With Countless Qualities Bestowed Upon Me, I Shall Ultimately Become Immortal
Chapter 132 - 121: Snatching the Waymarker at Xiang King’s Tomb! (Please Subscribe)

Chapter 132: Chapter 121: Snatching the Waymarker at Xiang King’s Tomb! (Please Subscribe)

9:30 a.m.

Seventy-two students gathered in an auditorium, with Bai Junfeng standing at the front, his voice booming like a thunderous bell:

"Today, we of Yong’an gather here, all set to embark on the battle at Xiang King’s Tomb."

Applause thundered through the room.

Bai Junfeng pressed his hands downward, calming the crowd before continuing:

"Let’s skip the pleasantries. The competition is divided into 24 mountain paths and volunteers will lead everyone to their designated paths. Each group will receive a ’Treasure Map’ identifying seven treasure locations.

Defeat the Celestial Demon guarding a treasure location to obtain a ’Path Marker.’ Those with a Path Marker can ascend to the summit and participate in the final ranking battle.

Be cautious, although the Celestial Demon’s sphere of influence has been removed and their activity restricted, students below the Fifth Gate are advised against challenging them.

If any danger arises, our Martial Arts Association volunteers will provide immediate support. This joint exam focuses on real-world combat experience, so please act within your limits.

Note, each three-person team must limit their Path Marker possession; once you have three, you may not seize more or conquer treasure locations. Proceed directly up the mountain.

Those who ascend the mountain with a Path Marker will earn entry-level Martial Arts resources worth hundreds of thousands.

The champion will not only receive bonus points for the national Martial Arts exam but will also obtain resources exceeding a million in value.

Additionally, the school of the top three winners will receive a distribution of 16 million in Martial Arts incentive education funds at a 6:3:1 ratio.

This means, if capable, a three-person team from the same school could sweep all the rewards!

Lastly, unlike previous joint exams, those without a Path Marker will not have rankings or rewards!

Now, I invite all of you to showcase your skills and prove what you have learned!"

Upon Bai Junfeng’s introduction, the strong candidates were filled with fighting spirit.

The weaker candidates were in an uproar, as they hadn’t planned on winning the championship.

Now, without a Path Marker, they couldn’t even taste a morsel of the hot meal.

Seeing the noisy commotion, Bai Junfeng let out a fierce eagle screech:

"Quiet! This is to wrench you from the cradle of school life, to experience the ruthless martial world firsthand; the strong feast, and the weak get nothing!"

"I like the rules of this competition. I declare the championship belongs to us at United University,"

Meng Jiaolong warmed up with a gentle twist, like a swimming dragon.

In the corner, Xu Qingfeng was still asleep, oblivious to the rules.

Meng Chuan nodded in his seat; Uncle Bai made sense—if you’re weak, train harder.

In the distance among the Yanhua group, a young girl radiated youthful beauty, a lively charm in her bright eyes and pearly teeth.

Her expressive apricot eyes darted around, her eyebrows curved like a crescent moon.

"Getting the ancestor to transfer me to Yong’an Campus was the right choice. What’s the point of staying with my brother at Yanhua Mountain? This time I must get first place!"

This girl was Zheng Zhenzhen, the great-granddaughter of Principal Zheng from Yanhua.

In terms of why she also bore the Zheng name, in the martial world, surnames follow whoever has the strongest fist...

According to the original plan, students without Path Markers would have fought in a ranking match at the mountain’s foot to receive incentives.

But the special guest judge, Principal Yin, vetoed it with one word, stating:

"A bunch of unripened kids, treating this like the Tianshan Martial Meet? No rankings, nothing for them!"

The ’Tianshan Martial Meet’ is a crucial long-term event in Great Chu, where countless top martial artists gained fame. The government funds billions for each edition, making it truly the top-tier domestic competition.

The Tianshan Martial Meet divides into Peak and Ranking matches; Ranking matches every three years while Peak matches every four Ranking sessions, thus every twelve years due to the slow power progression post-Grandmaster.

The Peak match has strict participation criteria, open only to Grandmasters and above, but with no upper limit, though participation from Six Limit Celestial Kings and Seven Limit Great Saints is traditionally avoided.

The minimum requirement for Ranking matches is First Major Limit and above, with Qi Blood Martial Artists disqualified.

’Candle Dragon’s Eye·Yin Tianshou’ was the last Peak match’s runner-up, second nationwide below the Celestial King.

Whereas the champion was the newly advanced Buddhist sect leader ’Immaculate Divine Monk,’ who surpassed the Celestial King.

Born with Buddhist physique and affinity coupled with the enlightening ’Leakless Meditation,’ he’s acclaimed as the Buddhist sect’s top talent since ’Dragon-riding Guanyin.’

...

Over at Ping’an Middle School, Principal Zong acquired a map and three special locators.

"Take the map, each person must wear a locator throughout, adhering to instructions. Those with Path Markers will have their location broadcasted in real-time to others holding one."

Pausing, Principal Zong continued:

"I suggest guarding one ’Treasure Spot.’ Once the two prep schools acquire Path Markers, Xiaomeng, then you strike to ascend."

Meng Chuan took a locator from the principal, secured it to his waist after activating it.

"No worries, Principal, I’m prepared."

The competition incentives are too tempting. Meng Chuan’s eyes already glimmered from Bai Uncle’s descriptions, and he’s planned his path to victory in advance.

Beside him, Qi Fei’s group looked worried about not being able to help, showing signs of concern.

"Don’t worry, I’ll also secure Path Markers for you both. Then in the summit melee, there’ll be two fewer strong opponents."

Seeing Meng Chuan’s confidence, Principal Zong felt reassured.

"You three, pace yourselves; victory is second, safety is first."

Bai Junfeng explained everything clearly, leaving the subsequent tasks to the Martial Arts Association volunteers and education bureau staff.

He then flashed into an eagle and disappeared into thin air.

...

Atop Xiang King’s Tomb, a temporary judge’s seat was set up, with Yin Tianshou seated in the main position, and Bai Junfeng taking the left after his ascent.

Principal Yin nodded and said:

"Xiaobai, your suggestions are sound, but there’s still a flaw. In my view, the champion should take all rewards, and the others left empty-handed."

Yin Tianshou has always been a staunch practitioner of the Iron Blood Sect’s combat-centric approach. After retiring from the military and transitioning to Martial Arts University’s president, he commenced sweeping reforms across Yong’an Martial Arts University.

He strictly opposed forming cliques and alliances, as it concerned resource distribution. At the school, whether students or teachers, only strength and talent are considered.

If anyone disagreed, he would simply respond with five words—"Disagree? Then train harder."

To Yin Tianshou’s right, a female voice spoke, bright and clear.

"Principal Yin’s idea concurs with mine; I also think this way."

The speaker was none other than Luo Guanyun’s sole daughter, a senior lecturer at Northern United University, Jade Belt Cyan Simurgh·Luo Meng.

"Xiaomeng ah, I see you’re quite confident in the three children from your school.

I’ll see the level of Northern United University and whether it can be ten stories higher than our Yong’an Martial Arts University."

Yin Tianshou, being extremely astute, immediately discerned the implications in the statement.

"No, Elder Yin misunderstood."

Then Luo Meng shifted the topic and diverted attention, this old man’s words were sharp, though she had the backing of United University, still, it was best not to offend him due to his status as a venerable.

In the front of the judges’ table, in mid-air, using the latest virtual reality interaction technology, hung an oversized electronic screen.

It was subdivided into 24 smaller sections, able to observe each group’s mountain movements in real time.

A few people engaged in small talk while watching the monitor, where all the candidates were entering the examination grounds along mountain paths.

Seeing Meng Chuan’s footage, Bai Junfeng’s face showed a hint of appreciation.

"This kid has reached seven checkpoints already, really fast."

Five Limit Venerable’s perception was exceedingly keen, having spare time, Yin Tianshou asked:

"What’s the matter Xiaobai, this young man has a past with you?"

After graduation, Bai Junfeng had trained under Yin Tianshou’s legion for a while; the two were rather acquaintances.

Bai Junfeng said:

"This young man is the disciple of my friend Luo Guanyun, and has some past with Teacher Luo."

Yin Tianshou glanced at Luo Meng beside him.

Luo Meng was utterly confused, having long ceased communicating with her father, indifferent to these matters.

These father and daughter are really bothersome, Bai Junfeng explained to her:

"This is your dad’s direct disciple, Meng Chuan."

Luo Meng remained calm, secretly thinking:

"A pity, like Old Luo, merely a sacrifice to Primordial Spirit Thunder Technique."

Yin Tianshou overheard that this student ’has a significant background’, jokingly said:

"Whoa, the biggest insider in this joint exam, also from your United University?"

Luo Meng shook her head denying.

Bai Junfeng laughed and said:

"Misunderstanding, Principal Yin, our Martial Arts Association is open and fair, doesn’t play that game,

Besides, speaking of insiders, who could compare to that Celestial King Zheng’s descendant Zheng Zhenzhen."

"Moreover, he isn’t even from the United University, just an ordinary high school sophomore."

"Ordinary high school? How is his capability?"

"The first echelon in this joint exam, a seven-checkpoint martial artist."

Upon hearing this, Luo Meng’s expression showed some surprise.

She had heard from her mother Ren Ping about Old Luo taking a direct disciple, didn’t expect this kid was indeed quite decent.

But it was just a ’decent’ evaluation, she had become a martial artist on her eighteenth birthday.

Yin Tianshou nodded, hearing about the seven checkpoints piqued his curiosity.

The pre-college at Yong’an couldn’t cultivate students at seven checkpoints, this Ping’an Middle School has something.

Seeing his curiosity, Bai Junfeng explained the National Righteous Fist matter to him, finally saying:

"President Zhao has also praised this young man for his steadfast nature, able to achieve great things."

Yin Tianshou’s expression finally showed emotion, no longer the playful look from before.

"Elder Zhao’s insight is really discerning; for him to praise so highly, it seems this young man is indeed remarkable!"

...

Ten o’clock.

Before Meng Chuan climbed the mountain, Principal Zong couldn’t help but ask again:

"Xiaomeng, tell Uncle the truth, are you confident?"

Meng Chuan, be it small or big matters, always had the same expression. Accompanying them to the examination mountain path, Principal Zong was unable to discern what he was thinking.

"Yes, don’t worry, just wait for our good news."

Principal Zong sighed in relief and nodded:

"As always, strikes and kicks lack eyes, safety is most important."

"Alright."

A few minutes later, Meng Chuan and the other two held maps, walking along the mountain trail.

Looking around, an endless stretch of green appeared, overhead the view was blocked by lush and verdant giant trees, with fragmented sunlight scattering on the ground.

Meng Chuan breathed in fresh air, holding a map to observe under the sunlight.

"Let’s head to the nearest [Treasure Location] first and secure a waypoint."

Meng Chuan’s approach differed from what Principal Zong mentioned, the two were somewhat puzzled.

"Follow as I say, just keep up."