"Brother Wang, this God Ascension Assembly is a grand event for the entire Dragon Wing Continent. It's held only once every thousand years, and everyone is eligible to participate, though there's an age limit of under thirty. This has caused many geniuses to miss out on the blessings of the Winged Gods, leading to lifelong regret."
As Bai Xiao spoke, he suddenly remembered something and quickly asked Ye Ling, "By the way, Brother Wang, how old are you this year?"
"Eighteen," Ye Ling said shamelessly.
"Eighteen is great! You're in your prime! It seems you are also a destined person, Brother Wang… Looking across the entire Dragon Wing Continent, many geniuses who finally get a chance to encounter this millennium-old assembly find themselves over thirty and can only beat their chests and sigh with regret. It's truly lamentable…"
Bai Xiao sighed, his eyes filled with emotion.
Ye Ling sized up Bai Xiao and noticed that Bai Xiao's bone age was just under twenty-nine, barely missing the thirty-year mark. He couldn't help but smile, "It seems you're one of the lucky ones, Brother Bai."
"Of course! I'm the only one in my family qualified to participate in the God Ascension Assembly!" Bai Xiao's eyes lit up with excitement as Ye Ling mentioned him, and he chattered on.
Ye Ling was happy to converse with Bai Xiao, learning much about the God Ascension Assembly from him.
However, although the God Ascension Assembly appeared to be a top-tier event held by the Winged Gods for the geniuses of the entire continent, Ye Ling could still detect a hint of conspiracy from the information Bai Xiao revealed.
Geniuses screened through the God Ascension Assembly would directly become Winged Gods. Not only would the chosen individuals themselves become Winged Gods, but even their direct relatives would receive a backlash of power, becoming stronger!
If this was a unique characteristic of the Winged Gods, then Shang Shen Tian Yi could continuously strengthen himself through the Winged Gods. This could also explain why the elders of the Winged Gods were nurturing Nuo Ying with all their might.
However, Ye Ling still had some points he couldn't understand…
After all, in Shang Shen Tian Yi's eyes, Nuo Ying was merely an experimental subject for storing power. Given Nuo Ying's special nature, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she was the most important among all the Winged Gods.
With someone as important to Shang Shen Tian Yi as Nuo Ying, why would the Winged Gods, with the strength of their entire tribe, send Nuo Ying to the Tian Yi universe?
This made no logical sense.
"Brother Wang?"
At this moment, Bai Xiao, who had been talking animatedly, saw Ye Ling frowning and couldn't help but be startled. He asked with concern, "Is something wrong?"
"Nothing," Ye Ling came back to his senses and smiled at Bai Xiao, "I was just thinking of a friend."
Bai Xiao thought Ye Ling was lamenting his friend's inability to attend the God Ascension Assembly. He sighed slightly, patted Ye Ling's shoulder, and said, "It's alright, Brother Wang. Everyone has their own fortune. It's not your fault that your friend couldn't make it to the God Ascension Assembly."
Ye Ling didn't explain further and asked Bai Xiao, "Does this God Ascension Assembly require registration?"
"Oh, right! Registration!" Bai Xiao seemed to remember something and quickly said to Ye Ling, "Brother Wang, the registration point is in the city center! Before registering, there are a series of tests. I'm heading there now, you should hurry too, lest you miss the registration time!"
With that, Bai Xiao didn't wait for Ye Ling and dashed towards the city center.
Ye Ling watched Bai Xiao's hurried departure and couldn't help but shake his head and smile, then followed suit.
He intended to see what the Winged Gods were up to anyway, and the God Ascension Assembly was a way for him to understand.
Tian Yi City was vast, its area possibly comparable to a province. However, Bai Xiao was considered a master, and his speed was quite fast. After weaving through the crowd for a short while, he arrived at the huge plaza in the center of Tian Yi City.
The plaza was already crowded, with a large number of youths queuing for tests. Outside the plaza, many powerful individuals clearly over thirty years old had also gathered.
After all, this was a top-tier event held by the Winged Gods once every thousand years. Even if those over thirty were no longer eligible to participate, they could still come to watch the spectacle.
Furthermore, many top-tier powerhouses specifically waited for the God Ascension Assembly to be held. They would deliberately have children within the thirty years leading up to the assembly and then bring their children to participate.
This was because the nature of the God Ascension Assembly was that one person's success would bring prosperity to their entire family. Those who were not eligible to participate would find ways to have a child to represent them.
Once chosen by the Winged Gods and blessed by Shang Shen Tian Yi, their future would be bright.
"So many people…"
Bai Xiao stood at the edge of the plaza, looking at the sea of people in front of him, and exclaimed involuntarily.
"It is quite a lot," Ye Ling, who had caught up, agreed.
"Brother Wang?"
Bai Xiao looked at Ye Ling, who had followed him, with surprise and asked, "I underestimated you, Brother Wang. My speed is considered top-notch in my region, and I didn't expect you, at such a young age, to be able to keep up with me!"
In Bai Xiao's words, besides admiration for Ye Ling's strength, there was also a hint of wariness.
Although the God Ascension Assembly might not involve direct combat, the Winged Gods had a fixed number of slots for selection. The stronger Ye Ling appeared, the less chance Bai Xiao had of being chosen.
"I got used to running in the mountains and wildlands when I was young, it's nothing special," Ye Ling could vaguely sense Bai Xiao's change in attitude, but he didn't pay it any mind and casually made up a reason.
After all, for the people of the Dragon Wing Continent, the God Ascension Assembly of the Winged Gods was their coveted opportunity for ascension. Ye Ling wouldn't be surprised even if someone took preemptive action to eliminate competitors to increase their chances of being chosen.
"You're here! Ye… Wang Li Ren!"
At this moment, Nuo Ying, who had reported to the elders, arrived at the plaza. Seeing Ye Ling with Bai Xiao, she quickly called out.
Nuo Ying had been following Ye Ling for some time and knew that Ye Ling liked to call himself Wang Li Ren in front of strangers. Her mind worked quickly, and she rapidly changed her address, not revealing anything.
"Have you seen the elders yet?" Ye Ling's face broke into a smile as he saw Nuo Ying approach, and he asked.
"Not yet… The elders aren't in Tian Yi City, and it seems the current tribesmen don't recognize me, so I thought I'd come find you first." Nuo Ying shook her head, then looked around, "Where are Tian Xing and A Yun?"
"They went to handle other matters. I'm the only one waiting for you now," Ye Ling replied.
"Oh… That's a shame. I was hoping to introduce them to the elders," Nuo Ying sighed, feeling regretful.
Bai Xiao, standing beside Ye Ling and looking at Nuo Ying, widened his eyes. He then looked at Ye Ling in disbelief and asked with a trembling voice, "Brother… Brother Wang… You actually know someone from the Winged Gods?"
Nuo Ying tilted her head, sized up Bai Xiao, and asked Ye Ling, "Who is he?"
Before Ye Ling could introduce him, Bai Xiao immediately stood at attention and earnestly introduced himself to Nuo Ying, "Greetings, honored one! My name is Bai Xiao! I am Brother Wang's brother!"