Lord Fang's voice rang out once more: "Now, everyone is here. You must all understand the rules for the challenge. I won't go into further detail. I'll just point out a few specifics you need to pay attention to."
"Detail one: each cycle lasts three months. Within these three months, everyone must complete one hundred challenges. If you fail to complete the hundred challenges, whether due to injury or any other reason, for each one you miss, one of your previous victories will be converted into a defeat. For example, if you only complete eighty challenges in three months, and in those eighty challenges you win forty and lose forty, then you are short twenty challenges. Those twenty victories will become defeats. Thus, your record becomes twenty wins and sixty losses. The win rate is calculated this way."
"Detail two: if you are the challenged party and feel your opponent is too strong, you may choose to withdraw to protect yourself from injury. If you withdraw, your opponent is declared the winner. For each withdrawal, one of your previous victories will also be deducted and converted into a defeat."
"Detail three: during combat, while we encourage only deciding the outcome, not life and death, casualties can still occur. Everyone is responsible for their own life."
"Detail four: during the competition period, all forms of private fights are prohibited. If you're lucky and aren't caught, there's nothing we can do. But if you're caught in the act, you will be severely punished."
"Detail five..."
Lord Fang painstakingly announced the details one by one.
Jiang Chen listened attentively, committing each detail to memory. Details determine success or failure. Sometimes, these details cannot be overlooked.
"Alright, I have made the details very clear. If you have any questions, you may ask them now. I have one hour to answer your inquiries. After that hour, I will not answer any further questions of any kind."
Hearing there was time for questions, the sect disciples present became very active. They raised their hands eagerly one after another, asking questions that varied but all revolved around this Hundred Battles assessment.
Although Jiang Chen did not ask a question, he listened intently. When someone asked about a point he was particularly concerned with, he focused carefully.
"Lord Fang, I would like to ask, how many people are in the Earth Spirit Region?"
"There are one hundred in the Heavenly Spirit Region, five hundred in the Earth Spirit Region, three thousand in the Profound Spirit Region, and three thousand five hundred in the Yellow Spirit Region." Lord Fang provided precise numbers.
"Is the assessment content the same every three months?"
"For the Profound Spirit and Yellow Spirit Regions, the assessment content is basically the same. In the Earth Spirit Region, the assessment format becomes more diverse. In the Heavenly Spirit Region, the competition is even more complex. The assessment format is not necessarily identical across all levels. As for the specifics, if you have the chance to enter the Earth Spirit Region, or even the Heavenly Spirit Region, you will naturally be told then. Right now, don't think too far ahead. Being overly ambitious won't benefit you in any way," Lord Fang said in an indifferent tone.
"Lord Fang, I would like to ask, are the sixty-four people selected in this semi-final selection all chosen from the Heavenly Spirit Region?" another disciple asked.
"That's correct. The sixty-four slots will all be selected from the Heavenly Spirit Region. Therefore, you must strive hard. Even if there is only a sliver of hope, you must push to reach the Heavenly Spirit Region. Although most of you are destined never to make it there, as the person in charge of this Profound Spirit Region, I would be delighted to see a genius from my region stand out, enter the Earth Spirit Region, strive for the Heavenly Spirit Region, and even contend for one of the sixty-four slots. If even one among you can make it into that list of sixty-four, I, Fang, will have reason to be proud."
The Heavenly Spirit Region was filled with the top geniuses of the four major sects.
The Profound Spirit Region consisted of sect disciples with relatively lower talent and strength within those same four major sects.
This division was based on their respective performances within their sects. Generally speaking, for the Profound Spirit Region to break into the Earth Spirit Region, there might be hope.
However, for someone from the Profound Spirit Region to leap two levels and strike at the Heavenly Spirit Region was undoubtedly the stuff of dreams.
And to aim for the Heavenly Spirit Region and contend for a spot in the final sixty-four was even more impossible!
"Alright." Lord Fang waved his hand. "Now, let's assign your quarters. Grade A disciples get a private courtyard. Grade B disciples share one courtyard between two. Grade C disciples share one courtyard among four. Grade D disciples share one courtyard among eight."
The assessment period lasted three months, so they naturally needed a place to stay.
The distribution of quarters clearly demonstrated the differences between the four grades. Grade A disciples actually enjoyed the benefit of a private courtyard.
Having a private courtyard to oneself was naturally the highest treatment.
Grade B disciples shared a courtyard between two. While not exclusive, fewer people meant it was naturally quieter. Martial cultivation was most hindered by excessive noise and commotion. Fewer people meant a greater advantage.
For Grade C disciples, four people shared a courtyard, meaning more people.
However, compared to Grade D disciples, their treatment was still considered good.
The lowest treatment went to the Grade D disciples. Eight people shared one courtyard. This was undoubtedly very crowded. Crowding was one thing, but the key issue was the noise from so many people and the inevitable friction.
"Martial artists of the Fourth Rank are indeed discriminated against everywhere," Jiang Chen sighed inwardly, but he knew this was the rule, and he couldn't change it.
All he could do was rid himself of this Fourth Rank identity as soon as possible.
About an hour later, every martial artist had been assigned their quarters. As a Grade D martial artist, Jiang Chen was assigned to a courtyard located relatively far back.
Looking at the number, it was over nine hundred.
Jiang Chen didn't mind much. Since he couldn't change anything for the moment, he would make the best of his current situation.