In front of the Xie Mansion, there was a sea of people.
Mo Xiujie found it quite interesting. "Are there so many people coming to this so - called Cultivation Conference?"
Zou Lvrui nodded in agreement. "Maybe those are the hired trolls invited by Lord Xie."
Mo Xiujie was just about to ask what "hired trolls" were when an enthusiastic passer - by joined the conversation.
"Don't you even look at the notice?" the passer - by replied to Mo Xiujie. "The top thirty participants of each Cultivation Conference can go on an adventure in the Giant Forest of Endian City. All the treasures they bring back belong to themselves!"
Lin Qiao couldn't help but join the conversation. "The Giant Forest of Endian City? What kind of place is that?"
The enthusiastic passer - by said, "The Giant Forest of Endian City is a place outside Yangzhou City. It is said to be a precious land left over from ancient times. A cultivator who went there last year didn't dare to go deep inside. He just stayed on the periphery for a few days and directly advanced one level! Another cultivator just walked around the peripheral forest a few times and got several precious artifacts. After selling them on the black market, he is now a rich man!"
Lin Qiao was surprised. "So amazing?"
"Of course. Lord Xie is kind - hearted. He hosts this Cultivation Conference to select capable cultivators to go there. It's really a great opportunity for people to turn their lives around!"
Hearing the words "kind - hearted", Lin Qiao wanted to roll her eyes. If she hadn't seen the disgusting side of Xie Kuihai before, she might really have believed it.
Lin Qiao asked, "Such a good thing. Why does it have to go through the Cultivation Conference hosted by Lord Xie? Can't people just go there on their own?"
Seeing that Lin Qiao didn't understand, the passer - by was eager to give her a science popularization. Just as he was about to get closer, he saw Luo Nanchen beside Lin Qiao staring at him fiercely.
Luo Nanchen's face was full of unhappiness. His tall and imposing figure was extremely intimidating. The passer - by's liver trembled, and he quickly took a step back to keep a distance from Lin Qiao.
"Because the Giant Forest of Endian City is a forbidden area. One needs to have sufficient cultivation to get in. But it's not just about getting in; one also has to be able to get out," the passer - by said complacently. "Only by wearing the armor provided by Lord Xie for self - defense can one survive and come out."
Lin Qiao still didn't understand. "If so, why don't Lord Xie's own people go? Why would such a good thing fall to others?"
Seeing that Lin Qiao kept doubting, the passer - by was a bit unhappy. "Why are you so ungrateful? Lord Xie is kind - hearted and provides the armor, but you keep asking questions!"
Luo Nanchen frowned.
The passer - by didn't dare to say more because of Luo Nanchen's fierce gaze. "Hopeless, hopeless!" He flicked his sleeves and left.
Lin Qiao clicked her tongue twice. "There are quite a few people with a screw loose these days."
Luo Nanchen nodded. "Indeed."
A young man in green clothes beside them said, "Don't mind him. He's here every year. He's hired by Lord Xie. If someone says a single bad word about Lord Xie, he'll scold them for half a day. It's quite rare today."
Hired?
These were probably the hired trolls!
Xie Kuihai was quite business - minded.
Lin Qiao looked at this young man who was chatting with her. He was wearing green clothes and carrying a very large sword on his back. He looked heroic and handsome.
This young man's temperament was obviously different from that of the previous passer - by. Lin Qiao became interested. "Little brother, are you also here to participate in the Cultivation Conference?"
Luo Nanchen frowned beside her.
Lin Qiao took a glance. Oh no, the jealous king was online.
She should have known better than to ask this question...
Lin Qiao knew she was wrong. Although she might do the same thing next time, the man still needed to be coaxed, especially Luo Nanchen, who had a very fragile heart.
Lin Qiao quickly grabbed Luo Nanchen's hand and squeezed it in hers.
She偷偷 looked at Luo Nanchen. Well, his face was much brighter, and his eyebrows were relaxed. He seemed to be secretly pleased.
Lin Qiao breathed a sigh of relief in her heart. She was such a clever girl.
The young man in green nodded. "Yes, it's my second year."
When Zou Lvrui saw the young man in green, her eyes began to shine. She quickly ran over. "Young man, what's your name? How old are you? Where are you from? Are you married - "
Lin Qiao pulled her back. "Aren't you ashamed? You should at least find someone else to ask for you."
Zou Lvrui looked unconvinced. "In our place, don't we just go and chat up someone we like? What, have you forgotten after being here for so long?"
Lin Qiao shook her head. "Aren't you afraid of scaring him?"
"You're right. You ask for me."
Lin Qiao: "..."
She shouldn't have reminded Zou Lvrui. Let her do whatever she wants.
Mo Xiujie's focus was still on the Cultivation Conference. "We haven't talked about it yet. Is that Lord Xie really so kind - hearted and willing to let others go to that giant forest to get treasures?"
The young man in green shook his head. "Thirty percent of the treasures obtained should belong to Lord Xie."
Lin Qiao understood. She knew that Xie Kuihai was far from being so kind - hearted.
Mo Xiujie said, "Let's team up. What's your name, sir?"
"Yang Haoyu."
...
Finally, it was Lin Qiao and the others' turn to register. In front of the magnificent gate of the Xie Mansion, there was a large table with a black - gold pillar and a register on it.
The black - gold pillar was a magic tool used to test the level of cultivation. The light it showed was different at each stage.
However, there was a drawback. If a cultivator with a very high level of cultivation didn't want others to know the depth of his cultivation, the test result would only show what the cultivator wanted to show.
It could test the cultivation level lower, but not higher.
Currently, there was no magic tool on the continent that could completely test a person's cultivation level.
In the original novel, this black - gold pillar took up a large part of the plot when Luo Nanchen first traveled around the continent.
All were face - slapping plots, which were really exciting.
Lin Qiao showed a pale green light, indicating the early stage of the Qi Refining Stage.
In these five years, she had only advanced one level.
She felt really ashamed.
Later, she asked Zou Lvrui why the light during the Qi Refining Stage was set to green. Zou Lvrui answered seriously:
Because if you don't eat, you'll be so hungry that your eyes will turn green...
Lin Qiao: ... I think you're the green one. Your name even has "green" in it.
Luo Nanchen showed a golden light, indicating the Golden Core Stage.
Lin Qiao was confused. Didn't this guy reach the Golden Core Stage five years ago? Could it be that he hadn't made any progress in these five years?
Luo Nanchen leaned down and whispered in Lin Qiao's ear, "It's best not to attract attention. Keep a low profile."
Lin Qiao understood.
But Zou Lvrui couldn't keep a low profile. She was only at the most basic Foundation - Building Stage, with a bright white light. She couldn't hide her real level.
Although cultivators at the Foundation - Building Stage could also participate in the Cultivation Conference, among all the powerful cultivators, she really seemed a bit out of place...
Mo Xiujie was at the Golden Core Stage, and Li Gusong was also at the Golden Core Stage. They should have both hidden their full strength to keep a low profile. But Dong Peirong was a civil official and had no cultivation at all.
The steward of the Xie Mansion in front of the table began to drive him away. "What are you doing here if you have no cultivation? Hurry up and leave!"
The young man in green, Yang Haoyu, walked over. "He came with me. He can just stay in the same room as me."
After saying that, he put his hand on the black - gold pillar. Suddenly, a purple light shone brightly, almost blinding Lin Qiao's eyes.
Purple meant the God - Separation Stage, three levels higher than the Golden Core Stage!
Judging from the intensity of the purple light, he was probably at the late stage of the God - Separation Stage.
He was really amazing!
She didn't know what level Luo Nanchen was at now. If he was compared with this Yang Haoyu...
No, no. How could she doubt the ability and cultivation of the protagonist of the awesome novel?
Lin Qiao quickly shook her head. "I should be beaten, I should be beaten."
"Hmm?" Luo Nanchen saw Lin Qiao talking to herself. Because it was too noisy around, Luo Nanchen leaned down. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing," Lin Qiao thought for a while, but still couldn't suppress her curiosity. "Hey, what's your current cultivation level? What stage are you at?"
Luo Nanchen smiled. "Guess?"
Lin Qiao turned her head away. "Humph, I won't ask anymore."
"The level where I can protect you."
Lin Qiao: "..."
Ah, it was another day of being melted by Luo Nanchen's charm...