Three emerald-green beams of light, representing Newborn and reward, flowed into the bodies of the three men who had passed the trial.
The terror of surviving a disaster swiftly faded from their faces, replaced by visible exhilaration.
One of the men was the one who had bitten through the vines in the illusion. Feeling the surging power within him, he could not help throwing back his head and letting out a long howl.
He suddenly rushed toward a pile of stone meant for building houses, picked up a boulder weighing at least five hundred jin, and easily raised it over his head!
"Strength! I can feel endless strength!"
His face flushed red as he roared excitedly, smashing the boulder heavily onto the ground with a dull thud.
This scene was clearly witnessed by everyone in the square.
On one side were those who had passed the trial, received Divine Grace, gained tremendous strength, and become full of vigor.
On the other side...
Everyone's gazes uncontrollably turned toward the seven unlucky men still trapped in the illusion, their faces already taking on the ashen hue of death.
Evergreen's voice delivered the final verdict on their fate.
"Then, Withering awaits you."
This time, he did not deal with them one by one as before. Instead, he raised his hand and clenched it at the seven men from afar.
In an instant, seven distinct streams of gray air drifted from his palm and precisely coiled around the seven men.
"Ah—!"
"Help! My hand! What's happening to my hand?!"
"No! No! I don't want to become like this!"
Shrill screams, so agonizing they barely sounded human, instantly echoed across the entire square!
The seven men were like flowers with their growth sped up, withering and decaying at an alarming rate!
Their muscles shriveled, and