This number was quite critical, directly determining who his opponent would be.
If he met a strong opponent in the first round, he'd consider himself unlucky and be directly eliminated.
Although there was a chance for revival, it would be much more troublesome.
Instantly, some people exerted their divine sense, trying to see the numbers inside.
However, since these light clusters were emitted by Ning Weize, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, how could they be seen through by the divine sense of these Qi Refining cultivators?
But there was one exception.
That was Ning Fa.
Under his full exertion of divine sense, he could actually vaguely see the numbers inside these light clusters!
This couldn't help but make him overjoyed.
This was naturally thanks to the Moon God Art that Ning Fa cultivated.
After he broke through to the sixth level of Qi Condensation, the second layer of the Moon God Art was also successfully cultivated.
His divine sense once again surged to a range of over thirty feet.
This was already about two to three times the divine sense strength of a normal Late Qi Condensation cultivator.
Moreover, Ning Fa's divine sense penetration and concealment had greatly improved.
Although there was still a gap in divine sense strength compared to Foundation Establishment cultivators, it was clear that Ning Weize had not been overly cautious with these light clusters.
As a result, Ning Fa, who was fully exerting his divine sense, saw through the numbers within.
This was very important to Ning Fa.
Because in addition to securing a spot in the direct lineage for this Heir Competition, he had another major objective.
That was to obstruct the Yuan Chang Island lineage, where Ning Ruiming belonged.
He did not want the Yuan Chang Island name to appear among the direct lineage spots this time.
Originally, he had considered intentionally falling into the loser's bracket and then challenging the cultivators participating from the Yuan Chang Island lineage.
Now that he could see the numbers inside, it was much simpler.
After a sinister-looking middle-aged cultivator took a light cluster, Ning Fa's eyes flashed, and he immediately used his divine sense to take another light cluster.
That tall, thin, sinister cultivator with a mustache was precisely the cultivator participating in the competition from the Yuan Chang Island lineage.
This person was named Ning Jiantao, the biological brother of Ning Jiannan, and also the strongest person in the Yuan Chang Island lineage.
He was already at the ninth level of Qi Condensation.
The number in the light cluster this person chose was number seventeen, and Ning Fa chose number sixteen.
He wanted to directly eliminate this person in the first round.
And he also wanted to ensure that this person wouldn't have the strength to continue competing.
He was completely confident in doing so now.
Soon, all thirty-two people had selected their numbers.
These light clusters then exploded above everyone's heads, revealing the numbers within.
Instantly, some were happy and some were sad.
For example, Ning Nanqing's opponent, a cultivator as fat as a ball, let out a miserable howl upon seeing that his opponent was Ning Nanqing.
It was clear he felt his chances were slim.
Ning Shaohong, on the other hand, raised her delicate eyebrows. Having been paying attention to Ning Fa, she naturally knew Ning Fa's opponent was a cultivator from the Yuan Chang Island lineage.
This was indeed quite a coincidence.
The Tenth Elder Ning Jiannan's eyes flashed with a sharp glint.
He secretly thought it was a good choice, as this was a perfect opportunity to teach Ning Fa a lesson.
The corners of the tall, thin, sinister cultivator's mouth also curved into a sinister smile.
If it were other branches, they might give Ning Fa some consideration, but the Yuan Chang Island lineage definitely would not.
Before the competition even began, Ning Jiannan had discussed it with him.
If they encountered Ning Fa during the competition, they were to strike hard.
This point was in sync with what Ning Fa was thinking.
He looked at Ning Jiantao, chuckled, and then said no more.
Ning Zhongjiu on the high platform glanced at Ning Fa, a thoughtful expression flashing in his eyes.
The competition officially began.
As there were only four arenas on the plaza, the first four numbers would compete with their opponents first, and then proceed in order.
In front of the four arenas, cultivators were gathered, cheering for the cultivators representing their respective branches.
Ning Fa calmly looked back and forth at these four matches.
In these four matches, three were heavily one-sided due to a significant disparity in strength.
Only one match featured competitors of similar strength, leading to a fierce and intense battle.
Both individuals were at the seventh level of Qi Refining, with comparable auras.
They had both summoned several high-grade magic artifacts, and the artifacts clashed violently. Various talismans were also employed, not requiring spirit stones to be used.
On the stage, Five Elements Spells like fireballs, wind blades, and water arrows were unleashed incessantly.
Clearly, they were all giving their all to secure the position of嫡系.
Ultimately, the older cultivator possessed more abundant magic power and emerged victorious.
His branch of the family erupted in cheers.
Ning Fa merely glanced at it casually and didn't pay it much mind.
With his current strength, the duels of these ordinary late-stage Qi Condensation cultivators no longer held his attention.
Three hours later.
The final four pairs of contestants for the first round finally arrived.
This included Ning Fa and Ning Jiantao from the Yuan Chang Island lineage.
As soon as Ning Fa stepped onto the stage, numerous gazes were cast his way.
Even the Ninth Elder was among them.
"Uncle Fa, go!"
A clear and crisp cheer came from beside the stage.
The person shouting was Xiao Yu, dressed in a yellow dress, with a beautiful and pretty appearance.
She had grown even more radiant and stood tall and graceful, already a young lady.
Beside her, his paternal uncle's family and his maternal uncle's family watched Ning Fa with tense expressions.
Ning Fa gave her a slight smile before turning to face his opponent.
Ning Jiantao's lips curved into a sinister grin, and he whispered, "I'm going to have you carried off the stage later."
Ning Fa pursed his lips. "I hope your skills are as sharp as your tongue."
A hint of sinister coldness flashed in Ning Jiantao's eyes as he beckoned with one hand.
Black light flickered in the air, and two black ghostly claws, several feet long, appeared.
Black mist billowed around them, accompanied by a sound like ghostly wails that sent shivers down one's spine.
Judging by the oppressive spiritual pressure they exuded, they were clearly a pair of top-grade magic artifacts.
That wasn't all. Ning Jiantao's hand flashed red again.
A small, crimson drum appeared in his hand.
Red spiritual energy emanated from the drum, even causing the surrounding area to appear faintly blurry, an extraordinary phenomenon.
The spiritual pressure it emitted was even slightly stronger than that of the black ghostly claws.
It was clearly another top-grade magic artifact.
On the high platform, Ning Shaohong's expression shifted slightly.
She looked at Ning Jiannan on her right and said in a cold voice, "It's the Ghostly Nether Claws and the Crimson Drum! Aren't you afraid Ning Jiantao will have his magic power drained?"
Ning Jiannan chuckled. "Ninth Elder doesn't need to worry about my useless brother. For the sake of the branch family, he will naturally go all out."
Ning Shaohong let out a cold snort, and her gaze towards the arena became much more serious.
At this moment, Ning Fa also activated his Primordial Thunder Armor.
Instantly, he was clad in silver-white thunderous armor, with seven silver magic orbs circling him.
They constantly shifted between extreme speed and slowness, their movements imbued with a mysterious rhythm.
This made Ning Fa, clad in the silver-white thunder armor, appear not only handsome but also possess a mysterious and domineering aura.
This caused Ning Wanyun, who had been watching him from the sidelines, to have her eyes sparkle with admiration.
Her brother, Ning Nanqing, let out a soft sound of surprise, and his gaze towards Ning Fa became considerably more solemn.
As the referee shouted "Begin!"
Ning Fa, who had been poised for action, flicked his fingers repeatedly.
Instantly, over ten silver-white lightning balls shot out, emitting dazzling silver light with arcs of electricity dancing. Amidst a fierce whistling sound, they hurtled towards Ning Jiantao.
Ning Fa's figure blurred, and he suddenly vanished from his original spot.