Ancient Savage Beast
"Leopard Girl, stop teasing Shentu Nantian. He just got caught off guard. Yi Yun is a cunning guy! We should be careful too."
Among those present were people from powerful families with close ties to the Shentu Family, who spoke up for Shentu Nantian. The Leopard Girl he referred to was the petite girl with black hair, black clothes, and even black fingernails.
The Leopard Girl remained silent. Although she didn't have a good impression of the Shentu Family, they had already signed a contract, and there was also a member of the Shentu Family present. She couldn't very well embarrass them.
The only member of the Shentu Family, who looked to be sixteen or seventeen years old, was quite low-key. He followed behind a boy wearing a flame-patterned robe.
This young man, named Gongsun Hong, came from the Lihuo Sect.
Even the Leopard Girl and the boy with the bag on his back had some respect for Gongsun Hong, who had won first place in the previous Lihuo Ranking Inner Disciple Competition at the Lihuo Sect.
The Lihuo Ranking is held every three years and is only open to young disciples of the Lihuo Sect who are under the age of eighteen and are minors. Gongsun Hong's ability to take first place on the Lihuo Ranking is enough to prove how formidable he is.
It's important to understand that in the Tianyuan Realm, sects may not be as cohesive as Lineage, but in terms of strength, they often surpass even large Lineage. After all, a Lineage tends to select its members based on their Lineage, which inevitably limits its options, while sects don't need to consider these factors.
The people from various factions present made no attempt to be considerate of Yi Yun, nor did they conceal their murderous intent towards Yi Yun.
However, in the Empress Secret Realm, everyone is protected by laws. If anyone makes the first move, their power will be temporarily stripped away by the laws.
However, this protection only applies to those who are qualified to become the Empress's successor. Once they lose their qualification, the protection ceases to exist. The Empress Secret Realm certainly wouldn't spare any resources to protect those who are useless.
They were waiting, waiting for the trial to begin. Only those with sufficient talent could continue, while those who lacked strength would be eliminated.
For most people present, being eliminated was merely the end of the trial, but for Yi Yun, being eliminated meant falling into a wolf's den, and his fate was predictable.
Just then, with a soft "whoosh," the vast white earth before everyone's eyes twisted, and a rushing river appeared out of thin air, stretching across the land. And across the river, a huge bridge of light appeared.
This light bridge is over twenty meters wide and two to three hundred meters long.
On the bridge of light, a shadow appears from nothing, from blurry to clear.
When everyone looked closely, they were all shocked. A wild beast had appeared on the bridge!
This wild beast was as tall as a two-story building and looked like a giant tiger. However, its body was covered not with tiger stripes, but with countless bolts of lightning.
It has spear-like fangs and sword-like claws, looking ferocious and giving people a strong sense of oppression!
"This is..."
Many of the young people present were stunned. What was this thing?
This beast looked so real, indistinguishable from a real wild beast. It had flesh and blood, and its amber eyes revealed a chilling glint.
However, people know that the Empress Secret Realm has existed for far too long, and no wild beast has ever survived being sealed Empress Secret Realm for so long.
So this wild beast in front of us, though it looks real, is actually an energy entity!
An energy-based wild beast completely simulated the feeling of a real wild beast. This method was astonishing. However, what was most astonishing was that, according to the jade slip given to them by the Shentu Family, they would never have experienced this scene.
The jade slip records that they should have crossed a wilderness at the beginning and fought a battle there, but it doesn't mention that they would have encountered the Light Bridge and this terrifying beast.
Given the existence of Soul Contract, Shentu Nantian couldn't possibly provide a false intelligence jade slip. Therefore, the most likely explanation is that the trials they face each time they enter the Empress Secret Realm are different...
In this way, it is impossible for later generations to receive specialized training based on the experience of their predecessors, thus ensuring that the successors selected by the secret realm are truly talented and knowledgeable.
Realizing this, everyone felt a chill run down their spines. This Empress Secret Realm was far too terrifying. A trial realm that was different every time—how did the Ancient Empress manage to do that?
Now is not the time to marvel at these things. Without a doubt, the Shentu Family's secret realm jade slip, apart from marking the entrance to the Empress Secret Realm, has little other reference value.
They all have to rely on their own adaptability!
"The trial content has changed; everything we face is unknown."
The boy with the bag on his back didn't seem worried at all; instead, a hint of excitement flashed across his face.
"Interesting!"
The Leopard Girl was also eager to try; she subconsciously clenched her fists, her black claws gleaming coldly.
Just then, a voice rang in everyone's ears. The voice was calm and soothing, but devoid of any human emotion, like a metallic synthesized voice. "Each person has one chance. Endure for the time it takes for An Incense Stick to burn, and you can cross the light bridge and enter the next level of the secret realm."
"So that's how it is, enduring the claws of this wild beast for the time it takes for An Incense Stick!"
"I love this trial!" the Leopard Girl exclaimed excitedly.
Not only was the Leopard Girl excited, but Lin Yu from the Lin family was also thrilled. His first trial was actually a battle against wild beasts.
And this is precisely what he excels at.
During the final six months of grueling training in the Empress Secret Realm, he spent almost every moment in battle, fighting against young prodigies and engaging in life-or-death struggles with wild beasts.
"This is a good omen. I'm going to make a name for myself in this trial!"
Lin Yu clenched his fists tightly, his eyes unconsciously flashing with an ambitious light.
Lin Yu isn't quite at the level of a true top genius in the Lin family; otherwise, he wouldn't have almost been denied a spot in the Empress Secret Realm this time.
As for Yi Yun, Lin Yu didn't care whether he would be killed in this secret realm. What he cared about was that Yi Yun had provoked too many powerful enemies, and he would be caught in the crossfire.
To put it bluntly, as long as he himself is safe, Lin Yu would only gloat if Yi Yun were killed by other Lineage.
Yi Yun almost stole his spot, and he also received the Old Madam's favor, having access to all kinds of top-tier resources at will. Lin Yu was already insanely jealous; it would be better if he were dead!
Just then, Lin Xiaodie chuckled and said, "To be able to personally experience an ancient secret realm is an extremely rare experience. It would be a real shame not to record it."
Lin Xiaodie was dressed in Hua Hua clothes. She was petite and cute, and as her name suggests, she truly looked like a butterfly flitting among flowers.
Perhaps because she was about the same age as Yi Yun, her personality was also a bit like that of a child who never grew up. She did what she said she would do, ignoring the fact that many forces were eyeing the Lin family. She actually took out an Imprint Array Disk from her Space Ring and placed it not far from the light bridge to record the scene of each young junior walking onto the light bridge for the trial.
"Ha! Junior Sister Xiaodie, your approach is quite interesting!"
Seeing the Imprint Array Disk, Lin Yu was very excited. He had originally thought that the elders of the Lin family would not see his performance, but now that they had the Imprint Array Disk, they would definitely be able to observe it in the future and see his heroic figure!
Lin Yu was hesitating whether to step onto the stage immediately when the cold voice from the Empress Secret Realm rang out again, "The first trial participant to step onto the bridge of light will have the difficulty reduced by 20%!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a short, chubby boy jumped onto the bridge of light. The person who made the first move was unaware of the beast's abilities and was at a great disadvantage. However, if the difficulty could be reduced by two points, that disadvantage might turn into an advantage.
"That kid!" Many people, including Lin Yu, cursed inwardly. This fat guy was too cunning; he had just snatched the first place spot.
"Haha! Everyone, I'll scout the way for you!"
The short, chubby boy laughed heartily, quite pleased with himself for winning first place.
Of course, even though he was pleased with himself, he was not careless or underestimating his opponent. Facing the wild beast in front of him, the short, chubby boy was on high alert.
He knew very well that the Ancient Empress was an unapproachable being, and ordinary geniuses were simply not worthy of her attention.
The Empress Secret Realm she set up for selecting a successor is incredibly difficult!
The beast before them was probably an unknown ancient species, with terrifying strength. Although they were all top geniuses, many of them would surely be eliminated in this entrance exam!
The indifferent voice just now said that as long as you stand on the bridge of light for the time it takes for An Incense Stick, you can pass through.
Therefore, the short, chubby boy never even considered attacking the beast; all he needed to do was hold on!
Simply holding out is naturally much easier than defeating this wild beast!
...(To be continued~^~)