "Its advantages are great strength and high defense, and its disadvantages should be slow speed and inflexible turning."

His gaze swept across the black bear's body, searching for its weaknesses.

"The head has a thick skull, making it difficult to penetrate with a frontal attack. The chest is also protected by a thick layer of fat and muscle... The junction between the back of the head and the neck has fewer scales, which should be a weak point."