Chapter 144 - 115: Terrifying Selection Method, Incomparably Shocked Jiang Hao

Chapter 144: Chapter 115: Terrifying Selection Method, Incomparably Shocked Jiang Hao

Listening to their conversation, Jiang Hao managed to catch a few key pieces of information.

First, the names on the Celestial List were not necessarily real. Participants could use aliases to conceal their true identities, though the higher-ups of the Holy City undoubtedly knew who everyone was.

Second, the selection process for the Celestial List was life-threatening. Even during this preliminary stage, there was a very high chance of dying.

As for what the actual selection method entailed, even Jiang Hao found himself curious.

"Brother Jiang, without further ado, let’s head to the registration point," Mu Zhen said eagerly. Listening to the surrounding chatter seemed to have fueled his excitement, and he looked thoroughly ready to go.

Jiang Hao nodded and followed him toward the farthest registration point.

The old man at the registration desk did not show any discrimination against those from poorer regions. Perhaps because he was up to his ears in work, he simply kept his head down to process the paperwork after collecting each registration fee.

Soon, it was Mu Zhen and Mu Yiyi’s turn.

Jiang Hao handed his pre-prepared Spirit Stones to Mu Yiyi and lined up behind Mu Zhen.

When the siblings finished, it was finally Jiang Hao’s turn.

"Spirit Stones." The old man spoke flatly, seemingly lacking even the time to look up.

However, when Jiang Hao took out three hundred Middle-grade Spirit Stones, the old man glanced up in surprise. Yet, it was only a fleeting look of surprise. Evidently, Jiang Hao was not the only one using Middle-grade Spirit Stones to register.

Accepting the Spirit Stones, the old man brought out a peculiar stone covered in countless inscribed runes and handed it to Jiang Hao.

"Inject a wisp of Divine Sense, Soul Power, and aura to activate it. From now on, this will serve as your identification for participating in the Celestial List selection and competition.

"Once activated, write your name on it. It can be your real name or an alias.

"After leaving your chosen name, it will guide you to the selection area. Just follow it.

"Next, Spirit Stones."

Having rattled off the instructions, the old man immediately called for the next person in line, not giving Jiang Hao a moment to spare.

Seeing the prodigy behind him stepping up, Jiang Hao tactfully moved forward.

Following the old man’s instructions, he first injected a wisp of True Dragon Martial Soul’s Soul Power. The stone didn’t react.

Next, he injected a wisp of Divine Sense, but it remained entirely still.

It wasn’t until Jiang Hao infused a trace of his aura, completing the trio of requirements, that it finally reacted.

FWOOSH!

The stone abruptly activated, bursting with boundless, dazzling light.

After a moment of thought, Jiang Hao extended a finger, channeled Spiritual Power, and inscribed an alias on the stone: Ghost-faced Asura!

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t a completely fake name. After all, "Ghost-faced Asura" was a title bestowed upon him by countless prodigies at the Ancient Emperor Sect ruins. Jiang Hao had simply picked it up to use.

As those four words were branded into the stone, it began to react.

BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ!

The stone vibrated wildly, as if it had suddenly come to life. In an instant, it broke free from his grasp and flew toward the deepest part of the Holy City.

Without hesitation, Jiang Hao stepped into the air and followed closely behind.

Behind countless other brilliantly glowing stones, similarly astonishing figures trailed in close pursuit. Like a torrent of steel, they were all guided by the lights toward the exact same direction.

Jiang Hao did not know how long he flew. All he knew was that at a certain moment, a magnificent sight came into view.

Between the heavens and the earth ahead, countless towering walls emerged, stretching tens of thousands of feet high. Set into these massive walls were overlapping layers of stone doors, each radiating Array Patterns. Before every door sat two old men cross-legged. They looked completely at ease, yet they exuded a terrifyingly profound aura.

Guided by their respective stones, the prodigies flew toward their designated doors.

Jiang Hao’s stone also led him to one of the doors before gently falling back into his hand. Clutching the stone, Jiang Hao landed on the platform before the stone door and bowed slightly to the two old men resting with their eyes closed.

"This junior, Ghost-faced Asura, greets you two seniors."

Here, Jiang Hao did not use his real name; he introduced himself with the alias registered on his stone.

Hearing his voice, the two old men slowly opened their eyes and cast a casual glance at him.

With a cultivation base at the Spirit Transformation Fifth Stage, he looked thoroughly unremarkable. Evidently, Jiang Hao had grown accustomed to constantly running the "Concealment Art".

However, the moment the two old men looked at him, they both froze slightly.

"Are you a prodigy from the Xingyue City Earth Realm?" the silver-haired old man among them spoke first, a glimmer of surprise in his eyes.

Jiang Hao nodded in response. "Yes."

At those words, the two old men exchanged a glance, seemingly stirred by a wave of emotion.

"I never would have thought... I truly never would have thought that I’d see a prodigy from our hometown set foot in the Holy City," one of the old men said emotionally. "You are the very first prodigy from the Xingyue City Earth Realm to make it here. If you were chosen by an expert from Nanling, you must possess extraordinary qualities. Keep it up, child. Even if you can’t secure a spot in the Golden Scale Dao, do your best to enter the ranks of the Celestial List so you can stay in the Holy City to cultivate."

Their words took Jiang Hao aback.

He hadn’t expected such a coincidence. The examiners responsible for his selection were actually Cultivators from the Xingyue City Earth Realm.

However, it was clear that these two hadn’t entered Nanling as prodigies in their youth. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have claimed that Jiang Hao was the first prodigy from there to arrive.

"Go on, then. Just do your best and don’t push yourself too hard. If your life is in danger, give up immediately," one of them instructed. "If you decide to forfeit the selection, simply knock on the ground three times. We can see what’s happening inside and will naturally let you out."

As they finished speaking, perhaps out of kinship for a fellow native of their Earth Realm, a trace of kindness actually appeared in their aged eyes.

"Seniors, may this junior ask a question or two? How exactly is this Celestial List selection conducted? Is everyone tested individually?" Jiang Hao inquired. "Also, what is the selection method?"