After briefly settling in at "Clouds Come Inn" and letting Zhao Tiezhu, who was still in an excited state, familiarize himself with the environment in the guest room, Tang Xiaoqi left the inn alone. The immediate priority was to go to Star Oracle Hall to officially report with the "Dao Inquiry Invitation" and understand the specific arrangements for the "Wan Xiang Wen Dao Assembly."
Following the simple map and directions provided by the inn's steward, Tang Xiaoqi once again merged into the surging human current of Starlight Avenue. He noticed that the closer to the city center, the more magnificent the buildings on both sides of the street became, and the more powerful the auras of passing cultivators became. He could even vaguely sense several obscure auras that made him somewhat apprehensive, clearly there were Spirit Transformation or above great powers active here.
After walking about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, an extremely vast white jade plaza appeared ahead, several times larger than the earlier South View Square. At the end of the plaza stood a towering palace complex that seemed to support the entire starry sky canopy. The palace style was ancient and heavy, entirely cast from a rare material called "Stellar Gold," flowing with dark golden luster under the eternal starlight. Countless profound runes flickered like breathing on the wall surface, emanating vast, majestic, soul-subjugating majestic aura.
This was one of Tian Shu City's power cores, and also the main venue for this "Wan Xiang Wen Dao Assembly" - Star Oracle Hall!
At this moment, the plaza before Star Oracle Hall was packed with people, the noise shaking the heavens! Compared to South View Square and Starlight Avenue, the number of cultivators gathered here was even greater, and almost all were young faces, with auras either sharp, deep, domineering, or ethereal, none were not dragons and phoenixes among men, heaven's chosen of their generation!
They came from the four seas and eight wastes, from myriad realms. There were princes and princesses from the Central Plains Imperial Dynasty, heirs from hidden families, holy sons and daughters from major Holy Lands, hegemonic demon race crown princes, unfathomable demonic path rising stars, and also rogue cultivators or small sect disciples like Tang Xiaoqi who had obtained "Dao Inquiry Invitations" through their own strength and opportunities.
Looking around, those in splendid clothes and dazzling jewels were everywhere, and those in peculiar dress to display individuality were also not few. Some gathered in groups of three or five, chatting and laughing, sizing each other up, hiding schemes; some stood alone with arms crossed, looking down proudly, watching coldly; some were surrounded by numerous attendants, making an impressive show, flames of arrogance blazing.
The air was permeated with a thick, complex aura mixed with pride, confidence, competition, and even faint gunpowder smell. This was a gathering place for geniuses, a place where storms were about to rise!
Near the front of the plaza by the Star Oracle Hall's main gate, dozens of temporary work areas had been set up, each with long lines forming in front. These were the registration points for this assembly. Disciples wearing Star Oracle Hall's distinctive silver star robes were busy verifying identities, registering information, and distributing items.
Tang Xiaoqi took a deep breath, suppressing the slight waves in his heart, and found a relatively short line to stand at the end. He still wore the Shadow Concealing Cloak, his aura maintained at Golden Core early stage, appearing completely unremarkable in this gathering of geniuses.
The queuing process itself was a form of observation and learning.
Not far in front of him, a woman wearing ice-blue palace attire, with an extremely beautiful face yet cold as frost, only needed to display a token emanating cold energy, and the Star Oracle Hall deacon in charge of registration immediately stood up and respectfully processed her, even without needing to queue. Low discussions came from around: "It is the Holy Maiden of the Northern Region Ice Plain Immortal Palace!""Truly extraordinary temperament!""They say her 'Mysterious Ice Constitution' is near completion, she is a strong contender for the top ten in this assembly!"
On the other side, a young man wearing bright yellow dragon robes with a purple gold crown, surrounded by a group of elders with powerful auras, walked directly toward a special passage with no queue, his manner unhurried, as if it were only natural. "The Ninth Prince of the Central Plains Imperial Dynasty! Bearing the Purple Emperor Qi, invincible at the same level!""Looks like one of the top ten spots must be his!"
There were also those bearing sword cases with sword aura piercing the heavens, attracting sidelong glances from those around; those shrouded in Buddhist light with solemn appearances; those wrapped in black robes revealing only a pair of deep eyes, emanating an unsettling aura; there were even genius alien cultivators, some over ten feet tall, some with wings on their backs, some with pointed ears and emerald eyes, attracting attention.
Tang Xiaoqi even saw several people he had met briefly at Yingbin Ridge and South View Square. That cold white-robed sword cultivator was resting his eyes, indifferent to everything around him; that Wind Thunder Pavilion youth was far away hiding in the crowd, and when he saw Tang Xiaoqi, his eyes flickered and he hurriedly lowered his head, not daring to meet his gaze.
"Name, origin, credential." It was Tang Xiaoqi's turn. The deacon registering was a Nascent Soul early stage Star Oracle Hall official. He asked routinely without looking up, his tone carrying a trace of the slight arrogance belonging to Star Oracle Hall. His gaze lingered for a moment on Tang Xiaoqi's seemingly ordinary cyan robe and that cloak that worked sporadically, not seeing too much abnormality, just taking him for an ordinary Golden Core rogue cultivator.
"Tang Xiaoqi, Southeast Region Qingxu Temple, with this invitation." Xiaoqi answered calmly, handing over that jade scroll "Dao Inquiry Invitation."
When that deacon heard "Southeast Region Qingxu Temple," his brows almost imperceptibly furrowed, seemingly having no impression of this name, subconsciously categorizing it into "small place, good luck." However, when his gaze fell on that jade scroll emanating soft stellar light, his face instantly changed!
He carefully received the "Dao Inquiry Invitation," carefully verified it, especially after sensing the special imprint left by Star Oracle Hall's higher-ups within it, that trace of arrogance on his face instantly disappeared, replaced by solemnity, even carrying a trace of respect!
Those holding "Dao Inquiry Invitations" were all top geniuses strictly screened and recognized by Star Oracle Hall, with unlimited potential, future achievements immeasurable, far beyond comparison with ordinary deacons like them.
"So it is Fellow Daoist Tang!" The deacon's tone became much more polite, quickly recording the information on a special jade slip, then took out a black number plate that was neither gold nor wood, warm to the touch, and a jade slip recording the detailed rules of the assembly, handing both to Tang Xiaoqi with both hands.
"This is your competition number plate, 'Nine Thousand Seven Hundred Twenty-One.' Please be sure to keep it safe; it is your only credential for participating in all stages of the assembly. This jade slip contains the detailed rules, procedures, and important notes for the assembly; please be sure to read it carefully."
Tang Xiaoqi received the number plate and jade slip, his spiritual sense sweeping over the plate. Besides the number, there was also a faint imprint of his aura, impossible to forge. The jade slip was cold to the touch, with an enormous amount of information.
"Thank you." He nodded, putting away the items.
"Fellow Daoist Tang, please proceed this way to the 'waiting area' to rest, awaiting further notification from the assembly." The deacon politely indicated a direction.
Tang Xiaoqi walked as directed, silently reciting that number - Nine Thousand Seven Hundred Twenty-One. This meant that before him, at least nearly ten thousand young geniuses had already officially registered for this assembly! And this was far from over, more would continue to arrive.
This was truly a grand event sweeping the entire cultivation world!
He walked to the designated waiting area, which was also crowded with people. Geniuses from all over were either sitting or standing, some meditating, some conversing in low voices, some using their spiritual sense to read the rule jade slips they had just received.
Tang Xiaoqi found a relatively quiet corner and also took out that rule jade slip, sinking his spiritual sense into it.
Huge information instantly poured into his mind:
"Wan Xiang Wen Dao Assembly, divided into three rounds of assessment."
"First Round: 'Ascending the Heavenly Stairs.' Testing will, potential, Dao-heart. Nine hundred ninety-nine steps in total; those who reach the top may proceed to the next round."
"Second Round: 'Secret Realm Survival.' Conducted within the 'Small Cave Heaven' secret realm, thousand-person melee, must seize at least three other participants' number plates, and survive for three days. Final ranking of top one hundred determined based on number of plates held and performance."
"Third Round: 'Arena Decisive Battle.' Top hundred ranking battle, determining final standings."
"Assembly Rewards: Top ten may obtain the qualification to enter Tian Shu City's core secret realm 'Tian Shu Secret Realm' for cultivation, obtain ancient inheritance, supreme spiritual treasures, and even immortal artifact fragments and other opportunities. Top hundred all receive generous rewards..."
"Maliciously causing death is strictly prohibited; violators will have their cultivation abolished and expelled from Tian Shu City..."
The rules were clear and distinct, but also carried cruel competitive implications. Especially the second round secret realm survival, thousand-person melee, seizing number plates, was almost like a gu-raising style selection, bound to be bloody and fierce.
Tang Xiaoqi slowly opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping over those young faces in the waiting area that were either confident, grave, or excited.
Nine thousand seven hundred twenty-one... this was just the beginning.
He knew that the real challenge was about to come. This gathering of the world's talented would be the best stage for him to test himself and break through bottlenecks!
He gripped the number plate tightly in his hand, his eyes calm, yet burning with high fighting spirit.