Chapter 250 A Collaborative Effort
"It is a good thing that you have yet to join their sect. It is not a good place for a princess like you to stay", Zhan Chen spoke.
"Then what should I do?", Zi Ningxi asked with an uncertain tone in her voice. As a cultivation prodigee, her cultivation was rapid. She had already reached the peak of True essence realm in her tender age.
But no matter how she wanted, she couldn\'t access a proper technique for advancing her cultivation. The technique of her royal family was not suited for her. So, she had no other option than joining a sect and access their techniques to improve her cultivation.
"Princess, do you trust me?", Zhan Chen stopped and looked towards Zi Ningxi. Zi Ningxi nodded her head shyly and shifted her eyes to not match her eyes with Zhan Chen\'s.
"Then follow me to the Xuantian sect. With your talent, they will not deny you. I can make them agree although it is not the time of disciple recruitment", Zhan Chen spoke.
"Xuantian sect?", Zi Nuan murmured in surprise after hearing Zhan Chen\'s words. Zhan Chen nodded his head with a smile as he looked towards both aunt and niece.
"You are joining the Xuantian sect?", Zi Nuan asked Zhan Chen. Zhan Chen nodded his head as he waited for the response of Zi Ningxi.
"Then, our royal family has to thank you for your kindness. Joining the Xuantian sect would be best possible outcome for Ningxi. Royal father will be happy if he hears the news about Ningxi joining the Xuantian sect", Zi Nuan spoke. There was a look of gratitude in her eyes as she looked at Zhan Chen from her veil.
"Thank you, young master Chen", Zi Mingxi spoke with blushed cheeks. Zhan Chen grabbed her hand and led her towards the place of Lu clan cultivators. Zi Nuan followed behind them and ascended the mountain along with Zhan Chen and her niece.
"Third princess" Zhan Qingyue felt pleasantly surprised after seeing Zi Ningxi with Zhan Chen. She immediately came forward to greet her and took her away from Zhan Chen to have a chat.
Zhan Chen introduced Lin Xintong and Sun Xiu lan to Zi Nuan and both of them took the softspoking princess away. Lu clan cultivators were looking at Zhan Chen with astonishment as they couldn\'t beleive Zhan Chen had such a girl by her side.
The beauty of Zi Ningxi was breathtaking and with her gentle persona, she was the goddess of many cultivators\' dream.
Some Lu clan cultivators thought of approaching Zi Ningxi but they saw a warning look on Lu Tai Cang \'s face. A small smile appeared on Zhan Chen\'s face after he saw the facial expression of Lu Tai Cang.
"Senior Cang, you are too cautious", he spoke to Lu Tai Cang.
"You little brat, don\'t act like an outright and noble person. Tell me the truth, who are both of these girls and what is their relationship with the Fragrant Lily sect?", Lu Tai Cang asked.
"Both of them are princess of the Red cloud kingdom. It is the place from where I have come. The younger one was planning to join the Fragrant Lily sect but I have stopped her fr joining", Zhan Chen spoke.
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"Everyone, please pay attention. We have decided to make some changes in this year\'s rules after discussing it with the nine powers of Central land", an expert of the Spirit palace spoke. He was enhancing his voice with essence energy. So, his voice was audible to all the cultivators gathered in the nearby hills.
"Before this year\'s competition, we only allowed groups of five to enter the competetion. But this year, group of three can also participate. But they have to compete with other groups which may be made up of more than three members.
There will be total three stages in this year\'s final round. First stage, the permissible limit for a group is five members.
Those groups who are defeated in the first stage, can\'t participate in second and third stages.
Those who wins in the first stage, can join the second stage but with a permissible limit of three members. It means even if there is five members in your group, you have to discard two to participate in the second stage of the competition.
Third stage will be the last stage where each group can send only one person from their respective groups. There will be one on one battle among the selected participants and losers will be eliminated.
This will continue untill we find top hundred for this year\'s competition. There will be reward for selected candidates those who make it to the list of top hundred.
Now, it is time for the first stage of the competition. The list of awards will be announced at the end of the day", the cultivator from the Spirit palace announced.
A hubbub arose from the crowd after the announcement was done. Everyone started to discuss about the rewards after listening to the words of the Spirit palace expert.
"There were only provision for top ten candidates before this year\'s competition. I wonder what they are planning to do with the selection of top hundred", cultivators talked among themselves with uncertain looks on their faces.
"Have you heard? There will be lavish rewards this year", a cultivator spoke.
"How do you know?", his companions asked.
"I heard it from my elder who is close to Huang clan", the cultivator replied.
The rumor became more exaggerated in no time and finally reached the ears of Lu clan cultivators. They were discussing the matter among themselves when the second elder of their clan descended from the sky.
"Second elder, are the rumor true? Are they going to award cultivation resources to those who are selected in the top hundred list?", the cultivators of the Lu clan asked.
"Yes, you have heard it correct. All the five clans and three sects have agreed and each of us will contribute a portion of resources for the award this year", the second elder of the Lu clan spoke.
"Senior, what about the Shen clan? How can they agree if they are not participating in this year\'s competition", Zhan Chen inquired.
"That is the most interesting part. You should look at the sour face of Huo clan when they found out that Shen clan will be participating.
The imperial family has intervened personally and they will make sure that no one would attack Shen clan cultivators while they are travelling to the Longyang city.
They have already left the Luan province and will soon arrive in the Longyang city", the second elder of the Lu clan spoke.
"Imperial family!", Zhan Chen felt surprised for a moment. He was planning to look into the matter of Shen clan after the grand sect competition ended but now there would be less trouble because he could see Shen Ruyan, Su\'er, Ling\'er and Lu Mingxi.
"Second elder, what is the deal with the imperial family? I thought they would never interfere in our five clans\' business?", Lu Tai Cang asked.
"Nothing is absolute. The situation is special this time. So, the agressive Huo clan would have to bow a little. Otherwise, they will face endless troubles if they mess with the imperial family", second elder of the Lu clan spoke.