The axe followed John into the next trial as well, comforting him greatly. With his scythe destroyed, it was his best hope of passing the trials ahead of him. While the sword he had was powerful, he didn't have any good comprehensions or insights towards it, unlike the axe.
"It seems that although this Divine trial is sure death to those below that talent level, its also a great boon as well. I have obtained an amazing weapon, and incredible Dao insights."
John looked before him after the light faded, revealing him to be in a completely new area. John once again found himself standing in the void, however, this void was not an endless expanse of white like before, but instead an endless expanse of darkness. Countless stars shimmered in the far distance, providing light within the void, making it not completely pitch black.
Before him, a ten yard wide bridge of light stretched out as far as he could see. Other than the bridge, there was nothing. John peered over the side of the bridge, and only saw a black expanse of nothingness below him.
A thought crossed his mind, and he took out an insignificant weapon from one of his spatial rings. John threw it over the edge, and his eyes trailed the weapon as it fell down unhindered, eventually disappearing into the pitch darkness of the void below.
A shiver crawled up his spine at the sight.
"It seems as if below this bridge is truly an endless void. I need to make sure to stay on the path before me."
John once again looked back towards the light bridge. After composing himself and searching for any danger, he took a step forward.
Boom!
His foot slammed onto the bridge's surface with great force, sending pain washing up his legs. His legs buckled from the unexpected force, as he hastily increased his power to withstand the pressure.
John took another step!
Boom!
His foot slammed against the bridge once more, sending out a deafening sound from the force of the impact. John's body was now fully on the light bridge, and he felt the pressure on his full body. Even with his incredibly powerful body, John felt it difficult to resist the pressure on the bridge.
"What the hell is up with all these pressure trials?" John grumbled as he stabilized himself.
There was the pressure trial on the stairs outside, and now this trial. However, the pressure on the light bridge was countless times more profound and powerful than the outside staircase trial, giving even John a hard time.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
John slowly but surely continued to walk forward, resisting the pressure washing down on him. Each step he took, he could tell that the pressure was slowly but surely growing stronger.
'I'll advance through this trial for as long as possible without using my Supreme Battle Art or Immortal Asura Transformation Art, as my blood essence reserves are limited.'
John relied just on the strength of his body to resist the pressure, however, the pressure was not only physical. He could feel the pressure invade his body, pressing down on his dantian in an attempt to crush it, as well as on his soul in an attempt to overwhelm it. He heard murmurs, enticing him to step off the edge of the bridge. However, he ignored them, his soul resisting their charms.
Had he not cultivated in front of both the holy gate, increasing his soul power, and the sinister gate, increasing his will, John felt that he might have fallen victim to these murmurs.
At the same time, John scoffed at the pressure on his dantian. He had a twenty times compressed dantian, which was incredibly firm. The pressure would need to be far greater to threaten his dantian. However, John understood the reason for this pressure.
"If someone with an average, or even an above average dantian entered this trial, it would be crushed under this immense pressure. Based on the power of the pressure I'm guessing only someone who achieved ten compressions would be able to withstand it, and even then just barely."
While John was fine against this dantian pressure, he once again became slightly shocked at the profundity of the trials. Ten compressions was considered the peak of the human realm, the absolute pinnacle of what someone could achieve. For that to be the baseline requirement was quite shocking.
John smirked at himself for thinking the Divine Trials would be easy for him based on his battle prowess. These trials were testing every aspect of his cultivation, making sure he had no flaws. Only such a cultivator could become Divine.
John continued to slowly walk forward, feeling the pressure rain down on his body, dantian, and soul. Every step made the next one more difficult, and the pressure was beginning to grow hard for even him. Sweat began to drip down his forehead as he exerted himself greatly. His bones creaked from the pressure on them. His soul began to ache greatly from the power of the trial.
"Hmm?"
John paused for a moment as he carefully inspected his body. The overwhelming pressure made John focus on his journey forward, but he finally noticed some changes within his body.
The pressure washed over every cell, cleansing them of impurities and ever so subtly changing the nature of his cells. His muscles began to be refined even further, while his blood was purified and cleansed. John could feel his body, which was already incredibly pure and powerful, become even more so.
Not only that, but the constant pressure on his soul slowly but surely strengthened it, as long as he could resist its nearly overwhelming power. His face lit up with joy.
"With every trial comes opportunity!"
John suddenly quickened his pace and strode with great speed through the trial. Every step increased the pressure on him, and before long the pressure grew to a level that even John could no longer withstand. He grit his teeth tightly while he resisted the immense pain on his body and soul.
"Here!"
John found his current limit, and suddenly sat down in a meditative position. The pressure continued to rain down on him, and John allowed it to wash over him. Even while seated, John struggled against the immense pressure.
"While I could force my body and dantian through this trial, my soul would not be able to withstand that. I need to raise its power first before I continue."