vrcanaries Chapter 1807 Another Provocation?
Chapter 1807 Another Provocation?
The Wangxiantai Grand Competition has finally reached its final stage amidst an unprecedented atmosphere of enthusiasm and unity.
The top 100 contestants selected from the ten arenas will compete in a final round-robin points battle to determine their final ranking and the coveted qualification as one of the first core members of the Spirit Realm Elite Hall.
Of these 100 people, about 30% were survivors from Dengyuntai.
Having endured life-or-death trials, they possess unwavering resolve and a fighting style that often exudes ruthlessness and decisiveness, making them exceptionally eye-catching.
The other 70% are outstanding individuals selected from Wangxiantai, possessing excellent talent, foundation, and practical skills.
It is worth mentioning that Wan Chuan Zong's performance this time was quite remarkable.
Besides Zhao Hu, who was already well-known and firmly ranked at the top, Chen Shu, Jinwa, and Yaya, the three little guys, also made it into the top 100 thanks to the solid foundation they built with the "All Transformations Return to One Technique" and their indomitable fighting spirit!
Chen Shu, in particular, possessed a keen combat awareness. He combined the unorthodox techniques taught by Ah Xiong with basic cultivation methods and fought quite well, earning the admiration of many older cultivators.
Two of the Qingyuan Sect disciples brought by Su Hao and Luo Yang were also selected, which can be considered as a way to save face for this newly established affiliated sect.
On the day of the finals, as the sun rose, countless golden rays pierced through the clouds and shone upon the ancient and solemn Wangxiantai Terrace.
The largest arena in the center was temporarily merged to form a huge training ground that could accommodate a hundred people fighting in a free-for-all.
The viewing platforms were already packed with people, not only the contestants' fellow disciples and relatives, but also countless cultivators from the Spirit Realm who had come after hearing the news.
After the Cloud Ascension Platform incident, the entire Spirit Realm focused its attention on it, eagerly anticipating the rise of a new generation of talents.
The five sect leaders, Lingxu Zhenren, the three spirit beasts, and the core members of the younger generation, including Mingchuan, were all seated on the highest main stand.
The atmosphere was both solemn and enthusiastic.
As one of the hosts, Sect Leader Ye stood up to announce the rules and rewards for the finals. When he read out that "core members of the Hall of Talents will receive partial access to the Scripture Pavilions of the five major sects, regular guidance from Nascent Soul stage seniors, and opportunities to study in the Inquiry Pavilion personally set up by True Person Lingxu," the audience erupted in thunderous cheers and envious shouts.
The finals began, with 100 outstanding talents competing against each other in a points-based cycle.
In an instant, spiritual light soared into the sky on the arena, spells roared, and magical treasures shone brightly, creating a spectacular scene.
Mingchuan sat in the main stands, watching with great interest.
Beside him, Ah Xiong was shouting and cheering for Zhao Hu and Chen Shu in the audience, wishing he could jump down himself.
Jin Man and Ye Chuhan, among others, analyzed the situation more from a tactical and potential perspective, exchanging nods and exchanging views from time to time.
"Not bad." Master Lingxu observed for a while, nodded slightly, and said to the sect leaders beside him, "The temperament and talent of this generation of talents are no less than those of five hundred years ago. If they can be properly guided after this ordeal, their future is promising."
Upon hearing this, the sect leaders all showed expressions of relief.
The future of the Spirit Realm ultimately depends on these young people.
However, just as the final was reaching its most intense point, with almost everyone fully focused on the ring, an unexpected change occurred—
"Om..."
A faint, strange hum, seemingly emanating from the depths of the soul, suddenly resounded in everyone's consciousness!
This buzzing sound was not a tangible sound, but rather a strange fluctuation that directly affected the soul!
It carried a faint sense of coldness and chaos, as well as... a very subtle sense of familiarity that instantly put Mingchuan and Lingxu Zhenren on alert!
Aura of the Abyss?!
Although it was so faint that it was almost imperceptible and it disappeared in a flash, the expressions of the several powerful figures present, especially Lingxu Zhenren, Chiyanhu, and Mingchuan, who were extremely sensitive to the aura of the Demon Abyss, changed at the same time!
The competition on the stage also froze for a moment. Many participants, especially those with relatively weak spirits or those who had been injured before, felt a strange palpitation and irritability, and their moves showed unexpected flaws.
"What's going on?" Sect Master Chu frowned, his divine sense instantly spreading out to scan the entire area.
Golden flames flickered in Sect Master Lin's eyes: "There is extremely subtle divine soul interference... the source is unknown!"
Sect Master Mu waved her slender hand, and a pure, light blue halo spread out from her center, attempting to purify the strange fluctuations, but the fluctuations had already disappeared, as if they were just an illusion.
“It’s not an illusion.” Master Lingxu spoke slowly, his gaze like lightning, sweeping across the void surrounding the Wangxiantai, then looking down at the crowd below, finally exchanging a glance with Mingchuan, both seeing the solemnity in each other’s eyes.
The blue-faced fox closed its eyes, the blue fox pattern between its brows glowing faintly. After sensing for a moment, it said softly, "The residual fluctuations... are from the same source as the mark in Han Li's body that self-destructed that day. But they are more concealed, higher level, and seem to be... not actively activated, but passively resonating."
"Passive resonance?" Mingchuan's heart skipped a beat. "Does this mean that a similar Demonic Abyss Mark has been activated nearby? Or... is there an entity carrying a higher-level mark, secretly spying on us?"
This speculation sent chills down everyone's spine.
Yueyao's plan failed, but the infiltration of the Demon Abyss does not seem to have stopped; instead, it is being carried out in a more covert way.
"Strengthen vigilance and conduct covert investigations." Sect Master Ye made a decisive decision and transmitted his voice to the elders in charge of security in each sect, "The finals will continue, but all spectators and participants are temporarily restricted to entry only. Use the excuse of array fluctuations."
The order was passed on quickly.
On the surface, the final continued in full swing after a brief pause, with cheers and applause rising again.
But secretly, stray divine senses swept across every corner of the Wangxiantai, the patrol density of the joint patrol team suddenly increased, and the protective array was quietly strengthened, with an additional filtering layer added to target fluctuations in the divine soul.
The atmosphere in the main stands, however, was no longer relaxed.
"It seems some insects have already crawled right under our noses." The Crimson Fox sneered, a wisp of crimson flame flickering at its fingertips, carrying a scorching heat that could purify all evil.
The stone-patterned bear said in a muffled voice, "Find it and crush it."
Lingxu Zhenren pondered for a moment, then looked at Mingchuan: "Young friend, can your Heavenly Observation Mirror monitor any abnormal energy and spatial fluctuations within a thousand miles of this place? Especially those related to the Demon Abyss or the Holy Domain."
Mingchuan nodded: "It's possible, but it will take some time to set up the sub-mirror nodes. And if we want to be precise down to the individual soul level, it will consume a lot of resources and could easily alert the enemy."
“It’s alright,” said Master Lingxu. “There’s no rush. Since the other side has chosen such a covert method, they must have something in mind and dare not expose themselves easily for the time being. We just need to be vigilant and secretly set up a trap.”
He paused, his gaze lingering on the horizon: "Perhaps, this isn't entirely a bad thing. If we can follow the trail..."
Everyone understood his meaning—to turn the tables and track them in the opposite direction!
After all, the Demon Abyss had already been dealt with by Mingchuan, and the Evil Core could no longer appear. However, the demonic energy related to the Demon Abyss kept appearing and provoking them...
Then, we must find the root cause!