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Chapter 589 The Celestial Battleground

With the embers of their passion still smoldering, Wang Jian turned his focus back to the city that demanded his attention. Astral Jade City was more than just a display of power, it was a tool for recruiting exceptional talent. And now, it was time to put that tool to use.

"Su Xian," Wang Jian murmured, tracing a finger along the curve of her hip. "Gather the elders and the advisors. We have a recruitment process to unveil."

Word of the impending event spread like wildfire throughout Astral Jade City. Cultivators, both residents and newcomers, buzzed with anticipation. The rumors painted a picture of a rigorous yet potentially life-altering experience.

The chosen location for the recruitment process sent a shiver down even the most seasoned cultivator\'s spine. The elders of the Heavenly Jade Pavilion unveiled one of their most closely guarded secrets – the Celestial Battlefield. This wasn\'t just any battlefield; it was a remnant of an ancient war, a clash between Godkings of the Eastern and Southern Cosmos. Powerful artifacts, remnants of divine techniques, and even the lingering aura of those fallen deities resided within.

A hush fell over the gathered crowd as Wang Jian ascended a specially constructed platform. His voice, amplified by a spatial array, resonated with a magnetic energy.

"Cultivators of the Eastern Cosmos," he boomed, "we stand at the precipice of a new era! Astral Jade City seeks not just the strong, but the daring, the ambitious!"

He paused, letting his words sink in. "Today, we offer you a chance to carve your names into legend! We offer you the Celestial Battlefield!"

A murmur rippled through the crowd. The battlefield\'s reputation preceded it. A brutal yet unparalleled training ground, steeped in celestial energy and littered with the legacies of fallen deities.

"The Celestial Battlefield," Wang Jian continued, "is not for the faint of heart. It is a crucible, a test of your strength, your will, and your cunning. But for those who persevere, the rewards are beyond measure!"

He elaborated on the various positions available – guards, guard captains, marshals, elite forces. Each position offered a wealth of benefits, a hefty salary in Divine Spirit Stones, access to exclusive cultivation techniques and resources, and a coveted place within Astral Jade City\'s inner circle. But the true prize wasn\'t just power or wealth.

"The Celestial Battlefield," Wang Jian declared, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "is an open treasury. Unclaimed artifacts, remnants of divine techniques, even fragments of Godking power await those daring enough to claim them!"

The crowd erupted in a cacophony of excited shouts. The prospect of not just surviving, but thriving within the battlefield, the chance to claim the spoils of an ancient war, was an offer too tempting to ignore.

Wang Jian silenced the clamor with a gesture. "But be warned," he said, a chilling edge to his voice, "the battlefield is also a graveyard. Death lurks within its shadows. Only the truly exceptional will emerge victorious!"

The "recruitment process" was brutal in its simplicity.

Participants were allowed to bring any artifact, talisman, or weapon they believed would give them an edge within the Celestial Battlefield.

This meant the battlefield itself became a chaotic clash of preparation and strategy. Cultivators spent days amassing resources, forging alliances, and meticulously planning their approach for this recruitment process.

Powerful cultivators with overflowing treasuries stockpiled high-grade pills, defensive talismans, and powerful weapons. Those with weaker resources pooled their belongings, forming temporary alliances based on skills and specialties.

Some opted for brute force, stockpiling enchanted armor and cultivating techniques that enhanced their physical prowess.

Others focused on stealth and subterfuge, acquiring invisibility talismans and illusionary arrays to navigate the battlefield unseen.

Still others prioritized mobility, seeking out artifacts that enhanced speed and agility, hoping to outrun the dangers and claim treasures before their competitors.

They were on their own. No tools, no supplies, no communication would be provided by the Astral Jade City. Their survival, let alone success, depended entirely on their resourcefulness, their combat prowess, and their ability to adapt to a hostile environment.

They had one grueling month to navigate the treacherous landscape, overcome deadly challenges, and claim any treasures they could find, or hunt and kill the ferocious beasts that roamed the battlefield.

At the end of the month, a world-renowned appraiser would assess all their collected treasures and beast corpses.

These would then be converted into points, which would determine their rank.

There were no penalties for stealing from others, so participants had to be constantly vigilant and prepared to defend their hard-earned spoils.

This harsh reality transformed the battlefield into a crucible of survival, where trust was a fleeting luxury and only the most cunning and ruthless could emerge victorious.

Word of this audacious recruitment process spread like wildfire, adding a layer of morbid excitement to the already dangerous undertaking.

Word of this audacious recruitment spread far and wide. Gifted cultivators, hungry for power and the allure of ancient treasures, flocked to Astral Jade City.

They came not just from the Eastern Cosmos but from neighboring territories as well. The Celestial Battlefield, with its promise of both peril and reward, became an irresistible siren song.

News of the Astral Jade City\'s recruitment process sent shockwaves through the Eastern Cosmos. Cultivators from all corners, their eyes filled with a mix of awe and trepidation, buzzed about the Celestial Battlefield. Whispers reached the ears of the leaders of major sects like the Star Cloud Sect and the Azure Gale Sect.

"The Celestial Battlefield? Those sly vixens of the Heavenly Jade Pavilion are using Astral Jade City as a recruitment ground!" Elder Zhou of the Star Cloud Sect slammed his fist on the table, his beard bristling in indignation.

"Indeed," chimed in Sect Master Li of the Azure Gale Sect, his voice laced with frustration. "This is a direct assault on our interests. They\'ve always focused on female disciples, and now they\'re actively seeking male talent."

The implication was clear – the Heavenly Jade Pavilion, previously considered a niche sect, was aiming to expand its influence. Traditionally, they had cultivated only women, fostering a distinct style of martial arts and a formidable sect identity. Now, with their recruitment focused on the Celestial Battlefield, it seemed they were no longer content with remaining a sect on the fringes.

However, the anger was tempered by a dose of caution. Memories of their past failures against Astral Jade City were still fresh. Wang Jian, the enigmatic City Lord, had consistently outmaneuvered them, turning their attempts at sabotage into his own advantage.

"Direct confrontation is a fool\'s errand," Elder Yu of the Star Cloud Sect cautioned. "Remember the treasure hunt debacle? We still haven\'t lived that down."

A wry chuckle escaped Sect Master Li. "Indeed. Wang Jian is a cunning serpent. We need a more… subtle approach."

Conversations similar to these unfolded in the halls of power across the Eastern Cosmos. The major sects, unwilling to antagonize Astral Jade City directly, hatched a sly plan. They would infiltrate the recruitment process itself.

Within the Star Cloud Sect, a cunning young disciple named Chen Feng approached Elder Zhou. "Master," he began, bowing low, "I have heard about the Celestial Battlefield. May I participate in the recruitment process?"

Elder Zhou, a man with shrewd eyes and a silvering mane, scrutinized Chen Feng for a long moment. Then, a smile played on his lips. "Chen Feng," he said, a glint in his eyes, "you\'ve always been ambitious. I see potential in this plan. Go, participate in the recruitment process. But remember, your true loyalty lies with the Star Cloud Sect."

Similar scenes were played out across other sects. Talented disciples, illegitimate children, and even promising outer disciples were subtly encouraged to participate in the Celestial Battlefield challenge. Their mission, shrouded in secrecy, was to excel within Astral Jade City\'s ranks and become a mole within the system.

Meanwhile, within Astral Jade City, the day the recruitment process finally began dawned with a sense of chaotic anticipation. Hundreds of cultivators, from seasoned veterans to wide-eyed newcomers, huddled outside the designated portal. They were a motley crew – seasoned swordsmen with battle-worn armor, wizened alchemists clutching pouches of precious elixirs, and young cultivators with nervous excitement etched on their faces.

As the portal shimmered open, revealing a glimpse of the desolate Celestial Battlefield, the tension reached a fever pitch. With a collective shout, the cultivators charged through, eager to claim their fortune and secure a coveted position within the Astral Jade City.

Amidst the chaos, Chen Feng slipped through the portal unnoticed. His heart pounded with a mix of excitement and apprehension. He was a talented cultivator, but his true mission lay beyond personal glory. He was a pawn in a larger game, a secret agent tasked with disrupting Astral Jade City from within.

The Celestial Battlefield greeted them with a harsh reality. Barren plains stretched as far as the eye could see, dotted with the skeletal remains of colossal creatures. The air crackled with a strange energy, and a sense of foreboding hung heavy in the atmosphere.

The competition commenced immediately. Alliances were forged, only to be betrayed moments later. The battlefield echoed with the clash of steel and the roar of furious cultivators as they fought not only for treasures but also for survival against the ferocious beasts that roamed the landscape.

Chen Feng, trained in the subtle arts of espionage by the Star Cloud Sect, remained on the fringes. He observed, learned, and bided his time. His goal wasn\'t immediate dominance; it was to establish himself within the ranks and rise through the hierarchy, gaining access to sensitive information and finding a way to disrupt Astral Jade City\'s operations from within.

The Celestial Battlefield\'s recruitment process had become a complex game – a test of strength, a breeding ground for ambition, and now, a battleground for unseen loyalties.