"Welcome Clans of the Inner Ring!"
The meeting ground for The Selection occurred in quite an odd location. The various Fifth and Half-Step Sixth Order Clans all gathered in an area of defense forest. In fact, it was clear that even the relatively small clearing they all stood within was only recently cut down.
Behind the speaker stood a mountain. However, this so-called mountain was more reminiscent of a hill than anything else. This wasn't because of its lack of size, because it still stretched several kilometers into the sky, but rather because what should have been a rocky surface was drowned in greenery and foliage.
This place was filled with powerful vital energy, allowing regular plants and Spiritual Herbs to grow tens of times faster than normally. As a result, this clearing they stood in had to be mowed down every time The Selection was held.
Of course, this was one of the holy cultivation lands of the Inner Ring and was jointly controlled by the Five Core Clans. It was known as Mortal Qi Mountain because its massive structures housed the densest population of Mortal Qi Stones in the entirety of the Pedestal Plane!
Though this clearing was relatively small, this was only in proportion to the forest itself and the mountain ahead. It was still capable of holding several hundred people as it did currently. Geniuses of the Inner Ring and their Clan elders stood at the forefront, but there were also lesser youths who held the hope of the weaker Fourth and Third Order Clans as well.
As for the speaker, he was a liaison of the Core Region, sent to oversee these matters. Interestingly enough, he didn't seem arrogant, but was rather warm and inviting, happily greeting them all. It was impossible to tell whether this was his true self, or if he was feigning it for some hidden purpose.
"As you all know, The Selection isn't meant to be held this year but has been moved forward because your Zu Clan has grasped enough strength, it will soon make its move to the Core Region. Let this be a motivation to you all, with enough investment into the younger generations, your Clans can rise to this height as well." The speaker smiled. Since he was on the older side, his wrinkles truly made him look like a caring grandfather looking after them all.
"Now, I'll explain the process. Listen carefully.
"You are all already aware, but Mortal Qi Mountain is home to a Small Realm of the Inner Ring. To the outside world, it is Mortal Qi Mountain itself that is the home of the densest deposit of Mortal Qi Stones, but the reality is that this mountain doesn't hold a candle to the Small Realm it houses.
"Each of your Clans may nominate three individuals to enter the Mortal Qi Small Realm on the behalf of our elder generation. Within the Small Realm, there will be various tasks to complete, each of which will reward a certain point total.
"In order to qualify for the final elimination event, you must rank top four in point total. Of course, this ranking excludes the Five Core Clan minus the Zu Clan which won't participate.
"Should you be among the Clans in this final four, you will be able to enter the elimination event along with the four remaining Core Clans.
"Unfortunately… These matters won't be simple after this."
The atmosphere grew slightly tense. City Lord Loom's brows furrowed. He had expected them to change the rules, but hadn't expected it to be so brazen. Even without the speaker finishing, he knew what was coming.
"Normally, the rankings as decided by the final elimination round would decide percentage profit from the Mortal Qi Mountain. However, with one Core Clan leaving your region, it will be a bit different.
"The Inner Ring must stay harmonious and without conflict so that it can continue to play its important role for the Pedestal Plane. As such, receiving fifth place will not be enough to claim the Zu Clan's place among the Five Core Clans."
City Lord Loom clenched his fists, but restrained his aura in the end.
Seeing such a man being stifled, some felt pity, but many more felt disdain. In particular, a sharp-eyed young man with brown-amber hair sneered toward the Loom Clan's representatives. Earlier, when he had seen Ryu standing by Tae, he had already felt uncomfortable. If his senior brother heard about this, his rage would level a mountain. But in the end, he calmed down. Did it matter what the Loom Clan did now? They were at the end of their rope!
"In order to take over the Zu Clan's territory, one must have the approval of a majority of the Clans ranked above you. Meaning, if you rank fifth, should two of the Clans above you disagree with your placement into the Core Clans, you will be rejected and sixth place will be tested. Should you rank second, your fate will be in the hands of the one Clan above you."
Ryu inwardly sneered. 'What arrogant rules.'
Hearing this, even City Lord Loom who had been ready to blow his top suddenly calmed down and smiled. He had two Thrones on his side, would there be an issue taking first place?!
"Ah yes, there's something I've forgotten to mention." The old man touched his forehead as though lamenting his old age. "Usually, The Selection is restricted to those below the Connecting Heaven Realm. However, this is quite a special case as we are now selecting a new Core Clan. As you all know, the main backbone of the Core Clans of the Inner Ring is, in fact, Sixth Order experts."
City Lord Loom's smile froze even as Ryu's sneer intensified.
"Still, changing the rules so abruptly would be too jarring, so we've come to a compromise. Connecting Heaven Realm experts will be allowed to participate, but they mustn't be over five hundred years old. We believe that this would be the perfect balance of younger generation to powerhouses."
In an instant, the elders of the Loom Clan suddenly turned ashen. Their Clan didn't have a single Connecting Heaven Realm expert younger than five hundred years old! The worst part about it was that City Lord's senses suddenly picked up several youths who had been previously hiding their auras that no longer bothered to do so.
Not only were some of these youths by the side of the four remaining Core Clans – the Basteel Clan, the Xie Clan, the Vinn Clan and the Croft Clan – there were also some by the rival Fifth Order Clans of the Loom Clan!
City Lord Loom suddenly realized that even making it to the elimination round might be impossible…