First Asura Trial, Passed!

No matter how disdainful or arrogant the shadow appeared, it could not conceal his panic.

Seeing this, a smirk tugged at the corner of Lin Chuan's mouth as he said indifferently:

"You grow stronger by feeding on the negative emotions I produce, don't you?"

"If you don't finish me off now, is it because you haven't extracted enough power from me yet, and you're afraid you won't be able to maintain your form next time?"

"You rely on my negative emotions to grow stronger, and now you can control a portion of them, but what comes after that?"

"Could it be that you want to seize control, become me, and then replace me? You want to escape this space."

Having said this, Lin Chuan was able to confirm one thing through the other's expression.

The shadow's actions and words were all designed to manufacture panic and pressure.

Trying to make him give up his struggle, fantasizing about using other methods to disrupt him, and testing what could trigger his emotional fluctuations—this was undoubtedly a suspicious point.

He hadn't wasted his time reading novels before his transmigration; before starting the first trial, he had even crammed on the subject of illusion trials.

Looking at the shadow's hideous and ugly face, Lin Chuan's expression was playful; he felt no fear, let alone panic, and said:

"You are not me. You aren't as handsome as me, your temperament isn't as strong as mine, and your behavior is disgusting—like a maggot."

"When it comes down to it, you're just a piece of trash created by stripping away a sliver of my emotions and mixing it with garbage energy, right?"

The shadow had been granted sentience, but lacked much of a brain; all the emotions he wished to express were written plainly on his face.

This made it difficult for Lin Chuan not to guess the truth.

He didn't have a cheat like the shadow, which allowed him to know what his opponent was thinking, but it made no difference either way.

Even if he guessed wrong this time, he could just guess a couple more times; he would know the truth just by watching the shadow's expression.

The shadow, however, did not possess Lin Chuan's strategic foresight.

Upon hearing the evaluation of himself, his expression stiffened for a moment, and his eyes revealed a deep sense of astonishment.

"What? Isn't it a given that you have no brain?"

"You think you are very powerful, but what is the use of mere strength? You are nothing more than a mindless beast."

"Like pigs, dogs, cattle, and sheep, you will be slaughtered at will."

The core of the Asura God and his judgment is indifference—having feelings, but lacking righteousness.

It is not the traditional lack of emotion or righteousness, nor does it require one to sever their seven emotions and six desires.

The purpose of the Nine Asura Trials might be to shape the correct values for the inheritor.

What is required is reason, calmness, and decisiveness—the ability to correctly judge the good and evil of both sides in the secular world.

This is far better than the Angel God, not only in terms of the god position but also the content of the trials.

Judging good and evil—the two should be in a direct superior-subordinate relationship.

The Angel God judges humans, while the Asura God judges gods.

Having lived two lifetimes, Lin Chuan's emotions could no longer sway him.

Having feelings but lacking righteousness was something that had accompanied him since birth, and it remained so to this day.

He would never have familial ties, because from beginning to end, he had never truly acknowledged anyone.

His personality destined him to be unable to fully trust anyone other than himself.

There were no friendships to hinder him either; his personality ensured that no one could ever leave a mark in his heart.

Therefore, the requirement of the first trial—to remain calm amidst a chaotic mix of emotions—was exactly what he possessed and excelled at most!

Under the shadow's astonished gaze, a pair of soul-stirring eyes suddenly appeared behind Lin Chuan.

The massive figure of Giratina loomed in the darkness, flickering in and out of existence, radiating immense pressure.

"You... seek death!"

The shadow was furious, roaring through gritted teeth. His legs bent slightly, and his figure shot forward in an instant.

Facing these calm, icy, and ordinary words, he felt fear.

Why?

Why did he know all of this!

This time, even though the opponent's speed was faster and his strength greater than his own, Lin Chuan's expression remained indifferent.

When Giratina's figure fully manifested in this space, seven Spirit Rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, and red—emerged beneath his feet.

The seventh Spirit Ring, a blood-red hundred-thousand-year Spirit Ring, released an unrivaled pressure in an instant.

At the same time, the shadow rushed in front of Lin Chuan and threw a punch with a hideous expression.

"BOOM--!"

A sound like a thunderous bell echoed through the space, and Lin Chuan was sent flying instantly, just as before.

Yet this time, he felt no pain whatsoever; he hadn't suffered a single injury.

On the contrary, the shadow, amidst Lin Chuan's sudden shift in emotion, grew increasingly panicked, and his strength became pathetically weak.

He gradually sensed his strength waning, that feeling of powerlessness growing more pronounced with every passing moment.

Sensing his own strength slipping away, he flew into a maddened rage, his eyes turning scarlet as he glared with monstrous hatred and killing intent toward the unscathed Lin Chuan in the distance.

However, he soon recalled the parameters set for him by the trial.

As long as he killed his opponent, he would be restored to his initial state.

Afterward, even if he caused the opponent to experience negative emotions, his strength would no longer continue to increase.

But as long as he kept killing the opponent from the very beginning, he would have a chance...

Forget it, as long as... as long as he could survive right now!

"I'll kill you! I'll kill you, it's all you... it's all your fault!"

"I will make you wish for death but be unable to die!"

The black shadow had completely lost the ability to think rationally, his entire being consumed by panic and fury.

Even if he killed Lin Chuan in this round, the next time the opponent returned, he might already be a Spirit Douluo.

Yet his own strength was merely double Lin Chuan's current power, and it would not change as Lin Chuan's strength increased in the future.

There would eventually come a moment when he would die.

His upper limit was locked, and his lower limit depended on the enemy being sufficiently rational and calm.

As long as the enemy was not swayed by emotion, he would grow weaker and weaker until he was killed.

By the time Lin Chuan realized this, the black shadow had become a grotesque, inhuman mess, unable to even maintain his most basic form.

This First Asura Trial was nothing more than a test of mindset, designed to reflect judgment and slaughter.

Due to the shift in the situation, the balance of power in the entire space had tilted completely in Lin Chuan's favor.

From having his five senses blocked at the start to now being able to use his Martial Soul and Spirit Bone with virtually no restrictions, it was clear.

The black shadow, unable to even maintain his basic form, had lost.

Lin Chuan dragged his aching body step by step toward the black shadow, his aura rising steadily with every stride.

"Is this all you have?"

"If you cannot satisfy me right now, then you might as well disappear."

As he spoke, the sixth Spirit Ring beneath Lin Chuan's feet flashed.

The Giratina behind him roared, and instantly, a tens-of-meters-long claw mark of evil energy, carrying the power of wind and thunder, crashed down with a teeth-gritting, piercing whistle.

Lin Chuan's right hand was also instantly covered in a giant claw of solidified evil energy, which he swung fiercely forward.

A four-to-five-meter-long purple-black claw mark followed, tearing through the air toward the black shadow.

The two attacks, one large and one small, struck the black shadow in succession, producing a deafening roar.

Continuous shockwaves rippled outward, blowing Lin Chuan's hair and robes into a frenzy.

A long while later, when the shockwaves dissipated and the entire space returned to calm, a resonant voice suddenly echoed:

"Your aura of slaughter is not pure enough. However, the essence of this trial is judgment and composure; at any moment, they can be the key to victory. This is the secret to survival."

"First Asura Trial, passed!"