Cultivation: But Not a Game-Chapter 136 - 66: Final Preparations Before the Year-End Exam (Part 2)

Chapter 136: Chapter 66: Final Preparations Before the Year-End Exam (Part 2)

As everyone chatted idly, time gradually slipped away, and the competition drew nearer.

At a certain moment, a bell rang from afar, startling everyone. They all knew the competition had begun.

Then the host’s voice boomed, starting to introduce the rules of the competition.

Su Yu listened carefully. The rules had a slight difference compared to the previous three assessments. The first three assessments were only categorized into the top 64, top 32, top 16, top 8, and so on, but the last one needed to determine specific rankings. Therefore, the competition method had slight differences, but one thing remained unchanged: the first phase was still a general screening.

The general screening would select 96 participants, who, along with 32 seeded players, would make a total of 128 participants entering the second round.

The second round competition would divide into three levels: the top three, the fourth to tenth, and the eleventh to twentieth, to decide their future status limits within the guild.

Normally, training new members for each major team usually depends on the ranking you initially obtained to decide your upper limit.

Basically, for those in the top twenty, becoming an elite team leader isn’t an issue. Those with some good luck might even become a middle team leader.

Those in the top ten might possibly become a middle team leader.

The top three might go a step further and potentially become core members, major team leaders, or something similar in the future.

Just like Mu Chen, Xiao Yunya, and Gu Yao, who were recruited by Chu Xinyue, their rankings in their respective trials were around the top ten, while Su Yu’s rank was either first or second.

Therefore, he was assigned as the major team leader of the three major teams, while Mu Chen, Xiao Yunya, and Gu Yao were just middle team leaders.

It should be noted that this ranking is just a reference. It’s not guaranteed you will be nurtured just because you get the rank. Had it not been for talents losing opportunities, human relationship factors and luck play a big role.

On Blue Mountain Island, this aspect is better than in the human headquarters. Here, technically it’s still in the exploratory phase, stages haven’t solidified, and the ascent ladder still exists. As long as you have the ability and skills, there’s a channel for you to rise.

Unlike in the human headquarters where the class stratification has thoroughly solidified. Unless your talent is heaven-defying, without connections, you basically have no chance of standing out.

"DONG!"

Another loud bell rang, and with the host’s announcement, the competition officially began.

Su Yu followed the flow of people out of the waiting area beneath the arena, into the contestant viewing area. The vast arena in front was divided into many small ones, and numerous participants were already in place and exchanging blows.

The spectators’ seats around were packed with people, fervently cheering for the contestants they favored.

The seats on the main platform behind were already full. Being the final competition of the year, many top officials had arrived.

He looked towards one side of the main platform, where Chu Xinyue sat in the center with an elegant and dignified demeanor, eyes straight ahead, and the nameplate in front of her read [Second Corps Leader]. Chu Xiaoyu, sitting behind her, sensing Su Yu’s gaze, stealthily waved her little hand at him. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

The initial rounds of the general screening weren’t anything noteworthy; those with strength had already stood out in the first three assessments.

Round after round of battles continued until the afternoon, when 96 participants were chosen to enter the second round with the 32 seeded players.

Subsequently, the rounds of competition required all participants to take the stage.

"Now, please welcome contestant number 58 and contestant number 1 to stage 3."

"Now, please welcome contestant number 75 and contestant number 2 to stage 1."

Su Yu gazed in surprise towards the other side, and as Ding Lingyu happened to look over too, Su Yu could see the intense fighting spirit in his eyes.

In a blink, having oriented himself again, he was already on the arena.

Glancing at his opponent’s face, he didn’t recognize him, but he seemed somewhat nervous.

As the countdown ended, he raised his hand to evoke the Cyan Sparrow, instantaneously crossing a thousand meters to appear at the other end of the arena.

The opponent summoned a large red cauldron flying out, with invisible gravity distorting the surrounding space.

Su Yu flicked his fingers, and the Cyan Sparrow turned into thirteen sword shadows, stabbing down. The immense power sent the cauldron shaking violently, rocking back and forth.

The Cyan Sparrow sword circled the cauldron with extreme force, suppressing it, and with the sword light rotating downward, it was dragged and fell heavily to the ground with a thud.

The opponent’s face changed dramatically, and he desperately tried to boost his mana, but the cauldron only trembled and buzzed, unable to move at all.

"Too strong!"

Seeing no way to stir it, the opponent had to admit defeat helplessly.

"Contestant number 1 wins!"

Following the host’s announcement, the space shifted to transport the two of them away.

Back in the contestants’ area, Ding Lingyu also returned through the transport, having similarly dispatched his opponent in a short duration.

Everyone’s eyes flickered back and forth between the two, and although no one spoke, everyone could faintly sense the battle spirit emanating from them.

"This final battle, the first place will still come from the two of them!"

Returning to his seat, Gu Zhiqiu whispered in Su Yu’s ear:

"Ding Lingyu’s strength seems to have greatly improved; in his recent battle he didn’t even use his transformation to easily win."

Su Yu paused for a moment, then waved dismissively:

"It’s not surprising. He even has such an advanced transformation skill, so focusing on the Refined Level Qi Refining Heart Skill isn’t unreasonable, right? Having one or two Tier Seven Treasures in hand isn’t unreasonable, right?"

"That’s true!"

Su Yu didn’t mind this at all.

Ding Lingyu was obviously focused on refining transformation skills. Although his magic and treasures were strong, in prolonged combat, these would not be very effective.

High-level treasures overpower other opponents mercilessly, but for top players like him, they are just empty shells, easy to deal with.

The key lies in the Celestial God Incarnation Skill he wields, though it’s unclear to what extent it’s been enhanced.

"To be safe, the last few practice points can’t be saved anymore."

Su Yu thought to himself and opened the panel, seeing his experience pool already amassed with 1.31 billion cultivation points and 899 points of Dao practice, all gathered from frantic upgrades over the past half month, plus continuously exploring with the Sea-Suppressing Pearl accompanied by innate water essence, now providing 33 points of spiritual qi experience per second, thus accumulating 2.85 million battle experience per day.

Combining spiritual qi experience with battle experience, a total of 1.31 billion cultivation points was amassed.

This cultivation point amount is insufficient for upgrading the Qi Refining Skill and Basic Sword Formulas to the eightieth level, being far too short, but it can elevate the Celestial Ghost Transformation Skill to the sixtieth level.

Upgrading the Celestial Ghost Transformation Skill from the fiftieth to the sixtieth level requires 1.375 billion battle experience; however, with indelible 30 innate root bones reducing it by 10%, it only requires 1.2375 billion battle experience and 500 points of Dao practice, just enough.

Without hesitation, the influx of battle experience and spiritual qi experience merged into the panel, resulting in the level of the Celestial Ghost Transformation Skill substantially escalating.

Five minutes later, with the last ounce of experience put in, the Celestial Ghost Transformation Skill smoothly ascended to the sixtieth level, successfully developing the Wood God Thunder, one of the Five Elements Thunder Skills.

Sixty-level Celestial Ghost Transformation: Qi and Blood 120,000, Mana 24,000, Physique 3,600, Power 6,000, Speed 2,400 km/h, Celestial Ghost Body, Five Elements Escape Skill, Virtual and Reality Conversion, Geng Metal Divine Thunder, Wood God Thunder, Gui Water Divine Thunder, Binghuo Divine Thunder, Earth God Divine Thunder.

The basic power of the sixty-level Five Elements Thunder Skill is 2000 + 200*60 per level power. With a talent doubling bonus, its total power is 14,000, with a casting range of 14,000 meters, damage range of 140 meters, mana consumption of 900, and a cooldown of 5 seconds.

A single thunderball power 14,000, cooldown 5 seconds.

But the cooldowns of the Five Elements Thunder Skill don’t share, allowing them to use the sequence of five thunders, resulting in a burst power of 70,000, with another round ready in five seconds.

The only drawback is the large mana consumption, with one thunder consuming 900 mana, equating to 4,500 mana per round, and the sixtieth level Celestial Ghost Transformation Skill itself only has 24,000 mana, maxing out at five successive bursts, with a total burst of 350,000.

"Oh!"

"Burst so fierce already?"

Su Yu suddenly exclaimed softly, feeling he discovered a shining point.

"Even the sixtieth level Celestial Ghost Transformation Skill is so fierce. If I hadn’t upgraded the Basic Qi Refining Skill earlier and invested resources here to reach the seventieth or even the eightieth level, wouldn’t it be stronger?"

Although the Celestial Ghost Transformation Skill is far inferior to the Divine General Transformation Skill in terms of grade, its double talent advantage is undeniable. At sixty levels, it equates to someone else’s attributes at a hundred and twenty levels, surely potent.

"It’s a pity I didn’t think of it earlier."

Without practice points on hand now, it can’t be upgraded even if he wanted to.

But it’s not too troublesome, it suffices now. Additionally, Qi Refining Heart Skill is fundamental, with stronger mana enhancing combat power and endurance.

His main combat ability remains in Swordsmanship, all of which require mana for maintenance.