The Overbearing Ice Block, and the Profound Mastery Sage's Arrangement?

What will be in the second palace?

"Speaking of this secret realm, why does it test whether people are greedy or not..."

Li Mo continued climbing upwards.

This time, as I stepped onto the steps, a series of voices echoed in my heart.

The voice was chanting something.

It resembles Daoist scriptures, Buddhist principles, and even, in a fleeting moment, the lectures of a great Confucian scholar.

I had just stepped into the palace.

Boom--

The sound around me suddenly intensified, like a booming bell, leaving my mind blank.

"This is..."

Li Mo looked around.

Inside the palace, three bronze statues were enshrined.

The first image is of a dignified Buddha, seated cross-legged with a compassionate expression, smiling as if holding up a flower.

The second statue, dressed in a Confucian robe, stands there with an air of authority and confidence. Though it remains silent, it seems to embody the very concept of 'reason'. This is a sculpture of a Confucian sage.

The third statue... was different from what Li Mo had expected; it wasn't a Daoist priest, but a statue of a witch god.

Confucianism, Buddhism, and shamanism.

The three statues, each exuding a heavy aura, stood there as if the sky itself were pressing down on them.

If this were truly used for comprehension, it might be possible to condense an extremely powerful divine form within the Divine Observation Realm.

[Kneel and kowtow to enter this gate.]

Thump thump.

More than a dozen people knelt down.

Some people don't want to kneel.

But they were pale-faced and their veins were bulging as they tried to stand up, only to be pressed firmly to the ground.

"This..."

Although Li Mo felt the pressure, he only felt a little short of breath.

There were no other sensations.

"These three statues all exude the aura of the Dao."

Ying Bing spoke softly from the side, "If you feel a sense of awe towards any one of them, you'll have to kneel whether you want to or not."

Whether it's Buddha, a saint, or a shaman or god.

She only ever trusted herself.

"So, the first palace is a test of one's reverence for wealth."

"I wonder why the person who created this secret realm is so fond of making people kneel."

Li Mo seemed lost in thought.

He has lived two lives. In his previous life, he was an atheist, so he couldn't even kneel down.

But why must this test select someone who is disrespectful to gods and Buddhas and indifferent to wealth?

While eating watermelon, he stepped onto the stairs again.

That concludes the discussion.

Most of the fifty people have already left.

On their way to the third palace, several more people succumbed to the pressure and jumped into the abyss.

Only twenty people remained to officially ascend the mountain.

The statues enshrined here are familiar to everyone.

He wore a yellow robe, had the Son of Heaven Sword at his waist, held the jade seal in his hand, and his powerful eyes were gazing arrogantly at the sky.

Emperor Wu Martial Emperor of the Great Yu Founding Emperor.

This is just like how he looked when he ascended the throne, with a majestic and powerful aura, as if he could swallow the Four Seas and Eight Desolations.

Thump thump--

The sound of knees hitting bronze was incessant.

Most people knelt down.

This includes Tie Qi, who possesses exceptional willpower, Ouyang, the chief of Ruyi Peak, and Bai Jinghong.

"I... sigh..."

Tie Qi struggled a few times, but felt as if a mountain was pressing down on his shoulders.

He could only look at Li Mo with an apologetic gaze.

Li Mo nodded to him.

Emperor?

This probably represents imperial power.

Are you kidding me?

The only true test of our Little Li's ideological awareness is the people!

Therefore, the sense of oppression experienced by this layer is almost zero.

But he was quite understanding of his Old Tie's situation.

As citizens of Dayu, having grown up listening to stories of Emperor Taizu Wu, how could they not feel a sense of awe?

Therefore, it's understandable that this level resulted in almost complete annihilation for everyone.

Why didn't they kneel down?

Countless gazes, some resentful, some wryly, turned toward them.

Only three people are qualified to go to the fourth palace.

"Let's go, Senior Brother Xiao Bao."

The Ice Block had already moved on. Li Mo casually tossed away the watermelon rind and called to Tang Xiaobao.

Senior Brother Xiao Bao is straining, trying to lift the statue.

"Why?"

Bai Jinghong almost bit her teeth to pieces.

He is not convinced!

At the time of his birth, a master said that he possessed a sword physique, and at the age of six, he was taken in as a direct disciple by a powerful cultivator with Dharma Body from Cloud-Crossing Sword City.

At the age of twenty-two, he comprehended the Cloud-Crossing Sword Intent and ascended to the Hidden Dragon Ranking.

At the age of twenty-three, he tested his sword skills across the land, clashing with the most outstanding talents of a province, achieving seventy-four victories and two draws, thus cultivating Sword Qi within his heart.

In this tiny Eastern Wasteland Domain, how could he possibly fall down faster than those three?!

He is not convinced!

Buzz--

As Bai Jinghong watched the backs of Li Mo and the other two, he unleashed all his Sword Qi and sword intent.

Behind them, a divine sword amidst the white clouds was faintly emerging.

He stood up, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

With each step he took, he trembled, bearing immense pressure. His body was overwhelmed, and the sound of his bones cracking could be heard.

He was getting closer and closer to the steps.

"As long as we can get to that place..."

Finally.

Bai Jinghong stepped on it.

Something feels off under my feet?

He looked down and saw the watermelon rind at his feet.

He tried to pull his foot back, but it was too late.

Bai Jinghong: "!"

Everyone: "..."

He stepped on a watermelon rind and gave a live demonstration of what it meant to be an invincible whirlwind.

"Li Mo! I fucking hate you!!!"

Then a commotion came from behind.

"..."

Li Mo turned around and saw this scene, and said seriously:

"Senior Brother Xiao Bao, that's why good manners are so important."

Even in a secret realm, we cannot litter.

"?"

Tang Xiaobao scratched his head.

You ate the watermelon, you threw away the rind, so why am I the one being lectured?

Unfortunately, he was a bit slow on the uptake; he felt something was off, but he still nodded.

The three continued upwards.

This time, even stronger pressure swept in.

If what comes before is a test of one's sense of awe...

Here, the pressure is pure and undisguised, a kind of overwhelming power emanating from the strong over the weak! It makes one tremble involuntarily from the depths of their soul.

Tang Xiaobao's body glowed with a faint golden light.

"It's the Blood Phoenix Essence... no, more than that..."

A mysterious mark flickered between Ying Bing's brows.

She withdrew her gaze from above and glanced at Li Mo.

Are you alright?

"It's fine."

Li Mo was also quite puzzled.

The situation is the same as the Heaven-Ascending Stone Steps.

He felt as if he were walking on flat ground.

But judging from Ice Block's serious expression, this step seems to be more difficult than the previous ones?

"If the purpose is to select a successor, this should not be done."

Ying Bing's eyes narrowed slightly as she gazed at the last Bronze Palace.

From the very first test, she sensed something was amiss.

It wasn't until just now that it was completely confirmed.

She had a pretty good idea of what was up there.

"The intention behind these tests certainly doesn't seem to be to find a successor."

Li Mo nodded.

"Things might still change in the end, you can wait for me here."

Ying Bing suddenly spoke:

"This aura comes from a Profound Mastery Realm."

The Seventh Realm of martial arts: Profound Mastery!

He was practically a figure standing in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, on the clouds, receiving the worship and awe of countless martial artists, and was called a saint, a martial saint.

They, however, were only at the second realm, the Internal Breath.

Regardless of what Profound Mastery is plotting, the Inner Breath Realm is far too weak.

Li Mo glanced at her. "Since you're already here..."

The palace at the end of this road should lead to the third level of the Blood Phoenix Secret Realm.

This is also where the Ice Block incident happened.

Ying Bing's brows furrowed slightly, then relaxed.

Since he wants to go along, then let him go.

When an anomaly occurs, I will be there...

Not long after.

There are only eight steps left.

The pressure has increased exponentially; every step feels like a life-or-death experience.

Ying Bing's body was enveloped in the Taiyin Power, and she remained standing still with a calm expression.

But judging from her breathing, she was under immense pressure.

"How about we take a break?"

Li Mo, who had been strolling leisurely, asked softly.

Ying Bing did not turn around.

She stared coldly ahead.

"You think a mere Profound Mastery Realm can make me submit?"

"No matter who you are, you are courting death."

Her gaze was clear and cold, and her aura grew increasingly domineering and chilling.

Li Mo: "..."

He vaguely felt that the girl's silhouette was both divine and demonic.

It was as if she were the one standing on the clouds, looking down upon all living beings, ruling the world.

But this sounds a bit like...

Have you already chosen a path to death?

But the same words, coming from Ice Block's mouth, meant "Don't say you weren't warned."

Saying it out of your own mouth might just sound awkward and childish.

The imposing presence still needs to be firmly grasped by the Ice Block...

At this time.

Ying Bing stepped to the top of the stairs.

Boom--

Suddenly, a strong wind arose.

It was as if the entire secret realm was enraged by this.