Fifth Ziyan took out a small ship and threw it into the sky.

The ship gradually grew larger and, with a flash of golden light, turned into a grand ship with its sails raised.

The ship slowly lowered its ladder.

The Chief Director seemed to be the type who valued efficiency and didn’t waste words.

Feeling he had said what needed to be said, he took the lead and began to board the ship first.

Seeing the families standing in a daze, like confused chicks released from a cage, Fifth Lingyu smiled and called out:

“Why are you standing there? Do you need us to invite each of you individually?”

Qin Ruqing wasn’t dazed.

She had just been reading the jade slip.

After understanding what it said, she was the first to move.

“Let’s go, board the ship!” She took the lead and became the second person to board after the Chief Director.

The Western and Southern Directors stood beside the lowered ladder.

When Qin Ruqing reached them, she greeted them respectfully.

As she was about to continue up, she noticed the two directors…

“Then, you came up.”

“No, weren’t you supposed to wait until everyone was on the boat before coming up? Why are you standing by the stairs like a doorman?”

Fifth Lingyu transmitted to her from behind: “Why are you dressed up so nicely today?”

So annoying, this person is so curious!

Qin Ruqing started to dodge, “Because I love to look pretty.”

Fifth Lingyu: “Don’t make excuses.”

“Alright. Because I want to be famous, to deceive people, to make them lower their guard! I also want to become the number one female immortal in the South Region, and even in the Four Regions. I want both reputation and fame. Do you believe that?”

Fifth Lingyu’s laughter echoed loudly in her mind, “Hahaha, I believe it, just like your true thoughts.”

He already knew that this little mouse had a huge appetite and ambition.

Wanting to be the number one female Cultivator in the Four Regions and wanting both reputation and fame?—

This was so typical of Qin Ruqing.

Qin Ruqing was jolted by his laughter, her head aching.

She stopped walking step by step, and with a light tip of her toes, flew upwards.

Just as Fifth Ziyan was about to send a message, Qin Ruqing darted off.

Fifth Ziyan: “……”

Fifth Lingyu’s laughter rang in Fifth Ziyan’s mind, “Hahaha, you were a step too slow. She was driven away by my noise.”

You know you’re loud, huh?

After assigning cabin numbers to the various aristocratic teams, the spaceship was activated.

This was somewhat like a flying yacht, with a total of three floors.

Qin Ruqing and the other representatives from the Southern Ridge families were on the third floor, as the third floor had the smallest space and the Southern Region had the fewest people.

Conversely, the Northern Region’s families, who had the most participants, were on the largest first floor.

After receiving their room numbers, Tang Zifeng immediately abandoned her two family members who were also competing and went upstairs to join Qin Ruqing and the others.

Now, the four were gathered around a small square table.

Qin Ruqing: “Have you all read the jade slips? Do you know the rules?”

Qi Rong said, “What? Did you finish reading it, sister? When did you read it?”

Qin Ruqing rolled her eyes, “Fine, you don’t need to read it anymore. I’ll introduce it to you!”

Her expression turned serious: “Actually, the jade slips don’t provide detailed procedures and specifics about the competition. They only mention one thing, which is for us to make a choice.”

Lu Wei nodded and said softly, “Is it the choice that the Director-General emphasized before?”

Qin Ruqing replied, “Yes, it’s about choosing the competition track. The competition is divided into several rounds, but the track is continuous throughout.”

“To put it simply, you have to choose between the Combat Track and the Professional Skill Track.”

“The Combat Track is self-explanatory, completely based on personal combat strength. Generally, such competitions default to testing combat abilities. However, this may not be fair to those who are not skilled in fighting but are proficient in tools or alchemy. The competition might have anticipated this, which is why they set up the Professional Track.”

“The Professional Track includes arrays, refining, and alchemy. These are the three main professional tracks.”

Qi Rong was delighted and looked at Tang Zifeng and Lu Wei: “That’s great. In that case, for Third Sister and Tang…”

“Since my older brother is like that, we don’t need to compare our combat power with him,” Lu Wei said, her fists clenched with excitement.

As a pill cultivator, she was allowed to use pills in battle, but she wasn’t skilled in combat.

Despite being proficient in both pills and sword techniques, she would still be at a disadvantage compared to those who excelled in combat.

Tang Zifeng glanced at Qin Ruqing and didn’t speak.

From Qin Ruqing’s expression, he could tell that things were not as simple as they seemed.

If it was truly a matter of choosing a path based on one’s practice, then there wouldn’t be a need for “choices” at all.

There would be no hesitation.

Qin Ruqing shook her head, “It’s not that simple. There are only three main professional tracks, which are broad categories of cultivation. That’s understandable. But the jade slip clearly states that only the top three in the Hundred Clans Conference will be selected from these professional tracks.”

“In other words, to secure a top ten spot, you must be first in your professional track!”

Qin Ruqing looked at Lu Wei and said firmly, “Third Sister must aim for the top in pill path!” She then turned to Tang Zifeng, “Tang Zifeng must aim for the top in weapon path!”

Qi Rong’s mouth opened slightly as he finally understood the trickiness of this so-called choice.

There are three professional tracks but only three are the available in top ten spots.

This means that each professional track can only have one top spot, so to get into the top ten, you must be first in your track!

But winning first place isn’t easy.

Even if you have the capability to win, you might fall due to luck or other factors.

Qi Rong clenched his fists, “The professional track is too risky and competitive. Why don’t you join us in the combat track? At least there are more opportunities there.”

Tang Zifeng shook his head without hesitation, “Master Minghua requires me to secure a top ten spot. This is related to the artifact blueprint. I have no chance in the combat track and must focus on the weapon path.”

Artifact blueprint! Qin Ruqing was taken aback and interjected, “Tang Zifeng, have you really uncovered the clue to the artifact blueprint?”

Tang Zifeng nodded seriously, looking at her, “I remember what you told me.”

Qin Ruqing praised him, “Well done!” She then asked, “Is it related to the Ruins?”

Tang Zifeng was visibly shocked, “You know?”

That’s right.

Qin Ruqing smiled slightly, “I also know that the reward for the top ten in this conference is actually competing for a spot in the Ruins.”

“But…” Qin Ruqing tapped the jade slip on the table, “The jade slip doesn’t mention the reward. Information about the Ruins is likely monopolized by the upper echelons, and only a few families with channels or resources might know.”

“Without knowing the real benefits behind the top ten, how can one fully commit? Even for the family, the difference between the top ten and eleventh place is actually quite small, but the actual benefits are huge.”

“The disparity in information can lead to different choices.”

After saying this with a sigh, Qin Ruqing turned to Lu Wei, “There’s no doubt that Qi Rong and I will go for the combat track. Tang Zifeng has already made his choice. Third Sister, what about you?”

Qin Ruqing emphasized, “You might not know what the Ruins are. It’s a place of great opportunity where you could find the residence of an ancient alchemy master and gain their legacy. If you don’t make it into the top ten, you’ll miss this chance.”

The legacy of an ancient alchemy master!

Lu Wei fell silent.

While Lu Wei thought, Qin Ruqing sighed inwardly.

Choosing between the two tracks is like deciding between taking a standard exam or a highly competitive special admission.

Should one take the standard route or the more competitive one?

Lu Wei didn’t think long.

She smiled slightly and said firmly, “I’ll go for the pill path.”

“There’s no complicated reason. Although I practice sword techniques, my sword skills are average. My talent is better in pill path, so I have a better chance there… Plus, I want to see how my pill skills compare to others.”

Qin Ruqing wasn’t surprised by her sister’s choice.

She stroked her chin and said after a moment’s thought, “Don’t worry too much, Third Sister. Just go for it. Even if you don’t get first place, there might still be other opportunities.”

The conference emphasizes the quota, but doesn’t specify if it’s an individual or a family’s quota.

If it’s individual, it’s indeed very competitive.

If it’s family-based…

Even if it’s individual, Qin Ruqing believed there might still be some maneuvering space.

Sometimes, success depends on the effort put in.