This is a grand event in Sky City. In previous competitions, the winners were granted opportunities for trials, and after trials, they had a chance to ascend to godhood. This selection, however, coincided with the Heavenly Tribulation and the Divine Ascension Tribulation. With the convergence of great forces, the Heavenly Realm issued a decree, designating the trial grounds far away in the Eastern Continent. This meant that the victors would have to participate in the Great War of Divine Ascension.
The participants were comprised of noble scions from Sky City, the cream of the crop among the newly appointed Barbarian Generals, and individuals who considered themselves exceptionally powerful, such as Mo Qi.
All the prominent figures of Sky City were in attendance. Shui Wancheng was present, Grand Tutor Zhong was there, and the Heavenly Masters from the Four Great Immortal Bureaus had also arrived.
A total of eighty individuals participated in the competition, with the top five to be selected for the trials.
Four rounds of matches were required.
This could be considered a home-ground advantage for the disciples of Sky City.
The spectator stands were almost entirely filled with people from Sky City.
The new Barbarian Generals numbered only eight: General Chen Lejun and Mo Qi under Heavenly Master Zhou; General Xue and General Shangguan under Heavenly Master Ge; General Lu Yixiao and General Wei Changda under Heavenly Master Xin; and General Lü Dagui and General Hua An under Heavenly Master Wang.
These eight individuals had a specially designated waiting area, known as the Under-City Zone. In stark contrast to the bustling crowds in the Sky Zone opposite, it appeared rather desolate.
There was little idle chatter among these individuals. When they did speak, it was merely to say, "It's about participation, it's about participation."
The gazes of the people in the Sky Zone generally did not linger on the Under-City Zone. They would occasionally discuss and predict the outcomes of the matches, but no one ever held out hope for those in the Under-City Zone, as if they did not exist.
The most frequently discussed individuals were Xin Bai, Ge Chuan, Gu Liangtong, Shui Bing, and Zhong Xintie.
"If these five don't face each other, it's certain they'll be the ones to advance."
"Let's hope they clash with each other. That way, my son, Nanmen Kuan, will have a chance."
"Indeed, only then will my son, Yan Fuwan, have an opportunity."
However, in the preparation area of the Sky Zone, a few individuals noticed Mo Qi.
Zhong Xintie said to Shi Yi beside him, "Look, that fellow seems to have broken through to the True Immortal realm overnight. You're under a lot of pressure."
Shui Han also felt a sense of astonishment, gazing at Mo Qi from afar. He thought to himself, it seems he truly intends to fight for his life!
Shi Yi glanced at Mo Qi as well and said with a relaxed expression, "Mid True Immortal stage, nothing to worry about."
Those disdainful glances were cast frequently, casually trampling over Mo Qi. Mo Qi acted as if he saw nothing and said to General Chen beside him, "Are those people opposite really that formidable? Why are they so arrogant?"
General Chen, who was on par with General Zheng, disdained Mo Qi's proactive approach.
He didn't even want to waste his time with him.
After a long hesitation, feeling the air grow somewhat awkward, he slowly and without looking sideways said, "We generals can only rely on luck. As for you, just forget about it. Consider it a chance to broaden your horizons."
Mo Qi seemed to be talking to himself, yet also to General Chen, saying, "I must not lose. If I lose, I will die, because I've gambled my life with them."
General Chen looked at him in horror, "Aren't you courting death? Why would you think so ill of yourself?"
"I..."
The competition officially began. The first round consisted of twenty matches held simultaneously, divided into upper and lower halves. Mo Qi did not have a match in the upper half, so he went to observe others' fights.
He watched a match between General Lu Yixiao and Gongyang Wei.
These two individuals clearly had similar cultivation levels, but for some reason, Lu Yixiao fought with great frustration. Gongyang Wei had him completely suppressed throughout the match, holding absolute dominance.
Moreover, it seemed Lu Yixiao was not holding back, yet he felt extremely awkward, unable to unleash his full strength.
This was likely what was meant by home-ground advantage.
The cheers from the spectator stands were deafening, all encouraging Gongyang Wei.
Gongyang Wei also seemed to draw strength from their encouragement, always appearing effortless and firmly controlling the situation on the field, soon achieving victory as expected.
A wave of applause erupted from the audience, but Mo Qi couldn't help but shake his head, "A victory without honor."
Soon, the lower half commenced. Mo Qi was up against Shi Yi.
Shi Yi exclaimed about his good fortune, encountering the only weakling on the field.
Gongyang Wei and Zhong Xintie, having won their matches, also stood by the sidelines, cheering for Shi Yi.
"Shi Yi, you've got good luck, to run into him like this. Who knows, you might even make a comeback all the way."
"Don't forget, we made a bet with him. We can kill him."
Shi Yi chuckled, looking at Mo Qi with smugness, "Did you also fantasize about making a comeback all the way, which is why you came to participate? You're even more ruthless than me. I feel like I'm going a bit too far, but you're even more so. Hahaha, you're really going to make me die laughing."
"I don't think there's anything funny about it. And, after we're done, you won't think so," Mo Qi said slowly.
"Oh, quite arrogant. Alright, although we've gambled with our lives, I still won't go all out. If you're wise, surrender early, and I'll save some effort," Shi Yi said arrogantly.
Mo Qi smiled faintly, "Not bad. Although that statement of yours is quite arrogant, it has saved your life."
Shi Yi scoffed, "I can't be bothered to waste words with you. Take this!"
Shi Yi employed a magical artifact resembling a small cauldron, performing a ritualistic dance and chanting incantations. The treasure cauldron began to spin endlessly in the air.
The space trembled, and a black hole suddenly appeared in the air. From this black hole, continuous streams of red mist began to flow out, swirling above the treasure cauldron to form a spiral, constantly rotating.
It was like a red tornado gathering and building momentum, poised to unleash its full power and destroy everything in its path with overwhelming force.
The air faintly hummed with the sound of wind and thunder, like the moans of demons or the roars of ferocious beasts.
In an instant, the sky darkened, and clouds were swept away like scattered remnants.
Shi Yi's father, Shi Qiao, the Grand Tutor, sat beside Grand Tutor Zhong, stroking his beard with a smug expression. "Although my son's cultivation has not yet reached the Profound Immortal realm, his strength is already comparable to that of a Profound Immortal. That's why I let him participate."
Grand Tutor Zhong's eyelids twitched. He opened his mouth but remained silent.
Shi Qiao glanced at him, feeling a pang of unease. What did his silence mean? Was it contempt? Disdain?
At this moment, Shi Yi slammed the treasure cauldron, as if the heavens and earth were just beginning to open. A deep, resonant hum echoed through the world, vibrating in everyone's hearts, causing the surrounding spectators to feel a jolt of apprehension.
Zhong Xintie's expression shifted slightly, "Is, is Shi Yi this powerful?"
Gongyang Wei also found it somewhat unbelievable, "Did this fellow secretly refine something?"
The red spiral mist suddenly expanded infinitely. Simultaneously, as if imbued with a mission and life, it transformed into a bloodthirsty demon, opening its gaping black maw and sweeping towards Mo Qi.
It was as if a supreme deity from the upper realm had cast a giant net upon the lower realm. Overwhelming and inescapable, where could you flee?
Shi Qiao's smile was irrepressible, "Let's see where you can escape!"
Concurrently, Shi Yi's figure surged forward, propelling the treasure cauldron ahead.
The entire space seemed to be moving forward, trembling incessantly.
This way, Shi Yi could launch a pursuit at any moment. Even if you dodged the first wave of attacks, his subsequent attacks would follow like shadows, leaving no room for escape. How could you possibly dodge them?
Mo Qi watched the seemingly invincible attack surge towards him, his expression unchanged.
He planted his feet firmly on the ground, as steadfast as pillars supporting the heavens.
His gaze was sharp and resolute, like the stars in the sky.
Immovable as a mountain, he neither dodged nor evaded!
Shi Qiao's lips curled in a sneer, "Seeking death!"
Shi Yi laughed heartily, "I didn't want to kill you, but if you seek death, I shall oblige!"
The surrounding crowd also shook their heads, "This is the most predictable slaughter!"
However, in the next moment, people's expressions changed!
Mo Qi placed his hand flat in the void. Without any visible movement, a speck of light appeared in his hand.
In the blink of an eye, that speck of light rapidly expanded, filling his entire palm and transforming into a dazzling ball of light. The ball of light spun rapidly, generating a gust of wind that caused the surrounding air to swirl swiftly. It whistled mournfully, as if the sleeping air, disturbed from its sweet dreams, had begun to weep.
It wasn't over yet!
The ball of white light continued to expand at an alarming rate, reaching the size of a millstone in an instant. As it spun, it connected the distorted shadows of the surrounding space, making the divine light appear boundless.
"Pangu Divine Power, Star Devour!"
With a shout that resonated through ancient and modern times, the white light was unleashed, surging towards Shi Yi.
After being released, the white light continued to expand. As it spun, it formed a bottomless vortex, within which star rivers seemed to flow, things being swallowed and expelled.
The power of space quietly permeated the air. From a considerable distance, people in the viewing stands felt a powerful force pulling them, as if their bodies were about to be sucked away.
"Ah!" Cries of alarm erupted from the spectators.
Many people desperately channeled their spiritual energy to resist the suction force, only then managing to stabilize themselves.
Shi Yi, caught in the midst of it, still did not sense the impending danger, remaining immersed in the embrace of his own expanding divine power.
He felt his entire body as light as a feather, yet filled with vigorous life. Every inch of his muscles and every bone seemed to be burning. This was the feeling of immense power, the feeling of being invincible!
The spiral red mist continued to expand, its spiritual energy surging. The devouring and destructive power contained within it was like a wild beast that could not be restrained, charging and crashing.
The two forces finally collided without any surprise.
"Boom!"
Heaven and earth trembled.
It was then that Shi Yi finally sensed that something was amiss.
The spiral red mist gradually dissolved as it spun, while the white light, conversely, shone brighter.
It appeared as though the white light had opened a hidden conduit, and the spiral red mist poured into it like a tide. Subsequent streams of spiral red mist continued to pour in and were continuously dissolved.
It was as if the white light had become a bottomless pit, capable of swallowing anything, no matter how much there was.
Following this, the treasure cauldron also began to spin and fall towards the vortex.
Shi Qiao stood up in alarm, "Yi'er!"
He almost intervened, but a glare from Grand Tutor Zhong made him lower his restless hands.