Talisman Emperor

The ring of the bell drifted slowly through the heavens and the earth.

Dao Institute.

The Square of Vie.

While the ring of the bell still resounded through the air, a wave of fluctuation arose in space, and then numerous figures appeared from within. Surprisingly, it was Chen Xi and the other 24 disciples that were participating in the second round.

They stood at the center of the square while they more or less had slightly stunned expressions. They seemed as if they still hadn’t awakened completely from their meditative state.

To the people of the outside world, merely three days had passed, but an entire three months had passed to the 25 of them that were recuperating within the Ancient Springtime Realm.

Merely based on the auras that they emanated, one could discern that their physical strength had completely recovered to their peak states during this period of recuperation.

Even Gu Yan and Tu Meng who were heavily injured had recovered completely right now.

“It’s about to begin!”

“Six from the Sovereign Sect, five from the Divine Institute, five from the Dao Institute, six from Nuwa’s Dao Palace, and three from Oracle Mountain. I wonder what sort of competition will be held during the second round of the Dao Discussion.”

“We just have to wait and see.”

At the area for spectators, all the great figures from the various large powers in the entire Ancient God Domain were discussing animatedly.

“Hmm? That’s….” In next to no time, someone noticed that five more figures had appeared on the square. All of these figures possessed cultivations at the Universe Enlightened Ancestral God realm and formidable auras. Moreover, their imposing auras weren’t inferior to disciples from the previous group of 25.

“I understand now. These are the other five disciples that were selected. Don’t forget that the participants of the Dao Discussion were divided into two batched before it began. The first batch consisted of the disciples from the ‘five extremes of the Imperial Region’, and they competed for 25 spots to advance into the second round.”

“The second batch is made up of the disciples from the various other ancient sects, and they competed for the last 5 spots.”

“Obviously, these five are the disciples that rose above the rest in the end and advanced to the second round.”

“So, in that way, they’ll be participating in the second round as well?”

“Of course.”

“Look, Tai Shuhong, the number one disciples in the Universe Enlightened Ancestral God Realm from the Divine Mountain of Creation, Zhao Qingyao, the descendent of a true phoenix from True Phoenix Palace, Jia Nan, from the Buddhist Sect…. All five of them are extremely formidable existences.”

“Exactly. I heard that Jia Nan refined and absorbed a ninth-grade Emperor Rank Ancestral Dao Root when he advanced into the Universe Enlightened Ancestral God Realm and obtained the Grand Freedom Bodhi Relic passed down by the Buddhist Master Suo Po. So, his cultivation can’t be underestimated at all.”

The spectators discussed animatedly and quickly discerned the origins of those five newcomers.

At this moment, Chen Xi and the others had noticed these five people as well. However, most of their reactions were extremely flat.

They merely shot a glance at the five before withdrawing their gazes.

This was extremely normal. Because as disciples of from the ‘five extremes of the Imperial Region’, every single one of them was a peerless and extraordinary figure. All of them possessed their own prides and tempers, so they would naturally not get feel surprised from something like this.

Or perhaps, it could be said that most of them didn’t take these five newcomers seriously at all.

“Jia Nan?” Only Chen Xi couldn’t help but be slightly stunned when he saw one of them, Jia Nan. He recalled the promise he’d made Jia Nan, and he couldn’t help but feel ashamed.

Jia Nan had lent him a hand before Master Xuan’s Divine Temple within the Desolate Manku Ruins all those years ago, and Jia Nan had utilized the six treasures of the Buddhist Sect to suppress the Divine Black Lich Venom within Zhen Liuqing’s body. This caused Chen Xi to engrave this kindness in his heart and feel extremely grateful.

At that time, Jia Nan had raised a request. He wanted Chen Xi to make a trip to the Buddhist Sect ten years from then because he wanted to have battle with Chen Xi.

However, because he was held up by numerous things, Chen Xi had actually missed the agreed upon time. So, when he met Jia Nan at this moment, Chen Xi couldn’t avoid feeling ashamed in his heart.

“Fellow Daoist Chen Xi.” Just like before, Jia Nan had a composed and tranquil expression. When he saw Chen Xi, he pressed his palms together and said, “It can be considered as fate that we are able to meet here. I really look forward to being able to spar with Fellow Daoist during the Dao Discussion.”

The meaning behind his words was that Chen Xi should forget about the agreement from before because being able to spar this time would be considered as fate as well.

“Alright.” Chen Xi smiled while he decided in his heart. I’ll have a good chat with him after the Dao Discussion comes to an end.

“Now, I’ll start announcing the rules of the second round.” Suddenly, Huai Kong’zi figure appeared before Convergence Hall, and his deep and dignified voice swept through the world and instantly drew the attention of everyone in the surroundings.

“The second round will be divided into five levels. The 1st level will consist of battles between all 30 of you to select 15 winners.

“A single disciple will be exempted from participating during the 2nd level and can directly advance to the 3rd level. The remaining 14 disciples will fight each other to select 7 winners.

“In the 3rd level, the selected eight will be divided into four groups, and four winners will be selected from these groups.

“In the 4th level, two from these four will advance.

“The 5th level will be the final battle where the first is decided.”

Huai Kong’zi spoke in a concise manner and described the rules of the second round.

At this moment, all the cultivators present here finally confirmed that the second round really did consist of one on one battles!

Moreover, this was exactly what they looked forward to the most.

Because only one on one battles could allow Chen Xi, Leng Xinghun, Donghuang Yinxuan, and all the other peerless figures decide on a victor between them!

However, the only thing that puzzled them was why a single disciple didn’t have to participate in the battles during the 2nd level and could directly enter into the next level!

As if he’d discerned their thoughts, Huai Kong’zi announced the answer before he announced the specific rules of the battles during the second round.

“I presume all of you are very curious about the identity of that disciple that is able to advance smoothly during the 2nd level. Allow me to tell all of you frankly, this opportunity belongs to Oracle Mountain!”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the surroundings was astounded. Why?

Even Wen Ting who sat within Convergence Hall at this moment was slightly stunned and surprised.

“On what basis does that spot belong to the disciples of Oracle Mountain and not anyone else? This is unfair!” A disciple from the Divine Institute couldn’t help but voice out his dissatisfaction. It was the Second Powerseal Disciple, Zhu Qianyu.

The other disciples of the Divine Institute chimed in and were very displeased in as well.

“On what basis?” Huai Kong’zi’s expression remained unchanged as he said indifferently, “Some unexpected events occurred during the first round, and it was unfair to the disciples of Oracle Mountain. So, this is a form of compensation.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of Zhu Qianyu and the others froze as they’d never expected that the Dao Institute would actually give them such a reason.

“But in this way, it’s unfair to all of us who are participating in the Dao Discussion as well. Why do we have to pay for a mistake of your Dao Institute’s?” Zhu Qianyu took a deep breath before he spoke in a deep voice.

The surroundings erupted into an uproar. All of them hadn’t imagined that such an unexpected event would occur before the second round had even begun.

“This was my decision. Ying Qin is dead, and I don’t intend to pursue some matters any longer. If all of you are disgruntled, then we can have a good chat after the Dao Discussion comes to an end.” Right at this moment, the dignified and supreme voice of the Dao Institute’s Dean suddenly resounded, and it caused the atmosphere here to fall silent.

Zhu Qianyu’s expression changed slightly. He was just about to say something when he was stopped by Donghuang Yinxuan who said, “Forget it. Don’t continue arguing.”

Chen Xi couldn’t help but laugh coldly in his heart when he heard this. He didn’t care about such a spot as compensation because he wished for nothing more than for the matter to be pursued.

Unfortunately, he was very clearly aware that no one would allow other things to obstruct the smooth completion of the Dao Discussion.

“If there are no objections, then the first battle of the 1st level in the second round will begin now!” Huai Kong’zi spoke in a low voice. “Now, please produce the Ancient Dao Engraved Cauldrons all of you obtained.”

All of them did as they were told.

“Every single one of these cauldrons carried a form of unique energy, and it’s capable of forming a link with another cauldron.” Huai Kong’zi said in a low voice, “Your respective opponents will be determined by this link.”

At this moment, Chen Xi and the others finally came to an understanding. So, the cauldrons have such an effect. Doesn’t that mean that our opponents were predetermined since the moment we obtained the cauldrons?

Such an arrangement had truly exceeded the expectations of all.

It wasn’t just Chen Xi and the other participating disciples, even the cultivators in the spectating area exclaimed endlessly with surprise. Such arrangements were inconceivable indeed. However, if they thought about it carefully, then it was better at guaranteeing the fairness of the Dao Discussion.

After all, the disciples had obtained these cauldrons in the Dao Cauldron World, and it was filled with elements of chance. Because it was impossible to make advance arrangements that targeted this.

Swish!

Huai Kong’zi flicked his sleeve. A fist sized, translucent, and crystalline bronze cauldron that emanated a grand and ancient aura revolved in midair.

Shockingly, this bronze cauldron was the Dao Transformation Source Cauldron possessed by the Dao Institute’s Dean!

The Dao Cauldron World from before had been formed by this treasure as well.

Om! Om!

As soon as the Dao Transformation Source Cauldron appeared, it instantly emanated a strand of strange fluctuation that enveloped Chen Xi and the other 29 participants.

In the next moment, everyone here noticed that the cauldrons in their hands emanated a brilliant ray of light that swiftly shot into the sky.

These brilliant rays of light linked up with another ray of light in midair, and they echoed with each other, causing this sight to seem extremely miraculous.

This scene allowed all the cultivators in the surroundings to clearly determine the respective opponents of all 30 disciples.

At this moment, Chen Xi had finally determined his own opponent. Surprisingly, it was the Third Powerseal Disciple from the Divine Institute, Gongsun Mu!

The rays of light emanated by the cauldrons in their hands had linked together at this moment, so there was no need to confirm this fact at all.

“Haha! What a coincidence! Chen Xi, do you still remember what happened in the Shentu Clan? I said that I really looked forward to deciding on a victor between us during this Dao Discussion!” Meanwhile, Gongsun Mu had noticed his opponent was Chen Xi as well, and a wisp of a cold arc couldn’t help but suffuse the corners of his mouth.