Longevity: My Talents Are a Bit Abundant-Chapter 340: In the Spotlight

Ten days later.

An announcement was posted in the main hall of the Law Enforcement Hall.

The sect will hold its first Foundation Establishment disciple demonstration competition.

To assess the cultivation achievements of Foundation Establishment disciples and reward those with outstanding results.

The Direct Disciples of the True Masters, who had been informed earlier, prepared quietly, remaining calm.

The ordinary Foundation Establishment disciples, upon seeing the high fifty percent reward and the list of high-tier rewarding spiritual objects, were all greatly motivated.

Excited and stirred, they enthusiastically discussed the matter.

The four major gambling houses in Qing Yun Immortal City opened betting on the same day.

One type was betting on the top ten rankings.

The other was betting on the champion.

The five Golden Core Direct Disciples all became hot picks.

The only exception was Shen Xuan, a Direct Disciple of two lineages, whose odds were unusually not low.

To enter the top ten, the odds were one to three.

The odds to become champion were one to forty-eight.

However, the betting had been open for only half an hour.

Shen Xuan’s odds for becoming the champion and entering the top ten were quickly closed.

Gu Jinqin, accompanied by the Wu sisters, under the guidance of Xu Shaopeng’s close followers, placed a heavy bet on Shen Xuan becoming the champion as soon as possible.

Each bet fifty thousand Spirit Stones!

This was the maximum limit of the three major gambling houses.

Originally, Gu Jinqin and her group planned to bet one hundred thousand Spirit Stones.

After the gambling house’s steward repeatedly persuaded them, they reluctantly took back half.

They placed the remaining fifty thousand Spirit Stones on Shen Xuan’s odds to enter the top ten.

Even so, it caused a wave of following from shrewd veteran gamblers.

The three major gambling houses urgently closed the betting.

After their informants returned the news.

The Silver Hook Gambling House closed betting on Shen Xuan even faster than they did.

Upon opening, a mysterious person immediately hit the limit, rapidly closing the betting.

Those who can open gambling houses in Qing Yun Immortal City are all crafty people!

Who hasn’t placed a few spies in the opposition?

Unfortunately, Gu Jinqin and the Wu sisters were too quick.

When they found out, the mysterious bettor at the Silver Hook Gambling House was actually Xu Shaopeng’s close third brother.

They realized that something was amiss.

Shen Xuan’s strength must far exceed the evaluation of the gambling houses.

Entering the top ten is acceptable.

It was only one to three.

A win or loss wouldn’t hurt the spirit of the gambling house.

The championship odds, however, are not low.

If Shen Xuan really becomes the champion, each of these three gambling houses would lose over two million Spirit Stones.

Even if they win the bets of other candidates.

They would still be making wedding clothes for others, losing without profit.

At this point, the three major gambling houses had nothing to say.

They could only greatly increase the championship odds of the other candidates.

Some Golden Core Direct Disciples’ championship odds rose to one to forty-eight.

Similar to Shen Xuan’s.

Attracting gamblers to increase their bets to offset the risk of paying out for Shen Xuan winning the championship.

...

Another ten days passed.

The day of the sect’s small competition arrived.

Nine demonstration platforms built of White Jade were erected in the Dharma Transmission Pavilion Square.

A True Master stood in front of each demonstration platform as a judge.

The disciples who came to participate and watch the sect’s small competition were all Foundation Establishment Realm.

Even the sect’s family disciples in the Qi Cultivation Realm were not allowed entry.

The nine demonstration platforms simultaneously drew lots for the battle competitions.

First began with the preliminary group matches.

Soon, one escape light after another flew rapidly in.

True Masters took their seats upon entering.

All five of the sect’s Golden Core Direct Disciples were present.

Under the command of Master Lingxiao, nine Outer Peak True Masters were arranged to judge the results of the Foundation Establishment disciple matches.

Master Cold Jade and Master Gu Feng had the honor of being spectators on the main stage.

They didn’t have to serve as judges.

Master Gu Feng was intentionally left vacant.

Master Cold Jade proactively avoided suspicion.

"In this sect’s small competition, my Direct Disciple Shen Xuan will surely be the champion, I must avoid suspicion."

Upon these words.

The other True Masters all laughed it off.

After all, none of their Outer Peak True Masters’ Direct Disciples could win the sect’s small competition championship.

The top candidates for both the seed group and the preliminaries were all taken by the Golden Core Direct Disciples.

They would love for Shen Xuan to excel and humble those Golden Core Direct Disciples.

To stand for the ordinary True Masters’ Direct Disciples.

...

"It’s starting! Do you think Shen Xuan, the two-lineage Direct Disciple, can be the champion?"

"Probably. I heard the younger sisters of Little Gu Feng placed heavy bets, and all four gambling houses in Qing Yun Immortal City closed their betting."

"This Shen Xuan indeed has some skills. But to say he can be the champion seems a bit exaggerated!"

"Exactly, the five Golden Core Direct Disciples, which one of them isn’t a sect prodigy with exceptional talent!"

At this time, under the demonstration platforms, over three hundred Foundation Establishment disciples were all eager with excitement.

Most were ordinary sect disciples.

Though they signed up to compete, they knew in their hearts.

They were merely stand-ins.

Getting one of the excellent rewards met expectations.

And so, they enjoyed the lively spectacle without minding the seriousness.

"Hey, don’t underestimate Shen Xuan! The younger sisters of Little Gu Feng know well; they wouldn’t throw away Spirit Stones at the gambling houses for nothing!"

"Exactly! All four gambling houses closed their betting! This will be a good show!"

"Alright, let Shen Xuan be the one to verify the caliber of the Golden Core Direct Disciples!"

The words carried a hint of schadenfreude.

The Golden Core Direct Disciples received far better treatment than them.

To have no trace of jealousy is impossible.

At this time.

A yellow-robed Steward beside Sect Leader Mysterious Trace True Master waved a flag.

"The first Foundation Establishment disciple demonstration competition of Cyan Cloud Sect is about to begin!"

"All registered participants, gather in front of the Dharma Transmission Pavilion Square!"

"Those who haven’t arrived by the deadline will be considered to have forfeited the competition!"

A resounding Dao voice suddenly sounded, emanating from the Dharma Transmission Pavilion Square, spreading powerfully outward.

...

"Senior Brother, can you do it?"

Under one of the demonstration platforms, Gu Jinqin, with the Wu sisters, huddled around Shen Xuan.

On one side, Liu Bingyu was squeezed out by the three.

"Senior Sister Gu, Senior Brother will definitely do it!"

"The championship belongs to Senior Brother!"

The Wu sisters, with their sing-song act, were much more articulate than Gu Jinqin.

Shen Xuan couldn’t be bothered to respond to the three junior sisters.

Ever since the sect tournament began,

these three had been chattering incessantly in his ear, giving him a headache.

Especially Gu Jinqin.

Clearly, it was her bet she was anxious about!

"Senior Sister Gu, Wu sisters, quiet down, let Senior Brother have some peace."

Liu Bingyu said understandingly.

"Senior Sister Liu, we sisters are encouraging Senior Brother!"

The Wu sisters spoke in unison.

After obtaining the method of crafting the Thunder Spirit Pearl, the wealth of Little Gu Peak surged.

The Wu sisters seemed to have become different people.

No longer did they resort to trickery.

During every thunderstorm, the Wu sisters would arrive punctually at the mountain peak’s Thunder-Attracting Array, diligently crafting Thunder Spirit Pearls.

More diligently than any senior sister at Little Gu Peak.

Usually, they would follow Gu Jinqin, helping her manage the affairs of Little Gu Peak.

Behaving with the elegance of noble ladies.

"Alright, junior sisters, the competition is about to begin, you should get ready too."

Shen Xuan said softly.

The four junior sisters beside him had all signed up for the preparatory group’s competition.

"Aye, we sisters are just making up the numbers."

"Senior Brother, do your best. The happiness of our future depends on you!"

Those words!

Anyone not knowing the situation might assume Shen Xuan had done something unspeakable to the Wu sisters.

"Don’t worry!"

Shen Xuan said with a smile.

The leader of the preparatory group, he had already promised Master Cold Jade.

The competition hadn’t even started, yet Master Cold Jade had already put the word out.

It wasn’t boasting.

Master Cold Jade knew his strength.

It was clear at a glance that among the preparatory group, Shen Xuan stood out like a crane among chickens.

This sect tournament, he was inevitably going to claim the title in the preparatory group.

Even if it meant revealing some of his trump cards.

Gu Jinqin and the Wu sisters were unaware of his true combat prowess.

Yet, based on Shen Xuan’s mere claim of "sixty to seventy percent chance", they placed a heavy bet, which was rare.

This also proved that, in the eyes of his junior sisters from the same lineage, Shen Xuan held considerable weight.

Below the Demonstration Platform, Foundation Establishment Realm disciples naturally formed three small circles, distinct and separate.

There was a circle for the Golden Core inheritors, only about thirty people.

A circle for the True Master’s direct disciples, around sixty to seventy people.

The remaining Foundation Establishment Realm disciples formed a group, the most numerous, over two hundred people.

The sound of discussions rose and fell.

Many looked towards Shen Xuan’s direction.

Even the Golden Core inheritors weren’t an exception.

Yet, their gaze towards Shen Xuan carried a hint of dissatisfaction, with a touch of challenge.

"Is that Shen Xuan? To me, he doesn’t seem special."

"Precisely, hiding amidst a group of female disciples, clearly a smooth talker!"

"He doesn’t have a choice. Both Little Gu Peak and Cold Jade Peak consist solely of female disciples, with him as the only male disciple."

"Alas, he is fortunate indeed!"

The Golden Core inheritors jested, but refrained from overly harsh words.

After all, there were many listening ears here.

"Senior Brother Jin, looks like someone intends to compete with you for the leader of the preparatory group!"

Someone said to a well-dressed young gentleman with star-like eyes and noble demeanor.

This person was Jin Jincheng, the favored disciple of Mysterious Trace True Master.

At the sixth level of the Foundation Establishment, proficient in the External Incarnation Technique to a commendable degree.

He could simultaneously transform into two incarnations, with realm cultivation similar to his main body.

Equating to three Middle Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.

With the competition rules prohibiting talismans, spirit beasts, Thunder Spirit Pearls, and other external objects, Jin Jincheng’s strength was exceptional and unparalleled, the top favorite to seize the title in the preparatory group.

"Not at all. Senior Brothers Wang and Li boast astounding abilities. It’s still uncertain who will claim the top spot!"

Jin Jincheng said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Hidden Image True Master’s direct disciple Wang Ziwei and Celestial Wind True Master’s direct disciple Li Chengfeng both smiled in response.

"With Senior Brother Jin here, I, Wang, humbly concede."

"I, Li, wouldn’t dare compare with Senior Brother Jin."

Meanwhile, the direct disciple of Celestial Thunder True Master, Lei Yaoyang, was intentionally or unintentionally ignored.

Aside from them, there stood a white-robed sword cultivator with eyes deep like the sea, exuding solitude, his lips tightly pressed.

Spirit Sword True Master’s direct disciple, Yan Haoran.

An introverted character, he didn’t like speaking, remaining silent throughout.

These five individuals were the most outstanding Middle Stage Foundation Establishment disciples of the Inner Five Peaks.

They were also the favorites to win the title in the preparatory group during this sect tournament.

Shortly, a grand Daoist sound resounded again in the square.

"Silence! The Demonstration Platform competition officially begins."

"In the preparatory group, disciples need to secure victory in four matches out of no more than seven to advance to the semifinals."

"Now, the nine Demonstration Platforms commence simultaneously."

"Names called, step onto the platform for the competition."

A quiet settled over the square.

Subsequently, on the nine Demonstration Platforms, yellow-robed stewards began calling out names.

Sect disciples, hearing their names, went up on stage.

Under the witnessing eyes of the True Masters, they showcased their skills.

For a time, magical treasures flew wildly, techniques danced in the air, spiritual waves rippled, battling with great intensity.

Before long, Shen Xuan’s name was called.

"Third Demonstration Platform, Shen Xuan of Cold Jade Peak, Zhang Baidao of Jade Sun Peak."

Those who had just stepped onto the Demonstration Platform were ordinary sect disciples.

Despite the intense battling, they did not garner much attention.

Shen Xuan stepping up early caught many by surprise, drawing quite a few gazes.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the square grew enthusiastic.

Shen Xuan smiled, moving leisurely amid the onlookers, heading towards the third Demonstration Platform.

"I am Zhang Baidao of Jade Sun Peak, greetings to Shen Xuan of Cold Jade Peak, Senior Brother Shen."

Opposite, Zhang Baidao bowed in salute.

He was a True Master’s direct disciple, sharing a status similar to Shen Xuan.

His attitude was so respectful.

This caused a minor surprise in Shen Xuan’s heart.

His junior sisters at Little Gu Peak had poor relations with the disciples of Jade Sun Peak.

Previously, the Wu sisters had played with the emotions of a disciple from Jade Sun Peak.

Gu Jinqin had even fought with disciples from Jade Sun Peak.

This Zhang Baidao’s attitude towards Shen Xuan was almost excessively good.

"You flatter me. Shen Xuan of Cold Jade Peak, met Senior Brother Zhang of Jade Sun Peak."

Shen Xuan hurriedly returned the courtesy.

Though in his mind, he was puzzled, unsure what Zhang Baidao was up to.