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Chapter 32 - The Measure of Power

After the token ceremony concluded, the vast dueling ground emptied, and participants returned to their designated quarters. But the peace was short-lived.

Shortly after noon, a giant stone slab — carved from the ancient Star-Forged Bedrock — was placed at the center of the assembly platform. This stone, known as the Heavenly Oath Pillar, was a sacred relic used to measure a cultivator's age, cultivation stage, and spiritual affinity. The audience slowly gathered again, murmurs rising with anticipation.

The host referee — known in Chinese as 擂台执事 (Lèitái Zhíshì) — stepped forward, his voice calm but firm as he called out names based on the order of the assigned tokens.

One by one, disciples from various sects and empires stepped forth, placing their palms on the stone.

Each time, brilliant lights would flare, revealing a glowing set of sigils:

Age.

Cultivation realm.

Elemental attribute.

Some cultivators trembled. Others stood proud.

For a while, no one reached the Essence Integration (Nascent Soul) realm. Most were in Core Formation, some even in Peak Foundation.

Then came a moment that shifted the atmosphere.

A youth with golden robes and a warm presence stepped forward, hand pressed gently on the pillar.

Prince Yushen of the Empyrean Lotus Empire.

Age: 21Realm: Early Essence Integration (Nascent Soul)Attributes: Heavenly Wood, Solar Qi

The crowd whispered with awe. His reputation was known far and wide — gentle, intelligent, and powerful beyond his years. A true prince.

Soon followed two more powerful cultivators:

Mu Xiaohuan of Void Horizon Sect, age 23, Middle Essence Integration, Dark Yin Ice attribute.

Shen Rui of Sea Cloud Kingdom, age 24, Early Essence Integration, Thunderstorm Wave attribute.

Then it was time.

The stage grew quiet as the participants from the known vengeful sects and empire alliances stepped forward.

 

🩸 Zuo Kuang of the Obsidian Bone Sect swaggered toward the stone. His chained corpse puppets stood beside him, their empty eyes glowing red.

Age: 22Realm: Middle Essence IntegrationAttributes: Bone Poison, Soul Chains

Arrogantly, he spat to the side. "Let's see Qingling's cubs mock this."

 

🔥 The twin royals from the Crimson Jade Dynasty, Hong Ye and Hong Xue, arrived together.

Prince Hong Ye: Age 22, Peak Core Formation, Mirage FlamePrincess Hong Xue: Age 21, Middle Core Formation, Poison Fire

Hong Xue's eyes locked onto Xuanye. "I want his heart in a jade box," she whispered.

Hong Ye sighed, "You and your toys... I want his sect."

 

🕷️ Yin Rou of the Silken Vein Pavilion followed. Her eyes sewn shut, a trail of blood-silk threads moved at her feet.

Age: 20, Peak FoundationAttributes: Blood Threads, Spirit Insects

Her voice whispered into minds, "Fear… it feeds my hive."

 

🪨 Tie Yuan of the Iron Vow Sect stomped forward barefoot, cracks forming beneath him.

Age: 23, Early Essence IntegrationAttributes: Earth, Shockwave

He raised a fist. "Qingling's bones will break before the crowd."

 

🕯️ Then — silence.

He didn't walk in.

He was already there.

Hei Mu of the Black Mist Academy.

Shrouded in thick black mist, his face hidden. When he touched the pillar, the atmosphere plunged into chill.

Age: 24,Realm: Late Essence Integration (Nascent Soul)Attribute: Shadow Meld

Gasps.

"He's… too strong," a disciple whispered. "Can anyone beat him?"

Even Qingling's rival sects went quiet. For a moment, no one dared hope.

And then, as mist swallowed him again, he disappeared from the platform without a word.

 

⚖️ Qin Zhen of the Void Trace Sect floated forward.

Age: 22,Realm: Late Essence IntegrationAttributes: Wind, Spirit Pressure

Before placing his hand, he lifted the massive pillar into the air using only his spiritual pressure. The crowd fell silent.

He smirked. "Let's see how long your bones last in the wind."

 

Now… came the Qingling Six.

Sufeili: Age 21, Peak Core FormationYue Chányīn: Age 17, Early Core FormationShui Lin: Age 17, Peak FoundationFeng Ruo: Age 18, Early Core FormationHuo Shan: Age 20, Middle Core Formation

Each stepped forward, confident and calm. But whispers rose.

"Where's the so-called Young Master?"

"Still hiding?"

And then…

Xuanye stepped forward.

Calm eyes. Calm breath. But inside — his sea of conscience stirred.

"Will this stone see through me?"

"No," the voice replied. "Even a deity cannot pierce my suppression. Let them see what you want them to see."

Assured, he walked up.

He placed his hand.

Age: 17Realm: Middle Core Formation

The mockery exploded.

"Middle Core? That's it?""Qingling's heir? With divine resources?""天啊...这也太失望了." (Heavens… what a disappointment.)

The Empress of Crimson Jade, Feng Lanyi, laughed softly.

"Sect Master Lin, such an impressive throne you raise your son upon."

But Lin Tianyan's gaze sharpened. "Cultivation is not just realms. It's pain, endurance… and sacrifice. A hollow tower falls faster than a steady foundation."

Silence followed.

But in the crowd, doubt bloomed.

Had the Qingling Sect misjudged their own heir?

Was Xuanye just a spoiled young master…?

 

That afternoon, as the crowd murmured and the participants returned to rest, the first duel was announced:

Qingling Outer Disciples vs. Sea Cloud Kingdom Disciples.

Unknown names, young blood. But behind the arena, darker games were already at play.

 

To be continued...

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