CHAPTER 687: CHAPTER 686 ELECTION BEGINS (5/5)

Shangqing Sect.

The entire sect’s disciples gathered together, creating an uproarious and lively scene.

Today, Yang Chen witnessed how such a long-standing sect held a grand event.

Some women dressed in colorful clothes flitted back and forth over the heads of the crowd, like celestial maidens.

Even though they needed to leap over several posts and were attached to safety ropes, in this intentionally crafted environment, people didn’t mind these details and applauded enthusiastically.

In the sky, a rain of flowers descended, breathtakingly beautiful.

Yang Chen appeared as an ordinary Outer Sect disciple, blending in with the crowd, completely unnoticeable.

On the stage in the front, sat the Sect Master and several Palace Masters, along with some esteemed Elders.

Among the Palace Masters, Yang Chen saw that Kun Bai was sitting in the corner.

So, Kun Bai had also become a Palace Master.

Yang Chen secretly analyzed, could it be that all Palace Masters were at Kun Bai’s level?

Or was it that Kun Bai sat in the most corner position because his cultivation level was the lowest, and thus his status the lowest among these Palace Masters?

If that’s the case, the other Palace Masters should have a higher cultivation level than Kun Bai.

What about those Elders?

What level was their cultivation?

Yang Chen pondered silently.

...

On the podium.

Kunze sighed while watching the female disciples flying back and forth above, saying to the Great Elder beside him, "Great Elder, looking at these flying maidens, does it not remind you of the past? When the sect was flourishing, these female disciples could truly fly through the air! Unlike now, needing ropes to suspend them and wooden posts to change footing!"

The Great Elder was also filled with emotion, "Times have changed, and so has the world!"

Kunze said in a deep voice, "But our opportunity has also come!"

The Great Elder slowly nodded.

"According to the sect’s historical records, Ye Xin is the only one in the sect over thousands of years who possibly truly possesses the Fire Phoenix bloodline. Moreover, based on my observations, Ye Xin’s bloodline might be very pure! If we achieve our goals, reviving the sect and restoring it to its former glory wouldn’t be impossible!" Kunze said excitedly.

In contrast, the Great Elder was much more cautious, saying in a deep voice, "Let’s hope so!"

Glancing at the time, Kunze stood up.

Seeing the Sect Master stand up, everyone quieted down, looking towards Kunze.

Kunze said in a deep voice, "Today’s grand ceremony aligns with the heavenly timing and earthly advantage..."

On the stage, Kunze spoke eloquently in fluent ancient language, with rhythm and tone, which sounded pleasant, but Yang Chen only caught the gist of it. Even though he believed his ancient language proficiency was at level ten, Kunze’s speech was still baffling.

Yang Chen thought that, with Kunze’s ability, he would have been a scholarly acolyte or top scholar in ancient times!

After a long while, Kunze finally declared, "Let the ceremony begin!"

With Kunze’s command, ribbons fluttered and flowers bloomed, creating a joyous atmosphere.

At this moment, Kunze uncovered the red cloth covering something on the spot, revealing a lotus platform.

Seeing this lotus platform, Yang Chen’s pupils shrank fiercely!

"Soul Capturing Platform!" Yang Chen’s eyes gleamed with cold light.

Yang Chen carefully observed this lotus platform but found it seemed different from the records in ancient texts, which said the lotus platform should be at the center of a ruined plaza and immovable. Because the Soul Capturing Platform and the cultivation technique of the Saintess were together, forcibly moving it would destroy both.

So what was this?

Yang Chen was puzzled.

At this time, Kunze explained, "This is the Holy Soul Platform, only when the Saintess stands on this platform will the lotus bloom, shining with golden light, now let’s proceed!"

As soon as Kunze finished speaking, the supervisor began to preside over the selective process.

The female disciples, who had been waiting eagerly, couldn’t wait to be tested.

The wooden steps were adjacent to the lotus platform; they just needed to step across the steps to stand on it.

If the lotus platform showed no change, the attendants would have them step down.

Some female disciples, feeling unwilling to leave, would be forcibly pulled down immediately, not allowed to waste a minute.

The female disciples walked past the lotus platform as if merely going through the motions, and the lotus platform remained unresponsive.

Some even began to suspect that the platform was fake and wouldn’t emit any light.

However, others believed that only Ye Xin could be the presumed Saintess. Since Ye Xin had not appeared yet, she must be the grand finale, and once she appeared, she would definitely be the Saintess!

As time ticked away, the already few female disciples had all taken their turns, yet none made the lotus platform change.

Almost everyone felt disappointed because they hadn’t witnessed Ye Xin’s presence on-site, and it was uncertain if she would even participate.

Suddenly, the supervisor shouted, "She’s here!"

This sudden announcement grabbed everyone’s attention, and they looked in the direction the supervisor was gazing.

In the air, Ye Xin tapped her toes, leaping on one roof ridge and landing on another; within a few leaps, she was almost at the venue.

With such graceful movements accompanied by swirling ribbons and Ye Xin’s flowing hair, all were awestruck.

"Beautiful! Utterly gorgeous!"

All at once, everyone thought that whether the Saintess was chosen or not, just seeing Ye Xin made everything worthwhile!

Even more surprisingly, following Ye Xin were several patrol teams, and at the forefront was the esteemed Fifth Elder!

Seeing this scene, almost everyone was sure that the so-called Saintess must be Ye Xin.

Otherwise, why exert so much effort to have Ye Xin attend, and in such a grand fashion!

This astonished everyone.

With a few more leaps, Ye Xin gracefully landed in the center of the arena.

All eyes were on her, admiring her unparalleled beauty, and couldn’t help but marvel at its rarity, not found even in the heavens!

Unlike other female disciples, Ye Xin showed no discomfort, nor any hint of nervousness, not even appearing to take the selection seriously.

Ye Xin stood in place, looking at the lotus platform, then searched for Yang Chen in the crowd.

Yang Chen met Ye Xin’s gaze, subtly shaking his head as an indication that this wasn’t the Soul Capturing Platform.

Understanding immediately, Ye Xin grew bold and said softly, "May I start the test now?"

"Of course! Of course, you can! Aren’t you here to participate in the test? Then let’s begin now!"

As the supervisor spoke, Ye Xin strode towards the lotus platform.

Like the others, Ye Xin stepped onto the wooden boards leading to the platform.

As soon as Ye Xin placed her foot on the lotus platform, a lush green aura diffused, and beneath her feet, lotuses began to bloom.

The onlookers were completely astounded.

So the lotus could truly bloom!