The final trial: A true powerhouse (part two)

Three Trials is for the final battle of the Dragon Phoenix Ranking, eliminating most of the unqualified Cultivator. Thousands of Cultivator have already been tested by the Endless Wolf Pack in the first trial and the Asura Purgatory Diagram in the second trial, leaving only a few hundred. Now, what will the final trial hold?

"First of all, everyone who has drunk Su Huayu's blood is disqualified from participating in the Third Trial test." However, before announcing the content of the Third Trial test, Purgatory Elder suddenly spoke up. These words were like a thunderclap out of nowhere, causing many people's expressions to change drastically.

"Why!? Why have we lost our qualification for the Third Trial test? Didn't we already obtain the Black-and-White Armbands?" The Cultivator below reacted fiercely, unable to help but shout. The other Cultivator who had fought over the blood of Su Huayu responded in unison.

The other Cultivator were also discussing among themselves, none of them expecting the Purgatory Elder to make such an announcement. Yin Wugu and the others also wore expressions of lingering fear.

Undeniably, they were also interested in Su Huayu's blood and collected a portion as well. However, they didn't rush to absorb it. Fortunately, I didn't rush to absorb it either, otherwise, I would have lost face if I hadn't even passed the second test.

"There's no reason why, it's because I'm the host of the Dragon Phoenix Ranking selection," Purgatory Elder said coldly, raising his eyes slightly in response to the commotion, showing no interest in explaining.

The gaze fell on the Cultivator who spoke first. The sharp gaze caused the Cultivator to scream in agony as his body exploded, sending blood, flesh, and bone fragments flying everywhere.

Now, no one dared to speak again, staring in shock at Purgatory Elder. They had almost forgotten that the person before them was an elder of the Asura Sect, and even more so, a powerful figure at the Void Returning Stage. Just now, they had actually questioned the words of Void Returning Stage expert?

"What about me? Am I qualified to participate in the assessment?" At this moment, another voice rang out.

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice, and the one who spoke was Zhang Kuang. He had also obtained Su Huayu's blood. According to Purgatory Elder, he should also have lost his qualification to participate in the Third Trial.

"You? You can participate in the Third Trial," Purgatory Elder said Zhang Kuang.

Purgatory Elder's words brought a smile to Zhang Kuang's face, but the other Cultivator had stained themselves with Su Huayu's blood looked even uglier. However, having learned from the previous example, they dared not speak out against it, though they were deeply resentful.

"Purgatory Elder, isn't this unfair? The Dragon Phoenix Ranking concerns the entire Yanling Commandery, but it's not something your Asura Sect can decide alone. Otherwise, your Asura Sect Dragon Phoenix Ranking and Phoenix Ranking yourself, why would you need the rest of Ginseng?"

However, a clear female voice rang out, and someone actually dared to question Purgatory Elder's words. Who was it? Tian Lingshan, the daughter of Sect Master Tian Buyi.

The Dragon Phoenix Ranking concerns the Hundred Emperors Tomb. Purgatory Elder's blatant favoritism towards his own Sect is far too obvious. Tian Lingshan cannot stand by and watch. The Asura Sect monopolizes the Dragon Phoenix Ranking spots? This is an explicit rule of the Great Qin Empire's Imperial Clan; how dare they abuse their power for personal gain?

When Tian Lingshan spoke, all the Cultivator who had been stained with Su Huayu's blood turned their attention to Purgatory Elder, to see how he would respond. With Tian Lingshan standing up for them in public, these people felt that someone had vented their anger on their behalf.

"This girl is young, but she's got some skills," Zhuge Xiang murmured to himself, admiring Tian Lingshan.

On one hand, Tian Lingshan raised her questions to prevent the Asura Sect from becoming too dominant and taking up too many spots on the Dragon Phoenix Ranking. On the other hand, wasn't she also trying to win Human Heart's hearts? These people were all outstanding young talents from Yanling Commandery. By Cultivator their gratitude towards her, it would be much easier for her Tiandao Sect operate in Yanling Commandery in the future.

Purgatory Elder narrowed his eyes, a hint of displeasure in them. However, given Tian Lingshan's status, killing her would certainly not let Tian Buyi off easily. Although he wasn't afraid of the Sect Master of the Medium Sect, it was best not to provoke such trouble unless absolutely necessary.

Without making a move, Purgatory Elder looked at the Cultivator, who were all waiting for his answer, and said, "Originally, I wouldn't bother explaining so much, but since you insist on knowing, I will tell you."

"The first challenge, the Endless Wolf Pack, has a simple purpose: to eliminate most of the weaker Cultivator. The Dragon Phoenix Ranking only has thirty-two spots, and there are far too many people unqualified to compete for them."

"The second stage, although I ostensibly claim it's for collecting Black-and-White Armbands, is it merely to reduce the number of participants? If that's the only purpose, why would I bother with a second stage? Why not just wait until only a hundred or so people remain from the first stage?"

Purgatory Elder's words stunned the Cultivator on Sword Peak, who then suddenly realized that, indeed, the purpose of the second trial was the same as the first, so why bother with a second trial?

"The Dragon Phoenix Ranking refers to outstanding individuals. Judging them solely by their strength is too superficial. The real test in the second stage is actually Su Huayu. It's true that her blood can grant someone Demonic True Body, but the power of this blood is too domineering. Sooner or later, she will lose control and end up exploding and dying."

After a slight pause, the Purgatory Elder surveyed all the Cultivator who had drunk Su Huayu's blood and said, "Courageous people are admirable, but to knowingly face such danger and still rush forward is not courage, it is foolishness. People who so easily gamble with their lives will surely not live long. How can they be called Dragon Among Men? How can they be qualified to participate in the Dragon Phoenix Ranking?"

"...", the Cultivator on Sword Peak were speechless at Purgatory Elder's words.

Knowing there was danger, yet still disregarding everything, risking one's life for power is courageous, but casually gambling with one's life will surely lead to a quick death in the future. The Purgatory Elder's assertion left them speechless.

From this perspective, it makes sense that Purgatory Elder agreed to let Zhang Kuang participate in the third assessment. Zhang Kuang obtained Su Huayu's blood not by fighting for it himself, but by accidentally getting it during the battle, and it was also a sacrifice made to boost the morale of everyone at the time.

Tian Lingshan was speechless, and those Cultivators who were originally dissatisfied were also speechless.

"Alright, now let me see... Hmm, there are still 130 Cultivator qualified to participate in the Third Trial," Purgatory Elder said after looking around and seeing no further objections. As he spoke, Purgatory Elder stood up and uttered a statement that shocked everyone. "I will personally take charge of the Third Trial."

"What!?".

All the Cultivator on Sword Peak were horrified, and many couldn't help but gasp in astonishment. The Third Trial, the Purgatory Elder, Void Realm Great Expert, was personally taking action? How could that be? Could anyone possibly stop someone like him?

Now, whether they were qualified to participate in the Third Trial or not, everyone was utterly shocked. A Void Realm Great Expert reversing Yin and Yang, moving mountains and filling seas, chasing stars and chasing the moon—could they possibly contend with such a Divine Ability being? Could a single move from such a being kill every Cultivator a thousand times over?

Fortunately, Purgatory Elder's next words softened everyone's expressions slightly.

" For the Third Trial, I will unleash my full power. All you have to do is wait for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Whoever can last that long will pass the Third Trial." As he spoke, Purgatory Elder flicked his finger, and a lit incense stick pierced through the rocky ground and stuck in the earth.

Purgatory Elder's words brought a sigh of relief. Although the aura of Void Realm Great Expert was certainly terrifying, it was a thousand times better than Purgatory Elder taking action.

Besides, since it's just an assessment, I believe the Purgatory Elder will control his aura. Otherwise, if no one passes, what's the point of continuing the Dragon Phoenix Ranking?

"Is it really just a matter of intimidating these people with sheer force?" Looking at the Cultivator on Sword Peak, who all seemed somewhat relieved, Luo Wuxue, who knew Purgatory Elder's personality well, didn't believe that the Third Trial was really that simple.

"Alright, the Third Trial, let's begin now. You little guys, get ready," Purgatory Elder said impatiently, his gaze fixed on the Cultivator had stepped forward to participate in the Third Trial test. As he spoke, Purgatory Elder's aura emanated from him.

Boom!

The terrifying aura was beyond words. In an instant, an immense aura emanated from Purgatory Elder, piercing through the white clouds above the Sword Peak as if pierced by a sharp sword, and instantly shredded.

Kerala...

The sword's edge was entirely made of rock, and under the aura of the Purgatory Elder, cracks appeared one after another. The aura was indescribable, making one feel as if a mountain had suddenly crashed down on their back.

Puff puff puff...

Scarlet blood blossoms bloomed one after another, under the heavy and terrifying pressure. The more than one hundred Cultivator participating in the assessment seemed to have suffered a heavy blow, spitting out a mouthful of blood. Unable to withstand such pressure, they knelt on the ground.

Zhuge Xiang's face turned pale, and he felt a thud in his chest as if he had been struck hard by a hammer. His internal organs were shaken, and his knees bent slightly, almost causing him to kneel down.

This aura... this is the aura of Void Realm Great Expert? Just this aura alone is enough to immobilize me.

Would they hold back their strength? Zhuge Xiang really wanted to curse at this moment. Who said that the Purgatory Elder would definitely hold back some strength to let people pass? With such terrifying suppressive aura, who could pass?

With a snap, Chen Wuming knelt down, and within two or three breaths, Huo Siling knelt down, followed by Gu Siqi, Tian Lingshan, Zhang Kuang, Lin Haiyan, Wu Zhao, Yin Wugu...

"No... I can't fall..." Zhuge Xiang cried out in his heart, feeling as if he were carrying a mountain on his back. His eyes were wide open in horror. Of the more than one hundred Cultivator, only Zhuge Xiang was still standing.

However, after Yin Wugu had only knelt for two breaths, Zhuge Xiang's knee cracked, his leg bone splitting, and he too collapsed to his knees... (To be continued...)