Endure Lin Feng and Xiao Qin's oppressive aura for ten breaths!
As Lin Feng's voice faded, the expressions of everyone in the palace shifted subtly.
It was common knowledge that Lin Feng and Xiao Qin were formidable Martial Body realm experts. Even a ten-breath oppressive aura from them was an ordeal that cultivators at their level, Spirit Masters, could not possibly withstand.
"You needn't be so tense. The contestants in the B-grade palaces will have to endure ten more breaths than you," Xiao Qin said with a smile, seeing the grimaces on their faces.
Twenty breaths!
Upon hearing this, everyone gasped again. However, upon further consideration, they felt a sense of relief.
Li Xuan glanced at He Yi, nodding slightly as he saw the resolute look on his face. He Yi's demeanor indicated that, barring any major mishaps, he was destined for great heights.
As for Li Xuan himself, he knew he wouldn't be affected even by the oppressive aura of Martial Ancestor Lin Dong.
At this moment, Li Xuan felt a surge of gratitude for the strength of his Unyielding Bloodline.
"Alright, you have one minute to adjust yourselves. The preliminary selection will begin thereafter," Lin Feng announced, casting a glance at the assembled crowd.
Everyone promptly closed their eyes and took deep breaths, clearly intending to reach their optimal state.
To be able to participate in the Human Ranking, every contestant possessed a certain degree of self-confidence. Despite only thirty thousand spots being available, who wouldn't aspire to be among that thirty thousand?
Time slipped by stealthily, and in the blink of an eye, a minute had passed.
Lin Feng and Xiao Qin exchanged glances and nodded slightly, then turned their attention to the crowd.
"Preliminary selection, commence!"
As the words were spoken, terrifying oppressive auras erupted from both Lin Feng and Xiao Qin simultaneously.
Like waves, they surged towards the crowd, engulfing nearly three hundred thousand people in the palace within mere breaths.
As the oppressive aura washed over him, Li Xuan's blood and qi instinctively circulated, absorbing it all. To avoid drawing attention, Li Xuan promptly closed his eyes.
Beside him, He Yi felt a suffocating sensation, akin to drowning, as if he were on the brink of death.
*Thump.*
After two breaths, a *thump* signaled the first contestant falling. Once one had fallen, more and more people, unable to bear it, collapsed.
Three breaths.
Nearly a hundred thousand had fallen.
Four breaths, another fifty thousand collapsed.
In the blink of an eye, in less than eight breaths, over two hundred thousand people had succumbed.
Li Xuan was aware of the commotion around him but did not look left or right, lest Lin Feng and Xiao Qin detect his scrutiny.
*Dong!*
At this very moment, Li Xuan saw He Yi sinking to a half-kneel. Despite this, He Yi gritted his teeth, refusing to fall. The bulging veins on his face and the torrential sweat clearly indicated the immense pressure he was enduring.
Li Xuan silently admired him, as the tenth breath was rapidly approaching.
*Crack!*
Just then, a crisp sound emanated from within He Yi's body.
Clearly, the immense oppressive force had caused He Yi's ribs to fracture.
"Enough. Persisting like this would be letting you down," Li Xuan sighed inwardly. With a thought, he placed a hand on He Yi's shoulder.
The tenth breath arrived!
*Boom!*
Instantly, over fifty thousand more people collapsed. The number of those still standing was now less than thirty thousand.
Lin Feng and Xiao Qin exchanged another look, then simultaneously retracted their oppressive auras.
The moment the pressure receded, those who had remained standing immediately slumped to the ground, gasping for air.
"All eliminated contestants, depart," Lin Feng instructed.
Soon, the vast palace was left with fewer than thirty thousand people, appearing significantly more spacious than before.
"Brother Li, thank you," He Yi said, having recovered, and looked at Li Xuan.
Although He Yi didn't understand why the oppressive aura had weakened considerably when Li Xuan's hand touched his shoulder, he knew that without it, he would have surely failed to endure ten breaths.
"Rest well and adjust. There's a long road ahead," Li Xuan said, patting He Yi's shoulder. He then turned his gaze towards Lin Feng and Xiao Qin above.
What would the next stage of the assessment be?