"The Overlord Sect actually possesses a Dao Integration realm expert? Then they must be considered a top-tier sect, right?"
After arriving in the Immortal Hidden Realm, Chen Xiao learned that cultivators in the Dao Integration realm were the absolute apex existences here.
Although the Earth Sect, including the Ziwei Dao Master, once had as many as fifteen great powers in the Dao Integration realm.
But the Earth Sect was the Earth Sect, one of the three super sects, its strength incomparable to other large sects.
For other sects, possessing even one Dao Integration realm great power already qualified them as top-tier.
In fact, the vast majority of top-tier sects did not have a single Dao Integration realm great power.
"If we were to classify them based on the number of cultivators in the Void Transformation and Divine Sea realms, the Overlord Sect would only be considered a medium-sized sect. However, the Overlord Sect has an Ancestor who is rumored to have lived for nearly two thousand years, and he entered the Dao Integration realm a thousand years ago."
"His strength can only be described as unfathomable. It's no exaggeration to say that even the Heaven, Earth, and Human Three Sects would not dare to easily cross swords with the Overlord Sect, precisely because of this Ancestor, Lin Batian!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiao couldn't help but feel a bit curious. "The Overlord Sect only has one Dao Integration realm great power, yet they are so formidable?"
The Ziwei Dao Master shook her head and explained, "Once one enters the Dao Integration realm, their combat power can no longer be measured by numbers. This is because the Dao Integration realm is the final stage before a cultivator ascends."
"And after entering the Dao Integration realm, a cultivator's strength increases daily. Even without cultivation, their power will continuously improve; the only difference is the speed of progression."
"As for the Overlord Sect's Ancestor Lin Batian, he has been in the Dao Integration realm for a thousand years. His strength is truly difficult to imagine or measure."
As she spoke, the Ziwei Dao Master couldn't help but sigh.
"What about you? How many years have you been in the Dao Integration realm?"
Chen Xiao suddenly asked.
The Ziwei Dao Master shot Chen Xiao a glance. She interpreted this question as Chen Xiao subtly mocking her for being too old.
However, she still provided an answer: "Exactly five hundred years. In fact, more than half of the current Dao Integration realm cultivators in the Three Sects entered this realm during the great calamity five hundred years ago. In the past five hundred years, cultivators entering the Dao Integration realm have been as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns, few and far between."
Chen Xiao nodded, deeply agreeing. "Indeed, it seems we must remain wary of the Overlord Sect in tomorrow's Heavenly Pride Competition!"
"That's not entirely necessary. The Overlord Sect's strength is concentrated entirely in Lin Batian. Few of his disciples and descendants are worth mentioning."
"However, speaking of your strength, none of the Holy Sons and Holy Maidens in the Heavenly Pride Competition will pose any threat to you. The real threat actually comes after the competition."
The Ziwei Dao Master said earnestly.
Chen Xiao smiled faintly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. He raised his head and gazed into the distance. "Tomorrow will be the day the answers are revealed. The God-Slaying Sword, I must have it!"
With the God-Slaying Sword, Chen Xiao would possess all five Great Sacred Relics, and this would be his greatest reliance in his fight against the Heavenly Dao!
The night passed without incident, and the next day was the day the main matches of the Heavenly Pride Competition would commence.
This was a grand event held once every fifty years in the Immortal Hidden Realm.
The excitement was beyond description; it could be described as a sea of people.
This was the first time Chen Xiao had seen so many people since arriving in the Immortal Hidden Realm!
After all, the Immortal Hidden Realm did not have the same population density as the mortal world.
The city construction of Immortal Sect City spread outwards from the center of the city.
At the very center was the Immortal Sect Palace, occupying nearly half the area of the entire city. Spreading outwards were the branch sects of the Heaven, Earth, and Human Three Sects.
Further out were the branch sects and halls of various other sects.
Ordinary city residents lived in the outermost ring.
The Immortal Sect Palace had several halls, and the vast plazas in front of these halls were where the main matches of the Heavenly Pride Competition were held.
One hundred and fifty heavenly prodigies from various regions had already entered the plaza, awaiting the start of the main competition.
These heavenly prodigies gathered in groups of two or three, their voices like a roaring crowd. They were full of youthful vigor and also brimming with arrogance. The entire plaza was filled with an intense atmosphere, like gunpowder ready to ignite.
Of course, this tension would soon be released.
Because the rules of the Heavenly Pride Competition were simple: fight!
Out of the one hundred and fifty heavenly prodigies, after the first round of unified testing, only thirty-two would remain.
These thirty-two heavenly prodigies would form the top thirty-two.
Then, opponents would be chosen by drawing lots, leading to matches from thirty-two to sixteen, sixteen to eight, eight to four, four to two... and finally, the ultimate victor would be crowned the strongest heavenly prodigy, the champion of this year's competition.
Of course, the winners were not just one. The top thirty-two in the Heavenly Pride Competition would have their names etched in history and would receive some rewards, more or less.
These rewards included magical artifacts, spiritual energy, and cultivation techniques.
While such items might not be significant to large sects, for medium or small sects, they could be things that allowed them to defy fate.
Back then, the true Holy Son of the True Martial Sect, Li Bei Wu, had hoped to make a name for himself in the Heavenly Pride Competition. If he could enter the top thirty-two, the entire True Martial Sect would have benefited.
Alas, he met his demise before his ambitions could even take flight... and even if he hadn't been killed by Chen Xiao, he wouldn't have been able to pass the preliminary rounds of the Heavenly Pride Competition.
Ideals are always beautiful, but reality is incredibly cruel.
Although it was said to be detached from emotions, this place was fundamentally a jungle society where the strong preyed on the weak.
At this moment, Chen Xiao stood with the Holy Maiden of the Earth Sect, awaiting the start of the Heavenly Pride Competition.
The Holy Son and Holy Maiden of the Earth Sect held distinguished statuses. Even before the Heavenly Pride Competition officially began, the aura surrounding these two was different from that of other heavenly prodigies.
It felt like they were cranes standing among chickens.
Of course, the Earth Sect was not the only super sect, so Chen Xiao and Li Miaozhen were not the only ones who stood out.
The Holy Son and Holy Maiden of the Human Sect, as well as the Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect, were also figures of exceptional grace and talent.
However... the Holy Son of the Heaven Sect, Yun Hao, was a bit lacking.
At this moment, he appeared listless, his eyes dull and lifeless, even his hair was dry and split, a result of inner turmoil.
The reason he had become this way was, naturally, thanks to Chen Xiao.
There were no secrets that couldn't be spread. The news of him being made to cry by Chen Xiao yesterday quickly spread. People in the upper circles now knew about his embarrassing incident.
However, he no longer cared about these matters.
Compared to the ridicule of others, Chen Xiao's blow had clearly impacted him more profoundly.
The Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect, Yun Jin, a valiant and spirited Taoist nun, looked at her Holy Son senior brother's state with eyes full of disappointment and helplessness.
"Senior Brother, pull yourself together! The main competition is about to begin. What will you do if you continue to be so dejected!"
She secretly transmitted her voice to Yun Hao, but the Holy Son of the Heaven Sect remained oblivious. His eyes scanned around, and when he accidentally saw the Holy Son of the Earth Sect, he was so startled that he quickly lowered his head, not daring to meet his gaze...