Simplification System: From Perfect Arrow Skill to Immortal

The crowd around immediately realized there was indeed some grudge between Lin Chang’sheng and the Dugu Siblings.

On the high seat, a burly man dressed in brocade stood up slowly.

"I suppose there must be some misunderstanding between you two. As the saying goes, one doesn’t know another until after a fight—count it as fate. For my sake, how about letting bygones be bygones?"

The burly man spoke with a smile; clearly, he had no wish to offend anyone.

After all, what they were about to do was far more important than a mere quarrel; it was best to maintain good relations with everyone here.

Hou Kui seemed to carry considerable weight in the eyes of the crowd; at his words, the hostility in Dugu Yan’s gaze diminished somewhat.

No one knew if she was suppressing it for now, or simply plotting something else.

"Since Uncle Hou has spoken, of course we’ll listen!"

Dugu Yan replied.

She knew she was no match for Lin Chang’sheng right now; she’d bide her time for revenge later.

Hou Kui next turned his gaze toward Lin Chang’sheng, as if asking for his opinion.

"I’ve long since put that behind me. May I ask, Patriarch Hou, what is it you wish to discuss with us?"

Lin Chang’sheng asked straightforwardly.

He was certain there was something important going on, or they wouldn’t have called all these young talents together.

"Then I’ll get straight to the point. I’ve invited you all here because I hope the finest youth among you will participate in the Celestial Pride List, to help my son get into the top three rankings and thereby enter one of the Giant Sects!"

"And of course, this won’t be without reward!"

Clap clap—

Hou Kui clapped his hands, and the steward came forward carrying a tray full of storage bags.

"Each of these storage bags holds ten thousand Immortal Crystals. Once it’s done, my Hou Family will present even greater thanks!"

Hou Kui addressed all the young talents present.

The Hou Family really was wealthy in Nine Dragon City, and they possessed secret cultivation techniques within the clan. That was how Hou Shaojie came to have such terrifying cultivation at his age.

Yet it was precisely because his cultivation had reached the limits of what the Hou Family could nurture that they wanted Hou Shaojie to enter a Major Sect to cultivate.

This tournament—the Celestial Pride List—was, without a doubt, the best opportunity.

Hou Kui knew that the Celestial Pride List wasn’t just about one-on-one matches deciding the select youth; it was chosen through three rounds of elimination.

That’s why he needed Lin Chang’sheng and the others to cooperate, to help Hou Shaojie secure a higher ranking.

"Oh?"

Lin Chang’sheng was a little surprised.

He immediately turned to ask Sword Elder.

"The Immortal Domain’s Pride List is held once every ten years. There are three elimination rounds—the first is a mass selection of a hundred, the second tests talent, and the third finally tests individual cultivation."

Sword Elder explained calmly.

Now Lin Chang’sheng understood clearly.

And since he was planning to enter the Celestial Pride List anyway, he saw no harm in accepting ten thousand Immortal Crystals for free.

"With such generosity from Patriarch Hou, how could we refuse? I’ll respectfully accept your offer!"

A round-faced, chubby youth laughed and spoke, reaching out to pick a storage bag from the tray.

Soon, the others all stepped forward in turn to claim theirs.

Most of their cultivation levels were only at Divinity Transformation; getting a high rank in the Celestial Pride List was simply out of reach.

So a reward of ten thousand Immortal Crystals was already quite generous.

Lin Chang’sheng wasn’t shy either—he grabbed a storage bag for himself.

"Rest assured, Patriarch Hou! I’ll do my utmost to assist. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave!"

Lin Chang’sheng cupped his hands in salute.

"Brother Lin, please wait!"

Just as Lin Chang’sheng was about to leave, Hou Shaojie called out.

"Yesterday’s duel with Brother Lin left me unsatisfied. Would Brother Lin honor me with another match today? And win or lose, I will present Daoist Lin with a gift."

Hou Shaojie was a battle fanatic—he’d beaten nearly all the young talents in Nine Dragon City.

Rarely did he encounter someone like Lin Chang’sheng, so he wanted to settle the score today.

At Hou Shaojie’s words, a smile curled at Lin Chang’sheng’s lips—right now, his three major Immortal Techniques had reached perfection, and this was the perfect moment to test their power.

"Very well!"

Lin Chang’sheng agreed without hesitation, shocking the onlookers.

"This kid actually accepted? Does he really have the strength to fight Young Master Hou? No way, right?"

"Seriously! Judging by age, he’s probably a year or two younger than Young Master Hou! Has he already advanced to the Void Refining Stage?"

"We’ll find out soon enough—once hands are thrown, it’ll be clear who’s stronger!"

"No way he lasts more than three moves against Young Master Hou!"

...

The young talents around them began to murmur, convinced that Lin Chang’sheng challenging Young Master Hou was like an egg striking a rock—hopeless.

Even Dugu Yan off to the side wore a cold smirk, waiting to watch Lin Chang’sheng make a fool of himself.

"Please!"

Hou Shaojie gestured invitingly, then led Lin Chang’sheng towards the training field in the rear courtyard.

The Hou estate was vast; its buildings stood close and countless, with pavilions and towers everywhere.

After passing several corners and gardens, they finally arrived at a wide martial training ground.

In the center stood a stone platform more than thirty zhang long and wide, with a Divine Rune Array all around.

Lin Chang’sheng saw immediately that there was an array here—likely a Guardian Array—which could contain all the aftershocks from the fight within, preventing them from escaping.

Otherwise, if cultivators fought at full power, they’d surely destroy the place.

"Brother Lin, the array here blocks all attacks below Integration Stage, so there’s no need to hold back—show everything you’ve got!"

Hou Shaojie stood atop the stone platform, smiling.

"That’s good to hear!"

Lin Chang’sheng’s lips curled fractionally into a smile as well.