In the spotlight, Feng Yao stepped forward as one of the disciples chosen for today's selection.
All eyes on the Peak of Heavenly Nymphs fell upon her in that moment.
For that brief instant, she even outshone the revered Snow Lineage Diva standing beside her...
Such an enchanting and profound Yin Devil was rare in the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm. Her lofty stature made her stand out like a crane among chickens.
"Could she truly possess the talent of a 9-Star Boundless Immortal?"
Her presence, under such scrutiny, inevitably stirred waves of doubt among the disciples of the Sea and Ice Lineages. Envy and discontent were plain in many of their gazes.
They all knew Feng Yao came from outside the Harmony Divine Palace, her maternal lineage unclear. She'd just joined the day before, and her background was not esteemed. Yet, she stood above them, an uncomfortable truth for many.
This was especially a sore spot for some of the noble-born prodigies from the Harmony Divine Palace!
"All three Divas have arrived!"
Around the fighting stage in the center of the Peak of Heavenly Nymphs, three platforms loomed, one for the Divas, Valkyrie Queens, and Valkyrie Princesses of the Ice, Snow, and Sea Lineages.
Today’s event was far more prestigious than any selection into the Harmony Palace, so much so that even the valkyries could not ascend these platforms but had to maintain order around the stands just like the disciples.
After the Snow Diva took her place on the highest seat of the Snow Platform, Feng Yao waited below it, surrounded by several battle-ready disciples from the Snow Lineage.
However, they did not interact with her at the moment. Was it out of shame, or perhaps defiance? This was a battlefield of women, more cold than heated.
From every competing celestial maiden's eyes, one could see a fierce, burning desire to win the selection and represent the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm at the Grand Assembly of Myriad Sects!
So, the air around the fighting stage was anything but lacking in a stern aura.
"The Samsara Galaxy with 18 Stellar Rivers and over 10,000 sects, converging to decide on a supreme talent. Who wouldn’t want to stand out, to resound across the Samsara Galaxy, to become a monument in their own homeland?"
Imagining success and fame, winning today’s battle was merely the first step.
"How is everything organized?” Yun Xiao asked. His voice came from the Mortal Dust Devil Seed within the War Princess' heart.
His true form was busy cultivating, while part of his spirit was tending to the Desolation Marshal and administering the Earth Spirit Flame Fruit.
“There are 64 contenders, competing for eight spots in the Grand Assembly of Myriad Sects. So, just three rounds,” Feng Yao explained succinctly.
“Breaking out of this cursed place is up to you,” Yun Xiao said.
“Really?” Feng Yao scoffed coldly. “Do you really want to leave? You seem quite comfortable here, with a Diva waiting on you.”
“One can eat messy, but should speak carefully,” Yun Xiao replied.
“You’re getting defensive.”
“Defensive? Why would I need to be defensive towards you?”
“Hmm.”
Soon, the selection for the Grand Assembly of Myriad Sects officially began!
The first round of battles determined the top 32.
The second round narrowed it down to the top 16.
The third and final round would decide the top 8, who would represent the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm as celestial prodigies.
To be among these 64 contenders was to have passed through numerous trials, each a peak talent of the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm.
"A sense of superiority, to mask their envy of your talent," Yun Xiao responded.
"You seem to understand it well!" Feng Yao remarked.
"It's just another facet of human nature."
As they spoke, Feng Yao's opponent ascended the fighting stage. She was a young woman in a blue dress, with short hair and narrow eyes, not particularly pleasant to look at, giving off a sharp, tomboyish air.
Yet, in the Harmony Divine Palace, she was incredibly popular. A host of beautiful young maidens gathered below, shouting her name fervently.
"Yan Qingyuan, defeat her!"
Feng Yao's talents were renowned across the realm, but her combat prowess remained untested.
Everyone was eager to see for themselves!
Despite being only 18 years old, the crowd expected extraordinary feats from her, worthy of her talents.
"Yan Qingyuan?" Feng Yao looked at the short-haired woman in blue, feeling as though she had heard that name before.
"A 9-Star prodigy, huh? My apologies in advance," Yan Qingyuan said, her voice hoarse and stern.
"What's your cultivation?" Feng Yao asked casually.
"Taiji Disciple, Early Third Baptism Realm," Yan Qingyuan replied.
Being a Taiji Disciple in the Harmony Divine Palace already set her apart from countless others in the Samsara Galaxy. Ascending to higher celestial ranks in the future seemed almost certain.
"Let’s begin," Feng Yao said upon hearing this.
Her tone carried a pride that made Yan Qingyuan frown slightly.
Below, some of the celestial maidens had a fierce glint in their eyes.
"Just 18 years old and already so arrogant?"
"Sure, she's a supreme talent. But acting so grand in ten years might be more fitting. Now, she just seems like a brat reaching for too much."
"Don’t speak too soon. Her talents were privately tested by the Snow Lineage—whether there's any trickery, who knows?"
"Besides, the death of geniuses isn’t uncommon..."
Amid these whispers, Yan Qingyuan, true to her creed of decisive and swift action, made her move!
HUM! In her hand appeared a Sword Soul. She was a Sword Immortal!
Behind her, the Corona began to rotate, resembling a sea of swords.
The Sword Soul, sporting 200 Sword Prisons, glowed with waves of blue light.
When the sword moved, blue snow scattered, freezing the world around her.
JustLivingJL's Thoughts
"Whatever..." Just then, Valkyrie Queen Cang Xue announced, "Next battle, Contestant #38 Feng Yao against Contestant #27 Yan Qingyuan."
"Your number suits you, not too high, not too low, just mid," Yun Xiao teased.
"I knew you'd say something like that—no creativity," Feng Yao chuckled.
Going to break my rule about footnotes for once. Basically, the number 38 phonetically sounds like the word bastard in Chinese. Obviously, that doesn't translate well directly. So, the alternative is to localize it.