Chapter 193
While this method appears fair, it also has its drawbacks.
There are countless cultivators participating in the introductory trial; a rough count would reveal hundreds of thousands, even millions. If these people were paired up, how could one ensure that the two combatants were roughly equal in strength?
Therefore, although this selection method is simple, [$
Therefore, the first level of the Trial Tower is of paramount importance.
Those cultivators who achieve a ranking in the Trial Tower will be given priority in grouping for the second trial.
It's unlikely that a cultivator of average strength would encounter a prodigy from a sacred family in their very first battle.
Even so, as many as 10,000 people achieved good results on the ranking stele of the Trial Tower.
The gap between the top 100 cultivators and those ranked in the thousands is like an insurmountable chasm!
Therefore, the second trial was divided into three groups based on this situation.
That is, the top 100 are in a separate group and do not participate in the knockout stage; they start by competing for the top 100 spots.
From the top 100 to the bottom 10,000, 50 people will be selected; from those ranked 10,000 onwards, another 50 people will be selected.
The two hundred people are scattered in order, and they are challenged one-on-one to compete for the first place.
Soon, Ye and Lin entered the second trial.
They achieved a top-ten ranking in the Trial Tower, so they didn't need to participate in the elimination rounds and were directly teleported to a quiet room with Spirit Gathering Formation set up inside.
On the table inside the room, there was a sign.
"The top 100 in the Trial Tower do not need to participate in the elimination rounds; they can remain here in seclusion, awaiting the start of the Top 100 Tournament."
Ye Ruoshui and Lin Wanqiu exchanged a glance. They had accumulated a lot of combat experience from their fierce battles in the Trial Tower, but they hadn't had time to properly absorb and master it yet.
Moreover, having gone through so many battles, his cultivation level was on the verge of a breakthrough. Now that he has time to cultivate quietly, it has indeed been a great help.
Lin Wanqiu said, "Let's just stay here and cultivate peacefully, and wait for the Top 100 Tournament to begin!"
"Um!"
Ye Ruoshui nodded.
Then, the two found a practice room in the house and began to cultivate in peace.
Ye Ruoshui sat cross-legged on the futon, her hands forming a mudra, and began to guide the flow of qi and blood within her body. The slow circulation was like a blazing sun illuminating the surroundings.
Since transforming into the Innate Fire God Body, her strength has greatly increased. Even without much combat experience, she is not afraid of anyone below the Primal Embryo Realm simply because of the perfectly fused Innate Fire!
Moreover, the five Crimson Flame Fire Sparrow eggs that Xiao Minghuang brought out from the Heavenly Mansion Secret Realm have already been hatched by her and are now all Spirit Seed Realm demon beasts.
Under the long-term nurturing of the Innate Fire, these Crimson Flame Fire Sparrow have mutated, greatly increasing their strength. Even their bloodline has shown a certain degree of ancestral regression. If they continue to grow in this way, they may truly awaken the bloodline of some ancient beasts in the future.
"I've heard that the Wei Dynasty inherited the bloodline of the ancient mythical beast, the divine tiger. Perhaps I could ask about it sometime in the future."
Ye Ruoshui murmured to herself, then focused her mind. Her cultivation had been stuck at the first level of the Spirit Seed Realm for a long time. She could have broken through long ago, but she just hadn't had the time to concentrate on seclusion.
"This time I'm going into seclusion, I'll strive to break through to the peak of the Spirit Seed Realm!"
A burning light shone in Ye Ruoshui's pupils. This was not a pipe dream, but a level she was certain to reach with the help of her Innate Divine Body and countless elixirs!
The pills used by the three of them were all personally refined by Ye Ruoshui.
After she transformed into the Innate Fire God Body, she almost never refined Yellow-rank or Profound-rank pills again, only Earth-rank and above pills!
After passing through Xiao Minghuang's hand, the number increased by dozens or even hundreds of times, more than they could use up!
Such resource supply far surpasses that of the chosen ones from the sacred families!
If you can't break through quickly with such massive resources, you might as well give up cultivation and go home to rest.
Ye Ruoshui took out hundreds of Earth-grade pill and piled them up beside her.
The same scene also occurred in Lin Wanqiu's training room.
Almost simultaneously, the two activated their cultivation techniques, frantically absorbing the pure medicinal power within the pills, and launched an attack towards the peak of the Spirit Seed Realm!
Several months have passed in the blink of an eye.
Over the past few months, the elimination rounds have been in full swing, bringing joy to some, pain to others, and despair to still others.
This is true of all aspects of human life.
However, the second level is different from the first level.
Everyone receives a reward from the Holy Academy for each competition they participate in, regardless of victory or defeat.
The difference is that the winner's reward is much greater than the loser's.
As time went on, the top 100 contestants gradually emerged.
Unlike the rankings in the Trial Tower, those who stand out in the elimination rounds are mostly independent Rogue Cultivator without a sect or faction, or cultivators from minor sects with little reputation.
In the battle within the Trial Tower, the guardians lacked the agility to adapt to the situation and simply followed the existing rules.
In actual combat, in addition to hard power such as cultivation level, supernatural abilities, and magic weapons, the wisdom of the cultivator is also a great test.
The chosen ones of holy families, though possessing higher cultivation and greater strength, are prone to losing their composure and becoming easy targets for exploitation when faced with an enemy who will stop at nothing to win.
Accidents and mishaps happen all the time.
The higher-ups of the Holy Land families were naturally aware of this, but they would not change their methods of training their disciples because of it.
Because in their view, what does it matter if they have a little bit of cleverness?
As long as one's cultivation level is rapidly increased, one can easily suppress thousands or even tens of thousands of ants with a little cleverness!
Those Rogue Cultivator have these underhanded tricks, which have absolutely no effect on them.
No matter how you change, I remain as steady as Mount Tai. If you get annoyed by my appearance, I'll just slap you to death.
223. Little nun, you are truly ignorant! [Please subscribe!]
This method is widely used by the Holy Land families, and is called, "One force can overcome ten techniques!"
The top 100 in the elimination rounds, though all seasoned veterans, have exhausted a great deal of their resources. Furthermore, due to their constant running around, they are physically and mentally exhausted. Facing the top 100 of the Trial Tower who have been resting and training for several months, it will be extremely difficult for them to win.
Only a minority can rise stronger with each battle and rebuild from the ashes.
Even knowing they were doomed to defeat, these cultivators would still participate.
Because regardless of victory or defeat, the Holy Temple will issue rewards.
This is also the Holy Academy's protection for Rogue Cultivator and minor sect cultivators, preventing them from being completely crushed by powerful forces and leaving no successors.
"Call!"
Ye Ruoshui let out a long sigh, opened her eyes, and her gaze was bright, like the stars.
"All the hard work these past few months has finally paid off!"
A faint smile curved her lips, and a look of satisfaction appeared on her pretty face.
"My talent may not be as good as Your Highness's, but I can't fall too far behind, and I can't hold Your Highness back!"
Moreover, she was determined to give it her all in this trial and show His Highness that she was no longer the little girl who only knew how to cry!
Most importantly, she is better than Lin Wanqiu!
At the same time.
Another practice room.
The azure-blue vortex surrounding Lin Wanqiu receded and returned to her body. She opened her eyes, her pupils resembling two bottomless abysses, mysterious and unfathomable.
Her cultivation had reached the peak of the Spirit Seed Realm, and she had sensed the call of the Embryonic Shadow Realm. She only needed the nourishment of Heaven and Earth Divine Object to advance further and manifest the Embryo Shadow.
"Now, I should be able to surpass that little girl Ruoshui!"
Lin Wanqiu blinked and thought to herself.
Since Ye Ruoshui fused with the Innate Fire, her cultivation level has surpassed hers. After that, she refined Earth-grade pill and transformed into the Innate Fire God Body, seemingly leaving her behind completely all at once.
As a result, His Highness also began to look at this little girl with new respect, and became somewhat indifferent to her.
However, the path of cultivation is not a smooth one that can be paved solely by talent.
In terms of talent, she possesses Innate Taiyin Spirit Body, which, although slightly lower in level than Innate Fire God Body, is higher in rank than Ye Ruoshui.
In terms of experience, she had practiced martial arts since childhood and never stopped cultivating, so her combat experience was much richer than Ye Ruoshui's. However, Ye Ruoshui was good at unorthodox methods, so they were evenly matched.
In terms of appearance, both are beauties, but their temperaments are completely different, so it's fair to say they're evenly matched.
In terms of feelings, Ye Ruoshui and His Highness are indeed more affectionate, but His Highness has publicly declared to the world that she is His Highness's rightful Dao Companion, and that will not change.
After considering everything, Lin Wanqiu felt that her relationship with Ye Ruoshui was only evenly matched.
The only thing that can determine the winner right now is who achieves a more remarkable result, catches His Highness's attention, and thereby gains His Highness's favor... or rather, his affection.
Lin Wanqiu let out a soft sigh, composed herself, and stepped out of the room.
"Sister Lin!"
Ye Ruoshui also just came out of seclusion and walked out of the training room, and the two bumped into each other.
The two women exchanged a glance and immediately noticed that the other's aura had greatly increased.
"You really made a breakthrough!"
The two women spoke in unison.
Lin Wanqiu smiled and said, "It was just a lucky breakthrough."
Ye Ruoshui smiled sweetly, "Sister Lin, please don't say that. Your talent far surpasses mine, so reaching the same level as me would be a piece of cake for you."
Hearing Ye Ruoshui's sarcastic words, Lin Wanqiu smiled even more brightly, "Yes, yes, Ruoshui is exceptionally talented and experienced. She will definitely overcome all obstacles and easily win the championship in the upcoming top 100 competition!"
Ye Ruoshui pursed her lips and smiled brightly, "Please give me your guidance, Sister Lin!"
"Not at all, as His Highness's Dao Companion, it is only right that I take care of Sister Ruoshui."
Lin Wanqiu deliberately emphasized the syllables of "Dao Companion," making it seem somewhat intentional.
Ye Ruoshui was no longer the naive little girl she once was, and naturally understood that Lin Wanqiu was emphasizing her status as the empress.
Lin Wanqiu was like the empress; although she wasn't Xiao Minghuang's favorite, her position was unshakeable.
Although Ye Ruoshui was favored, it was just that—favored. Xiao Minghuang would never consult her on anything.
Ye Ruoshui was well aware of this, but she was still a little annoyed.
She was here first!
But it's too late for regrets now. Who told her to be so naive and ignorant back then, and to fail to keep an eye on His Highness?
After their heated exchange, the two walked out of the room one after the other.
They were all hoping to step onto the arena together in the trial competition, defeat each other, and prove themselves!
But before that, all additional opponents need to be eliminated!
Therefore, the two of them share the same goal: to win first place in the trial competition!
The two of them didn't care much about the rewards of the trial, but they were willing to give it their all for first place!
As dawn breaks in the east, the sun rises in the east.
The vast and boundless trial grounds are located in a secluded little secret realm, which was created by the strongest members of the Holy Academy specifically for conducting trial competitions.
There is a formation set up by the Holy Academy here. Anyone who injures someone outside the arena will be forcibly teleported away. If someone suffers a fatal injury on the arena, they will also be teleported away and treated by the Holy Academy.
Therefore, the participants need not worry about their lives; during the competition, they can go all out without holding back.
Above the trial grounds, a giant screen stretches across the sky, marking the number of each arena and the order of the competitors. The competitors proceed to the arena according to the instructions, and the giant screen automatically records the results and groups them accordingly.
"Benefactor, this humble nun is new to this place and does not understand why each Holy Academy elder is in charge of this secret realm. Aren't you afraid that something unexpected might happen?"
"Little nun, you are truly ignorant. Times have changed. Now, the Sky Patrol Mirror controls everything in the secret realm, so there will be no mistakes. Even if an accident occurs, a supreme expert will know immediately and come to take charge. What are you afraid of?"
"I see. But I wonder what this Sky Patrol Mirror is?"
"You don't even know this? You're not a cultivator from the Hundred Sacred States, are you...? Judging from your attire, you don't seem like one, wearing a cassock..."