Wendao Square was suddenly a sea of people, the scene so bustling it was not at all inferior to the recruitment assemblies of previous years.
Peak Master Han Yi sat high on the main rostrum, the wrinkles of his smile denser than the mountains of the Great Desolation.
"Not bad, not bad at all. It seems everyone is very much looking forward to our Zhujian Peak's Spirit Forger Certification Competition, hahaha!"
"It is all due to the Peak Master’s brilliance!"
Not only did the disciples of the mountains come to join the excitement, but Elders and Hall Masters from various peaks appeared one after another. Han Yi rose to greet them with intense enthusiasm.
"Oh, Junior Brother Qingshan, you've come as well. Come, sit..."
"Master Ruan, what brings you here? Please, take the seat of honor."
"Good heavens, what wind blew you here, Elder Yao? You take my seat..."
"Sect... Sect Master Martial Uncle! You are so busy with a myriad of affairs, yet you actually came! Your presence brings light to this humble place!"
On the high platform, laughter and conversation flowed freely—it was all social niceties and worldly wisdom.
Below the platform, around the square, it was noisy and chaotic—it was all heckling and boasting.
In contrast, backstage, the Zhujian Peak disciples about to compete were each incredibly nervous.
Some were gulping down water, some were pacing back and forth, some were praying to the gods, and some were muttering incessantly.
"Senior Brother, what do we do? Why are there so many people? I'm panicking!"
"Don't ask me. I'm seeing a scene like this for the first time too..."
"The pressure is too much. If I had known, I wouldn't have signed up. At worst, my master would have broken one of my legs, but losing face in front of the entire sect... My head won't be safe when I go back."
"You can say that again."
"Everyone, stay steady! What's there to fear? Didn't the Peak Master say? If you really can't cut it, once you're up there, just focus on hammering away."
"Exactly! The experts look for technique, while the laymen just look for a show. What do they know? As long as you look fierce enough, they'll think you're amazing."
"It has to be you, Martial Uncle. You really know your stuff!"
The crowd suddenly stirred as a Zhujian Peak disciple shouted.
"Little Grand-Uncle! Little Grand-Uncle is here!"
At the sound, a group of people swarmed forward, surrounding Xu Xian so tightly that not even a drop of water could leak through, all talking at once.
Panic!
Fear!
Nervousness!
They asked Xu Xian what to do.
Xu Xian was completely overwhelmed.
What to do?
He could barely even save himself.
The advertisement had been made using his name. More than half of these people had come specifically for him. Was he not panicked? Not afraid? Not nervous?
His pressure was greater than anyone else's.
However, as the Little Grand-Uncle, he had to maintain his composure.
In times like this, as a leader, he was expected to stabilize morale and remain calm in the face of chaos.
He gave a light cough and gestured for silence. "Everyone, do not panic! I am here..."
His words offered comfort, and his aura dominated the room.
As the start drew near.
An Elder walked backstage, gathered the competing disciples, and spoke loudly:
"Everyone, quiet down."
The surroundings fell silent, all eyes landing on him.
The man announced in a formal tone, "I will state the rules once more. This certification is primarily for disciples below the fourth-rank spirit forge master and above ninth-rank mortal forging."
"There are a total of 1,134 participants."
"In a moment, everyone will enter in order. Do not push or shove. We have already set up 1,200 sets of forging equipment in the square; there is one for everyone, so do not worry about not getting one."
"The Hall has prepared free spirit ore for everyone. You may choose any suitable materials for forging."
"The assessment standard will be the grade of the final weapon produced."
"Those who forge a lower-grade spirit weapon will be promoted to first-rank spirit forge master."
"Those who forge a middle-grade spirit weapon will be promoted to second-rank spirit forge master."
"Those who forge an upper-grade spirit weapon will be promoted to third-rank spirit forge master."
"Everyone has only one chance. If you fail, leave the field voluntarily so as not to affect others. The assessment time is six hours."
"I'm sure you've all noticed there are many spectators today, but I hope you won't be affected. Maintain a calm heart."
"Is that clear?"
The crowd roared.
"Clear!!"
"Understood!!!"
"Got it!!!"
"Alright, get ready. The assessment is about to begin."
"Yes!"
After the Elder finished speaking, he proactively sought out Xu Xian and said with a smile, "Little Grand-Uncle, I'll have to trouble you to go out first to set the pace for everyone. Otherwise, I'm afraid these kids might get stage fright. Does that sound okay?"
Without a second thought, Xu Xian agreed readily. "Sure, why not!"
"Then I'll trouble you, Little Grand-Uncle."
"Don't mention it!"
As time passed, the Hour of the Snake arrived, and everything was ready.
At the Elders' seats.
A disciple hurried over to Han Yi’s side and whispered, "Peak Master, everything is ready. We can begin."
Han Yi nodded slightly to show he understood. Once the disciple retreated, he turned to Ye Xianyu with a face full of smiles and said softly, "Sect Master, we can begin."
Ye Xianyu smiled with narrowed eyes. "Fine, let's begin then."
"Will you do it, or shall I?" Han Yi inquired.
"Today is Zhujian Peak's home ground, and I'm just here for the show. Of course, you should do it," Ye Xianyu said.
Han Yi received the order, gave a cupped-fist salute, then stood up to face the crowd. With a flick of his wide sleeves, he shouted.
"Silence!!"
The clamor across the mountain vanished in an instant, leaving only sparse whispers and the whistling of the chilly autumn wind.
Han Yi's eyes were bright, and his voice was resonant.
"I declare!"
"The Spirit Forger Certification Competition officially begins! Will the contestants from the Forging Hall please enter!!"
As his voice fell...
The Zhujian Peak disciples rose into the air on their swords from a distance.
Amidst the ringing of swords, the crowd turned their eyes toward the sky, seeing over a thousand people slowly approaching through the air.
Leading them was a young man.
His hair was tied high, wearing green sword robes, looking triumphant and full of youthful vigor. Behind him was a literal Muscle Squad.
Some were shirtless, some wore sleeveless vests, each of them putting their muscles on full display.
They were all tall.
They were all burly men.
Most had short hair, slicked back, while some were completely bald.
This was the Zhujian Peak standard.
Short hair or bald heads made smithing easier; someone like Xu Xian was considered an outlier.
From a distance.
Their presence was overwhelming.
Up close.
They were bursting with hormones.
Looking at them like this, they truly did look fierce.
Those who knew them knew they were from Zhujian Peak; those who didn't might think they were a gang of thugs from somewhere.
Xu Xian kept his mission in mind. As the leader, he occasionally spoke up to remind them.
"Keep your backs straight!"
"Keep that aura at maximum!"
The disciples were all focused, eyes forward, looking terrifyingly serious.
With their entrance, the disciples all around the square—on the stone steps, in the trees, and in the air—burst into a mountain-shaking wave of cheering.
"Whoo!!"
"Wow... they're all so buff. They must be really strong!"
"Look, it's the Little Grand-Uncle! He's so handsome!"
"Little Grand-Uncle, I love you!"
"Little Grand-Uncle, you're my idol! I'll always support you!"
"Little Grand-Uncle, I want to have your babies!"
"..."
Young girls were smitten and the youths were fanatical; the enthusiasm was terrifying. With such a massive momentum, Xu Xian felt a lot of pressure, waving his hand and occasionally smiling.
In the crowd.
There was even a white-haired girl holding a large banner with the word 'Victory' written on it, waving it frantically and screaming at the top of her lungs.
"Little Grand-Uncle!"
"Keep it up!!"
"Little Grand-Uncle!"
"Victory!!!"
Then the people around her followed suit. Under her lead, they spoke in unison, their voices overpowering half the sect!
"Little Grand-Uncle!"
"Victory!!!"
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