Genesis Lotus clued the other participants on what was happening, "Strength and Dao Marks can all be gained through accumulation but gaining insights? That requires a truly extraordinary opportunity. Standing on these stone platforms allows the one bearing the light to gain and deduce insights into their main path at an increased rate, whether you're battling or meditating the effects are present."
"And of course," Genesis Lotus added, "The higher the platform the stronger the number of insights you'll gain and the more your attainment level will rise…and at the very end of the competition we will give the winner…"
Genesis Lotus pulled out from his robe, a golden cloud that seemingly resembled a dream realm but made of pure gold. (1)
The crowd of participants didn't recognise what it was, but the top 10 instantly knew
"Primordial Domain! It's actually a piece of Primordial Domain that will allow us to cross the threshold to Supreme Grandmaster and achieve Rank 9, Venerable!"
The legendary Secluded Domain of Heaven and Earth that was mentioned in Ren Zhu!
!!!
The eyes of all participants lit up, especially the top 10.
For them, the attainment gained from this was already worth the time and effort, most pseudo-venerable lack attainment as they pursued obtaining Dao Marks and becoming stronger.
But now was an opportunity to amend that, and to top it off, even surpass that and directly become one!
Genesis Lotus stroked his chin in satisfaction, "Good, with this I'm sure you're now satisfied with why we screened the individuals so dutifully."
The crowd were so encaptivated by the Primordial Domain that they couldn't stop drooling over it.
This new prize gave even those on the pedestal the desire to try for the first prize.
The 10 began sizing each other up,
"Hmm? It seems Hei Lou Lan is number 2, I was expecting her to be number 1," the only illuminated forehead on the platform stroked his chin.
It was none other than Light Emperor!
Giant Sun had sent him as well but didn't get personally involved as he knew the 3 Heavenly Court Venerables wouldn't have seen Light Emperor as anything more than a Pseudo-venerable.
Hei Lou Lan was a Quasi-Venerable, she had reached the epitome of cultivation, able to wield even Chaos itself, her battle prowess was the greatest under the Venerables.
Giant Sun didn't want to risk losing such a valuable asset.
But this was the best chance to repair relations with Heavenly Court all while profiting from Hei Lou Lan's potential ascension.
Of course, Giant Sun monitored the events closely, just in case something went awry.
"Hmm? Hei Lou Lan being in the top 3 isn't unexpected but who's the guy in the first place?" even Gaint Sun couldn't see through him.
All the pseudo-venerables thought to themselves: "If I can get my hands on that Primordial Domain," all but one
"Primordial Domain? What's that? Sounds familiar, I should ask Zhao Lian Yun about it." The person in the first place was none other than Ma Hong Yun!
As the only Rank 9, Ma Hong Yun had the highest chance of becoming Venerable and reaching the Dao Lord rank.
"And more importantly he is the perfect blank slate for you to take charge of and advance," in a hidden space within Heavenly Court, a display was feeding the image of the tournament as it was happening live.
In this room, a lone table sat in the middle, the room was illuminated by swirling galaxies and dancing stars.
At one end of the table, dressed in a deep, rich shade of purple that reflects the colours of the night sky, adorned with shimmering stars and swirling galaxies her beauty was intoxicatingly mesmerizing, a jewel of the night.
It was Star Constellation Immortal Venerable.
Sat across from her was another woman.
Just from a glance, one would be both frightened and soothed by her appearance, her figure was generous and curvacious but nothing outlandish, it was modest and humble, yet seemingly holy and untaintable.
Her hair possessed 7 streaks of colours and flowed down her back, her demeanour and countenance gave off a familiar kind of grace, one that someone would feel as if they had known their whole life, akin to the tenderness of a mother.
This was the mythical Earth!
"To think I would have the honour of selecting an Avatar for the creator Earth," Star Constellation gave a polite bow, after all, they were going to work as partners, not subjects.
Earth gently and elegantly held the teacup to her lips and pursed.
"You flatter me little Star," Earth said as she lowered the teacup onto its saucer, "I am hardly deserving of the title creator, after all, what creator would let her creation not only suffer at the hands of usurper but need their help to reclaim their right."
Although Earth was all smiles on her lips, her eyes did not reflect the same sentiment, there was anger, bitterness, resentment and a hint of sadness, regret and longing.
Star Constellation captured all of this.
"She's so naive," Star Constellation thought to herself, "But I can't afford to mess it up by underestimating her, who knows if she is half as scheming as Heaven it would already be troublesome."
Star Constellation chose her next words with great caution and forethought, "So far we've basically narrowed it down to 2 potential candidates."
With a wave of her hand, two smaller screens appeared in front of Earth, each displaying a portrait of Heavenly Court's 2 choices.
"Up first we have Ma Hong Yun," Star Constellation started explaining, as she explained the screen turned into a PowerPoint presentation that Fang Yuan would have recognised from his student days.
"He possesses the Undying Love Body and a Rank 9 aperture. He is the strongest person under the Dao Lords."
Earth looked at the portrait before her with an analytical gaze, "What's the downside?"
"Hmm?"
"Don't play coy with me," Earth rubbed her temples
"He sounds amazing, perfect even and if he is this great on paper then you wouldn't even have a second option or this entire tournament to decide if a third option was necessary." Earth sighed, "I need all the help I can get to overturn Heaven, even now I can feel him getting stronger."
Earth looked sincerely into Star Constellation's eyes, "I need the very best, do you think this guy is it?"
Star Constellation's head drooped slightly, she sighed, "Unfortunately, this guy is…well see for yourself."
The screen in front of Earth split into multiple smaller ones showing different instances of Ma Hong Yun's training.
"By now we've spent close to 20 years trying to train him and…"
"Are you kidding me?!" Earth was aghast, "His attainment is barely at a level called proficient nevermind Master."
"I really didn't know there was someone that hopeless in the path of cultivation in this world," Earth shook her head, "He won't do as an Avatar but he would make a good puppet… unfortunately at the level of war we're facing, a puppet of this, or any strength, is useless."
Earth still held on hope for the second option, "Well let's hear the second option."
Star Constellation flicked her wrist again, the portrait then shifted.
"Our second option may not have the cultivation nor body that Ma Hong Yun possesses but he is still one of the most remarkable geniuses of this era, his greatest feat is managing to fight on equal grounds with Rank 8s even while he was a Rank 7 and his identity as a Dao Guardian to Great Dream Immortal Venerable."
It was none other than Feng Jiu Ge!
"Oh," Earth was intrigued, "Is that it? Does he have no faults? Did you recommend that Ma Hong Yun over him purely out of cultivation strength?"
Star Constellation coughed lightly, "Welllll, he does have some…personality issues and well see for yourself."
The screen flashed to a live video of Feng Jiu Ge,
The calm and dignified Earth spat her tea in shock upon seeing the screen.
"IS HE INSANE!?"
"Does Heavenly Court possess no good candidates!?"