Chapter 1081: Chapter 1055: A Tribulation in the Mortal Realm
“A small world like this is likely a formidable mystical artifact, though I don’t know its rank. At least for me, with my current power, there’s no way out. Even if I use the Power of Divine Demon, I probably can’t tear open the space and escape.” Tangyu surveyed his surroundings, pondering in his heart.
Over two hundred thousand people entered, yet they were scattered so widely. In Tangyu’s view, there was not a soul in sight. This small world must not be small. This ensures that disciples from the same power cannot easily form a team. As for later on, it doesn’t matter. Whoever remains will be elites. In the beginning, at least, there’s a guarantee of relative fairness.
Tangyu’s gaze also rested on the imposing, towering tree. Suddenly, his ears twitched, and the Pangu Axe appeared in his hand. He turned around swiftly, delivering a lethal slash.
Sure enough, as Tangyu made his move, a ferocious demon beast emerged from behind him, lunging at him like a phantom. This beast had been hiding in the tree, but no matter how well, Tangyu sensed its presence. Such an ambush posed no threat to Tangyu.
Swoosh!
With a fierce slash from the Great Rift Vajra Technique of the Sixth Layer, aided by the Pangu Axe, he cleaved the demon beast in two. It did not even have time to scream before it met its doom.
Tangyu glanced at the demon beast, which resembled a spiky, dog-sized creature, yet not very strong — only equivalent to the Mystic Law Realm Fifth Layer.
Such a beast was as effortless for Tangyu to kill as crushing an ant.
He extracted the demon core, pocketing it directly. Tangyu once again scanned his surroundings carefully. Confirming no other demon beasts were present, he moved on. He walked casually, thinking that if a beast wanted to ambush him, it would spare him the effort.
Demon beasts were indeed not scarce here; as Tangyu proceeded, he was attacked three times, once even by a demon beast of the Mystic Law Realm Sixth Layer. He was unsure if it was luck or something else. Encountering a Mystic Law Realm Sixth Layer demon beast could be fatal for many. Furthermore, Tangyu saw someone killed by a demon beast.
After about half an hour, Tangyu finally encountered someone. Seeing Tangyu, the person charged without a word, his sword pointing at Tangyu as he said, “I don’t want to trouble you. Hand over your tokens, and you can leave. Otherwise, if I injure you, this test ends for you.”
Tangyu smirked: “If you want it, you must have the strength to take it.”
“In that case, don’t blame me for being impolite.” The man attacked, slashing toward Tangyu. Tangyu immediately recognized him as a Mystic Law Realm Fifth Layer cultivator. In terms of realm, he was indeed quite decent. He practiced three paths, but their integration was far from perfect, making his sword technique appear rather ordinary and not impressive to Tangyu.
This level of strength might be exceptional in a third-ranked power, but here, where talents were gathered, it was unremarkable.
Tangyu shook his head slightly, not even bothering to use the Pangu Axe. With a single strike, he shattered the man’s sword force completely, causing him to fly back, his hands wounded and bleeding. The man’s expression changed drastically, looking at Tangyu with an odd gleam in his eyes.
“Run!” The man immediately thought, if he couldn’t win, he should flee; otherwise, Tangyu would take his tokens.
Tangyu slightly grinned: “Trying to run?” With a movement, he easily caught up to the man, two breaths later, he was in front of him, pointing a sword at him. “I don’t wish to trouble you either. Hand over all your tokens, and you can leave. Otherwise, if I hurt you, this test ends for you. Apologies, but it seems this was your line earlier. Now, I’m returning it to you.”
The man’s lips twitched, but before such a formidable opponent, he had to admit defeat, handing over his token. Seeing he only took out one, Tangyu shook his head: “You aren’t very cooperative, are you? In that case, do not blame me for being ruthless. After I severely wound you, your test ends here.”
The man’s face turned pale, pleading, “Please, don’t. I’ll give you everything.”
The man took out another token and a demon core, but whether he was hiding something, Tangyu couldn’t tell. Receiving two tokens and a demon core was a decent gain, so Tangyu let him go.
Moving on, Tangyu glanced up at the sky, sensing a pair of eyes constantly watching him. Likely, the white-haired elder was overseeing the entire small world, ensuring no one cheated.
As for these matters, Tangyu didn’t bother to pay attention and continued forward.
Outside, above the glowing sphere, those dozen or so disciples of the Jiuzhou Immortal Sect had also dispersed. Each stood guard over a position or area, monitoring below. Their duty was to prevent anyone from cheating. If anyone dared to violate the rules, they would immediately step in to punish them.
The three white-haired elders stood in the void, like three deities. Their gaze would occasionally sweep across the glowing sphere, capturing the entire situation within it at a glance, leaving nothing unseen.
“Elder Yu, I see you’ve been eyeing that kid. Do you think highly of him?” asked the thinnest of the three white-haired elders to the elder who had just been presiding over the selection.
Elder Yu replied, “Elder Xiao, what do you think of him?”
If someone else were here, they would certainly realize that the person they were discussing was none other than Tangyu.
Elder Xiao shook his head and said, “Elder Yu, isn’t it too early to make a conclusion now? The test has just started, and he hasn’t shown any performance. If we must say there’s any, it’s only that a month ago this kid gained some fame after a draw with that boy from the Flame Nation at Forgetful Palace. To be able to match that boy from the Flame Nation, this young one’s strength is indeed something, and his talent is quite good. Becoming a disciple of our Jiuzhou Immortal Sect is inevitable. But Elder Yu, do you really think he can win first place in this disciple selection?”
Elder Yu smiled lightly and said, “What do you think?”
Elder Xiao immediately shook his head and said, “I don’t think so. I don’t even favor the boy from the Flame Nation, even though he has potential. But I believe a dark horse will appear. Moreover, there are descendants of several elders from our Jiuzhou Immortal Sect participating in this selection, and those kids are quite remarkable. Jiuzhou City also has a few good kids, and even from the City Lord of Pangu’s family, there are some disciples participating; I would favor them more. As for this kid, I don’t know his background, so I don’t see him as the first.”
Elder Yu chuckled again and looked toward the other stern-faced elder, asking, “Elder Mo, what do you say?”
Elder Mo pondered for a moment before saying, “I can’t say for sure, but— I do find this kid to be decent; he has potential in many aspects. Although he hasn’t shown much yet, there’s something unfathomable about him. Let’s see how he performs later; I also think he has some potential.”
Elder Yu laughed and said, “Elder Xiao, it seems Elder Mo also leans towards my side. Though this kid hasn’t shown much yet, the show has just begun. I sense a unique aura and flavor from him. Especially his eyes, they remind me of that person’s figure.”
“What? That person!” Upon hearing Elder Yu’s words, both Elder Xiao and Elder Mo were slightly startled. Elder Xiao shook his head, saying, “That person was the most remarkable disciple since the founding of our Jiuzhou Immortal Sect by the two grandmasters, dazzlingly bright. But what a pity—if this kid indeed resembles that person, it might be better to eliminate him early to avoid future trouble for our Jiuzhou Immortal Sect.”
A hint of severity appeared on Elder Mo’s face as well.
Elder Yu waved a hand, saying, “Elder Xiao and Elder Mo, no need to be like this. That person is in the past now. I only meant that this kid’s determined nature, as revealed in his eyes, somewhat resembles it. There’s no murderous aura about him. Moreover, I can see that he is not a bloodthirsty person. When he encounters others, he tries to avoid battle if possible, and when he does fight, he does so with restraint, not seriously wounding adversaries, only inflicting light injuries. If the other side truly resists, he would then strike more heavily. Based on this behavior, I believe he has a compassionate heart.”
“Such nature is commendable; it means he will not stray to the demonic path. Of course, life is unpredictable, but as of now, it seems so. However, ones like that person were extremely rare. In the five-thousand-year history of our Jiuzhou Immortal Sect, only one like that has appeared. You need not worry so much, generalizing like that will only restrict your perspectives.”
Only then did Elder Xiao and Elder Mo nod, regaining their composure.
Elder Yu’s gaze swept over the interior of the glowing sphere again, nodding slightly, “This time, we’ve indeed attracted a batch of fine talents, all worth nurturing. Alas, before a great calamity, we all feel so powerless, so small and insignificant. Thus, we can only do our best to prepare. No one can escape the trials of life. I just hope this matter doesn’t lead to the destruction of our Jiuzhou Immortal Sect.”
At this, the expressions of Elder Xiao and Elder Mo turned somewhat gloomy.
“Enough, let’s not mention it.” Elder Yu waved his hand.