The Dynasty of Cultivating Immortality

C33 – The Competition Began!

“Uncle, do you have something to say?” Ni Huibo inquired, a hint of puzzlement in his gaze. He looked at Ni Xianjian, unable to resist asking the question.

Ni Xianjian nodded, fixing his gaze on Ni Huibo for a moment before letting out a long sigh. “I need you to make me a promise,” he said.

​”Go ahead.”

“I want you to conceal your late second-level strength.”

​Ni Huibo cocked his head, his eyes brimming with confusion. “The reasons are complex, but it’s of utmost importance to the Ni family,” Ni Xianjian explained, a touch of helplessness in his eyes. The situation involving the Ni family in Mightcairn and the capital was intricate, tangled up in the rivalry among the various branches. It was too complicated to clarify in a short time.

“Is it that important?”

Ni Huibo murmured, his expression turning grave. He nodded earnestly and replied, “Alright, I promise you.”

​”Good boy,” Ni Xianjian said, a trace of relief in his eyes. He gave Ni Huibo a meaningful look before proceeding forward.

“Patriarch.”

“Hello, Patriarch.”

The young members of the family buzzed with excitement upon Ni Xianjian’s arrival. He acknowledged them with a nod and made his way to a raised platform.

​Clearing his throat, he scanned the crowd before commencing his speech. As the patriarch, it was his duty to inspire the next generation.

While Ni Huibo listened intently, the rest of the audience, having grown accustomed to such speeches, found them dull.

​After concluding his address, Ni Xianjian coughed lightly to recapture the crowd’s attention. “I’ll spare you any further ado. This Large Competition is unlike any before. I will select five exceptional individuals to represent us in the grand competition among the three major families. Additionally, these five will earn the chance to enter the Martial Hall’s forbidden area to choose a cultivation method. I’m sure you’re all aware of this. Now, let me outline the rules of the competition.”

“The Large Competition will be determined by drawing lots. Forty contestants will enter, and when only five remain, those eliminated will have an opportunity to challenge them. Success in the challenge means taking their place.”

After finishing his statement, he scanned the entire gathering. His voice rose sharply as he asked, “Does anyone have any questions?”

Silence enveloped the contest field.

The rule might appear harsh, but it was actually quite beneficial. Those who were eliminated still had an opportunity to issue a challenge.

Even if you were eliminated, as long as you possessed the strength, you still had a shot.

For a moment, no one in the crowd could muster any objection.

Seeing the lack of response, Ni Xianjian nodded with satisfaction and announced, “Very well, let’s begin the draw.”

No sooner had he spoken than two servants from the Ni family brought a wooden table before the assembly of young disciples.

They exchanged glances, none too eager to step forward.

“I’ll go first then.”

Ni Situo, seeing the others’ hesitation, chuckled and strode forward with an ease that betrayed no anxiety.

He approached the table, extended his hand, and promptly picked up a black lot. Without a glance, he hoisted it high for all to see.

“Forty.”

A murmur rippled through the young disciples.

Ni Situo’s prowess was no secret; within the Ni family’s younger generation, he alone had reached the second level of cultivation. Ni Shang and Ni Yirong had only attained the late period of the first level.

This meant that facing him was almost a guaranteed defeat.

As they eyed the black lot in Ni Situo’s hand, a wave of nervousness swept through them. After some jostling, they each drew their own lot.

Ni Situo watched their reactions with a sense of satisfaction, a smirk playing on his lips. He glanced casually at the number on his lot, then folded his arms and stepped aside.

Ni Huibo lingered at the edge of the crowd. Once everyone had selected their lots, he calmly made his way to the table and drew the last one.

The black lot was longer than Ni Huibo’s palm and gave off a subtle scent. In its center were two small golden characters.

“Thirteen.” Ni Huibo took a brief look and, unconcerned, returned to his place.

Ni Situo’s gaze was locked onto the contest field, his eyes narrowing sharply when he spotted Ni Huibo among the competitors.

“Ni Huibo!”

His voice was laced with venom as he spat out the name, his face twisted in a snarl, eyes brimming with deep-seated resentment.

He blamed Ni Huibo for his fall from grace as the young patriarch and the harsh scolding he received from his father.

Ni Huibo, once dismissed as worthless by Ni Situo, had recently caused him repeated humiliations—a disgrace he found unbearable.

A faint crack had formed on the black token in his hand without him noticing, but he quickly caught himself and loosened his grip.

“You’d better hope we don’t cross paths, or else…”

……

Ni Xianjian wasted no time in organizing the venue after the lots were drawn.

Despite the vastness of the training ground, it was divided into only four sections to allow the competitors to showcase their full potential.

The matchups were simple: number one against number two, number three against number four, and so on.

Having drawn number thirteen, Ni Huibo wasn’t up for the first round, so he stepped aside to watch as a spectator.

The expansive training ground was evenly split into quarters. Guided by the family elders, eight young disciples entered, pairing off into groups of two and taking their positions in the designated areas, their faces taut with anticipation.

This contest was crucial—it would not only decide who could access the forbidden grounds of the Martial Hall but would also influence their future standing within the family. Given the stakes, no one dared take the competition lightly.

Of the four pairings, the duel between the two women in the bottom left corner captured the most attention.

Ni Shang versus Ni Xiuying.

Beyond their striking looks and figures, the focus was on Ni Shang’s prowess.

Her medium-grade second-level talent marked her as a leading prodigy in the Ni family, yet her preference for a low profile and dedication to her cultivation had kept many unaware of her current level.

Ni Xiuying, already at the first level’s middle period, had made a name for herself within the family. Their impending clash promised to be a highlight of the competition.