# Chapter 2155: Screening
Yang Xiao's disappearance alarmed the guests from the Heavenly Demon Lei Clan. Everyone gathered together, also puzzled as to why Lei Dongtian and Lin Feng had returned.
Lei Dongtian had said he would send Lin Feng to the four major powers, yet Lin Feng had appeared there again.
At this moment, Lei Dongtian turned his gaze, looking at Lin Feng, and smiled slightly: "Brother Lin, you should know where Yang Xiao is, right?"
"Yang Xiao has hands and feet. How can I restrain where he goes? Besides, he himself has array dao treasures and terrifying speed. If he wants to leave, I can't catch up even if I chase," Lin Feng said with a smile, carrying a hint of a carefree attitude, causing Lei Dongtian to curse inwardly. Everyone had seen the enmity between Lin Feng and Yang Xiao yesterday. Yet just as he was leading Lin Feng's avatar away, Lin Feng's true body secretly stayed behind. After returning, Lin Feng's true body and Yang Xiao disappeared together. How could he not suspect Lin Feng had done it?
But how would Lin Feng admit it?
"Brother Lin is joking, right?" Lei Dongtian's expression faintly flickered with demonic light. Being toyed with by Lin Feng, he was clearly already angered.
However, Lin Feng's heart was even colder at this moment. The Heavenly Demon Lei Clan had betrayed their trust and sold him out to the Dan King Clan. This debt would be settled properly. If the Heavenly Demon Lei Clan hadn't promised to act as witnesses and protect him, it wouldn't have mattered. But they made a promise first, then for profit sent him into the tiger's mouth of the Dan King Clan. Such conduct, Lin Feng could never understand.
"Brother Lei is joking, right? I left here with you. If I had made a move against Yang Xiao last night, with Yang Xiao's strength, wouldn't everyone have noticed?" Lin Feng looked at everyone and said calmly. These temporary palaces were connected. If he and Yang Xiao had a great battle, logically, there would have been a huge commotion. However, he possessed a martial soul world, so it couldn't be judged by common sense.
Lei Dongtian was speechless, his heart cold. "In that case, I will investigate the truth myself."
With that, Lei Dongtian flickered away. But at this moment, everyone's eyes showed an interesting expression. Something seemed off between Lei Dongtian and Lin Feng. What exactly had happened when they left earlier?
A cold light flashed in Lin Feng's eyes. His figure flickered, stepping into his temporary palace, and didn't reappear.
In the following days, some rumors suddenly spread in the eastern region of Shenxiao City. These rumors nearly enraged the Heavenly Demon Lei Clan.
The content of the rumors was related to the past battle agreement between the Dan King Clan of Shenxiao City and the Dan King descendant of Danxiao Continent. Previously, Lin Feng had killed Wang Jie, and Lei Dongtian had promised to protect Lin Feng's safety. The rumor said that Lei Dongtian had never kept his promise to Lin Feng. The Heavenly Demon Lei Clan had accepted benefits from the Dan King Clan and sold Lin Feng out. Lin Feng had nearly met with misfortune and hadn't been safely delivered to the four major powers.
Regardless of the truth of these rumors, just their content greatly damaged the image of the Heavenly Demon Lei Clan. Although pursuing profit was understandable, people still sneered at such behavior. Moreover, after the rumors came out, a memory image was circulated showing the Dan King Clan besieging the people of the Heavenly Demon Lei Clan. This made people have to believe it. Had the Heavenly Demon Lei Clan, while sending Lin Feng to the four major powers, simply run into the stronger lineup of the Dan King Clan?
The Heavenly Demon Lei Clan didn't come out to refute the rumors, nor did the Dan King Clan make any sound. This damaged the reputation of both major powers. It had been a fair battle, yet the Dan King Clan had brought such a terrifying lineup to retaliate, while the Heavenly Demon Lei Clan's behavior appeared even more despicable.
Such news stirred up quite a commotion in the eastern region of Shenxiao City, making martial artists more firmly believe in the coldness and faithlessness of these big shots. Everything was so false, with only profit being their consideration. And for martial artists, strength was still paramount.
Lin Feng appeared at the Ye Clan again. But now, he had completely removed his disguise and changed back to his original appearance. He planned to attend the Nine Heavens Gathering with his true face. This face had similarities to the one he had been using recently, yet had a different temperament. Now, his body seemed to be shrouded in traces of demonic light. His pupils were clean yet deep. His clean face seemed to bear the marks of time, weathered by storms, yet still retaining some of his original innocence.
This rather handsome and clean face wasn't too handsome. In the martial world, people could transform their flesh and skin, so appearances were all very good—women beautiful, men handsome. But Lin Feng's face had a different kind of beauty.
When Lin Feng descended upon the Ye Clan, he used terrifying demonic law power to intimidate many people, easily entering. As long as he passed the assessment later, the Ye Clan would recommend him along with others who passed to one of the four major powers. Moreover, this time Lin Feng wasn't so active. He just quietly cultivated in his residence, as if matters of the outside world had nothing to do with him. Of course, he wouldn't forget to deal with Yang Xiao in his martial soul world.
For Yang Xiao, who had become a turtle in a jar, even if he possessed many means, once inside Lin Feng's martial soul world, he couldn't even mobilize law power. How much trouble could he cause? He was gradually forced into a dead end by Lin Feng, and finally couldn't escape the same fate as Wang Jie—being refined into a demon puppet by Lin Feng. Once Yang Xiao was refined into a demon puppet, his special abilities would be quite helpful to Lin Feng.
Lin Feng's seclusion for cultivation didn't attract others' attention. As the Nine Heavens Gathering selection approached, more and more experts gathered in the twelve regions of Shenxiao City. The eastern region also had more and more experts. The Ye Clan was no exception. So no one would pay attention to an ordinary Lin Feng. After all, the number one of Qingxiao, Wrathful Young Master, and the number one of Danxiao, Nine Spirit Emperor, were still at the Ye Clan. They attracted the attention of almost everyone.
That day, the eastern region shook again. Yuqing, the number one of Yuxiao, also appeared in the eastern region of Shenxiao City, causing people to marvel. Three of the nine number ones had appeared in the eastern region, which was especially interesting. Moreover, when Yuqing descended upon the eastern region, some powerful battle-hungry people came to test him. Without exception, they all died under Yuqing's Seven Orifices Killing Divine Ability. It was very terrifying. The reputation of the nine number ones was not undeserved. Although in each Nine Heavens Gathering, the nine number ones didn't occupy many of the top ten spots, one had to know how many geniuses participated in the Nine Heavens Gathering. And all nine of them could rank in the forefront. This was already extremely terrifying.
Additionally, three days later was the day when the various powers would formally make their selections. Those with recommendation quotas would go to the four major powers at the same time three days later, recommending the people they had selected. Therefore, all powers began assessments, eliminating some people and selecting elite figures who met the conditions.
The Ye Clan also began its assessment. That day, in the Ye Clan's vast and empty martial arts arena, several hundred people gathered. They were all visitors, wanting to obtain a recommendation quota. Only by entering the four major families could they have the chance to ultimately obtain the quota to participate in the Nine Heavens Gathering.
In the martial arts arena, many experts from the Ye Clan had gathered. On the viewing platform, some elders of the Ye Clan personally presided. This selection was very important. If they recommended people of insufficient strength, how would they explain it to the four major powers above?
"This time for the Nine Heavens Gathering, the various powers of the eastern region will recommend candidates to the four major powers. The four major powers above, I believe everyone already knows: Martial Saint Tower, Refining Gold Mountain, Demon Gate, and Nether Soul Hall. You can imagine that even if each power recommends ten people, the four major powers will still have an overflow of candidates. Therefore, they still have to screen out many people. After all, Shenxiao City has twelve regions. There must be layer-by-layer elimination, keeping only the elite. So my rules here will also be stricter. This time, only thirty people will be recommended. Therefore, most people will be eliminated. I hope everyone understands."
"So many people, and only thirty will be kept? Less than one in ten." The crowd's eyes flickered, feeling pressure. The people who came were already talented individuals, gathered from all over the Nine Heavens Continent. And those here were only at the Martial Emperor realm.
"But even if only thirty are recommended, when they reach the four major powers, any one power probably has no less than three hundred. The four powers together have over a thousand. The twelve regions together have over ten thousand. To participate in the Nine Heavens Gathering, there will be another strict screening within the four major powers. It will probably still be the same ratio."
People thought to themselves. It meant that among a hundred talented individuals like them who participated in the Nine Heavens Gathering, only one could be selected. And the base was even larger.
Lin Feng was also among the crowd. Hearing the words above, he was somewhat shocked. It could only be said that the Nine Heavens Gathering had shaken the people of the Nine Heavens Continent. Too many geniuses had now descended upon Shenxiao City.
"Additionally, Wrathful Young Master and Nine Spirit Emperor will directly occupy two spots. That means there are still twenty-eight spots left. Everyone should have no objections to this, right?" The Ye Clan expert continued, causing people to inwardly curse those two fellows for taking two spots for no reason.
"Alright, now please gather on the martial arts platform. I will conduct the first screening." The elder said. The first round of screening by each family wouldn't be too complicated. They would quickly screen out thirty people. After all, this time, elite figures couldn't possibly be eliminated. And those who were eliminated, even if some were unlucky, would still face the same fate when they reached the four major powers.
Therefore, the selection by the various powers of Shenxiao City was just a small action. But it eliminated most people, blocking them outside the gates of the Nine Heavens Gathering!
PS: I have an idea. Since this is a novel about Lin Feng, many characters have limited appearances. If everyone wants me to write some character biographies, you can tell me on WeChat. I'll see who has higher popularity and consider writing some character chapters outside the novel. WeChat ID: jingwuhen888.
# Chapter 2156: Refining Gold Mountain
Everyone stepped onto the martial arts platform one after another. The group stood in a circle around the entire platform, as instructed by the Ye Clan elder.
"In a moment, I will exert pressure on all of you. If you are forced off the martial arts platform, you can leave the Ye Clan directly. Of course, if you wish to stay as guests, the Ye Clan still welcomes you." The Ye Clan elder said slowly. Then, his foot stepped forward, descending at the center of the martial arts platform. A surging imperial might spread out, extremely terrifying.
"Boom!" His foot heavily stamped on the center of the martial arts platform. A thunderous sound rang out. A halo shot up into the sky, as if enveloping the entire void. Everyone on the martial arts platform felt a terrifying pressure descending upon them. This pressure seemed to have a special rhythm, continuously striking their bodies, shaking their minds.
Moreover, this rhythm seemed to have a wonderful rule, like waves of billows constantly crashing against them, growing stronger and stronger. Soon, sweat began to seep from many people's bodies. Their heart rates accelerated. The pressure striking their bodies gradually made them feel uncomfortable.
Lin Feng stood calmly in one position, his expression peaceful. He could naturally feel the pressure on his flesh, blood, and even his heart, and it was very clear. But no matter what kind of power, he was very strong. So this level of pressure was not enough to shake him.
But not everyone could be like Lin Feng. When he had gone through the third and fourth heavenly demon tribulations, his combat power was already at a very impressive level within the Martial Emperor realm, let alone now. Now, his opponents were only the top figures at the Martial Emperor realm, the geniuses of the entire Nine Heavens Continent.
"Boom!" The Ye Clan elder stamped his foot heavily again. A terrifying wave violently shook the crowd. Many people's bodies tilted slightly. One person even directly stepped off the martial arts platform. That person's expression turned ugly. His figure flickered and directly left the Ye Clan. Being the first to be forced off the platform, he had no face to stay.
"Now I can feel such strong pressure. I'm afraid I won't be able to hold on much longer." At this moment, similar thoughts appeared in many people's minds. They sighed inwardly. In their respective hometowns, they were all quite impressive figures, called geniuses by many. But here, they seemed to have become the most ordinary existence.
This also made them truly realize that the stage of this Nine Heavens Gathering was too big.
As the pressure increased, more and more people were forced down. At certain intervals, the expert would stamp his foot again, increasing the rhythm, making the oppressive rhythm beat faster and faster, as if terrible forces were constantly striking the crowd. Such screening could indeed quickly filter people out.
Before long, on the vast martial arts platform, only less than a hundred people remained. But the other party still showed no sign of stopping.
Although Wrathful Young Master and Nine Spirit Emperor didn't need to take the assessment, they were also on the martial arts platform, standing calmly with their hands behind their backs, without any wavering.
The pressure was still increasing. At this moment, the elder figure raised his foot again. With a thunderous explosion, the void trembled, and the halo shot straight out.
"Boom, boom, boom!" This time, he shook the battle platform three times in succession. Many people even let out muffled groans or spat blood from the corners of their mouths, being forcibly shaken off the martial arts platform. And the strong, terrifying pressure continued until after nine rhythms, when many more people were shaken off. Only then did the other party stop. Looking at the martial arts platform again, only a little over fifty people remained.
Some people left the Ye Clan, while others stayed to continue watching the martial arts platform. Their eyes all carried a trace of desolation and disappointment. They hadn't even passed the Ye Clan's assessment, let alone the more brutal assessment of the four major powers. Many of them had traveled thousands of miles, yet they had no chance at the Nine Heavens Gathering. It was destined not to be their stage.
The Ye Clan elder looked at everyone and smiled calmly. Now that only a little over fifty people remained, they were clearly all quite impressive figures. The next part would be much easier.
"Any of you who can force anyone off the martial arts platform will pass the assessment. Those who are forced off mean failure. Wrathful Young Master and Nine Spirit Emperor, you don't need to make a move." The Ye Clan elder said with a smile. Immediately, everyone's eyes flickered, looking around with unfriendly gazes. As long as they forced anyone down, they could confirm their passage. Of course, if they could remain among the final thirty without anyone making a move against them, that would also count as passing. It was just a matter of initiative versus passivity.
If you took the initiative, you could choose your opponent. If you were passive, you might be lucky and not be chosen, or unlucky and be targeted by a strong person.
This didn't seem very fair. But the Ye Clan elder didn't care much. Among the thirty people selected, probably fewer than five would ultimately be sent to the Nine Heavens Gathering. According to the general ratio, it was about three people. So if there were those few people here, they couldn't possibly be eliminated by this form of screening.
"Whoosh!" Finally, a figure moved, pouncing toward a person with blood at the corner of their mouth. As fast as lightning, a terrifying golden sharp spear directly pierced through the air to kill. The entire void seemed to twist. That was dao might. Immediately, that void seemed to be sealed off. The person being attacked had a pale face. In the twisted void, they had no way to retreat unless they struck the opponent with stronger power, breaking through their attack, to avoid leaving the martial arts platform. Otherwise, as long as they stepped back, it meant elimination.
Seeing what was happening here, many people moved toward the center of the martial arts platform. To avoid giving others an opportunity, being at the edge made it easy to be forced off the platform area. As long as they took one step back, they lost.
Lin Feng didn't move. This was confidence in his strength. But soon, a gaze locked onto him. Someone suddenly stepped toward him. A strong pressure directly descended upon him. That person's eyes were pitch black. In an instant, the other's pupils seemed to transform into a space, making Lin Feng feel like he was falling into those eyes. It was a very powerful eye technique.
But those eyes saw that Lin Feng's gaze was always so calm and deep. Suddenly, a terrifying curse power descended, as if several bright king dharma manifestations appeared, descending into his pupils, causing sharp pain in his eyes, as if he had been cursed.
"Get lost!" A loud shout heavily shook his heart, making him feel completely disoriented. He let out a low, muffled groan.
When he woke up, his steps kept retreating. He knew he had kicked an iron plate. That guy was still at the edge because of confidence.
"Boom!" A terrifying aura came from behind him. Now that he had stopped attacking Lin Feng, others could naturally make a move against him. He suddenly turned around, only to feel a terrifying fist breaking through everything. It was a barbaric force, directly piercing into his chest and abdomen, shattering his bones, and sending him flying off the martial arts platform.
"Bastard!" The person shouted angrily after being forced down. But the one who attacked him only glanced at him coldly and said: "Since you attacked someone else, you should be prepared to be forced down."
With that, his steps moved toward another person.
After a while, looking at the constantly decreasing number of people on the martial arts platform, the Ye Clan elder smiled and said: "Enough, exactly thirty people."
As his words fell, everyone stopped fighting. There was no enmity between them; they all just wanted to participate in the Nine Heavens Gathering. Since they had now obtained the first round of recommendation qualifications, they naturally stopped.
This round of selection was indeed very simple. It took only a short time to decide the experts who would be recommended to the four major powers. Those who were eliminated all had regrets. They hadn't even passed the first round, let alone the Nine Heavens Gathering.
"Congratulations to everyone. The power we are connected with among the four major powers is Refining Gold Mountain. Gather here early three days from now. The Ye Clan will send everyone to Refining Gold Mountain. In the coming days, you can prepare to strive for the Nine Heavens Gathering quota." The Ye Clan elder said with a smile. Everyone nodded. Some were quite excited, while many were very calm, as if this was something that should happen. Their goal was not this selection, but the quota for the Nine Heavens Gathering.
Those below the martial arts platform sighed again, thinking to themselves: "I didn't even get the first round of recommendation qualifications. Next are the assessments of the four major powers, and then the Nine Heavens Gathering. What kind of figures will those who rank in the forefront of the Nine Heavens Gathering be?"
Thinking this, they sighed inwardly. No wonder some said that anyone who ranked in the top hundred of any realm in the Nine Heavens Gathering would be a figure who could dominate the entire Nine Heavens Continent.
The crowd gradually dispersed. Lin Feng also quietly left this place. In these few days, many powers in the eastern region of Shenxiao City conducted their assessments. Until three days later, the various powers of Shenxiao City led their groups, rolling through the air toward the location of the four major powers. This meant that the Nine Heavens Gathering was getting closer.
Lin Feng followed the crowd, strolling through the void. His gaze looked into the distance. In that space, there was a golden void castle, spanning between heaven and earth, as if it were a unique existence.
"That is Refining Gold Mountain." A voice came from ahead. Whistling winds were everywhere. Groups of people were all rushing toward Refining Gold Mountain. Not far from Lin Feng, there was another power. The gazes of the two groups collided. Auras spread. Long robes fluttered. Once they stepped into Refining Gold Mountain, they might become opponents!
PS: There weren't many messages on WeChat, so Wuhun won't write character side stories for now. I had this idea because a reader once mentioned hoping I would write about the Flame Emperor and Xi Emperor from a thousand years ago, as well as Hou Qinglin, Chu Chunqiu, and others.