A Test

"Responsibility? Clearing away every obstacle?"

Zhongli turned to look at the earnest Aserine and could not help laughing. Tilting his head slightly, he asked, "What if you are not strong enough to do it?"

"I will grow stronger, keep growing stronger, until I have enough power to accomplish it!" Aserine said firmly.

"Haha... I'll be watching."

Zhongli did not directly refute her, because the power of a God's Eye carried a certain idealistic element. Idealistic power was far more troublesome than ordinary cultivation power.

For God's Eye users, their normal state was merely their lower limit. Their combat power could erupt according to their emotions, and their upper limit could not be determined below God Level. Such eruptions were uncommon and had absolute limits, but any power tainted by idealism could not be viewed through ordinary eyes.

Under special circumstances, the power unleashed by a God's Eye user beyond their limits could even reach, or surpass, the realm of gods in an instant. More terrifyingly, such idealistic eruptions had no side effects whatsoever! No side effects at all!

However, the upper limit of idealistic power a single God's Eye could bear was God Level. One needed two God's Eyes or a God's Heart to bear the power of conviction above God Level, thereby opening a higher upper limit for a short time.

Power beyond that of gods!

A classic example. Those who knew, knew~

Three days later, before Spirit Hall.

Zhongli paused outside Spirit Hall. He narrowed his eyes slightly, looked at Spirit Hall's plaque, and took several deep breaths. Finally, he walked inside with somewhat heavy steps. With every step, his bearing and expression became increasingly firm and confident.

Even from outside Spirit Hall, he could sense several extremely powerful presences within. There were several people stronger than him at his current stage, certainly more than one, though the exact number was unknown.

He did not use Rock Perception. This technique was fine for sensing the weak, but using it on the strong would most likely be noticed. He would find out once he went inside; there was no need to take the risk.

Facing several top-tier experts carried a certain degree of risk, so remaining completely calm and unruffled was somewhat difficult.

Bang!

Just as Zhongli took his first step into Spirit Hall, a powerful pressure burst forth and instantly shrouded the area around him. This pressure targeted only him; it was both intimidation and a test.

"Hmph!"

Zhongli proudly raised his head, gave a slightly disdainful snort, and strode forward against the pressure.

This pressure was not particularly strong, only around the level of twenty-five ranks. If Zhongli's strength had truly been that of an ordinary Rank 20, he would undoubtedly have faced a difficult situation. But... his strength was far from that simple.

Inside Spirit Hall.

"Oh? Interesting!"

A handsome man who appeared to be only in his thirties or forties wore a faint smile. His smile carried a calm, tranquil air that instinctively made others feel at ease.

He was tall, though not particularly muscular. He wore a simple gray robe, and his black hair fell behind his back, neatly combed. His clothing was plain, and he looked like an ordinary middle-aged man, yet simply standing there gave others the urge to worship him.

He was Qian Daoliu!

"Under the pressure of a full twenty-five ranks, he was actually able to ignore it completely. As expected, he is no ordinary person," Qian Daoliu said with a slight nod.

Beside him sat a woman so beautiful that she was breathtaking. Noble, elegant, tranquil—every beautiful word seemed applicable to her.

She was the Pope of Spirit Hall, standing at the pinnacle of Spirit Hall's authority: BiBi Dong, a tragic woman. She was already around forty, yet time had left no trace on her face. It had only made her temperament more perfect and noble.

BiBi Dong glanced at Qian Daoliu. Holding her scepter, she said softly, "It is too early to test him now. He does not yet have sufficient trust in Spirit Hall. We should first approach him with goodwill."

"Mm, that makes sense."

Qian Daoliu smiled warmly and nodded lightly, then withdrew the pressure surrounding Zhongli. With a calm smile, he used his spiritual power to "look" at Zhongli.

But that single glance met Zhongli's Golden Dragon Eyes. A sense of oppression originating from the difference in their life levels arose within his heart, though it vanished in an instant. Yet Qian Daoliu did not ignore that fleeting pressure. His brows furrowed deeply, his breathing quickened slightly, and the importance he placed on Zhongli rose exponentially.

What... is going on with this fellow?

There is no mistake. That was not the feeling of a difference in strength; it was the feeling of a difference in life levels! He can hardly be considered human. Rather than a human, he is more like a god who has yet to grow to his peak. He is fundamentally different from people like us.

Qian Daoliu's heart began beating rapidly. He was a Rank 99 Limit Douluo, standing at the pinnacle of power in this world, and the Angel God's representative in the mortal realm. He was one of the people who understood gods best in this world. His judgment was almost certainly not wrong.

"Hmm?"

BiBi Dong glanced at Qian Daoliu and discerned much from the subtle changes in his expression. She could be certain that there was something extraordinary about Zhongli. From here on, they had to treat him carefully.

Golden Crocodile Douluo sat silently to one side. Sitting there with him were the two powerful Titled Douluo, Chrysanthemum and Ghost. However, among the five people here, the two of them were the weakest and held the lowest status, so they could only sit aside and watch silently.

What a fall, folks...

Zhongli entered Spirit Hall, and a servant who had been waiting for a long time bowed respectfully. Extending an arm to guide him, the servant said, "Please come upstairs with me. The esteemed guests are waiting for you above."

"Mm."

Zhongli nodded lightly and followed the servant upstairs. With every step, the pressure in his heart increased by another degree. Yet that pressure did not affect his actions. It only made his mind more focused, allowing him to better accomplish whatever goal he encountered.

The strong were not people who could not feel pressure or fear. They might perceive both more clearly than anyone else. The strong simply forged ahead under fear and oppression, walking more steadily and swiftly. The weak either could not sense them or were crushed by them. That was the fundamental difference between the strong and the weak.

The truly strong understood weakness better than the weak did!

Before long, Zhongli arrived outside the designated room. The servant bowed and politely took the initiative to open the door for him. "Please enter!"

Zhongli looked at the five people inside the room and walked in without hesitation. Meeting their gazes directly, he smiled slightly and said, "Good morning, everyone of Spirit Hall."

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