Myriad Nascent Dao Pagoda.
The little over one hundred elites of the Myriad Yore Continent were cultivating quietly. The ambient air was tense and solemn as everyone was diligently trying to increase their strength by any amount. The guillotine that was the Myriad Yore Continent left their necks stiff and their hearts cold.
Barely a day had passed since they were left by Xiang Ling, but none of them dared to enter the Myriad Nascent Dao Pagoda.
A few minutes after Xiang Ling left, an overconfident youth at the Seventh Stage of the Qi Condensation Realm made his way inside with smiles and excitement. At that time, everyone was raring to go to test their mettle, but few wanted to be the first one to do so.
When he entered the pagoda's doors, all eyes followed him without exception, and the pagoda's first floor released dim light, and then no more than a few seconds later, a horrific at-death shriek echoed out with thunderous volume. It was heart-trembling and fear-inducing, and very, very brief.
The first floor subsequently returned to normal but the disciple didn't exit.
Is he dead? Was the thoughts of everyone. As they turned their heads and saw the fear and uncertainty reflected in each other's eyes, there was no need to exchange words—He's definitely dead.
It was then they all understood that Xiang Ling's words were by no means scare tactics. They would die if careless; if unworthy; if foolish.
Long Chen, Wu Baozhai, Lian Yu, Na Xinyi, Lin Ziyan, and Ming Shufeng were seated in a circle while cultivating their hearts out. Between their brows was a wisp of dark air formed by the unfathomably intense pressures that pressed heavily upon their souls. None of them wanted to die here.
Na Xinyi had generously shared the resources that Wei Wuyin had given her, but unfortunately, it wasn't enough for them all. It seemed that dastardly Wei Wuyin had only given enough for effectively one person, three at most, and if split further, was unequal and unbalanced. Because of this, the Spirit Ton was given to Lian Yu, Ming Shufeng, and her.
As for the Sublime Sun Pills, they were split to the only Sixth Stage cultivators amongst them: Ming Shufeng and Lian Yu.
As for the Yin Nether Elixir, she and Wu Baozhai were the recipients.
Wu Baozhai had her own Spirit Ton Elixir obtained before, bought off Wei Wuyin from earlier.
Since Long Chen and Lin Ziyan were at the Eighth Stage of the Qi Condensation, they didn't have any use for these products. In the end, it was limited anyhow, so they had to give them to those who needed it.
Ming Shufeng pouted, as her combat ability was the lowest present, she had the lowest chance of success. "You should've asked for more."
"..." Na Xinyi's left eyelid twitched a little.
"We'll be fine," Long Chen comforted and said. In his opinion, they didn't need Wei Wuyin's help, but even if he said this, no one would not use those alchemical products. After all, their lives were on the line.
"..."
The crowd ceased their cultivation as a figure rose up and started walking towards the Myriad Nascent Dao Pagoda. Their eyes were like uncanny motion lights as they followed their figure's every step. They didn't dare to not pay attention!
It was a young woman. She looked to be in her early-twenties, but her actual age was closer to forty years old. Her short hair, styled in a blonde layered crop with highlights, and an exceptional countenance. She was definitely a beauty with light brown eyes and pink lips.
She had a cultivation base at the Sixth Stage of the Qi Condensation Realm, and for her cultivation, she was exceptionally young. Those at this level typically had three to five hundred years of lifespan.
To possess her cultivation level at her age, she was definitely a genius, but only in regards to the Myriad Yore Continent.
"Isn't that Wen Mingna? She's the third princess in this generation of the Wen Country!" A handsome youth quietly said to his friend, but who were the elites present? How could they not know the identity of every person present.
"Mn. It's rumored she had the highest natural talent amongst the Wen Clan. It was said she had the greatest chance of becoming an Astral Core Realm expert in the last three hundred years! I wonder how far she'll make it," his friend waved. Many wished a beauty like her would make it far, or at the very least survive.
Wen Mingna was brave, and a wisp of determination flickered between her brow. 'It's unlikely I'll be able to assail the Seventh Stage of the Qi Condensation in a decade or two, so it's best to struggle for an opportunity now than wait for later. If I leave here in fear, who knows if I'll survive or be turned into a plaything by other strong cultivators?'
Her thoughts were exceptionally clear and honest. She knew that the cultivation world was cruel, and those with natural beauty and weakness would often be used and abused without mercy. It was that way in the Myriad Yore Continent, so there was a high-chance it was like this, or even worse. Especially since she was still a virgin.
She no longer had her father and grandfather to protect her, so she needed to grasp at a straw of a backing. If the Myriad Monarch Sect was truly one of the five hegemonic forces in the entire starfield, then that's where she wished to go!
The various conversations and hushed whispers about her were tuned out. She had steady and strong steps as she entered the pagoda.
Shroom!
The First Floor lit!
Everyone waited with bated breaths, clenched fists, and tight hearts. If Wen Mingna could make it through, then their chances would increase as talent mattered and not cultivation base! If she failed, then it meant it was incredibly likely the cultivation base was heavily factored into the test results!
"..."
A second.
Ten seconds.
A minute.
No scream was heard and the floor remained lit, but everyone remained incredibly tense.
Ming Shufeng was more nervous and anxious than everyone present. She was a Seer and could normally catch a glimpse of heavenly trends. Similar to how she deduced that Wei Wuyin would die if he embarked on the choice to refine the Absolute Zero Ice Essence, she could normally determine the fates of others. But due to her lacking cultivation, and the fact the Myriad Nascent Dao Pagoda was constructed and tainted with karma of the Astral Core Realm, she couldn't determine a single whisper of heavenly trend from it.
This meant she had very little certainty that her life would be secured if she took this test. Perhaps it would be best to leave prematurely, and make her path slowly. When this thought entered her gaze, she turned to Lin Ziyan and Long Chen. She felt this was the correct choice. Regardless if it were in talent or cultivation base, she was severely lacking.
Unwilling to risk her life, she planned her departure in her mind. She'll embark on another path, and hopefully grow and develop without the umbrella of a Blessed. At least, for now. And preferably a female one...the threat of falling for a male Blessed drove her insane.
Lin Ziyan saw Ming Shufeng nervous and then a determined expression. She was the only one amongst the group that knew Ming Shufeng was a seer. "Anything?" She wondered if Ming Shufeng saw the fate, and sent her a spiritual message.
Ming Shufeng turned her ocean blue eyes to Lin Ziyan and sighed in her heart. She shook her head. If she wasn't beside Lin Ziyan, she wasn't sure if she would be able to live a good life. Not all Blessed had a happy ending, and if their fortune and fate runs its course, those behind them were the most affected. It was a heartbreaking reality.
"She made it to the second floor!" A person exclaimed with a trace of insane excitement in his eyes. The first level was now emanating a rainbow-colored luminescent light, and the second floor became lit just like the first floor before.
This discovery reinvigorated the hopes of all the young elites, their eyes brimming with various intentions and bolstered confidence. The first youth to challenge the pagoda lasted a few measly seconds before his untimely demise. However, Wen Mingna had passed the first level after a few minutes!
This meant the criteria for ascending the pagoda varied based on the individual. What that criteria was was an unknown, but they had guesses. It could be based on cultivation base, which meant it measured the strength one possessed at that phase. If that was indeed the case, cultivating was pointless and, in fact, a detrimental action.
Those who recently ascended had very little control over their newfound cultivation, and they needed months to solidify their cultivation base before their comprehensive combat power was stabilized.
It could also be determined by age and cultivation. If so, cultivating and making breakthroughs had obvious benefits, but only if you neared a breakthrough. After all, who knew how long it'd take you to ascend to the next stage? The test might be harder than if you took it now.
There was also the possibility it relied on other intricate factors or both of these factors. Regardless, it sparked a bright hope in each of their hearts.
"She's on the third floor now!" Wen Mingna had made it to the third level in a few minutes. The amount of time it took was just slightly higher than the second floor. They were all either silently and loudly rooting for Wen Mingna to pass this examination and give them true hope. Furthermore, she could tell them about the examination.
As if hearing their encouragement and prayers, within an hour, Wen Mingna had ascended to the sixth floor! Her momentum was fierce up to that point.
"Wen Mingna is an exceptional figure of youth and talent. Blessed with a high status since birth, endless teachers, and tailored made cultivation methods and challenges. She's nearly the peak representation of our Myriad Yore Continent's talent and potential! It's possible she'll become a disciple with ease!" A chubby youth with bright eyes and shivering cheeks spoke vigorously to the others. His words held a sentiment that many agreed upon.
Long Chen frowned, his eyes focused on the sixth floor that was dimly lit for quite a while. Na Xinyi abruptly asked, "Where do you think Wei Wuyin lands in terms of talent within the continent?" Her words were nearly compulsive, unable to stop her mouth from speaking.
She bit her lower lip as the eyes of the group turned to her.
Wei Wuyin was a figure of legend within the Myriad Yore Continent. In fact, he's a legend that had no legend. He was abrupt in his rise and has always been. He went missing for ten years. When he returned, he could slay Hu Jiwei with a single strike. He could calmly threaten and later severely maim an Astral Core Realm expert. Also, he was an Alchemic King!
Despite not having any achievements outside of the Scarlet Solaris Sect ten years prior, he was a memorable figure today, especially to these youths who personally witnessed his actions and abilities.
"He's the highest peak," Lian Yu honestly answered. "However, that's now. In the future, I'm sure Long Chen wil be the highest peak in the Myriad Monarch Sect."
Long Chen looked towards her. He felt a surge of warmth in his heart. Reaching out to grasp her hand, he smiled at this beauty. Just as he was about to say some words, a hellish screech echoed from the pagoda.
Na Xinyi bit her lip harder. 'But what if I want to be the highest peak?'