Chu Nangui strode through the air and landed atop the enormous gateway. Looking down at those who had passed the first trial, he said, "The second trial begins now. Anyone who can walk from here to the summit may proceed to the next trial."
As he spoke, he pointed at the enormous gateway beneath his feet, forged from some unknown material.
Everyone froze. When they registered, they had passed through here to reach the Palace Gate at the summit. They had noticed nothing unusual about the White Jade Stairway leading straight up the mountain.
Then most of them breathed a sigh of relief. At least the second trial was not another free-for-all.
Enough people had died last time. Many had not recovered from their injuries in the past three days. If there were another free-for-all, plenty of them intended to withdraw.
Huo Xiaochेन also breathed a sigh of relief. He had guessed correctly: the second trial was not another free-for-all. That meant Xu Yang and the others could not threaten him.
Xu Yang and his companions, however, were disappointed. It seemed they would have no chance to kill Huo Xiaochेन.
"Consider yourself lucky," Gu Qingfeng snorted.
Huo Xiaochेन said nothing, but secretly clenched his fists, his expression dark.
"Now take your Jade Tokens. When your names are called, step forward in order."
Chu Nangui's voice rang out again. Immediately afterward, a dozen or so Heavenly Strategy Academy students emerged from behind the enormous gateway.
The next moment, everyone saw the words "Heavenly Strategy Academy" on the plaque blaze with dazzling radiance. The mysterious runes on the gateway lit up in turn, and the power of heaven and earth surged toward them.
In an instant, the entire gateway seemed to come alive, emanating an overwhelming pressure as immense as a mountain.