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Chapter 429 - 425: The Heavenly Secrets Competition (Part 1)

Chapter 429: Chapter 425: The Heavenly Secrets Competition (Part 1)

As everyone took their seats, Zhou Qi, who was the host, ascended the platform and, as per usual, first greeted the guests with a fist-and-palm salute.

"Ladies and gentlemen, after two days of competition, the Heavenly Mechanism Chaos Battle has concluded successfully, with all seven prizes finding their respective owners. Today, we are going to witness the highlight of the Heavenly Mechanism Great Ceremony—the battle of the newcomers. Unlike previous years, this year’s contestants are all remarkably gifted, and it would be a pity for any of them to be eliminated. With a keen interest in talent, the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion has specially revised the rules for this year’s competition."

"Any contestant who finishes in the top three will not only have the opportunity to join the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion and become a key focus of its cultivation. Furthermore, the top three contestants will each receive a generous prize. In addition, the first-place winner will have the honor of being summoned by the Pavilion Master."

Upon hearing these words, the entire audience was abuzz with excitement, their speech brimming with envy.

Having a meeting with the Pavilion Master was an unprecedented opportunity. Normally, only martial artists who ascended to the Earthly List would have a chance to meet with the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion Master. However, there are countless masters in the world, and very few can reach the Earthly List.

Thus, for any martial artist, an audience with the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion Master is the highest honor.

Ling Chen touched his nose, remembering what He Ziyun had told him. The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion Master’s powers are vast and all-encompassing, almost all questions can be answered. Guidance from the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion Master could greatly enhance his martial arts progress.

If even He Ziyun said so, it must be true. If possible, he too wanted to meet this mysterious Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion Master and see just how capable he is.

As he contemplated, he saw Zhou Qi gesturing with his hand for quiet, then continued, "I believe everyone is very interested in the prizes for the top three."

"Elder Zhou, stop keeping us in suspense, let’s hear it."

Hearing the urging from the audience, Zhou Qi smiled and said, "The first place, besides having the opportunity to meet with the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion Master, will also receive three premium Heavenly Mechanism Pills, a choice of any Martial Arts Heart Method from the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion’s collection accumulated over hundreds of years, and a weapon personally forged by Master Guo Liang. The second place will receive two premium Heavenly Mechanism Pills and one Martial Arts Heart Method. Third place will receive one premium Heavenly Mechanism Pill and one ordinary Heavenly Mechanism Pill. Ladies and gentlemen, remember, these prizes will be completely at the disposal of the winners, the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion will not interfere."

Tsk tsk!

Even Qiu Yong and others couldn’t help but feel impressed after hearing about the rich prizes prepared by the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion.

Compared to the prizes of the newcomer battle, the rewards of the Heavenly Mechanism Chaos Battle suddenly seemed insignificant, the gap was too big.

Ling Chen wondered, "Since the top three winners will join the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion anyway, what’s the significance of these prizes?"

Yuan Yun laughed from the side and said, "Didn’t you hear the last sentence from Elder Zhou? That’s the key point. In plain terms, these prizes are not for the winners themselves, but for the powers behind them."

"I see." Ling Chen nodded. Then he changed the topic and asked, "Third Brother, since the candidates on the Newcomer List all belong to their own sects and forces, wouldn’t they have to draw a line with their previous identities after joining the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion?"

"That’s not necessary. Their backgrounds won’t change after joining the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. Take Yi Shuiyan as an example; if he enters the Pavilion, he is still a disciple of the Dangyang Sect. However, for the next few decades, he would receive cultivation from the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion and work for them. Of course, if the Dangyang Sect needs him, he can also lend a hand, as the Pavilion will not impose restrictions. This is akin to having two great powers simultaneously nurturing a genius who can serve them both—a win-win situation for both the Dangyang Sect and the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. Moreover, they can maintain a harmonious relationship through this approach."

Qiu Yong added, "The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion has been able to stand tall for hundreds of years and maintain its detached status among the major forces not only because of its mystery and strength, but more importantly, its tactics and control over the human heart. The Pavilion knows what these people need, so it always provides what they desire. Throughout history, there have been many who joined the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, each with different backgrounds, yet there has never been a single person who betrayed the Pavilion. On the contrary, when they grow old, instead of returning to their original forces and sects, they are willing to stay in the Pavilion for retirement, silently guarding it. These individuals are one of the core reasons for the Pavilion’s longstanding stability."

After listening to Qiu Yong, Ling Chen couldn’t help but be amazed, realizing how alluring the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion was.

"Ladies and gentlemen, according to the old rules, only those on the Newcomer List are eligible to compete in the newcomer battle. However, considering the extraordinary talents of this edition’s newcomers, the rules have changed slightly from previous years. The Newcomer List has only ten spots, but I believe that there are more than just these ten rising stars in the Martial Arts world. Therefore, in addition to the Newcomer List, we have provided one additional spot. Whoever secures this spot will be eligible to compete for the top three of the newcomers."

Ling Chen silently nodded, as the changes to the rules of the newcomer battle had already been made public. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have stayed.

To contend with Yi Shuiyan at the Heavenly Mechanism Great Ceremony, he must secure this spot.

"Alright, without further ado, the battle for the spot begins now. Whoever can maintain an undefeated streak through three matches on the platform, the last spot will belong to them. The opportunity is limited, so do not hesitate, lest you miss out on a golden chance." After finishing, Zhou Qi turned and stepped down from the platform.

Ling Chen looked at the empty platform, hesitated for a moment, but decided to wait and see. At this moment, rashly stepping up onto the stage, who knew what opponents he might encounter.

Soon, a young man walked down from the spectator seats and confidently climbed onto the platform, smiling and gesturing with a fist-and-palm salute: "Zhou Jun here, who wishes to enlighten me?"

"I will!"

As the words fell, a crew-cut young man leaped onto the platform and bowed with clasped hands: "He Yang, please enlighten me."

After speaking, He Yang did not waste any words, immediately making his move. His steel sword, like a Spirit Snake darting out its tongue, aimed straight at Zhou Jun’s throat.

Zhou Jun laughed heartily and welcomed the attack with empty hands, full of confidence.

As Zhou Jun’s hands touched the sword blade, before the onlookers could react, they saw He Yang’s steel sword fly out of his hands, shocking everyone.

Catching a blade barehanded?

How impressive!

So confident!

Seeing the steel sword falling from his grip, He Yang’s expression changed, and he promptly withdrew, admitting defeat with a flushed face: "I have lost."

"It was just luck." Zhou Jun said with a smile, looking around at the surrounding stands, and asked, "Who else?"

"I’ll have a try."

As the voice sounded, another young man stepped onto the platform.

However, the duel did not even last three moves before Zhou Jun easily defeated his opponent, securing two consecutive victories.

Watching the triumphant Zhou Jun, Ling Chen’s expression became a bit odd, and so did the faces of the onlookers.