So what if they wait a little longer? Even if they say time is money, it's not like I can't pay them...
As Chu Liang followed his team up to the high platform, he felt a twinge of resentment. The other nine immortal sects that had advanced to the next round, the Battle at the Imperial City, were already gathered there. The emperor of the Yu Dynasty, members of the Imperial Supervisory Bureau, and leaders from the sects of the Divine Nine and Terrestrial Ten were all seated.
Young disciples from the immortal sects stood on the platform, facing a crowd of hundreds of thousands who erupted in waves of celebration, their cheers reaching toward the heavens.
The sects advancing to the next round included the Penglai Supreme Sect, the Fog-Hidden Mountain of Immortals, the Endless Sword Sect, the Great Astral Sect, the Mount Shu Sect, the Celestial King Sect, the Celestial Pivot Pavilion, the Buddhist Cloud Monastery, the South Melody Conservatory, and the Valley of the Three Absolutes.
This year, all ten of the top sects were from the Divine Nine and Terrestrial Ten, with the Divine Nine sects claiming eight of the spots.
This rarely happened. It could be said that, in this era of flourishing techniques, these long-standing sects with strong foundations displayed explosive power.
Among them, the South Melody Conservatory and the Valley of the Three Absolutes from the Terrestrial Ten rarely made it to the top ten. The Valley of the Three Absolutes were stronger, but the South Melody Conservatory seldom reached the Battle at the Imperial City, as combat strength was not their strong suit.
They were able to advance to this round all because of one person.
"Chu Liaaaaang!!!"
The loudest cheers were reserved for a disciple from the Mount Shu Sect, who had shone brightly in this year's Competition of a Hundred Sects. His heroic act of saving his sect from danger had earned the admiration of nearly every spectator.
The South Melody Conservatory had a greater number of supporters, but all of them had to thank Chu Liang for the fact that the South Melody Conservatory made it to the next round. So, the fans were more than happy to cheer for him too.
The rest of the spectators cared little for the finer details, as they were there for the exciting events. All they knew was that before the competition, everyone believed Yang Shenlong was leagues ahead of his peers in strength. Yet, Chu Liang had managed to defeat him.
The audience was now convinced that the Mount Shu Sect would take home the championship in this year's Assembly of Immortal Sects.
At the center of it all, Chu Liang stood, basking in boundless glory.
From the elevated platform, officials from the Imperial Supervisory Bureau announced the rules for the Battle at the Imperial City. While the disciples of the immortal sects were well aware of the rules, the announcement was made for the new spectators.
Nestled within the imperial city was the Corridor City, constructed specifically for the Assembly of Immortal Sects. With its vast and imposing walls reaching three zhang high, it enclosed an entire world. Though it seemed like a mere corner of the imperial city, once inside, one would find it nearly as expansive as the entire imperial city.
There were forty entrances in the Corridor City, and each disciple would be randomly assigned to one. Each pair of doors led to the same corridor, leaving them uncertain about who they will meet upon entry.
The two disciples who entered the same corridor would have to fight until only one was left standing. Only then would the door at the end of the corridor open, permitting the winner to advance to the next corridor.
This series of fights would continue until only two remained, who would then fight for the ultimate victory.
In the Corridor City, time was the most crucial element. Fighting until the end could require participants to go through four or five grueling battles with no breaks in between.
One had to end the fight before the next opponent stepped in, enabling them to use the waiting time to regain strength and heal any wounds. Those who were even a bit slower would find themselves going up against a well-rested opponent.
The rounds were held in succession, going from forty to twenty, then twenty to ten, and finally ten to five, with no breaks allowed.
After the round from ten to five, the first victor was offered the opportunity to advance to the next round without a fight, while the other four had to compete to determine the final two.
In the round from four to two, the fastest victor was granted the opportunity to advance to the next round, while the slower victor had to face the first victor from the previous round of ten to five.
"If not for you, the situation would have been very difficult. Everyone at the Fog-Hidden Mountain of Immortals owes you their gratitude," Immortal Jiuyi said. "However, it's best not to disclose this matter publicly, though we will remember what you did for us."
"Esteemed senior, you speak too highly of my actions," Chu Liang said with a smile. "Your sect provided access to the Divine Mirror of the Trigrams, an excellent battleground for the Competition of a Hundred Sects, which benefits all immortal sects. The wicked members of the diabolical sect intended to seize this opportunity to create chaos. It was obviously our responsibility to help with all our might; otherwise, all righteous forces would also suffer."
Hearing his words, Immortal Jiuyi smiled with satisfaction.
You are young, but you are good at seeing the big picture.
"Still, a token of gratitude is still needed," Immortal Jiuyi said. "Though I may not be able to assist you directly during the Battle at the Imperial City, I will do everything in my power to strengthen your skills. You only have seven days, but spending those seven days in the hidden realm of the Divine Mirror of the Eight Trigrams should give you significantly more time."
Upon hearing this, Chu Liang's eyes lit up.
Some top immortal sects possessed hidden realms created through the integration of the Great Dao of Time, allowing them to alter the flow of time.
It was similar to the painting they saw in Wu'an City, where a year outside equated to just a day within. Of course, that only slowed time, and reversing it would be far more difficult—perhaps even impossible to that degree.
According to Immortal Jiuyi, within the hidden realm of the Divine Mirror of the Eight Trigrams, time could flow up to ten times slower. This meant that seven days outside the hidden realm would equal seventy days inside.
The Master of the Great Dao of Infinity within time, Daoist Cangsheng of the Penglai Supreme Sect, definitely possessed such a hidden realm. He could surely alter the flow of time within his hidden realm to an even greater degree.
It would have been impossible for Yang Shenlong to achieve his sixth realm of cultivation in a world where time flowed normally.
It would only be possible if it was in a time-altered hidden realm.
Of course, even if he were training in a hidden realm with the flow of time altered, the change would not be too drastic. This was because he would still be growing according to the time spent within the hidden realm, not the time outside of it. If he exceeded the age limit, he would be disqualified from participating in the Assembly of Immortal Sects.
This was one of the lasting consequences of Mount Shu Sect losing its legendary artifact. Without its support, the current generation's strength would inevitably fall short—unless, like Di Nufeng's generation, they possessed overwhelming talent. As for other immortal sects that still held legendary artifacts, they certainly wouldn't use them to nurture potential rivals.
This was why Immortal Jiuyi's assistance became especially invaluable at this moment.
Immediately, Chu Liang stood up and said, "Thank you, esteemed senior!"
"Of course, there's something else that might be a bit inappropriate to say now, but I will just bring it up since I am here," Immortal Jiuyi continued after settling the matter. "Your talent is remarkable, but I believe your intelligence and cleverness surpass even that. No matter which immortal sect you belong to, your future is boundless."
"However, the Mount Shu Sect, as it stands today, may no longer hold an absolute competitive edge and could limit your potential." He paused before continuing, "After the Assembly of Immortal Sects, would you consider joining the Fog-Hidden Mountain of Immortals? I can promise... to cultivate you as my future successor."
"Your favor is overwhelming, esteemed senior, and I am deeply humbled," Chu Liang replied with a quick smile. "But I owe everything I am today to the training from my esteemed teacher and sect; how could I ever abandon them? No matter the circumstances, I would never dare entertain such a thought."
"That's understandable. If you were a disciple of anyone else, I wouldn't have asked, but since you are part of the Silver Sword Peak of the Mount Shu Sect, I thought I'd try." Immortal Jiuyi said with a nod, seemingly unsurprised by Chu Liang's refusal.
He then remarked casually, "After all, your esteemed teacher is none other than Di Nufeng."
GLTD Alternate Universe's Thoughts
Translator: GT