The inside of the maze was dim. The sky presented a strange grayish-yellow color. As the sandstorm raged, it felt like blades scraping painfully against people's faces.
Luo Zhi shivered from the cold. "This... What on earth is this godforsaken place?"
Yu Nian replied honestly, "I don't know."
The members of the Formation Department slowly showed smiles. [We've got this. We're definitely going to hold Yu Nian back this time!]
People from other departments were also secretly delighted. Finally, they could regain a bit of face.
If Yu Nian really managed to clear all the levels in such a short period of time, where would their faces be?
Before they could enjoy their joy for long, they heard Yu Nian say calmly, "It doesn't matter what it is. We just need to break the maze."
Formation Department:..........
All the judges outside the venue sat up straight from their seats. Each of them tensed their bodies, looking even more nervous than Yu Nian herself.
After all, the Xuanmen Grand Competition was only held once every ten years. Since its inception, there had been at least a dozen sessions.
In these dozen or so sessions, the disciples of those few powerful families and sects had taken turns to win the championship. Imperceptibly, a trend had emerged where the major sects monopolized the championship.
The disciples of the noble families used this opportunity to practice and make friends with talented people.
Naturally, the disciples of the small sects and wandering cultivators became the "denominators" in the competition. There was absolutely no possibility for them to win the championship!
There were still more than ten hours left until the end of the competition. If Yu Nian successfully cleared this level, she would become the first in the semi - finals!
Such a double championship had never happened in the metaphysics competition!
Zhou Zhen, who had been silent all this time, rubbed the jade finger ring on his thumb and showed a sneering expression. "Actually, the previous levels weren't too difficult. Yu Nian's success is just a matter of good luck. Fellow Daoists, there's no need to make such a fuss. The Mist Maze is extremely difficult. Only if Yu Nian can clear it will it prove that she truly has real talent and learning."
Feng Chengyuan gave Zhou Zhen a cold look. His disgust was self - evident.
As a judge of the Xuanmen competition, every move of Zhou Zhen would be infinitely magnified. He could easily create momentum for a contestant, or destroy all of a contestant's efforts with just a few words.
"If Yu Nian clears the level, what will you do, Judge Zhou?"
There was full of contempt in Zhou Zhen's eyes. He said casually with a smile, "Then I'll be at your disposal, Mr. Feng."
Feng Chengyuan withdrew his gaze. His eyelashes covered the cold light in his eyes. "It's a deal."
Yu Nian looked around. She took out a white silk ribbon from her bosom and neatly blindfolded herself.
Luo Zhi was a bit confused. "Nian Nian, what are you doing?"
This formation was strange and dangerous. One could easily get injured even when walking carefully, let alone walking with eyes blindfolded.
But Yu Nian shook her head. "In this illusory realm, it's actually your eyes that are most likely to deceive you."
Old Master Fu nodded slowly, with a look of admiration in his eyes.
They saw Yu Nian slowly take a step forward with her left foot and kept moving forward along the path.
Her steps were extremely steady. The angle and direction of each step were extremely special. It was more like she was performing a sacrificial dance than walking.
Xue Jinyan stared at Yu Nian for a while. He was surprised to find that the sequence of Yu Nian's steps actually corresponded to the positions of the Big Dipper!
He suddenly widened his eyes and his voice trembled. "This is... the Yu Steps?"
As Yu Nian walked the celestial steps, she slowly recited incantations. Her voice was clear and melodious. A faint golden light enveloped her body, blocking all the incoming attacks.
The tense hearts of the crowd gradually relaxed.
The head of the Formation Department stared blankly at the young girl looking so relaxed in the mysterious mirror. Suddenly, he felt a burning pain on his face... as if he had been slapped!
Even so, he admired Yu Nian from the bottom of his heart.
Anyone could walk the celestial steps. Even novice Taoist boys who had just started their cultivation could imitate it decently for a few steps.
But to reach the extreme level of the celestial steps like Yu Nian, one couldn't achieve it without more than a decade of hard cultivation!
The bullet comments now also saw the trick. They rushed in like a tide.
[It's actually the Taoist Yu Steps, the celestial steps?!!]
[Is it just my illusion? I actually saw a layer of golden light on Yu Nian!]
[So cool! It turns out Yu Nian is the real big shot...]
As Yu Nian took her last step, there came a faint cracking sound from all around. Then the sky brightened up, and the maze completely disappeared.
Just like that, the originally most difficult level, Yu Nian managed to get out of it in just a few breaths, and she wasn't even scratched!
The head of the Formation Department held the constantly beeping walkie - talkie. Receiving the merciless ridicule from the people of other departments, he said with gritted teeth, [Yu Nian cleared the Mist Maze. Time taken... five minutes.]
.......
After breaking the maze, everyone's vision suddenly broadened. Yu Nian already knew the direction of the formation's core. She led everyone slowly towards it.
At first, everyone was a bit skeptical. But when they followed Yu Nian out of Fushou Village, they were all shocked.
The audience seats immediately boiled over. They all shouted Yu Nian's name in unison.
[Holy crap, Yu Nian is first again!]
[It's actually a once - in - a - century double championship!!]
[The whole competition took less than ten hours, and Yu Nian even took a nap during the competition! Who would believe this if it were told?!]
The host was also excited at this moment. He quickly picked up the microphone, and his voice even trembled a bit. "Contestant Yu Nian is like a strong wind that suddenly appeared out of nowhere. In the shortest time, she turned the tables on all the magic departments and became the only double - championship contestant in the Xuanmen competition!"
All the magic departments:....... Can you leave us a bit of face?
The competition site was extremely lively. Zhou Zhen clapped his hands half - heartedly twice with a dejected look. Just as he was about to sneak away, his path was blocked by Feng Chengyuan.
Feng Chengyuan's eyes were curved, and he smiled amiably.
"Elder Zhou, I hope you'll keep your word."
Zhou Zhen forced a smile. "It was just a joke. Why are you taking it seriously, Mr. Feng? Besides, there's nothing for me to do at the competition site..."
Xu Yufang suddenly said quietly, "Elder Zhou is so powerful. Please go and capture the monsters in the spatial rift."
The camera, as if it wasn't making enough of a fuss, turned the lens towards Zhou Zhen and gave him a close - up.
Zhou Zhen clenched his fists and squeezed out a sentence through his teeth, "I'll admit defeat if I lose the bet."
He took the talisman net handed over by Xu Yufang. Under the supervision of the camera, he spent the whole afternoon catching the spiritual pigs.
A staff member walked over with a big smile and handed each of the three contestants a name tag.
"Congratulations to the three contestants for being the first to get out of Fushou Village."
Zhong Yaya was obviously very excited. "I'm actually in the top three?! That's great!"
Yu Nian took the shiny golden name tag and examined it carefully for a moment. A faint smile appeared on her face.
The bright sunlight fell on Yu Nian's flawless face. Her dimples were shallow, and her eyes were full of charm. The whole person seemed to be emitting a soft light, instantly attracting everyone's attention at the scene.
Xiao Qi caught his breath. He quickly gave Yu Nian a close - up shot and murmured to himself, "So beautiful. Keep this smile..."
The bullet comments also scrolled crazily.
[Not only is the elder sister powerful, but she's also so beautiful!]
[She must be happy because her efforts have paid off! I'm so touched!]
[The sect master is amazing. She really didn't disappoint us fans of the supernatural!]
The next moment, they saw Yu Nian nod in satisfaction. "The name tag is made of pure gold."
Everyone:.......