I, Who Hate Marine So Much, Have Become A Future Nika?

Chapter 71: The Mighty Cloud Firmament Sect

As the reputation spread, more and more people came to seek training from Zhong Cang.

And this time, it wasn't just the young ones who came. After their parents learned about it, they also came in order to enhance their own sons' strength.

In a situation where demand exceeded supply, simply waiting would mean having to wait for several months. Because of this, many people wanted to establish a relationship with Zhong Cang.

However, he rarely appeared in public due to his cultivation practice. Helpless, these people could only turn to Zhong Yingying, Zhong Kangping, and Zhong Cang's aunt.

After all, these three were Zhong Cang's only relatives in this world.

Liu Qin also had friends and social connections, but previously, Zhong Kangping's cultivation level of the ninth level of Qi Refining was not highly regarded in the Cloud Firmament Sect, and not many people sought his favor. This made Liu Qin have nothing to boast about in the circle of women's socializing.

Just like Zhong Yingying before, she was just a foil for others at women's gatherings.

But everything changed as Zhong Cang's talent was revealed.

Because they had requests, people naturally became more polite to Liu Qin.

For the sake of their children's future, those on the same level as Liu Qin spoke well of her and tried to curry favor with her. Those on a higher level also tried to establish a good relationship.

And this made Liu Qin receive countless compliments.

Originally, as a former maid, she had never experienced such glory.

This boundless glory completely changed her impression of Zhong Cang.

What Zhong Cang didn't know was that besides this matter, Zhong Yingying had also had a long conversation with her mother.

No one knew the content of that conversation, but the effect...

Zhong Cang glanced at his aunt and was surprised to find that she hadn't caused any trouble throughout.

However, although his aunt expressed her agreement through silence, Zhong Cang did not accept the spirit stones given by Zhong Kangping.

"Uncle, you're about to reach Foundation Building. You should prepare for your Foundation Building Pill."

"It's still early..."

"It's not early. It's never too early to prepare in advance."

After some hesitation, Zhong Cang, who couldn't refuse any longer, took three hundred spirit stones under the persuasion of Zhong Kangping, Zhong Yingying, and Zhong Xiaodie.

With these three hundred spirit stones, added to the three hundred he had saved, he now had six hundred spirit stones in his hands.

Unfortunately, although these spirit stones were many, they could only buy some medicine to heal injuries and replenish qi.

But such medicines only had a slow effect.

They were worlds apart from treasures like the Five-Colored Lotus Seed.

And with six hundred spirit stones, it was still a distant dream to buy such treasures.

Therefore, in the end, he only purchased some medicine for healing and replenishing qi, to be prepared for any unexpected situations.

The above is all the preparations Zhong Cang made for the Outer Court Grand Competition.

...

"Boom!"

In a state of nervousness and anticipation, three days passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, early in the morning, a deep and distant bell rang throughout the entire Cloud Firmament Sect.

Upon hearing this sound, all the Outer Court disciples instantly knew that the Grand Competition had begun.

"Whoosh..."

Like rivers converging into the sea, Outer Court disciples of the appropriate age, regardless of what they were doing before, stopped their actions as soon as the bell rang and hurried towards the large square outside the Outer Court mountain gate.

That was where the Cloud Firmament Sect held its celebrations, with a vast area capable of accommodating all the Outer Court disciples.

Zhong Cang was no exception as he hurried towards the large square outside the mountain gate. Along the way, he also saw that not only Outer Court disciples had come this time, but their relatives and elders were also walking towards the trial grounds with the crowd.

Shortly after leaving the gate, he saw his supervisor and his only male friend, You Tao, on the road.

Zhong Cang's uncle, aunt, and cousin were also with them, waiting for him.

"Brother Cang, over here."

Upon seeing him, Zhong Yingying immediately reached out and called out.

Seeing this, Zhong Cang hurriedly walked over.

"You all came?"

"Of course, the Outer Court Grand Competition is a major event for our Cloud Firmament Sect, and it is also a test that concerns your entire life. How could I not come... Don't panic, stay calm. Even if you fail, it's okay. We can come again next time!"

Zhong Cang was nervous and afraid, but his uncle, Zhong Kangping, had been comforting him all along.

After a while, he patted Zhong Cang's shoulder and let him go to the side of his peers, such as You Tao.

As soon as he left, You Tao's father looked at Zhong Kangping with some envy.

"Old Kang, I've heard about your nephew's situation. He was able to surpass the direct descendants of the Gold Core family. He will definitely get an Inner Court spot. You must be proud."

The praise from his friend about Zhong Cang made Zhong Kangping smile.

However, he didn't become conceited.

"You're overestimating him. Cang'er is several years older than those direct descendants. That's why he was able to win. And you know how fierce the competition is for those aged sixteen to eighteen in this assessment. The probability of Cang'er becoming an Inner Court disciple is very small."

"Even if the probability is small, it's still better than my useless son. He doesn't have any chance at all. But your nephew, even if he doesn't pass this time, he will definitely succeed next time."

"Hahaha, thanks for your kind words."

While the adults were talking to each other, Zhong Cang and the others were discussing how the first round of selection would be conducted.

You Tao believed that it would be a long-distance run under the influence of a gravity array, just like in previous years. This would clearly distinguish the disciples' strength and perseverance.

On the other hand, Zhong Yingying believed that the selection would be conducted through a tournament.

However, without any information, their discussions were just empty talk.

In this way, amidst their idle chatter, the group arrived at the Outer Court Plaza.

Upon arrival, everyone went their separate ways.

The adults went to the nearby spectator area.

Zhong Cang and the others followed the guidance of the Outer Court disciples and headed towards the designated open space.

The open space was divided into three sections, and Zhong Cang, You Tao, and Zhong Yingying all went to the middle section.

With the power of their own bodies, the cultivators quickly took their positions. In just an hour, all the Outer Court cultivators who were preparing to participate in the assessment stood in the three designated areas.

No one was late, and no one crossed over randomly (from a higher age group to a lower age group). After all, the cultivation world doesn't care about human rights, and the powerful can easily determine the bone age of everyone.

If any violations were discovered, even if the assessment was successful, the results would be considered invalid.

And this punishment was just the beginning.

In the future, not being able to participate in the assessment for a lifetime would be considered lenient. If one encountered a strict mentor, their cultivation could even be abolished.

In the three thousand years of the Cloud Firmament Sect's existence, no one has ever been able to deceive their age.

...

"Dong!"

"Qing!"

Not long after everyone stood in position, the resounding sound of bells and drums echoed from the top of the clouds.

After the sound of the bells, dozens of majestic objects broke through the white clouds and descended from the sky above the crowd.

Looking up, Zhong Cang was surprised to find that those majestic objects were actually magnificent ships and palaces.

On the decks of the ships, there were many cultivators with flowing robes, resembling immortals.

Every one of these cultivators exuded a suffocating aura.

"What a grand atmosphere. Are these the elders of the Cloud Firmament Sect?"

"Such a grand scene... The Outer Court assessment is not just a simple test, but also a grand parade to showcase strength and increase the sense of belonging for the Outer Court disciples."

Zhong Cang didn't know what others were thinking, but when he saw the countless ships and palaces descending from the sky, he had no intention of leaving the sect.

PS: Thank you to the reader with the ID 20230523192640380 for the donation. Thank you very much. I should be able to release the next chapter on June 1st, so I can't add more for now, just a temporary delay.

IOU: Six more chapters.

(End of this chapter)