Chapter 1218: The Eve

"As expected of the highest-grade immortal artifact mask of the Reincarnation Hall, under such a transformation, it's practically identical to me." Chang Qi couldn't help but remark.

"Wonderful, wonderful... In this way, even many elders of our Xianshan Sect may not be able to tell the difference." Zhou Xianyang clapped and praised.

"Next, I hope Fellow Daoist Chang will detail the characteristics of your cultivation technique for me." Han Li said to Chang Qi.

Since he was well-versed in impersonating others to avoid various troubles, his gestures and demeanor had already changed, making him appear seven parts similar to Chang Qi, earning admiration from Zhou Xianyang and the others.

"Of course." Chang Qi nodded.

"You two discuss here; I'll go gather information on the participating sects in this selection." Zhou Xianyang said and left first.

In the secret chamber, only the discussion between Han Li and the other remained.

...

A month passed quickly.

On this morning, the entire Jiuyuan City was deserted, as almost everyone had gathered at the foot of Jiuyuan Mountain.

The selection for the Bodhi Feast quotas was to be held today outside the gate of Jiuyuan Temple.

Han Li had long since changed his appearance, transforming into Chang Qi, and followed Zhou Xianyang and several elders of Xianshan Sect to Jiuyuan Mountain.

Along the way, Han Li spoke little but occasionally exchanged a few words with the Xianshan Sect elders.

This 'Elder Chang Qi' he was impersonating had been wandering outside and rarely met with other elders, but there were still one or two acquaintances among them.

However, Han Li handled himself with ease, his every move perfectly embodying Chang Qi without revealing any flaws.

The group arrived at the foot of Jiuyuan Mountain and saw a towering mountain range from afar.

The mountains stretched endlessly, lush and green, with a thick layer of clouds and mist covering the upper half, obscuring the scenery above.

As the clouds rolled and unrolled, faint light shimmered, clearly a grand cloud-sea formation protecting the mountain range.

On the peak behind the mountain gate, a waterfall cascaded down, rainbows hung, and the cries of cranes and monkeys could be heard everywhere. The mountain breeze was filled with ethereal immortal qi, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was extremely abundant.

In front of the mountain gate, a vast square covering hundreds of miles had been built, divided into many areas, each with a raised arena about ten feet high.

The areas outside the arenas were separated by formations, and thousands of onlookers had gathered, standing on the ground or floating in the air, densely packed and countless.

Han Li and the others followed the pre-opened path, guided by Jiuyuan Temple disciples, and arrived at a large semicircular stone platform near the mountain gate.

At the mountain gate stood a tall, three-story, twelve-cornered archway, not painted red or green like those in the mortal world below, but carved entirely from spiritual jade, looking like a huge piece of emerald.

On the archway hung a white jade plaque with four large characters in ancient golden seal script: 'Jiuyuan Sacred Realm.'

Han Li looked through the archway and saw a winding stone path leading upward into a hazy mist, where the scenery within disappeared from view.

Arriving at the semicircular stone platform, Han Li saw rows of seats already arranged, densely packed, facing the dozen or so arenas ahead.

The Xianshan Sect members were guided by Jiuyuan Temple disciples to a seat on the left, slightly farther from the center.

Zhou Xianyang greeted several nearby sect leaders he knew and sat down directly, while the others stood behind him.

"I heard that your sect's Elder Chang Qi, who has been wandering outside, has returned to the sect. I've never had the chance to meet him. May I ask which one he is?" A white-haired old man sitting next to Zhou Xianyang turned to look at the Xianshan Sect members and asked.

Han Li had already reviewed the information Zhou Xianyang had gathered and recognized this person.

He was Zhao Yuanlai, the mountain master of Wuji Mountain. The cultivator representing their sect in the competition was his clan brother Zhao Bolao, a late-stage Taiyi cultivator who cultivated ice-attribute law power and was quite formidable.

"Junior Brother Chang, since Mountain Master Zhao wishes to know you, come and pay your respects." Zhou Xianyang said with a smile.

"Greetings, Mountain Master Zhao." Han Li stepped forward and saluted Zhao Yuanlai.

Zhao Yuanlai looked Han Li up and down, then exchanged a glance with a slender young man in a white brocade robe with a feminine face behind him, seemingly communicating telepathically.

Han Li also knew this person; it was Zhao Bolao. Their eyes met, and they nodded to each other.

"Concealed spirit radiance, steady aura—no wonder Sect Leader Zhou has kept you as a hidden trump card. It seems with Fellow Daoist Chang here, Xianshan Sect is determined to win the Bodhi Token." Zhao Yuanlai nodded and praised.

Though he put on a good show, Han Li could tell that the other party hadn't seen through his depth and instead held him in contempt.

Zhou Xianyang observed this and secretly laughed to himself. If Zhao Bolao encountered his 'Junior Brother Chang' in the competition, it would be quite a show.

While they were exchanging pleasantries, a refined man in a green bamboo-patterned robe, followed by several plain-dressed beautiful women, also stepped onto the semicircular stone platform and walked toward a seat on the other side.

Seeing this person arrive, Zhou Xianyang's expression darkened, and a flash of hatred appeared in his eyes.

Zhao Yuanlai also followed his gaze and his expression changed slightly, showing a hint of disgust.

"That Sikong Jian always puts on a gentlemanly act wherever he goes. Who in the Jinyuan Immortal Realm doesn't know he's the most shameless hypocrite?" Zhao Yuanlai said loudly, without lowering his voice.

Han Li also looked over and saw Sikong Jian holding a cup of tea offered by a woman beside him, just bringing it to his lips. He seemed to hear Zhao Yuanlai's words and looked over with narrowed eyes.

His appearance indeed deserved the description 'elegant and handsome.' He raised an eyebrow and showed a provocative smile toward Zhao Yuanlai and Zhou Xianyang, then took a light sip of tea.

"Why didn't this bastard bring his senior disciple this time? Not even the elders of Guyang Peak, only his female disciples?" Zhao Yuanlai asked in confusion.

"No need to guess. This old fox has probably thrown away all pretense and plans to personally compete with the younger generation." Zhou Xianyang said without surprise, glancing over.

"This..." Zhao Yuanlai was taken aback.

It was not forbidden for a sect leader to personally participate in the selection; the earlier announcement did not prohibit it. However, most sect leaders would refrain out of consideration for their status, as a failure would bring shame to the entire sect.

"Dong..."

As they were speaking, a resonant bell toll came from within the Jiuyuan Temple.

As the lingering sound of the bell echoed through the mountains, a patch of colorful clouds floated down from the sky, directly crossing the tall jade archway and landing on the circular stone platform.

The stone platform shimmered with rosy light, and five figures emerged.

The surrounding sect leaders participating in the competition stood up, straightened their attire, and bowed to the five figures in the rosy light.

Han Li also bowed with the crowd, but his peripheral vision studied the figures.

The one in the center wore a tall golden crown and celestial official robes, with slender eyes, a high nose bridge, and thin lips. He was the envoy from the Middle Earth Immortal Realm.

To his left was a man in a dark green Daoist robe and a lotus crown, naturally the Jiuyuan Temple Master, Pure Karma Daoist. To his right was a man of medium build with an ordinary appearance and a warm smile, Lu Chuanfeng, the Palace Master of the Jinyuan Immortal Palace.

Beside these two were two others Han Li had never seen before, but he had heard Zhou Xianyang mention them and could guess their identities.

One was a pale-faced, swollen-looking old man in a purple robe with a large belly, looking listless and weary. He was Tianxing Venerable, the leader of the Sun and Moon Alliance.

The other was a tall, dark-haired young man with his hair tied high and a single white lock hanging over his forehead. He was quite handsome and dignified, and he was Huo Yuan, the current mountain master of Baizao Mountain.

According to what Jingyang Superior had said back in the Wild Crane Valley of the Heishan Immortal Realm, this Mountain Master Huo Yuan should be the fifth generation mountain master of Baizao Mountain.

After these five appeared, a wave of enthusiastic cheers erupted from the square.

Pure Karma Daoist stepped forward, raised his hand and pressed down to signal the crowd to quiet down, and soon the area before Jiuyuan Temple fell silent.

Then he walked back, exchanged a few words with the Heavenly Court envoy, and arranged for everyone to take their seats.

"As the Bodhi Feast approaches, we are blessed with the boundless grace of Heaven. To celebrate with all cultivators, we are specially authorized to issue twelve Bodhi Tokens to the various immortal sects of the Jinyuan Immortal Realm, allowing all fellow cultivators the opportunity to attend the feast and share the Bodhi Dao Fruit." Pure Karma Daoist faced the crowd and announced loudly.

The crowd was overjoyed, as if they had already partaken of Heaven's grace.

"Boundless grace of Heaven, blessing all beings..."

"Boundless grace of Heaven, blessing all beings..."

...

Someone started the chant, and the crowd followed, drowning the entire mountain gate in waves of sound that grew stronger and stronger.

The Heavenly Court envoy seemed quite satisfied with this scene, a slight smile appearing on his face.

Among the others beside him, except for the dozing Tianxing Venerable with his protruding belly, everyone else wore smiles.

At this moment, an elder from Jiuyuan Temple in charge of the competition stepped forward and said to the crowd:

"Our Jinyuan Immortal Realm is vast and rich, with many immortal sects, but the Bodhi Tokens are ultimately limited. There are only twelve. Which sects will obtain them depends on the strength of each sect present."

"As bestowed by the Heavenly Court, we shall give our all." The leaders of the ninety-six sects around stood up again and saluted with cupped fists.

"Each sect has already submitted its list of participants. Next, please have the participating cultivators come forward for the first round of drawing lots." The presiding elder announced loudly.

Han Li exchanged a glance with Zhou Xianyang, then strode forward. Zhao Bolao, standing behind Zhao Yuanlai, followed closely and stepped to the front.

At the same time, participating cultivators from other sects also came forward one after another.