Cultivation Through Artifacts

The hall instantly quietened down and no one dared to let out a word, some even holding their breath in fear causing a ruckus.

Fifth Cultivation Stage. The point where one will meet their first and most important bottleneck!

If they successfully break into the next Stage, their future to step into the Second Realm was 99% guaranteed, but if not... They might never be able to break into the Sixth Cultivation Stage at all!

Reaching the Fifth Cultivation Stage was nothing a huge feat one couldn't accomplish, but it was another story if one reached the Fifth Cultivation Stage at the age of 17!

As everyone knew, the participants came out from the freshmen this year, the new Cultivators who only obtained their Talents a bit more than a month ago. 

So this meant that the girl right before them not only was an unparalleled genius who reached the Fifth Cultivation Stage in under a month but even had a solid background that helped her!

No one in the entire cultivation world is capable of reaching the Fifth Cultivation Stage under a single month without any outer help. Let it be Essence Pills, places similar to Blade Mountain, or some kind of extremely powerful Secret Arts, this female Cultivator before them definitely used external help to reach her current Cultivation Stage under such a short span of time!

But even if she did, it didn't change the fact that right now, she was the strongest among all of them!

"She is telling the truth. She is truly on the Fifth Cultivation Stage." exclaimed her thoughts quietly Madam Snow toward Master Adam as she recorded Seila's data into her notebook slowly.

Master Adam nodded as he felt Seila's Cultivation Presence too, but his face didn't show the slightest of surprise at all.

After Seila walked down from the platform Cultivators one after another introduced themselves, announcing their names, Academy, and their Cultivation Stage.

However, luckily no one appeared after Seila who seemed to be on the Fifth Cultivation Stage, leaving the majority of the participants only on the Fourth and Third Cultivation Stage.

Unfortunately, there were even some that were on the Second Cultivation Stage, but those were the typical Cultivators that have already given up all hope to survive even the first day.

"Perfect, it seems we got everything we needed," exclaimed Madam Snow, closing her notebook and lowering her hands before her slim waist.

Master Adam nodded upon hearing this and walked to the middle of the platform.

"Now then, let me announce the rules of this decade's Thousand Life Tournament."

"?" when the crowd of Cultivators heard this immediately turned confused as they didn't understand what 'rules' there can be in a battle where only killing meant survival.

That's why the whole crowd quietened down and waited with curious complexions for Master Adam to continue.

"As you may know, the last Thousand Life Tournament was held in a one-on-one system where one qualified for the next round if they killed their opponents."

Everyone in the room nodded in agreement, some even laughing as this was only basic knowledge and those who didn't know were all fools.

"Well, this time things won't work the same way as then."

Immediately as his voice fell, the entirety of the hall broke into a loud uproar, some cursing out loud in confusion while some only raised a brow for that statement.

There were even some whose eyes brightened up with the hope that maybe they could avoid being killed.

But that hope was shattered like a piece of glass right away the next second...

"Instead of a one-on-one fight, I and the Cultivator's Organization decided to hold the tournament in a deserted area where all the two hundred and fifty-one participants will fight against each other at the same time until only one remained!"

"WHAAAAT!?"

Another huge uproar broke out, while those with hope a moment ago now truly lost all hope.

A battle where they had to fight not one, but everyone at the same time to survive... Their chance for survival, especially for those who were still on the Second Cultivation Stage now truly fell all the way down to zero...

"You can't do this to us! We chose our participants because it was told it will be a one-on-one fight! If we knew this, we would have brought someone else who could have had a higher chance for survival in a free-for-all battle! This is unfair!"

Suddenly a man in his forties yelled up loudly, causing a lot of Cultivators in the hall to nod in agreement.

Master Adam hearing this tilted his indifferent gaze at the man and asked, "What was your name again?"

"Vyn Fern from Coldbreeze Acade-"

"I see, then you must be the type of Cultivator that cries whenever something unexpected happens. That's why you will never be able to reach bigger heights in your cultivation because instead of thinking about how to solve your problems you instead decide to complain about your misfortune. Pathetic indeed..."

"What? That is bullish*t! I have never done such a shameless thing, I'm a Cultivator!"

"You just did. And what's more, that is the real reason you stuck on the Fifth Cultivation Stage mare than 7 years so far. If I were you I would hide in shame!"

As Master Adam's calm voice fell in the hall as though thunder descended, everyone froze up in a flash, their body trembling uncontrollably as they experienced a Ninth Stage Cultivator's wrath for the very first time.

Even though Master Adam didn't seem angry, his voice clearly indicated it. That's why, right now everyone knew one fact for sure; if they dared to do something reckless, their heads will be chopped off no question about that!

"I am awfully ashamed of what I have just said! Please, think about my previous statements as a mere joke!" exclaimed Vyn in a trembling voice, even jumping onto his knees to show his sincere apology.

Before the strong, the weak could only bow their head and do as they were told!

Or at least that's how it worked except for Logan who was still eating merrily in the corner and even showing a satisfied smile as he enjoyed the show before him.

When Khal, who stood next to Logan as a sculpture, noticed Master Adam's gaze on them wanted to warn his Logan, but surprisingly he didn't have to.

The very moment Master Adam looked at them the only thing he did was a simple frown and continued to ignore them.

"Well then, is there anyone who wishes to share any of their thoughts with us?" asked Master Adam, his question obviously holding great irony with a hint of irritation.

"No one? Perfect. Then, for the time being, that's all. The rest will be announced tomorrow morning here, exactly at 11 a.m! You can leave now!"

As his voice fell, Master Adam waved his hand and the doors on the opposite side opened, indicating that they can leave at once.

No one objected this 'order' of Master Adam's at all and without daring to stay even a second more before him everyone hurried to leave.

Khal and Logan did the same, however just as they were about to do so, Master Adam's voice appeared from behind them, stopping them from leaving.

"I would have never thought the day will come when I see you again Logan. Or should I call you Asher instead?"

'...'

Turning around, Logan glanced at Master Adam who happened to be a meter away from him, and after pondering for a while tilted his gaze at Khal, "You can go ahead, I will be right behind you."

Khal didn't know what was happening but still nodded and without asking any question turned around and left the hall, leaving Logan all alone with Master Adam and Madam Snow.