https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-51-Why-Would-Someone-Like-You-Come-to-the-Mock-Heaven-Sect-/12917733/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-53-A-man-who-fears-not-death-will-eventually-meet-it-/12917735/
Chapter 52: The Sky Darkens Again.
Chapter 52: The Sky Darkens Again.
"It's fine, let's go outside."
Chen Qiu calmly shifted his gaze from Fat Dragon, turning his head towards the words engraved on the pillar at the entrance of the Alchemy Hall.
"Second Gate, Brave Cuts."
"Pass this trial, and you can become an outer sect disciple of the Mock Heaven Sect."
Inside the Alchemy Hall, it was as if a barrier enveloped the area, keeping the ground pristine. As soon as one stepped into the hall, the second trial officially commenced.
Many had already entered, but quite a few had failed.
It seemed that from this second gate, the difficulty had increased slightly. Unlike the first gate, with its crude illusion, almost anyone could pass through smoothly. After all, the illusion didn't block one's memory, and everyone knew it was an illusion, so they wouldn't hold back when attacking.
If it were an illusion that blocked one's memory, making them forget why they were there, the number of people who could pass through would be much lower.
"Let's go."
Chen Qiu turned towards the group inside the Alchemy Hall, their bodies contorted and faces twisted as they struggled to move within the hall. He spoke softly, "This hall is a special area with gravity several times stronger than normal. The deeper you go, the stronger the gravity, and the harder it is to walk."
One only had to reach the central alchemy furnace in the hall to pass the trial. But taking a single step back meant failure, and the gravity would quickly dissipate, forcing them out of the hall.
"Oh, oh."
Fat Dragon nodded and hurried to follow, his heart fluttering with unease. Although he knew that events in illusions couldn't be mapped to reality, he still felt his legs turning soft.
He was trembling with fear.
At that moment—
In the ruins of an abandoned building near the first gate, Zhao Yishi hid in a corner, peering through a hole in the wall, trying to remain unnoticed.
The first gate seemed harmless, and almost everyone had passed through.
Even the monster seed hadn't gone on a sudden killing spree.
Zhao Yishi planned to wait until no one was around and then approach the first gate. Following others' footsteps might not yield significant gains, but it was safe.
It was like being in the wild; although red mushrooms might be tastier, feces were guaranteed to be non-toxic.
If they were poisonous, one wouldn't have the chance to excrete them.
Just then, a few young cultivators who hadn't even passed the first gate gathered together near the first gate. They soon made their way to the grand yet dilapidated hall where Zhao Yishi hid.
Only those who passed the first gate could explore the ruins around the second gate; otherwise, a barrier would block their path. Those who failed the first gate could only explore the ruins near the first gate.
Feeling a slight pain, Zhao Yishi looked down.
A Foundation Establishment Initial Stage cultivator was poking at his big toe with a long sword, "Hey, look, there seems to be an unknown barrier here. We can't see anything, but there's definitely a sensation."
"But it's not as hard as a barrier, more like a semi-abandoned one."
"Do you think there might be a small world sealed behind this barrier? I've always heard that the treasures of ancient sects are hidden in small worlds!"
"Makes sense!"
The cultivators' eyes lit up, and they simultaneously drew their flying swords, attacking the invisible yet tangible barrier before them. They had no chance of reaching the second gate, and after searching near the first gate for half a day without finding anything, they were excited to discover what seemed to be a treasure!
A Skyward Titan, curled up in a corner, slowly dispelled his Concealment Spell and stood up, expressionless as he looked down at the tiny ants below. With a blank face, he said, "Nerve-wracking, like an illness."
Then, he strode out of the hall and towards the first gate, where only a few people remained. It was his turn to take the stage.
In a teahouse in Fufeng City, a scholar sat cross-legged in a corner chair, his eyes glazed over as if in a trance, intently staring at the tea in his hand. His ears twitched as he listened intently to the storyteller on the stage narrating the past exploits of a certain hero.
"Hey!"
The storyteller struck the gavel, capturing everyone's attention, and then he smiled, "The person I just mentioned, many of you have surely heard of his name!"
"He was once the number one sword cultivator in Great Xia!"
"The White Robe Sword Cultivator!"
"His early success made him arrogant, but he never expected that the last time he provoked someone he shouldn't have. This incident erased the name of the White Robe from Great Xia. Let me tell you this story from the beginning, so listen carefully as I slowly unfold it."
"Brother."
The bearded man beside him, his face slightly excited, leaned his head close to the scholar and shook his head vigorously, indicating that he should listen carefully.
Over the years, when the scholar had nothing to do, he would come to the teahouse to listen to the storyteller. He knew that his brother actually disliked listening to these stories, but the only reason he frequently came was to hear his own story from the storyteller's mouth.
Unfortunately, these storytellers only narrated the tales of those who were currently famous, as that was what the people wanted to hear.
No one spoke of past heroes, and no one listened to their stories.
Finally, when the storyteller mentioned his name, his brother must be thrilled.
The scholar drained the tea in his cup and then, annoyed, brushed off his brother's hand, saying, "When I became famous, there were countless storytellers narrating my exploits. I'm tired of hearing them, so don't look so downcast."
Just then—
A middle-aged man in the audience waved his hand dismissively, "Can we get someone else to tell the story? Can someone who died so long ago still be considered the number one sword cultivator of Great Xia? If he truly was the best, could he have died so easily?"
"Just a lucky waste, chased like a dog and fleeing for his life."
". "
The scholar, who was about to refill his tea, suddenly stopped and turned his head towards the man who had waved his hand dismissively. He remained silent, his expressionless face showing no emotion.
"Brother!"
At this moment, the bearded man tightly held the scholar's right hand, "You just consumed the Heavenly Dao Treasure Jade, and the hidden poison in your body is barely under control. You're still in the recovery phase. You must not take action now; if you do, your spirit energy will become chaotic, and you won't last more than a few moments!"
"Mhm."
The scholar nodded, and the Qingfeng Sword in his sleeve trembled. After a long while, he sighed, patted his brother's shoulder, and indicated for his brother to carry him out of the teahouse. The storyteller, facing the audience's discontent, had already switched to narrating the story of another person.
And this person was none other than the current number one sword cultivator in Great Xia.
Outside the teahouse, the sky was as dark as it had been for the past few days. The black clouds stretched for thousands of miles, pressing down on the entire sky, with barely a glimpse of sunlight. The atmosphere was oppressive, filled with a sense of freedom.
The sky had turned dark again.
(End of Chapter)
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