In the vast Northern Spiritual Realm, there were many interesting events that attracted people's attention, but few truly captivated the interest of all social strata within the region. Among these, for many years, one event remained a rare and solemn occasion for the Northern Spiritual Realm.
This was the battle to contend for the quota of the Five Great Academies, held at the Northern Spiritual Academy.
In the eyes of all the major and minor powers of the Northern Spiritual Realm, the Five Great Academies were colossal monsters. Their capabilities were fundamentally insufficient to fully comprehend the terrifying power of these academies, but they knew well that in the eyes of the Five Great Academies, they were merely ants.
Because of this, almost everyone wanted their descendants to have the opportunity to join those monstrous academies. They knew clearly that as long as one could join the Five Great Academies, their achievements would far surpass those of ordinary people.
Although the Northern Spiritual Realm was vast and boundless, compared to the endless Great Thousand World, it was merely a small, remote place. To truly experience the vast and exciting Great Thousand World, they had to pass through the Five Great Academies to continue on a broad and smooth path.
Therefore, every year when the Northern Spiritual Academy hosted the "Quota Contention Battle," the entire Northern Spiritual City seemed to be immersed in a festive atmosphere. Even the nine domain lords personally came to observe, and people flocked there in bustling excitement.
As long as the descendants of a few domain lords could win a quota, they would gain considerable prestige and enjoy the admiring gazes of everyone around them.
That feeling of exhilaration far surpassed the satisfaction of expanding one's power and territory.
Today, Northern Spiritual City had transformed into the most crowded and bustling city in the Northern Spiritual Realm. People came and went in a constant stream, the noise echoing loudly throughout the streets, reverberating everywhere in the city, even audible hundreds of miles outside the city.
The competition arena was designed in the northwest plaza, the largest area of Northern Spiritual City, capable of accommodating over 100,000 people at once.
The plaza was now packed with people, almost every seat occupied. Looking across, the sea of people was dazzlingly dense, stretching to the very end, rising dozens of meters high, only people visible.
In the center of the plaza, all the disciples of the Northern Spiritual Academy were neatly assembled. They cultivated at the Northern Spiritual Academy precisely in the hope of gaining the qualification to participate in such a contention battle. Although most of them still lacked a bit in cultivation, they could not miss the opportunity to observe and learn for the future.
Below the arena were several specially luxurious seats. There, quite a few people were already seated properly, each exuding an extraordinary aura and formidable spiritual power. A quick glance revealed their imposing presence; they were clearly the nine domain lords of the Northern Spiritual Realm!
"Haha, greetings, Brother Mu. You've arrived quite early this time. I heard Mu Chen also has the qualification to participate? Long time no see, I heard from Tian'er that he's very formidable now?"
In the guest seating area, lively laughter and conversation filled the air. The person who had just greeted Mu Feng was a rather famous middle-aged man, none other than Domain Lord Tang, Tang Shan.
Mu Feng also smiled and returned the greeting to Tang Shan:
"What's so formidable about that brat? He's just good at showing off in front of girls."
Mu Feng and Tang Shan had a rather good relationship. Although their two domains were not yet allies, they had cooperated quite a bit.
"My Tian'er was fortunate enough to break through to the Spiritual Wheel Realm just a few days ago. I wonder if she'll be able to contend for a quota this time."
Tang Shan looked worried. Although Tang Tian'er had decent talent, those participating in the quota competition were all outstanding geniuses. It wouldn't be easy to win.
"Hahaha, I heard that this time there's also a seed quota, the first time it's ever appeared in the Northern Spirit Academy. Tian'er wouldn't dare to aim for that; we'll have to see Mu Chen's capabilities." Tang Shan still laughed, changing the subject.
Mu Feng smiled, about to reply, but at that moment, a faint laugh rang out: "A seed quota? My Liu Domain has already claimed it; it won't be given to anyone else."
Mu Feng turned his head to look at Liu Qing Tian's indifferent expression, sneering, "It's not like queuing up to buy vegetables at the market. What do you mean 'claimed' or 'not claimed'?"
"Oh, actually, I spoke incorrectly. Why bother competing? The Mu Domain doesn't even stand a chance." Liu Qing Tian glared at Mu Feng and said.
"Don't bite off more than you can chew. When the time comes, if you can't take back your words, won't you be embarrassed?" Mu Feng replied with a smile.
"We don't find anyone's face particularly pleasant to look at either..." Liu Qing Tian laughed coldly, his eyes chilling.
"Go ahead and be smug. Let's see if you can still laugh when Mu Bai beats your son so badly he's unrecognizable!"
The other domain lords watched the first and second domains' sharp jabs, neither giving an inch, and no one dared to get involved. They all clearly understood that the Mu Domain and the Liu Domain had always disliked each other, and they were also the two strongest domains, each with a Tier 2 Spirit Gathering Array, possessing profound and absolutely dominant foundations. Therefore, no one was foolish enough to offend them without reason.
Mu Feng didn't bother to chat with Liu Qing Tian. At present, anything said would be of no benefit. Although he knew Liu Mu Bai was quite formidable, was his son just an ordinary person?
"Dong!"
A gong sounded, breaking the noisy atmosphere in the square, echoing throughout the arena and spreading outside the city.
Over 100,000 pairs of eyes looked towards the source of the sound. There, four figures slowly appeared. The first to walk was Dean Xiao, closely followed on both sides by Master Mo and Master Xi. The last was a rather unfamiliar old man, who looked a bit weary, his lazy gaze sweeping over the area of the nine domain lords, showing no particular regard.
"Hohoho, thank you all for coming to cheer today. Indeed, this event is gaining more and more support. You are all acquaintances, so I won't say much to bother you." Dean Xiao clasped his hands in greeting to the distinguished guests, smiling.
Mu Feng and the others quickly stood up to return the courtesy. Dean Xiao was very humble in the Northern Spirit Realm, not competing or vying with anyone, but no force dared to underestimate him. Not to mention the Northern Spirit Academy's rare neutrality, Dean Xiao's own strength among the nine domain lords, it was feared that no more than three people could compare to him.
"Allow me to introduce this person. The judges and rules for this year's Northern Spirit Academy quota competition are all decided by him..." Dean Xiao turned to introduce the lazy old man behind him, continuing, "Everyone, this is Mister Hao from the Five Great Academies."
"A powerhouse from the Five Great Academies?"
The domain lords were startled upon hearing the introduction and quickly turned to bow respectfully. No one from the Five Great Academies was not a true powerhouse; they could not be underestimated.
Mu Feng could clearly sense that although the old man appeared superficial, his strength was certainly not inferior to his own.
Mr. He returned the greeting. His attitude was neither overly arrogant nor overly polite, but the nine domain lords could only force a smile. The status of the Five Great Academies was more than enough to suppress them.
"Let's begin."
Mr. He spoke indifferently to Dean Xiao.
Dean Xiao heard him, smiled and nodded, then looked at the arena. His voice, amplified by spiritual power, boomed into the ears of every seated spectator.
"This year's quota competition has a total of thirteen disciples participating. Five from the East Academy, seven from the West Academy. There are usually five regular quotas and one seed quota. Twelve people will fight six decisive battles, and the winners will qualify for a regular quota. Anyone who aspires to the seed quota can challenge for it, and the final winner will claim the seed quota."
Dean Xiao looked down at the disciples from both academies.
"Do any of you have any questions?"
"None!"
"Alright, disciples, ascend the stage!"
As soon as Dean Xiao finished speaking, several figures swiftly shot up from among the disciples of the two academies, standing tall on the arena stage under the excited and admiring gazes of the crowd.
"Mu Ge, go for it! Grab that seed quota!"
From the East Academy's side, especially Su Ling and Tan Qingshan, cheered with flushed faces and excitement.
Mu Chen waved to his friends, smiling.
"A seed quota? I'm afraid you're not qualified enough."
Opposite Mu Chen, Liu Mubai tilted his head slightly, his cold gaze fixed on him, and he mocked softly.
"It's too early to say whether I'm qualified or not."
Mu Chen replied with a smile.
"Are you even qualified to contend with Brother Liu?"
Beside Liu Mubai, a cold voice spoke. It was Chen Tong, who had a conflict with Mu Chen in the Northern Spirit Field. He seemed to have broken through to the Spirit Wheel Realm after training with Master Xi, which greatly boosted his confidence. Facing Mu Chen, the shadow of having a blade at his neck from before was gone, and he no longer had many reservations.
Mu Chen didn't even spare Chen Tong half a glance. Having just entered the Spirit Wheel Realm, he wasn't worth his attention yet.
Chen Tong saw Mu Chen feign deafness, gnashed his teeth in frustration, and secretly hoped to fight that guy later for a chance to teach him a lesson.
"This battle will still follow the old rules: drawing lots to determine opponents."
Dean Xiao waved his hand, and immediately someone swiftly carried a tray of bamboo slips onto the arena stage. Several people reached out and drew a slip.
Watching the disciples draw lots, the spectators' eyes were eagerly focused. This fierce competition for the Five Great Academies' quotas had officially begun.