Three gates gradually rose.
Accompanied by a majestic shout, the tournant officially comnced.
A magnificent palace, wisps of azure smoke curling upwards.
Within the grand hall, a group of Taoists clad in azure vestnt robes, wearing Yin Yang Crowns, their deanor lofty and transcendent, gathered around a desk.
On the desk sat a sand table, roughly one foot in diater.
Flas burned atop the sand table, with blistering magma suspending patches of land, upon which ant-sized human figures stood.
The scene before them was clearly the Three Gates Tournant.
Tap, tap, tap!
An elder Taoist in a mystic robe walked into the hall.
The elder exuded an eerie presence, with his azure robe adorned with dragon and phoenix motifs.
Everyone stood and cupped their hands in greeting as they saw him: "Greetings, Scripture Master!"
This elder was one of the Five Masters of the i Mountain Jungle, also the host of this tournant.
"No need for formalities, everyone, please sit!" The Scripture Master said with a smile. He walked to the volcanic sand table and gazed down at the ant-sized figures. "Not bad, there are a few promising talents this ti. It seems the flourishing of our i Mountain Jungle lies with them."
"No, no, it’s all thanks to the teachings of the presiding Taoist."
The presiding figure was referred to as "Taoist" in i Mountain Jungle, although generally addressed as "Master Taoist."
"Master Taoist" was a universal honorific. Another term, "Lord," was a secular title used for addressing superiors with worldly positions. Of course, calling soone "Master Taoist" would never be incorrect.
"Sit, sit, everyone!"
The Scripture Master gestured for everyone to take their seats.
"Since there are no objections, shall we begin?"
Chanting incantations, the Scripture Master’s voice echoed majestically—the sa voice Song Lin and the others had just heard.
Soon, the people below began attempting to pass the gates.
The Scripture Master happened to sit next to Jiuyou Taoist, and the two seed to be old acquaintances.
"Jiuyou, is your inner core stable?"
The cultivation journey is divided into several stages: ditation, Fetal Breath, Qi Cultivation, Divine Establishnt, Core Formation, Purple Mansion, and more.
Before Core Formation lies Foundation Establishnt Breakthrough, the most dangerous phase. Any flaws during this stage can have enormous repercussions on one’s future path.
Jiuyou, who entered the Netherworld at a young age, acquired the Nine Nether Taiyin True Qi but was also injured by the Netherworld Demonic Qi, causing critical flaws during his Core Formation.
Jiuyou, with a composed expression, pale skin like jade, yet faint traces of Demonic Qi lingering between his brows, smiled bitterly upon hearing this: "No, despite countless asures, I can’t cure it. Let’s see what fate has in store."
"No worries. The Phoenix Platform Dragon Throwing is coming up—any interest in participating?"
The Phoenix Platform Dragon Throwing is a forest leadership exchange event hosted by the Southern Sect of the Sacred Might Dao from Yin Mountain, held once every 60 years to select a new presiding figure.
In theory, the Temple Masters and high-ranking mbers of affiliated forests are eligible to compete.
"Dragon Throwing? Forget it—I’m hardly qualified."
The Scripture Master chuckled and said, "Don’t underestimate yourself. After all, you’ve reached Core Formation and possess the Five Thunders Talisman as a Master Taoist."
As he spoke, the Scripture Master subtly glanced at Jiuyou’s expression.
"Haha, I’m just a cripple—how could I compete?" Jiuyou hesitated briefly before replying.
"Then how about supporting instead? If this old man becos the presiding figure, I’ll definitely help you stabilize your inner core."
"We’ll see. I plan to retreat for closed cultivation soon—who knows when I’ll erge again." Jiuyou remained tight-lipped, refusing to commit.
"Haha, no problem." The Scripture Master changed the subject. "Lately, there have been many prodigies. Who do you favor most?"
Jiuyou pointed at the Xuanke Three Heroes and raised his voice slightly: "Of course, the three from Xuanke Temple."
The Feather Robe Taoist beside them overheard Jiuyou’s boast and chuckled: "Haha, Jiuyou, do you think those three can defeat my two disciples?"
"Stop pretending—are my Taoist disciples from Qi Eating Temple inferior to yours?"
"Nonsense—my disciples from True Demon Temple are the strongest!"
The atmosphere grew lively all of a sudden.
The Three Gates Tournant was not only a competition among Taoist disciples but also a testant to each temple’s strength.
Historically, Qi Eating Temple and True Demon Temple often claid the top spots.
It wasn’t that their overall strength was greater but rather that their sorcery techniques provided accelerated progression, giving them an edge over others in the early stages.
Everyone’s focus returned to the sand table.
The Three Gates Tournant comnced.
Song Lin looked at the paper bridge, white as a sheet of xuan paper, and although it didn’t burn in the flas, its apparent frailty seed incapable of supporting an adult’s weight.
No one wanted to be the first to attempt crossing and continued to watch cautiously.
"Haha, a bunch of cowards—let go!"
A Taoist disciple shouted, summoning eight green-eyed crows. The crows grabbed his robes, lifting him into the air as they flew across the paper bridge.
At first, everything went smoothly. But midway across, a fire tongue surged down from the fire cloud above.
The eight crows burned to ash instantly, leaving the Taoist disciple’s back bloodied before he fell onto the paper bridge, breaking through it. He plunged into the fire sea below, impaled by blades and perishing.
"Flying too high isn’t an option either." Song Lin internally assessed, noting the patterns of the fire tongues.
Next, others began crossing gradually.
So attached Godspeed Talismans to their legs, attempting to sprint across the paper bridge at blinding speed; unfortunately, most ended up falling halfway through.
Strangely, the disciples from Chaozhen Temple all crossed successfully.
They seed to have a technique that made their bodies light as feathers, allowing them to drift lightly across with the accompanying breeze.
"Let’s go—it’s simple." Lin Yang said confidently. Ink-like patterns unfolded across Lin Yang’s body, covering him entirely as he transford into a red-haired evil ghost.
He then easily glided low across the paper bridge.
"Black Evil God Technique?" Song Lin muttered in surprise.
It turned out Lin Yang specialized in cultivating this technique.
Song Lin continued observing.
Li Xuan stepped onto a flying sword, crossing the bridge effortlessly.
"Here I go!"
Song Lin exhaled a breath of Red Dragon True Qi.
The True Qi enveloped his feet, lightening his body like a feather as he cautiously walked across the paper bridge.
He deliberately avoided revealing his ability to fly.
Soon, he too reached the other side, finding himself beside Lin Yang.
"Oh, I didn’t expect you’d make it—congratulations, truly."
A sarcastic voice rang from beside him.
It was Li Xuan, standing next to Chi Yang.
"Idiot—reckless fool." Song Lin uttered coldly before ignoring him entirely.
"Very well, let’s see if you keep this attitude later." Faced with imminent danger, Li Xuan’s temper seed less fiery.
Chi Yang glanced at the two, wondering aloud: "What grudge do you two have? Regardless of past grievances, set them aside for now. We co from the sa sect—don’t give others cause to laugh at us."
"Taoist, this is the one I told you about—the pill thief! If not for stealing Wude Master’s pills, how could he qualify for the Three Gates?"
Chi Yang turned to Song Lin and said:
"So it’s you. Master Wude asked to deal with you, but I see no need. If you survive, just apologize and admit your mistakes—maybe you can earn leniency."
"Taoist... This!" Li Xuan looked stunned.
"Let’s go—focus on the challenge."
Chi Yang was a shrewd man—he wouldn’t let himself be used as a pawn.
Li Xuan felt disheartened. It seed he would have to rely on the contingency plan left by his master.
Thinking thus, he activated the blessing on his brow.
The blessing, "Divine Covering Ghost Assistance," could bewilder minds and summon countless Netherworld Ghost Claws to drag opponents underground—he intended to use it in the boiling oil stage ahead.
Song Lin stared at Li Xuan’s retreating figure and suddenly spoke: "Li Taoist, wait!"
"Oh? What is it?" Li Xuan turned back.
"I greatly regret my past transgressions. I hope..."
Song Lin slowly approached Li Xuan.
"Apologizing now? Haha... Ugh!"
Whoosh!
A flash of crimson light streaked by.
Song Lin’s fire sword erged from his waist, shooting forth and crossing three yards before piercing chest.
"Ugh... you..." Li Xuan gazed in disbelief at the wooden sword embedded in his chest.
He never imagined Song Lin was this powerful, let alone that he would strike in front of everyone.
Thud!
Li Xuan’s lifeless body fell, his final sight being Song Lin’s expressionless face.
"Fool." Song Lin sneered.
If you plan to act, do it discreetly.
Li Xuan’s overconfidence in his supposed "trump card" only hastened his demise.
Crossing the gates was already perilous. Leaving such a disruptive individual unchecked only invited trouble. Even if it ant inviting scrutiny, eliminating him was the safest choice.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢
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