Chapter 620: Chapter 630: The Proud Rooster
"First, let’s discuss the rewards. The other rewards are the same as in previous years. Only the top three in the Heavenly List and the first place in the Earth Rankings will receive additional transmission of power from the Supreme Elder!"
Upon hearing such enticing extra rewards, the crowd below erupted into loud chatter, with many powerful disciples extremely excited.
Although rumors had been circulating for a while, they had never been officially confirmed.
Now that the Sect Master has announced it publicly, there will be no more changes.
"These thirty platforms here are for the Heavenly List competition. The one hundred and eighty platforms over there are for the Earth Rankings competition. Anyone who manages to successfully defend their platform will be eligible for the list. As for the competition rules, they are the same as previous years, starting with preliminary selections followed by peak duels."
"Registration starts now. The left side is for registration for the Heavenly List competition, and the right side is for the Earth Rankings registration."
As soon as the Sect Master finished speaking, countless disciples rushed to register. Each registrant received a unique identification plate.
Although there are nearly a million disciples in Wan Jian Sect, less than twenty thousand are actually qualified to participate in the competition for both lists. After all, the vast majority have cultivation below that of a Sword Saint.
The majority are Great Sword Masters, with fewer Sword Masters.
Normally, Sword Masters should be the most numerous. However, the standards for recruiting disciples in Wan Jian Sect are extremely strict.
Many disciples with inadequate talent are directly turned away.
Those with good talent are recruited as Sword Masters. After a few years or a decade of cultivation, almost all of them could advance to the Great Sword Master Realm.
According to Chu Feng’s understanding, ordinary disciples recruited into the Sect, if they cannot advance to the Great Sword Master Realm within ten years, and do not have other strengths like outstanding comprehension of Swordsmanship, exceptional sword casting skills, or expertise in Medicinal Herb cultivation or Alchemy, etc.
As long as they excel in one aspect and are valuable to the Sect, they can stay.
Otherwise, they will be eliminated.
Thus, currently, the most numerous in the Wan Jian Sect Main Lineage are Great Sword Masters, estimated to be at least nine hundred thousand.
As for Sword Saints, even if it’s not a hundred thousand, there would definitely be fifty to sixty thousand.
The number of Sword Gods is much rarer, probably not exceeding three thousand.
The distribution is completely like a pyramid, the number drastically decreases by more than a hundredfold with each advancement in a Great Realm.
Among a hundred Sword Saints, having one advance to the Sword God Realm is considered not bad.
To compete for the Heavenly List, one must have at least the cultivation of a Three-star Sword God. This single requirement is enough to eliminate most people.
You see, there are only about two to three hundred people registering for the Heavenly List.
Compared to the number of registrants for the Earth Rankings, it is very quiet. Although there are more than a hundred registration booths on the side of the Earth Rankings, it still seems very crowded.
The conditions for participating in the Earth Rankings are incredibly lenient.
As long as the cultivation does not exceed a Three-star Sword God, one can participate.
Chu Feng also successfully received a registration plate, number 2999.
Soon, all the disciples who registered for battle received their own distinctive registration plates.
"Alright, let the competition begin. For the Heavenly List competition, all registered disciples are free to challenge the platform. To prevent consecutive battles, each platform has a rest period of two hours after each fight,"
the Sect Master announced loudly.
Considering there are only slightly over two hundred contestants for the Heavenly List, there is no need for preliminary selections. Letting them freely contest the platforms is much better.
"Challengers, each person has only one chance; for defenders, there is no limit."
After so many years, the two lists competition battle has already established a mature mechanism that is fair and equitable.
Challengers have only one chance, which is to ensure every challenger accurately assesses their position. For instance, if you have only the strength of ranking thirty, but insist on challenging the number one platform,
it is unfair to the defender of the first platform.
If everyone challenges them, it would undoubtedly increase the burden on the number one defender. Meanwhile, other platforms may remain vacant.
This is also extremely unfair to the final results of the competition.
The Heavenly List has already started their competition, and on the Earth Rankings side, there are as many as 20,000 participants. A preliminary round is needed to ensure that the real masters are selected in the shortest time possible.
Allowing them to showcase their skills on the stage.
"All participants in the Earth Rankings, just by breaking through that Sword Array, will automatically qualify for the finals."
Following the direction indicated by the Sect Master, everyone saw that a Sword Array had already been set up there. Inside, lurking sword light flashes intermittently, emitting bursts of terrifying Evil Qi, piercing through the array. It made everyone who approached tremble with fear.
Many were intimidated and dared not enter the array.
"In theory, the most severe outcome one would face inside the array is serious injury, not death. However, accidents may also occur. Thus, if someone does not want to take this risk, they can choose to withdraw and directly forfeit the contest."
The Sect Master’s voice was very gentle, giving the disciples of the Sect the utmost tolerance.
Not every disciple is as brave as Chu Feng.
A small portion of disciples who had taken their number plate quietly withdrew after hearing the Sect Master’s words.
"Han Shuang, Han Dong, once you enter the array, be careful. If it’s not working out, just forfeit." Chu Feng told the two.
Once inside the array, contact with others would be immediately lost.
Everyone inside the array could only fight alone, facing essentially the same type of attacks.
"Chu Feng, I hope you won’t fail even this preliminary round!" Liu Lang, Yan Qing, and others walked up.
They had a grudge with Chu Feng, naturally showing unfriendly faces.
"Cock-a-doodle-doo!"
Chu Feng stretched his neck, emitting a sound similar to a rooster’s. This caused Han Shuang and Han Dong among others to look at him, utterly puzzled.
"Kid, why are you imitating a rooster?"
Yan Qing asked angrily.
"When you see humans, speak human language. When you see ghosts, speak ghost talk. When seeing roosters, naturally, I should speak rooster language. You all are prouder than roosters, acting as though you are the best in the world, nonsensically crowing. I can only respond by imitating a rooster."
Chu Feng answered earnestly.
Pfft—!
Hahaha!
Han Shuang and Han Dong, among others, burst into laughter. Chu Feng was just too humorous.
The faces of Yan Qing and Liu Lang alternated between blue and red, wishing they could devour Chu Feng whole.
"Kid, you’re asking for death!"
Yan Qing, with a fiery temper, glared at Chu Feng and coldly shouted.
"Cock-a-doodle-doo!"
Chu Feng stretched his neck in response.
"Damn..." Yan Qing’s forehead bulged with veins, nearly collapsing to the ground.
Without waiting for him to say anything more, Chu Feng already took the lead and dashed into the Sword Array.
Upon entering the Sword Array, Chu Feng immediately lost contact with Han Shuang and others. The surroundings were foggy, and no one could be seen.
Swish!
A sword light slashed from above, startling Chu Feng who hurriedly drew his sword to block.
This was just the beginning; more and more sword lights fell like raindrops. While continuously defending, Chu Feng also fiercely pushed forward.
Only by breaking out of the Sword Array could he be safe.