[Vol. 6] Chapter 186: Violet, Talented in Both Mind and Combat?
Xingyuan City, [Millennium Street].
This bustling street, built alongside Xingyuan City itself and renovated several times over the centuries, has become the city’s economic heart. Stretching across nearly half the central district, it leads directly to the headquarters of the [Eastern Origin Holy Sect] and the official residence of the Eastern Saint.
A group of four strolled along the lively street, brushing shoulders with the endless flow of people and passing rows of shops packed side by side. Even the well-traveled priestess couldn’t help but offer an admiring comment, tinged with awe.
"This place is incredibly vibrant. Is it always like this, or is it because [Eastern Origin Mysterious Kingdom] has such a strong and prosperous foundation?"
"Without a doubt," replied Murong Yun, who walked slightly ahead, clearing the way for the three comparatively delicate young women behind him. Turning his head with a smile, he added, "I’ve visited Xingyuan City a few times before, and while this [Millennium Street] was always lively and befitting the grandeur of a national capital, it’s nothing compared to the magnificence we see now."
"This grand event has truly captured the attention of the entire world."
The [Four Saints' Immortal Selection Ceremony] is far more than a simple competition. Its significance is comparable to the imperial examinations of ancient Earth. But in importance and value, it far surpasses even those.
Achieving a high rank in the ceremony grants one the coveted opportunity to ascend to Spirit Veil Immortal Island and seek a path to immortality. Even if it doesn’t guarantee instant success or godhood, it’s often a pivotal turning point in a person’s life.
It’s not just about gaining strength. The prestige of Spirit Veil Immortal Island, a power far above the four nations, is like a golden seal of approval. Holding such a credential paves the way for a smooth and successful future, no matter the chosen path.
For instance, any organization affiliated with Spirit Veil Immortal Island, such as the Spirit Veil Merchant Guild, requires its higher-ranking members to have at least passed the selection process and set foot on the Immortal Island. This qualification is often a minimum requirement and an absolute necessity.
This makes such positions enviable beyond measure. They’re not just lucrative but also highly prestigious. A "golden ticket" to a life of wealth and influence.
Of course, the [Four Saints' Immortal Selection Ceremony] has limited slots, and only a select few ultimately ascend to Spirit Veil Immortal Island. However, even if one is eliminated by stronger opponents, a strong performance in the competitions held in the capitals of the four nations can still attract significant attention. This alone can serve as a springboard, opening doors to prestigious sects, organizations, or even government positions.
In essence, the [Four Saints' Immortal Selection Ceremony] is a highly selective talent recruitment process. The very best candidates are offered to the Immortal Island, while the majority are absorbed into various roles within the four nations' systems.
Given the ceremony's long intervals. It becomes a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for those with ambition. After all, how many cycles of twenty or thirty years does a person have in a lifetime?
With talents from all corners of the world converging in the capitals of the four nations, it’s no surprise that such a grand and prosperous scene unfolds before them.
Although nearly six months had quietly passed since arriving in the [Ancient Spirit Realm], there was now only about a week left before the preliminary rounds of the [Four Saints' Immortal Selection Ceremony] officially began.
With millions of participants, even within [Eastern Origin Mysterious Kingdom] alone, the sheer scale of the event is staggering. Organizing records, registering every participant, and distributing identification numbers is an enormous task.
At the moment, Violet and her companions were simply headed to one of the registration points set up along the [Millennium Street] to complete their entry process.
From a distance, Violet could already see a massive, imposing building surrounded by countless soldiers clad in blue armor. She immediately recognized them as the [Eastern Origin Guard], the elite forces directly under the [Eastern Origin Holy Sect], which rules this capital city.
Similar to the [Black Scaled Army] they had encountered before, each of the six major powers governing Eastern Kingdom, comprising the [Five Great Sects] and the [Eastern Origin Holy Sect], commands its own highly trained and loyal military force.
While their numbers may not be immense, such as the [Eastern Origin Guard], which has a formal strength of only around 50,000, these troops represent the elite core meticulously cultivated by their respective sects over time.
Eastern Kingdom operates in a system resembling a feudal structure. Nearly half of its land and more than two-thirds of its total military power are controlled by hundreds of scattered sects across the nation.
This significantly reduces the burden of military expenditure and administrative management on the central government. Even so, the central regime maintains absolute authority, thanks in large part to forces like the [Eastern Origin Guard], a testament to their exceptional power.
The presence of the [Eastern Origin Guard] here in Xingyuan City is notable. While the city already has its own patrol forces responsible for maintaining order and handling cases, the deployment of the elite [Eastern Origin Guard] to oversee the registration site underscores the [Eastern Origin Holy Sect]'s commitment to ensuring flawless security.
As Violet and her group followed the bustling crowd into the registration hall, the grand interior of the expensive-looking building unfolded before her.
The [Four Saints' Immortal Selection Ceremony] is not merely a martial arts tournament. It’s a comprehensive evaluation of an individual’s talents and skills. Anyone with a specialized ability has a chance to stand out and achieve victory.
The interior of the registration hall reflected this diversity. Large, clearly marked signs and barriers divided the space into two sections: [Literature/Skills] and [Martial Arts/Combat]. Both areas were equally bustling with applicants, avoiding the awkward situation where one side might be overwhelmed while the other remained empty.
Of course, Violet was not entirely unfamiliar with the details of this grand event, having done her research beforehand.
The so-called [Martial Arts] competition is straightforward: a pure test of combat skill where victory is determined solely by defeating one’s opponent in direct battle.
On the other hand, the [Literature/Skills] competition is far broader and significantly more complex. It encompasses areas such as military strategy, governance and lawmaking, humanities and sciences, geography and astronomy, as well as disciplines like mystical calculations and divination. These are divided into over a dozen subcategories.
Having been a tradition for nearly a millennium, the [Four Saints' Immortal Selection Ceremony] has been held more than 30 times, despite the long intervals between each event. Over the years, its systems and rules have been refined to ensure that anyone with ambition and talent has a fair opportunity to participate.
One particularly interesting aspect is that the schedules for [Literature/Skills] and [Martial Arts], as well as the various subcategories within [Literature/Skills], are completely staggered. This means that if a participant has the ability and ambition, they can register for multiple categories, showcasing their comprehensive skill set across different areas.
Violet and her companions had already decided on their respective registration choices. Xiao Kong and Murong Yun would only participate in the [Martial Arts] competition, while Hen selected one subcategory within [Literature/Skills]. Since winning in any single category grants access to Spirit Veil Immortal Island, the specific choice didn’t matter much.
The only uncertain participant was the priestess herself...
"Hmm… I originally just planned to have some casual fights and call it a day. But there are so many interesting options in the [Literature/Skills] competition. Should I give one of them a try just for fun?"
Hearing her muttering, Murong Yun looked at her in shock.
"Wait, Miss Violet, you’re also skilled in scholarly fields?"
"Hey, hey! What’s that supposed to mean? I am an educated person, okay? Why would you think all I can do is beat people up? Will you believe me if I punch you right now?!"
"Uh… no, thank you…"